Holiday activities for the entire family, Page 7B EY COUNTY JOURN -m.A-HE COUNTY PAPER * EST. 192 M.. Vol. 86, No. 23 Dec. 10, 2009 +~ -w�^ms mmme www.levyjournalonline.com 50 cents Federal jury convictsYearty, Parker of bribery By Terry Witt Staff Writer Suspended Levy County Commissioners Sammy Yearty and Tony Parker were convicted Friday of taking a $10,000 bribe from an undercover FBI agent posing as a slick New Jersey developer whose promise of building condos and townhouses in the county turned out to be as phony as his identity. The verdict sent an emotional shock.wave through the families and friends of Parker and Yearty seated in the courtroom in Gainesville. Many wept quietly as the two commissioners stood silently at the defense table listening to the verdict from the 12-member federal court jury. U.S. District Judge Stephan Mickel set sentencing for 1:30 p.m., April 5 at the federal courthouse in Gainesville. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered forbothmen. Neither ofthe commissioners commented on the verdict on advice from their attorneys. Yearty was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, one count of bribery, and one count of knowingly making a false or fraudulent statement to the FBI. Parker was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of bribery. Yearty's attorney, Rod Smith, said it was too early to talk about an appeal. He said motions would be filed, but he offered no details. Parker's attorney, Gloria Fletcher, declined comment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg McMahon said he had no problem with the way the FBI conducted its undercover investigation despite defense allegations that the two commissioners were lured into a government trap. Entrapment is illegal. McMahon said he was satisfied the grand jury arrived at an "appropriate indictment" and the trial jury returned the "appropriate verdict." "The reports were that individuals were accepting bribes for development," McMahon said. "We created a development company to find out if anyone would take a bribe." He declined to identify the person or persons who told the FBI that bribes were being taken for development. The -FBI sent undercover agent Sean Quinn into See Trial, Page 3A Mine permit draws attention of Levy attorney By Terry Witt Staff Writer County Attorney Anne. Bast Brown was asked Tuesday to investigate an allegation that a condition was mysteriously added to the King Road Mine permit allowing the mine's owner to keep a test pit open rather than filling it. Yankeetown Councilman Jack Schofield raised the issie at the county commission meeting, alleging that the original special exception permit for the Tarmac limestone mine north of Inglis called for the test pit to be filled after a period of time, but he said a condition was added that changed the requirement. "How did the condition get added when it was never voted on," Schofield said. Brown is to investigate the allegation with the help of Development Department Director Rob Corbitt. Corbitt said the county did investigate the permit a year ago, but he said the newest twist is that there is an inconsistency between what the board approved and what the conditions say. Brown and Corbitt will listen to a tape recording of the county commission meeting where, the Tarmac special exception permit was approved to learn what commissioners read into the record and what the permit actually says. In other business, a resolution opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to impose strict new water quality rules was approved on a 4-1 vote of the board. Commissioner Chad Johnson pushed for the resolution. He wants the EPA to recognize the expertise of the Florida Department of Environmental See Permit, Page 2A 10 a 90782 00200 a 1 P.... r- C t,. ct r.-. - 'roCA. *.. C) "- Judge Joseph Smith retirement party, Dec. 10 Please join us in celebrating 16 '2 years of judicial service ,,. to the citizens of Levy County in honor of Joseph E. Smith, S* Levy County Court Judge Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, -. .. on Thursday, Dec. 10. There will be a reception from 4:30 . p.m. - 7 p.m. with remarks at 5:30 p.m. '" The party will be held at the Bronson Elementary School : cafeteria, 400 Ishie Ave., Bronson. Two local youngsters enjoy their ride on a float during the annual Chiefland Christmas Parade Saturday on U.S. 19. The parade featured a wide variety of entrants, including marching bands, floats and boats, horses, motorcycles and more. For more pictures from this year's big event, see Page 12A. (Rick Burnham) Light Up Williston to delight, benefit all By Anna Suggs Assistant Editor Several Williston organizations have come together for what they hope will be another successful year of Light Up Williston festivities. Light Up Williston will be held Friday night, beginning with a special holiday parade. This is the second year the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce-is sponsoring the parade, and Mary Kline, executive director of.the chamber, said there has been a really good response from the community members and businesses that have entered the parade. " With about 60 entrants, last year's parade was the biggest she said she's ever seen and she's hoping this year will be even better. The parade will have everything you can think of including horseback riders, local dignitaries, numerous floats and a grand finale worth waiting around for, Kline said, The big draw in 2008 was Santa Claus riding atop an elephant at the end of the parade. "They got the biggest kick out of it last year," she said. See Light Up, Page 6A Fanning Springs fest lights up for 21st year By Anna Suggs Assistant Editor The 21st annual Fanning Springs Festival of Lights and Lighted Boat Parade will be illuminating the river and riverbank Saturday. The day kicks off at 9 a.m. at Fort Fanning Park with a flag-raising ceremony by members of the Marine Corps League, followed by entertainment by the Suwannee Cracker, dancers from Chiefland's D&D Studio and all- day entertainment by Bruce the Juggler/Unicyclist. There will also be musical entertainment by the Rick Gordon Band, Mercy Mountain boys, Foggy Creek Band and Dotti and the Slackers throughout the day. Visitors can get their holiday shopping done early with the many arts and crafts vendors who will be selling their goods at the festival. Velma Poole, the Festival of Lights coordinator for all 21 years and Fanning Springs Chamber of Commerce executive secretary, said the vendors will be selling all locally-produced goods at the festival. She said she wanted to emphasize "homemade" and promote local artists and discourage mainstream products that can be bought anywhere. See Fanning Springs, Page 6A