Residents Ask BOCC for Impact Fee Relief
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CITIZENCHIEFLAND Covering Chieland and Levy County Volume 69, Number 1 www.chielandcitizen.com hursday, June 11, 2020 One section, 16 pages 75 Cents Back To School Bash approved BY MARK BERRYMAN A group including Pastor Richard Blue of Chiefland First United Methodist Church (FUMC) and Beverly Goodman of Tri County Community Resource Center representing the annual Back To School Bash asked and received permission to hold the annual event on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Strickland Park and close off roads as needed. “We are asking to block off Old Fanning Road from NW120 to NW140,” said Blue. “Kids are tentatively going back to school Aug. 12 depending on changes the governor may make. No matter what happens, they’re going to need school supplies,” said Goodman. Goodman said Chiefland FUMC has historically spearheaded the event and along with a number of community partners were still planning to move forward with the bash. “We are working to plan around what may not be a traditional bash,” said Goodman. The bash, which has been held in different loca- tions over the years, is a walk-up event. Unless restrictions change, Goodman said this year’s event will be much different. “We started talking about alternative ways to get school supplies to kids. The way that we did FarmShare as a drive-through event this year worked relatively well and we talked about this Chieland theatre is depending on you being a drive-through event,” said Goodman. Goodman said families would sign up ahead of Pandemic threatens livelihood of Levy’s only playhouse time through United Way’s 211 service. “Families would sign up ahead of time and then only pre-registered families would come to the For over 20 years, the Chief Theatre has been the in close-proximity of one another, this is simply event and bring the children with them,” said creative outlet for adults and the young alike in the impossible and therefore The Chief must remain Goodman. Tri-County area. closed. Goodman said those attending would drive The Chief Theatre, or simply “The Chief ” as it is A small community theatre, like The Chief, through the event, stopping at tables set up by lovingly called, has been the go-to venue for big struggles financially to get by in the best of times. city entertainment with a hometown Daily operational expenses contin- uSee SCHOOL Page 16 welcome and price. ue even when the show does not go Like all other non-profits, The Chief on and this current situation has cer- has had to weather many transitions over tainly affected the Chief Theatre’s the years to remain a part of our ability to operate moving forward. Morriston family Community, but nothing could prepare Without the support of this com- it for the effects of COVID 19. munity, The Chief will simply fade perishes in plane crash The pandemic abruptly halted the away. If you enjoyed the children’s 2019-20 season. The CDC guidelines productions, the uproarious comedies, Five members of a Morriston family died in a and social distancing requirements the heart stirring romances or the plane crash Friday afternoon near Eatonton, Ga. meant that the production of Robin spine-tingling thrillers, now is when Jack Pruitt, owner of Shadow Trailers in Hood and His Merry Men would have to you are needed most. Williston, his son-in-law, Shawn LaMont, owner of be put on hold indefinitely and ultimate- To guarantee local favorites like J&S Trailers in Williston and his wife, Jody, died ly the upcoming production of Treasure Island The Addams Family, 9 to 5, Anne of Green Gables, Of along with their children, Alice, 4, and Jayce, 6. would have to be cancelled all together. Mice and Men and Driving Miss Daisy can continue Pruitt was the father of Jody LaMont. The With the cancellation of Treasure Island, that being brought to you locally, now is the time to LaMonts resided in Gainesville. meant for the first time in many years the popular help. The family had left Williston traveling to Indiana annual children’s production was gone. There are multiple ways to donate: Visit for a funeral when the plane, a Piper 31-T The Chief Theatre’s doors have been closed since Facebook @chieftheatre and click on the PayPal link; Cheyenne twin-engine turbo prop, went down the pandemic began in the interest of health and visit their website, svplayers.com and click on the shortly after 3 p.m. safety of patrons, volunteers and performers and donate button; call (352) 493-2787 to make a Several witnesses in Georgia said they heard an until this is over, there is no date set to reopen phone donation; or mail your check payable to explosion and when they looked, they saw the plane them. Chief Theatre, PO Box 550, Chiefland, FL 32644. on fire, falling from the sky. The governor has announced that theatres can SAVE THE CHIEF! A simple donation to the Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said when reopen at 50 percent capacity, as long as CDC Chief Theatre will help to guarantee quality family he arrived at the scene, the plane was engulfed in guidelines can be followed. However, because of entertainment continues for all to enjoy. flames and missing a wing and an engine. The Chief ’s intimate setting and actors need to be CHIEFLAND CITIZEN March for Justice Residents ask BOCC for 624 W. Park Ave impact fee relief Chieland, Fl 32626 Phone: 352-493-4796 BY MARK BERRYMAN Chairman Matt Brooks said the MORRISTON – Two Levy county had a process in place for County residents asked commission- appealing or asking for a waiver. ers for help with an issue regarding County Attorney Anne Bast Brown property on 138th Terrace in told commissioners there was a policy Morriston at this past week’s meeting. in place, although she did not have a “That’s my property. I raised my copy at the meeting. kids there for 30 years and my daugh- The two women were instructed to ter has fallen into hardship. She had a contact County Administrator Wilbur very good job and it closed down. She Dean about an application. had to move out of her home. I got a Norma said they had received infor- new home and I’m trying to have it mation from Dean but due to a fami- put on that property,” said Melissa ly crisis had not been able to complete Johnson. it. “I’ll be getting on the website to She said the county has imposed a finish up that,” said Norma. $2,200 impact fee. “The board understands the situa- “I have enough money to have it set tion you are in and I can definitely there and set up for me and my chil- sympathize with what you are going dren and I just don’t have $2,200 for through,” said Brooks. an impact fee,” said Melissa. He then instructed Dean to get “I’ve lived there all my life. I was with the two women and help them raised there,” said Norma Johnson. with the application process if it was Melissa said there was a home on needed. the property 5 ½ years ago but insur- Melissa asked when they would be ance was too expensive and could not notified if the fee was waived and keep it. According to Melissa, the Brown told her after the application impact fee would not have been was filed they would need to return imposed if they had applied within for a hearing before the board. At five years, so they missed the deadline that time the board would make a Photo by Shawn Yorks by six months. decision on the request. Peaceful protests were held through the county “If there is any way possible to Mark Berryman may be reached at mber- last week, including the first one in Bronson, waive it I would be so grateful,” said [email protected] above. More pictures are on page 2A. Melissa. 2A Beacon s Citizen s Pioneer Thursday, June 11, 2020 Bronson, Williston march for justice Photos by Shawn Yorks Save Time, Save $$$ Why add the extra cost of gas and lose time when you can get the top quality professional care locally? Call today and let us help you! Nature Coast Rehabilitation, Inc. 528-0022 37 S. Main St., Williston Your local physical therapist office. 000Y8ER We accept most major insurance companies. 000YKF9 1st Session We are focused on your recovery Navigating Navigating FREE when you mention this ad. Life’s Life’s Offer expires 6/30/20 Stormy Stormy Seas Seas When the same problems keep coming up again and again or get worse Nature Coast Rehabilitation or won’t improve, it’s it’s timetime toto getget help!help! would like to welcome Sarah Rivard! Sarah grew up here in Williston and received her Tele-Health Counseling: Doctorate of Physical Therapy and Bachelors of Health Individuals Individuals •• CouplesCouples Science degrees from the University of Florida. She specializes in scoliosis, spinal deformity treatment and Specializing in: chronic pain treatment. She is also Schroth Certified. Depression • Anxiety We are your local physical therapy office. Marriage Marriage Your health is our #1 Priority Vickie Carver, M.A. Nature Coast Rehabilitation, Inc. Licensed Mental Health Family Counselor Florida License #MH13251 528-0022 God’s Way Growing the Whole Family in God’s Plan (813) 997-6028 37 S. Main St., Williston 000YKDP 000YKE1 Newsmakershursday, June 11, 2020 Beacon s Citizen s Pioneer 3 Levy COVID-19 cases spike; 18 new positives in one day BY MARK BERRYMAN ed positive were instructed to isolate for Levy County Emergency hospitalization and one person suc- The Levy County Health and will be monitored and tested by Management said it is of vital impor- cumbed to the virus.