Lawyer Seeks to Have Lawsuit Tossed
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Thursday, August 7, 2014 Vol 32 No. 39 75 cents Police: Pair nabbed for drugs One suspect tells Riverland News cannabis was for medicinal use JEFF BRYAN parking lot of the Marathon large quantity of marijuana to explain his quandary to the Service Station along U.S. 41, they found in his possession. Riverland News. Riverland News Benjamin “Ben” Tyler di- “I ain’t telling you (exple- “It’s for medicinal use Sitting in the rear of a Mar- rected a profanity-laced tive),” Tyler told Officer Mike man,” he said about the 5.5 ion County Sheriff ’s Office tirade at law enforcement au- Anger of the Dunnellon Police pounds of packaged cannabis patrol cruiser Friday morn- thorities after the 41-year-old Department post-Miranda. as well as other drug Benjamin Wilbert ing, wrists bound together in Dunnellon resident refused to But when Tyler spotted a “Ben” Tyler Gaines a pair of handcuffs in the speak with officials about the news reporter, he was eager See DRUGS page 3 WHAT’S HAPPENING Lawyer Qualifying dates set for candidates seeks The qualifying pe- riod for those inter- ested in seeking a to have seat on the Dunnellon Local teens garner accolades at Girls, Boys State City Council will be from noon Aug. 18 to lawsuit noon Aug. 22. Candidates must pay a $63 qualifying fee. tossed Those interested in seeking election to a seat may pick up a City will have packet at City Hall. Three seats will be its say in court up for grabs, includ- ing Seat No. 2 (Dennis Riverland News Evans); Seat No. 3 Rainbow Springs (Lynne McAndrew); residents, through and Seat No. 4 (Erik their attorney, pre- Collop). The qualify- sented their case in ing period opens at January as to why the noon Aug. 18 and ends city’s interpretation of at noon. Aug. 22. The Florida Statute 180 to general election will implement a 25 per- be Tuesday, Nov. 4. All cent surcharge on three seats carry a Rainbow four-year term. Springs’ Hot Summer Nights utility scheduled Aug. 16 cus- tomers The Historic Shops was of Dunnellon will wrong. host Hot Summer Almost Nights from 6 to 9 Virginia eight p.m. Saturday, Aug. Cassady months 16, in the Historic later, District. they’re There will be live still wait- music by The Dane ing for a Myers Band and ruling Tropic Haze as well Special to the Riverland News from as a classic car show. Olana Osborne, center, shown walking through the Arlington National Cemetery, was one of 98 Judge In addition, there will young women from Girls State program to go to Girls Nation, a national government training Steven be food vendors and program. Osborne was selected to represent American Legion Post No. 58 at Girls State by Rogers. two beer gardens. Ralf the Post No. 58 Auxiliary Girls State committee. Brookes The Admission is free. city will For information, get its chance at 10 call 489-0999 or visit Osborne first Dunnellon girl selected to attend Girls Nation a.m. Friday morning to www.Dunnellon defend its actions for HistoricVillage.com. JEFF BRYAN “The girls all asked implementing a 25 Educator springs Riverland News me if I was going,” Os- percent surcharge awareness program borne recalled. “They based on Florida One teenager has al- didn’t even want to try Rainbow River Statute 180 after pur- ready accomplished because they knew I Conservation Inc. chasing the previously many things in her wanted to be a will sponsor “Springs privately owned and young life and has now lawyer.” Awareness for Educa- operated system in achieved the distinc- Eventually, the list tors” from 3 to 6 p.m. December 2011, when tion of becoming the of 14 was whittled Thursday, Aug. 14, at City Attorney Virginia first girl in Dunnellon down to three and Rainbow Springs Cassady will present to attend the American each student had to State Park. the city’s motion for Legion Post 58 Auxil- write a 100-word essay All Marion County iary Girls State and partial summary judg- educators can earn about women in gov- ment. In addition, the Girls Nation. ernment. Master In-Service Olana Osborne was city’s motion, filed in Points for atten- “I wrote how women April, is asking Judge chosen from among are often unrecog- dance. Presentations 300 young women from Rogers to dismiss the will be given by nized as strong leaders class-action lawsuit Girls State program to Special to the Riverland News Florida Springs Insti- in the government,” filed two years ago. go to Girls Nation, a Olana Osborne, second from the left, was one of she said. “But a new tute and Southwest national government Cassady’s filing could four young women at Girls Nation chosen to help generation is coming.” mean both parties will Florida Water Man- training program. This lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at The papers were have to wait long for a agement District and prestigious program Arlington National Cemetary. free teaching re- read and the girls ruling, as the civil court was started in 1937 by were interviewed by sources will be the American Legion The past few months Girls State. DHS Prin- judge has frequently available. the American Legion shown a tendency not Auxiliary to teach of whirlwind activity cipal Ken McAteer, as- Post No. 58 Auxiliary For information, young women respon- started when 14 girls sistant principal to issue immediate rul- email Jacque.Ballas Girls State chair- ings. sible citizenship, love were called to the Stephen Ayres and a woman Ellie Pollack @marion.k12.fl.us. for God and country front office of Dunnel- few teachers helped In January, Ralf and Sandy Taylor. Brookes, who repre- and learn how their lon High School (DHS) compose the list of the After the interviews, state and local govern- and were told there students called to the sents Louis Benza’s class-action lawsuit ments operate. was one sponsor for office. See MARK page 14 against the city regard- ing its interpretation of Florida Statute 180, asked Judge Rogers to require officials to im- Thomas earns $50K scholarship at Boys State mediately drop the sur- charge. AUGIE SALZER graph about myself, my grade In his argument, For the Riverland News point average and test scores.” Brookes maintained His undertaking resulted in the city is not fully in- A little initiative, curiosity an offer of an academic schol- terpreting the statute and some effort resulted in a arship, which he can use to correctly. Dunnellon young man obtaining major in biomedical engineer- “It’s unconstitutional, a $50,000 scholarship to Florida ing. He had this wonderful op- it lacks any rational A&M University. portunity because of the basis,” he told Judge William “Will” Thomas de- Dunnellon American Legion Rogers regarding the cided to take a tour of FAMU Post No. 58. city’s implementation during his free time while he Thomas was one of 11 boys of the surcharge. “The was attending the American Le- See THOMAS page 11 burden shifts to the de- gion Boys State program in fendants to see what Tallahassee. With a little initiative, curiosity and (reason) they have to “We had about three or four some effort Dunnellon High’s WIll implement the sur- hours of free time,” Thomas Thomas obtained a $50,000 schol- charge. It’s a material said. “I went on the FAMU tour. arship to Florida A&M University. fact.” They had me write a short para- JULIE MANCINI/For the Riverland News Cassady objected, See LAWSUIT page 13 2 Riverland News, Thursday, August 7, 2014 CHAMBER CHAT Country Quilters assist Girl Scout project Plans underway for Jazz Up Dunnellon azz Up Dunnellon And don’t forget to is just around the check out our awesome J corner, as the Dun- Chamber breakfast at nellon Area Chamber of 7:30 a.m. the second Commerce will Thursday host the annual monthly at Bent- Mardi Gras-style ley’s restaurant. music festival Don, as always, from 5 to 9 p.m. puts out a fantas- Saturday, Oct. tic buffet style 11. breakfast, with a Jazz Up Dun- mouth-watering nellon is hosted variety of break- by the Chamber Viola Soffe fast items to of Commerce and choose from. The sponsored by many fine cost is $8 and includes businesses of Dunnellon. tax and tip. The noted As the years have gone speaker for August will by, we have seen the be City Manager Eddie Special to the Riverland News streets fill with people, a Esch, who will speak Country Quilters of Dunnellon is a group of completed 16 quilts to add to her project goal. lot of music and awe- about several topics and women who love to quilt, share knowledge and Country Quilters of Dunnellon meets at 12:30 some food. answer questions. give back to the community by making and do- p.m. Mondays at the Friendship Hall of the First Jazz Up Dunnellon The Chamber has also nating quilts. The club was established 10 years United Methodist Church on State Road 40 in will encompass both been speaking with the ago and is still going strong. As one of its many Dunnellon. A major focus is making many chil- East and West Pennsyl- Ocala/Marion Chamber endeavors the group has been assisting Emily dren’s quilts each Christmas for children at vania Avenues. Come & Economic Partnership Woolf, from Ocala Girl Scout Troop No. 172. Woolf Romeo Elementary School. Pillow cases are made and stroll down both (CEP) to get closer to is working on her “gold award.” The gold award is for the children in the cancer unit at Shands Hos- sides of the streets and finding what its the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn.