Summer’s here: Activities abound for youth /C1 WEDNESDAY TODAY CITRUS COUNTY & next morning HIGH 85 Mostly cloudy; LOW 60 percent chance of storms. 74 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com JUNE 5, 2013 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community 50¢ VOL. 118 ISSUE 302 Reports detail lavish IRS spending Associated Press nal Revenue Service absorbed at a $4.1 million training confer- One top official stayed five that regularly goes for $1,499. another blow Tuesday as new ence. It was one of many expen- nights in a room that regularly A total of 132 IRS officials re- WASHINGTON — Already details emerged about senior of- sive gatherings the agency held goes for $3,500 a night, and an- ceived room upgrades at the heavily criticized for targeting ficials enjoying luxury hotel for employees over a three-year other — who was later promoted conservative groups, the Inter- rooms, free drinks and free food period. — stayed four nights in a room See IRS/ Page A5 Group Paddle boards make splash honors late official Maidhof died one year ago MIKE WRIGHT Staff writer It was a little more than a year ago when Citrus County lost one of its true environmental heroes. Gary Maidhof, co- founder of “Save Our Waters Week” and the go-to guy in county govern- ment for more than 30 years, died May Gary 27, 2012, Maidhof while hik- environmental ing with group honored his family him for his efforts. in Idaho. Maidhof, whose govern- ment service began in the Health Department’s en- vironmental section, earned a reputation as a protector of the environ- ment even while regulat- ing development during the county’s formidable growth years. And now the state’s largest growth-manage- ment watchdog group, 1000 Friends of Florida, is honoring those efforts. The organization is rec- ognizing Maidhof with its Community Steward Award and will present it during the Citrus County Commission’s June 25 meeting. The Friends group said it is honoring the late Maidhof for his leader- ship on conservation and springs protection in Cit- rus County. “Gary Maidhof was in- volved in every facet of conservation planning, in- cluding comprehensive planning, visioning, best management practices, ordinances and more,” 1000 Friends of Florida president Charles Patti- son said in a statement. MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle file “He was recognized Paddleboarding is becoming increasingly popular across the Nature Coast. These two boarders paddle from King’s Bay toward Three throughout the state for Sisters Springs on the long, stable platforms. his leadership on springs protection planning in Citrus County and Laid-back sport seen growing in popularity all around Nature Coast beyond.” Maidhof ’s tenure in ERYN WORTHINGTON Rainbow River. board on weekend excursions come an addiction of mine,” government included Staff writer The water below Melissa proved not only visually stim- Poston said. “Not only am I years as a planner, direc- Poston was transparent, with ulating, but physically and getting a total body workout, tor of Development Serv- arine life under her grass swaying in the current psychologically beneficial, as I’m meditating at the same ices and projects officer. stand-up paddleboard while little brown fish scur- well. time, which clears my mind. I He was a driving force Mcame into sharp focus as ried out of the way. “I began paddleboarding in encouraging sewer she gazed into the glistening Standing atop her paddle- about a year ago and it has be- See BOARDS/ Page A5 agreements between the See MAIDHOF/ Page A5 INDEX Classifieds . .C7 Comics . .C6 Homeless woman arrested, facing arson charge Crossword . .C5 Editorial . .A8 A.B. SIDIBE charges of resisting an officer fire and got his fire extin- The deputy grabbed Zock’s Entertainment . .A4 Staff writer without violence and arson of guisher and snuffed the blaze. wrist to thwart getting struck Horoscope . .A4 a structure, a second-degree Fire crews arrived a little and detained her, according Lottery Numbers . .B3 HERNANDO — A homeless felony. Bond was set at $3,500. later to put out the embers. to the arrest report. Lottery Payouts . .B3 woman was taken into custody A deputy responded to the The deputy could hear a According to witnesses, Movies . .C6 Tuesday after being accused wooded area near the Value woman (Zock) screaming and Zock was observed in a do- Obituaries . .A6 by authorities of trying to Inn on U.S. 41 after com- yelling. Upon further investi- mestic dispute with a man TV Listings . .C5 strike a deputy and setting fire plaints about a woman setting gation, the deputy walked to- and became irate and set her to her makeshift home in the fire to a tent. ward Zock, who reportedly tent ablaze. woods, according to the Citrus According to the CCSO re- became aggressive toward Zock was arrested and County Sheriff ’s Office. port, when the deputy arrived, him and acted as if she was transported to the Citrus Kathleen Kathleen Zock, 52, is facing he reportedly observed a large going to strike him. County Detention Facility. Zock A2 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013 CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE 000F37O SPageTATE A3 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2013 & LOCAL CITRUS COUNTY CHRONICLE Scott approves $200M bank settlement Associated Press going to homeowners as part of country’s five largest mortgage the national settlement reached Scott spends the money that was the settlement with five lenders. servicers: Ally/GMAC, Bank of last year, but then quietly tussled left. TALLAHASSEE — Florida is Checks to homeowners are America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase for months with legislators over There’s cash for several pro- finally ready to start parceling supposed to start coming in the and Wells Fargo. who would control some $334 grams run by the Florida Hous- out tens of millions of dollars it next few weeks as well. Florida The Tuesday bill signing caps million going directly to state ing Finance Corp. and some of it reaped as part of a $25 billion Attorney General Pam Bondi a tumultuous period for Bondi, government. is targeted for rental payment settlement between the nation’s said more than 72,000 home- whose handling of the fallout Legislators thought they assistance to the elderly and major banks and 49 states over owners who lost their homes to from the foreclosure crisis has should have some say in how the grants to provide housing for the foreclosure abuses. foreclosure between January come under a barrage of criti- money was spent. homeless. Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday 2008 and December 2011 will re- cism during the past two years. The final agreement resulted The measure also calls for signed into law a measure that ceive roughly $1,480. Bondi, for example, was skep- in the money being broken up in spending money on housing for uses $200 million earned from The first checks are due to be tical back in 2011 of reaching two main parts. Back in January citizens with developmental the settlement and directs it into mailed on June 10. any settlement with banks that a legislative budget panel signed disabilities as well as rehabili- everything from domestic vio- “This is a long time coming would force them to lower the off on spending $60 million that tating homes in blighted lence shelters to affordable and we are very proud of this amount owned by homeowners. went to counseling with home- neighborhoods. housing programs and Habitat settlement,” Bondi said shortly Her office was criticized for dis- owners dealing with foreclosure Other parts give money to for Humanity. before Scott signed the bill. missing two attorneys who were and money to help first-time Habitat for Humanity and pur- This is from money that was The national settlement leading foreclosure fraud homebuyers with down payment chase dormitory contracts for paid directly to the state — as ended investigations into fore- investigations. assistance. low-income students planning opposed to money that is also closure abuses and was with the Bondi did finally sign off on The bill signed Thursday by on attending college. Around the COUNTY Flag Day observance set Mission for MS The city of Inverness will host a Flag Day ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Inverness Government Center. There will be local vet- eran color guard displays and musical patriotic tributes. Attendees are encour- aged to bring a lawn chair. For more information, call 352-726-2611 or visit the city’s website, www. inverness-fl.gov. Tornado relief fund in place The United Way of Citrus County is coordinating the collection of financial contri- butions for the victims of the tornadoes in Oklahoma. Those who would like to make a contribution can drop checks off at the of- fices of the Chronicle in In- verness or Meadowcrest or mail them directly to: The United Way of Citrus County, Tornado Relief Fund, 120 N.E. Fifth St., Suite A, Crystal River, FL 34429. For details, call the United Way office at 352- NANCY KENNEDY/Chronicle 795-5483. Pete Ensing will be riding his recumbent bike from Pensacola to the Florida Keys beginning Saturday to raise awareness and funds for Democrats to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. His daughter, Jodie Guarasci, now 43, was diagnosed with the disease 20 years ago. host joint meeting The Downtown Demo- Recumbent cyclist plans to traverse state to raise awareness, funds cratic Club will host a joint NANCY KENNEDY meeting of Citrus County ON THE NET him in South Florida where she lives. Democratic Clubs at 6 p.m. Staff writer “I had done an electric trike for her Tuesday, June 11, in the For information about MS, visit quite a few years ago, and we did a lot of meeting room at the B&W BEVERLY HILLS nationalmssociety.org.