SERVING DUNNELLON AND RAINBOW SPRINGS Thursday, July 14, 2011 Vol 29 No. 39 75 cents Greenlight launch date uncertain million in bonds from Re- Holder where Greenlight Officials unable to secure firm delivery date of fiber gions Bank in Orlando. will hook up with the Cloud, “We’re contacting everyone an Internet data provider. JEFF BRYAN been unable to secure a ing for fiber wherever we we can think of, other cities, Six miles of the stretch runs firm delivery date for the can find it,” she explained Riverland News other companies. It even along U.S. 41 South through much-needed fiber to oper- after Monday’s City Council came up in a meeting to Citrus County is under- Delayed in its launch ate the system. meeting, which officials ap- contact Kennedy Space ground. date, city officials now say City Manager Lisa Algiere proved purchase requests Center.” “Once we get the fiber, Lisa Algiere, they are uncertain when expressed frustration about totaling $234,378.15 for the The most critical connec- it’ll only take one to two city manager: Greenlight Dunnellon Com- not being able to obtain a fiber to the home program tion, Algiere said, is the weeks to install it,” Algiere City desperately munications will be up and specific date. officials launched in No- Level 3 run, an 8-mile looking for fiber. running, because they have “We are desperately look- vember after securing $7.3 stretch from the city to See UNCERTAIN page 3 LONG-TIME CITY EMPLOYEE, LORI SHETTLEROE, 51, SUCCUMBS TO CANCER Dunnellon school teacher dies at 29 Cause of death unknown JEFF BRYAN Riverland News Dunnellon Middle School staff is mourning the loss of one of its own. Shara Ponder, who taught Reading Remedia- tion for the past four years at the school and was the Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2009-10 for the Marion Shara County Ponder School Dis- had taught trict, died at DMS for Monday at past 4 years. the age of Photos by JEFF BRYANRiverland News 29, two months shy of her Nicole Gilley, Lori Shettleroe’s daughter, comforts her 4-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, during Shettleroe’s Celebration of 30th birthday. The cause Life service Saturday at the American Legion Post 58. Shettleroe, a 20-year employee with the City of Dunnellon and of death had not been re- Dunnellon Police Department, died Wednesday, July 6, from her three-plus-month battle with lung cancer. Shettleroe was leased at press time. 51. “She was just so well respected by her teachers and the students,” Princi- Family, friends, co-workers celebrate Shettleroe’s life at service pal Jane Ashman said. “She was always willing JEFF BRYAN There was also her family, friends and co- to help any child and any Riverland News prized possession — her workers gathered to pay adult. She was just a won- children, Gilley and their respects. Her derful family member. Loyal, dedicated, fabu- Justin Shettleroe, and brother, Dennis Jones, That’s what we are over lous cook and a great grandchildren, Michael, recalled their time spent there, a family … It’s hard sense of humor. 6, Mackenzie, 4, and Ad- debating whose grand- to lose a family member.” Those were the words dison, 3. children were the bright- A product of the Marion friends used to describe “She was there when I est and best. County School System, the loss of Lori Shet- delivered my two chil- “She was shameless Ponder graduated from tleroe, a 20-year em- dren. She was able to be about her grandchil- Vanguard High School in ployee with the City of in the delivery room dren,” the oldest of the 2000. She earned her Dunnellon and Dunnel- when they were born. I’ll six siblings said. “I’ll Bachelor of Science de- lon Police Department never forget,” Gilley re- miss those conversations gree in political science who lost her three-month called of the birth of her with her.” from Florida A&M Uni- fight with lung cancer two children, Michael From the turnout, he versity. She began her Wednesday, July 6. Shet- and Mackenzie. “She was noted the impact she had teaching career at Dun- tleroe, a mother of two there when I graduated, on others throughout her nellon Middle School in and grandmother to when I got married. She life, but he encouraged 2007. three, was 51. shared in all of impor- her family and friends to Erika Wiggins, a fellow But to those who really tant milestones.” be happy for her. teacher, whose classroom knew Shettleroe knew Gilley said her chil- “Lori is far healthier, was next door to Ponder’s her one weakness. dren were holding up stronger and happier recalled her colleague’s “She was a fabulous well. where she’s at now,” enthusiasm for the cook, but she couldn’t “I’m not sure that Jones said. “Isn’t that profession. bake,” said her daughter, they’ve actually grasped what we would want for “Her enthusiasm and Nicole Gilley. “She that they cannot go see her?” passion for teaching re- burned the simplest her anymore,” she said, Her humor stood out to minded us on a daily things. My mom could attempting to keep her others. basis why we all decided cook like no one’s busi- composure. “She was so darn Tears stream down Justin Shettleroe’s to become teachers in the ness, but she just At Saturday’s Celebra- funny,” said Police Chief face during his mother’s Celebration of first place,” Wiggins said. couldn’t bake. It was kind tion of Life at the Ameri- Life service Saturday at the American of funny.” can Legion Post 58, See MOURNING page 14 Legion Post 58. See TEACHER page 3 WHAT’S HAPPENING Chamber schedules Free admission to state parks National Night Out Friends Book Store VISIT US: annual Jazz Up Dunnellon scheduled Sunday, July 17 scheduled Aug. 2 to host July sale www.riverlandnews.com The Dunnellon Chamber of July is National Recreation The Dunnellon Police Depart- The Friends of the Dunnellon Commerce is in need of volun- and Park Month and the ment will host the second an- Public Library Book Store is CALL US: 489-2731 teers and sponsors for Jazz Up Florida Department of Envi- nual National Night Out from 5 hosting a storewide half-price E-MAIL: Dunnellon, whcih will be Sat- ronmental Protection’s (DEP) to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2. The sale throughout July. Store [email protected] urday, Oct. 15. If you would like Florida Park Service invites event will start at Ernie Mills hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to be a part of event, attend the visitors to explore Florida’s 160 Park. Officers and members of Monday through Friday and Jazz Up Committee meetings state parks. DEP will celebrate the community will patrol area 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at with free day-use entry into all neighborhoods from 5 to 8 p.m. The Friends Book Store (inside the Dunnellon Area Chamber state parks Sunday, July 17. (ex- A cookout will be at the park af- the Library), is at 20351 Robin- of Commerce. For more infor- cept Skyway Fishing Pier). Visit terward. Contact Officer Bruce son Road (just behind Sweet- mation, call Beverly Leisure, www.floridastateparks.org for Arnold at 465-8510 or email bay) in Dunnellon. For more executive director, at 489-2320. more information. [email protected]. information, call 438-2520. 2 Riverland News, Thursday, July 14, 2011 Annie Johnson’s ‘Dunk Library program offers world of experience for Hope’ fundraiser set JEFF BRYAN Riverland News Riverland News Nathan Witt, a local musi- For youths making the Loosen up those muscles cian. The dunk tank is trek to the Dunnellon Pub- and stretch out that shoul- being provided by Inflate- a-Fun. lic Library this summer, der really good. Chrstine Avina, client their journey has taken It’s time to get your dunk services coordinator, said them farther than most on. she got the idea from a could imagine, Better yet, it’s time to get fundraiser see saw while in They’ve been to Europe, someone else’s dunk on as St. Petersburg called “Dunk Australia, Africa, through- the Annie W. Johnson Fam- the Director.” out the United States and, ily Center will host its inau- “I thought that would be most recently, to Japan. gural Annie’s Dunk for cool, so I just took upon my- It’s all been a part of the Hope from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. self at finding a place to do Marion County Library Sys- Saturday, July 16, at the it and getting the dunk tank tem’s “One World, Many Dunnellon Plaza. somewhere,” she ex- Stories,” summer program. Among those willing to plained, noting when she It’s part of an effort to not take one for the long-time contacted owner of the only entertain the children, nonprofit organization in- property at Dunnellon but keep them coming to clude: Mayor Fred Ward, Plaza, “they were all about the library throughout the Police Chief Joanne Black, doing it” and let us have it. summer break. Office Mike Miley, Larry Avina said when she ap- “In a way, it’s done to help Cooper, executive director proached those throughout prevent the summer slide,” of the Annie W. Johnson the community about vol- said Barbara Hernando, RACHEL HORNE/For the Riverland News Family Center; John Pierce, unteering their time there county spokeswoman.