Local Places, Local Faces

Friday Meanderings

April 17, 2015 by KTgreen

Happy Friday!

I’m still pretty excited about the Public Hearing on Wednesday with the Board of County Commissioners where they unanimously voted against the 110-room hotel on wetlands on Halls River Road. I have nothing against progress, but there’s a right way to do it. So encouraged with the turnout at the meeting and how the commissioners voted.

I followed up with the county last week asking about the status of the sidewalks in Old Homosassa on Yulee Drive. Mostly got the same response…”we are considering your suggestions” but I did get this email from Walt Eastmond

Good afternoon Kathy – The consultant is continuing to work on the project. The construction plans are progressing to the 90% phase and are expected to be sent to us for review in May. About a month or so ago the consulting engineer and I went to the site to review the tree and sidewalk conflicts to try to determine an alternate route for the sidewalk and yet still meet all of the Federal requirements. I want to say that we were successful in resolving all of the conflicts; however, I need to hold off on my optimism until the design and engineering analysis is complete for the new sidewalk route. If the design and engineering can be accomplished as we have proposed in the field then we will be able to work around each of the trees.

Hope this is helpful.

Let me know if you have any other questions,

Sincerely,

Walt Eastmond

Transportation Project Manager

Engineering Division

Mr. Eastmond made me feel like someone is actually reading my emails! Thank you Mr. Eastmond! Looking forward to reviewing the “90% plan.”

You know those “yard sales” we had out on 19 last weekend from 98 to Crystal River Mall? Does anyone else think that’s a bad idea? One of the busiest roads in Citrus County bordered with yard sales. And people driving willy-nilly to get the bargains? And this is now semi-annual. Crazy Cakes. I don’t know how that is improving our lives here in Citrus County.

Hey, if anyone wants the new Old Homosassa Heritage Council T-Shirts, the Watson Art Gallery will have some available. They are VERY nice! And the money goes to a good cause–preserving and enhancing our community!

Have a great weekend!

Kathy

Halls River Development Public Hearing

April 17, 2015April 14, 2015 by KTgreen

A whole lot of Homosassa residents made the effort to attend the Halls River Development Public Hearing last night.

Starting at 5:06 with Clark A. Stillwell, attorney for the Halls River Development, Inc, presenting the case as to why Homosassa needed a four story, 101 room, 50 foot high structure on wet lands plus a 2,500 sq. ft. restaurant and how their project would fit in.

Then it was time for the public to speak up.

Only one person in the audience, Bud Allen, spoke in support of the developer. Twenty-five spoke against.

Starting with Rodney MacRae who stated that “There is a time and a place for everything and this is not the time. Not the place.” He used one of his father’s quotes and said that anyone that wanted this project “Got rocks in their head”. Rodney further said that the project was “Not Compatible with Anything”.

One of my other favorite presenters was Iris Rose who stated her case against the motel and turned to the commission and said that we have no mayor nor city council. “We only have you”.

Very strong words.

There were attorney’s, residents, concerned citizens from other parts of the county, speakers representing groups. All with impassioned pleas to stop this project.

Two retired professional firefighters from Orlando that had settled in Homosassa said that neither our fire department nor the water system was adequate to protect the building. Others pointed out that there was no parking provided for the trucks and boat trailers that would come with the motel guests nor enough parking for the employees.

At 7:35 the public portion was closed and then the board made their comments. Each commissioner gave many reasons for their vote.

Starting with Scott Carnahan. No.

Scott Adams. No.

Ron Kitchen. No.

Dennis Damato. No.

Joe Meek. No.

Unanimous.

The application was denied at 7:51.

And then there was a standing ovation.

Halls River Development Public Hearing

Halls River Development Public Hearing Sometimes having a lot of concerned citizens stepping up against something that they see is just wrong actually does work.

It’s not over. There will probably be lawsuits.

But Homosassa and the environment won this round!

Florida Artist’s Gallery “Arts for All” Event

April 17, 2015April 14, 2015 by KTgreen

Florida Artist's Gallery "Arts for All" Event

Our second stop on Saturday was at the Florida Artists Gallery in Floral City for the family event “Arts for All”.

Anyone that is from this area knows that the drive from Crystal River (where we stopped first and I posted about yesterday) to Floral City is about 45 minutes.

But, anytime that the Florida Artists Gallery is having an event, it is worth the trip.

Florida Artist's Gallery "Arts for All" Event

I received an email from the Florida Gallery on the 8th (Wednesday). Here’s an excerpt from that email:

“Please join us on Saturday (April 11th) for our first major outdoor family event “Arts for all“. At least 14 of our artists will be demonstrating their art forms, be it wood carving, painting eggs, making jewelry or painting paintings in various mediums. Food will be available, and there will be flow arts – family yoga and hula hoops, wine tasting and live music throughout the day, culminating with the Citrus County Drum Circle starting at 4.30pm. From 1-2pm Vanessa Fuller-Brown will hold a free painting workshop for children.”

Floral City is a small town in Citrus County with big ideas. I love visiting there.

Florida Artist's Gallery "Arts for All" Event

Artisans were located throughout the grounds demonstrating their craft. Kids were discovering the arts through hands on demos.

The gallery was wonderful as usual.

And there were a lot of people there.

An auto-harp demonstration was scheduled for later in the afternoon but we weren’t able to stick around for that. And we didn’t have enough time to check out the other shops in Floral City or the heritage museum.

There’s just so much going on in this little town. Such a difference from our visit to Heritage Village in Crystal River.