tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287570402012-01-09T16:52:37.001-05:00A forum for news and editorials from McIntosh, Florida. Feel free to comment, complain, add your two cents or detract from someone else's.Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.comBlogger2001100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-65480942475935806002007-12-21T21:21:00.001-05:002007-12-21T22:29:39.188-05:00

Light-Up McIntosh 2007By Cher PhillipsClick the image to view a slideshow featuring the announcements of the 2007 Light-Up McIntosh finalists sponsored by the Friends of McIntosh.Christmas carols in the background were sung by the McIntosh Area Choir with the residents of McIntosh in the Civic Center earlier that evening.Business:3rd Place: Mrs. Karo2nd Place: Town of McIntosh1st Place: Van

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-75148008210890643622007-12-17T00:47:00.000-05:002007-12-17T00:55:11.049-05:00

Click the image of Santa to open up a Soundslide with music and pictures from the Light-Up McIntosh festivities Saturday night.Editor's note: Two more Slideshows to come in the next couple days featuring Christmas lights, contest winners and more images of the choir.

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-22753195367674199422007-12-14T13:05:00.000-05:002007-12-14T14:16:55.811-05:00

By Cher PhillipsThe McIntosh Town Council decided Thursday night to take the re-invest monies in several location after officials were finally able to full out of the State Board of Administration Local Government investment fund that had been frozen for a week.In the monthly meeting, Town Clerk Debbie Miller said the town was able to pull out $460,403.03 from the SBA accounts that had been

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-17474517223093630962007-11-09T15:51:00.000-05:002007-11-09T16:20:30.089-05:00

By Cher PhillipsWhen firefighters enter a burning home, their first priority is to save lives by picking a wall and following it around the structure, sweeping room to room.Marion County Fire-Rescue Lt. Trish King said that takes precious time.For some of McIntosh’s historic district residents, it could be time their sprawling, historic homes, with unusual floor plans might not allow them.King

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-68422114024838909532007-11-09T12:25:00.000-05:002007-11-09T16:21:18.738-05:00

(Click on the image to view a Soundslide of the ceremonies.)The Town of McIntosh swore in four new town officials last night and honored three for decades of service to the town.Councilmen Willie Hamilton, Lee Deaderick and Thurman Kingsley took their oaths of office with the new mayor, Cary McCollum.Roses and plaques were presented to former Councilwoman Eunice Smith and former Mayor

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-91181193578726556102007-10-23T01:13:00.000-04:002007-10-23T01:52:37.575-04:00

After some thought, I've decided to change the commenting options on the blog so that readers will need to register for a Google account in order to comment.I've been considering this for about a year now. I've done some reading and listened to what my peers have noticed about commenting in other blogs and media forums. Other placeblogs and newspaper forums have the same issues that McIntosh

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-58271929444802156542007-10-20T17:18:00.001-04:002007-10-20T17:28:02.984-04:00

Click the following image to view a slideshow of festival images.###

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-87718974810567291702007-10-11T16:56:00.000-04:002007-10-11T17:01:10.479-04:00

I had a nice surprise this morning when I scanned the front page of the campus version of The Gainesville Sun and saw that the McIntosh blog was mentioned in a story about blogging turning 10 years old. In case you missed the paper version, check the story out: Blogging booming at age 10

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-90984968620445952402007-10-11T08:57:00.000-04:002007-10-11T08:58:32.737-04:00

AGENDATown Council Public Hearing – Glass/Wright Rezoning 7:00 pmTown Council Meeting – Upon Completion of Public HearingCivic CenterOctober 11, 2007Anyone wishing to place a subject on the agenda may do so up to 72 hours before the meeting by notifying the Town Office.I) Call to Order, Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge to the American FlagII) Roll CallIII) Consent Agenda:All matters listed within the

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-89800623967085562362007-09-14T15:33:00.000-04:002007-09-14T16:35:51.642-04:00

Listen to the Sept. 13, 2007 Town Council budget hearing and meeting:(Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice) September 13, 2007 Town Council Meeting Budget Hearing and Professional fee discussion: 0:02:12 Main Meeting: 0:40:42 Annie Pais gets council approval for paint out in town: 0:42:02 Historic

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-84096047241703791122007-09-14T15:02:00.000-04:002007-09-17T13:59:12.097-04:00

Land Planning Agency chairwoman Charlsie Stott recommended to the council on Thursday night two rezoning applications that would rezone about 34 acres combined of agricultural and conservation land to residential.The two zoning applications were submitted by Bill and June Glass for a 18.32 track of land and Danaya Wright for a 15.84 track of land on the south edge of town.Earlier this year,

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-82608831744324177232007-09-14T14:34:00.001-04:002007-09-14T16:42:15.359-04:00

The McIntosh Town Council held a meeting social in the form of a workshop with shrimp on the side before its monthly meeting last night.About a dozen people attended, including town officials and employees.Click on the image above to view a slideshow of images from the get-together.(Photo by Cher Phillips)

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-1108136973839810982007-09-14T12:47:00.000-04:002007-09-14T12:48:25.092-04:00

Mayor, council seat vacant for NovemberLee Deaderick and Thurman Kingsley qualified to run for two of three empty council seats in November. They will run unopposed. No one stepped forward to run for mayor or the remaining council seat. In the past, the council has appointed individuals to vacant elected positions per the town charter.Council approves water rate hike 4-0NOTE: The council approved

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-30961374447543885192007-09-09T19:53:00.000-04:002007-09-09T19:54:55.891-04:00

PROCLAMATION OF MAYOR OFTHE TOWN OF MCINTOSH, FLORIDACALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION Under and by virtue of the power vested in me as Mayor of the Town of McIntosh, Florida, a special election is hereby called to be held in the Town of McIntosh, Florida on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 for the purpose of filing a vacancy on the Town Council and the position of Mayor. The qualifying period shall begin at

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-74998767186166131912007-08-13T09:52:00.000-04:002007-08-13T10:07:12.926-04:00

Listen to the Aug. 8, 2007 Town Council workshop and meeting:(Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice) Tree Ordinance Workshop Lee Deaderick's observations on tree committee 00.00.00 Sean Dowie's observation 00.19.36 Frank Ciotti's observations 00.23.52 Town Council Meeting

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-10812049026955502592007-08-13T09:05:00.000-04:002007-08-13T09:33:14.443-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe qualifying period to run for council or mayor begins on Monday, Aug. 13 and ends Friday Aug. 17 at noon.Residents interested in running for town council or mayor should pick up a packet from the town office.At least two officials said last Thursday they would be vacating their seats. Mayor Marsha Strange will not run again. She's served 26 years in the office of mayor,

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-90634043331898307152007-08-07T11:57:00.000-04:002007-08-07T11:59:21.158-04:00

AGENDATown Council Workshop (Tree Ordinance) & Regular Meeting August 9, 2007Civic Center Workshop (Tree Ordinance) 6:30 pm & Regular Meeting 7:00 pm Anyone wishing to place a subject on the agenda may do so up to 72 hours before the meeting by notifying the Town Office.I) Call to Order, Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge to the American FlagII) Roll CallIII) Consent Agenda:All matters listed within the

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-36234163622565960842007-07-24T11:41:00.000-04:002007-07-24T11:49:00.591-04:00

Cher, Because of recent entries on your Blog, I feel it is necessary to respond. I would like to address some of the quotes and references that were attributed to me. I want to make it very clear I am speaking as an individual, not for the School Board or any of the other members. “Thursday evening I spoke with Joedy Smith during the council meeting and expressed the concern I spoke

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-56022935761384291952007-07-22T19:36:00.000-04:002007-07-22T19:41:24.499-04:00

Editor's Note: Sean Dowie, chairman of the Tree Committee, sent this letter to the editor on Sunday afternoon. He said in an e-mail and phone interview he will be submitting this letter of resignation from the McIntosh Tree Committee to Council President Frank Ciotti on Monday. It is with regret that I announce my resignation as the Chair of the Tree Committee as of Monday July 23, 2007 due

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-6600123270141724902007-07-20T13:44:00.000-04:002007-07-20T17:15:12.700-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSEditorial: It's always been my policy to own my mistakes when I am wrong.I'm torn, here, because I don't think I was wrong to pursue this story. For pursuing it, I can't apologize. I accurately reported what happened at that meeting. There are times when stories unfold as you work them. This one has.As you will read in the following story, I was wrong, in part, when I wrote

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-81667260608673801462007-07-20T09:10:00.000-04:002007-07-20T18:06:49.777-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSFirst Amendment Foundation President Barbara Peterson said this afternoon in a phone interview that two council members who attended a meeting Wednesday night in McIntosh to discuss building a new school were not in violation of the Sunshine Law.However, Peterson said any Sunshine Law violations that existed as a result of that meeting would be on the part of the McIntosh Area

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-4363225892517813732007-07-19T12:00:00.000-04:002007-07-19T12:24:06.593-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSAbout 15 residents from Sportsman's Cove, Robert's Acres and other parts of McIntosh met in the screen room of the Cove last night to listen to Joedy Smith explain options for building the McIntosh Area Charter School a permanent building.Two months ago, the McIntosh Town Council and organizers from the school met in a public workshop to discuss potential future plans for the

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-79964981653657114722007-07-18T20:52:00.000-04:002007-07-19T09:38:45.427-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSTwo McIntosh Town Council members attended a meeting tonight at Sportsman's Cove with knowledge that their attendance at that meeting was outside Florida's Sunshine Law.Councilman Lee Deaderick and Councilwoman Eva Jo Callahan were informed by this reporter and Joedy Smith that their attendance at a meeting to discuss whether how the town should proceed with school officials'

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-42627494662505095042007-07-18T11:05:00.000-04:002007-07-18T11:47:21.447-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSHarold Geddes, who lives at the end of 3rd Street asked the council Thursday night to help him address complaints he filed about noise from a neighbor's home. McIntosh does not have a noise ordinance and refers to Marion County codes for any noise complaints. Geddes said he called the Marion County Sheriff in the past, but the officers told him the music was not loud enough to

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-59985469635499899512007-07-18T09:13:00.000-04:002007-07-18T10:59:50.846-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Town Council approved new proposed water rates last Thursday that could generate more than $18,500 in revenue for the town that would wipe out the deficit created by a water system that is not paying for itself, but doesn't account for pending repairs.Current water rates are $6 for the first 5,000 gallons and 50 cents per 1,000 more than 5,000.From the water rate

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-90453185597883354612007-07-16T12:58:00.000-04:002007-07-16T13:48:27.814-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe council made fall back decisions regarding the laws governing two aspects of that shape McIntosh's historic and aesthetic countenance.After more than a year of work, the McIntosh Town Council tossed out a proposed tree ordinance written by members of the town's tree committee.The tree ordinance traveled a rocky path undergoing rewrites after nearly every workshop and hearing

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-18339151311122632242007-07-16T11:22:00.001-04:002007-07-16T12:57:21.355-04:00

Download available: July 12, 2007 Town Council meeting (WMA 42.3 kb)(MP3 flash player will be up Monday evening)Listen to the July 12, 2007 Town Council meeting:(Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice) July 12 Town Council Public Hearing Final vote to rezone Strange Ag land to residential 0.00.00 Final repeal of

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-47047278517062394682007-07-11T15:02:00.000-04:002007-07-12T09:26:55.919-04:00

BY CHER PHILLIPSMembers of the McIntosh Area School Board and other school employees and volunteers will be hosting community meetings to discuss two options for building the town's elementary charter school a permanent building.Linda McCollum said today that invitations would be sent to the town's registered voters inviting them to one of their neighbor's homes. McCollum said they used a mailing

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-12162236327118439662007-07-10T13:57:00.000-04:002007-07-10T13:59:15.765-04:00

AGENDATown Council MeetingJuly 12, 2007Civic Center Immediately Following Public Hearing at 7:00 pmAnyone wishing to place a subject on the agenda may do so up to 72 hours before the meeting by notifying the Town Office.I) Call to Order, Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge to the American FlagII) Roll CallIII) Consent Agenda:All matters listed within the Consent Agenda have been distributed to each member

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-80696803577525085392007-06-15T12:14:00.001-04:002007-06-15T13:37:03.610-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Town Council decided last night to rescind an $8 a month water fee they started to establish last month in order to pay for repairs to the water system. McIntosh's water system has been running at a $20,000 deficit for some years now. Efforts to raise the water rates, the lowest in the county and most likely the state, have failed. The council will be looking at

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-84736138597899161482007-06-15T11:54:00.000-04:002007-06-15T12:08:11.474-04:00

Editor's note: Linda McCollum called me this morning to ask for help posting a comment about the ongoing discussion on the McIntosh school. She sent me the following letter to post, as is. She and I decided it might be better placed as a "letter to the editor" in a posting of its own since her wishes were for many in the community to read it. The Mirror always encourages and welcomes

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-28285460330698134282007-06-14T23:29:00.000-04:002007-06-15T13:28:38.212-04:00

McIntosh Town Council Meeting June 14, 2007 Public hearing Citizen board 03.20 Repeal of historic ordinance 06.20 Council President speaks against repeal 20.36 Deaderick tabled Tree Ordinance 28.59 Regular meeting 32.22 Consent agenda 33.48 Matt Mathews county teen drug

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-69176240360764752462007-06-12T15:41:00.000-04:002007-06-12T15:44:16.104-04:00

AGENDATown Council MeetingJune 14, 2007Civic Center Immediately Following Public Hearing at 7:00 pm Anyone wishing to place a subject on the agenda may do so up to 72 hours before the meeting by notifying the Town Office.I) Call to Order, Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge to the American FlagII) Roll CallIII) Consent Agenda:All matters listed within the Consent Agenda have been distributed to each

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-66734040511468592322007-06-08T19:46:00.000-04:002007-06-08T21:36:50.946-04:00

McIntosh is under a precautionary water boil notice until further notice. In a phone interview on Friday evening Council Vice President Howard Walkup said town maintenance employee Paul Kelly told him the pressure gauge malfunctioned. Walkup said the pressure gauge operates like a thermostat telling the pump when to shut on and off. Friday evening, Mayor Marsha Strange said the water went out

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-21073637517879388772007-06-01T00:24:00.000-04:002007-06-13T23:03:45.964-04:00

Check out the following story about building a new McIntosh Area School. Then, check in with what option you are leaning toward.Poll closed. Thanks to everyone for participating. Results:Give the school the land: 8 votes, 16 percentHelp them build a school: 25 votes, 52 percentDo nothing, keeping leasing land: 15 votes, 31 percentI have a better idea: 0 votes, no one...If you'd still like to

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-87455085990473291382007-05-31T21:54:00.000-04:002007-06-01T00:21:36.263-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSListen to the May 31, 2007 Town Council workshop:(Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice)(Editor's note: The sound quality on this file is a little wobbly due to a microphone setting.)The McIntosh Town Council wants to know if residents would like to make a long-term commitment to the McIntosh Area Charter Elementary School by taking measures to help

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-1208974667198938562007-05-31T08:44:00.001-04:002007-05-31T08:48:01.202-04:00

I'm posting a link to a hard copy of the water quality report. 2006 Water Quality Report

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-72407642385721125652007-05-22T01:14:00.000-04:002007-05-22T02:04:45.291-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Mirror logged visitor number 10,000 yesterday. I started the blog last May but didn't begin counting visitors until July 1. According to Site Meter, the blog logged its 10,000 official visitor. I think this is accurate. Site Meter went down earlier this spring. But when it came back online, the logged visits caught back up. The Mirror uses three different counters. I

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-33889682274456419502007-05-12T13:16:00.000-04:002007-05-17T08:48:02.867-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Grocery Store will close its doors May 30 due to a rent hike of almost 50 percent.The store's owner of six years, Mack Burris, will be forced to close his business because he and the building's owner, Fred Wilson, can not come to an agreement on a rent hike.Burris, who is known as "Mack" to the residents of McIntosh, Boardman and other neighboring towns, said the

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-32057927495992243082007-05-11T22:35:00.000-04:002007-05-12T00:14:19.963-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Town Council voted 3-2 to introduce a water maintenance fee of $96 a year for every household in McIntosh to pay for pending repairs. The proposed fee would mean every business and household would pay $8 month for a year beginning in July for water fees.Word first started to filter into the public arena in an offhand comment made by Council President Frank Ciotti in

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-35595335157746002692007-05-08T11:08:00.000-04:002007-05-08T14:42:49.742-04:00

AGENDATown Council MeetingMay 10, 2007Civic CenterImmediately following Public Hearing Starting at 7:00 pmAnyone wishing to place a subject on the agenda may do so up to 72 hours before the meeting by notifying the Town Office.I) Call to Order, Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge to the American FlagII) Roll CallIII) Consent Agenda:All matters listed within the Consent Agenda have been distributed to each

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-25527895216078833522007-05-01T21:47:00.000-04:002007-05-01T22:20:30.860-04:00

Listen to the May 1, 2007 Town Council Workshop:(Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice) Tree Ordinance 0:02:55 Deaderick pitches expanding tree committee powers 0:06:32 Deaderick pitches tree district, tree tax 0:26:02 Walkup to ask for closed tree committee meetings 1:16:00 Historic

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-84360883782657750172007-05-01T15:33:00.000-04:002007-05-01T15:49:31.438-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Town Council will hold a workshop tonight to discuss the historic ordinance and the tree ordinance.In the April monthly meeting, the council decided they would hold a workshop to discuss changes to these two ordinances. The Historic Ordinance is currently in a repeal process. The Land Planning Agency, a citizen board, recommended that the historic ordinance 151 that

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-64259925461578114882007-04-14T21:16:00.000-04:002007-04-14T22:15:55.611-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSA spokesman from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said in an interview on Thursday afternoon that an inspector visited McIntosh as a result of several complaints filed in late March about the town's handling of the water system.Jeff Prather, DEP spokesman, said a DEP inspector came to talk to the town about the proper procedure for filing malfunction reports and

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-72493892102609736192007-04-12T11:06:00.000-04:002007-04-12T15:07:03.389-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPS At 10 a.m. this morning, I was shut out of the McIntosh-Department of Environmental Protection water meeting by the town and the state department.When I drove up this morning to the town office, town clerk Debbie Miller turned the open sign over to closed. She asked what I was there for and I told her I wanted to observe the meeting between the town and the DEP. I first learned

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-53193415828647434852007-04-09T16:34:00.000-04:002007-04-09T17:19:05.986-04:00

AGENDATown Council MeetingApril 12, 2007Civic Center 7:00 P.M.Anyone wishing to place a subject on the agenda may do so up to 72 hours before the meeting by notifying the Town Office.I) Call to Order, Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge to the American FlagII) Roll CallIII) Consent Agenda:All matters listed within the Consent Agenda have been distributed to each member of the McIntosh Town Council for

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-47421941415411551012007-04-09T09:44:00.000-04:002007-04-09T10:06:49.257-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSIn an e-mail this morning, Council President Frank Ciotti said the town meeting with the EPA this week will be closed. Ciotti wrote that the EPA called and rescheduled the meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday or Thursday. "We asked him to be sure its [sic] before the Town Council meeting so Debbie can report to the Council. He has stated again that this is not a public meeting and

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-76481952730675482942007-04-06T21:52:00.000-04:002007-04-06T22:40:36.627-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSMcIntosh Town officials will meet with the EPA next week to discuss the proper procedures to take when the town experiences water shortages and failures. In a phone interview this evening, Council President Frank Ciotti said he thought the water system failures from the past week were under control. "I think we're in good shape," Ciotti said. He said they replaced burnt-out

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-4801459634822142932007-04-06T16:38:00.001-04:002007-04-06T21:11:05.582-04:00

McIntosh Garden Club and Tree Committee dedicate Live Oak, Annual Plant Sale to take place this weekendStory and photosBy SEAN DOWIEA Dedication Ceremony of a 16-foot Live Oak was held Thursday by the McIntosh Garden Club, along with members Jill Allen and Sean Dowie of the Tree Committee.The Tree was purchased as a gift to the Town of McIntosh by the McIntosh Garden Club and as recognition of

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-34598750389487579692007-04-04T21:04:00.000-04:002007-04-05T10:38:53.524-04:00

Council members Lee Deaderick, Howard Walkup and Frank Ciotti met Monday morning at 7 a.m. in an emergency meeting and voted to spend $3,500 to automate the pump on the water system.A public record request made to Town Clerk Debbie Miller revealed that no tape was made of the meeting. When asked why the meeting was not taped especially since residents would have an interest in knowing what

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-42989883295685598032007-03-27T21:17:00.000-04:002007-03-28T18:24:47.234-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Land Planning Agency will recommend to the town council that Historic Ordinance 151 be repealed and the old historic ordinance in place before 2006 be reinstated.The citizen board also approved an ordinance that would give the council the power to remove citizen boards with the vote of four council members.The tree ordinance went through yet another set of revisions

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-60032450550963656622007-03-27T08:56:00.000-04:002007-03-27T11:07:11.842-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSCouncil President Frank Ciotti sent the Mirror and e-mail this morning saying the April 12 Public Hearing to consider rezoning land belonging to two town officials will go on as planned."Scott has no concerns with the process we are following and feels that we are proceeding as per the Town Charter," Ciotti wrote.At the urging of the town clerk, Ciotti scheduled a public hearing

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-68802156036774265782007-03-23T13:09:00.000-04:002007-03-23T23:32:55.905-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPS(This is the first of two stories on the upcoming rezoning public hearing. The first explores the basis for resident concerns, and the second is a Q & A Style e-mail interview with Council President Frank Ciotti addressing the issues.)A rezoning public hearing planned for April 12 will be reconsidered after it came under scrutiny by the Mirror when concerns were raised by

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-81442457188037784452007-03-23T11:00:00.000-04:002007-03-23T23:31:50.408-04:00

Editor's note: This is the second of two stories delving into resident concerns that rezoning agriculture land in McIntosh is being fast-tracked. Council President Frank Ciotti addressed issues in a Q & A e-mail interview with the Mirror.The interview is posted verbatim with a brief added after the first question reflecting a phone interview this evening with Ciotti.By CHER PHILLIPSCouncil

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-84758995350647066172007-03-22T14:00:00.000-04:002007-03-22T14:20:36.112-04:00

Editor's note: In the March town council meeting, the council decided to seek part-time help in the summer months. Councilman Lee Deaderick asked in the meeting if I would post the notice in the Mirror to help get the word out. Town of McIntosh Employment Notice:The Town of McIntosh is seeking a part-time summer employee to assist half days in the maintenance department.The main function of

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-31410793295925567452007-03-16T19:08:00.000-04:002007-03-16T23:42:52.721-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSIf you didn't notice, I touched a nerve this week, unleashing a literal firestorm in the forums denouncing me and the blog. Since a couple people I talked to were unsure about what one or two of the points in Tuesday's story meant, I'd like to recap and clarify.See, I think this is pretty important stuff. Other people must too, or they wouldn't be so mad at me for

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-86696662466197714482007-03-15T13:43:00.000-04:002007-03-15T14:10:27.547-04:00

I was reading an AP Wire story about Gov. Charlie Crist in the Gainesville Sun today, and I thought of McIntosh.Some of you who attended the Sunshine Seminar in McIntosh last December will remember Adria Harper, who is quoted in the story.It's about that time of year for Sunshine Law week. The Sunshine Law concerns the state laws that govern open records and open meetings in Florida. Every year

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-80500859583623327732007-03-13T23:07:00.000-04:002007-03-14T17:34:32.199-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSListen to the March 13 LPA Public hearing:(Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice) Planner Bruce Day 0:05:18 Danaya Wright addresses Walkup's request 0:09:40 Frank Ciotti questions applications 0:13:46 Marsha Strange: we're paying R1 taxes already 0:16:23 Randy Brown: comments on no paperwork

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-3470536141826231442007-03-10T22:12:00.000-05:002007-03-14T09:58:42.487-04:00

Editor's note: I received an e-mail from former Councilman Jim Strange last week. Last summer, I offered Strange space for rebuttal in the blog. He didn't take me up on it then. However, last week he sent me a copy of the final judgement in his case, and I asked him if I could post his comments. I edited the comments from two e-mails he sent me into one letter to the editor and with his

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-83112090341923742982007-03-10T15:20:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:10:53.968-04:00

Some of you actually look at the site's statistics. If you do, you've noticed that we've been stuck on 7,960 visitors since earlier this week. I've contacted Site Meter to no avail. But they've listed some updates and apparently they had a server fail completely. I've been using their services on different Web sites since 2002, and I've never had the counter go down this long before.I have

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-52197079553133288542007-03-10T14:49:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:11:36.560-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSCouncilman Lee Deaderick brought guidelines from the Florida Department of Transportation regarding their standards for sight-lines around corners.Over the past year, this issue has come before the council twice.Last May, Fred Del Russo complained to the council because he said that the town's former code enforcement officer wanted his Crepe Mertles removed because they interfered

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-59493341632965530992007-03-10T13:09:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:13:28.732-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSCheck out public records supporting this story: Planning report of rezoning James and Marsha Strange's landPlanning report for rezoning Howard Walkup's landE-mail from Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council detailing rezoning process with large-scale comp plan amendment checklistThe LPA will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. to discuss rezoning that could open up agricultural land in

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-13206930325045054802007-03-09T12:17:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:14:13.541-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSNew legislation opened to the door for the McIntosh Town Council to drop their occupational license ordinance, voting to let it expire. The Florida League of Cities sent McIntosh a notice that if they wanted to keep an occupational license, they would need to write and adopt a new ordinance.The council voted 3-2 against keeping the town's ordinance. Marion County dropped their

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-57051870989117552322007-03-09T10:38:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:15:25.683-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Town Council voted to reimburse former Councilman Jim Strange for his remaining legal fees from last summer when he sued a committee of residents seeking his removal from office, as well as town and county officials for accepting the paperwork.The council voted 3-2 for reimbursing Strange, based primarily on the advice of the town's attorney, Scott Walker. Council

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-90465513958674449592007-03-09T08:21:00.000-05:002007-04-06T20:58:59.753-04:00

Listen to the March 8, 2007 McIntosh Town Council meeting. (Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice.) Citizen Board discussion 0:11:20 Attorney Scott Walker explains repeal process 0:19:45 Eva Jo Callahan negotiates joint workshop date 0:26:41 Tree Preservation Ordinance 0:33:29 Expiring McIntosh occupational licenses 0:38:00

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-25559867398739000932007-03-08T22:29:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:16:49.847-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSI owe our town clerk Debbie Miller an apology.And I offer it to her here, publicly and willingly, but I have to caution you that I do it with great reticence. Not because the apology isn't genuine. When I am wrong, (and I know of it) I say that I am wrong. My reticence is due to the fact that McIntosh has been sliding in a scary direction lately.Miller contended during tonight's

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-91704345879957903392007-03-06T08:15:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:17:57.634-04:00

AGENDATown Council MeetingMarch 8, 2007Civic Center 7:00 P.M.Anyone wishing to place a subject on the agenda may do so up to 72 hours before the meeting by notifying the Town Office.I) Call to Order, Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge to the American FlagII) Roll CallIII) Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of February 8, 2007 and February 12, 2007.IV) Financial Report for February 2007V)

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-77343341286512990012007-02-28T13:17:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:18:49.460-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSListen to the Feb. 27, 2007 Land Planning meeting. (Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice.)The LPA set a date of March 27 for a Public Hearing to remove Historic Ordinance 151 from the town's code and place an amended version of the town's old historic codes in place.Two weeks ago, the McIntosh Town Council voted to repeal Ordinance 151 and then

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-75573017062319331472007-02-14T20:06:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:20:07.678-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSLast week, the McIntosh Town Council heard a recommendation from the LPA that they could rezone agriculture land belonging to Mayor Marsha Strange, Council Vice President Howard Walkup and Bill and June Glass to R1.Between Jan. 30 and Feb. 12, the LPA meeting, in which the citizen board voted to recommend rezoning, became an "unofficial" meeting. Before board chairwoman Charlsie

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-79562967851692045052007-02-14T19:27:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:21:08.528-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSFormer McIntosh Town Councilman Jim Strange has billed the town for the remainder of his legals fees from challenging a petition filed last year to recall him.Last August Strange sued Sportsman's Cove owner Casey Girardin, Marion County Supervisor of Elections and McIntosh Town Clerk Julie Musselman for their roles in circulating and certifying a recall petition against him.The

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-13532574209523813932007-02-14T12:05:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:22:43.604-04:00

By CHER PHILLIPSListen to the Feb. 12, 2007 Town Council meeting continuation by clicking the black triangle. (Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice.)The McIntosh Town Council agreed in a four-one vote to repeal Historic Ordinance 151 Monday night in a continuation of last Thursday's February council meeting.The grappling over the ordinance began Monday night with Mayor

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-56384381467127987982007-02-09T11:21:00.000-05:002007-03-14T10:23:23.089-04:00

A full report of last night's McIntosh Town Council meeting is pending. In the meantime, the full recording of the meeting is available now.Miss the council meeting last night? Listen to the Feb. 8, 2007 Town Council meeting by clicking on the black player-triangle. (Internet Explorer users may need to click the start arrow twice.) Don't want to listen to all 3 hours of discussion? Click

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-6030877781206084702007-02-05T17:10:00.000-05:002007-02-05T17:12:35.084-05:00

The Town Council will meet this Thursday. Thanks to Debbie for e-mailing a copy of the agenda. AGENDATown Council MeetingFebruary 8, 2007Civic Center 7:00 P.M.Anyone wishing to place a subject on the agenda may do so up to 72 hours before the meeting by notifying the Town Office.I) Call to Order, Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge to the American FlagII) Roll CallA) Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-88514050286087749252007-02-01T13:11:00.000-05:002007-02-01T14:31:40.266-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSIn a recent meeting of the Land Planning Agency, board members voted to recommend the council look into rezoning land zoned for agricultural use to residential use without including neighbors or other land owners with similar parcels.While several of the land owners were present, Council Vice President Howard Walkup, Mayor Marsha Strange and Bill Glass, other property owners of

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-86019383792690302682007-01-31T14:02:00.000-05:002007-02-01T17:22:13.369-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Land Planning Agency voted unanimously to recommend the Town Council rescind -- in effect, repeal -- Historic Ordinance 151. LPA board member Jim Walkup questioned the ordinance due to its length compared to the old land development code. He also questioned the parts of the ordinance dictating what types of trucks can be parked in the historic district, saying this

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-46802276908409937142007-01-27T09:53:00.000-05:002007-01-27T21:40:00.635-05:00

BARN DANCE TONIGHT:Judy Barnett and her band will be hosting a Barn Dance tonight at Harvest Village just north of town at 8 p.m. The cover price for admission is $5.00.I would love it if someone going would write me a couple paragraphs about the dance, like a review. I'll post it and pictures anyone would like to submit. Drop me a line at philicher@aol.com.

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-47215904289399070222007-01-18T09:44:00.000-05:002007-01-27T21:38:54.212-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSI realized that I have been watching the public meetings in McIntosh closely for almost a year now. I don't live in the historic district. I've heard in meetings that some people think that this excludes me from a right to having my comments heard. I disagree.I've thought about what's appropriate for me to say about the Historic Ordinance, as someone who wears both a

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-60642418161680999752007-01-16T15:19:00.000-05:002007-01-16T15:40:26.879-05:00

The following e-mail was written to Councilman Lee Deaderick and sent to the editor with a request that it be posted on the blog. This letter is printed verbatim. I have removed some of the HTML formatting because it was not legible in blogger after a straight cut and paste. The blog welcomes letters to the editor. The content of this or any opinion posted on the site does not necessarily

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-74427795754990423782007-01-14T19:57:00.000-05:002007-01-14T21:19:35.285-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSThe McIntosh Town Council found its hands tied when it tried to boot Harris Fellman from the Code Enforcement Board last week.And why not?Because according to Attorney Scott Walker, they had no grounds for removing him from his post. Council Vice President Howard Walkup barely had the motion to remove Fellman on the floor before Fellman rang out with, "You can't do that."The

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-45905600149287403132007-01-14T19:06:00.000-05:002007-01-31T16:32:50.648-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSClick here to the McIntosh Town Council meeting, Jan. 11, 2007:McIntosh residents agreed on one point and little else last Thursday night. The Lord’s Prayer will remain a part of the town’s monthly meetings.The Historic Ordinance 151 will stay up in the air for at least another month. Motions made to remove Harris Fellman from the Code Enforcement board failed, because the land

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-72900975562952074802007-01-09T19:08:00.000-05:002007-01-09T19:18:55.061-05:00

Note from the editor:Some in town might have heard, there was a second airboat in the area stolen from McIntosh in December. This boat, like Fred DelRusso's, was recovered later in one of the neighboring communities. DelRusso has posted an update on the progress of the investigation into his airboat on the bulletin board.

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-1259322343488732672007-01-08T18:01:00.000-05:002007-01-09T08:56:28.267-05:00

AGENDA Town Council Meeting January 11, 2007Civic Center 7:00 P.M.Anyone wishing to place a subject on the agenda may do so up to 72 hours before the meeting by notifying the town office.I) Call to Order, Lord’s Prayer, and Pledge to the American FlagII) Roll CallIII) Minutes of the Town Council Meeting of December 14, 2006IV) Financial Report for January 2007V) Guests:

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-32571756649110595082007-01-07T16:52:00.000-05:002007-01-07T17:40:11.968-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSAnnie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation in Madison, Wis, confirmed today that she sent a letter to the McIntosh Town Council on Jan. 3 on behalf of the foundation and anonymous complainants.The same letter showed up on the community forum of this blog yesterday, though Gaylor did not post it.Gaylor said she sent a copy to the complainants, who she

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-47153488620144232372007-01-06T16:04:00.000-05:002007-01-06T19:42:20.522-05:00

It seems an outside organization has targeted the McIntosh Town Council meetings over the Lord's Prayer, at the request of some local residents.What do you think? What do you think about the town meetings being prefaced with the Lord's Prayer? What do you think of an outside watchdog group based in Wisconsin asking the town council to stop reciting the Lord's Prayer before local government

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-63608552342632705942007-01-06T14:34:00.000-05:002007-01-06T16:04:24.073-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSIt seems a national organization is targeting McIntosh's town meetings due to the recitation of the Lord's Prayer before the town's monthly meetings.A post made to the McIntosh Mirror (click here) indicates a communication has been directed to the town council regarding the Lord's Prayer said before the town meetings. The communication also mentions a statement Council Vice

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-18817526072284801082007-01-04T21:37:00.000-05:002007-01-05T13:43:45.106-05:00

By CHER PHILLLIPSThe McIntosh Code Enforcement board met tonight to hear two cases and determine their board leadership for the next year.With two board members, Spencer Clark and Chris Rath not present, the board nominated and elected that Harris Fellman would continue to serve as the chairman for the next year. Fellman served as the board's chairman for 2006, as well.The Code Enforcement

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-1629467539866201202007-01-04T15:49:00.000-05:002007-01-04T17:07:34.328-05:00

Happy New Year, McIntosh!I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I know I had a great break. I graduated in December from UF with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. Most of my degree, I held down a full-time job and extra journalism projects like this blog, an internship at the Sun and a section editor for a couple semesters at the Alligator. Through that I found time to get to

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-45713095658177087452006-12-21T22:20:00.000-05:002006-12-22T08:45:25.347-05:00

Last week, I was standing in the Civic Center parking lot when someone lobbed a rock through Howard Walkup's truck. We couldn't tell who, in part because the street lamp he was parked under worked only intermittenly.Tonight, while I was shopping at the grocery store, a man was run down underneath another street lamp that was completely out. You can't tell from the photos I posted in the story

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-14908807740267381432006-12-21T20:03:00.001-05:002006-12-22T08:38:40.293-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSAn unidentified** pedestrian was hit by a car this evening while crossing U.S. 441 after making a purchase at the McIntosh Grocery store.About 6:00 p.m. tonight, a man witnesses say was in his 60's, was struck by a silver Toyota in front of Richard Shutterly's warehouse, almost directly under a nonfunctional streetlamp.Gina McGehee, a nurse working for Shands in Gainesville, was

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-24360595258794041702006-12-14T23:06:00.000-05:002006-12-15T20:06:30.371-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSEven after taking into account the McIntosh Town Council's tumultuous year, it was still a shock to council members and some residents when 2006 went out with a crash.Only a few people remained in the parking area outside McIntosh Civic Center when a crash resounded as Councilman Howard Walkup climbed into his pickup truck and his window exploded.Walkup had been showing off this

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-1951027820431796392006-12-11T20:00:00.000-05:002006-12-11T22:15:53.222-05:00

Tree Committee will meet Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.The McIntosh Town Council will meet Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.Tuesday is also the deadline to sign up your home or business in Holiday light competition with the Friends of McIntosh for Light-up McIntosh. Info is available outside the town office.The new agenda is up -- thanks to Town Clerk Debbie Miller for cc'ing me so I can post it online

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-87276591610655434322006-12-08T15:36:00.000-05:002006-12-08T15:43:40.030-05:00

Sheila Winters has posted in the bulletin board area about a family of dogs -- and now a kitten -- that she is concerned about with the freeze coming on tonight. Check out Sheila's post: Dogs and kitten I think the general consensus is that folks are concerned that calling Animal Services would mean these animals might not be safe. Thoughts?

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-18704982998016622552006-12-05T20:44:00.000-05:002006-12-05T22:59:37.256-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSListen to the whole Sunshine Law Seminar: McIntosh Sunshine Law Seminar Dec. 5 A handful of McIntosh residents sat down Tuesday night with a Sunshine Law expert to learn more about Florida's open meetings laws.Adria Harper, director of the First Amendment Foundation, spoke with and answered questions of residents who serve the town as board members, as employees and as the media.

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-10107420883725559752006-11-29T20:56:00.000-05:002006-12-05T23:03:59.597-05:00

By CHER PHILLIPSJudy Barnett will reopen the McIntoshFish Camp Bait shop this weekend. She's spent the last few weeks preparing the business to reopen, cleaning up the boat slips and even repaiting the sign.Photo by Cher Phillips The McIntosh Fish Camp's bait shop will reopen this weekend after a six year hiatus.Anna and Eugene Colwell, who ran the bait shop for the last 25 years, closed the

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-80472206031871581262006-11-24T12:58:00.000-05:002006-11-24T13:07:05.800-05:00

A reader has posted a bulletin board notice about stray dogs. Click here or hit the link at the top of the screen to go to the bulletin board for discussion.As an aside, Bonnie from Sportsman's Cove called me last night to ask if I would post a picture of a stray dog that she's harbored that she believes to be someone's pet because he wandered down to camp wearing a leash. More information

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-4785190994214562182006-11-21T19:32:00.000-05:002006-11-21T19:52:37.390-05:00

I just ran down to the McIntosh Grocery Store to pick up a couple items. Nothin' fancy. Just what I didn't already have around the house. I do it all the time. A lot of us do, I am sure. But I didn't used to ... I used to have to make that drive all the way down to Micanopy, or Gainesville or Ocala.I was checking out and Sue told me that Mac, the store owner, is going to work on Thursday.

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-91740222497706738082006-11-21T09:59:00.000-05:002006-11-21T10:09:28.912-05:00

Click here for the Historic Board OrdinanceI made a request to the town office for an electronic copy of the historic board ordinance that the council passed last summer, which the current council is reconsidering. I requested it last week since it was such a hot discussion topic. I know many people hadn't read it when it passed. I just got it this morning in the text of an e-mail and have

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-10341267359549130702006-11-12T19:54:00.000-05:002006-11-12T19:59:59.295-05:00

I've updated the Community bulletin board to November. So far, this hasn't taken off. I'd like to keep trying it. If you have something to sell, give away or you are having a yard sale, or you need a babysitter, want to babysit or mow lawns or clean house, or maybe you found a dog, or lost a cat... I think you get it.... post it under the community bulletin board.Just click on Community

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-66421836277410840142006-11-12T18:41:00.000-05:002006-11-17T22:32:29.132-05:00

ADDED: (Click here to view the proposed tree ordinance. The proposed changes are in red, and the old ordinance is in black.)The McIntosh Town Council was divided over the tree ordinance at the last meeting. Councilman Lee Deaderick was opposed to the ordinance and would like to see something else take its place. Council President Frank Ciotti stood up for the ordinance, describing how the town

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28757040.post-13361246155254906992006-11-12T18:33:00.001-05:002006-11-12T18:45:05.638-05:00

During a discussion of the historic board ordinance, the idea that only people living in the historic district should be able to voice an opinion over what goes in the ordinance. This idea also came up time and time again when McIntosh dealt with the CRA. What do you think? Who should have a say in issues like these?CoolWebToysOpinion Poll from CWT

Cherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10733216177489162834noreply@blogger.com47