The Yankeetown War

  Anyone who has been in the Dunnellon area for any amount of time knows Yankeetown. Certainly anyone who fishes knows Captain Ed and the Yankeetown Marina. Yankeetown is a small enclave west of Dunnellon on the gulf coast, originally populated with small commercial fishing and crabbing enterprises, which in recent years has become a well-kept secret retirement area.
While the small town of approximately 700 souls has always enjoyed the anonymity that has kept it a rural fishing village, things are changing. There is a war going on in Yankeetown, one not unlike that which is raging in Dunnellon. It is between the locals and the developers.

  Like Crystal River, Yankeetown is right on the Gulf Coast. When I look at this area, I see history, traditions, people who made a rough living from the sea. Unfortunately, when a developer looks at the area, he sees condominiums. Also like Crystal River, the focal point of the Yankeetown War is a marina.

  Crystal River, Yankeetown, Dunnellon; the similarities are significant. Prime property, out-of-state developers, corrupt or inept elected officials, big money, and residents caught in the middle. These battles are being fought all along the Gulf Coast, and it remains to be seen whether the developer’s big money will win out over history and tradition, and whether these little coastal towns will survive and preserve their special nature.

  You might well ask – ‘why should I care about what happens in Yankeetown’? Because it is also happening here in Dunnellon, and there is much to be learned from our neighbors to the west, and how they are fighting their war. Their battle rages daily on the web, at a site called “Save Yankeetown”.

  If you are interested, visit the site, and read the threads in the message board. It is a testament to the underhanded dealings of the developers, and the people who oppose them.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our own message board, The Back Fence. Still in its infancy, it can become the vox populi of Dunnellon, but only if you participate.

  Check out Save Yankeetown. And join The Back Fence. There is nowhere else to have your opinions heard!


http://www.saveyankeetown.com/

Update: May 10, 2006...........

  A petition for the recall of the Yankeetown Mayor was delivered to the county seat on Tuesday, May 9th. Once 50 of the signatures have been verified, a new election will be scheduled. It's amazing what an informed and outraged populace can accomplish. Let us hope that the new Mayor will fight to preserve the charm and tradition of Yankeetown!

Update: May 15, 2006.......

  It has been reported that two Yankeetown city council members have resigned, although the legality of the resignations is in question. These resignations can be directly attributed to the Save Yankeetown website, and we commend the citizens of Yankeetown for forcing change through their involvement in the site.

  We here in Dunnellon can learn from our neighbors to the west. They spoke up and made their voices heard. We urge you to become involved in the battle to "Save Dunnellon", by joining The Back Fence, and let your voice be heard!

Update: May 24, 2006.......

  Yankeetown is starting to resemble rats leaving a burning ship. Council members resigning, the mayor under a recall petition, and the developers waiting in the wings. The Yankeetown mayor was interviewed in the Citrus County Chronicle, and it makes for some interesting reading. Could this happen in Dunnellon?

  Why not?

  This link will take you to the article:

http://www.chronicleonline.com/articles/2006/05/24/news/news30.txt

Apparently, you have to register to read the article, but it's free. 

Update: June 22, 2006

  The F.D.L.E  has seized the town's computers, and is investigating the actions of the mayor and city council. The mayor has generated a lawsuit against the town, and most of the council and staff have resigned.

  Why?

  Because a group of concerned citizens acted to stop the wholesale plunder of the town, and the political skullduggery that was going on in Yankeetown. Don't be surprised if you see the same thing happen in Dunnellon.
 

Update: July 25, 2006

MOB  VIOLENCE  IN  YANKEETOWN!!!!

  Once again, the Chronicle prints the following:

"threats and intimidation directed against public officials, reportedly creating or threatening to create an atmosphere of lawlessness, civil unrest and mob violence.”

  We at Dunnellon Online would like to warn travelers to avoid the town of Yankeetown Florida, for their own personal safety. It seems that violent mobs are running the streets there, and that the Governor has had to step in to quell the violence!

  The 'atmosphere of lawlessness' has permeated every corner of the small hamlet, resulting in house-burnings, lynchings, and rampant destruction of town property.

  Fortunately, the heroic mayor has managed to hold the town together, with the aid of the Florida National Guard and the declaration of a dawn-to-dusk curfew. Anyone caught out on the street after curfew will be shot.

  We can only hope that the residents will come to their senses and realize that progress is good for the town, and support their dedicated mayor in her effort to bring Yankeetown into the "Condo Age".

Editor
 

Update:  September 20th, 2006

Yankeetown Mayor Resigns!

  This is the letter that the citizens of Yankeetown have been waiting for. Congratulations to the people of Yankeetown, and may they put their town back together again. The mayor was in bed with the developers, and got caught. Sound familiar? Could this happen in Dunnellon?