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Special magistrate rules
on Levy County code enforcement cases

Levy County Special Magistrate Norm D. Fugate prepares to open the hearings of cases on Oct. 14 in Bronson.

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 16, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
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     BRONSON – Levy County Special Magistrate Norm D. Fugate ruled on five code enforcement cases Wednesday morning (Oct. 15), which continues to demonstrate this county’s progressive and successful approach to enforcing law to protect the quality of life for the community as well as staying within bounds for individual property rights.

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     Two ongoing cases – Levy County versus Samuel Allen Fant, and Levy County versus Randall and Merline Jacobs – were listed as “old business.”
     Three other cases brought by the county were dealt with as well by Special Magistrate Fugate and they were Myra Miller-Monroe; Shanti Mitchell and Kendrick Mills; and Stephany Morlero-Fernandez.
     In every case, Fugate listened to Levy County Code Enforcement Officer Dave Banton, who is also the department manager, or Code Enforcement Officer Bradley Frazer as those gentlemen present facts and evidence to prosecute the cases – as everyone seeks to bring offenders into compliance.
     The special magistrate, in each instance confirmed, adequate notice had been provided for the accused to know to attend the hearing. Some people showed up, and one brought a professional engineer to help her with a Spanish-to-English language barrier as well as to let the magistrate know her intention to construct a residence in Levy County.


Levy County Code Enforcement Officer Dave Banton, who is also the department manager, gives his testimony about cases. Code Enforcement Officer Bradley Frazer (blue shirt) and Code Enforcement Administrative Assistant Penny Hilligoss are seen at the table for the prosecution.


     Following is the order in which the cases were ruled upon from start to finish that day.


Samuel Allen Fant addresses Levy County Special Magistrate Norm D. Fugate on Oct. 15.

Samuel Allen Fant
     This matter was a compliance issue.
     After listening to the facts and evidence presented by the prosecution and the defendant, Fugate ruled there had been no compliance with order he had issued previously against Fant.
     Fines listed in that prior order will be applied, he said, and a non-compliance order will be issued in the next few days.
     Fugate told Fant that he knows of the existence of an appeal, and state law does not preclude moving forward with this case despite a previous code enforcement ruling by Fugate. Therefore, the case continues.
     The reason this case is continuing, Fugate said, is because there has been no stay order by a court, and in fact, there is no known motion for a stay order having been filed as of Oct. 14. Fant confirmed that and he said he has obtained a new attorney to deal with the relevant legal issues.
     This matter relates to county ordinances regarding allegedly large quantities of horse manure and stable bedding materials not being moved from particular property as had been ordered. This case shows Fant’s continued resistance against the government dealing with an issue that goes back to manure that Fant said was placed there years ago.
     Although he did not say much, Fant said he has not brought new manure to the location since this matter began.


The honorable Levy County Special Magistrate Norm D. Fugate rules that Allen Fant failed to comply with a previous order Fugate had issued against Fant. Fines listed in that prior order will be applied, and a non-compliance order will be issued in the next few days. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison - All Rights Reserved

     Fant told Fugate that he was declining to participate in the hearing on Oct. 14.
     Nevertheless, he noted, in part, in writing that “… our agricultural exemption was reinstated April 8, that we are fully enrolled in the state’s Best Management Practices program, and the materials in question are lawful agricultural products regulated under DEP Rule 62-709, Florida Administrative Code.”

Myra Sharee Miller-Monroe, who said her name is Myra Miller appears at the code enforcement hearing. She testified under oath that she will evict ‘Mr. Monroe’ from property she owns after her divorce from him.

Myra Sharee Miller-Monroe
     Code Enforcement Manager Banton said the location of the violations here is 20671 N.E. 40th St., Williston.
     Banton proved to Fugate that a “Mr. Monroe” is operating a business at the location in violation of the residential zoning for the property. In addition to that code violation, there is the accumulation of junk, trash, unserviceable vehicles, and the like, which is a separate code violation.
     This mobile tire venture has been going on for years, according to facts and evidence shown at the hearing and in public records.
      After discussion with Myra Miller-Monroe, who became the sole owner of the property after her divorce from “Mr. Monroe,” the magistrate and others learned at the hearing that she is seeking to force him to remove whatever property is ruled to be his.
     Banton said he does not know the first name of “Mr. Monroe.”
     The property owner identified herself under oath to be Myra Miller and that she had been divorced since 2012. She told the special magistrate that she will lawfully evict “Mr. Monroe.” Fugate made certain that she understood that as the sole owner of the property fine that may be levied will be her responsibility if she continues to fail to comply with the applicable codes.
     Fugate ruled a code violation exists. He ruled as well that “Mr. Monroe,” although not an owner of the land, will be cited as well in this order. Fugate is allowing 60 days from the date of the order to cure the violation by complying with code. 
     After those 60 days, Fugate ordered a compliance hearing to be scheduled. If the violation remains active, he will review the extent of control that the property owner has at that time. There will be a $50-a-day fine imposed after 60 days, subject to review at the compliance hearing.


Stephany Caroline Morlero-Fernandez (left) and licensed professional engineer Jesus Rodriguez address the special magistrate on Oct. 15 regarding code violations on property she owns.

Stephany Caroline Morlero-Fernandez
     In this case licensed professional engineer Jesus Rodriguez represented Morlero-Fernandez.
     Code Enforcement Officer Frazer prosecuted. 
     Frazer said this quarter-acre of property is in the Oak Ridge Estates subdivision. It is vacant property. The landowner has placed an inoperable RV there, which remains parked and is not occupied except on occasion it may have been used. There is an above-ground pool built on the vacant lot. And there is a storage shed on the vacant lot.
     As of Oct. 14, the landowner has not applied for any permit to build a storage building or anything else on the property, Frazer said.
     Rodriguez, Fugate and Code Enforcement staff ironed out an address error so that the defendant will have information more quickly. Rodriguez and the landowner appeared because they saw notification of the hearing by the red tag placed on the property.
     Fugate helped Rodriguez understand how there is noncompliance with building codes on the property. Morlero-Fernandez was present and Rodriguez explained to her in Spanish what he came to understand.
     Based on facts and evidence, Fugate found there was a violation by parking an RV on a vacant lot. Fugate combined the pool construction and shed construction on vacant land to be one violation. 
      Fugate explained that the building code in Levy County requires the property owner to obtain a building permit for a permanent structure, or the RV must go. The RV will be allowed during construction.
     Fugate ruled violations exist, with one being for the RV, and the second violation combines the pool and shed construction.
     If those violations are not cured withing 60 days, then there will be imposed a $50-per-day violation for each of those two. 

Shanti Mitchell and Kendrick Mills
     Shanti Vernell Mitchell and Kendrick Shanard Mills have violated codes in the University Estates Subdivision, Code Enforcement Officer Frazer said.
     This is vacant property that looks abandoned, Frazer said. There is an RV on it, and it is “broken down,” Frazer said. There is excessive debris on the property as well, he said. Mitchell told him in late June that she would have the RV removed and the property would be cleaned.
     As of Oct. 13, the property remained as it has been since he cited it in early July, Frazer said.
      The landowner who lives in Jacksonville was not present for the hearing.
     After facts and testimony were presented, Fugate found two code violations continue to exist – RV on vacant land and excessive debris on vacant land.
     If the violations are not cured within 30 days, Fugate ruled, then there will be a $100-per-daay find for each of the two violations that persist.

Randall Jacobs and Merline Jacobs
     Randall Jacobs and Merline Jacobs, who list a residence in Dunedin, were not present for this compliance hearing.
     Frazer said an order to remove an RV was followed in June, but that RV was returned to the property after one day and it remained there ever since for the past three months – as shown by photos.
     Fugate found that there is a violation of that RV being present, and a $100-a-day fine is to begin immediately for that failure to comply now. As for another violation of code that was not brought into compliance, another $100-a-day fine is imposed – effective as of July 19 and for every day going forward until it is bought into compliance – for the four wooden structures on the property that are in violation of county codes.

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Full-Time Levy County
Veterinarian Introduced

Levy County Animal Services Manager Brandy Cannon (left) stands with Dr. Victoria Caccavone, DVM. Dr. Caccavone is the new full-time Levy County veterinarian. Caccavone was introduced to the Levy County Board of County Commissioners at the Oct. 7 regular meeting.
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 8, 2025 at 9 a.m. - All Rights Reserved

Gilchrist County residents
seek road improvements

The five-member Gilchrist County Commission is seen in action on Oct. 6 at a twice-monthly regular meeting. The members are (from left) Kendrick Thomas, Bill Martin, Tommy Langford, Darrell Smith and Sharon A. Langford.

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 7, 2025 at 4 p.m.
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     TRENTON – Two gentlemen spoke during the public participation part of the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Monday evening (Oct. 6).
     They both want the county to “chip and seal” a stretch of lime rock road that has, among other things, caused a United States Postal Service vehicle to become so stuck that a tow truck had to be called to take it out of a pothole.
     William Pace and Charles Shanks spoke about a road as well as some vegetation next to the road that scrapes vehicles when the drivers have to move close to the side to let an oncoming vehicle pass.

William Pace goes to the lectern to speak about a road that he believes needs work.


In this video, William Pace opens the dialogue that results in the county somewhat committing to chip and seal a certain stretch of lime rock road. At about $100,000 a mile, and with the annual budget showing $500,000 for this type of road improvement, each of the five commission districts could see a mile of improvement. To see and hear the video, click on the PHOTO. The countdown clock that starts at 3:00 was never started, so Pace was able to speak as long as he wanted rather than being limited to three minutes.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights Reserved

     Pace said he lives 8720 S.E. 80^th St., which is ff of State Road 26, east of Trenton.
     He said he has been living there for five years now, The 70-year-old man said he has repeatedly called County Commissioner Sharon A. Langford in regard to the road.
     “I still have a few more years to live,” Pace said, “that I might could enjoy (an improved road).”
     The Gilchrist County Road Department, Pace said, does a good job when the road is graded. He believes Southeast 80th Street has become a route people use. Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. one day, Pace said he obtained signatures from 80 people who were using that road.
     Farmers hauling crops with heavy equipment use the road, he said. The solar farm that Duke Energy built there caused heavy equipment to use that road, he said.
     “Traffic is terrible out there,” Pace said.
     Commissioner Sharon Langford said she is going to recommend that road to be a chip-and-seal road in her district.
     Pace said the grader operator scrapes across the road, which fills holes with loose lime rock and when it rains, that lime rock is splashed out – leaving a pothole again.
     Shanks added to the input about the road.
     Shanks said he lives on Southeast 86^th Avenue, which is one of the two end roads off of 80^th.
     “We totally understand that this isn’t a rich county,” Shanks said. “this isn’t Alachua County, where you go out and spend $200,000 on shrubbery to put around your City Hall.”
     The people appreciate the work that is completed by the county, Shanks intimated.
     Shanks and his wife moved to Gilchrist County about 20 years ago, he said, and they have never regretted it. 
     Back when he moved into the area, the Road Department would mow next to the roads, Shanks said. A few years ago, he continued, “when there was that big fuel shortage,” the practice of mowing next to the roads stopped.
     That level of service never returned, he said.
     The Road Department, he continued, used to bring a machine that would trim the limbs and bushes next to the roads. 
     “Eightieth Street is narrow in some places,” Shanks added. “And if you meet another (oncoming) car, you need to pull over to the side to let it by. If you don’t stop, it (plant branches next to the road) scratches the side of your car up.”
     Commissioner Langford said she will see about having a work order submitted to trim the trees and bushes next to that road.
     Pace said a regular car will have the “Bee-Jeepers” beaten out of it by driving down that road. He also shared the story about the postal vehicle that became stuck in a pothole.
     Commissioners thanked the men for their input and seemed to promise to seek to resolve this relatively bad road condition there.

NASA delays media information
due to federal government shutdown

The Artemis I SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft is shown above in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida before rollout to launch pad 39B, in March of 2022.
Photo By NASA/Frank Michaux

By Jeff M. Hardison © Oct. 1, 2025 at 3 p.m.
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     BREVARD COUNTY – Journalists in the United States and abroad have been notified of a delay from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the process leading to members of the press covering a previously planned event.
     Before a journalist can cover certain NASA activities in a more close-up manner than filming launches from 150 miles to the west of the launch pad, while the reporter and cameraman is standing in a planted pine forest, he needs to accept credentials, as have been provided before.
     As for covering an event at the Vehicle Assembly Building, that is not possible from the other side of the state – other than using what is sent by NASA as a press release.
     The event at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida that was going to be a showcase of the hardware for the Artemis II lunar mission, which will test capabilities needed for deep space exploration, was a media event.
     NASA and industry subject matter experts were to be available for interviews. Now, the credentials are not being sent – at least not for awhile, because of leaders in Washington, D.C., being unable to reach agreement on how to spend federal tax revenue.
     “We will be in touch with everyone on Artemis (II) Media Day date and whether or not you made the list once the government reopens,” NASA Media Operations Lead Danielle Sempsrott noted from her office at NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County on Oct. 1.
     On Sept. 10, certain members of the media were invited to apply to see NASA’s fully assembled Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft before its crewed test flight around the Moon next year.
     This “media day” was going to be in mid-October, according to NASA, which set deadlines for the invited members of the American and international media to apply for approval of credentials to attend.
     In a federal government shutdown, several services are affected. The 2018-2019 shutdown furloughed roughly 800,000 of the federal government's 2.2 million employees back then. The White House budget office did not say how many would be affected as of the Oct. 1, 2025, shutdown, yet.
     Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits will continue, according to reliable sources that look at federal budgets.
     The United States Postal Service is self-funded and is not impacted. Planned airline services will continue but there may be longer lines and slower service at airports due to only “essential” workers allowed to work.
     Even though the Whitehouse budget office is mum on the actual number of employees impacted, hundreds of thousands of people probably will see zero paychecks until after Congress acts. Then, there may be some backpay due a result of the mandatory furloughs. 
     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Health and the Food and Drug Administration will lose all but their “essential” staff members. 
     Passport and visa processing will see a slowdown. 
     In past federal government shutdowns, national parks have closed or went unstaffed. 
     Even federal courts cut back, which means hearings get postponed and cases delayed.
     In the meantime, too, as noted, press coverage of the process before NASA’s planned launch to send astronauts around the Moon and back to Earth is not happening.