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Highlands Today

Sebring Council To Discuss Andrews' Replacement Today

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: December 2, 2008

SEBRING -
The City Council will discuss and possibly select a temporary replacement for Councilman Dan Andrews, who was suspended indefinitely last week by Gov. Charlie Crist, after being arrested on three felony charges.

City Clerk Kathy Haley said today morning that she just amended the agenda for the meeting and that the item will be discussed first.

"The council needs to promptly appoint someone until Mr. Andrews is (lifted by the governor from his suspension)," she said. "Council may select someone tonight."

Former council members are potential possible replacements, she said.

"Those are people who might first pop into you head," she said. "That would be my first thought. Usually they know the ropes, are familiar with the Sunshine Law; they know how the government works."

Council President Bud Whitlock agreed.

"I was hoping that maybe a previous council member would be willing to step in and be willing to serve," Whitlock said.

What names if any come to mind? Possibly former Councilman John Clark or former Councilwoman Annette Daff or possibly Robert Horne, who came in fourth in the last council race against himself, Andrews and Councilwoman Margie Rhoades.

Clark, who works at A.G. Edwards and Sons Inc., was a strong fiscal conservative and has a good handle on finance, said Whitlock.

"(Serving on the council) takes a lot more of your time than people realize," Whitlock said. "And I don't know what kind of time he has."

Daff works at the Highlands County Courthouse, he said. She was not available for comment Tuesday.

John Clark said Tuesday that he has had discussions with someone within the city government, although he did not say with whom.

"I got a call way back when (Andrews) was terminated," said Clark. "And they asked when this happened would you be willing to put your name in the hat?

"I said, I'll talk to my wife and if she agreed would put my name in for consideration. And when it (the arrest and suspension) happened I got a call again."

He did not run for re-election in order to spend more time with his son, who was in high school. He has since gone to college.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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