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Highlands Today

Valencia Circle

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Mary Shivers

Published: December 14, 2008

On Dec. 2 I was asked to appear before the Sebring City Council to explain my involvement with the Valencia Circle issue and hear a complaint from one neighbor who apparently does not like the park furniture or horse statue for which I had permission -approval from the city council on Nov. 6, 2007, to place there. I'm sure many of you read the articles in the Highlands Today and are aware of the problem.

Not only was I hurt but I resent all the phone calls my neighbor placed to the city council members, code enforcement officers for the past two years. I moved here after the death of my husband in 2001; two weeks later my father passed away. I felt it would be beneficial for my health to stay in Sebring and rest.

After a few years of looking at the circle and nothing being done, I felt it was time to work on it for the betterment of the neighborhood. I wanted it to be functional as a park where neighbors would gather to talk, children can play and grandmothers could bring their grandchildren to swing and look at "Buddy" the horse statue.

My daughter called from Richmond, Va., and told me that one of her fondest memories as a child was coming to Sebring to visit her grandparents and taking walks around the circle. Her Grandmother Carr always said: "We're going to beautify the circle some day," therefore I feel I have carried out my parents wishes and dreams for their home and circle. It has never been my intent to alienate any neighbor or cause conflict with anyone, as it is not my circle; it belongs to the people who live in the area and to the city.

You should be very proud of your city council members. You have an outstanding mayor, excellent city administrator as well as a new public works director, who is here to replace George Fox. I will personally miss George and his expertise. However I know that Mr. Miller will assess the circle and make a positive recommendation.

Mary Shivers Sebring

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