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Highlands Today

Re-Elect No One

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C. Wesley Ward

Published: February 2, 2008

Americans who are interested in making a government for the people must vote this year for no one holding public office. This should be a year for starting a campaign to vote everyone from city, county, state and federal officials out of office and start a new slate. It is apparent that they are not representing the people.

Once elected, public officials think they have a lifetime job and apparently once in office, they gain so much power and money that it is almost impossible to vote them out of office.

That is the reason I am advocating re-elect no one. I will make one exception to that rule. Charles Bryan, the Highlands County tax collector.

The county commissioners should be retired. We can kick only three out this year but that is a majority. They seem to work more for the county employees than they do for the people.

They have added additional costs to taxpayers from increased gas taxes, property taxes and the $6,000-plus impact fee for a new home. They are adding a number of new leadership positions that pay far in excess of what the public sector pays. We have been paying in excess of what similar populated counties pay for a number of positions in county government.

The school board is the largest employer in the county. They have a large number of people in management or director positions but they have no people in the department but themselves. The department of education allows the teachers union to dictate teachers pay and benefits, hours and to some extent, subjects to be taught. There is never enough money and it is the largest part of property taxes we pay, but there is little or no accountability nor better educated students to show for it.

Who thinks the sheriff needs her own attorney, public relations person and several people making more than a $100,000 per year?

The impact fees will eventually destroy the growth that is so necessary to the economy of this area. Only government officials and a few people who want to dictate that nothing goes on property they don't own. If ever there was an argument for not re-electing no-one, this is the year for it.

C. Wesley Ward
Sebring

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