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Highlands Today

A Salute To The Good Guys

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Bud Morgan

Published: July 3, 2008

I have been blessed with the privilege of living a full and interesting life. I have had the pleasure of working since I was 8 years of age. I have dug the earth, cleared land, fought America's enemies, overseen multi-billion dollar budgets, and written millions of words in the public forum. Furthermore, I have shaken hands with five presidents of the United States and broken bread with two of them. More importantly, I have hugged thousands upon thousands of ordinary people.

There are approximately 195 countries in this world, and I have visited almost half of them. I have seen an abundance of poverty and violence in many regions of this planet; however, for every act of violence and every incidence of poverty, I have found many examples of smiling, caring, compassionate people. It is they to which I dedicate this particular column.

My wife, Erma, and I live in an adult retirement community called Highlands Ridge. It is truly a beautiful place inhabited by some of the most friendly, caring, people that I have met anywhere.

Recently, a neighbor offered to assist me with an electrical problem. It wasn't difficult for anyone to surmise that the problem was well above my technical pay grade. He fixed the problem and – despite my protestations – refused to take any money for his efforts. The neighbor was Jack Palmer who happens to be the same caring, compassionate person who has assisted in the building of many homes through Habitat for Humanity.

Highlands Ridge has a management team that is second to none. Julie Burg, our activities director, is creative and energetic. She is the epitome of class and caring. Bobbie Clark, is our wellness coordinator. Bobbie is the leader of Florida Hospital's Wellness Program at Highlands Ridge. She keeps us in shape, healthy and involved. Julie and Bobbie are more than gifted professionals; they are special, compassionate human beings. The management team at Highlands Ridge is led by Rob Reed, general manager. He is a talented businessman who is able to balance critical business issues with a genuine caring and respect for the residents and staff. He exudes enthusiasm.

Another example of what makes Highlands Ridge such a wonderful place to live is exemplified by the recent variety show and benefit to provide funds for a swimming pool lift chair. This special lift enabled wheelchair-bound and other disabled individuals to gain access to the pool for essential exercise. Over 250 people attended the variety show.

The residents of Highlands Ridge and many others in the Highlands County area opened their hearts and wallets and provided 100 percent of the needed funds for this benefit. Christopher Allen, the current Heartland Idol and Sidney Hitt, a previous Heartland Junior Idol contestant, donated their time and musical talents to the hugely successful show. Additionally, the Highlands Ridge Chorale and 15 individual residents enthusiastically gave outstanding musical performances.

When I think of other people in Highlands County who contributed to the betterment of the community, my list becomes enormous. I think of Jane Breylinger and the years of devotion, caring and talent she brought to Habitat for Humanity. I think of Diane Juve who has provided the community leadership to ensure essential and effective educational programs for the county. I speak specifically of the academically gifted and the International Baccalaureate programs.

I think of Patrick Lange, senior investment advisor for Ameriprise Financial. Patrick is one of those rare business people who is actively involved in his family and never fails to provide friendship and expert financial expertise to his client families. He is a jewel. I think of Robert Cannon, of Cannon Pest Control. Robert is an expert in his field. More importantly, he is trustworthy and ethical. I think of Sheriff Susan Benton, Florida's first woman and best county sheriff. Susan is smart, professional and the very antithesis of the "good old boy" network.

The greater Highlands County community is a wonderful place to live. Unfortunately, some people always see the glass as half-empty rather than half-full. There are people who spend the majority of their lives searching for the perfect place to live – a perfect place inhabited by perfect people. Sadly, those searchers never find their nirvana. Often their discontent rests, not in their surroundings or with their neighbors; rather, within themselves.

Someone once said, "No matter where you go, there you are." Those are wise words, indeed. They capture the essence of those who, all too often, live in denial of their own shortcomings and prefer to blame people, places or things for their discontent. While others worked unselfishly and willingly to fund our swimming pool lift chair, a mere handful of anonymous people complained that Highlands Ridge should not be providing pool lift chairs because we are not an "assisted living" development. Does that mean that we can't be compassionate because of some age or medical related designation?

This act of installing this lift has nothing to do with age. If a teenager could not get into a community pool because of physical limitations, wouldn't it be an act of compassion to provide structural assistance? While Susan Benton has worked to professionalize county law enforcement and to improve the safety and security of Highlands County, others whine about too many officers giving citations and too many marijuana grow houses being shut down.

I am thankful for the good people that impact my life. The whiners and complainers are ever-present - lurking in the shadows – outside of the mainstream of caring and compassion. The former deserve praise. The latter deserve pity.

Bud Morgan lives in Avon Park.

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