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Highlands Today

CRA Gives July 4 Fireworks A Boost

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: March 12, 2009

SEBRING - The Heartland Young Professionals are in the early planning stages for Sebring's July Fourth celebration and the Community Redevelopment Agency was the first to commit some funding Monday.

The board of CRA commissioners listened to and granted Dusty Johnson, chairman of the young professionals, his request for $2,500 from the board's marketing and promotions account for this year's fireworks display.

"We have some great plans this year," Johnson began.

They're planning some day activities, hoping to have food vendors, face painting, kids' games and a hot dog eating contest.

"We want to make it better," he said. "We're open to suggestions."

Johnson said Tuesday that he and the Heartland Young Professionals board just began considering the holiday celebration at their meeting last Thursday.

"We're just now getting started talking about everything as we speak," he said. "We just want to make it a little family friendly."

The group is starting to look for sponsors and hopes to recruit a live band, possibly the same one it had at last year's event, he said.
CRA President Gene Brenner complimented the group on a great job last year, which they took over on short notice.

Johnson said he planned to approach the Sebring City Council next for use of the Sebring Civic Center as well as a possible CRA sponsorship.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Fourth of July fireworks display may send a check payable to Heartland Young Professionals, (write fireworks display in memo section), P.O. Box 7393, Sebring, FL., 33872.
Highlands Art League

Geri Wohl, president of the Highlands Art League, gave a sincere apology for missing the last CRA meeting, but asked the board if it would still consider granting a sponsorship for its recent crafts show.

She said she got the CRA meeting date confused with the Sebring City Council that meets on Tuesday.

"We're the good looking ones," quipped CRA Commissioner Jim McCollum.

Wohl initially requested $3,000 for a full sponsorship from the board.

"We've all from time-to-time had the wrong thing on our calendars," said McCollum.

McCollum wondered if they would be able to get the full benefit of sponsorship after the event compared to being asked afterwards. A banner did fly during the crafts show indicating the CRA was a sponsor.

However certain references to CRA participation were deleted from certain press releases at the direction of Executive Director Pete Pollard, so as not to obligate the board to a sponsorship.

"I'm inclined to do something," said Brenner.

"I'm inclined to sponsor at $2,000," said McCollum.

The board voted 5-1 and offered $2,000, which Wohl gladly accepted. Commissioner Kathy Malie cast the dissenting vote.

After the meeting Wohl said the crowds for the craft show were good Saturday morning but thinned out somewhat in the afternoon. Sunday it did not appear there were as many visitors.

The show went well and many of the 60 vendors who came to sell their wares were pleased with the turnout, she said.

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

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