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Highlands Today

Spring Lake Board Is Doing Good Work

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By LEON VAN Guest Column

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 26, 2009

"We do not inherit this land from our forefathers; we borrow it from our children." What a powerful concept and this Spring Lake Improvement District Board and the district manager are excellent stewards of our district. We now have an upgraded tennis court, new playground equipment with improvements to all the parks, a new basketball court, new boating facilities at Arbuckle Creek Park, a new maintenance building, new equipment to improve the aesthetics of this community and upgrades to the water plant.

This board has responded to every concern of its citizens, keeping us apprised of every move with meetings, a monthly newspaper and a recently completed community questionnaire on future programs and services that residents wanted. New relationships with our officials have made us a part of Highlands County, instead of the isolationists of the past. And yet this board and the district manager have dealt with character assassination, manipulation of facts and outright lies. Scare tactic petitions are being circulated.

The sins of omission from prior boards are coming home to roost and this board is working diligently to correct those errors. As one gentleman stated, "I wouldn't do your job for $10,000."

The March 18 board meeting and workshop was intended to gather thoughts, ideas, suggestions and input from all concerned. The three presenters did an excellent job of sharing the pros and cons of all options. It was stressed numerous times that nothing has been decided; the proposed land purchase of the golf course is one of several ideas being considered and yet one person chose to utilize his speaking time by reiterating "We have no voice, we have no voice." Ironic? You be the judge.

In the past, previous board members have spent approximately $1 million of our tax monies on attorney fees, fines and associated costs rather than seek an alternate solution to the flooding problem on the property to our east. One of this board's greatest achievements is the settlement of that lawsuit.

This area has the unique opportunity to become, as one presenter said, "A model for all communities and a chance to fix all the things that were never completed." The board chairman requested in his opening remarks that the residents listen to the facts so that all could help make an informed decision with supported evidence, not by rumors, innuendoes or with personal agendas."

Initially, I wanted to lash out at the individuals who attacked this board's integrity, filled people with the fear of losing their homes and made other erroneous allegations in the letters to the editor. As my wife said, this board and its staff have accomplished many things in the last two years. We have also retired, at no cost to the district, a $450,000 debt that was on the financial records since Florida National Properties abandoned Spring Lake. Thousands of dollars have been saved by incorporating new budgeting and reporting procedures and we are in the third year of our organizational development program. We have an improved lot mowing program and plans for a new community center. I am immensely proud of all the board members, proud of our district manager and his staff and I would hope the citizens of Spring Lake can and will appreciate the hard work, time and dedication these jobs entail.

As I stated previously, this board is going to examine all the options, all the facts and listen to input pro and con so we can reach the correct decision for our beautiful community. As the editor said in the "Our Opinion" section on Sunday, March 22 "What must end are the often mean-spirited charges, about motives and potential wrong doing. Cooler heads must prevail and name calling must stop." I agree.

Only when all the information is gathered and presented to everyone will a sound decision be made. Again, to quote Our Opinion "The facts aren't in anyway, so no one can really make an informed decision. There are positives and negatives about any solution. Board members must (and will) listen to what the residents are saying and weigh it with the best information they have and then make a decision that serves the district now and in the future." I couldn't agree more!

We do not inherit this land from our forefathers; we borrow it from our children. Yes, a thought provoking statement. What legacy will we leave?

Leon Van is board chairman of the Spring Lake Improvement District in Sebring.

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