Growth, Not Race, Is Avon Park's Chief Priority

How to make Avon Park grow has been the single biggest issue city leaders have grappled with for a while.

That it will continue to be as important was evident at a recent Avon Park City Council candidate forum organized by a civil rights group -- the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Those who expected race issues and the landlord ordinance to be discussed were surprised to instead find candidates being asked their opinion on growth matters.

One of the organizers, who is Hispanic, emphasized to Highlands Today that fostering "unity" and growth are two of Avon Park's biggest challenges. He said he wanted to live in a vibrant, growing community where his kids wouldn't have to leave to look for jobs. Another member said he didn't want Avon Park to become another low-income community.

In the sometimes racially tense mood of the town, some people tend to forget that most Avon Park residents -- white, black and in between -- have the same desires and goals for Avon Park.

They all want to live in a flourishing town with good schools, easy access to shopping and well-paid jobs, now and in the future.

Racial diversity is a great selling point in the world's biggest melting pot. Racial tensions are not.

Working together becomes all the more important in a town with a big minority population like Avon Park. Unfortunately, some individuals don't seem to agree with that notion and seem to be painfully using the race card -- openly or obliquely.

Let's hope it ends or Avon Park could find itself sitting on top of a tinderbox.