Tourist Tax Money

The article in Sunday's edition concerning cleaning Lake Tulane didn't inform the readers of one important fact. The food and soft drinks that were prepared and served by volunteers from the Highlands County Lakes Association was paid for by a grant from the county using the portion of the Highlands County tourist tax funds dedicated to lake-related spending.

These same lake-related tourist tax funds are also supplying the majority of the funding for Lake Jackson shoreline restoration that is scheduled to start this week.

Earlier this year, the grant funds were used to feed volunteers at the clean-ups on Lake Jackson and Lake June. Normally, the Highlands County Lakes Association uses the grill trailer donated several years ago by Alan Jay to cook. We want to thank Mr. Devlin for allowing us to use his home and his barbecue grill for this project.

The lakes association, along with Keep Highlands County Beautiful, and the county lakes manager are always looking to assist local lake or homeowner groups in planning and cleaning up our beautiful county lakes. We can supply the food and soft drinks, the trash bags and collection bins. We just need the willing volunteer groups to step forward with the manpower. Please contact Sherri Cooper at KHCB at 655-6477 for information on how to get started.

Dick Reaney
President Highlands County Lakes Association
Avon Park