Foreclosure Threat

Along with countless others, we are facing a possible foreclosure.

We moved to Sebring in 2003, two weeks before the hurricanes. We managed to buy several pieces of property since it was a buyer's market at that time. We were doing great, we had never been late with our mortgage, our taxes were up to date, our bills were all paid, until now.

The housing market is a small part of our recent problem, but the major problem is that we are sub contractors for drywall finishing. When we moved to Highlands County, we did work for several contractors; contractors who require Worker's Compensation insurance, liability insurance, county licensing, etc. We complied with everything that was requested of us.

During the course of time, the jobs started diminishing because we were getting out-bid by other "crews." These other crews were giving local contractors extremely low bids, making it impossible to compete with them.

It turns out that the lower bids were not from local competitors but rather from crews of 10-15 men who came here from Kissimmee, Orlando, Naples and Tampa. They would rent a $500 apartment that they all shared, and on payday they would all be lined up at Western Union, sending their money "home" to Central America, Mexico or South America. Not a dime spent on paying county taxes, Worker's Comp insurance, liability insurance, property taxes, nothing.

To top it off, their wives and children would be collecting welfare, food stamps, WIC, free school lunches, anything available through government funding.

Well, it's my opinion that someone in the building department, county official or commissioner should regulate these contractors and make sure that local sub contractors are given priority when it comes to sub-contracting out work. Give these jobs to the local plumbers, drywall hangers, finishers, carpenters, etc., so that local workers have money to pay their mortgages, taxes, etc.

Why are they allowed to hire people that are passers-by, who don't put a dime back into the community, but are only taking away jobs that should be given to local residents, who need work and who want to continue living in Highlands County. Hello, is anyone listening?

Lily Oliva
Sebring