'Tea Party' to protest taxes

By HIGHLANDS TODAY STAFF | The Tampa Tribune
Published: April 14, 2009

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AVON PARK - A local version of the Tax Day Tea Party on April 15 is being organized in Highlands County by three grandmothers.

"We're wanting Congress to listen to us," said Gracie Simmons of Avon Park, who is with a group called Grassroots Grandmothers.

There will be people at six locations Wednesday from 7:30 - 9 and 4:30 - 6 p.m. in the county, Simmons said, holding flags and waving signs.

The locations are: Stryker Road and U.S. 27 in Avon Park; Main Street and U.S. 27 in Avon Park; Sebring Parkway and U.S. 27; Lakeview Drive and U.S. 27; Highlands Avenue and U.S. 27 in Sebring; and near Interlake Boulevard and U.S. 27 in Lake Placid.

"We see our country being taxed that our grandchildren will be paying," Simmons said Monday. "It's time to stop; we can't run the government this way."

Simmons emphasized it is a nonpartisan event.

Hundreds of "tea parties" are scheduled around the country April 15 to protest President Obama's federal stimulus package.