Commissioners interested in illegal alien problem

A long presentation that Bill Youngman wasn't allowed to finish turned into what may be a future discussion on how Highlands County ought to be guarding against human trafficking.

Youngman has preached to the commissioners for more than a year about using E-Verify to determine whether new county employees and the employees of contractors are citizens or legal residents. E-Verify is an Internet system that allows employers to check the information reported on an applicant's Form I-9.

Youngman was given 15 minutes to complete his presentation, but Vice Chairman Jeff Carlson - who was in charge of the meeting in the absence of Don Bates - stopped Youngman when it became apparent he wouldn't finish for at least another 15 minutes.

When Jack Richie came to the microphone to comment on Youngman's issue, he invited commissioners to the next presentation of a seminar on human trafficking. On Monday, FBI official Twila Smith told the Highlands County Homeowners Association that human trafficking "is here in Sebring and Indiantown."

Commissioner Guy Maxcy, who attended the Monday meeting, recalled the 1997 murder in Lake Placid of Ariosto Roblero, who was moving Hispanic pickers from Florida to another state. Two Lake Placid labor contractors, John and Ramiro Ramos, were eventually convicted of 15 federal labor violations. They were not charged in Roblero's murder.

The incidents were recapitulated in the 2007 book, "Nobodies: Modern American Slave Labor and the Dark Side of the New Global Economy."

That's labor trafficking, Richie said. Only one-eighth of the illegals are farm laborers, the rest are used as sex slaves.

Commissioner Barbara Stewart said it's apparent the federal and state governments aren't adequately taking care of the immigration problem, and that Highlands County may have to act.

In a future meeting, the commissioners decided, they want to hear more on the subject.

Other agenda items

•An ordinance was adopted repealing the land use for the proposed Eagle National Security Training Center.

•A plaque at the Highlands County Sports Complex was approved memorializing the "many years of tireless commitment" of volunteer John Grill, according to Parks and Recreation Supervisor Vicki Pontius.

•State VFW Director Kenneth Thie presented the Veterans Service Office of the Year award to Joe Dionne and his staff. "Your service office is very diligent," Thie said. Commissioner Maxcy said he gets a compliment on the office at least every month.

•The Impact Fee Review Committee will meet at 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, at 505 S. Commerce.