Judge Denies Sun 'N Lake Injunction

Friday’s Election Will Proceed

By GARY PINNELL | Highlands Today
Published: January 22, 2009

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A judge has turned down a proposed injunction to halt a Sun 'N Lake election.

On Jan. 20, Judge Orin Shinholser denied the request for an emergency hearing. The Property Owners Association of Sun 'N Lake of Sebring filed a lawsuit on Jan. 16, which would have kept National Recreational Properties from voting in Friday's election.

At stake is the controlling vote on the five-member board of supervisors, who make governmental decisions for the improvement district between Sebring and Avon Park.

NRPI owns or controls thousands of lots, and under Sun 'N Lake's system, each owner has one vote for each lot. That gives NRPI control of any election, so large landowners like NRP rule with three board seats. Small landowners control two seats.

For years, small landowners have been trying to wrest control of that third seat from the large landowners.

Incumbent Frank Guglielmi is being challenged by Dick Miller for the supervisor's seat.

Highlands Today senior reporter Gary Pinnell can be reached at gpinnell@highlandstoday.com or 863-386-5828