Commissioner liaisons appointed

SEBRING --

Don Bates just made Lynn Topel's weekend.

On Friday, Bates, chair of Highlands County Board of Commissioners, announced his liaisons to 30 committees.

Each of the five commissioners sit on five or six committees, and report back to the commission.

In 2009, Chair Barbara Stewart appointed Jeff Carlson - an accountant - to Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative. The result was a year of hell for both.

Carlson accused FHREDI of bookkeeping problems that were never fixed, in his opinion. As 2009 closed and Bates was elected to lead the county commission in 2010, Carlson asked to be taken off the FHREDI board.

This year, Bates appointed himself.

Topel was thrilled: "It's important that the chairman of the commission see the opportunities in the region, to see the things that can help Highlands County move forward."

Two announced projects are the catalyst, which would bring industry to Sebring Regional Airport, and other airport initiatives outside the catalyst project.

There are others, Topel said, "but I can't talk about it. Maybe by the end of January."

Bates encouraged citizens to apply to the boards.

"One of the problems I have with committees is that they perpetuate themselves. They tend to nominate their own replacements. If more people apply, we'll have more diversity," he said.

Other appointments

Commissioner, Role, Group

Guy Maxcy, liaison, Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

Don Bates, member, Canvassing board

Jeff Carlson, member, Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Bates, liaison, Children's Services Council

Edgar Stokes, liaison, Extension Advisory Council

Bates, liaison, Highlands County Soil and Water Conservation District

Maxcy, member Heartland Library Cooperative

Barbara Stewart, liaison, Historic Preservation Commission

Maxcy, Impact Fee Committee

Carlson, member, Insurance Committee