SEBRING — Leadership is changing hands as the men who have run Highlands County, Sebring and Avon Park for more than 10 years step down. C.B. Shirey, who served as Avon Park city manager for 11 years, moved to the role of manager of Avon Park Executive Airport in January. Carl Cool, county administrator, will retire May 31 after 17 years. Bob Hoffman, city administrator of Sebring, will retire June 30 after almost 18 years in the position. They swear they didn't plan it like that. "It's just happenstance," Cool said. "We might have joked about it, but it just turned out that way." ...more

February 10, 2008

Some people in Highlands County don't like hearing that to attract a top-level county administrator that the wages must be drastically higher than what's currently being paid. The truth, though, is that you get what you pay for. Highlands County and our cities have gotten off light on what they pay administrators. Elsewhere across the United States, these are well compensated positions and for good reason. City and county administrators must juggle so many constituents, and try to make the most people happy while looking out for the well being of whatever entity they serve. Sometimes making people happy and doing what's best are impossible to balance. ...more

January 16, 2008

SEBRING — Veteran's Beach has failed a water quality test, making it unsafe for swimming. Health Department officials have determined Veterans Beach has an unsatisfactory rating after two samples were taken because of high levels of fecal coliform. ...more

January 3, 2008

SEBRING — Renovations to Sebring Fire Department's Central Station were supposed to be completed by now, but the major work hasn't even started yet. The $500,000 project, which started in February, originally was slated for a December 2007 completion, but now city officials said a more realistic target is summer 2008. The project to renovate the historic station, located at 301 N. Mango St., will soon be rebid for a third time. The first bids were rejected because the fire department staff had not had adequate time to review the specifics of the project before the project was bid. "They had a lot of input about changes they wanted to see, and we didn't have time to include that in the original bids," City Administrator Bob Hoffman said. "We asked city council to reject those bids so that their suggestions could be included." ...more

December 21, 2007

SEBRING — Although no one has come forward with a check, potential buyers are still expressing interest in Harder Hall. City Administrator Bob Hoffman said he receives as many as three phone calls a week from investors wanting more information about the historic hotel and 13.6 acres of property on Little Lake Jackson, and the city is not marketing or advertising it. John Joyner, a Sebring resident who previously managed luxury hotels in Miami, said he is interested in a joint venture with some other local investors to restore the hotel and build condos. ...more

December 8, 2007

SEBRING – Harder Hall is up for sale again after the buyer, Steve Israel, pulled out his contract when the Sebring City Council refused his request to extend the due-diligence period. Nils Richter, a representative for Israel, said Tuesday night they could not secure financing for the project to renovate the hotel and build condominiums on the site. "We didn't find it easy in this market to get the financing we need," Richter said. "We are trying to put together something that makes financial sense." Instead of extending the due-diligence period, city council members told Richter to submit another contract if he is still interested in purchasing the property. ...more

November 6, 2007

The City Council will consider a familiar proposal Tuesday - the extension of the due-diligence period on Harder Hall. ...more

November 5, 2007

SEBRING — The due-diligence period on Harder Hall ends Monday, and city officials haven't heard anything to indicate the deal won't move forward. If all goes according to plan, Steve Israel, an investor from New York, will move into the next phase of the purchase. The city has a contract with Israel, who will purchase the hotel for $5.6 million. Assistant City Administrator Scott Noethlich said he has not heard anything that would suggest the buyer would not follow through with the contract. The previous purchaser, Sebring Hospitality Group, backed out of its contract Oct.4, the day before its due diligence was to end. Because the city had a back-up contract with Israel, he became the new buyer of the hotel. Nils Richter, a general contractor representing Israel, did not return phone calls seeking comment before press time. ...more

November 4, 2007

SEBRING — The Community Redevelopment Agency tentatively approved changes to the city's ordinance regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol. During Monday night's meeting, the board approved on-premise consumption of alcohol within 100 feet of a church. The changes will still have to be approved by city council members before they take effect. If approved, the changes will allow more businesses to hold wine tastings. ...more

October 10, 2007

SEBRING — Sebring Skate Park, one of the most happening afternoon hangouts, will soon have an attendant watching over it. Skaters will pay an annual user fee of $30 to cover the costs of an attendant working from 4-9 p.m. Monday through Friday – the park's busiest times. City council members approved the hiring of an attendant to best protect the city from potential lawsuits and to enforce the park's rules. Rob Ross, senior loss prevention consultant with Public Risk Management, said the state grants statutory immunity to cities with skateboard parks. Loopholes exist that leave the city open to potential lawsuits, Ross said, such as failure to obtain written consent from participants under 17. ...more

October 5, 2007