AVON PARK — Apparently, a lot of cops want to live here. In the six weeks since the police chief's job has been advertised, 58 officers have applied, and they are qualified. "I have applications from three who claim they have law degrees," said City Manager C.B. Shirey. "Two have Ph.D.s. I have a lot who have been in the education side or the administrative side of law enforcement, or who have had special duties." One, a United Nations police officer, is an expert knife fighter, Shirey said. "Some are retired already, and some are overqualified," Shirey said. "It makes you wonder why they want to come to Avon Park. Some may just have the moving-to-Florida syndrome." Advertisements were placed in local newspapers, on the city's Web site, with the Florida League of Cities and the International Police Chief's Association. ...more

November 17, 2007

AVON PARK — With both major precincts counted, an unofficial count had Mayor Sharon Schuler almost 100 votes ahead of the next-highest candidate for mayor, while Avon Park Middle School teacher Al Hinson held a sizable lead in the council election Tuesday night. Schuler, with 329 votes, will likely remain mayor for another three years as she holds an insurmountable lead over former Gordon Marshall in the mayoral race. Marshall, with 223 votes, is a distant second, while Ed Dickerson had 159 votes and Gonzalo Lezama 47. Schuler said she wasn't expecting it. Truly. "Everyone has an opportunity to win," she said as she came to the supervisor of election's office to see the vote counting. "I'm very happy." Hinson, meanwhile, has 250 votes, holding a solid lead over Paul Miller's 202 backers, Michael Shirey's 177 and James Rahenkamp's 140. Hinson, reached by phone Tuesday evening, was cautiously optimistic that he would hold on to the lead. "I thought it would be close," he said. "I feel good... I guess the people went out and voted. Hopefully it's official but I am happy." ...more

November 6, 2007

AVON PARK — Police Cmdr. Michael J. Rowan, now serving as interim Avon Park police chief after the forced resignation of former chief Frank Mercurio, said Wednesday that he plans to apply for the open position. City Manager C.B. Shirey said he's already received 13 applications for the position. The new acting chief has been busy adjusting to the transition and wants to take his time to submit an application. ...more

October 5, 2007

AVON PARK — As Avon Park Police Chief Frank Mercurio steps down today, the officers under him say it will be "business as usual" as Cmdr. Michael Rowan becomes the acting chief. Seeing Mercurio leave, they said they were shocked, upset and still hurting over it. "As the week goes along, it doesn't get any better," APPD Detective Sgt. Jason Lister said Thursday. "You're not going to find a sworn member of this staff that's not going to give you the same feelings." Lister and six other APPD officers contacted by Highlands Today were almost monolithic in their sentiments, but they said that they would remain with the department despite the situation. ...more

September 28, 2007

Like everything, there's a lot of gray area with Avon Park Police Chief Frank Mercurio's resignation. He's an honest man who worked hard to clean up the city he was hired to protect. His tactics and personality, however, didn't mesh with enough people, and most importantly, the people he worked for. That's always a recipe for failure. ...more

September 20, 2007

AVON PARK — Outgoing Avon Park Police Chief Frank Mercurio said at a press conference late Wednesday morning that he will turn in his badge Friday, Sept. 28. As he announced his resignation, he also accused the city of "railroading" him at July's budget meeting. ...more

September 19, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Police Chief Phil Williams hopes to prevent future injuries from traffic accidents. Williams wants the town council to consider placing a camera at the Interlake Boulevard and U.S. 27 intersection in an effort to curb red-light violators. The camera would snap a photo of a vehicle's license plate as a driver passes through the busy intersection. A police officer would then decide whether a vehicle owner deserved a citation for ignoring the red light. "I've seen many people hurt real bad at that red light from people running a red light," said Williams. "We have to decide if this is right for Lake Placid. If it will help lessen traffic accidents and some of the injuries like the ones I've seen, then I support it 100 percent." ...more

September 10, 2007