SEBRING — One big question was raised Tuesday as Highlands County commissioners began discussions on a proposal to provide financial aid to the county's military personnel serving in combat zones in the war on terrorism. That question: Should this proposed county grant — up to a maximum $900 per year — be awarded only to homesteaded home owners, or to all service personnel from the county in harm's way overseas? Two of the five commissioners, Don Bates and Edgar Stokes, supported making the grant available to all men and women from the county serving in combat zones, whether they own or rent. "Their exposure to harm really doesn't depend on whether or not they own property," Bates said. He added, "Who serves right now? Mostly it's the young people, 21- 22-, 23-years old, who are the ones out on the front line." Few people at that age own a home, he said. If the intent is to support troops fighting the war on terrorism, he said, the aid should not depend on a person's status as a homeowner or renter. "They're both taking the same chances when they're out there," Bates said. ...more

November 14, 2007

SEBRING — While the person giving the invocation to start the Highlands County Board of Commissioners meetings changes every week, one thing stays constant. Every meeting begins with expressions of gratitude to and prayers for the men and women serving in the military. At Tuesday's meeting, the commissioners will discuss a proposal to provide up to $900 per year in financial aid to military personnel from Highlands County serving in combat zones in the war on terrorism. Highlands County is likely to become the 14th county in the state to offer such aid through an exemption on property taxes or a stipend to help with expenses. ...more

November 10, 2007

Boaters may lose again if the county follows through on a suggested land swap plan. The plan being talked about is the possible swap of the boat ramp located on Little Lake Bonnet for a piece of private property located next to the Lake Denton boat ramp. The purpose for acquiring this additional property is to provide a venue for scuba divers. The boat ramp at Little Lake Bonnet was described by Commissioner Don Bates as "seldom used." This has not been my experience. About four years ago, I finally found my way to the Little Lake Bonnet ramp where I found it covered with broken beer bottles, and looking like a trash dump. Later that day, I returned with a broom and a couple of garbage cans, and proceeded to clean it up, so that it could be made usable. Months later I noticed evidence of further clean-up activity. ...more

October 23, 2007

SEBRING — Scuba divers want public access to Lake Denton restored by the beginning of next summer. That's not soon enough, though, for the special seven-member Lake Denton Citizens Committee. At its third meeting Thursday night, the committee set the goal of reopening public access at this popular, exceptionally clear lake in six months, with a target date of April 18. No recommendations on how to do that have been settled on yet. Committee members, though, agreed that parking and/or user's fees will probably be necessary to pay for off-duty law enforcement officers working a private security detail. ...more

October 21, 2007

When I saw the make up of the Lake Denton Special Citizens Committee appointed by our county commissioners, I was concerned that boaters were apparently excluded. I suggested in a previous letter titled "Where's The Boater" that the words "boat ramp" would soon morph into the words "swimming beach." Seems like that's on its way to become a fact. ...more

October 18, 2007

"Safety is key to re-open Lake Denton" was the headline Saturday, Oct. 6. Don Bates has it all figured out. Get rid of boats with motors on Lake Denton. I guess this is fine if boats with motors were the problem, but boats with motors are not the problem. I live on Lake Denton and own a boat, and motor. The problems that the Lake Denton Committee was to deal with were people parking illegally, people getting naked and people urinating in full view of anyone that comes by on Lake Denton Road. ...more

October 13, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Since condemnation notice proceedings were posted Tuesday on most buildings in his neighborhood, Francisco Garcia said it's time to move out. ...more

October 10, 2007

SEBRING — The county's closing of public access to Lake Denton in August wasn't the first time government officials declared this crystal clear lake a dangerous place. The threat of attacks kept Lake Denton off the state's first official map of what would become Highlands County. ...more

October 6, 2007

SEBRING – Recommendations that will come from the citizens committee on Lake Denton –– which will meet for the first time at 4 p.m. today –– could have implications for public access to other public lakes throughout Highlands County. "More than one committee member has suggested that," said Highlands County Commissioner Don Bates, who chairs the committee as a non-voting member. Bates agrees with that assessment. ...more

September 25, 2007

SEBRING — Highlands County government is going into the asphalt production and paving business. In a 3-2 vote Tuesday, county commissioners decided to build the first government owned and operated asphalt plant in Florida. ...more

September 19, 2007