Many Americans allowed themselves to fantasize about large-screen TVs, European vacations and other luxuries when they learned of the federal rebates they'd be getting this spring and early summer. ...more

May 30, 2008

The information reported in your recent articles as well as their tenor leaves one with the impression that local public education is decidedly unremarkable, perhaps below average, and also that the community is rather complacent about it. Both, we are not doing well and we don't care- have long-term dire consequences because the quality of education impacts the community and affects us all. County planners, who are in the visionary business, could likely paint a glowing picture of a Highlands County that had education as a community priority. As the "Education County" we would eventually gain a more diversified economy and an even better life style. As it stands now, we are moving towards a service economy with most jobs in the retail, hospitality and medical fields. Those are typically low-paying jobs requiring minimal education which serve to change our landscape with the "affordable" housing and rental units those workers require. It is the only economy our education supports. ...more

December 9, 2007