Cost Should Be Minimal Regarding " 'Send Them All Back' Not So Easy" (Our Opinion, Sept. 6): ...more

September 15, 2008

Two men face charges that they illegally transported Mexican immigrants to Florida after Manatee County sheriff's deputies found five aliens in a van and nearly $18,000 stuffed into the pair's shoes. ...more

September 10, 2008

Two men face charges that they illegally transported Mexican immigrants to Florida after Manatee County sheriff's deputies found five aliens in a van and nearly $18,000 stuffed into the pair's shoes. ...more

September 9, 2008

"Should I stay or should I go." To quote the band "The Clash," illegal immigrants to Avon Park and its environs must be asking just that question. If they stay here, they risk arrest, deportation, exploitation or worse. If they go back to Mexico, they risk greater poverty, starvation, exploitation even murder by corrupt thugs, drug dealers and cops. Nice choice, eh? I recently witnessed a demonstration against illegal immigration at the intersection of US 27 and SR 64 in Avon Park. Truck drivers were honking their air horns presumably in support of the demonstrators who proudly waved American flags next to a pickup truck with a sign against illegal immigration and for drilling domestic oil. In attendance was the former mayor of Avon Park, a huge enemy of illegal immigration. I don't know him, never met him, but I've heard him speak. Nice to know paranoia is alive and well in America. ...more

September 8, 2008

When three Mexican nationals were arrested for a series of rapes in the Tampa Bay area, public officials battled over how law enforcement handles illegal aliens and some residents complained that the immigrant crime problem had gotten out of hand. ...more

September 7, 2008

Explain, Congresswoman Regarding "Search For Culprit In Immigrants' Crime Spree Starts On Capitol Hill" (Our Opinion, Aug. 26): ...more

August 30, 2008

Had I been asked, I could have supplied Sen. John McCain a much more accurate speech for his "end of first term." Here is my suggestion: ...more

June 12, 2008

AVON PARK — Norm Stephens knows that in a recessionary economy, voters aren't likely to approve any suggestion of a tax increase. And in November, there will be nine ballot issues to confuse voters, including a one-cent sales tax which that would replace school property taxes. And furthermore, the 10-mill college property tax is No. 8 on the list, after the amendments prohibiting gay marriage and illegal aliens owning land. So its chances of passing may be small. But if voters approve in November, the Legislature would be required to allow the commissioners in Highlands, Hardee and DeSoto counties to hold a election which would generate property taxes to support South Florida Community College. "It's a four-step process," said Stephens, SFCC president. "It has to be approved by 60 percent of the voters in November. That allows the Legislature to develop rules. Then the counties can place it on the ballot, and the voters would have to approve again." ...more

June 8, 2008

AVON PARK — She would have supported the 2006 Avon Park housing ordinance. She advocates English only for government signs and ballots. And she would require all illegal aliens to return to their country. But she's not anti-Hispanic. She sponsored a house resolution urging Congress to fund the Indian River Lagoon South Restoration Project, and she supports the Everglades restoration. But she shirks the label "environmentalist." And Gayle Harrell calls Tim Mahoney an accidental congressman. "He was simply the luckiest guy around," said Harrell, who is running against two other Republicans for the 16th district nomination. "He would not be in the U.S. Congress if the Foley scandal had not happened." ...more

May 28, 2008

SEBRING — Start reading and listening, because there's a lot to learn before November. So far, nine state questions have been approved for the Nov. 4 ballot, which will also decide who will be the next president, congressman, state representatives and state senator. So get ready for a cluttered ballot. "There's always confusion on constitutional amendments," said Jennifer Davis, communications director, the Florida Department of State. And get ready for the hype, because voters will decide on gay marriage and whether illegal aliens can own land. ...more

May 17, 2008