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

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

Who owns Lake Denton? ...more

September 27, 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 –– Idea people are always energizing. Often praised by progressives and sometimes reviled by the status quo, they are exciting to be around regardless of your opinion. Ken Melvin is civic minded, always attending county meetings. He describes himself as a bull in a china shop and an eccentric. His home on Mi-La-Kee Avenue with its underwater mural airbrushed by artist Bruce Maltz is an example. Previously, Melvin was involved with recycling and demolition. Now his dream is to create a citizens' committee putting together a group of business people, newcomers and retired people. Last week he got appointed to a citizens committee, looking into an action plan to reopen Lake Denton. He wants to encourage anyone with positive ideas for government so money and taxes can be saved and positive plans made for the future. ...more

September 10, 2007

An ad hoc committee has been appointed by our county commission to make recommendations regarding the Lake Denton boat ramp fiasco. The committee makeup includes two Lake Denton residents, one retired scuba diver instructor and four concerned citizens. None of which appear to directly represent the interests of boaters for which the boat ramp is designed to serve. ...more

September 7, 2007

Highlands County commissioners wasted no time appointing members to a committee to consider the issues swirling around Lake Denton. ...more

September 5, 2007