CHANGES EXPECTED TO SAVE NEARLY $4,400 ...more

May 3, 2008

Now that the state's universities have decided to cut enrollment to offset a whopping budget shortfall, community colleges will have to figure out how to absorb even more students while cutting millions of dollars. ...more

February 26, 2008

In response to the article Milking FEMA, I find it quite interesting how one person can begrudge someone without knowing all the circumstances involved. Yes, I am "that lady." I do not need to justify to you as to why I received assistance after damage caused from a hurricane. I will say that I am a taxpayer, have a job and have a home. Oh, I have been in the work force for greater than 30 years. So, let me laugh at your remark as to "get a job and a home!" ...more

February 24, 2008

Just like that, cornerback has become an area of need for the Bucs this offseason. Brian Kelly is the reason. The longtime starting left corner quit on the Bucs on Feb. 15, buying his freedom for a reported $453,000. ...more

February 24, 2008

I'm getting very irritated when the first thing elected city officials or government officials say is that we can't reduce taxes because we'll have to reduce services. They need to look at organizational structures, tasks and responsibilities and see how they can adjust. It's the citizens' money, not theirs. I am totally disgusted with the sheriff's office when they took extra money and divided it up for bonuses. This was ridiculous. ...more

February 13, 2008

Regarding "Bucs Raise Ticket Prices Again" (Sports, Feb. 9): Once again, the ownership of the Buccaneers has shown its incredible disregard for the loyal fans of the team. This price increase comes in a difficult economy in which most people have had little to no increase in their salaries. ...more

February 12, 2008

Landscaping costs in the three Highlands County incorporated areas: (budgeted costs vary wildly, and shouldn't be directly compared, since most employees perform several tasks not connected with landscaping, while grant funding varies and pays for many improvements.) • Highlands County-$2.5 million yearly budget for landscaping of 40 county owned properties which includes the cost of a four-person, full-time department. • Avon Park-$52,000 of Avon Park city funding goes to contractor Cutting Edge, which maintains the U.S. 27 corridor, the Main Street mall and other city properties. Inmates perform much of the landscaping at no cost to the city, as is the custom in many areas of the county. Five recreation department employees oversee upkeep of the city ball fields with a $16,000 yearly budget. ...more

February 10, 2008

The time has come where the middle class taxpayer is just about stretched to the limit financially. The new homestead exemption helped somewhat, but the local governments will need additional taxes to keep the level of services they offer, especially law enforcement. ...more

February 6, 2008

SEBRING — Highlands County commissioners are not pleased with plans to hire three new top administrators at an extra cost of about $300,000 per year. At their meeting today, the five commissioners, three of whom must run for re-election this year, will consider hiring the first division director in the county's history. On Monday, at the county's annual "visioning session," Commissioners Don Bates, Guy Maxcy and Barbara Stewart said they were less than happy with the prospect of what Bates called "adding another layer of administration" to county government. The price tag to do that — adding three employees with the title of "division director" — will be between $190,000 at the low end, to $360,000 per year at the top end of the salary schedules. The county commission had created the new positions last year to increase efficiency. Three new people will be hired, while the fourth position has already gone to Rick Helms, who went from "assistant county administrator" to the new position of "assistant county administrator/director of the division of administrative services." ...more

February 5, 2008

The local officials and newspapers are bashing Amendment One, but the state and the people want local officials to reduce spending to get the taxes under control. But, what do our local commissioners do just in the last couple of weeks? They create four new director positions at salaries ranging from $65,000 to $123,000. They don't care what we the people want or what the state says needs to be done. They snub their noses at the governor and legislature. Hopefully, our state officials will stand up like men and women and force these out-of-control politicians to do what the people want. If not, you will see more leaving Florida than coming. ...more

January 29, 2008