The Highlands County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to award a $250,000 contract to the Central Florida Regional Planning Council. ...more

March 11, 2009

On Friday, Dec. 19 I read where Jeff Carlson opposes the new sheriff's building, which most people, I think, know we need now. It's not a project that is speculative at best. I must ask, does Mr. Carlson have a personal interest in the Sebring Parkway project with so many other open areas for growth? Is the water and sewer, if installed, suitable for only the sheriff's building, or could it benefit infrastructure as well? As Mr. Youngman wrote in his letter on Dec. 18, we as a county have to assure that no illegal aliens are working in our county. ...more

December 30, 2008

In a brief response to Bill Youngman and anyone considering a yes vote on Amendment Two: Yes, I am a gay man who currently gets no financial or social legal benefits from my union with my partner of 27 years and I am fine with that. But in your defense, Mr. Youngman, the thought of marriage makes me sick and only brings up historically negative connotations such as divorce, spousal mental and physical abuse, drug and alcohol addictions, dead-beat dads, mothers working three jobs or relying on the government to support them. I believe only a very small portion of the gay community wants a home like their friends and neighbors. Yes, judges can overturn current laws, but like California, then Florida residents can vote and decide a less divisive amendment. ...more

October 24, 2008

William F. Youngman's lament that God has been expelled from the public schools reinforces the misconception that our government should adopt Christianity as the official state religion. I have even been informed by friends that our Constitution mandates that this is a Christian nation. Had they read the Constitution, they would not have embarrassed themselves with that statement. Christianity not only is not mentioned in the Constitution but neither is it in the Declaration of Independence. The mistake comes from thinking the word God, or Deity is exclusive to one's particular denominational interpretation of God. What the 1st Amendment to the Constitution does say is this: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." I certainly value and believe in the spiritually inspired message of the Holy Bible, and practice my Christianity with zeal and reverence. I do not, however, think the Jewish or Christian Bible should be used as a religious indoctrination in government-supported institutions like the public schools. ...more

November 30, 2007

We give thanks to God before our meals. We start all of our public and private meetings asking God for wisdom and guidance. Yet we won't allow God into our schools. Where do our children learn good from bad and right from wrong; all the things that shape their lives for the future. They say that 62 percent of Americans think it is okay to give out birth control devices in schools and instructions on how to use them. God would not approve, so we don't let him into our schools. We allow subjects to be taught from books that we would not allow in our homes. But a Bible is not one of the books that is used to teach our children, good from bad. ...more

November 25, 2007