I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Highlands County Commissioner Don Bates for his active participation in the Placid Lakes Homeowners Association meetings. It is a pleasure to see an elected official exemplify true representative behaviors. ...more

December 17, 2008

Barbara Stewart, who recently began her second four-year term as a county commissioner and was elected chairman of the commission, will be the guest speaker at today's meeting of the Highlands County Homeowners Association. ...more

December 8, 2008

The county mayor question won't be on the ballot next month, but Hillsborough County voters still will have a opportunity to define the scope and authority of that position. ...more

October 14, 2008

County Commission, District 1 ...more

August 20, 2008

SEBRING –– Highlands County's two longest serving public officials, one elected and the other appointed, are speaking out strongly against Amendment 1 on Tuesday's primary election ballot. "It doesn't fix the problem; it is not tax reform for the long term ... and it's just a Band Aid when what we need is complete major surgery on the way in which we tax property in Florida," said Guy Maxcy. With 16 years and counting on the county commission, he is by far the longest serving current county commissioner. "I am going to vote 'no' on this proposed state amendment because the amendment, as Commissioner Maxcy put it, is an attempt to take some options away from local government," said Carl Cool. "And, all of the inequities in the current property tax situation, this amendment would only increase and expand those inequities." ...more

January 25, 2008

The white elephant center-stage on the Brooksville setting is a huge mistake, and I'm just hoping for a tornado (in the middle of the night, of course). Alas, it's probably built to newer/stronger building code. ...more

January 24, 2008

Sticking It To The Taxpayers Possibly, I am under a misguided conception; but wasn't the Lottery supposed to help alleviate the property tax burden on the residents of Florida by being directed to the school portion of resident property taxes? ...more

January 18, 2008

As I was quoted in the Thursday, Jan. 17, edition of Hernando Today that Amendment 1 is "not going to do squat," let me also state that it is important that we vote "Yes" on Amendment 1. If we don't vote for the amendment, our state and local lawmakers will say, "The citizens have spoken and do not want their taxes lowered." ...more

January 18, 2008

Feb. 23 will still be a dog day afternoon at the 61st annual Pasco County Fair. ...more

January 1, 2008

By a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the county commission affirmed that the owners of Gulf Landings have 'vested rights' to build commercial and multifamily housing on three tracts west of U.S. 19, finishing a project approved 50 years ago. ...more

October 26, 2007