Bob Germaine has fulfilled his goal in life: rising to the top. "I started working here when I was 21 years old," said Germaine, 57, who is currently one of two top directors under incumbent Clerk of Courts Luke Brooker. ...more

November 5, 2008

After a race that was occasionally punishing but ultimately rewarding, incumbent Sheriff Susan Benton won her bid for a second term. ...more

November 5, 2008

Soon, all those campaign signs and candidates at civic meetings will be gone. ...more

November 4, 2008

Once again Ms. Mary Wilson's statements are being called into question. You can't change facts. In regards to Mr. Strenth's letter where he refers to Mary's brochure as a "complete fabrication" when it comes to the figure for Mr. Germaine's compensation over the next four years if elected. ...more

October 28, 2008

I would like to offer my personal observations on the upcoming Clerk of Courts race between Bob Germaine and Mary Wilson. In criticism of Bob Germaine, Mary Wilson has publicly stated that Bob Germaine, if elected, would be "double dipping" because he would be receiving his pension and his salary as clerk of courts at the same time. Nothing to my knowledge precludes Bob from seeking public office while concurrently drawing a pension. Many have done so in the past. Should Bob Germaine be denied the opportunity to seek public office because he has dedicated the last 36 years of his life working for the clerk of courts office, and as a result, he receives a pension? For that matter, should any retired state or county employee, myself included, who receives a pension through the Florida Career Service Retirement System, be denied an opportunity to seek public office? I think the answer is obvious. ...more

October 26, 2008

Today I found a brochure from Mary Wilson in my mailbox. I was somewhat baffled because I have been driving around with a giant Bob Germaine For Clerk sign in the bed of my truck for several months now. I took a look at it and I was flabbergasted at the statement on the inside cover. ...more

October 25, 2008

Mary Wilson's campaign has come under fire for "negative" campaigning. We would like to point out that never have we discussed anything that was not campaign related or anything that was not related to Mr. Germaine's job performance. We don't feel that just because an issue shines a negative light on a candidate that is "negative" campaigning. Before you condemn Mary for "negative" campaigning ask yourself these questions: ...more

October 22, 2008

At least two employees with the Highlands County Clerk of Courts office apparently have received subpoenas on behalf of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, but the reason why is unclear. ...more

October 15, 2008

The opponents in the races for sheriff and clerk of courts did the most sparring Monday morning as all eight candidates running for the four countywide offices on the Nov. 4 ballot spoke at the Highlands County Homeowners Association. ...more

October 14, 2008

All eight candidates running for countywide office in the Nov. 4 general election are scheduled to speak at the Highlands County Homeowners Association meeting today. ...more

October 13, 2008