While attending the Spring Lake Improvement District's board meeting, I was disappointed to hear the statements of a group of people who apparently banded together to dominate the microphone during the open discussion period. Many times, there were rounds of applause after one of the group members made statements based on their agenda opposing the SLID purchase of the golf course. In most all cases, their points or references to them had been already addressed and answered by the qualified experts: Gary Ritter, director of South Florida Water Management, Craig Wrathell, the district's financial advisor, and Gene Schriner, district engineer. The board members made many statements and points indicating their extensive involvement and research regarding the purchase of the course. ...more

March 24, 2009

It's often difficult to knowwhen elected representatives should make tough decisions and when the people should have the final say. Both ways have merit, and in Spring Lake, it's clear what must be done. ...more

March 22, 2009

After attending the Wednesday meeting on the proposal to fix the district's watershed violations, and listening to the testimony of the Highlands County officials, it is apparent we have been given a pass on compliance for over 30 years. ...more

March 20, 2009

The question was asked by several of the 200 audience members in several different ways: Why should the Spring Lake Improvement District buy the golf resort? ...more

March 20, 2009

The Spring Lake Special Improvement District is getting desperate in trying to find some way to make buying the golf course sound like a good idea. One of their more recent schemes being floated, to see what reaction it gets, involves buying the golf course as an investment using what property they need, at our expense and then selling it in 5 to 7 years. ...more

March 19, 2009

HERNANDO COUNTY SPORTS BRIEFS ...more

March 17, 2009

The Board of Supervisors is holding a workshop and meeting at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the community center to discuss the district water control plan, funding options and the purchase of the golf course. ...more

March 15, 2009

As a concerned resident of Spring Lake, and owning property here for 12 years, I am strongly in favor of SLIDS'sroposed purchase of the Spring Lake Golf Resort. A previous letter to the editor indicated that a canvassing of many of the residents indicated 100 percent of them were not in favor of the purchase of the golf course. I have also discussed this purchase with a number of Spring Lake residents, probably over 100, only one said they were not in favor of the purchase and that a couple in fact had their home for sale for over a year and hope to move to another golf community. It seems to me that having a esethically looking, well maintained golf course that Kitson and Partners (the proposed managers of the golf course) have proven they will do as they have done on the rest of the golf courses they have managed, would improve all residents of Spring Lake's value which has been proven in hundreds of golf communities throughout Florida. ...more

March 14, 2009

As a Spring Lake resident and member of the golf club, purchase of the club by Spring Lake Improvement District looks like a good deal. It will cost half as much as the alternative land purchase as mandated and save the taxpayers as much. I have yet to meet anyone opposed to this purchase and suggest anyone who is to find out the facts. It is not unusual and in fact common for a community to own a golf course. This purchase could only enhance the property owner's interest in our community. ...more

March 14, 2009

When the five supervisors of Spring Lake Improvement District were elected or appointed to their positions, there was no voter or property owner mandate that they purchase a golf course. Quite the contrary; they came to that job with a simple duty – overseeing the drainage issues, have grass cut and ensure that the water plant functioned correctly. Nothing more! Let us fast forward to the present. Buy a golf course so they can create a park and trails? Give me a break. When is the last time you saw a golf course with walking trails, parks, etc., that were for general use? Buy a golf course consisting of over 220 acres so they can get 17 acres of lakes. If that isn't just flat dumb and bordering on misfeasance-well I just don't know what is. ...more

March 13, 2009