While the economy recovers from a painful recession, there is outrage from the public and the White House about what some banks are preparing to fork over in bonuses. So while they are focusing on the perks that the private sector bankers who took public funds are getting, no one is focusing on the perks our elected officials get. And we pay for all of these. Well, let's compare, Just a little sampling of perk vs. perk. So, B of A CEO has apparently one corporate jet. What shall we call Air Force One? Then, apparently, there is also an Air Helicopter One, a fleet of special reinforced limos, etc. I suppose that the CEO of B of A also has a tennis court that was recently converted to a basketball court with, you guessed it, public funds? ...more

November 2, 2009

"We do not inherit this land from our forefathers; we borrow it from our children." What a powerful concept and this Spring Lake Improvement District Board and the district manager are excellent stewards of our district. We now have an upgraded tennis court, new playground equipment with improvements to all the parks, a new basketball court, new boating facilities at Arbuckle Creek Park, a new maintenance building, new equipment to improve the aesthetics of this community and upgrades to the water plant. ...more

March 26, 2009

Amanda Goodell couldn't emphasize the sentiment enough on Friday. In an interview in front of her home on Oakado Street, Goodell said she and her neighbors are glad there are places for people to get treatment for mental health conditions and drug addiction. ...more

December 6, 2008

James Blake of Tampa won the first match in Olympic tennis Sunday, erasing a set point in the second set and beating Chris Guccione of Australia 6-3, 7-6 (3). ...more

August 11, 2008

NEW SMYRNA BEACH - Chick-fil-A restaurant founder S. Truett Cathy has decided two girls accused of causing $30,000 in damage to his home should be punished with a writing assignment instead of charges. ...more

August 1, 2008

An event previously delayed by the success of its participants, the Canon Tennis Challenge of Tampa Bay, has been rescheduled for Nov. 7 and 8. ...more

July 30, 2008

A blissful newlywed, Greg Norman believes he's finally got the proper perspective on life. ...more

July 18, 2008

SEBRING — Half pipes, hubbas and pole jams will replace double faults and lobs at Camp Sparta. And Josh "Oreo" Jones, 14, of Sebring won't miss the tennis court. He lives within walking distance of the camp. Jones has been working and skateboarding evenings after school and on weekends for two months to convert the 6,000-square-foot tennis court into a skate park. The Camp Sparta skate park is just one of many. The area is packed with professional quality skate ramps and rails made by amateurs. Many are professional quality. Frank Branca III owns Gatorboard Skate Shop in Sebring and said local skaters are building off-street places to skate, rather than riding curbs and railings on public property. ...more

May 23, 2008

Once again I state my opposition to using tax monies for tennis courts at public schools. During a time of economic challenges, when teachers across the state are being laid off, and when many counties will face budget shortfalls paying for fuel for county vehicles and school district buses, it is not a time to consider spending money to build tennis courts on public school campus. Any such recreational public monies should be spent on projects that benefit all residents — not just school children. ...more

May 12, 2008

Sometimes things get more than a little stressful for senior Jovina Varrati, as she wraps up final year at Lennard High School and prepares for college. ...more

February 20, 2008