Irony is a useful tool in framing perspectives. It can be mildly amusing when your dentist's name is Dr. Paine or your lawyer is Crooks, or perhaps you've heard of the plumber named Leake? ...more

November 12, 2007

In 2002, my husband and I began investing in property in Highlands County. This county has always been a great place to "get away from it all." The fishing is fabulous, the traffic less congested and the beauty breath-taking. We were extremely excited to be able to retire early in 2006 to an area that we both love and enjoy. Our excitement quickly disappeared as we reviewed our 2006 Highlands County property tax bills. Our taxes had increased by 62 percent! If this county had adequate staff in 2005, why would a small 3 percent decrease this year (2007) be such a big deal when increases of 62 percent and higher in the prior year should have more than covered any additional staffing needs for police and fire protection? I am sick of hearing how devastating this tax rollback is for the county. What about the tax increase from 2005 to 2006 that many of us have been burdened with? What happened to those extra funds? A 3 percent rollback is peanuts compared to the previous years' increase. ...more

October 20, 2007

Drivers will once again be required to carry personal injury protection in their auto insurance policies as of Jan. 1 after lawmakers agreed Friday to return Florida to its status as a no-fault state. ...more

October 6, 2007