P&Z approves despite staffers objections. ...more

June 9, 2008

After a stint in the private sector, new City Planner Steve Gouldman returns to his true love of government work. ...more

May 7, 2008

After a stint in the private sector, new City Planner Steve Gouldman returns to his true love of government work. ...more

May 6, 2008

It seems Highlands County government has an endless supply of money. With companies laying off workers, a possible recession on the way, unemployment on the rise, record mortgages being foreclosed on, gas prices going through the roof, housing insurance policies being canceled with unaffordable replacement insurance and outrageous property taxes, Highlands County is now creating four new top administration positions. What an asinine idea. Why do we need these four positions? What a waste of money. We need to trim government, not add to it. The county wastes an enormous amount of money. Look at all the county vehicles; most are brand new. And why do we allow so many county employees vehicles to drive home? I can understand the county department heads such as the county engineer, the E.O.C., and the sheriff departments needing vehicles at their disposal 24/7, but for example, what would justify the planning department to be issued vehicles to drive home? I think the county commissioners should answer this question. Why the free rides? Why four new positions when the new county administrator should be doing what those four positions require. Somebody has to pay those four inflated salaries. And guess who that is? Joe Public. Me. ...more

February 12, 2008

Anticipated population growth in the area has led the largest wireless carrier to activate a cellular site south of Royal Highlands. ...more

January 28, 2008

Developers soon will pay higher fees to have their projects reviewed as an understaffed planning department tries to recoup expenses and farm out work to consultants. ...more

December 23, 2007

Despite repeated assurances that a Brandon bypass or Tampa beltway running through rural Lithia had been axed from the South County Transportation Plan, the proposed road remained the hot topic of discussion at a public meeting at Pinecrest Elementary School on Monday. ...more

November 8, 2007

Despite repeated assurances that a Brandon bypass or Tampa beltway running through rural Lithia had been axed from the South County Transportation Plan, the proposed road remained the hot topic of discussion at a public meeting at Pinecrest Elementary School on Monday. ...more

November 8, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - Committees drawing proposed attendance boundaries for two new schools didn't take long to find out that Chris Williams, the school district's planning director, was right when he said the task is more difficult than it might first appear. ...more

November 2, 2007

Commissioners are considering a new incentive program for residential homebuilders to help energize a stagnant housing market. ...more

October 17, 2007