Stand Up People  (by: R A Robinson III  -   11/9/2009)

When are we gonna quit bitching and actually do something? I have offered to set down and give FULL details on everything from CROUPT JUDGES, SHERIFF personel, COUNTY employees, as well as CITY BIGWIGS. but as always we like to complain, but no one will stand up. as far as me, I stood up and a long time Law Enforcement Officer ( me ) was arrested for not being a highlands county cover up specialist, as my lawyer put it I was charged with P.O.P ( pissing off the police ) so watch what you say it might bite you, as for me I will remain a voice, even if only one to the dirty dealings of this county. again anyone wants more of the REAL story, email r_robinson3@yahoo.com . God Bless Everyone of you.

Funds  (by: misfitflgirl  -   11/9/2009)

I think heads need to roll on this one. But if things go as they always do...another thing swept under the rug and the same will keep happening. I think they all need to be fired and rehire someone who needs work and will be honest...at least until the greed sets in again. Greed is one of the deadly sins and I see it happening around here quite often.

Wrong solution  (by: Preston H. Colby  -   11/9/2009)

"Not going to take it": You seem to think that Steve Houchin and Jerry Hill are solutions. WRONG!!! They are the main cause of the problem. Stay tuned.

guest  (by: Rusty Shackleford  -   11/8/2009)

Point taken. You are of course right. I failed to remember how many have to take a hit in the quest to take down the quarterback.

Napper  (by: Curious  -   11/8/2009)

Wow, I guess when you let the readers actually see the documents for themselves, then no one who is working for the county can spin... Get a job with the county and get FREE STUFF ! Sorry, those who are of another culture need not apply. You will just be laid off so that the looters can get more FREE STUFF ! I am curious, who actually pays for the FREE STUFF! Are the commissioners really clueless to these things? They were clueless at the meeting about Road and Bridge last week... "You need to let us know," said Carlson. Pah, they are too lazy to "know" and the administrator is too smart in hiding stuff from them.

No More  (by: Not going to take it  -   11/8/2009)

As a taxpayer I have been a victim of our government for too long. The County Administration, the Commissioners and the State Attorney’s Office let the gas thieves go because the County “was the victim” and they did not want to press charges against them. Do they forget they are all being ran off of taxpayer money????? Just like when they tried to force the Eagle Training Center on us, we are not going to take their haphazard way of doing business any more. I have no problem helping fill the auditorium at the next Commissioners meeting, just like with the Eagle Training Center controversy. I challenge everyone to e-mail your friends talk to your neighbors e-mail ALL of the Commissioners and the State Attorney, Jerry Hill and tell them we are the victims and we want justice!!!!!! I have to work hard to keep my family afloat in this financial disaster that our country is in. People, good honest people, who would not steal from their employers, are out of jobs. But because “these people” are friends and buddies of “someone” that makes it O.K. to steal? It is as if the County Administration and the County Commissioners have NO regard for the taxpayers. We are the people who elected them to represent us the taxpayers not just their friends and buddies. We do matter, our voice will get heard and we are NOT going to sit back and take it anymore.

"WE"  (by: Preston H. Colby  -   11/8/2009)

Ray Sleeper: Is that the Royal "WE"? Rusty: No can do. In spite of the "investigation" being closed the HCSO refused to allow public inspection of the report Friday. It may have something to do with you the main "suspect" is/was... stayed tuned, more to follow.

sounds familiar  (by: Concerned  -   11/8/2009)

Misappropriation of funds and items missing. Sounds like another recent story excpet some of the same people commenting here want that person to see jail time where here they want these people to just return what they took?! You can say it is different but it really isn't.

Re: Rusty  (by: Guest  -   11/8/2009)

I agree with going to the source to get the information but I believe demanding is not initially the right approach if you were referring to public information requests. The people behind the counter or at the desk who take those requests are not the ones who need demanding. They unfortunately are the primary persons who take the brunt of Colby's "demanding". If asking does not work, demand away but please, for the sake of the clerks who fill the requests, ask first.

you're an amazing group  (by: Ray Napper  -   11/7/2009)

You really think that there is 150,000 dollars MISSING? God Lord do you wake up and take a dumb pill or is it natural. You're sad folks, just plain sad somedays. And this is one of those days. Wouldn't it have been nice to have had Ed actually explain all this but that would have required work. Which is why there is no follow up reporting. No because there has to be reporting before it can be followed up. Explain where the 150k is Ed or think about a new career beside drama queen.

WE WILL DECIDE  (by: Ray Sleeper  -   11/7/2009)

WE will determine if it is in OUR best interest to give them amnesty as long as they come forward and fess up to stealing this property just like WE did with the stolen gasoline last year. WE know that this is best. We will just have to lay off more good employees to make up the loss.

TheRightThing  (by: Too Much Already  -   11/7/2009)

I urge everyone to follow the link and read the audit, including the Commissioners. Ask where the missing items are.....ask why there was a misappropriation of funds, to the tune of $150,000 being spent where it shouldn't. The County has laid off too many employees and I believe some of those jobs could have been saved had issues like these been resolved and corrected. The County doesn't have the money to waste and to allow individuuals to purchase some big ticket items and to conveniently "loose" them is unacceptable. The Commissioners owe the public some answers NOW. We are loosing faith in our supposed "leaders" that will bleed into future elections...this is no idle threat...this is a reality. The people of Sebring voted you in and it is your duty to do what is right by us. We are your constituents, you work for us. It is our tax dollars that pay hour wages....use them wisely and clean up these messes.

SebringBob  (by: Rusty Shackleford  -   11/6/2009)

Yes it is theft by definition, but remember that they are apparently above the law. As for your comment about the NewsSun, maybe they move on to other stories because the county shenanigans have become so commonplace it barely makes a ripple in the pool anymore. They definitely do not condone such nonsense. However, if you want to read stories about Gertrude's poodle, or Clyde Bender's antique tool collection, check out the "other" paper. At least our county's original newspaper still covers what is truly important on a local level. Totally agree with you on the accountability issue Bob, but dont pick on the newspaper. If you want more information about the county, just do what Preston Colby does. Demand it from the source.

Tip of the Iceberg  (by: Gomer Pyle  -   11/6/2009)

Jail Time no way we the taxpayers would just have to foot the bill for that. Just FIRE the whole lot of them and let them join the rest of the unemployed. And give their jobs to some people who really need the work. Just keep looking around the county and you will find much more of the same corruption. Example, check out what has been happening with county equipment, time fuel and employees at the old sand pit in Avon Park

corruption  (by: KCheng  -   11/6/2009)

Wright will cover this up and forgive them just like the fuel thieves from last year. They are all outlaws and no one is willing to punish them. A complaint should be filed with the State for misuse of funds.

Gypsies, tramps, & thieves  (by: someone  -   11/6/2009)

Agree with the other poster that follow-ups would be nice instead of always sweeping things under the rug. The poll on the front page actually has 2 votes saying noone should be held accountable...must be 2 of those involved. Last sentence of this article states county management agrees with the findings so what are they going to about it? So tired of my tax dollars supporting crooks at all levels of government.

  (by: mbaker  -   11/6/2009)

I believe the County has a serious problem the County Commissioners need to address immediately and out in the open. Included in the problem to address is at least six employees.

Jail Time Anyone?  (by: SebringBob  -   11/6/2009)

Isn't this considered theft? If nothing else how about fraud? Were these the same people dumping asbestos covered pipe along the highways? When is someone going to become accountable for this crap. Every article you guys publish is never followed up with any type of investigation. Report and move along....nothing to see here. It's as if the NewsSun condones this stuff....