What's Happening At The Hendry County Commission

The following is a highlight of the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regular meeting held on Tuesday, February 13 at Clewiston City Hall.

BIDS

• ITB #2018-03- Approve the Bid for LaBelle Construction – The Board approved the request for LaBelle Construction as the lowest bidder for the SHIP rehabilitative projects located at 1109 Carolina Avenue, Clewiston and 446 W. Ventura Avenue, Clewiston. Hendry County will be the primary lien holder for the property located at 1109 Carolina Avenue, Clewiston. Hendry County will be the secondary lien holder for the property located at 446 W. Ventura Avenue, Clewiston.

AWARDS, APPEARANCES AND PRESENTATIONS

• Proclamation – Engineer’s Week – The Board adopted a proclamation declaring February 18-24, 2018 as Engineer’s Week. Hendry County will be participating in Engineer’s Week by highlighting the work done by the Hendry County Engineering Department to help improve the infrastructure in Hendry County. Ms. Sommer Foster, President of the Calusa Chapter of the Florida Engineering Society, was present to emphasize the importance of engineers in society and also discuss what the Florida Engineering Society is doing to promote STEM programs in Florida schools including those in Southwest Florida.

• Proclamation – Manchu Warriors – The Board adopted a proclamation declaring March 2, 2018 as “Manchu Warrior Day”. Local Veteran Nicholas Cutinha served with the Manchu Warriors of Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Regiment, 25th Army Infantry Division during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. The Manchu Warriors fought bravely in defense of liberty during the Battle of Hoc Mon on March 2, 1968, losing 49 Soldiers dead, and 24 Soldier wounded, of the 92 Soldiers of the Unit, in just 8 minutes. Army Specialist 4 Nicholas Cutinha was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for valor under fire when saving the lives of 9 of his Platoon mates before being fatally wounded. Annually, the surviving Manchu Warriors gather in Hendry County to render reverence and gratitude for the sacrifice of their brethren. The Warriors will continue this tradition on March 3, 2018 at the grave site of Nicholas Cutinha in Fort Denaud Cemetery. The ceremony will be open to the public and the all are encouraged to attend to honor the Manchu Warriors. The ceremony will begin at 9am.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

• Ordinance Amendment of Holding Period for Impounded Animals – The Board approved an amendment to the ordinance that will reinstate the previous 5-day holding period for impounded animals.

STAFF REPORTS

• East Recreation Summer Camp 2018 – The Board approved staff to enter an agreement with the YMCA for a 2018 summer camp in the Harlem community. The YMCA held a successful camp in Harlem during the summer of 2018. The Board requested that staff look into the prospect of having Hendry County schoolteachers involved in the summer camp. The Board would also like to see similar programs in the Central County communities such as Montura and Pioneer.

HEARING OF THE PUBLIC

• Central Florida Behavioral Health (CFBH) Network provided the Board with an update on their contract with Crossroads Behavioral Health Center. Crossroads has made the decision to terminate its contract with CFBH. Crossroads will continue to provide services in Hendry County for Medicaid and Medicare clients.  CFBH would like to maintain a relationship with the County to continue providing behavioral health services to residents of Hendry County

BUSINESS BY DISTRICT

• Commissioner Turner provided a brief summary of the Commissioners’ trip to Tallahassee last week. The Commissioners’ visited the Capitol to meet with various legislatures and key leaders to discuss Hendry County issues and receive updates on the 2018 legislative session.