Home Sales In LaBelle

LABELLE, FLORIDA -- From 8/8/2006 to 9/5/2006, there were 7 homes
sold in the LaBelle area for an average price of $181,714. The sales details:

1) $231,000 on Berwick Circle
2) $208,000 on Lady Lane
3) $265,000 on Pine Street
4) $120,000 on Schooner Drive
5) $150,000 on Springview Circle
6) $120,000 on Steamboat Circle
7) $178,000 on E Sunflower Circle

John Perry Loses School Board Seat

Primary Voters Make Local Changes

LABELLE, FLORIDA -- Tuesday's primary elections shifted local positions, including the upset of long-time Hendry school board member John Perry, Jr. Perry lost to Matt Beatty who garnered 53% of the vote to Perry's 28%. Beatty was an early campaigner, and was seen in the Port LaBelle area going house to house several weeks before the election. Perry also made the house-to-house rounds, and  plastered plastic campaign signs on neighborhood street corners, although all were in violation of Hendry county sign ordinances that disallows signs on public property, or on private property without permission of the property owner. Cynthia Potter came in third with 19% of the votes.

In Glades county, Alvin Ward  took 58% of the vote to win the Glades District 2 Democratic Party County Commission position over Fran Koebert. The Moore Haven City Council race ended up with three candidates getting 26% of the votes: Bret Whidden, Mike Brantley, and John Ahern. David Dannerhauer received 24% of the votes.

Glades voters voted for the one cent sales tax, 59% for and 41% against. 745 voters said "no" to the Glades Property Tax Exemption and 742 said "yes."

Most Dangerous 25 MPH Road In Hendry?

County May Face Liability For Lack Of Speed Or Warning Signs?

LABELLE, FLORIDA -- On what may be Hendry county's most dangerous residential street, vehicles running into trees and light posts on the median are a commonplace incident neighbors say. Over the last several weeks, two concrete street light poles and one palm tree has been hit and knocked to the ground by out-of-control pickup trucks.

(photo: FPL repairman repairs line on downed concrete light pole along Birchwood)

Residents of Port LaBelle's Laurel Oaks have complained to the Hendry county engineer's office about speeding vehicles and lack of signs at the curve on Birchwood Parkway just north of State Road 80 on the way to the Port LaBelle Inn.  The two mile long four-lane road section crosses into Glades county north of SR80. The Hendry county road department has no speed limit signs or curve warning signs on the Hendry section where the roadway changes from Glades county to Hendry county.  A dangerous curve surprises drivers who speed north and south bound along the road and find the forty-five degree turn coming upon them. Drivers get into trouble northbound after turning north from State Road 80 onto Birchwood because there is no speed limit sign until after the forty-five degree turn in the road, where there's a 25-mph speed limit sign, but it's placed in the wrong place for a driver trying to negotiate the road at 35 to 45 mph.

Drivers hitting the light poles or one of the dozens of trees on the median have little recourse after their vehicle is towed away, which is happening at a good pace in recent weeks. So far there have not been any serious injuries to motorists, but Florida Power and Light crews are kept busy replacing the concrete poles, and local auto body shops are reaping the business of hapless drivers along Birchwood Parkway.

Labor Day?

Commentary By Don Browne

LABELLE, FLORIDA (September 4, 2006) -- Labor Day is the day set aside to honor workers, and the only holiday that has nothing to do with wars, religion, race, or national origin. Despite much declining membership in organized labor unions over the last twenty years, unions are important for all working people union and non-union members alike.

Paid holidays such as Labor Day, paid vacations, the eight-hour workday and 40-hour workweek, overtime pay, employer-financed pensions, medical care and other fringe benefits, health and safety standards, the right to bargain collectively with employers, the right to have a voice in wages paid for work, and working conditions at the workplace -- working people owe all that, and more, to the labor movement.

But in today's working climate, do you have a voice in your working conditions, working hours and wages at your job? Or is it dictated by management and you must take it or leave it? Are you on a paid holiday today on Labor Day or are you working for straight wages?

"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

But the workplace has changed. When if ever again will workers regain the right to a just living wage, family friendly work hours, and fair working conditions and benefits from employers?

Got Mosquitos? County Hires New Company

Call (800) 203-6485 To Report Mosquitos Company Says

LABELLE, Florida (September 1, 2006)  – The Hendry County Board of County Commissioners has awarded Clarke Mosquito Control a long-term contract to implement comprehensive surveillance and mosquito control services for Hendry County. 

Clarke plans to implement an integrated mosquito control program that will provide surveillance of the mosquito population, larval control, adult mosquito control utilizing aerial spraying and increased truck spraying.  Clarke will also provide public education on mosquito-borne disease prevention (such as West Nile Virus) and information on how Hendry County residents can help prevent mosquito breeding in their own yards.

After the abundant rains this week, mosquitos are making their presence known all around the county. “This agreement provides a cost savings to the County, and allows us to expand and improve our mosquito control services moving forward,” said Lester Baird, County Administrator.  Beginning today the public is encouraged to call Clarke’s Hendry County “Mosquito Hotline” at (800) 203-6485 to report heavy mosquito annoyance. 

In addition to the County’s mosquito control efforts, residents can take a number of steps to reduce mosquito populations around their homes this summer, including: Remove or empty water in old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles or other places where mosquitoes might breed. Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use.  If unused, drain swimming pools and keep dry. Change water weekly in bird baths, plant saucers and trays.  Store boats covered or upside down. Water bowls used by pets should be emptied and refilled daily.  Fill holes around home that may retain water.  Keep gutters around home in good repair to avoid water build-up.  Keep weeds and grass cut short, as adult mosquitoes look for shady places to rest  during hot daylight hours.   Be sure screens in homes are intact and tight-fitting to prevent entry of insects.