The deputy was been taken to Lake Wales hospital with injuries, a sheriff’s office release states. He may have stab wounds and broken bones.
There is an investigation in progress at 811 Fazzini Road, just south of Babson Park.
Frostproof was the only municipality outside of the small, self-contained community of Hillcrest Heights that had a population drop.
Frostproof had 75 fewer residents than its 2000 census numbers of 2,975, for a3 percent decrease.
Cargill Juice, at one time the city’s largest employer, had troubles first from hurricanes and then a later downturn in the market. Late last year, it announced it was closing down juice processing in the town.
http://www.theledger.com
Polk Commissioner Jean Reed would like her colleagues to clarify what the commission’s policy should be regarding the annexation throughout rural areas of Polk County, particularly the areas outside Winter Haven and Frostproof. She said she’s particularly concerned about “serpentine” annexations that seem to weave around developed land to take in undeveloped land that creates odd city limit outlines.
At Monday night’s Frostproof City Council meeting, Mayor Larry Sullivan commenced a second reading of, the annexation ordinances, and invited public comment.
Babson Park resident Mark Armstrong stepped to the podium and stated his objections to the ordinance by vocalizing some of his concerns, such as inefficient service and impacts on the water shed.
Following Mr. Armstrong’s objections, Mayor Sullivan said, “For the record, Mr. Armstrong, I’d like to ask you a couple of questions. Are you a resident of or do you pay taxes in Frostproof? Do you have a business or have a business license in Frostproof? Do you own property in Frostproof? Do you own property next to this property? Do you own property within 500 feet of this property?”
Mr. Armstrong quietly replied, “No” to each one of the Mayor’s questions and returned to his seat.
ANNE DICKINSON
by: Bob Holby of the “inthefield magazine” Polk County Farm Bureau
In Polk County the Farm Bureau Board of Directors has 26 members, one of whom is Anne Dickinson. Anne was born and raised in Frostproof. After moving away for several years, she and her husband, James (Dick), moved back to Florida where they would soon buy the orange groves from her parents. Since that time she has been very involved in the entire agriculture community here in Polk County. She took the time to join a list of agriculture committees as long as my arm! She not only joined, she participated, and was elected to many positions of authority in these committees. If something says citrus in Polk County, I’m sure you can find Anne’s name associated with it.
Anne told me that her parents, John and Fannie Maye Wardlaw, started in the citrus business in the 1930’s. They worked the groves in a much different manner than groves are managed now. She says there was much less government control at that time and that the work was much more labor intensive; machinery and technology accomplish much of the work today. Anne said she preferred the old ways of doing things, but with her experience, has mastered these new ones-
Her husband, Dick, became a member of the Polk County Farm Bureau and stayed for 25 years, offering his help and assistance the entire time. He also served on the Florida Farm Bureau board of directors for many yews, including being selected to be the committee’s State Secretary. Anne followed his lead, and joined the women’s committee- Sic went on to serve at the county, state, and national levels for Farm Bureau. She was elected the first woman District Director of Farm Bureau’s District 14, which includes Polk, Highlands. and Hardee counties: She held this position for 22 years, attending the county Farm Bureau meetings in each county every month and the state meeting every other month.
She and Dick were some of the early members of the Lake Placid Citrus Grower’s co-op, a group formed with the assistance of Farm Bureau to help the growers join together in an effort to improve every member’s business. The members received assistance marketing their fruit, and getting reasonable prices too. Anne became a member of the Labor Advisory Committee at the Florida Farm Bureau where she came to know and understand the many complicated parts of the organization. She became especially close to the farm labor housing issue. In her 20 years as chairwoman of this committee, she saw the development of many childcare facilities and charter schools, constructed and run for the migrant workers through the Rural Christian Migrant Association (RCMA). Before these facilities were built, workers often brought children to the groves so that both parents could work. She sees these centers as a huge improvement in the lives of the workers.
In 2002, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Anne to a three-person state committee for workers compensation. She is still a member today and reviews all proposals for workers compensation in the state.
Over the last 50 years, she has been a long-term member of many agricultural organizations. She left such a strong footprint, that in 1994 she was selected as the Florida Agriculture Woman
of the Year. The dinner held in her honor was filled to capacity with her friends from throughout the state.
Anne gets her strong will and positive attitude from her parents. Her mother taught her the following truths about life:
• If you have brains, use them
• If you have talent, share it
• If you see a wrong, try to fix it
• If the church or community needs help, give it
• If a service organization exists, join it
• If your country calls, answer
• When you get the newspaper, read it cover to cover
• If opportunity knocks, open the door
• Knowledge is power, through it you can do and become anything you want… as long as you believe in yourself and your ability to make a difference.
This article can only briefly touch on her powerful impact on agriculture here in Polk County; indeed in Florida, and the nation. When asked to draw on her experience and give advice for our readers, Anne quickly said that more women need to be involved in their groves and farms, and in some of the many committees she has had the opportunity to serve. She thinks some women may not feel they have a place in the business of farming, or in the committees, which oversee the agriculture community. Not so, she says. She and other women have shown that there is a good place for them to become strong and devoted members who can make a difference. She especially would like to tell young women to get involved early, and stay the course, have their voice heard, and make an impact; NOW!
Anne and Dick adopted their two wonderful children, Kimberly and James, and now also have four grandchildren.
The Nicholson-Dickinson race will give Frostproof its first city election in several years. For instance, all five current council members were elected without any opposition.
After a contentious meeting in early January ended Tri-Ben’s Groves plan to build migrant worker housing in Lake Buffum, Polk County Commissioner Jean Reed discussed the need. for a more permanent solution on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
“We need to discuss appropriate spots for this housing,” she said.
Ms. Reed asked that a task force be formed to pinpoint areas of the county appropriate for migrant housing, and the Polk County Farm Bureau said it would support and be involved in such a committee.
The issue began when Tri-Ben Groves revealed a plan to build dormitory-style housing for 132 male imigrant workers hired through the federal H-2A guest worker program.
Residents of Lake Buffum turned out in droves to January’s hearing on the development, stating the plan did not fit with the area’s residential, single-family rural character.
For six hours, the commission met and heard from both sides, finally siding with the homeowners and residents.
At the end of the meeting, Ms. Reed said she had felt “torn” by the decision, And saw the need for the housing, even if Lake Buffum was not an appropriate place.
Commissioners have each been asked to nominate two names for the committee by February’s firstmeeting.
The audio file presented below details the editorial page of the Frostproof News dated January 26, 2008 and expresses their view of recent comments from Babson Park residents presented at a Frostproof council meeting regarding the extension of the city’s limit amost to Babson Park.
The Frostproof Bulldogs receive the championship trophy during Friday’s Class 3A-District 8 finals at Roger Scarborough Memorial Stadium on Friday.
The Green Dragons faced a very physical Bulldog squad that played faster and with more ball control than Lake Placid.
Within minutes of the start of the game, the Bulldogs pounced on the Green Dragons with their speed and the ability to be at the right place at the right time, as junior Holly Kinchen and eighth grader Cristal Rojas scored goals to give Frostproof an early 2-0 lead.
The aggressive style of both teams caused numerous girls to take punishment on the field, but it was Frostproof who gained seven direct gains off of Lake Placid penalties.
“The referees let us play as long as we kept it fair,” Sottile said. “Frostproof was just in the right place at the right time and scored when they had the chances.”
Lake Placid’s Erica Resendez cut the Bulldog lead to one on a shot from near midfield that sailed over the head of the Frostproof goalie into the net.
The momentum shift was short-lived, however, as Frostproof’s Marisela Rivera scored on a deflection and junior Crystal Sanchez’ sliding kick off a rebound at the 74-minute mark iced the title for the Bulldogs.
Brian Haas, the City’s Attorney, to the Frostproof City Council, who voted 4-0 Monday to authorize Mayor Larry Sullivan to sign a Quit Claim deed conveying any interest Frostproof may have, in vacating, the east 7th Street right of way to Cargill. The vote was needed so the deal between Cargill and Lemon-X could be closed by January 31st, two thousand eight.
Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Winter Haven, has asked for $25 million to help develop new water supplies in Polk County and $4.3 million to help the city of Frostproof expand its sewer plant and close down septic tanks.
The Polk County public school district has announced its nominees for the 2008 Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year awards.
From Frostproof - Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary: Anita Linkenbach, music; Nancy Piller, paraeducator. Frostproof Elementary: Alexandra Wise, kindergarten; Johnnie Lewis, custodian. Frostproof Middle-Senior: Nina Dyer, life management skills; Joan Hutto, food service.
Below is the audio story of how Frostproof got it’s unusual name.
The First Baptist Church website is: http://www.fbcfrostproof.org and their blog is: http://fbcfrostproof.blogspot.com/
Using 1 Cor 3:10-15, Darrol Hood tells us how to make Jesus the foundation of our lives. Jan 6, 2008 in the following sermon.
A six-person committee will be formed to provide future “oversight” of the City of Frostproofs $1.5 million sports complex. City commissioners earlier this week gave unanimous approval to an inter-local agreement with the Polk County School board that creates the new group, and will save the city tens of thousands of dollars.
High School officials will continue to be responsible for all scheduling of the site’s various fields and facilities, and the agreement also contains a provision by which the schoolboard agrees to provide adequate availability of the complex to Frostproof Youth Ball, Inc. The school will have all authority relative to scheduling, as they have in the past, City Manager T.R. Crowley noted. The important thing we’re looking for is that we provide recreational opportunities for our youth. We have a great partnership, and I don’t see any reason that would change.
Perhaps the best news of all is the savings Frostproof will realize as part of the agreement. The city will pay up to $15,000 annually to cover utility costs, much less than what it would have otherwise pulled from Frostproof’s coffers. It’s more than enough for the electricity, Crowley said. But if it’s utilized to the fullest, it could get to that point.
Before the school district agreed to cover maintenance costs, the city had to ask for contract proposals from the private sector to do that work. The only bid came in at $100,000, Crowley indicated. We’re saving anywhere between $75,000 and $85,000, Crowley added.
The sports complex debuted in 2001, and much of the money for it was actually raised by local residents. The county has already started providing maintenance in the fall, and city officials indicated that the school board had already invested $100,000 in work and equipment at the complex. Mayor Larry Sullivan has been appointed by commissioners to serve as the city’s representative on the oversight group. Other representatives will include a representative of the Frostproof community at large.
Polk County Leisure Services, the facilities department of the school board, the school boards grounds department and the Frostproof High School Principal.