Repubs Rally Late In Highlands Early Voting

SEBRING, October 31, 2008 – Registered Republican voters were making a late rally in early voting in Highlands County but still trailed Democrats by some 900 votes.

For the first time since early voting began Oct. 20, Republicans trickled past Democrats on Wednesday and Thursday, 768 to 737 and 853 to 822. The victories still left Republicans trailing 7,914 to 7,054.

Others, a category that includes independents and citizens with minor party affiliations, such as with the Constitution Party, tallied 2,258.

The votes bode well for a resurgent Democratic Party once mired in what critics labeled left-wing lunacy. Inspired by presidential hopeful Barack Obama, they are out-voting a Republican Party membership that owns the majority of registrations in this conservative, largely rural county.

But that membership is disenchanted by the party’s abandonment of conservative values within the Bush administration and once-Republican Congress, where deficit spending,  immigration policy failure, and economic crash-and-burn have seemingly all but ruined maverick John McCain’s chances.

McCain himself is not wholly popular to the Republican electorate, and his choice of Sarah Palin as vice-president has further divided the membership, though for some she is the only desirable candidate on either ticket.

How the numbers would impact local races, such as the heated sheriff’s contest, remained to be seen. Much depends on whether those who came out to vote in this historic presidential race continued to cast votes on the ballot for state and local officials – they do not have to.

Party affiliation means less in local races, and in 2004 women dominated the voting and made sure Susan Benton won her historic race for sheriff after they viewed interference with her position at the sheriff’s office as an act of male chauvinism.

At least some of that female support remains, especially among younger female voters who, rightly or wrongly, view Ron Grimming’s campaign as an assault on a woman’s ability to do the job and as a restoration of “the good ole boys.”

But not all women do, and Benton appears to have lost a number of voters, male and female, who previously supported her. The strength of the Democratic turnout, however, could be her salvation, especially among voters inclined to cast a straight party ticket.

Friday Night Fight: Movies vs. Football

SEBRING, October 31, 2008 – Movie openers collide with Sebring’s homecoming game at Firemen’s Memorial Field and Avon Park’s hosting of DeSoto. At least on this Fridy night, the football games may win.

It is, relatively, a quiet movie weekend.

For instance, the Carmike Cinema at the Lakeshore Mall presents you with Zack And Miri Make A Porno. According to Fandango, this R-rated abomination features stong, crude sexual content that includes dialogue, graphic nudity, and pervasive language. Hollywood – or should we say Hellywood – does not care about your sensibilities, they just want to erode them so you become as secular and aberrant as they are. And what does it say about theaters that continue to promote such trash?

The Haunting of Molly Hartley debuts today. This could be a good alternative to Saw 5, scary but without the torture. It is rated PG-13. As with Zack, it opens at the Carmike and at the Regal Eagle Ridge.

Thankfully, the hugely successful Christian romance Fireproof continues to play for three showings at the Regal Eagle Ridge. That theater merits commendation for its promotion of that film.

The Fairmount Cinema 6 isn’t just standing by and watching, though they could if they wanted to because they have the better, stronger films from last week.

In addition to holdovers High School Musical 3: Senior Year, the No. 1 film this past week, Saw 5, the No. 2 film in North America, Body of Lies, and Beverly Hills Chihuahua, they booked the R-rated Appaloosa, a kind of Magnificent Seven/Roadhouse knockoff with two gunmen battling an evil rancher for control of a town. It is laden with stars: Viggo Mortensen, Renee Zellwegger, Jeremy Irons, Ed Harris, and Lance Henriksen. Harris directs.

The Fairmount also booked City of Ember, a modest Indiana Jones-style action adventure. It does have a lot of good actors in it.

May our local high school teams be victorious. God bless and enjoy your weekend at the movies!

FOOTBALL: Spooky Braden River Visits Sebring

SEBRING, October 31, 2008 – Okay, this is not a straight sports story, understand?

We have been getting some strong feelings about Braden River over the past several months. It seems that, in some circles, they have become a more bitter rival than Avon Park, like in girls softball when, in the spring, the Braden River coach became apoplectic, complained like a babbling brook, and persuaded the umpire to change a call.

Even before that, their supporters at the boys district soccer tournament appeared rude and ungracious. They made fun of some of the Hardee players.

Whatever the case, some strong feelings have grown, and those feelings may be vented when Sebring hosts the Pirates tomight for homecoming at Firemen’s Memorial Field at 7:30.

Be there, and let your voice thunder for the Streaks! Braden River beat Hardee, 26-14, and Hardee beat Sebring in an overtime thriller by a touchdown.

Panel Says Germaine The Best Choice For Clerk Of Courts

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SEBRING – A select panel of voters favors Bob Germaine to become the new Highlands County Clerk of Courts.

Germaine, 57, has 37 years experience in the Clerk’s office, where he has handled courthouse operations, budgets, confidential documents, and technological acquisitions. He supervises 42 people.

Mary Wilson, his opponent, is 36, has worked for four years in the Clerk’s office, and has helped with audits of county departments. She supervises one person.

Interviewed registered voters say Germaine’s surplus of experience and customer service skills have earned him his high standing with them.

Here is a sample of what they said:

HOZ COMPTON, 64, president of H. L. Compton Construction Co., Republican: “I’ve known Bob for a long time. He’s a very responsive person – always returns phone calls. He’s very well respected in Highlands County. Does his 37 years experience mean a lot? Sure it does!”

LUKE GRESOCK, 30, auto parts salesman, Democrat: “I’m voting for Bob, mainly because of his experience. I just like his policies over Wilson’s. I saw her at a forum. She just wasn’t memorable to me. I’m a salesman, and there wasn’t any ‘wow’ factor with Wilson.”

RUTH HANDLEY, 80, former school board superintendent, Republican: “I believe he has the best experience and the best qualifications. I have looked at him, and he is very eager to improve the coordination between the clerk’s office and the county commission.

“I feel strongly about the false charge of double dipping. That’s a very unfair charge that I’ve heard from his opponent. His retirement is his reward for diligent service. And he’ll be paid for the work he’s going to do when he’s elected.”

LESTER ROBERTS, 72, past president of the Highlands County NAACP, Independent:”The problems I’ve had through court proceedings or as a bail bondsman, anytime I have a problem, I can talk to Bob, and Bob will have the answer and smooth things out in a timely manner.  I’ve always been able to get resolutions to my satisfaction.”

DORIS GENTRY, 70, former Chairwoman of the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, former Mayor of Avon Park, Democrat: “You know, I’ve known Bob a long time. He’s a very nice guy. He’s worked for Earl Rich as well as Lukie. He’s been involved in keeping those people going in the right direction.

“I think he has a broader and a deeper range of experience in working with the operations of the courthouse.”

JAN RIPLEY, 57, Hospice counselor, Republican: “He seems to be for the people of the county. I saw him at a forum and noticed his attitude, the way he talks with people. I give him high marks.”

CLIFFORD RHOADES, 54, attorney, Republican: “We’re talking 37 years as a county employee and, in my opinion, he has grown tremendously in the job. His service is perfect. There is a public service attitude about him that is exemplary.”

Lady Streaks Bow Out Of District Volleyball

SEBRING, October 30, 2008 – It has been a hectic year for Sebring High School varsity volleyball Head Coach Venessa Sinness. She’s teaching advanced and honors science courses. She’s working on a master’s degree and nearing the end. She’s trying to raise a family with husband, Joe. And she’s coaching Sebring’s dynamic volleyball team.

That’s why the emotions of the four-game match loss against Braden River Wednesday night were still settling in and haunting the team’s ride home from the west coast, site of the district playoffs.

The Lady Streaks were so close. They jumped out of the gate in each game, the 31-year-old Sinness said. They were the first to five points. They were the first to 10 ponts. They were the first to 15 points. Then… .

“When it came down to the cutthroat, whose going to get those last points situation, it has to be instinct,” she said. “You can’t play with fear, fear that you might make a mistake. We couldn’t get out of it.”

Sebring lost  Game 1, 25-22, won Game 2, 25-22, then dropped the next two games, 25-18 and 25-21.

It was even tougher that the loss came to the team with the home court advantage, Braden River, a team that has developed into a rival that sometimes generates stronger emotions than even Avon Park.

“We hate losing to Braden River,” Sinness summed up.

Nonetheless, the match and the season had several bright spots.

For the match, Megan Darr and Ricki Albritton played outstanding defense, making key digs on a night when the front line did not have its best game. Hannah Shoop played without fear, Sinness said, and played another smart game, making several good placements.

For the season, the team met its goal of a winning record and performing better than or at 500 in major tournaments. They fell short of a first or second place finish in district.

“It was a good season,” Sinness said. “The players bonded in a way I haven’t seen before in eight seasons. In the end, they realized what being together meant, that they were family. They will remember everyone on their team.”

Rays Fall In World Series Clincher

SEBRING, October 30, 2008 – The historic run of the Tampa Bay Rays is over. The Rays fell in the rain-delayed Game 5 Wednesday night, 4-3, to the now World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

Philly’s series tally was 4 games to 1.

We are proud of what Tampa accomplished and look forward to next year.

URGENT: Sebring Eliminated From Volleyball Districts

BRADEN RIVER, October 29, 2008 – The Sebring Lady Blue Streaks have lost their district semifinal volleyball match against the Braden River Lady Pirates, 3 games to 1. The loss ends the Lady Streaks’ 2008 season.

Game On: Tampa, Philly Resume Tonight

SEBRING, October 29, 2008 – Major League Baseball gave the green light to the Phillies and the Rays to resume Game 5 of the 2008 World Series.

The resumption begins at 8:37 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. It will be the bottom of the 6th inning, with the Rays and Phillies tied, 2-2. Philly leads the best-of-7 series, 3 games to 1.

If Tampa pulls out Game 5, Game 6 will be at the Trop in St. Pete on Thursday night.

Go Tampa!

VOLLEYBALL: Sebring Prepares for Next Opponent

SEBRING, October 28, 2008 – The Sebring Lady Blue Streaks varsity volleyball team plays Wednesday night against the winner of tonght’s Braden River-Hardee matchup.

The Lady Streaks crushed bottom seeded Booker in three straight games Monday night, 25-10, 25-17, and 25-20.

No. 1 seeded DeSoto owned a bye and will face the Avon Park-Palmetto winner in Wednesday’s late game.

Sebring achieved the No. 2 seed by a coin flip after being declared in a tie with Braden River, the No. 3. Palmetto came in at No. 4, Avon Park at No. 5, Hardee at No. 6, and Booker at 7.

Sebring and Braden River had developed a stiff rivalry that in some cases seems to have exceeded the archrivalry with Avon Park. This appears to be true especially among some of the girls sports.

That means Wednesday’s game, should Braden River have defeated Hardee, should be particulary competitive.

Weather Remains Iffy For Rays Phillies Game 5

SEBRING, October 28, 2008 – Meteorologists remained uncertain Tuesday whether rain would continue to postpone Game 5 of the 2008 World Series.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies are tied at 2-2, with 3 1/2 innings to play whenever the game resumes. Philly holds a 3 games to 1 lead.

The forecast for Tuesday prompted Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig to delay resumption of Game 5 at least until Wednesday. If the rains continue, the delay could be longer.

ESPN reports that the outfield at Citizen’s Bank Park drains well, but the amount of rain has spoiled hope for successful application of the substance used to patch wet spots on the infield.