Sheriff Submits $8.4 Million Budget
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Vol. 105 No. 67 Wednesday, June 4, 2014 50¢ plus tax Salute to Sheriff submits $8.4 million budget the graduates Budget includes 4 percent inside! cost-of-living increase “They (the county commissioners) will vote on what they’re going to for sheriff’s employees do. The consensus is they are not running the jail.” — county administrator Robbie Chartier By Eric Kopp County spelling Okeechobee News bee .....Page 3 When Okeechobee County Sheriff Paul May Jail. That date marks the end of the current fi s- increase of $560,015 (6.80 percent) over the submitted his $8.8 million proposed budget for cal year. 2013-14 approved law enforcement budget of fi scal year 2014-15 something was noticeably Also not included in the budget offer is secu- $8,241,147 — which was bumped up when Rotary plans luau missing — the spending plan for the county rity for the Okeechobee County Judicial Com- commissioners agreed to give the sheriff an ad- jail. plex. ditional $500,000 in the 2013-14 plan. .....Page 17 Because of constant budget battles between The sheriff’s proposed plan is for law en- Contained in the 2014-15 plan is an automat- him and the county, Sheriff May recently told forcement, administration and dispatchers ic increase of $187,664 due to a hike in Florida Barrel racing at commissioners that as of Sept. 30 of this year only. See SHERIFF — Page 5 Agri-Civic Center he will no longer run the Okeechobee County The proposed budget of $8,801,163 is an .....Page 2 Lake Levels Bonasera 12.45 feet Last Year: 13.36 feet accused of 6SRQVRUHG%\ trading pills 3RJH\·V)DPLO\5HVWDXUDQW 63DUURWW$YH for photos Source: South Florida Water By Charles M. Murphy Management District. Depth given Okeechobee News in feet above sea level An administrative hearing to hear the accusa- tions against Everglades Elementary teacher Tom Bonasera is likely to be continued until July, ac- cording to Okeechobee School Superintendent Ken Kenworthy. Details about the investigation were revealed See page 4 for information about in a fi le that became public record Friday, May 30. how to contact this newspaper. Mr. Bonasera is accused of giving pills to a fe- male teacher, on campus, in exchange for nude Okeechobee News/Charles Murphy photos. This could be a violation of the school board’s alcohol and drug free workplace policy. OHS Purple & White Game The former president of the Okeechobee Okeechobee High School football players had a chance to show their skills in County Education Association has retained attor- the annual spring Purple & White game on May 30. Wyatt Bessenbacher (11 in ney Mark Wilensky to represent him. white) looks for room to run behind Nolyn Carpenter (58 in white) during Fri- day’s intrasquad scrimmage at Brahman Stadium. For the story, see page 20. See TEACHER — Page 5 2 Okeechobee News June 4, 2014 Chamber of Commerce News • Have you considered starting a busi- ahead for Okeechobee; You will explore ness, but getting it started feels overwhelm- critical issues via a series of seminars and ing? Where do you start? How can you get related activities; You will interact with key started on the right path? We’ve assembled a decision-makers, local leaders and represen- team of area professionals to provide neces- tatives of local government to gain a better sary information for you to consider before understanding of the forces which impact starting a business. We’ll provide you infor- your community as a whole. The key to pre- mation on permits, insurance, accounting, serving and enhancing the quality of life is human resources, legal issues, web site and a well-informed citizen. If you are interested marketing. Join us on June 5 (Thursday) at in being considered for the class, you may 9 a.m. and determine if starting a business pick an application from the Chamber of is right for you. Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce or you may go to the Chamber’s Commerce, 55 S. Parrott Ave, Okeechobee, website (www.okeechobeebusiness.com) FL 34974. Please call Antoinette Rodriguez and select Leadership Okeechobee under or Mariah Parriott at 863-467-6246 to RSVP! Chamber Programs on the home page to • You’re invited to the 5th Annual State download the application. of the Region on June 20. Held at the Indian Contact: Mariah Parriott, Administration River State College S.T.E.M. Building “S” Au- 863-467-6246; info@okeechobeebusi- ditorium (500 N.W. California Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986). This informative morning ness.com will provide you with: an overview of tar- That will conclude the chamber events for this month; however, we encourage Special to the Okeechobee News/Jenny Pung geted industry, update you on the state of Florida, provide a successful expansion sto- you to check out our community calendar ry, and fi nish up with some closing remarks. at www.okeechobeebusiness.com for more Grad Nite party planned Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. and you must events as they become available in the com- Grad Nite committee member Kelly Owens and Walmart assistant store man- pre-register and the cost is $10. munity and in the chamber. Please remem- ager Erin O’Neal shopped for some of the prizes graduates attending the annual • Leadership Okeechobee Class of 2015 ber to RSVP for each of the above events to Non-Alcohol Grad Nite Party will have an opportunity to win. Graduating seniors is now taking applications. The purpose of reserve your spot. If you are interested in who stay at the party all night will also have a chance to win the Seminole Tribe the Leadership Okeechobee Program is to SPONSORING any of the chamber events, of Florida Grand Prize of $1,500 cash! The Grad Nite Party is on Saturday, June cultivate leadership through education, ex- please contact Mariah at 863-467-6246 or 7, at the KOA. The doors open at 10 p.m. If you are interested in donating money, posure to the community, and interaction [email protected]. food, prizes or your time, call Tabitha Trent at CenterState Bank 863-763-5573. between class members. Our ultimate goal I look forward to seeing you at our is to prepare students for a personal journey events!! along the wonderful and rewarding path Executive Director to community service. The following are Antoinette Rodriguez Agri-Civic Center schedule for June our program objectives: To prepare future/ 863-467-6246 potential leaders to meet the challenges [email protected] The Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Cen- • Friday, June 27: Turnin’ N Burnin’ Sum- ter will host the following events in June: mer Buckle Series Jackpot Barrel Race. Ex- • Saturday, June 7: Okeechobee High Okeechobee Forecast hibition runs start at 5 p.m. Barrel race starts School Graduation at 7 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. East wind 5 • Friday, June 13: Turnin’ N Burnin’ Sum- at 7 p.m. A concession stand will be open. to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. mer Buckle Series Jackpot Barrel Race. Exhi- There is no charge for the public to attend. Thursday Night: A slight chance of bition runs start at 5 p.m. Barrel Race starts Unless an event is taking place, the showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a at 7 p.m. A concession stand will be open. Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center grounds low around 72. East southeast wind around There is no charge for the public to attend are open to area residents for exercise activi- 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. • Saturday, June 14: Turnin’ N Burnin’ Friday: A 30 percent chance of show- ties such as walking, running, and bike riding Today: Mostly sunny. High Jackpot Barrel Race & Speed Show. Exhibi- near 89. NW wind 5 to 10 mph ers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly on a daily basis. The gate on State Road 70 is tion runs start at 9 a.m. Barrel Race starts at becoming east southeast in sunny, with a high near 92. South southeast 11 a.m. Speed Show follows the barrel race. open from 7 a.m. until dusk for residents to the morning. wind around 5 mph. A concession stand will be open. There is no access the roads and parking lots within the Tonight: Partly cloudy, Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of charge for the public to attend. facility. While the county encourages area res- with a low around 68. East southeast wind 5 showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, • Sunday, June 15: Kaza Productions idents to take advantage of the opportunity to to 10 mph. Light southeast after midnight. with a low around 71. Southeast wind Mexican Rodeo with Mexican music and around 5 mph. use the facility grounds for exercise, the staff food. Extended Forecast Saturday: A 40 percent chance of show- asked everyone to help keep the facility clean • Thursday, June 19: Recreational riding/ Thursday: A slight chance of showers, ers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a barrel practice. by not littering. with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. high near 92. SSE wind around 5 mph. 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