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Strangers in a PRSRT-STD Postal Customer U.S. Postage Inside strange land Clermont, FL Paid Today I NEWS, A9 34711 Clermont, FL Permit #280 OUTH LAKE PRESS S Serving Clermont, Minneola, Groveland, Mascotte & Montverde Friday, July 23, 2010 www.southlakepress.com 50¢ News stand Man charged with attempted murder BRAD BUCK Staff Writer Clermont police: Suspect went to bar, threatened to kill ex-wife, himself A man allegedly went to a 25, the affidavit said. saw the her that he was two miles davit. Mount Dora bar, talked Mount Dora police later vehicle turn- from her home. Holliday had a strong about killing his ex-wife, gave Clermont police what ing south Police saw his tag light odor of alcohol on his drove to Clermont and was Capt. Jon Johnson called a from State was not working and pulled breath, so police conducted eventually charged with perfect description of the Road 25 him over. a field sobriety test on him. 94 78 attempted murder, police green Chevrolet pickup that onto Citrus By that time Holliday was Authorities charged him said. Holliday was driving. Boulevard, less than a mile-and-a-half with DUI, driving with a Clermont police say John Mount Dora police also the affidavit away from his ex-wife’s suspended license and, later, William Holliday, 37, went reported that Holliday said said. home, the affidavit said. the attempted murder to a bar, threatening to shoot he was going to drive to Holliday Clermont Police found three charge, according to the Minneola his ex-wife and family, Clermont to kill his ex-wife police dis- firearms, including one affidavit and online jail according to an arrest affi- and then himself, Johnson patchers informed the offi- semiautomatic pistol and a records. davit. said. cer that the driver of the semiautomatic rifle — both Holliday was still in the axes tax The alleged incident hap- Sure enough, said vehicle was armed and had loaded — in Holliday’s vehi- Lake County jail on proposal pened about 1:45 a.m. June Johnson, a Clermont officer just called his ex-wife to tell cle, according to the affi- Wednesday without bond. ROXANNE BROWN Staff Writer Groveland community comes together to rebuild MINNEOLA — Council members honored the pleas ROXANNE BROWN McCoy, in an inspirational of their constituents Staff Writer pep talk reminiscent of a Tuesday, voting against a Sunday morning service, property tax hike of more GROVELAND — Dozens of community residents and reminded all those present than 40 percent. for the meeting that success Instead, city staff will go some government officials pledged this week to roll up depends on total involve- back to the drawing board ment. to look for other ways to their sleeves and do every- thing they can to revitalize a “I need you to understand balance a budget with a pro- this, that when you say the jected $700,000 deficit. rundown, drug-filled area of the city. word community, it encom- The workshop session passes common unity,'” he Tuesday night focused To do that, they’ll have to take back the neighborhood said. almost exclusively on a rec- The targeted area, which ommended property tax from the criminal element, clean up the yards and work lies just east of Groveland’s change that would have main downtown drag, is long jumped the millage rate on homes desperately in overdue for revitalization, from 4.49 to 6.4. need of repair, and make the streets safe once again. said longtime resident Jimmy Unhappy residents lined Brown. up to voice their objections. It won’t be easy, said organizers on hand for a spe- “It should've been done a “It is not time to hammer cial meeting hosted by the long time ago, because there us with higher taxes,” busi- are lots of things that need to ness owner Greg Homan Community Redevelopment Agency. be done in the community, said. “I know one alternative especially for the kids,” and that is to cut waste, and “If we’re ever gonna help Brown said. “But leaders you have plenty of it.” Groveland, it can’t be a Black community, a Hispanic com- need to make sure this is not Another resident called munity or a poor communi- the only day, but a starting the tax hike “extreme” and day, for this community.” one referred to it as a “death ty,” said Pastor Tony McCoy Pledges of support were sentence” — financially for of Hope International given by members of the residents, and politically for Church of Groveland. “What ROXANNE BROWN / SOUTH LAKE PRESS officials. we have to do is ask, ‘What See REBUILD, A2 Community members discuss proposals for revitalizing a Groveland neighborhood. A fourth resident remind- do we have in common?’” ed the council that higher taxes would put a bigger burden on homeowners who are already struggling Your Money, Your Government — Groveland to hold onto their mort- gages as it is. The end result LARRY ELL cials and constitutional offi- James Smith in Seat 3, could be more empty houses Staff Writer cers. Evelyn Smith in Seat 4 and and less property tax rev- By the numbers “It’s a very efficient form Vice Mayor John Griffin in enue for the city. GROVELAND — As the city Budget of Groveland grew, its form of government because you Seat 5. of government evolved as have somebody educated Dolly Miller is the interim Recent Revenue $6,180,030 See TAX, A2 well. Groveland’s current and trained to run a city,” city manager. Once the Total Expenditures $4,899,154 Begley said. budget is finalized, Begley structure is city manager- City officials council, but it was changed The city council is made said the council will discuss Index to that format back in the up of five members — four her contract. If council annual salaries 1980s, according to City council members and a members decide not to keep City Manager $101,451 Clerk Teresa Begley. mayor. Each is elected by at- her in that capacity, she will Clerk $57,804 Classified . .B11 Previously, the city operat- large voters, but all council vice mayor is chosen by the go back to serving as the Police Chief $87,526 ed under the strong mayor members have to live in the majority of the council. city’s finance director. Crossword . .B2 form of government. The district they represent. The Current council members Groveland’s current popu- Elected Officials Deaths . .A3 change gave Groveland the mayor, however, is elected include Mayor Richard lation is listed as 7,135 and annual salaries ability to maximize its inter- separately and can live any- Smith, who fills Seat 1, it’s total operating budget is Mayor $18,000 People . .A3 action between elected offi- where in the city. The city’s James Gearhart in Seat 2, $24,506,600. Councilmember $12,000 Real Estate . .C1 Remember When . .B1 Questions for candidates: Lake County School Board District 1 Sports . .B4 best time to effect positive new and better If you want to redesign the sys- Editor’s Note: Questionaires for other Lake County races will appear here in change in the system to help all ways to do tem for the betterment of kids, it the next two weeks. kids achieve. During the boom things and bet- is the perfect time to become a years the system was fat, like we ter yet – to stop school board member. doing things the Jim Miller, all were. With the recession the What experience do you have system was forced to make way we have that would qualify you for the Leesburg always done position? Vol. 95, No. 30, 3 sections unprecedented cuts with more them. We can use Why are you running for pub- on the way. Tallahassee doesn't I have a strong business back- ©2008, HarborPoint Media. "We can't do it that way any more, ground. In the late 1990s, I found- All rights reserved. lic office? have the money, even if they because we don't have the money" We are in the worst economic wanted to give it to us. as a club for positive change. www.southlakepress.com crisis of our time – and I think the Adversity is the best way to find See MILLER, A2 Miller Lenard Bell Painting & Repairs Commercial & Residential • Interior & Exterior Free 407.947.4825 Estimates Certified & Insured A2 SOUTH LAKE PRESS Friday, July 23, 2010 Lake’s jobless rate remains high THERESA CAMPBELL has increased over the past WCF said there are 128,369 I Browse WCF’s online LAKE COUNTY NATIONAL AVERAGE Staff Writer two years, according to WCF. people who are unemployed, job bank at LEESBURG — Lake Lake County had a 11.3 while 997,483 people are WorkforceCentralFlorida.com County’s unemployment percent unemployment rate working. for job leads in all industries. rate remains in the double- in June 2009 and 5.9 percent The agency offered the fol- Among the top five job digits at 11.9 percent, and is of its workers were unem- lowing tips for unemployed openings in the Orlando 11.9% 9.6% higher than the national ployed in June 2008. For the workers: MSA area are: average of 9.6 percent, same time period, Sumter I Apply for a Stimulus- 1. Registered nurses (1,427 employers in today’s unem- and/or to prevent a lay off. according to the latest figures County was faced with 8.5 Funded Internships. openings) ployment market, including Employers also can apply released Friday from percent unemployment in WCF is connecting quali- 2. Retail salespersons the Employed Worker for a stimulus-funded intern, Workforce Central Florida.