It was announced last night at the Avon Park city council meeting that a conflict of interest complaint has been filed against Mayor Garrett Anderson with the Florida Ethics Commission. Anderson said he had been notified that Steven Madre, of "Fitness 4 You" had filed the action, in connection with a complex purchase of the Brickell Building in downtown Avon Park.
Madre’s attorney Mike Durham – a former legal council for the Highlands County Sheriff’s office – urged the council to do their own investigation, and suggested that could result in the unwinding of the building’s purchase.
Council took no action on the suggestion.
Reportedly, the ethics commission investigation could take as much as six months to complete.
After a year on the job, Avon Park City Manager Mark Schrader will be getting an evaluation. Human Resources Director Denise Koger last night outlined four major areas of performance including relations with employees, council, other governmental agenices and managerial abilities.
It also calls for an overall score. Schrader will meet with individual members of the council over the next 30 days before the evaluations need to be turned in and tabulated.
In other action, Koger issued a report exonerating Schrader in connection with an employee complaint.
One driver was killed and another seriously injured in an accident south of Lake Placid yesterday. Florida Highway Patrol reports show that a semi tractor trailer rig driven by an Okechobee man, was eastbound on State Road 70 near old State Road 8, when the big rig went left of center and slammed into an oncoming sport utility vehicle.
The driver of the car, a 60-year-old Venus man was prounounced dead at the scene, the driver of the semi was listed in "serious" condition.
The mishap remains under investigation.
A complaint has been filed against the Superintendent of The Lake Wales Charter School. Dr Wayne Rodolfich has been accused of creating "a toxic work environment" after he allegedly shouted at an unnamed employee and pounded on the table.
Human Resoures Director LaQuanda Burroughs said the incident was referred to as "demoralizing and embarassing." She recommended an external employment law firm be hired to investigate.
Rodolfich said he welcomed the action, and said the complaint was the first time he had been made aware that anyone in the office had a problem with him. He noted no other such complaints had been filed against him, and said he had a deep concern about the origin of the allegations.