WAFC Local News – August 07, 2026, 8:06 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Clewiston City Commission set their tentative millage at just under 6.4 mils. They could reduce it to the rollback rate of 5.9 percent after more budget workshops. Commissioner Molly Gartner says they’ll be watching the budget closely. Most everybody knows that the state of Florida for the past three years has been working on their DOJ efforts. And I know that we have as well. But the thing is, is that the state of Florida for the past three years has turned in a lower budget every single year. So I know if it could be done at the state level, I challenge us to continue to do the rollback rate. The commission discussed problems with big time auto sales regarding code enforcement. Two properties are currently in violation, 820 East Sagamore Avenue and 820 East Sugarland Highway. They tied under the sewer system with a portalette and are using a ComEx building as a sales office. Allegedly, building official Chris Cooper wants to avoid court if he can. We’ve been back and forth trying to figure out what kind of teeth we have legally. So I’m trying to squeeze as hard as I can without ending us up in some kind of litigation. He says the ComEx for a sales office is illegal. The fact that it’s being used as a sales office, that’s a problem because now you’re welcoming the public into your office and now you have to meet life safety requirements, which are not being met with that thing. And then the obviously the porta potty right next to it that is hard plumbed to our utilities. That’s a problem. Commissioner Gardner says she supports these code cases. There were certain things that he had to do for that conditional use. And not only that, that’s part of the main corridor plan where there’s no storage allowed. Buckhead Ridge voters heard from two candidates running for Glades County School Board District five that covers that part of Glades County. Longtime board member Patty Pierce is challenged by former teacher Lauren Thompson. Glades County voters, welcome to Buckhead Ridge political rally. Pierce says she has found solutions and made stronger schools in her over 20 years on the board. I’ve never backed down from making difficult decisions, and I won’t start now. Experience matters. Leadership matters. Results matter. She says there’s a record of success in Glades County that they continue to build. Now, there are those who believe experience should be simply pushed aside. I respectfully disagree. Our children deserve leaders who know job, know the job, understand the budget, recognize the challenges and have a proven record of getting results. Thompson says if she elected, she will clean up the finances. According to our most recent 2026 audit, there were some concerning findings. Our general fund, what you and I would call a savings account, had a negative unassigned balance of nearly two million dollars. Our monthly bank reconciliations were not performed for multiple years, and we overspent because we didn’t have required budget amendments. She admits she will not have her kids in public schools right away. I did take my three school age children out of school. That was a deeply personal decision. After a lot of prayer and consideration in my own personal house between my husband and I as a teacher, as a parent and as a taxpayer, I was unhappy with many of the things that I saw going on in every one of those spheres. And in order to serve my children in the best way, I thought my husband and I that it was best for our children to try out homeschooling. Among the rest, Michael Clay of Belle Glade is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He alleged he was upsetting the mother of a child as he was handling her baby. When she objected, he pulled a gun and threatened to shoot her. He returned and then pointed two guns at her face. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).