WAFC Local News – February 23, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. The LaBelle Commission has been meeting individually with the FDOT about road improvements and the new bridge over the Eagle-Ussahatchee. The majority on commission would like two bridges and a bypass. The FDOT wants to put in one four lane bridge at the current location. The 80 project includes controlled access and pedestrian concrete medians, along with some roundabouts. And they’re not thrilled about that either in the city of LaBelle. Jackie Radica, the vice mayor, has an issue with FDOT and how they receive LaBelle city officials. I wasn’t in that meeting 15 minutes, and I did. I got up and I walked out because I do not like to be bullied and I do not like to be talked to where you tell me it’s a truck route here, but a bypass here. Commissioner Bobbie Spratt says the Department of Transportation is not helping LaBelle. They don’t care. And it hurts my heart that we pay these people. And they’re supposed to be responsive to us. Yes. And they’re not listening to us at all. Hugo Vargas says they’ve got to find a solution and not argue indefinitely. Are we the only city in America that can’t handle a median? Are we the only city? Because everybody else that has medians, every city, every other city that’s got medians, the truckers finds the way to make their delivery. They find their way, their routes to be able to get to and fro. The city of Pahokee approved a budget amendment of $660,000 over objections of not having enough detail in the budget item and what it’s being spent on. Part of it was losing $250,000 to a state grant for Dr. Martin Luther King Park as it didn’t work quickly enough. Consultant Joseph Martin says everything in the budget amendment was legal. There is no no trick here. This is a clear cut adjustment that is needed and an amendment that is needed. Property tax elimination will be impacting the city of South Bay. City Manager LeAndre Camel says they wouldn’t have the taxing authority over 10 mils if exemptions proposed are enacted. He says it would cost the city $165,000 in revenue and cost each resident of South Bay $143. He says it would also take services away. $165,000 is more than two people. It not only is it two people, it is also our senior services. There are programs, there are activities that we would lose here in the city of South Bay. The Moorhaven City Council approved a deal with Washington Park homeowners to do a community cleanup. The city will provide the truck and one employee. Washington Park will pay the FEMA rate to use the truck and tipping fees at the transfer station. Gary Blake argued this will benefit the entire Moorhaven community. And by the way, it makes Moorhaven look good. We’re just trying to do the right thing. The city had questioned who should pay for this and who will pay them for their truck and employees. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).