Fortune Magazine Honors Polk County-Based Publix On “Best Companies” List For 20th Year

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March 28, 2017

Fortune Magazine Honors Polk County-Based Publix On “Best Companies” List For 20th Year

For the 20th consecutive year, Publix has been honored one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. Publix was ranked No. 21 on this year’s list, up from No. 67 last year, and was one of only 12 companies to have made the list every year since its inception in 1998, earning Publix recognition as one of the “Great Place to Work Legends.”

Todd Jones, CEO & President of the Polk County-based employer, says he’s proud of the accomplishment.

“We are humbled to be recognized by Fortune for two decades as a great place to work,” said Jones. “I am so proud of the passion of our associates and their commitment to our customers, our communities, our company and each other. They continue to make the difference each and every day.”

Two-thirds of a company’s score is based on a survey which was sent to a random sample of employees. The survey asks questions related to their workplace, including the honesty and quality of communication by managers, degree of support for employees’ personal and professional lives and the authenticity of relationships with colleagues. The remaining third is based on a company’s responses to the Culture Audit questionnaire, which asks detailed questions about pay and benefits programs, and open-ended questions about hiring, communication and diversity.

For more information about the survey and how companies were ranked, visit Fortune’s website, www.fortune.com.

THE ILE Yacht Club & Lake Wales Po Boy’s Bass Club Presents their Annual KIDS FISHING DERBY

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Staff Reporter

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March 28, 2017

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THE ILE Yacht Club & Lake Wales Po Boy’s Bass Club

Presents their Annual

KIDS FISHING DERBY

Date: Saturday, April 1, 2017

Time: 9:30 to 11:30 AM

Where: Indian Lake Estates Lakefront Pavilion

Entry Fee: Free

Age Limits: 3 divisions (3 to 7), (8 to 12) and (13 to 16)

There will be prizes for first thru third place, awarded in each division.

Lunch will be provided for all participants and parents. (hot dogs, chips and a drink)

Parents are responsible to provide all fishing gear and live bait.

Rules:

All kids must be accompanied by an adult and waiver MUST BE SIGNED.
All fish caught are measured then released.
Any bait may be used, live or artificial.
Fishing only in designated area.
Good sportsmanship will be observed at all times.
There will be a mandatory orientation with the kids at 9:30. ALL MUST BE PRESENT.

ALL entries must be received no later than March 28, 2017

For more information , contact Buddy Mongiovi at 863-781-0736.

Mail waiver forms to Buddy Mongiovi at PO Box 7422, Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855.

Latest Citrus Label Tour Sign To Be Dedicated Thursday

Staff Reporter

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March 27, 2017

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Latest Citrus Label Tour Sign To Be Dedicated Thursday

AUBURNDALE – The public is invited to attend the City of Auburndale Citrus Label Tour sign dedication this Thursday, March 30.

Large reproductions of classic citrus crate labels are being placed across Polk County, as part of a partnership between the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, Visit Central Florida and the Polk County History Center’s History and Heritage Trail.

The first sign for the new Citrus Label Tour was placed at the Polk County History Center last year.

This driving experience explores part of the historic marketing portion of citrus through the artistic labels that once adorned the wooden crates used to ship the fresh fruit off to northern markets in the early 1900s.

The free event begins at 3:45 p.m. at the Citrus Exchange Building, 214 Orange St.

Main Street Winter Haven Hosts Craft Beer Crawl, April 6

Staff Reporter

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March 27, 2017

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Main Street Winter Haven Hosts Craft Beer Crawl, April 6

WINTER HAVEN- Main Street Winter Haven is partnering with 20 downtown Winter Haven Businesses to host a Craft Beer Crawl and Small Bite tasting on Thursday, April 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tasting glasses can be reserved at mainstreetwh.com for $20. Glasses and maps can be picked up at the corner of 3rd St. and Central Ave.

More information at mainstreetwinterhaven.com.

Cooking on The Ridge: Grilled Chicken Fajitas

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Staff Reporter

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March 27, 2017

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Grilled Chicken Fajitas

Servings: 4-6

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Total Time: 35 Minutes, plus 8-24 hours to marinade

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1-1/2 to 1-3/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins
1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lime zest, from 2 limes
1 teaspoon cumin
3/4 teaspoon oregano
3/4 teaspoon ancho chili powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
8-12 small soft flour tortillas

For the Peppers

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large red onion, sliced 1/4″ thick
2 bell peppers, sliced 1/4″ thick
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Optional Accompaniments For Serving

Sour cream
Guacamole, store bought or homemade
Salsa, store bought or homemade
Shredded cheese
Chopped cilantro

Instructions

(Skip this step if using chicken tenderloins.) Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment or wax paper. Using a meat mallet, pound the breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
Open a 1 gallon zip-lock bag and place in a medium bowl. Add the oil, garlic, lime zest, cumin, oregano, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika and salt into the bag. Mash the outside of the bag with your hands to blend the marinade together. Add the pounded chicken breasts or tenderloins to the bag and seal shut, releasing any air in the bag. Using your hands, massage the marinade into meat until evenly coated. Place the bag back in the bowl and place in the refrigerator (the bowl protects against leakage); let the chicken marinate at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
Clean the grill and preheat to high.
While the grill heats, cook the peppers. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan (preferably not non-stick) over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions, peppers, salt, and sugar; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to brown and a brown film forms around edges of the bottom of the pan, 8-10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of water to the pan; scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, until the water is evaporated and the pan starts to brown again; add 1/4 cup more water and cook a few minutes more, until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Season to taste with more salt and sugar if necessary. Set aside.
Grease the grill. Lightly dip a wad of paper towels in vegetable oil and, using tongs, carefully rub over the grates several times until glossy and coated. Place the chicken on the grill and cook, covered, for 2-3 minutes per side. Let cool slightly, then place the chicken on a cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch slices.
Arrange the chicken and peppers on a serving platter. To warm the tortillas: stack 4-6 tortillas on a plate and cover them with a damp paper towel, then microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat with the remaining tortillas. Serve with the chicken, peppers and optional accompaniments.

FWC documents panther kittens north of Caloosahatchee River

Staff Reporter

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March 27, 2017

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FWC documents panther kittens north of Caloosahatchee River

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has verified the presence of at least two panther kittens north of the Caloosahatchee River in southwest Florida. These kittens are presumed to be the offspring of the first wild female panther documented north of the river since 1973.

“This is good news for Florida panther conservation,” said Kipp Frohlich, deputy director for the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. “Until now, we only had evidence of panthers breeding south of the Caloosahatchee. These pictures of a female with kittens indicate there are now panthers breeding north of the river.”

Using trail cameras, biologists have monitored male panthers on various public and private lands north of the Caloosahatchee River for several years. In 2015, biologists collected a photo of what appeared to be a female panther in the FWC’s Babcock Ranch Preserve Wildlife Management Area in Charlotte County. They deployed additional cameras in the summer of 2016, and captured more images of what they believed to be a female panther.

“Early this year, the cameras captured images of a female that appeared to be nursing,” said Darrell Land, FWC panther team leader. “For many years, the Caloosahatchee River has appeared to be a major obstacle to northward movement of female panthers. This verification of kittens with the female demonstrates panthers can expand their breeding territory across the river naturally.”

“This is a major milestone on the road to recovery for the Florida panther,” said FWC Chairman Brian Yablonski. “We are mindful and appreciative of all the many partners and cooperators who have supported panther conservation efforts over the years leading to meaningful moments like this.”

The FWC works closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure panther conservation on both private and public lands. Staff also work to continue building support and cooperation among private landowners who maintain working landscapes and ranches that provide important habitat for panthers.

“This is good news for panther recovery, and the Service is committed to working with landowners to make panthers and private land ownership compatible,” said Larry Williams, State Supervisor of Ecological Services for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Florida residents can support panther conservation efforts by purchasing a “Protect the Panther” license plate at BuyaPlate.com. Fees from license plate sales are the primary funding source for the FWC’s research and management of Florida panthers. These funds contributed to the successful documentation of this important panther conservation milestone.

You can help with panther research by reporting panther sightings, and uploading photos and videos to the FWC at MyFWC.com/PantherSightings.

For information about Florida panthers, including tips on how to safely coexist with them, visit MyFWC.com/Panther.

Summer Camp Is On The Way For Auburndale Kids!

Auburndale

Staff Reporter

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March 27, 2017

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Summer Camp Is On The Way For Auburndale Kids!

AUBURNDALE – Summer Camp is on the way!

This year, it runs from June 12 to July 28. Programs will be “Kids Quest” for kids in Kindergarten through fourth grade, and “Teen Xtreme” for grades 5 through 7.

Register at the Parks and Recreation Office 119 West Park Street.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONS: Curtis Gibson for Lake Wales City Commission, Seat 2

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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March 27, 2017

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Curtis Gibson for Lake Wales City Commission, Seat 2

Curtis Gibson is seeking a seat on the Lake Wales City Commission in the April 4 citywide election. We’ve asked him, and all local candidates, to share their experiences and qualifications with us. His answers are below.

PERSONAL:

Age: 32. After marrying Nakisha Rankins of Winter Haven July 7, we will raise our family of five children, ages 2-14, in Lake Wales. I graduated from Lake Wales High School and the Police Academy at South Florida State College. I have completed coursework for a May graduation from Bryant and Stratton College with a criminal justice degree. I am a Board member and Foundation Chair for Rotary on the Ridge, a member of NAACP and Community Connections Church. I serve on the city’s Code Enforcement Board and Police Community Relations Committee and have volunteered as a youth football coach.

CONTACT INFO:

Curtis Gibson for Lake Wales Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CurtisGibsonLW

Cell phone: 863-589-2173, Email: [email protected].

WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION?

Maintenance worker for Polk County School Board and high school wrestling coach. Pursuing a career in law enforcement.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR COMMISSIONER?

I love Lake Wales and want to help provide positive leadership for a bright future. I want to engage and listen to our community to help create a shared vision we can work together to implement.

WHAT EXPERIENCES OR STRENGTHS QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS POSITION?

I am a positive leader for our future. I care about all people and want to represent the entire community. I am a good listener who will be the citizens’ voice and link to city government. I personally will work to get more citizen input and involvement.

WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING YOUR COMMUNITY?

BUDGET ACCOUNTABILITY: We have to keep taxes and debt as low as possible, while still meeting the safety and quality of life needs of our citizens. Nearly two thirds of our operating budget goes to public safety (police and fire protection), which is important. But I want to be a good steward of city funds and ensure any discretionary spending addresses the priorities of our citizens.

RECREATION: The City needs to take more leadership in developing and coordinating a comprehensive and quality recreation program for our entire community. Busy kids are less likely to get into trouble. Recreational opportunities are a quality of life issue we need to address to prosper and grow.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: I support the city’s partnership with the Lake Wales Chamber and Economic Development Council, but believe we must do more to build local business and grow jobs. The entire community needs to come together to make sure Lake Wales is an attractive, business-friendly place with a shared vision for the future.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN IN OFFICE TO HELP MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK?

I promise to do my homework and make the best decisions possible for our entire community. I will work hard, be accessible and listen to citizens. I want to work with the full commission to bring people together to help create a shared vision for a positive future. Then I personally will encourage more citizens to get involved in making Lake Wales a better place to live and work.

County issues Cease and Desist letter to owners of BS Ranch & Farm

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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March 24, 2017

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County issues Cease and Desist letter to owners of BS Ranch & Farm

Bartow, Fla. (March 24, 2017) — The Board of County Commissioners has issued a Cease and Desist letter, and an Amended Notice of Violation and Notice of Hearing for Polk County Code Enforcement, to WHS Visions of Lakeland LLC. WHS Visions of Lakeland operates BS Ranch and Farm.

On Tuesday, the Board voted unanimously to direct the county attorney’s office to begin working on a cease and desist order for BS Ranch and Farm. BS Ranch and Farm recycles human waste, out-of-date foods and mulch into soil, then sells it to growers throughout the state.

BS Farm and Ranch has been cited for failure to comply with the Polk County Land Development Code, as well as numerous instances of objectionable odors emitted from their soil manufacturing facility. Residents in the area began complaining of the offensive odor shortly after the land development code change to allow soil manufacturing was approved in a public hearing December 6, 2016.

Following the county’s directive, the facility should not be accepting new materials during this time, but in the interest of public health and safety, the facility will need to continue interim management of existing onsite materials and the removal of any such waste from the site.

Their hearing before a special magistrate regarding the county’s code enforcement violations is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 20 in the boardroom at the Neil Combee Administration Building, 330 W. Church St. in Bartow.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONS: Jacob Clifton Seeks Lake Wales Commission Seat

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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March 24, 2017

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CANDIDATE QUESTIONS: Jacob Clifton Seeks Lake Wales Commission Seat

Jacob Clifton is a candidate for Lake Wales Commission, Seat 2, in the April 4 citywide election. The DailyRidge.com asked him to tell us a little bit about himself and answer a few questions.

PERSONAL: I am 31 years old and have lived in Lake Wales for just over five years with my wife, Deanna, and our son Benjamin (16 months). A recent graduate of Polk State here in Lake Wales, where I volunteered with Phi Theta Kappa. I am currently attending University of Florida and serve as a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. Outside of academics I devote time serving our community as HOA President for the last three terms.

Learn more about me and my candidacy on Facebook at Jacob Clifton for Lake Wales City Commission.

WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION? I am Director of Operations for SLA Management, which is a food service management company that provides services to private, charter and public k-12 schools; including Lake Wales Charter Schools.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR COMMISSIONER? The answer is two-fold. My desire to serve the community and the belief that my experience and skills will be of value to the community.

I moved to Lake Wales with my wife, Deanna, five years ago. It was a transitional time for us. I decided to leave work as a Chef and return to school at Polk State. During the past five years we have fallen in love with Lake Wales. I received my degree from Polk State here in town, I begin working for my current employer at Janie Howard Elementary, my wife began working for the charter schools. We purchased our first house and had our first child. It is because of these special moments that I feel compelled to serve Lake Wales.

WHAT EXPERIENCES OR STRENGTHS QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS POSITION?

The experience and skills that I will bring to the City Commission are a combination of both my professional and volunteer experience. At work, I am responsible for managing budgets over 10 million dollars annually as well as leading a team of over 450 individuals across 5 states. This requires great communication and leadership skills as well as a working knowledge of finance. In addition to my professional experience, I have also been elected to our HOA’s Board of Directors four years in a row. Once as Treasurer and the last three times as president. During this time we have been able to balance our budget, reduce mandatory spending and increase expenditures on community improvements.

WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING YOUR COMMUNITY? Our infrastructure, balance sheet and community relations. We have roads, sewers and sidewalks that are in disrepair, negatively impacting our ability to attract new residents and new businesses. We need to increase our reserves in preparation for the next economic downturn and improve relations among city officials and residents. There is no reason that we cannot work through any issue together.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN IN OFFICE TO HELP MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK? Connection, consensus and prioritization. I will connect with our residents to hear their concerns as well as work with the rest of the commission to improve transparency and communication with the city. No one group should ever feel unheard or underrepresented.

There must be consensus among residents, commissioners and city employees. This requires communication as well as a willingness to listen to opposing ideas and go into any venture with an open mind. I believe my experience will improve our ability to gain consensus among residents and city officials.

We have a budget. As commissioners, we have the fiduciary responsibility to the residents of Lake Wales. In order to continue improving our community we have to prioritized those efforts to prevent from continuing to increase our city’s debt that currently sits close to 40 million.

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