Van Sickle is back

Former Mayor Jack Van Sickle, who was overwhelming defeated in his last effort to run for Lake Wales City Commissioner seat, is now back serving on the Lake Wales City Commission as the Billing and Zoning Czar.

This is an outrage since the citizens of Lake Wales spoke, no shouted, by 84%, to remove Jack Van Sickle from Lake Wales City Commission service.

How can this be you ask?  After all, the largest voting turnout in the history of Lake Wales demanded the ousting of Jack Van Sickle from city government by 84%.  However, Major Mike Carter and the Lake Wales Commissioners, invited Jack Van Sickle back into Lake Wales City Governance and ignored the Citizens of Lake Wales desire to remove Van Sickle from City Government, be it a paid or none paid position. 

If you are as outrage as I am, contact Mayor Mike Carter and the Lake Wales City Commissioners ( www.cityoflakewales.com ), and demand to have Jack Van Sickle removed from Lake Wales City Government.

Richard Earl

Lake Wales

Now read Betty Wojck's (newly elected Commissioner and Joyce Hanlon's, both residents of Lake Ashton, reply to the above letter to the editor.  It seems that Betty still doesn't get it and chooses to ignore the will of the people and their votes. 

What do you think?  If you are outraged by such arrogance, then write Major Mike Carter and the commissioners and demand Jack Van Sickle's immediate removal.

---------------Reply from Betty Wojck--------------------

From: Betty Wojcik [mailto:Betty@lakewaleschamber.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 11:10 AM
To: rich.earl@verizon.net
Subject: In response to your email

Hi, Richard,

I just wanted to respond to your recent email, in which you stated your concern that Jack Van Sickle has been appointed to serve on the Planning and Zoning Board. I do understand your concerns, but there was absolutely no basis for denying Mr.Van Sickle the opportunity to serve the City in this capacity. As a City resident who wants to volunteer his time to serve on this 7-member board, he is filling a vacancy where no one else stepped up, so the City Commission had no other volunteers to consider. He was also recommended for appointment after being interviewed by the Chairman of that particular Board.

The City of Lake Wales has many, many boards and committees on which residents may serve, volunteering their time and expertise. They review various issues and serve mostly in an advisory capacity to the City Commission. But, on all policy issues and major planning and development issues, it will be the City Commission that ultimately makes the decision.

I think it would be great if you encouraged more residents of Lake Ashton to get involved and help us fill the many board and committee seats that remain vacant.

Thanks for your comments.   

Betty Wojcik

Executive Director

Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce

340 W Central Avenue

Lake Wales, FL 33853

(863) 676-3445

betty@lakewaleschamber.com

www.lakewaleschamber.com

---------------Reply from Joyce Hanlon--------------------

-----Original Message-----
From: jhanlon1@localnet.com [mailto:jhanlon1@localnet.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 3:03 PM
To: rich.earl@verizon.net
Subject: Newspaper Article

Richard, everyone in the Lake Wales voting district knows that Mr. Van

Sickle lost the election due to another name that was on the ballot. 

After all the good Mr. Van Sickle did for the city of Lake Wales while

in his tenure, even the good new mayor recognized the value of Mr. Van

Sickle on the city boards or he wouldn't have appointed him.  A public

apology for the insulting article which was degrading both to Mr. Van

Sickle and yourself would be in order and appreciated.

Joyce Hanlon