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waboc
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Posted: Thu Jul 2nd, 2009 02:37 pm |
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| I asked some friends of ours, who had a daughter graduate a few years back, why her graduation was at the High School rather than the agricivic center and they said the graduating class voted on where to hold it. Don't know if they still vote about it.
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Tue Jun 30th, 2009 10:25 pm |
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It seems my posts with reference to the OHS graduation are taken out of context or misinterpreted...
I did NOT suggest the county build anything new. I simply wished we would use the available space at the Okeechobee High School for the commencement program.
IT WAS NOTED THE GYM IS TO SMALL TO HOLD THE GRAD AND ALL THE GUESTS... They need to count the seating capacity in the gym, the auditorium, the cafeteria and if needed the courtyard and decide how many tickets each grad will have. At the ag center the grads gave their 2 gold tickets to the guests who would sit behind the stage. Closer to take pics as the grads received the diplomas. The rest of the guests sat where ever they wished. IF they used the OHS they could give the gold tickets to the guests who would be allowed seating IN the gym. The rest would find seating just as they did at the ag center. The closed circuit viewing program would provide the visual to the guests away from the gym.
My thoughts are that it would be a much more upscale setting for the graduation. The completion of 13 years of educational training. The reward for everyone involved in the child's life thus far to enjoy.
Everyone as you stated does NOT have a personal involvement in the raising or care of farm animals, raising vegetables or citrus. Use the Ag Center for Ag events. It is an arena.
There are places where you go and watch basketball games. You can go back to the same place and watch volleyball matches, indoor tennis matches or gymnastics. Then they flood it and freeze the floor and you get to go back and watch ice skating. The Okeechobee Ag Center is not that versatile an establishment. It is a dirt floor arena. The young ladies who graduated were instructed to NOT wear heels as it would compromise the dirt floor. If a big name Concert Event came the rules against compromising the dirt floor would most probably stop erection of a professional stage where they sink stabilizers into the ground to hold the stage.
One question asked but never answered here? ... WAS a fee paid to the owners of the Ag Center for its use for the OHS 2009 Graduation? I understand every other event pays for using the Ag Center.
It was also pointed out that they expect the next few years to have between 400 and 500 graduates. With 10 guests for each grad the ag center would be too small. If they would consider lowering the amount of guests to fit the ag center...just lower the number of tickets and have commencement at the high school.
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horselover
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Posted: Tue Jun 30th, 2009 11:40 am |
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OkeeNarnie wrote: horselover wrote: okeepro wrote: How will we pay for new schools with big gyms? How will we pay for a big facility with air conditioning? Graduation was fine. Everything doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyed.
I agree, people today are quit different from when I was in school , we used the football field, my son graduated this year, as for perfect, well lets just say we have nothing in our little country town that even comes close to perfect, as for building a new school, that means more taxes are you willing to pay more, for what little we already have, or just be happy with what we have until the economy turns around,
they could have took part of the 3 mil that they are paying to have the old courthouse redone with a bought carpeting to put down so the girls could where heals, but remember where we are, majority of our town makes there living messin with ag animals, so wy spend the money on something nice
Do you really think the MAJORITY of the citizens of Okeechobee County over age 18 who are employed work at a dairy or ranch?
Narnie, if you go by statistics for the state okee is a poverty level county, in which is it were not for the large farms we would be worse off, wally world does not pay much nor does anything else in this town, so in a sense most people cant afford a huge fancy thing, there are alot of people who drive from here to the coast to work to make decent money, also you have to take into consideration that alot of our county has been un-employeed due to no fault of there own, some may have went from really good paying jobs or from min-wage jobs but none the less they still have or had minimal income...
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clarkbar
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Posted: Mon Jun 29th, 2009 11:04 pm |
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| My son graduated last year and it was at the ag-ri center and they had it decorated very nice and it was a great ceremony even though it was hot I was glad that it was undercover and that you could see everything, years ago I went to my neices at South Fork and it was at the football field and you couldn't hear or see anything.I hope Okeechobee doesn't build another HS as it divides a town's loyalities and kids that grew up together suddenly are enemies and hate each other,this is 1 reason I brought my kids here to go to school instead of Martin Co.The money and support the business and community do for the HS and all its sports and events as in car washes,Brahman cards celebrity servers and so forth would be dwindled if they had to do for both.What you need to be is proud that your child got to graduate and walk with their classmates and you were able to see it because with so many things happening out there some kids and parents do not get to live long enough to share that honor.
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Sun Jun 28th, 2009 08:14 am |
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horselover wrote: okeepro wrote: How will we pay for new schools with big gyms? How will we pay for a big facility with air conditioning? Graduation was fine. Everything doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyed.
I agree, people today are quit different from when I was in school , we used the football field, my son graduated this year, as for perfect, well lets just say we have nothing in our little country town that even comes close to perfect, as for building a new school, that means more taxes are you willing to pay more, for what little we already have, or just be happy with what we have until the economy turns around,
they could have took part of the 3 mil that they are paying to have the old courthouse redone with a bought carpeting to put down so the girls could where heals, but remember where we are, majority of our town makes there living messin with ag animals, so wy spend the money on something nice
Do you really think the MAJORITY of the citizens of Okeechobee County over age 18 who are employed work at a dairy or ranch?
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horselover
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Posted: Sun Jun 28th, 2009 07:26 am |
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okeepro wrote: How will we pay for new schools with big gyms? How will we pay for a big facility with air conditioning? Graduation was fine. Everything doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyed.
I agree, people today are quit different from when I was in school , we used the football field, my son graduated this year, as for perfect, well lets just say we have nothing in our little country town that even comes close to perfect, as for building a new school, that means more taxes are you willing to pay more, for what little we already have, or just be happy with what we have until the economy turns around,
they could have took part of the 3 mil that they are paying to have the old courthouse redone with a bought carpeting to put down so the girls could where heals, but remember where we are, majority of our town makes there living messin with ag animals, so wy spend the money on something nice
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photoshooter
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Posted: Tue Jun 23rd, 2009 05:07 pm |
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Actually I have been in that arena since 1973, it holds many many wonderful memories of rodeo times where cowboys could crack a whip, ride like a wide open fool, and the productions for "1/2 time" were so darn corney, u had to laugh.
It did not matter if it rained, snowed, or anything in between, the show must go on.
The days where the clowns were hysterical, the music LOUD and the parade of participants was so proud, flanked by flags. The times the horse would throw u in the middle of the arena cause it was his first time in a crowd. Talk about a show. It was wonderful, full of rodeo spirit, and rough and toughness. like the west is. or was until we have become so civilized and watered down.
Bathrooms? I can remember holding it for hours because we were so busy puttin on the show. But, I do understand the need for improvement. So, let's get on with it and do it. Please. There is nothing in the world like a live rough stock rodeo!!!!!!!!!1
Not football, not soccer, nothing!
It is the true American sport.
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Razorback
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Posted: Tue Jun 23rd, 2009 04:56 pm |
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I have heard from a member of the Cattlemen's group that the arena seating on part of the south side would have to be replaced. While they may look fine, under the weight of a crowd of people they are not considered safe. When they had the high school rodeo event there last year they had some sections roped off and kept people out of those areas.
And have you ever been in the bathrooms at the old arena? They are pretty bad.
Last edited on Tue Jun 23rd, 2009 04:57 pm by Razorback
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photoshooter
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Posted: Mon Jun 22nd, 2009 09:55 pm |
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Have not heard anything about it being "out of code".
Out of code in what way?
The seats are fine, aluminum, walkways are plenty wide and concrete. Handicap parking. Plenty of observer parking. great concessions stands.
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okeepro
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Posted: Mon Jun 22nd, 2009 09:48 pm |
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It was my understanding that the arena across from the hospital needed a lot of work to get up to code.
There is no money for new arenas, so . . .
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Sun Jun 21st, 2009 04:09 pm |
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Okeechobee News Editor wrote: This came in to Speak Out for the Okeechobee News:
Agri-Civic Center
• It’s too bad our graduates have to get their diplomas in a rodeo arena because the county spent all the tax money on a special interest project instead of building a nice air-conditioned facility. The girls could not even wear nice shoes because they had to walk on dirt. And afterwards there was nowhere for the families to greet the graduates and pose for photos with them. And sitting on those metal bleachers is not exactly comfortable for the old folks.
We all allowed this thread to drift off topic. THIS is the original post/topic.Last edited on Sun Jun 21st, 2009 04:09 pm by OkeeNarnie
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BlueStarMom
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Posted: Sat Jun 20th, 2009 06:04 pm |
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Pied piper wrote: Take a picture. You can always look back and see history thru pictures. Just like the old courthouse. Tear it down, quit putting money into it.
A very cool feature of Google Earth. If you put the address in of, say, the agri-civic center, it'll show you a current satellite photo. If you click on the picture of the clock at the top of the page, you can go all the way back to a satellite picture of 1994.
The point, you ask? Not sure, maybe, if you build a structure and try to say "its always been there" historical satellite pictures will tell the truth.
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photoshooter
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Posted: Sat Jun 20th, 2009 05:25 pm |
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not right now. there are hundreds of people out there for State rodeo finals.
Wait till Monday.
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4string
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Posted: Sat Jun 20th, 2009 05:06 pm |
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| If there are uses for it sure keep it. If it becomes a burden and dose not pay for its up keep tear it down. But then if this was how things were done there would be a wrecking ball at the Ag Center right now.
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photoshooter
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Posted: Sat Jun 20th, 2009 05:03 pm |
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If for no other reason than to drive by it , and say to ourselves, what a waste of $$$$$$$$$$$$ to build the agri center when we have this!
A perfectly good arena, with enough stands for a rodeo, and lots of other outdoor events, even had a huge teen prayer meetin' out there, it was great.
Have had demolition derbies, cattle shows, more events could take place also.
A little sun and dirt in your shoes never hurt any one.
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4string
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Posted: Sat Jun 20th, 2009 04:52 pm |
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| Agreed,,,, The old jail, the court house useless buildings that will do nothing but cost money so some people can say Awww look at that old building. They saved the unused train station that will continue to go unused. Historical? I say some history making event needs to take place there for it to be concidered historical. The day to day events of these buildings have done really nothing of historic value. As far as the old rodeo grounds tear it down if it is of no more use. Why have the cost of up keep for some thing not being used.
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Pied piper
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Posted: Sat Jun 20th, 2009 04:09 pm |
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Take a picture. You can always look back and see history thru pictures. Just like the old courthouse. Tear it down, quit putting money into it.
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photoshooter
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Posted: Sat Jun 20th, 2009 03:35 pm |
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Okeechobee has been honored to be chosen to host the State finals for High School rodeo. There are hundreds of people out there enjoying the facility.
Yes, I was a die hard for the old barn by the High School and still am for the rodeo arena by the hospital. Love the seating and the openness of it all. rain or shine.
If attending a rodeo is to hot for u , this is not the sport for u.
Cowboys do get hot, so do the day workers and such, air conditioning is not what they work in.
The rodeo grounds, on 441, to me is a historical site, but like many of the other historical sites, it will be torn down in the so called name of progress, which is BS!
Nothing is sacred around here.
Not the old hotel, not the old jail, not the powder blue cottage, nothing.
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Sawgrass
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Posted: Sat Jun 20th, 2009 03:09 pm |
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WE are getting offtopic here . AGRI- CENTER .
The design of the Agri center is poor compared to other arenas for ag related events or concerts . It looks like they designed it for future A.C. cause the cut off most of the breeze way . You can tell it was a special interest . Someone lobbied for this for thier own agenda . There is nothing wrong with the Cattlemens arena for Ag related events , it has a breeze . In fact I kknow several residents that will not contribute to rodeos since they have been moved to the agri center . I propose the rodeos move back tothe cattlemens arena or at least have events there for eventers during during agri centers rodeos . See who attends what . You could have a rodeo at the agri center and a BBQ at the cattlemens .I suspect the cattlemens arena will get more attendance.
Brighten Arena always has a breeze . More open design. It also is large enough to support professional rodeo/ equine events .
Sorry Okeechobee residents but we all let this thing happen . We have learned from this that we have to keep a better eye on our county government. Dont let a few special interst control this county.
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chobee buckeye
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Posted: Thu Jun 18th, 2009 01:25 pm |
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OkeeNarnie wrote: 1gator wrote: Lets compare what tourism to our dead lake brings in versus agriculture.The county own a RV park so lets compare!GO OKEE TANTIE......
Agriculture versus Tourism.... I don't think you really want to go here....
Agriculture gets the ag exemption on a great % of the property used for this industry so the taxes paid on property used for Agriculture versus the taxes paid on property used for tourism (restaurants, hotels/motels, RV parks, Mobile home parks and residential homes owned by snowbirds) shows that tourism pays our county more taxes as they pay on ALL the property used. There is no TOURISM exemption.
Now our tourists/seasonal residents support the business here in Okeechobee. They purchase groceries or eat out in the restaurants. Keeping jobs for those in the local food industry open.
They party in the clubs. Keeping the entertainment industry with gigs 3 or 4 days a week. (You might notice MOST of the clubs have cancelled some days entertainment)
They shop in the local stores. (and the chains like Walmart, Bealls and Tractor Supply.)
They rent places.... Which is income for some of you.
I don't know about you but Agriculture in Okeechobee doesn't benefit me personally. I pay the same price for milk, beef, chicken, fruit and vegetables in Okeechobee as I would in any other town. Agriculture is an industry which supports the owners of the ranch, farm or the trucking company that hauls the animals or the byproducts.
They are a benefit to the Okeechobee community in that as an industry they provide jobs. I don't see free or low cost Meat and Fruit to residents of Okeechobee stores.
I don't look at Agriculture or Tourism as the "Lifeblood" of the Okeechobee Community. I think the people who choose to live here be it 6, 9 or 12 months a year are the True Lifeblood of this community. Those who call Okeechobee HOME.
We live here, shop here, buy or build homes and pay taxes here or rent here year round. Some of you are/were seasonal residents who chose to reside year round. Its a great place to raise a family.
And the most important point is that ... IF everyone who doesn't own or work for the agriculture/Citrus industry packed up and left would you still believe Agriculture would be all it takes for Okeechobee to survive?
Just My 2 Cents
OkeeNarnie
Very well said, Narnie! Great points.
chobee buckeye
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Thu Jun 18th, 2009 12:45 pm |
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1gator wrote: Lets compare what tourism to our dead lake brings in versus agriculture.The county own a RV park so lets compare!GO OKEE TANTIE......
Agriculture versus Tourism.... I don't think you really want to go here....
Agriculture gets the ag exemption on a great % of the property used for this industry so the taxes paid on property used for Agriculture versus the taxes paid on property used for tourism (restaurants, hotels/motels, RV parks, Mobile home parks and residential homes owned by snowbirds) shows that tourism pays our county more taxes as they pay on ALL the property used. There is no TOURISM exemption.
Now our tourists/seasonal residents support the business here in Okeechobee. They purchase groceries or eat out in the restaurants. Keeping jobs for those in the local food industry open.
They party in the clubs. Keeping the entertainment industry with gigs 3 or 4 days a week. (You might notice MOST of the clubs have cancelled some days entertainment)
They shop in the local stores. (and the chains like Walmart, Bealls and Tractor Supply.)
They rent places.... Which is income for some of you.
I don't know about you but Agriculture in Okeechobee doesn't benefit me personally. I pay the same price for milk, beef, chicken, fruit and vegetables in Okeechobee as I would in any other town. Agriculture is an industry which supports the owners of the ranch, farm or the trucking company that hauls the animals or the byproducts.
They are a benefit to the Okeechobee community in that as an industry they provide jobs. I don't see free or low cost Meat and Fruit to residents of Okeechobee stores.
I don't look at Agriculture or Tourism as the "Lifeblood" of the Okeechobee Community. I think the people who choose to live here be it 6, 9 or 12 months a year are the True Lifeblood of this community. Those who call Okeechobee HOME.
We live here, shop here, buy or build homes and pay taxes here or rent here year round. Some of you are/were seasonal residents who chose to reside year round. Its a great place to raise a family.
And the most important point is that ... IF everyone who doesn't own or work for the agriculture/Citrus industry packed up and left would you still believe Agriculture would be all it takes for Okeechobee to survive?
Just My 2 Cents
OkeeNarnie
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4string
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 07:08 pm |
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1gator wrote: 4string wrote: 1gator wrote: The Ag center was built for my kid to show his steer in,not hold graduation.Your lucky the county let you use it.Don't you pay school taxes,sounds to me you should be going to a school board meeting with your whining and leave the commissioners alone.You live in Okeechobee where agriculture is the king.What is more important?
So the rest of us tax payers are footing the bill for your kid to show his steer? The commissioners are our elected officials it is in our best enterest not to leave them alone, but to watch every thing they do. Agriculture is not king, tourrisim is the new king, unless agriculture is allowed to keep killing the lake.
Lets compare what tourism to our dead lake brings in versus agriculture.The county own a RV park so lets compare!GO OKEE TANTIE...... As run down as Okee Tantie is it is still full every winter. Also as run down as it has become since the county took it over we should have known what would come of the Ag Center if left to be run by the county. It was flawed from the beginning.
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photoshooter
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 06:44 pm |
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very interesting debate!
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1gator
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 06:36 pm |
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4string wrote: 1gator wrote: The Ag center was built for my kid to show his steer in,not hold graduation.Your lucky the county let you use it.Don't you pay school taxes,sounds to me you should be going to a school board meeting with your whining and leave the commissioners alone.You live in Okeechobee where agriculture is the king.What is more important?
So the rest of us tax payers are footing the bill for your kid to show his steer? The commissioners are our elected officials it is in our best enterest not to leave them alone, but to watch every thing they do. Agriculture is not king, tourrisim is the new king, unless agriculture is allowed to keep killing the lake.
Lets compare what tourism to our dead lake brings in versus agriculture.The county own a RV park so lets compare!GO OKEE TANTIE......
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4string
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 04:25 pm |
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| Or we could spend millions on an actual civic center that we could use 3-4 times a year. Don't let the commisioners hear this idea it will be their next project.
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photoshooter
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 04:19 pm |
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I have an idea. the restoration of the new courthouse cost millions. let's have it there. Just kidding of course.
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Thedesigndiva
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 03:02 pm |
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Pied piper wrote: They hold them at hours on the weekdays so NO one can attend. So clam up, until you have something intelligent to say. No pun intended.
Oh Chiquita! oh chiquita oh love chiquita she takes to walkin` in the sunshine ... oh love chiquita oh no no now don`t you wake me up i`m dreaming ...
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4string
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 02:09 pm |
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1gator wrote: The Ag center was built for my kid to show his steer in,not hold graduation.Your lucky the county let you use it.Don't you pay school taxes,sounds to me you should be going to a school board meeting with your whining and leave the commissioners alone.You live in Okeechobee where agriculture is the king.What is more important?
So the rest of us tax payers are footing the bill for your kid to show his steer? The commissioners are our elected officials it is in our best enterest not to leave them alone, but to watch every thing they do. Agriculture is not king, tourrisim is the new king, unless agriculture is allowed to keep killing the lake.
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1gator
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 12:53 pm |
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| The Ag center was built for my kid to show his steer in,not hold graduation.Your lucky the county let you use it.Don't you pay school taxes,sounds to me you should be going to a school board meeting with your whining and leave the commissioners alone.You live in Okeechobee where agriculture is the king.What is more important? Last edited on Wed Jun 17th, 2009 01:10 pm by 1gator
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Pied piper
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 11:46 am |
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They hold them at hours on the weekdays so NO one can attend. So clam up, until you have something intelligent to say. No pun intended.
Oh Chiquita!
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clam
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 02:51 am |
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Pied piper wrote: Who Can go to the meetings? 9 am on a weekday? This is why they do it this way, So the "messengers" can stay away. Another note, glad someone bought up the former commish, who's left hand was always feeding the right. Doing something for the "Good ole boys"!
I think they deliberately hold the meetings when Pied Piper can't attend. Yeah, everyone is out to get you, buddy.
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Pied piper
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 02:42 am |
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| Who Can go to the meetings? 9 am on a weekday? This is why they do it this way, So the "messengers" can stay away. Another note, glad someone bought up the former commish, who's left hand was always feeding the right. Doing something for the "Good ole boys"!
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Razorback
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Posted: Tue Jun 16th, 2009 04:25 pm |
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| I guess we only have ourselves to blame -- I wasn't at any of the county meetings where the decisions were made about the agri-civic center. The meetings are during my work hours and I didn't take time off to go. I think a lot of folks are in that same boat. It's hard for most of the working folks to go to the commission meetings, and too often one or more commissioners are only concerned with pleasing certain special interests.
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LovebeingaSouthernGirl
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Posted: Tue Jun 16th, 2009 02:49 pm |
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| Ask David Hazelief where all the missing money went........ there was a lot that came up missing, or so I have been told.......
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4string
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Posted: Tue Jun 16th, 2009 02:11 pm |
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| It was built 1500 seats short of being able to hold professional rodeo events. What idiot came up with that short falling? A rodeo arena that can't support a rodeo!
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Pied piper
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Posted: Tue Jun 16th, 2009 11:50 am |
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Razorback wrote:
I don't think the county can afford to build anything else at this point. So we will have to do the best with what we have. But I completely agree with the comments that were were sold a bill of goods on that agri-civic center. When they first proposed building it, people were led to believe it would be something that was enclosed, air conditioned, and suitable for things like concerts and yes, graduation. After the county commissioners were done making, changing and adjusting the plans, we got a covered rodeo arena that costs us thousands of tax dollars to run, on top of the price of building the thing. It was promoted as something that would make money for the county -- it has yet to even break even.[/quot
So true razor. It's amazing that this even got thru the initial planning stages.
One look at the 1st blueprint would have told the story. No AC. NO floor. No height. No cushioned seating. Bunch of idiots who let this go thru. No, they are paying the piper. No pun intended.
1971. .We all heard the starters gun.
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Razorback
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Posted: Mon Jun 15th, 2009 03:18 pm |
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| I don't think the county can afford to build anything else at this point. So we will have to do the best with what we have. But I completely agree with the comments that were were sold a bill of goods on that agri-civic center. When they first proposed building it, people were led to believe it would be something that was enclosed, air conditioned, and suitable for things like concerts and yes, graduation. After the county commissioners were done making, changing and adjusting the plans, we got a covered rodeo arena that costs us thousands of tax dollars to run, on top of the price of building the thing. It was promoted as something that would make money for the county -- it has yet to even break even. Last edited on Mon Jun 15th, 2009 04:21 pm by Razorback
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Sun Jun 14th, 2009 03:42 pm |
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okeepro wrote: I had a student graduating this year, and I still say the graduation ceremony was great. The reason there were so many seats at baccalaureate is that it wasn't well attended. Many churches have their own services on Weds. for the graduates. Last year, the baccalaureate was packed. I thought I had more comfortable seating at the ag center than in the gym.
There were over 300 graduates this year. The next two classes have over 500 students. Even if some of those don't graduate, still a large portion will. They and their guests will not fit in the high school gym.
Hopefully, high school graduation is just one step in a life that will not be perfect. Many college graduations are held outside for the same reason--space. Those graduations are usually held in areas not even covered. If you live in South Florida, you will have to learn to tolerate a little heat now and then! A little dirt in your shoes won't kill you, either.
I do not mind the heat. In fact I would rather be over heated then to freeze as our northern neighbors do most of the year. (at least I did when I lived there)
I know that the OHS Gym cannot hold all the guests however if they give the gold tickets to those who will occupy space in the gym and the blue tickets into the Cafeteria and the Auditorium where the event can be seen on closed circuit TV. It would be much better then graduating in the arena at the local agriculture center where the graduates march in on the dirt of the arena. The graduates are requested to NOT wear heels or shoes that might compromise the dirt.
None of us should be expected to get dirt in our shoes or to tolerate a Little Heat or maybe the spray of rain INSIDE a building when we attend graduation. Our taxes supported the school, the salaries of the teachers and staff as well as the county employees for the 13 years the Graduates attended Okeechobee County Schools and as taxpayers we should expect better then attending graduation in a barn.
As far as comfort goes.... I think the seats at the ag center or the gym were equal. The temperature in the OHS gym was much better. (and if it rained it wouldn't blow into the gym.) While were on the topic of seats... There were not many empty ones at the Arena graduation night... another 200 graduates would need 2000 more seats. The Ag Center will be too small.
There are enough exits at the High School so that walking to cars/trucks would be much better for those who have problems in that area then at the Ag Center.
We need to utilize what we already have which is a great gym, cafeteria and auditorium at the High School. It could certainly be decorated much better for the event, our young ladies and gentlemen could also have a nice place for receiving their guests following the commencement ceremonies as well as pictures.
I think promoting the Ag Center for Agriculture based functions, The Circus, The County Fair even concerts is wonderful but it just is not the place for the Pomp and Circumstance that Graduation from High School warrants.
If the OHS Graduating Senior Class becomes to large then the number of tickets given each grad will need to be lowered. The video's will be enjoyed by family and friends who were unable to attend at a later date.
This is just my 2 cents.... Narnie
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okeepro
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Posted: Sun Jun 14th, 2009 12:59 pm |
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I had a student graduating this year, and I still say the graduation ceremony was great. The reason there were so many seats at baccalaureate is that it wasn't well attended. Many churches have their own services on Weds. for the graduates. Last year, the baccalaureate was packed. I thought I had more comfortable seating at the ag center than in the gym.
There were over 300 graduates this year. The next two classes have over 500 students. Even if some of those don't graduate, still a large portion will. They and their guests will not fit in the high school gym.
Hopefully, high school graduation is just one step in a life that will not be perfect. Many college graduations are held outside for the same reason--space. Those graduations are usually held in areas not even covered. If you live in South Florida, you will have to learn to tolerate a little heat now and then! A little dirt in your shoes won't kill you, either.
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GetJiggy
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Posted: Sun Jun 14th, 2009 12:01 am |
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OkeeNarnie wrote: okeepro wrote: How will we pay for new schools with big gyms? How will we pay for a big facility with air conditioning? Graduation was fine. Everything doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyed.
Graduation from High School is a once in a lifetime event for our children and grandchildren...therefore it DOES need to be as perfect as possible.
Actually.... We have the gym at the school. It IS Air-conditioned and it can be used. I was there at baccalaureate and there were lots of vacant seats and the bleachers were not all opened. There was also lots of space on the floor not used which could have been. and they could have had an over flow in the cafe and the auditorium with the event televised on closed caption which the school already has in place.
The open air Ag Center would be appropriate for an awards ceremony for the FFA but not Graduation.
This will bring about alot of chatter I am sure...
When the Ag center we now are 'blessed with' was built it was promoted to be designed for Concerts, Local Events (like graduation or even weddings), FFA and 4H events, an Emergency Shelter.
What we have is an open air Arena that is useful for...Agriculture events.
By the way who actually OWN'S the ag center? Was there a fee for graduation to be held there?
If not the school Gym along with the Cafe and Auditorium the KOA would be a much better place for graduation.
The KOA dining hall only holds 500 people. There are about 250 graduates each year, and then you have to count the school officials, and if each graduate only brought one person, then it would be full. Where would all the other people go? No, the KOA wouldn't work.
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Sat Jun 13th, 2009 11:09 pm |
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okeepro wrote: How will we pay for new schools with big gyms? How will we pay for a big facility with air conditioning? Graduation was fine. Everything doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyed.
Graduation from High School is a once in a lifetime event for our children and grandchildren...therefore it DOES need to be as perfect as possible.
Actually.... We have the gym at the school. It IS Air-conditioned and it can be used. I was there at baccalaureate and there were lots of vacant seats and the bleachers were not all opened. There was also lots of space on the floor not used which could have been. and they could have had an over flow in the cafe and the auditorium with the event televised on closed caption which the school already has in place.
The open air Ag Center would be appropriate for an awards ceremony for the FFA but not Graduation.
This will bring about alot of chatter I am sure...
When the Ag center we now are 'blessed with' was built it was promoted to be designed for Concerts, Local Events (like graduation or even weddings), FFA and 4H events, an Emergency Shelter.
What we have is an open air Arena that is useful for...Agriculture events.
By the way who actually OWN'S the ag center? Was there a fee for graduation to be held there?
If not the school Gym along with the Cafe and Auditorium the KOA would be a much better place for graduation.
Last edited on Sat Jun 13th, 2009 11:11 pm by OkeeNarnie
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okeepro
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Posted: Sat Jun 13th, 2009 05:30 pm |
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| How will we pay for new schools with big gyms? How will we pay for a big facility with air conditioning? Graduation was fine. Everything doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyed.
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OkeeNarnie
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Posted: Sat Jun 13th, 2009 02:09 pm |
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I agree that the AG center was not the greatest place for a graduation.
My reasons are because it is not enclosed enough. The wind and rain came spraying across the arena. They should have offered golf cart shuttles to the parking from the building for older family members. When an event is held in a place like the Ag Center you have to plan for everything that can take place and utilize what you need to as the event takes place.
The Okeechobee Ag Center is just that...its a place to hold Agriculture connected events.
They should have enclosed the place when they built it, and had AC installed as well as fans. We already had an open to elements arena...now we have two of them.
They should have held it at the KOA or the the High School Gym and given the kids less tickets. Sell video copies of the ceremony. Families can get together a week later and hold a great party and watch the event together.
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florida_girl_120
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Posted: Sat Jun 13th, 2009 01:34 pm |
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I graduated in 02 and it was held on the football field and it was very nice - my brother graduated in 03 and I believe it rained before and sprinkled on/off during the entire thing.
I remember previous years it was in the gym and you were allowed x-amount of tickets between the gym and the auditorium where they had big projection screens....
I cant remember but I think one of the classes graduated in the old arena and there were no complaints, why cant they lay something on the arena floor so the grads can walk on it? I would think the ag-center would be a nice place to have it.
Last edited on Sat Jun 13th, 2009 01:35 pm by florida_girl_120
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pops
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Posted: Fri Jun 12th, 2009 11:26 pm |
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| Maybe walking around in the heat and BS will prepare them for the future.
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okie-dokie
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Posted: Fri Jun 12th, 2009 11:00 pm |
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| Where did they have their graduation before that Ag was built?
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LovebeingaSouthernGirl
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Posted: Fri Jun 12th, 2009 10:11 pm |
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| You only get 10 tickets now, so what would it change? They need to go ahead and start building the new high school and split the county, that way we can have it in the gyms.
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jubrahman
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Posted: Fri Jun 12th, 2009 09:29 pm |
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twinkler wrote: But.....Is there an alternative. The high school is too small, the ROC is too small & I can't think of any other building that would even come close to holding all those people. But, I agree, something different should be done before next year's class graduates. we could be like most places and walk on the football field, or the gym and tell eveyrone they only get x tickets, trust me anything is better than that hell-hole
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Ignatz
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Posted: Fri Jun 12th, 2009 09:27 pm |
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| But.....Is there an alternative. The high school is too small, the ROC is too small & I can't think of any other building that would even come close to holding all those people. But, I agree, something different should be done before next year's class graduates.
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Pied piper
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Posted: Fri Jun 12th, 2009 09:09 pm |
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| It's a shame that they even THINK about having it there, let alone having the audacity to do so. No AC, dirt floors, just an oversized barnyard.
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