2019-12-17 News ArticlesKECHOBEE NEWS
vol. 110 No. 152 Friday, December 20, 2019
$1.00 plus tax
City talks
fire merger
... again
By Cathy Womble
Lake Okeechobee News
OKEECHOBEE — Once again, the possible merger
of the city and county fire departments was the main
topic of conversation at the Okeechobee City Coun-
cil meeting on Dec. 17. The council was informed
that, according to state statute, they cannot allow the
county to take over the fire department and assess
'Prayer Seam
Special to the Lake Okeechobee News/OCSO
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Lake OkeechobeeNews
City attorney John Cook
retires after 30 years
December 20, 2019
Lake Okeechobee News/Cathy Womble
Attorney John Cook is surrounded by friends and family at the retirement re-
ception held in his honor on Dec. 17.
By Cathy Womble
Lake Okeechobee News
OKEECHOBEE — After serving as the
Okeechobee city attorney for over 30 years,
John Cook has formally retired from his
position. A reception brunch was held in
his honor on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and was
well attended by both former and present
colleagues as well as others in the com-
munity who wished to pay their respects.
The reception was catered by Brown Cow
Sweetery, and after everyone enjoyed the
food and fellowship, former Mayor James
Kirk was the first to speak about the many
years he and Mr. Cook worked together.
"John Cook was my right hand man for
26 years," he said. "His legal advice kept
us out of a lot of trouble over the years. He
did a great job as city attorney and will be
hard to replace. I could call him any time,
day or night, and he was tight there. We
didn't deserve him, but 1 am glad he served
anyway."
Mr. Kirk read a letter from one of the
former city administrators, Bill Veach, who
was not able to attend because of a recent
surgery. Mr. Veach wrote, "31 years as city
attorney, WOW! With just a quick estimate,
I'd say that was over 800 council meetings,
300 -plus planning and zoning meetings, a
similar number of code board meetings,
countless plan reviews, 13,000 verbal
threats received — 12,994 of those serious
in nature, 65,000 phone calls and 3,700
Budweiser Tall Boys consumed. Not bad for
a part-time position." He continued by writ-
ing about how Mr. Cook has affected the
lives of just about everyone in Okeechobee.
"I have worked with literally dozens of at-
torneys since my days in Okeechobee, but
I still feel like t worked with the best when I
worked with you."
Former Administrator Brian Whitehall
joked that he came because he didn't think
anyone else would be there, and someone
ought to be there. He said Mr. Cook helped
the city through many difficult situations,
and he believes the attorney, just like code
enforcement, gets a bad rap because a lot
of people don't understand the complex-
ities of how the city works and how the
code has to be followed. 1 always admired
the way John eloquently explained the
problems we had in front of us," he said.
City Administrator Marcos Montes De
Oca was kind enough to let Mr. Cook know
that statistics are not in his favor. "Statistics
say most people die within a year of retire-
ment," he said.
Mayor Watford said he wanted to thank
Mr. Cook for his demeanor. In other coun-
ties or on other boards, he said, sometimes
the attorney seems to think he is a sixth
council member, but Mr. Cook did not do
that. He gave an opinion when he was
asked, but never interfered, even when he
did not agree with decisions the council
made.
At the council meeting later in the day,
Mr. Cook was presented with a key to the
dty, but he responded by saying, "I happen
to know there have been people here all
day changing the locks on the doors. I'm
not sure my key will work."
Mr. Cook will be finishing out the year as
city attorney, but then a new firm will take
over.
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Santa visits Okeechobee
There Is still time to get that last -second visit in with Santa Claus before
Christmas. The Kfwanle Club of Okeechobee Is hosting a free Santa In the
Parts event In the gazebo In Flagler Park, across from Caldwell Banker. Santa
will be in the park on Dec. 20, 21 and 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Legion hosts New Year's party
American Legion Post 64, 501 S.E. Second St., is hosting The Lowdown on the
Hoedown on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Come out for dinner, music, a
champagne toast and breakfast. Cost is 612 a person; sign up with the bartender.
Okeechobee Weather Forecast
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Today: Mostly cloudy, with a high
near 72. Windy, with an east wind 15 to
20 mph, with gusts as
high as 25 mph.
Tonight: Mostly
cloudy, with a low
around 65. Fast wind
around 15 mph, with
gusts as high as 20
mph.
Saturday: Cloudy,
with a high near 74. Windy, with an east
wind 15 to 20
mph,
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ale iakej
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with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday night: Cloudy, with a low
around 66. Southeast wind around 15
mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday: Cloudy, with a high near 74.
Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming
west-southwest in the afternoon.
Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a
low around 59. West-southwest wind 10 to
15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high
near 70. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with
gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a
low around 56. Northwest wind 10 to 15
mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 71.
North wind around 10 mph.
'Tuesday night: Partly doudy, with a
low around 59. North wind around 10
mph.
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