Lakeland to Hire An Attorney

Click title to read entire story. By Rick RousosTHE LEDGER Published: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 6:01 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. LAKELAND The city will hire a lawyer to push its interests in upcoming regional decisions about a planned freight terminal in Winter Haven and commuter rail plans for Orlando, and for the likely statewide talks that will follow. In both cases, the interest is the same: to avoid any increases in freight trains through downtown Lakeland. City Commissioners on Monday voted, 3-2, to direct City Attorney Tim McCausland to hire a lawyer. Mayor Buddy Fletcher, and Commissioners Howard Wiggs and Justin Troller voted to hire the lawyer. Commissioners Gow Fields and Jim Verplanck voted against doing so. Commissioners Edie Yates and Glenn Higgins were absent.