Commissioner spat in Collier County

Newly elected Collier County Commissioner Georgia Hiller isn't being welcomed with open arms by some of her fellow commissioners.

In a prickly exchange during one of their first meetings since the election, County Commissioner Fred Coyle rejected Hiller's suggestions that firms doing business with the county shouldn't be making gifts to commissioners' favorite charities.

Coyle took the unusual step of issuing a statement saying that donations made by Paradise Advertising to the Freedom Memorial were appropriate. Coyle is a founder of the memorial, which commemorates those who were killed during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Coyle and Hiller were at odds during the election over efforts to attract The Jackson Laboratory to Collier County. The Maine-based nonprofit sought $130 million in taxpayer money to establish a research center in Collier County, but it has since withdrawn its plans. Coyle supported the project while Hiller opposed it.