Official runaround Editor: It seems the more officials you contact the more one gets a runaround. The county sees fit to devalue property and then devalue the homestead exemption on top of that. Why? ...more

November 21, 2009

It's lunchtime at the Whistle Stop Cafe in historic downtown Plant City, where the waiters know your name and probably your order. If you prefer your iced tea unsweetened, you'd better speak up. ...more

February 22, 2009

It's in eastern Hillsborough County, but Plant City is the most Southern town around. ...more

February 22, 2009

In theory, an international body made up of representatives from all countries that handles big, complex issues sounds perfectly logical. Our world needs an organization that brings all countries together to stop genocide, form better relationships, feed starving people and provide vaccines, and help people have an opportunity at a decent life. We need that, but apparently the United Nations is incapable of doing any of these things. ...more

February 20, 2009

Once upon a time, the American public could buy household equipment that had a decent life expectancy. Not anymore. ...more

January 2, 2009

My father used to tell me many things growing up that at the time did not have meaning to me, and if they did I did not really believe them. ...more

December 28, 2008

Dear Abby: I am in an eight-year marriage that feels like a prison sentence. I have two children younger than 5 and a husband who is mentally and emotionally unstable and has severe addiction to prescription painkillers. If I divorce him, he will have joint custody of our children and, although I want them to know who their father is because they love him, I am terrified of what he might do to them as emotionally unstable as he is. I'm convinced he is capable of murder-suicide just to get at me. ...more

November 9, 2007

A Day To Celebrate Sitting in the big room on Labor Day, I heard the speaker passionately proclaim his position. With fire and brimstone in his voice, he exhorted us to stand together against the evils of the day and to continue on down the path we had begun. My five-year-old daughter looked up at me and asked, 'Is this church?' ...more

September 8, 2007