Not everyone living near Floriland Mall was against the housing there of Tampa's homeless. I, for example, who live within walking distance of that mall, would have welcomed them to my neighborhood with open arms. What a wonderful opportunity it would have been for those of us who are more fortunate to volunteer with and help those who temporarily are not able to help themselves. ...more

October 28, 2009

People get so busy rushing from one place to another they tend to become "human doings" instead of "human beings," Royce M. Decker said at the Business Development Week kickoff luncheon Monday. ...more

January 29, 2009

When Tracy Bender bets on the Super Bowl, it's not about putting money on a favorite team. ...more

January 23, 2009

When Tracy Bender bets on the Super Bowl, it's not about putting money on a favorite team. ...more

January 22, 2009

The following is a letter I sent to Congress in regard to Guantanamo Bay and the use of torture. Please support S. 147 and close Guantanamo Bay detention facility and restrict interrogation to the techniques in the Army Field Manual, as well as the other proposed changes, because it goes against what America stands for. ...more

January 14, 2009

You're standing in line at a deli behind two day laborers fumbling with cash and struggling with English, when the clerk begins spewing hatred. Go back to your country, he says, or go eat at Taco Bell. ...more

January 5, 2009

Pet Food Companies Should Help Save Abandoned Pets As we are all aware, families within our communities are suffering terrible hardships due to the loss of jobs. Homes are being foreclosed, gas and oil prices are skyrocketing and inflation is causing the price of food to increase tenfold. ...more

July 6, 2008

Regarding "So Happy Together" (Baylife, Jan. 8): Susan Hemmingway's article is truly a heartwarming story about the meaning of true friendship. These three ladies are an inspiration and wonderful example of loving others and giving of ourselves to one another while on this earth. We should all be so lucky to experience dedicated friendship like this during our lifetime. ...more

January 9, 2008