County Building Director Grant Tolbert, citing the downturn in the construction industry, announced Monday the layoff of 10 employees in his department. ...more

January 29, 2008

As I write this, it seems Mitt Romney is under attack by his competitors for the GOP nomination who are trying to help themselves by hurting him. In fact, as to some it puts me in mind of those animals who eat their young. ...more

January 10, 2008

Your Dec. 19 editorial, "Dingfelder Plays Emotional Games with Necessary City Cutbacks," and a separate article in the Metro section, "City's Ax Aims At Minorities" prompt me to respond on several levels and issues. ...more

December 26, 2007

Councilman John Dingfelder floated several ideas Tuesday designed to encourage developers to be more environmentally friendly. ...more

December 19, 2007

It's not easy for a city government to negotiate a real estate purchase. ...more

December 13, 2007

As local residents struggle to find ways to help the area's homeless, recent dust-ups on both sides of Tampa Bay show the limits of even the most compassionate policies. ...more

December 11, 2007

Presidential campaigns, with their boiler-room pressure, news media scrutiny and organizational challenges, have always functioned as something of a dress rehearsal for the White House. How do the candidates make tough decisions? Are they willing to listen to opposing points of view? Do they micromanage? ...more

November 24, 2007

Expanding SCHIP is not the answer. There's a better way to extend health coverage to children. ...more

October 19, 2007

I find the news that our Highlands County government is going into business very disturbing. Isn't the role of the county government to promote an economic base for our community and to encourage investment by the private sector? ...more

October 18, 2007

Politicians have ruined this country. They've taken Social Security and turned it into a welfare system for the government, draining it dry each year since its inception. Now our leaders say that Social Security will run out of money unless there are massive changes, knowing very well that they are the ones who have almost destroyed it. If the surpluses had been left alone, Social Security would be safe for untold years yet to come. ...more

October 12, 2007