Secret elections are imperfect expressions of the public will, but nothing else is better. They work well in a number of democratic contexts, especially in selecting government representatives and in whether a company's workers want to unionize. ...more

March 24, 2009

It seems that lately I've missed mentioning some of the more significant events of our year. Like: I totally forgot to warn everyone to prepare themselves for last week's Friday the 13th. Then there was spring that got here yesterday. Another item I almost forgot to mention was the big race; the 12 Hours of Sebring. I'm not sure if there is anyone at the track who is reading this column today, but they may well take it home so I'll offer, "Welcome race fans have a safe trip home." Then in last week's column I left out any reference to St. Patrick's Day, a day that has extra meaning for me because it's the anniversary of my introduction to the military. Traditionally we once made it a point to show up on the steps of Takis' Restaurant on March 17 to have some of Mama's distinctively flavorful corned beef and cabbage. Of course that was before the couple retired. Then we just kind of forgot about tradition. But as luck would have it we saw Caddyshack's ad in the paper for corned beef and cabbage to be served on the saint's day. ...more

March 21, 2009

Change Equals Higher Taxes For More Welfare Programs This will sound a like an unusual request in a letter to the editor, but I hope you readers will indulge me. The recently passed, 1,100 page "stimulus bill" was enacted into law so quickly that virtually no one had the time to read it before having to vote on it. ...more

March 1, 2009

A lawsuit has been filed against the Knoll-Century Hill Homeowner's Association in reference to a special assessment imposed on its members. ...more

February 3, 2009

A lawsuit filed by a Knoll-Century Hill subdivision resident against the homeowner's association will come to trial on Dec. 29. ...more

December 10, 2008

It was after 10 p.m. when 20 or so Seminole Heights residents filed into city council chambers for a rezoning hearing. ...more

November 19, 2008

After weeks of tension and disputes, the Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association held a civil and polite election of its officers for 2009. ...more

November 5, 2008

TWIST ON FLAVOR I've always been a bit dubious about flavored waters. It's bottled water. How much more can you improve on it? Plus, too many flavored waters, in an effort to mimic sugary sodas, consider sickly sweetness an actual flavor. Which explains why we were more than a little pleased to have enjoyed samples of Twist's lemon- and mango acai-flavored waters. (Don't worry, we had to look up acai, too. It's a palm that produces tasty berries.) Twist has all the requisite buzzwords these days: certified organic, less than 10 calories, artesian. Bottom line: It doesn't make you feel like you're drinking medicine. The lemon flavor, one of six in the product line, was downright refreshing. Go figure. Available at Whole Foods, Albertsons, Circle K, 7 Eleven, Publix. Cost. $1.29 to $1.49 for 19 ounces. ...more

June 18, 2008

Replace the blue signage with black throughout Tampa Palms? Increase the access and amount of playground equipment in Oak Park or discourage children from using the facility? ...more

October 13, 2007