"Let them eat cake" is how Tampa City Councilman John Dingfelder characterized his four colleagues' refusal to listen to hundreds of citizens on the TECO franchise agreement. Forty-two TECO customers pointed out numerous shortcomings in the franchise agreement, while Councilwoman Mary Mulhern held up a huge stack of letters pleading for a better deal. ...more

December 9, 2008

Tampa is blessed to have Frank and Carol Morsani as citizens of our community. Their continued generous gifts to the Tampa Museum of Art, USF and the performing arts are truly gifts that will leave a legacy to our area for many years to come. ...more

December 4, 2008

For those concerned about U.S. citizens in Mumbai, call the State Department at 888.407.4747 ...more

November 26, 2008

Can you name all three branches of the U.S. government? Do you know who Susan B. Anthony was? Do you know what rights the First Amendment guarantees? Most Americans don't. ...more

November 25, 2008

Open government in Highlands County has become more open. Every county commission meeting now can be viewed not only on cable television, but also streaming live on the Highlands County Clerk of Court's Web site, www.hcclerk.org. ...more

November 25, 2008

The National Federation of Independent Business maintains that over one-half of our GDP comes from small business, yet the government and the public have little sympathy for all of the mom-and-pop companies that routinely fail due to their inability to be profitable. Conversely, the thought of a giant, inefficient and unprofitable corporation or industry going bankrupt is more than our government can bear. ...more

November 22, 2008

Retail giant Wal-Mart has called a halt to its controversial plans to build one of its Supercenter retail complexes in Tarpon Springs, near the Anclote River. ...more

November 21, 2008

If the entire state and country voted as we did in Highlands County, John McCain would have been elected president on Nov. 4. Thank you to our volunteers for their hard work. Thank you to our citizens for your campaign donations. And thank you to the many Republican, Democrat and Independent voters who voted for John McCain. ...more

November 16, 2008

I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to our supporters during the sheriff's race. The work of dozens of loyal campaign supporters during the past year enabled us to conduct a very competitive and well organized campaign that focused on the important public safety issues facing our community both now and in the future. As a part of the campaign, my wife Karen and I have had the opportunity to attend scores of events during the past year where we have met literally thousands of Highlands County residents. We have been very impressed with the warm reception we have received, and in the interest that citizens have shown in the political process. I want to thank the thousands of voters who voted for me during the election, and I am truly honored and humbled by the trust you demonstrated in casting your vote. For our campaign workers, it has been a special privilege to work with you on our campaign, and I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the sacrifices and contributions you made during the campaign. To those who contributed to the campaign, and attended the various fund raising events, special thanks for your assistance, and the commitment you made in supporting the campaign. ...more

November 14, 2008

Editor's note: The following letter was sent to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and is reprinted here at the author's request. ...more

November 13, 2008