Before I vote, I want to be aware of how each candidate stands on the issues that are important to me. The more I know, the better my decision. I thought that I had planned well for my retirement. Now I find that rising prices for gasoline and everything else are cramping my style. The average family today does not have a pension plan like mine with a defined benefit. The average family is more concerned with paying today's bills than saving for tomorrow's retirement. Many will have to continue to work into their 70s and 80s. Which candidates are willing to take a stand to preserve Social Security without taking money out? Which candidates are willing to propose incentives for personal saving for retirement in addition to Social Security? The rising cost of health care concerns me, too. I am blessed with wonderful health insurance which covers my $100,000 per year prescription drug costs. What are the candidates proposals for providing health insurance to all Americans? Which candidates have a plan to reign in health care costs? ...more

January 25, 2008

WESTCHASE The two community development districts of Westchase will negotiate with their current management company after facing the prospect of saving about $80,000 a year by switching to a rival company. ...more

January 9, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - The art of negotiating is nothing new to Ron Govin, chief executive officer of Mark Master, a family-owned and -operated business in Tampa. He considers himself an astute bargainer when it comes to trying to put together deals. That is why Govin, also a Temple Terrace city councilman, was selected in March as the council's representative at meetings between city staff and the developer of the city's downtown revitalization project. ...more

January 2, 2008

It was not quite the holiday gift downtown merchants doing business off Main Street wanted. Monday night City Commissioners endorsed a concept that provides up to three 18-by-12-inch sign boards each on 18 fluted poles that will be placed at strategically located corners along Main Street. The merchants, however, wanted to be able to place sandwich-style signboards on Main Street to lure customers off the main drag. ...more

December 22, 2007

Regarding "Class Caps Will Create Difficulties, Board Warns" (Metro, Dec. 12): ...more

December 14, 2007

SEBRING — The Highlands County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual meeting and public hearing from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5 at the Highlands County Commission chambers, 600 S. Commerce. "This hearing is specifically designed to encourage the public to personally address their legislators on their concerns and issues involving state government," said Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales. ...more

December 2, 2007

Pressure from property owners to lower their taxes is running headlong into economic challenges posed by the state's sputtering economy. ...more

November 16, 2007

Supervisors of Westchase's two community development districts are investigating whether to make traffic-calming measures on Countryway Boulevard more aesthetically pleasing. ...more

November 10, 2007

LAKE PLACID — By any standard, Ronald Grimming's credentials are impressive. He was the deputy director of the Illinois Highway Patrol, and he commanded the Florida Highway Patrol as well. ...more

October 17, 2007

The state's new plan to cut property taxes offers a pittance of the savings homeowners would have realized under the original proposal. ...more

October 12, 2007