Gary Shaffer, Special to the Herald As the former air quality program manager for Manatee County, I would like to make citizens aware of some important information about this program. As a result of the recent county administrator's budget proposal and its acceptance by the Manatee County Commission, the Environmental Management Department was dissolved. This action included the elimination of the county's air quality monitoring program.
Flip-flops and wooden shoes seem a perfect metaphor for the differences between Florida and Holland. Flip-flops symbolize the laid-back, transient culture of Florida and wooden shoes the stolid, no-nonsense culture of the Dutch.
Are you ready to rumble? That pro wrestling bromide befits the upcoming election. With the end of qualifying nine days ago, all the matches are now set. And like that scripted sport, the candidates memorize their storylines and pound 'em out.
During this time of a weakened economy, one simple idea floats to the surface - neighbor helping neighbor, business helping business.
In a word, brilliant. Kudos to Gov. Charlie Crist for brokering a deal for the state to purchase 187,000 acres in the Florida Everglades. Restoration of the fragile ecosystem, mired in a fiscal quagmire for years, no longer appears unimaginable.
We must lend our voice to the ever-growing chorus of outrage over the impending change in the way subsidized child care is handled in Manatee County.
At a time of tightfisted government budgeting, new projects and spending would seem counterintuitive. Retrenching, yes, but adding on?
A recent decision by the Early Learning Coalition has put the children and families of Manatee County at risk. Their decision to stop funding Resource Connection for Kids services threatens to destroy the successful one-stop system currently in place.
The national debate over offshore drilling got red-hot over the past week thanks to John McCain, Charlie Crist and George Bush all pushing for more rigs along our shores.
Reflections, musings and well wishes from some of former Managing Editor Jim Smith's fans - coworkers he has helped guide along the newspapering path for years.
"I'm not dictating to the states that they drill or they engage in oil exploration. I am saying that the moratoria should be lifted so that they have the opportunity to do so."
Volunteers are a precious gift during a disaster. Beyond material and physical support, they supply hope and compassion.
Those desperate to harvest political hay will pick at any piece of straw.
In the event of a hurricane barreling down on us, we'd like to believe that there are plenty of volunteers to help with emergency response.
Regrettably, there continues to be a strong disconnect between the Tallevast community and Lockheed Martin Corp.
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office should not serve as a training ground for future Tampa or Sarasota police officers. Again.
The scarlet C that Bradenton Prep now sports on its blazers reminds us of two adages.
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce believes that affordability, accessibility, capacity and quality within our local health care system is a key component of Manatee County's quality of life.
Good morning, it's Sunday, June 15. So who's your daddy?
Americans remain enthralled with the magic pill - the instant cure for whatever ails us at the moment. The weight-loss industry continues to thrive on that.
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