Bradenton Times News Articles

America is a fertile country, rich in resources. We shouldn't have to choose between fouling our land and feeding our family, but for too many Americans, jobs come down to just that. Were we to extract whatever wealth we could, in whatever manner we decided, without regulation, the country would be a vast garbage dump in no time and high unemployment would be the least of our worries. more»

Last week, the Second District Court of Appeals ruled that the clerk's office must issue original transcripts for indigent criminal appeals, despite a Florida Supreme Court administrative order that authorized the paperless system that was being used. more»

While turnout is often dreadful, local elections not only matter, but can have a profound impact on the way we live our lives. In this week's Sunday editorial, our editor Dennis Maley challenges readers to help break the cycle of apathy.

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According to one of our readers, "Gwen Brown does not meet the standards the public has a right to expect for endorsement." more»

If you don't vote in the primary, you reduce your say in representative government, and in some races you give up your voice altogether. This month's primary features several key elections that don't offer a second chance in November, so there are plenty of reasons to get to the polls and make your voice heard. more»

Ed Candela is a resident of Yankeetown and a former Yankeetown City Council Member. He'd like to set the record straight regarding what he sees as a gross misrepresentation of his town's experience with their own hometown democracy law. As Florida prepares to vote on the controversial constitutional amendment this fall, many opponents are citing the small fishing community as a reason Floridians should not vote for Amendment 4. Candela thinks a closer look would have the opposite effect.  more»

Call it a kiss to go along with the screwing, but I just couldn't let the Manatee Beach Concession change hands without giving my final thoughts on the matter. Having covered the issue from cradle to grave, it remains a mystery to me how Tommy and the gang ended up on the wrong end of such an obvious hatchet job.
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A proposed amendment to Florida’s Constitution, Amendment 4, would require that all changes to Comprehensive Plans approved by local governments must also be approved by voters. Amendment 4’s unintended consequences pose a serious threat to Florida’s ability to secure high-paying jobs and achieve sustainable economic growth and will add layers of unnecessary, costly, and litigious bureaucracy to the planning process.

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Florida’s Republican legislative leaders made a 51-minute mockery out of the legislative session that was called to put an offshore oil drilling ban on the November ballot. For political purposes, Republican leaders sabotaged the special session and they broke faith with the people they represent.

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As the Florida Legislature prepares to being a special session on gulf oil drilling that begins Tuesday, the atmosphere in Tallahassee is becoming poisonous. Tension between Governor Crist and his former party seem to be at an all-time high and there are mounting concerns that the session will be a complete bust. This takes the focus away for where it should be: on the issue.

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