The North Port Sun Editorials

OUR POSITION: A graduated process is necessary for public safety. When a texting ban was passed and signed into law in 2013, few proponents — and there were many — expected the impact to be dramatic. The law was something … Find out how to read more online.

Move ahead on Springs ownership
Mon Jul 14 2014 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: Time to end the stalemate at Warm Mineral Springs. Sarasota County commissioners took the most rational course of action last week when they offered to sell their share of Warm Mineral Springs to the city of North Port. … Find out how to read more online.

Wife of a friend of a friend, etc.
Sat Jun 14 2014 08:00AM

Gov. Rick Scott has touched off early fireworks with his decision to appoint a politically wired Sarasota woman to a vacancy on the Sarasota School Board. Scott recently named Bridget Ziegler to a vacancy left by the unexpected resignation of … Find out how to read more online.

Still shooting for donations
Sat Jun 14 2014 08:00AM

North Porters may be secure in anticipation of their July 4 fireworks — the annual Freedom Fest is a city function — but others in our area always feel a little queasy this time of year. In Englewood, the fireworks sponsors are … Find out how to read more online.

Mon Mar 24 2014 01:42PM

ALWAYS PRINT OUT FOR PROOF READER! Editorial Budget Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Editorials EditBB031214 Letters LetCri031114 w/CartMarlette031814 LetHar031214 LetJox031014 LetKen031114 LetLet031114 LetMas031114 LetSpe031414 LetSte031014 Columns HighCol031614 CerabCol031814 Extra Cartoon Cart … Find out how to read more online.

Dolphins’ Ross bites the bullet and covers costs
Tue Mar 18 2014 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: It is refreshing to see a professional sports team owner take money out of his own pocket to improve the team’s facilities. Miami Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross is a billionaire. And like most mega-rich owners of professional sports teams, … Find out how to read more online.

Para-police won’t make children safer
Mon Mar 17 2014 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: Arming teachers? Another step in a weird direction. As if Florida hasn’t already done enough to build a Wild Wild West reputation — Trayvon Martin and the infamous Movie Theater-Popcorn incident — a new measure moving through the … Find out how to read more online.

Fighting hunger, one grapefruit at a time
Wed Mar 12 2014 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: Local program provides nutritious food to those in need. The practice of “gleaning” dates back to ancient times in the Middle East, when farmers were instructed by the Torah to leave portions of their fields unharvested for the … Find out how to read more online.

More chum in the Void
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:00AM

Like weak stars drawn to a black hole, some of us just can’t help escape the pull of the vast Factoid-Void. Take, for example, the recent post in the Daily Beast noting the rise in gun-related baby names. The most … Find out how to read more online.

School progress, not explanations
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:00AM

Another set of state school measurements is out, another set of so-so performances by Charlotte County schools, another set of reasons why Charlotte County no longer ranks among the elite school systems in Florida. It is time for performance, not … Find out how to read more online.

Removing a big problem
Wed Feb 19 2014 08:00AM

Schinus terebinthifolius is an extraordinary tree. A member of the cashew family, native to South America, its trunk and limbs curve in a fascinating, artistic fashion. It is extremely dense and is a super-fast grower, which makes it an excellent … Find out how to read more online.

Tightening up on synthetic drugs
Wed Feb 19 2014 08:00AM

We know of no one who is in favor of making designer drugs like Spice, Pot-Pourri and Kratom freely available in convenience stores and gas stations. The question is with regulation. In recent years, federal, state and local governments have … Find out how to read more online.

Talks needed to resolve water plant impasse
Thu Feb 13 2014 03:39PM

OUR POSITION: County, water authority need to talk, not fight. There’s a way to resolve the impasse between Charlotte County and the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority over a $12.8 million repair/reconstruction project involving the authority’s 1990s-era water plant. … Find out how to read more online.

Gov. Scott restores money to state’s programs
Thu Feb 13 2014 03:39PM

OUR POSITION: Gov. Rick Scott is opening the state’s pocketbook to provide more funding for children’s programs and that’s a good thing. But, much of the money comes from previous cuts made in those same programs. S uddenly the state … Find out how to read more online.

More change at the Chamber
Thu Feb 13 2014 03:39PM

Change is healthy for any organization, but too much can have a corrosive effect. A week ago Friday during the annual awards shindig at the Boca Royale Golf & Country Club, the Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce announced the departure … Find out how to read more online.

No reason to jump into Spring talks
Thu Feb 13 2014 03:40PM

OUR POSITION: Spring ownership suggestion not only silly but disconcerting. Why, exactly? That was the question we asked after Commissioner Cheryl Cook suggested North Port should pursue ownership of Little Salt Spring. Frankly, we’re still scratching our heads. Early last … Find out how to read more online.

Apartments up for review
Thu Feb 13 2014 03:41PM

One of the most controversial housing developments in recent memory will come before the Sarasota County Commission Tuesday morning. The proposed 68-unit Lemon Bay Apartments of Englewood off State Road 776 has been opposed vehemently by people who live in … Find out how to read more online.

Jaws of a dilemma
Mon Oct 14 2013 08:00AM

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, a new dispute burst to the surface last week and threatened to indefinitely set back the reopening of Warm Mineral Springs. Call it Jaws 3. Or maybe … Find out how to read more online.

Let ‘em hear it!
Mon Oct 14 2013 08:00AM

The most recent Gallup poll put public approval of Congress at 11 percent, a drop of eight percentage points from the previous month and one point above the all-time low. Any bet it will continue to slide? You can always … Find out how to read more online.

Scott, lawmakers should help fund septic replacement
Tue Oct 15 2013 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: The state should help pay to replace septic systems in environmentally sensitive area. There seems to be some momentum among state legislators to loosen purse strings and fund projects to protect the state’s springs, estuaries and the overall … Find out how to read more online.

Jails pay price for state’s poor mental health policy
Sun Oct 13 2013 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: Mental health care in Florida is a disgrace. For months, John Doe, not his real name, spent more time in the Charlotte County jail than he did in his home. He had six arrests in 18 months — each … Find out how to read more online.

Getting past the nonissue of voting lists
Sat Oct 12 2013 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: The state’s approach to purging noncitizens from voter rolls seems nonoffensive enough. Let’s move beyond this nonissue. Last year, the Sarasota County Elections Supervisor’s Office got a list from the state identifying possible noncitizens on its voting rolls. … Find out how to read more online.

Pain pill law is showing effectiveness
Thu Oct 10 2013 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: State and local drug laws are helping lower crime rates, new data shows. Two years after the state and local governments clamped down on prescription drug abuse, the efforts appear to be working as intended. A recent report … Find out how to read more online.

Even airborne, sharks aren’t a big threat
Mon Jul 22 2013 08:01AM

OUR POSITION: Up next from the SyFy channel: “Ghost Shark!” ‘Sharknado?” Frankly, we love the idea — posed by the recent over-the-top, made-for-TV thriller — that humongous sharks might be swept up in a tornado and rocketed through the air … Find out how to read more online.

Healthy signs of progress in North Port
Sun Jul 21 2013 08:01AM

OUR POSITION: Clearly, some good news in the thicket of controversy. The news hasn’t been especially positive from North Port over the past six months, but a few recent events should give residents optimism that better things are on the … Find out how to read more online.

The seasonal fight against our flying foes
Sat Jul 20 2013 08:01AM

OUR POSITION: Good for bats. Bad for people. F irst, a word about all the earthly benefits of the mosquito: They are a food source for dragonflies, bats, purple martins, guppies, bass, etc. Period. Otherwise, the downside of the Culicidae … Find out how to read more online.

Snook Haven: Partnership done right
Fri Jul 19 2013 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: While it hasn’t always been the case, the public-private Snook Haven relationship is working well now. The concept of public-private partnerships has taken a battering in recent years — what with you-know-where in North Port and you-know-where-else in … Find out how to read more online.

Drone debate pits rights vs. public safety
Sun Mar 17 2013 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: Spy in the sky? All in all, rather not. Will the state Legislature take the podium from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, and protect Floridians from drone surveillance? Legislation in Tallahassee appears headed that way — and it may … Find out how to read more online.

Bus system is ripe for cooperation
Sat Mar 16 2013 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: Extending Sarasota County’s bus system south into Charlotte County makes sense, assuming the expense doesn’t sap other government services. That may be a big “if.” Charlotte and Sarasota counties have been talking about the possibility of linking county … Find out how to read more online.

Do consumers want another penny-a-pound?
Thu Mar 14 2013 08:03AM

OUR POSITION: Consumer demand drives business decisions. In a real sense, it’s up to you. In his book, “The Lexus and the Olive Tree,” journalist Thomas Friedman addresses the issues of globalization and analyzes changing dynamics between the haves and … Find out how to read more online.

Quotable Quotes
Wed Mar 13 2013 08:03AM

“Man, you guys are crack addicts.” — Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor said to NBC Meet the Press commentator David Gregory, who asked Bush on air, “Who’s the hottest Florida politician right now — is it you or (U.S. … Find out how to read more online.

Provide links through bus routes in area
Sat Feb 2 2013 07:59AM

OUR POSITION: A cross-border bus route between North Port and Port Charlotte is a natural place to start. One of the positive things to emerge at a regional transportation planning meeting last week was a discussion of the potential for … Find out how to read more online.

WMS needs continuous operation
Wed Jan 23 2013 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: Start the process for a short-term concession contract, then find a mediator who might work through differences over a long-term vision. What next for Warm Mineral Springs? It is an understatement to say the co-owners, who went into … Find out how to read more online.

Staying open for visitors
Wed Jan 23 2013 08:00AM

The Englewood-Charlotte Library has been closed since October because of a reconstruction project, which is expected to be completed in April. The Oyster Creek Pool at Ann Dever Memorial Regional Park will close Feb. 4-25 for maintenance and repairs. The … Find out how to read more online.

Dialogue shows the value of joint city, county talks
Wed Jan 23 2013 08:00AM

OUR POSITION: City, county find common ground on a range of issues. The brevity of Friday’s joint meeting between the Punta Gorda City Council and the Charlotte County Commission said more about the level of cooperation between the two boards … Find out how to read more online.

Thanks for job well-done
Tue Jan 22 2013 08:00AM

Dan Jeffers may have left his desk in the principal’s office at Lemon Bay High School last Friday, but he’ll remain a part of the place for years to come. As he told the Sun in an interview last week, … Find out how to read more online.

Presidents have executive powers
Tue Jan 22 2013 08:01AM

Editor: Article 1 of the Constitution gives the president the power to issue executive orders. These orders can be challenged by the Congress of the United States. If they are not, then according to the Constitution they will become law. … Find out how to read more online.

President Obama cannot be trusted
Tue Jan 22 2013 08:01AM

Editor: Is this really how we want our country to function, by lies and deceit and a win-at-any-cost mentality? There are many examples, but here is just one. When the President was obsessed with the passage of the Affordable Care … Find out how to read more online.

Listen to residents on the Springs
Tue Jan 22 2013 08:01AM

Editor: Mayor Linda Yates wants to make half of Warm Mineral Springs into a park with sidewalks, picnic tables, bathrooms and recreation areas for children and adults. That’s pretty much what we already have, except that the grounds and buildings … Find out how to read more online.

Publish daily red tide report
Tue Jan 22 2013 08:01AM

Editor: I agree with the recent comment about publishing red tide alerts. We need to groom the beach areas daily as well. Our friends, family and visitors who have allergies or asthma need to know this information before planning a … Find out how to read more online.

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