Thursday, April 25, 2013
One Bay area county is considering it and we’d like to get your take on the issue!
The days of smokers being able to light up in restaurants, public buildings and the workplace are long since over. After all, it’s common knowledge that smoking is bad for a person’s health and the health of others around the smoker. But, should smokers be denied employment? Pasco County is grappling with just that question as other Bay area agencies have made the switch to hiring only nonsmokers, citing skyrocketing insurance costs. Sarasota County already bans smokers from being hired. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has employed the anti-employment practice since 2008. Other employers, including hospitals and cities throughout the state have similar rules on the books. While the list of employers that won’t hire smokers climbs, the practice …
Thursday, April 18, 2013
The U.S. Senate voted down a measure that would require tougher background checks for those who purchase guns. We’d like to get your take on the issue!
President Barack Obama called the U.S. Senate’s April 17 vote denying stricter background checks for gun purchases “shameful.” The proposed law was shot down 54 to 46 with some Democrats joining Republicans in rejecting the measure, which was hoped to curb gun violence like that witnessed in the Newtown, Conn., massacre last year, according to the Huffington Post. The number of votes was less than the 60 needed to break a filibuster. If approved, the measure would have extended the country’s background check system to include gun shows and Internet purchases of weapons. The failure of the measure likely signals defeat for any other major legislation meant to clamp down on gun violence, the Post says. Other measures that “appear headed for …
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
As testing continues in classrooms across the state we’re wondering how your kids are holding up.
Quiet campus signs have gone up at schools across the Tampa Bay area as FCAT testing in Florida continues through April 26. Testing this week focuses on math, reading and science for kids in grades 3 through 10. The FCAT 2.0 writing tests were administered back in February for kids in grades 4, 8 and 10. During the week of April 22, more math and reading exams will continue for kids in grades 5, 6 and 9, according to the Florida Department of Education's website. In some grades, failure of an FCAT might mean a child is barred from progressing to the next grade level – or worse – denied the ability to graduate. While there are workarounds to help kids left behind catch up to their classmates, the fact of the matter is the test is a high-…
Monday, April 15, 2013
A look at how our community is showing support via social media. Share your thoughts here.
Share your prayers, thoughts, concerns for those who were at the Boston Marathon today when two explosions rocked the finish line, killing two and injuring scores. See the reaction of area businesses and community organizations here and please add any of yours to the comments below. The following comes from Dunedin Patch's Facebook news feed: You can also write your own reactions or note to the victims of the Boston bombing by blogging on Patch. Sign up for the Dunedin Patch email newsletter to get our top headlines delivered straight to your inbox so you won't miss a thing!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Thursday's story letting folks know about Dunedin's helicopter egg drop today sparked some debate. Here's what readers had to say.
This week's story letting residents know about Dunedin's helicopter egg drop sparked some interesting discussion from readers about environmental concerns. Some Dunedin Patch readers are focused on the 10,000 plastic eggs from Sunny Bunny Easter Eggs, a Missouri-based company whose primary goal is to provide meaningful employment to people with disabilities. The eggs are being dropped from helicopters hovering 20 feet over Highlander Park. Some Dunedin Patch commenters say the plastic eggs are environmentally hazardous to wildlife and are not biodegradable. Others say the egg drop is being done in a controlled manner, and no plastic eggs will likely be left behind. Plus, the excitement of seeing them dropped from helicopters will attract …
28.03708
-82.77176
Highlander Park
1920 Pinehurst Rd, Dunedin, FL
/articles/helicopter-egg-drop-environmental-hazard-or-fun-day-at-the-park
1835120
/locations/9129322
Dunedin resident Ann Hansen: "Then I asked him this question. 'Nick,' I said, 'why are you here today? I am curious because you are so young.' "
- OPINION
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Saturday, March 30
Hi Katie, I have just come in from Pinehurst Road where the street was lined with such an outpouring of love for Dunedin's fallen soldier Zack Shannon. I have posted but a few snaps I took along with many other people I am sure. I am just writing you to let you know how impressed I was with a very young man I met while I stood along Pinehurst Road. He caught my attention because he was young and walking alone up Pinehurst Road. No friends hanging on him and he seemed very quiet. He held a small flag in his hand and every once in a while he would look behind him to be sure he wasn't in the way of traffic and perhaps checking he wasn't missing out on anything. I watched him as he walked and wondered how many other youngsters his age on …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Jennifer Carroll’s resignation amid a racketeering investigation has Patch wondering if this affects your trust in government, Tampa Bay?
Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll has resigned her post as a racketeering investigation into a nonprofit she was once affiliated with continues. That nonprofit, Allied Veterans, is accused of money laundering, siphoning profits and misreporting how much cash actually went to the charity, according to The Washington Post. The organization claims to help “fellow veterans in need,” according to its website. While no charges against Carroll have been filed, several people with connections to Allied Veterans have been arrested. Carroll resigned to prevent her “former affiliation with the company from distracting from the administration’s important work on behalf of Florida families,” a spokesman for Gov. Rick Scott is quoted as saying. The …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Florida’s governor was adamant in his State of the State address that his policies have put us on the right path. What do you say, Tampa Bay?
Florida Gov. Rick Scott might have a new catchphrase. If his March 5 State of the State address is any indication that phrase is: “It’s working.” The governor gave his address as both the Florida House and Senate officially began their sessions. "We eliminated thousands of regulations on job creators. We paid down state debt for two years in a row," The Tampa Tribune reported him as saying. "We invested in priorities – like education. And, now our economy is on the rebound. It's working." Scott went on to defend his anti-tax and anti-spending policies. He also sent the message that his reforms have improved the state’s public schools. Throughout the address, he repeated the phrase: “It’s working.” Do you agree, Tampa Bay? What are your …
"To not give him a long term contract would be such a loss to all of us on the Causeway and Dunedin," writes Lucy Lynch, Dunedin Causeway resident.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, March 6
Dear Editor, I have been on the Dunedin Causeway either visiting my family here or as a resident since the early 1970s. During that time I have seen many changes and watched many businesses come and go on the Causeway. I am writing to request that you give Glen Steinke and Sail Honeymoon a long term agreement and not go to RFP. I, as well as my fellow members of the Dunedin Beach Civic Association and the City of Dunedin, have been the recipient of Mr. Steinke's many years of care and consideration for the Causeway. He is certainly the trusted eyes and ears for us on the Beach. As you know, he was awarded and entered into the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame for 2012-2013. Mr Steinke has established a successful, reliable…
28.059878
-82.813209
Sail Honeymoon
61 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL
/articles/letter-to-the-editor-give-sail-honeymoon-a-longterm-contract
943570
/locations/8949849
Monday, February 18, 2013
Mazzaro's Market in St. Pete is worth the gas and the time standing in lines. The prices are wonderful and it that "experience" that us foodies crave.
- OPINION
- On Patch
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Monday, February 18
1MommaG
5:40 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Of course government agencies should not hire smokers or drug abusers. Prospective government employees should submit to the same testing as prospective government welfare recipients. Oh, yeah, drug testing freeloaders was deemed discriminatory. Setting aside sarcasm now; all employers should be able to employ whoever they want, as long as they don't discriminate based on something a prospective … more ›