Gov. Rick Scott isn’t what you’d call a subtle salesman. Suppose he were a Ford dealer. His ad campaign would feature a list of any flaws he could dig up on GM, Toyota and Chrysler. Camry brakes? Bad. Chevy transmissions? … read more.

I wish I have a smile on my face but knowing the chaotic situation we are facing as a nation I feel it is instead of a very sad smirk. From the beginning I felt Barack Obama and his political … read more.

The Viewpoint page is one of the most popular features of our, or any, newspaper. The exchange of ideas, the spleen-venting missives, even the occasional recognition of a random act of kindness or service that exceeded expectations reflects the mind … read more.

One of the better measures to come out of the 2013 session of the Florida Legislature is Senate Bill 50, popularly known as the Right To Speak Bill. We hope that local governments in Polk County will be quick to … read more.

Members of the Class of 2013 from Lake Wales and Bartow High Schools will reach a major milestone when they walk across the stage to accept their diplomas, signaling they are ready to step into the adult world. In addition … read more.

Anyone who was around here on Aug. 13, 2004, can easily empathize with the feelings of loss and disorientation experienced this week in Moore, Okla. We also recognize the challenges that lay ahead for residents as they try to rebuild … read more.

With hundreds of miles of roads that traverse neighborhoods and rural area, Polk County is a mecca for bicycle enthusiasts. Children ride on streets near their homes while more experienced riders can be seen pedaling great distances. Most area residents … read more.

Forty years ago, when citizens band radio was all the rage, it was said that CB radio had given millions of people with nothing to say a forum on which to say it. Gimme a big 10-4 on that, Good … read more.

House Speaker Will Weatherford, Senate President Dan Gaetz and Gov. Rick Scott made ethics reform a top priority as this year’s legislative session opened in March. When that session closed Friday, a range of ethics and campaign finance reform measures … read more.

It now seems that the Florida legislature (i.e. the Florida House) is turning down the federal dollars that would greatly expand Medicaid in Florida. While I strongly disagree with turning away any money to expand medical coverage to Floridians, I … read more.

For more than 100 years, Florida has the nation’s most comprehensive open records and meetings laws, now collectively known as the Sunshine Law. It guarantees meetings of elected officials are open to the public and ensures access to public records, … read more.

With its part-time schedule, low pay and term limits, the Florida Legislature seems to be a perfect mold to create citizen-lawmakers. These altruistic public servants would rise from their communities full of personal and business experience to impart their real-life … read more.

I have participated in the Polk Senior Games for 15 years with some degree of success. Each time my picture/story appears in the newspaper, I receive compliments and encouragement from my family, friends and strangers. After enjoying “the moment,” I … read more.

Shielded from voters in an legislative session without a looming election, the Florida Senate is quickly moving on a bill that is aimed at further shoring up the finances and potential liability of Citizens Property, the state-run insurer of last … read more.

The Polk County School District and the Lake Wales Charter School system need to sit in a room and work out their differences before the county school district spends millions of dollars of money in Lake Wales that the taxpayers … read more.