Email: Sunde.Farquhar@Patch.com
Phone: 727-249-4457
Hometown: Seattle
Birthday: Yes, I have one!
Bio: Sunde Farquhar is Local Editor for Palm Harbor Patch. Prior to joining Patch, she spent 16 years working as a journalist at TV stations in Tampa, Seattle, and Knoxville, TN. Some of the positions she's held include Managing Editor at Bay News 9 in Tampa, Assignment Manager at Northwest Cable News in Seattle, Assignment Editor at Northwest Cable News in Seattle, Newscast Producer at ABC Action News (WFTS-TV) in Tampa and WATE-TV in Knoxville, TN, and Independent Newspaper Publisher in Knoxville, TN.
Sunde graduated from Seattle University with a bachelor's degree in Communications -Journalism.
Sunde is very knowledgable about the issues impacting people who live in Tampa Bay, especially in Pinellas County, which is where Sunde and her journalist husband live with their Chow Chow named Daisy.
In their spare time, Sunde and her husband enjoy camping, hiking, traveling and hanging out with family, friends and their dog.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I was raised by a single mother who was a liberal Democrat and very strong in her political beliefs. Having been raised in a Democratic family, I always considered myself a Democrat, but, as I became older my political beliefs changed and I am now a registered Republican. I consider myself to have moderate political beliefs leaning toward the conservative side. However, I do not always vote along party lines.
Religion
How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?
Casual. I have a deep respect and pride for our country which allows people to have the freedom of the religion of their choice.
Local Hot Button Issues
What do you think are the two or three most important issues facing the community?
Schools
Local Economy
Property Values
Where do you stand on each of these issues?
Schools- I believe that a good education is the foundation to a good life, and making sure kids get a solid education should be a top priority. I think it is everyone's responsibility to make that happen, from parents, to students, to teachers, and community leaders. Maybe it's time to think outside the box, when it comes to solving issues involving funding, quality of education and teacher salaries.
Local Economy- I see a lot of empty storefronts which is disturbing because local businesses are a vital part of every community. More should be done to support small businesses, which in turn will make for a stronger economy in local communities.
Property Values- Yowsa! What a mess!
Christopher A. Jennings, of Palm Harbor, was one of the Sunstar paramedics who helped toddler Ireland Nugent when she was accidentally run over by a lawn mower at her Palm Harbor Home in April.
The National Weather Service’s Ruskin office says a waterspout moved through the Westchase, Oldsmar and Dunedin areas early in the evening July 8.
While the storm isn’t anticipated to strike Palm Harbor or Tampa Bay, forecasters warn it’s still too early to tell her final destination.
These Palm Harbor residents were arrested on a variety of charges from July 3-7, 2013
Angelo William Nicolaro, 72, of Palm Harbor, was bishop at the Holy Apostles Charismatic Church in Dunedin. He drowned on July 3, 2013, after getting caught in a rip current off Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies say that Kevin Lawrence Kuhr, 58, of Palm Harbor was driving 55 miles-per-hour when he used his 2003 Chevy pickup to try to force a 2011 Volkswagon Jetta off U.S. 19.
The library's drive-through book drop will be closed from Monday, July 8 through mid-August due to construction of a new parking lot.
We compile the odd, unusual "oh my gosh" police items from throughout the Tampa Bay region.
An Arcadia Drive 13-year-old was unharmed, and "career criminal" William C. Wilson was caught, authorities say.
In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on Palm Harbor Patch from June 28 through July 3, 2013.
In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on East Lake Patch from June 30 through July 6.
Among the new legislation are laws regarding school prayer, concealed weapons, disabled parking permits and sanctions for recruiting players for high school sports.
A St. Petersburg lingerie and a local nonprofit are teaming up to provide jobs for recently released Pinellas County Jail inmates.
Lt. Richard Crean searched hundreds of names on a special state driver license database including friends, co-workers and some celebrities with no legitimate law enforcement reason, according to the investigation.
Old Palm Harbor Main Street, the organizer of the event, decided not to have First Friday because the event would have been held too close to the Fourth of July holiday.
These Palm Harbor residents were arrested on a variety of charges from June 28-30, 2013.
These Palm Harbor residents were arrested on a variety of charges from June 28-30, 2013.
If you're wearing a certain type of sunscreen and stand too close to a flame like an outdoor grill, you could catch fire. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently warned consumers about the danger.
