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!
Palm Harbor toddler Ireland Nugent, whose curly hair was adorned with a pink bow, smiled proudly as she walked for the first time, her hands holding onto railings for support.
Palm Harbor toddler Ireland Nugent, whose curly hair was adorned with a pink bow, smiled proudly as she walked for the first time, her hands holding onto railings for support.
Veteran restauranteur Chris Fragale, 60, who is the owner of Palm Harbor's Ozona Blue, is opening the "Burrito Bus Cantina and Margarita Bar" in Palm Harbor's Fountains shopping plaza.
Happy Father's Day to all of our dads out there! Here are some fun Father's Day facts from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Happy Father's Day to all of our dads out there! Here are some fun Father's Day facts from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Happy Father's Day to all of our Land O' Lakes dads out there! Here are some fun Father's Day facts from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Happy Father's Day to all of our dads out there! Here are some fun Father's Day facts from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Local wildlife expert Barb Walker says call volume about injured birds in the area was high during and after the storm moved through.
Do you have a grad that you're proud of? Share your pride by uploading your grad's photo to this article.
Chelsea Danielle Brill, 22, admitted to stealing the items and told deputies that she "wanted to wear them for her boyfriend tonight and did not have the money to pay for them," according to an arrest affidavit.
Palm Harbor 2-year-old Ireland Nugent received a guitar filled with money during a fundraiser held at The Centre on June 11. Ireland's lower legs were amputated in April after a lawnmower accident severed her ankles.
We're honoring Palm Harbor dads this Father's Day. From pre-schoolers, to bikers, a U.S. congressman and retirees; we asked people of all ages in Palm Harbor one thing they learned from their father.
The standoff involved a man suspected of stealing a backpack containing a gun.
The standoff, which the sheriff's office initially reported as occurring in Palm Harbor, happened at a motel in Clearwater and involved a man suspected of stealing a backpack containing a gun.
Kathi Trautwein, Associate Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church said the church took the page down after some followers left nasty posts about the $119,000 that the church has collected in donations for Ireland.
Kathi Trautwein, Associate Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church said the church took the page down after some followers left nasty posts about the $119,000 that the church has collected in donations for Ireland.
The event attracted people from all walks of life including U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis, the Palm Harbor-based Italian Angels Motorcycle Brotherhood, 50 Legs prosthetics charity founder Steve Chamberland along with many members of the community.
The crash killed one man and shut down the northbound lanes of U.S. 19 for more than two hours Sunday in Clearwater.
Jezreel Lamont Sanders, 20, of Tarpon Springs, was ejected from his car and died at the scene of the crash which involved two other vehicles Sunday in Clearwater, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.