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!
PeerGenius Tutors will be paid an amount that is almost double that of minimum wage, according to the company's co-founder Peter Traub.
Geiger's House of Bugs features a wide variety of do-it-yourself pest control products that customers can purchase to take home and use to get rid of bugs themselves, instead of hiring an exterminator.
Investigators say Marzanna Danuta Dancel, 47, was in charge of finances at Island Comfort Footwear in Clearwater and also worked at another company called Sawyer Products in Safety Harbor.
We compile the odd, unusual and the "oh my gosh" police items from throughout the Tampa Bay region.
There's a fun assortment of stuff coming up this week!
We compile the odd, unusual and the "oh my gosh" police items from throughout the Tampa Bay region.
There's a fun assortment of stuff coming up this week!
In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on Palm Harbor Patch from Aug. 4-10, 2013.
In case you missed them, here's a look at the top stories on East Lake Patch from Aug. 4-10, 2013.
There’s a “Kids Eat Not” movement afoot at some restaurants across the country that has young diners banned after certain hours and entirely in some cases. What are your thoughts on this, Palm Harbor?
The following Palm Harbor residents were recently arrested on a variety of charges.
Gifts donated at For Haiti With Love's annual fundraiser will be distributed to more than 500 children in Haiti on Christmas Day.
Forecasters say the potential for strong afternoon storms is high Friday and Saturday, but things should dry out a little bit on Sunday, Aug. 11.
Forecasters say the potential for strong afternoon storms is high Friday and Saturday, but things should dry out a little bit on Sunday, Aug. 11.
Like following high school football? Here's this year's schedule for the Palm Harbor University High Hurricanes. Go 'Canes!
Looking for something to do this weekend? We've gotcha covered! Here are our picks for fun in the Palm Harbor area!
Homestead Woods resident Patty Young organized the event. In the accompanying video, she explained the types of crime problems that the neighborhood of 55 homes is experiencing.
