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!
Bill Pappas is the owner of the new restaurant, "Bikini BBQ and Brew" on Florida Avenue. Of course, there will be beer and bikinis, like the restaurant's name implies!
Bill Pappas is the owner of the new restaurant, "Bikini BBQ and Brew" on Florida Avenue. Of course, there will be beer and bikinis, like the restaurant's name implies!
Here's everything you need to know for Friday night's Relay for Life event at Palm Harbor University High's outdoor track.
Like to search for treasure at yard sales? You're in luck! We found some garage sales scheduled this weekend in Palm Harbor.
Neal Seth Smalbach, 50, who lives in East Lake, was found guilty of grand theft for misrepresenting details of financial products to more than 30 clients who were senior citizens, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.
"All of the sudden we heard a clunk and wailing like you've never heard in your life," said a neighbor who ran to help 2-year-old Ireland Nugent, who was accidentally run over by a riding lawn mower.
"All of the sudden we heard a clunk and wailing like you've never heard in your life," said a neighbor who ran to help 2-year-old Ireland Nugent, who was accidentally run over by a riding lawn mower.
Neal Seth Smalbach, 50, of Palm Harbor was found guilty of grand theft for misrepresenting details of financial products to more than 30 clients who were senior citizens, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.
Family members say the 11-month-old boy was still in his walker when he was found at the bottom of the family pool in Palm Harbor.
Family members say the 11-month-old boy was still in his walker when he was found at the bottom of the family pool in Palm Harbor.
A Bayflite medical helicopter landed in the county parking lot on Illinois Ave. and 11th St. in Palm Harbor Tuesday morning and airlifted a trauma patient to Bayfront Medical Center.
Audubon Society volunteer Barb Walker installs platforms in East Lake for federally protected osprey to uses as nests. She says funding would help build more platforms for ospreys like this one, that has built a nest in a dangerous location.
Justin Lis, 12, was one of the residents who packed the Pinellas County Commission Chambers Tuesday to speak against a Crystal Beach homeowner's request to build a private dock on public waterfront property.
Palm Harbor University High's Jared Prince competed at the 120 lb. weight class and finished third in the Flonationals.
Crystal Beach residents Glenn and Leah Bergoffen want to build a private 296-foot-long dock on county-owned waterfront property. Some residents do not want a dock built there.
San and Jackie Felder own San's Pizzeria, a thriving pizza joint in East Lake that is loved by locals, many of whom come in so often, he and Jackie know them by name.
Find out what you may have missed on Tarpon Springs Patch this week.
Busy week? No worries! Let Palm Harbor Patch catch you up on this week's top news stories.
Is there a fast food restaurant that you'd like to see go in this spot? Maybe you want a shoe store or some other business open at this location? Tell us what business you think East Lake needs in this empty building!
These Palm Harbor residents were arrested on a variety of charges from Saturday, March, 30 through Tuesday, April 2.
