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!
East Lake Fire Chief Tom Jamison demoted Lt. James Finley to driver-engineer on May 24 following a departmental investigation which found that Finley sent racist text messages and made racist comments to another firefighter.
Lobster fans look forward to this time of year. Here's what you need to know about Florida's 2013-2014 Spiny Lobster season.
Forecasters are calling for a more normal pattern of afternoon storms on Saturday and Sunday.
F.B.I. investigators say Keosha Renee Jones, 21, engaged in the commercial sex trafficking of two 14-year-old girls.
We met some friendly Palm Harbor pooches at East Lake's John Chesnut Park. One had a cool trick to show us.
Palm Harbor's landmark Surf & Turf Market is not closing, says its General Manager Stephan Innocenzi. He explained that the popular market is having financial difficulties after redeeming close to 40,000 Groupon vouchers over the last two years.
19 charges were filed against Anthony Joseph Kirtos III, 27, in connection with a series of vehicle burglaries. Robert Triebell, 26, was charged with two counts of burglaries in connection with a theft at a home.
Looking for something to do this weekend? We're gotcha covered! Here are a few of our picks for weekend fun.
Palm Harbor's landmark Surf & Turf Market is not closing, says its General Manager Stephan Innocenzi. He explained that the popular market is having financial difficulties after redeeming close to 40,000 Groupon vouchers over the last two years.
John Michael Bonanno and Christopher Scott Collins, who are both 25-years-old and Palm Harbor residents, were arrested on June 30 in separate incidents at area bars.
The parents of 2-year-old amputee Ireland Nugent do not want other families to go through a similar accident involving a lawn mower that leaves a child injured or without a limb.
Pinellas County Emergency Management Director Sally Bishop says East Lake residents could wind up seeing floating cars, houses and other debris during a storm surge situation.
This talented bunch of 10 and 11 year-olds won the Little League Sectionals Competition in Tampa last weekend. The 2013 District 12 champs will advance to the Little League State Semifinals this weekend in Melbourne.
Christopher "C.J" Jennings, 33, of Palm Harbor, was killed in a motorcycle crash on July 8. He was one of the paramedics who helped Palm Harbor toddler Ireland Nugent, when she was accidentally run over by a lawn mower last April.
Pasco County Sheriff's Deputies report that violence broke out inside an home in Elfers, which is just north of East Lake. Deputies say Stephen McComsey went to his ex-girlfriend's house and attacked those inside.
This was the second deadly crash involving a Palm Harbor motorcyclist in one week.
After an eight-month absence from store shelves, Hostess snack products have returned to East Lake. The new Twinkies have a slightly different recipe that increases their shelf life from 26 days to 45 days.
