Daily Editorials

THE ISSUE: Government takes AP phone records.

OUR OPINION: An inappropriate intrusion.

The U.S. Justice Department did not like a story published by the Associated Press and it wanted to know how reporters got their information.

THE ISSUE: Park manager promoted, moving to Hobe Sound.

OUR OPINION: Our loss, their gain.

Art Yerian is park manager of the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park —at least he is for a few more days. As of June 1, he’s off to Florida’s east coast. He’ll be assuming assistant bureau chief responsibilities for 24 parks scattered across 300 miles from near Fort Pierce through the Keys in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s District 5 southeast region.

When Brad Thorpe took the reins as county administrator four years ago, the Great Recession had already knocked the blocks out from under the housing market. With that came a deflated tax base necessitating major belt-tightening in county government.

It was clear the county’s strong reliance on construction for employment and taxes was a thing of the past.

And then came the problems with the nuclear plant near Crystal River, ultimately leading to its recent closure and the ongoing exodus of high-salary earners and their families.

By the Chronicle Editorial Board

THE ISSUE: Cuts to education budget looming.
OUR OPINION: Funding essential for quality schools.

Citrus County School Board members face the unenviable task of deciding between the lesser of two evils.

The district has done an excellent job throughout the recession of anticipating funding problems and preparing for them without making cuts that impacted students in the classroom. This could change.