SUNDAY FLORIDA EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Beginning here at home, the Lakeland Ledger calls on legislators to give local governments the authority to use photographs taken from cameras installed at intersections as evidence to convict and fine traffic law violators.

Today's Orlando Sentinel editorial looks at the issue of parents transferring their children from poorly rated schools to higher graded facilities, often across town. It says the way to control such transfers is to improve failing schools.

Up the road, the Daytona Beach News-Journal is concerned that low and middle income wageearners are being priced out of the current real estate boom across Florida. The median price for a home in Volusia and Flagler counties topped $200,000 this summer.

The Tampa Tribune is concerned about another type of building boom. Proposed developments in the Gandy/West Shore area are expected to add 3,000 residential units, which would pose a traffic nightmare to West Shore Boulevard.

Across the bay, the St. Petersburg Times opines that the State Anatomical Board should remove their objection of the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry's upcoming exhibit "Bodies: The Exhibition", set to open Saturday.

Today's Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial says that Charlotte Countians should remember that regional aid and statewide cooperation were invaluable to the area during Hurricane Charley last year and remains so today, one year after.

In the Panhandle, the Pensacola News Journal applauds Gulf Breeze Elementary School in neighbouring Santa Rosa County for being named one of the top 100 schools in Florida, adding to the excellent reputation of one of the state's smallest school districts.

Education is also the subject of today's editorial in the Tallahassee Democrat. It says that while everyone should be proud at the progress that has been done in Florida's schools, there is still much yet to be done.

As the new school year begins for more students, teachers, and parents, the Naples Daily News reminds everyone to be careful and wishes all good luck.

And the Ocala Star-Banner approves of the Marion County School District revamping the controversial Continuous Improvement Model (CIM) to expand it's reach and impact, something which it says was seriously needed.

An international issue is on the mind of the Miami Herald editorial board today, noting that the United States must continue a diplomatic solution to the issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

Up I-95, the Fort Lauderdale-based South Florida Sun Sentinel has two editorials on one subject: Broward and Palm Beach counties have become a magnet for new minority residents. The Sun-Sentinel says that such rich diversity can be a plus for South Florida...if it's embraced.

Moving up the interstate, the Palm Beach Post editorial calls for state intervention to insure that Riviera Beach's community redevelopment agency is financially viable.

In Jacksonville, the Florida Times Union is supportive of Judge John Roberts' nomination to the United States Supreme Court, saying he is "eminently qualified". It also wishes good luck to the new Jacksonville Economic Development Commission director.

Skipping down the state, the editorial in today's Fort Myers News Press mentions that the effort to save Babcock Ranch and the Telegraph Swamp are far from over, although a sale has been proposed to a developer. Lee County Commissioner Bob James also has a guest opinion on the issue.

Last Sunday, I made note here of the St. Petersburg Times editorial supporting the efforts of Wilton Dodge to be compensated for the years he lost a year after being exonerated after DNA testing showed he did not commit the rape he was convicted of 22 years ago. Today, the Gainesville Sun calls for the criminal justice system to be more receptive to the use of DNA testing in cases, as does the Melbourne-based Florida Today.

Everyone enjoy their Sunday, and stay dry.