SUNDAY CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

We'll begin today on the Sarasota Herald Tribune editorial page, which says that the request by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D - CA) for a federal investigation of all touch-screen voting machines that "do not produce voter-certified paper ballots" would be a welcome step, especially 3 1/2 months after the District 13 Congressional District controvesy in Sarasota County. It states that the probe, which would be does by the Government Accountability Office --- respected for it's neutrailty and thoroughness --- would help the nation avoid a similar outcome.

Moving up I-75, the St. Petersburg Times looks ahead to the legislative session, reminding lawmakers to remember the lesson of the 1992 Save Our Homes tax exemption: That such exemptions only switch the burden and, done recklessly, can lead to unintended consequences. While the opinion urges legislators to use caution, it notes that some of the fixes being pushed by Governor Charlie Crist and others are almost certain to make matters worse.

The election for Tampa City Council is coming up March 6, so the Tampa Tribune offers it's endorsements in the nonpartisan races:
District 1/Citywide: IT supervisor Randy Baron
District 2/Citywide: Writer Mary Mulhern
District 4/South: Attorney John Dingfelder (I)
District 5/East: Pastor Tom Scott
District 6/West: Charlie Miranda
District 7/North: Real Estate Broker Frank Margarella

This morning's Lakeland Ledger editorial reminds us that Daylight Savings Time will be here three weeks from today, a little earlier than normal and a little longer as it will end later. The change, added as part of a 1,600 page energy bill and reportedly will save 100,000 barrels of oil a day, could cause havoc will many computers unless manual changes are made to appointments and other time-sensitive programmes.

More jurisdictions are using cameras at busy intersections to catch so-called "red light runners", causing some to raise privacy issues and accusing cities of using the system as a ploy to raise revenue. The Orlando Sentinel editorial today uses statistics to prove that red-light cameras do make a difference, and urges the Legislature to move this session to authorize their use statewide.

Today's the "Great American Race" --- the Daytona 500 --- and with all the excitment building there will likely be a couple of heart attacks at the Daytona International Speedway. The Daytona Beach News-Journal opinion deals with surviving such events, noting that a rapid response time is critical to saving lives and that local leaders in Volusia and Flagler counties have done well in building lines of defenses in this area.

And in Melbourne, Florida Today calls on the Brevard County Commission Tuesday to adopt an ordinance proposed by the Brevard Affordable Housing Task Force which would give builders in unincorporated county areas help moving their projects through permitting, permit-fee forgiveness, and transportation impact fee deferral. In exchange, they would agree to set aside some of their housing units for workers whose incomes qualify, generally $20,000 to $50,000 a year.

While I'm not a huge NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 will be the first major sporting event to really appreciate the HD qualities of my new TV. Whatever you do, make it a great Sunday!