Identifying Local Opportunities- Gainesville Sun

1. Mayoral candidate Shepherd accused of stealing old pick up truck

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A66963CFABB800?p=AWNB

This article explains the story of potential Gainesville mayoral candidate Donald E. Shepherd Sr. who has been arrested on a grand theft auto charge.  A woman reported that he stole a truck without permission. Shepherd and his wife both claim he did not steal the vehicle. The woman declined an interview about the incident but the truck was gone from the woman's house and coincidentally was photographed in Shepherd's driveway days later. Shepherd helped the woman's family out frequently by cleaning the apartment and washing the supposedly stolen truck many times in the past. It is unclear whether the truck was stolen and investigation will continue in the coming weeks.

The problem here is that even though Shepherd may not have stolen the truck, his image will still be tarnished in his running for Mayor of Gainesville. People are probably going to view him differently after the incident. He will be ineligible to run for mayor if the charges of grand theft auto stand.

Donald Shepherd is the person facing the problem, as well as the woman who owns the truck.


2. Editorial: seeking clarity in hospital costs

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E65B56EA5158?p=AWNB

This article discusses the confusing and costly nature of hospital bills and how this effects patients. Legislation is attempting to give patients more information about hospital costs when they receive their bill. The proposal would require online pricing information on procedures that hospitals and surgical centers provide. As opposed to seeking funding for the issue, Governor Rick Scott is pushing to spend budget surplus. Instead of politically attacking nonprofit hospitals, the author of the article posed that Scott should work together with hospitals to ensure that enough information is being provided to patients.

The main problem here is that patients of hospitals are not provided with enough information on their hospital bill and end up paying the bill without fully understanding where all the costs are coming from. Legislation is hoping to pass a new bill that would provide patients with more detailed information, requiring hospitals to provide online pricing information.

The patients are the ones experiencing this problem.


3. Alachua County Commission votes to move toward civil citation for pot

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A9388B22ABFA00?p=AWNB

This article explains the Alachua County Commission's decision to allow police officers to issue a civil citation instead of arresting people for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Currently, if someone is charged with possession of marijuana could face up to a year in prison and a $1000 fine. The issuance of civil citations instead would keep those charged from having a criminal record. Many were in support of this change during a meeting on Tuesday. Sargeant Brandon Kutner explains that the provisions would give deputies another tool in dealing with marijuana possessions. Commissioners must still approve the ordinance after it has been drafted.

The problem here is that although commissioners may pass this provision to help police officers as well as young kids who may not deserve a criminal record, there are many adults in the community that are going to be angered by this decision. If marijuana possession becomes less of a criminal act, this probably means more people are going to use it. This would create even more issues especially with lack of police involvement.

This problem is going to affect parents of young kids who may decide to use marijuana if possession becomes less of an offense.

4. Bill would tighten rules for some abortion clinics

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A7E65B137F9B90?p=AWNB

A bill which may be passed in Florida would require abortion clinics to meet the same standards as surgical centers. Surgical centers have strict building code, equipment, and staffing requirementsAlthough the bill has not officially been passed, it cleared the Florida House committee on Tuesday. There are many critics of the bill passing who believe this will shut down some clinics. Others think it will make abortions safer. Texas imposed this same bill. Before passing, the state had 40 abortion clinics. Texas currently has only 19 clinics after the passing of the bill.

The problem here is that abortion clinics may be more difficult to access if currently operated clinics do not meet the standards and have to close down.

This problem will affect any women in Florida who becomes pregnant and wishes to get an abortion.


5. Environmental groups want water-bill veto

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15A69329CED42C50?p=AWNB

This article discusses the disagreement several Florida environmental groups have towards the passing of a water policy. The policy will be signed by Governor Rick Scott next week. The bill will establish water-flow levels for springs as well as set guidelines for the water-supply planning effort. This bill will hopefully aid the expected growth in demand of water in the next 15 years.

The problem is that environmental groups want to veto this bill. They claim the bill will take away from independence of water management districts due to the required permit approvals. Environmental groups are pushing for 17 amendments on the bill.

Those affected by the problem are the environmentalists and workers at the water management districts throughout Florida who will now have much more strict guidelines.