Author Archives: bwmerritt

Polk’s High Speed Rail Stop Should Be USF Poly

Posted on February 7, 2011 by bwmerritt

My mind has been spinning the past 48 hours as I have tried to really settle my opinion of high speed rail in general and, more specifically, which location in Lakeland would be best for a potential stop on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Government | 2 Comments

Lakeland, Orlando, Kissimmee Bid to Host FHSAA Basketball Finals

Posted on February 2, 2011 by bwmerritt

About this time last year, FHSAA Executive Director Roger Dearing told me during the state basketball finals that he planned to open up for bid many of the state championship events that the FHSAA oversees. Included in that were the … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | 1 Comment

Polk County Has Long Way to Go With Transit Tax

Posted on January 31, 2011 by bwmerritt

The Polk County Commission has been asked to look, once again, at the prospect of a countywide transit tax to expand public transportation. The Ledger’s Tom Palmer had all the details in Sunday’s paper, including the fact that the commissioners … Continue reading →

Posted in Government | 2 Comments

Lakeland Dreadnaughts Find New Quarterback

Posted on January 29, 2011 by bwmerritt

So I know I said I wouldn’t do much breaking news, but this will kind of fall into that category and I just couldn’t ignore it. All indications are the Lakeland Dreadnaughts have a new quarterback, and the move is … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | 8 Comments

School Board Should Relent, Drop McKinzie School Naming Idea

Posted on January 28, 2011 by bwmerritt

First, let me say I have a lot of respect for Gail McKinzie, Polk County’s former superintendent of schools. She did an admirable job as the first appointed superintendent in the county’s history, and was gracious with me in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Leave a comment

What This Site Is (And Isn’t) All About

Posted on January 28, 2011 by bwmerritt

Welcome to Polk Perspectives! I’m Brandt Merritt, a former reporter and copy editor at The Ledger and now a writer at Southeastern University in Lakeland. This is an exciting new project for me, and something that I honestly don’t know … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Leave a comment