Watchdog

HSN featured jewelry company accused of cheating its artisans
Tampa Bay Times, Feb. 5, 2017, A1 

People tuning in to HSN might think they’re supporting a good cause by purchasing a lapis bracelet from Bajalia International Group, an Orlando company that employs female artisans in developing countries like Afghanistan and India.

A follow up story published on March 17, 2017, when HSN dropped Bajalia from its programming.

Coffee company awarded top spot at Tampa airport has history of financial troubles
Tampa Bay Times, July 1, 2015, A1 

Today, Herb Colvin runs a coffee stand inside a Hills­borough County Public Schools building, sells organic teas and coffees at farmers markets and other locales, and has a record of financial problems, including federal and state tax liens, evictions, a foreclosure and a bankruptcy.

Why Sarasota-Bradenton airport is international in name only
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Published April 15, 2013, Business Weekly

Despite 20 years of affixing the word to its logo and some small success in attracting Canadian flights — especially during winter tourist season — service is almost exclusively domestic.

Lack of room for tourists seen by some as a critical void
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Published Sunday April 6, 2014, A1

Is Southwest Florida poised to be the victim of its own success? Area hotels fill to the brim at the start of the high tourism season each spring. Travelers dine in local restaurants, frequent the world-class beaches and sometimes buy property here. But to some local tourism officials, those days may be numbered.

 

Pool maker’s bankruptcy raises tempers
The St. Augustine Record, Published May 15, 2011, A1

The announcement of Pelican Pools’ bankruptcy left subcontractors and customers empty- handed.