{"id":75078,"date":"2026-07-30T17:53:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T21:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=75078"},"modified":"2026-07-30T17:53:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T21:53:30","slug":"editorial-%f0%9d%9f%b0%f0%9d%9f%b2%f0%9d%9f%b3%f0%9d%9f%b3%f0%9d%9f%b5-%f0%9d%97%a5%f0%9d%97%98%f0%9d%97%94%f0%9d%97%a6%f0%9d%97%a2%f0%9d%97%a1%f0%9d%97%a6-%f0%9d%97%a1%f0%9d%97%a2%f0%9d%97%a7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2026\/07\/30\/editorial-%f0%9d%9f%b0%f0%9d%9f%b2%f0%9d%9f%b3%f0%9d%9f%b3%f0%9d%9f%b5-%f0%9d%97%a5%f0%9d%97%98%f0%9d%97%94%f0%9d%97%a6%f0%9d%97%a2%f0%9d%97%a1%f0%9d%97%a6-%f0%9d%97%a1%f0%9d%97%a2%f0%9d%97%a7\/","title":{"rendered":"Editorial: \ud835\udff0\ud835\udff2,\ud835\udff3\ud835\udff3\ud835\udff5 \ud835\udde5\ud835\uddd8\ud835\uddd4\ud835\udde6\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde1\ud835\udde6 \ud835\udde1\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde7 \ud835\udde7\ud835\udde2 \ud835\udde5\ud835\uddd8-\ud835\uddd8\ud835\udddf\ud835\uddd8\ud835\uddd6\ud835\udde7 \ud835\udde5\ud835\udddc\ud835\uddd6\ud835\uddde \ud835\uddea\ud835\udddc\ud835\udddf\ud835\udde6\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde1"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"3c3120\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"688\" height=\"1024\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 688px) 100vw, 688px\" src=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b3af3cb7-4541-4a5a-b4e9-f03f215fbec7-688x1024.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-75080 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #3c3120; aspect-ratio:0.6718832321892013;width:335px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b3af3cb7-4541-4a5a-b4e9-f03f215fbec7-688x1024.webp 688w, https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b3af3cb7-4541-4a5a-b4e9-f03f215fbec7-201x300.webp 201w, https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b3af3cb7-4541-4a5a-b4e9-f03f215fbec7-768x1144.webp 768w, https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b3af3cb7-4541-4a5a-b4e9-f03f215fbec7.webp 1024w\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since Rick Wilson for Polk County Commission took office in 2018, the county\u2019s legally required Animal Shelter reports tell a grim story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud835\udff0\ud835\udff2,\ud835\udff3\ud835\udff3\ud835\udff5 \ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddfa\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf9\ud835\ude00 \ud835\uddf2\ud835\ude02\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddf5\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\ude07\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddf1 \ud835\uddee\ud835\ude01 \ud835\udde3\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddf8 \ud835\uddd6\ud835\uddfc\ud835\ude02\ud835\uddfb\ud835\ude01\ud835\ude06 \ud835\uddd4\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddfa\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf9 \ud835\uddd6\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddfb\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddff\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddf9. \ud835\udddb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\ude00 \ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddfb\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddff\ud835\uddf2 \ud835\ude01\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddfb\ud835\ude02\ud835\uddff\ud835\uddf2. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\ud83d\udc80\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t44\/1\/16\/1f480.png\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s not rumor or spin. It\u2019s PCSO paperwork filed under Section 823.15\u2014since Grady Judd manages Polk County Animal Control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2021, ABC Action News reported that Grady Judd\u2019s Polk County AC ranked #\ud835\udfed \ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddfb \ud835\uddd9\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddff\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddf1\ud835\uddee \ud835\uddf3\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddff \ud835\ude00\ud835\uddf5\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddf9\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddff \ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddfa\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf9\ud835\ude00 \ud835\uddf8\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddf1 \u2014 and repeatedly tried to reach the commissioners about possible legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The response from Rick Wilson and the rest of the board\u2014including Bill Braswell and Martha Santiago, who are still sitting on the Commission? Crickets. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/taf\/1\/16\/1f997.png\" alt=\"\ud83e\udd97\"> (The dead kind.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fast-forward to September 2, 2025. Grady Judd\u2019s shelter still has the state\u2019s highest euthanasia rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wilson\u2019s own words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUntil the Sheriff or the Sheriff\u2019s staff tells us that new ordinances are needed or that change is needed in running the facility, this board will not take action.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A \ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddee\ud835\ude04\ud835\uddfa\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf8\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddff who refuses to make laws\u2026 until a man who \ud835\uddf0\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\u2019\ud835\ude01 make laws gives him permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only the Commission can pass ordinances. The Sheriff can\u2019t. \u201cWaiting on the Sheriff\u201d is an elected official avoiding responsibility while the death toll rises on his watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud835\udde7\ud835\uddf5\ud835\uddf2 \ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddfa\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf9\ud835\ude00 \ud835\uddf0\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\u2019\ud835\ude01 \ud835\udc15\ud835\udc28\ud835\udc2d\ud835\udc1e. \ud835\uddec\ud835\uddfc\ud835\ude02 \ud835\uddf0\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\ud83d\uddf3\ufe0f\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t9a\/1\/16\/1f5f3.png\"> This election, Polk deserves a commissioner who\u2019ll actually \ud835\uddfd\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddf0\ud835\uddf8 \ud835\ude02\ud835\uddfd \ud835\ude01\ud835\uddf5\ud835\uddf2 \ud835\uddfd\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddfb \ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf1 \ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddf4\ud835\uddf6\ud835\ude00\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddee\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddf2. <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" alt=\"\ud83d\udd8a\ufe0f\" src=\"https:\/\/static.xx.fbcdn.net\/images\/emoji.php\/v9\/t36\/1\/16\/1f58a.png\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">\ud835\udde9\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde7\ud835\uddd8 \ud835\uddd9\ud835\udde2\ud835\udde5 \ud835\uddde\ud835\uddd8\ud835\udddf\ud835\udddf\ud835\uddec \ud835\udde4\ud835\udde8\ud835\udddc\ud835\udde1\ud835\udde1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since Rick Wilson for Polk County Commission took office in 2018, the county\u2019s legally required Animal Shelter reports tell a grim story: \ud835\udff0\ud835\udff2,\ud835\udff3\ud835\udff3\ud835\udff5 \ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddfa\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf9\ud835\ude00 \ud835\uddf2\ud835\ude02\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddf5\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\ude07\ud835\uddf2\ud835\uddf1 \ud835\uddee\ud835\ude01 \ud835\udde3\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddf9\ud835\uddf8 \ud835\uddd6\ud835\uddfc\ud835\ude02\ud835\uddfb\ud835\ude01\ud835\ude06 \ud835\uddd4\ud835\uddfb\ud835\uddf6\ud835\uddfa\ud835\uddee\ud835\uddf9 \ud835\uddd6\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddfb\ud835\ude01\ud835\uddff\ud835\uddfc\ud835\uddf9.&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":75080,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"wpai_generated_summary":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","default_image_id":71799,"font":"","enabled":true,"token":"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.O1BxIrhWAC8MbI3DM3HsvHwkePOLtabBpz6sVVqiJTEMQ"},"version":2,"media_source":"sig","attached_media":[{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/jetpack.com\/redirect\/?source=sigenerate&query=t%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.O1BxIrhWAC8MbI3DM3HsvHwkePOLtabBpz6sVVqiJTEMQ","type":"image\/jpeg"}]},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[8],"tags":[15390,15391,15238,15143,15295,85,15301,15294],"class_list":["post-75078","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial","tag-animal-euthanasia","tag-florida-animal-shelters","tag-grady-judd","tag-kelly-quinn","tag-local-elections","tag-polk-county-animal-control","tag-polk-county-commission","tag-rick-wilson"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75078","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75078"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75078\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75081,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75078\/revisions\/75081"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75078"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75078"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75078"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}