Citation
For distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction, using any available journalistic tool, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
Awarded to Tim Nickens and Daniel Ruth of the Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Fla., for their diligent campaign that helped reverse a decision to end fluoridation of the water supply for the 700,000 residents of the newspaper’s home county.
Works
| March 18, 2012 | Reverse the decay of common sense |
| April 20, 2012 | Yes to dental health; no to double-talk |
| August 5, 2012 | The original editorial was titled: Paying for fluoride four’s foolishnessPrice of fluoride foolery |
| August 22, 2012 | State picks ideology over health |
| September 16, 2012 | In 2 cities, facts beat fluoride fantasies |
| September 22, 2012 | Straying from facts on fluoride |
| October 14, 2012 | Return commission to the mainstream |
| November 1, 2012 | The original editorial was titled: The real cost of the fluoride fiascoThe human cost of the fluoride fiasco |
| November 8, 2012 | In Pinellas, a return to the center |
| November 28, 2012 | The original editorial was titled: Welcome reversal on fluorideScience over scare tactics |
| Cover letter for entry |
Jury
Michael Pride, editor emeritus, Concord Monitor (Chair)
Susan Albright, co-managing editor, MinnPost.com
Bruce Dold*, editorial page editor, Chicago Tribune
Ruben Navarrette Jr., syndicated columnist, Washington Post Writers Group
Robert Robb, columnist, The Arizona Republic
* past Pulitzer Prize winner
Biography
Tim Nickens grew up in Jeffersonville, Ind., and received a bachelor of arts degree from Indiana University. After a year at the Journal-Gazette in Fort Wayne, Ind., he joined the St. Petersburg Times as a reporter in 1983. He worked for the Miami Herald from 1990-1995 before returning to the St. Petersburg Times. He was an editorial writer, political editor and assistant managing editor/metro before rejoining the editorial board in December 2004. He became editor of editorials in September 2008. He and his wife, Bridget, live in St. Petersburg with their two daughters.
Daniel Ruth, 59, has been scribbling away for 36 years as a reporter, film critic, television critic and columnist for the Tampa Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and the St. Petersburg Times. He also has worked as a radio talk show host as well as an adjunct professor for the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa and Columbia College in Chicago. Daniel is a Peter Lisagor Award recipient for his columns in Chicago and has been honored by the Pinellas County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union with the Irene Miller Vigilance In Journalism Award.
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