A proactive government benefits all citizens
On Thursday the 21st, myself and THOUHSANDS of other residents were caught in what can only be described as tremendous gridlock both on and around Highway 98. No fewer than NINE accidents were reported on Google Maps and this led to a monumental traffic nightmare. The situation was so bad that local police were having to direct traffic in and out of subdivisions in Mary Esther and Fort Walton.
My own experience in this traffic mess was an hour and forty-minute drive from Shalimar to Hurlburt Field. Mind you this is a drive that takes about twenty to twenty-five minutes, on a good day. Imagine if some sort of emergency occurred at one of the numerous schools along Highway 98. First responders would have been hard pressed to arrive in time to do their jobs, a situation none of us wants to see.
In my years of serving in public office I have learned there are three basic types of local government. These governmental bodies include either proactive, reactive and nonactive philosophies. About ten to twenty percent are proactive, fifty to sixty percent are reactive and the last twenty percent are non-active. Believe me, you do not want any part of a non-active community.
There are initial plans for a possible cross-county connecter road going from Whispering Pines Blvd. to Edgewood Drive in Santa Rosa County. I have viewed the early plans and this project does look promising, however there is much more study and review required before that becomes a reality.
One thing all community leaders learn is that opportunities to improve your city or county are rare and often fleeting. A proactive government in the lead on such issues as transportation and infrastructure, benefits all residents.
Mike Clynch
Navarre