Editorial Archive

Growth is a great thing. When our children are growing we measure off every inch marking the same door frame over and over so we can see how tall they are getting. We make plans for the next inch by buying the next size up in clothes and shoes. We replace the crib with a toddler bed and then a real bed. We plan for their growth and know there will be changes coming. We even put money into a savings account to prepare for their future.

Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law gives the public the right of access to government meetings and public records. It ensures that government works out in the open for all to see – no backroom conversations between elected officials before a vote. However, as we recently found out, in Santa Rosa County those officials can send texts or even message through Facebook without anyone capturing it or knowing the difference.

The American Press Institute commemorates and celebrates Newspaper in Education Week annually the first full school week in March. Florida Press Educational Services is honored to commemorate Newspaper in Education Week 2017 and encourages teachers, parents and students to read the newspaper daily in school and at home to enrich their lives. FPES encourages publishers and marketing, news, circulation and advertising directors to learn the importance of Newspaper in Education (NIE) programs, too.

1) Costs

Despite repeated promises of premium reductions, Obamacare has delivered major increases. In the employer-sponsored market, costs continue to increase. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, average family premiums for employer-sponsored plans have increased almost 32 percent from 2010-2016.

The county has published their proposed spending plan for an estimated $39 million in local option sales tax funds, and not surprisingly folks aren’t happy with the distribution.

All over the country we see demonstrations, walks, protests and childish political maneuvering because Donald Trump was elected president. Social media posts are even worse with name calling and other juvenile tactics. We see college students crying and in some cases rioting over the election. Celebrities refused to perform at his inauguration, some even promised to move to Canada. Sports stars are kneeling in protest to our national anthem, people are burning flags.

We are in full support of giving deputies much needed raises. How can we employ the best when we don’t offer much in the way of pay? When our surrounding counties offer more than we do? When deputies who are loyal to our county and our citizens don’t receive the raises they deserve?

“Homeless in Paradise” ran in big letters on the front page a week ago as the Navarre Press took a deeper look at the suffering of those in our own county, and following the publication, we had one concerned citizen come into our office to look for deeper answers.

The 2017 Health & Business Expo will be this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Navarre Conference Center.   There will be free health screenings, giveaways, samples, local business booths, and much more.  The map and listing of the event is in the Mind, Body & Spirit insert in this issue.

Small businesses truly are this nation’s backbone. They account for 94 percent of all the country’s businesses and are owned by a diverse array of Americans from all backgrounds. The ability to build a small business is the cornerstone of the American dream.