Letters to the Editor Archive

Here’s my two cents on Michael Cohen’s first day of testimony, watched all day. It struck me as the pot calling the kettle black, an attempt to destroy President Trump.

I suppose, in the interest of full disclosure, I should state that my wife and I have been residents of the Navarre/Santa Rosa area since last August. While nine months of living here hardly makes me an expert on the area, in our previous community I served seven years as Mayor. The experience was both rewarding and educational.

As fellow, red-blooded Americans who cherish the freedoms this nation provides, we at Florida Tax Watch hold dear the independent and unfiltered manner of governmental entities placing public notices in local newspapers of record. Such notices further a citizen’s right to know about their elected official’s decisions affecting their daily lives–a bedrock principle of our constitutional democratic republic.

Reps. Omar, Tlaib, some democrats and their ilk, determined Sharia Law overtake America, are ratcheting up efforts to “get” Trump.

I enjoyed reading Jamie’s article on Elise and Tosha.  I have no issue with service animals, for those in need, and have read many articles on how pets are very calming.  However, if ADA forbids verifying accredited credentials, and fake ID cards and vests can be purchased for less than $100, why even have a no-pet law / policy?  I see animals on Navarre Beach as well as in stores / restaurants – some with vests, some without.  Maybe a flipside article to identify the fakes?

Jamie Gentry’s article last week, “Duplex Rezoning Request Denied” couldn’t have been further from the truth! This action was never about “affordable housing.” As Brett Ramsey told the BOCC, “this development will raise $4.0 to $4.5 million in property values for the county.” As I pointed out in my remarks to the BOCC, “…if you do the math, for 22 duplexes (proposed at simple fee purchase) that equates to about $200,000 per individual duplex.  Not exactly what I would call ‘affordable…’”.  Couple that with about 44-55 vehicles on a 600’ long road (300’ west of Panhandle Trail), across 11 duplex units with shared driveways, you’re looking at a massive parking problem; especially since most of those duplex owners will, most assuredly, enclose their one-car garages to get more interior living space.

In the months I have lived in a 148-unit apartment complex built in 2017, I have seen no nesting birds or any butterflies, bees, squirrels or rabbits while sitting on my screened porch which would help distract me from my pain after extensive hip surgeries.  This lack of natural activity negatively affected my mental health and resulted in depression.  There are many studies coming out now which substantiate nature exposure and improved health outcomes.

These were wise words from my Daddy 52 years ago.

Consider this on recent happenings.

At Navarre Beach, Santa Rosa County’s wastewater treatment plant has a state permit to dump as much as 900,000 gallons of sewage effluent per day into Santa Rosa Sound. For much of the year, it’s much less than that, but during the summer – peak swimming and fishing season – it increases dramatically. The County is now requesting another 5-year permit to continue this primitive and unhealthy method of sewage disposal.