Letters to the Editor Archive

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.

My husband and I have owned property on Navarre Beach for several years, we rent our condo to tourist during a part of the season.  We are very careful to explain to our guest dogs are not allowed on Navarre Beach.  However, while in Navarre for several weeks over the holidays, we saw at least five dogs and owners walking on the beach every day.  Other owners in our complex have discussed the increase, this year especially, and we are posting signs in our building’s common areas and beach walk over.  I’ve seen signs at most of the public walk over areas.

Approximately 230,000 Veterans live in the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System three-state catchment area (south Mississippi, south Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle.). Of that amount, 104,000 Veterans are enrolled for care at VA, with about 71,000 actively receiving VA care. Suicide prevention experts claim that of the 20 Veterans a day that are committing suicide each day, 14 of them are not getting their care from VA.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2017, 10,874 people died in drunk driving crashes. It equates to one person every 48 minutes. If it takes your breath away, think about this – that number has decreased from previous years.

Another Christmas has come and gone. Thanks be unto God for Jesus, the reason for the season, making it possible for all who choose to live eternally in Heaven with the Lover of our souls. He loves each one of us more than anyone else ever could. He shed His own blood for us all. He alone deserves the pre-eminence in our lives!