Letters to the Editor Archive

I am writing to publicly thank Lieutenant Chris Phelps of the Midway Fire Department along with firemen Alverter, Moore and Ward.  They answered a call for my father, Harry Adams, 97, who had fallen.  They were especially kind and helpful to both of my parents and spoke to my dad regarding his service in the Army during WWII, even taking a picture with him and his medals.  But there’s more.  A few days later, my parents received a note from Lt. Phelps (also signed by the others) not only saying they hoped he was well, but also wishing him happy birthday and thanking him for his service!  How sweet, compassionate and thoughtful.  So, thank you Lt. Phelps and your crew.  Your service is also appreciated.

Memorial Day is widely heralded as the unofficial start of summer.  Here on the Emerald Coast it signals the beginning of our busy tourist season, with condos booked, hotel rooms rented, beach supplies at the ready, and the mouth-watering aroma of food being cooked on a grill.  This time of year is unmistakable and really puts us in the celebratory mood.  But before you celebrate, and there will be time for that on this Memorial Day, before the cookouts, beach parties and other events you have planned, take a moment to reflect on the many lives that have been sacrificed so willingly by our selfless men and women in uniform.  This day is about remembrance and honor for those who have died.  It certainly doesn’t mean you can’t have fun on Memorial Day or enjoy your three- or four-day weekend.   Just take a moment to pause and remember the reason for the occasion.

Has our education system failed us? How can a Socialist acquire such a youthful following as Sen. Bernie Sanders?  Could it be explained as revulsion to a candidate that is unaccomplished and deceitful? I am afraid the blame is with the education system. A system that does not teach civics, economics, world history and the U.S. Constitution are the blame. The Founders studied all prior types of governments and developed a governmental system of checks and balances which protected the system from emotional responses to problems. Historically, all democracies have failed when the citizenry discovers they can receive an unending list of benefits.

Navarre Beach renourishment has gotten quite a bit of good press lately. People have said how it can be educational and a tourist draw because of the shells that get pumped up with the sand. But it can also be educational for the harm it does.

On Mother’s Day and the ninth day of beach renourishment at about 2 p.m., we were returning to our residence on Navarre Beach. Turning onto the causeway, we observed many visitors at the reopening of the Butterfly House. Traffic was very heavy at the intersection but moving. We slowed to 20 mph and watched the skimmers and terns in the nesting areas.

I, and many other residents of Navarre, wonder why there is such a small sign identifying our little piece of paradise here on the Gulf Coast. The signs are not only small (compared to the one up in Holley) but they are placed way inside the town of Navarre.

Do we need a new tax to fund another disposable courthouse? The county says the 90-year-old structure is too small, has security issues, lacks parking, has inadequate heating/cooling and needs telephone and computer network upgrades. While these may be valid issues, they hardly require a new courthouse.

A suggestion for the Court House. There have been two new Court Houses built in our area. Santa Rosa County has an engineer on staff. Send the engineer to the new Court Houses and have him inspect them, review the quality of the work, determine which is the most economical to run/maintain, obtain a copy of the building plans, names of the contractors, the COST of the buildings and after determining which one would be the best fit for building in Milton, build it!  We don’t have to reinvent the wheel and waste taxpayers’ money on studies. The county already paid three times the value of property needed for the New Court House instead of just compensation and using the right of eminent domain. Also, Mr. Lynchard has to make sure Rob Williamson does not get involved with the Project because he has shown the continued ability to make bad decisions.

Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men are victims of rape (Black et al., 2011). But all of us are impacted by sexual violence. That’s because sexual violence affects communities and society — in addition to survivors and their loved ones. Because of this, it’s on all of us to help prevent it.

Surprise, Surprise! According to the 4-7-2016 issue of the NAVARRE PRESS (thank you), members of the water system are being hit with a 17.5% rate increase.