Letters to the Editor Archive

I was surprised to see what was chosen to be the Photo of the Week in a recent Navarre Press. A rival high school high jumper was shown in an “awkward position,” with a very unsportsmanlike comment below it. Rivalry and comments between sports teams is understood but insinuating remarks by the local newspaper is uncalled for.

I am thankful Santa Rosa County decided to give our children Good Friday off. Contrary to James Hamel letter, it was not considered a religious holiday but simply a non-school day. Perhaps Mr. Hamel would also like to know that it was also a Jewish holiday, Passover.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is considering several potential new changes to ease traffic flows (east and west) through the historic City of Milton area. One FDOT plan I consider best overall for, functionality, historical preservation, hurricane evacuation, minimal residential disruption, minimal time to modify, and fiscal responsibility (lowest cost), is to build one new bridge across Blackwater River. The new bridge should be the same size as the current Highway 90 bridge, but connecting to Berryhill road.

As a resident of Navarre, I knew there were many great people who lived and worked here. What I could not know was just how generous and magnanimous this community is. By now, everyone is aware of the loss of 11 brave service members when their Black Hawk crashed in the Sound between Navarre and Eglin Air Force Base. What you may not be aware of is the generosity of the residents and businesses of this great community.

I am a first cousin of Chief Warrant Officer 4 George “David” Strother. He was one of the pilots from the Louisiana National Guard.

When I heard the news early Wednesday morning of the UH-60 crashing into the Sound, I immediately thought of the families and I thought, “From this moment on, their lives will never be the same – Lord, be with them.” LCDR Mark Johnson, Lt. Bante, Lt. Roberto, Petty Officer Sean Saye, Petty Officer Wicks, ENS. Winters and LCDR O’Connor were my next thoughts; men who my husband and I knew, and so many others we knew who had died in service. Then I heard the words, “They gave their lives…” reverberating across the airwaves and the Internet. But think again, for they did not give their lives.

In response to Mark Conte’s “growth for Navarre,” maybe he lives in the wrong area. Navarre is a residential beach area. We moved here in 2008 because of the beautiful beaches, parks, and mom-and-pop stores. If we wanted big box stores, chain department stores and shopping malls we would have moved to Destin, Fort Walton or maybe Pensacola. Navarre is a nice community where you can enjoy a walk on the beach, snorkeling and fishing, music in the park, the turtles, and great small boutique shopping.

As a certified playground safety inspector and a Santa Rosa County taxpayer, I am deeply concerned about the safety of the proposed playground. According to www.ziplinerider.com, ziplines are dangerous and should only be used in expertly supervised environments. Riders should be provided with an array of safety gear and receive specific instruction on use.

If you live in Navarre and need to buy a new suit, you have to drive to Pensacola or Fort Walton Beach. Most Navarre residents prefer Pensacola because there are more choices there. If you need furniture of any kind, you’ll have to drive to Pensacola. Shoes? Pensacola. Maternity wear? Pensacola. Baby clothes? Pensacola.

After the heavy rains in the summer of 2013, I met my newest neighbor Mr. Betty; I had to wear fishing waders to get to his house due to flooding. I introduced myself to Mr. Betty and asked if he needed any help recovering from the 2 inches of water that had invaded his house. He had already started to tear apart the soaked dry wall, and he paused just long enough to say “not unless you know how to work drywall.” I told him I have two hands and am willing to help. We went to work. Since that initial flooding in the summer of 2013, that same house flooded three more times. The last flood brought in more than 4 feet of water.