This week’s issue includes our popular Back to School Guide. You’ll find profiles on each school as well as messages from the principals. We have also included a school supply list and information on Florida’s Tax-Free holiday (August 1-3) to help everyone save money on their back to school shopping.
Once again we have a great newspaper chock-full of great information and news that will help you make better every day decisions as an informed citizen. For instance, we have a story about a 480-acre parcel that is proposed to be developed for a neighborhood called “Balley’s Landing.” However, of the 480 acres, 220 acres are designated as wetlands. Regardless of this fact, our Santa Rosa County Zoning Board voted 6-2 to allow the development to have much smaller lot sizes after discussing the matter for less than18 minutes at the end of a 3.5 hour meeting. Really? We need smaller lot sizes for more homes with all of our flooding issues that still have not been addressed. On top of that, the environmental study for the project found Gopher Tortoise burrows, white-top pitcher plants and prime habitat for the reticulated flatwoods salamander. This is the same salamander that stopped an alternative 98 from happening 8 years ago. We sure could have used an alternative 98 Monday evening when it took our residents 2.5 hours to get home from Hurlburt Field – 20 miles away.
I had the opportunity to drive to Miami and back last week for a two-day Florida Press Association conference in Miami. I enjoy driving by myself – but I’m not sure my office does. I’m usually listening to an educational podcast which makes me think of everything I should be doing in the office. I call the office and ask them questions conduct brainstorming sessions over the phone. I’ve actually been told that they really have work to d0 – if I don’t mind. I was also listening to 100 things great bosses know – which made me wonder if employees ever listen to 100 things great employees know. I don’t think that there is such an animal. However, there must be – because my staff must have already read that book or listened to that podcast. Whew. Oh, I also learned that Miami is the pits to drive in. However, I did get to eat at a famous Cuban restaurant and stay at a “haunted” hotel. The Biltmore Hotel was built in the early 1900s and spent some time being a VA hospital during and after WWII. There is also a mobster that was killed there. I slept great the first night – however, after reading about the hauntings … didn’t sleep so well the second night.
First of all, my apologies to anyone who thinks that I am ignoring them; I am really not. I just left the office and magically received 27 new voicemails all at once. I called Sprint and learned that they are having some problems locally. They apologized too. So, if you left me a message, please be patient.
There will be fireworks in Navarre on July 4. The tourism development council is paying for the fireworks and the Navarre Beach Area Chamber Foundation is managing the execution of the fireworks. Anywhere on the island is a good spot to watch them – including Juana’s Pagoda’s or Lagerheads on the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier. Also, there will be crowds at Navarre Park but there will not be any planned entertainment July 4. Hopefully we will have good weather.
Wil Pergande from the Gulf Breeze Sertoma Club stopped by the office to tell us about the 24th Annual Family Fishing Rodeo that is being held Saturday and Sunday at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze. Proceeds from the tournament benefit a host of community organizations that help children and their families. There is a really impressive list of recipients on their website, familyfishingrodeo.com. To get the details of the event, look for their ad in this week’s issue on Page 8C.
Some might consider this a “slow news” week, but I’m OK with that. We have already had our share of unexpected news in the past few months. There is a chance that by the time you read this Jayer Williamson will be appointed by Governor Rick Scott to sit where his father once sat as a Santa Rosa County Commissioner. It will be great to have our fifth county commissioner back. Jayer has big shoes to fill but the good news is – he knows that. He will faithfully and dutifully serve his seat to the benefit of the citizens of Santa Rosa County. He will be there for us, not for his own personal agenda.
The Holley Navarre Senior Center is hosting a pancake breakfast (or an egg special if you prefer) Saturday, June 14. After breakfast, you can shop for plants (indoor and outdoor), garden items, books and more! There will even be experts there to answer questions. Breakfast & Plants event is $2 – $5.
My job is so much fun that it is going to be my demise. If I could just do everything full-time – then I wouldn’t get anything done. I really would love being a full-time writer, a full-time photographer, a full-time investigative reporter, a full-time sales person and a full-time boss and manager. The only thing that I really couldn’t do because I don’t have the technical skills is design. I know good design, but I don’t have the technical skills to do it full time. However, if I wasn’t busy doing everything else, then I could possibly learn. I think I have written this before, but I’ve had employees tell me that they loved working at Navarre Press because basically you can be anyone that you want to be on any given day, except an EMT or a doctor.
Does your dog have a face only a mother could love? Navarre 1st Assembly of God and LaVonda’s Pet Salon are hosting an Ugly Dog contest this Saturday, May 31 from 10am – 1pm at LaVonda’s in John Duncan Plaza on Hwy 87. The purpose is to raise funds for a mission trip for the youth group of the church. See their ad in this week’s issue for all of the good details. Maybe your dog could be crowned Ugliest Dog in Navarre!
