Opinion Archive

When you’re in charge of making decisions for a county as large as Santa Rosa County, there are a lot of directions you can turn.

People care about it all.

The subdued browns, greens and grays of the forest are beginning to return to the brilliant pallet familiar to residents who venture beyond their front door. In the last days of February, the slow progression of woodland colors is shifting as spring approaches.

Many plants, trees and fungi are not reflecting the awareness of the coming warm days.

I have attempted to obtain the vaccine for the past few weeks.

I am 85 years old, handicapped (knee brace and use cane).

Over the past 20 years, I have lived in two different houses on Ortega Street. And now within a half-mile radius, we have the high school, the sports complex and the YMCA.

We have seen multiple deaths, injury and destruction of property due to speeding and reckless driving (IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA).  

The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce continues to fulfill its mission while celebrating the successes of the last 12 months.

Although the annual gala last week looked a lot more like the breakfast it turned into, it was great to see so many business owners and chamber members in the same room.

In the six months I have been editor of the Navarre Press, I have met just one family who lost a loved one to COVID-19 in Santa Rosa County.

Evelyn Keating, whose husband Dennis was hospitalized for months before passing away, was known locally as the As You Wish Handyman. He died Sept. 15.

When the temperatures recently dipped into the 20s here on the Emerald Coast, I was robbed of a favorite seasonal pastime: flaunting our balmy weather before my family and friends living in the north.

Instead, they mocked me as I whined about temperatures they consider to be a warming trend. I have grown so soft that what little fashion sense I possess is lost in such weather.

I watched a lot of bad basketball four years ago during Abby Fogg’s first season as the head coach.

Don’t get me wrong. The Raiders competed hard that season. They just didn’t win very often. They won only seven times to be exact.

As February closes in on March, some are asking the age old question: “Is spring here?”

A few moderately warm days will stimulate interest in the topic for a variety of reasons.

This will be a big week for those who have been keeping a close eye on Santa Rosa’s battles over water.

Thursday night is when the Santa Rosa County Commissioners are expected to lay their Dec. 10 vote to rest, by voting against that plan to repeal some wellfield protections.