I’m Irish on my father’s side, British on my mother’s side, but we don’t talk about that. My paternal grandfather was fiercely proud of his Irish roots. We had ordered a family crest from an ad in the back of magazine; it came back saying that we were British. “Look again!” my grandfather growled. Pursuing a more reputable source, we learned that our family name was originally O’Bannon and, thankfully that our roots are in Ireland. My Irish roots validated, I once chided a workmate, who was from Ireland, for not wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day. “I’m Protestant,” he growled (must be an Irish trait), “we wear orange!” I may be half Irish, but I realized that I was totally ignorant about St. Patrick Day.
Next week is Spring Break for Santa Rosa students and the weather is going to be interesting. The highs are in the 60s and the lows in the 50s. Yes – I’ve become a weather forecaster. Apparently, many of you are too. Some of our highest engagement numbers include weather and scenery – right after heinous criminal acts and new restaurants. When my husband and I were looking at potential homes in Navarre in March 1993, we had snow flurries. So cooler weather in March is not surprising.
As fellow, red-blooded Americans who cherish the freedoms this nation provides, we at Florida Tax Watch hold dear the independent and unfiltered manner of governmental entities placing public notices in local newspapers of record. Such notices further a citizen’s right to know about their elected official’s decisions affecting their daily lives–a bedrock principle of our constitutional democratic republic.
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.
Newly elected Florida governor Ron DeSantis is keeping his campaign promise to appoint conservative justices to fill the newly created vacancies in the Florida Supreme Court. As a Christian, I am hopeful for the future of our state.
Have you noticed it is difficult to find home or appliance repair businesses to fix stuff around your house? I have. I admit it – I’m spoiled. I grew up with a father that was an engineer and he could fix anything. And, when I moved here, I had a friend that had a handyman business and he advertised his business in Navarre Press. I still have that friend, but he has moved on to building homes and fixing a toilet is – out of his way and I completely understand. If there are any handymen or ladies out there – you would do well to advertise. That is the first place I looked – in the services section of our classifieds.
Florida Press Educational Services (FPES) is proud to commemorate Newspaper in Education Week 2019 and encourages teachers, parents and students to read the newspaper daily in school and at home to enrich their lives. FPES and its member Newspaper in Education programs join the American Press Institute in commemorating and celebrating Newspaper in Education Week the first full school week in March.
