Opinion Archive

Here’s my two cents on Michael Cohen’s first day of testimony, watched all day. It struck me as the pot calling the kettle black, an attempt to destroy President Trump.

I suppose, in the interest of full disclosure, I should state that my wife and I have been residents of the Navarre/Santa Rosa area since last August. While nine months of living here hardly makes me an expert on the area, in our previous community I served seven years as Mayor. The experience was both rewarding and educational.

Welcome to Major League Baseball in 2032.

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.

Reps. Omar, Tlaib, some democrats and their ilk, determined Sharia Law overtake America, are ratcheting up efforts to “get” Trump.

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.

Are you ready for some football?