Opinion Archive

My name is Robert Orth and I am a local resident of Navarre, FL. I have called Navarre home all my life and lived here 29 years. I have seen the area grow from one grocery store and very little to no shopping available to four grocery stores and some good local shopping opportunities as well as some good restaurant choices preventing me from having to drive to Pensacola or Fort Walton to go out to eat. I have greatly appreciated the growth in my hometown and taking advantage of the opportunities to keep my dollars local. I am very excited for the new development to the East of Publix. There has been some commotion about changing the zoning of a parcel located in the middle of the Navarre Maritime Park on Navarre Beach. The developer is seeking to build a beautiful hotel, RV pads, a kayak and paddle board rental station, as well as a pool and club house. The parcel is currently zoned for a boat marina. I would much rather see a beautifully designed hotel and RV site than an eyesore of a marina in such a beautiful location. This will keep more of the local economy in the area, provide more tourism income, as well as create more jobs. I fully support the zoning change and encourage you to show your support as well by voting to change the zoning. Thank you for your time and I appreciate what you do for our local community. Have a great day!

The District 4 Master Plan has been revealed, and it is full of some great ideas: a plan for phasing in more walkability, new downtown friendly land development codes and lots of green space. 

For years I’ve heralded one vote matters.

You lose a game. You win in life.

I am actually excited again about change. One thing John McCain’s death did for me was make me take a serious look at my own values and attitudes again. I believe with Dr. Jennifer Zimmerman (Congressional candidate FL01), Andrew Gillum (gubernatorial candidate), and Sean Shaw (FL Atty Gen candidate) that we are going to see a different approach to politics and campaigning and leadership in our state and our country. 

Hurricane Michael had eyes on the northern Gulf Coast before it even entered the Gulf of Mexico. And for a while, Navarre was in the cross-hairs of the impending landfall. We watched and waited. Then we nervously watched and waited. All the while the forecasters were predicting what seemed like an impossible turn to the east. Navarre didn’t let its guard down.

It was a September to remember. Especially the final weekend of it.

Today, Monday, we decided to print the paper a day early which would be today – and get it in the mail  Tuesday due to our Hurricane Michael. We have an awesome team that can turn on a dime. We aren’t sure exactly where Michael will make landfall at this point, but since we print our paper in Panama City we wanted to make sure it gets printed and in the mail. Maybe you will still receive it Thursday – because even though it will be in the mail Tuesday – I have a feeling the rain, sleet or snow doesn’t apply to a Cat 3 hurricane. As a refresher – a Cat 3 is winds of 111-129 mph.   

Highway 98 traffic is awful. If my wife and I order takeout from almost any restaurant, it takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour round trip from Holley by the Sea. And that’s with no accidents. Holley by the Sea residents must use Highway 98 or 399 to go anywhere. If some of the businesses had a rear access, similar to Publix, then more people could shop without having to get on Highway 98. If the neighborhood Walmart had a rear entrance that would help. Hopefully the new shopping center east of Publix will have more than just one entrance/exit. Lots of little changes could help reduce hwy98 traffic.

Is it right to accuse someone of a crime without corroborating evidence? Are you disgusted at the Kavanaugh hearing, the way he was assumed guilty of a crime without supporting evidence? Our Constitution and Bill of Rights is what makes our nation different by bestowing the same rights to all the people. Innocent until proven guilty, the right of free speech, assembly and religion are just a few of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The radical left in cooperation with the media suppresses these basic rights and promote group think. If you like what you saw at the Kavanagh hearing, then vote Democrat because you will get a lot more of the same.