The business page has the results of a $120,000 economic strategy plan for Santa Rosa County. We were found to have strong K-12 schools, a retired military population, available land, access to outdoor recreation and quality of place. Not surprisingly, we were found lacking in the infrastructure department as well as lacking in a “vibrant and walkable” downtown – and there is more – you can read all about it on our business page. This week, we have two stories that are on the exact opposites of this spectrum. On one side we have Phil Babiak proposing what looks like to be a brilliant and well thought out alternative to what the FDOT proposes for Navarre’s downtown, and we have a county commissioner that is elected to uphold our planning and zoning except under extreme hardship – asking for a variance to put yet another set of storage units in the “Heart of Navarre.” This is certainly not the highest and best use for the land designated “Heart of Navarre.” However, our zoning board passed it unanimously, with Lynchard’s representative on the board abstaining – as he should have. The county commissioners still need to approve it before it is set into motion. The time of all of this is just a little too convenient to slip it in before the result of Navarre’s Master Plan is revealed. This is another study authorized by Commissioner Lynchard at the tune of $150,000 to tell us the highest and best use of the land we have left. I believe all variances in commercial districts should be put on hold in Navarre while the Master Plan is being finalized so as not to throw a monkey wrench in the entire plan. Please let your county commission know how you feel by emailing them at bocc@santarosa.fl.gov.
In the past week, Navarre Press has reunited lost pets with their owners/families. First, a beautiful cat graced our porch looking for some reassurance that his story would have a happy ending. And it did. This cat (we now know his name is Mittens) did all the right things after he went missing. He got our attention, lathered us in cuddles and love and made us want to take care of him while we looked for his owners. He was fed and coddled and he endeared himself to us. No way could we let this guy go wandering around when his demeaner told us he belonged to someone somewhere.
Florida Press Educational Services (FPES) is proud to commemorate Newspaper in Education Week 2018 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.
Is it what we do or why we do it that makes the difference? The answer is in the why. Why you do anything is more important than the what. Anyone can do the what, but what matters is the why.
Under the category of economic growth and good things happening for Navarre… Navarre’s Pullum YMCA seeks your input in their future expansion. They will be having input meetings to discuss specific programs and design elements on March 10, 13, and 15. See their ad in this issue for more information – including meeting times and locations. As a bonus, the Pullum Family YMCA is also offering $50 off the joining fee until March 17. Offer Code is: INPUT.
After watching the beautiful opening ceremonies for the winter Olympics, I was annoyed by Vice President Mike Pence’s refusal to stand when the combined Korea team entered the stadium.
