Opinion Archive

Arguing that no full-time worker should be paid so little as to live in poverty, Bernie Sanders supports increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020. This is part of his plan for reducing income inequality in the United States. Unfortunately, raising the minimum wage, especially by such a large amount, will reduce the incomes of many low-wage workers by making fewer jobs available.

While we were sleeping, the wolf was at our door in the early morning hours Sunday.  It is being ranked as the deadliest mass shooting in United States history.  An act of terrorism, an act of hate, or maybe both.  The shooting in Orlando at a gay nightclub has left the state of Florida and certainly the U.S. mourning the loss of 49 people.  A single event made up of a hundred tragedies, each with a story, a face, a life, and a family.  All left to mourn, grieve, and for some to heal their physical wounds.  The FBI is investigating this as a terror attack, as the shooter, whose name will not be mentioned here, had both a leaning toward radical Islam and according to his father, a hatred for gays.  He was equipped, according to reports, with a suicide vest and guns.    

Tonight Stevie Hall will be playing Pop, Country and Blues at Navarre Park.   This is part of the Free Summer Concert Series from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday through the summer.

What is the reason for having a leash law in the area if it is not enforced? We have called Animal Control five times and the Sheriff’s Office one time and have been told nothing can be done by either groups. We are both too old to be fighting off pit bulls. I will bet if one of us gets bitten then something will be done. That will be a lot too late. Anyone have any suggestions?

I would really like to know why the leadership of the Navarre High School NJROTC unit disregarded the EMS advice to put all the children under shade after approximately 20 of them were affected by the hot temperatures during the  May 30, 2016 Memorial Day activities. This really concerns me as a father of one of the children that was affected by this, especially when I heard that the captain told the EMS, “No, only one at a time can go in the shade.”

Santa Rosa County commissioners are trying to sell the public on tax increases for the courthouse hoping for a low turnout in August (their words, not mine). This meaning Milton voters say “yes” to a building in a flood zone (presumably on pontoons) and voters in the southern part of the county will stay home. The May 26, 2016 issue of Navarre Press said 65 percent of voters in 2014 said “No” to that site. Suddenly, the cost has dropped from $50 million to $35 million. Don’t worry ‘cost overruns’ will get it to $50 million.

I am writing to publicly thank Lieutenant Chris Phelps of the Midway Fire Department along with firemen Alverter, Moore and Ward.  They answered a call for my father, Harry Adams, 97, who had fallen.  They were especially kind and helpful to both of my parents and spoke to my dad regarding his service in the Army during WWII, even taking a picture with him and his medals.  But there’s more.  A few days later, my parents received a note from Lt. Phelps (also signed by the others) not only saying they hoped he was well, but also wishing him happy birthday and thanking him for his service!  How sweet, compassionate and thoughtful.  So, thank you Lt. Phelps and your crew.  Your service is also appreciated.

We have a new addition to our staff that you will be seeing around town. Journalist Jamie Gentry makes her debut with this issue. She is a recent graduate from UWF and we are very fortunate to have her as part of the NP Team.

Memorial Day is widely heralded as the unofficial start of summer.  Here on the Emerald Coast it signals the beginning of our busy tourist season, with condos booked, hotel rooms rented, beach supplies at the ready, and the mouth-watering aroma of food being cooked on a grill.  This time of year is unmistakable and really puts us in the celebratory mood.  But before you celebrate, and there will be time for that on this Memorial Day, before the cookouts, beach parties and other events you have planned, take a moment to reflect on the many lives that have been sacrificed so willingly by our selfless men and women in uniform.  This day is about remembrance and honor for those who have died.  It certainly doesn’t mean you can’t have fun on Memorial Day or enjoy your three- or four-day weekend.   Just take a moment to pause and remember the reason for the occasion.

This Saturday is the graduation of the class of 2016 and Navarre Press is officially 16. We just pulled out our first issue and it is two sections for a total of 16 pages and includes a large picture of the Navarre High School Class of 2000.