Opinion Archive

In 1999, the United States Congress designated the month of May as Military Appreciation Month to give communities across the nation the opportunity to show their thanks to the men and women who serve in all branches of the United States military.

This is our second week of publishing a page from the Milton Gazette. The issue this week is from August 19, 1910, and in it is a story that starts with “A rare relic.” It details how someone brought them a paper from January 4, 1800, that gives an account of George Washington’s funeral.  Here we are looking back at newspapers from more than 100 years ago to a paper that is also looking back at a newspaper more than 100 years ago. And, because the Milton Gazette reprinted that, we have a real treat – from more than 200 years ago. Please read the entire page of the Milton Gazette. If only you could hear Gail Acosta read it out loud. We may have to start a YouTube channel because the way she reads it – makes the entire page come to life.

Fun Fest is this Saturday!  When I was the chairman of the board of the Navarre Chamber, we went from a Friday night, all-day Saturday, half-a-day Sunday event to just a Friday evening – Saturday event. This year…they are eliminating Friday night and holding the event only on Saturday. The changes sound good to me and it promises to be a very fun event. In fact, I may just enjoy every moment of it because all-day Saturday sounds very manageable.

Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men are victims of rape (Black et al., 2011). But all of us are impacted by sexual violence. That’s because sexual violence affects communities and society — in addition to survivors and their loved ones. Because of this, it’s on all of us to help prevent it.

Surprise, Surprise! According to the 4-7-2016 issue of the NAVARRE PRESS (thank you), members of the water system are being hit with a 17.5% rate increase.

Even on Earth Day, the costs to our planet don’t outweigh the benefits for education.

We made a few small changes to this week’s issue but next week – there will be an even more noticeable difference. One difference will be where you will find this page. We are going to move this page to the back of the A section for several reasons one of which is because we are going to have two pages of editorial content. We have had a small debate at the office about our section that starts out with the word “Community.”  All of Navarre Press is about our community or news that affects our community, so why have a page that says “Community?” We are still mulling that over. We will be moving a few other pages around and we are going to have a regular “History” page. The page may appear every other week – or every week. Today’s news is tomorrow’s history. However, we have found a source for local history that is a-w-e-s-o-m-e. 

I would like to applaud the residents of Santa Rosa County who attended the recent meeting with the Santa Rosa County Commissioners to express their displeasure at the proposed 10-year penny increase in sales tax, reportedly to cover the new courthouse, roads, sidewalks and storm drainage. I couldn’t agree more with those residents.  It just boggles the mind how obtuse these commissioners think ‘we the people’ are. Another tactic of smoke and mirrors from our illustrious commissioners (see land purchase of Industrial Park @ I-10).  Another insult to the intelligence of the taxpayers of Santa Rosa County. 

Some readers may be surprised to learn that Navarre Press, while owned by Sandi Kemp belongs to the community.  We cover issues important to you: the actions of your government and its individual members, crime and public safety, the latest on beach renourishment, the local high-school athletes who are going places, the Navarre High School JROTC program and all of their awards, upcoming events, healthy living stories and the list goes on.  You might be more surprised to learn that Sandi Kemp usually only has an idea of what is going in the paper each week, and she reads it on Thursdays just as you. 

I would invite everyone to go to the Navarre Press YouTube channel and watch the video of the meeting that took place on Saturday in regard to the attempt to form a historical society for our area. I would spell it out – but you are all smart people. You might want to look at the relation of all of the people nominated and voted on to the “board.” I’ll give you a hint; they are all related and related to the person that nominated them.  And, in case you want to know when the next private club meeting is – we don’t know. I don’t think we are invited.  And, bottom line, we know you are smart enough to know not to believe what you read on Facebook. If you have any questions about Navarre Press or me – please call. I’m not going to play the vulgar game that was played this past weekend on the Tower of Babel – otherwise known as…I’m not going to even say it. It is disgusting and Facebook is of the Devil and the Father of Lies himself – resides there – on certain Facebook sites that will not be named.  People write things on Facebook that they do not have the guts to say in real life.  I have so much more to say – but you will have to wait until the Navarre Press’ UNCUT version comes out.  Hey, I reserve the right to have the uncut version next week…OK editor? You will find our YouTube site here: