Opinion Archive

Our hearts are heavy as we heard and reported the events of the day – this day Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Myers was shot and killed in the line of duty.  We heard the scanner traffic after the incident; perimeters being set up, a Comfort Inn being evacuated, command post being set up.  We waited for an update on the deputy’s condition.  He was listed as critical.  We prayed for Deputy Myers and his family.

Make sure to stop by Amy’s Attic this Saturday.  They will be having a Blowout Moving Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I am writing this letter in response to the article in Navarre Press, September 17, 2015, titled “Ducks, Turtles Out.” I would like to tell the rest of the story!

It sounds like Santa Rosa County is on a track to remove the wildlife which calls Navarre Park home.  The county says the ducks and turtles in the pond at the park are creating a health hazard and the whole thing should be removed, making way for the installation of a stormwater treatment system to enhance the water quality of the Sound….to the tune of $759,000.  Oh, and by the way, it would also make room for a planned amphitheater.

It’s time for your business to join the Navarre Chamber of Commerce and get involved in the community.   When you join the chamber in the month of September, you’ll receive a $20 Gift Card to Cactus Flower Café.

Please allow me to respond to your editorial justifying your printing pictures and information about those on the sex offender registry.

We just enjoyed a beautiful Labor Day weekend in Navarre, and the “official” end of summer. However, that isn’t the case for those of us that live here. One of the best-kept secrets – if there is one anymore – is how beautiful Navarre Beach is during this time of year when most of our visitors have headed home. We are fortunate to be able to enjoy our beautiful water and shores for months after the “official” end of summer.  And, if you are a surfer, the season has just begun. This time of year, in tourism lingo, is called, “The Shoulder Season.” This is the time between when the tourists leave and the tourists (Snowbirds) return in December.  And – this is the reason that “Beaches to Woodlands” came into existence. 

In this week’s issue of Navarre Press, you will find a spread with photos, names and addresses of sexual offenders and predators registered in Navarre and Gulf Breeze.  We have published this every year, and a majority of our readers let us know they appreciate us printing the information.  A couple of people have told us that they pull the pages out of the paper and keep it for reference.

The Holley Navarre Senior Center will have its community Fish Fry Sept. 18th with Sheriff Wendell Hall frying the fish.  Get your tickets early as a limited number of tickets are available.  See their ad for all of the details.

A Santa Rosa County ordinance states: “It shall be unlawful for items generally used for swimming, sunbathing, or beach recreation to remain on the beach between two hours after dusk and two hours after sunrise, except as otherwise permitted in this section. As used in this section, the phrase “items generally used for swimming, sunbathing, or beach recreation” shall include, but not be limited to, beach chairs, umbrellas, tents (including tent frames), hammocks, volleyball nets, picnic tables and tiki huts.”  It goes on to state that no items should be left that would be injurious to the environment, or the health, safety, or welfare of the public.   This means your trash.