Opinion Archive

Our local officials have been busy this week sorting out everything from budget, changes to the land development code and what to do about the soon-to-be-empty seat for the county attorney.

I’ll start with the last item first. The county has been using the services of a Tallahassee law firm since commissioners voted to fire the county attorney late last year.

With the onset of summer, many trees and plants have already bloomed and are settling into the green background. An exception are the Mimosa trees, Albizia julibrissin, which are blooming profusely.

These once popular small trees are commonly found in the yards of older homes in Santa Rosa County where the display of prolific pink blooms starts up as the weather warms.

What’s in a name?

Smoke and mirrors, if it’s Preserve Navarre.

Have you ever sat down in a restaurant, begun to read the menu and then realized you can’t afford to eat there?

My wife and I went shopping and, having a gift card, decided to eat dinner out. We were handed menus and I realized, “I can’t afford to eat here!”

There are a lot of reasons you are reading this column today. My interest in the once-great Chicago Tribune at a young age is one of them.

I say once-great because the Tribune is in the midst of being gutted. Its foundation is crumbling.

Hibbing, Minnesota is famous.“Yes!” some really smart person who always wins at Trivial Pursuit might reply, “It is ‘The Iron Capital of the World’ and home to the world’s largest iron ore pit.”

Well, there is that.

Gopher tortoises are often hidden in the tall grasses as they slowly plod through the hot summer days.

The 90-degree-plus June temperature readings have many residents slowing their pace for the explicit purpose of not overheating.

The community lost a big supporter and a huge contributor last weekend when Bill Pullum died.

Among other contributions, we can thank him for a donation that helped launch the Betty J Pullum YMCA.