Bullying is a widespread issue that lurks in the hallways and classrooms of schools across Northwest Florida. While the silence of it can be deafening, it will leave invisible scars that can last a lifetime. Despite school districts trying to implement increased awareness and initiatives aimed at combating bullying, its effects continue to ripple through our educational system, creating an environment of fear and insecurity for many of our young students.
The Navarre Press recently reported on efforts by Navarre Beach Leaseholders and Residents Association (NBLRA) leaders Gary Buroker and Drew Ruthrauff to pursue fee simple title for beach properties. While resolving issues such as double taxation is an understandable goal, we, as concerned residents, believe it is essential to carefully consider the potential long-term impacts of such a fundamental shift in land ownership on our community.
Commissioner Kerry Smith said he went out of town over the weekend and came back to read our editorial in the Feb. 20 issue. At first, he said he was angry, but he read it a second time and said we were right. We are not celebrating over being right – we are celebrating because change has been made. And one commissioner had the guts to direct the change.
In the past, when impact fees came before the Santa Rosa County commissioners, the board room was filled with builders wearing their colorful company shirts sitting in the audience to make a statement to commissioners of their opposition on impact fees. The presidents of the builders’ associations would stand at the podium and talk about how the fees will impact buyers and make homes unaffordable for middle class citizens. The commissioners always hear their complaints and opposition and bow to them refusing to pass impact fees.
We are happy a judge decided to dismiss the case local community agitator, Romi White, filed against the Holley Navarre Water System to try to stop the election at the annual meeting. I wouldn’t be surprised if she files something else in the future just to keep the drama going. I’m fairly sure she is filing these injunctions on someone’s behalf and with someone’s credit card or check book. I didn’t miss-type the “s” on the end of injunctions. She filed two but didn’t file the first one correctly and was told to try again, and that will be an additional $410. Actually, $410 is pretty cheap to file an injunction just so you have something to write about. Because, otherwise, she wouldn’t. The funniest part is she writes blogs and interviews herself. It is quite comical.
So I took my first trip over to the new track at Pine Forest a couple of weekends ago. Let me just say that I was impressed.
It kind of felt like I was walking into a stadium for the state meet with the way the rubberized track looked as the sun beat down on it. It is indeed a thing of beauty.
About 35 years ago, my wife and I purchased a house next to an older, Lebanese couple. One afternoon, after lunch, I was about to head back to the church, when I saw my neighbor. I waved to him. He gently called to me, “Mike, please, come for coffee.” I hesitated, did a quick mental assessment of my busy afternoon schedule, sighed, then answered, “Sure. Thank you.”
