Speak Out May 14, 2008

Monday, 3:12 p.m.
Yes, this is Jessica. I am calling about the three-tier program that the county is thinking about doing for the Santa Rosa County School System. That is the main reason I took my child out of Santa Rosa and she is in Escambia now. I don’t understand why students should be affected. Take and cut some of the school board position and use that money for the schools. This is ridiculous. There is no reason why this should be going on.
What about the students who go to work after school or participate in extra curricular activities? This is totally ridiculous and should not be going on.
If this does happen I promise you people will take their kids out of Santa Rosa Schools to Escambia County or home school them or there will be drop outs. Thank you.
Editor’s Note: Santa Rosa County Board Members have approved the three-tier plan for next year already and talk from the Escambia County Board of Education is they will not allow the transfer of students from Santa Rosa County due to their own budget concerns for next year that could force a reduction of teaching staff positions.

Monday, 12:51 p.m.
Hi, this is Ann. And instead of building more jails why not provide the counseling while they are in jail instead of when they get out and have no driver license or jobs to get to the counseling they need. It would just make sense to me.
They keep saying they have no job or no driver’s license and then they get put back in jail for not paying child support because they were in jail in the first place. This is a vicious circle we need to rethink in the first place.

Monday, 10:17 a.m.
My name is Celia. When the county is short on funds the commissioner looks to the average citizen for a penny here or a penny there and upping their property tax. Isn’t there a way to petition to cut their pay? They make $50,000 to $60,000 a year for a part-time job. They make more than a county employee with 20 years or more full-time. The county offices could pitch in and pinch a penny here or there to help out too.
Editor’s Note: The last time this will be stressed is that the county commissioner pay and other salaries are set by the legislaure in Tallahassee.

Sunday, 2:32 p.m.
I just have to give a big thank you to the Santa Rosa Historical Society and those responsible for the Hank Locklin Tribute on Saturday evening. It was truly wonderful and my family and I had a great time. Hank is a true legend. Thank you, Joe Annon and family.

Saturday, 6:42 p.m.
This is James. The City of Milton needs to cut the shrubs and hedges near Tops TV. You can’t even see to make a turn without pulling out into the path of a car. It is getting very dangerous. I wish they would also outlaw cell phones in public places and everything. They are becoming a public nuisance. You can’t even get up and down a grocery store aisle without people talking on their cell phones.

Friday, 2:31 p.m.
Hi, my name is Peggy. We have over 75 to 100 dentists in Santa Rosa County. At the present time only one is seeing Medicaid patients on a part-time basis. I am ashamed of our dentists. It is time for them to step up to the plate like the other type of doctors are doing in the community and meet the needs of people who cannot afford dental work. It is time to step up and meet the needs of the community. I implore you to ask your dentist if they are seeing Medicaid patients. If each dentist of these 75 to 100 would see two Medicaid patients a month, which would not break the bank, then these people would have better health and teeth. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?