Our View 3/22/08

With prices going up on everything from apples to Zataran’s, times are getting tougher.

About the only thing that remains cheap is talk...and there is plenty of that in Santa Rosa County.

Everywhere you go there is a group talking about the various problems in our community. It’ easy to hear them: “taxes are too high, my road needs paving, there needs to be public transportation,” and the list grows and grows.

It is very educational to listen to the groups gathering at the various eateries to solve the world’s problems.

But in the end, it comes down to talk and yes, talk is cheap.

The real problem today is who is going to fix the real problems of today?

When a problem arises, many look to our governmental leaders to fix it, but complain when those leaders don’t do things the way the complainers would have.

When they do actually fix something, we complain about the cost and money spent.

It becomes as laughable as watching a dog trying to catch its own tail.

One issue that has emerged is the educational process and a program called Reading Recovery.

From an outsider view the program must be working or Santa Rosa County wouldn’t remain at the top of the heap when it comes to educational achievements.

The problem our leaders have run into: how to fund this program and all the other programs necessary to run a school.

Busses have to transport and teachers expect annual salary increases. Equipment must be maintained and power bills must be paid.

Despite what many might think over coffee, education has come a long way from the one-room schoolhouse with one teacher.

And education is not the only subject on the tip of Santa Rosa’s tongue.

The courthouse issue is still looming large.

Someday, someone will have to make a decision.

Should it be the commissioners? The voters? Who? The issue will eventually be an Albatross around someone’s neck.

At the same time, commissioners are worried about roads, budgets, and what they are going to do with the supposed tax cut voters gave themselves.

Even in tight budget times, many walk up with hat in their hand seeking some kind of financial help.

A line has to be drawn, but when it will be drawn is the biggest question.

There seems no end in sight to Highway 90, Highway 98, and Avalon Boulevard woes. These are the three biggest road issues facing Santa Rosa County.

Is a cure coming soon?

Probably not.

Santa Rosa, it is time to start being part of the solution instead of the problem. If two heads are better than one, then 120,000 heads should be a big help. And that would be true if we would all get involved and offer our ideas and assistance as our county attempts to wrestle with truly difficult problems associated with growth.