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More Santa Rosa revenue cuts looming (February 19, 2008)
As local taxing authorities like Santa Rosa County move into this year’s budget season, lawmakers must decide how far to allow Florida’s recent Tax Reform Amendment to impact incoming revenues.

What’s the matter with East Milton? (February 12, 2008)
“They keep finding excuses why it shouldn’t be in East Milton.”

That’s Pam Williams’ take on the question of where to build a proposed new county Judicial Center.

Public transit study probes Santa Rosa interest (February 7, 2008)
Results from a Santa Rosa public transit study, released this month, suggest residents may be amenable to expanding service – both within the county and to outside destinations.

State puts brakes on Perdido Key development cap increase (February 6, 2008)
Florida’s Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has declined to sign off on a recent move to raise development ‘dwelling cap’ limits on Perdido Key.

Dragonfly Gallery hosts pottery exhibit (January 14, 2008)
Milton’s Dragonfly Gallery hosted potters from throughout the area, Friday, a week before the artists retrieve work currently baking away in a 32-foot firing oven, called a kiln.

‘Roll-forward’ millage hike could mitigate tax Amendment losses (January 14, 2008)
If Florida voters pass a proposed tax reform Amendment, local governments will still have the option of offsetting its impact through what state officials are calling a ‘roll-forward” tax millage rate increase. Most homeowners would still see a portion of Amendment savings; but part of homeowners’ tax burden would likely shift to business and non-homesteaded properties, according to County Property Appraiser data.

Code change would halt Pond Creek septic tanks (January 8, 2008)
Santa Rosa Commissioners snubbed a proposed code change to prevent septic tanks near waterways at Monday’s commission hearing -- but the issue’s not dead yet, says Commissioner John Broxson.

Broxson proposed the Land Development Code change to ban septic tanks within 1000 feet of pristine water bodies. He says he’ll continue to pursue the measure in coming months. County staff are currently refining the proposal for future consideration, according to Broxson.

Emerald Coast blueprint envisions Panhandle ecology, community to 2030 (December 18, 2007)
Now’s the time to think about how Panhandle growth is affecting future environment and community quality, says a group tasked with developing a blueprint for the next 25 years.

BOCC postpones Pond Creek septic tank decision (December 18, 2007)
When Santa Rosa Commissioners rezoned 44 acres near Pond Creek in 2005, neighbors were under the impression that the new subdivision would be serviced by sewer, rather than septic tanks. Now, the developer has filed for a change order to install septic tanks.

Former Governor Graham focuses on civics schooling (November 30, 2007)
In 2005, former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham retired from a 40-year career in public office. Now, Graham is focusing on preparing future generations to be participating democratic citizens.

Volunteer Fire Departments on call as funding increase approved (November 26, 2007)
With the ink barely dry on a special fire tax increase, area volunteer fire departments have fully resumed responding to all but lowest-priority calls, say officials. In the meantime, plans to pool Department spending and purchasing under county oversight are still being implemented.

Despite progress, turtles still face extinction (November 15, 2007)
Marine turtles have thrived for more than 100 million years. But only the last few hundred years have given the huge, spectacular, prehistoric amphibians serious trouble.

Honey Bee decrease impacting local crops (November 12, 2007)
We take a lot of things for granted these days. Things like clean water, a roof over our heads and plenty of food fortunately represent things that most of us don’t worry about on a daily basis.

Broxson assumes Board Chair: (November 10, 2007)
Finding funds to pay for a new courthouse before next November’s election and dealing with shrinking property tax revenues are primary issues Santa Rosa’s Board of Commissioners faces in the coming year, says District 5 Commissioner and newly appointed Chair John Broxson. Broxson (l) assumed the ‘gavel’ from outgoing Chair, District 1 Commissioner Tom Stewart (r), November 8.

Bed...breakfast...back to nature: local ecology shapes tourism's future (November 4, 2007)
Area residents have long appreciated the wealth of natural resources that meander from local beaches, northward, through woodlands, creeks and farm country. Now, tourism officials are hoping visitors will also discover the region’s ecological assets…and by spending money here, help preserve them.

Want to be a farmer? (October 29, 2007)
Small-scale, specialized ‘niche’ farming returns higher profits per acre; and could potentially bolster Santa Rosa agriculture and help conserve existing farmland.

Courthouse funding hinges on voter approval (October 23, 2007)
With 40 public-owned acres next to Santa Rosa’s jail now on the auction block, the quest for ways to fund a new courthouse, and the land to site it on, continues in Santa Rosa County.

Lawmakers divided on children’s health insurance (October 9, 2007)
As efforts to renew Federal health insurance for low-income children continue, Florida’s Congressional delegates are divided over how far to expand the program’s scope and funding.

Environmental officials eyeing Jubilee construction site (October 2, 2007)
Jubilee building site sediment may be running off into adjoining wetlands, in violation of state statute, according to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection.

Whiting hosts leadership program (September 28, 2007)
Community, business, and civic members of Santa Rosa County, had an opportunity to get up close and personal with military personnel and equipment during a recent orientation on NAS Whiting Field's mission and capabilities.

County says ‘no’ to jail, roadwork privatization (September 28, 2007)
Officials scrutinized jail operations, road paving preparation and vehicle and equipment maintenance costs, to see if private industry could perform the work more cheaply.

Will taxpayers ‘own’ future Eglin toll bypass? (September 21, 2007)
A toll bypass that would run along Eglin AFB’s southern boundary, between Hwy. 87 and U.S. 331 in Walton County, could clear a major hurdle by the end of October. But officials say it's too early to say whether taxpayers or private industry will reap eventual profits.

Correct fertilizer key to Fall lawn preparation (September 15, 2007)
September marks the beginning of the fall gardening season. Now is the time to start preparing your lawn for the winter.

Dawn’s ion engine: the Prius of space? (September 13, 2007)
Some spacecraft achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust from them
If you drive a car - and you know who you are - you have invariably come upon the dreaded dilemma of refueling.

Coyote neighbors fear new landfill on the horizon (August 28, 2007)
Residents living near Holley’s Coyote landfill fear a proposed new excavation pit will eventually expand dumping activities to within 100 feet of their backyards.

Volunteers, business groups pitch in to help “Save the ZOO” (August 16, 2007)
Business and community volunteers met Tuesday at Holley Navarre Fire Station to strategize solutions to ZOO Northwest Florida’s financial woes.

Key investor says Jubilee’s still on (August 12, 2007)
In an exclusive interview, California-based financier Barney Ng updates the status of Pace’s floundering Jubilee project, and talks about the development’s future. Ng was in Santa Rosa this week to meet with contractors who are still owed payments for Jubilee construction work.

UF survey: Few Floridians think their house values will dip in five years (August 8, 2007)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Floridians are optimistic about housing prices despite the gloom pervading much of the real estate industry, a new University of Florida survey finds.

Jubilee construction delayed, contractors file liens (August 6, 2007)
Construction on Pace’s proposed 2,700 acre Jubilee development will not meet initial timetable projections, say project officials. Three contractors recently filed liens against Jubilee land, owned by Atlanta-based developer The Eagle Group.

ACLU Florida: Tax Reform Commission could threaten public schools (August 6, 2007)
ACLU would vigorously oppose any proposed constitutional amendment that would authorize the payment of state tax dollars to religious or private institutions that otherwise would benefit public education.

Tougher landfill code approved: distance concerns linger (July 3, 2007)
New regulations, approved Friday, establish more stringent standards for Santa Rosa construction debris landfills, but questions linger over allowable buffer distances between disposal sites and residential housing areas.

Coyote neighborhood a ‘public health hazard’ (July 3, 2007)
It’s official: the atmosphere near Navarre’s Coyote Landfill poses a threat to public health, according to a state study cited by Santa Rosa’s Health Department.

FCATs shape student futures…but parents can’t double check scores (June 28, 2007)
Florida’s FCAT affects grade promotion, graduation, college prep course placement, and school funding levels. But despite those high-stakes implications for families, parents are not allowed to review test booklet records, to check scoring results, answer-by-answer.

Tax reform bill shaves 7 percent off Santa Rosa property tax revenues (June 15, 2007)
State tax reform, passed Thursday evening, requires Santa Rosa County to reduce tax revenues by seven percent next year, but Property Appraiser Greg Brown says it’s too soon to tell how the changes might impact homeowners’ pocketbooks.

Commissioner McCarty orders insurer to refund $43.2 million to customers (June 15, 2007)
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty issued a Consent Order requiring United Property & Casualty Insurance Company to refund millions of dollars in unapproved homeowners’ insurance rate increases, the Office of Insurance Regulation has announced.

Better Business Bureau seeks 2007 Ethics Award Nominees (June 14, 2007)
The Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida is seeking nominations of businesses and charities for the 2007 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.

Area couple hunt treasure…in plain sight (June 13, 2007)
Geocaching (pronounced geo-cash-ing) is a treasure hunting game that uses a GPS (global positioning system) to find bits of treasure, called caches, hidden in plain sight all over the world. Clues and coordinates are posted on a Web site.

In Memorium: John Brancato (June 8, 2007)
Because we see ourselves as a democratic nation, most of us would answer, "the people," if asked who elects the U.S. president. And that answer would be wrong.

Florida can't afford new coal plant (June 5, 2007)
The Florida Public Services Commission (PSC) voted June 5 to reject a proposal for one of the largest new coal-fired power plants in the United States.

Florida Hometown Democracy: put public in charge of growth (June 3, 2007)
“It’s the merging of an elite group that makes its money off development, with elected officials who do their bidding… Honey, it’s just a bunch of good old boys in the back room, cutting deals.”

Proposed landfill buffer zones questioned (June 2, 2007)
Proposed new ordinances to regulate dirt borrow pits, solid waste collection and construction and demolition (C&D) landfills drew criticism at a recent hearing, for allowing future facilities too close to housing areas.

Capt. McClure takes reins of Fleet Hospital Pensacola (May 24, 2007)
Captain Paula McClure, a Navy Medical Service Corps officer, is no stranger to operational missions and deploying units; or the command-wide structure of Naval Hospital Pensacola.

IP pipeline denial is the right decision (May 23, 2007)
The League of Women Voters of the Pensacola Bay Area supports the decision of Judge Canter recommending denial of International Paper’s request to construct a ten mile pipeline to wetlands which drain into Perdido Bay.

Navy Medicine East Goes South (May 22, 2007)
The Commander of Navy Medicine East flew South for the week visiting Naval Hospital Pensacola and Navy Medicine assets at the Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss., one of the Pensacola hospital’s 11 branch health clinics; and homeport of the Atlantic Fleet’s Seabees.

Horsefly Buzzings: Road money pie needs another look (March 21, 2007)
My belief is that all government’s efforts, using our tax dollars, should be aimed at the majority rather than the minority.

Local tolls, foreign profits? (March 11, 2007)
Northwest Florida’s possible future highways, byways and evacuation routes. ‘Public-private’ suggestions include a Pace ‘Beltway,’ six lanes through Gulf Breeze and for-profit tollways; but foreign companies could end up pocketing the $$$...and build on eminent domain-obtained property.

Hwy. 98 tollway plans need a second look (March 11, 2007)
The Clean Water Network of Florida, Inc. offers the following comments regarding the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority’s proposed transportation corridors and the final master plan.

Take a musical walk ‘Among Them’ (March 11, 2007)
With a debut CD out and shows lined up; this band's still happiest mixing it up with the crowd

Volunteer fire department reforms move forward (March 11, 2007)
Volunteer fire department reform proposals, introduced last month, would increase tax dollars going towards the agencies, introduce a new element of public oversight…
 

North end/south end...are road repair $$$ split fairly? (March 11, 2007)
Paving money allocations vs. tax contributions sparks Commission spat

4-H helps restore almost-extinct southern apple (March 11, 2007)
Shell Apple reappearing in area yards and orchards 

Who owns government? (March 11, 2007)
March 11-17 marked National Sunshine Week – a yearly event that spotlights the key role open government and freedom of information play in a system “by, of and for the people.”

Viewpoint: MSBU fire department reform: it’s about time (March 11, 2007)
Thanks to coordination by Brad Baker (the new Santa Rosa County Emergency Services Coordinator); and many meetings of representatives from the MSBU fire departments and other fire departments (who may have to respond to "incidents" in the MSBU Fire Districts); we finally have a fire services plan that is generally endorsed by the BOCC.

Growth…a Wonderful Thing?
How ignorant could I possibly be, for not having seen the truth before now.

 

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