I APPLAUD GOVERNOR JEB BUSH FOR HIS DECISIONS

I want to really express my support for Governor Jeb Bush for several recent decisions.

First, for his decision to pick former Senate President Toni Jennings as he new Lt. Governor replacing Frank Brogan who has resigned to become President of the University of South Florida. She is extremely qualified and knows her way around the Legislative Halls. With the problems between Senate President Jim King and Speaker Johnnie Byrd, she can be the perfect person to work out details of disagreements should they arise.

Second, for his decision to ask the Legislature to go back to the citizens of Florida for another vote on the High Speed Rail and the Class Size amendments voters passed during recent elections. Now that the citizens are aware of the costs and problems dealing with these two, let's see what they think about the decisions in another vote. If the Legislature does not go along with this decision, then I suggest they simply postpone action the way they have with the English Official Language of the State amendment approved by voters over a decade ago.

Let the Governor know how you feel on the issues. I promise you that he listens and he appreciates input.

I'VE SEEN IT, SO MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE

For the past several days, I've seen Representatives Bevy Kilmer and Ray Sansom on TV with their Legislative update message. The thing is that it's the same over and over. Surely there are other issues that need highlighting. Leads you to believe that both Ray and Bev have no other interest than the issue of Education. Ray wants to make sure he pleases his Okaloosa School District boss by pushing for flexibility in spending of education funds. Bev wants you to know that she is heading up education and is going to consider all education issues, not just a few. I'm behind both of them in their desires to assist education, but I would hope they would begin to look at medical malpractice, workers' compensation, insurance of all types, and even talk about completing the abolishment of Florida's Intangibles Tax.

CHAMBER'S CANDIDATE FORUM INTERESTING

Tuesday morning I attended the Fort Walton Beach City Council Candidate Forum held at the Chamber of Commerce conference room. The candidates spoke freely and were prepared to answer most of the questions posed to them. I was surprised to see that the crowd was not overflowing; however, the room capacity is small and the some 50 to 65 people in attendance made the room seem full.

Each candidate pulled a question out of a bowl and then answered that question. The same question was pulled by several candidates. Following those questions there was an opportunity for the audience to ask questions. Most questions centered on the CRA (Community Redevelopment Area). There were questions about infrastructure, budgets, transportation, etc.

The one question I wanted to ask was what can be done to give the city a more positive business reputation. Unfortunately, there are those who feel the city has an anti-business attitude. I would propose that one qualified person at City Hall be given the duty and responsibility of assisting those with business problems. If a person comes in and wants to open a business in the City limits, that person would take the visitor by the hand and lead him/her through whatever processes are necessary to get established. Don't simply refer the individual from place to place and person to person. Take them by the hand and lead and introduce. Also, if a business is having a problem, then do the same thing with that individual. Show a willingness to be helpful and smile. I still say that the City should adopt the song, "You've Got To Accentuate The Positive, Eliminate The Negative" as the theme song and make sure people hear it often.

ANOTHER GOOD ONE FROM MARLIN

Marlin Bracken has sent another good one I want to pass along to you:

"Our wonderful government ignored the U.S. Constitution which require that only 'citizens' can vote. In order to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, one must demonstrate 'an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write and speak.simple words and phrases.in ordinary usage in the English language.'

"Failure to purge ineligible voters from the voter lists opens the door for fraud.

"Don't you get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that the Socialists in our government are looking after everyone except Americans? Wake up America, while you still have a country to wake up in."

BOB IS WORTH QUOTING WITH THIS ONE

Received the following from an individual who provides me with many messages that cause a lot of thought. So, I'm passing along to you.

"Today's teachers do not teach. The educator of today is expected to entertain the children, that way they will behave and can be passed along to the next grade. If the level of skill in amusing the kids is insufficient, those kids who are fidgety are classified A>D>D> and doped up on Ritalin. I have witnessed this and worse - they gave the kid thorazine.

"A couple of solutions are mandatory parental involvement, higher skilled/qualified teachers.

"Dumping the NEA in favor of a merit based pay scale will cause the cream to rise and stag to - well go where stag belongs.

"Teachers and the union complain and complain about low pay. A quick look shows that teachers work approximately 180 days per year. The average blue collar worker works 291 days and makes the same or more than the teacher. The average white collar worker works around 259 days a year, depending on position, and makes vastly less than a teacher or often more, than a teacher.

"In addition to making more money by working more time, non-teaching workers are rewarded with layoffs, firing, etc.

"Privatizing education will do wonders for the Nation. Name 10 famous Americans that were educated by government schools?" (Bob)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Exceptional customer service is more than a philosophy or a set of policies. It's an experience!" (Bob Nelson - Nelson Motivation, Inc.)

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Should school districts look into privatizing government school education?

Comments should be sent to:  jmelvin@gulf1.com