MARLIN REPLIES TO STATEMENT ABOUT BEING AMERICAN
I agree you are either American or you are not. You cannot be a hyphenated American. In other words, there is no such thing as an African-American, German-American, French-American, Chinese-American, etc. All this does is create tension, causes further bitterness and hatred between Races. If you want to keep your ancestor alive teach it to your children. I could care less where your parents or grandparents came from. If you were born here, or became a U.S. citizen, I consider you to be an AMERICAN. Let's all quit being Politically Correct and call things for what they really are. (Bravo Merlin, I've been saying the same thing for years. Hope others will begin making the same statements- Jerry)

INFORMATION CONCERNING U.S. WAR BONDS STAMPS
Following my article about finding an old savings stamp booklet (25 cents) I received numerous inquiries relative to the value of the stamps, how they could be cashed in, etc. Thanks to Congressman Jeff Miller's office, I can now fill you in with all the information. Here goes:

The stamps earn no interest but are exchangeable for Series EE savings bonds or redeemable for cash at face value. Payment of savings stamps may ordinarily be obtained by presenting them to any local bank or other financial institution that is authorized to redeem Series E/EE savings bonds or notes. Under the terms of their agency agreements and DC PD 1-80 and DC 4-67, current revisions, agents must accept savings stamps presented as payment, in whole or in part, for Series EE bonds. Acceptance of stamps solely for cash payment is optional.

Alternatively, the stamps may be submitted to a Federal Reserve Bank or to Bureau of the Public Debt, P.O. Box 1328, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328. If the stamps are sent to a Federal Reserve Bank or to the Bureau office, the address to which the proceeds are to be sent should be furnished. To obtain your local Federal Reserve Bank processing site go to: http//www.savingsbonds.gov/sav/savfrb.htm,

There was also a recommendation that perhaps a person could bet more for their stamps if they went to eBay or some other type of collectible location since many individuals are interested in such articles.

If you need any further information, go to the site mentioned above or let me know and I'll try to follow up for you.

A LITTLE HUMOR IS ALWAYS GOOD
Really like this bit of humor Morgan passed along to me. Simple but good.
"Subject: Youthful wisdom. God is watching us.

Up at the head table in the cafeteria, one of the nuns had placed a big bowl of bright red, fresh, juicy apples. Beside the bowl, she placed a note which read, Take only one. Remember, God is watching.

At the other end of the table was a bowl full of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, still warm from the oven. Beside the bowl, a little note scrawled in a child's handwriting which read, Take all you want. God is watching the apples..

COMMISSIONER PAULA RIGGS DID A GREAT JOB
Monday night at the Mary Esther City Hall chambers, Okaloosa County Commission Chairman, Paula Riggs held the first of what she calls "Cookies and Conversations". There were several interested individuals on hand as Chairman Riggs gave a slide presentation on the organization of the County and the various programs and projects underway. She said that one of her main goals is to see that the Commission communicates more with the residents of the county. Some of the ways this communication is occurring: Televised Board Meetings on Channel 6. In the Crestview area, Thursday 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. In the Fort Walton Beach area, Wednesday 7 p.m. and Thursdays 10 A.m. Another way is the County Call-In Talk Show on Channel 6, Fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. There is also a County Call-In Radio Show on WBZR NewsTalk 1120, First Wednesday at 7:10 a.m. and WFTW Talk Radio 1260, First Thursdays at 7:00 a.m.

The County maintains the Okaloosa County Website at www.co.okaloosa.fl.uis. There is a Speakers Bureau composed of County Commissioners, Department Heads, and Local Officials who are available to speak at local forums, clubs and events about all aspects of local county government.

The Cookies and Conversation with the Commissioners will be held monthly where individuals requested to ask questions and make suggestions.

Funding for transportation needs was a big issue with those attending as was funding for the Judiciary and expanded services. One suggestion for funding the new court house was to place a charge on use of the facility by attorneys. Since I'm the one who made this suggestion, do you know of any place where the government builds a building and lets Insurance Agents use the building for their business without cost? How about a retail store, do you know where the government builds a building and lets you move your merchandise in and operate your business without cost? In addition to providing the building, taxpayers pay for the judges, court reporters and other items utilized by attorneys as they practice their profession. Maybe if charges were made according to the time utilized, cases would not draw out so long. Think about this one! I'm going to recommend it to some of my friends who are still in the Florida House and Senate.

With reference to funding jail expansion and providing food, one suggestion was to make the prisoners eat the food school children are fed in Okaloosa County schools.

Opening of the Convention Center, Renourishment of beaches, success of the Library Cooperative and cutting down on leased/rented space were other items covered during the meeting. Suggest you try to attend the next one.

PHIL.BAYANIHAN ASSOCIATION OF OKALOOSA COUNTY
There are some groups and organizations composed of people who just seem to enjoy life and have great fun at whatever they are doing. One such group is the Okaloosa County Phi.Bayanihan Association. I was first introduced to the group through artist Susan Stillwell when she invited me to attend and install their new officers and crown their new queen. What a great group of people, and what great food they serve.

Saturday, January 25 I was invi8ted to install the new officers for 2003 at the VFW, Carol Avenue. Many of the same folks were on hand and then there were some new ones. Representative Ray Sansom was also a guest and he spoke briefly to the group.

It was my pleasure to install the new officers as: Lyn Rose, President; Helen Lovett, Vice President; Sally Barnes, Secretary; Nerissa Aldrich, Second Secretary; Susan Stillwell, Treasurer; and Norma Obey, Second Treasurer.

As usual, the food was great, including a whole roasted pig, and many dishes made by individual members and brought to the table. Entertainment was exciting as usual. However, most of all I enjoyed the fun-loving spirit and friendliness of all the folks involved. Hope they will keep inviting me back year after year to all their functions.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"While there are excellent schools across America, our system is failing too many children. Nearly 70% of inner-city and rural fourth-graders can't read at a basic level. There is a persistent achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. Reading scores have been flat for the past eight years. The numbers show us that what we're doing is not working .The skills and knowledge of our children are not getting better. Our children do not need adults who measure success in dollars. Our children don't need adults who make excuses for their failures. Our children need adults who focus on results. Our children deserve to learn, promptly and well, and anyt5hing that distracts from their learning is a distraction from school' mission." (Education Secretary Ron Paige)

QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Would you be in favor of assessing fees on Attorney's use of the Court House in order to offset costs for construction and operation of the court system?

Jerry Melvin

Comments should be sent to:  jmelvin@gulf1.com