<font color="#0033CC">LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:</font> Nov. 13

To the Editor:

This letter is in response to the rant and rave writer who was concerned about football vs. reading and writing, and who seems to think that the two are mutually exclusive. My observation is that Superintendent Scarborough is determined to excel in both academics and athletics. You read more about athletics, especially football because that's the face of a school and even the community, and there's nothing quite like small town high school football under the lights on Friday night. Your concern that only a few people benefit from football simply isn't so. Not only do the football players participate on Friday night, so do the band members, cheerleaders, ROTC members, and you will see a lot of students attending the game. I'm also sure if you spoke to the instructors in any of the previously mentioned programs, they would tell you that they would love to have more students participate.

As far as the cost, football creates enough revenue through ticket sales and boosters, that not only is it self-supporting, but it also helps fund other athletic program. If you want to measure the success of the football program by academic standards, then you will be pleased to know that Suwannee High School currently has 6 football players attending college and playing football. Three alumni are playing in the NFL, with another one on the way next year, and Branford has a young man headed to play college football. We have several football player alumni who have graduated from college and are now successful businessmen in Live Oak. Do not discount the fact that some students simply would not remain in school if they didn't participate in sports, and in some cases the only real positive contact that some students have with a male role model is their coach. I think we get our money's worth from football.

Now let's talk about the reading side. I'm married to a teacher, and I can assure you that teachers want to teach students. In fact, most put their hearts and soul into it. The reality is, that there are a lot of things that teachers can't control. First, they can't hire and fire students. They take them all. Second, have you ever seen all the paperwork dumped on teachers by mindless bureaucrats (to cover their butts)? I've never met a teacher that wouldn't rather be planning and teaching students, but there are only so many hour sin a day, and if the paperwork isn't done, then the teacher is in big trouble. Third, teachers can't control... abused children, neglect, dysfunctional families, alcohol/drug babies, hyperactive kids who haven't been given their medication, TMH, SLD, ADHD, hunger, homeless students, or apathetic parents and students who don't value education, but then feel somehow that their child is entitled to a world class education without putting forth any effort on the students or parent's part. Fourth, teachers don't teach laziness, crime, sex, pregnancy, disruption, the lack of social skills, violence, or alcohol/drug abuse to students, but they have to deal with it.

As for academics, Suwannee High School has students attending or who have graduated from colleges all over the country, including West Point, Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, Harvard, Florida State University, University of Florida, and many more. One student made a perfect score on the SAT test, and one student is one of 20 people selected nationwide to work on the restoration of the USS Constitution. Must be some teaching going on somewhere.

I suggest that if you would like to contribute to the improvement of education in Suwannee County, then volunteer at the school of your choice, or join one of the many fine civic clubs that tutor and mentor students, such as Kiwanis, Lions, Altrusa, or Rotary.

Finally, while I believe that football boosts school and community spirit, I suggest that you personally attend a football game on a Friday night. You will probably have a good time, will be impressed with the work and effort of the players and coaches, band members, ROTC students, and yes, you might even become a fan. Go Dawgs, Go Bucs.

John Hill



To the Editor:

I learned that there was a submission last week to Rant and Rave strongly criticizing efforts to preserve and expand a historic property in Live Oak. Unfortunately, some people thought this was referring to Grace Manor Community Center and Restaurant. It wasn't! Even so, this is a great time to clear up some of the common misconceptions people have about Grace Manor's function, funding and future.

Function: Grace Manor is known best in town for its restaurant, located in the historic Dowling House on Duval Street, but it has had a much larger purpose. It offers historical education and entertainment to the community. It provides mentoring to youth and adults who have had scrapes with the legal system. It provides a place where residents can connect with a piece of their history just by coming to eat lunch!

Funding: Grace Manor does not receive any funding from the city or county. The only public money it has ever received was one matching historic preservation grant from the State of Florida in 2001. Everything else was funded privately. When customers dine at Grace Manor, they are helping fund the services it provides and the upkeep of the historical building.

Future: Yes, Grace Manor is up for sale. My move out-of-state and declining health of two board members is forcing the change, but we are excited about the possibilities that come with that change. We are committed to finding a buyer that will keep the restaurant open to the public, and even expand its tourism appeal. We are so pleased to meet the interesting people who visit our facility from all over the country, and we know that just the right person or group is out there to take it to the next level!

If you haven't visited Grace Manor yet, please come by and ask for a free tour! We are proud of our building, the history of the area, and all the staff and volunteers that make Grace Manor work. Remember, this building was condemned and dilapidated when our volunteers stepped in, but we thought it was important to preserve this piece of history for generations to come. I hope you will choose to be a part of YOUR community center's future!

Tracy Andrews Forest

Chairman

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