Live Oak — Suwannee Countians, it's time to speak your mind! How? By calling the Suwannee Democrat Rant and Rave hotline. The hotline never closes and is your way to let it out. You can let everyone know how you feel -- as long as you express yourself in a respectful way.

Note: In written entries to Rant and Rave, errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation are those of the authors.

~~

To the individual who submitted the Rant concerning “yellow journalism” and Mayor Sonny Nobles’ remarks at a recent city budget workshop: Your submission merits attention, but is far too long for publication. Please shorten -- considerably -- and resubmit.

~~

I am calling in reference to Councilman Yulee’s statement that meters are not read. My meter is never read, you would have to dig down a foot just to uncover my meter to read it. Three years ago, during the winter, my pipes burst, by the time I got home, there was an inch of standing water in my kitchen, and there was a flood in my driveway, and I was dreading my water bill, and guess what, my bill never went up, it never changed. Thank you.

~~

I just read in the Suwannee Democrat where Live Oak has a lot of money to spend on fixing up the town. How about paving Ichetucknee Road. For us that have to use it to get to our homes, don’t have to drive through mud holes when it rains, washboard bumps when it doesn’t rain. That road is really an embarrassment to Live Oak for sure. Goodbye.

~~

I  am not knowledgeable when it comes to the inner working of government and who has the right to do what, but surely the president does not have the right to tell any state that they must allow a place of worship to be built in a specific place?? After reading the story about his supporting the building of a Muslim mosque where so many of our countrymen died and lost loved ones I was appalled. What is this man thinking?

~~

How many of those $50,000 and up positions are held by our Chinese in the county? Sounds like discrimination to me.

~~

After reading accounts of the last City Council meeting, One might get the impression that some of our City Councilmen might be taking this OMI contract thing a bit too lightly. When you mention the words 12 million dollars and no bid contract in the same sentence, Certainly you might expect some questions. Especially when a contract worth a few hundred dollars does require a bid process. So when asked how or why this was such a good deal, why not just answer the question. If you think we don’t need any explanation, just say so. No need to get all huffy about it.

~~

Editorial Board: You seem surprised that rage was the dominant reaction to your publishing the salaries of local public officials. You knew full well that rage and division would follow. This is an obvious attempt at class warfare -- divide and conquer. And then we find out that publishing the salary data is behind another push for a wet county (the real issue in Your View). Shameful! In “Our View” on Aug. 13 you have the audacity to lecture us to calm our rage, direct our energies usefully, focus on making our lives comfortable, make our future secure ... then (here come the code words and the real issue) your view is that we should bear down and work harder to bring new business (i.e. bars, liquor stores, hard drink to use your words), do whatever it takes, don’t take no for an answer, and toss out an obstacle to long term economic growth. This is the part of your argument where we are supposed to see rainbows and unicorns, right? Hard drink will make our lives comfortable and our future secure? Hard drink is NOT the answer to our economic struggles. The beginning of long term economic growth in our community is UNITY and public officials that are paid well enough to attract well educated locals and non-locals. Democrat - your creation of DISUNITY just set us back a far piece. So much for progress.

~~

Sorry but, I just can't help addressing the allegedly learned scholar's rant utilizing the $1.98 term referring to "a government of few".  For such an intellectual it would seem to me that they would be knowledgeable enough to know that the  Saint John authored only one [singular] Revelation published in the Basis Instructions Before Leaving Earth. That’s B I B L E for those unaware. I may be a zealot considering my faith and I know of multitudes of personal shortcomings but can't help snickering at self righteous pseudo educated individuals

~~

After serving 16 years as the commissioner in district (2) I was surprised to see Mr, Udell lose his seat in the recent election. I thought he done a marvelous job serving his district and the county the years he was in office.

I hope Mr. Fleming can fullfill all the promises he made, or will he just be another YES man?

Thank you.

~~

Thanks to the "Democrat" & folks that voted. If you didn't, you deserve what you get. Now that the primary is over, take a hard look prior to Nov. People who have spent decades in one office after another are too complacent & entrenched to be effective, or  they lack competence & competitivness to cut it in the private sector. The ones who invoke religion as a campaign tool  seek self justification or divine intervention to get a job! This is reprehensible behavior. Race, religion, sex, or party affiliation shouldn't be a factor at all. Hopefuls who have spent a lifetime here are burdened with family& social ties & obligations. They may lack practical life experience in a world outside of N. Fl. Not saying they aren't great folks, it's just human nature. The ones running on past family service or accomplishments are focused on a pointless legacy or building a dynasty, not your well being or future. Pine trees & cows are fine, but we need options & revenue or our county falls into further obscurity & poverty as our nation faces armed revolution or invasion. It really is up to YOU!

~~

While some salaries are mandated by state guidelines, it's still politicians taking care of their own. The high dollar, unelected hirelings are another matter altogether. It's hard to put the genie back in the bottle, but we gotta try. Nepotism is rampant around here. Suwannee, Madison, & Lafayette counties are terribly behind in everything incl. being 3 of the last 5 dry counties. They have been in the grip of the same people for far too many years. Our rivers should be a path to the future, not a wall around the past.

~~

I do not think Commissioner Wainwright should have "blasted" Fire Chief Charlie Conner at last Tuesday's meeting.  It didn't sound like Mr. Wainwright had even talked to Mr. Conner before this meeting.  Mr. Conner  was not even there to defend himself due to a death in his family. Talk about hitting a guy when he is down.  Maybe Mr. Conner needs some training in his management style, but the way Commissioner Wainwright handled this matter showed he needs training in his management style as well.  Mr. Conner has make many improvements in the Public Safety Department and I hope he and Mr. Wainwright can sit down and talk about these problems one on one, not at a public meeting.

~~

The mayor's remark about the handicapped are simply poorly worded. He has a lot of compassion on the subject, I know this first hand. His remark's about" I don't want to run the city", & I don't get paid enough are another matter. 40k for a part time job? Being mayor is the boss. Why run & cost taxpayers for a run-off then? Lot's of folks would be thrilled to earn that bustin'  their butt's. Not to mention he's already collecting retirement, maybe he should retire, like now. Oh yeah, ya'll just re-elected him.

~~

I just wanted to express my thanks to the individual in the blue car who tried desparately, but failed, to kill us on Friday afternoon. Just to jog your memory; we were in the mini van heading towards Live Oak, when you decided that passing on a double line, on a bridge, at 80 miles per hour, with a pick up truck coming south towards you, was a wise driving choice. Had my husband not moved as far as he could toward the guard rail, you would have caused a head on collision. I truly hope someone was  in your vehicle was in dire need of medical attention, because there is NO other valid reason to drive that way.

~~

Politicians and preists conspired to put our savior on the cross because he threatened their money and power. Jesus delivered his message to the dregs of humanity on the steps, not in the gilded temple of the rich and powerful. History repeats itself and sheep follow sheperds. We have adulterers, homosexuals, liars and theives in our gov't., religion and politics is the ultimate oxymoron, yet we embrace it here. A look at the paychecks brings to mind a parable about camels and needles, need I say more?

~~

I would like to thank Katherine Allen, Director of the Suwannee County Extension Office, and her staff for the wonderful camps they provided for the children of Suwannee County this summer. The time put into planning the camps truly showed in a job well done. I hope parents will look into the camps for next year.  The camps are very reasonably priced and the children learn while they are having fun. Suwannee County is so blessed to have Katherine and her staff providing a wide range of programs and classes at our Extension Office, check out their website at http://suwannee.ifas.ufl.edu/ for more information.

~~

I would like to know if it is going to take the death of a child to get a police officer or deputy to direct school traffic at the red light on Walker Ave and Pinewood Dr.  There are four schools whithin 1 mile of this intersection and cars from three different directions are fighting for the same spot on the road.  People constantly run the red light, cut others off and back up traffic through the red light.  Surely, the safety of our children is worth the price of an officer to direct traffic for one hour a morning.  To the parents trying to take their children to school, everyone needs to remember that we ALL have to get to work and are trying to get our children to school safely.  I hope and pray that Sheriff Cameron and Chief Williams will take the step to protect our children before someone gets hurt.

~~

Editor’s note: The following submissions were received before the announcement Tuesday of Live Oak animal control officer Sally Roman’s resignation.



I am calling about the animal control, I think that‘s a disgrace. I am sending this editorial on to the National Humane Society. If that was anybody else, they would have gotten a ticket for leaving an animal in a car. It’s the same as leaving a child in the car. I don’t care if she has been in animal control for 42 years, she has no compassion. Thank you.

~~

Since when does one spending an hour in Wal-Mart for supplies become more important than a dog left in an enclosed cage. With 42 years of experience, she should know that a few vents in a 95 degree parking lot does not provide moving, cool air.  Time to retire? I think so. Come on, city, do the right thing. I will always be on the lookout for an animal control truck and check for animals. Thank you, animal lover.

~~

At no time in the state of Florida should animals or children be left in a car in summertime. The weather is too changeable. It can rain one minute and be sunny the next. You cannot rely on the weather to stay the same. And the child or the dog may be dead when you get back to the car.

~~

No wonder the animal abuse in Suwannee County is so rampant. The officers who are supposed to help the animals don’t. The example being set is terrible. Animal control officers are like police officers, you are to set a higher example. The dog in question had no voice. Luckily the citizens got involved. This officer should be fired. I have had my pet cats shot, killed and maimed. I have bought animals that were abused to such an extent that they will never trust a human. Dogs that have been dumped, horses starved that we have rescued. This is the most horrendous place if you are an animal. These are God’s creatures and they should be treated as such. “A righteous man regards the life of his beasts and the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”

~~

This is in reply to the animal control officer that was given the option to resign. Well now looks to me like the good ole boys have struck again. I remember not too long ago a certain code enforcement was caught with alcohol in a city vehicle, that he drove to another county to purchase on city time.

How come he was not given the ultimatum of "quit or get fired" I personally know the animal control officer and she has done a terrific job for our city.

Hey chief williams, are you gonna provide an officer to patrol the feed stores and wal-mart parking lots when hunting season comes to see if there are animals locked in cages on back of the good ole boys' trucks. Im sure you will not have an officer for that, to catch the ones who deserve to be charged with animal cruelty. I think that Mrs. Roman should be reinstated and all backpay given to her.

~~

For all the self-righteous hypocrites who are outraged at the dog catcher doing the job for what we paid her for, take a look at yourself.  The dog that was picked up probably was a stray and will end up in the pound.  With the support of our tax dollars, that dog will be fed, neutered/spayed and hopefully adopted to a new family.  If not, the dog will be euthanized.

I see no problem with the cage the dog was in.  Its a step up from some of the dog boxes I see the skinny hunting dogs stuck in every year, while THEIR OWNERS are at WALMART.  Take a step back and look at yourselves

~~

Thanks to the Democrat, I read the article about the dog confined in a truck bed crate at Wal-Mart. I am a sheriff’s pound dog owner. Dogs can get heat strokes, same as humans. Even though animals may be put down if not adopted, this is not acceptable. From your picture it appears there was no shade anywhere. Thank you for caring enough to share this.



For the record, the photograph accompanying the article was not taken at the site of the incident. - Editor

~~

Callers to 386-208-8314 may express their thoughts, good or bad, 24/7 about community issues and politics, but not about private individuals or businesses. If you prefer, you may email your comments to nf.editorial@gaflnews.com. You don't have to give your name, and please, keep submissions to less than 45 seconds (that's about 150 words). We want everybody to have a chance to be heard. Submissions that are overly long will be discarded. If 45 seconds isn't enough time, write a Letter to the Editor. (Guidelines for letters appear on Page 6A of our print edition.)