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.

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I have a question and I would like to have an answer. I was told in Lake City, at the Family Dollar Store and at Walgreens as of Feb. 1, the new law for Florida plastic bags goes into effect, and they will not be providing them for free anymore. I have asked Wal Mart and Publix in Lake City and Live Oak and no one seems to know. Could you please tell me if this is a law and when it will be going into effect? Thank you very much.



No such law is yet in effect. February 1 was the deadline for completion of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection study on the environmental impact of paper and plastic shopping bags. The study also addressed the possibility of a ban on either or both, but that's for the Florida Legislature to decide. Presumably lawmakers will take up the issue in March, during the regular legislative session. We're watching the issue closely and will keep you informed of further developments. - Editor

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This letter is intended as a plea as well as a "Rant & Rave." I'm asking people to please think before you abandon your pet. First it was a pregnant cat. We paid to have the cat spayed and raised her until she died. I was able to take the kittens to the "no kill" facility in Madison. That was not free. Next a pregnant dog. We are able to find homes for some of the puppies and made another trip to Madison for the rest. Again not free. Now, again a male puppy. I will take him to Madison. Meanwhile I will feed and care for him until they can accept him. They can only take animals when they have room. I urge you to think about the inconvenience to other people and trauma to the animal.

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Please forgive the first advertisement to bid on the piping at the county jail. It must have been the writer's first attempt. And all the other people involved obviously either didn't read, it or they are incompetent.

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Councilman Stewart said he was all about the bottom line when he took office. Here is the bottom line. OMI costs the City $1,000 an hour. This does not include gas or parts.

$2,400,000 a year translates to $200,000 a month. The average month includes 20 work days of 8 hours each or 160 hours. Allowing for 40 hours of overtime a month that is 200 hours worked a month. 200 hours divided into $200,000 equals $1,000 an hour or $10,000 a day this allow for 2 hours OT every work day.

This is the equivalent of paying 40 people a day $20 an hour to work taking out 20% for labor expense. These are your numbers Councilman Stewart lets see how you can Flip Flop them.

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My hats off and a big hey you! to the guy that called in and was complaining about the way they grade the roads. He hit the nail on the head, they sure need to do something about this. Thank ya'll, have a great day, and hopefully they will get it right.

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Thanks to the Suwannee Democrat for the article on the new biomass plant to be built in Hamilton County. We're not an expert in this field, but I have never read an article with more pros and cons for building such a plant. On the pro side, it is supposed to be clean, with little side effects, there is supposed to be adequate fuel to keep the plant running, the financial benefits will be good, and we will get rid of trash wood left over after the forest is removed. On the con side, it is reported to be dirty, and according to experts, there isn't enough forest waste within a 50-mile radius to supply this plant and some think this will remove nutrients needed to regrow the forests. They are talking about building these plants from Gainesville to Georgia. I sure hope the Department of Environmental Protection knows what it is doing. Bye.

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On January 25th, the Cook Political Report showed our Congressional District, with our Representative, Allen Boyd, to be "likely" to remain a Democrat seat, and therefore vote, after the 2010 elections in November. By this, they mean that "[t]hese seats are not considered competitive at this point but have the potential to become engaged." This is the case even though they also show that our district, FL-02, voted for the 2004 and 2008 Republican presidential tickets 6 percentage points more than was the average for the whole country. Allen Boyd's votes in Congress support the Democrat position 95% of the time, according to www.opencongress.org, such as the 'porkulus' stimulus bill and cap-and-tax bill, for which he voted, and against the Stupak pro-life amendment to the health care bill. Mark Greenbaum of Roll Call newspaper said on January 25th (http://www.rollcall.com/news/42578-1.html) that Rep. Boyd "can politically afford to vote yes" on the health care bill, even if we, his constituents, are against it. Let's help our Congressional seat "become engaged!" Investigate what Allen Boyd really supports.

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I must agree with Mr. Hill. Why aren't the agendas for the City Council meetings published in advance for citizens to review? Isn't this the responsibility of the City Clerk?

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Hello, and thank you for the Rant & Rave. This is for the person who is talking about someone new running for the mayor, in hopes that the new mayor doesn't have to drive the city's SUV to Tallahassee for ethic hearings. Well, I will assure you that the city appreciates you offering your personal vehicle, filled with the gas to attend out of county ethic hearings. I am here to assure you that since you have so much concern for the city's budget you would not be driving a company vehicle out of town or a county meeting. I am here to fill you in that you can rest assured that the new mayor will be driving the city's vehicle just as any other mayor has or will. Be sure that you pay close attention and takes notes to the new mayor's decision in not driving the city's SUV, and it sits in the parking lot just looking pretty. Maybe you need to run for mayor so you can drive your personal vehicle, instead of a company vehicle to attend out of county meetings. Thank you.

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Mr. Hill, this message is to Mr. Hill. Mr. Hill, I read your message in the newspaper. You need to look at drainage in the areas that flood and make homeowners have to purchase flood insurance. Mr. Hill I am going to try to help you NOT get elected. Also, I live in a flood zone and my house has never flooded and if it does flood, that would be for me to repair, and not for you to make me do something as to buy flood insurance. I will help you not to get elected in Suwannee County. Thank you.

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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.)