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.

~~

Not to get people started again about trying to get Suwannee County to go wet, even though I would like to see it. But I was on SW 5th Street and next to the barber shop, they are working on an old building and when they took the first layer of shingles off, there it said "wines and liquor" on the roof. It must have been the good ol' days of Suwannee County. Thank you.

~~

Hi, I would like to comment on the veterinarian hospital that was rejected by the city council. In the paper it states that the traffic is the main issue. Now I can understand these people not wanting the traffic in there but don't they realize there are three bars on Helvenston Street? And that is going to generate enough traffic as it is, and I don't see where a veterinarian hospital is going to create that much traffic on that road, in fact it would generate jobs, which we all know Live Oak needs. So these people need to get their heads out of their rear ends, if you will, and let this come onto this street. Like I said, you've got drunks driving down that road 24/7, and you don't think that's gonna be a hazard to their children? A veterinarian hospital would be exactly what that road needs. Thank you very much. Have a great day.

~~

It's not that our community doesnt support gays, but most are in agreement with God's view on it! The Bible clearly states: ROMANS 1:22-32, especially verses 26-27! We are taught to hate the sin, but love the sinner. And we ALL sin! But know we are forgiven for it by a merciful, loving God! God says it is unnatural, and its mentioned in other scripture also. It would be nice to never hear these words again: "Stop acting like it's a choice and start being a little more accepting of the fact that humans can love other humans. That's something beautiful, not something that should be forbidden". It is a choice! What choice you make is yours alone! My understanding is, it is FORBIDDEN! And we ALL WILL STAND BEFORE GOD IN JUDGMENT, FOR IT IS TRULY HIS ULTIMATE JUDGMENT WE SHOULD STRIVE TO BE PLEASING TO HIM! I'm not judging anyone now. I love everyone and will be praying for All. The love I have is called AGAPE! Is the love that we should truly have for everyone, not a chosen few!

~~

A rave about a member of the Sound of Suwannee Band. If you have been to a game you would have seen a young lady twirling flags on the field and playing a snare drum in the stands. Erin Carroll is talented and puts the band first and does it with charm and eagerness. When there was a need a few weeks ago in the drum line, she stepped up and played wonderfully and with enthusiasm. Her parents must be proud. She is an accet to our community and will be missed after she graduates. Thanks Erin for always having a great attitude and that big smile.

~~

In response to all these people writing in about people not speaking English, I am tired of these people sticking up for them. My husband and I work our butts off, we pay our taxes, I pay for my child's lunch, I pay for my insurance when I go to the doctors. I pay to get my license plate renewed, I pay to get my drivers license renewed. And you've got all these illegals over here who go get welfare, we are paying our tax dollars to get them welfare, and pay for their kids to get free lunch, paying for their school, and for them to get food stamps, and then they are driving around illegally, while I pay $75 for license plates for my truck and $55 for license plates for my car and they can just drive around illegally, I don't think so. If you do not speak English and you are not from here, you need to go back where you came from.

~~

I'm not really ranting and raving, but Suwannee Democrat, on your sports section, you've got Suwannee Middle School stops Richardson 5-0 and LCMS for the lady Bullpups, but what you didn't print was SMS Bullpups boys team beat Richardson, 7-0 and tied LCMS 1-1, and I would just kinda like to see it a little more fair in the sports section there. The boys work just as hard as the girls in soccer and are very, very, important to our community as well as the girls. Thank you.

~~

As a veteran and member of the American Legion, I wish to thank the Suwannee Democrat, and reporters Carnell Hawthorne Jr. for his excellent coverage of the ceremonies presented by the DAV at the cemetery, and Jeff Waters for his story on fighter pilot Hank Hodek.

~~

This is in response to a comment in last week's Rant and Rave in which someone was condoning the use of illegal window tint. I am very sorry you have skin cancer. However, that does not allow you to openly and blatantly violate the law. The fact that the city's police department and the county's sheriff's department do not enforce this Florida regulation is the reason you are able to break the law.

~~

Next May we will probably have three new city councilmen. There are two questions all candidates should be asked (with answers in the Democrat) before the election. (1) will you make the police department enforce illegal window tinted vehicles? and (2) will you vote to rescind the health insurance pay-out for those not wanting the city's insurance? That is all I have to say.

~~

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.)