Dear editor,

I am a concerned member of the Milligan Water System who wishes to express a few concerns.

We have no idea of what most board members think. After some research, I did speak with a couple of them. The office would not give me phone numbers where these members could be reached — only (gave) me president's and vice president's phone numbers.

I was under the impression these members are public servants and should be available to the public membership.

There are lots of members like myself living on fixed incomes and who never use 3,000 (gallons) we are being allowed for the base rate increase.

Most cannot really afford this increase. They had already started accepting only checks or money orders as payment, which puts an added burden on those who do not have a checking account.

It seems some of these board members are not really concerned for the members. I could see a small increase, which other systems apparently put in effect this year, but to double the rate is just not acceptable. No other system in the (area) has this high of a fee.

Thank you for (getting this) brought to the attention of the people. I've spoken with my county commissioner, and a person from the State Environmental Department, and they of course don't have any control over this and were unable to help us.

The (monthly) meetings are supposed to be open for members to attend, and I feel we should start checking these out and hold this board from going further in debt by getting more loans.

If we don't do something, I fear we could lose our system.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Milligan Water customers should hold board accountable

Dear editor,

Did you know the population of youths confined in pre-trial secure detention has steadily grown over the past decade, despite a decline in juvenile offending?

Did you know pre-trial incarceration significantly increases the odds that teen offenders will be found delinquent and committed to corrections facilities, which could seriously damage their prospects for future success?

Did you know many of these detained teens pose little or no threat to public safety?

And did you know that alternatives to incarceration are available to effectively — and safely — reduce pre-trial detention, encourage reform and reduce recidivism?

You can check out these facts by googling the Center for Children’s Law and Policy or the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, or you could hear all about the programs available in Okaloosa County directly from the local officials responsible for administering juvenile and youthful offender diversion programs in our community.

The League of Women Voters of Okaloosa County invites you to our panel discussion on Juvenile Diversion Programs. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 14 at Woodlawn Baptist Church, 824 N. Ferdon Blvd, Crestview.

Panelists include Dan Bear, Department of Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Probation Office; Jessica Milstid, Lutheran Services Florida, responsible for Teen Court and Children/Families in Need of Services programs; and Carita Smith, lead recruiter for Guardian ad Litem (which represents abused, neglected or abandoned children through the criminal justice system).

Information on the Civil Citation program will also be available.

Please join us to learn about these important programs, and how you can help troubled kids turn their lives around!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Learn more about Okaloosa's juvenile diversion programs

Dear editor,

Monday, Jan. 19, at about 1:30 or 2 p.m., my husband, Frank, 81 years old, and myself were coming out of the Med. Center from an appointment with Dr. Goeke.

Frank had a walking stick or a cane, but was not doing too good, so I gave him my walker that I use, so we could get to the car to come home.

He was halfway to the car, gave out, and fell in the parking lot.

I could not get him up, but could not leave him there by himself to go for help.

No need, because about six people came to help.

I thanked them for their help, and still I wish to do so again, and mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say there are wonderful people still left in this world and the community of Crestview.

Thank you, and God bless those who came to help me with my husband.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: There are wonderful people still left in Crestview

Dear editor,

I very much appreciate your article on the Milligan Water rate increase; it really sheds light on the truth. 

"Pay down debt" as the reason to increase rates — more than double — sounds like mismanagement. 

I was a customer of Milligan Water for nearly 30 years. I have had nothing but trouble and finally put in a water well.

For example, 10 years ago they shut my water off with no notice.  At the time, we were out of town and our horses, dogs and other animals went without water for a few days! 

They said they didn't get my check that I sent.

With no notice, they cut my water.

I told them how dangerous that was, and could have caused deaths of our animals; they seemed unconcerned.

This is the truth — they told me the policy is "no notice" cutoff because they wanted to charge $35 additional for reconnection!

This is but one example of many.

Since I installed my water well a couple years ago, I stayed connected as emergency backup. $16.50 per month for them to keep a lock on my water meter.

Some emergency backup.

Now, a no-notice rate increase to $34 for emergency backup. 

I canceled this month. 

They will have to pay for their mismanagement off the backs of others, not me.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Milligan Water Service bill spike 'sounds like mismanagement'

Dear editor,

In response to the article "Crestview parents protest school discipline procedure," the father was rightfully upset when his sixth-grade daughter was disciplined for defending her sister from a bullying boy. 

She was punished for intervening and defending a weaker person, allegedly against school board policy, and this action ultimately left the father and daughter no recourse to appeal the punishment.  

The school board's defense is that school officials are trained to deal with these situations.

Another case where government thinks they know better, but functional application is not possible? Perhaps. But what are we teaching our kids if they witness another peer being beaten up and, if they try to help, know they themselves will be punished?

In this case, the alleged assailant was suspended for two days; the defending girl for one day.

How does that help curb bullying? 

How did it help this situation?

School just following “protocol”? 

I get the threat of lawsuits, but a simple discussion right after this occurred between all involved could have sorted this all out. Instead, it is always easier to punish everyone and sweep it away.

I teach my children to never be a victim, stand up for yourself and to always defend those needing defending — regardless of what may come. 

To punish a child for being a good Samaritan is teaching them the direct opposite of good citizenship.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Discipline policy undermines good citizenship

Citizens of Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Laurel Hill and Shalimar: Municipal elections are scheduled for March 10. Are you ready to vote?

No worries! The 2015 Municipal Election E-Voter is your one-stop-shopping place to learn about the candidates so you can cast an informed ballot.

The E-Voter covers the contested local races in each municipality, so just head over to the League of Women Voters website and use the links to navigate to your city's page.

The league urges all registered voters to take some time to invest in your city’s future by making smart  decisions when you vote.

Be prepared. Be informed. Be a voter!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: See E-Voter before casting ballot

Dear editor,

The residents of Crestview and Laurel Hill have an opportunity to do great things on March 10. With voter turnout expected to be very low, the citizens could make themselves proud with a large turnout.

These are the only elections in North Okaloosa County this year. We at North Okaloosa Republican Club are very proud of the opportunity for conservative government that voters provided in 2014. NORC will sponsor a Feb. 17 forum in Crestview, and we are planning one for Laurel Hill as well. (Editor's Note: The event is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 898 James Lee Blvd. E. A question-and-answer session will follow.)

These forums will offer voters an opportunity to meet the candidates and hear their views on a variety of issues.

Get to know the candidates. If you are not registered to vote, the last day to do so is Feb. 9. Early voting starts Feb. 23.

See you at the polls!

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Join North Okaloosa Republicans for candidates' forum