Dear editor,

I was the leader of this well-behaved group of youngsters and adults (to which a prior letter writer referred.)

We were conducting a prayer walk along Buck Ward Road, and at no time were the cops called to restore order. As a matter of fact, I notified the Okaloosa County Sheriiff's Office to let them know we were going to be out there.

I did, however, talk to one OCSO deputy who was returning home from work. He asked what we were doing, I advised him that we were praying for a healing for the community on Buck Ward. He said "cool" and went to his house.

There was a gentleman who pulled erratically out of a nearby driveway into the road and crossed over to the other lane, where a truck was coming. While the two exchanged foul language, we proceeded back to our starting point. No place for children to hear such language.

At no time were children in danger. We had flashlights and reflector vests on the adults.

We had people in our group who are on both sides of the aisle on this issue. We weren't prayiing for one group over the next; we were praying for this matter to be resolved Christ like. Christians aren't supposed to air their grievances with each other publicly.

Imagine where we would be if prayer, love, and communication were conducted before the first sign went up.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: What if prayer preceded Buck Ward signs?

Dear editor,

Why invest in early care and education? Investing in early child care helps the economy, keeps families working and helps prepare our children's future in education and employment.

Data shows that the greatest challenges facing our country — from school drop out rates, to crime and rising health care costs to the necessity of competing in the world marketplace — has to be met by focusing on the development of all our children, beginning at birth.

It is a fact that the first five years are critical in our children's lives, with approximately 85 percent of brain development occurring during this time.

Working parents need safe, reliable and affordable child care. Many depend on family or friends to watch their children while they work.

It has been shown that children in home care may not receive educational and social opportunities that state-regulated child care centers offer.

I'm proud to say I have worked in early child care for the last 18 years and continue to enjoy teaching and watching our children grow into fine prospering young adults.

Early child care centers are definitely a wise investment, and I am proud that our area has some of the best facilities around.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Why investment in early child care is important

Dear editor,

The massive public reaction to the tragic deaths of three black teens at the hands of white police officers has led to a national call for use of body cameras to record and prevent future mistreatment of suspects.

There is ample precedent.

Animal protection activists have used body cameras to document atrocities and safety violations by workers in the meat, dairy and egg industries. The resulting videos have led to a number of corrective actions, as well as felony convictions, meat recalls and even a $500 million civil settlement.

How ironic, then, that agribusiness interests in Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota and Utah have now enacted “ag-gag” laws imposing severe penalties for using body cameras in their agricultural facilities.

The language is typically drafted by the anti-consumer American Legislative Exchange Council.

Let’s hope that other vested interests do not impose similar restrictions on the use of body cameras by law enforcement officers.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Body cameras prevent mistreatment

Dear editor,

On Dec. 10, 30 to 40 well-behaved demonstrators showed up on Buck Ward Road, in Baker, in support of the proposed placement of the Exodos neighborhood rehab facility.

While those of us who live here are in full support of the freedom of speech and the right to express one's opinion, there are some considerations that should be weighed before execution of those rights. 

For example, the assembly formed along the narrow edges of the roadway well after nightfall — 7:15 p.m., I believe. The group, walking in/along the road that night, nearly caused a critical accident. 

One local resident, while driving home from work, had to perform an emergency stop to avoid an accident caused via the group's assembly in the area. A deputy sheriff was eventually dispatched to restore safety to the scene. 

In addition to this demonstration, there has been a spike in reported property damage toward those opposed to the Exodos plan. 

These are just a few recent examples of how the proposed placement of a drug rehab facility in our neighborhood is negatively changing the character, changing the fabric and changing, most sadly, relationships.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Baker is already changing

Dear editor,

It's been over a year since the commercial development of the old Flea market site was rejected.

What are city leaders doing, if anything, to get a commercial developer to pursue the development of this site? They (leaders) made a push to bring the military (Army Special Forces) to the city. But when it comes to commercially building up the city, they seem to be missing in action.

What does it take to get this city to grow with the times?

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Old Flea Market site needs developing

Dear editor,

While Exodos Ministries' proposed substance abuse rehab facility will be located at 5804 Buck Ward Road, other neighborhoods should be interested in understanding the proposed activities.

For example, the proposed facility is less than one-fourth mile from the Greenwood Road community and less than one-half mile from the Mill Creek Drive neighborhood.

Several other neighborhoods, including Baker School, are within a mile and a half of the proposed location.

Please, everyone, come out to get your questions answered. The meeting is scheduled for Jan. 8, 6 p.m. at the Baker Recreation Center. As the article ("Meeting on Exodos Ministries scheduled," Dec. 6-9 News Bulletin) mentions, Exodos will explain their plans and answer questions.

It is important for Baker citizens to attend this meeting.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: All Baker residents should know about Exodos' plans

Dear editor,

The Concerned Citizens Group and its Community Outreach Street Ministry thank everybody who participated in their annual coat drive and community Thanksgiving dinner. This includes those who donated and those who collected and prepared food and other items.

About 75 coats were donated before the giveaway, and approximately 25 more were dropped off during the event.

Last Tuesday, with your help, we delivered 38 Thanksgiving meals to homebound individuals and fed 125 more people at the community sit-down dinner.

Community Outreach Street Ministry events like these are fully funded through donations to the program.

The next COSM event is the Dec. 16 Christmas community sit-down dinner. It will be held at Carver-Hill School Center, 461 School Ave., Crestview. Everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information on the Concerned Citizens group or its Community Outreach Street Ministry, contact Catherine Dortch, 682-5733, Rosetta German, 585-3061, or Mary Williams, 1-469-556-5705.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Gratitude for help with coat drive, community Thanksgiving dinner

Dear editor,

This week, President Obama pardoned two turkeys to promote the turkey industry.

Every one of us can exercise that same pardon power by choosing a nonviolent Thanksgiving observance. It’s a most fitting way to give thanks for our own life, health and happiness.

The 240 million turkeys killed in the U.S. this year have nothing to give thanks for. They are raised in crowded sheds filled with toxic fumes. Their beaks and toes are severed. At the slaughterhouse, workers cut their throats and dump them into boiling water, sometimes while still alive.

Consumers, too, pay a heavy price. Turkey flesh is laced with cholesterol and saturated fats that elevate the risk of chronic killer diseases. Labels warn of food poisoning potential.

This Thanksgiving, I won’t be calling the government’s Poultry Hotline, wondering how that turkey lived and died, or dozing through the football game.

Our Thanksgiving dinner may include a “tofurky” (soy-based roast), mashed potatoes, stuffed squash, chestnut soup, candied yams, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and carrot cake.

An Internet search on vegan Thanksgiving and a visit to my local supermarket will provide me more recipes and delicious turkey alternatives than I can possibly use.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Here's why I'm skipping the turkey

Dear editor,

U.S., state and municipal health authorities are working overtime and spending millions of dollars to stem the spread of Ebola. But this viral infection has killed one person in our country.

Where is the comparable effort to stem the spread of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases that kill 1.4 million Americans annually and are linked conclusively to excessive consumption of animal products?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, that’s 23 times the number killed by all infectious diseases combined, including AIDS, hepatitis, blood poisoning and intestinal infections!

Apparently, our society tolerates this massive assault on our public health, because meat, dairy and egg products have powerful champions in Congress. Bacteria and viruses have none.

Yet, each of us can take personal responsibility for our own and our family’s health by reducing, then dropping animal products from our menu.

Fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains contain all the nutrients our body requires and are touted by leading health authorities. Soy and nut-based meats, milks, and ice creams offer a delicious transition treat.

Lots of websites provide helpful transition tips. Search for them online!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Use Ebola-like effort to contain other diseases

Did you know that Florida has the third-largest population of homeless persons of any state in the country?

Did you know that over 1,500 homeless people were identified in Okaloosa and Walton counties in 2013, and that over 44 percent of them were children under age 18?

With winter on the way, that is bad news.

Thanks to a coalition of organizations operating with the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce's support, a site for a permanent homeless shelter has been identified. It's at the city’s old wastewater treatment plant on North Beal Extension.

Please join the League of Women Voters of Okaloosa County at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in Room 801 of Niceville United Methodist Church's Chandler Center (on Helms Street across from the NUMC Community Life Center) to hear about progress on this important community initiative that will help get our homeless back on their feet.

Opportunity Inc's immediate past board chair, Judy Byrne Riley, will be the guest speaker.

We look forward to seeing you at this free public event.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Help Okaloosa, Walton's homeless people