Dear editor,

This week’s "Time Magazine" cites several reasons for vegetarians living longer. The article was prompted by a report in "American Medical Association’s Internal Medicine" that a vegetarian diet lowers blood pressure, a key factor in risk of heart failure and stroke.

The Mayo Clinic notes that vegetarians are at lower risk for developing diabetes, another factor in heart disease. Indeed, an Oxford University study of 45,000 adults in last year’s "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that vegetarians were 32 percent less likely to have heart disease.

Moreover, researchers at California’s Loma Linda University, examining records of 70,000 patients, concluded last year that a vegetarian diet protects against colorectal and other types of cancer.

It’s no wonder that a 2012 Harvard University study of 120,000 people concluded that meat consumption raises the risk of total, heart and cancer mortality.

A more recent six-year study of 70,000 patients at Loma Linda found that vegetarians have a 12 percent lower risk of death.

The good news: Each of us can find our own fountain of youth by adopting a meat and dairy-free diet. An internet search on “vegan recipes” or “live vegan” provides ample resources.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Vegetarians live longer

Dear editor,

The Crestview City Council has three old, dead computers, and 10 more to be replaced. And, instead of getting a package deal from Staples, Wal-Mart or some other supplier, the council elects to replace these old computers running a dying operating system — XP — one at a time as they die off.

This is going to cost the city more in money, and aggravation, in the long run.

Replace them all at once and avoid cost, time and compatability issues. 

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Replace XP computers as a packaged deal

Dear editor,

Feb. 11, I attended the Fort Walton Beach Tea Party meeting where Harry Riley spoke about a grassroots movement he has initiated called Operation American Spring.

Operation American Spring is a movement by citizens all over this country who are concerned about the state of our nation and the conduct of our elected officials in all branches of the federal government.

We will exercise our First Amendment rights in the Constitution of the United States of America to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. This assembly will begin May 16 in Washington D.C.

More information can be found at www.operationamericanspring.org. If you have interest, or questions, please contact me at 850-758-2863 or oasokaloosa@yahoo.com.

May God bless the United States of America!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Residents championing restoration of Constitutional government

Dear editor,

My fifth-grade class is studying the 50 states and I have chosen Florida as my state.

Our assignment is to find out as much about our states as we can, and I was wondering if you would help me out. Would you be willing to send me any information about your state? Some examples could be maps, brochures, souvenirs or anything else that would be helpful.

The address is:

Mr. Van Winkle’s 5th grade class, ATTN: Cali

Faith Christian School

P.O. Box 3048

Kearney, NE 68848

We will be having a states fair at the beginning of May to display all of our information.

Thank you!

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Nebraska student seeks information on Florida

Dear editor,

I would like to thank Thomas Boni and the Crestview News Bulletin for the write-up covering our Duke it Out sale of Boston butts. Proceeds from the sale this past Super Bowl benefited little Noah Jackson. 

Noah has been receiving treatment for cancerous brain tumors for the past seven months at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. Our Boston butt sale was a success beyond what we could imagine and, unfortunately, we couldn't cook as many butts as we had requests for. 

Still, thanks to our wonderful, compassionate community, we were able to help a local family in some small way.

I would also like to thank Thomas personally for his article about our Crestview Relay For Life. Our teams are made up of volunteers who are trying to make a difference in the fight against cancer. We raise money to fund research so doctors can have the latest, best methods to treat cancer.  We walk a track for hours at night to honor our survivors and remember the loved one we have lost. 

We want there to be a day that the little Noahs, or your mom or dad, son or daughter, grandparents, friends and acquaintances don't have to worry about cancer.

Thank you.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Fundraiser for Crestview boy an unimaginable success

Dear editor,

The city cannot make a business come to Crestview. The only thing the city can do to entice businesses is to make sure there is sufficient infrastructure in place to accommodate their requirements.

The land sale is between the business and the land owner. The business must use statistics such as average area income, traffic count and other information.

The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council have packets with much information about the area for interested parties. The mayor is available to meet with potential business owners.

The final responsibility of making the decision is the prospective business.

What the citizens can do is to write the businesses they would like to see come to town and encourage them to consider Crestview.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Want a business here? Ask one to locate here

Dear editor,

I've been riding bus routes 11 and 12, and I read on Crestview News Bulletin Online that the whole service is going to be terminated next month.

I have been riding the bus since 2012. Last year, rates were about 50 cents and they later went up to 75 cents.

I have been taking the bus to the library and Wal-Mart, back and forth. I live in my own apartment independently, and I don't drive.

I get on CNB Online and on Facebook to check what's going on in the future with the buses.

Everyone has been asking me about what we can do to save the bus service.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: How can we save the buses?

Crestview City Council member Robyn Helt wants a big change to occur in the Crestview city government.

But the residents of this city have told the City Council six times — six; count 'em — that we do not want an appointed city administrator, city manager or whatever it's called nowadays.  

I learned at a very early age that when my dad said, "No!" he meant no!

A majority of the voters in the last referendum told Ms. Helt that we don't want an appointed dictator that the voters can't get rid of. 

Crestview's government is not a hamburger, Ms Helt. Sometimes you can't get it your way.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: When it comes to a city manager, 'no' means no

Dear Editor,

New Years' resolution recommendation: What would it take to widen the road coming out of Krystal so that you can make a right turn without creating a traffic jam?

Not much! Just a little more asphalt. We shall see what happens!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Restaurant should work to prevent traffic jams

Dear editor,

This recent spate of violence against geese is no different than gay-bashing, lynch mobs and gang rape: A segment of humans makes themselves feel superior by bullying, abusing and beating others.  The geese are considered a safe target for human aggression.

I don't know if people like this can ever be taught compassion, but understand this, animal abusers: The days of "it's just an animal so we can do what we want to her" are over. There are laws against what you do, and they're being enforced.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Animal abusers use aggression to feel superior