Dear editor,

After reading Mr. Blocker's response to Mr. Sayers’ column, I had to wonder why Mr. Blocker is so upset about this man's opinions and speculations. I started wondering if there might be an ounce of truth in Mr. Sayers' column.

Mr. Blocker, why are you wasting your time demanding an apology from someone who is upset with the management of his city for the past 25 years?

Would not the better use of your time be to look at the column and address the issues raised that would change this citizen's — and maybe many others’ — opinion?

Should you not try to make the city council look good? 

Your reaction to this citizen's legitimate gripe, in my humblest opinion, was childish. Should you not ask yourself, why the other four city council members did not respond to Mr. Sayers in a public forum?

—

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

http://www.crestviewbulletin.com/opinion/send-a-letter

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Demanding apology is waste of time

Dear editor,

Being a lifelong resident of Crestview, I can honestly say I am sick and tired of having to drive to Destin, Fort Walton, Pensacola, Panama City — anywhere but Crestview to dine out or play with my family.

The best thing Crestview has to offer is Wal-Mart. I love Wal-Mart but I am bored with our dining and shopping options.

We need more jobs. Open the door and make it a little easier for businesses to come here. I know I am not alone. I want a Krystal's and a Target.

Anything other than another Dollar Store, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, etc.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Crestview needs more shopping options

Dear editor,

I really get a sour taste in my mouth when I read Mr. Blocker's letter.

As a duly elected representative by the people of Crestview, did he think his job was going to be a walk in the park and that no one should voice their freedom of speech and opinions?

What he should do, instead of getting all steamed up, is let his actions in office speak for him. If he does good things for the city, he will earn the accolades he thinks he deserves.

Likewise, if his actions are deemed wrong by the people of Crestview, he will most likely not be re-elected.

I don't feel like he's starting off on the right foot as a new councilman.

And as my grandma used to say, "If you can't stand the heat…"

You know the rest.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Let councilman’s record speak for itself

Dear editor,

I am the wife of a 7th Special Forces Group soldier. We have lived here in Crestview for two years and have decided to retire here.

This thought may change due to the lack of convenient shopping.

It is sad and embarrassing that we have to drive 30 miles to get decent shopping accomplished.

Don’t get me wrong, we are all about supporting our small local businesses such as The Tropical Café, Good Things Donut Shop, Journey Java, etc.

However, it would definitely help to have other options.

There is absolutely no entertainment for the youth. My son is 11 years old and enjoys baseball. He has participated in the city baseball league, but during off season, we have to drive him to another town because Crestview doesn’t even have a batting cage. 

As a homeowner, taxpayer and citizen of Crestview, I would much rather spend my money in my city, than drive 30-40 miles and spend it somewhere else.

These are my thoughts and the thoughts of many military families that have relocated to this city that has the potential to be better.

Doryann Evans, Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Let’s spend money in Crestview, not elsewhere

Dear editor,

I applaud the Letter to the Editor titled "Chronic complainers should consider Crestview’s strengths” (News Bulletin, June 5.) Why is there continued cry for more restaurants and stores in Crestview? Jobs may come with it, but so do more traffic, crowds and statistically more crime as a direct result.

Is there such a need to shop for clothes or attend popular chain restaurants that a jaunt down Highway 85 or I-10 West is so devastating? Or is this a sad commentary on our world, so dependent on convenience?

I welcome new businesses, but not for additional crime, traffic and taxes to support traffic control, policing and overall infrastructure; decreasing property values; and local businesses losing because they can't compete.

My wife and I love this area because the amenities we enjoy are all within reasonable driving distances. If we want Japanese Hibachi, we drive to Okinawa in Fort Walton Beach. Steak or seafood? The bypass to Destin will be open soon to quicken the drive. Malls? Pensacola has three and Fort Walton Beach has one.

Let them keep the traffic, crowds and crime.

I would rather drive the short distance to enjoy the chains if it means keeping Crestview’s small, personal and hometown feel.

By SHAWN MCCARTHY / Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Let Crestview keep small town feel

Dear editor,

I, Joe Blocker, as one of the current elected city council members of our great city of Crestview, Fla., hereby take with great exception, and demand a public apology from Mike Sayers for his comments about we public officials being paid off to prohibit new retail businesses coming into my city, Crestview, Fla.; and using the word corruption, or personal interest in keeping businesses out of our city, as stated in last Saturday's edition of the News Bulletin, of June 1, 2013.

Joe Blocker, council member

Precinct 1

Read the letter that City Councilman Joe Blocker has criticized >>

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Councilman demands apology from resident

Being a lifelong resident of Crestview, I can honestly say I am sick and tired of having to drive to Destin, Fort Walton, Pensacola, Panama City — anywhere but Crestview — to dine out or play with my family.

The best thing Crestview has to offer is Walmart.

I love Walmart, but I am bored with our dining and shopping options.

We need more jobs. Open the door and make it a little easier for businesses to come here. I know I am not alone. I want a Krystal and a Target.

Anything other than another Dollar Store, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, etc.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Bored with Crestview's dining, shopping options

Hoo-ray for the Crestview News Bulletin for publishing my Letter to the Editor on May 15 (“Save the ducks on Mirror Lake”).

On Friday afternoon, May 17, the mean neighbor who was trapping and killing the ducks began immediately dismantling her traps and hiding them.

Read Mr. Golden's first Letter to the Editor >>

Apparently, she read my Letter to the Editor and got scared someone was going to identify her.

Thank you so very much. I will be forever in debt to your paper.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Neighborhood ducks safe for now

For Crestview High School seniors, the quintessential moment in a teenager’s life is finally here: graduation! The symbolic turn of the page: one chapter closes, and a new one begins.

The future belongs to those who believe in transforming dreams into realities: you!

It's been said that wisdom is the ability to anticipate consequences. Never before has the use of good judgment been so imperative. A single decision possesses the power to determine your destiny.

I watched as every single hope and dream I had vanished in an instant, all from a decision I never should have made.

I drove drunk and I killed someone.

This is a nightmare I will neverawaken from. For the next decade of my life, I will call prison my home, but long after this ends, I will live with the reality of taking a life, and devastating many others.

Seniors: You have a world of opportunity at your fingertips. Your destiny doesn't have to end up like mine.

Driving under the influence is like making a reservation at the restaurant serving consequences.

Decide now to choose happiness and prosperity, instead of prison and heartache.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Choose life, not prison — don't drink and drive

How do we save the ducks on Mirror Lake?

We have a very mean neighbor who lives across the lake. She is trapping and killing the ducks because she doesn’t like the ducks. I wonder:

Why live on the lake if you don't like ducks? That's like saying you don't like the water.

I've tried contacting the Florida Fish and Wildlife agency but they say it's not illegal to trap the ducks.

Help!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Ducks being killed near Mirror Lake