This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Freedom to Read celebration, otherwise known as Banned Books Week.  The American Library Association began this annual event in response to concerns about book censorship and challenges.  The U.S. has always had challengers and censors of various reading material.  From “Catch-22” to “Gone with the Wind,” and “The Grapes of Wrath” to “Grimm’s Fairy Tales,” it may surprise you which books have been challenged throughout the years. 

Some challenges come from good intentions to protect people, especially children, from reading materials considered unfit.  Other challenges have come from those who want certain information completely unavailable to all people, obliterating certain knowledge from being part of the history of literature.  These actions, even if well intentioned, tell us that we, as a democratic society, do not possess the intellect or right to choose to read what we wish to read. 

As a public library, the staff and director try to put aside our personal beliefs when choosing books for our collection and have the confidence that people will choose for themselves and their children information they enjoy and learn from.  The idea of intellectual freedom is a beautiful one, not to be hindered or taken for granted. 

Express your freedom today:  drop by the library and check out a book from our Banned Books display!

STAFF PICK

"Anne Frank:  The Diary of a Young Girl": Anne Frank’s diary was discovered by Miep Gies shortly after her family was arrested and deported to concentration camps.  After the war, Anne’s father, Otto Frank, received Anne’s diary from Miep.  He later decided to have it published, despite Anne’s wish for it not to be read by others. 

Mr. Frank decided to edit certain passages and phrasing from her diary.  The edited version is the version most widely read.  Still, Anne’s writing reflects her inner conflicts, perceptiveness and love of life.  Mr. Frank had not realized his daughter to have such depth of thought. 

Anne was a normal teenager who started to come of age under horrific circumstances.  Her dreams of the future hint that she was not anticipating that her life would be cut tragically short.  This is the impact that her diary has given to the world: that a child without guise or guilt was sentenced to have never realized her dreams.

Marie Garcia is assistant director at the Crestview Public Library on Commerce Drive.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Banned Books Week is Sept. 30 – Oct. 6

CRESTVIEW—Members of the family of late city Parks and Recreation worker Nathaniel Grant requested that city officials halt a process that would have named the Twin Hills Park stadium in his memory. Grant died in the summer of 2011. At city Councilman Tim Grandberry’s recommendation, the facility was scheduled to be named Nathaniel Grant Stadium.

“While our family appreciates the gesture of naming the football stadium at Twin Hills Park after my husband, Nathaniel, we feel it best to rescind your request,” Miranda Grant wrote in an email to Public Works Director Wayne Steele.

“There are so many deserving families for this honor,” Grant’s email stated. “Maybe the stadium could be dedicated in general to all the deserving members that have passed on.”

The Crestview City Council unanimously approved Miranda Grant’s request with its approval of the consent agenda at Monday’s meeting.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Family halts stadium naming

CRESTVIEW — Tony Taylor was sworn in Monday morning as the Hub City’s police chief during a ceremony at Warrior's Hall in the George Whitehurst Municipal building.  Many uniformed officers were on hand to welcome their new chief, along with many of Taylor’s family members and former colleagues.

Mayor David Cadle opened the ceremony by addressing the officers.

"This is the beginning of a new era for this department," Cadle said. Following his comments, the police chaplain Mark Broadhead gave the opening prayer.

Taylor was then sworn in by Cadle to begin his first day as police chief.  Taylor addressed his officers and assured them that he believed in teamwork.

"Let me put your minds at ease," he said. "I'm going to be a part of this department, not apart from this department. I want to get to know you all."

After Taylor's remarks, City Councilman Charles Baugh spoke on behalf of the city council and welcomed Taylor and his wife of seven years, Lilia.

"It is very fitting that we have this ceremony in the Warrior's Hall, because the officers are the warriors of our city," Baugh said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview swears in new police chief

CRESTVIEW — Beginning today, the Okaloosa County Public Transit System, Wave bus Route 5, will offer limited bus service to the CHOICE High School/Technical Center (Vo-Tech), New Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex Extension and Water & Sewer Building on Lewis Turner Boulevard. Route 5 bus stops are as follows:

Route 5 Outbound

Stop 1: Santa Rosa Mall – 7:50 a.m., 11:50 a.m., 3:50 p.m.

Stop 2: Mary Esther/Marilyn – 7:55 a.m., 12 p.m., 4 p.m.

Stop 3: Walmart– 8:05 a.m., 12:07 p.m., 4:07 p.m.

Stop 4: White Wilson– 8:14 a.m., 12:16 p.m., 4:16 p.m.

Stop 5: YMCA – 8:14 a.m., 12:17 p.m., 4:17 p.m.

Stop 6: CHOICE High School– 8:18 a.m., 12:25 p.m., 4:25 p.m.

Route 5 Inbound

Stop 6 (continued): CHOICE– 8:18, 12:26 p.m., 4:26 p.m.

Stop 7: Okaloosa Courthouse Annex Extension– 8:20 a.m., 12:28 p.m., 4:28 p.m.

Stop 8: Water & Sewer Building – 8:23 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Stop 9: YMCA – 8:25 a.m., 12:31 p.m., 4:31 p.m.

Stop 10: FWBMC – 8:25 a.m., 12:32 p.m., 4:32 p.m.

Stop 11: Walmart – 8:33 a.m., 12:38 p.m., 4:38 p.m.

Stop 12: Sun Plaza – 8:38 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m.

Stop 13: Santa Rosa Mall – 8:43 a.m., 12:55 p.m., 4:55 p.m.

To ride the Wave, look at your destination and decide which bus will get you there the quickest from the schedule. Go to the nearest bus stop.

Okaloosa County Transit offers deviated fixed route bus service and limited Para Transit service countywide. The buses have wheelchair and bicycle storage.

Okaloosa County commissioners recently voted to keep all transit routes through the 2013 fiscal year; however, future bus routes will be determined annually. For further information, call  689-7809 in Crestview or 833-9168 in Fort Walton Beach.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Wave bus service to new courthouse extension begins today

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library's First Tuesday Lecture is at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Crestview News Bulletin Arts and Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes will present a pictorial visit of Crestview Sister City Noirmoutier, France.

Nearly 20 years ago, Sister Cities International paired Crestview with the island community of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, off the west coast of France.

"Come learn a little of our sister city's history and culture, and find out how you can meet our visitors from Noirmoutier when they visit Crestview at the end of October," said Sandra Dreaden, reference librarian. 

Refreshments will be served at 10 a.m. Call 682-4432 for more information.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Lecture on Noirmoutier, France coming tomorrow

CRESTVIEW — Alzheimer's Family Services provides support groups and educational opportunities for family members or friends coping with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. A support group starts at 10 a.m. Oct. 9 at Covenant Hospice, 370 W. Redstone Drive, Crestview. The support group is free and respite care is available. To register or for details, call 478-7790 or visit www.AlzFamServ.org.

Support groups are a means for caregivers and others interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease to exchange ideas, gather information and discuss their concerns with others who are dealing or have dealt with the same issues.

Alzheimer’s Family Services is a not-for-profit organization serving individuals and families in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties in Florida, as well as Escambia and Baldwin counties in Alabama. Its mission is to provide education and emotional support through a variety of services including: memory screens, support groups, tracking devices for wandering patients, respite, and counseling. AFS is an affiliate of Covenant Hospice.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Alzheimer's support group begins meeting Oct. 9

CRESTVIEW — The water and sewer rates for Okaloosa County increased 2.75 percent today.This is part of the five-year plan of rate increases enacted in September by the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners.

The water usage rate for single family residences increased from $2.22 to $2.28 per month for each 1,000 gallons of water used, or any part thereof, up to the first 3,000 gallons.  Their sewer usage rate increased from $3.48 to $3.57, up to the first $3,000 gallons.

The residential rate goes up to $3.14 from $3.05 last year for residential users who use between 3,000 and 10,000 gallons of water per month.

Single family residents who use more than 10,000 gallons of water per month are now being charged $4.67 per 1,000 gallons, up from $4.55.

The all others water usage rate (non-residential single family) increased from $3.05 to $3.14 for all levels of usage. The sewer usage rate increased from $3.48 to $3.57 for all levels of usage.

The water flat rate increased from $25.55 to $26.25 per month for residential single family customers who have county water service available, but who have not connected to the county water system.

The sewer rate has increased from $38.86 to $39.93 per month for residential single family customers without water service, and for those who have both county water and were service available, but have not connected to the county sewer system.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: County water and sewer rate increase starts today

CRESTVIEW — Beginning today, the Okaloosa County Public Transit System, Wave bus Route 5, will offer limited bus service to the CHOICE High School/Technical Center (Vo-Tech), New Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex Extension and Water & Sewer Building on Lewis Turner Boulevard. Route 5 bus stops are as follows:

Route 5 Outbound

Stop 1: Santa Rosa Mall – 7:50 a.m., 11:50 a.m., 3:50 p.m.

Stop 2: Mary Esther/Marilyn – 7:55 a.m., 12 p.m., 4 p.m.

Stop 3: Walmart– 8:05 a.m., 12:07 p.m., 4:07 p.m.

Stop 4: White Wilson– 8:14 a.m., 12:16 p.m., 4:16 p.m.

Stop 5: YMCA – 8:14 a.m., 12:17 p.m., 4:17 p.m.

Stop 6: CHOICE High School– 8:18 a.m., 12:25 p.m., 4:25 p.m.

Route 5 Inbound

Stop 6 (continued): CHOICE– 8:18 a.m., 12:26 p.m., 4:26 p.m.

Stop 7: Okaloosa Courthouse Annex Extension– 8:20 a.m., 12:28 p.m., 4:28 p.m.

Stop 8: Water & Sewer Building – 8:23 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Stop 9: YMCA – 8:25 a.m., 12:31 p.m., 4:31 p.m.

Stop 10: Fort Walton Beach Medical Center – 8:25 a.m., 12:32 p.m., 4:32 p.m.

Stop 11: Walmart – 8:33 a.m., 12:38 p.m., 4:38 p.m.

Stop 12: Sun Plaza – 8:38 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m.

Stop 13: Santa Rosa Mall – 8:43 a.m., 12:55 p.m., 4:55 p.m.

To ride the Wave, look at your destination and decide which bus will get you there the quickest from the schedule. Go to the nearest bus stop.

Okaloosa County Transit offers deviated fixed route bus service and limited Para Transit service countywide. The buses have wheelchair and bicycle storage.

Okaloosa County commissioners recently voted to keep all transit routes through the 2013 fiscal year; however, future bus routes will be determined annually. For further information, call  689-7809 in Crestview or 833-9168 in Fort Walton Beach.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Wave bus service to new courthouse extension begins today

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — The 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) activated a fourth line battalion on Friday. The activation marked the last expansion that included a new battalion for each of the five active duty Special Forces Groups. The ceremony took place on the 7th's Meadows Field.

Lt. Col. Martin Schmidt assumed command of  the new battalion.

"The activation of the fourth battalion enables the 7th Special Forces Group (A) to better sustain repeated back-to-back worldwide special operations,” Lt. Col. Jimmy Brownlee, the group's public affairs officer, said. “A fourth battalion relieves some of the stress our soldiers and families face by providing more dwell time at home station between deployments."

Operational experience over the past several years has validated the Special Forces mission sets, demonstrating their specific relevancy and application in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Since 2001, 7th has maintained a continuous deployment rotation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while maintaining a constant presence in their assigned area of responsibility:  Central and South America.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 4th Battalion presents activation ceremony