Editor's Note: These featured comments are the most thoughtful or eloquently stated comments from our Facebook page and crestviewbulletin.com and do not necessarily reflect the newspaper management's views.

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TOP COMMENT: Cash in, Crestview

By Sabrina Knost

This city is no longer a town. We need to accept our population exceeds our venues. We need shopping centers, restaurants that are not just fast food, and entertainment for children and adults. It is time we cash in on our population.

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A too-long drive

Please accept that Crestview is booming. Build some nice restaurants and shopping centers. Stop putting in (stuff) that no one needs.

We don't need any more churches, gun shops, pawn stores or vapor shops.

… I love living in Crestview, but driving 45 minutes for a Target is ridiculous.

Scott Harris

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Sticking up for seniors

Thank you to Mr. Rytman for looking out for the city's fixed-income residents!

We have a large senior population that would be adversely affected by the fire assessment tax.

At least someone brought that up.

Amber Nicole

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Cops need raises

… It's time to raise taxes. Our Crestview police force is way, way underpaid; cops that get paid less care less.

Dan Mackey

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Swimming pool for schools

Our schools need a swim team and a place to practice!

Ryan Mabry

••• Get out of the mud

A pool would be nice for those of us who don't like swimming in rivers, lakes and what have you.

A nice (recreation) center would also be nice and, I think, in the long run it would pay for itself several times over. Have an entrance fee and a monthly/quarterly/yearly entrance fee.

As for the library and parks, they should develop a donation system and volunteer programs for anyone who wants to help out in their free time.

Other towns, even ones much smaller, run their systems perfectly fine, so why is Crestview always stuck in the mud?

Sarah Hawkins

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An ex-resident's view

I was a resident of North Okaloosa County for most of my life, many years in Crestview (the rest in Baker).

What is sad to me, is after all those years I guess I thought the chaos and disorganization (were) normal.

Now, I live in another state, in a smaller town that utilized planning and budgeting appropriately. Indoor, public pool, dog park, public library, city events that are free, and people actually want to attend. All without losing its small-town appeal.

It's amazing what proper management can do.

Cassie Cato Scofield

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Crestview High School left out

What is also ridiculous is the fact that just about every big high school around has a swim team and Crestview does not.

Krista Gray Ladner

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Focus first on necessities

If all the thousands of people who want a public pool would contribute a couple of dollars a month, they could have a pool.

In the meantime, our city needs to spend tax money on necessities, like resurfacing streets.

Daniel Bowers

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Save Laurel Hill's roads

Sad to think that since 1905 they can't seem to find money to repair roads. They need to consult someone that can help find money to do more.

It would be nice to see more businesses choose to build in Laurel Hill and North Crestview. Dollar General was a nice addition and a good start.

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Thousands of residents coming?

Looks like a bit of speculation on the part of city managers. When are the thousands of new residents projected to arrive? Where will they find jobs? How much tax revenue will these thousands generate? Will it be enough to pay for the additional services required?

Wendell Beattie

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About those gas prices…

… Our soon-to-open (CEFCO) convenient store (chain) opened their store in Niceville and gas is down to $2.62, $2.65 a gallon. We in Crestview are at $2.76 a gallon. Something's wrong with that picture.

Jason Howard

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: Cash in, Crestview; focus first on necessities

TOP COMMENT: Live and let live

By Octavia Quintanilla

I am not originally from the South, and when I first moved here I misinterpreted the (Confederate) flag as well. Yet, due to a friend of mine explaining that the flag is more like a representation of southern heritage — and jokingly mentioning her strong love for gravy and grits — my first impressions of this area were changed.

It is a symbol, and it does not mean the same thing to everyone. It is as simple as that.

It was hate groups that chose to disgrace that symbol, thus creating the misinterpretation a lot of people have now.

With all the controversial issues that have risen up lately, my only answer is live and let live.

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About the Lundy memorial

This is history, not anything to do with Charleston churches.

Mark Benoit

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Flag didn't kill anyone

Sad when a few people that don't even live here are so afraid of a flag. The flag did not kill anyone. Just another way to take our rights away.

Linda Chumley

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NAACP should change its name

When is the NAACP going to change its name? Isn't it offensive to refer to African Americans/black people as "colored people?" Then why does the organization still stand for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People?

Sarah Turner-Fucci

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Bypass needed for Laurel Hill

How about more roads coming into different parts of Crestview. Plus a bypass for those traveling to Laurel Hill and beyond.

It's stupid, having only one way in and out going north and south and one way east and west!

Patricia Tiernan Matthews 

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Four-lane Highway 285

Another possible immediate solution would be to four-lane Highway 285, and from the north end of Highway 285, also four-lane Highway 90 headed west into Crestview.

This would encourage more motorists to use that route as an option, decreasing Highway 85 traffic flow, and it would also take a little time off the Highway 285 route. But of course the 285 route runs through federal property and the federal government would have to buy off on it.

It also seems to me that it would be in the federal government's best interest to participate in facilitating traffic improvements to fix this problem since military and federal employees are the majority users of these thoroughfares.

Chris Faircloth 

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Is Confederate flag removal a deterrent?

Someone please give me an intelligent argument how removing this flag will prevent future atrocities.

Greg Hutto 

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Christianity will survive prayer policy

I believe that as Christians, we are in the world, not of the world. Christianity survived Communism, it survived the slaughter by the Romans in Jerusalem, it has survived all of the modern-day atrocities that attack our belief and lifestyle, and it will certainly survive the council meetings in Crestview.

Anna Marie May 

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Self-defense is no sin

I have had members of the congregation I once pastored armed with a concealed weapon and holding a concealed permit.

I know that other churches have members within their churches who hold concealed permits and that carry their weapons in the church.

I have no problem with this practice.

We live in an evil world where evil fears less and less to reveal itself. It is not a sin to defend yourself or the defenseless.

Eddie James

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Pray for peace, America

I hope I am wrong, but I see more of this in the future. We need revival in America.

Sin will wax worse and worse in these later days. I have often seen forgiveness in smaller doses but when all of these (Charleston) victims' families voiced forgiveness, it blew my mind.

Perhaps Christians of all colors and denominations should come together and pray for peace in America.

Howard Eastlack

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No need for public invocations

Matthew 6:6: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

"Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Kenny Born

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Focus on business, not faith

I have a better suggestion: Leave everyone's beliefs out of it and concentrate on the duties of your elected office.

Richard S. Singleton

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Re-thinking Pastor's Perspective

Have you thought that some people aren't of your faith and might think you are in the wrong and going to their version of hell unless you repent to their god/desses?

… You aren't retaining someone's sin by not confronting them; you are minding your own business and not being a nosey busybody.

You need to think long and hard about what you are trying to get other people to do, and hopefully you will realize that your wanting to make people repent is wrong.

Stephanie Wahner

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Remembering Durrell Peaden

Crestview has lost a huge advocate. He was my grandmother's doctor. He did so much for Crestview and Okaloosa County and even Walton County. He basically hand delivered FAMU and other educational facilities to this area.

Thomas Gordon

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: Live and let live, self-defense is no sin

The culture wars have more than heated up — they've reached a fever pitch.

These days, social media is the new water cooler, and this line sums up what people are talking about: "My Facebook feed looks like a battle broke out between the confederates and a Skittles factory."

So reads a meme from Someecards.com, which designs e-cards for sharing on social media. The message refers to the vast amount of Facebook and Twitter users sharing their thoughts on the Confederate flag and same-sex marriage.

Passions are high nationwide after two issues forced everyone to re-think long-time institutions.

A white man shot and killed nine black people after an evening Bible study June 17 at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. The tragedy opened a dialog on race relations and possible symbols of division, namely the rebel flag.

Race was a focal point up until Friday, when the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to legalize same-sex marriage throughout the country. Then equality and religious liberty were the hot topics.

Race, sexuality and religion are touchy subjects, and that's evident on social media, where battle lines are drawn with hashtags like #lovewins and #lustwins; where the lack of rainbow stripes on your profile photo could raise questions about your stance on same-sex marriage. Or at least make you stick out like a sore thumb.

Too often, the soapbox surpassed advocacy and veered into e-fighting territory.

Children seeing these posts could be forgiven for any confusion.

On one hand, they see that people who support the Confederate flag are racist; on the other, people who don't are race baiters. They hear that people who support same-sex marriage are sending the country to hell, but then people who don't are backward bigots.

It's hard to keep track.

Such vitriol certainly underscores the term culture wars, and North Okaloosa County wasn't excluded from the furor.

Whereas a number of residents see the Supreme Court's decision as redefining marriage, increasingly more people see basic human rights being granted to a group who once felt like second-class citizens.

Meanwhile, Crestview's Confederate flag— flying at the William "Uncle Bill" Lundy memorial at the East First Avenue-State Road 85 intersection— is one of many rebel flags being targeted for removal.

Casting the flag as a symbol of hatred raises concern among Lundy's family members, free speech advocates and others who believe it is a scapegoat amid the country's racial conflicts.

The Crestview Lions Club established the site in 1958 to honor a man believed to be Florida's last surviving Civil War veteran. Some residents have since questioned Lundy's military record, citing Census data that suggests he wasn't old enough to have served in the war.

Meanwhile, I can't help thinking that the United States, this melting pot we call home, is the land of the free and home of the brave. Our differences, in many ways, are what unite us geographically. We can follow our beliefs and dreams, disagree with our city's, county's and country's leaders and voice opposition without fear.

It would be good to remember those hard-won freedoms when debating difficult issues with fellow Americans, fellow Floridians, fellow Okaloosans and fellow Crestview residents.

We're all in this together, geographically. So why not tackle these tough issues together, civilly?

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: BONI: Tackling same-sex marriage, Confederate flag civilly

On June 17, a man killed nine people during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.    

Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old charged with the crime, reportedly told victims —  including two pastors, a high school track coach and a librarian, among others —  "You rape our women," according to the Washington Post.

Race was a factor in this tragedy, and a national conversation naturally followed.

And memes seized on the situation. Some offered fair, universal sentiments (like "pray for the Emanuel 9"); others just fueled Roof's hate-filled mission.

Edited photos of lawmen escorting Roof — hands out of view — to a police vehicle included the caption, "White privilege is murdering 9 people and then having the police give you a bullet proof vest but not handcuffs." 

More than 23,000 people retweeted the graphic without questioning why no news organizations were reporting on this supposed breach in protocol. 

In fact, Roof was cuffed, but all those tweeters mistook the free arm of another man — standing behind him — as the suspect's.

Another meme showed a photo of the two — white — men escorting a handcuffed Roof to the police vehicle, alongside an image of a white Texas police officer slamming a bikini-clad black teenager to the ground.

The caption: "How police handle a man who just killed 9 people vs. how they handle a teenage girl at a pool party. America."

Yes, the teenage girls were mistreated when police responded earlier this month to a report of fighting at a pool party. But an officer in that incident was the exception, not the rule.

It's unfair to compare the situations.

Roof, from his handcuffs to his bullet-proof vest, was treated per protocol. In America, even murder suspects are treated with dignity; they are given a fair trial and found guilty or not guilty.   On the other hand, the girls were not treated per protocol. There was injustice in that one moment. 

This is why I dislike memes. They're often politically motivated and they spread disinformation to fan the flames.

Going forward, it would be great if we could remember why Roof shot those people, and why any murder occurs: hatred.

And before sharing any meme, it would be great if we could ask, "Does this promote peace or strife?"

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: BONI: Beware of Charleston memes that promote strife

Traffic on State Road 85 North in Okaloosa County will shift at the S.R. 85N/State Road123 intersection the week of June 22.

Northbound traffic will shift onto a new temporary two-lane roadway; southbound traffic will transition to existing northbound lanes. The speed limit will remain 45 mph, so use extra caution when traveling through the construction zone as drivers adjust to the new traffic pattern.

The new traffic signal configuration at the intersection will cycle through red, yellow and green for all traffic. Northbound travelers should prepare to stop as the continuous green, northbound light will no longer exist.

The traffic shift will allow crews to set structural steel beams for the new flyover bridge. As bridge construction progresses, additional traffic shifts will occur.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: State Road 85 traffic shift scheduled

First, let me thank you for covering a subject so very important to me: hot car deaths of children.

Second, I need help spreading the word about Cooper's Law, federal legislation I'm working on to protect kids and dogs from hot car death. This is in honor of little Cooper Harris, who died one year ago after being left in his dad's hot car in Georgia.

I am a former friend of his father (who was accused of killing the 22-month-year old after leaving him in a car for four hours) and have created a group dedicated to spreading the word about hot car death as well our work toward federal legislation requiring stiffer uniform nationwide penalties. Currently, 31 states place hot car deaths under abuse laws, and penalties are minimal, even when a child or animal dies.

Just Georgia, Tennessse and North Carolina allow someone to effect a rescue of a child or dog without fear of criminal or civil prosecution, and there is no push for federally mandated car seat alarms.

I hope to find sponsorship for the legislation, as well as creating educational materials to be disseminated in veterinary offices, pediatricians' offices and hospital nurseries. 

Finally, I have paired my small crafts company with the Res-Q-Me company to create the Bunky's Res-Q-Me Window Blaster, which safely cracks a car window's glass and allows a child or dog to be rescued.

It can also be used to save yourself or someone else in the event of an accident in which power door locks and windows become inactive and malfunction.

You can learn more at www.Facebook.com/cooperslaw.

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: Proposed legislation raises awareness of hot car deaths

Some stories require more scrutiny than others.

For instance, "The Whiz Kid," the Crestview Public Library's iconic bronze sculpture, is vandalized and a Baker man steps up to repair it — just because his kids love visiting the library.

It's an uplifting story about one man's decision to give back to the community; there are no holes — all sources are covered — and there's not much more to tell.

Not much, of course, other than learning about who vandalized the sculpture. (And I wouldn't want to be that person, based on comments the News Bulletin's Facebook fans posted about him or her.)

Yes, that story's pretty cut and dry.

But when an editor receives a story about the dangers of leaving a baby in a hot car, it's much different.

After all, lives are at stake.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Brian Hughes' recent report about the Crestview Police Department's efforts to warn parents about leaving children in an unattended vehicle drew plenty of response.

A number of people who commented shared their children's ages, indicating that they successfully kept their kids alive.

Some folks said it all boils down to responsibility or negligence; a woman who carried a child for nine months surely could never forget the little one exists, right?

Still others contended that burdened parents who supposedly forget their toddlers in the car have a more sinister agenda: murder.

If that's what people think of parents who experience this kind of forgetfulness that results in tragedy — like a Bay County teacher who forgot her 18-month-old on June 2 — then the CPD's giveaway of MyCue Streamers seems like a waste of time and money. As Hughes' report noted, "The streamer attaches to the child’s seat. The driver can strap the child in, unclip the streamer and snap it to a key ring to remind them the child is aboard."

When the story first crossed my desk, I had feelings similar to the detractors'. "Parents really need this neon eyesore on their key ring to remember their child is in the backseat?" I thought.

Yes, this was one of those stories that needed extra scrutiny. What I found after researching the matter was shocking. 

'MEMORY IS A MACHINE'

When a Pulitzer Prize winner writes something, that carries plenty of weight.

So Gene Weingarten's 2009 report in the Washington Post about this issue immediately captured my attention.

Particularly this passage:

“Memory is a machine,” he quotes David Diamond, a professor of molecular physiology at the University of South Florida, as saying, “and it is not flawless. Our conscious mind prioritizes things by importance, but on a cellular level, our memory does not.

"If you’re capable of forgetting your cellphone, you are potentially capable of forgetting your child.”

That puts things in perspective. For parents who honestly forget their children in the car, this isn't about loving someone or not loving someone.

It's about a memory failure.

MIND IN 'WORK MODE'

A G.I. nurse helped clarify the matter on our Facebook page:

"Imagine months of broken sleep, stress and lack of proper diet and exercise (all common things to be deprived of with a small child)," she writes. "Now imagine dad takes baby to day care every single day because it's on his way, but one day he needs to go to work early so he asks mom to drop baby off.

"Mom loads everything in the car, including her sleeping baby, and starts her 45-minute drive to work. Most people kick into auto pilot at that time — office thoughts; getting your day started; this afternoon's lunch meeting isn't finalized. Whatever the thoughts may be, they're about work and what you'll do when you get there.

"The ride is quiet (baby's sleeping), the turn comes for daycare and you pass it. You get to work, grab your stuff like you always do and head inside.

"Mind still in work mode."

I also asked my friends about the issue. Many moms my age (in their 30s) said forgetting their child in the car is their worst nightmare.

They championed the CPD's efforts with that key ring I initially considered a "neon eyesore."

Then it hit me: If anyone's memory could fail due to lack of sleep, change of routine or whatever the case may be, then every Okaloosa baby's parents need this key ring.

It's easy to judge others until this type of tragedy befalls you. So please don't take that chance.

Contact community policing Officer Sam Kimmons, 305-7831, for a free streamer, while supplies last.

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: BONI: Every Okaloosa baby's parents should have this keychain

North Okaloosa County's graduates and their families are experiencing a mixture of emotions.

There is happiness that graduates are moving to life's next challenging phase, whether that’s work, family life, the military or more school.

For graduates' parents and loved ones, there is pride from the accomplishment that graduation symbolizes. For some families, graduations are commonplace; for others, this is a momentous occasion.

There might be some sadness — feeling that the last remaining hint of childhood is passing for a son or daughter.

There could be some relief — feeling that the heavy financial burden you and your family faced during a child’s college years is ending.

And, for parents, there is some apprehension. Whatever the future holds for a graduate, there is no guarantee of success.

Finally, there will be some worry, particularly if a graduate is heading to college amid all the uncertainty our state leaders have created around higher education.

Still, don’t let any of the uncertainty, anxiousness or worry mar what should be a joyous occasion.

And don’t let those considerations alter your plans.

There will always be reasons to second-guess or doubt your hopes and dreams, and they won’t come easily.

With hard work, dedication and discipline, though, those goals are within your reach.

You have endured through tough times, maintaining your goal and finally achieving it.

Congratulations.

You have quite a bit of hard work to look back on with pride. And you have exciting choices laid out before you.

Whatever you choose to do with your life, remember to relish the great goals you have already achieved.

Good job and good luck.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: OUR VIEW: North Okaloosa graduates — relish your achievement

These featured comments are the most thoughtful or eloquently stated comments from our Facebook page and crestviewbulletin.com and do not necessarily reflect CNB management's views.

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About vehicle break-ins…

This is becoming a major problem in Crestview! We need a plan of action.

Chris King

To deter car break-ins…

How about let's (deter) the crime by locking our doors and making sure we take the keys and any valuables inside?

Shame on these people for stealing what's not theirs, but I'm not going to assist them by leaving things out in the open or giving them easy access to my vehicle by leaving the keys in it.

Those are safety measures I have to take for myself.

Melissa Willcut Woollums

Why don't people lock doors?

I just can't fathom why people still leave their vehicles unlocked in this town! Then to leave valuables in there, too…

Pam Cozad Weidenhammer

Target theft chips at public's trust

Criminals like these people (who allegedly steal for personal gain) … lose the trust in our communities and businesses, and make it harder on the rest of us honest non-profit volunteers to help our local community.

Larry Grisham

Sculpture vandalism childish

Awesome! Destroy your own town, huh? That will show the man — how childish…

Robert Rohlfing

Library needs surveillance cameras

I sure hope the ones responsible are caught. I also hope their punishment includes lots of community service.

It's time to put out cameras — too much stuff to steal or vandalize in the library.

Angie Stevenson Nousiainen

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: About Crestview's vehicle break-ins, vandalism and theft