Opinion Archive

In every thriving community, trust in local government is essential. The decisions made by city councils, county boards, and municipal offices impact everything from education and infrastructure to public safety and economic development. Yet, without transparency, residents are left in the dark about how their tax dollars are spent and how policies that shape their daily lives are created.

Perhaps you’ve had the experience of seeing or hearing a bird fly into a picture window. Our home backs up to a woodlot and birds, seeing the woodlot’s reflection in the kitchen window, attempt to fly to it. Whenever that happens, regardless of the species, I mutter, “Crazy cardinal.”

In many parts of Florida, black bears are a natural part of the environment. Whether you’re in the central, northeast or northwest parts of the state, learning how to coexist with these powerful yet often misunderstood creatures is essential. Living alongside black bears requires respect, preparation, and awareness, but with the right precautions, they can be fascinating and even beneficial neighbors.

I used the Waze app on a recent road trip and was a good “Wazer,” reporting and confirming road hazards along the way. “Vehicle on shoulder ahead,” the digital assistant would announce, sounding to me like she was annoyed. Sometimes there was a vehicle and sometimes it was there no longer, and I would dutifully give a status update by selecting the appropriate button. It was on that road trip that I realized that I needed to have my eyes checked. Sometimes I reported that the vehicle was no longer there when in fact it was. I needed a “whoops, my bad” button.

“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2 NRSV)

In 1999, congress declared May would be National Military Appreciation Month so the citizens of our country could publicly thank everyone who puts on the uniform of their branch of service.

One of the required courses in the seminary from which I got my degree was apologetics. For those not familiar with the term, apologetics is not a course in which you learn how to say you are sorry in meaningful ways. The term comes from the Greek word apologia which means “to make a defense” and is found in the Apostle Peter’s first letter to the churches in Asia Minor. He exhorts Christians to turn away from evil and be zealous for what is good, and “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy.” Knowing that such a life will be noticed in a world that does not honor Christ the Lord as holy nor is typically zealous for what is good, he continues, “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” The field of apologetics is engaged in teaching Christians how to defend the Christian faith.

We commend the City of Crestview for adopting a long-term growth strategy that promotes transparency and provides a clear roadmap for sustainable development. While many counties, including Okaloosa, often discuss smart growth, the absence of a comprehensive plan leaves citizens uncertain about their leaders’ vision. Crestview sets itself apart by demonstrating exactly how smart growth can be done effectively.

I used to make my living as a professional guitarist, and there is a universally shared experience among guitarists who have played in bands. At some point in your performance, someone is going to shout out, “Freebird! Freebird!” For those who don’t know, Freebird is a song by the southern-rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and it features several iconic guitar solos. I have heard that request often and most of my 6-string colleagues have as well. For the many times we’ve been asked to play the song, you’d think that we would take the time to learn it. I never have, and neither have any of my guitar playing friends. Perhaps, deep down, we fear that, were we to play it, we would be disrupting a long-established order of things.

Emergency communication systems are critical for public safety, enabling swift coordination among first responders during crises. Over the years, technological advancements have made these systems more efficient, reliable, and secure. One such innovation is the P25 (Project 25) communication system—a suite of standards designed to ensure interoperability among various public safety agencies while prioritizing encrypted communication for enhanced security. While encryption undoubtedly bolsters the confidentiality of sensitive operations, it also raises significant concerns for journalists and advocates of government transparency.