Dear Editor: Florida’s closed-primary loophole is one of the worst abuses of voter rights in the country today and a key reason why a move to partisan primaries for school board elections would be a disaster for voters. Some history: In 1997, 64% of Florida voters passed the Universal Primary Amendment. It said primaries must … Read more
Dear Editor, On Monday, Aug. 26, the Melrose Post Office will be renamed in honor of Pamela Jane Rock. Pam was a letter carrier who died after being attacked by dogs while delivering mail in Interlachen in 2022. Although she had been a letter carrier for about only seven months at the time of her … Read more
Dear Editor: The state of Florida recently released school and district grades for the 2023-24 school year. This year’s grade calculations re-introduced learning gains and bottom quartile learning gains for ELA and math now that the F.A.S.T. assessment has completed its second year. The Union County School District remained a “B” overall, with Lake Butler … Read more
Dear Editor: One thing the County 5 is certainly not afraid of is being voted out of office. Who else would impose new taxes during an election year, especially now with inflation and economic uncertainty. Rising costs of prescription drugs, groceries, and you name it, don’t bother the 5 one bit. I recently talked to … Read more
Dear Editor: The recent article regarding a possible fire assessment was interesting in that the county commission never brings up the subject of providing for a county fire department without some mention of imposing the same fees on citizens and businesses in the city of Starke. This time, the mention is that there would be … Read more
Dear Editor: Bradford County does not appear to be ready for this year’s predicted active hurricane season. Hurricane Irma in September 2017 could be used as a guide for determining if you and Bradford County are ready for a significant rain event. It is interesting to note that the water levels in mid-May 2024 are … Read more
Dear Editor: I was so shocked when I heard that Keystone Heights’ vice mayor, Christine Thompson, made a move, at the May 6 city council meeting, to oust our new city manager, Charlie Van Zant. I wasn’t at the meeting, so I watched it on YouTube. She must have been so focused on her move … Read more
Dear Editor: Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey retired the circus but did not include Starke City Hall and city commissioners in the closure. Unfortunate for the citizens of Starke. Let me first say to our Police Chief Jeff Johnson that I wish him the best retirement in the world. Despite the 104-page character assassination presented at … Read more
Dear Editor: I am Kellie Hendricks Rhoades, Union County clerk of court and comptroller. This letter addresses the State Attorney’s investigation of our county coordinator. Specifically, I explain both the need for the referral to the State Attorney’s office and allegations that I did not provide all relevant documents for the investigation. By law, the … Read more
Dear Editor: Hello, this is Pastor Terry Clark with the River of Life Church here in Starke. I am writing this letter to ask for your partnership in changing the world! Yes, you read that right! Maybe you’re like us and have pondered the questions: How can I solve world hunger? How can I help … Read more
