Speak Out – September 11, 2013

Thursday — 7:56 p.m.

Yeah, this is Bobby. I just saw again on the news where the Obama administration is threatening to sue different states because they're requiring voter ID.

I think I showed an ID last time I voted. They said it discriminates against minorities. I wish somebody would explain to me how that discriminates against minorities. Now, if they required minorities to have ID and not black people, then that would be discriminatory. If everybody has to show an ID, what—they don't know how to get an ID? Then what, I don't understand it. Thank you.

Thursday — 9:33 p.m.

This is Marilyn calling. Regarding the gentleman or woman, I don't know, there's no name, who commented on the work on Avalon Boulevard and that nobody was working around three in the afternoon.

I'm from Arizona, an equally hot state, although it isn't as humid.

They start work early in the morning, sometimes before sunrise, and quit in the middle of the day because it is so hot. And the hot hours are not when these people should be working.

Thank you.

Friday — 11:56 a.m.

Yeah, this is Bobby. Just wanted to say something about the log trucks coming through town. They make it sound like they're running up and down Willing Street, or something. But, I followed one through town this morning. He came in on US Highway 90. He turned on State Road 89, which is Dogwood. And then he turned left of Willard Norris Road, which is a county road. He wasn't running up and down City streets. Just thought the mayor would like to know that. Thank you.

Friday — 6:36 p.m.

Hey, this is Dennis. I am a republican and this Speak Out is for republicans. Why don't we start now by cleaning out our own house. I believe a good place to start is by voting out all republican politicians who are warmongers. Why don't we help those politicians find another career.

I do believe we should protect our county, but we do not need to get involved in every conflict in the planet. Let's watch how these republican politicians vote on the Syrian conflict. Thank you.

Friday — 11:24 p.m.

Yes, this is Raymond and I was wanting to say that yes, I despise haters. Especially those who are cowards, that don't actually use their name when they comment in reference to what I comment about.

At least I'm not a coward, and I can use my name when I speak what I mean, because I mean what I speak. And you know, if you a hater and you a coward, you're the worst kind.

Saturday — 12:33 p.m.

FYI to the County Commissioners, for the ones that want to raise taxes to pay the county workers. Let me give you some ideas on that. I have a brother that has been looking for a job for almost a year now. He would be glad to take a county job at the present pay, or lower.

People on social security, the elderly especially, have not had a raise in least three years, even though it's illegal to not raise them at least three percent. That's the law of the land, though they have not received a raise, if they do it's something like one-and-a-half percent or two percent.

So any of you that are working presently for the county, wants to give up your job at your present pay or are not happy, look around you. Look at the people on the street. Look at the people that don't have a job. Look at the people losing their homes. Look at all these things and be thankful to the Lord that you have a job now.

Don't be asking for more with the country being in the condition that it's in. Thank you, Patsy.

Saturday — 4:26 p.m.

This is Bobby. Just a few words about the County Commission. They keep thinking ways to spend our money and raise our taxes.

I think they think they were elected to look out for the county employees.

Their job is to look out for the interests of Santa Rosa County. There's more of us that vote than there are county employees that vote.

And they keep coming up ways, to give away buildings and then raise taxes to build more buildings, when half the people in Santa Rosa County can't keep a job to pay their taxes. Hope they remember come election time, because I will. Thank you.

Saturday — 5:38 p.m.

Yeah, this is Bobby again. I was reading Lynne Hough's column on the front of the Lifestyle section. Well all of what she says is true. But when you talk about how low paid the cops are—If they're working all these extra hours, they're getting paid.

They get overtime. They keep comp time. If they get a job working on the side, they get paid. It's true they have a dangerous job, but so does cab drivers, pizza delivery guys and convenience store workers. And they don't make near as much. I agree they could use a raise if we could afford it. But they want to raise taxes for a lot of other things, too. Thank you.

Sunday — 12:57 p.m.

Yes, I'm calling about a letter that was in the Sept. 7 Speak Out. I thought you had a policy there at the paper that you did not allow slamming personal businesses. I would like to address the person who wrote about the Avalon Bowling Alley.

First of all, they should be ashamed of themselves for slamming a local business who's trying their best. Maybe if more people would go to the place, the owners could continue to improve the place. I've had wonderful experiences at Avalon. I'm wondering, if they place is so bad, why do the pros come in every year for a tournament.

Maybe it's about time we take a step back and look and see how we are helping our local businesses. Thank you for this opportunity. Good bye.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Speak Out – September 11, 2013