To the Editor:

In Mr. Holmes’ ‘Shame on Us’ article about how a significant portion of students entering Suwannee Schools are ill prepared, he never once mentions PARENTS or PRIMARY CAREGIVERS as part of the reason students are ill-prepared. These adults spend the most time with these children before school age. Before we dissect programs that support some parents/primary caregivers, let’s put the responsibility for school preparedness squarely on the shoulders it should rest. If parents/primary caregivers did not make the effort to prepare their children for the rigors of school this year, maybe parents/primary caregivers should either get training or place the child in an available program to learn these skills, and the child should wait until next school year.

 

Janet Messcher

Live Oak

Jim Holmes responds:

Ms. Messcher appears to have misunderstood the 8th paragraph in my column, in which I stated in part, “tough questions need to be asked of our daycares, our Head Start Programs, our Pre-K Programs, our high school parenting classes and ourselves.”  Perhaps I failed, but I tried to make it clear that as far as I am concerned, NO ONE gets a pass.  Thus, “Shame on us!”

To the Editor:

Is it any wonder that the economic and employment picture is so bad here in Live Oak, when this paper carries, without challenging the foolishness of the publicity release, that the placement of an ATM machine, bolted to a concrete slab in the middle of a parking lot, is portrayed as a new business in our community?

Seems little surprise that our economy is stagnant, employment offers little opportunity, and our best leave the area for hope of a future.

Is it fair that they have ignored the new ice dispensing machine on South 129? A tidal wave of economic development is afoot!

Steve Johnson

Live Oak

To the Editor:

An open letter to the Suwannee County Commission

From: SCFR personnel who have signed below

Re: Chief Conner

Dear Sirs,

In light of some recent events that have shown some negative light on our department, and more importantly upon our chief, the personnel who have signed below would like to voice our support for Chief Conner. In any business or organization, there should be structure. It is not uncommon that every employee will not agree with every decision made by their boss, leader or superior. It is no different within our fire service. However, in other organizations where there is less to be lost, perhaps mishaps or mistakes can be dealt with a little more compassionately. This is a fire department, and mistakes can cost the lives of not only personnel, but patients, victims and bystanders. Mistakes can not be easily tolerated, especially if they violate the safety and well being of employees and citizens. Mr. Conner has brought to this department something that has been lacking, structure. He has held employees accountable for their actions, which is the only way to ensure safety and structure within a fire department. Many of us have worked at larger departments, and have noticed the vast improvements that have been made within our department since Mr. Conner has been the public safety director. It is now being managed as a fire service should.

Just a few examples of some of the things that Mr. Conner has brought to this department in working with you gentlemen are: the purchasing of newer and safer equipment, ensuring that volunteers get the training they need so that they are in compliance with state guidelines and that scenes are safer, implementing and enforcing that proper safety equipment be worn and utilized on scenes, enforcing that training be performed on a regular basis, working  to strategically place the stations to ensure shorter response times, working with the Advent Christian Village to put up a new station so that the citizens of ACV do not have to wait for such long response times, bridging the gap between volunteer personnel and career personnel as to ensure that working relationships are harmonious, and he has worked diligently to bring the stations, (both paid and volunteer) up to the ISO requirements which in turn will help to lower citizens’ home owner premiums, as well as provide better service. These are just a few of the many things that Chief Conner has done to improve Suwannee County Fire Rescue.

He has treated his employees well, and while a few feelings may occasionally get stung, his purpose for being ‘to the point and brisk’ once in awhile is to ensure the safety of his subordinates. Most of us knew when we signed up to be firefighters, that the service is ‘para-military,’ and that we will not have our hands held and our backs patted along the way.

We feel that Mr. Conner has done a fine job as our Chief, and he shows continued effort to grow and learn to be an even better leaders. Please note that while a few employees, (some of which may have been disgruntled), may have voiced problems with him, those of us who have signed below are in full support of him. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Respectfully,

Bill Underhill

Brad Merritt

Tara Thompson

Jerry Jordon

John Munsell Jr.

Wesley Schneider

Debbie Adams

Allen Donburgh

David May

Steve Oaks

Lucas Hodge

John Cherry

Brian Cranford

James Riley

Robert Garbett

David Long

Jonathan Mieras

Shawn Hillengas

Slade Mayhard

James Sommers

Eddie Hand

Robert Eyer

Dave Smith

Chris Rathbun

Matthew Verdgrem

Chris Perry

Paul McDavid

Nathan Griffis

Tammy Conner

Randy Hill

Grady Sims

Michael Conner

Guy Cooper

Tom Maynard

Penny Munsell

John Munsell Sr.

Johnny Howard

Tim White

Matt Hubbard

To the Editor:

Every week I read the Rant & Rave about the music on the school bus and stop signs and about the bus drivers. I have been a bus driver for 20 years and let me tell you, people have no idea what bus drivers do or some of the things parents and students put us through. I have had parents going to sue me and the schools for writing up their kids. Kids calling me an unsavory name or two, telling me I can’t do anything about it. Parents calling my house at all hours of the day and night because their kids don’t want to sit in the seats I put them in or they traded toys and now want me to get it back. Oh, and how many times have I been told “You will pay for any toys that their kids don’t bring home.” Some of the fun stuff like talking back, “you can’t move me, make me, what for, why?” One of the best is “my parents will have your job, I hate you, I hate my parents, and I hate school. Write me up, I don’t care, you can’t make me, I’ll do what I want. Call the cops, I don’t care.” And then parents tell us “I would not do what you do for a million dollars.” That one is funny since we couldn’t raise a family on our salary. Let’s not forget we have to drive down the road with 65-80 kids, watch every seat, and every toy, what’s playing on the radio, watch the road and other drivers all the while one kid is slapping someone else, one is trying to walk down the aisle, one is screaming at you to move the kid in the seat with him because he hates them, or he (she) looked at me and one asking when can they move.

Why is it so much of a problem to play a radio? Kristi Mullen said in the letter to the Editor on Oct. 1. I quote, “I was told  that they think I am doing a good thing and that it’s great that I stand up for what I believe in and for my children.” That’s great she is a parent looking out for her children, is this not what we all strive for as parents? We need more parents to be like this. I’m sorry to say that is not always the case. But if some parents aren’t against radios on school buses does that make them bad? Why should all the other children have to do without? If she is so against radios on school buses why stop it in Suwannee County why not take on the other states and let’s ban all school buses from having radios? I have a bus with a radio and I do play it some of the time and it’s on one of the stations that have been allowed. Most of my kids don’t listen to the station.

And please someone tell me what babysitting has to do with riding a school bus. I hope that I’m not looked at as a babysitter. Does she not realize that when the radios are on and the kids have to keep the noise level down that it’s keeping them from fighting, cursing at each other, slapping, throwing things and staying in their seats. That it makes it easier on the kids as well as the driver. I grant you there may be some stations that should not be listened too. How many parents gave their kids iPods for birthdays and Christmas? How many actually listen to the music that has been downloaded on the iPods. Everyday I see kids walking around and passing them on the school grounds and on the buses and I have had to try and get the kids to turn them off because of the language on them. Kristi Mullen, don’t think for one minute that your kids are not hearing things and language that you find inappropriate. Possibly at school or on the bus or even at friends’ houses and that one of your children may one day or have been handed an iPod with inappropriate music on it, watched a movie at friends’ houses or just been in a store or sitting at a red light and having to listen to music from another car close by.

Let’s talk about seat belts since there are issues with them. How many times have we, as bus drivers, talked ourselves blue in the face for our kids to buckle up? Parents tell us all the time they want us to make their child buckle up. I’m still trying to figure out how to do that. I can’t physically put it on them and I can’t sit in each seat with them to make sure they keep them buckled and I don’ t have x-ray vision to see children are doing as I expect. So, it’s a work in progress. Over and over, everyday, how many times I have had kids to tell me “you can’t make me.” Or I look up in the mirror and one of the kids has the belt slamming the kid behind or in front of them. What are we supposed to do? We still have to drive. The teachers do a great job in school but remember they have 20-30 kids in classrooms and it’s not moving. They can look them in the face and take care of problems. Send the kids to the office. I have 60 or more behind me and still DRIVE. It’s a long walk back to the office so that is not an option.

Now let’s talk stop signs. We’re taught to stop at the stop sign two feet before the stop sign, pull up until we have a clear view, watch for traffic and when it is safe to do so, pull out into the lane. The stop sign and stop line are usually in two different places. Today when you’re driving home, look at some of the stop signs an see how many are at the stop line. We stop at the signs not at the stop line. That can give the illusion we are not stopping because the stop sign is not visible to oncoming traffic. I have been doing this job for a long time and don’t get me wrong I love it. I get to see and talk to all the beautiful children in the school system. I’m now driving children of children that I have drove over the years. And I can’t tell you how many coats or lunch money I have given out, the items I have cleaned up a little tiny cut a child got on the playground, wiped tears from eyes when feelings got hurt. How many times have I called to check on one of my kids because they were sick or hurt? Before you judge us, stop and think about it.

I say to the  Kristi Mullens in the community, if you have the time and the will, take the bus driving class and join us. You would be surprised just how much heart bus drivers really have. To all the parents that support us and the job we do, God Bless You!

Cheryl Clark

Joan Fewox

Pat Bryant

Mildred Griswold

Dorie Bingemann

Sharna Blanco

Dan Olson

Robert Schnaudigel

Paula Frazier

Robin Whitt

David Blevins

Janice Thompson

Phyllis Postell

Waydine Hollaway

Wilbur Woods

Ted Fralick

Ami Fields

Sarah Chavis

Earnestine Riley

Sandra Neely

Monica Pitts

Inez Williams

Clayton Sneed

To the Editor:

Wake up Suwannee County. We have a problem of pandemic proportion. It’s a problem that not only has touched every family in Suwannee County, but is on every doorstep across America. Prescription drug abuse, is not gender or race specific. It has no prejudices. It is not even class specific. What do we really know about prescription drug abuse? Nothing really. We go about our daily lives, reading a newspaper that is filled weekly with deaths, arrests, petty thefts that are related somehow to this problem. Yet we do nothing about it. We all quietly say to ourselves, wow, there’s another one. Does that prompt us to take a look around and really open our eyes, and see what is going on right under our noses? I can answer that…. no it does not. EVERYONE knows someone that suffers from a problem with this abuse. It’s time to get our heads out of the dirt, take our blinders off, stop making excuses, cause we think our loved one is not doing anything illegal.

Addiction is a disease, and needs to be treated as such. What resources do we have to counter this problem? I can answer that question also. None, that is affordable. Our insurance companies will cover expenses to get you hooked, but, will not cover the expenses to get you off of it. Our problem goes much deeper than just what we see on the surface. At a time when our youth should be spending time working towards a brighter future filled with education, or working toward gaining life and work experience, many times is spent chasing that next pill. Often times this leads to lies, and deception because of the addiction. Families are being altered and relationships are being strained. This is our future, folks. These are our future leaders. Our youth are being robbed of their dreams. Pain clinics are advertised everywhere. It is a multi-billion dollar industry. For every one that is shut down, six more open to take their place. It will take much needed legislation to solve this problem. There is strength in numbers. If you know someone or suspect a loved one with this problem, join us… gain some knowledge, education. Let’s fight to take back our youth, and help them to free themselves from this widespread epidemic. Our first meeting will be the first week of November in the training room at the Live Oak Police Department. Exact date and time to follow.

Trish Evans

Live Oak