Another school year is well under way. I happen to drive in the Live Oak during the time school is dismissed. I have a wonderful idea that would save tax payers some money. The flashing lights that warn folks to slow down are mostly ignored. Why not rip them up and sell them to some community who actually cares about their children? Honestly, I don’t understand why it’s so hard to slow down for school zones. They are usually less than a tenth of a mile! And I certainly don’t understand why it’s not ENFORCED! Our kids are, after all, our most precious resource.

I don’t understand the City Council. In one meeting they are in favor of the City trying a 4-day work week, it’s going to reduce the electric bill 20-25%. Then the next meeting they don’t like it because the employees are going to get a 3% raise. Seems they can’t decide if they want to save the City money or not. I like the idea, I can pay my bills after I get off work, it will be very convenient for me and I know others that would like it.

If you wonder why there are so many wrecks in Live Oak, maybe it’s because three quarters of the people in this town do not know how to use a blinker. Hitting your brakes does not mean that you are turning. Try using a blinker. It could save a life, like maybe your own.

The dumpster site on Highway 51 still continues to need supervisory exploration. The attendant there labels about one fourth of the bins as NO DUMPING on days before the site is closed the next day. Could it be that more bins would help? Also, an easier to remember schedule without split hours would be more customer friendly. Don’t frustrate – accommodate the public, please!

Kudos to the grounds department of the SCSB. The workers keep the school campuses looking good. The grass is always cut and this is very inviting when one approaches the school grounds of the schools.

Kudos to Mr. Bill Yanossy who is working this year as an assistant principal at Suwannee High School. He made some very positive changes during his tenure at Suwannee Intermediate School and he is a great fit on the administrative team at SHS. I believe firmly SHS will show much academic growth this year. The faculty and staff are excited about their leadership now.

Is there ever any chance the Suwannee County Fair Association may consider having the county fair return to the fall time of year? Growing up, that was always something we enjoyed so much at that time of year. I believe a better fair attendance would happen if it was moved back to either October or November. Thoughts on this Suwannee County citizens?

The woman at the garbage site on 49 and close to highway 27 is a hard working woman. She keeps the site cleaner than anyone ever has. It isn’t easy when you see how much people bring in when they are closed and are too lazy to put it in the cans when there is plenty of room. They just leave it there for her to pick up. It makes you wonder who picks up after them at home. A lot of the people are from other counties, who are not paying the garbage fee, that we have to pay which makes them free-loaders. Looks like the county commissioners could stop this, thank you.

This is to the coward that left a note on the deputy sheriffs car Monday evening at the sports complex at the sports complex stating it is a shame that the deputy is watching a baseball game on taxpayer’s money.  That deputy just completed a 12 hour shift of protecting this county’s citizens and was watching his child play baseball and don’t you think if any problem would arise at the complex he would not hesitate to settle the problem. Next time, leave a note thanking him for his service or better yet tell him in person. 

Has the City Council addressed the issue of paying employees and elected officials cash in lieu of the health insurance benefit? Since this information is public record, I am requesting the Suwannee Democrat publish a list of the names and the amounts they received for the last year. Remember citizens of Live Oak, this will cost us in excess of $1 million dollars over the next 8 years – for 16 people! This is reminiscent of the Bell, California city officials that were arrested in 2010 for the salary scandal.

I continue to get infuriated over this health insurance opt-out policy at City Hall every time I get a water bill in the mail. Looks to me like the Council is basically telling all of us voters “we will do whatever we want especially if it lines our pocket with extra money.” Seven months until the election. I will vote for whichever candidate supports doing away with this disguised theft of public money. Take heed, we will not forget about this.

I read somewhere where the City Council was going to meet to address the health insurance opt-out policy. What was the final outcome of that meeting? Please be sure to include which councilman voted which way so we can all clip this article out and keep it on our refrigerators until the election. Thanks.

Editor’s note: See Page 8A for a story on this issue.