Suwannee Countians, it’s time to speak your mind! How? By calling the Suwannee Democrat Rant and Rave hotline. The hotline never closes and is your way to let it out. You can let everyone know how you feel — as long as you express yourself in a respectful way.

Note: In written entries to Rant and Rave, errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation are those of the authors.

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Everytime I read about this “business park” planned by the county commissioners (AKA, the 5 kings of Suwannee County) I turn completely irate. Is there any actual planned benefit of this thing other than lining the current land owner’s pocket with “free” money? They don’t even have any buyers/businesses lined up to use it, do they?! What an asinine way to spend tax payer money. The commission has had so many opportunities in the past years for businesses and industry in this county. Every time there is a hint of interest, they douse it with cold water and crucify the people that wanted to do it. For an area that prides itself on being of conservative values, I’ve never seen a place so anti free-enterprise. Their ignorance of economics is just stunning. Surprise, surprise a while back when Pilgrims Pride was cutting jobs and they were screaming “Oh no, we’ve become too reliant on one industry in the area!”. Earth to the illiterate: THERE’S NEVER BEEN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY THANKS TO YOU, AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL BE!

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I was certainly disappointed to read in a recent editorial that time was running out for the Wet-Dry vote on the ballot this year. Why hasn’t the Chamber of Commerce made sure that this issue is on the ballot? Come on, Chamber, it is time for you to realize the economic importance of this issue.

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I just wanted to add some info to the recycling posts of last week. Many municipalities have discovered that recycling and revenue can go together – if managed properly. The City of Phoenix posted a 1.4 million dollar profit for their recycling program with an estimated 2.1 million dollar additional savings related to decreased landfill space and other disposal costs that were avoided. One municipality earned $21,000 for each 900,000 pounds of trash recycled. It is not only a scandal that the county dumps our separated recyclables into the landfill, but also a shame that we lose the revenue it could bring!

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I hear all the controversy about our city outsourcing public works. Spin it any which way you want but my utility bill goes up and up and up. I can’t help but think it is to pay more for public works.

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Does anyone really think our city services are better being outsourced. The City outsourced the police department and it didn’t work. The School outsourced the Custodial work and it didn’t work. Is city hall just to lazy to run the garbage, sewer and water or to sorry.

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Only in Suwannee County… our new prison sign has a motto, “we never walk alone,” Ha, I hope not, really, what does that mean? For years people have petitioned to get a prison here, the reason? jobs and jobs for our children. Personally, I hope my children will overcome our local school system and go to college and prosper beyond our county. I don’t want a prison in my backyard and I question anyone’s common sense that does. And when will be see the supposed 800 jobs the prison creates? From what I have observed, they should only hire a dozen, physical fitness trainers that is. Finally, to the Democrat, in your opening statement in Rant and Rave, you rave about our ability to access your hotline 24/7, maybe you should add the phone number to your rave.



The phone number – 386-208-8314 – appears at the end of each week’s Rants. – Editor

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Okay, I just wanted to comment on this recycling of our newspaper. I have saved newspapers and recycling since we moved here and since they’ve had the new dumpster sites. If we got a $1 per 1,000 pounds for it, it would be a gain. Landfill costs us per ton and I’m sure that makes a double loss for the county, loss of income and cost of disposing of it. The paper itself, I won’t recycle it anymore until I see that the county is recycling it and taking it to the market. If you can get this paper to come into digital, then he could sell it at the market, I bet he or she would soon have a new car. Another topic is kids wearing pants that don’t fit. Teachers are not fault, it is the parents. If parents wouldn’t buy the damn things then they couldn’t wear them. Parents can solve the problem, not the teachers. Thank you for not putting up with me.

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Yes I would just like to say I would much rather have my newspaper with my coffee in the mornings, so I would be willing to pay a few extra pennies verses having my mail person be a newspaper delivery person of an evening so I have to have my paper with my supper. Thank you very much.

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Callers to 386-208-8314 may express their thoughts, good or bad, 24/7 about community issues and politics, but not about private individuals or businesses. If you prefer, you may email your comments to nf.editorial@gaflnews.com. You don’t have to give your name, and please, keep submissions to less than 45 seconds (that’s about 150 words). We want everybody to have a chance to be heard. Submissions that are overly long will be discarded. If 45 seconds isn’t enough time, write a Letter to the Editor. (Guidelines for letters appear on Page 6A of our print edition.)