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Editorial/Opinion Telegraph, Times & Monitor • Thursday, July 4, 2013 • Page 4B The past reveals the future There is an old adage that says, “History repeats itself,” and we find the old cliché to be depressingly correct, more especially if we do not know what has gone before. Looking now at what has gone before, let us look at the effect of the highway bypass contemplated for Starke. Will the good outweigh the bad in moving traffic around the town? Looking at other towns that have been bypassed by highways, it is my considered opinion that once the bypass is completed and traffic is diverted from its present route, the town will regress and become more of a bedroom community for more progressive communities. The small town of Micanopy, which is 12 miles south of Gainesville in Alachua County, was once a typical country town with amenities to serve the inhabitants with groceries, car repairs, banking and other needs. When U.S. 441 was re-routed and rebuilt, the town was bypassed, and commerce disappeared from the community. However, Micanopy business interests didn’t just sit on their hands. They transformed their town into an antique shopping center that attracts visitors from near and far, and while it doesn’t progress, it stays alive. Micanopy has no natural attractions, although it is only 5-6 miles from Orange Lake, formerly an outstanding bass lake, but now subject to droughts and fish kills. It is also on the Letters editor@bctelegraph.com No justice in this instance Dear Editor: The major push currently underway to grant amnesty to those who have entered or remain in our country illegally is gaining momentum. Many church officials have jumped on the bandwagon, and heavyhitting (pseudo) Republican lawmakers have joined as well. Some of these individuals are using “justice and compassion” as reasoning for this support. I can see that it would be an act of compassion to legalize what these lawbreakers have done. But justice? No way. This legislation would give those granted amnesty access to all kinds of rights and privileges, southern edge of Paynes Prairie, an interesting former lakebed, but having no momentary value to the community. Admittedly, having a heavily traveled highway running through a town does not guarantee prosperity. Many small towns have remained constant, even though major highways pass through their centers. However, re-routing a highway around a town invariably costs the town future growth. When Bradford County had an effective agriculture base, producing and shipping strawberries, and with the Brooker area growing tobacco and vegetables, the economy was humming along, with everyone participating in the various enterprises then existent. The agricultural base is gone. Strawberry growing moved to Plant City, and the money crop—tobacco—lost its market. The Brooker fields now lie silent and untended, except for occasional cattle grazing. Actually, Bradford County has limited acres of fertile soil that lends itself to farming. The highway bypass is beyond the talking stage and is now a certainty, with a five-year window for business owners to consider its effect on their holdings. Certainly, the many eating places on U.S. 301 will be the first to feel the effects of diverting traffic. The motels will continue to fill during football season, but the months between which Americans enjoy. This as a result of their disrespecting our laws. That’s justice? What these proposals do not do is absolutely seal the border, which presently allows drug dealers, terrorists, disease bearers and anyone else to enter our country. Do we not have an obligation to control these borders so as to offer security to those who have legally obtained American citizenship? As far as I can see, this entire attempt to “reform immigration” is based on lies, just as much of what comes out of Washington, D.C. In 1986, when Sen. Ted Kennedy spearheaded a similar catastrophe, he made it clear that if we granted those three million illegals amnesty, it would never be necessary to do it again because the BORDER WOULD BE SECURED. Today’s current Democrats, who are making sure that they are seen as the party of these poor, abused undocumented workers, are simply repeating Kennedy’s lie. There is no intention of sealing our borders. Why? Because open seasons will prove to be difficult for operators and employees. The late Freeman Register III said, “Waldo will become Starke, and Starke will become Waldo.” That quotation sums up the situation facing Starke residents and business operators. The North Florida <strong>Regional</strong> Chamber of Commerce is actively working to attract industry into town, but repeatedly hears industry say, “We don’t want to be in a prison setting.” That thinking is a real burden to chamber officials and represents ignorance on the part of business operators whose knowledge of corrections is limited. The chamber could consider a program for educating business leaders about the high quality of employees currently employed in correctional facilities and the educational facilities available, especially in Bradford County. The Bradford-Union Technical Center is unappreciated, under utilized by the community and unknown outside the local area. Community leaders are sitting on their collective hands in regard to telling the world about the advantages of relocating to Bradord and Union counties. It’s time to take a look at ourselves, since the growth of our community is in our own hands. It is either grow or regress; the community can’t stand still. By Buster Rahn Telegraph editorialist borders are a political avalanche which wipes away Republican Party support. (And it won’t be mitigated by token Republican saviors of immigrants.) As a result of the 1986 amnesty, California has changed from a Republican to a solidly Democratic state. And it just so happens that a majority of those three million who were pardoned live in California. What a coincidence! So what will happen if between 11 and 30 million more illegals are granted citizenship? It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? Current bills regarding immigrants have nothing to do with justice. They reek of a political roundhouse, whose purpose is to secure votes. They are a travesty, and I will do everything I can to oppose them. True justice just might be to actually secure our borders and require all prospective citizens to follow our laws for entrance. Is this unreasonable? Sincerely, Lennard C. Young Keystone Heights Letters editor@bctelegraph.com People of Starke should be ‘ashamed’ of behavior Dear Editor: Over the course of the last 35 years, I have passed through and stopped in your quaint, little city for fuel, restaurants, a soda, cigarettes and even to stay the night on occasion while traveling Highway 301 an infinite number of times driving back and forth between my home and Jacksonville. It’s the easiest and fastest way to go. However, I must say that my trip through this past Saturday may very well put an end to my patronage of your city. I made a specific trip to Starke just to be a part of a once-ina-lifetime, anthropological, historical event, the unveiling and dedication of the nation’s first atheist monument on public property. My intentions were to attend the ceremony and then have lunch somewhere there in Starke. Unfortunately, the horrid behavior of some of your citizens completely ruined my appetite. When I first arrived in Starke, I stopped to refuel, get a soda and to use the restroom. Entering the convenience store wearing an atheist T-shirt, I was greeted by a man and a woman behind the counter with rude, nasty comments about my T-shirt and the apparent reason I was in town. When I got to the courthouse, I was shocked to see protesters carrying not only several of the series of Confederate flags, but also a Bonnie Blue flag and an Orphan Brigade flag. These are flags that represent division, animosity, fear, hate, ignorance, racism and slavery. Not one protester carried an American flag. In addition, the signs they were holding and displaying were not only un-American, but selfish, arrogant and rude. There were other residents across the street from the courthouse ceremony in fourwheel-drive trucks blaring country music, yelling very hateful remarks across the street and holding signs, coaxing passing motorists into honking their horns in attempts to disrupt the ceremony. When I drove out of the courthouse parking lot, someone threw a fountain drink cup at my vehicle, yelling goodbye and good riddance. I would wager that not one of those people who were protesting the atheist monument on Saturday was even in attendance at the ceremony for the wrongful and unconstitutional placing and unveiling ceremony of the Ten Commandments monument that began this whole ordeal. All y’all in Starke should be ashamed of the frightfully childish, ignorant and hateful behavior from some of y’all. I am a Florida resident, and I am entirely ashamed of the way you represented Florida to the nation and the world. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Brian Snapp Citrus County This reader thankful for hard work of wait staff Dear Editor: I wish to apologize to all of the waiters and waitresses in the Starke-Keystone area for the way many of us act in your restaurants. Many of us are Christians, but you would not know it by our behavior. Some folks are demanding, rude and poor (or no) tippers. Some have not realized that a gospel tract will not buy gas for your car. Some believe they were put on this earth to be food critics, judges and problem solvers. Some will eat until they can’t breathe while complaining the food doesn’t taste like momma used to make. I thank you for your long hours, low pay and sore feet. Some of us appreciate what you do. Rick Crane Keystone Heights 5%-10% OFF FOR NEW PATIENTS! We will meet all competitor prices! FREE Sports Physicals! June, July and August At Palms in Starke Palms Medical Group 550 West Georgia Street, Starke (located in the Meridian Behavioral Healthcare building) Call for same day appointments: 904-364-2900 1-888-730-2374 www.palmsmg.org
Thursday, July 4, 2013 • Telegraph, Times & Monitor B Section 5B UCHS football program hosts annual golf tourney on July 19 The Union County High School football program’s fourth annual golf tournament is set for Friday, July 19, beginning with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. at the Starke Golf and Country Club. The cost to enter the four-man, best-ball tournament is $55 per person/$180 per team. Lunch will be provided. There will be door prizes, as well as prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin, straightest drive and a putting contest. Hole sponsorship opportunities are available for $100. Also, there are three levels of sponsorship opportunities: Purple ($200), Gold ($250) and Tiger ($350). To register for the tournament, or if you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Ronny Pruitt at 386-867-0078 or pruittr@union.k12.fl.us, or Matthew Elixson at 352-275- 8697 or elixsonm@union.k12. fl.us. All proceeds will support Lake Butler Middle School and Union County High School athletics. 3 KHHS tennis players receive Sun honors D.J. Mayer of Keystone Heights High School was a second-team selection as part of the Gainesville Sun’s all-area boys’ tennis teams. Mayer posted a 10-1 record in number-three singles. He also teamed with Jared Velazquez for an 11-0 record in number-two doubles. Velazquez and teammate Grant McGee received honorable mention. Superstars? Super all-stars This year’s version of the Union County 10U fastpitch all-stars softball team consisted of (l-r) Maisie Thornton, Kylie Prevatt, Abby Andrews, Randa Goodwin, Meghan Mobley, Reah Jones, Katie Tomlinson, Ashlyn Agner, Starla Vaughn, Chole Dubose, Savanna Tollefsurd and Katie Caren. Coaches were Thomas L. Mobley, James “Goody” Goodwin and Dianna D. Mobley. Scott Andrews was the trainer, while Mason Mobley was the dugout rat/ bat boy. The team would like to thank the players’ families for their support as well as the following sponsors: Butler Seafood House & Grille, Sweet Temptations, Suwannee Medical personnel, Shadd’s Trucking Inc., SSTS Services, Arroyo & Talbert, P.A., Brian’s Sports and the Union County Girls Softball Association. BHS, KHHS, UCHS athletes honored in weightlifting, track and field Bradford, Keystone Heights and Union County high schools had boys’ weightlifters earn Gainesville Sun first-team allarea honors, while athletes from Bradford and Union also received recognition in track and field. Bradford’s Phillip James was a first-team selection in weightlifting after finishing as the state runner-up in the 199-pound class with a 645-pound total. James was also the District 4-1A champion in his weight class with a 625 total. James’ teammate Markel Parks was a first-team pick in the heavyweight class after placing ninth at state with a 675 total. He was the District 4 runner-up with a 660 total. Union’s Dustin Griffis earned first-team honors in the 238 class after placing fifth at state with a 640 total. He was the District 4 champ with a 620 total. Chase Musselman of Keystone was a first-team pick in the 119 class after placing ninth at state with a 555 total. He was the District 4 runner-up with a 530 total. Bradford’s Rashad Lane earned second-team honors in the 139 class. Lane was the District 4 champ with a 450 total. He placed 15 th at state. Two Union lifters earned honorable mention: Austin Long (119-pound class) and state qualifier Kevin Thornton (199). 6 BHS athletes earn second-team track honors Bradford was recognized with second-team picks in four boys’ events and six girls’ events as part of the Gainesville Sun’s allarea track and field teams. Keaaris Ardley was a secondteam pick in two events: the high jump and the long jump. He had a season-best of 6-0 in the high jump and was the Distrct 4-2A runner-up in the event. Ardley set a personal record and school record in the long jump with a distance of 21-9 and placed fifth in the event at the District 4 finals. Kenny Dinkins and Justin McBride earned second-team honors in the 400m and shot put events, respectively. Dinkins posted a season-best of 50.29 in the 400m and placed third in the event at the District 4 finals. McBride set a personal record and school record in the shot put with a distance of 47-10. Girls’ team member Tiana Sheffield was a second-team selection in four events: 100m hurdles, long jump, triple jump and long jump. She established personal records in all four events: 15.70 in the hurdles, 17.4.75 in the long jump, 36-2 in the triple jump and 5-0 in the high jump. Sheffield was the District 4 runner-up in 100m hurdles, long jump and high jump, while placing third in the triple jump. Samantha Cook, who was Bradford’s lone state qualifier, was a second-team pick in the shot put and discus. She placed second in the shot put at the district level and was third at the regional level before earning a state medal with a fifth-place finish. She had a personal record of 41-6.5. In the discus, Cook set a personal record of 116-0. She placed second in the event at the district meet and was fourth at the regional meet. Kristin Cook earned secondteam honors in the discus. She set a personal record of 99-11 at the District 4 finals, which earned her a third-place finish. Bradford athletes who earned honorable mention in boys’ track and field were Chris Barron (400m), John Wesley Gillenwaters (1600m), Alec Harden (discus) and Cole Whitehead (800m). Union athletes Carl Alexander (shot put), Daquin Edwards (shot put) and Anthony Hendrieth (100m, long jump) earned honorable mention as well. Nancy Slocum of Union earned honorable mention in girls’ track and field in the discus and shot put. Union 10U team has impressive run in District 6 tournament The Union County 10U allstar squad traveled to Madison on June 20 to take part in the District 6 tournament. What the team left with was remarkable—a second-place finish that guaranteed a berth in the state tournament. All-star selections were made on May 20, giving the team a month to prepare for district play. Throw in the Lake Butler Elementary School safety patrol trip to Washington, D.C., and it was down to three weeks or preparation as half of the team NOW OPEN Tru Blu Pool Service & Supplies, LLC Servicing the Surrounding Areas Since 2006 Above Ground Pool Installation Weekly Pool Maintenance Repair of Automatic Vacuum Systems Service & Repairs • Liquid Chlorine • Complete Line of Chemicals & Parts • • Salt Water Generators • Filters, Elements, Pumps & Motors • • Floats, Gogles & Toys • • Automatic Vacuum Systems for Above Ground/In Ground Pools • • Maintenance Equipment, Brushes, Nets, Vacuums & Poles • MORE INVENTORY COMING SOON... Above Ground Pools, Grills and a more extensive line of all products! Stop In and Say Hi! Summertime Hours: Mon-Sat 9-6 pm 220 West Main Street • Lake Butler • 386-496-1057 The Union 10U allstar team is: (front, l-r) Hunter Parrish, Paden Clyatt, Tucker Parrish (bat boy), B.J. Harvey, Ryan Patrick, Ke’Andre Young (back, l-r) coach Brett Parrish, Brian Kish, Noah Tallman, head coach Paul Kish, Solomon Jones, Cortez Slocum and coach John Patrick. made the weeklong pilgrimage to the nation’s capital. Still, when the smoke cleared, Union compiled a 3-2 record in the nine-team tournament, with both of its losses coming against eventual district champ Madison County. “The team proved to be very scrappy and just never gave up, even when they found themselves trailing late in the first game,” manager Paul Kish said. “Rolling to districts with nine kids is sketchy, but to qualify for state with nine is nuts and goes a long ways toward showing what kind of heart these kids displayed. From the first pitch, nobody got a breather all tournament long. “If I could go back and change anything, I’d probably tell the guys to wash their unis after each game. Baseball players are a superstitious lot, and by day four, we were a little ripe. “I just can’t tell you how proud we are of these boys. By the end of the tournament, everyone was talking about how hard-nosed they were and that we only had nine players. I’ll take that over a championship any day.” Union begins tournament play in Lake City on Thursday, July 11, as it makes a run at a state championship.
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