Nobody likes “fee for service” costs above what they already pay in property taxes. Nobody, except people who pay taxes and want to saddle those who don’t with some of the cost.

Such is the case with pending fees to help close the deficit in the county’s emergency medical services [EMS] department. It’s currently running about $300,000 short on an annual budget of $1.4 million.

The county commission is poised to make a decision soon on EMS fees and should not be skittish when it does so. Rescue services are vital to the community, the department here has an excellent reputation and EMS is a prime example of a government operation that begs for subsidy by fee.

Everyone should be involved, much the same as they are for the garbage and fire fees currently assessed.

August is almost as busy a month as November and December. Back to school shopping seems to consume more time and the crowds get larger every year. I can honestly say this year has been worse than others when combined with the large workload here at The Press. Combining election time with class enrollments and open houses is a nightmare.

When you combine the politicians advertising with problems getting and publishing the enrollments at a convenient time for the everyone, it becomes a migraine! Factor in parents wanting to save money on supplies during the tax-free week and the problems multiply exponentially.

A note to the school system: the most common complaint I have heard is knowing who the teachers are so the parents know which supply list to buy. Why do we have to have such varied list when it comes to going back to school? There was a time when notebook paper, some cool folders and a Trapper Keeper got you started. Now the list contain items like Lysol wipes, Kleenex, folders in a certain color etc.

Dear Editor:

This letter concerns a proposed development adjacent to the Osceola National Forest in Baker County for a firearms shooting range. The company, Gateway Rifle and Gun, is attempting to relocate from Cecil Field in Jacksonville adjacent to the Osceola National Forest.

It will have a pistol range and a 1000-yard rifle range, operating 361 days a year, 8:00 am to a half hour before sunset. Gateway has 2800 members, and plans pavilions, a clubhouse, restrooms etc.

We live in north Sanderson and our neighborhood is opposed to this development. We are a rural community and do not desire to hear the sound of shooting 361 days a year, all day long. The occasional shots heard during hunting season are not a problem.  The proposed range cannot meet the Baker County noise ordinance that requires noise levels not to exceed 55 decibels at the property line.

As the local primary elections draw near, most of Baker County’s likely voters are turning their attention to the candidates and hopefully are in the final stages of deciding who they’re going to side with come primary day on August 24.

The stable of local candidates is generally giving off positive vibes — all appear to be at least minimally qualified and others are more than qualified to hold local office based on educational and professional backgrounds.

As predicted years ago, the number of Republicans coming out as candidates continues to increase, and soon Baker County will join most of its counterparts in northeast Florida with both major parties well represented in local races. You no longer have to be a Democrat to get anywhere, and judging by what that party has given us nationally in recent years, I’m a bit surprised there hasn’t been a mass exodus to the GOP in local registration.