DON'T SIGN UP WITH EARTHLINK
I've done business with many organizations over my lifetime, but I can tell you that Earthlink takes the cake.  When I changed from my legislative laptop to my personal laptop, my son, Jarrett, did the installation and settings for me. (That's his profession).  He also signed me up with Earthlink using the net.  Now that I have decided to go with Cox Cable, I've tried to cancel my service with Earthlink. What a hassle! I did what I thought I should do and contacted them by email telling them to cancel my service. Got a prompt reply saying I could not cancel over the net, but would have to call customer services or send in the information by registered mail.  Four different times I attempted to call.   The first call, they put me on hold for 18 minutes before I slammed the phone down in disgust.   The second time I held on for 12 minutes before giving up.  The third time I held for 14 minutes.   Finally on the fourth time, I was determined to hold all day if necessary.   After holding for 21 minutes a lady by the name of Rhonda or Roberta came on the line.   She immediately told me I could not cancel without having the "PIN" number and the last four digits of the Master Card.   I told her I did not have a PIN number and that we do not have a Master Card; that it was charged to my Discover Card.   She haughtily told me that it was a Master Card and I'd have to give her the last four numbers of the Master Card.   I have informed them by email and then by voice that I would not make any further payments on the service.  So, the saga goes on and I guess I'll have to send a registered letter.  My suggestion - AVOID EARTHLINK!  They're a company pushing use of the net but do not use it themselves for such matters.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOB GATES
We should all congratulate Bob Gates (Col. Ret), former Mayor of the City of Fort Walton Beach on being honored by having the new welcome center and auditorium at Bob Hope Village in Shalimar named after him.  Bob has been a big booster of the Bob Hope Village project over the years and has been the catalyst for having Bob Hope show interest. Hope has visited the area several times - each time at the request of Bob Gates.  THANKS, BOB AND BOB!

LET'S ALL UGRE THAT SOMETHING POSITIVE BE DONE
After reading that the NAACP is planning to have a Statewide quarterly meeting in Fort Walton Beach at the request of Sabu Williams and the local NAACP chapter, I went into a thinking mood.  Mr. Williams said he plans to make banning of of the Confederate Flag one of the main topics at the meeting.   That could be expected, especially since Mr. Williams and his group seem to do only those controversial things that grab  headlines.   While they are doing all they can to tear down the heritage of the South and rewrite the history of this great country, minority children are continuing to fail in school, become involved in unlawful activities, and go lacking for mentors.  Why doesn't Sabu Williams, his local NAACP members and the state association tackle some of the problems that minority children and other children in our communities and state are experiencing?  It's probably because the National NAACP is attempting to gain more headlines and news media will not be as anxious to pounce on headlines of "good deeds" but seem willing to "jump to" when something negative is promoted.

I challenge Sabu Williams and the other members of the local NAACP to become mentors for our children, to become active in programs such as the Homeless Coalition, to work actively to assist the Salvation Army, Waterfront Rescue Mission, Sharing and Caring and other such groups who are providing services for the community.  I challenge Sabu Williams and other members of the local NAACP to work one-on-one with youth in their various communities to help them stay off drugs, improve their education levels, not get involved in illegal activities, and develop positive attitudes and actions.

I really haven't seen the local NAACP involved in anything except some form of "anti" activities.

As far as taking action to help implement the Class Size Constitutional Amendment recently passed, perhaps the NAACP could take up a collection from its membership to help finance the program here in Okaloosa County.   I would also like to have Sabu Williams and his group provide some proof that reducing the class size will help children improve their learning.  What studies have the NAACP funded to show that class size reduction will have any benefit at all?

Welcome to those who will be attending the meeting in Fort Walton Beach.  My suggestion is, "get with those programs and activities that have some positive impact on our youth and communities!"

I welcome input from anyone on this subject.

NAME FOR COLUMN
I have received a few more suggestions for naming the column.   Next week I'll publish a listing and then ask each of you to make your selection.  Following that, I'll have my committee look over the list and then make a suggestion to me.   I'll make the final pick and let you know.  Thanks for all the input.

EDUCATION ISSUES IN OKALOOSA COUNTY
As you have seen, I've stayed away from Education issues in Okaloosa County in recent weeks, not wanting to appear that I'm disgruntled following the election on November 5.  However, after hearing some of the remarks made at the local Legislative Delegation hearings by School Board members, I just can't keep a lid on it any longer.   I'm developing an article in reference to the OPPAGA Report issued on the County system, replies to some of the statements made, and some other items  that may be of interest to you.

QUOTE - Celebrating Unity "We are not a particular race of people united by a common ethnic heritage, but a collection of all different races, colors and ethnicities bonded by a social compact that ensures we are all equals before God and under the law. It is not our diversity we should celebrate, but our unity." -- Columnist David Limbaugh

QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What is your answer to the transportation problems we face in Florida?

Do nothing and continue as have been in the past.
Increase gasoline taxes to fund specific projects Increase property taxes to cover costs of local transportation needs. 
Have a transportation authority (similar to Florida Turnpike Authority) to develop and operate toll roads and bridges.

Comments should be sent to:  jmelvin@gulf1.com