Sound Off for Dec. 9, 2019

Be humble

If you’re worth bragging about, don’t do it yourself, someone else will do it for you and it will be much more impressive.

Too bright

Am I the only one who hates these new flashing stop signs? I’d hate to live near one.

Paper or plastic?

The paper vs. plastic bag controversy is still on. Here are some facts: Paper bags take more energy to produce, require cutting down trees, and tend to rip open and spill the contents in the parking lot. Plastic is cheap, completely recyclable and strong. If you want a good non-polluting alternative, get a sturdy canvas bag. This is standard for many European countries.

Spotted sea trout

Since the 15-inch minimum length was implemented, not many fishermen have been able to have any fish for supper. This has been going on for several years, and the results seems to be the same. Lots of 13-15 inch fish for the Louisiana folks to keep!

There were signs

The new Ole Miss athletic director is still cleaning up the mess from Hugh Freeze’s regime, which Luke was a part of. The regime that should have gotten the NCAA death sentence like SMU, but did not. Luke was never the man, and still isn’t. His bringing on offensive and defensive coordinators, both of whom with huge baggage, should’ve then been his death knell.

What’s the cause?

The fresh water devastating the Gulf/Sound this year, due to an unprecedented dumping of the Bonnet Carre Spillway twice, was not caused by global warming. Water has drained down from the north for centuries, many years with more rain up north than this year. Difference in recent years is altering the flow of these rivers and taking away natural overflow and outlet areas. Cold/snow has been wreaking havoc up north in the fall and spring lately, yeah I know that’s global warming.

Discount?

Ticket prices for aquarium is again over-priced for the general public like the Harbor Christmas display that is supposedly sponsored by a casino. Do public officials know what the average family makes in Mississippi? I would at least give all Gulfport residents a 50 percent discount. They will be paying for it with their taxes.

A price to pay

I will be the first to admit that the light display at Jones Park is something to see, but I also think about the price tag. Island View pledged $2.5 million to cover the cost for 5 years. The first year cost $1.4 million, and after next year, I don’t see how the citizens are going to afford it. But I also think about how much the $2.5 million could have done toward helping the less fortunate, our local vets, the homeless and our under-privileged school children.

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This story was originally published December 9, 2019 at 3:52 AM.