Sound Off for Dec. 15, 2019

Long list

Has anyone really listened to the drug ads on TV? The list of possible side effects takes longer to list than the actual commercial.

Toys for Tots

I have several toys I want to give to the Toys for Tots that the Marine Corp has, but alas, Walmart took theirs out to put in new gate. Does anyone know of a store that has a box for toys? Thanks.

Sight to behold

A beautiful sight is the home and grounds on the corner of Highway 605 and John Ross Road. Absolutely beautiful Christmas cheer.

One wish

All I want for Christmas is a smooth railroad crossing at Eisenhower Drive. I believe. It really could happen.

Thank God for deacons

Today, nurse practitioners are our doctors. The doctors also use robotic-like receptionists as buffer zones to keep patients at bay. Doctors have forgotten what they had aspired to be. Why not give the nurse practitioners the higher salary? They’re the ones tending to the people. Hopefully, they will remember never to become their bosses. There are, always, exceptions to the rule. Beware, priests, ministers, teachers and public officials, you’re treading on the same path.

In person

Can someone please tell me if the 4th Congressional District challenger has committed to having face-to-face town halls with the voters on a regular basis? If so, a lot of voters would jump on board.

Cleaner beach

The fancy new outfall lines, the drainage lines from Highway 90, are still there. It’s just a facade, window dressing. The real answer to the problem is retention ponds or pre-treatment facilities. I recently came back from Athens, Georgia, after working on their runoff systems for the roads. You would be surprised at the amounts of glass, rubber, brake dust (thank God no more asbestos), fuel, oil, etc. that accumulates on the roads and ends up in the bay. A small treatment plant with a forced main that discharges just outside the islands would work just fine. Once all contaminants are removed, the clean water could be piped out deep where it wouldn’t dilute the salinity close to shore. Believe it or not, in 1988 we had such a plan and all cities but one were onboard with it. It sure would have made for a clean water and beach to enjoy.

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This story was originally published December 15, 2019 at 2:55 AM with the headline "Sound Off for Dec. 15, 2019."