OPINION
A Section
w w w.b on i f ay now.c om
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IN OUR VIEW
Decouple dogs, cards Officials announced recently that the Florida Senate will host a series of four public hearings this fall to seek public input on the future of gambling in the state. They will be in conjunction with the release of the second part of an outside study commissioned by the Legislature to examine the impact of gaming. That’s the prelude to what is expected to be the blockbuster issue in the 2014 legislative session: whether to expand casino gambling. However, lawmakers also should clean up some obstacles and inconsistencies in the regulation of already established gaming operations — many of which could use a lifeline. As reported by The News Herald’s Matthew Beaton, revenue from betting on live greyhound races at the track in Ebro fell 70 percent the last seven years. That includes a drop of 9.6 percent last year. Ebro is not alone — live greyhound betting revenue in Florida fell by 5.8 percent last year. Thoroughbred racing has suffered an even steeper decline, and jai-alai has all but disappeared. Ebro and other parimutuels have supplanted some of that lost racing revenue by offering other forms of gambling, such as poker rooms. But state law requires greyhound tracks to conduct a minimum number of races each year if they also have other forms of gaming. That can range from 100 performances all the way to 394; Ebro’s required minimum is 167 (a performance consists of at least eight live races).
In most cases, that’s too many races chasing too few customers. Why should tracks go to the expense of providing a product that a declining number of people want to buy? For that matter, why should dogs be forced to run for little profit? That’s the hook that has made allies out of opponents. Groups such as GREY2K USA that oppose greyhound racing on animal welfare grounds — they believe the dogs are treated cruelly and exploited — would welcome a reduction in races (and eventually their elimination). Although track owners such as Ebro’s Stocky Hess defend their treatment of the dogs, they also support having the freedom to hold as few races as they want. Dog racing may not completely disappear, but the tracks’ economic future clearly lies in expanding into other forms of gambling. That is harder to do when the state binds their hands on race days. Tying poker to greyhounds makes no logical sense. One doesn’t burnish the credentials of the other. Previous attempts to pass legislation decoupling the two forms of gaming have failed. But with momentum building to craft comprehensive gaming reform in Florida next year, the time is ripe to finally get over the hump and give the racing industry — and its opponents — what they want. Once that happens, lawmakers can address efforts by Ebro and others to expand into other forms of casino gambling.
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Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Old advertisers provide material for Happy Corner I can’t believe that I flour was 58 cents and a 14have been turning out an ounce package of fish sticks article a week for more was 88 cents. Well, that is than seven years, how we were able to but sometimes rear three children the creative juices on a teacher’s stop. When I am salary. experiencing In the military “writers block” or news, Robert F. just unable to come Henry and Max up with a subject Farmer completed for my Happy HAPPY CORNER a seven-week Corner, perusing Hazel Wells Tison basic field artillery the Heritage of course at the U.S. Holmes County Army Training history or an old copy Center at Fort Sill, Okla. of The Holmes County Both Henry and Farmer Advertiser usually brings are 1975 graduates of something to mind. This Holmes County High week I came across a School. Private Ronald F. copy of the Nov. 27, 1975, Marschka, former Vernon Advertiser. Though 1975 High School student, doesn’t seem so long ago to completed recruit training me, a glance at the content at Paris Island, S.C., and of the paper tells me things will be stationed at Camp have changed a lot in the Lejune, N.C., for advanced ensuing years. training. Army Specialist The grocery Kenneth Tate has been advertisements are a assigned to the 6th Infantry, quick reminder that we Berlin Brigade, Berlin, are not living in 1975. For Germany. example, The Piggly Wiggly Bonifay had a local radio advertised 5 pounds of station, WBGC, located sugar for 78 cents while in Chipley. They were Bonifay IGA had it for 68 having a “favorite disc cents. This Saturday, Piggly jockey contest,” and those Wiggly has 4 pounds for submitting a vote will be in $1.99, which is a good buy, line to win a turkey. and I will stock up a supply New homes by M. for my continuing jellyWalding Construction making. In 1975 a pound of Co. in Pineview Estates Chase and Sanborn coffee near Jellystone Park were was 98 cents. The last time advertised by Fish Realty. I noticed, a pound of ground Three-bedroom brick coffee was around $7. homes with 1½ baths on Campbell’s Tomato soup half-acre lots were going was 17 cents, five pounds of at $19,800. Closing costs
were under $300, and 100 percent financing was available. Who remembers Jellystone Park? There was a nice swimming pool and clubhouse with a camp ground on Son-in-law Road. The camp ground now operates under the name of Florida Springs; the pool has been filled in, and the clubhouse once used for an assisted living is now a private residence. In the 50 years ago column, a 1925 city council special session passes a sidewalk ordinance over the objections of Mayor Banfill. He took an active part in the discussion arguing strongly against the passage of the ordinance. “Bonifay doesn’t need sidewalks any more than they need fire in hell,” declared the mayor, somewhat heatedly. The explosion brought a round of laughter, but when the roll call vote came, every member of the council voted to pass the measure. In another 50 years ago item, Holmes County housewife, Mrs. Andrew Williams, last week sold a flock of 11 young turkeys weighing 86 pounds. She received 25 cents a pound making her return $21.50. In the 25 years ago column, the Bonifay Singing Society held the first sing and business session. R. J. Colvin was elected chairman, Brother Henry Mears, vice chairman, Miss
Norma Jean Hathaway, secretary-treasurer, Monroe Williams and Mrs. Homer Howell, arranging committee, and Mrs. B.J. Martin, pianist. I remember attending some of those singings at the Holmes County Courthouse as a teenager. I also remember attending Friday night gospel singings in the homes of some of the participants. Some of those were the homes of Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Martin, Mr. and Mrs.Tobe Retherford, Mr. and Mrs. Code Ross and we (the Wells family) also hosted some of them in our home. Looking back in the Advertiser brings back a lot of memories. Thanks to the then editor and publisher, Orren Smith and wife Dianne Williams Smith for carrying on the family tradition. Their daughter, Stephanie, is now associated with the Washington County News/ Holmes County TimesAdvertiser, continuing the family tradition. During these rainy days, I think we have assumed time stood still, but now we realize that was not so. The summer is about gone, and September is here. School’s back in session. Soon it will be Rodeo time, and the holidays will follow too quickly. These old news stories remind us how fleeting time really is.
August brings lots of memories and birthdays Your writer let the Closer home, an early important month for the greeting card was received birthdays of people in from friend, Randall P. his life slip right Roberts, a Bonifay through his fingers native who joined without any mention the Prattler in of anyone with graduating from birthdays in the in the School month of August. of Business In this first Administration, September column, University of an effort will be Florida, on Feb. 2, PERRY’S made to honor 1952. We, too, have PRATTLE August birthdays kept in contact, Perry Wells and add two especially in the more “birthday people” past eight years since to the already long list. the death of his beloved Others people with August wife, Florence, a loss he is birthdays, who have not continuing to deal with. been left out in the long A quick review of Happy history of this writing, will Birthday Greeting Cards be recognized. reveals at least 15 additional First of all, ole Perry ones were received. An Wells, the Prattler, untold number of telephone celebrated his 86th calls and emails should also milestone on Aug. 24 with be mentioned. numerous beautiful cards One of the new people of expressions from well added to the Aug. 24 wisher over a wide area of birthday list include my the country, and especially kinsman, Frank Lee, the readers of “Perry’s Prattle.” son of John D. Lee and My former roommate, Robbie Yates Lee. While Sammie Ray Young, a awaiting the arrival of Clewiston, Fla., native, and the fourth printing of I have maintained a fairly the Heritage Book, I close contact throughout encountered Frank in the more than 60 years Fred’s in Bonifay. I told since my departure from him of the book’s expected the University of Florida. arrival date. A contact He was the first to respond with him resulted in an to the recent birthday of his immediate sale. He, along former “roomie,” sending the hundreds of other his regards all the way owners, have told me of from his Silver Spring, Md., their enjoyment of this home of more than 40 years. chronicle of history. Sammie is still struggling Many of my readers with the loss of his wife, know that Paul Davidson Jeanne, who passed away Jr. owns and operates Main March 15, 2012. Street Produce in Chipley. From Flat Rock, N.C., a They should also know card was received from 98Paul was recently honored year-old, Mary Hiley Koru by the Florida Agriculture Remington, a Chipley native Extension Service for his whom I know so well but contribution to the field have never personally met. of Agriculture with his Her greetings included the business and his actual personal notation: “Dear farm experience as well. Perry, I am still subscribing Paul’s wife, LeAnn to the Washington County Clenney Davidson, ARNPNews so I can enjoy your C, is associated with “Prattle” M–.” Those Family Health Care in who own the Heritage of Chipley. Recently, I learned Washington County Book her father, the Rev. John are missing a treat if they Clenney, who passed away have not taken the time a few months ago, was born to turn to pages 311 and Aug. 24, 1937, making him 312 and read the three 10 years younger than me. I installments of this lady’s only met her dad once, and long and interesting life and at the time he was pastor her humble beginnings. of a Baptist Church in
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES-ADVERTISER
A younger Perry Wells is shown in this 1989 picture, along with his dad, Hugh Wells. This was at Watermelon Festival time. The dad was 84 and son, Perry, was 62. Ebro. He also served other churches, including one in Port St. Joe. Joey Nichols, Chipley businessman, enjoys an Aug. 24 birthday, and he is standing by awaiting Cousin Perry to mention his name. Joey recently lost his father, Q. L. Nichols, in death. Others with Aug. 24 birthdays include Annie Myrel Collins Frame, Pauline Steverson Farmer and her twin sister, Catherine Steverson Owens, Ralph E. Harris, Charlie Hilton, Bay County Attorney, the late Judge W. L. Fitzpatrick and others who may have slipped off my memory board. age and birthdays have became part of my conversation with neighbor and friend, Bill Webb, who is one of those who brought the Dixie Lily Milling Company to Chipley in 1947. Bill Webb always remembers that his birthday is two days prior to mine and that he two years older than me. So, Happy Birthday Greetings are in order for Bill Webb, who turned 88 on Aug. 22! Bill and wife, Sybil, are always ready to support worthy causes in the area, and he knows to reach for his billfold, especially at
Watermelon Festival time. My brother, Jim Wells, is an Aug. 21 birthday boy with our brother, Clyde Wells, having his one week earlier, Aug. 14. All of this seems of more importance to me as Jim and I get older and in view of the fact that we lost Clyde on Feb. 2, 1990. Hester only had two nieces and two nephews on the Lucas side of her family. The children of her brother, Dan Lucas and wife, Ruth, both have Aug. 28 birthdays. Scott arrived on Aug. 28, 1963, and his sister, Shelia, joined the family on Aug. 28, 1968. Adding to the list is Scott’s wife, Donna, who has an Aug. 29 birthday. I don’t think I have ever missed acknowledging the birthday of a special lady, Bess Yates Harrell. She celebrated her 95th birthday on Aug. 10. Bess is a resident of the Third Floor in the Northwest Florida Community Hospital, and I have to ashamedly admit that I have not made a visit, visit with her. I hope to make amends soon! Some nieces, nephews, cousins and even grandchildren, are being left out of this tribute and I ask forgiveness for that. Look for more birthday recognition for September. See you all next week.