My wildflowers were mowed down
Editor, The Sun:
I live on Surf Rd. Monday, 7/27, I mowed alongside the county roadside of Surf Road between my driveway and the next one to the east. I am not alone in mowing my roadside and I realize that.
I have a huge patch of wildflowers I have nurtured for more than 5 years at the side of the county road. The patch contains LOTS of Blanket flowers and many more blooming wildflowers. Yesterday, 7/28, half my patch was mowed down by Wakulla County mowers. That patch has survived Duke sub contractors trimming the trees, county folks digging out the ditch and other county mowers.
I am terribly disappointed that some “young whippersnapper” would come along and mow HALF the entire patch. No rhyme nor reason to that action.
I wrote an email/letter to Bridge and Road folks in hopes they will better train those who are maintaining our county roads. If the roadside had grown out of control, I would understand. BUT our roadsides are mowed by the property owners in many areas of Surf Road; therefore should be exempt for destruction. I didn’t ask for replacement, they ARE wildflowers.
I did ask the powers that be to be put me on a “do not mow down her wildflower patches” list. The bees and hummingbirds and ME would appreciate the effort to leave alone the area from my driveway to the one east of me.
I mow it and maintain it. There is no reason to use the county machine on my roadside.
As of this writing, I have heard nothing from our county employees. No apology, no proposed plan to remedy the problem.
Please allow us to beautify our mailbox area, our roadside and take care of the bees and butterflies.
Val LaHart
Ochlockonee Bay
Kratom killed my son, why is it legal?
Editor, The Sun:
Dear Bill Snowden,
Thank you for speaking to me today about my 32 year old son, William Cave, who died while wade fishing at St Marks Lighthouse on April 20th, 2024.
Witnesses who were fishing in a small boat close to shore saw Will fall face forward and not get up… There was no struggle or attempt to get up. By the time they got to him and pulled him to shore, he was gone.
William was wearing a go-pro camera which recorded his death. When William’s toxicology and medical examiner report came back, it showed Will had accidentally drowned and the only contributing cause was mitragynine (Kratom) toxicity.
Since his death I have been on a mission to advocate for change by educating lawmakers at the state and local levels of government by providing support for other families who have lost a loved one from kratom and by reaching the public through news/social media outlets.
While the state of Florida only temporarily bans 7-OH and other dangerous derivatives, I sit back and wonder how many more people will have to die before the State of Florida gains some common sense and realizes that you would not have 7-OH and other semi-synthetic derivatives if you remove the source – kratom.
Currently, the state of Florida profits from Florida kratom manufactures by making them purchase a permit to sell and distribute their product.
The State of Florida has turned a blind eye to the deaths and destruction kratom has caused but it will soon realize its mistake when more deaths and addiction occur, when calls to poison control centers spike, when rehab centers see an influx of people seeking help for kratom (mitragynine) addiction, and when calls to EMS for kratom overdoses increase.
The FDA has declared kratom not be lawfully marketed in the U.S. as a drug product, a dietary supplement, or a food additive in conventional food. So, still after 2 years of not having my son, I sit back and wonder why is it still being sold throughout the state of Florida.
Thank you Bill…for listening. Please reach out if you have any questions or want to know more about the kratom conundrum in FLORIDA.
Susan Cave
Havana
williamscottcave@outlook.com
History highlight: 14th, 15th colonies
Editor, The Sun:
Ever heard of the 14th and 15th colonies? They were both in Florida, which was a stronghold for British loyalists during the Revolutionary War. Though Spain was the first European power to colonize America, establishing Pensacola in 1559, St. Augustine in 1565 and the Franciscan mission to the Apalachee Indians, Mission San Luis, near Tallahassee in 1633, Spain lost its holdings in Florida to the British in the French and Indian War. As a result, Britain moved to occupy Florida in 1763, regarding St. Augustine the capital of East Florida, its 14th colony, and Pensacola the capital of its 15th colony, West Florida.
Only 20 years later, in 1783, when the newly formed United States won its War of Independence, Spain regained possession of Florida until 1821, when it became a U.S. territory under Andrew Jackson, the first territorial governor of the state of Florida.
Celebration ensued as homesteaders poured into the state. Come see examples of the clothing of these early Florida pioneers. Tickets for “Threads through Time”: a historic clothing fashion show and English tea are available at wakullahistory.org for $25. The event will be held at the Crawfordville Women’s Club on Saturday, September 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. Clothing entries are still being accepted.
Andrea Carter, President
Wakulla County Historical Society