At the June 22 board meeting, the Taylor County School Board approved several personnel changes that will take effect starting with the new fiscal year on July 1.

At the administrative offices, retiring Director of Personnel Clyde Cruce is to be replaced by former Taylor County Elementary School principal Jan Walker. << MORE >>

According to the Taylor Elections website, Lyn Odom has entered the District 4 race for County Commissioner. Odom listed no party affiliation and will automatically move to the General Election and take on the winner of the Primary Election, pending no more entries.

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As of today according to the State Elections Website, the following candidates are running in the Primary Election for the Democrat spot in the General Election for Florida's Governor.

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As of today according to the State Elections Website, the following candidates are running in the Primary Election for the Republican spot in the General Election for Florida's Governor.

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As of today according to the State Elections Website, the following candidates are running in the Primary Election for a spot in the General Election for Florida's Governor.

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Former County Commissioner Daryll Gunter has his intent to run for the District 5 City Council Seat. If no one else enters the race, it will be Gunter against Tonya Holton for the seat.

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I have always wondered why gas prices were always higher here than everywhere else, and my interest was sparked again when I was emailed today regarding it. The person pointed out that according to the Florida Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations' 2010 Federal, State and County Tax Rates on Motor and Diesel Fuels in Florida's Counties, our county's gas tax is 1% lower than both Leon and Jefferson County for example, and yet gas prices are always 10 to sometimes 20 cents cheaper per gallon.

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WCTV News reports that budget problems will require the school district "to cut ten teaching positions, and an unknown number of non-instructional positions."

The funding the district receives from the state is based on the number of students enrolled, and the district has been experiencing decling enrollment for a number of years. Projections call for there to be nearly 80 fewer students next year, which superintendent Paul Dyal says will result in a funding cut of almost half a million dollars.

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Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service. In observance of the holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.

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Danny Glover, Jr. has announced his intentions to run against incumbent Mark Southerland for the Taylor County School Board, District 1 Seat.

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You can now submit video and voice recordings for posting on TaylorCountyTalk.

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Topic per Farmer's request:

Unless you have been somewhere with no TV or radio, you are very aware of the the oil well disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. This is something that could most likely be the most largest and most disasterous ecological disaster in history.

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Got something to say that does not apply to the other blogs, or just want to gripe about something to get it off your chest...say it here.  Let's gripe together...! ...

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Topic started by CuriousOne:

According to the 2009 Uniformed Crime Reports from FDLE, the Perry PD made 70 Drug Arrests in 2009. This is down over 25% from the 94 Drug Arrests made in 2008.

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Last week the Florida House passed the Florida Merit Pay Bill (SB6) and is awaiting Gov. Crist's approval. It calls for school districts to adopt merit pay plans offering raises to teachers and school administrators according to evaluations based at least half on how much improvement their students have made on standardized tests.

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District 4 incumbent, Rudolph Parker (D), has an opponent in the primary election. Pam Feagle (D) has announced her intention to replace Rudolph Parker on the Board of County Commission.

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Concern raised:

According to wctv.tv, the county commission in Pavo, GA in Thomas County has ended mud bogging due to environmental concerns and noise complaints for older citizens. I for one have no problem with the mud boggs even though I don't attend, and I am sure it brings additional revenue into the county on those weekends.

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Topic requested:

I think independent voters should form a workers party in Florida. It is unsettling to find all the growth and development issues being addressed in the capitol(s) session after session without a representative(s) of the working/middle class. The large sums of tax payer subsidy funneling into business through tax credits, incentives, government funding, loan guarantees, and exemptions per program (repeated multiple times/agencies)are burdening the workers to the breaking point.

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Topic emailed:

We were called and informed that we would have to pay to watch our kids play at the new fields. $1 per person so I have to pay $40 to sign my kid up I also have to then pay $4 per game to watch with my family? How cheap can the county be?  It was bad enough when they would not lime the fields often enough last year and then did not want us to practice on them.

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The Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health (MATCH) project is a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The project has released its 2010 County Health Rankings, and our own county hasn't fared so well.

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'Looking out for our children' starts the following:

Why isn't our School Superintendent looking out for our children's welfare more?

Who is managing the Coaching and fairness? This is a topic which should be discussed; "as to who chooses who is to mentor our kids"?

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Three incumbents have announced their intention to seek another term. Those running are County Commissioner Rudolph Parker (D), District 4; Mark Southerland (NP), School Board District 1 and Brenda Carlton (NP), School Board District 2.

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This issue has been alluded to in other discussions here, and probably warrants its own topic.

In November, a student was caught with a gun on campus at Taylor County High School.

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This topic was raised to me via email and I have been discussing this with the individual for a few days trying to get enough information to maybe make this a thinking discussion since I don't keep up with County openings, instead of it being completely about negativity towards administration. As always, though, your comments are welcome regardless of the direction. This will be a little lengthy as I have incorporated my thoughts in with their comments.

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Suggested topic:

I would like to have a discussion/conversation with others about the census data for our county such as the 22.9% of families living at or below the poverty level in Taylor County. One fourth of the population is approximately 5,000 people living in abject poverty.

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Topic suggested:

I would like opinions comparing the PPD K-9 teams and the TCSO K-9 team's performance and general public opinion of the respective programs.

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Topic suggested:

How about the high cost of services here in Perry. I have to pay $49.99 for DSL yet some places pay $19 for the same level.

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Running a small-town newspaper like the Taco Times / Perry News-Herald is undoubtedly a challenge. It's hard work, there's not much money to be made, and someone's always going to be unhappy with its coverage.

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The DMH Board of Directors have again changed directions on management of our hospital.

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Regarding posts.

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Hello. This site is for you and you should make suggestions on topics you would like for me to open for discussion. I want everyone to use this site as a way to talk about things and issues that are important to you.<< MORE >>

This is a trial to see how it goes.  Please use this area to advertise items for sale or local announcements like Yard Sales, gatherings, events, etc., for free.  Whatever contact information you provide is completely your decision and TaylorCountyTalk is in no way responsible.  Also, TaylorCountyTalk is in no way providing any guarantee or support for any listing or products, as the discussions and sale will be conducted outside this site between two private parties.  We are in no way guaranteeing any listing or post regarding anything as to the accuracy or content.  I am simply providing a place that you don't have to pay to list, so please do not attempt to ask questions or discuss anything regarding listings of products for sale as they will not be posted.  You are more than welcome to ask questions regarding informational listings and to discuss them here for clarification.

At the point you no longer need the listing, just post a comment asking for removal and I will take care of it  Thanks.<< MORE >>

Since the county took over control of DMH following the departure by Crest Management in '93 there has been a multitude of physicians that have came and went.

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Topic emailed:

So when is the public going to find out that the captain over investigations (R. R.) and his newly promoted follower (Lt. M. N.) went to pick up the new airboat from the factory and SUNK it.

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The County Commission keeps the public informed by posting it's meeting dates & location, agendas, minutes and supporting documentation on their web site prior to each meeting thereby inviting public input and participation in the decision making process. If you will recall just last year, following pressure from the Commission, DMH agreed to amend it's bylaws and henceforth operate under the Sunshine Statute. With the recent infusion of millions in tax revenue into DMH the following questions are put forth:

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Just recently the Doctors Memorial Hospital (DMH) Board of Directors decided to hire yet another CEO to manage the hospital rather than reach a management agreement with Tallahasse Memorial Hospital (TMH).

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A new modern facility with a history of management and monetary problems. What solutions are available for the betterment of health care in Taylor County? Each week I will post a specific question or comment for discussion concerning our hospital.

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Below is a copy of a letter from TEA President sent to teachers regarding current contract negotiations. This was emailed to me last night.

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Topic request by T Mac:

I would like to start a thread concerning the new football coach! I think the community should be able to give kudos to a first year coach who is 5-2 in his first season.

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I was contacted by Joyce Tarnow regarding the movement to have an amendment added to the 2010 ballot regarding land use change. It would ultimately and automatically give the citizens a vote to any land use changes after they are passed and approved by councils or commissions.

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Topic emailed today:

The County Commission on the recommendation of the Hospital Board just approved an expenditure of $1,261,526.00 to purchase a new closed type MRI scanner for Doctors Memorial Hospital from excess gas tax revenue.

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I know it is early, but it is September and if anyone is considering running for the seats that will be up in 2010, now is the time to start preparing. I truly hope we have some very viable candidates that truly want to represent the best interests of the district and the county.

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According to the Department of Revenue website, State law allows a city or county government to enact a local ordinance allowing an additional homestead exemption amount, up to $50,000, to any person who had legal or equitable title to real estate on which they make their permanent residence and are 65 years of age or older and whose income does not exceed $24,289.00 as of January 1, 2008.

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As requested, an open topic regarding local spending of tax dollars and stimulus money.

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Topic emailed in:

I was wondering what Taylor County thinks/feels concerning how Congressman Boyd has been voting for some the big ticket issues. He has been voting the party line yet when he comes back to Florida he claims to be a fiscally conservative Democrat “blue-dog”.

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The Natural Resources Defense Council has issued its annual beach water quality study, and Dekle and Keaton Beaches have ranked among the top 10 most polluted in Florida, according to the Tallahassee Democrat:

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The Taylor County School District has resolved its disputes with the instructional and non-instructional unions, reversing certain cost-savings measures it had implemented this past winter. Below is the text of the district's official statement about the resolution:

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To:  All employees of the Taylor County School District

From:  Paul E. Dyal

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