Topsail Gun Gal

On the mainland side of the Surf City Bridge resides a traffic circle. Over the last few years, it is not uncommon to see the traffic and directional signs within the circle crushed, damaged or missing from non-observant drivers. Unfortunately, D.O.T. must have mistaken their new traffic observation camera apparatus as something too large to damage, but they were wrong. High tech and solar panel powered, the camera became the last victim of car vs. traffic circle. Sorry D.O.T. but I think it’s time we admit defeat and celebrate by adding a ramp and a flaming circle for those late-night drivers who consider the traffic circle a challenge.

Rip Currents are a frightening and familiar occurrence along the coast, but recently a new study came out with a different course of action to take if you are ever trapped in one. The standard practice was to swim ACROSS the rip current, finding calmer water and a way back to shore, but now that has been updated to focus on one simple word: FLOAT. The new idea helps prevent the panicked swimmer from over struggling which may lead to drowning. The terrifying idea of being dragged out to the depths of the sea causes humans to go into full fight mode, but now people are saying that it makes more sense to conserve all your energy and simply float, allowing the current to pull you along and release you back into calmer waters. A simple fix for this is for swimmers to wear a floatation device, even in shallow waters. Life jackets, rafts, floats and boards (kick boards and surf boards) may prevent a tragedy. A Rip Current can affect water knee-deep and are visible in some cases to the trained eye. Side with caution and wear a floatation device when enjoying the ocean.

The State of Virginia is getting ready to impose some outrageously strict firearm regulations starting July 1st of this year. Several law enforcement agencies across the state have vocalized that they will not be enforcing some of these rules and lawsuits are piling into the courts from individuals and groups to put a stop to them or at least limit their reach.

Here we are about to celebrate 250 years of freedom and Virginia is going backwards.

What about another assault on the cost of living? Duke Energy reported a 2 Billion dollar (yes with a B) profit last year and are asking for an increase of 15% in the rate they can charge us to increase their profits for their shareholders! What happened to the commission responsible for regulating what they CAN charge? Maybe that board is made up of Duke Power shareholders. Disgusting all around.

A great quote I saw the other day was “How did the government acquire the earth and why do we have to pay to live here?” That is the absolute truth – we should not be taxed and fee’d to death just to survive. The older I get the more waste and abuse I see from local governments on up. Maybe we need to take our 250th anniversary and re-organize the corruption we call government. Why do we have to pay property taxes every year for the same property, whether it is a home or a vehicle? I paid taxes when I bought it- that should be the end of the conversation.

The State of Florida is heading toward reducing or removing real estate property taxes all together from a person’s primary residence. Known as the homestead exemption, starting in 2027, a person would no longer pay taxes on $150,000 of their home value with the amount increasing to $250,000 in 2028. The plan is to work toward complete removal of all non-school property tax on a person’s primary home. The measure will be on the ballot in November for Florida voters.

An odd trend I am noticing lately in TV shows and movies is the return of people smoking. It sounds odd, but when you add that with great music it feels like the 1980s are making a comeback. Think kids will start making ashtrays again as gifts for their parents? Probably not, but let’s all agree to keep that good music flowing!

Remember knowledge is power, our great country is only 250 years old so we still have a lot of work to do, and protecting and demanding our FREEDOM is the responsibility of all Americans. Happy Birthday USA!