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Editorial: What Have We Learned?
September 3rd, 2005

Editorial: Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace
August 17th, 2005

Editorial: What Is a Consultant to Do?
July 5th, 2005

Editorial: Six Land Use Petitions in Play
June 25th, 2005

Editorial: Poaching & Plagiarism
June 13th, 2005

Editorial: Upward and Onward in 2005
May 24th, 2005

Editorial: Farewell Maureen
May 17th, 2005

Editorial: Speaking About Speak Out
May 10th, 2005

Editorial: Informed Voters Wanted
March 26th, 2005

Editorial: Health Needs Survey Well Received
February 12th, 2005

Editorial: Fire Protection, Fire Insurance and Tax Justice
January 25th, 2005

Editorial: Cedar Key Health Service Survey
January 14th, 2005

Editorial: New Year`s Resolution
December 31st, 2004

Editorial: Do We Need Better Healthcare in Cedar Key?
December 16th, 2004

Editorial: Help Defend Us
October 29th, 2004

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Editorial: Oil Spills vs. Hurricanes

Editorial: Oil Spills vs. Hurricanes

Editor

When our unfortunate friends who cannot live in Cedar Key think of us they worry about the threats of hurricanes and oil spills. Although those threats are very different, we can prepare for their actuality in the same way. First, we recognize the danger. Second, we make plans in advance to deal the potential destruction. Third, we recall the rewards of living in an otherwise serene and beautiful place.


The contrast between hurricanes and oil spills is remarkable. (Oil spill is an insipid misnomer. Oil deluge is more accurate.) Hurricanes are unavoidable forces of nature, sometimes referred to as "Acts of God." Oil deluges are man-made disasters that result from faulty or criminal cost: benefit analyses by corporate executives and government regulators. Regardless of how one assigns blame for the damages of these disasters, the effects are long lasting. Five years after Hurricane Katherine much of New Orleans is still in shambles. The effects of the BP oil well blowout may harm sea life and seafood production for years to come.


What hurricanes and oil deluges have in common is that we can prepare for them. And we can prepare better than we have in the past. Cedar Key appears to have been spared the BP oil deluge. Furthermore, weather forecasting and government agencies such as the Levy County Department of Emergency Management help prepare for hurricane attacks and recovery. However, as we enjoy the serenity, natural beauty and wildlife of Cedar Key we must not be complacent. Plan ahead and be ready to evacuate if the warning sirens blow a three minute blast.

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