LAUREL HILL — After much debate, including passionate input from residents, the City Council voted 3-2 to terminate discussion on dissolving the city.

Council Chairman Larry Hendren and Councilwoman Debra Adams cast the dissenting votes.

Councilman Travis Dewrell, who made the motion to end the discussion, said no one has approached the council to support dissolution, but he has heard from many residents who want the city to remain incorporated.

Councilman Scott Moneypenny said of the city's 516 residents, just one has spoken in favor of dissolution.

However resident Joel Weekly said there was "a large silent majority" who favored dissolution.

"The silent majority should be represented" on the council, too, he said. "They pay taxes, too."

"If the silent majority was not silent, then I'd be in favor of taking the money and continuing this discussion," Dewrell responded.

Hendren said when discussion first began several years ago, he then favored dissolution, but "Since then I've seen growth."

Still, he said before casting his "nay" vote, "I think every citizen should be given the chance to vote on it."

Weekly agreed, saying, "You started the process, let's go through it and give the people a chance to vote."

Councilman Daniel Lane said in all his discussions with residents, more were in favor of not dissolving the than favored it.

"There is nothing about this to be discussed or on a ballot," Lane said. "If people would come to these meetings and listen to what we're getting ourselves into if we dissolve the city, it surely is not worth it."

Lane reminded the council that several county officials, presenting "what if" scenarios to the city, said residents' taxes and expenses would surely increase if the city dissolved.

"Things are being done now," Lane said. "I see no reason to dissolve the city."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill council votes to end dissolution discussion

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council budget workshop is 5:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.

Here is the meeting's agenda.

1. Call to order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Open workshop session

4. Public opportunity on council proposition

5. Budget workshop items

a. Explanation of changes in workshop

b. Explanation of recaps

c. Discussion of budget

d. Setting of next workshop

6. Comments from the audience

7. Adjournment

—

Editor's Note: The article previously stated the workshop is at 5 p.m. The city clerk says it's at 5:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Council budget workshop agenda: Aug. 4

CRESTVIEW — The Community Redevelopment Agency Board appointed downtown business owner and antique car buff Ron Gautney to the body.

Gautney’s appointment returns the board to its full complement following the July resignation of Patti Cook, who had to resign when her employer, CareerSource Okaloosa-Walton, closed its Crestview office.

Board members are required to work in the CRA district. Gautney owns Ron’s Antiques and said he is concerned about the number of vacant businesses in the city’s historic district.

“I want to see the city of Crestview and CRA board get together and buy at least one building on Main Street,” Gautney said.

A recent assessment of downtown’s potential by a visiting group of developers and investors recommended the city attract investment by showing “skin in the game” through acquiring some of the vacant properties.

“I have known Ron for quite a few years and he has been involved with many downtown events,” board member Doug Faircloth said, noting Gautney’s involvement with the Main Street Crestview Association, the Spanish Trail Cruisers car club, and other downtown activities.

“What I have heard and seen, a lot of people in this town know and love him,” board President Joe Blocker said.

Upon a motion by board member JB Whitten, the board voted unanimously to appoint Gautney. He joins Faircloth, Whitten, Blocker, Bill Cox, Shannon Hayes and Dr. Margareth Larose-Pierre on the board.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gautney appointed to Crestview CRA Board (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — There’s one last chance to change political party affiliation or register to vote for the primary in Okaloosa County.

Aug. 1 is the book closing date for the Aug. 30 Primary Election. New registrations and party affiliation changes must be submitted to the Elections Office by 5 p.m. Aug. 1.

Paul Lux, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, and staff will be at the Crestview Public Library from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 1 for the centennial celebration and will accept new  and updated registration forms.

Anyone who would like to change information on their registration or register to become an Okaloosa County voter can do so at their local public library.

These libraries will be open Monday, Aug. 1 and are able to accept new and updated registrations:

●Crestview Public Library – open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

●Destin Public Library – open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

●Valparaiso Community Library – open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

●Mary Esther Public Library – open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

●Fort Walton Beach Public Library – open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Niceville Public Library is closed Monday.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Books close Aug. 1 for primary election — where to go

CRESTVIEW — Associated Builders and Contractors, a national construction industry trade association that represents almost 21,000 corporate members, has endorsed the Wayne Harris Campaign.

Harris is seeking the District 4 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

“With Wayne’s experience in the military and with the (Crestview Area) Chamber of Commerce and on the Okaloosa County Commission, he is qualified to serve and will hit the ground running in Tallahassee,” said Gary Stout, ABC of Florida’s immediate past chairman.

ABC represents every segment of commercial construction, from general contractors to subcontractors and suppliers. The association promotes lower taxes, free enterprise, reasonable regulation, and purportedly is the largest provider in Florida for training in the industry.

"We're honored to have ABC's endorsement," said Harris. "And we're looking forward to working with the building industry to streamline Florida's regulatory process so that contractors can do what they do best, create jobs!"

Harris served in the United States Air Force for 27 years. He served as the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s executive director for 15 years, and he has served as an Okaloosa County commissioner since 2008.

Since 1993, he and his wife, Suzanne, have made their home in Okaloosa County, where they attend Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Crestview. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Harris earns Associated Builders And Contractors endorsement

CRESTVIEW — Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard, who’s said the city’s present law “doesn’t have a lot of teeth in it,” drafted a mobile vendors ordinance.

Here are the proposal’s stated objectives:

●Encourage and aid business development, for small business owners and entrepreneurs, while protecting established businesses’ interests.

●Ensure locations don’t create unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

●Ensure vehicle parking or equipment placement doesn’t hinder public amenity and the area’s streetscape

●Establish regulations governing the location, promote a successful business, and protect residents’ and property owners’ interests.

“It will benefit our area,” Gaillard said. “We will encourage this development for small business owners and entrepreneurs while permitting the brick-and-mortar business owners.”

The ordinance received mixed reception during discussion at a July 25 City Council workshop. Councilmen generally liked the intent to rein in some unfettered temporary merchandise sales.

Councilmen Bill Cox and Doug Faircloth particularly criticized out-of-town dealerships coming to Crestview and having short-term used car sales.

“These car dealers come in and set up on vacant lots, and the city's not making anything from it,” Cox said.

City leaders did question some quirks in the draft. For example, the ordinance twice states, “No type of business or sales shall be conducted on a vacant parcel or lot.”

“How can you have a vendor on any property that isn't vacant?” City Clerk Betsy Roy. “How can you set up a temporary business on anything but a vacant lot? Where else would they set up?”

Gaillard said the draft, which a Tallahassee law firm prepared, carried over the provision from the city’s existing ordinance.

The preliminary document is intended to launch such conversations, she said.

“This is just a general, we're-ready-to-talk-about-this point,” Gaillard said.

City attorney Ben Holley questioned a section in the proposed ordinance restricting sales on private property.

“It appears to me if you own a piece of property and it's properly zoned for what you want to do there, we can't stop them,” Holley said. “Otherwise you're restricting people’s use of their property.”

“You don't need any of this if you can't have it on a  vacant lot,” Roy said.

Some already-licensed local vendors whose businesses would fall under the new ordinance also questioned some of its provisions.

Naaman Eicher, pitmaster at Buddy’s View BBQ, said another provision in the draft ordinance defeats the way his business operates.

“The way it is styled at the moment will eliminate my ability to be a drive-through, and my entire business plan is based around a drive-through,” Eicher said.

Eicher said mobile food trucks and trailers are “an extremely fast-growing business around the country and around the area,” and the city should support them.

He encouraged city leaders to hear from vendors “rather than having it written strictly by regulators” as the ordinance is refined.

“I would’ve begun by talking to the business owners,” Eicher said. “It would seem that vendor input would encourage growth.”

A proposed mobile vendor ordinance affects these types of vendors:

Mobile food dispensing vehicle: “Any vehicle-mounted public food service establishment which is self-propelled or otherwise movable from place to place and includes self-contained utilities”; a food truck or trailer.

Peddler: “Any person who shall carry from place to place any goods, wares or merchandise which may be immediately delivered.” Includes food carts and ice cream trucks.

Seasonal vendor: “Any vendor whose goods, wares or merchandise … are seasonally grown or related to seasonal celebrations and occurrences, including but not limited to Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year’s, Fourth of July, farm and grove produce.”

Self-sufficient mobile food dispensing vehicle: “A mobile food dispensing vehicle that contains…a three-compartment sink…; a separate hand-wash sink; adequate refrigeration and storage capacity; full provision of power utilities…; a potable water holding tank; and a liquid waste disposal system.”

Solicitor: People who “request, directly or indirectly, for money, property, financial assistance, or any other thing of value on the plea or representation that … it will be used for a charitable purpose or will benefit a charitable organization or sponsor.”

Transient Vendor: “Any such business that may be operated or conducted by persons, firms, or corporations … who reside away from the city or who have fixed places of business in places other than the city, or who have their headquarters in places other than the city, or who move stocks of goods, merchandise or samples thereof into the city with the purpose or intention of removing them or the unsold portion thereof away from the city before the expiration of 14 days.”

Source: City of Crestview

WHO'S AFFECTED?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview developing rules for mobile food vendors, solicitors, car sales

CRESTVIEW — Shalimar artist Elia Saxer has completed two murals in the new Okaloosa County Administration Building.

One depicts the county’s almost 30-mile Gulf of Mexico frontage, with fish, sea birds and dolphins. The other depicts the county’s 101-year-old history. A gulf and wetlands rendering, with fishing and sail boats, is central.

But few references to North Okaloosa County are included. In 16 smaller images flanking the gulf image, three depict scenes from the north county’s heritage, including the original county courthouse, a steam train and men tapping trees for sap harvesting.

The mural’s dearth of north county representation led to a local discussion about the need not just for the region’s inclusion in future murals — such as any that might be considered for the planned downtown Crestview courthouse — but for local public art in Crestview in general.

ART DISCUSSION

Main Street attorney and Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles brought the idea to Crestview Friends of the Arts President Rae Schwartz.

“I mentioned the idea of art in downtown Crestview as a draw,” Boyles said, and added that creating outdoor sculptures and murals along Main Street as an “art walk” could attract visitors to the historic district.

Boyles has commissioned a sculptor to produce dimensional metal art for the outdoor food court he owns in Main Street’s 100 block.

“You need to get a ball rolling, but if we had two or four (pieces of art), that might really be a good start,” he said.

PUBLIC ART

“There is a long history of art in public places,” Schwartz said. “Friends of the Arts looks forward to working to further this history; we are excited to do all we can to increase art opportunities for the new courthouse, and for this area.”

Downtown public art includes:

●A railway mural on the side of the antiques and furniture store on the south side of the railroad tracks

●Murals of pastoral Tuscan landscapes on the sides of now-closed Christopher’s Uncorked Bistro

●A mural of historic Crestview scenes on the side of Brad Stewart’s law office

●A “pipe man” rustic folk sculpture holding a metal pig silhouette outside Hub City Barbecue and Smokehouse

Schwartz said two other examples of public art can be found at the Crestview Public Library, including a mural depicting county history and “The Whiz Kid,” a bronze sculpture, both of which were presented by the Friends of the Crestview Library.

COURTHOUSE ART

The idea of a muralist creating art in the new courthouse is appealing — especially if it honors the area’s history and heritage, Wayne Harris, North Okaloosa County’s other commissioner, said.

“It better have a north-end theme to it,” he said. “I don’t want to see dolphins and fishing boats and turtles unless they’re gophers.”

Harris said a recent investors assessment, Main Street Merchants Association establishment and progress toward the new courthouse signal a potential rebirth for downtown Crestview.

“Downtown can be a showplace with that beautiful courthouse at the end of it,” Harris said. “We want it to be a picture of beauty.”

“We truly believe the entire county benefits whenever there is improvement or enhancement with art to any area within it,” Schwartz said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Does Crestview need more art? Mural generates discussion

CRESTVIEW — Which industry accounts for the biggest percentage of Florida’s economy?

If you guessed tourism, go to the back of the class.

“Agriculture is the No. 1 economic driving engine in the state of Florida,” state Sen. Greg Evers told a gathering of regional farmers Thursday.

Evers, R-Baker, was the opening guest speaker at the Veteran and Small Farmers Workshop hosted by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Okaloosa County extension.

“They want to tell you tourism is number 1 in Florida,” Evers said. “The only reason that tourism is number 1 in Florida is because of the fact they will not add forestry in with the other agricultural products that we produce.”

Evers said most of the state’s agriculture is produced on small family farms of 200 acres or less, and accounts for 57 percent of the state’s economy.

He covered several themes during his address:

FAMILY SAFETY

Saying, “If there’s any attacks, it needs to be on foreign soil,” Evers — whose campaign for Congress recently gave away a customized rifle — addressed domestic and world safety concerns.

“Let’s face it, our world today, over the past few weeks, has become chaos,” he said. “The acts of terrorism (are) beyond anything. I encourage you all to be prepared to protect yourself.

“What I am saying, if you call law enforcement, the normal reaction time is three minutes. Up where we live, it can take them 30 minutes.

“I encourage you all to be in a position where you can protect yourself and handle yourself accordingly until law enforcement gets there.”

SAFETY OF GMOS

Evers said concerns about genetically modified crops are primarily based on misinformation.

“You can go down to the local market and the question you hear is, ‘Is that GMO?’ Why? Folks are afraid of the technology we gained over the years,” Evers said.

“I’m not going to tell you technology is bad thing. Contrary to what some consumers believe, the GMO products we produce today are safe…

“It’s up to us to educate the consumers that GMO products are safe. If they weren’t, the federal government would not allow them to be sold or produced.”

FARMING’S ROLE IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY

He credited farming operations for Florida’s rebound after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

“When 9/11 hit, what happened to Florida’s economy? It tanked,” Evers said. “Why? Because folks were afraid to come to Florida.

“But you know what? Florida recovered faster than any other state because Florida hadn’t forgotten the occupation that got us to where we are today, and that is agriculture.”

FAMILY GROCERY SHOPPERS’ WANTS

“They want it locally,” Evers said. “Why? Because they’re worried about contamination and their family’s health from bringing these products from overseas and other countries….

“Farming is going the other way,” he said. “We’re relying on more of that stuff that’s coming from overseas.”

FAMILY FARMING

Evers encouraged veterans and other attendees to take up small farm operations, and to consider specialty crops such as strawberries.

“What we have today is a real opportunity for our family farms to thrive,” Evers said. “It’s OK to be a small family farm. It’s a great lifestyle. It’s something you can really enjoy doing with your family and you can make a living doing it.”

“… You want a small family farm because you want to be self-sufficient,” Evers said. “You don’t want to listen to someone else. You want to be your own man.

“You want to grow a lifestyle where you can grow your children and they won’t be subjected to the world around them.”

State Sen. Greg Evers, a Baker farmer, shared these statistics with farmers at a July 21 workshop:

●47,600: number of small family farms in Florida

●200 acres: average size of small family farms

●57: percentage of Florida’s economy from agriculture, including timber management and farming

Source: Sen. Greg Evers

—

SMALL FARMER PROGRAM

Farm Credit of Northwest Florida’s young, beginning and small farmer program assists farmers who meet this criteria:

●35 or younger: qualification age

●10 years or fewer: years of experience in farming or ranching to qualify

●$250,000: maximum annual gross income from farming operations to qualify and e-audio books circulated

Source: Farm Credit of Northwest Florida

BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker senator talks terrorism, GMOs during farming workshop

CRESTVIEW — A group of out-of-town investors toured the city’s historic Main Street district and saw potential.

Impressions and ideas were varied during the Community Redevelopment Agency’s July 22 Investor Assessment event, “But they all agree on one thing,” CRA project leader Brenda Smith said. “Crestview is going to have to take the lead.”

PHOTOS: View photos of the downtown Investors Assessment>>

And that, partners of West Palm Beach-based Commercial Funding and Asset Acquisitions, said, requires “skin in the game.”

“Let the city buy the (vacant) assets, then rent it out at a reduced rate,” Mark Pascua said. “We’d back it up with a loan.”

As empty stores — there are currently 16 vacancies on Main Street — become occupied, the city could slowly increase the rent until it recoups its investment.

Then it can sell the buildings to investors and bank the profit, Pascua and his partner, Brian Woods, said.

But city buy-in is crucial.

“The city needs ownership in its downtown,” Pascua said. “If the city doesn’t want to invest in its future, then nobody else does.”

DOWNTOWN TOUR

Smith said many of the invited investors, developers and business owners arrived in Crestview a day early and toured downtown.

“They walked up and down the street and were out until 11 p.m.; then they stayed up to 3 a.m. discussing what they saw,” Smith said. “They said to do what needs to be done will take about $6 million.”

Some of the things the investors saw raised questions.

“We noticed all the business is outside of downtown at night,” Pascua said. “Why would we want to invest in that?”

Ciro Mendoza, another CFAA partner, said the city took a positive step when it rezoned downtown to allow a residential component. When people live in the area, the demand for evening activities will rise, he said.

“Sometimes the act of trying until you start something is what it takes,” Mendoza said. “You’ve got to try something. You can’t sit and wait for things to happen, for other people to do something.”

THE CITY’S IDENTITY

“Main Street really creates the identity of a city, and it should be a center for business as well as a recreational destination,” Mayor David Cadle said. “We are dedicated to fast-track permitting of any new development in this area of our city.”

Making downtown attractive to young entrepreneurs is another important step the city should take, Mendoza said.

Smith said advice she and her team from the CRA’s marketing consultants, the Petermann Agency, received from the visitors will be integral to preparing a master plan for the district’s development.

“This is seeding the garden,” Smith said. “We are planting the seeds but we don’t know what’s going to grow from it yet.”

“We hope to benefit from your input on creating downtown development all the while maintaining our small-town charm in this very family-friendly city,” Cadle told the investors.

CULTURE ON DISPLAY

After appetizers at the Spy Chest, dinner and entertainment awaited at Fred Astaire Dance Studio’s North Main Street event venue.

There the guests also received a sampling of Crestview’s cultural opportunities.

Regional opera singer Kelly Glyptis and Crestview pianist Ryan Mabry presented a “Puccini and Broadway” show while local artists, including wood artisan Dannis Young, displayed their works and discussed the city’s cultural life with the guests.

The CFAA partners said such a balance of culture and commercial space availability is attractive for investors — if the city participates.

“Someone has to lead the way and take some of the risk,” Brian Woods said. “You have to incentivize people to come here.”

______________________________

CRESTVIEW BY THE NUMBERS

Attendees at the downtown Investors Assessment were provided with Crestview statistics, including this data:

●24,533: city population

●17: percentage growth since 2010

●31.19: median city age

●9,989: dwellings in Crestview

●62: percentage of homeowners

●$54,713: median household income

●44.7: percentage of households earning more than the national average

●$50,918: average household annual expenditures

Source: Community Redevelopment Agency

CRESTVIEW WORKERS

Crestview workforce data shared with visiting investors includes:

●11,346: labor force

●2.25: percentage job growth rate in 2015

●33: percentage blue collar jobs

●66: percentage white collar jobs

●90: percentage employment

●1,209: Crestview businesses

●65.18: percentage of business with 1-4 workers

●20.8: percentage of workers with college degree

Source: Community Redevelopment Agency

Attendees at the downtown Investors Assessment were provided with Crestview statistics, including this data:

●24,533: city population

●17: percentage growth since 2010

●31.19: median city age

●9,989: dwellings in Crestview

●62: percentage of homeowners

●$54,713: median household income

●44.7: percentage of households earning more than the national average

●$50,918: average household annual expenditures

Source: Community Redevelopment Agency

CRESTVIEW WORKERS

Crestview workforce data shared with visiting investors includes:

●11,346: labor force

●2.25: percentage job growth rate in 2015

●33: percentage blue collar jobs

●66: percentage white collar jobs

●90: percentage employment

●1,209: Crestview businesses

●65.18: percentage of business with 1-4 workers

●20.8: percentage of workers with college degree

Source: Community Redevelopment Agency

CRESTVIEW BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview downtown's potential displayed during Investor Assessment (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — The Community Redevelopment Agency gratefully accepted two $50,000 grants that will go toward enhancing Twin Hills Park.

One of the grants, which were provided by the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program administered by the state Department of Environmental Protection, will go toward improvements in the children’s park.

The other will help provide lighting and other infrastructure for the proposed Crestview Bark Park dog park.

The maximum allowable award under the FRDAP is $200,000.

“This year we were proud to invest more than $7 million in 137 recreational projects throughout the state of Florida,” DEP official Don Laird said.

Crestview and DeFuniak Springs, which received a $50,000 grant for improvements to Pat Covell Park, were the only tri-county area recipients.

Crestview’s $100,000 grant is “Not bad for a piece of land the city bought for $6,000,” Main Street Crestview Association member Cal Zethmayr said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview receives $100K in state recreation grants