CRESTVIEW — Two local historians will serve on the city’s Historic Preservation Board following their Jan. 25 appointments.

Councilman Doug Faircloth nominated Betty Curenton and Claudia Patten, authors of “Crestview: The Forkland"; the City Council unanimously approved them.

Curenton and Patten spent almost 20 years' research on their book, which traces the city’s history from the Spanish colonial era through the 1990s.

The 11-member board provides recommendations in areas of historic preservation, architectural history, architectural planning, archeology and related disciplines, as set by the amended 1980 Historic Preservation Act and the Crestview code. It was established in Aug. 2001.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2 historians appointed to Crestview Historic Preservation Board

NICEVILLE — Joe Gibbons, the Florida Democratic Party's vice chair, will be the Okaloosa County Democratic Black Caucus' keynote speaker for its Feb. 6 Black History Fundraising Banquet.

Gibbons served as a Florida Legislature representative from 2006 to 2014 and worked on several government-related committees.

Tickets to the event, themed, "Passing the Torch for Freedom: Vote to Ensure Our Future," cost $50 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the event begins 6:30 p.m. at the Niceville Community Center, 204 N. Partin Drive, Niceville.

Contact Trish Rowe, 678-0871; Lawrence Kelley, 733-0601; or Solonia Bogar, 215-431-8986, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Former state rep. to speak at Democratic Black Caucus banquet

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Commission will discuss ongoing litigation during a Feb. 2 executive session. 

The session, closed to the public, is estimated to begin at approximately 8 a.m. — before commissioners' regular, public board meeting — in the Okaloosa County Administrative Building's County Commission Conference Room, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar. It will last approximately 30 minutes.

Commissioners will discuss settlement negotiations or strategy sessions related to litigation in connection with the Department of Juvenile Justice and secure juvenile detention.

After the closed session, the board will reconvene in open session in the County Commission meeting room for its regular board meeting and to take action on this matter, if necessary.

County officials have been fighting the DJJ for reimbursement of the overcharges for housing youthful offenders from 2009 to 2013.

Commissioners plan to keep fighting for reimbursement of $3.1 million in overcharges.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa commissioners to discuss ongoing litigation

CRESTVIEW — Consideration of a proposed agreement between the Community Redevelopment Agency board and the City Council has been postponed until a Feb. 8 meeting.

The agreement would transfer fiscal responsibility for CRA funds from the city clerk to the CRA — which the CRA Board oversees — while the city, through the clerk, retains oversight of the agency. It also would allow the CRA to retain legal counsel, as needed, through an attorney specializing in CRAs.

The CRA board and the council have the same members, just different responsibilities, Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard said. “This is just a formality that shows there are two separate entities and we realize there are two separate entities," she said.

Board member JB Whitten on Jan. 25 said he was uncomfortable agreeing to a contract without CRA Director Brenda Smith present. Smith was attending an out-of-town conference.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview interlocal agreement on hold

UPDATE: Due to multiple cancellations, the presidential debate party has been replaced with a CNN Donald Trump Wounded Warrior & veteran fundraising event. It's scheduled for the same time and place; just the event name has just changed.

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FORT WALTON BEACH — Swag and information will be part of an upcoming Republican Presidential Debate party planned at an area restaurant.

The party starts 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28 at Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill, 1318 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach. (This is the grill's new waterfront location across from Ramada Beach Plaza, turn at the pedestrian highway walkover bridge.)

There are only 50 seats available on a first come, first served basis. Limited refreshments will be served.

The event includes games prizes and more. Local Republican candidates are invited to bring their petitions, brochures, pamphlets or business cards to share.

For more information, email scwsandra@cox.net or send a text to 850-586-0444.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: UPDATE: Republican debate party replaced with Trump, Wounded Warrior fundraiser

FORT WALTON BEACH — The next meeting of the Florida Panhandle Patriots Tea Party will feature Merle Temple, a former narcotics agent during the early Nixon drug wars.

Temple worked under President Ronald Reagan and will share his stories of the "Good, Bad, and Ugly Truth about Politics." He has also authored several books based on his undercover work, being held hostage and political connections.

His books will be available for purchase at the meeting, which is 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Elks Lodge on Okaloosa Island, 1335 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach.

Actions alerts about upcoming bills of concern to citizens will also be discussed.

Final raffle tickets will be available for the Ruger AR556 Home Defense Rifle and many other prizes to fund the free American Patriot Newspaper. A drawing for the winner will take place at the meeting.

Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information call 582-2629.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Panhandle Patriots meeting to feature former Nixon narcotics agent

Crestview's water rates have not been increased since 1998.

It's amazing how those in government say these things as if it's a justification for doing what it is they are considering doing.

It doesn't matter whether or not rates have increased since 1998. What really matters is whether or not an increase is justified, and will the people of Crestview be better off because of it?

I believe that a story like this should read "Crestview residents get a lot of (amazing) stuff that makes their lives more awesome with a $2 increase in their water rate".

Then the article would list all the (amazing) stuff that residents get from it.

I'm not familiar with the history of this discussion. It could be very well justified, but based on this article, I'm not sure of the bang for the buck.

If it's not a definitive answer, then it doesn't need to happen.

City officials need to know that they are public servants, and they owe the community an answer.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Would Crestview residents benefit from water rate increase?

CRESTVIEW — After an in-depth analysis on behalf of the city in 2011, Tetra Tech consultants recommended Crestview increase its water rates to fund future water system expansion needs.

While various council members have since periodically brought up the water and environment engineering consultants’ recommendation, no action had been taken.

Until now.

At a Jan. 25 workshop, at the council’s request, City Clerk Betsy Roy introduced the projected impact of a 2 percent water rates increase with a $1 per monthly residential and $5 commercial stormwater fee.

After considering Roy’s estimated impact — residential rates would increase an average of $2.04 monthly; average commercial rates would go up $8.72 — the council’s consensus was to have city staff continue its research and produce a suggested ordinance.

Part of the work is already done.

“I have the storm water ordinance ready,” Public Works Director Wayne Steele said. “I've had it for two years.”

Steele said any rate increase must be based on a projected need, as city-assessed fees must only cover actual expenses.

He listed several projects the growing city needs. These include an elevated water tank near the Fox Valley subdivision off Antioch Road and enlarged distribution lines along south State Road 85.

Crestview's water rates have not been increased since 1998, Roy said, and remain the lowest of any county municipality.

The Crestview City Council is examining a 2 percent increase in water rates with an added $1 per monthly residential and $5 commercial stormwater fee.

●Current average monthly residential water bill: $18.50

●Total current average bill with sewer and garbage: $69.40

●Total average bill with 2 percent increase: $70.44

●Total bill with $1 stormwater fee: $71.44

●Monthly increase: $2.04

●Annual difference: $24.28

Source: Crestview City Clerk’s office

WHAT'S THE AVERAGE IMPACT?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview considers water rate increase

CRESTVIEW — The City Council will meet 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.

Here is the meeting's agenda.

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation Rev. Mark Dillman, Airport Road Church of Christ, and Pledge of  Allegiance

3. Open policy making and legislative session

4. Special presentations

a. State of the City – Mayor David Cadle

b. Employee recognition

●Public Services – Anna Brown – 10 years

●Fire Department – Rodney Lancaster – 20years

●Public Services – Paula Pigott – 10 years

●City Clerk/Finance – Tammie Johnson-Goettl – 10 years

●City Clerk/Utility Billing- Loretta Scardina – 10 years

5. Approval of minutes

6. Public Hearings:

a. Ordinance 1598—Amending Chapter 2, Division 4, Sections 2-102 and 2-107 — Growth Management

7. Public Opportunity on Council propositions

8. Consent agenda

●Approval of solicitation of bids for fire engine lease

9. Resolutions

10. Committee reports

11. Scheduled presentations from the public

●Relay for Life – Melanie Fullerton

12. Project reports and comments from mayor and council

13. Staff reports and recommendations

a. Discussion of library director applications and interviews

b. Approval of interlocal agreement with CRA

c. Board vacancies – administrative assistant

d. Old business:

1) Explanation of Rules and procedures

2) Interlocal agreement for PJ Adams Parkway

14. Comments from the audience

15. Adjournment

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Here's what the Crestview City Council will meet about Jan. 25

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Redevelopment Agency will have a workshop 5:45 p.m. Jan. 25 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.

Here is the meeting agenda.

1. Call to order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Open policy making and legislative session

4. Public opportunity on board propositions

5. Presentation of the interlocal agreement between the CRA and the city of Crestview

6. Comments from the audience

7. Adjournment.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Here's what the Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency will meet about Jan. 25