CRESTVIEW — When Northwood Arts and Science Academy was announced a winner of RESTORE Act funds to enhance the school’s science technology, engineering and math program, faculty, administrators and parents rejoiced.

“Our little school won about $36,000, which to us is a small fortune,” Principal Dr. Donna Goode said.

But the U.S. Department of the Treasury suddenly changed eligibility rules, said Goode and Patti English, the Northwood teacher who applied for the grant.

That leaves local grant winners, who followed Okaloosa County grants administration policy and procedures, wondering if they’ll ever see the money.

On July 28, area schools that thought they’d been awarded money from the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund learned that Treasury now requires new reports, including “best available science” compliancy certification, multi-year plans and scientific “narratives.”

And they must be filed by Aug. 8, two days before the new school year begins.

“Treasury has been mucking with the rules a little,” Okaloosa School District Community Affairs Director Henry Kelley said. 

‘IT’S UNREAL’

“This is unreal what they’re asking,” Goode said. “They should’ve asked for this at the beginning. With school starting we cannot physically do this in time.

“We followed the rules and now the Treasury Department has changed the guidelines.”

And, English said, there’s another hitch.

“They want us to spend the money and then they’ll reimburse us,” she said. “Who has $36,262? No school has that kind of money. We’d have to plan three years in advance to budget it.”

While simultaneously setting up her classroom for her new batch of third-graders, English said she’s doing her best to gather the newly required documentation.

“I want to give it the good college try,” she said. “It’s going to be extremely difficult but we’re going to try. It’s a full-time job just to do all the paperwork.”

HOPE ON THE HORIZON

Northwood’s grant money, as well as that won by Baker School to establish a CHOICE construction program, may not be lost, said Jim Trifilio, Okaloosa County’s RESTORE Act coordinator.

“The good thing is that the money in the pot is the county’s money,” Trifilio said. “That’s not going away. There’s no timeline on it. If the school needs a year to finish the paperwork, the money will still be there.”

The Department of the Treasury’s role is merely to verify proposed projects meet requirements for RESTORE Act funding, he said.

“If it turns out to be an eligible use of RESTORE Act funds, the school will get the money,” Trifilio said.

Treasury’s job is not to choose projects, he said. That was done by the Board of County Commissioners, who approved 15 county-wide projects for forwarding to Treasury.

“The county commissioners decided when we had this $6 million pot, the idea was they would…set aside $4 million for larger projects, then they put $2 or 3 million aside for small projects under $90,000,” Kelley said. “We applied for a bunch of under-90’s for the district.”

‘REALLY COOL STUFF’

Northwood’s proposal is for school-wide science, technology, engineering and math — STEM — projects, ranging from science fairs for all grade levels to a hydroponics greenhouse.

“It was really some cool stuff,” Goode said.

The disheartening introduction of after-the-fact red tape left Goode and her teachers wondering if pursuit of RESTORE Act funds is worth the effort.

“They have basically changed the rules on us,” Goode said. “There is just a lot of bureaucratic red tape. It’s like they don’t want us to have the money.”

“This is just ridiculous,” English said. “They want us to drop out. That’s why they discourage us.

“It’s been a yearlong, arduous process. Why do federal grants have to be so cumbersome? This was supposed to be BP grant money. It was supposed to be handled locally.”

Northwood was the only Okaloosa County elementary school to make it through the application process.

‘IT’S PRETTY DISCOURAGING’

English said while federal officials demand more paperwork, the first grant money, if awarded, won’t come until 2017. That puts current students at risk, she said.

“How can they say they want kids to fall in love with STEM and want to make it a career and then make it take years?” she asked.

“I have fourth- and fifth-graders now who will never see the benefits of this grant as intended. They will go to middle school perhaps not as prepared as they should.

“It’s pretty discouraging that we’re not going to see a dime of it for two years, and that’s if we pass the new requirements.”

Many of Northwood’s students are already challenged, English said. As a Title 1 school, many of the children come from economically disadvantaged homes.

“We serve very high risk children,” she said. “We teach minorities. We teach challenged kids.”

ALTERNATIVES

“Sometimes it’s in the government’s best interest to make the process as bureaucratic and difficult as possible,” Laurel Hill resident Dennis Mitchell, an environmental professional with the Institute of Professional Environmental Practice, said.

Under some federal programs, there is the possibility that unspent grant money could revert into government coffers. But not so with RESTORE Act funds.

“That means it’ll stay in the county no matter what happens to it,” Mitchell said. “The feds have all their fingers in the rules, but they don’t have control of the money outright.”

While that may be some comfort, English said that now that she and Northwood’s science teachers have put their plans together, if they can’t get the RESTORE Act funds they were led to believe they’d receive, they might look into other sources.

“Maybe we’ll get a GoFundMe account,” she said, referring to a fundraising website. “Maybe some people in the community would donate the money and we won’t have to rely on the grant.”

At the end, what matters most, she said, are students who will fill desks in her room Aug. 10.

“We’re just simple teachers and we’re trying to do the best for our kids,” English said.

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APPROVED LOCAL PROJECTS

The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners approved these North Okaloosa school and municipal projects to send to the Department of the Treasury for consideration of RESTORE Act funds:

●Northwood Arts and Science Academy*: science, technology, engineering and math projects

●Davidson Middle School: Scientific method initiative

●Davidson Middle School: Unmanned aerial vehicle program

●Crestview High School: Create biomedical program

●Baker School*: Start CHOICE construction program

●Crestview Kiwanis: McMahon Environmental Center’s renovation

●Okaloosa County Public Works: Okaloosa Lane bridge conversion, Crestview

Educational projects were also approved for Ruckel Middle School*, Choctawhatchee High School*, Niceville High School, the Northwest Florida State College Choctawhatchee Basin Foundation, and the CHOICE High School and Technical Center

*Grant recipient

RESTORE ACT BY THE NUMBERS

Current allocations as of May 13:

●$7,475,519: money allocated for Okaloosa County from Transocean and Anadarko settlement

●$5.5 billion: BP penalty money allocated to RESTORE Act over 17 years

●$2.07 million: Allocation to Okaloosa County per year ($35.17M total). Annual payments expected 2017 through 2031

●1: Total RESTORE Act projects funded so far in Florida

Source: Matrix Design Group

WHAT’S ELIGIBLE?

Projects that accomplish these goals are eligible for RESTORE Act funding:

●Restoration and protection of natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast Region

●Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife and natural resources

●Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive conservation management plan, including fisheries monitoring

●Workforce development and job creation

●Improvements to or on state parks located in coastal areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

●Infrastructure projects benefitting the economy or ecological resources, including port infrastructure 

●Coastal flood protection and related infrastructure

●Planning assistance

●Promotion of tourism in the Gulf Coast Region, including promotion of recreational fishing

●Promotion of the consumption of seafood harvested from the Gulf Coast Region

●Administrative costs

Source: Matrix Design Group

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fed's last-minute requirements stymie North Okaloosa grant recipients

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa County Republican Party Headquarters is now open at the Marker 21 Marina/LG Global Real Estate office building.

The location — 38 Miracle Strip Parkway SW — is across from Fort Walton Beach City Hall. Hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, and 3-6 p.m. Thursdays.

County and state candidate campaign materials are available. Trump signs will not be available until September. If you would like to join a waiting list for a Trump sign, call State Committeewoman Sandra Atkinson, 586-0444.

See www.OkaloosaGOP.com to sign up for the party’s newsletter, or to volunteer for the November election.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County Republican headquarters opens

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