Last night, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL-1) designating the United States Postal Service facility at 3957 2nd Avenue in Laurel Hill, Florida, as the "Sergeant First Class William 'Kelly' Lacey Post Office."

The House of Representatives passed the legislation on May 23  of this year. 

Army Sergeant First Class William “Kelly” Lacey was completing his second tour in Afghanistan when his life was tragically taken during a rocket propelled grenade attack.

“Without question Sergeant Lacey embodied the true American spirit and that of a warrior,” Miller said. “He bravely dedicated his life to protecting our freedom and naming this Post Office after him in his home town is just a small way of saying thank you and memorializing his ultimate sacrifice.”

Army Sgt. 1st Class William “Kelly” Lacey died on Jan. 4, 2014, while fending off attackers on his unit’s outpost in Nangarhar province in Afghanistan.  He died from injuries sustained while protecting his fellow soldiers when enemy combatants breached friendly defensive positions with a car bomb.

“I am humbled to take on this effort to honor Kelly’s sacrifice to our great Nation,” Miller added. “He is a true hero and a fitting example of service, dedication, and excellence in our community.” 

Now, the president just has to sign off on the renaming.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: UPDATE: Senate votes to rename Laurel Hill post office for fallen local soldier

SHALIMAR — The Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office is mailing renewal notices for 2017 business tax receipts, formally known as occupational licenses.

Payment options include:

●Using an e-check at www.OkaloosaTax.com

●Visiting 302 N. Wilson St. Suite 101 Crestview. Call 651-7300 for hours.

The local business tax receipt is for businesses that provide merchandise, entertainment or services to the public, even one-person companies or home-based businesses.

This year, the renewal process has changed in a way that will save time and money, according to the tax collector’s office.

"Because we are now mailing postcards instead of a full page renewal, we are saving the taxpayers thousands of dollars in inventory and postage,” Director of Business Collections Joshua Allen said.

Also, since they no longer supply a return envelope, "It will encourage more customers to pay online … and will ultimately cut down on long lines in our branches.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Tax Collector's office mails business tax renewals

CRESTVIEW — A bill to rename Laurel Hill’s post office in honor of a local Army soldier is making its way through the Senate.

Read Bill H.R. 4987 and check its progress

U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller introduced H.R. 4987 into the U.S. House of Representatives April 18. The House passed the bill May 23, and supporters hope the post office will bear the name, "Sergeant First Class William 'Kelly' Lacey Post Office," by the year’s end.

Lacey died Jan. 4, 2014 protecting fellow soldiers from a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. Lacey — born on Eglin Air Force Base and raised in Niceville, then Laurel Hill — earned numerous Army Commendation and achievement medals, three Bronze stars, and many other wartime awards.

His family — mother, Pam Joiner of Live Oak; father and stepmother, John and Karla Lacey of Laurel Hill; wife Ashley and daughter Lily of Radcliff, Ky. — requested to have his name added to the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial Wall in Crestview. The request was approved in August 2015, but Miller's efforts to get the post office renamed pleasantly surprised the family.

"It has passed through Congress and it's in the Senate, but after that the president would have to sign it," Karla Lacey said Wednesday evening.

"We're just very, very honored and feel blessed that Jeff Miller did this. It's just another way for Kelly to always be remembered. I do hope it's close to being passed."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Senate considering bill to rename Laurel Hill post office for local soldier

LAUREL HILL — A Northwest Florida Water Management District grant could fund City Councilman Travis Dewrell’s idea to provide backup for the city’s water system.

Earlier this year, Dewrell proposed looking into tapping into the Auburn Water System, Paxton’s water system, or both, depending on which option is cheaper. Dewrell since learned available grant money might allow interdependence for all three systems.

“They’re releasing a million dollars, to average about $100,000 per project,” Crystal Wetherington of Preble-Rish Consulting Engineers said during a July 7 presentation to the City Council.

Wetherington said the grant money can be used for most projects that improve water services “for economically distressed communities.” One such recently completed project was construction of a series of system “loops” that led to improvements of Jay’s water supply.

Dewrell said having the possibility to tap into neighboring water supplies will let service to Laurel Hill customers continue in case an emergency, such as lightning or a storm shutting down pumps and backup equipment.

“Having our system linked up with a neighboring system seems like a huge priority,” Dewrell said. “Any problem we could possibly have with our water system, we can overcome by purchasing water from a neighboring system, and by the same token, we can sell them water from our system.”

“Linking water systems is a priority, and it's something the (water) district wants to see,” municipal consultant Pat Blackshear said.

With applications due Aug. 10, the council by consensus directed Preble-Rish to apply for a grant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill to seek grant for water system backup

LAUREL HILL — Since 2009, the city’s finances have improved dramatically, according to city auditor Joe Jones.

“In 2009, the city debt was much larger and the cash was much smaller than it is now. The cash has grown and the debt has decreased,” Jones said July 7 during his financial report. “The city finances have improved over the years as a result of frugality, good controls, money management and paying down the debt.”

Jones said checking account balances didn’t match, resulting in a discrepancy of about $1,000. However, “it isn't that big of a problem,” he said. “There was not a complete bank reconciliation done … It's mostly old outstanding checks that probably need to be voided.”

Jones estimated that in a two- or three-hour review of the past several years’ records with City Clerk Nita Miller and water clerk Sheryl Ward, the old checks can be identified and the discrepancy reconciled.

Jones also found a $1,000 to $2,000 error in the city’s accounts payable records, “but that was just a bookkeeping error,” he said.

Laurel Hill’s cash reserve has grown from $209,000 in 2009 to $645,000, of which $425,000 is unrestricted and can be used to fund improvements, Jones said.

Jones recommended the city set aside a small amount in a separate account for emergencies, such as unbudgeted equipment breakdowns.

The city should also consider a small water rate increase “now and then, to keep up with inflation and pipe and meters and other equipment,” he said.

He suggested a 1 or 2 percent increase every two or three years.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Auditor: Laurel Hill finances improving, water rate increase suggested

LAUREL HILL — The City Council will decide at its August meeting whether to cease discussing “This looming ‘dissolve the city or don't dissolve the city’ malarkey,” as Councilman Travis Dewrell described it.

Several council members and residents on July 7 spoke in favor of abandoning the discussion.

Dewrell said except for “one resident who pays $52 in ad valorem taxes (but) said he doesn't get his money's worth,” no one has contacted city officials in favor of dissolution.

“We have all these residents and not one is saying ‘Let’s dissolve the city,’” Councilman Scott Moneypenny said. “This has been advertised. It's been put out and they're not coming. Why do we keep bringing this up and going over it over and over again?”

Council Chairman Larry Hendren said the previous council never approved a resolution pursuing dissolution.

“Why are you having this discussion about dissolving the city when you're talking about getting grants and improving the city?” resident Mike Hanula said. “Do like we do with half the other stuff that comes across your table: clean it off the table and let's move forward already.”

City attorney Dan Campbell said residents would pay more in Almarante Fire District assessments than they do under city ad valorem taxes, which include fire protection services.

Due to homestead exemptions, poorer residents currently pay no ad valorem taxes, but would have to pay the fire district assessment, Campbell said.

“It would hurt poor people,” he said.

Dewrell said continuing to discuss dissolving the city might also hurt the city’s chances of obtaining improvement grants, such as a possible Northwest Florida Water Management District grant the city hopes to pursue.

Councilwoman Debra Adams said the council should defer to city voters to be sure they’re following residents’ will.

The council voted 3-2 to disapprove a dissolution fact-finding sheet proposed for distribution to residents. Adams and Councilman Daniel Lane dissented.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill may drop dissolution discussion (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — The 12-flag display in Warriors Hall was dedicated Monday evening with pomp and ceremony, beginning with the presentation of colors by two honor guardsmen each from the Crestview fire and police departments as The Wesley Boys men's gospel quartet of the First United Methodist Church performed the national anthem.

The display features the six service branch flags on the west wall and six historic flags on the east wall.

Organized by the Friends of the Arts, which is tasked by the city to enhance the Whitehurst Municipal Building's public auditorium, the display's germ of inspiration was provided by Fire Chief Joe Traylor shortly after the city acquired the building.

"It just seemed logical to have warriors' flags in Warriors Hall," Traylor said following the dedication ceremony.

"It really makes the hall complete," Crestview City Councilman Bill Cox said.

Dedication events included a concert by the North Okaloosa Community Band, including a dramatic performance in which Mayor David Cadle read the narration accompanying "Within These Hallowed Walls," including extracts from the Declaration of Independence.

A mix-up at the Ohio-based Flag Lady's Flag Store from which the flags were purchased resulted in a couple last-minute adjustments to the historic flags display when the wrong U.S. and Confederate States flags were received.

Instead of the 15-star, 15-stripe "Star Spangled Banner" that flew over the Crestview area when it became part of the United States in 1810, the company accidentally shipped today's 50-star flag.

Per U.S. flag protocol, the flag couldn't fly in the historic chronological order and would have had to advance to the left of the display.

The company also inadvertently sent the third instead of the first Confederate national flag.

However, the flag's donors, the Curenton family, loaned the correct Confederate flag and the historic Bennington "76" flag to Warriors Hall until the correct flags are received and hung.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Warriors Hall flag display dedicated

LAUREL HILL — The City Council unanimously decided to leave the city’s ad valorem tax rate unchanged at 3.5 mils as it begins its fiscal year 2016-17 budget planning.

That rate brings in about $50,000 a year, “which is a lot for us,” Council Chairman Larry Hendren said.

When Councilman Travis Dewrell suggested dropping the rate to .5 mils to have a token “skin in the game” for residents, city auditor Joe Jones advised against the idea.

“I think it would hurt your chances of getting grant money,” Jones said. “It sends a message that you don't need as much money.”

Mayor Robby Adams said setting a millage rate now is just a starting point as required by state law and the council can always vote to lower the amount during the budgeting process.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill sets millage rate

FORT WALTON BEACH — State Rep. Matt Gaetz announced his campaign has raised $729,382.87 since entering the race in late March to replace retiring Rep. Jeff Miller, Fla.-District 1.

Gaetz raised $366,727.57 in the second fundraising quarter, spanning April to June. The Gaetz campaign achieved key grassroots goals, including over 800 donors, more than 200 volunteers recruited, 41,000 Facebook fans, and over 16,000 homes visited and 7,700 phone calls made during this period, according to a campaign media release.

“I’m honored that conservatives across Northwest Florida are joining our campaign at a rapid pace. America faces serious challenges, and it is past time for Congress to secure the border, balance the budget and follow the Constitution,” Gaetz said.

“With well over $400,000 cash on hand, we have the resources to share Matt’s outstanding conservative record with tens of thousands of Republican primary voters,” Campaign Manager Ryan Smith said.

Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach attorney, represents portions of Okaloosa County in the Florida House of Representatives. He currently chairs the Finance and Tax Committee. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gaetz raises almost $730,000 for Congressional District 1 Campaign

CRESTVIEW — The Constitution Party of Florida will host two candidate forums in North Okaloosa County.

A forum for Okaloosa County School District’s superintendent of schools, school board District 2 and District 4 candidates will be held on Thursday, July 14.

A forum for Okaloosa County’s sheriff, property appraiser and commissioner District 1 candidates will be held on Thursday, July 21.

Both forums will be from 6-8 p.m. at the American Legion Post 75 Hall, 898 E. James Lee Blvd. (Highway 90 E.), Crestview.

The group asks Okaloosa County residents to email questions for the forums to concondaniel@outlook.com or call 758-2863.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa candidate forums scheduled