CRESTVIEW — From widening roads in Crestview to paving roads in Laurel Hill, addressing crime statistics in Crestview to the very existence of Laurel Hill as an incorporated city, winners of Tuesday’s elections face issues of concern to their respective communities.

Here’s what insiders feel are the biggest issues facing both communities.

CRESTVIEW

From Crestview City Clerk Betsy Roy's perspective, the new council and mayor will immediately face one of the city’s biggest challenges.

“Obviously one of the first items is next year’s budget and that will be starting very quickly after they take office. That’s always the biggest thing. It’s probably the hardest thing that faces new council members,” she said.

Other issues that have arisen during the mayoral campaign, such as crime statistics and the perennial problems with State Road 85 traffic, also hinge on the budget, she said.

“Everything is brought by the different departments, so I can’t really comment on what they might bring. It’s brought on an item-by-item basis.

“The budget is the biggest challenge because it encompasses everything.”

LAUREL HILL

The Rev. Mike McVay is the first to say, “I don’t have a dog in this race,” but as pastor of one of the city’s largest congregations, he has an interest in Laurel Hill’s well-being.

“I think one of the biggest things is this discussion concerning the dissolution of the city,” McVay said. “That’s one thing I think a lot of residents would like to have the opportunity to discuss.

“And we all know that the streets are in terrible, terrible shape, but without any revenue coming in, the chances of them being repaired aren’t very good. How is the city going to fix them?

“And then there’s the issue of what kind of businesses we allow to come in. That’s been a big sore spot for a lot of people over the last two years; not being able to get a credit union but at the same time we got a liquor store.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What’s at stake in Crestview's, Laurel Hill's elections

LAUREL HILL — Some residents know exactly what they want in a city council member.

"Honesty! Honesty!” Carl Gay said.

“And someone who’ll work for the people and not for their own self,” his wife, Ann, said.

“A great leader with honesty,” Tara Llewellyn said.

Fewer than 20 residents listened Monday as City Council candidates discussed hot topics during the North Okaloosa Republican Club's forum at Laurel Hill First Baptist Church's Fellowship Hall.

School teacher Debra Adams, retired engineer Daniel Lane, former Marine and sailor Scott Moneypenny, former mayor and city councilwoman Joan Smith, and Councilwoman Willie Mae Toles were present. Randy Tickle, a long-haul trucker, was absent due to illness. (See our Election Guide, which includes Tickle's comments on his platform.)

Here are some of the questions and answers:

Should Laurel Hill dissolve and be absorbed by the county?

ADAMS: “There’s a lot more research that needs to be done. This is a huge decision that needs to be made.

“Personally, I don't think this is a decision that needs to be made by the council or the mayor. It should be decided by the people. But it is the council and mayor's jobs to educate the citizens.”

LANE: “I'm not so sure it's going to be that easy to turn this town over to the county, or whether the county wants it. It's hard for me to say ‘yes’ when there's people who've lived here all their lives.

“It's going to be a long time before this ever takes place. We can't just turn the city over to the county and expect the county is going to be here the next day to pave the roads.”

MONEYPENNY: “It's definitely a very, very tough decision. I will fall back on my military background. I was involved in the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure). I can say that with all the bases that were closed, the repercussions lasted many, many years.

“To see Laurel Hill dissolve, it would have to be an extremely long-term plan.” Services such as street lighting and garbage collection would be affected, he said.

JOAN SMITH: “I said it would be up to the people and it would be a referendum on the ballot. So many things would have to be approached. It would be a  long, drawn-out process. And who says the county wants us back?

“The ones you talk to that want to dissolve are the ones paying the ad valorem tax, and they don't feel like they're getting anything for their taxes.”

TOLES: “We have to speak if we're going to be city council members. We can't say we're going to do this for Laurel Hill or we're going to do that for Laurel Hill, but then you say something different behind my back.

“We don't need to talk about where we've been. I don't talk about where we've been or how many kids went to Laurel Hill School. That's not fixing any roads.”

The city lacks a grocery store, hardware store and banks. What can be done to attract more businesses?

ADAMS: “We had the opportunity to have a bank; a credit union. It did not happen. I was told by current council members there were too many people in the community that didn't want it.

“We had a credit union willing and able to come to our community and we turned them away. But when city government turns away a credit union, we have a bit of an issue.”

LANE: “We have a dollar store, a gas station and a liquor store. You can't buy a loaf of bread hardly in any of them. I'm all for getting any kind of business in this town.

“If you work for Laurel Hill, you have to get yourself out and do something to attract businesses.”

MONEYPENNY: “I have been on the phone with the Economic Development Council. I said, ‘Send some business our way.’

“One of the things that will help Laurel Hill is to develop our commercial corridor along (State Road) 85. Make it look like some place that someone would want to come to. Get business in the 1905 Gallery; get our tax base up.”

SMITH: “We don't have to let people come to us. We have to go to them.

“We have to go out and tell people what's available. Invite them to come see what we do have. That's what it's going to take.”

TOLES: “You and me can't do it. It takes all Laurel Hill to do it. (We're) going to have to make it happen first.

"We need grocery stores, we need jobs, we need business. We have young kids not doing anything. Some just sit down because there's nothing to do.”

Many long-time residents recently learned they live outside city limits. With their permission, should the city annex their property?

ADAMS: “Back in the '60s, it was assumed the property was annexed when the city annexed the property across the road.

“I think it is our job as a city to fix it. In 2006, there was an ordinance passed that said yes, you would have to be charged to be annexed into the city, which was a bad part because this was a misunderstanding.

“Somebody didn't cross a T or dot their I's, but the intent was there.”

LANE: “Those boundaries are set. They were set by Okaloosa County. It was not the city's responsibility. We have to go back to the records that show where those lines end and where they did not.

“We need the city attorney to make sure those boundaries are looked into. It's got to be definitely sure where those lines are, and we need to find out and do whatever needs to be done.”

MONEYPENNY: “There were 23 people notified they don't live inside the city limits … Why would you want to annex them? To give them amenities. We don't have too much to give.

“Another reason is to increase our tax base. Twenty-three people are not going to bring too many tax dollars to pave our roads.”

SMITH: “Every annexation I know of, the one who is requesting it has had to foot the bill. It was terribly expensive. It should not be the city's responsibility to foot the bill.”

TOLES: “Some people who live outside the city limits can't afford to pay the (annexation) fee, and the city can't afford it either.

“We need to stop this and find out where people live. Nobody knows where the city limit is. They (county authorities) only know where the city limit is when we're ready to vote.”

Do you have solutions for immediate relief of the roads, and would you support an assessment?

ADAMS: “Is there an immediate fix? No, because it takes money, equipment and manpower. All that stuff our city is lacking.

“We have a (Community Block Development Grant) … $600,000 is not going to cover 14 miles of roads. We need more grants to pave more roads. This is going to take time.”

LANE: “I know some of the fellows doing the patching could do with a little training. When that inspector comes and sees that hole, he's going to make them do it over again.

“It may be years on end before we get enough to fix those roads.”

MONEYPENNY: “Special assessment? Absolutely no. We're not young bucks. We live on a fixed income. The only way my bank account grows is if I don't spend any more."

He suggested looking at traffic patterns to take heavy trucks off side roads. “Any trucks that drive on our roads need to be looked at because they're tearing up the roads.”

SMITH: “I do not. We pay an ad valorem tax, and that would be enough for the roads.

“We had a project going. We chose the streets that would not be included with this grant. We started working on it, and all the planning that went to that went upside down and that was the end of that.

“What it takes is to use the money that has been assigned to us and work with the county, and I believe we could find some good progress.”

TOLES: “I been here. I drive a lot. I go to the post office a lot, and that's a terrible road.

“Last Saturday, I attended a funeral in Montgomery and I fell asleep (as a passenger) going because the road was so smooth…

“We got to get together. We got to get the people together.”

Laurel Hill School graduates have too few job opportunities to stay here. What can be done to attract more businesses to the industrial park?

ADAMS: “We can't turn our backs when we have a credible business that wants to come to Laurel Hill. We can use the Industrial Park to attract businesses.

“Community members who have contacts need to approach businesses.”

LANE, citing his nine children and 27 grandchildren, said, “I know what can happen when kids don't have anything to do… Try to draw any kind of business that can give jobs. We need to make sure there are opportunities here.

“Kids are very important. There's not that many fortunate enough to go to college. We need something here.”

MONEYPENNY advocated more vocational training and youth volunteer opportunities. “Everyone talks about, 'We need to bring businesses in,' but what kind of business can we bring in for a high school kid?

“Volunteer. Get your foot in the door with a volunteer group. I think it really takes getting to them when they start high school, and finding out where they want to go. To get an 18-year-old to work at Elite Trailers — that's a tough one.”

SMITH cited the school’s CHOICE programs, which, in conjunction with industry, lead to students’ certification in vocations.

“It all goes back to try to reach people for the Industrial Park. Try to get businesses in. The whole (1905) Gallery up there is empty. It needs businesses in it.”

TOLES: “The kids that graduate from Laurel Hill, they don't have anywhere to go. They can't stay here. If they stay here and they don't have no job, they’re on drugs. I've seen kids destroy their life because they don't have nothing.

“If your kid graduates, make them leave here. I've seen it. I'm saying it from my heart."

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill council candidates discuss roads, businesses and dissolution

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux says while just 12,574 Crestview residents are registered voters, he's still optimistic.

“I would contend this election actually is garnering more interest than we have seen in recent elections in Crestview,” Lux said. “The mayoral race has become so contentious it has a lot of people paying attention to it.

“It’s one of those factors that when people say, ‘What can we do to improve the turnout,’ I like to say the choices of candidates help to draw voters.”

As polls closed Thursday, Crestview voters outnumbered their counterparts in Laurel Hill, Fort Walton Beach and Shalimar during the first of two weeks of early voting for municipal offices.

AHEAD OF PAST COUNTS

While 178 voters have cast early ballots in Crestview, two Laurel Hill voters voted early. Three residents voted in Shalimar and 64 voters turned out in Fort Walton Beach, according to Supervisor of Elections' daily counts.

With a week of early voting remaining, Lux said Crestview is on track to top 2013’s 213 total early votes and possibly the 339 who voted early in 2011.

Absentee voters performed a bit better, with 239 votes in Crestview, 13 in Laurel Hill, 246 in Fort Walton Beach, and 33 in Shalimar.

Lux cautioned against using the lack of early Laurel Hill voters to draw conclusions about potential voter turnout.

“They don’t really take advantage of either early voting or absentees as a general rule,” Lux said. “It’s just a geographic thing.”

NO PREDICTIONS

Four mayoral candidates — incumbent David Cadle, business owner Landrum "Lanny" Edwards, City Councilman Tom Gordon and business owner Jeremiah Hubbard — are on the ballot in Crestview. Six council candidates — educator Debra Adams, retirees Daniel Lane and Scott Moneypenny, former Mayor Joan Smith, transportation worker Randy Tickle and City Councilwoman Willie Mae Toles — are running for three seats in Laurel Hill. Twelve council candidates are running for three Fort Walton Beach seats, and three town commission candidates are running in Shalimar.

Several candidates automatically will take their seats because they ran unopposed, including new Crestview City Councilmen Bill Cox and JB Whitten, two Fort Walton Beach councilmen, and Shalimar Mayor Gary Combs.

Early and absentee votes do not offer insight on voters’ choices of candidates. Early and absentee votes will be counted together on Election Day, March 10, beginning at 7 p.m.

EARLY VOTING

Registered voters may vote early in Crestview and Laurel Hill's municipal elections 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Supervisor of Elections Office, Brackin Building, 302 Wilson St. N., Suite 102, Crestview.

WHO’S VOTING?

City – Reg. Voters – Early Votes – Absentee Votes

Crestview – 12,574 – 178 – 239

Fort Walton Beach – 12,603 – 64 – 246

Laurel Hill – 318- 2 – 13

Shalimar – 635 – 3 – 33

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article included incorrect infomration. Jeremiah Hubbard, though in ministry in 2011 and before then, is no longer an evangelist. We regret the error. 

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mayoral race piques early voters’ interest

CRESTVIEW — After lunch, residents could go to Twin Hills Park, paddle boats around the pond, ollie in a skate park, turn Fido loose in the dog park, or enjoy a live performance at an amphitheatre.

That is, if long-discussed plans come to fruition.

Following two years of discussion, the Community Redevelopment Agency Board on Monday was on the verge of approving Seaside Engineering and Surveying's feasibility study for improvements.

But when Administrative Services Director Teresa Gaillard explained the $25,590 study would be the planning tool used to prepare final site plans, board member Mickey Rytman objected.

“Most contractors will give you a plan for nothing… It would just seem like we could have a design-build contract for this amount of money," he said.

Board member Tom Gordon favored holding a public forum to accept residents’ input on proposed amenities.

Member Robyn Helt, who initiated the park improvement discussion, said there was no need for a brainstorming session.

“Over the last two years, the public has had ample opportunity to approach the council and express their desires on this,” Helt said. “I am asked on a weekly basis about the dog park. The public has done its part in letting us know what they think.”

And having plans drawn up concurrently with the feasibility study wouldn't make sense if the study revealed part of the plan was unworkable, Helt said. “You would always do a feasibility study prior to building a project,” she said. “Why would you have plans drawn for something that is not feasible?”

Rytman's motion to produce an enhanced feasibility study to include more detailed information passed 3-2. Board President Shannon Hayes and Helt voted nay.

This would be done through a “directive of order,” a set of guidelines to be prepared with the CRA board’s input “to basically tell us what they will furnish and prepare, and a dollar amount for the plan," Rytman said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Twin Hills Park study postponed; board OK's revising feasibility study

Editor's Note: Debra Adams, Daniel Lane, Scott Moneypenny, Joan Smith, Randy Tickle and Willie Mae Toles are running for Laurel Hill City Council.  

Each candidate answered two top questions on readers' minds, and offered personal information, as part of our continuing campaign coverage.

How should Laurel Hill address road conditions?

Adams: The recent grant acquired for road resurfacing provides funds for less than 15 percent of the roads in Laurel Hill.

With the completion of this project, more grants will need to be identified for road resurfacing. Okaloosa County has agreed to offer assistance; however, funding for materials will still need to be sought.

Lane: First and foremost is to make use of the $600,000 grant to its maximum, and to identify the streets that need overlaying or repairing the most. The money that is available to the city falls short of the 14 miles of streets that need overlaying or patching.

Moneypenny: Roads are the most problematic issues in communities. They almost always lead back to funding. We must develop a short-term, midterm and a long-term plan. Then set it in place. Continue to research all avenues of funding and use appropriately. Our budgetary restraint is our greatest obstacle.

Smith: "When I retained the position as mayor from 2010 to 2013, we began a program and (were) making great progress by means of a mutual aid agreement with the county to resurface our city streets. (I) would like the opportunity to come back and fulfill this vision." 

Tickle: Work to attract more businesses into the town, which would increase the tax revenue as well as provide jobs to the people here in Laurel Hill. Address the issue of frivolous spending at the taxpayers’ expense.

Toles: Let’s get together and work hard, and get it together and get the job done. It takes the people and the council working together.

What are the city's two most pressing issues?

Adams: In addition to road conditions, another issue is dissolution of the city. This is an issue that will determine the direction of all other issues. "As a council member, I will assure the citizens are well-informed of all aspects of this decision, and have the opportunity for their voice to be heard."

Lane: The resolution of the council seat of Mr. Johnny James (who, it recently was determined, lives outside city limits) and the start of getting the (road) grant money to use before it expires, so the city can get down to handling other city issues at hand.

Moneypenny: Rehabilitate structures: Support residents and refurbish neighborhoods. Work with national, state, local and non-profit partners to prevent vacant and deteriorated properties.

Public trust: Involve our citizens in important decision-making. Install morals and ethics in everything we do by doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.

Smith: We all know that city streets are most pressing, but other major concerns need to be resolved. An “Operating Procedure Policy” for employees and city officials needs to be put in place to ensure all employees know what is expected of them at all times and how they are to receive instruction.

Tickle: "What I feel are the two biggest issues facing the city is the city council working on their own agenda and not working together for the good of the residents; and lack of jobs, not only to provide income for the residents but to also provide tax revenue to the city."

Toles: The roads and the streets. Let’s get them done so we can drive on good roads.

DEBRA ADAMS

Personal: Lifelong North Okaloosa County resident; grew up in Crestview and moved to Laurel Hill in November 2005. Product of Okaloosa County School District; master’s degree in Education from the University of West Florida. Married to Robby Adams, Laurel Hill mayor, for 20 years; two children, Dylan, 10, and Aidan, 6. 

Occupation: Educator in the Okaloosa County School District since 1994; currently teach secondary mathematics at Laurel Hill School.

Experience: "I have held leadership roles in various school-based duties including Professional Development, School Advisory Council, Equitable Duty Committee, and the Discipline Review Committee. I have most recently served on the Hobo Festival Committee as treasurer."

DANIEL LANE

Personal: Married; nine children; member, First Baptist Church of Laurel Hill

Occupation: Retired

Experience: Vietnam veteran; 12 years' military service; almost 40 years' commercial construction experience. Was project manager on government and city projects. Was a certified Department of Transportation supervisor.

SCOTT MONEYPENNY

Personal: Spouse, Kathleen Moneypenny; two children and five grandchildren; Okaloosa County area coordinator, Hunters Safety, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; volunteer Hunters Safety instructor, FWC; State Range safety officer; National Archery in the Schools instructor; life member, NRA; Fort Walton Beach Coin Club; and involved with ANA and Porsche Club of America

Occupation: Retired

Experience: A "highly organized, take-charge professional. Superb trouble shooter and problem solver, with 26 years of diverse military service and seven years (Department of Defense) contractor.

"Proven expertise in all levels of project management and fiscal responsibilities."

JOAN SMITH

Personal: "Me and my family moved to Laurel Hill in 1975; my late husband, Harvel Smith, owned and operated a business here and all four of our children graduated from Laurel Hill High School." Attends South Ebenezer Church; retired from Okaloosa County Health Department as senior records clerk in 2001; currently serves as AARP Tax Preparation Services volunteer.

Experience: Board member, Northwest Florida League of Cities; vice president, Okaloosa League of Cities; and 15 years of bookkeeping/accounting. Former Laurel Hill council chairman and mayor. Certified in First Amendment Foundation education on government covering Sunshine Laws, Ethics, and good-government.

RANDY TICKLE

Personal: Married to Robin Tickle; two daughters and a son, and two stepdaughters and three granddaughters.

Occupation: "I have worked in various positions in the transportation industry for 29 years."

WILLIE MAE TOLES

Occupation: Retiree and Laurel Hill City Councilwoman

Experience: "After a term in office, I have a proven record of honesty and helping people out."

WANT TO GO?

The North Okaloosa Republican Club's non-partisan Laurel Hill City Council candidates forum is 6 p.m. March 2 at the Laurel Hill First Baptist Church fellowship hall, 3972 Second Ave.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: MEET THE CANDIDATES: You asked, Laurel Hill's council candidates answered

Editor's Note: Incumbent David Cadle, business owner Landrum "Lanny" Edwards, City Councilman Tom Gordon and business owner Jeremiah Hubbard are running for Crestview mayor.

Each candidate answered two top questions on readers' minds, and offered personal information, as part of our continuing campaign coverage.

How should Crestview address a perceived increase in crime?

Cadle: We have established many proven prevention strategies: Citizen’s Public Safety Academy, K9 teams, increased patrols, drug enforcement task force, closer cooperation within the judicial system and police community. Increased officer training and compensation resulted in a 13 percent reduction in crime in 2013 and 6 percent in the first half of 2014.

Edwards: I feel we need better training for police officers, more participation by the public in reporting activities of a suspicious nature, and take steps to regain the trust of the public in the city police.

Gordon: Crestview crime is 50 percent higher than the national average, and reported in Huffington Post as currently ranked eighth in “9 Cities Where Crime Is Soaring.” The city’s budget must be scrubbed to better pay, train and hire more police officers. Thousands of dollars spent on mayor’s travel expenses must be eliminated.

Hubbard: As population increases, so does crime. We must address the understaffed, underpaid police department, and the lack of planning the city has shown to prepare for the population increase. Finally, we must address the underlying poverty in our area. As poverty decreases, so does crime.

What are the city's most pressing issues?

Cadle: For economic development to continue, our young adults need training for higher-level jobs. Adequate funding is required for replacement of Crestview’s deteriorating infrastructure.  The city must study all options for traffic control and place new emphasis on connector roads that will help reduce traffic on Highway 85.

Edwards: Traffic problems — We must find a way to improve traffic patterns within the city. It would also be helpful to train a quick-response team to quickly regain traffic flow following accidents.

Gordon: Three most pressing issues for Crestview are crime, traffic and leadership. Crime can be addressed by better pay, better training and mayoral leadership. Traffic can be improved by implementing programs that provide startup monies for projects without raising taxes. Leadership change can be made by voters on March 10.

Jobs and merchants: Better cooperation with companies desiring to begin new businesses in Crestview. This would provide jobs and shopping facilities for our citizens and also help lower the crime rate.

Hubbard: We must increase career opportunities for our residents. Creating a pro-business atmosphere and bringing in industry and manufacturing will strengthen and stabilize our economy. Our infrastructure must be updated to support the increasing population, and we can accomplish this by developing additional four-lane roads to our existing infrastructure.

DAVID CADLE

Personal: Wife, Shirley (45 years); children, Philip, Jeremy and Ben (Carrie); and grandchildren, Triston and Matthew.

Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church, deacon; North Okaloosa Medical Center, board of trustees; Crestview Exchange Club, past president; West Florida Regional Planning Council, past chairman; Military Affairs Committee, member; Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Military Appreciation & Recognition Celebration, board member; and Take Stock in Children, mentor, Okaloosa School Board.

Occupation: retired teacher, mayor of Crestview.

Experience: Mayor of Crestview, eight years; Crestview High School teacher, 28 years; West Virginia High School teacher, 10 years; University of West Florida, master’s degree; and Marshall University, bachelor’s degree.

LANDRUM 'LANNY' EDWARDS

Personal: Voncile, wife; children, Melanie and Lanny Jr.; and five grandchildren. City Code Enforcement Board president; member, Citizens Advisory Council to the county Transportation Planning Organization board.

Occupation: Retired civil service; business owner.

Experience: Owner, Edwards Machine Shop; "held highly responsible 26-year position as Egress Maintenance worker on various aircraft for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force." Former president, Crestview Lions Club. Active City Council participant.

THOMAS GORDON:

Personal: Wife, Barbara; six children; and four grandchildren.

Member, Woodlawn Baptist Church (since 1972); member, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce; member, Main Street Crestview Association; and member, Building Industry Association.

Occupation: businessman and owner, Gordon Air Conditioning and Gordon Martial Arts.

Experience: Current Crestview City Council member; member, Community Redevelopment Agency; member, Okaloosa RESTORE Act Committee; past member, Crestview Board of Adjustments, past member Y.M.C.A., board of directors; and lifelong Crestview resident.

JEREMIAH HUBBARD

Personal: Married for over 14 years to Charity; 2 children, Lily and Destin. "Actively involved at our church in Crestview, The Summit."

Occupation: CEO/consultant of Ideal Marketing Innovations LLC.

Experience: "From ministry to business, I have been involved in leadership for 15 years and have been tasked with managing people and helping businesses succeed. To learn more, visit: www.crestviewforward.com."

EARLY VOTING: Early voting for municipal elections is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 23-27 and March 2-6 at the OkaloosaSupervisor of Elections Office, 302 Wilson St. N, Ste. 102, Crestview.

ELECTION DAY: March 10; vote at your precinct's polling place. Call 689-5600 or see www.govote-okaloosa.com for more information.

Click here for our complete (and growing) Election Guide>>

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article included incorrect information. Jeremiah Hubbard, though in ministry in 2011 and before then, is no longer an evangelist. We regret the error. 

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Q&A: Crestview mayoral candidates on city's most pressing issues

CRESTVIEW — Councilman Joe Blocker says his constituents want to know exactly how much the city spends on attorneys’ fees, and demand the council sign off on city attorney Jerry Miller’s bills.

At Monday’s council meeting, he went a step further and recommended terminating Miller’s contract.

“I’ve been contacted daily by residents of our city with interest in making legal fees an open part of our city,” Blocker said at the Feb. 9 council meeting.

Miller said all city invoices, including attorneys’ fees, are public records readily available from City Clerk Betsy Roy’s office.

OFF AND ON

The topic was listed on Monday night’s council meeting agenda but was removed by Blocker because he said he had not received needed information in time. Monday night, he endeavored to return it to the agenda but encountered procedural difficulties.

A super-majority — or four of the five council members’ votes — is required to add an agenda item after the agenda is published.

Blocker’s motion failed on a 3-2 vote, with council members Tom Gordon and Robyn Helt voting nay, but Blocker was permitted to read from a prepared statement.

“I believe it is in the best interest of the taxpayers of Crestview that we consider terminating the contract with Mr. Miller’s law firm immediately,” Blocker said.

Council President Shannon Hayes told Blocker that the contract cannot be terminated, but could be renegotiated or a new request for proposals for legal services could be issued.

“As far as terminating, that is not within the power of us to do that,” Hayes said.

‘DISTINCT MISUNDERSTANDING’

“There seems to be a very distinct misunderstanding how contracts within the city operate and how invoices should be paid or appear,” Helt said.

“When we pay PAWS (the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society) or we pay anyone else, are those detailed invoices shown on our consent agenda? No. Is the city operating under some type of conspiracy because that’s not happening? No! Let’s just get on about doing business and not get into conspiracy theories when they don’t exist.”

Hayes said if Blocker wished to pursue the matter further, he could return it to the agenda for the March 9 meeting.

At the council’s Nov. 10, 2014, meeting, Blocker proposed requiring all city invoices be approved by the City Council. After Helt called the proposal “ridiculous,” Blocker moved to require just Miller’s invoices be approved by the body.

That motion failed without a second.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Councilman calls for termination of city attorney's contract (VIDEO)