CRESTVIEW — Some residents know which qualities they want their mayor to have. 

“I want a strong leader,” Corbin DeMonia said.

“Someone who’s going to do something for the children around here,” his friend, Chris Richards said.

They were among more than 60 attendees of the North Okaloosa Republican Club's Tuesday forum that brought candidates and constituents face to face.

Here's what the candidates — incumbent, David Cadle; business owner Landrum Edwards; City Councilman Tom Gordon; and business owner Jeremiah Hubbard — said about their positions.

MAYOR DAVID CADLE

Full- or part-time mayor: “The number of people that come by my office is really incredible. It continues to grow. It needs someone there full time.”

“I will tell you: what the mayor's position is now is not what I would call part-time.”

Public transportation: “Public transportation is a problem for cities throughout the country. Public transportation is a problem for the county.

“I still have a problem with all the subsidies coming from the government. I would like to see a way for it to pay for itself, and I think private enterprise would make public transportation more efficient.”

Sewer, water inequity: “The duality of water and sewer services is set by city ordinance. There's not much a mayor can do about city ordinance. Here's what you can do: you can come before the city and start requesting for a change.”

Downtown midday parking: “The solution is to have another downtown parking lot so you don't have to walk an extra block. The sad thing is, people don't want to walk a block.

“The city is looking again at the lot behind Desi's (Downtown Restaurant). The owner originally wanted more than appraisal value, but that may have changed.”

LANDRUM 'LANNY' EDWARDS

Full- or part-time mayor: “I support a strong mayor. Pensacola has a type of mayor who is a representative of the city.

“We cannot sit up here and tell people, ‘I'm mayor of Crestview but I can't do anything because the City Council runs the city.’ The City Council should be making policy and setting the budget, not running the city.”

Public transportation: “Fees should be regulated by the city council. We cannot keep subsidizing everything that rolls through the door. We need the people who use the transportation to help pay for it.

“We need some type of transportation better than what we've had in the last 10 years.”

Sewer, water inequity: “If you've got a garden and you're watering a garden in the backyard, the city wants to put in a separate water meter.

“But if you have a well but you don't want to pay that sewer bill, so later when their septic system clogs up, who are you going to turn to? The city of Crestview.

“Water and sewer have to be coupled. You have to pay your fair share.”

Downtown midday parking: “I brought this up about five years ago. You talk to some of the old timers there, like Mac Brooks (who owns a downtown barber shop). From approximately 11 to about 2 o'clock, you can't park in front of his business, and you can't get a haircut.

“We need to get that property (behind Desi’s) for the simple reason that you can make a loop road there, too.”

COUNCILMAN TOM GORDON

Full- or part-time mayor: “The real options are full-time, part-time, or city administrator. The full-time mayor in Pensacola, the first thing he did was hire a city administrator.”

“I'm used to working with limited resources. What we have now is a part-time mayor. I'd open the office on Friday. I'd have more online and social media information.”

Public transportation: “(A) public transportation system is very much needed. The question is by whom? The problem is, the government is inefficient. Private systems would be much more efficient and faster.

“I would suggest private sector or community partners work with government on public transportation.”

Sewer, water inequity: “Water and sewer is a matter of ordinance. I would suggest anytime you have a problem like this, you come before the city council with a question and an answer.

“I'd take your problem and your solution, and I'd take it to your councilman and get it (an ordinance change) started as soon as it can.”

Downtown midday parking: “The downtown parking at lunchtime rush is always interesting. I found if you park by city hall, you can walk a block and get where you need to go.

“If property is available and accessible, then we can look at another parking lot downtown. It's only an issue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. After that it's not an issue.”

JEREMIAH HUBBARD

Full- or part-time mayor: “I do agree Crestview needs a full-time mayor. We need a mayor there who can be continually planning for the future.

“When you have strong leaders, we have to make sure they are accountable. A strong mayor will have the opportunity to be more effective in the position than shaking hands and kissing babies.”

Public transportation: “How are we going to pay for it? If we didn't lose so many businesses, we would have the tax revenue to pay for it.”

“We're more diverse now. More people coming to our city are used to public transportation and can rely on it.”

“It's another good solution to eliminating the traffic problem.”

“Attract business to fund these programs.”

Sewer, water inequity: “It's often times when people get lumped into services, they end up paying for other services. We don't need people paying for sewer if they're not using sewer.”

Downtown midday parking: “It's 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., so we're talking about a lot of money on a handful of people who want to go downtown to eat lunch. Is that the best use of our money?

“We need to evaluate this thing long-term before we start spending money on new parking.”

—

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article included partial information about the city's sewer and water services.

If water and sewer are available for a given property, the city will charge the resident for both services; even if he or she uses a septic system, that's still the case, according to the city clerk's office. However, if sewer and water are not available for a given property, that's not the case.

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: Crestview mayoral candidates discuss public transportation, sewer and water

CRESTVIEW — Familiar concerns, including the city’s crime rate, attracting jobs with higher wages to town, and solving traffic woes, highlighted this election season’s first round of debates.

More than 75 residents attended a Monday evening mayoral candidates’ forum at Warriors Hall. Community activist Mae Retha Coleman, who organized the event, urged the audience to listen to the discussions, weigh the issues and then vote.

“I had to have this meeting because so many people have called and asked me who to vote for,” she said. “I want them to ask the candidates themselves. Then you can figure out for yourself who you're going to vote for.”

Mayor David Cadle:

Jobs: The city needs to upgrade aging infrastructure and increase vocational training for young students who aren’t college-bound to attract businesses. Support for the Bob Sikes Airport Industrial Air-Park and continuing to attract major university graduate programs are essentials.

Crime: Recent FBI reports, not meant to be used for statistical purposes, contained errors. For example, of 39 reported rapes, six were unfounded and five were outside of city jurisdiction. Crime is actually down since the 2012 police scandal. Crestview police standards now exceed state standards.

Traffic: "The TIF (tax increment financing district) may well be part of the city's future. The City Council has to determine what the financial impacts will be for the next 20 years."

Landrum “Lanny” Edwards:

Jobs: Priorities include promoting the city to businesses. “We need longtime employment. We need jobs that can be set up in the area and employ hundreds of people.”

Crime: FBI crime rates actually cover the whole Crestview area, but the rate in the city is actually down, he says. Adding jobs will lower it more. “When you improve getting people jobs, the crime rate drops.”

Traffic: Advocated completing bypasses on both the west and east sides of the city south of I-10. “The fastest thing would be to make 85 six-laned from the (Shoal River) bridge to I-10.”

Councilman Tom Gordon:

Jobs: Promoting the city as a prime place to relocate major businesses or industry should be a priority, coupled with making it easier to do business in Crestview. “If you have a hard time pulling permits, you may not want to come here.”

Crime: Gordon disputed Cadle’s assertion that the crime rate is getting lower. “I didn't talk stats; I talked numbers. Stats can be twisted, numbers can't.” He advocates “better planning, better training, better leadership” to improve the police force and increase officer pay without raising taxes.

Traffic: The P.J. Adams bypass must be a priority. “This can's been kicked down the road 20 years.” “We need more bypass roads in Crestview. We have to look at Rasberry Road. We have to look at Arena Road.”

Jeremiah Hubbard:

Jobs: People leave the Crestview area because of lack of good jobs; promoting the city to large businesses must be a priority. “We have the availability to bring industry and business in. Now is the time to be active and aggressive about going after these jobs.”

Crime: Increasing police officer pay can help the city keep good cops. “I have seen what our officers go through at the midnight hour, and I can tell you what they get paid is not enough.” Increase “community-oriented policing services.”

Traffic: Addressing road inadequacies will attract business. “Everybody gets tired of driving (State Road) 85. It tests your Christianity sometimes. …We need to look at having more four-laned highways or boulevards in Crestview.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview mayoral candidate forum focuses on crime, business and traffic

Jason O’Daniels, Crestview's new Geographic Information System mapping analyst and planning technician, says digitizing city maps, making customer service more friendly and efficient, and mapping city infrastructure are among his goals.

O'Daniels fills the shoes of former GIS mapping analyst Teresa Gaillard, who was promoted to Administrative Services director.

O’Daniels previously served as a town planner in DeFuniak Springs, which tried to entice him to stay with a salary increase. But O’Daniels’ eyes had already turned west.

“This is home," O’Daniels said. "This is where I want to be."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New city GIS mapping analyst plans innovations

NICEVILLE — The Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization will meet Thursday, Feb. 19 at the Niceville Community Center.

The TPO will meet at 3 p.m.; the Citizens' Advisory Committee and Technical Coordinating Committee will meet 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively.

Agenda items include the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council 2015 legislative policy positions; a staff services agreement with the West Florida Regional Planning Council; the interlocal agreement; and Transportation Alternatives Program prioritization criteria.

Visit www.wfrpc.org for a full agenda.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa-Walton transportation planners to meet Thursday

North Okaloosa County's municipal elections are March 10. Check out these stories and videos from our campaign coverage so you can better understand Crestview and Laurel Hill candidates' positions and make an informed decision. 

Cadle seeks third term as mayor

Crestview resident qualifies for mayoral race

Businessman, council member announces run for mayor

Hubbard prequalifies for Crestview mayor’s race

Mayor: FBI crime report 'doesn't tell the whole story'

Gordon challenges Cadle to debate crime

Crestview mayoral candidates discuss public transportation, sewer and water

Crestview mayoral candidate forum focuses on crime, business and traffic

MEET THE CANDIDATES: You asked, Laurel Hill's council candidates answered

Crestview mayoral race piques early voters’ interest

What’s at stake in Crestview's, Laurel Hill's elections

Laurel Hill council candidates discuss roads, businesses and dissolution

Six vie for three Laurel Hill council seats

Crestview attorney: Gordon violated no laws by using city logo

VIDEO:

Incumbent David Cadle: "Integrity is our most valuable commodity, and we should not squander it by kowtowing to personal relationships." 

Business owner Landrum "Lanny" Edwards: "I want to … make sure that people have plenty of jobs, plenty of time to look for jobs, and education."

City Councilman Tom Gordon: "…Crestview and its residents deserve a better place to live and work, and an opportunity for our children to grow up, get careers and stay here…"

Business owner Jeremiah Hubbard: "I have a vision that Crestview can be a model city in the state of Florida. With major transit systems already in place, we can become a leader in commerce and industry."

General: 

See E-Voter before casting ballot

LETTER: 11,083 Crestview voters 'disenfranchised'

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa Municipal Election Guide

CRESTVIEW — Two concurrent efforts could spur the return of county public transit buses to Crestview streets.

Okaloosa County Transit bus routes 11 and 12, which served the county seat, were terminated two years ago when county officials demanded that the city help fund the service.

The City Council refused to approve payment until the city received representation on the board that operated the transit service.

Now, the Board of County Commissioners is issuing what Growth Management Director Elliot Kampert called “a very robust request for proposals” for a new county transit operator.

At the same time, county and municipal officials are putting together a detailed plan for an Okaloosa County Public Transit Cooperative.

Tentative plans — which require approval from each represented community’s council — would assure equal representation by Crestview and the county’s other incorporated municipalities.

CITY INPUT

Crestview’s representative, City Clerk Betsy Roy, said the cooperative has been more than two years in the making.

Roy said the city also has representation on the committee producing the transit services request for proposals.

“We’re trying to get as much input as we can from the ground floor,” Kampert said.

City councilmen on Monday were cautiously favorable toward the agreement and search for a new transit services operator. A major concern had been poor timing and convoluted bus stop placement, they said.

“One of the reasons for the cooperative is to make the routes more friendly and useable so people will use it and make it work,” Roy said.

NO PARTICIPATION, NO VOICE

Council President Shannon Hayes said it is important that Crestview be represented on the cooperative board.

“If we become part of it, then we’ll have a voice,” Hayes said. “We need to do something about this. It’s broke and it needs to be fixed, if it’s fixable. But if we don’t agree to it (the cooperative), then we won’t be part of it.”

“We want to get major population centers to the table, and that’s Crestview, Destin and Fort Walton,” Kampert said.

Commissioners want to have the cooperative “up and running by next month, where people are sitting and talking, because it needs to happen,” he said.

At this early development stage, joining the cooperative brings no financial obligation, and any funds eventually sought by the cooperative would only come by approval from the respective municipalities’ councils, Roy said.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Inter-municipality board could return bus service to Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Businesses, individuals and government entities with ideas for spending the first “pot” of RESTORE Act funds might be able to start applying for them in March.

But the process won’t be easy, according to Okaloosa RESTORE Act Committee consultant Sal Nadjomian.

While the county is likely to receive $6.4 million from last week’s Transocean settlement from the May 2010 oil spill, the committee “has designed a system that is going to force only the best proposals to come through,” Nadjomian said during Monday's Crestview City Council meeting.

The Transocean money is separate from funds already made available to businesses that suffered losses directly as a result of the oil spill.

“At the end of the day, this money is designed to make our community better,” Nadjomian said.

MORE TO COME

The bulk of future settlement money will come from British Petroleum, which was tried under maritime law, where a single judge, not a jury, decides the outcome, Nadjomian said.

Settlement funds could range between $22.4 million and $87.6 million, depending on whether the judge finds BP “grossly negligent” in the spill or that the company did “due diligence” during the event.

“From the judge’s comments, he seems to lean toward grossly negligent,” Nadjomian said. “In that case, BP is expected to appeal,” extending the settlement several more months.

City Councilman Tom Gordon, Crestview’s committee representative, said while the city has no specific projects to seek funding for from the first pot, city officials have an idea of where the money should go.

“When I talked to (Public Works Director) Wayne Steele, anything having to do with storm water is expected to do extremely well in the application process,” Gordon said.

Nadjomian said project applications will be weighed on “qualitative” and “quantitative” scores, including economic, benefit to the general public, and environmental factors.

“Pot 1 has the widest range of allowable activities,” Nadjomian said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT:RESTORE Application Workshop

WHEN:2:30 p.m. March 4

WHERE:Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway Southeast, Fort Walton Beach

COST:No charge

NOTES:Informational session presented by ORAC on how to apply for the first pot of RESTORE Act money coming to Okaloosa County.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: $6.4 mil. RESTORE Act funds could be available soon