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Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel earns second Mitchell Award for public service

Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel received the Mike Mitchell Award from the Okaloosa County Republican Club, becoming the only woman to earn this honor twice.
Vice Chairman Carolyn Ketchel, second from right, poses with the Mike Mitchell award along with past Mike Mitchell Award recipients State Representative T. Patt Maney, left, Okaloosa Tax Collector Ben Anderson, middle left, and Crestview Mayor J.B. Whitten. (Okaloosa County)

County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel has joined a select group of local leaders as a two-time recipient of the Mike Mitchell Award from the Okaloosa County Republican Club.

“I am deeply humbled to have received this honor again,” said Ketchel, who serves as the county vice chairman. “Mike Mitchell did so much for Okaloosa County in the years he served this community, and I am thankful to the Okaloosa County Republican Club for this incredible recognition.”

The award, named after the county’s first Republican commissioner who served from 1976 to 1992, recognizes Ketchel’s contributions to the community. Mitchell, known as “Mr. Republican,” was remembered for his ability to work across party lines and making public service enjoyable. He died in 2020 at age 91.

Ketchel’s achievements include spearheading the bridge-to-bridge multi-use path on Okaloosa Island, overseeing construction of a new agriculture extension services building, creating the Women Veterans Monuments, and establishing the ecumenical Lazarus Ceremony for unclaimed individuals at Beal Memorial Cemetery.

She first received the award in 2018, accepting it personally from Mitchell. Ketchel joins current Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux and School Board Chairman Lamar White as the only two-time recipients. Other honorees include State Representative T. Patt Maney, Tax Collector Ben Anderson, and Crestview Mayor J.B. Whitten.

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“Yea Don Gaetz of all people, he should go!”
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“Why the H... does anyone vote for any politician who is in favor of having the horrible disgusting private beaches? Every resident, every visitor, every tax payer MUST have a...”
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“The air force doesn't own or need the land! It isn't theirs. It was mostly Choctawhatchee National Forest. The air force tried to sell that land in the 2000's but...”
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“Those signs that you recommend have been there for years, just people annoyed them to the point that Eglin has now had to step the game up”
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“Now that Ms. Ketchel has torn down more dunes, plus paved over what was beautiful sand, golf carts can drive from one end to the other. No way to cross...”
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“It shows the beach being a part of the property. This was part of the plot plan. When the documents were shown to the attorney in depositions the Walton County...”
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“Great history lesson. The only point I'll disagree with is the multi use path... I think its a good thing. Maybe a lot of money but it may save a...”
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“This fence is a colossal waste of DoD dollars and needs to be investigated. These dollars should have been spent supporting the warfighter. The ruse that it protects environmentally sensitive...”
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“This article is obviously written by someone with 0 knowledge of the area. The erosion happening now is because " The Wall," as anyone that's been here since the 70's...”
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