POLITICS

Okaloosa School Board Candidates face off in Forum, outline visions for District’s future

The two candidates vying for the District 2 seat on the Okaloosa County School Board presented their visions for the future of local education at a candidate forum Thursday, addressing issues ranging from infrastructure funding to vocational training.

• Parker Destin and David Schmidt are competing for the seat currently held by Marti Gardner, who is not seeking re-election. 

The forum, hosted by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, provided an opportunity for the candidates to differentiate themselves on key education issues facing the district.

Destin, a seventh-generation Floridian and product of Okaloosa schools (Fort Walton Beach High School), emphasized his business acumen as an asset for managing the district’s substantial budget. As the owner and operator of hospitality and restaurant businesses in Northwest Florida, Destin argued that his experience in the private sector would be valuable on the school board.

• “It’s a $550 million annual budget. That’s a half a billion with a B,” Destin said. “It makes sense to send business people up there. I’m the candidate that offers that.”

Schmidt, currently serving his second term on the Fort Walton Beach City Council, highlighted his decade of experience as the principal at the Okaloosa Academy, a dropout prevention school. He also emphasized his perspective as a parent of five children in the school system.

“I think it’s time to elect a parent,” Schmidt said, noting that if elected, he would be the only school board member with children currently in the district. “I’m also a graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School and have been finishing up my second term on the city of Fort Walton Beach Council.”

Infrastructure and Funding

Both candidates identified infrastructure as a critical challenge facing the district. Destin pointed out that while Okaloosa County schools are academically in the top 10% statewide, they rank last in infrastructure.

“We haven’t built a high school in over 50 years,” Destin said. “We need to change that.”

The candidates expressed support for the district’s half-cent sales tax for school infrastructure. Destin praised the current management of these funds, noting that 56% of the revenue comes from tourism rather than local residents.

• “It’s a fantastic gift with a bow on it,” Destin said. “I think we need to probably renew it in the future.”

Schmidt, while supportive of the tax, called for more comprehensive planning in its implementation. He advocated for a “school board approved master facilities plan” that would involve input from economic development experts, military representatives, staff, residents, families, and chambers of commerce.

“I would strongly recommend a school board approved facilities master plan before I get behind strongly supporting the sales tax referendum,” Schmidt said.

Teacher Retention and Pay

Both candidates identified teacher retention as a significant challenge for the district. Schmidt emphasized the need for policies to support teachers beyond pay increases, such as addressing student behavioral issues and providing more administrative support.

• “The reason why the retention rate is low from year one to eight is… pay is one thing, but a lot of it too is just needing more support as well as impacting the behaviors from our students,” Schmidt said.

Destin stressed the importance of addressing salary compression, where experienced teachers may be earning similar salaries to new hires due to recent increases in starting pay. He suggested working with state officials and looking for efficiencies in the budget to address this issue.

“We’re going to need to look at everything that we can cut from an efficiency standpoint within the budget, everything from litigation costs to things that really are superfluous, so that we can dump it into teacher pay,” Destin said. “But again, it’s not just pay. What you need is support.”

The candidates continued to discuss School Choice and Vouchers, Vocational Education, School Resource Officers, Commitment to the Role, and what’s ahead. Click here to continue reading.

POLITICS

Okaloosa County Commission candidates address housing challenges and development plans

Affordable housing, responsible development and infrastructure concerns were key topics as Okaloosa County Commission candidates discussed their plans to address the area’s growing housing needs during a forum Thursday.

• The event, hosted by the Greater Chamber of Fort Walton Beach and the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, featured candidates vying for seats in Districts 1, 3 and 5 in the upcoming August 20 election. 

The forum featured 7 candidates running for the three open seats: De’Carlo Garcia (District 1), Sherri Cox, Wade Merritt, Keri Pitzer, and Andrew Rencich (District 3), and Drew Palmer and Mary Anne Windes (District 5). However, incumbents Paul Mixon (District 1) and Heath Rominger (District 3) were absent from the event.

During the forum, candidates were asked varying questions related to housing and development, with not all candidates addressing the same specific issues. This format allowed for a range of topics to be covered but resulted in some candidates speaking more extensively on certain aspects of housing and development than others.

When asked about the potential development of Eglin Air Force Base’s orphan parcels, De’Carlo Garcia, running for the District 1 seat, emphasized the critical need for affordable housing while stressing the importance of responsible placement.

• “Affordable housing is a necessary thing,” Garcia said. “I believe that once we tackle this situation, we need to make sure that we are actually prepared to handle such a thing with the load, with the infrastructure that we already have no matter where it is.”

Addressing whether the county is facing a housing issue, Wade Merritt, a District 3 candidate, affirmed the existence of a housing crisis in Okaloosa County, noting it’s not just a local issue but a state and national concern as well.

“I would absolutely say that we do have a housing crisis,” Merritt said. “You see it all the time, there’s people trying to find housing. Problem is, it’s not affordable housing.”

Andrew Rencich, also running for District 3, was asked about the county’s responsibilities in addressing housing inventory and attainability. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the county and various stakeholders.

• “The county needs to ensure that it is working with all investors in the community,” Rencich said. He highlighted the potential of Eglin’s orphan parcels, stating, “Those P3’s, public-private-partnerships, that are formed on those orphan partials are going to generate not only commercial space, but also affordable housing.”

Mary Anne Windes, a District 5 candidate, was questioned about the potential benefits of the Live Local Act for Okaloosa County’s housing situation.

“The Live Local Act has to do with making grants to make things affordable so that you can be able to purchase land,” Windes explained. “They usually do it through lenders, and it has to do with down payment money. It has to do with interest rates. And it’s very good for anybody who’s lower income, who’s looking to buy a home.”

When asked about strategies to address the county’s housing needs, Sherri Cox, vying for a District 3 seat, emphasized the need to balance affordable housing development with preserving the county’s character.

“I think affordable housing is an issue,” Cox stated. “While I think affordable housing is an issue, I think also there’s a responsibility in developing affordable housing in the areas in which our culture as Okaloosa County citizens is not going to be disrupted.”

Keri Pitzer, another District 3 candidate, was asked about the role of public transportation in affordable housing development. She focused on broader infrastructure and transportation issues related to housing development, particularly in the county’s north end.

“I do think that traffic is a problem. Transportation, obviously, is a big part of the growth in the North County,” Pitzer said. She highlighted the challenges faced by military personnel, noting, “And how do we get more people on 85 South? And especially those military folks who have an hour recall and sometimes can’t make that.”

• Pitzer proposed exploring various solutions, including ride-share programs and opening up additional access routes.

Drew Palmer, running for District 5, addressed a question about managing community resistance to new housing developments.

“Obviously there is a lot of consternation about the growth that we’re experiencing here,” Palmer acknowledged. He emphasized the importance of community involvement in the growth process, stating, “We can either participate in the growth or we can resist the growth. If we resist the growth, what’s going to happen is the county’s going to end up getting sued, we’re going to lose, and we’re going to end up paying the legal bills, and then we lose our ability to be partners in that growth.”

• He stressed the inevitability of growth, noting, “Again, the word is out [that] this is a great place to be. There’s growth happening on the mission, on the bases…so we have to figure out how do we partner with those developers, how do we partner with those entities who are designing the growth, and how do we make sure that it doesn’t change the character of our communities.”

The Okaloosa County Commissioner election will take place on August 20, 2024. All county residents are eligible to vote for candidates in all three districts, regardless of their place of residence within the county. For more information on voting locations and procedures, residents can contact the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections office or visit their website.

It’s worth noting again that not all candidates present at the forum were asked the same questions about housing and development. As a result, their views on these particular issues were not captured in this portion of the event.

POLITICS

Okaloosa sheriff candidates face off in forum on key issues: Training, Opioids, Community Trust & more

The race for Okaloosa County Sheriff was underway last Thursday as the three candidates vying for the position engaged in a comprehensive forum hosted by the Greater Chamber of Fort Walton Beach and the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors.

• Incumbent Sheriff Eric Aden, seeking reelection, faced challengers Ronald Livingston and Eddie Perillo in a wide-ranging discussion that covered pressing issues facing the department and their visions for its future. 

The candidates tackled topics including recent high-profile incidents involving deputies, strategies for combating the opioid epidemic, recruitment challenges, plans for the school resource officer program, and the pressing need for a new county jail.

Addressing community concerns

In light of recent high-profile incidents involving sheriff’s deputies, candidates were asked about steps to mitigate community concerns.

Up first was Livingston, who emphasized the critical role of training. 

“I’ve been in training for almost 25 years, and out of that, I have been focused on arms training… is one of my biggest disciplines that I teach,” he said. Livingston advocated for increased use of the department’s training facility in Crestview and proposed joint training exercises with other agencies in the county.

Perillo echoed the call for enhanced training but also stressed the importance of community engagement. “Basically, better training, or more training. Accessible to the people, to hear their issues, how they feel, to make them feel safe, and know that they’re going to be protected for what, no matter who they are,” Perillo stated.

Sheriff Aden defended his department’s current training practices, asserting that they exceed state requirements. “The state requires once every four years that you review your policies, you focus on less lethal training, you do firearms training, and you do psychological and defensive tactics training. So that’s once every four years. We do that every year,” Aden said. 

• He also highlighted additional programs implemented under his leadership, including Racial Intelligence Training and Education (RITE) and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for all deputies.

Biggest challenges facing the department

When asked about the most significant challenges facing the department, candidates identified several key issues.

Sheriff Aden pointed to domestic violence as a perennial issue but emphasized the current opioid crisis as the most pressing concern. 

• “It’s coming across the border in massive amounts…killing more people in our communities,” Aden said. He highlighted a new initiative involving collaboration with the Department of Health and municipal police departments to provide rapid response and resources to overdose victims.

Perillo identified drugs and community trust as major challenges. “Probably the drugs and obviously regaining the trust within the community. I think the department has lost trust recently, or over the last couple of years, because of incidents,” Perillo stated. He advocated for increased deputy presence and specialized units to address these issues.

Livingston focused on manpower and retention issues. “I’m out here on the road every day. I run into these deputies. I talk to them. A lot of them are friends. But manpower and one of the biggest issues is at the gas pumps. I see Santa Rosa County deputies, I see Walton County deputies and they all live in Okaloosa County,” Livingston observed. He stressed the need to focus on competitive pay and career advancement opportunities to retain talent.

The candidates continued to discuss Opioid Crisis in Okaloosa, Collaboration with municipalities, Recruitment and retention, School Resource Officer program, and Addressed jail overcrowding. Click here to continue reading.

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARDWALK

The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island announces two-day Independence Day celebration

The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island is gearing up for a grand two-day Independence Day celebration, featuring live music, fireworks, and family-friendly activities on July 3 and 4, 2024.

The festivities will commence on Wednesday, July 3, with an evening of entertainment and pyrotechnics. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., visitors can enjoy live music by The Geminis.

• The highlight of the night will be a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the sky over Okaloosa Island at 9 p.m., offering an early start to the Independence Day celebrations.

On Thursday, July 4, the Boardwalk will transform into a Luau Beach Party from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event will feature Jody Lucas, known for his unique blend of Classic Southern Rock with a touch of country. Lucas will perform throughout the evening, providing a soundtrack to the Independence Day festivities.

Adding to the Fourth of July excitement, Luminary Entertainment’s Fire Dancers will present a special performance. These skilled artists will showcase their talents while dressed in patriotic costumes, promising a visually stunning display for attendees.

• In the spirit of the holiday, the Boardwalk will distribute complimentary patriotic-themed leis to all guests. The red, white, blue, and star-spangled leis will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one per person.

The Luau Beach Party will also include a variety of activities for all ages. Children can participate in a kids’ limbo contest and a “Pass the Pineapple” game. Adults won’t be left out of the fun, with their own limbo contest scheduled as part of the evening’s entertainment.

Get there early to secure the best spot and enjoy all that The Boardwalk has to offer. This family-friendly event promises to be a memorable celebration for all ages.

PUBLIC SAFETY

FDOT issues water safety guidelines for Brooks Bridge construction zone

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is reminding watercraft operators of important safety measures in the Brooks Bridge construction zone.

According to FDOT, all motorized watercraft must use the designated navigational channel when traveling through the area. The channel, shown in green in a photo provided by the department, passes under the highest point of Brooks Bridge and away from two work trestles.

“Watercraft operators should never attempt to pass near or beneath the work trestles near Brooks Bridge,” FDOT stated in a press release.

• FDOT also emphasized the need for caution and adherence to wake zone laws within the work area.

These safety measures are part of the ongoing $171-million Brooks Bridge replacement project. The project involves the construction of two new parallel bridges that will expand the current four-lane structure to six travel lanes. The existing bridge, which opened in 1966, is being replaced to increase capacity.

FDOT estimates the project will be completed in summer 2027.

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa County Traffic Advisory

In preparation for the Independence Day holiday, FDOT has announced that there will be no lane closures on major state roads from 7 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 7.

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 2, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work and construction activities:
  • U.S. 98 alternating lane closures between Ferry Road and Pier Road.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.

• Mid-Bay Bridge Rehabilitation Project – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on the Mid-Bay Bridge, Sunday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 2, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. for construction activities.

• S.R. 85 Resurfacing from north of Commerce Drive to Bill Lundy Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 85 single-lane closures for crews to place thermoplastic striping between:
  • Airport Road and Butler Road, Monday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 2, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Commerce Drive and Butler Road, Sunday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 2 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
  • Butler Road and Bill Lundy Road, Sunday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 2, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 lane closures, between Josie Road in Mary Esther and Florida Place Southeast in Fort Walton Beach, Sunday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 2 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for concrete work and milling and paving operations.

• I-10 Resurfacing from west of Yellow River to east of Shoal River – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between mile markers 50 and 58, beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 30 through 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 for paving operations.