POLITICS

John Mead selected as new Fort Walton Beach City Council-member

The Fort Walton Beach City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday where one item on the agenda was the selection of a new council-member to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Larry Patrick. 

• The city charter states that in the event of a vacancy, the open seat should be filled by a majority vote of the remaining council members. Prior to any appointment, nominations must be accepted over the course of at least two general meetings. 

The nominees to fill the vacancy included:

• Brandon Bishop
• Ryan Hartman
• Jason Harwell
• John Mead
• Jeff Pendleton
• Debra Riley
• Sharon Trenary

Back in August, the council unanimously approved the process of selection by way of a scoring system. Last night, each council-member ranked their top three candidates via ballot using 1 for the top ranked candidate and 3 for the third ranked candidate.

• The ballots were tallied, and the top three candidates were identified: John Mead (17 points), Debra Riley (6 points) and Ryan Hartman (6 points). 

The Council then scored a second ballot by selecting their preferred candidate only. Mead collected 5 votes and Riley collected one. 

After hearing from the public, Councilman Travis Smith made motion to appoint Mead as the new city council-member with a second by Councilman David Schmidt. The council unanimously approved the appointment. 

The council then had the option to immediately have Mead sworn in or wait until later in the meeting. Some members of the public voiced their belief that since the council still had to have their final budget and millage hearing that the swearing-in should happen after. 

• However, Council-member Gloria DeBerry made to a motion to immediately have Mead sworn in and take his seat at the dais. The vote was 5-1 with Council-member Nic Allegretto being the lone no.

Councilman John Mead will now serve roughly 16-months on the council.

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PARKS+REC

Fort Walton Beach approves next steps for Liza Jackson Boat Launch expansion plans

The City of Fort Walton Beach is advancing plans to overhaul and expand the boat launch and parking areas at Liza Jackson Park.

• Back in February, the City Council approved spending $27,900 to hire JDF Architecture to design the upgrades. The project is being done in partnership with Okaloosa County, who has earmarked $1 million towards improving waterfront access using tourism funds.

The preliminary design calls for a complete reconfiguration of the boat launch area and to expand the parking lot east to allow for more boat spaces, according to Public Works Director Daniel Payne. Currently, there are 35 boat parking spaces and 60 vehicle spaces on the west side of Liza Jackson. 

• The new design calls for 60 vehicle parking spaces, (18) 40 ft boat parking spaces and (38) 50 ft boat parking spaces.

The boat launch itself would be expanded with a new extended dock and angled staging area dock to improve traffic flow for boats launching and loading, according to the conceptual plans. Other planned improvements include new bathrooms, pavilions, and other amenities such as new playground equipment.

“It’s been discussed for a few years, and this is something that the County has included in their budget, which is a $1 million dollar allocation for waterfront improvements with the city of Fort Walton Beach,” said City Manager Jeff Peters. “This is a project led by Commissioner Trey Goodwin. I met with Commissioner Goodwin and he was very impressed with the layout and is excited about being a part of it.”

The enhancements build on repairs and upgrades done in late 2021 after portions of the boardwalk, pier and boat launch were damaged by Hurricane Sally. A new kayak launch was added at the same time.

Funding for the Liza Jackson Park improvements will come from multiple sources, including the county’s half-cent sales tax and the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency budget, Payne said.

Council-member Nic Allegretto raised concerns about the number of boat launches planned. He asked if staff had considered the possibility of adding additional boat ramps to help cut down on congestion at the park.

• Peters responded that the number of launches is still under discussion. He said that they didn’t want to say that there would be additional ramps if they didn’t get approval. Council-member Travis Smith said that adding additional ramps was the first thing he questioned when he began working on the project.

Smith, who has championed the renovation from the start, believes it will be a great improvement to what is currently there. “Once we got the design done, we floated it out to the public. I’d say that north of 85% of the feedback that we got was good,” Smith said.

He acknowledged concerns about keeping commercial activity out of the improved ramp area and even visited the City of Destin’s boat launch to see how they manage it. 

• “They have to staff it,” he said. “If I have to add a part-time guy to keep the commercial activity out of the boat ramp and keep the fights down, that may be a good summertime job for somebody.”

With a motion by Councilman Bryce Jeter and a second by Council-member Gloria DeBerry, the council authorized the city manager to execute a $139,900 task order with JDF Architecture and a $73,595 task order with MRD Associates for the final design, permitting and bidding phase of the project.

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GIVING BACK

Steve Riggs, Alexis Tibbetts to be inducted into FWBHS Hall of Fame

Two Fort Walton Beach High School (FWBHS) legends will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame during halftime at the Vikings’ home game on October 13th.

Alexis Tibbetts and Steve Riggs will become the fifth and sixth members of the exclusive Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to FWBHS and the community.

• The induction ceremony will take place at Steve Riggs Stadium. Tibbetts and Riggs will serve as honorary captains for the coin toss before the game.

Tibbetts dedicated over 45 years to the Okaloosa County School District as a teacher, counselor, administrator and superintendent. As principal of FWBHS, she led the school to become one of the top schools in the country. Because of her tireless effort and vision, Steve Riggs Stadium became the ‘Home of the Vikings’ in 2006.

Riggs graduated in the inaugural FWBHS class of 1972. He was a standout percussionist under Mr. Hebson and was the first musician to make First Chair at All-State. Riggs was selected as Mr. FWBHS in 1972 and was also a three-year member of the Viking ROTC.

He went on to become a successful businessman, having co-founded one of the top CPA firms in the country – Carr, Riggs & Ingram. He has continued to support FWBHS by being actively involved and financially supporting the Viking programs. Riggs also played an instrumental role in building the Viking Stadium, which now bears his name.

• Not to mention, all four of his children are Vikings too!

“The stadium was a game changer for this school, and the two of them had the vision for it. They put their feet on the ground and dug deep and were the people behind it all,” said FWBHS Athletic Director Holly McDaniel. “We would not have this stadium, and we probably wouldn’t have the baseball field, if it wasn’t for the two of them and the tireless effort and work that they put into it on top of the financial support.”

Before the stadium was built, Bruner Middle School football teams played their home games on the practice field at FWBHS. The FWBHS football team got on a bus and played their home games at Choctaw. 

• Additionally, FWBHS students graduated at Choctaw and the Viking band never hosted a marching contest or festival. 

Now, all of that happens at FWBHS.

“Alexis Tibbetts and I will forever be tied together for the football stadium. Without Alexis Tibbetts, there would be no football stadium on the campus of FWB. Without my efforts, our stadium would be nowhere near the quality of what we have,” said Riggs. “Having your own football stadium changes the complexion of a school and all of the activities that can be held there.”

• Riggs also built the Olympic-sized track for the track team, making FWBHS the only county high school with an 8 lane track measured in meters instead of yards.

McDaniel said Riggs and Tibbetts were “no-brainer” choices for the Hall of Fame because of their work and vision to make FWBHS a source of pride for students and the community. Tibbetts was an innovator in math and science education, while Riggs continues to support FWBHS programs both financially and by attending events.

“I continue to support the academic, athletic and music programs at FWBHS as others supported them when I was a student there,” he added. “My high school and college (UWF) provided me the education to enter the business world and have some level of success. Sharing some of that success with another generation of students is the very least I can do.”

The Vikings will honor the legacy of Tibbetts and Riggs when they are enshrined in the FWBHS Hall of Fame next month.

“A storied duo of Viking Hall of Famers will be honored this October during halftime. FWBHS is honored to recognize the work and impacts that Steve Riggs and Alexis Tibbetts have had on our campus and community,” said FWBHS Principal John Spolski. “Both Steve and Alexis embody and demonstrate our Viking ‘Valhalla’ Spirit time and time again. The FWBHS administration and staff are grateful for their commitments and contributions from both of them.”

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Authorities clear out large homeless encampment near Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach

Authorities removed a large homeless encampment near Commanche Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on Wednesday morning after receiving complaints from residents in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The widespread encampment, located on Eglin Air Force Base property, had encroached on the nearby communities of Tanglewood, Overbrook and Palm Bay. At least one registered sex offender was occupying the camp, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Because the camp was situated on federal land, Eglin security forces and U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials assisted Okaloosa deputies in removing the individuals and their belongings.

• “As our deputies work with land owners to address encampments on private property, information and guides are provided to displaced homeless individuals who desire to utilize available community resources,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Additional patrols of the area are planned, and Eglin environmental crews will spend the next few days cleaning up a significant amount of garbage and debris left behind at the campsite.

The Sheriff’s Office said its Community Resource Unit aims to connect homeless residents with housing, medical care and other services when possible.

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SCHOOL

Okaloosa School Board seeks to purchase 7.6-acre property next to Destin Elementary

The Okaloosa County School Board voted unanimously Monday to move forward on trying to acquire a 7.6-acre parcel of land adjacent to Destin Elementary School.

• The vacant property, located at 401 Beach Drive, recently went on the market – prompting interest from both the city of Destin and the school district.

“Any time land becomes available adjacent to one of our schools, I think it becomes worthy of our consideration for acquisition,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said at Monday’s workshop ahead of the board meeting.

Chambers said acquiring the additional acreage will allow for a more efficient car pickup and drop-off line at the school, help alleviate traffic congestion, and provide extra green space for students.

Controlling what is built next to the school is also a factor.

“This acquisition would allow for us, the school district, to control what is built directly next to the school,” Chambers said. “We all know that our schools, even with slowed growth, are overcapacity. So knowing that, it’s incumbent upon us to plan for future growth, as well as shorter term needs.”

• According to Chambers, the District has started the planning and design process of a K-8 school in Crestview, as well as the grades 3 through 5 school in Destin, which will be a 32 classroom addition.

“This will allow the 5th grade to come back to Destin Elementary, and this will also provide capacity at Destin Elementary, along with Destin Middle School,” added Chambers. “We’ve also been actively pursuing land in other parts of Crestview, and in the Niceville area, for potential future schools. Additionally, we have looked at the land we own for the potential use of future development, such as our land in Shalimar, as well as our land in Niceville.”

The City of Destin previously discussed partnering with the school district to jointly purchase the property. But Chambers said Monday the proposal is for the District to acquire the full 7.6-acre parcel itself.

School Board Attorney Jeff McInnis clarified in the meetings that a vote to move forward on purchasing the property would come in the form of submitting an “option-to-purchase agreement” to the seller this week. If accepted, the Board would then hold a public hearing in 30 days before taking a final vote to convert the option into a formal purchase contract.

The property is currently in Canadian bankruptcy court without an official listing price. But the seller has suggested $4 million based on previous interest, according to Destin City Attorney Kim Kopp.

• The school district has two independent appraisals and is reviewing them to determine a fair value offer.

Resident and former Destin City Council-member Parker Destin spoke at the workshop and said the move would relieve many families in the city who are excited at the prospect. 

• “It’s clear that this board and the Superintendent understand that we govern from a place of what is good for everyone,” Destin told the board. “There are dozens and dozens of families that are very excited because they know how much this is needed.”

With that, School Board Member Marti Gardner made the motion to proceed with the option-to-purchase agreement with a second by Dr. Lamar White. The board voted unanimously.

“With the Okaloosa County School District purchasing this land, we can control what happens with the property,” said Gardner. “I truly believe in green space and we can ensure that the school and students have ample green space for future generations.”

The school board’s next step will be to finalize and submit the option-to-purchase agreement to the seller. If accepted, the board will then hold a 30-day public notice period before taking final action.