TOGETHER WITH
Good morning!
As we near the end of the Destin Fishing Rodeo, here’s a look back at the rodeo in 1955.
The Destin Fishing Rodeo began in May of 1948 to bring people to Destin. The area became known as a summer tourist destination and “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”
Let’s get to the news this morning….
GIVING BACK
The Little Black Dress Party raises more than $223,000 to support local healthcare programs
The White-Wilson Community Foundation’s annual Little Black Dress Party raised over $223,000 last month to support healthcare programs in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.
- More than 450 guests attended the gala at the Grand Sandestin Hotel and Golf Resort. The event featured dinner, dancing, live and silent auctions, a premium wine raffle and an ultimate bar raffle.
Honorary chairs Dr. Patrick and Sandra Anastasio welcomed attendees and encouraged community involvement in improving healthcare access.
“We so appreciate the opportunity to come together with many influential leaders and raise funds for those in need,” said Mrs. Anastasio. “As members of the local health care community ourselves, we understand the importance of supporting health and wellness programs focused on increasing access to care, and we are truly grateful to those who made the night a success. It will have an impact on our community for long to come.”
Proceeds will benefit the foundation’s community health initiatives, which have helped provide mental health medications, breast cancer screenings and treatment, vision equipment, wellness exams, sports physicals and emergency care for victims of sexual assault.
- “We understand that many in our community lack essential and critical care,” said Teresa Halverson, Chair of the Board of Directors. “The proceeds from this event will enable us to forge partnerships that enhance access to life-changing health services for individuals who might otherwise go without.”
The White-Wilson Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on improving community health through education, collaboration and financial investment.
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POLITICS
Fort Walton Beach City Council moves forward with proposed Charter Amendments
After years of legal disputes and debates, the Fort Walton Beach City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with placing three proposed charter amendments on a future ballot for residents to decide.
- The amendments, originally submitted by a group of citizens in March 2021, aim to prohibit compensation for elected officials, limit annual budget increases, and require majority approval from property owners for special assessments.
After certification by the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, the proposals quickly became controversial.
In May 2021, the City Council hired a law firm to review the legality of the amendments. The firm’s legal memo claimed all three proposals failed to meet ballot summary requirements and that two amendments – on budget limits and special assessments – were unconstitutional.
- As a result, the Council voted 4-3 in November 2021 against putting the amendments on the ballot, prompting a lawsuit from the citizen group.
The lawsuit concluded in August 2022 with a court ruling that the amendments did not comply with technical ballot summary requirements under state law but did not address alleged constitutional issues.
At Tuesday’s meeting, City Attorney Kim Kopp advised the Council that the proposals could be re-written to be legally and technically sound.
After discussion, the Council unanimously approved a motion directing Kopp to re-draft the amendments to align with court rulings while preserving the original intent as much as possible.
Kopp indicated she will likely model revised language for the budget limitation amendment on an existing provision in the Marco Island city charter. That amendment caps annual budget increases for the city’s general fund at 3 percent plus the consumer price index increase, while exempting capital expenditures, enterprise funds, grants, emergencies and certain utility costs.
- Kopp will bring the re-written amendments back to the Council for review before placing them on a future ballot.
The petition drive began in response to the city’s now-discontinued fire assessment fee levied on property owners without a public vote. Organizers say it expanded into a broader effort to increase fiscal accountability and transparency.
- If approved by voters, the compensation amendment would prohibit Council members from receiving any salary or benefits from the city. The current city charter gives the City Manager authority over Council compensation.
- The special assessment amendment would require majority approval from affected property owners before levying any new assessments.
- The budget amendment aims to limit growth in the city’s base budget to no more than a 3% increase yearly.
The Council will revisit the issue once Kopp completes drafting revised language for the proposed amendments. Depending on timing, the proposals could potentially appear on the November 2024 general election ballot or a special election in early 2025.
A MESSAGE FROM FLEET, SMITH & FREEMAN
Top 10 title defects to watch out for in Florida
Attorney Michelle Freeman, of Fleet, Smith & Freeman in Shalimar, Florida, sheds light on 10 common title defects that can pose challenges for property buyers in the state of Florida. These defects can lead to complications during property transactions and require additional steps to resolve. The top 10 defects include:
- Unsatisfied mortgages or unreleased liens: Mortgages not properly recorded can cause problems during bank mergers or mortgage transfers.
- Outstanding liens or unknown encumbrances: Unresolved liens, such as mechanic’s liens, require locating contractors to sign necessary documents.
- Errors in prior deeds: Incorrect legal descriptions are a common error, necessitating quiet title actions to clarify ownership interests.
- Restrictive covenants: Certain associations may have restrictions on property use, which must be addressed for a clear title transfer.
- Outstanding real estate taxes: Unpaid taxes can result in the sale of the property, causing issues for the rightful owner.
- Errors in the public record: Divorce decrees may incorrectly describe property allocations, requiring cooperation from both parties to rectify.
- Illegal or “wild” deeds: Improperly transferred deeds due to errors in legal descriptions or lot numbers may require quiet title actions.
- Missing heirs: Identifying and locating heirs becomes crucial when a property owner passes away.
- Forgeries or fraudulent transfers: Elderly property owners may fall victim to fraudulent transfers, requiring extensive efforts to reclaim ownership.
- Boundary or survey disputes: Discrepancies in property boundaries or surveys need to be resolved through communication or agreements with neighbors.
Freeman emphasizes the importance of working with a law firm during closing transactions to handle these issues efficiently. For more information on title defects and assistance, readers can contact Fleet, Smith & Freeman at 850-651-4006 or visit their website at https://www.fleetsmithlaw.com.
To read the full article and explore each topic in depth, click here.
MILITARY
Crestview City Council approves Resolution supporting new military childcare facility
The Crestview City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday supporting the construction of a childcare development center (CDC) in the greater Crestview area to serve military families in the region.
- The resolution comes after the Department of the Air Force issued a notice in August that it intends to prepare an environmental impact statement assessing potential impacts of constructing one or more new CDCs north of the Eglin Test and Training Complex at Eglin Air Force Base.
According to the city, the greater Crestview area, similarly to the state of Florida as a whole, continues to experience population growth following the COVID pandemic. The city says that in the recent past, the local area has also experienced substantial population growth following the establishment and expansion of various missions on Eglin Air Force Base and surrounding installations.
The city says the population increases are impacting various public and private services offered to city residents and the surrounding area. The city says that while it and the county government have more control over managing public services, they have less control over private businesses such as childcare.
- “As the population increases, the demand for childcare also increases, and in our current growth trend, we see less and less available childcare capacity in the city and surrounding area as time goes on,” wrote Barry Henderson, Development Services Director, in the Staff report.
The city has tried to alleviate the shortage by meeting with private schools, developers and the University of West Florida’s Small Business Development Center. According to the city, having a military CDC in the area would help Department of Defense employees on waiting lists for childcare services.
“This will help those employees that are currently on the waiting list for childcare services with the DoD and will also decrease capacity-related pressures on public childcare centers,” wrote Henderson.
- Secondary benefits could include increased local job opportunities and available childcare spots for non-military families, potentially reducing traffic on Highway 85 from commuting, the city said.
The Department of the Air Force is considering four potential properties for the CDC, including one owned by the city near the Crestview Bypass and three others also near the bypass, according to Bolduc.
Additionally, Bolduc told the council that the CDC could potentially have other benefits, such as housing a Veterans Affairs facility with services like a pharmacy.
“I think it’s just important to continue to provide some tools in the toolbox for the leadership on base that the government of the city of Crestview, supports the idea of a CDC in our area,” he said.
THE WEEKENDER
A few things to do around town
October 27, 2023 – Annamaria Cammilli Trunk Show – Free – View
October 27, 2023 – Glass Art- Word Boards – $60 – View
October 27, 2023 – Friday Night Rivalry Tailgate Party – Brought to you by ERA American Real Estate – Free – View
October 27, 2023 – Girls Night Out- Leather&Pearls AND Permanent Jewelry – $65 – View
October 27, 2023 – Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Arty Kick Off Party – $75 – View
October 28, 2023 – 28th Annual Festival of the Arts – Free – View
October 28, 2023 – Florida Artist Blacksmith Association Open House – Free – View
October 28, 2023 – 5 YEAR Anniversary Celebration @ Create & JoJo’s – Free – View
October 28, 2023 – Annamaria Cammilli Trunk Show – Free – View
October 28, 2023 – Saving With Soul Pet Adoption Event – View
October 28, 2023 – Trinity UMC Boo Bash 2023 – Free – View
October 29, 2023 – Welcome to the most spectacular and largest guided Sound Meditation Chakras Journey in Destin! – $25 – View
October 31, 2023 – 8th Annual Tricks & Treasures at The Boardwalk – Free – View
October 31, 2023 – Trick or Treat Street – Free – View
MILITARY
Electric aircraft arrives at Eglin for testing with ultra-quiet flyover
A new electric aircraft arrived Thursday for testing at Eglin Air Force Base.
- The ALIA electric aircraft from BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company, made several low passes as Air Force officials gathered to witness one of the quietest aircraft flyovers ever.
The innovation arm of the Air Force called AFWERX partnered with Vermont-based BETA Technologies to bring zero-emission aviation to the military. Officials say electric aircraft provide benefits like a quiet noise profile and cost savings without dependence on fossil fuels.
“We are really excited about companies like BETA when they invent things like this,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director. “It is going to transform the way we see air travel in the world, but it is also going to transform the way we have air power in the Air Force.”
With a 50-foot wingspan, the ALIA aircraft has a 250-mile range and top speed of 138 mph. It is 90% quieter than a helicopter, according to the company. The Air Force will test its 1,000-pound payload capacity.
- The aircraft will conduct test flights at Duke Field, 10 miles north of Eglin. The base is home to the Air Force’s rotary wing test squadron, the 413th Flight Test Squadron.
AFWERX first partnered with BETA in 2019 and has since awarded the company several contracts, including for simulators and electric chargers. A new charger was installed at Duke Field this month, the first on a military base.
Maj. Riley Livermore said testing will help “write procedures and safety requirements for the Air Force” regarding electric aircraft.
The first test flight is tentatively scheduled for early November.
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