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Good morning!
I’m sorry this is out much later than normal. It is also shorter than normal. I was up late last night watching election results…
POLITICS
Okaloosa’s 75.9% voter turnout powers decisive local election results
Okaloosa County recorded 114,643 ballots cast in Tuesday’s election, representing 75.9% of the county’s 151,054 registered voters.
In the State Representative District 4 race, Patt Maney won with 73.50% (67,643 votes) over Samuel Chang’s 26.50% (24,383 votes).
The county’s Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption program won renewal with 70.28% support (76,092 votes). The program, first adopted in 1981, provides temporary property tax exemptions to businesses that invest in facilities and create jobs paying above 110% of the county’s average wage.
Fort Walton Beach voters approved three charter amendments. The first, ending elected official compensation, passed with 53.58% (5,162 votes). The second, requiring property owner approval for special assessments, received 67.62% support (6,437 votes). The third, limiting annual budget increases to 3% or the Consumer Price Index change, passed with 60.82% (5,820 votes).
Destin voters selected five new city council members: Dewey Destin (22.98%), Kevin Schmidt (15.14%), Teresa Hebert (13.84%), Sandy Trammell (13.31%) and Rodney Braden (12.86%).
- In Destin Fire Commission races, Travis Glaze won Group 2 with 53.35% (4,759 votes) over Rick Moore’s 46.65% (4,161 votes). Tommy Green secured Group 4 with 54.22% (4,763 votes) against John Bitler’s 45.78% (4,021 votes).
Crestview voters chose Shannon Hayes as their new city council member for Group 1. Hayes received 59.26% (5,773 votes) while Frederick Jackson Butts III received 40.74% (3,969 votes).
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BUSINESS
Northwest Florida State College selects Mel Ponder as next president
Northwest Florida State College’s District Board of Trustees announced Tuesday night their selection of Commissioner Mel Ponder as the institution’s next president.
- The appointment is contingent upon approval of an employment agreement at the board’s November 19 meeting.
Ponder, who currently serves as Association Executive for the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and Okaloosa County Commissioner for District 5, was chosen following candidate forums and interviews held November 4 and 5.
His public service experience includes terms as Destin’s mayor, city councilman, and state representative, where he served as Vice Chair of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. The Florida State University graduate was previously honored as Florida College System Council of Presidents Legislator of the Year.
The selection came after a comprehensive search process that involved input from students, faculty, staff, donors, and community members through forums and surveys. Ponder emerged as the chosen candidate from a field of four finalists.
- The college thanked all finalist candidates who participated in the campus visits and interviews, including retired Brigadier General R. Gwyn Armfield, Dr. James Walter Ross, and Dr. Mark F. Strickland, Jr.
Further information about Ponder’s background and the presidential search process remains available at www.nwfsc.edu/presidential-search.
PARKS+REC
Destin City Council approves development order for new Shores at Tarpon Beach park project
The Destin City Council unanimously approved a Major Development Order Monday for the construction of the Shores at Tarpon Beach Park, advancing a significant public access project along the city’s coastline.
- The 3.08-acre development, located at 3310-3324 Scenic Highway 98, will include 49 standard parking spaces, 29 low-speed vehicle spaces, six bicycle parking spaces, four pavilions, a Little Adventures outpost, restroom facilities, and an ADA-compliant wooden boardwalk to the beach.
The project represents Phase II of a larger initiative between Okaloosa County and the City of Destin to expand public beach access. The two governmental bodies have pledged a combined $26.5 million, split equally between them, with the majority of the funding coming primarily through Tourism Development District revenue.
The development has secured all necessary approvals for traffic, stormwater management, and potable water/sanitary sewer infrastructure. The site plan maintains 73% open space, significantly exceeding the minimum requirement of 30%, and includes plans for 34 trees throughout the property.
This beachfront park project emerged from a partnership between the City of Destin, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and Trust for Public Land. The initiative follows the completion of Phase I at Crystal Beach Access, which opened in April 2021.
WEATHER
Hurricane Rafael shifts westward, lowering impacts for Okaloosa County
Latest forecasts show Hurricane Rafael tracking further south and west, reducing the likelihood of significant impacts to Okaloosa County, local emergency management officials reported Wednesday.
- Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox shared in his morning update that Rafael has strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, moving northwest at 14 mph.
“The system has a tight inner core with a relatively small eye indicating its strength and ability to further intensify,” Maddox said. “It is expected to be near major hurricane strength when making landfall in Cuba.”
The National Hurricane Center has issued hurricane warnings for western Cuba and the Isle of Youth, where residents should prepare for damaging hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge, and destructive waves. Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach the Lower and Middle Florida Keys today and tonight.
- After crossing Cuba, Rafael is expected to encounter less favorable conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. “After it emerges into the Gulf, it will be subject to dry air and high vertical wind shear which will weaken the system,” Maddox explained.
The overnight forecast update showed another shift to the south and west, moving Okaloosa County out of the area expected to experience tropical storm-force winds. Some models suggest Rafael could track even further west or move toward the southwestern Gulf rather than turning north toward Louisiana.
“The official forecast track does not yet reflect this as more model runs showing that solution would be needed to have more confidence,” Maddox said. “Either way, good news for us at the moment, and we hope these trends hold.”
Local emergency management officials will continue monitoring the system and providing updates as the situation develops.
BUSINESS
Gulfarium CARE Center gets $13,391 grant for sea turtle rescue vehicle
The Gulfarium CARE Center has strengthened its sea turtle rescue capabilities with a new utility task vehicle (UTV) funded by a $13,391.40 grant from the Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program.
- The specialized vehicle, equipped with a custom hoist, will help staff respond to distressed sea turtles, particularly those affected by hook-and-line incidents near the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier.
The upgrade comes at a crucial time, as the CARE Center has seen a significant rise in rescue calls. Staff responded to nearly 100 calls in 2023, with that number jumping to 168 calls already this year from the fishing pier alone.
Volunteers (Bob and Ralph) assisted in assembling the hoist for the UTV, which was fully funded through the Sea Turtle License Plate Grant.
The Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program, supported by proceeds from the Florida Sea Turtle License Plate sales, helps protect the state’s sea turtles and their habitats. Those interested in supporting sea turtle conservation can visit helpingseaturtles.org.
Anyone who spots a sea turtle in distress should contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).
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