Candidates Forum

As a public service to the community, The Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola, Inc., (H’COLA), will be holding a candidates’ forum for all countywide offices on Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. at the Franklin Square recreation center on Sixth Street in Apalachicola. Candidates for Supervisor of Elections, Superintendent, and Sheriff will be on hand to present their positions and to respond to questions from the audience.

All concerned citizens from throughout the county are encouraged to attend; this is an excellent opportunity to meet the candidate’s and ask them questions concerning the issues most important to you.

For more information, contact Tami Ray-Hutchinson via email: tamirh@fairpoint.net or tel: (850) 653-7515.

Saddened by the Loss

I was saddened to learn of the news this past Monday that 22-year old Brett Millender had passed. I have known Brett’s father Randy, since playing football against him during our high school years and Brett from when I coached little league baseball.

Brett loved the sport and played catcher, the hardest position on the field. I remember one summer when Brett and my youngest son Randall played together on a traveling team out of Wewahitchka and once on a county all-star team. I remember how respectful he was, always answering, yes sir, or no sir when asked a question. I remember that for such a young age he had a very keen knowledge of the game of baseball.

I guess what I remember about him the most, is that he was a good kid, and I am sure that his passing has left the entire community saddened. My prayers go out to his mom and dad during their hour of grief.

Millage Rate Tentatively Set

At the special board meeting held today to tentative adopt a millage rate for fiscal year 2008/09; the City Commission set the rate at 6.125 mils up by .345 from last year’s rate of 5.78 mils.

Prior to legislation intended to give property tax relief, a taxing authority could impose up to the maximum rate of 10 mils. However, with the passage of Amendment 1, voters gave the State the authority to set the maximum millage rate that a city or county could levy. The rate can always be lowered but not increased. The State has set the City of Apalachicola maximum rate at 6.125 mils; the City Commissioners met today and voted to tentative accept that rate.

In addition, due to the sharp decline in the taxable value of property, the City of Apalachicola will actually see a $17,945,295, decrease in the overall value, down from $227,675,057 to $209,729,762 or about 8 percent.

As a result, should the city decide to adopt the tentative rate of 6.125 as the final rate, this would result in a small tax reduction of only $31,367. On the other hand, should we keep the prior rate of 5.78; this would reduce the overall tax burden on the citizens of this city by $103,724.

However, to deliver meaningful tax cuts, City Commissioners are going to have to reduce the millage rate below the prior year’s rate. This measure may necessitate cuts in personnel and some city services. One mil in the City of Apalachicola only generates about $209,732 in taxable revenue. A full mil reduction in the current 5.78 rate to 4.78 mils would give the citizens of this city an overall property tax cut of $313,454.

Prior Year Property Values - $227,675,057

Millage Rate – 5.78

Tax Proceeds - $1,315,962

Current Year Property Values – $209,729,762

Millage Rate – 6.125

Tax Proceeds - $1,284,595

Reduction - $31,367

Millage Rate – 5.78

Tax Proceeds - $1,212,238

Reduction - $103,724

Millage Rate - 4.78 mils

Tax Proceeds - $1,002,508

Reduction - $313,454

Scheduled to meet on August 4, to review the city’s budget is the newly appointed Citizen Budget Committee; their meeting is set prior to the City Commission budget workshops scheduled for August 12 and 26. As always, the public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Special Meeting: July 28, 2008

The City of Apalachicola has scheduled a special meeting for 12 Noon at City Hall on Monday, July 28, 2008, to discuss and set the millage rate for Fiscal Year 2008/09. The millage rate, also known as the property tax rate, is a figure applied to the value of your property to calculate your property tax liability. The current rate is 5.78 mils.

This is the first step in the process of developing our annual operating budget and the public is welcome to attend and voice your opinions.

Click HERE to review the City’s 2007/08 Fiscal Year budget.

A Bright and Rising Star

The Mayor’s Blog would like to applaud the accomplishments of Roderick Robinson, Jr., a resident of the City of Apalachicola and a 2003, honor graduate of Apalachicola High School.

During his high school years, Roderick served in several capacities, which included having the honor of serving as the 2003, President of the Student Government Association (SGA), a member on the Student Advisory Council (SAC) and the Franklin County Representative on the Students Working against Tobacco (SWAT) State Board of Representatives. After high school, he attended and graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the first participating class of Bethune-Cookman University.

While in college, Roderick served as Chaplain of the Religious Life Fellowship and a member of the Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP). He began his ministry at the young age of twenty-one and is now serving as the youth minister at New Life Church here in Apalachicola. He will resume his studies this fall at Liberty University where he will study to obtain a Masters in Theology. For now, Roderick has joined the faculty of the new Franklin County Consolidated High School where he will teach Business Education.

Roderick Robinson, Jr., son of Brenda Ash, grandson of Ms. Orean Ash, and a product of the Franklin County Public School System, is indeed one of Apalachicola’s bright and rising-stars.

Mayor’s Chat and Chew

This Thursday, July 24, join with me for a “Chat and Chew” session at Georgio Trattoria the new Italian restaurant located at 17 Avenue E in Historic Downtown Apalachicola. The wife and I will arrive at 8 PM and hold the session until 10 PM, we invite the community to stop by and visit about anything concerning Apalachicola. This is an effort by me to be accessible to everyone and this is one informal, convenient way to accomplish that purpose. Gail and I are looking forward to seeing you there!

Georgio Trattoria

P & Z Report: July 21, 2008

On July 21, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a special meeting to conduct three public hearings on requests for zoning changes and special exceptions. The following is a summary report of the three main action items that were on the agenda.

The first agenda item was a request for a special exception to permit a pre-school on 21st Avenue, in the Greater Apalachicola area. After polling surrounding property owners and hearing no objections, the P & Z voted to grant the special use with the condition that the school builds a privacy fence around the building.

The second item was a request made by John Croom for a special exception to permit a package store in the North Side Historic commercial district at the corner of 8th Street and Avenue I. In compliance with the Land Development Code, P & Z members determined they did not have the authority to grant the special exception and voted to deny the request.

The final request before P & Z was to rezone two lots 3 and 8 in Block 23, which is next door to the Coombs House Inn from Residential – 1 (R1) to Office Residential (OR). P & Z members discovered that the owner was not proposing to use the property; but wanted to increase the value of the property for sale. The Planning and Zoning Board made a recommendation to the City Commission to deny the request.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is not empowered to finalize action on zoning matters; the P & Z conducts the first public hearing on requests before sending a recommendation to the City Commission for final approval. Their report will now come before the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners at our August 5, meeting for confirmation.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission is August 14, 2008, at 6 PM.

Package Store in Historic North Side

Dear Mayor:

I too am deeply concerned about the opening of a package store/bar/restaurant that is being proposed on the corner of 8th and Ave I. I do not think that this would be a positive step for our north side community. I have lived in the north side for over 4 years now, full time, and I am concerned about loitering and crime in our neighborhood. I wish that the property owner would greatly re-consider and think of another option for his C2 lot. A residential neighborhood in which the citizens have worked so hard to restore historic homes is not the area to put up a package store/bar, particularly one that may not adhere to historic guidelines.

Thank you,

Erin Rodriguez

Posted by local contractor Erin Rodriguez.

Golf Cart Safety

It has been reported to me that an increased number of children are unsafely operating golf carts throughout the city, with some appearing to be under the age of sixteen, the legal age to operate a golf cart in Apalachicola.

I realize that as the price of gasoline continue to soar; golf carts have become the preferred method of transportation for many. However, with the privilege to operate a golf cart comes with it a responsibility to ensure there safe operation and compliance with state and local law. To avert a serious injury or fatality, I have instructed the Chief of Police to address this growing concern.

Please click the link below to review the requirements to operate a golf cart within the city limits of Apalachicola.

City Ordinance 2005-01

Please Let the Mayor Know

Located at my Online Office is a Public Opinion Poll, the purpose of the poll is to give you the opportunity to share with me your opinions and to let me know that you are concerned about matters under consideration by the Apalachicola City Commission.

Especially matters that pertain to or have the potentiality of affecting the community and your quality of life, there will appear monthly a new poll, with the result of the prior month’s poll on display. Please, visit often to stay informed and involved.

Potential North Side Liquor Store

Dear Mr. Mayor,

As property owners on the north side of town, we opposed the location of a fire station at 8th and F Street because we considered it incompatible with the historic character of the neighborhood. We applauded your opposition to that plan.

We are equally distressed about the plans to construct a restaurant with a bar and liquor store on Avenue I and 8th Street because it, too, is incompatible with a historical and family district. We have not opposed other restaurants in the neighborhood, even where alcohol is served, if the alcohol is only incidental to the eating establishment. But a liquor store directly in the heart of the area sends the wrong message about what the city wants the north side to stand for. Crime and violence would follow it and the improvements in the area in the past decade would be reversed. We urge you to oppose this development as it currently stands.

Neil and Karen Jumonville

120 Humphries Street

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK: Neil Jumonville is a Professor and Chair of the Department of History at Florida State University.

My Virtual Library

Located within my Online Office is my Virtual Library, the library contains a growing compilation of newspaper articles, past campaign material, audio and video clips, public speeches, policy initiatives, press releases, and a host of other documentary information about my life and career as an Elected Municipal Official and a County Department Head. Please feel free to research and gain a greater knowledge of the man you elected to head this Historic City, Apalachicola, Florida.

A Vision Coming to Past

Attached below you will find digital copies of a public speech I gave on June 25, 1998, and a newspaper article dated for June 30, of that same year. I gave the speech while a first year City Commissioner and as part of a program organized by a group of young mothers to raise funds to purchase playground equipment to place in one of our local parks. The article is the news coverage of that event.

While doing research at my Virtual Library, I read the speech anew and realized that the vision I spoke of during that event is slowly coming into fruition. I spoke of local government collaborating with and empowering individuals and groups within the community to assist with bringing about a desired change. I spoke about my vision for the future . . . anyway; you can read all about it by clicking the links below.

My Speech

Newspaper Article

Boyd to Host ACF River Forum

Congressman Allen Boyd has scheduled a Congressional Forum in Chattahoochee on July 21, to discuss the impact the southeastern drought and low freshwater flows are having on the ACF River System.

Invited to participate in the forum are representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida’s stakeholders, local business owners, local oystermen, and experts on the ACF River System.

Maybe during this forum the Florida stakeholders will seize the opportunity to urge Congressman Boyd to use his influences to insist upon the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers compliance with the U.S. District Court of Appeals February 5, 2008, ruling.

Afterward, should the ACOE continue to disregard the Courts ruling then the stakeholders should join to create an ACF River System Legal Defense Fund to fight for the preservation of our Apalachicola Bay and River System.

If we are not willing to stand and fight to protect our own way-of-life, then how can we honestly expect someone else to do so?

Click HERE to review the U.S. District Court of Appeals Ruling.

Concerning the Northside

Today, I received the attached message via email from Mr. Steve Lykins out of Duluth, GA. Mr. Lykins is a Development Inspector for the City of Duluth and he owns property here in the City of Apalachicola. As a property owner, Mr. Lykins is concerned with blighted conditions that exist in some areas of the City.

From Mr. Steve Lykins

P & Z Report: July 14, 2008

At their July 14, meeting the Planning and Zoning Commission had to cancel two public hearings on special exceptions one for a Package Store within the North Side Commercial District and the other for a Pre-School on 21st Avenue. Staff reported, that the local paper messed up with running the public notices.

In addition, planning and zoning members passed a motion that changed the procedure required when notices are placed in the paper.

In the future all Public Notices placed in the paper shall include the street address and legal description of the property in question. Staff will send letters to property owners within 500 feet of the development site, as opposed to sending them only to adjacent property owners. Also, the posting of signs is now a requirement at properties whose owners are requesting the zoning change.

We need a Growth Plan

Early in my administration, I solicited the assistance of the FSU Department of Urban and Regional Planning to conduct a citizen driven strategic Visioning Process for the City of Apalachicola. My goal for Visioning was to create an approach that would have encouraged smart growth and economic development on the Riverfront, in the area that was traditionally the African-American community’s business district, and in Historic Downtown Apalachicola, growth that would have not changed the character of the community, but would have enhanced the quality of life for all residents of the city.

At my invitation, members from the FSU Planning Department made two presentations before the Apalachicola City Council outlining a proposal that would have moved this process forward. The City Commission has yet to move on the proposal or come up with an alternative plan. Furthermore, had the Board approved the FSU proposal, we would have had a mechanism in place by now to direct smart compatible growth throughout the community.

Without a definitive plan for growth, developers are and will continue to request that city officials grant special exceptions to the building codes.

We want and need growth and the benefits that growth offers, but first and foremost we need a sensible Growth Management Plan to direct that growth.

Footage from TSS Dedication

Photos of the Mayor at this event can be viewed by clicking HERE

TSS Dedication Ceremony

Today at 10:30 AM, the Three Service Statue South, Inc. will kick off their dedication and unveiling of the long awaited monument at Veterans Memorial Plaza on Market Street. As Mayor I will attend, however, I will not be speaking at the ceremony this morning, if I were, I would have spoken about the following:

I would have told those gathered of how they stood in the shadows of history and how blessed they were to be eyewitnesses to this historic event. I would have explained to them, that when the writers of history write about the City of Apalachicola, they would classify this day as a new beginning or describe it as the most defining moment in the annals of Apalachicola.

I would have made certain to mention, that this is the only replica of its kind, outside Washington, D.C., and how privilege we are to have this sculpture rest in the cradle of this small coastal community.

I would have expressed upon the crowd how the mere presence of this stirring memorial will serve as an everlasting reminder of how the seafaring men from this area hung their nets up to join the struggle to keep this country the land of the free and the home of the brave.

I guess, I would have said all of that or perhaps I would have just said, Good Morning, welcome . . . and thanks for coming.

Citizens Express Concerns

Today, I received the following email messages from two citizens expressing their concerns over a zoning matter schedule to come before the Planning & Zoning Commission at their July 14, 2008, meeting. The concern is over a special exception permit to construct a Package Store within the North side (the Hill) commercial district.

From Mr. Gary Ziegler

From Mrs. Molly Hocking

City Purchase Old Family Dollar

The city of Apalachicola has added to its property inventory with the purchase of the old Family Dollar Store located at the corner of Avenue E and 10th Street. The building will now be adapted to become the new home of our Fire and Police Departments and serve as an Emergency Operations Center during storm events.

The City utilized a Grant/Loan totaling $500,000, to purchase the building, the grant was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and the loan through Gulf State Community Bank. The building was appraised at $522,000.

Main Street Program

City Officials and Staff are collaborating with local downtown merchants to achieve national accreditation as a Main Street Program. Throughout the nation, communities are using the Main Street approach to revitalize their traditional commercial districts. The objective of accreditation is to help garner the necessary attention that will attract new businesses and more visitors to the downtown area.

Main Street Programs work well when combined with Community Redevelopment and Historic Preservation to restore prosperity and vitality to downtown areas and commercial districts.

City Apply for Senior Citizen Grant

For the second time and less than a year, the City Commission approved an application to the Department of Elder Affairs for a 1.2 million-capital outlay grant to preserve and adapt the historic Holy Family Catholic School on 7th Street into a Culture/Social Service Center for Senior Citizens and other community usage.

At our July 8, regular meeting, the Commission agreed to allow staff to resubmit the grant application for reconsideration by the State.

Board Appoints Budget Committee

During our July 8, regular meeting, upon my recommendation the City Commission unanimously approved the appointment of a Budget Committee.

As reported by the Property Appraisal’s Office projected for next year the City of Apalachicola will experience a 10.6 percent decline in the taxable value of property. This reduction is due in part to a sluggish real estate market and to legislation passed by voters aimed at reforming Florida’s property tax codes.

As we prepare for tough economic times ahead, we must adopt ways and means that ensure an open and transparent budget process and make certain that spending levels reflect current fiscal conditions.

The creation of the five member Budget Committee includes Frank Cook, Finance Commissioner. The appointees all have strong backgrounds in finance and business. Two appointees will serve on the Committee for a two-year term and two for a four-year term. The committee will activate and serve during the annual development of the City’s budget. The Budget Committee’s role in this process will be to help assure that the City’s budget and fiscal practices are in harmony with each other and with current economic conditions.

Specifically, the Budget Committee will review last year’s budget to actual income and expenses in all departments including grants and engineering services. They will also review the limitations on revenue that have been established by the legislature and determine the net effect this will have on the City’s revenues and review staff’s recommendation for a 2008-09 budget.

Lastly, the Committee will make recommendations to the city commission for a budget using the principle of “zero based budgeting” as a guide and make, any additional recommendations the committee thinks would improve the overall fiscal operation of the city.

Commission Recognize Police Officer

At our July 8, regular scheduled meeting the City Council awarded Police Officer Anthony Croom, Jr., with a Valor award for his reported heroic actions on June 21, 2008. At that meeting, I read aloud an anonymous e-mail message received via the Apalachicola Police Department Crime Tip website. The author of the message praised Officer Croom for saving the lives of two families whose homes located at 115 7th Street had caught fire during a lighting storm. The anonymous author stated in part that Officer Croom was the first to arrive on scene and placed his life in danger to ensure the safety of the families who were inside their duplex home asleep while the structure were engulfed with smoke and flames.

As Mayor, I was not surprised by Anthony’s actions, he has always proved to be one of Apalachicola’s finest officers, and the citizens of this community owe him a debt of gratitude, I am very proud to have him as a member of our Police Force.

Anonymous Email Message

Newspaper Article

Letter to Army Corps of Engineers

Attached, is a copy of the letter I forwarded to Brigadier General Joseph Schroedel and Mr. Wayne Fuller, both with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The letter was prompted following a breakfast meeting at the Gibson Inn with representatives from the Crop concerning the reduction of freshwater flow into the ACF River System.

Letter to the ACOE

To the African-American Community

The City of Apalachicola is committed to encouraging new investments and fresh opportunities for commerce through the economic redevelopment of the area that was traditional known as the African-American community’s business district.

To accomplish this goal, your city leadership will use the newly reactivated Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Tax Increment Financing to fund needed infrastructure improvements in the area. This method will enable your local government to make improvements in the district as an incentive to attract private investments that would not otherwise occur.

Apalachicola’s Best Days Are Ahead

As you can sense, there is excitement in the air and an awareness that the city is on the move.

During my campaign for Mayor, I promised that there would be no wasted opportunities in my administration and with the right leadership, we could work together to make Apalachicola a strong and vibrant place to live.

Well, it has been almost a year since the election and it gives me immense pleasure to report that the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners, staff, appointed boards, and citizens have worked diligently to enhance the quality of life of all our residents.

I am encouraged that during the past nine-months we have undertaken and completed several major projects and are on target to finishing several more.

The list of completed projects includes a new playing surface at the Fourteen Street Tennis Court, the installation of ball field lighting at the Sylvester Williams Baseball Park. Repaired lighting at the Franklin Square basketball court and the realignment of the intersection of Highway 98 and Prado Street.

Projects that are in progress are the much-anticipated repairs to Battery and Lafayette Park Fishing Piers, the renovation of the Battery Park Marina and the placement of the Three Servicemen Statue at Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Scheduled projects include the transformation of the old Family Dollar Store into a home for our Police and Fire departments, repairs to the docks and seawall at Veterans Park and the installation of the Wastewater Reclamation system. Another exciting project is the opening of the Arts and Culture Center inside the recently acquired Cotton Exchange building.

We have also taken the first step toward our visioning and planning initiative by soliciting the assistance of the University of Georgia’s Project Riverway. We have created an active Community Redevelopment Agency to bring economic and housing redevelopment into our neighborhoods and commercial districts. We have formed a Community Pride Partnership Program to address the problems associated with late night loitering, loud music emanating from passing cars and the public consumption of alcohol and we have collaborated with the downtown merchants to implement a Main Street Program.

In addition, as you may already know, the unique appeal of our community has placed Apalachicola’s Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Moreover, it has earned the city the recognition of being one of only three Florida Communities listed as a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Furthermore, the Fry-Conter House Apalachicola Museum of Art’s has, recently achieved recognition from the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation in the Field of Adaptive Use.

What a difference leadership and teamwork can make, as you can see, the city’s agenda has greatly enhanced the quality of life of all our residents. Although, we have come a long way, we still have a long way to go and we have challenges.

As we begin to lay the groundwork to meet those challenges, we must adopt policies that ensure the financial stability of the City. We have relied too long and too heavily on state grants, loans, and appropriations to survive. Within the next sixty-days, I will present to the City Commission a proposal to consider other funding sources such as exploring the possibility of annexing areas outside the city limits to expand our tax base, specifically those areas that are currently receiving city services.

Despite the challenges we face, I am very proud of where Apalachicola is and I know that our best days are ahead of us.

ACF River System Needs Freshwater

As I applaud Senator Bill Nelson and Congressman Allen Boyd for their introduction of legislation, calling for a comprehensive study of the water management needs along the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River System, at the same time, I welcome both men to the front line of the water war.

For almost a year now, as we witnessed further reductions in water flow, it appeared as if the small community of Apalachicola stood alone in the struggle to impede the Army Corp of Engineers from causing irreparable harm to the Apalachicola Bay and River System.

The justification for such a comprehensive study as announced in Senator Nelson and Congressman Boyd June 18, press release, suggests that the earlier Corps decision to reduce freshwater flow was made without the benefit of scientific data or a formula as to the amount of freshwater Apalachicola Bay needs to remain a healthy, productive Bay.

Before the Army Corps of Engineers allowed a reduction in water flow, they should have already had the data necessary to foresee the damage it could cause. This precipitous action has already caused significant damage to the reproductive strength of the bay.

Creation and funding of a study at this time is very notable. There is far too little science available to justify any action by the Corp of Engineers. However, it is quite possible that the Bay cannot survive the two years it will take to complete the scientific research. We need action now to prevent further deterioration of the essential natural resource that is made up of the Apalachicola river system and bay. I call on both Senator Nelson and Congressman Boyd, without hesitation, to follow their creation of a study with the introduction of emergency legislation that guarantees the return of historic water levels in the river system and prevent any further decisions that will reduce flow by the Corp of Engineers while the study is being completed.

The noticeable harm that continued reduction of freshwater flow is having on my community should be paramount to both congressional representatives and to every stakeholder along the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin. A comprehensive study is good, but we need freshwater and we need it now.

History, Culture & Arts

At the June 3, meeting the City Commission unanimously approved the creation of the Apalachicola Board of History, Culture, and Arts.

The Vision of this newly formed Board is to work diligently to ensure a quality visual arts program that will secondarily support the Apalachicola Museum of Art and begin a process to secure for the City the Historic Dixie Theater as a Performing Arts Center.

The arts programs will improve the quality of life for all the residents of Apalachicola, most importantly, they will provide opportunities for success that the youth of our city need. The program will also support the efforts of the Community Pride and Main Street programs.

Board members include Commissioner Val Webb, Joe Taylor, Bill and Lynn Wilson Spohrer, Ed Springer, Teresa Ann Martin, Anita Grove, Maria Marshall and Pam Mahr. The Commission placed the Board under the umbrella of the City’s Parks & Recreation Program.

Community Pride Partnership

As one of my initiatives, City Officials created the Apalachicola Community Pride Partnership Program as a means in which city officials, residents, and business owners could work together to find solutions to the common problems associated with the public consumption of alcohol, late-night loitering and loud music that surrounded existing businesses.

Because of these problems, a schism was beginning to develop between the residents and business owners. That’s when City Officials and Staff formed the Community Pride Partnership Program to bring about immediate harmony between the two groups while continuing our efforts to encourage more business development in the City.

Since its infancy, the program has gained the support of both groups and has expanded its initial scope to include providing activities for pre-teens, installing adequate street lighting, and establishing an ordinance that address-overgrown lots and dilapidated buildings.