Tigers Program Awards Ceremony

The Friends of the Franklin County Public Library held their fourth annual special award ceremony dinner last night June 28, before a capacity crowd inside the Eastpoint Firehouse.

The Library’s youth program staff put the ceremony together as a means to recognize local graduating high school seniors who participated in their Tigers and Kit programs.



Featured guest speakers were Majken Peterzen an accomplished artist out of Tallahassee, and Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson.

Kenny Turner and New Breed provided live musical entertainment while the guest enjoyed a multi-course dinner along with dessert.

The above graduating seniors received special achievement awards, from left to right: Ka’Trisha Williams, Patrick Jones, Andrew Gurganus, Chelsea Soderholm, Tomilee Dowden and Brianna Gordon. Not shown: Asenath Thomas, Charles Goggins and Sarah Hadsock.

The Franklin County Department of Health Tobacco Prevention Program sponsored the ceremony, with Sybil Kemper on hand to present goodies bags to the graduates.

The Library’s Tigers program is funded through a grant from the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and the Kit program is funded by a Title II grant from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

The youth program staff includes Eileen Annie-Ball, Bijan Neshat, Carol Barfield, Bonny Ball, Suzanne Creamer, Joan Matey, and Betty Prince.

Photo and video taken by Gail D. Johnson

Zumba gains popularity in Apalachicola

An innovative, intense dance-aerobic workout program called Zumba is gaining popularity as it sweeps through the historic city of Apalachicola.

About 30 participants locally and from the surrounding areas take part in the hour-long exercise workout class, from 6:30PM to 7:30PM at the Fort Coombs Armory on weeknights Tuesdays and Thursdays

Taught by certified instructor Jeanette Taylor, the high-energy dance and fitness workout program is set to the frenzied beat of salsa and other Latin music.



Class participants gyrate their hips, pump their legs, windmill their arms, dip, slide and spin, which leaves them dripping with sweat and feeling pounds lighter.

The six-week class is free to participants and sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin County Public Library Youth Program as a component of Intensive Learning Projects designed to enhance self-esteem, increase activity, and develop better living habits of participants, their families, and community members.

For more information, concerning this latest workout dance craze sweeping Apalachicola call (850) 653-2784.

Video taken by Gail D. Johnson

Dixie Belles headed to State

The Franklin County Dixie Belles all-star team captured the 2009 District II softball title in five innings of tournament play with a 17-7 win over Marianna Wednesday night at Optimist Park in Marianna, Florida.

The win earned Franklin County a trip to the Florida State Dixie Belles Tournament to be held in Brooksville, Florida on July 2.

With only a two-team bracket in the Belles division, Franklin County felled short in the first game held Monday night after being routed 16-6 by Marianna.

Facing possible elimination, Franklin County held off an aggressive Marianna team in a nail biter on Tuesday by a score of 17-15 to setup the district championship game on Wednesday.

To help fund their trip to State, the District Champs are asking for financial support from the Franklin County community.

The Belles will be asking for donations in front of the Grill Restaurant in Apalachicola tomorrow June 26, and selling water and peanuts on St. George Island Saturday, June 27. Also on Saturday, the group will be bagging for bucks at the Carrabelle IGA.

The 2009 District II Dixie Belles Softball Championship team consists of the following players and coaches:

PLAYERS: Ashley Carroll, Devon Young, Marilyn Lee, Jece Hatfield, Savannah Boone, Haleigh Ming, Christina Collins, Anne Lee, Bailey Lee, Rebecca Prickett, Ashley Moore, Meagan McClain and COACHES: Jim and Pat Mcwhinnie, Link Carroll and Barbara Mathis.

Photo provided by Coach Link Carroll

Apalach Independence Day Celebration

Organizers have finalized plans for the annual old Apalach Independence Day Parade and Ice Cream Social slated for Friday, July 3.

The parade will begin at 6:30PM at Lafayette Park where participants will gather donning red, white, and blue while riding bicycles, pulling wagons, walking and driving golf carts.

The flag waving procession will leave Lafayette Park and make its way down Avenue B to Water Street along the river to Riverfront Park, once at the park starting at 7:00PM there will be an ice cream social along with entertainment.

Added this year and starting at 7:30PM under Gorrie Bridge will be a Rubber Duck Race sponsored by the Apalachicola Rotary Club.

Well attended by both locals and visitors alike this unique Independence Day Celebration has grown in size each year since its inception.

Appreciation and thanks are due the following sponsors who have worked diligently to make this annual event possible:

The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce, Apalachicola Rotary Club, Apalachicola Seafood Grill, Avenue E, Blue Beach & Home, Wombat Sound Music, Piggy Wiggly, and Bay Media.

For more information, telephone the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce at (850) 653-9419 or send email inquiries to info@apalachicolabay.org.

Happy Father’s Day

First to my father Abe Johnson, Sr., who is no longer with us, it was through his love, nurture, understanding, and discipline that I am who I am today.

Secondly, to my brothers, uncles, high school teachers, and coaches who influenced my life and provided guidance along the way.

Lastly, to all the fathers of the world that reside under the same roof as their young sons, teaching them how to grow into responsible god-fearing men.

It is unto you all that I wish, Happy Father’s Day.

Welcome to my Hometown

Summertime is officially here. With it, scores of visitors will begin converging upon historic Apalachicola searching for that one of a kind experience uniquely found in a distinctive destination such as Apalachicola.

With the help of my grandson Darius, I’ve put together the following 75 second video welcoming you our visitors to our hometown. Thanks for visiting, stay as long as you like and please come again soon.

Recreation Center Renovations

The Franklin Square Recreation Center located on the North side of Apalachicola at the corner of 6th street and Avenue L has recently received a fresh coat of paint.

Earlier park improvements included resurfacing the tennis and basketball courts, constructing a large picnic pavilion, installing new playground equipment, drinking water fountains, a shuffleboard court and two handicapped parking areas.

The city received a $150,000 grant from the State of Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) to fund improvements to the park with the city pitching in $2,900 for the fresh coat of paint on both the exterior and interior of the building.

Built in 1963, the 46 year-old cylinder block structure, has served the Apalachicola African-American community as a center for social gatherings such as meetings, wedding receptions, dances, banquets, and recreational activities.

Over the past few years the park and building have found addition usage, both now serve as the site of the Annual African-American History Festival sponsored by H’COLA, and the city now utilizes the building to hold meetings.

When the building was constructed, E.W. Neate served as Mayor along with F.B. Mayson, R.J. Heyser, W.E. Schoelles, and Joe Taranto as city commissioners.

The new paint is slated to blend with the pending renovation of the Holy Family Catholic School adjacent to the park.

Today’s Events

*Franklin Promise will be meeting today Thursday, June 18, in Carrabelle at 12:00 noon at the Carrabelle United Methodist Church inside the Parish Hall. For more information, email Beverley Connors at bevconnors@mchsi.com.

*The Apalachicola Community Pride Partnership Program will also meet today at 6:00PM., at the Apalachicola Battery Park Community Center. For more information, email Cindi Giametta at apalachbuild@gtcom.net.

The Economic Benefits of Preservation

Hello, Mayor Van:

As you probably know, I always appreciate reading your Mayor's Blog, and your post today, on its first anniversary, about our City's unique natural charm, was especially satisfying to me. As you point out, even folks that grew up here are beginning to understand the value of what we don't have here (Wal-Mart’s, nightlife, cineplex’s, etc.). However, I am surprised at one statement you made at the end of your post:

“However, in anticipation of that day and until we begin realizing the economic benefits of preserving the natural uniqueness of the community” . . .

Please indulge me, and take the time to read the following paragraph quoting Mr. Jim Fowler, (Yes, of Mutual of Omaha Fame) that I stumbled across on the Net a year or so ago, and found surprisingly insightful. He is responding to a reporter’s questions about Four Mile Run, a watershed and creek in his boyhood home of Fallschurch, VA.:

“I'm a little different from all those conservation types. I'm looking at one of these messages for the new century: why do we need open space? I don't want to save a creek for the creek's sake, but what's in it for human beings. I don't think we're going to save anything if we go around talking about saving plants and animals only; we have to translate that into what's in it for us. You have to explain very clearly to someone working for his or her family why all this open space is important to us. I was impressed that here's a person that's interested enough in Four Mile Run to want to do something, and are interested in the same things that I had been saying. That's why I went back to Falls Church when he contacted me. I consider myself a spokesperson for the natural world. That's really the challenge of this century, to develop spokespeople. Eventually we have to tie the saving of the natural world to our own public welfare. Almost all these hotspots around the world, most have been destroyed to the point where there is no wildlife and very little of the natural world left. How we treat the earth effects our social welfare and our national security. There is no country in the world that's more devastated from natural resources than Afghanistan. They're able to survive with goats and sheep, but they've pretty much destroyed everything else. That's true of all the other places where there's been tremendous social tragedy. Haiti looks like a bomb hit it. Somali is turning into a desert. Rwanda, you can hardly find a place to plant a potato, it's so crowded. It is tied very directly to our social welfare. The quicker we humans learn that saving open space and wildlife is critical to our welfare and quality of life, maybe we'll start thinking of doing something about it. That film really has the potential to bring it more home locally why it is important.”

The most powerful argument of all for saving open space is economics; in most states, tourism is the number two industry. And nature tourism is right up near the top. Preserving a river or a creek can bring a lot of revenue. The other thing is quality of life; if you have a place where you can go and have a picnic with your family, it doesn't matter if it's a recession or not, you can include that in your quality of life. [Bold print is mine]

“When all that's gone, like in Eastern Europe, you can't find a place to have a picnic or have the love of nature in your heart. That's why Four Mile Run and other creeks like it are so incredibly important; it's part of quality of life.” --------

Jim Fowler 10/09/01 Interview with Jeff Bagato
The Washington City Paper

That was back in 2001, and with the help of sophisticated bioengineering, and lots of money, Four Mile Run has been preserved, and is an ongoing center of outdoor recreation for the Fallschurch Area. Where does the money come from in times like this? Has it paid the community back yet? The answer to those questions, I do not know. But I do know that the best practice is to not allow the overdevelopment and destruction of the watershed to begin with, since remediation is always very costly.

I am thinking about St. George Island. We know the consequences of too much development, especially on septic tanks, but we can't seem to muster the political will to say "no".

In contrary to your assertion today, it is my view, that in the City of Apalachicola, we are already reaping the benefits, tangible and non-tangible, of not having over developed the waterfront YET; as noted in your quoted comments of visitors, and the Chamber of Commerce's reports that we have not, in terms of bed tax, seen a slump in visitors. We wish they would spend more, yes; but in these times, visitor and residents alike, yearn more than ever, for the simple, natural beauty of the River and Bay, which is what Apalachicola has always represented. I had an opportunity to visit Panama City Beach in late March and April in the height of Spring Break Season, and I can tell you that the most prevalent sign in front of establishments stated "YES, WE ARE OPEN", because the overall appearance there was like that of a ghost town. Similarly, many, many, beachfront addresses on the Cape that I canvassed for the Census in April, had obviously not been rented since November, as evidenced by the dry-rotted telephone directories lying neglected at the front entryways.

I believe our goal in Apalachicola should not be a fast recovery to the "Boom" levels seen in 1995 through 2004, but a slow and steady rise in year-round quality of living and opportunity for all of our citizens, not just property owners. People who own property here and mostly live elsewhere while it stands vacant, pay large tax bills, yes; but they do not significantly contribute to the fabric of the community, and overall, do not contribute to the local economy to the same extent as their neighbors who are full-time residents. Perhaps we can broaden our appeal to not just vacation visitors, but to environmental educational retreats (the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab and the Buffer Preserve and in Gulf County get an amazing amount of use by out-of-area visitors), and recreational rehabilitation (nationally, we are going to be seeing a wave of YOUNG Vets with disabilities that will be looking for outdoor recreational challenges that address their needs), and there may more skilled job creation in those areas. Better paying jobs may lead to more year-round residents. I also feel that despite our current budget crunch, your intelligent leadership, along with your staff, is getting us there. If we step cautiously, protecting our natural resources, I believe we can find ways to capitalize even more specifically on our God-given natural assets, and preserve them.

In addition, as the 2009 Hurricane season begins, I would be remiss not to point out something that I learned from an April 2009 Florida Forever Report titled the Economic Benefits of Land Conservation: Florida’s coastal resources were estimated to provide, on average, more than $11 billion a year in storm protection services. Coastal wetlands can reduce the damaging effects of hurricanes on coastal communities by functioning as valuable, self-maintaining ‘‘horizontal levees’’ for storm protection. They also provide a host of other ecosystem services that “vertical levees” (i.e., engineered structures) do not. Their conservation and restoration are extremely cost-effective strategies that have enormous economic benefits for society.

Considering Apalachicola's vulnerable location, this would certainly have to be considered as one of our not-so-intangible benefits. I have attached the PDF of the report, if you are interested. It is not too lengthy.

Thank you, as always, for your sincere and unselfish service. Let's have a chat 'n' chew sometime soon. I have a couple of ideas to feel you out about.

Best regards to you and Gail,
Robin

We’ve been flocked!

The organizers of the Apalachicola City Square Community Garden have embarked upon what appears to be a very effective fundraising tool.

While Gail and I were returning home before day light Saturday morning June 13 around 3:30AM from visiting our youngest daughter Ashley in Chipley.

As usual, Gail was driving, as I hate driving at night can’t hardly see the road anymore… anyway, as we approached our home we noticed a large flock of Pink Flamingos wandering freely through the front yard of our home.

Clueless as to how the birds got there and somewhat apprehensive about exiting the truck, we eventually noticed and lifted a note from the neck of one of the birds that was grazing nearest the entrance to our home.

The note read in part, “Congratulations You’ve Been Flocked” and then listed a contact number for information on what to do next.

The only thing that kept me from dialing the number right away was that I recognized the number as belonging to friends of ours and felt that my inquiries could definitely wait until a more reasonable hour.

Around 9:00AM later that morning, I learned from calling the number and talking with Karla Ambos, Chairperson of the Community Garden that the flamingos were an effort to raise funds to support and promote activities of the garden group.

Here’s how it all works:

Someone pays to have a yard planted or flocked with plastic Pink Flamingos when the homeowner is absent or late at night. In our case, Gail and I were flocked between the hours of 10:30PM Friday night June 12 and 3:30AM Saturday morning June 13.

The person flocked then has to donate $15 to have the birds removed and/or another $15 for insurance to guarantee that they aren’t the victim of another flocking for at least the next six-months. Subsequently the person flocked gets to choose the next person to be flocked.

This method of fundraising has proved to be extremely effective and has really taken off throughout the country.

For more information on how to participate, email Karla Ambos at dambos@mchsi.com.

Today's Events

*Today marks the beginning of the City of Apalachicola’s Project Impact Summer Camp Program. The program will be held on each Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00AM to 4:30PM at the campuses of the old Apalachicola High School, Franklin County Consolidated School, and the ABC School. For more information, contact Faye Johnson, Project Impact Director at (850) 323-0231.

*The Apalachicola Police Department has scheduled another Neighborhood Watch organizational meeting for today at 6:00PM at the 6th Street Recreation Center. For more information, contact Apalachicola Police Chief Bobby Varnes at (850) 370-6050.

Today is Flag Day

Two-hundred and thirty-two years ago on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress adopted by resolution the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States of America.

However, one hundred and thirty-nine years went by before Woodrow Wilson the 28th President of the United States issued a proclamation in 1916, declaring June 14 as Flag Day.

Later in 1949, through an Act of Congress, National Flag Day was established.

Although not a nationally observed U.S. holiday, through the years most Americans have traditionally flown Old Glory on June 14 and during the duration of that week.

To continue this patriotic practice, I urge each resident and business owner within the City of Apalachicola to display the Stars and Stripes along with the City Flag if you have one, in observance of Flag Day.

If only we could see it

Have you ever wondered how others see Apalachicola and the people who live here? If you are like some, you probably never consider the question.

However, since my election as Mayor, there have been several instances where visitors have expressed their feeling to me regarding both our fair city and its residents.

One most recent occasion, was when City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb and I met with Ms. Evelin Ramirez, Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau.

Ms. Ramirez resides in Tallahassee but her job with the Census Bureau requires her to make frequent trips to Apalachicola. To hear her express her love for the city, its cuisine, cultural diversity, and historic ambience make one wonder whether she see Apalachicola the same as everyone else.

I can recall another point in time when I was convalescing in a Panama City healthcare facility right after undergoing emergency back surgery. When one of my caregivers, shared with me that she and her friends loved traveling to Apalachicola just to stroll the downtown area shopping for whatnots and how much they enjoyed eating local caught seafood in the restaurants.

Even the President of Sacred Heart Hospital once told me that as he enters the city from the west, he experiences a serene aura the moment he sees the palm trees that line U.S. Highway 98.

Another visitor challenged me as Mayor to keep the historic temperament of the city exactly as is.

However, the most animated description of Apalachicola was voiced by one of the Plein Air artists that visited the area from South Florida during the recent great Plein Air paint-out. The artist described how the city, especially the community garden captured her attention.

She described a garden full of life, and a jovial group of people who passed by, visited, and tended the beds of the garden. She continued by saying that as the week passed she captured on canvass the essence of the garden while she watched as it sprouted new life.

It may be hard for some to understand, but there really is a simple explanation for as to why people leave behind the big city amenities such as shopping malls, super Wal-Marts and multi-screen cineplex’s to travel hundreds of miles to Apalachicola just to hangout, fish, eat seafood and shop.

If those of us who were born and raised here looked a little closer, than we could probably see it too. However, in anticipation of that day and until we begin realizing the economic benefits of preserving the natural uniqueness of the community, then we remain at risk of losing it all.

Blog’s 1st Year Anniversary

Today one year ago on June 12, 2008, I created “The Mayor’s Blog” as a means of keeping the residents of the City of Apalachicola informed as to the daily activities of their city government.

However, since that June 12 date, the popularity of this blog has grown to receive hits from 68 other cities and 19 states within the United States alone.

In addition, the blog has received hits from seven other countries, which include the countries of India, Bulgaria, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Spain, and Slovakia plus eight different cities within those countries.

During the 12-month period from June 2008 through June 2009, I’ve posted over 230 posts covering a range of subjects from the city’s budget to community events and received over 8,000 hits.

The posts receiving the most hits was the thread concerning the Tri-State Water Wars, that thread alone has accounted for more hits from the States of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C. than any other posts thus far.

With an estimated 100 million blogs over the internet, that’s not bad for a first year blog.

Because of this, I just like to thank each of you for taking time out to visit and for being interested in what I have to say.

I trust that you’ll stick around as I continue to use this tool to keep both you and the residents of the Historic City of Apalachicola informed.

Willoughby Marks Memorial

The grounds of the Willoughby Marks Memorial received a much needed facelift thanks in part to funding the city received from the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

A beautifully designed landscaped border installed by Amanda Kollar, owner of the Garden Shop here in Apalachicola, replaced the all white short concrete pilings that surrounded the monument like a fence.

Along with other local projects that attract visitors to the area Tourist Development Council monies totaling more than $3,500 funded the project.

Willoughby Marks a local war hero lost his life in 1918 while attempting to rescue a fellow soldier during the First World War in Argonne, France.

Sometime afterward local residents erected the memorial, which sits directly in front of the Gibson Inn in honor of the slain war hero, who was also serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the time of his death.

ACF Stakeholders Update

*NOTE: Along with other stakeholders of the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, Flint River System (ACF), I received the following correspondence via electronic mail this past Wednesday, June 3, 2009, from Michael Sole, Secretary of Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

ACF Stakeholders,

I am writing to update you on our continued objections to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ management of Jim Woodruff Dam. I also want to provide you with information about discussions that Governor Crist and I had last week with Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior Ken Salazar.

On May 8, I wrote Colonel Byron Jorns, the Corps District Commander, asking him to review and correct an erroneous Corps staff reinterpretation of the Revised Interim Operations Plan (RIOP) for Jim Woodruff Dam, which extended the drought operations in the ACF Basin resulting in undue favor to upstream interests. Through this new interpretation, the Corps decided to limit composite storage in determining if drought operations should be discontinued, thereby avoiding suspension of drought operations which would require the Corps to release more water from Lake Lanier. The ongoing drought operations reduce flows faster than called for under the RIOP and deprive the Apalachicola River and Bay of modest protections which are particularly important to Florida because we are well into the riverine spawning season of listed and other species.

I again wrote Colonel Jorns on May 18 with the same request. On May 13 the Corps had acknowledged that the ACF composite conservation storage had entered Zone 2, which is the unconditional trigger for suspending drought operations. However, the Corps advised that they would not consider suspension of drought operations at that time and would reevaluate the issue on June 1.

On May 22, Colonel Jorns responded to my letters stating that the Corps’ operations are consistent with the RIOP and that it is likely that when they make their next assessment on June 1, drought operations will no longer be warranted under the conditions in the RIOP.

I called Colonel Jorns yesterday morning to confirm that the Corps had suspended drought operations after Monday’s assessment. He said that they had done so and have resumed non-drought operations under the RIOP.

On May 28, Governor Crist and I toured the Everglades with Senator Nelson and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to discuss Florida’s natural resources, including the long-term needs of the ACF river basin. In a letter to Secretary Salazar after the tour, Governor Crist requested Secretary Salazar’s assistance and attention to the important environmental issues of the ACF river basin, emphasizing the need for a long-term solution. Governor Crist urged the Department of Interior to “engage in meaningful and independent participation as the three states look to an equitable sharing of this precious resource.” The Governor also requested that the Department of Interior “conduct a comprehensive review of the cumulative downstream effects that have occurred to threatened and endangered species, as well as the environment on which they depend.”

Mike Sole, Secretary
Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Library Summer Reading Program

The Apalachicola Municipal Library will be hosting a summer reading program titled “It’s going to be a Magical Summer”, for kids just completing grades K-5. The program will run from June 23 through July 23, from 9:30AM – 10:30AM on each Tuesday and Thursday of the week.

There will be prizes, snacks, and loads of fun so come out and join the magic of trucks, tiaras, space, America, wizards, ecology and more. There will also be Grand prizes for summer reading, including backpacks full of school supplies.

The Municipal Library is located in historic Apalachicola at 74 6th Street, for more information on the summer reading program telephone (850) 653-8436.

City presented with its first flag

Dr. Tom Brocato owner of Apalachicola Physical Therapy appeared before the commission at its June 2 meeting and presented the City of Apalachicola with its first municipal flag.

A letter from my office back in January concerning local economic conditions inspired the Doctor to come to the aid of his community.

After receiving the initial go-ahead, Brocato set about to create for sell a city flag to generate revenue to help support the Apalachicola Community Pride Partnership Program.

Using resources from his physical therapy business to pay for the flags fabrication, Brocato priced the flag to sell at $30 each with the profits going toward funding community pride projects such as the Apalachicola City Square Community Garden.

The 3’ x 5’ flag has the official seal of the city centered on a white backdrop in tricolors blue, gold, and gray. The 3’ x 5’ is proportioned to display in front of homes, with a larger 4’ x 6’ presently set for production for businesses and office buildings.

During the presentment, Brocato asked for and received full board support to continue with the production and sell of the flags.

For those who would like to show community pride, now is the time to own an original City of Apalachicola flag to unfurl along with Old Glory on Flag Day, this coming June 14.

To purchase one or two, stop by the Apalachicola Physical Therapy office at 111 U.S. Highway 98, or telephone (850) 653-4545.

Photos courtesy of Pam Nobles

City to purchase McLemore property

The City of Apalachicola has taken another giant step toward preserving its historic working waterfront.

At the regular June meeting, Ellen Cunningham with the Nature Conservancy appeared before the commission and requested approval for a contract to purchase, Lots 1-20 Block K, owned by Apalachicola resident Lee McLemore.

Cunningham told commissioners that she submitted the McLemore property to the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) for funding last year and that the FCT approved the purchase as a first contingent project. She went on to say that she negotiated the deal between two appraisals and that the contract was now ready to go.

Cunningham work on behalf of the City of Apalachicola as its liaison between the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) and the prospective seller. Over the years, she has secured financial support from the FCT and negotiated the purchase of nine key parcels along Apalachicola’s historic working waterfront. Under the management plan, the parcels can only be used for public access and passive recreation.

The purchase of the McLemore property is another fine example of this process, as it’s strategically located adjacent to properties already owned by the city near the Three Servicemen Statue and the Orman House.

Project Impact Summer Program

At the June 2 city commission meeting, Faye Johnson, director of Project Impact gave commissioners an overview of the activities of the afterschool program.

Johnson told commissioners that June 3 was the last day for students at Project Impact, but that the program was gearing up for its 2009 summer schedule.

The summer program will consist of two-parts, session one will begin on June 15 and run through July 2 and session two from July 13 through July 30. Both sessions will be open to receive kids from 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Thursday.

Johnson stated that the program would have a strong arts component, both visual and performing, where the kids will put together a program akin to the Wizard of Oz. She said that, instead of the Wizard, there will be King Retsyo and instead of munchkins, there will be oysters.

Other components of the summer program will include video production, a science program, field trips, recreation activities, reading enrichment and a teen center inside the old high school that will be open after 4:30PM to give kids a place to go after Project Impact closes.

The City of Apalachicola operates Project Impact in collaboration with the Franklin County School Board. However, the city applied to the Florida Department of Education as the fiscal agent for next year’s Project Impact grant totaling $490,320 dollars.

Commission Report: June 2, 2009

Various city departments and/or individuals made the following monthly reports to the Apalachicola city commission at the regular scheduled June 2 meeting.

*Planning & Zoning Report
Planning & Zoning member Tom Daly appeared before the commission on behalf of P&Z chair Leon Bloodworth. Daly gave commissioners an overview of some of the activities currently undertaken by the zoning board, he stated that P&Z is reviewing the sign ordinance to simplify and speed up the process.

He further informed the commission that the zoning board is working with the Riverfront Park Committee to assist in working through some of the design changes recommended for the park. Daly also told commissioners that P&Z members are working on both a tree ordinance and an ordinance governing requests for temporary road closures.

*Chamber Report
Anita Grove, executive director for the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce reported that several new businesses recently joined the chamber. She reported that Dawn Ivanovo bought the Market Street Dinner, now operated as Ivanovo’s Pizzeria, and that the Garden Shop has expanding to the building adjacent to its operation.

Grove further reported that Jonathan Ramsden, owner of My Photo T has also joined the chamber. According to Grove, Ramsden is a retired Air Traffic Controller out of Atlanta and operates a mobile T-Shirt printing company where he travels to various sporting events. While at an event, Ramsden take pictures of the winning teams, and then print, and sell the T-Shirts all onsite.

She concluded her report by stating that the Small Business Administration (SBA) would release the loan application for their new loan program on June 15.

*Library Report
Apalachicola Librarian Caty Greene reported to the commission that 556 patrons visited the library during the month of May; with nearly 300 of those visitors utilized the computers.

Greene also reported that the Workforce program hired Cynthia Taylor to work at the library primary in the mornings for 20 hours per week and that the library is expecting the arrival of other Librarian’s from Texas to assist with the summer reading program.

In addition, Greene informed commissioners that the library has decided to stay at their current location, and look into the possibility of renovating and expanding that site.

*Police Department Report
In his report, Police Chief Bobby Varnes reported that during the month of May his officers received 191 calls, made seven direct arrests, served six-warrant request, investigated two traffic accidents and issued 21 traffic citations for either speeding or running a stop sign.

Local business owner Beverly Hewitt, praised the Police Department for contacting her at 3:00AM on Friday to report that her business was left unlocked, she stated the at least three officers secured the building while awaiting her arrival. “Our police department is doing a wonderful job”, commented Hewitt.

Chief Varnes then reported on the Neighborhood Watch Program, he invited the public to get involved and attend the next scheduled meeting on June 15 at 6:00PM at the 6th Street Recreation Center.

*City Administrator Report
Betty Taylor-Webb told commissioners that she has scheduled for the third time a meeting with the Revolving Loan Committee to review recent loan applications, however each time she failed to obtain a quorum. Webb stated that at the next scheduled Loan Committee meeting, that if she were unable to reach a quorum, she would recommend that the city commission act in that capacity.

In her written report, Webb wrote that the School Board was to discuss the transfer of the Apalachicola High School property to the city at their June 2 meeting and that staff would mail the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architecture services to local Architects and forward the RFQ to the media for advertising by June 5.

City gives ok to apply for EDA funds

At the June 2 regular meeting of the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners, city officials gave approval to Bruce Ballister, Economic Development Planner with the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC) to apply for a series of grants to develop the Scipio Creek Boat Basin.

Ballister will apply for $3 million dollars through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop Scipio Creek also known as the millpond into a viable facility that will retain existing seafood related jobs and create additional employment opportunities for residents of the city.

Several years ago, members of the community led by Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anita Grove and local seafood distributor Steve Rash formed a committee to look into the probability of preserving the local seafood industry through the development of the boat basin.

After which the group met regularly over a two-year period before commissioning a feasibility study sanctioned by the City of Apalachicola.

At the conclusion of the study, it was determined that the installation of a haul out lift, along with a fueling station, icehouse, a unloading dock and facilities to encourage open air markets where fishermen could sell their catch straight off the boats were all necessary to prolong the life of the struggling industry.

However, at the time city officials couldn’t afford to move the project forward until the recent discovery of possible funding through the Economic Development Administration.

At the meeting, Ballister asked the commission to enter into a contract with the ARPC to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Economic Development funding through the EDA to bring the long awaited project to fruition.

With assistance from city grant writer Cindi Giametta, the city’s match will be approximately $15,000. City administrator Betty Taylor-Webb is currently researching the city’s finances to find the funding necessary to ensure the match. Webb will report her finding to the commission within the next 30-days.

Congratulations Class of 2009

To the Franklin County School Graduating Class of 2009:

Tomorrow, as each of you take center stage to turn the pages on this all-important chapter in the book of your young lives, please be reminded that whatever you decide to do or wherever you decide to go, make each moment of the rest of your lives count.

Seize every opportunity to make someone smile, don’t be bearers of dissent, be lovers of peace, community and family.

Although this maybe the end of a chapter, it’s also a fresh new beginning, full of promises for those of you who are willing to work hard and put Christ foremost.

As you move forward in life, please know that the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners and staff are behind you and we wish you the very best.

We salute you Gene Autrey Anderson, II; Steven Babb; Miranda L. Banks; Kevin Alan Beasley; Brandi Denielle Benton; Heather Corinne Benton; Jarrod Lamont Bergstrom; Hannah Lillian Boatwright; Karah Lynette Busby; Isiah Tyrone Buzbee; Whitney Cheyenne Cruson; Quanteka Shenay Croom; Jamie Leigh Daniels; Erica LaDale Davis; Khrystal Faith Davis; Lloyd Edward Davis, Jr.; Tomilee Melissa Dowden; Bobby Wayne Garrett; Jami Leigh Giametta; Charles Andrew Goggins; Patricia Darlene Golden; Bri’Anna Shantavia Gordon; Arielle Desani Griffin; Sarah Jessica Hadsock; Bo Hardman; Kristina Pauline Hartsfield; Nicholas Alex Hewett; Brittany Nicole Hunnings; Alana Gabrielle Hutchins; Jeremy Javon James; Parrish Cates Johnson; Patrick Roy Johnson; Patrick Rashad Jones; Dakota James Klink; Brandon Erik Lashley; Jacob Austin Lee; Thomas Fred Lemieux; Shelby Ann Lipscomb; RyAnna Elise Lockely; Andre’ Lavon McQueen; Jared Michael Mock; Joellen Paige Moses; Ashley Marie Myers; Grace Marie O’Neal; Angela Rae Ochala; Kristen Nicole Parmele; Elodie Y. Ward; Tevin Jerrard Ray; Derek Lee Salyer; Antonio Anthony Sanders, Jr.; Marty Dean Shirley; Alexander Daniel Simmons; Brittney Michele Smith; Chelsea Cheyene Soderholm; Asenath Shalmanser A. Thomas; Desirée Nicole Trest; Zachary Bryce Ward; Paula Cheree Whiddon; Alexander Jerome Williams, Jr.; Ka’Trisha Ny’Shaun Williams; Richard Louis Williams; Whitley Markita Wilson; Deshaun Javarian Winfield; James Dakota Massey; Alexander Jacob Jetton; Christopher Wayne Sanders; Bradley Scott Douglas; Kenneth Andrew Gurganus and Miles Hamilton King.

Sincerely,

Van W. Johnson, Sr., Mayor

The Historic City of Apalachicola