State Legislators meet tonight in Apalachicola

From left to right: Lawson, Patronis, and Bembry

The Franklin County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual public hearing tonight Nov 30 at 4:00PM inside the County Commission meeting room located in the Courthouse Annex in Apalachicola.

The state lawmakers have extended an invitation to the public and elected officials to meet with them to discuss any items of interest under state jurisdiction.

Members of the delegation include, State Senator Alfred Lawson (D), State Representative Jimmy Patronis (R), and State Representative Leonard Bembry (D).

Weekend activities usher in holiday season

Its officially, the holiday season is upon us and this past Friday, Nov 27 through Sunday, Nov 29 the historic City of Apalachicola was swirling in activities that helped ushered in the 2009 holiday season.

It all started at 4:00PM on Friday, Nov 27, when Santa arrived at Riverfronts Park via shrimp boat to the delight of the crowd, while students from Pam Nobles Dance Studio performed a skit in the streets.

Carolers slowly gaited through the sidewalks of downtown Apalachicola spreading holiday cheers, while back at the park Santa and his elves took note of children Christmas wishes.

The Mayor did the honors of throwing the switch to light up the annual Christmas tree and Tommy Ward owner of 13 Mile Oyster Company served free pastries and hot cider that his wife Patty prepared.

On Saturday, Nov 28, Santa made a return trip to Riverfronts Park to aid the Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department with a raffle fundraiser.

Raffling off items donated by Downtown Apalachicola Businesses, Fire Captain Ginger Creamer flanked by members of the fire department called out the pre-purchased raffle numbers as the winners eagerly took possession of their prizes.

Both the Downtown Businesses and the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce sponsored the three-hour long event.

On Sunday, Nov 29 under a beautiful and sunny Apalachicola sky, combined with the ambiance of Riverfronts Park Big Bend Hospice conducted their 2009 Service of Remembrance to close out a full weekend of holiday festivities in Historic Apalachicola.

The service began at 3:00PM with the opening prayer delivered by Big Bend Hospice Chaplain the Reverend Karen Pellett who also conducted the Ceremony of Shells and spoke words of hope to those in attendance.

Each year Big Bend Hospice local Franklin County Advisory Council coordinates the annual service to reflect back upon those love ones who are no longer with us and to give families solace to move ahead.

The non-denominational service created in an environment that welcomed everyone regardless of individual faith or beliefs and consisted of readings, music, and a shell ceremony to honor lost loved ones.

Following the service was an informal reception where those in attendance had an opportunity to mingle with each other, hospice staff, volunteers, and with family members who have suffered a lost.

Members of the Franklin County Advisory Council include, Karla Ambos, Judy Cook, Donnie Gay, Sandi Hengle, Beverly Hewitt, Pam Mahr, A.J. Smith, Sandra Smith and Joe and Jeanette Taylor.

Al in all it was a wonderful holiday weekend in historic Apalachicola and a great time of year.

Photos by Gail D. Johnson

Happy Thanksgivings Day

It’s my humbled prayer, that on this day and throughout the year, our Heavenly Father bestows His grace, blessings, and tender mercy upon each of us, that our gratitude for such turn into thankfulness, and that our thankfulness turn into love and compassion for others.

I also like to thank the many visitors, followers, and friends of the Mayor’s Blog for using this venue to stay abreast of Apalachicola. It is because of the blessings of Christ and you that I’m delighted to say, Happy Thanksgivings Day!

Riverkeeper intervenes in Tri-State Water War

This past Monday, November 23 the Apalachicola Bay and Riverkeeper, Inc., (Riverkeeper) became the third Florida interest to enter the 20-year old Tri-State Water Rights Litigation between Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.

Joining the State of Florida and the City of Apalachicola, the Riverkeeper received intervenor’s status after U.S. Magistrate Judge James Klindt granted the environmental advocacy group their motion filed September 30 to intervene in the City of Apalachicola v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers case before U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson.

However, the Riverkeeper Motion to Intervene was not without opposition, on October 19 the “Georgia Parties”, which includes the State of Georgia, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the City of Atlanta, Georgia, Fulton County, DeKalb County, the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, the City of Gainesville, Georgia, and the Lake Lanier Association argued against granting the motion.

The “Georgia Parties” argued that the City of Apalachicola and the State of Florida adequately represented the Riverkeeper interests in the suit and that the alignment of interests was so close that the Riverkeeper was able to simply adopt the City of Apalachicola’s complaint.

However, the Riverkeeper contended and successfully argued that the City of Apalachicola did not adequately represent their interests.

The group emphasized that it represents a unique and specialized interests of its members who seek stewardship and advocacy for the protection of Apalachicola River, Bay, tributaries, and watersheds in order to improve and maintain its environmental integrity.

The environmental group pointed out that governmental entities such as the City of Apalachicola seek to protect interests such as tax revenue, property values, water availability, and permitted water uses and because of this, the City of Apalachicola did not necessarily adequately represent their interests.

In his order, Judge Klindt concluded that the Riverkeeper had a right to intervene and that neither the City of Apalachicola nor the State of Florida adequately represented the groups interests.

However, in his ruling the Judge set forth the following conditions.

The Riverkeeper cannot challenge the completeness and adequacy of the Administrative Record. They cannot seek any deviation from the Fifth Amended Scheduling Order. The group must comply with and not seek any deviation from the deadlines set in the Court’s November 2, 2009 Order.

Furthermore, the defenses, denials, and uncontested admissions previously raised by the parties to the City of Apalachicola’s Amended Complaint apply with equal effect to the allegations in the Riverkeeper complaint, except that any party, if it so desires, may answer the Riverkeeper allegations differently.

Moreover, the Riverkeeper must comply with the briefing page limits set in the Court’s November 2, 2009 Order and the group must not seek to introduce expert testimony, however they may rely upon the expert testimony presented by other parties.

Christmas in Historic Apalachicola

The day after Thanksgiving typically begins the Christmas holiday season in Historic Apalachicola and this coming Friday, Nov 27 is shaping up to be no different.

On Friday from 4:00PM to 8:00PM EST, the 2009 Holiday Season will kick off with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at Riverfronts Parks off Water Street in Historic Downtown Apalachicola. Luminaries will line the sidewalks downtown while the sounds of carolers fill the evening air with Holiday cheers. Merchants will be open late and Santa will arrive at the Park to hear children's Christmas wishes via shrimp boat at 4:00PM.

Scheduled for another season is the Festival of Trees at the Raney House, from Nov 27 to Dec 22, there will be a special Christmas tree display with trees decorated by area professionals and groups on display. Open late. Donations accepted at the door.

In addition, on Friday Nov 27 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM EST the Orman House located at 177 5th Street will be decorated and opened for a traditional Apalachicola Christmas. After dark the 1838 Antebellum home of Thomas Orman will offer hot cider punch and Christmas music of the times. Donations appreciated.

On Saturday, Nov 28, Santa will make a return trip back to Riverfronts Park, this time via a bright red fire engine. From 1:00PM to 4:00PM EST Santa will visit with the children and there will be a raffle drawing at 3:00PM. Tickets $1.00 each or 12 for $10.00 proceeds will benefit the Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Rescue. Prizes include gift certificates, dinners, a massage, books, gift baskets and more.

Wrapping up the weekend at Riverfronts Park, Sunday, Nov 29 from 3:00PM to 4:00PM EST Hospice will be hosting another Tree of Remembrance service. The service is a non-denominational ceremony held at the Christmas tree to remember those who are no longer with us.

Franklin County Children’s Toy Project Inaugurates Orman House State Park in Historic Apalachicola

This past Saturday Nov 21, organizers with the Franklin County Children’s Toy Project sponsored their first annual charitable motorcycle run from Carrabelle to Apalachicola.

A group of area bikers escorted by St. George Island Fire Chief Jay Abbott, along with Deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff Department and Santa Claus atop a bright red fire engine departed the Carrabelle IGA at Noon, and arrived at the Orman House State Park in historic Apalachicola around 12:30PM.

Once inside the beautiful park, the bikers gathered near the entrance of Chapman Botanical Garden where they donated Christmas toys and raised about $600 in cash to purchase additional toys for distribution to deserving Franklin County children.

The event also inaugurated the use of the Orman House State Park.

The Franklin County Children’s Toy Project and the motorcycle run was the first event to make use of the park grounds since the facility underwent renovations to connect Chapman Botanical Garden with the Orman House and Veterans Memorial Plaza to create the Orman House State Park.

The renovations included closing to through traffic the portion of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue between Fifth and Market Street, creating onsite parking, a sidewalk system, and open green space to connect the three facilities with all retaining their own unique identities.

The Florida Park Service manages the park as part of the long-term management agreement entered into between the City of Apalachicola, the Florida Park Service, and the Three Servicemen Statue South, Inc., in July 2008.

The Franklin County Children’s Toy Project is an collaborative effort of several agencies that includes, Franklin’s Promise, The Toy Connection, Franklin County Sheriff Department, the Carrabelle, Eastpoint, St. George Island and Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department’s and Emergency Medical Services.

You can help make a deserving child Christmas brighter by donating a toy at one of the many collection boxes located at businesses throughout the County.

In addition, applications for toy distribution are available at the Franklin County Health Department, Franklin County Sheriff Department, Apalachicola City Hall, schools and area churches. The application deadline is Friday, Dec 4, with toy distribution held on Dec 17-18 in Apalachicola at the Fort Coombs Armory, and in Eastpoint and Carrabelle at their respective fire stations.

The Toy Project is administered through Franklin’s Promise, a 501(c) (3) organization. You can mail your tax-deductible donation to Franklin County Children’s Toy Project, P.O. Box 667, Apalachicola, Florida 32329-0667.

For more information, please call (850) 370-0970 or (850) 653-9550.

Local unemployment rate rise in the numbers

This past Friday, Nov 20, the State of Florida released its employment figures for the preceding month of October.

Statewide in October the unemployment rate rose slightly to a seasonally adjusted 11.2 percent compared to the 11.1 percent revised rate in September, but up 4.3 percentage points from the October 2008 rate. Throughout the State, this represents 1,027,000 jobless out of a labor force of 9,175,000.

The State’s current unemployment rate is 1.0 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate of 10.2 percent.

During this same reporting period, the State also saw a loss of 339,600 nonagricultural jobs or -4.4 percent compared to October 2008. This is steeper than the national rate of decline for October, which is -4.0 percent over the year.

Industries losing the most jobs were trade, transportation, and utilities; professional and business services; and construction. These three industries account for more than two-thirds of the job losses in the state. Healthcare has been Florida’s only growth sector for most of 2009.

Locally the rate rose to 7.8 percent, .7 percent higher than in September, and 3.2 percentage points higher than the October 2008 rate of 4.6 percent, which represents 357 people out of work throughout Franklin County out of a labor force of 4,573.

Court rules in Thomas v. City of Apalachicola

At the City of Apalachicola’s regular meeting held Nov 3, City Attorney Pat Floyd told commissioners that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida had ruled in favor of the city in the Sherman Thomas v. City of Apalachicola case.

Floyd also told commissioners that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit had recently affirmed the lower court’s ruling.

Thomas, who attended the Nov 3 meeting, stood and told commissioners that he was appealing the Court of Appeals ruling. “As far as that dismissal, I just want to let you know that it has been appealed to the United States Supreme Court under a Writ of Certiorari.” Thomas said.

A Petition for Writ of Certiorari is where someone is dissatisfied with the ruling of the Court of Appeals and requests that the U.S. Supreme Court review the decision of the lower court. The Supreme Court can refuse to take the case. In fact, the Court receives thousands of "Cert Petitions" per year, and denies all but about one hundred. If there’s a compelling reason, the Court will accept the case, and then grant a Writ of Certiorari.

In his suit before the trial court, Thomas alleged that the city violated his First Amendment rights by refusing to allow him to maintain a structure on City Property.

In early 2007, without the benefit of a permit Thomas constructed a gallows on the city right-of-way displaying what appeared to be a man dressed in a Progress Energy uniform hanging from a rope in effigy underneath the American Flag.

Thomas also claimed that the city violated his First Amendment rights by refusing to place him on the city commission meeting agenda, although then Mayor Boyd “Sandy” Howze allowed Thomas to address the commission during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Thomas further alleged that the City violated his Fourteenth Amendment rights to equal protection by towing a vehicle that he had stored on the city’s right-of-way and that the city failed to install a requested “Children at Play” sign in his neighborhood near his residence.

Sometimes acting as his own attorney, Thomas is no stranger to filing lawsuits. In late 2006 he filed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) a Petition for Relief against his former employer Progress Energy for an alleged unlawful employment practice.

In his final order, Administrative Law Judge P. Michael Ruff recommended that the FCHR dismiss the matter against Progress Energy because Thomas failed to file his complaint in a timely manner.

Thomas also filed suit against the Franklin County School District over issues relating to the school district’s consolidation of the new school in the Eastpoint community. The courts dismissed that suit as well.

When Thomas is not filling lawsuits, he attends local city, county, and school board meetings, where in 2007 he attended the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners April 3 meeting, and asked commissioners to eliminate the Sheriff Department’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, and to stop spending money on ballparks. Thomas also asked the county to look into alleged racial problems at the County Landfill after an African-American worker received disciplinary actions for a repeated rule violation.

At the School Board Jan 10, 2008 meeting, during the public remarks portion on the agenda Thomas outlined a list of complaints just as he did at the recent Nov 3, 2009 City of Apalachicola meeting.

Apalachicola Fire Department Raffle

The Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department is currently selling raffle tickets in an effort to raise needed funds to benefit both the Department and the Emergency First Responders.

Items to be drawn include gift certificates from Apalachicola restaurants, gift baskets, massage, theatre tickets and more made possible through the generous contributions and donations received from the Apalachicola business community and the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce.

The drawing to be held at 3:00PM on Saturday, Nov 28 at Riverfronts Park across from the Grady Market in historic downtown Apalachicola and you must be present to win.

Tickets are available for $1 per ticket or $10 per 12 tickets from City Hall, the Chamber Office, select Apalachicola businesses, and members of the volunteer fire department.

The Apalachicola business community and the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce are proud sponsors of this fundraising event and supporters of the Fire Department and First Responders.

For more information, contact Fire Chief George Watkins at (850) 653-5134 or the Chamber Office at (850) 653-9419.

Please support your AVFD now! Thanks.

Webb reports on City activities

City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb gave the following report for the month of October to the commission at the city’s Nov 3 regular meeting.

Webb told commissioners that the city received word from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the agency approved the final plans for the Fire/Police Station and that the project would now go out for bid to contractors for construction.

Funding for the project is made possible through the American Recovery Act (stimulus funding), which include a $150,000 grant and a $506,000 low interest loan.

Webb also reported on the status of the Architect Request for Qualifications (RFQ) opened at the October 6 meeting. She told commissioners that the review committee is working with the Planning and Zoning Board and will conduct interviews for a formal recommendation to the City Commission for a final decision at the December 8, meeting.

The commission let bids for a pool of Architects to advise the City Commission and the Planning and Zoning Board on construction and design matters of historic significance to the city.

Webb included in her report that the city has received final approval for Project Impact funding and that the new program at the city’s site started on Monday, Nov 2.

Project Impact is an after school, summer program funded through the U.S. Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant for five years. Funding for the first year totals $492,000.

Congressman Boyd votes against Healthcare Reform

On Saturday, Nov 7, the U.S. House of Representatives made history by becoming the first house of Congress to pass comprehensive healthcare reform in the history of America.

Hotly debated over the course of several months, the “Affordable Health Care for America Act” narrowly passed the House by a vote of 220 to 215, the intent of which is to provide overdue relief to Americans struggling to buy or hold on to health insurance.

A 193-page report published by the Institute of Medicine in May 2002, eight years before Obama’s election as President, demonstrated the need for healthcare reform. The report titled “Care without Coverage: Too Little, Too Late” revealed that an estimated 18,000 adults in the USA die each year because they are uninsured and cannot get proper healthcare.

The House passed the measure, and they should have if for no other reason but to save lives, however U.S. Congressman Allen Boyd (D) representing Florida’s Second District in the House voted against the reform.

“My vote is not a vote against responsible reform. Rather, it is a signal that our work in Congress is not yet complete. Reducing the cost of healthcare services must be the focus of any reform package, and I will continue working, as I’ve always done, to fix what’s wrong with our healthcare system, to continue what’s right, and to ensure Americans have access to affordable, quality coverage they need.” Boyd said.

The House Bill will in fact protect and strengthen Medicare; stop insurance companies from denying affordable coverage because of age; prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions or dropping coverage; limit how much insurance companies can make you pay out-of-pocket; and provide affordable health insurance options for those who don’t have insurance.

The debate over the need for national health insurance first surfaced in 1912, when then former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt included the issue as part of his platform while running for a third term as a Progressive Party candidate, and in 1992, President Bill Clinton (D) pushed for healthcare reform but well-organized opposition from the health insurance industry and others doomed the initiative.

As part of his 2008 campaign for the Presidency, Obama promised to do something about the like of affordable healthcare, and in March of this year while hosting a healthcare conference at the White House, the President told those gathered.

“The problems we face today are a direct consequence of actions that we failed to take yesterday”. “We have tried and fallen short, we've stalled for time, and again we have failed to act because of Washington politics or industry lobbying.” Obama said.

Leading up to the historic House vote, some of the major organizations to throw their support behind the measure were the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), and the American Association of Retired People (AARP).

Local Democrats to meet with State Rep. Leonard Bembry

The recently organized Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee (FCDEC) has scheduled their annual meeting from 5:00PM to 7:00PM this Thursday, Nov 19 at the Water Street Hotel and Marina overlooking beautiful Apalachicola River.

Meeting with the local Democrats to discuss any topic of interest will be Leonard L. Bembry (D), District 10 Representative in the Florida House of Representatives.

In addition, there will be reports from Betty Croom and FCDEC Treasurer Brenda Ash, who recently won election to the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners.

In conjunction with the annual meeting, the FCDEC will be hosting a unique Politics and Pasta reception on the docks of Water Street Hotel and Marina.

The FCDEC invites the community to come join with them and local elected officials for snacks, oysters on the half shell and a cash bar and yes, bring a friend.

Chamber Report on Oyster Ban

Anita Grove, Executive Director for the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce reported at the Nov 3 City Commission meeting, that over the past few weeks the Chamber Office fielded numerous calls and granted several interviews to various media outlets concerning the proposal by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to ban the sale of raw oysters.

Grove stated that she gave information regarding the potential economic harm the ban would have on the area to Matt Dixon with the News Herald, Cain Burdeau with the Associated Press and Mike Heller a TV reporter also with the Associated Press.

Grove explained to commissioners that the Chamber assisted the Franklin County Oyster and Seafood Task Force and the Franklin County Tourist Development Council with drafting a petition and fact sheet opposing the ban.

She asked for and received unanimous support from the City Commission to join in with a resolution to the USFDA opposing the ban.

NOTE: In a press release issued Friday, Nov 13, the USFDA reversed their position on banning the sale of raw oysters. (See blog post titled “Shellfish Community Applauds USFDA for Dropping Ban on Traditional Raw Oysters”)

Shellfish Community Applauds USFDA for Dropping Ban on Traditional Raw Oysters

November 13th, Apalachicola, FL - The Gulf Coast oyster community applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for abandoning a unilateral plan to ban the sale of traditional, raw oysters.

Oyster dealers, workers, food lovers and community leaders throughout the Gulf Coast region and the nation joined forces in a massive grass-roots effort to oppose the FDA plan over the last two weeks.

Mike Voisin, a founding member of the Gulf Oyster Industry Council whose family has harvested oysters off Louisiana for seven generations, welcomed the FDA announcement as a first step.

“We’re glad to see that the FDA has stopped its unilateral action,” Voisin said. “But traditional, raw Gulf Coast oysters must be available to consumers under any future plan. We support new technologies,but the oyster just as Mother Nature made it must always have a place at the table.”

“If the FDA returns to working within the established process of the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, we welcome that. But the agency should not suggest that post-harvest processing is the only way forward. We also remind FDA that a full economic analysis of the impact on jobs is required, not just a study of post-harvest processing. We look forward to working with them on such studies.”

“We’re committed to further improving the safety of our already safe product, through existing plans for better refrigeration, and through new technologies,” Voisin said.

The Gulf Oyster Community thanks the thousands of people from all walks of life who supported the simple right to eat traditional, raw oysters; politicians in all the Gulf states who pushed back against FDA; and shellfish lovers nationwide. Special thanks go to our Senators and Congressmen who led efforts on Capitol Hill.

For more information contact either:

Mike Voisin

Motivatit Seafood Inc.

Houma, Louisiana 70361

Tel: (985) 868-7191

Cell: (985) 665-8494

Email: mike.voisin@motivatit.com

Kevin Begos

Franklin County Oyster & Seafood Task Force

Apalachicola, Florida 32329

Tel: (850) 653-3351

Email: director@seafoodtaskforce.org

More contacts from the shellfish community nationwide available at: www.saveourshellfish.org

Hurricane Ida was no Kate

With the 2009 hurricane season near its conclusion, the last thing that we needed was a late season storm to remind us of Hurricane Kate and the 1985 Atlantic hurricane season.

In 1985, Hurricane Kate was the sixth hurricane to hit the United States during the 1985 hurricane season. Kate formed late in the season, killed 15 people and caused $530 million in damage on its long path through Florida, and Georgia between November 18 and November 22, 1985.

Similar to Kate, Hurricane Ida did manage to make the short list of late season storms, and thank Heaven that was about all.

Ida the first major storm to reach the United States this hurricane season, started out as a Category 2 hurricane, which threaten the U.S. Gulf Coast from Mississippi to Indian Pass, about 20 miles west of Apalachicola with winds of up to105 mph.

Before making landfall near Alabama, winds from Hurricane Ida dropped below 74 mph, after which forecasters with the National Hurricane Center downgraded the storm to Tropical Storm Ida.

Unlike Hurricane Kate, as it stayed west of Apalachicola the remnants of Ida only caused some localized flooding and moderate surfs due to its heavy rain and gusting winds.

Throughout most of the day Wednesday, Nov 11, the county was under a coastal flood warning with water levels that ran about 3 feet above normal with a total tide of 3 to 5 feet. The county also experienced sustained winds of 20 mph with occasional gusts of 25 to 30 mph.

Kate remains the latest major hurricane on record to form in the Atlantic and to strike the United States. A record now shared with Ida.

Old and new faces at 46th Annual Seafood Festival

This past seafood festival weekend brought with it scores of Apalachicola natives and visitors to what looked like one gigantic family reunion.

Each year at festival time, hundreds of former residents make their way back home to visit family, friends and to take part in Florida’s oldest maritime event most regularly attended while growing up in Apalachicola.

However, this year there appeared to be more former Apalachicolians visiting than in previous years. I had the pleasure of meeting several old acquaintances, classmates, and people that I haven’t seen in years.

In fact, the festival grounds, streets, and neighborhoods alike were busting at the seams with all sorts of outdoor activities attended by both visitors and former residents.

The town started filling up as early as Tuesday Nov 4, in preparation for the annual event kicked off by Friday’s Nov 6, opening day ceremonies, which included the blessing of the fleet and the introduction of the King and Queen.

Also on Friday, the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Oyster Roast outside the festival grounds at the Garden Shop near the end of Commerce Street.

While attended the event Gail and I had the pleasure of dining on roasted oysters, oyster stew, boiled shrimp and crabs while visiting with a very friendly couple from Canada along with Loranne Ausley, candidate for the District 6 Florida Senate Seat that Senator Al Lawson now has, but term-limited in 2010.

On Saturday morning Nov 7, the town awakened to the sound of sirens and marching bands while the parade made it way down US 98 to the festival grounds at historic Battery Park. Once at the park, festivalgoer’s enjoyed their fill of live music and assorted seafood, which included alligator, while kids and the kid at heart braved the mechanical wild rides.

By all accounts, the 46th Annual Florida Seafood Festival was a huge success for businesses in and around the Apalachicola area. The only somber note to cloud the festivities was the recent news of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed ban on the sale of raw oysters for six months out of the year.

Photos by Gail D. Johnson

Ordinance change to allow for golf cart rentals

At the Nov 3 regular city meeting, City Commissioners set in motion the process of changing its ordinance to allow for the rental of golf carts within the City of Apalachicola.

The commission heard from Lisa Hooker for a second time regarding her plans to open and operate a Golf Cart Rental business at the service station that formerly housed Pendleton’s CITGO located at 53 Market Street.

Hooker first presented her plans for the rental business to the commission at their Oct 6, 2009, meeting. However, before she can proceed, the city council must first go through the process of changing its ordinance to allow for the rentals.

Currently City Ordinance No. 2005-01, which governs the operation of golf carts in the city, prohibits the rental of such.

Adopted on February 8, 2005, the ordinance reads in part. “There shall be no operation of Golf Carts in the City of Apalachicola on the various streets rights of way, alleys, or property of the City that are rented or provided for persons for or in connection with commercial or business purposes who are not the owners of the golf carts being operated”.

The commission instructed Hooker to go back to the Franklin County Community Traffic Safety Team (FCCTST) for an endorsement while city staff schedules and advertise for a series of two public hearings to address the ordinance change.

Hooker attended the most recent FCCTST meeting prior to the city’s Nov 3 meeting, but failed to obtain an endorsement from the committee whose primary duty is to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes within the community.

Bartley appointed to Big Bend Scenic Byway

At the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners Nov 3, regular meeting, Dixie Partington, Chairperson of the Franklin County Big Bend Scenic Byway requested that the commission appoint one of their own to represent the city on the committee.

The Franklin County Big Bend Scenic Byway Program is part of the Florida Big Bend Scenic Byway, the Florida Scenic Highway and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

The program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve, and enhance selected roads throughout the United States.

The Board voted to appoint City Commissioner Mitchell Bartley to represent the City of Apalachicola on the committee.

Bartley also serves as the commissioner in charge of the city’s Street Department.

Photo by Gail D. Johnson

November: Public Safety Report

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Fire Chief George Watkins reported that during the combined months of September and October the volunteer fire department responded to four calls to set up for the Life Flight helicopter, assisted with five vehicle accidents, responded to twenty-five First Responder calls, which involved two visitors.

Watkins further reported that the volunteers assisted the Eastpoint Fire Department with a fire call and responded to two house fires along with one brush fire within the city.

Watkins also told commissioners that the department would be selling raffle tickets for a gift package donated by local businesses. He went on the say that the tickets will be drawn at 3:00PM on Saturday, Nov 28 at Riverfronts Park across from the Grady Market in historic downtown Apalachicola.

Watkins concluded his report by welcoming City Commissioner Frank Cook as the new Fire Commissioner and thanked Cook for attending the fire department’s meetings.

POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Chief Bobby Varnes told commissioners that the month of October was a busy month for his department.

He reported that during the month of October his department responded to 231 calls, made ten arrests, served eight warrant requests, and issued forty-three traffic citations.

Traffic citations were up considerably, from 16 issued in September to 43 in October. The increase follows the instructions to Varnes from the Franklin County Community Traffic Safety Team not to issue out warnings when making traffic stops for violations of the uniform traffic code.

City Commissioner Brenda Ash questioned Varnes about the late night activity that occurs at the skateboard park off 14th Street. She requested that signs be erected notifying park visitors of the time that the park closes.

City of Apalachicola meets tonight

The Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting tonight at City Hall located at 1 Bay Avenue in Historic Apalachicola.

The city commission will hear from Lisa Hooker regarding the start of a Golf Cart Rental business as well as hold its first public reading of Ordinance No. 2009-04 concerning the city’s Water Supply Plan.

In other business, commissioners will consider the adoption of Resolution No. 2009-13 concerning the inclusion of Elected Municipal Officers into the Florida Division of Retirement.

Also up for consideration are two other resolutions, Resolution No. 2009-14 relating to Franklin County’s Local Mitigation Strategy and Resolution No. 2009-15 regarding the continuance of Apalachicola as a Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern.

The meeting starts promptly at 6:00PM and as always members of the public are invited to attend.

Delayed vote on Progress Energy’s Rate Increase

On Tuesday, October 27, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) voted to delay rendering a decision on Progress Energy's petition for a rate increase.

In late July, the state utility regulators held a customer service hearing at the Apalachicola Battery Park Community Center to take testimony on the services and other matters related to Progress Energy’s petition.

According to an email, City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb received on Sunday, November 1, from Progress Energy's Senior Account Executive, Gary L. Renfro. The PSC voted at the October hearing to delay ruling on the power company's $591 million proposed rate increase until mid-to-late January 2010.

At that time, if the PSC approves all of Progress Energy's filings, the projected average increase in the base rate would be around 4 to 9 percent for commercial customers and 6 to 13 percent for industrial customers.

Renfro also wrote that the delayed vote was for an increase in the base rate portion of the customer’s power bill and not the fuel charge. Fuel is a separate billing component.

At the hearing, representatives from Progress Energy told the PSC that they needed the higher rates in order to provide some “certainty” for planning and budgeting.