Special City Meeting

The Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners will hold a special meeting tomorrow Thursday, Dec 31 at 12:00PM at City Hall - 1 Bay Avenue, Apalachicola.

City officials called the meeting to discuss and possibly act upon the City of Apalachicola taking over the contract from Eldercare Services to provide senior services for Franklin County.

As always, city officials invite and encourage members of the public to attend all city meetings.

Happy New Years from the City of Apalachicola

The Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners and staff would like to wish you and your family a safe and prosperous new year. We also ask that you patiently bear with us as we continue in our efforts to improve the quality of life of each resident within our beautiful city. May God Bless and continue to keep you throughout the year. ~ Mayor Van W. Johnson, Sr.

Apalachicola receives word on FDOT sidewalk construction grant

Earlier this month city officials received word from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) concerning an application submitted several months ago by staff and the Franklin County Community Traffic Safety Team (FCCTST) for a sidewalk construction grant.

On Monday, December 21, Stanley Rudd, FDOT Community Traffic Safety Team Coordinator notified city administrator Betty Taylor-Webb via electronic mail with news that the City of Apalachicola will receive $550,000 to construct a pedestrian sidewalk from Battery Park down Bay Avenue to 12th Street and from 12th Street to Avenue E.

The grant is the second sidewalk construction grant applied for by the city in collaboration with the FCCTST to encourage and improve the flow of pedestrian traffic throughout the community.

The first sidewalk project connected Scipio Creek boat basin located at the end of Market Street to Battery Park located off Water Street and the new grant will connect Battery Park to 12th Street.

Local resident Bob Dieter chairs the FCCTST, with the group aggressively pursuing State funding to improve both vehicle and pedestrian traffic throughout Apalachicola and Franklin County.

According to the notice Webb received, the FDOT has allocated $75,000, for design from the States 2010 funding program and $475,000 for construction from a Federal 2011 funding program. Both design and construction will be contracted through the State and Federal funding programs.

Other projects on the horizon for the City of Apalachicola in 2010

Construction has started west of town on the city’s new $8,000,000, wastewater reclamation facility. Once completed, the facility will take wastewater received from homes and businesses throughout the city and treat it for reuse in commercial and eventually residential applications.

The city received funding for the project from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection State Revolving Fund Division.

City officials are expecting construction to last at least two years and to create short-term employment opportunities for local carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and laborers. Job applications are currently available at City Hall located at 1 Bay Avenue in Apalachicola.

Also, scheduled to begin in early January is the renovation of the old Family Dollar Store located at the corner of 10th Street and Avenue E into the city’s new Police/Fire Station.

The project’s funded through the American Recovery Act (stimulus funding); however only $150,000 is an actual grant, the remainder is a $506,000 low interest loan to the city by USDA Rural Development.

Once completed, the station will house both the Police and the Fire Department and serve as the city’s Emergency Operation Center in the event of an emergency.

Scheduled to begin before mid-year is the renovation of the old Holy Family Catholic School into a senior citizen center.

City officials are intent on turning the 81-year-old structure located on Dr. Fred Humphries Street into a dedicated place where area seniors can congregate. In late 2008, the city received funding for the project from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs in the tune of $1.5 million dollars.

City Staff are presently in an ongoing discussion with Eldercare Care Services the current provider of senior services for Franklin County and the Area Agency on Aging for North Florida concerning the possibility of transferring senior services to the City of Apalachicola.

City officials are also waiting on word from the application submitted through the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC) for joint funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs to fund the renovation of the Scipio Creek boat basin to create and sustain seafood related jobs.

Further, the city is waiting to hear from the submittal of two Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grants to fund renovations to both Battery and Lafayette Parks. The maximum grant amount requested for each park could not exceed $200,000.

Scheduled to go before the county commission in early January is Dieter Ambos, chair of the city’s newly activated Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Members of the CRA are ready to implement Tax increment financing (TIF) to help finance improvements to distressed or underdeveloped areas of the city where development might not otherwise occur. This includes, but not limited to the C-2 (commercial residential) zoned area in the African-American community.

Ambos will be asking county commissioners for the future increases in tax revenues or “tax increment” collected by the county from within the established CRA boundaries to go back into the area for redevelopment.

Lastly, the county’s road paving project within the city is well underway. Roads scheduled for paving and/or resurfacing during this cycle includes the following: 8th Street, 9th Street, 13th Street, 15th Street, 16th Street, 17th Street, 20th Street, 21st Avenue, 24th Avenue, 25th Avenue, Avenue F, Avenue G, Avenue L, Jacobie O’Neil Lane, Timothy Simmons Street, Earl King St (Ave M & 13th St ) and Sunset Circle.

Project Impact to hold Holiday Camp

Over the Christmas holiday season the City of Apalachicola’s Project Impact afterschool and summer program will be providing a “HOLIDAY CAMP” for children 4-years-old and up.

The camp will be held at the City’s Recreational Complex the site of the old Apalachicola High School campus from 12:00PM to 6:00PM on Wed, Dec 16, Thurs, Dec 17, and Fri, Dec 18, and from 8:00AM to 5:00PM on Mon, Dec 21, and Tues, Dec 22.

Parents are invited to drop off their child or children at the complex for Christmas art, crafts, games, cooking classes and basketball, the game room and cyber café will also be open.

For more information, please contact Faye Johnson, director of the City of Apalachicola Project Impact Program at (850) 653-1325.

Alex Moody recognized for his role as Santa

The Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners presented a key to the city and a certificate of appreciation to eighty-year-old Apalachicola resident Cleveland Alex Moody at their Dec 8, regular scheduled meeting.

The commission singled out Moody to receive the acclamation at the suggestion of Anita Grove, executive director for the Apalachicola Bay chamber of commerce.

For the past 17-years, Moody has assisted Grove during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and has brought smiles to the faces of many Franklin County children in the role he has played as Santa Claus.

According to Moody’s wife Laura, due to health related reasons this year will be the last year that the man who really resembles Santa, with his natural white beard will grace the city with his outgoing personality, and jolly laughter.

Due to sickness, both Moody and his wife were unable to attend the meeting. However, Grove was on hand to accept the award on Moody’s behalf.

While making the presentation, Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson commented, “Alex Moody never complained about what the city wasn’t doing for him, he just rolled up his sleeves and showed what he could do for his city and for that we are eternally grateful”.

Revamped golf cart ordinance comes with fees and concerns

At the Dec 8 city commission meeting, commissioners held the first public reading to amend the city’s golf cart ordinance to allow for golf cart rentals within the City of Apalachicola.

Entrepreneur Lisa Hooker requested the change several months ago to allow for the rentals, which the current ordinance prohibits. The commission moved unanimously with City Commissioner Mitchell Bartley making the motion to allow Ordinance No. 2009-05 to proceed forward through the adoption process with changes for final approval.

City Commissioner Brenda Ash recommended the inclusion of an annual registration fee for all golf carts including those rented.

Currently the city requires registration but collect no fees from the 75 or more golf cart users registered with the city.

“We… the city should at least tack on a registration fee for golf carts…I think that it’s something that can bring in more revenue to the city and there are an extremely lot of golf cart users in the city”, said Ash.

Also added at the suggestion of City Administrator Betty Taylor-Webb, was a provision prohibiting the use of golf carts on city sidewalks.

In addition, the commission agreed that no more than 30 total golf carts at any given time and no more than 10 per business shall be available for rent in the city. Further, the operator of the rented golf carts shall sign a hold harmless and indemnity statement to the City of Apalachicola.

However, Bob Dieter, Chair of the Franklin County Community Traffic Safety Team commented that with the advent of the golf cart ordinance, he has witnessed all sort of all terrain vehicles including Kawasaki Mules on the sidewalks and crossing U.S. Highway 98. Most without registration and often driven by kids less than 12-years old.

Dieter stated that from an enforcement point of view, the commission handed Chief of Police Bobby Varnes a runaway train. He cautioned that the golf carts are not insurable, and that those who sign waivers will not be able to defend the city in the event of an accident.

Retail sales up in Apalachicola

At the Dec 8 city commission meeting, Anita Grove executive director for the Apalachicola Bay chamber of commerce reported that the Friday, Nov 27 holiday celebration resulted in the biggest days in retail sales for downtown Apalachicola.

Grove told commissioners that several merchants reported that their sales were up over last year and that the restaurants were full during the weekend’s festivities. She also noted that visits to the chambers website were up significantly.

Grove thanked Betty Taylor-Webb, city administrator and public works supervisor Wilbur Bellew for working with the chamber to make the holiday celebration a great success.

In addition, Grove told commissioners that the City of Apalachicola continues to receive exposure from both home and abroad. Canadian freelance writer Ilona Kauremszky and Jan Ekholm editor of a Swedish travel magazine along with Nate Long with Visit Florida all requested and received information on the uniqueness of the area.

Poloronis awarded Police/Fire Station contract

City grant manager Cindi Giametta told commissioners at the Dec 8 meeting, that Poloronis Construction submitted the low bid to construct the new Apalachicola Police/Fire Station and recommended awarding the construction contract to the local company.

Poloronis submitted a bid of $362,913 to renovate the old Family Dollar Store located at the corner of 10th and Avenue E into a station to house both the Police and Fire Department.

According to Giametta, the long awaited construction project is scheduled to begin in early January 2010.

The commission unanimously approved awarding the construction contract to Poloronis Construction.

City of Apalachicola meets tonight

The City of Apalachicola will hold its regular meeting for the month of December at 6:00PM tonight Dec 8, at 1 Bay Avenue in Apalachicola.

Tonight’s agenda lists a public hearing and second reading to adopt Ordinance 2009-04 – concerning the city’s Water Supply Plan, and the first reading of Ordinance 2009-05 – to allow for the rental of golf carts in the city.

Sherman Thomas is also on the agenda to discuss community issues along with staff reports and reports from other agencies and organizations.

Tri-State Governor’s to restart water-sharing talks

The governors of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama have finally scheduled a meeting to restart negotiations into sharing water from the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint (AFC) River system.

The expected but long overdue meeting is set for 12:30PM CST, on December 15 in Montgomery, Alabama at the Wynfield Plantation in the Conservatory.

The last time the Tri-State Governor’s held meetings to discuss the AFC were in late 2007 and early 2008 and even then, they left the meetings without reaching an agreement.

Since that time, U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson issued a ruling that should have sent the State of Georgia flying back to the negotiation table.

Instead, Georgia’s Governor conducted a media campaign declaring that he would “fight to the death” to retain Georgia’s right to withdraw water from Lake Lanier.

However, Judge Magnuson ruling set a timeline of three years for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fix the problem before he would issue a final ruling ordering Lake Lanier’s water levels back to the baseline levels of the mid seventies. Which in turn would drastically reduce the amount of water that growing Atlanta could withdraw from the lake.

The judge ruled that the Corps had abused its discretion when they continued to allow Georgia to withdraw more and more water from Lake Lanier for municipal purposes, without first seeking approval from Congress.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Today Monday, December 7, is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and the President of this Great Nation through a Proclamation issued on Dec 4, encourages all Americans to fly the American Flag at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

The following is an excerpt from the official Presidential Proclamation:

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, December 7, 2009, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor."

Sixty-eight years ago today, on the morning of December 7, 1941, the Japanese Navy conducted an unannounced military strike against the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, resulting in the United States military involvement in World War II.

Project HOPE host seniors Christmas Party

Since its inception in 2006, Project HOPE of Franklin County Annual Senior Christmas Party has been a popular event for Apalachicola’s African-American senior citizens.

Founded by Apalachicola native Myrtis Wynn the annual event brings together both young and old Hillside residents to create Christmas wreaths while listening to softly played Christmas music.

This year a group of twenty or more seniors along with some middle school students attended the event held this past Saturday, Dec 5 at the 6th street recreation center.

The participants dined on a traditional holiday meal served buffet style that included turkey, ham, potatoes salad, green beans, macaroni and cheese, rolls and a ton of sweet dishes.

Before dining, the seniors enjoyed a game of “Name that Tune”, fashioned after the popular television game show that put two contestants against each other to test their knowledge of songs.

All made possible through the efforts of Wynn and other members of the African-American community.

Photos by Elinor Mount-Simmons
& Deanna Simmons

Apalachicola native recognized by local group

The Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola (H’COLA) recognized this past Saturday, Nov 5, Apalachicola native Myrtis Wynn for her services to the local African-American community.

Family, friends, and members of the community gathered at a surprise reception held in Wynn’s honor at the city’s recreation center located on 6th street.

Wynn U.S. Army retired lists her residence in Hephzibah, GA, but frequently travels back to the community where she grew up to provide much-needed services to the city’s most vulnerable the young and elderly.

Wynn stated during the reception that after attending a local high school graduation ceremony where African-American graduates received less recognition for academic achievements, she decided right then that the situation couldn’t happen again.

To address the imbalance, Wynn founded Project HOPE of Franklin County and through the program, she created what she calls her Math, Science, and Technology Club. The Club’s goal is to help local African-American students earn better grades and to steer them toward careers involving the use of math, science and technology.

At her own expense, Wynn arranges for high school seniors to tour the campuses of Tallahassee Community College (TCC), Lively Technical Center, and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) all in the Tallahassee area as well as Gulf Coast Community College campus in Panama City.

In addition to campus tours, the students learn through the Math, Science, and Technology Club how to build and test Ethernet computer cables, and how to make an electromagnet using a 9-volt battery, magnet wire and a nail. Wynn also created a Jeopardy game with ACT/FCAT questions to help the high school students with the college entry exam.

To further drive the point, Wynn brings together both local and former successful Apalachicola African-Americans to host an annual career day for the students.

A stunned but exuberant Wynn received a host of gifts and spoken words from family and friends all gathered to pay her tribute. She received a key to the city and a Mayors Proclamation of Appreciation from Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson, a certificate of appreciation and gift bag from District 3 school board member Teresa Ann Martin, a plaque and gift card from former District 3 county commissioner Clarence Williams, and a plaque and gift cards from the H’COLA group.

Through Project HOPE of Franklin County, Wynn also hosts an annual Christmas party for Apalachicola African-American seniors, where the seniors work together with middle school students to make Christmas wreaths.

Wynn’s appreciation was the brainchild of H’COLA member Soudra Davis, owner of Davis Child Development Center in Apalachicola.

Photos by Elinor Mount-Simmons
& Deanna Simmons

Mayors Proclamation

Mayors Proclamation of Appreciation

Myrtis Wynn

WHEREAS, Myrtis Wynn faithfully and with great distinction served in the United States Army to preserve liberty and justice for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, while serving this Great Nation, Myrtis Wynn so aptly learned the meaning of dedication to duty and love of country and community; and

WHEREAS, upon completion of her tour of duty, Myrtis Wynn recognized that the youth of America do better when they live, learn, and play in thriving and supportive communities; and

WHEREAS, Myrtis Wynn through Project HOPE of Franklin County, set about without conditions or compensation to create such a community within her hometown City of Apalachicola; and

WHEREAS, through Project HOPE of Franklin County’s Math, Science, and Technology Club, Myrtis Wynn faithfully and with great distinction provides a much-needed service to the youth of our community, which empowers them with the capacity to contribute back to their communities as doctors, lawyers, engineers, business, community, civic and political leaders; and

WHEREAS, through Project HOPE of Franklin County’s Annual Seniors Christmas Party, Myrtis Wynn faithfully and with great distinction provides a much-needed service by bringing together the elderly and youth of the community to share holiday cheers and to create Christmas wreaths and ornaments; and

WHEREAS, through Myrtis Wynn’s continuous dedication to duty and love of country and community, both Franklin County and the City of Apalachicola are fast becoming the most livable county and city throughout the entire State of Florida; and

WHEREAS, the citizens and elected officials of the City of Apalachicola are grateful and wishes to commend Myrtis Wynn for all of her efforts:

NOW THEREFORE, I, Van W. Johnson, Sr., Mayor of the Historic City of Apalachicola, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the City Charter, do hereby proclaim, and encourage all citizens of Apalachicola, to show publicly their love and appreciation toward Myrtis Wynn for being a great citizen of our country and community from this day forward.

HEREBY PROCLAIMED, in the year of our Lord this 5th day of December, 2009.

Van W. Johnson, Sr., Mayor

Franklin County Legislative Delegation Hearing

At the Legislative Delegation hearing held last Monday, Nov 30, the City of Apalachicola through its Mayor, requested that the State Lawmakers who’s districts include Franklin County, champion a shift in agency funding priorities toward the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The City of Apalachicola is one of two Florida cities that remains designated as an Area of Critical State Concern, the other community is Key West.

As such, the State is obligated under Florida Statue Chapter 380.0555 to fund local infrastructure programs and projects aimed at preserving the pristine waters of Apalachicola Bay.

One such project was the revitalization of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, which in 1996, then State Senator the late Pat Thomas on behalf of the City secured a commitment from two State agencies to fund the construction costs, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the Florida Department of Community Affairs (FDCA).

In 2008, the FDEP discovered that the funding plan put in place by the two agencies was falling short of providing the funds necessary to pay off the State Revolving Loan. With that, the FDEP determined that the City would have to make up the shortfall with money it doesn’t have in 34 incremental payments of $117,000 every six months.

The Mayor asked the delegation to assist the City in working with the State Agencies to fund fully the promised treatment plant improvements under the Area of Critical State Concern Program. He requested that the State add $3 million to the City’s Escrow Account, which is currently providing the debt service to pay off the State Revolving Loan, which funded the improvements.

The Mayor also reminded the delegation that the request was not a member’s project, but rather a State program within the State agencies budgets and that the City was only asking for what the Governor and Cabinet, the Florida Legislature, and both State agencies had previously authorized.