[email protected] The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay...

By Mike GriffithBeacon Correspondent

The Niceville planning com-mission approved severalrequests at a public meetingMonday, July 2, includingplans for some family housingdevelopments and a new autoparts store.

The planning commission isan appointed advisory board forthe elected city council, and

reviews requests for such thingsas zoning changes, exceptionsto city building codes anddevelopment regulations, andapproval of housing develop-ments and construction proj-ects.

The requests approvedMonday will now go forward tothe Niceville City Council forfinal consideration before being

Valparaiso facestough decisionson spending

$18 millionin spendingseen for TDCBy Mike GriffithBeacon Correspondent

During a four-hour meeting June 27, the scandal-dogged Okaloosa County Tourist Development Councildiscussed a complex, 36-page draft budget of $17,945,473for fiscal year 2012-13.

The TDC Advisory Board members also decided tovacate the TDC Visitor Center at Harbor Walk in Destin;heard a briefing on Florida’s Government in the SunshineLaw from TDC Attorney Steve Hall; took in a briefing onbeach cleanup activities; reviewed proposed changes to thecounty’s beach maintenance ordinance; and discussed withinterim TDC Director Greg Donovan a plan for using oilspill mitigation funds from British Petroleum (BP), as wellas the TDC’s regular bed tax revenue, to continue market-ing the Emerald Coast as an attractive vacation destination.

By Del LessardBeacon Staff Writer

Facing a challenging fiscal environment as its tax rollsshrink the fifth year in a row, the Valparaiso CityCommission is drafting a municipal budget for the fiscalyear that will begin Oct. 1.

Since peaking at $241 million in 2007 at the height ofthe U.S. real estate bubble, the taxable value of property inValparaiso has plummeted more than 25 percent, to anestimated $179.4 million this year. For 2012, the city wasthe only local taxing jurisdiction in the Twin Cities area tosuffer a value decline, according to preliminary figuresfrom the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser.

This week and last, the city commission, in budget-planning workshops, considered proposed spending for thepolice department, fire department, public works depart-ment, library, general fund, cable system and sanitationdepartment.


The North Bay FireCommission has begun its annualbudget process by discussing aproposed property tax millagerate of 2.35, unchanged from thisyear's rate.

Also proposed is a budget of$1,949,014 for fiscal year 2013,which will begin Oct. 1, if

approved by the fire commissionlater this year.

During a commission meetingJune 26, North Bay Fire ChiefJoseph Miller presented his rec-ommendation for the budget tothe elected fire commissioners,and said the proposal is slightlysmaller than the current fiscal

TThhee BBaayy BBeeaaccoonn50¢

Please see RATE, page A-6

Please see TDC, page A-5

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

North Bay eyesstable tax rate

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

Festive Fourth for Twin Cities

COMINGUP

Wednesday, 10 a.m.

The HeritageMuseum of NorthwestFlorida has opened“Vote Okaloosa,” a newexhibit featuring votingequipment andOkaloosa County votingdocuments dating backto 1917. The exhibit willbe open to the public.Cost: $1 per person onopening day, otherwise$5 adults; $4 seniors andmilitary; $3 children; chil-dren 4 and under arefree.

Friday, 6 p.m.

The Emerald CostReef Association willhost a free lionfishworkshop at NorthwestFlorida State CollegeStudent Services Center,Room 302, Niceville.Speakers will discuss howlionfish are the most seri-ous threat to local fish-eries.

Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sharing & Caring vol-unteers will be at theNiceville Walmart for“Cram the Van,” aUnited Way sponsoredprogram. Volunteers willaccept donations ofschool supplies fromshoppers in support ofarea children.

Calendar, B-3

By Tess HollisBeacon Staff Writer

The Mid-Bay Bridge has reacheda milestone as the 100 millionthvehicle crossed the Mid-Bay Bridge.

The historic vehicle drove the 19-year-old, 3.6-mile toll span on June7, according to bridge Director JimVest. The bridge overChoctawhatchee Bay connects theNiceville and Destin areas.

The driver never knew the importof his trip, however, because therewas no ceremony or recognition.

"There never was a goal to hit 100million cars, but it is a very goodnumber," Vest said. He added thatnothing special was done when thevehicle crossed the bridge.

Although the Mid-Bay Bridgetraffic report for June will not bereleased until mid-July, the FloridaTurnpike Enterprise estimates630,000 vehicles will have crossedthe bridge during the month.

"June and July are always ourheaviest months, because oftourism," Vest said. "June will be a

very good month for us."According to a May traffic and

revenue report from the MBBA, anaverage of 20,174 vehicles crossedthe bridge daily. In May, the bridgecollected more than $1.5 million intolls. The one-way cash toll acrossthe bridge is $3 per two-axle vehicle.The SunPass toll is $2.

The bridge, which opened in June1993, 19 years to the month beforethe 100 million mark was reached,

Niceville plannersOK land-use changes

Beacon photos by Del Lessard and Tess Hollis

Summertime learning a blastSummer is no time for kids to stop learning—especially if it's fun. Left, middle schoolcampers at Northwest Florida State College's Kids on Campus program used Legos,motors and computers to make robots, then competed to see which machine could collectthe most "fish." From left, Micah Corbin, 13, Niceville, Joseph Filek, 11, Navarre, EmeryKeen, 11, Destin, and Elizabeth Adams, 12, Niceville. Below, students gathered at theHoward Hill Community Soccer Complex June 29 to launch the Estes rockets they madeduring Rocky Bayou Christian School's Crazy Rocket Scientist summer camp. Here, campdirector Ray Allen helps Caleb Clark prepare to launch his rocket.

Please see FACES, page A-7

Beacon photo by Del LessardA used riding mower purchased for $100 has been transformed by the ingenuity of Valparaiso city workersinto a tiny replica of a steam engine that will debut today by giving kiddie rides at Lincoln Park duringIndependence Day festivities. Shop worker Sam Glover, dotting an engineer's hat in the cab, welded andcombined water pipes, a barrel, garbage can lid and other odd pieces to create the nostalgic choo-choo.The daylong festivities will begin at 7 a.m. with the 34th annual July Fourth Duathlon. The patriotic celebra-tion will be capped by the Twin Cities fireworks display over Boggy Bayou at 8:45 p.m. Story, page B-1.

Please see NOTCHES, page A-6

Please see PLANNERS, page A-3

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

*201

2

Fiscal year ended Sept. 30

0

20,000,000

40,000,000

60,000,000

80,000,000

100,000,000

120,000,000

Vehi

cle

cros

sing

s

*2012 through June (estimate) Source: Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, Fla. DOT

Mid-Bay Bridge trafficCumulative vehicle count since opening in 1993

At 19, bridge notches 100 millionth trip

[email protected] The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992 (850) 678-1080

14 Pages, 2 Sections, 6 Inserts


Members and guests of theRepublican Club of OkaloosaCounty heard from candidates forthe District 3 seat on the OkaloosaBoard of County Commissioners,as well as from a pair of candi-dates for Public Defender, duringa supper and candidateforum held June 28, atthe American LegionHall in Fort WaltonBeach.

The forum beganwith brief statementsfrom the public defend-er candidates, incum-bent James Owens andchallenger BruceMiller. Owens said thatsince being elected in2008, he has kept promises to turnthe public defender’s officearound, and to use resources moreefficiently.

The First Judicial CircuitPublic Defender's office, based inPensacola, defends indigentclients in criminal cases at public

expense in Escambia, Santa Rosa,Okaloosa and Walton counties.

The two-way race for PublicDefender will be decided Aug. 14in a universal primary. Both can-didates are Republicans, but votersof any registration may cast ballotsin the contest, since no one else isrunning.

Owens said collection of legalfees from clients of thepublic defender’s officeis up by 75 percent, thatmost cases are beingresolved within 180days, and that since tak-ing office, he has savedtaxpayers about $2 mil-lion by cutting costs. Healso said he has promot-ed the use of laptopcomputers by attorneys

within his office, reducing theneed for voluminous paperworkusually associated with trials andlegal proceedings.

Miller, however, said, “Mr.Owens' numbers are not correct,”and that the cost per case at thepublic defender’s office has actu-

ally increased by more than 30percent. “I promise you that I willbring accountability to the publicdefender’s office, along with trust,professionalism and civility in thecourtroom.”

Both candidates were askedabout whether it would be prefer-able to privatize most legaldefense of indigent defendants,with the public defender reducedto the role of administering andsupervising such cases, while pri-vate attorneys took turns defend-ing indigent clients. Neither candi-date favored that idea.

Owens said there is already aprocess for handing such cases toprivate attorneys, especially whentwo or more defendants areaccused of conspiring to committhe same crime, requiring each tohave a separate defense attorney toprotect their individual interests.Such privatized cases, Owenssaid, typical-ly cost tax-payers about$750, com-pared to anaverage of$250 forcases han-dled by reg-ular publicdefenders.

M i l l e ragreed, saying that cases handledby regular public defenders costless for taxpayers, and that clientsclaiming to be unable to pay fortheir own defense are required tofill out financial disclosure formsto verify their indigence, or mustpay for their own defense.

Most of the evening was devot-ed to a forum of candidates for theDistrict 3 seat on the OkaloosaCounty Commission. District 3encompasses most of the westernhalf of the county, including largeparts of Valparaiso and Niceville.

Although county commissionersfrom each of the county’s five dis-tricts must reside in the districtthey represent, all county commis-sioners are elected “at large” withvoters from throughout the countyvoting for candidates from all fivedistricts.

All four District 3 commissioncandidates are Republicans,meaning they will face one anoth-er in a countywide universal pri-mary election Aug. 14 open to allregistered voters. The candidatewith the most votes, even if not amajority, will win.

District 3 Commissioner BillRoberts, Fort Walton Beach, is notrunning for a fourth four-yearterm. He is running for county taxcollector.

Candidate Clint Aden, of FortWalton Beach, cited his businessmanagement experience in con-struction and mortgage lending, aswell as his service as an electedmember of the Ocean City-WrightFire Commission, and his serviceas chair of the nonprofit HorizonsFoundation. He said that if elected,he plans to cut costs, improve effi-ciency in county government andreduce the county budget by 5 per-cent.

Candidate Nathan Boyles, ofHolt, said he is an attorney, hasalso worked as a real estate broker,and is a licensed civil engineer. Hesaid, “Government is not a job cre-ator” in its own right, but the bestway for government to help createjobs is to “get out of the way” ofentrepreneurs by eliminatingunneeded regulations and taxes.

Candidate Dennis Reeves, ofFort Walton Beach, said he hashad experience in business, as wellas having been a member of theFort Walton Beach City Council.If elected, he said, he will “keepgovernment doing the people’swork, and make county govern-

ment as efficient and honest as wecan.”

Candidate Bill Smith, aNiceville city councilman, and aschool district administrator, said akey part of a county commission-er’s job is to listen, and to put intoaction the ideas of his constituents.He said Okaloosa County “needsbetter jobs for our young people,to hold the line on taxes, and toprotect our senior citizens.”

Smith said he envisions thecounty’s Bob Sikes Airport as a“nucleus for creating jobs,” espe-cially in the aerospace industry.He said his experience on theNiceville City Council has con-vinced him that taxes can be helddown while improving the qualityof life for a community.

Candidates were asked howthey would manage the countybudget if property taxes, state aidand other revenue sources contin-ue to decline as they have beendoing since 2008.

Aden said the solution is for thecounty to "live within our means.”He said he would “rely on countydepartment heads” to look forways to cut costs and to “bringservices to a higher level.”

Boyles replied, “I am an opti-mist, and I think the economy willimprove. I think the real estatemarket will rebound, and that rev-enue will stabilize.” If not, he said,“We will hold the line” on spend-ing.

Reeves said that in Fort WaltonBeach, he has dealt with shrinkingrevenue every year. He said he will“apply what I have learned” as acity councilman to “provide thesame services with less money.”

Smith said, “I hope the realestate market has bottomed out,”but “my greatest fear is unfundedmandates” from the state level. Hesaid that as state sales tax revenueshave fallen during the recession,the Florida legislature has solvedits own financial problems bypassing the bill for governmentservices to cities and counties.“We must all fear whenever thelegislature is in session,” he said.

The candidates were also askedhow to attract new businesses andjobs to Okaloosa County.

Boyles repeated his earlierstatement that government is notitself a job creator, but must stayout of the way, reducing tax andregulatory obstacles to permit theprivate sector to create jobs. Ifelected, he said, he will reviewcounty ordinances in order tostreamline them and allow forfaster permitting of new business-es and construction.

Reeves said he supports tax

abatements to attract new busi-nesses to the county, and that hehas worked on “Project Pill,” aneffort to attract a pharmaceuticalcompany to the county. “We mustmake it easier for new businesses,”he said, but admitted, “I’m notsure how.”

Smith agreed that governmentdoes not create jobs directly andmust stay out of the way of thosewho do. He added, though, thatBob Sikes Airport can become ahub for job creation and that thecounty “owns the land” there. Hesaid that Project Pill is a goodexample of how the county canattract jobs, and that the aerospaceindustry should also be attracted,especially because many countyresidents already have aerospace-related job skills.

Aden said that the best help thecounty can offer for job creation isnot county tax abatement, but tostreamline the permitting processfor new businesses and construc-tion. He cited a project he hadbeen involved with in which, hesaid, it took two and a half years toobtain all the required permitsfrom the Department ofEnvironmental Protection, theArmy Corps of Engineers, andother regulatory agencies, todevelop a 1/10 acre piece of land.

The candidates also spokeabout how to improve countyinfrastructure such as roads.

Reeves said he favors moreefforts to pave roads in the north-ern parts of the county, whereschool buses often have difficultyreaching students who live alongsoft, badly rutted dirt roads.

Smith said that to fund infra-structure improvements, he favorsseeking state and federal grantswhenever possible, to reduce theburden on local taxpayers. “Weshould get every dime we can,” hesaid.

Aden, however, said “Grantscan be a dangerous thing—theyusually come with stringsattached.” He said he favors grow-ing the tax base in the northernhalf of the county to produce morerevenue.

Boyles said, “I learned to nego-tiate in law school,” and that hewill work with other parties, suchas the state legislature,Department of Transportation, andother agencies, to form partner-ships for long-term infrastructureimprovements. He cited the con-struction of new sidewalks inBluewater Bay as an example ofan effective partnership betweenthe county and the Bluewater BayMSBU, in which the countywould provide labor and expertisewhile the MSBU would pay forthe materials to build the side-walks.

Candidates were also askedwhether they would dissolve thecounty’s Tourist DevelopmentCouncil, which recently suffered ascandal of financial mismanage-ment and alleged theft by its previ-ous director.

Aden was the only candidate toreply, “Yes.”

Boyles said he could not give asimple yes or no answer—“I’m alawyer,” he said.

Reeves and Smith both saidthey would continue the TDC, butwith greater oversight by the coun-ty commission.


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THE BAY BEACONWednesday, July 4, 2012 Page A-3

officially approved, or denied,by the council, which is sched-uled to meet Tuesday.

Requests approved by theplanning commission Mondayinclude:

Michael Floyd requestedhis two lots on SycamoreAvenue be annexed into thecity limits and be zoned R-1Bsingle family dwelling district.Floyd is expected to build twosingle-family homes on theproperty according toNiceville building officials. R-1B zoning allows for lots sizesof at least 5,000 square feetversus a minimum of 10,000square feet for R-1 zoning andminimum 7,500 square feet forR-1A zoning. R-1B alsoallows smaller setbackrequirements on the rear andside yards.

Valparaiso Realty requesteda revision of its preliminaryapproval for Magnolia WoodsII, a planned 42-lot, single-family residential developmentto the west of Palm Boulevard,between Valparaiso Boulevardand Bayshore Drive.

Construction of the infra-structure for the first phase ofMagnolia Woods, a 31-lot sin-gle family residential develop-ment with homes between2,000 and 2,500-square feet, isalready underway with roadsto be paved by the end of sum-mer, according to a company

spokesman. The developmentwill be accessed by a singleentry/exit road from PalmBoulevard.

The second phase of theproject adjoins and is directlysouth of the first phase. Phase2 received preliminaryapproval from the city lastyear. A Valparaiso Realtyexecutive said the request wasto allow both Magnolia Woodsphases I and II to use the sin-gle entry/exit road from PalmBoulevard, rather than twoseparate entrances.

During Monday’s meeting,company engineer AlanTucker told the planning com-mission that having a singleentrance to the development“will be safer and more effi-cient, and will protect theneighborhood” from excessivetraffic or disturbance.

The planning commissionalso approved requests fromAnna Radford, who had resub-mitted two requests for specialexception to allow a zero rearsetback for a commercialzoned parcel at 751 E. JohnSims Parkway. The parcel isbetween John Sims Parkwayand Helms Street, just east ofthe intersection of John SimsParkway and State Road 285.Both of Radford’s requestswere tabled last monthbecause the legal informationon the property needed to bechanged.

At Monday’s meeting, rep-resentatives of Ogburn Realty

and Alday-HowellEngineering presented mapsand other information to theplanning commission. Theyexplained that Radford wasselling part of the parcel inquestion to Ogburn Realty,while Grace Prestwood, nowdeceased, who owned a cornerof the lot, also sold her land toOgburn Realty, making a sin-gle piece of property whichOgburn and Aldey-Howellplan to develop as an O’Reillyauto parts store.

Existing land developmentcodes call for a 30-foot rearsetback because the commer-cial property abuts a residen-tial district, while the codealso calls for a 10-foot rearsetback for commercial prop-erty. The O’Reilly store isplanned for the property andcity officials said the specialexceptions were requested toallow more room for deliverytrucks to maneuver within theparking lot surrounding thestore.

During their presentation,the Ogburn and Aldey-Howellrepresentatives said no truckswill enter or leave the propertyvia Helms Street, but willenter and leave solely via JohnSims Parkway. They also saida privacy fence will be builtalong the southern side of theproperty facing Helms Street.Across Helms there are hous-es.

Radford and Prestwoodeach submitted requests for a

special exception to the samecommercial property, 751 E.John Sims Parkway, to allowfor 30 parking spaces on theproperty, as opposed to therequired 33 spaces. DuringMonday’s meeting, theOgburn and Alday-Howellrepresentatives said the part ofthe land that could have beenused for the 31st through 33rdparking spaces may berequired for a stormwater con-trol facility.

The planning commission-ers approved the request, con-tingent upon completion of anexchange between OgburnRealty and the City ofNiceville, of some small bitsof land along the south side ofthe parcel. The exchange willstraighten the existing proper-ty line to match the edge ofHelms Street.

All of the requests wereapproved unanimously by theplanning commission.Commissioner Judy ByrneRiley, a member of the familythat owns Valparaiso Realty,abstained on the matter con-cerning that company.

The requests approved bythe planning commission willnow be forwarded to the elect-ed Niceville City Council,which will hold a public hear-ing on the same matters duringtheir regular monthly meetingJuly 10, at 7 p.m., also in thecity council chambers atNiceville City Hall at 212North Partin Drive.

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The draft budget of$17,945,473 is larger than the fis-cal year 2011-12 budget of$16,980,000, reflecting increasedrevenue from the county 2 percent“bed tax” on resort lodgings thatfunds the TDC.

According to Donovan andTDC Accounting Technician DaveReavis, the past year has seen anincrease in tourism in OkaloosaCounty, providing more bed taxrevenue than in some previousyears when tourism was sup-pressed by such events as hurri-canes and the BP oil spill in thespring and summer of 2010.

Also, the 2011-12 TDC budgetwas reduced by $2,007,449—anamount refunded to OkaloosaIsland residents after a plannedmunicipal services benefit unit(MSBU) was disbanded, afteroriginally being established tohelp fund beach sand restorationfollowing hurricanes in recentyears.

Donovan said he hopes theTDC will approve the proposed

budget at the July 18 meeting, intime for it to be presented to theOkaloosa Board of CountyCommissioners (BCC) forapproval during the BCC’s July31 meeting. The proposed budget,Donovan said, “is very conserva-tive, and is designed to set thestage for the future permanentTDC director.” He said that morethan 176 people have applied forthe TDC director post.

TDC Chairwoman KathyHouchins told fellow board mem-bers that the selection committeewhich she heads is working tonarrow the field of applicantsdown to a “short list” by July 3,with final selection of the newdirector to be made by the TDCboard, subject to approval by theOkaloosa County Commission.Houchins said her goal is to havethe new permanent TDC directorin place by some time in the com-ing fall—by the end of Septemberor early October if possible.

In other business, the TDCheard briefings from OkaloosaCounty Parks OperationsManager James Puckett, andTaylor Ward of Sandman LLC, the

contractor in charge of publicbeach maintenance for the county.They presented proposed changesto the county’s beach maintenanceordinance. The revised ordinance,said Puckett, will require beachvendors to remove temporarystructures and items such as tentsfrom the beach each night, toallow easier beach cleaning bySandman, and will prohibitovernight parking at James LeePark, with illegally parked vehi-cles to be towed away at owner’s

expense.Ward spoke about beach clean-

ing procedures, and said that it isnot always practical to remove allthe seaweed from the beach, as itis a natural phenomenon and partof the beach ecosystem. He added,however, that his crews do removeas much trash from the beach aspossible, including trash that hasintermingled with seaweed.

The TDC Board also decided,after some discussion, to vacatethe TDC’s Visitor Center at

Harbor Walk Village in Destin byJuly 31. The visitor center facilityhad been leased to the TDC at $1per year by developer Peter Bos,but unknown to the TDC, the pre-vious TDC director had also com-mitted the TDC to pay Bos about$42,000 per year in additionalfees if the TDC used the facility.Donovan told the TDC that Boshad agreed to release the TDCfrom that commitment if it vacatesthe property.

TDC Attorney Steve Hallbriefed board members on theFlorida Sunshine Law, especiallyas it pertains to emails sent by oramong public officials related toofficial business.

“Every time your finger touch-es a computer key to discuss TDCbusiness,” Hall warned the boardmembers, “you are creating a pub-lic record that must be made avail-able to anyone who requests it.”That level of public scrutiny “takessome getting used to,” Hall said.

Donovan also told the TDCBoard that he is in the process ofputting all TDC financial docu-ments on the county’s TDC web-site, to allow greater transparency

of financial transactions and to letthe public see how TDC funds areactually spent.

Donovan was appointed to theTDC directorship in May of thisyear, after the previous director,Mark Bellinger, died in an appar-ent suicide after being confrontedwith accusations that he had mis-spent TDC tax funds on unautho-rized things, including a yacht anda house. Bellinger’s actions arebeing investigated by federal andcounty law enforcement authori-ties.

Donovan also briefed the TDCBoard on some of the marketingprojects and programs planned tomarket the Okaloosa beach frontto potential vacationers. Some cur-rent plans include TV and radioadvertising, billboards, socialmedia messages and promotionalevents. He said he plans to createan ad-hoc task force of businessand community leaders to helpplan future marketing strategies.

The next TDC meeting isscheduled for 1 p.m., July 18, atthe Emerald Coast ConferenceCenter on Miracle Strip Parkway(U.S. Highway 98).

TDCFrom page A-1

$6,589,501$7,519,480

$8,662,477

$15,489,503

$16,980,000$17,945,473

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* 2013*


$0

$5

$10

$15

$20

Reve

nue in

mill

ions *FY 2012 & 2013 estimated

Source: Okaloosa Co. TDC

TDC revenue risesTourist Development Council revenue, by year

ArrestsLevy Houston Lucas III, a tree

service worker, 28, of 609 29th St.,Niceville, was arrested by sheriff'sdeputies June 22 on a violation ofprobation charge on the originalcharge of domestic violence bat-tery.

* * *Heather Michaelle Riedel,

unemployed, 29, of 284 MontanaAve., Valparaiso, was arrested byNiceville police, subsequent to atraffic stop for running a red light,June 22, on charges of possessionof a controlled substance without aprescription, two counts, for singlepills of both Xanax and Lortab,and one count each on charges ofdestroying evidence, possession ofless than 20 grams of marijuanaand possession of drug parapher-nalia. Riedel allegedly tried todestroy evidence by eating one-and-a-half Xanax pills.

Riedel was also arrested thesame day on a warrant chargingpossession of a controlled sub-stance. On April 18, during anoth-er traffic stop by Niceville policefor an extinguished tag light, a par-tial pill collected from Riedel'svehicle was later identified by astate crime lab as amphetamine.

* * *Johnathan Earl Hartley, unem-

ployed, 54, of 9112 UntreinerAve., Pensacola, was arrested byNiceville police, subsequent to atraffic stop for not using his turnsignal, June 23, on charges of pos-session of a controlled substance,methamphetamine, and drivingwhile license suspended orrevoked. Hartley was also cited for

driving without vehicle insurance.Alexandria Grace Farstad,

unemployed, 20, of the sameaddress and a passenger inHartley's vehicle, was also arrest-ed the same date and time on acharge of possession of drug para-phernalia.

* * *Nelson Lee Oglesby, a dish-

washer, 28, of 154 Westview Ave.,Apartment #16, Valparaiso, wasarrested by Niceville police June20 on a charge of possession ofSchedule II controlled substance.Police went to the church whereOglesby was working as a dish-washer in order to serve aCrestview arrest warrant oncharges of grand theft, molesting avending machine, second offense,and criminal mischief. During asubsequent search police allegedlyfound four pills of Roxicotin inOglesby's right front watch pock-et.

* * *Jared Martin Butler, unem-

ployed, 30, of 500 Nutmeg Ave.,Niceville, was arrested by sheriff'sdeputies June 22 on a misde-meanor worthless check chargerelated to a $30.70 check.

* * *Bradley James Thomason, 42,

of 379 S. Bayshore Drive,Valparaiso, was arrested by sher-iff's deputies June 12 on charges ofburglary and grand theft. Nearlyfive years ago, on Nov. 23, 2007, asuspect cut himself during a bur-glary at a collectibles store, 418-ARacetrack Road, Fort WaltonBeach. The burglar stole a largequantity of coins valued at

$20,975. OnJune 23,2011, a statecrime labreported thatDNA from ablood sam-ple from abroken glassat the burgla-ry scenematched theDNA of Thomason.

* * *Billy Joe Bramlett, 22, of 214

Marquette St., Niceville, wasarrested by Valparaiso police June26 on a charge of failure to leaveinformation about a crash with anunattended vehicle and propertydamage. Bramlett allegedlycrashed into a parked vehicle in adriveway on North BayshoreDrive then drove off. Damage toboth vehicles, as well as damageto a garage, two trees and a mail-box was estimated at $15,000.

DUI arrestsNathan A. Smith, 27, of 518

23rd St., Niceville, was arrested bysheriff's deputies for DUI onHighway 98 and Palmetto, Destin,June 24 at 2:25 a.m.

* * *Alicia Fawn Chessher, 25, of

503-A Johnson St., Valparaiso,was arrested by Niceville policefor DUI at the entrance to TurkeyCreek North off CollegeBoulevard, June 26 at 5:44 p.m.

TheftsA foreman for an Alabama

roofing company reported toValparaiso police June 20 that acompany credit card had beenused four times without authoriza-tion by an employee. The suspectmade four charges totaling $260on the credit card, and attempted11 other fraudulent transactionsafter the company canceled thecard, the foreman alleged.

* * *A Valparaiso resident reported

receiving 20 Express Mailenvelopes in the mail, each with a

$950 personal money order fromBay Coast Bank. The recipientsubsequently received a $359 billfor three "Bill Me Later byPayPal" transactions at a U.S. postoffice. Investigators found a fraudalert about the personal moneyorder fraud on the home page ofBay Coast Bank. The victim, whodid not have an account, calledPayPal and had the transactionscanceled.

* * *A Niceville resident from the

4200 block of Lost Horse Circlereported that unknown person(s)burglarized his unlocked pickuptruck sometime overnight, June14-15 and stole a $50 cell phone,and a $50 wallet containing $12cash, two credit cards and an ID.The victim discontinued serviceon the stolen cell phone and can-celed his credit cards, neither ofwhich showed activity since beingstolen.

OtherDakota Ryder Lee, 18, of 1130

Coral Drive, Niceville, was issueda criminal summons by Nicevillepolice June 24 on a charge of pos-session of less than 20 grams ofmarijuana.

* * *Kamen K. Barrett, 67, of 401

20th St., Niceville, was issued acriminal summons by sheriff'sdeputies June 19 on a charge ofretail theft. Barrett was allegedlyobserved concealing store mer-chandise without paying for it at15003-B Emerald Coast Parkway,Destin, including sterling silverjewelry, sunglasses, handbags, aladies top, hat, a pair of ladiesshoes and ladies bottoms. Totalvalue of the items was $519.

* * *On June 22 and 23, Niceville

police received calls from threeresidents—from the 500 block of27th Street, the 300 block ofReeves Street and Bailey Drive—all reporting sightings of a raccoonwith a jar on its head. Police wereunable to locate the animal.

Fire Department ReportsNiceville

The Niceville Fire Department responded to the following calls from June 25, 2012through July 1, 2012.

0 Structure Fire 29 Emergency Medical Calls0 Vehicle Fire 5 Vehicle Crash 0 Other Fire 1 Vehicle Crash with Extrication0 Illegal Burn 3 Other Emergency Calls0 False Alarms 1 Hazardous Conditions

STREET SITUATION DATE TIMEPeachtree Way.........................Medical................................06/25/12......................00:28Rocky Shores Drive .................Medical................................06/25/12......................08:50Juniper Avenue.........................Power Line Down...............06/25/12......................14:46N. Partin Drive ..........................Vehicle Crash......................06/25/12......................16:59Bullock Blvd. .............................Medical................................06/25/12......................19:16McEwen Drive ..........................Medical................................06/25/12......................22:26State Road 85 North................Alarm Activation..................06/25/12......................22:47Boxer Avenue...........................Medical................................06/25/12......................22:53Park Avenue .............................Medical................................06/26/12......................09:55E. John Sims Pkwy. .................Service Call.........................06/26/12......................10:33N. Partin Drive ..........................Vehicle Crash......................06/26/12......................16:31E. John Sims Pkwy. .................Alarm Activation..................06/26/12......................17:51Government Avenue................Medical................................06/26/12......................20:27W. John Sims Pkwy. ................Vehicle Crash......................06/27/12......................07:27E. John Sims Pkwy. .................Medical................................06/27/12......................08:12Fairway Drive............................Medical................................06/27/12......................08:33Juniper Avenue.........................Medical................................06/27/12......................11:11Crestview Avenue ....................Medical................................06/27/12......................12:44W. College Blvd........................Medical................................06/27/12......................13:41E. College Blvd.........................Medical................................06/27/12......................15:33Redwood Avenue.....................Vehicle Extrication ..............06/27/12......................19:2117th Street ................................Medical................................06/27/12......................02:52E. John Sims Pkwy. .................Medical................................06/28/12......................04:20E. John Sims Pkwy. .................Medical................................06/28/12......................08:22E. John Sims Pkwy. .................Medical................................06/28/12......................15:50E. John Sims Pkwy. .................Medical................................06/28/12......................16:12N. Partin Drive ..........................Medical................................06/28/12......................16:25N. Partin Drive ..........................Medical................................06/28/12......................16:3423rd Street ................................Medical................................06/28/12......................17:06Spencer Place..........................Medical................................06/29/12......................03:44Hickory Avenue ........................Medical................................06/29/12......................05:35N. Partin Drive ..........................Medical................................06/29/12......................14:46State Road 85 North................Vehicle Crash......................06/29/12......................15:54E. John Sims Pkwy. .................Medical................................06/29/12......................21:06N. Partin Drive ..........................Vehicle Crash......................06/29/12......................21:46E. John Sims Pkwy. .................Medical................................06/30/12......................10:4523rd Street ................................Medical................................06/30/12......................14:12N. Partin Drive ..........................Medical................................07/01/12......................05:52Linden Avenue..........................Medical................................07/01/12......................19:22

Weekly Safety Tip: Have a safe and happy Fourth of July. Enjoy the fireworks demon-stration along the shores of Boggy Bayou, but for your safety, and the safety of others,please no personal fireworks. Visit the Niceville Fire Departmentʼs Web page onFacebook.

Police BlotterThe following accounts of the activities of police are according

to records of the Niceville and Valparaiso police departments, theOkaloosa County and Walton County sheriffʼs offices, other law-enforce-

ment agencies, and the Okaloosa County and Walton County jails.

Valparaiso VolunteerThe Valparaiso Volunteer Fire Department responded to the following calls during themonth of June:

Location Situation Date TimeJudith Drive ..............................Fall ..................................................06/02/12.............04:18Montana Ave............................Abdominal Pain..............................06/02/12.............08:05Charles Drive ...........................Diabetic...........................................06/03/12.............22:53 Highland Street........................Traumatic Injury .............................06/04/12.............19:01Hickory Lane............................Breathing Problem.........................06/07/12.............04:15East John Sims Pkwy..............School Shooter Exercise...............06/08/12.............09:01South John Sims Pkwy. ..........Child Locked in Car .......................06/08/12.............10:50South John Sims Pkwy. ..........Breathing Problem.........................06/08/12.............17:22North John Sims Pkwy............CVA/Stroke.....................................06/08/12.............17:25South John Sims Pkwy. ..........Overdose/Poisoning ......................06/08/12.............21:02Glen Ave...................................Fall ..................................................06/09/12.............06:45Magnolia Ave. ..........................Fall ..................................................06/11/12.............22:53Lincoln Ave...............................Back Pain .......................................06/12/12.............18:42Kelly Mill Road.........................Structure Fire .................................06/12/12.............20:48Hickory Lane ...........................Unconscious...................................06/13/12.............04:37Edge Ave..................................Sick Call..........................................06/13/12.............12:35Chicago Ave.............................Psychiatric ......................................06/15/12.............15:34Nordberg Ave...........................Motor Vehicle Accident..................06/18/12.............14:15North Partin Drive....................Fall ..................................................06/20/12.............15:36North Bayshore Drive..............Seizures..........................................06/21/12.............04:19Lincoln Ave...............................Sick Call..........................................06/22/12.............13:51Hickory Lane............................Breathing Problem.........................06/24/12.............05:15Government Ave......................Unlawful Burning............................06/26/12.............20:50

The Valparaiso Volunteer Fire Department is seeking the return of a lost portableradio. The radio may have been lost in the area of Perrine Park. If found please returnit to City Hall or the Fire Department. No questions will be asked upon its return.Contact the Valparaiso Volunteer Fire Department at 729-5410 if you have questionsor concerns.

North BayThe North Bay Fire Department responded to the following calls from June 25, 2012through July 1, 2012.

Street Situation Date TimeHickory Street .................................Assist invalid.............................06/25/12...........02:34Pine Street ......................................Electrical wiring.........................06/25/12...........10:37Saint Anne Cove ............................Medical assist...........................06/26/12...........10:43Troon Drive West ...........................EMS call....................................06/26/12...........10:58Commercial Drive...........................Motor vehicle accident .............06/26/12...........15:10Troon Drive West ...........................Assist invalid.............................06/26/12...........19:14Troon Drive West ...........................Medical assist...........................06/26/12...........21:22Fairway Lakes Drive ......................EMS call....................................06/27/12...........08:07Parkwood Place .............................EMS call....................................06/27/12...........10:15Troon Drive West ...........................EMS call....................................06/27/12...........13:33Range Road ...................................Bomb scare, no bomb .............06/27/12...........14:27North White Point Road.................Dispatched & canceled............06/27/12...........16:30Parkwood Lane ..............................Unintentional transmission ......06/27/12...........16:39Calinda Lane ..................................Alarm system sounded............06/27/12...........16:47E. Highway 20 & Redwood Ave....Rescue or EMS standby .........06/27/12...........19:22North White Point Road.................EMS call....................................06/27/12...........22:21Highway 293 & N. Lakeshore .......Motor vehicle accident .............06/28/12...........03:29East Highway 20 ............................Dispatched & canceled............06/28/12...........11:14Bluewater Boulevard......................Motor vehicle accident .............06/28/12...........16:20Parkwood Place .............................EMS call....................................06/28/12...........18:12North White Point Road.................Medical assist...........................06/30/12...........13:04Meadow Woods Lane....................Medical assist...........................07/01/12...........00:54Blue Pine Lane...............................Medical assist...........................07/01/12...........08:35North White Point Road.................Medical assist...........................07/01/12...........18:00Highway 20 East ............................Dispatched & canceled............07/01/12...........22:25

Visit northbayfd.org for more information.

This information is from reports by the Okaloosa CountySheriffʼs Office. A reward is offered by Emerald Coast Crime

Stoppers, 863-8477, or 1-888-654-8477. Information can alsobe provided anonymously by texting “TIP214 plus the

message” to CRIMES (274637)

Okaloosa seeks fugitivesThis information is from reports by the

Okaloosa County Sheriffʼs Office.

Name: Frances Marie JohnsonWanted for: violation of probationon the original charges of fraudu-lent use of a credit card and for-gery.Height: 5-feetWeight: 116 poundsAge: 40Date of birth: 04-21-1972Hair: brownEyes: brown

Name: Cody Alexander FriendWanted for: violation of probationon the original charge of felonybattery.Height: 6-feet, 1-inchWeight: 250 poundsAge: 27Date of birth: 03-06-1985Hair: brownEyes: hazel

Bradley J.Thomason



1181 E. John Sims Parkway, Niceville, Florida 32578(850) 678-1080 • Fax: 729-3225

[email protected]

The Bay Beacon& Beacon Express

Stephen W. KentEditor and Publisher

Bunni FarnhamAdvertising

Representative

Candice LeggeGraphic Artist

Karon DeyBookkeeper

Ignacio MacasaetGraphic Artist

Linda McCormickAdvertising

Representative

Cheryle ValentineReceptionist

Tess HollisEditorial Assistant

The Bay Beacon and Beacon Express, incorporating the Bluewater Breeze, ispublished every Wednesday by Bayou Enterprises Inc. Free total-market homedelivery to Niceville, Valparaiso, Bluewater Bay and Seminole, as well as mid-

Walton County from Villa Tasso to Basin Bayou, including Choctaw Beach.Subscriptions: One year, mail, $104. One year, electronic subscription, $52.

Nicevilleʼs Newspaper

Sara KentAdvertising Director

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year budget of $1,963,732. Miller said he expects the com-

ing year’s personnel costs to beless than those of the current year,dropping from $1,465,415 to$1,449,107, and recommendedthat the fire district keep its currenttax rate.

The district has recentlyreceived conflicting informationas to whether its tax rolls increasedslightly, or decreased slightly, thisyear, according to Miller.

Miller recommended keepingthe current millage rate, whichwould be levied in Bluewater Bay,Seminole, and the nearby commu-nities served by the fire district.

At a rate of 2.35 mills, propertyowners in the district would pay$2.35 in tax for every $1,000 ofappraised taxable value of theirproperty. For example, a home-owner with a house appraised at$200,000 taxable value afterhomestead exemptions would pay$470 in property tax to the NorthBay Fire District, along with othertaxes collected by the OkaloosaCounty Tax Collector, such ascounty and schools levies.

Part of the reason for reducedpersonnel expense in the comingyear, said Miller, is that the fire

district expects to cut one firefight-er. The district also laid off twofirefighters and another employeethis year, which should cut costsnext year, he said.

Miller also told the fire com-mission that insurance costs forthe coming year are not yet cer-tain, so that his budget recommen-dation may change during theweeks ahead, as more definiteinformation on insurance costsbecomes available.

Miller also said that the pro-posed budget includes a savingsfund for the eventual purchase of anew fire truck, and that he hopes tohave enough money saved by thetime such a truck is needed to beable to pay its estimated $250,000cost outright, eliminating the needto obtain a loan and pay interest.He said the proposed budget alsoincludes money for new personalfirefighter equipment, or “bunkergear,” as well as a reserve fund ofabout $18,000.

The budget proposal will bediscussed again at the next regularmeeting of the North Bay FireCommission, scheduled for 7 p.m.Tuesday, July 10, at the North Bayfire station on White Point Road,south of State Road 20.

Fire Commission ChairmanJim Miller (no relation to ChiefMiller) recommended that

between now and then, he and fel-low fire commissioners reviewChief Miller’s proposal, and bringany questions or recommenda-tions of their own to the July 10meeting. He also said the fire com-mission will welcome any sugges-tions from fire district residents,who are invited to attend fire com-mission meetings. CommissionerMiller offered some recommenda-tions of his own:

—The fiscal year 2013 budgetshould include enough reservefunding to provide a “buffer” incase of unforeseen events such asa hurricane.

—Do not increase local prop-erty taxes. Miller reminded his fel-low commissioners that NorthBay property taxes have increasedin each of the last three budgetcycles, and that it is time to holdtaxes at or below the current level.

Commissioner Miller also con-gratulated Chief Miller for prepar-ing the proposed budget withoutany tax increase.

“You have done it once again,”the commission chairman said.“You have gotten blood out of aturnip.

“I don’t see any fluff in thisbudget,” he continued, "and it willhelp build our long-term capabili-ty.”

At the July 10 fire commission

meeting, the commissionersexpect to finalize their budget,which would then require twopublic hearings in September,before being approved.

RATEFrom page A-1

has seen traffic decline each yearsince peaking in 2006 at 7.6million, just before the U.S.housing market crashed and theeconomy pitched into recession.Last year it was 6.5 million, asthe housing and tourism econo-my continued to lag. The rate ofdecline has slowed markedly,however, and bridge officialshope that fiscal year 2012,which will end Sept. 30, willpost an increase overall.

In future years, more trafficwill be funneled to the span bythe Mid-Bay Bridge Connectorproject. The 11-mile express-way now under constructionwill connect the north end of thebridge with State Road 85 justnorth of Niceville, allowingtourists and other motorists tobypass Niceville and BluewaterBay en route to and from thebridge. The $174 million proj-ect is expected to open for traf-fic in early 2014.

NOTCHESFrom page A-1

The police department's pro-posed budget for the upcomingfiscal year that begins Oct. 1includes $47,000 to add a full-time police officer. The depart-ment had not filled the vacantposition last year due to reducedrevenues.

Police Chief Joe Hart toldcommissioners that he was notasking for a new patrol carbecause the current budgetincludes money for one thisyear.

Life and health insurancecosts for the police departmentwill increase by $14,400 to$158,400, Hart said, promptingCommissioner Kay Hamilton toask if the city periodically com-pares insurance quotes from dif-ferent companies.

Commissioner HeywardStrong said that the city gets itsinsurance from the FloridaLeague of Cities, where Strongsits on the insurance committee.He said the League periodicallylooks at different providers inthe policies it offers membercities.

The proposed police budget,including the money for anotherofficer but no new car, totaled$1,081,865, up more than$31,000 from the current budg-et.

Library Director DavidWeatherford proposed a budgetof $268,325, up $35,795 fromthis year's budget. Weatherfordsaid the library was enjoyingtremendous growth, adding 600new patrons during the currentyear. The library seeks $26,500to add a full-time employee and$4,000 for new computers usedby patrons. The library's 18computers are antiquated, hesaid. The library is also askingfor $1,000 for more chairs andtables for its popular story timeprograms for young children.

Funding from the OkaloosaCounty Public LibraryCooperative was $37,000 thisyear, Weatherford said, downsignificantly from $119,000when Valparaiso joined it.

Commissioner Joe Morgantold fellow commissioners thathe had met with firefighters to

align the department's budget forpersonnel and operating expens-es line with its actual needs.Wages and benefits will rise byonly $775 from the currentbudget, he said, to a total of$194,450. Operating expenseswill increase by $275, althoughit included an increase of$4,000, to $7,000, for uniformsfor the department's 11 part-timeemployees and 17 volunteers,according to Morgan.

The fire department's currentbudget of $318,134 includedseveral capital expenses notrepeated in the proposed budgetof $266,950, Morgan said,including furniture, buildingremodeling, new bunker gearand cleaning equipment.

Public Works Director JamesValandingham provided draftbudgets for several departments,including cemetery, parks, shop,streets, stormwater and sanita-tion departments.

Receiving the most discus-sion, Valandingham gave citycommissioners two options forreplacing a departing employeewho works in both the parks andstreets departments. Either thecity could hire a new employeeat $36,000 annually, or, at addi-tional expense, it could contractwith the Florida Department ofCorrections for an eight-inmatework force that would be avail-able eight hours a day, five daysa week.

To receive the potential hugegain in prisoner labor, the citywould have to pay about$60,000 a year for a supervisingcorrections officer, plus one-time purchases of $23,000 for

radios and a city van to transportthe work squad.

A specialized inmate con-struction crew would also beavailable, if requested,Valandingham said.

Mayor Bruce Arnold andMorgan expressed reservationsabout the reliability of convictlabor.

City Clerk Tammy Johnsonrequested $27,000 in increasesfor administrative functions,including merit raises for out-standing employees and conver-sion of a part-time employee tofull-time status.

In the face of continuingannual increases in cable TVprogramming and Internet ven-dor charges, cityCommunications Director BurtBennett projected a drop of$55,000, or 3.4 percent, in annu-al revenue. Bennett blamed therevenue shrinkage on too-rosyprojections of how many cityresidents would pay for Internetphone service or expanded videoservices. He suggested that thecity could make up a projected$36,110 shortfall in next year's$1,522,560 cable budget by dip-ping into reserve funds.

The mayor set the next budg-et workshop for July 16 at 6 p.m.in the city commission cham-bers. During the meeting, anoverall proposed budget will bepresented, as well as proposedmillage rates needed to fund it,Arnold said. At that time, thecommission will also considerthe effect of contemplatedemployee raises on the spendingplan. All the budget meetingsare open to the public.



Carol Benningfield, 62,Niceville, retired

“Iʼm for limitedgovernment. Vote forRomney so he canrepeal Obamacare.”

“I donʼt like it. Obamais already taking too

much of peoplesʼmoney, and heʼs thereason our soldiers

are still in the MiddleEast.”

“I think itʼs a little bitridiculous, because

insurance is soexpensive now thatmost families canʼt

afford it.”

What do you think about the Supreme Court upholdingObamacare, including the requirement that Americans without

health insurance must buy it?

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Melanie Griffith, 42,Niceville,

store clerk

Megan OʼNeal, 29,Niceville,

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Shelli Pierson, 42,Niceville,

homemaker

“If it allows everybodyto have decent healthcare, then Iʼm always

for it.”

“We need to prayfor our leadership.”

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insurance, how canthey afford the finefor not buying it?”

Marc Jenkins, 50,Shalimar,

retired military

Richard Buesinger, 74, Destin,retired

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Spa La La, formerly known asCool Stylz Studio, underwentmajor renovations in Marchthanks to new owner Renee Hill.Renee created a new look andfeel to accommodate the need fora relaxing resort atmosphere inNiceville.

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The Spa offers newly-remod-eled and freshly-painted privateand dedicated rooms for bodytreatments, massages, mani-cures and pedicures with newequipment, and even waxingservices. Showering facilities arealso available on-site.

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“I want people to realize thatthey can get great, or even betterspa services here in Nicevillerather than going across thebridge,” said Renee, owner ofSpa La La.

Spa La La also offers salonservices. If needing a haircut,color, hair extensions, or keratinsmoothing treatments, Spa La Lais the place to go. Their knowl-edgeable hair stylists not onlymake their clients look good, butalso teach them how to maintaintheir style by educating them onproducts such as Moroccan Oil,Aquage and Mixed Chicks to con-tinue their hair care at home.

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3 owners will get new homes under U.S. grantsPage A-8 Wednesday, July 4, 2012THE BAY BEACON

By Del LessardBeacon Staff Writer

The Niceville City Council lastmonth approved the contractaward to replace three agingmobile homes under a federalCommunity Development BlockGrant for housing rehabilitation.

Dennis Dingman, a consultantfrom Summit ProfessionalServices in Panama City, provideda status report regarding the

Community Development BlockGrant Housing RehabilitationContract 11DB-C5-01-56-02-H02.

Sealed bids were received andopened May 15 fordemolition/replacement of threehousing units in Niceville, he said.The goal of the Housing andUrban Development (HUD) pro-gram, he said is to ensure peoplehave a healthy, safe place to live.

The low bidder on all threehome replacements, and winner ofthe contracts, was U.S. MobileHome Sales of Florida Inc.,Marianna.

According to city records, thehomeowners who will receive newmobile homes under the grant,including the amount of eachgrant, are:

—Paula Barfield, of 205Reeves St., Lot 21, $47,992.

—Marcella Ward, 304 ReevesSt., Lot A-12, $49,871.

—Janet Nice, of 304 ReevesSt., Lot G-9, $44,987.

To qualify for the grant, appli-cants had to meet HUD incomelimits, Dingman said, with addi-tional points if they were over 62or had disabilities. Recipients alsohave to own and live in their ownhome, and be a permanent residentof the city. It is not a requirement

for mobile home owners to ownthe land their home occupies, hesaid.

Recipients who do receive aHUD grant to renovate or rebuildtheir homes have a five-year lienplaced on their property thatdepreciates 20 percent each year,Dingman said. The owners don'thave to pay for the zero interestlien as long as they occupy theirhome and don't sell or transfer it

during the five-year period, hesaid. The owners must also carryhomeowner's insurance for thefive-year period, he added.

Under the $700,000 federalgrant awarded the city last yearDingman told the council that con-struction is underway to renovatethree homes and demolish andreplace two others. There may beenough money left to rehabilitateor rebuild up to four more homes.


Alexandra Black, ofNiceville, recently graduated witha bachelor’s degree in marketingfrom the University of CentralFlorida. Sheaccepted ajob with alarge, multi-national cor-poration,and for now,is living andworking inTallahassee.Alexandrais thedaughter of Leith and RandyBlack, of Niceville, and a gradu-ate of Niceville High School.

***The recipients of the 2012

Knights of Columbus Council13527, Christ Our RedeemerCatholic Church, college scholar-

ships are Erika Tuttle, NicevilleHighSchool, andSarahLynch,RockyBayouChristianSchool. Thewinnersrecentlygraduated,and willeach receive$500 towardcollegetuition, feesand/orbooks. Erikaand Sarahwere select-ed becauseof their out-standingrecord ofachievement in academics, schooland community activities, churchservice and future potential.

***Robbie D. Cocchiarella, of

Niceville, was recently named tothe Dean's List at BostonUniversity for the spring semes-ter.

***Katherine Wainwright, of

Niceville, received a bachelor ofarts degree from Wake ForestUniversity on May 21. She wasalso among the more than 1,900students from Wake Forest whomade the Spring 2012 Dean'sList. Wake Forest is located inWinston-Salem, N.C.

***Blake Jones, of Niceville, and

Christina McCool, of Niceville,each received a master of sciencein systems engineering fromSouthern Methodist Universityduring the May 2012Commencement ceremonies.Southern Methodist is located inDallas.

***William Davis, of Niceville,

was among 12 students inducted

By Tess HollisBeacon Staff Writer

If a patriotic end to Fourth ofJuly festivities is what you'reafter, look no further than theTwin Cities' annual fireworks dis-play.

Area residents can start theirday with Valparaiso'sIndependence Day activities,beginning with the 34th AnnualDuathlon at 7 a.m. Activities forchildren, food, and music willround out the day at LincolnPark, which will wind down withthe fireworks show at 8:45 p.m.over Boggy Bayou.

The fireworks display will beput on by Pyro Shows, ofLaFollette, Tenn. Pyro Shows isresponsible for more than 1,000fireworks shows in the UnitedStates, including the Fourth ofJuly display in Washington, D.C.,on the National Monument lawn.

"Many of the fireworks weuse in Niceville, we will use in

the national show on the Mall,"said president of Pyro ShowsLansden Hill. "The show inNiceville falls into the category ofa pretty large show, and it's one ofour bigger shows in the Destinarea. This is probably the biggest

show we've done for the city sofar."

Hill said that more than 2,000pounds of fireworks will be firedelectronically through the courseof tonight's show. Pyro Showshas been providing fireworks forNiceville for the past three years.

New this year, the fireworkswill be fired from a floating plat-form that was fabricated by thecity specifically for theIndependence Day celebration.The platform is 80 by 48 feet,and is capable of carrying morethan 100,000 pounds.

Don Ory, director of the Cityof Niceville's Youth Center,designed the platform with CityManager Lannie Corbin.

"The primary function of theplatform is to assure availabilityof a platform for fireworks eachyear," Ory said, referring to the fact that the city has had to rely on

BBeeaaccoonn EExxpprree ss ss OUR TOWNWho’s News

PPaaggee BB--11 WWeeddnneessddaayy,, JJuullyy 44 ,, 22001122

Please see FOURTH, page B-2 Please see WHOʼS, page B-2

Fireworks to light up the Bayou

File photoThe Twin Cities' annual fire-works display will begin atabout 8:45 p.m. over BoggyBayou. The best places to viewthe fireworks are Lincoln Parkin Valparaiso, Lions Park or theTurkey Creek area.

Erika Tuttle

Alexandra Black

Sarah Lynch

Photo by JoAnn Brake

Mural shows off red, white and blueMarge and Clark Rayborn, owners of Read It Again, Niceville, proudly display the patrioticmural that fills a window at their store. Madison Brake, center, a Niceville High School stu-dent and volunteer at the store, painted the mural that faces John Sims Parkway.

Patriotichorse arrivesat library"Glory" the patriotic horsewill be on display at theNiceville Library throughJuly. Paul Putney, pic-tured, a 72-year-old artistand master wood crafts-man from Niceville, hand-carved and painted thecarousel horse. Glory is55-inches tall and 300pounds. The horse ismade of solid cypress andbasswood.

Beacon photo by Tess Hollis

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availability of rental barges inyears' past.

The platform cost the city$38,000, and was purchased withdonations from aluminum can col-lections, fireworks T-shirt sales,private donations and fundraisingevents.

Hill said Pyro Shows did a testrun on the platform three weeksago.

"We took the platform into thebayou and shot a few shells," Hillsaid. "The platform handled therecoil beautifully and it is strongenough, sturdy enough and meetsregulations."

The platform, which will bestored at North Light Marina andrented for other events such aslarge parties, will float in the mid-dle of Boggy Bayou during thefireworks show. Corbin said thereis no "exclusion zone" fortonight's show, except privateproperty.

"To get the real view you needto be around Lions Park, LincolnPark or the Turkey Creek area," hesaid.

The show will last about 30minutes, Corbin said, and will bedisplayed to a patriotic sound-track. It will go on as scheduledrain or shine.

For those who want to get ahead start on Fourth of Julyevents, the city will sell food fromconcession stands at Lincoln Parkaround 4 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. therewill be a flyover from Eglin AirForce Base.

Corbin suggests parking awayfrom the various parks near BoggyBayou and walking to view thedisplay.

Although area residents willhave to wait until next year to seethe fireworks show again, the citywill continue to raise money tofund the patriotic festivities foryears to follow.

The fireworks show cost about$28,000, Corbin said, which waspaid for through the city's"Fireworks Fund."

"We are not using city taxes to

do this, we do it with donations,"he said.

The City of Niceville and theCity of Valparaiso both have analuminum recycling program toraise money. Also, both citiesgive residents the option ofdonating each month throughtheir water bill.

"Just from Valparaiso recy-cling the aluminum cans we getabout $6,000 to $7,000 a yearwith their help," Corbin said.

Fundraising has also includ-ed fireworks T-shirt sales, steakdinners, sponsorships and dona-tion jars at local businesses.Money raised for the fireworksis put into a trust fund and canonly be used for the fireworksshow, Corbin said.

By Tess HollisBeacon S

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