News Briefs November 8, 2012

Lions Club to hold Turkey Shoot Saturday

The Carrabelle Lions Club will hold a Turkey Shoot and 50-50 raffle from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 10.

The event will be held on Lake Morality Road, off of Highway 98 between Carrabelle and Lanark Village.

Lots of turkeys will be won and great fun will be the order of the day. Bring your own shotgun and we will furnish the shells. If you can’t bring a gun, we will furnish one.

Everyone is welcome but minors must be accompanied by an adult. All proceeds from any Lions Club function is returned to the community. Our motto is “We Serve.”

For further information call 697 3189.

Bridge repair begins on U.S. 98 in Carrabelle

Periodic lane closures will occur on the U.S. 98 Yent Bayou Bridge near the entrance to the Tate’s Hell State Forest High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail in Carrabelle, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 7 and continuing through Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Lane closures will remain in effect from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily. These lane closures are part of the bridge rehabilitation work currently taking place on the structure.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to pay attention and use caution when driving through the construction zone.

For more Florida Department of Transportation District Three information follow us on twitter @MyFDOT_NWFL.

Multiple food drives under way in county

At their Tuesday meeting, Director of Emergency Services Pam Brownell told county commissioners that food from many sources is being distributed in the county.

On Oct. 30, WPAP, Wal-Mart, and Two Men and A Truck collected food and money for the affected population that was delivered Oct. 31 and distributed to the three county food pantries. Baby supplies, including disposable diapers, are being distributed through the county health department’s Healthy Families case- workers.

A truck from the Lakeland and Winter Haven 912 projects will arrive on Sunday, and will be used to prepare for the Thanksgiving distributions.

The state employees organized by the Florida Department of Emergency Management are collecting food. Local businessman Harry Arnold, owner of Executive Office Supply, has volunteered to use his distribution system to pick up food in Tallahassee and bring it to Franklin County. State workers are also donating toys for the toy project.

Integrity Software development from Tallahassee has adopted the collection of food for Franklin County as their company holiday project. The Apalachicola Bay Charter School is conducting a food drive for Christmas.

Pepsi of Tallahassee will donate products to be stored at the Carrabelle City Hall and distributed through the food pantries. If any other non-profits in the community need Pepsi products for activities other than fundraising, they can contact Franklin’s Promise to see what is available.

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is seeking donations to purchase turkeys for Thanksgiving for all three communities. They are currently searching for the best price.

First county meeting of 2013 rescheduled

The first county meeting of 2013 will take place at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Jan. 2 because January 1 is a holiday.

Budget amendments pass unanimously

At the Nov. 5 county meeting commissioners unanimously approved two resolutions to incorporate unanticipated revenues into your last year’s budget. Approval is needed to comply with Florida Statutes 129.

The first resolution included $38,750 received from the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management, for payment of expenses incurred for State Homeland Security Training Exercises and the training of the CERT Disaster Response Team in last year’s budget. The expenditure line item was 001.48.525.3401 Emergency Disaster Relief Contract Services in the General Fund. 

The second resolution was for $492,987 in Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds which provided for the energy efficiency improvements made to the Carrabelle City Hall, Franklin County Courthouse and Courthouse Annex.  The expenditure line item was 001.20.511.6201 County Commission Legislative Buildings.

The total amount incorporated was $531,757. All of the money has already been spent on the designated projects.

County recognizes pancreatic cancer awareness

At their regular meeting, the county commission voted unanimously to declare November as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month by a resolution as requested by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The network contacted all 67 counties to request resolutions recognizing pancreatic cancer as a deadly form of cancer that is not getting an equal amount of funding for a cure.

Crystal Air airport lease signed

At Tuesday’s county commission meeting, Director of Administrative Services Alan Pierce presented the board with a signed lease with Crystal Air, the new fixed base operator (FBO) at the Apalachicola Regional Airport.

The lease was prepared by Timothy Sloan, an attorney from Panama City. Crystal Air began operation on Nov. 1. Pierce reported that the airport’s remaining fuel has been purchased by the new FBO and the first month’s rent of $5,000 has been paid.

Pierce said Perky White is now employed by Crystal Air on a part-time basis. The commission voted unanimously to accept the lease and Chairperson Pinki Jackel thanked Pierce for installing a new FBO under severe time constraints.

Parker to remain on TDC

On Tuesday, commissioners voted unanimously to reappoint Paul Parker to the Tourist Development Council (TDC) in accordance with the recommendation of the TDC.

Improvements planned for C.C. Land Road

At their regular Nov. 5 meeting, County Planner Alan Pierce informed commissioners that the Florida Department of Transportation has sent out the agreements for CC Land Road to be widened and resurfaced. The state is providing up to $744,000 for the project. Any cost above that will be the county’s responsibility.  Pierce said the board will know the construction costs after bids are open. Commissioners voted unanimously to direct Preble-Rish to proceed with design and engineering.

Riverfront pilings repaired

Chief Bobby Varnes achieved his goal. The damaged pilings on the waterfront at Riverfront Park were repaired in time for Seafood Festival. On Thursday, Nov. 1, Joe Costin of Quality Docks installed two new pilings to replace the ones damaged in April by the God’s Grace.