News in Brief

Carrabelle Annexes RV Park

At a public hearing held May 1, the Carrabelle city commission voted unanimously to annex a 13.51-acre tract, currently the Carrabelle Palms RV Park.

The area is Section 25 Township 7 South, Range 5 West.

Al Thompson, who lives to the west of the area said, "I understand that the owner is proposing to break the RV park into small lots after the annexation. Some lots have already been listed for sale. I am concerned about the land use. It's going from ownership by one individual to ownership by a number of individuals."

City Attorney Dan Hartman said, "It is what it is. By annexing it we are recognizing the existing use. He cannot change or expand that use without coming before the city board."

Carrabelle to Trade Water for Tipping Fee

At the regular meeting of the Carrabelle city commission May 1, the board voted unanimously to furnish water and sewer - for culinary use and bathrooms only - to the new Will S. Kendrick County Park. In exchange, the county waives tipping fees for Carrabelle at the county landfill.

"We can't afford to furnish water for irrigation," said Water and Sewer Commissioner James Brown. "But as long as there's no tipping fee at the dump, I think it's a fair trade."

Lanark Vets Find Place on Carrabelle's Wall

At the regular meeting of the Carrabelle city commission May 1, the board voted unanimously to allow Lanark Village veterans to place memorial bricks on Carrabelle's new Veteran's Wall.

"I don't have any problem with it," said Commissioner Richard Sands. "But we better start building a new wall."

New Lanark Logo?

At the regular meeting of the Carrabelle city commissioner May 1, City Manager John McInnis announced that the Lanark Village water tower is scheduled for a new coat of paint and the Carrabelle logo featuring a commercial shrimping vessel will adorn the tower, bearing the name Lanark Village rather than City of Carrabelle.

Courtney Dempsey Gets the Nod

At the regular meeting of the Carrabelle city commission May 1, Commissioner James Brown announced that City Manager John McInnis has agreed to stay on part-time, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from June 30, which is the end of his contracted employment, through March 30, 2009.

McInnis holds the post of city manager. City Clerk Courtney Dempsey has been named as McInnis' successor and will serve as city administrator. No new city manager will be named.

"The ultimate aim of this is a slower transition," said McInnis. "Under most circumstances, chances are that applicants for this position would be people who would not have come to stay. The city deserves better. This close-knit community deserves a very intelligent woman like Courtney Dempsey. We have been preparing for this for three years. When this old man fades away in March, she will be taking over the position of city administrator."

Extensions of Development Granted in Carrabelle

At the regular meeting of the Carrabelle city commission May 1, the board voted unanimously to grant extensions of development to Fishtales, a stalled Olin Construction project, and Arrowpoint Subdivision, a proposed URS Corporation development.

"My only problem with this is that as soon as Olin bought the property, he put it up for sale," said Commissioner Ray Tyre. "I don't think he ever intended to build there."

Carrabelle Removes Liens on Lanark Properties

The former Lanark Village Water and Sewer board placed a number of liens on undeveloped properties in Lanark Village that were delinquent in paying a $27 / month readiness to serve fee. Now that Lanark Village has merged its water system with Carrabelle, all liens are being removed and the readiness to serve fee is no longer being charged, said City Clerk Courtney Dempsey.

Vance Millender Granted Variance

At the regular May 1 meeting of the Carrabelle city commission, Jan Stoutamire, chairman of Carrabelle's Planning and Zoning Committee, requested that the board grant a variance to Vance Millender on his property located at 607 East US 98.

Because the Florida Department of Transportation requires additional setbacks on US 98, the seafood market Millender plans to build on the site lacked sufficient space for customer parking and delivery trucks.

Millender requested the city abandon the alley adjacent to the land to provide an access area for deliveries.

Mayor Curley Messer said, "To see new business on Highway 98 is wonderful. I think we should do it."

The board voted unanimously to abandon the land to Millender and waived any fees for the exchange.