Wednesday, May 15, 2013
WZEP AM 1460
WZEP AM 1460 First News
Wednesday May 15, 2013
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News Segment 1
WC BCC Meeting Review Part 1
As the Walton Commissioner meeting started, the Board talked with the Florida Association of Counties about using them to find a new County Administrator. Chris Holley, Executive Director of the FAC said they will go to work and bring back five candidates in about 90 days.
Commissioners were updated on the TDC Executive Director search. They were asked to rank three candidates. The commissioners will start negotiations with James Bagby. Bagby is currently the Town Manager of Rosemary Beach.
Special Projects Coordinator Larry Jones brought several items to the commissioners. Jones started with the U.S. 331 development and design standards, Restore Act Project Ranking Criteria and Local Restore Act committee ranking. He gave the commissioners sheets so they could give ranking input.
Jones talked about the Mossy Head Industrial Park. He noted Ken Little assisted with the military needs. Jones presented the draft covenants, conditions and restrictions for the industrial park. Attorney Davis noted any violations would not be through Code Enforcement, rather through the county. Jones also gave an update to the park. He said they have approved the development as a PUD. He said anyone wanting to build would go straight to the building department, this since the planning has been taken care of. Jones told commissioners this streamlines the process. Main roadways are either complete or designed. Stormwater has been approved. CHELCO needs to put in power, but there is a decision of overhead at $300,000 or underground at a million. Centurylink is ready to go with communications and gas is available from DeFuniak Springs. Water is now available and sewer will be there soon. There is also sewer money going to the governor’s desk, but this could be cut after some cited the Walton project a turkey in Senate President Don Gaetz’s district.
The update on the Fire Services Study was presented to the Walton Commissioners. Interim Administrator Gerry Demers said GSG has returned with vacant land rates. Expect more later and unincorporated Walton could be paying more for fire services.
Interim TDC Director Stan Sunday said Seahaven Consultants was the top ranked firm and asked to begin negotiations. The TDC Visitor Center policy guidelines to receive brochures was presented. Commissioners approved both. Commissioners approved the Highway 2 paved shoulders, approved Nesmith to the Coastal Dune Lakes Board and heard there is another vacancy and approved extending the jail’s pharmacy contract.
The 395 and 30A intersection and possible roundabout were brought back up. After meetings with property owners, engineers, staff and commissioner Meadows, a plan has been suggested. Commissioners stayed with their previous plan.
News Segment 2
WC BCC Meeting Review Part 2
Tom Waldrop said his business is being adversely effected by the Scenic Corridor code prohibiting signs. He said they were told they were in violation by parking electric carts outside the business. He gave a lengthy speech detailing the history of getting an allowance, then moving and having code enforcement warn him again. He talked about the needs for his and other businesses. He noted the difference between 98 and 30A. Commissioner Comander said she would be in favor of looking at the Scenic Corridor ordinance. Comander said she understands why it was put into place, but now questions if there needs to be changes. Commissioner Meadows asked why the ordinance was now being enforced. She was told they had allowed merchandise under awnings, but the code actually says no displays outside. Comander said the definition needs to be clear.
Shari Judkins began a discussion on code enforcement. She talked about businesses loading and unloading on North Holiday Road. Commissioners agreed action needs to take place. The attorney will look into what can be done. Judkins also questioned a business she claims is violating the code. Staff said a judge has already determined the business is in compliance. Code enforcement talk continued with residents saying there needs to be better enforcement. Their complaint is the actions being done by visitors need to be addressed right away, usually on weekends and after hours. A wedding party making too much noise or other violations was used as an example. Code enforcement staff said they can write a citation, but that starts the process and he can not write another that night. Meadows said a Venue House is not the issue and noise is not the main issue because the sheriff’s office will go out. She said the presence of code enforcement on the weekends at times other than just in the day is a need. Code enforcement going to a violation with no protection was discussed. Commissioner Comander said the sheriff has offered to give code officers the authority to write parking tickets.
Commissioner Meadows asked to meet with Public Works on the road paving plan. She also asked to have Waste Management do a pilot program for picking up recyclable items. Commissioner Imfeld said he would like to see more details. There would be an additional cost to the county. Meadows said people ask about recycling. Meadows also said people are leaving Walton to develop because they can’t get simple stuff done with planning. Meadows said the permitting process is an economic development challenge. Attorney Mark Davis said he has found there is a problem with the differences between the Land Development Code and the Comprehensive Plan. He suggested they form a group to go through them line by line.
Andy McAlexander, with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association, presented an idea to install a number of reefs. He said many of these would be close enough for snorkeling. Others would seek to establish oyster beds. The TDC Board has approved helping fund the idea. Commissioners will take up the matter at the next meeting.
331 Accident
A witness said he saw the car pass then nothing but dust as the trucks crashed. In a section of roadway with a caution light and well striped lanes, an out of state driver passing in a no passing zone resulted in two being life flighted. The accident was Tuesday morning around 7:40am on U.S. 331 just south of Rock Hill Road before site C-6 cutoff. Two Airheart copters were used to transport, both landing in the shut-down highway.
The FHP says 34-year-old Denis Leonel Martinez, of Louisville Kentucky, was travelling south on 331 in a 2005 Dodge Caravan and passing a line of traffic in a no passing zone. A 2012 Chevy pickup, driven by 50-year-old Leonard Woodward, of DeFuniak Springs was also southbound ahead of Martinez. Martinez did not have time to get back into the southbound lane and sideswiped the pickup. He then entered the northbound lane, occupied by a Freightliner semi, driven by 42-year-old Shannon Addleman, of Lakeland and stuck the tractor-trailer rig. The impact caused the truck to jackknife and veer into the southbound lane occupied by a petroleum fuel tanker, driven by 48-year-old Douglas Lehotay, of Crestview. While the tanked did not stop in time, the driver did take evasive action and swerved to the west shoulder and struck the other semi head-on, then rolled onto its side.
Martinez, the driver of the first vehicle is listed with serious injuries. Alcohol is not a factor. Charges are pending. Woodward did not suffer physical injuries. Both drivers of the semis are listed with serious injuries.
The highway was closed for around three hours as crews worked the scene and cleared the trucks. The Sheriff’s Office and Walton Public Works placed message boards to help redirect traffic.
Pictures and video are on our website, http://www.wzep1460.com
News Segment 4
Usually the arrest report from the Walton County Department of Corrections.
Sports - Listen to WZEP for national and local sports. Email us your local sports stories and scores.
In High School Baseball, Holmes County has made it to the Class 1A State Semifinals. They will go up against Trenton in Fort Myers on Wednesday, May 15th at 7:30 pm EST. Go Blue Devils!
Northwest Florida State College is hosting two Baseball Camps--June 10-13 and June 17 -20 on the college’s Niceville campus. Expert coaching staff and players from the NWF State College Raiders Baseball Team will serve as camp instructors and will teach participants about the fundamentals of baseball in an educational and entertaining setting. The camp’s half-day sessions will be held at the college’s Raiders baseball field each day from 9 am until noon. The camp is open to boys ages 7 to 14 and the fee is $90. Campers may enroll in person at any NWFSC area campus or center for course #XRL 6024; Ref# 86114 (for June 10-13) or Ref# 86115 (June 17-20). The registration form is also available on the Raider Athletics website at www.nwfraiders.org.
Obituaries - Listen in the morning, just after noon and the 4pm hour. Also online at our website.
Mrs. Wilma Alice Pope, age 87, passed away Sunday, May 12. Memorialization will be by cremation. A private family burial will be held at a later date. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
Colie Barnes, age 75, Passed away May 12. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
Mrs. Donna L. Howell, age 69, passed away Saturday, May 11. Memorial services will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 18, at New Beginnings Church; 1564 Highway 20 West, Freeport, Florida 32439. Burial will be held at Black Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers family request donations be made to the Alaqua Animal Shelter at 914 Whitfield Road, Freeport, FL 32439. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cBqotV0MFzjcmLZXOcmLCibIZvvIkd5SAXr52oP0Aps/edit
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