Local
A2 | Holmes County Times-Advertiser
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
chairs from page A1 for the bridge crew and presented the board with information for the next meeting for further discussion. Commissioner Bill Parish inquired about a further description for the Justice Assistance Grant for in-car cameras and Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $1,483. He was told that the Holmes County Sheriff ’s Office was receiving a grant for $12,000 to replace the in-car cameras with updated equipment from Direct Application funds from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with a $6,000 grant match from
the sheriff ’s office. Several positions within the county districts were discussed, one of which was Williams’ request during the last meeting that the position of bridge crew foreman be advertised extended out of just in-house. “I don’t want to disregard these who have applied in-house but I’d still like to post it outside,” said Williams. Goodman said that they were within their union contract to extend to advertising outside of the county pool of employees if those applying were still in their probationary period or if the em-
ployer was not comfortable with the qualifications for those applying and strongly advised that Williams inform those applicants why they were not being selected at this time. Williams agreed to do as Goodman advised. Goodman informed him that after reviewing the list of in-house applicants that there was one applicant who qualified except for a probationary matter that could be an issue. However, if Williams wanted, he could create a one-time exemption for this employee. “I want to advertise outside,” said Williams. “I don’t want to make any exemptions so let
him apply for it as an outside applicant.” The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners
is set for 9 a.m. on Dec. 10, with a possible special session on Dec. 16, 17 or 18. The Dec. 31 meeting was canceled due to it being New Years’ Eve.
Phonics to be recognized as a form of music “unique to Tallahassee and the north Florida area.” “Grassroots American folk music has its origins in the Appalachian Mountains, Cajun music is identified with southern Louisiana, the form of music known as Texas Swing was created and developed in the state of Texas and bluegrass music traces its conception to rural Kentucky,” Carter said. “Due to the absence of a clearly identifiable musical style in the city of Tallahassee and the general area of north Florida and south Georgia it is fitting that Dixie Phonics be recognized as a cultural and artistic manifestation of music unique to Tallahassee and the north Florida area.” Public Works Supervisor Jack
Marell said there was a resident who received a clean-up notice that quickly retaliated with a request that the city move a 1.5-inch water pipe from his yard. “The issue is that there is no documentation of an easement or city order to place the pipe there so ultimately it would be an issue between private property owners because if he insists on it being moved and it denies his neighbor water then he’d be doing it at his own peril,” Taylor said. The council agreed to look into moving the line. “He’s just being aggravating because we gave him a letter to clean up,” Woodham said. The council approved cutting down a pecan tree on Piccirillo Avenue.
Tony Syfrett with Southeastern Surveying and Mapping Corporation came before the council with designs for a subdivision on Griffith Circle off of State Road 79 in Bonifay, stating he was told the subdivision was approved of in 2008. Jones told him council needed some clarification of what was approved in 2008 before the council could approve of anything and move on, which after much discussion was approved to be tabled until further review could be made. The council approved canceling their meeting set for Dec. 23, in recognition of the upcoming Christmas holiday. The next scheduled meeting of the Bonifay City Council is set for 6 p.m. on Dec. 9.
Cecilia Spears | Times-Advertiser
Holmes County Board of County Commissioners confirmed that there were no visitor speakers for their regularly scheduled board meeting on Nov. 26.
grant from page A1 resentatives here on Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. at the Holmes County District School Board office,” Jones said. “That’s when we should present them with a proposal to fund our water project in a $500,000 request. This is to apply for the next phase and if we keep asking enough people enough times we just might get funding for it all.” Council Member Richard Woodham brought up once again the proposal to raise the water rates. “In my experience it is better to raise it in small amounts over time and not wait several years and have to make a big jump,” Jones said. “We’ll look into the statistics for you.” Woodham suggested the council investigate the possibility of having a proposal ready by the
first of the year. “We’ve got to do something,” Mayor Lawrence Cloud said. “We don’t have the funds for everything we need to do for all of our residents. If we keep up at our current rate we’ll find ourselves in dire straits.” A representative requested that a shed be replaced with a brick structure next to the Devils’ Den at Memorial Field for the Holmes County High School Blue Devils football team. The representative said they would use their own funds to build it. The council agreed to table the request until their attorney, Lucas Taylor, could look into the matter. The council approved of a proclamation presented by Herbert J. “Kuntry” Carter proclaiming Dixie
mock from page A1 capable of doing what they did. We just want to be ready.” Holmes County Emergency Management enlisted the help of Disasters, Strategies and Ideas Group, LLC for planning, prepping, setting the drill and evaluatCecilia Spears | Times-Advertiser ing the response of the participants during the drill. Multiple agencies throughout Holmes County joined “These exercises are together on Nov. 25 for an Active Shooter Functional to keep your mind’s gears Exercise put on by the Holmes County Emergency turning with the three Management. key words, which are run,
hide and fight,” said Terry Schenk, Project Manager/ Exercise Director of Disasters, Strategies and Ideas Group, LLC. “Too many times, when faced with a crisis situation, people will freeze and not move but we’re going to go through the steps to keep you thinking on your feet.” The day started with an outline of what the exercise was and why it was important as well as an introduc-
tion to the itinerary for that day. The day continued with practical exercises with a scenario set up where the staff did not know where or how the one playing the shooter was going to come in and after the exercise they were evaluated on their response and went through a briefing for improvements that should be made. “We assessed the school’s lockdown measures and the teachers’ actions,” said
Wanda Stafford, Emergency Management Director for Holmes County and the coordinator for the exercise. “The school administrators wanted to evaluate reactions to know where the school security measures really stand in an event of this magnitude. Holmes County Active Shooter Exercise provided the opportunity to test a wide range of skills, response tactics and security measures.”
coley from page A1 it would be a partnership,” said Gaetz. Coley said that a lot of water system funding was denied last year and that she and Gaetz came before them to explain the importance of this funding to improve water systems. “We tried to explain why water projects are important and I’ve got a good feeling that they have more of an understanding this time around,” said Coley. “This is a team effort so we’ll see what we can do if we work together.” Executive Director of the Holmes County Tourist Development Council Raymond Thomas was the next to speak. Thomas said that for rural areas the Tourist Development Council isn’t working as well as it could is due to inadequate funding. “Rural areas are hurting and
we need help,” said Thomas. “We need people to know that we’re more than beaches and airports around here. The Chinese are coming with over 60 places developed in the United States with zero being in the State of Florida.” He said that there is an upcoming gathering of 562 Chinese developers attending a conference in Dothan at the amount of $800 per ticket and he said he “already booked his ticket.” Thomas requested that he not be the only representative from Florida present. “Opportunity Florida has a good grasp on what needs to be done,” said Coley. “They just need to go back to its original intent of communicating with each individual counties. I also agree that we also have to have jobs in this area so that we and our kids and
our grand kids don’t have to move away to find work.” Gaetz informed everyone that there would be an announcement made the next day that would affect Holmes County and had to do with travel. Resident Charles Smith came before the legislative representatives to say that there needs to be more of an emphasis made on getting the children certified in technology. “We’re still teaching our children how to be farmers,” said Smith. “Pretty soon there’ll be no more blue-collar jobs because blue collar jobs are the easiest to kill in the technologically advanced society. We’re just going to produce a lot of unemployed and under-educated children.” Gaetz assured him that measures have already been implemented on making sure that stu-
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dents have industry certification and that there are incentives for teachers if they can produce industry certified students who are ready for the workforce. Superintendent of Schools Eddie Dixon thanked them for being able to attend the meeting. “This is how a team works,” said Gaetz. “Don’t be shy with your concerns. Call us, email us, visit us or invite us over because we do neighborhood sessions and we do a lot better when we listen better.” Coley said she always enjoys her visits. “Everyone has been so open and friendly here,” said Coley. “South Florida may have representatives on every block but we’ve got team work. The important thing is team work so don’t be afraid to call us any time; our door is always open.”
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recommended, which will reduce maintenance of the old system, promote public health and safety, provide adequate fire protection and provide an acceptable and reliable level of service to the customers,” said Brooks. City Grant Writer Bob Jones also stood before legislation to plead their cause. “We’re trying to be proactive,” said Jones. “We’re already entering in phase two and now we are in need of funding for phase three. I know funding is limited so we wanted to start earlier than we did last year.” Gaetz commended the City of Bonifay for their continued efforts in this project as well as their well-prepared presentation. “It shows what the city is committed to and it helps show that instead of the state bailing some city out of a crisis that instead