Local
A2 | Washington County News
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Garden Club to hear about garden snakes Special to the News CHIPLEY — Scott Sweeney, Park Specialist at Falling Waters State Park, will present a program on “Beneficial and Friendly Garden Snakes” at the May meeting of Chipley Garden Club. For centuries, the lowly snake has been one of the most misunderstood creatures on Planet Earth, yet they play a vital role in our environment. The right snake in your garden can be very beneficial – and safe. It can deter rabbits and birds, and even “lunch” on other snakes and rodents.
Scott Sweeney, Park Specialist at Falling Waters State Park, will present a program on “Beneficial and Friendly Garden Snakes” at the May meeting of Chipley Garden Club.
This educational hands-on program will follow the regular business meeting and will be held Wednesday, May 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sunny Hills Community Center at 4083 Challenger Road in Sunny Hills. Luncheon will follow. Chipley Garden Club meetings are open to the public. If you would like to attend the meeting, need directions, or just want to learn more about the club’s activities and upcoming projects, please call Club President Karen Roland at 638-9968 or email her at blueorchidoasis@yahoo. com.
Cathrine Lamb | The News
Two Chipley men arrested on drug charges From Staff Reports
Charles H. Vincent
Bringham Ray Baxley
BONIFAY — Holmes County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two Chipley men on charges of meth possession and trafficking following a routine traffic stop on April 16, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. Arrested were 19-year-old
Charles Howard Vincent of Chipley and his passenger, 19-yearold Bringham Ray Baxley of Chipley. Both men were arrested in connection with charges of possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine), trafficking in methamphetamine, manufacture of paraphernalia and
possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, according to the release. In the early morning hours of April 16, a Holmes County Deputy conducted a traffic stop for an equipment violation in the Pittman community. During the stop, Vincent and Baxley exhibited suspicious be-
CLARK WINS Burlew Softball Scholarship Award
Special to the News
Officials say the Thirsty Turtle Tavern in Caryville has been fined thousands of dollars for unlicensed liquor sales.
Thirsty Turtle fined for unlicensed alcohol sales From Staff Reports CHIPLEY — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with State of Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, reported thousands of dollars in fines have been assessed against a Washington County business for unlicensed sale and service of liquor. According to a sheriff’s office news release, investigators received information that the Thirsty Turtle Tavern in Caryville was illegally
selling liquor to customers. During an inspection, investigators discovered advertisements for the sell of liquor displayed. In addition, bottles of liquor, wine, and Jell-O shots were found at the business. The establishment was assessed $4,000 in fines. Failure to pay fines could result in the revocation of the tavern’s license. The WCSO asks that anyone with information on illegal activity contact them at 638-TIPS (8477) or tips@ wcso.us.
Special to the News
First Sgt. (retired) Randy Burlew, who works at the Holmes County High School as a JROTC instructor, along with softball coach Stephanie Pippin presents Shelby Clark this year’s senior most valuable player with the Burlew Softball Scholarship Award. Clark was awarded a framed certificate and $200 cash for being chosen as the senior who was academically sound in the classroom as well as an outstanding player on the field. Her name is engraved on the plaque that hangs in the Lady Blue Devils’ clubhouse.
havior, according to the release. During a search of the vehicle, deputies say they discovered finished methamphetamine, a bottle containing a large amount of meth oil and drug paraphernalia. Both men remain in the Holmes County Jail on a $27,000 bond each.
joyner from page A1 Commissioner Joel Pate said he has been on the board since 2006, and Joyner has been the best county administrator the county has ever had. Abbott made a motion that the commissioners appoint Interim Human Resources Director Albert Davis as interim county administrator, but the motion was voted down 3-2, with Commissioners Lynn Gothard, Bush and Charles Brock voting against. “No discredit to you, Mr. Davis,” Bush said, “but I don’t think we want to have a knee-jerk reaction. “I’ve worked with about every county administrator this county has had, and Mr. Joyner has been one of the best,” said Public Services Director David Corbin. “It’s tearing at my heart to stand up here, and this is the first time I have ever done it. “I appreciate the job you’ve done, and I wish you the best,” Corbin said to Joyner. Goodman said he had learned quite a bit working with Joyner over the years. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, and for my family,” he said to Joyner. “If I had to rank the jobs in the county, the job of county administrator would have to be one of the most difficult,” Goodman told the commissioners. “Whoever sits in that seat next, deserves your respect.” “This is one of the biggest losses the county has ever suffered,” County EMS Director Randy Truette said of Joyner’s resignation. “He’s been the very best county manager I ever worked for, and not just in Washington County.”
openings from page A1 K U B O TA
would be conducted by the county administrator and the human resources director, Goodman said. “I was not comfortable with that decision of the board at that time,” Bush said of the organizational change. “The further it progressed, the less comfortable I got.” “I’m confused,” said Brock. “The EMS director was always the responsibility of the public safety director. Whoever moves into that spot should have the same responsibilities Roger Dale had.” Commissioner Todd Abbott said before EMS came under the direction of the county, back when it was still controlled by the hospi-
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tal, the county’s long-range plan was that someday the EMS would be under the county’s public safety director’s control. “What I am hearing now is in contradiction to that,” Abbott said. “We’re asking, ‘did we do the right thing?’” “If we got the wrong person in that position, it could hurt two strong, well functioning departments,” Bush said. “Right now, we’ve bound our county administrator’s hands in forcing him to fill the position this way.” Commissioner Lynn Gothard asked if this meant they would hire the public safety director based on the old job description. Pate said that was correct. “The only problem I have
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Randal Seyler | The News
Washington County Commissioner Joel Pate celebrated his 75th birthday Thursday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting in Chipley. is that in that very first meeting, there was a name that came up and that name is still in the top three,” Brock said. The commissioners voted to rescind their action of Jan. 24 and take the EMS out from under the direction of the public safety director, according to the organizational chart. Gothard and Brock voted against the change, while Abbott, Bush and Pate voted in favor. “I would like to see us have more discussion and some clarification,” said Abbott. Abbott said the commissioners’ actions were making it difficult for County Administrator Steve Joyner to do his job. “Mr. Joyner has a vacancy and he is authorized to fill this position,” Abbott said. “I think we have wrongfully taken away some of his options, and for that I apologize.”