District 1 News

Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners

October 2009

A Message From Your Commissioner

Text Box: Can you believe it? I’ve been in office a year! It’s a great deal of fun, but at the same time demanding. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. A newly elected commissioner is at a big disadvantage if he has not paid attention to what happens in the county prior to his or her election. There is a tremendous amount of information to absorb immediately. It can be overwhelming if you let it; especially all of the calls for things people want or need. Determining the “chaff from the wheat” is important and my past experience in the private sector and in the Federal Government is a big help. But there is still a significant amount of information, facts, systems, processes, etc., that a new person has to absorb in short order. There are several committees in which we participate, and we are liaison for various departments as appointed by your Chairman each year. I’d like to take this opportunity to update you on what is going on in these committees, departments and in District 1. Veterans Services is always busy with over 30,000 retired veterans and 60,000 active duty families. They recently participated in a “Stand Down” day to assisted homeless veterans. Vet Services also wants you to know that you can eat free at Applebee's on Veterans Day. The Veterans Administration also extended “Agent Orange” benefits to more veterans, to include several illnesses recognized under VA’s “presumption” rule as being caused by exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War. If you would like more information, call the Okaloosa Veterans’ Services Department at 850-689-5922 or 651-7258. Extension Services is one of our unsung heroes—if you do not take advantage of this office you are missing the benefits of which many throughout our community take full advantage. Agriculture, landscaping, 4-H, and the Okaloosa Saves program benefits us all through savings and sustainability, as a matter of fact, most of these programs do whether you are involved or not. Lastly, Public Works is another department in which I am actively involved. All roads and bridges from our spring floods have been repaired and that was no easy task! I am proud I was able to help do something with Kervin Road and I am very proud that we have the process started on Okaloosa Lane. My goal is to get more roads cold mixed or paved in the North County. Okaloosa County has a substantial problem with roads and storm water runoff. We have to start thinking of better and more creative ways to fix these problems. As the old saying goes, you can pay now or you can pay more later. That is exactly what is at stake. You, the citizens and the taxpayers of this county, deserve better and safer roads and sufficient working storm water solutions. It will take all of us working together to solve these problems. A special thank you to the group of folks I call the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC). They have opened my eyes to various issues and concerns. This is a group of approximately fifteen people from all over the county, who address all sides of the issues. We agree sometimes and sometimes we don’t, but I assure you they are a tremendous asset in my decision making process. I encourage them to stay with me over the next three years, because I depend on and value their wisdom and input. There are many things we do that can be done better and cheaper. We have to do a better job of spending your money. It’s your money and you need to be more engaged on how we spend it. You have to help in this process. I believe together we can do better. So with this said, I promise to continue on the path I have taken. If you support it, let me know. If you disagree, let me know that as well. You can reach me through my email at wharris@co.okaloosa.fl.us or call my office at 689-5030. I try very hard to respond to all and will get better as we go along. I know this because of the sheer numbers I do miss some or am late in returning a response, but I will get better. Thanks for all your help; you are important to me and this county. Sincerely, Wayne Harris Vice-Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Okaloosa County at Work … County Update

· Millage set for Okaloosa County is 3.2899.

· Nov. 4 Ribbon Cutting Arbennie Pritchett Water Reclamation

 Facility, 11:30 a.m.

· New 311 Citizens Information Line (CIL) is now working! Dial

 311 for any department or office within the county—it is that easy!

Also comment or query 311 CIL online at okaloosafl.com

· 2 New Shelters opened this year at Riverside Elementary and

 Shoal River Middle School

· 911 Emergency Operations Center progressing for 2010 opening

· New Judicial Center in design phase

Transportation Update …

· Under construction is the Flyover at 123 and Highway 85,

funded by Okaloosa Co., FDOT and stimulus funds.

· Near completion is the intersection/entrance improvements at Duke Field, as well as construction on PJ Adams. This will be a temporary/short term project to ease traffic for incoming 7th Special Forces Group. Long term project funds are being sought at this time.

· $300 million requested from the American Recovery Act (stimulus) funds for “Tiger Grant,” to fund transportation improvements in Crestview and Niceville, surrounding Highway 85. Improvements include Six-lane widening of Highway 85, four-lane of SR 123, an interchange at Duke Field, as well as future projects of a Mid-Bay Bridge Connector and an alternative corridors transportation study. Decision Jan/Feb 2010.

 

Connect with Us! Okaloosafl.com

3rd Thursdays WFTW 1260, 7:30 AM

4th Thursdays, 5:30 PM Focus on Okaloosa Show, Cox Channel 6 or FREE ON DEMAND

Board of County Commission Meetings:  1st Tues. Crestview Courthouse; 3rd Tues. in FWB Water & Sewer Building 

 

“Judge Maney swore me into office last year, in the company of my wife, Suzanne.”