Qualifying period ends for fall election

The qualifying period for candidates running in this year’s fall election to fill seats on the county commission and school board ended at 12:00 Noon on Friday, June 18.

In the County Commission races, District 2 County Commissioner Cheryl Sanders (DEM) picked up two challengers and District 4 Commissioner Joseph Parrish (DEM) one.

Sanders will face challenges from both Richard Sands (NPA) and Bill Snyder (REP) in the Nov 2 general election. While Parrish will face off against another democrat, Charles Wilson in the Aug 24 primary election.

The race for seats on the School Board will pit current District 2 School Board Member David Hinton against Wilburn Ray Messer. District 4 School Board Member Jimmy Gander and board chair is running unopposed and will automatically earn a new four-year birth on the school board. All candidates running for seats on the School Board run in non-partisan races.

Early voting for the Aug 24 primary election will begin on Aug 9 thru Aug 21, and for the November 2 general election, early voting will begin Oct 10 thru Oct 30.

The books will close for those wishing to register to vote in the primary election on July 26 and in the general election, the books will close on Oct 4.

As of June 29, 2010, there were 7,697 registered voters in Franklin County, 5,521 Democrats, 1,541 Republicans, and 635 affiliated with other political parties.

For more information, please contact the Franklin County Supervisor of Elections Office at (850) 653-9520.

Nelson continues to say no to drilling off Florida

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A senator who has been a key voice in prior-year debates on energy legislation told the White House on Tuesday, June 29, 2010, not to count on his vote for new climate and energy bills, if they contain provisions that would permit exploration and drilling for oil and gas off Florida.

With the White House seeking every possible vote, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson held to long-standing opposition to drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coastal waters off the tourism-reliant Sunshine State.

Nelson was among 23 senators summoned to the White House meeting Tuesday morning to discuss how best to address energy and climate legislation this summer. Senate Democrats met two weeks ago, but failed to come to an agreement on a bill that lawmakers could consider in July.

Nelson has been outspoken against the recently announced plans for expanded drilling in the eastern Gulf, where currently a 2006 federal law bans the practice. Nelson, joined by former Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, helped write that law to keeps rigs 125 miles from Florida's Gulf coast and as far away as 235 miles at some points.

“No drilling off Florida, period”, is what Nelson told the White House and fellow lawmakers today.

Senators considered key to the passage of energy and climate change legislation this year attended Tuesday’s meeting. The President and Senate leadership are trying to figure out a way to garner the 60 votes needed for passage of a plan.

Nelson has been a key figure in previous congressional debates over whether to give oil companies more access to federal offshore lands. In 2005, he led a successful filibuster to stop a Senate attempt to expand offshore drilling, and then the next year co-authored the law with Martinez that provides Florida with its current no-drill zone.

For years, Nelson has argued that offshore drilling was too risky and said oil companies held too much sway in Washington. Two years ago, he filed legislation aimed at ending cozy ties between drilling regulators and the oil industry. The legislation stalled until the recent Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf.

Oil spill trajectory: Wed June 30 - Thurs July 1

Forecast location for oil on Wednesday, June 30, at 1:00PM EDT.

Forecast location for oil on Thursday, July 1, at 1:00PM EDT.

Thirty-three percent of Gulf now closed to fishing

Effective at 6:00PM on Monday, June 28, 2010 EDT, all commercial and recreational fishing including catch and release, with the exception of transit vessels are prohibited in the closed area of the Gulf of Mexico as outlined on the above map. The closed area has now expanded to measure 80,228 square miles and covers about 33 percent of the Gulf

However, with the closure the majority of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico remains open to both commercial and recreational fishing.

Modeling and mapping the actual and projected spill area is not an exact science, however, NOAA fisheries service strongly advises fishermen not to fish in areas where oil or oil sheens are present, even if those areas are not currently closed to fishing.

The closed area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following coordinates:

Tropical Storm Alex

Tropical Depression Alex emerged over the Bay of Campeche Sunday evening June 27, 2010, and quickly regained tropical storm status Sunday night.

At 11:00AM EDT on Monday, June 28, 2010 the center of Tropical Storm Alex was located about 85 miles west of the western Yucatan coast, which is also approximately 620 miles south-southwest of the Deepwater Horizon well head location and about 750 miles south-southwest of Pensacola, Florida.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60mph.

Conditions ahead of the storm (light wind shear, a moist air mass and sea surface temperatures between 86 and 88 degrees) are expected to remain favorable for more intensification and Alex could reach hurricane strength by sunrise Tuesday, June 29, 2010.

The National Hurricane Center is also forecasting that Alex could become a Category 2 hurricane with winds near 100mph by Wednesday morning June 30, 2010, and continuing at that intensity until landfall.

This intensity forecast is higher than many of the computer models, which keep Alex a tropical storm or weak hurricane.

However, with favorable conditions and the fact that Alex continues to intensify with every advisory, there is greater than a 50% chance that Alex will make it to Category 1 hurricane intensity and about a 22% chance of becoming a Category 2 hurricane with the next 3 days.

Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft will resume flights into the system and continue to monitor the strength of Alex until landfall.

Oil spill trajectory: Tue June 29 - Wed June 30

Forecast location for oil on Tuesday, June 29, at 1:00PM EDT.

Forecast location for oil on Wednesday, June 30, at 1:00PM EDT.

Apalachicola community garden feeds many

Jenny Billings

Perhaps at a time when it’s needed the most, all sorts of good things are coming out of the hallowed grounds of Apalachicola City Square Community Garden.

The garden, which is now in its second full season, has earned a well-deserved mark for being a model grassroots project throughout the Florida Panhandle and beyond.

The concept of which was born out of an idea to assist Franklin’s Promise and its Food Pantry operation obtain fresh vegetables to help feed disadvantaged families throughout the county.

With the idea, organizers approached the Apalachicola city commission and soon afterwards on November 9, 2008, held a groundbreaking ceremony, followed by a blessing of the garden by area clergymen in April the following year.

Less than a year later, last August, Jenny Billings one of the driving forces behind the garden along with help from Caroline Weiler, Arnold Tolliver and others took over the care of the Food Pantry plot set aside for Franklin’s Promise to grow fresh vegetables for distribution.

Since that time, Billings, and the others have managed to grow, and contribute over 700 pounds of assorted nutritious vegetables to Franklin’s Promise harvested directly from the Food Pantry plot.

Pam Lewis who also manages a bed at the garden contributed to the allotment with a huge bag of peppers harvested from her plot.

By working together members of the community garden have contributed to making both Apalachicola and Franklin County better places to live and visit.

A special thanks and recognition goes to everyone involved in the project.

Also worth noting, is that City Square Community Garden along with other subject matters will be the focus of a study conducted by Auburn University in Apalachicola next month.

More fun on the horizon at Project Impact

Mayor Van Johnson visits with Project Impact Director
Faye Johnson and students on opening day June 14th

The kids that attend the City of Apalachicola summer youth program out at the old high school are set and ready for yet another exciting week at Project Impact summer breeze camp.

Starting today the internationally acclaimed Missoula Children's Theatre will hold open auditions to cast 50-60 kids that attend the summer program to perform in the classic story of Pinocchio.

The performance of the classic children’s story will begin on Friday, July 2, at 5:30PM and conclude with a matinee performance on Saturday, July 3, at 2:00PM.

Also included this week at Project Impact will be three enrichment workshops presented by the Missoula Children's Theatre. The workshops will teach creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills, and self-esteem, which are all characteristics that are attained through the participation in this unique, educational project.

The Florida Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program fund Project Impact to provide academic enrichment opportunities for children.

The programs aim is to help students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math and to offer students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs.

The program’s goal also is to offer literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Lewis-Lockley

BP oil spill update as of Sunday, June 27th

Under the direction of the federal government, BP continues to capture some oil and burn gas at the surface using its containment dome technique—collecting oil aboard the Discoverer Enterprise, which is linked by a fixed riser pipe to the wellhead, and flaring off additional oil and gas on the Q4000, which is connected to the choke line. BP has finished installing the first free standing riser, which has greater survivability than a fixed riser and will be connected to a third vessel arriving at the site of the wellbore next week, the Helix Producer—a redundancy measure also taken under the direction of the federal government.

The Development Driller III continues to drill the first relief well to a depth of approximately 16,400 feet (11,100 feet below the sea floor). The Development Driller II has drilled the second relief well—a redundancy measure taken at the direction of the administration—to a depth of more than 12,000 feet below the Gulf surface.

BP continues the “ranging” process—which involves periodically withdrawing the drill pipe and sending an electrical signal down to determine how close they are getting to the wellbore.

Apalachicola welcomes newest folk art gallery

The City of Apalachicola would like to extend a hardy welcome to the city’s newest folk art gallery “The Gallery @ 49 Palmetto” located at 49 Avenue G in Historic Apalachicola.

Owned by our very own Anna-Maria Cannatella the gallery will be open this Saturday, June 26, from 6:00PM to 9:00PM EDT.

The opening event will feature visionary artist Butch Anthony, who The New York Times recently featured as the most homespun and prodigious creative spirit in folk art today.

Anthony also coined the phrase "intertwanglelism" to describe his sculptural works made from found and salvaged objects. The artist will be present at the opening to talk about his unique artistic style with exhibits running through the month of July.

For more details call (850) 323-1600 or visit www.49palmetto.com .

Attendance high at Project Impact

On Tuesday, June 22, barely two weeks into operation and the City of Apalachicola has seen its Project Impact attendance numbers climb to 188 students.

For the first time this year, city officials combined both Project Impact sites, the ABC School and the City’s Complex into one program held at the old Apalachicola High School.

On opening day June 14, Project Impact director Faye Johnson reported that 139 students had signed into the Summer Breeze Camp followed by 169 the next day.

The camp features an assortment of kid activities ranging from music, art, horseback riding, theater, sports, and field trips.

Apalachicola to expend $2.491 million to support local seafood industry

On Monday, June 21, the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) informed city officials that the agency approved the City of Apalachicola’s application for a $1,855,000 grant to revamp the Scipio Creek Boat Basin.

Last June commissioners gave the go ahead to city grants manager Cindi Giametta along with Bruce Ballister, Economic Development Planner with the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC) to apply for an EDA grant to modernize the Boat Basin into a viable facility to sustain and generate seafood related job.

The initiative to revitalize the Basin came out of meetings held by the Apalachicola Waterfronts committee in late 2003, with the city sanctioning the group’s work at the behest of the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce.

The committee received a $50,000 grant to fund its work from the Waterfronts Florida Program through the Department of Community Affairs, with the Chamber providing half the match.

The Committee worked diligently over a two-year period to create a vision for the Basin that included providing the necessary infrastructure at the facility to ensure the continued existence of local seafood workers in Apalachicola under projected future development pressures.

With the vision in place, the city endorsed a feasibility study funded through another $50,000 grant the commission received from the Franklin County Tourist Development Council to outline infrastructure options, priorities, and the financial feasibility of the project.

At the conclusion of the study, it was determined that the installation of a haul out lift, along with a fueling station, icehouse, a unloading dock and facilities to encourage open air markets where fishermen could sell their catch were all necessary to protract the life of a struggling local seafood industry.

However, city officials at the time didn’t have the means to move the project forward until early 2009, when Kevin Begos, former Executive Director for the Franklin County Oyster, and Seafood Task Force alerted Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson of the existence of EDA funding through the Obama Administration.

The total project is expected to cost $2,490,596 and create up to 44 new jobs, the city’s portion of the cost include $200,000 from their Revolving Loan Fund, which is designed to create jobs and the remaining $435,596 from a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

Oil spill trajectory as of Monday, June 21

Distances to Florida's West Coast

On the afternoon of Monday, June 21, winds shifted from a southeasterly direction as the sea breeze moved inland, but a general east to southeast wind flowed between 5 and 15 knots and is forecast to continued across the north-central Gulf operations area through much of the week.

Offshore, a portion of the Loop Current Ring had reattached to the Loop Current Channel. However, observations continue to indicate no significant amounts of oil well away from the well site. A tropical wave moving westward is producing a large area of disorganized storm activity. There is a low (20%) chance of this becoming a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours.

Happy Father's Day

A plea for the protection of Apalachicola Bay

If we could just pause for a moment to reevaluate the situation, reality would eventually rule the day and although somewhat difficult, we will find it paramount to do what we all know is right.

The reality that we face, is that Apalachicola Bay and its estuary is one of twenty-seven waterways in the United States that is designated a National Estuarine Research Reserve by the Federal government.

The reality is also in the purpose behind the designation, which is to protect the biological diversity of the system. A complex system that consists of 1,162 species of plants, 308 species of birds, 186 species of fish, and 57 species of mammals. The system also produces 90 percent of the oysters the state consumes and it’s perhaps one of the best places in America for families to play and relax.

In addition, between 60 to 85 percent of the local population make their living directly from this system and seafood landings are worth $14-16 million dockside annually. At the consumer level, this represents a $70-$80 million industry.

For generations the residents of Apalachicola and Franklin County have relied solely upon this diverse waterway and the health of it for their livelihood and recreational outlet. The system also has an added benefit, where it attracts scores of visitors to the area each year pumping millions of additional dollars into the local economy.

Given all of the above, nothing makes more sense to me than to do whatever’s humanly possible to protect this estuary from all harm, especially those manmade.

Something that the small fiscally constrained City of Apalachicola undertook when it filed suit against the US Army Corps of Engineers for decades of restricted freshwater flows, which in turn diminished the reproductive strength of this estuary and placed its inhabitants in jeopardy.

Now we’re been told that we can’t close off all of the three main inlets leading into this protected body of water. An absolute strategy to safeguard against the onslaught of millions perhaps billions of gallons of BP oil that’s wrecking havoc on shorelines, marshes and beaches of other coastal communities along the Gulf of Mexico.

The state’s environmental agency has argued that closing all three inlets would cause retention of freshwater from the Apalachicola River that could kill off the oysters.

Considering which would be more harmful or lasting, I would much rather see Apalachicola Bay receive a huge dose of needed freshwater, a point that the city advocated through it lawsuit, than one ounce of BP’s oil.

Whether the oil’s weathered or not, should any of it reaches or compromise Apalachicola Bay, it could take generations before the estuary is clean enough to enjoy or its resources safe enough for human consumption.

Now when you take into account what’s really at stake, I can’t understand for the life of me why the guaranteed protection of Apalachicola Bay is not paramount.

This is not the time for political grandstanding, we must hold BP directly accountable for this catastrophe, we must insist that the company immediately mobilize their resources or adequately fund city and county governments so that they can mobilize local resources to keep Apalachicola Bay out of harms way. We must do this immediately through all local, state, and federal channels, something that the City of Apalachicola has already begun.

There’s nothing complicated about it, it just takes fortitude to do what we all know is right.

What would happen to Apalachicola if the oil comes ashore?

On Wednesday, June 16, we learned that executives from British Petroleum (BP) had agreed to President Barack Obama’s proposal for the oil giant to setup a $20 billion dollar fund for damage claims from its Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Now the right thing to do is for the President to ensure that a portion of those funds be set aside for the economic restructuring of those coastal communities that are solely dependent upon the Gulf of Mexico and the subsequent tourist industry for their survival.

A prime example of such a community is the small City of Apalachicola, where the lifeblood of its economy is dependent upon the health of the Gulf, Bay, and River.

A community that has fast become the victim of both the oil spill and the national publicity surrounding the spill, now finds itself faced with economic uncertainties whether the oil reaches its pristine waters or not.

For sustainability, a fiscally constrained Apalachicola will surely have to reinvent itself, something that past generations of Apalachicolians had to undertake.

Whether past transformations were from timber to cotton or from cotton to seafood, Apalachicola has always had the wherewithal to redefine itself around it greatest asset, its waterways.

However, what happens to a small coastal community such as Apalachicola, should its greatest asset become fouled with oil or the national perception is that oil has compromised it estuary and contaminated its natural resources.

Should that be the case, then a portion of those disaster funds are due the City of Apalachicola, to assist the city in preparing for its next transformation and President Barack Obama should see to it that the city receives its due allotment.

Pinocchio to come alive in city’s summer program

The City of Apalachicola will be hosting the internationally acclaimed Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT), as a part of its Project Impact Summer Camp Program.

The MCT is the largest touring children’s theatre in the nation, which has been touring extensively for 37 years from Montana to Japan. This year alone the theatre will visit nearly 1,300 communities with up to 45 teams of Tour Actor/Directors.

In Apalachicola, a tour team will arrive with a set, lights, costumes, props, and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play...except for the cast. The team will hold an open audition on Monday, June 28, and cast 50-60 Project Impact students to perform in the classic story of Pinocchio.

After casting, rehearsal will begin and last throughout the week with the first public performance beginning on Friday, July 2, at 5:30PM and a matinee performance on Saturday, July 3, at 2:00PM. All MCT shows are original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairytales . . . a twist on the classic stories that you know and love. The performances are free to the public with donations gladly accepted at the door.

All this and more at the City of Apalachicola Community Youth Service Complex the site of the old Apalachicola High School located at the corner of 14 Street and Avenue L, four blocks north of US Highway 98.

Seating will be on a first-come, first served basis, so hurry on out and enjoy the talents of students from our own community as they present the production of Pinocchio.

For more information about the Project Impact program or these performances, please call, (850) 370-0145, or for more information regarding the Missoula Children's Theatre, please contact Missoula Children's Theatre · 200 North Adams · Missoula, MT 59802, (406) 728-1911 · http://www.mctinc.org/ · tour@mctinc.org.

Oil spill impact in Florida

Due to the high heat index, the nighttime cleanup of tar balls from Northwest Florida beaches started on June 16.

Tar balls and tar patties ranging in size from less than 1cm up to12cm continue to be sighted in widely scattered areas of Northwest Florida, with the heaviest impact seen in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties.

Perdido Pass and Pensacola Pass are being closed with the tide to prevent oil from entering inland waters. Boom is scheduled to be deployed across each Pass at flood tide (incoming) and removed at ebb tide (outgoing).

In accordance with established plans, protective booming, staging, and boom maintenance is being conducted along the coast from Escambia to Franklin County, with a total of 365,810 feet of oil containment boom already deployed in the state.

The Vessels of Opportunity Program (VOP) has deployed 290 vessels in Florida and 313 Qualified Community Responders are actively working the cleanup efforts in coastal Panhandle communities.

According to the NOAA oil plume model, the oil plume remains 52 miles from Mexico Beach and 248 miles from St. Petersburg, with noncontiguous sheens and scattered tar balls closer.

Coastal regions near and west of Panama City may experience shoreline impacts sometime during the day Friday, June 18.

Scattered patches of sheen and tar balls remain in the Loop Current Ring. Observations continue to indicate that the Loop Current Ring has detached from the Loop Current, meaning that any scattered patches of sheen and tar balls will likely remain in the Loop Current Ring.

BP provided a $100,000 grant through a Memorandum of Understanding with Volunteer Florida to maintain a database for the registration of volunteers. The company also issued a $25 million block grant to Florida, to be allocated toward booming and a second $25 million grant to Florida for a tourism advertising campaign. The third $25 million allocation Florida received from the oil giant was for the state’s preparedness and response efforts. The company has reported processing 14,788 claims with approximately $12,649,270.59 paid out.

The fishery failure declaration for the Gulf of Mexico includes Florida, providing impacted and eligible commercial fisheries the opportunity for federal support; however, it does not close fisheries.

Apalachicola to hold workshop today at 1:00PM

The City of Apalachicola will be holding a Workshop today at 1:00PM, June 15, at City Hall – 1 Bay Avenue – Apalachicola, to offer an opportunity for the City Commission and the public to learn more about the Florida Main Street Program.

Joan Jefferson, Coordinator for Florida Main Street, will be on hand to explain the operation, purpose and function of the program, answer questions and address comments on the potential benefit to the Apalachicola community.

As always, the public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The Mayor’s Blog celebrates its 2nd year anniversary

This past Saturday, June 12, 2010, marked the second full year since the conception of “The Mayor’s Blog”, created as a means of keeping YOU the residents of Apalachicola up-to-date concerning the activities of YOUR local government.

Your frequent visits and comments is the fuel that has kept this blog going over the past two years, and I just like to say THANK YOU. Those comments have been extremely helpful, as they have served as one of many ways for me to gauge the pulse of the community.

I am very excited to be celebrating this milestone with all of you; however, before we start the celebration, let’s take a quick look at what’s been going on over the past two years.

- To date, I have written 489 blog posts, including this one.

-New traffic to the site increased by 30.32% over the past year.

- Readers from 33 different countries have visited this blog, with most of the traffic coming from Canada and India.

- The blog has received traffic from every state in the union with the exception of Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont.

- Out of all the states that visited, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Missouri, and North Carolina accounted for most of the traffic.

- 133 cities within the State of Florida have visited the blog, with the majority of traffic coming from visitors living in and around Apalachicola.

-Posts receiving the most hits were the ones written about the Tri-State Water War and the Grand Opening of the City’s Community Youth Service Complex.

However, the greatest news of all is YOU, the followers of “The Mayor’s Blog”. I have really enjoyed using this means to communicate with you and I’m looking forward to many more conversations in the years to come.

Oil Spill Emergency Bridge Loans Now Available

Applications for the Deepwater Horizon BP Oil Spill Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program are now available for businesses that have experienced damage or economic injury because of the spill.

Businesses with 100 employees or less and established in Florida for at least one year prior to the April 20, oil spill and can demonstrate economic injury or physical damage resulting from the spill may qualify to borrow up to $25,000.

The loans are interest free and for a maximum period of 12-months for the purpose of maintaining or restarting a business in the designated oil spill areas.

For more information on the loan program, you can visit www.floridaoilhelp.com.

Senators to BP: cough up $20 billion advance

WASHINGTON – In advance of President Obama’s trip to the Florida Panhandle today, June 15, yesterday U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson continued to insist that BP and the White House take steps to keep taxpayers from having to foot the bill for the massive cleanup. The Florida Democrat also stressed that now is the time for the administration to launch a full-scale effort to get the U.S. off its dependence on oil.

Nelson was in Pensacola yesterday, June 14, for a first-hand look at the impact the oil spill was having on the Panhandle region. President Obama is due to be there today as he responds to growing concerns over the BP oil spill. The state’s tourism and commercial fishing industries already are feeling the impact.

To help, Nelson and other Senate Democrats released a letter addressed to BP’s CEO, Tony Hayward asking that Hayward set up a trust fund with a $20 billion advance “as an act of good faith and as a first step toward ensuring that there will be no delay in payments or attempt to evade responsibility for damages”.

“The costs associated with the spill are being vastly underestimated by both BP as well as some government officials,” Nelson said today. “We have to fight to ensure that it’s BP, not the taxpayers, bearing the financial brunt of this disaster.”

From the outset, Nelson has pushed to hold BP accountable. He filed legislation to raise the liability the company faced for economic and environmental damages from $75 million to $10 billion. As the spill grew, he said that $10 billion might not even be enough, asserting that BP should be prepared to pay an unlimited amount.

Over the past few weeks, Nelson also has been a vocal critic of the handling of the spill, calling repeatedly for control of cleanup operations to be under the supervision of a military-like command and control operation.

Yesterday, while in Pensacola, Nelson said it was time for Obama to step out front – as President Kennedy did in sending Americans to the moon – to launch a full-blown initiative to free the U.S. from its dependence on oil. “If ever there was a time, this is it,” Nelson said.

For years, the Senator has opposed drilling for oil off Florida’s coast “for reasons”, he said, “Are exemplified by this abominable tragedy”.

The Mayor's letter to the President

June 8, 2010


The Honorable Barack Obama, President
The United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

RE: The Deepwater Horizon BP Oil Spill

Dear Mr. President:

I greet you as the mayor of a rural town in North Florida, a coastal community with intense interest in the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Apalachicola, one of only two small cities in Franklin County, is bordered by the Apalachicola Bay, which flows into the Gulf. With such geographic positioning, I am sure you can fully understand our concern, not just as American citizens, but as Americans who could potentially experience utter devastation if the oil spill comes ashore in our area.

The most recent news from Unified Central Command raises concern not just regarding whether the Deepwater Horizon BP Oil Spill will affect the coastal communities along the Gulf, but whether that impact and the corresponding actions by the public and governmental agencies will leave anything in its wake. We know that news coverage of BP’s unsuccessful efforts to cap the broken oil well has already begun to affect the vital summer tourism industry in north Florida coastal cities and as our beaches begin witnessing deposits from the spill, that impact will most assuredly increase.

In addition, the closure of significant portions of fisheries in the Gulf will significantly influence the seafood industry in north Florida, an industry that is the backbone of the Apalachicola and Franklin County economy. In fact, substantial impact of oil residue on our beaches and estuaries will have a catastrophic effect on all communities along the coast.

Apalachicola, Florida is only one of many small communities dependant almost entirely on an economic base of tourism and seafood. Decades of restricted freshwater flow down the Apalachicola River System by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, five years of dismal national economic conditions, and increased regulations on the fishing industry has already seriously threatened these industries. The effects of the oil spill would be the final blow.

As a community, we have been actively participating in preparation activities to respond to the actual arrival of oil in our water. In addition, we have been working tirelessly to salvage our summer tourism industry from the negative results of national publicity.

It is now time to begin the preparation for the worst-case scenario. Closing of Gulf water fishing grounds near Apalachicola will immediately result in the loss of 1,500 jobs in our city alone and impact 4,400 people in a county of 11,000. Another 30% reduction in visitors to the area will result in the potential loss of another 2,000 jobs and affect another 5,000 family members. The work we have begun to prepare for the spill’s effects includes, but not limited to the stockpiling of food supplies for distribution to unemployed workers and finding sufficient social services to handle the expected demand.

We understand that Apalachicola is but one small piece of a large puzzle whose future will play out as the spill continues to expand and move. We also understand that currently, the federal efforts are to stop the leak, and to protect and restore the affected areas. However, the protection of the environmentally sensitive coastline of Apalachicola, should exclude any attempts that have been tried and consequently failed in other coastal communities west of Apalachicola. In addition, Unified Command should consider immediately installing only barriers that can effectively guarantee the stoppage of oil from entering any of the three Gulf inlets that lead into the pristine waters of Apalachicola Bay.

At the same time, our Federal Government needs to begin the process of putting into motion initiatives that will help stabilize the economic structure for all of the communities along the coast that are being adversely impacted by this man-made disaster. It is my suggestion that these initiatives include at a minimum, the following:
· An executive order from the President creating a “State of Emergency” for man-made disastrous events that’s designed to make funds readily available from those ultimately responsible for causing the event.
· Policies with banking institutions and federal regulators that place an immediate freeze on foreclosures of businesses and property in oil spill affected communities.
· Governmental funding and/or assistance in preparing for changes in the economic structure of these affected communities.

I cannot adequately convey the potential for disaster this Deepwater Horizon event presents, not just to the City of Apalachicola and Franklin County, but to all the coastal communities in its path and this impending disaster will change the way of life in the Gulf States in a relatively short period of time, even if the well capping procedures now being implemented are successful. Due to these circumstances, and with great respect, I am calling upon you Sir, along with all of our elected representatives on both the national and state level, to take the necessary action to get ahead of this crisis, before it destroys a large number of our families for generations to come.

I thank you for your time and due consideration, in reading this letter. I trust I have sufficiently shared with you the gravity of my concern for my constituents, the fine citizens of Apalachicola, as well as the entire county of Franklin, Florida. From listening to your various comments on this situation as it has been unfolding, it is clearly evident you are equally concerned with all that is transpiring. Therefore, I eagerly await your response to the concerns I have authored.

Sincerely yours,
Van W. Johnson, Sr., Mayor
The Historic City of Apalachicola


Cc: Senator Bill Nelson
Senator George LeMieux
Congressman Alan Boyd

Oil forecast for June 11th and June 12th

Nearshore Friday, June 11, 2010

Offshore Friday, June 11, 2010
Nearshore Saturday, June 12, 2010

Offshore Saturday, June 12, 2010

Senators seek tax break for small businesses harmed by oil spill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday June 10, 2010, a bipartisan group of seven lawmakers proposed tax relief for tourism and fishing businesses all along the Gulf coast that are being hammered by the oil spill. In Florida alone, hotels, restaurants, the fishing industry and related businesses are looking at losses amounting to $10 billion, according to a recent estimate from the University of Central Florida.

In response, Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Mary Landieu (D-LA), George LeMieux (R-FL), David Vitter (R-LA), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Thad Cochran (R-MS) have introduced legislation that would allow fishing and tourism-related businesses to carry back their losses from the oil spill for an additional three taxable years. In other words, they could amend returns for the last five years and receive a refund for past taxes paid.

“The spill has severely damaged the way of life for many businesses in the Gulf Coast area, particularly those involved with fishing and tourism,” Nelson said. “We want to ensure the long-term viability of these industries that are such a vital part of our states’ cultures.”

This proposed tax break is not the first time that Congress has decided that special circumstances warrant government financial assistance. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Congress created a similar rule for local businesses suffering losses after the storm. In 2009, they did the same for businesses affected by Midwestern storms, tornadoes, and floods.

More specifically, the Nelson-Landrieu measure extends the so-called net operating loss-carry back period from two years to five years. It would mean businesses with losses this year could amend returns from the past five years to reflect those losses. It would cover hotels, entertainment, restaurants, and other related businesses in counties and parishes along the Gulf coast, and include commercial and charter fishing businesses.

New consumer hotline provides information about Florida seafood

TALLAHASSEE - Seafood lovers who are confused about the availability of Florida seafood products due to the Gulf oil spill can now get daily updates about the ongoing commercial harvest. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has implemented a new toll-free hotline at (800) 357-4273 to provide consumers with current information about the status of Florida's open and closed fishing harvest areas, the availability of seafood varieties, and general pricing information.

"Because of the extensive news media coverage of the Gulf situation,many consumers are confused about whether Florida seafood is being harvested and if it is available in stores and restaurants," Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said. "We want consumers to know that Florida's commercial fishermen continue to harvest wholesome seafood products from the waters that are unaffected by the oil spill.Florida seafood is safe and plentiful."

Bronson said the telephone hotline will be updated daily with information about the Gulf situation. He also reminded consumers that - in addition to the Gulf waters off Florida's west coast -- Florida's fishermen also harvest numerous seafood varieties from the Atlantic waters off the state's east coast.

"The Florida peninsula has more than 1,300 miles of coastline, and our commercial fishermen continue to work hard to bring in their catch for the enjoyment of consumers," Bronson said. "The commercial fishing industry is important to our state, and we want consumers to know that they can buy Florida seafood with confidence."

The information that is available by calling the (800) 357-4273 hotline will also be posted online at the Department's seafood web site http://www.FL-Seafood.com where consumers can also find links to other pertinent web sites including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Web cams placed at various coastal locations and in retail establishments will be added to the web site later.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are continually monitoring water and product samples.

"If and when the quality of Florida seafood is impacted by the spill, we will take immediate action to close the waters to commercial seafood harvesting," Bronson said. "Our commercial fishermen take great pride in the quality reputation Florida seafood products have earned, and we would never put any product on the market that would tarnish this hard-earned reputation."

Dogs rescued from fighting in Apalach doing well

The dogs rescued from fighting by Franklin County Animal Control off Bluff Road in Apalachicola are doing well after rehabilitation by an Atlanta firm. Click here for full story.

Twelve Days of summer

Today begins the Franklin County Youth Training Project titled the 12 Days of summer; the program will be hosted at the Franklin County Public Library Tigers Program site, which is located at the Apalachicola City Complex (former Apalachicola High School).

An initiative of Carol Barfield, site coordinator, the project will target ages 3 – 27, with no cost to participants.

The three segment program will feature a talent show, youth forum, sports-a-rama, poetry, fashion, karaoke, career day, water fun; youth service programs, reading and a community reunion.

Door prizes will be giving away during each segment, with segment one beginning today June 10, 11, and 12, segment two on July 8, 9, and 10 and conclude with segment three on August 12, 13, and 14.

In partnership with the project is the Franklin County: Friends of the Library, Tobacco Program, Parks & Recreation and the Sheriff Office, along with the City of Apalachicola, Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Interagency Partners, Sponsors and Volunteers.

For more information please telephone, (850) 653-2784.

Apalachicola meets today in regular session

PUBLIC HEARING & REGULAR MEETING
CITY COMMISSION
CITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010 – 6:00 PM
COMMUNITY CENTER @ BATTERY PARK
#1 BAY AVENUE, APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

AGENDA

I. PRAYER AND PLEDGE

II. PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCE 2010-01 – GOLF CART

III. REGULAR MEETING

1. Recognition of Visitors
1. John Croom – Extend Bar Hours on Holidays & Special Occasions
2. 2nd Reading & Adoption Decision – Ordinance 2010-01 – Golf Card
3. Approval of May Minutes
4. Approval of April Bill List
5. Chamber of Commerce Report
6. Traffic Safety Team Report
7. Library Report
8. Planning & Zoning Report
9. Fire Department Report

10. Police Department Report – Chief Varnes
11. City Administrator Report – Betty Webb

Department Reports:
1. Water & Sewer Department – William Cox
2. Street Department – Marvin Croom
3. Public Works Department – Wilbur Bellew
4. Building Department – Gene Osburn
5. Grants Manager – Cindi Giametta

6. City Clerk – Lee Mathes

12. Attorney Floyd Report
13. Other Visitors & Comments
14. Mayor & Commissioner’s Comments

Any person who desires to appeal any decision at this meeting will need a record of the proceeding and for this purpose, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made which includes testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City Administrator’s Office 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Project Impact to Host Summer Breeze Camp

The City of Apalachicola announces Project Impact’s 2010 Summer Breeze Camp with Session 1 running June 14 to July 2 and Session 2 July 1 to July 29 at the City’s Municipal Complex site located at the former Apalachicola High School. Summer Breeze is provided free of charge to Apalachicola students ages 4 and up. This year’s program will offer art & crafts, pottery, basketball, mini-cheer camp, horseback riding, Wet & Wild Wednesdays, jewelry making classes, Zumba classes, a new computer lab, and much, much more. In addition, Project Impact, in collaboration with the Franklin County School District, will offer Apalachicola students remediation and credit recovery classes, as well as reading, science, and math enrichment programs.

A special highlight will be a weeklong program from the nationally recognized Missoula Children’s Theater. During the week of June 28 to July 3, this outstanding summer touring group will audition, conduct rehearsals, and present two performances of Pinocchio with Project Impact students on July 2 and 3. Special field trips include Gymnastics Plus, Marianna Caverns, Bay County Junior Museum, and Gulf World.

Summer Breeze will be open 8:00AM to 4:00PM Monday through Thursday. Breakfast, Lunch and an afternoon snack will be provided. You may enroll your student on-line at www.projectimpactfcs.org or call (850) 653-1325 for more information.

“Summer camp is more than fun and games. I hope parents will realize the importance of keeping their students active and engaged during vacation to avoid the “summer slump” or loss of academic gains from the past year,” said Faye Johnson, Project Impact Director. “We work hard to provide a safe, enriching, and FUN place for kids to enjoy their summertime and keep their brains in shape as well.”

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants program designed to support the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities for children funds project Impact.

The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.

Advisory for businesses and workers affected by oil spill

As tourism and seafood related businesses and workers face compounding losses from the effects of the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill, opportunities for recouping money exist.

BP has established a toll-free Hotline, (800) 440-0858, and claim system for people affected by the oil to recover lost income or damage-related expenses. People seeking reimbursement from BP should file a claim at the toll-free number. After doing so, they may also visit BP's local claims office, located at 194 14th Street, the former Apalachicola High School. The office is open seven days a week from 8:00AM to 7:00PM and the Claims Hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For those not satisfied with BP's resolution, there is an additional avenue for assistance available through the U.S. Coast Guard, once BP has finalized a claim. People who have already pursued the BP claims process unsatisfactorily may call (800) 280-7118.

More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act, as well as guidance on how to seek such compensation, are located at www.uscg.mil/npfc/.

The following additional tips may assist business owners and workers in recouping financial losses:

- Florida residents should not sign any documents provided to them in return for money from BP or anyone else until they know the extent of their losses, which may be significantly higher than the money being paid.

- The Attorney General's fraud hotline is open to receive any reports of fraud or price gouging. The hotline is (866) 966-7226.

- The Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner gas price-gouging hotline is also operational. The toll-free hotline number is (800) 435-7352.

- Hotel and condominium owners should take detailed records of cancelled reservations. It is important that when these cancellations occur, the cancelling party is questioned whether the cause is because of the oil spill. If the answer is yes, keep a record of the person's name and contact information, and also the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.

- Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and be able to provide records, sales receipts and documentation to support such a claim. A good idea would be to compare business now to a five-year average of revenues between May and June, which can offer insight as to the damages incurred.

- Businesses, including shops, restaurants, sport-fishing charters, rental companies, etc. that may be negatively impacted, are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records should a claim need to be presented.

- Make a detailed list of assets - including non-structural - and include appropriate records to support the list. For example: if a hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach and that beach has oil reach its shores, the business' assets are damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure, and it is important to record this depreciation.

- Be wary of insurance settlement scams.

- For businesses who may have already begun the claims filing process with BP, first, make sure you are dealing with authorized representatives from BP and not scam artists; and be careful not to sign waivers of liability too quickly without getting adequate legal and financial counsel.

- In all circumstances, affected businesses should file a claim with BP via the hotline number – (800) 440-0858.

Lost income

- All claimants will be directed to a hotline (800) 440-0858 that is manned by people specializing in oil spill claims.

- According to BP, payments will be made to address immediate issues associated with property damage or loss of income due to the oil spill. The company is providing interim payments to claimants who are not receiving ordinary income while the cleanup is under way.

- Within 48 hours of receiving supporting documentation (e.g. tax return) the claim will be evaluated and the claimant will be notified of an advance payment for the claim. The equivalent of one month's income will be paid and these payments will continue until they are able to return to work or their overall claim is resolved. If a claim is rejected the person will be notified in writing of non-payment.

- A link to information on some of the types of claims available and who can submit each claim is available at www.uscg.mil/npfc/Claims/default.asp#types_of_claims

Sunday June 6th Oil Forecast

If oil is sighted on Florida’s shoreline, report it to the State Warning Point at (877) 272-8335) or by dialing #DEP from most cell phones.

Fishery Closure Boundary as of June 4th

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has extended the boundaries of the closed fishing area in the Gulf of Mexico up to the state water line in Alabama and the western tip of the Florida Panhandle. This federal closure does not apply to any of Florida’s waters. Closing fishing in these areas is a precautionary measure to ensure that seafood from the Gulf will remain safe for consumers.

At this time, Florida’s state waters remain open to recreational fishing.

Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call (800) 440-0858.

Report oiled wildlife to the Wildlife Distress Hotline at (866) 557-1401.

For the safety of the public as well as the safety of animals, trained responders should conduct all rescues.

Professor: Oil Will Devastate Underwater Food Chain - West Palm Beach News Story - WPBF West Palm Beach

Professor: Oil Will Devastate Underwater Food Chain - West Palm Beach News Story - WPBF West Palm Beach