Fourteen arrested in Thursday morning drug raid

Top row (L-R): Shelley James, Allen O'Neal, Paula Medley,
Donald Taylor, Gerald H. Kent, Jr., Joyce Hendels and Rhine Abas
Bottom row (L-R): Walter Gallion, Kendrah Hurd, Billie Byrd, Gerald G. Kent, 
Jennifer Golden, Marvin Campbell, and Shelton Hutchins

Early morning, Thursday, June 26, 2014, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office arrested 14 individuals on drug related charges from throughout the Franklin County Community.

The arrests were a result of 22 different charges, including sale of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of either a park, school or church. Two vehicles were seized, as well as 11.1 grams of crack cocaine and $1,279 in cash.

The arrests are part of an ongoing effort and longtime commitment of Franklin County Sheriff Mike Mock to rid our communities of illegal drug activities.

Big things in store for 4 of July Celebration this Thursday in Historic Apalachicola

The 2014 Independence Day Celebration in Apalachicola will kickoff this Thursday, July 3rd with a patriotic paddle event hosted by the Forgotten Coast Paddle Club at 9:00am.  Interested paddlers will meet at the Apalachicola Maritime Museum to be shuttled upriver where they will launch and paddle 3-miles back downriver to join in the celebration that begins noon at beautiful Riverfront Park.  Participating paddlers are encouraged to fly Red White and Blue colors so don't forget to bring your flags!

Starting noon sharp, the Historic Apalachicola Main Street Committee in partnership with the City of Apalachicola and a host of local businesses will be presenting the 2014 Historic Apalachicola Independence Day Celebration.  The celebration will feature seafood in the park, live music, a silent auction, parade, ice cream social, live auction and a spectacular fireworks display at 9:00pm.

So come on out and join with family and friends as we celebrate the 238th birthday of America!

Work of Apalachicola artist Susan Richardson to display in Georgia

Apalachicola artist Susan L. Richardson will be decorating the walls of the 'Bowen Center for the Arts' in Dawsonville, GA with some of her fine artwork in an exhibition scheduled for July 8 - July 26, 2014.  Up to thirty of Richardson's paintings will be on display, some of which she has done an outstanding job capturing the essence of the Apalachicola area. You can view a sample of her work by watching the YouTube video below.

Also on July 11 there will be a reception hosted at 5:00pm to meet Richardson along with Jack Anthony another artist who's work will also be on display.  And at 6:00pm there will be moonlight music and dancing to the amazing sound of band music performed by the 'Sounds of Sawnee Concert & Jazz Band'.

For those wishing to join Richardson at the reception to show love and support for her and her work, you can find the Bowen Center for the Arts on 334 Highway 9 North in Dawsonville, GA. There's a $5 admission for the reception and you're encouraged to bring your own basket.  "The Bowen is on public property so bring a picnic basket with your beverage suitably subtle", said Richardson.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Dawson County Arts Council, for more information, telephone (706)216-2787 between the hours of 10:00am - 4:00pm Tue and Fri and 12:00 noon - 4:00pm Sat or visit www.dawsonarts.org.

Sheriff's Office Conducts Active Shooter Training Exercise at Charter School

Carrabelle Chief of Police Craig Kincaid taking a break during the exercise

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office conducted an ‘Active Shooter’ training exercise today for local law enforcement personnel at the ABC Charter School at 98 12th Street in Apalachicola.

An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.  In most cases an active shooters uses one or more firearms and there’s no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Officers taking part in the mocked exercise were carrying AK-47’s loaded with rubber bullets and dressed from head to toe in tactical gear reminiscent of a Rambo movie. They were in search of a lone gunman that was shooting and running rampant inside the school.  The exercise was overseen by Instructors Gary Martina and Jonathan Riley both Lieutenants and deputies with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.   

According to Lt. Carl Whaley, also a Franklin County sheriff's deputy the training was part of the Multi-Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities (MACTAC) training program, which purpose is to ready law enforcement personnel for rapid deployment to stop violent aggressive deadly behavior.  

Staff and teachers at the school also took part in the exercise to learn first-hand what steps to take with their students in the event a situation involving a school shooting does occur locally.

In a rapidly changing world with a propensity towards violence the training is another means in which Franklin County Sheriff Mike Mock has employed to keep the most vulnerable in our community safe.

"A similar exercise is in the planning stages for the Franklin County Courthouse", said Whaley.

Law enforcement personnel from both the Apalachicola and Carrabelle Police Departments participated in today’s training, which lasted almost six hours from 9:00am to 2:30pm.

Photos by Brenda Benjamin

APD Finest Recognized for Good Deed

Apalachicola Police Officer Ginger Creamer

One of Apalachicola Police Department (APD) finest has been recognized for providing exceptional service to a traveler on a layover in Apalachicola during a recent return trip back to Texas his home State.

In early May of this year when APD Officer Ginger Creamer answered a call from dispatch to see a man in need of assistance, she responded as she usually does. With civility, concern and professionalism, which is characteristic of an exceptional law enforcement officer.  Such character traits allow an officer to place protecting and serving the interest of others above and beyond his or her own interest and sense of self-importance.

Through her action in this situation, Officer Creamer exemplified what it means to truly be an exceptional law enforcement officer as well as an outstanding member of the Apalachicola community both in and out of uniform.

For a number of years now she has unselfishly served the Franklin County community not only as a highly dedicated officer of the law, but also as a volunteer fire fighter and first responder.  All of which require a tremendous sacrifice towards the service of others.  

So it wasn’t at all surprising when my office received a letter from Mr. Dirk L. McDonald of Cedar Hill, Texas that recognized Officer Creamer for assisting him during his stopover.

 

Mr. McDonald’s letter can be accessed and read in its entirety by clicking the above photo of Officer Creamer.

Lane Closure on State Road 65 near Eastpoint

Drivers traveling State Road 65 ten miles north of U.S. 98 in Eastpoint will encounter lane closures Tuesday, July 1 as construction crews replace the railroad crossing.  Lane closures will remain in effect from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. One lane of traffic will be maintained.

All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather.

For more Florida Department of Transportation District Three information follow on Twitter @MYFDOT_NWFL.

Today Marks 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer 1964

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the day this country lost three brave young men on home soil in a struggle to secure unfettered participation in one of the most sacred tenets of our democracy. The right to vote!

Known as freedom fighters, during the sweltering summer of 1964 in the State of Mississippi, Andrew Goodman, James Chaney and Michael Schwerner lives was cut way to short!

The three had just volunteered to work on the Freedom Summer campaign and had just begun to register blacks in Mississippi to vote when they suddenly disappeared. They had just finished investigating the bombing of a nearby church when they were taken into custody under false pretenses, and never again seen alive by their fellow volunteers.

Their disappearance sparked a national outrage and the FBI converged on Mississippi to investigate.  The investigation unveiled that on June 21, 1964, immediately upon being released from jail, the young men had been brutally beaten and murdered by a lynch mob.

This brutality along with other unsavory activities perpetrated by the defenders of the status quo was beginning to cause a shift in the social conscience of America.  Eleven days after the disappearance of the young men, on July 2, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The law ended the unequal application of voter registration requirements throughout America and a host of other things. 

Today we honor the sacrifice of Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner by registering to vote and by actually voting and participating in the process.

It’s the only practical means established by our democracy here at home to secure the freedom we all enjoy today and we can accomplish it without the spilling of blood.

Capt. James retires from Apalachicola Police Force

Apalachicola Police Department Capt. Steve James enjoyed a retirement luncheon noon today at the Battery Park Community Center surrounded by family, friends, city staff and former fellow law enforcement officers.

James an 18-year veteran of the Apalachicola Police Department started his career in law enforcement in 1987 as a Correctional Officer with the Florida Department of Corrections. 

Nine years later former Apalachicola Police Chief Warren Faircloth brought James on board as a young officer with the City of Apalachicola Police Department where he was promoted to Captain by former Chief of Police Anderson Williams.

James says he's now looking forward to owning and operating his own business, the Liberty Gas Station a.k.a. 'Red's Family Store' west of town on U.S. Hwy 98.

"I bought Red's station and will be opening it around October 1", said James.  "He (Red) made me an offer I couldn't refuse".

In honor of James' years of law enforcement service to the Apalachicola community, Police Chief Bobby Varnes presented him with his service patch, name plate, his Captain insignias and his badge all enclosed in a small wooden case with a glass front, along with another badge inscribed "Retired Police Officer".

James was also presented a plaque in appreciation for his 18-years of service by Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson.

Photos by Apalachicola Police Department Officer Lt. Pam Lewis

Wishing everyone a Happy Father's Day Weekend

My father was my mentor, my confidante, my compass and upon his passing I felt lost, distraught, distracted, reckless and foolish, all of the emotions and behaviors one could draw upon in an attempt to adequately characterize a young man who not only had lost his father, but someone who meant the world to him.  - Van W. Johnson, Sr.

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Alert

They're baaaaaack! Cigar manufacturers are once again asking Congress for special treatment so that they can continue to make their products without any oversight or regulation whatsoever. Contrary to what their lobbyists are saying behind closed doors:

• Cigars ARE tobacco products;
• Cigars ARE bad for you; and
• Cigars ARE being sold at a low price and in a variety of flavors that attract kids.

Don't let them fool Congress: Tell your representative "No Cigar" on special treatment for cigar products!

Congress should not exempt any type of cigar from oversight by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Cigar smoking causes several types of cancer and lung and heart disease.  And cigars are not just smoked by adults – kids smoke them too. If Congress exempted certain types of cigars from oversight, the tobacco companies will exploit any possible loophole, including modifying their products in a way that avoids FDA oversight while still attracting kids.

Tobacco manufacturers have already shown the lengths they will go to hook new customers. As soon as the Food and Drug Administration was authorized to regulate cigarettes, including a ban on candy and fruit flavors, Big Tobacco pivoted to cigars and made them smaller, gave them sweet flavors and started promoting them in small packs of two for as little as 99 cents! These are serious opponents with few scruples.

We can't underestimate Big Tobacco's lawyers and lobbyists. We need you to help make sure Congress has the facts: Send your message now!

Thank you for continuing the fight to make tobacco history!

The Advocacy Team
@ the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Routine Bridge inspection on Area Structures

Chipley – A Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) contractor will perform routine bridge inspection on structures in Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Franklin, and Wakulla counties Sunday, June 8 through Thursday, June 12 on the following days and locations:

• Sunday, June 8 Blair Stone Road over the CSX railroad bridge, Leon County.  Outside lanes closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
• Monday, June 9 at County Road (C.R.) 159 over the Attapulgus Creek Bridge, Gadsden County. Temporary lane closures in the northbound lane from 9 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. EDT.
• Monday, June 9 at C.R. 257A over the Aucilla River, Jefferson County. Temporary lane closures in the northbound lanes from noon to 3 p.m. EDT.
• Tuesday, June 10, U.S. 98 over the Ochlocknee Bay Bridge, Franklin County. Alternating lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT.
• Wednesday, June 11, C.R. 22 over the Sopchoppy River Bridge, Wakulla County. Alternating lane closuresfrom 9 a.m. to noon EDT.
• Thursday, June 12, U.S. 98 over the Apalachicola River Bridge, .5 miles east of Apalachicola, Franklin County. Eastbound lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.

All maintenance activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to pay attention and use caution when driving through the work zone. All construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to pay attention and use caution when driving through the work zone. 

City takes steps to resolve elevated THM in potable water supply

City's Water Treatment and Distribution Plant placed into service in 2001

Apalachicola city officials took steps at the regular scheduled meeting held last night after hearing a report from City Administrator Betty Webb to resolve the longstanding issue of elevated levels of trihalomethanes (THM) in the city’s drinking water supply.

To city purifies its raw drinking water by introducing chlorine as a disinfectant into the system.  When the chlorine combines with naturally-occurring materials in the water such as hydrogen sulfide, iron, and total organic carbon, which are all common in the Florida aquifer it forms the byproduct called trihalomethanes or THM.

When the hydrogen sulfide, iron, and total organic carbon levels are high they usually results in discolored water, laundry, and plumbing fixtures, this in turn results in increased complaints from the city’s water customers, thus the need for a disinfectant. In addition to the water chlorination the city uses aeration, filtering and sequestering.

However, several years ago the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) tighten the rules governing the level of THM acceptable in raw drinking water. The city is required to notify all of its water customers when the water system is tested and the results indicate the THM exceeds the new level set by the regulatory agencies, regardless of the amount.  Thus the notices you receive in the mail even if the tested levels are slightly elevated.

Only those with a compromised immure system who drink water with elevated THM over many, many years may be at risk of developing certain cancers.  To determine your risk factor if any, please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider.    

Webb told commissioners that the FDEP had approved a 90-day pilot study supported by the Florida Rural Water Association to treat the city’s water supply with an alternative disinfectant to determine if it improves water quality by decreasing the disinfection byproduct THM.

The FDEP is also requiring the city to conduct a Calgon Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) study along with the 90-day pilot study to determine the best water treatment objectives.

The commission voted to authorize Webb to proceed with the approved FDEP studies, which will start next Wednesday, June 11.

Apalachicola gearing up for another fantastic Independence Day Celebration

Apalachicola Historic Main Street Committee member, Jim Bachrach shared with the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners at the regular scheduled monthly meeting held last night plans for the 2014 Independence Day Celebration scheduled for July 3, at beautiful Riverfront Park in Historic Downtown Apalachicola, Florida.

The celebration is only 30-days away, so mark your calendars because it will be an even that you and the family definitely don't want to miss. The event will kick-off at Noon and last throughout the day and feature old Apalach style seafood tents serving firecracker shrimp and freedom fries.  Plus boiled shrimp, a low country boil and ice cream. Beer, wine and other beverages will also be available.

And don’t be late because live musical entertainment featuring several groups will be taking the stage at Noon, so don't forget to bring your favorite lawn chair so you can kick back and relax. Also throughout the day will be a silent auction set up inside the park along Water Street, with special items available for viewing during the day.  The silent auction will carry over to a live auction at 7:30PM conducted by our very own auctioneers Harry Arnold and Chuck Spicer.

In addition, the now traditional fun filled annual golf cart parade will be leaving Lafayette Park at 6:30PM, traveling down Avenue B and terminating at Riverfront Park where the crowd will be treated to the soothing savor of free ice cream at around 7:00PM.  The parade will feature golf carts festively decorated in Red, White and Blue, floats, a fire engine along with city police and sheriff department cruisers, children, bike riders, and more.

From 6:30-7:30PM, the Tobacco Road Band, a four-piece country rock band out of Tallahassee will take the stage and at 8:30PM a tribute will be paid to our military veterans with the Apalachicola Hillside Choir and at dark-thirty there will be and absolutely bombastic fireworks display over the Apalachicola River.

Last year the Main Street group forged ahead like the Minutemen toward the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord to pull off a fantastic fireworks extravaganza despite the threat of rain and subsequent inclement weather that delayed for days the display of fireworks in other panhandle communities.

As spectacular as last year’s fireworks show turned out to be, should the weather cooperate in the least this year, it will be an event that you and the family would want to attend.

Besides, there’s no better way to pay tribute to the Minutemen who fought and won this nation’s independence during the American Revolutionary War and all of our heroes thereafter who gave it their all to maintain that precious freedom than a public show of patriotism celebrating the birth of a free nation.

A celebration made possible through a public, private collaboration between the Apalachicola Historic Main Street Committee, the City of Apalachicola, Franklin Promise Coalition and the many generous sponsors of the Main Street Committee.

City nominates Dr. John Gorrie for Induction into Florida Inventors Hall of Fame

Dr. John Gorrie

Apalachicola City Administrator Betty Webb told commissioners at the regular monthly meeting held last night that she prepared and submitted an application that nominates famed physician, humanitarian, scientist, inventor and Apalachicola resident Dr. John Gorrie (1803-1855) for induction into the newly established Florida Inventors Hall of Fame located at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

By all accounts Dr. Gorrie is considered the father of modern day refrigeration and air-conditioning; noted for his invention of a machine that manufactured artificial ice and transformed a world, a transformation that began with the tragic Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1841.

In 1841, an outbreak of yellow fever was reported to have been responsible for thousands of agonizing deaths alone the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Tallahassee. There were about 200 cases of the disease reported in Apalachicola alone; the number of deaths untold.  However, those contracting the fever either recovered or died with the disease killing anywhere from 12 to 70 percent of its victims.

Gorrie Museum 

In an attempt to cure the fever, Gorrie used ice cut during the winter months in the northern lakes and shipped to the Gulf Coast for purchase to cool the hospital rooms of his sick patients. A process that started Gorrie’s experimentation with making artificial ice.

Subsequently Gorrie build a machine that received a U.S. patent in 1850 to do just that and in the process laid the groundwork for modern day refrigeration and air conditioning that brings comfort to billions of people around the world today.

There’s a statue of the famed inventor on display in the National Statuary Hall Collection in Washington, D.C., donated by the State of Florida in 1914.  

Gorrie's Final Resting Place

Here in Apalachicola to honor Gorrie’s contribution to mankind, a city square bears his name and a monument erected in his honor is situated on a quadrant of the square and there’s the Gorrie Memorial Bridge that spans the Apalachicola River, and a museum that bears his name sits across the street from his final resting place.

Hopefully, through the efforts of Webb Dr. Gorrie will now be part of the inaugural class of honored Florida inventors inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony and gala schedule for September 10, 2014 in Tampa.

City of Apalachicola June 3, 2014 Meeting Agenda

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE COPY

REGULAR MEETING

CITY COMMISSION

CITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2014 – 6:00 PM

COMMUNITY CENTER @ BATTERY PARK

#1 BAY AVENUE, APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

AGENDA

I.  PRAYER AND PLEDGE

II. REGULAR MEETING

    1. Approoval of April Bill List

    2. Adertise for Police Officer Position

    3. Battery Park Stormwater Project Bid Award

    4. Planning & Zoning

        a. Erin Rodriquez Fence Encroachment – 100 Avenue C

        b. Confirm April Minutes

    5. City Administrator Report

    6. Attorney Floyd Report

    7. Other Visitors and Comments

    8. Mayor and 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.