Chase Richards joins Apalachicola Police Force

APD Newest Officer Chase Richards
Photo by Lt. Pam Lewis 

At their regular scheduled monthly meeting held last night Apalachicola City Commissioners hired Chase Richards as the newest member of the Apalachicola Police Department (APD).

Richards was recommended for hire in a letter presented by Lt. Pam Lewis from Apalachicola Chief of Police Bobby Varnes, who was not at the meeting because of a pressing community related matter. The vacancy on the force was created with the June retirement of Capt. Steve James.

“It’s my belief that Mr. Chase Richards would be a great asset to the Apalachicola Police Department, as well as the City of Apalachicola… he comes well trained, and highly qualified in his profession as a law enforcement officer.  It is my recommendation that we bring him on board as an officer with the Apalachicola Police Department”, wrote Varnes.

Richards is a lifelong resident of Franklin County currently living in the Eastpoint area, a 2010 graduate of Franklin County School and a 2011 graduate of Gulf Coast State College Law Enforcement Academy. He brings right at three-years of experience to the job working as a road deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff Office where he joined after graduating from the academy.

On a motion made by City Commissioner Mitchell Bartley and unanimously passed by the city commission Richards was hired to fill the vacancy.

Wilbur Bellew presented code enforcement officer badge

Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson presents Wilbur Bellew
with Code Enforcement Offiicer badge at city meeting
Photo by Lt. Pam Lewis

The City of Apalachicola first ever certified code enforcement officer Wilbur Bellew was presented an official badge at the Apalachicola City Commission monthly meeting held last night.

Bellew received certification to become a code enforcement officer for the city on March 15, 2014 after completing a 40 hour course and successfully passing a written examination required by the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (F.A.C.E.)

At the meeting he thanked the commission and city administrator Betty Webb for the opportunity to work with the city and the community.  He told the commission that as the city’s designated code enforcement officer his goal would be to obtain voluntary compliance.

“My goal as code enforcement officer is to gain voluntary compliance by educating the public of our city codes, which is one of the quickest and most inexpensive methods of enforcement”, said Bellew.  “Most violations occur when property owners don't realize that they have violated local codes or ordinances”.

Today’s code enforcement officers have to address a wide range of issues that affect the environment, health, safety, property values, and the general well-being of the public.

Should you have any questions about compliance or to report a violation, Wilbur can be reached at either (850) 323-0579 or wlbellew@cityofapalachicola.com.

Apalachicola to honor Dr. John Gorrie at Water Street Festival of Ice

Dr. John Gorrie

The City of Apalachicola will honor Dr. John Gorrie and his induction into the inaugural class of the newly established Florida Inventors Hall of Fame next month as part of the upcoming Water Street Festival of Ice. 

On Friday August 15 noted author and ice expert Ellie Morris will present a talk about the impact the introduction of ice on early North Florida development. Morris’ ice presentation will be the first in the City’s 2014-2015 Visit Florida funded lecture series. 

The next day, Saturday, August 16, the town will host a re-inactment of the first delivery of ice to Apalachicola and celebrate Dr. John Gorrie's induction into the Florida Hall of Inventors with a proclamation from Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson and ceremonial champagne toast. Ice carving, snow cones and music will follow at the the John Gorrie Museum located at 46 6th Street. 

Later in the month, Aug. 30, the cool continues with a cool jazz concert on the dock at beautiful Riverfront Park.

For more information about Dr. Gorrie, visit the Gorrie Museum and to download a map of Apalachicola's museums, visit www.cityofapalachicola.com.

Apalachicola officials to make changes to Tree Ordinance

City Administrator Betty Webb presented a draft revision to the city’s Tree Ordinance to the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners at their July meeting held last night inside the Battery Park Community Center.

Webb told commissioners that she had incorporated changes to the ordinance that were discussed at last month's meeting.  She asked the commission to review the draft and to make further changes as deemed necessary.  Webb also told the commission that she would present the proposed revision to the tree city's Tree Committee and ask them to do likewise before bringing the matter for public hearing and adoption.

The interpretation of the ordinance adopted in 2011 was thrust to the forefront at a planning and zoning meeting during an inquiry concerning the removal of the cedar tree from Riverfront Park.

The revision clarifies the process and make clear that approval to remove, relocate, or substantially alter any tree located on city property rest solely with the Code Enforcement Office and the City Administrator or their designee.  

In cases where it’s determined by either that a potential conflict will arise from the removal, relocation, or substantially altering of a tree located on city property the city commission will be advised before a final decision is made.

Once the revision process is completed, it will take two public hearings to determine whether the changes will become city law.  A copy of the proposed revision can be accessed, reviewed or printed by clicking the above image.              

City schedules special meeting to tentatively set millage rate

At the Apalachicola Board of City Commissioners regular scheduled monthly meeting held last night, city commissioners scheduled a special meeting for noon on Tuesday, July 15 at the Battery Park Community Center to tentatively set the city’s millage rate for Fiscal Year 2014-2015.

Setting the millage is prelude to developing the city’s annual operating budget; the process of setting the rate usually take about 10-minutes or less and by state law, once set it cannot be raised only lowered.

Customarily commissioners have set the rate at the maximum amount allowed by law, only to work diligently toward lowering the rate during the actual budget development, a prudent practice that give commissioners flexibility to address unanticipated items that may surface during the process.

The tentative or provisional rate set by the city commission at the special meeting will appear on the Annual Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notices mailed mid-August from the Property Appraisers Office.  However, as in time past will most likely not represent the final rate, which will be determined by the commisson during the actual budget development.

New Florida Inventors Hall of Fame release names of 2014 inductees: Dr.John Gorrie makes the list

Statue of John Gorrie

In National Statuary Hall  

The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame released this morning the names of six inventors selected to be inducted into the inaugural class of the New Florida Inventors Hall of Fame (FIHF) at the University of South Florida in September.  Making the list is Apalachicola's very owned John Gorrie, M.D., (1803-1855), who was nominated for induction in early June by the City of Apalachicola.

Gorrie invented the ice-making machine and is considered the father of air conditioning and refrigeration. His invention began with an attempt to cure Yellow Fever during an outbreak in Apalachicola in 1841. Convinced that cold was a healer, he advocated the use of ice to cool sickrooms and reduce fever. Ice was shipped by boat from northern lakes until Gorrie’s successful experimentations with the rapid expansion of gases to create refrigeration. The state of Florida honored Gorrie as a notable person in Florida’s history by donating the statue of John Gorrie to the National Statuary Hall collection located in the United States Capitol Building, and naming a bridge, museum and Florida state park in his honor.

The mission of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is to recognize and commend Florida inventors whose achievements have advanced the quality of life for Floridians, the state and the nation.  Nominees, who must have at least one U.S. patent, were nominated through an open nomination process and elected by a Selection Committee comprised of distinguished leaders in research and innovation throughout Florida. 

FIHF encourages individuals of all ages and backgrounds to strive toward the betterment of Florida and society through continuous, groundbreaking innovation, and, by commending the incredible scientific work being accomplished in the state, to further the growth of Florida’s innovation sector. 

The 2014 inductees represent four state universities and two private research institutions and, collectively, hold more than 2,100 issued U.S. patents.  Their high merit has been recognized by their institutions and communities with named parks, museums, scholarships, funds and medals, among other honors. 

The inaugural class include Gorrie, Thomas Edison (1847-1931), Robert Cade, M.D. (1927-2007), William Glenn, Ph.D. (1926 – 2013), Shyam Mohapatra, Ph.D. (1955- ), and Shin-Tson Wu, Ph.D. (1953- ).

An induction Ceremony & Gala will be held on September 10, 2014 in Tampa at the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame at the University of South Florida, for more information or to view the complete list of inductees, including photos and biographical information, visit www.floridainvents.org.

Deadline Approaching to Apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans in Florida's Fishery Failure

ATLANTA - The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most private non-profit organizations affected by the failure in the state's commercial oyster fishery industry from Jan. 1, 2012 through Dec. 31, 2013 that the deadline to apply for economic injury loans is July 31.  

These loans are available to small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in Franklin, Gulf, Liberty and Wakulla counties in Florida.Working capital disaster loans up to $2 million are available at 3 percent for private non-profit organizations and 4 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The loans are intended to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.  To be considered for this assistance, eligible entities need to apply by the deadline.

Contact:  Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website athttps://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Applications and program information are available by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955  or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA's website atwww.sba.gov.Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 31, 2014. 

For more information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at www.sba.gov/disaster.

Apalachicola 4th of July Celebration Draws Overflow Crowd

Roy Solomon as Uncle Sam and his wife Margie as Lady Liberty

Riverfront Park in downtown Historic Apalachicola was overflowing yesterday July 3rd with onlookers preparing for the fireworks display at the Annual Independence Day Celebration hosted by the Historic Apalachicola Main Street Committee in partnership with the City of Apalachicola and a host of local businesses.

With beautiful Apalachicola weather throughout the day, the streets and sidewalks in the downtown area were filled with visitors, with the crowd easily reaching the 7,000 anticipated by the Main Street Group. Especially during the final hour of the daylong event, which was preceded by a parade of golf carts, bike riders and skateboarders all decorated in Red, White and Blue.

"I've been here for 18-years and it was the biggest crowd I've ever seen in Apalachicola... perhaps other than at the Seafood Festival", said Main Street Committee Member Harry Arnold.  "All of the downtown businesses should have done well with the size of that crowd".

New to this years celebration were Good Ole Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty portrayed by Apalachicola residents Roy Solomon and his lovely wife Margie.

From the parade to the live entertainment, the vendors and the spectacular fireworks finale, were all family oriented and left no doubt of the level of patriotism and love of country and community that exist in small town Apalachicola.

Our hats off to the Main Street Committee.

City of Apalachicola July 8, 2014 Meeting Agenda

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE COPY

REGULAR MEETING

CITY COMMISSION

CITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014 – 6:00 PM

COMMUNITY CENTER @ BATTERY PARK

#1 BAY AVENUE, APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

AGENDA

I.     PRAYER AND PLEDGE

II.    REGULAR MEETING

       1. Mayor Johnson - Present Wilbur Bellew with Code Enforcement Badge

       2. Approval of May & June Minutes

       3. Approval of May Bill List

       4. Hiring of New Police Officer

       5. Set Special Meeting to Tentatively Set Millage Rate

       6. Planning & Zoning

           a. Confirm May Minutes

       7. City Administrator

       8. Attorney Floyd

       9. Other Visitors and Comments

       10. 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 Clerk’s Office 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

293 Duke Energy Apalach customers affected by yesterday's power outage

Area of Apalachicola affected by the outage circled in red

The thunder squall that roiled into the area late yesterday afternoon left approximately 293 Apalachicola customers of Duke Energy without power for almost six hours.  Unknown at the time whether the culprit that caused the wooden power pole on Water Street to snap at the base was a waterspout or just a gust of wind from the squall.  

However, the pole did have several transformers attached to it that supplied power to the downtown area and beyond.  Up to five Duke Energy repair trucks were dispatched to the city to assess the damage and restore power.  None of the recently installed concrete replacement poles in the downtown area appeared to have been affected by the storm. 

Downed wooden power pole on Water Street