Apalachicola Chamber Earns State Recognition

The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center has been named one of only fourteen official Florida Certified Tourism Information Centers in association with a new VISIT FLORIDA program.

The new VISIT FLORIDA Certified Tourism Information Centers (CTICs) Program brings VISIT FLORIDA recognition to Visitor Services facilities around the state, providing these facilities and their staff with benefits that enable successful promotion of travel to and throughout Florida.

To become an official Florida Certified Tourism Information Center, visitor centers must meet requirements specified by VISIT FLORIDA, such as: centers must be a VISIT FLORIDA Partner, centers must be open year-round at a minimum of five days per week, centers must be located in a convenient and accessible location for the ease of travelers, and centers must have access to parking and restroom facilities to accommodate visitors including persons with disabilities.

“VISIT FLORIDA is not looking to franchise visitor centers,” said David Dodd, VISIT FLORIDA Vice President of Visitor Services. “The VISIT FLORIDA Certified Tourism Information Center Program is focused on presenting a consistent Florida message and a quality Florida experience for all visitors to the Sunshine State.”

“We are very happy to be included in this prestigious roster of new VISIT FLORIDA CTIC’s from across the state. This Distinction provides an extra layer of service to our visitors. It is an honor for the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center to be recognized as an official CTIC Visitor Center”, said John Solomon, Executive Director Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Under Solomon’s leadership the Chamber has acquired 86 new members in less than a year and sees a little more than 1,600 visitors walk through its doors each month.

Curt Blair Director of the Franklin County (TDC) Tourism Development Council said “We are excited that the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce has received this well, deserved designation. Our Visitor Centers are an important part of our county's marketing program”

All Florida Certified Tourism Information Centers receive additional benefits from the program, including: a free 4”x9” brochure display at all VISIT FLORIDA Welcome Centers, Vacation Guides and Florida State Maps, Certification signage, and access to a State of Florida Network with other tourism professionals. In addition, Statewide Information Specialist Certification is being offered to all employees at a Florida Certified Tourism Information Center.

For more information about the VISIT FLORIDA Certified Tourism Information Center Program, contact David Dodd at ddodd@visitflorida.org. For more information about Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center go to www.apalachicolabay.org.

Lane closures begin on U.S. 98 in Apalachicola

Chipley - Lane closures begin Monday, Sept. 14 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on U.S. 98 from County Road 384 (12th Street) to the Apalachicola River Bridge in Apalachicola. Construction crews will mill and resurface the corridor.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.

For more information follow the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on Twitter @myfdot_nwfl or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyFDOTNWFL.

www.dot.state.fl.us.

City of Apalachicola September 15, 2015 Public Hearing & Special Meeting Agenda

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PUBLIC HEARING & SPECIAL MEETING

CITY COMMISSION

CITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 – 6:00 PM

COMMUNITY CENTER @ BATTERY PARK

#1 BAY AVENUE, APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

AGENDA

I.  PUBLIC HEARING – FY 2015-2016 BUDGET

II. SPECIAL MEETING

   1.  Tentatively Adopt FY 2015-2016 Millage Rate – Resolution 2015-11  

   2.  1st Reading Ordinance No. 2015-04 - Tentatively Adopt FY 2015-2016 Budget

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.

Apalachicola Nature Trail Ribbon Cutting & Corps Kick-Off

Photo by Abbey Toomer

The Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the recently completed Apalachicola Nature Trail and Conservation Corps kick-off Friday, September 18th, 2015 - 12 Noon at the Kevin Road Trail Head. Lunch will follow.

The Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast is a comprehensive youth development program for young adults 18-25 years of age (veterans up to 29, and summer internships for ages beginning at 16 years old) which provides participants with job training, academic programming, leadership skills, and additional support through a strategy of service that conserves, protects and improves the environment, as well as community resilience.

Photo by Tami Seaman owner of Sand Grain Photography Services

This initiative will accomplish an array of specific habitat restoration projects throughout the region such as invasive species removal, living shoreline installation, oyster reef restoration, water quality monitoring, and pine savanna restoration.

This project is a pilot, funded by the City of Apalachicola to complete the nature trail as the required recreation element for the 700+ acre site which serves as the water reuse system's spray field. The program is supported by the Corps Network, Community Training Works and Franklin's Promise Coalition.

Franklin County Tourist Development Council September Newsletter: Tourist Talk

A compilation of news items from the Franklin County TDC Administrative Offices

Curt Blair – Administrator     Laura Graham – Executive Assistant

September 2015

September Meeting Schedule:

The September/October meeting schedule for the TDC is as follows:

TDC Board will meet on October 7, 2015 beginning at 2:00 P.M. at the Eastpoint Visitor Center.

TDC Committees will meet on September 16, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Eastpoint Visitor Center.

Non-profit Promotion Grants:

The TDC Board approved the participating non-profits for the 2015-16 Promotion Grants at their Board meeting on August 19. Some 25 organizations were approved.  A complete list of participating groups  and events will be posted on the TDC web site.  Each participant will be provided $2,000 this year for promotion in markets of their choice. In addition, the TDC will be increasing its promotional activities in out-of-area markets including print and social media markets.

The TDC will be conducting an informational meeting for non-profits receiving funds on September  30 at 1:30 P.M. at the St. George Island Fire House. Non-profits should send a representative to the meeting to fully understand the new provisions of the promotional grant program.

Sustaining Grant Recipients Approved:

The TDC Board approved seven non-profit organizations eligible to receive sustaining grant funds. Each organization will receive $20,000 to assist in keeping their facilities open year round.  Recipients keep their facilities open 20 hours per week year round and provide information for area visitors. A list of the organizations approved this year will be posted on the TDC Web site.

Art Brochure:

The TDC Board approved a proposal to publish a brochure of local art galleries. This brochure will be done in cooperation with the Apalachicola Bay Chamber and include art galleries from throughout the county. For more information about the brochure contact John Solomon at the Chamber or Laura Graham at the TDC offices.

TDC Collections Maintaining a Healthy 7% Increase:

Collections reported for the months of April and May reflected an increase in collections over 2014 and an adjustment for reporting uniqueness for February and March.  Year to date collections are running at a healthy 7% increase over 2014-15 and one percent under the State collections rate of increase of 8%.

Hospitality Training:

The TDC will be hosting a second Hospitality Training program on October 14, beginning at 1:00 P.M. at the SGI Firehouse. The program will focus on customer service skills for people interacting with the public. Participants from any industry are welcome to attend. A registration form for the program is attached to this newsletter. Please feel free to distribute this form to interested persons. There is a limit of 20 registrants for each session who will be selected on a first come first serve basis. 

For more information contact Laura at the TDC office, 731 Highway 98, Eastpoint, Florida 32328. Phone 850-670-3474.

Registration Form

Training & Certification for employees in the local Hospitality Industry

The Franklin County Tourist Development Council in conjunction with RiverWay South and Goodwill Industries will be hosting a Hospitality Training program on October 14, beginning at 1:00 P.M. at the St. George Island Firehouse.

The program will focus on customer service skills for front-line workers that interact with the public in the Hospitality and Travel Industries at Hotels, Attractions, Restaurants, Agritourism, Welcome Centers, Nature-Heritage Tourism and Outfitters & Guides.

The workshop will enable participants to hone their guest-serving skills and gain insight into performance standards in the Hospitality and Travel Industries. All participants will receive a Goodwill Certificate of Completion.  However, those that score 70% and above on the exam, given at the end of the day, will be awarded certification from the nationally acclaimed American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Certification through the Institute is recognized by hospitality management professionals throughout the United States and beyond.

This curriculum is being taught in over 1500 vocational schools, community colleges, and workforce programs nation-wide. The trainer assigned to the October 14^th course is Annette Jones, CMHS, CPFM of Goodwill Industries of the Big Bend. Ms. Jones can be reached at 850-785-5083 Ext: 2 or via email at hosptrainer@goodwillbigbend.com.

The registration fee of $50 per person includes an Ambassador Packet of regional tourism resources, a useful Hospitality Curriculum Workbook, Goodwill Certificate of Completion, and an American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute Certification for those scoring 70% or greater on the exam.  Sign up now there’s a limit of 20 registrants that will be selected on a first come first serve basis. 

Full scholarships are also available for a limited number of participants. For details contact Pam Portwood, Project Director of RiverWay South Apalachicola Choctawhatchee at pportwood@embarqmail.com or call 850-764-2853.

Funding for this project has been provided by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

For more information about the training contact Laura at the TDC office, 731 Highway 98, Eastpoint, Florida 32328. Phone 850-670-3474.

Registration Form

Is your child in the safest car seat?

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of kids. Why? In many cases, children are either not properly buckled into their safety seats or parents don’t realize that a booster seat is vital to ensuring children fit safely in their vehicle’s seat belt.

Don’t take a chance.  Stop by the Florida Department of Health in Franklin County at the Apalachicola Clinic at 139 12^th Street from 3:00pm – 5:00pm on September 14, 2015, in the back parking lot for a free car seat checkup.

The event is sponsored by the Florida Department of Health in Franklin County and Health Start, so for more information, contact Talitha L. Robinson, Health Educator Consultant, Closing the Gap Program with the Florida Department of Health in Franklin/Gulf County at (850) 653-2111 Ext: 102.

World Heart Day 2015: 5K Walk/Run

The Florida Department of Health in Franklin County invites you to participate in the World Heart Day 2015 Florida Inaugural 5K Walk/Run.

When: Saturday, September 26, 2015 8am-until

Where: 51 Avenue C, Apalachicola, FL 32320 (Gibson Inn)

Come join the FUN and help to raise awareness of heart disease! This is a no cost event. For further information contact: David Walker at 850-653-2111 ext. 119 or David.Walker@flhealth.gov.

City of Apalachicola September 8, 2015 Regular Meeting Agenda

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REGULAR MEETING

 CITY COMMISSION

CITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 – 6:00 PM

COMMUNITY CENTER @ BATTERY PARK

#1 BAY AVENUE, APALACHICOLA, FLORIDA

AGENDA

I.  Prayer and Pledge

II. REGULAR MEETING

    1.  Recognition of Visitors

         a.  George Coon

         b.  Amy Datz – Ban Hydraulic Fracturing

         c.  Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast

   2.  Approval of August Minutes

   3.  Approval of July Bill List

   4.  Adoption Decision Resolution 2015-09 – FSF Parade

   5.  Planning & Zoning

   6.  Advertise for Contract Services – Building Permitting Services

   7.  Water Plant Upgrade Authorization

   8.  Authorization to Advertise for Construction Manager – Library Project

   9.  Chestnut Cemetery – Historical Society MOU to Administer Grant

 10.  Stormwater Project Revised Task Orders – Authorization for Mayor to Sign

 11.  DOT Highway Beautification – $350,000 – Authorization to Apply

 12.  EPA Water Quality Grant - $300,000 – Authorization to Apply

 13.  City Clerk

 14.  Attorney Floyd

 15.  Other Visitors & Comments

 16.  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.

Annual Franklin County Legislative Delegation Meeting Scheduled

The Franklin County Legislative Delegation comprised of State Senator Bill Montford and State Representative Halsey Beshears have announced plans to meet in Franklin County on Monday, September 28, 2015 for their annual Legislative Delegation Meeting. The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM EDT inside the Franklin County Courthouse Annex located at 37 Forbes Street in Apalachicola.

Before the 2016 Legislative Session convenes on January 12, 2016, the delegation wants to ensure they are aware of any issues or concerns the Franklin County community may have, so everyone is invited to attend.

For more information, call Senator Montford’s District Office in Tallahassee at (850) 487-5003 or visit 214 Senate Office Building, 404 South Monroe Street in Tallahassee.