FEBRUARY 2014 EDITION OF THE OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER, THE OIL LANTERN Page 1 of 8 Pages

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1 FEBRUARY 2014 EDITION OF THE OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER, THE OIL LANTERN Page 1 of 8 Pages OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION, Inc. P.O. Box 8116 FT WALTON BEACH, FL ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Next Meeting: LOCATION: Okaloosa Island Fire Station, 2 nd Floor Meeting Room TIME: 7:00 p.m. DATE: Monday, February 10, PARKING: Please park behind the Fire Station next to the water tank IN THIS NEWSLETTER Message from OILA Board Member - Kathy Foster Okaloosa Firefighters Open An Emergency Lane on Brooks Bridge Minutes (Draft) January 13, 2014 Meeting Architectural Committee & Island Rainfall Reports for January 2013 Quintuple Wuzzle Puzzles for the 3r st Time Mardi Gras on the Island Parade Photos in this Newsletter. ISLAND GARDEN CLUB INVITATION BUS TRIP TO THE MOBILE FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THE EXISTING BROOKS BRIDGE IS IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE LEASEHOLDERS POSITION ON THE ISSUE OF A NEW BRIDGE TO THE ISLAND see inside article. THE POST OFFICE LOCATED AT THE TOM THUMB STORE ON OKALOOSA ISLAND IS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE ON FEB 24, 2014 see inside action alert.

2 FEBRUARY 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Paula Hudson, President 529 Dolphin Ave Desley Parker Vice-President 890 The Masters Blvd Shalimar, FL Jim Simpson, Treasurer 624B Pelican Drive Trisha LaBahn 330 Bluefish Drive Kathy Foster 849 Tarpon Drive Tripp Tolbert 1500 Miracle Strip Pkwy NE Vince Bruner 110 Eglin Pwky SE ASSOCIATION WEBMASTER Bob Seitz 709 Sailfish Drive The OIL Lantern THE NEWSLETTER OF THE OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION, Inc P.O. Box 8116, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, Editor: Jim Simpson, (850) Association Website: Meeting Agenda Date: Monday, Feb 10, 2014 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: : Okaloosa Island Fire Station, 2 nd Floor Meeting Room Speakers: Candidates for District 2 and 4 County Commissioners Seats I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE II. ROLL III. ANNOUNCEMENTS If you speak, please state your name, address and if you are a member. IV. MINUTES - January 2014 Meeting Minutes (Draft) V. TREASURER'S REPORT - Treasurer, Jim Simpson VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Architectural Committee: (see Newsletter) B. Beautification Committee: Dave Miller C. Membership Liaison: Jim Simpson D. WebSite: Bob Seitz E. Boat Basin: Cathy Taylor F. Street Lighting MSBU: Maryl Bednar VII. OLD BUSINESS A. Update: CRA (Community Re- Development Authority) B. Recap: Mardi Gras Parade January 18, 2014 VIII. NEW BUSINESS IX. ADJOURNMENT Message from Kathy Foster, OILA Director Happy M a r d i Gr a s! Thank you to the many friends and family members who joined Leaseholders Gary & Paula Hudson, Desley Parker, Linda & Tom Valentine, Kathy Foster, Carmen & Alan Parker and Parade Chairman Jim Simpson for 11 th Mardi Gras on the Island Parade. Photos are on the website courtesy of Webmaster Bob Seitz. Islanders are deeply appreciative of the Okaloosa Island Fire Department every day but especially during this recent freeze. The department led by Chief Bob Tilley provided outstanding service while we were marooned during the bridge closures. Also to be commended are residents Cathy Jones, Mike Mitchell, George Edlund, Jim Simpson and Bill Linz for their service on the Fire Board. The freezing weather has likely damaged much of our landscaping although it is best to wait until March before removing plantings. One place for possible answers to gardening questions would be the Island Garden Club led this year by President Joan Bomar. Meetings are the second Wednesday of the month, 9:30 a.m. at El Matador. Come visit, meet your neighbors, socialize and share your knowledge. Through a joint effort by the Beautification Committees of the Island Garden Club and the OILA, the Welcome Triangle and the first median are being maintained through a contract with Gardner Landscaping. Unfortunately funds are not available to maintain all island medians, so we are especially appreciative of Azure and Island Echoes for covering the costs of upkeep in front of their buildings. Richard Boyes of Box of Rain created fabulous landscaping in those medians. OILA Board members continue to represent all Islanders at community and governmental meetings. From BCC meetings to Chamber meetings to Parks Advisory, etc. Additionally, members continue to volunteer for advisory groups. Hats off to islanders Maryl Bednar and Gloria Turner for their service on the Parks Advisory Committee. Another unfaltering group is the Architectural Committee. Keith Myers, Kurt Rieper, George Edlund and Mike Mitchell are available for consultation every Thursday, 9:00-9:30 a.m. at the TDD building. Their oversight is delineated in the Protective Covenants of the Island. Two years ago Okaloosa Island was redistricted into District 2 and our Island finally had representation on the Board of County Commissioners with a Commissioner who responded to our questions, concerns and needs. Commissioner Dave Parisot (with help from Dave Hancock) was a driving force in the installation of swales to reduce flooding along Santa Rosa Boulevard. It is imperative that the OILA Board of Directors and Island residents continue to have a strong working relationship with ALL Commissioners. To that end, President Paula Hudson has invited all 2014 BCC candidates to speak to the membership before their election to office. There are numerous items of importance to us reduction of green space, footprint of a replacement bridge, etc. Please attend the February 10 th OILA meeting to meet the candidates and hear their responses.

ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR JANUARY 2014 for permits and applications submitted to them for consideration. The following information provided by the Architectural Committee.

Date Block Lot(s) Address Owner/Contractor Description Recommendation Jan 9 13 22 to 23 1310 Miracle Strip Pwky Destin West Construct marina In compliance Jan 9 4 138A 411-A Cobia Ave Scott Royal

0.1 inches Jan 2..0.1 inches Jan 5..0.2 inches Jan 9..0.1 inches Jan 11 0.6 inches Jan 13 1.9 inches Jan 19 0.1 inches Jan 28 0.4 inches Avg Rainfall for January...5.0 inches February Avg Rainfall 5.

..4º F (1985) Mar Avg Water Temperature..66º F April Avg Rainfall.3.7 inches April Record High...92º F(1985) April Record Low.. 20º F(1987) Apr Avg Water Temperature..72º F YTD Variance to Average.

3 ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR JANUARY 2014 for permits and applications submitted to them for consideration. The following information provided by the Architectural Committee. SPECIAL NOTICES: 1) The Committee meets every Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:30 am at the Tourist Development Center building. 2) ASK BEFORE YOU ACT. Date Block Lot(s) Address Owner/Contractor Description Recommendation Jan to Miracle Strip Pwky Destin West Construct marina In compliance Jan A 411-A Cobia Ave Scott Royal Construct boat dock In compliance Jan 16 Radar Station 1299 Miracle Strip Pwky Holiday Inn Resort Construct sign for Not in compliance Dick building ISLAND RAINFALL FOR JANUARY 2014: 3.5 INCHES Jan inches Jan inches Jan inches Jan inches Jan inches Jan inches Jan inches Jan inches Avg Rainfall for January inches February Avg Rainfall 5.8 inches February Record High..80º F (1980) February Record Low 11º F (1951) Feb Avg Water Temperature..64º F March Avg Rainfall.5.8 inches March Record High..80º F (1957) March Record Low...4º F (1985) Mar Avg Water Temperature..66º F April Avg Rainfall.3.7 inches April Record High...92º F(1985) April Record Low.. 20º F(1987) Apr Avg Water Temperature..72º F YTD Variance to Average inches Rainfall Year-to-Date. 3.5 inches Avg Annual Rainfall : inches STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THE EXISTING BROOKS BRIDGE IS IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE LEASEHOLDERS POSITION ON THE ISSUE OF A NEW BRIDGE TO THE ISLAND Last December the Florida Department of Transportation announced it had begun planning for the replacement of the 47-year-old Brooks Bridge. FDOT District Secretary Tommy Barfield confirmed that $3.5 million had been set aside to study replacing the bridge. He also announced another $900,000 had been allocated to repair bridge bearings in 2014 in hopes of adding a few more years to the life of the structure. This plan is in full agreement with the position OILA adopted when the Association was fighting a new bridge (not a replacement bridge) proposal which included an option of connecting Wright Parkway at Highway 98 to Santa Rosa Blvd at or near the far west side (at the Air Force gate). In response to this threat to the quality of life on Okaloosa Island, in October 14, 2002 the Association passed resolution opposing any bridge to Okaloosa Island westward to Navarre. Based on the adverse affect such a bridge would have on providing timely emergency service on the Island the Okaloosa Island Fire Fighting District also voted unanimously to oppose any bridge option which would connect Highway 98 to Santa Rosa Blvd. In conclusion, the Florida DOT plan to replace the existing Brooks bridge with a new, up-to-code bridge has the full support of the Leaseholders Association. In addition, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. The original Hathaway Bridge which connected Panama City to Panama Beach was successfully replaced with a new, toll-free, debt-free and safety compliant bridge in The Florida DOT is offering us the same deal. QUINTUPLE WUZZLE PUZZLES FOR THE 3 nd TIME! What is a Wuzzle Puzzle? It is a puzzle consisting of combinations of words, letters, figures, or symbols positioned to create disguised words, phrases, names, places, etc. Are you ready to take the challenge and figure out the disguised meaning of these wuzzles? Good luck. The answers are at the bottom of the last page. Wuzzle No. 1 Wuzzle No. 2 Wuzzle No. 3 Wuzzle No. 4 Wuzzle No. 5

4 OILA FLOAT AND PARTICPANTS 2014 MARDI GRAS ON THE ISLAND PARADE MARDI GRAS PARADE ON THE ISLAND SATURDAY JAN 18, 2014

OKALOOSA ISLAND FIREFIGHTERS TAKE THE INITITIVE TO OPEN AN EMERGENCY LANE ON BROOKS BRIDGE DURING THE RECENT ICE STORM Firefighters Inspect Brooks Bridge Okaloosa Island Engine No.

Ray Strawn, Nate Webster, Jared Vause, James Warf and Daniel Blair What do get when you combine emergency responders with sand men ANSWER: Innovative, problem solving Okaloosa Island Firefighters!

This problem was exacerbated due to a delay in getting sand to the bridge and with the closing of the Mid-Bay Bridge connecting Destin to Niceville.

5 OKALOOSA ISLAND FIREFIGHTERS TAKE THE INITITIVE TO OPEN AN EMERGENCY LANE ON BROOKS BRIDGE DURING THE RECENT ICE STORM Firefighters Inspect Brooks Bridge Okaloosa Island Engine No. 4 on Emergency Standby Firefighters Inspect Brooks Bridge Okaloosa Island Firefighters Sand Team (left to right): Mike Ross, Capt. Sean Mast, Greg Lloyd, Capt. Ray Strawn, Nate Webster, Jared Vause, James Warf and Daniel Blair What do get when you combine emergency responders with sand men ANSWER: Innovative, problem solving Okaloosa Island Firefighters! During the recent ice storm Brooks Bridge connecting the Island to Fort Walton Beach was closed due to icing. This problem was exacerbated due to a delay in getting sand to the bridge and with the closing of the Mid-Bay Bridge connecting Destin to Niceville. In other words if you lived on the Island or in Destin, had a medical emergency and needed to cross the bridge, you were to put it bluntly stranded. The old adage goes.. Don t give me a problem; give me a solution. This is exactly what the Okaloosa Island Firefighters did implement a solution. While their 4 wheel drive, pick-up beach truck could get across, the patient being moved had to set up right. This was in the words of Fire Chief Robert Tilley not acceptable to us. So, they took the station s supply of absorbent clay compound used to clean up spillage after vehicle accidents and spread it on the westbound lanes of the bridge. In addition, they went to Home Depot and purchased sand which was added to the clay compound. And the result was, PRESTO! An open emergency lane across Brooks Bridge!! A tip-of-the-hat to the Okaloosa Island Firefighters (now Sand Hogs?) pictured and named in the photo on the left who worked for 4 hours in VERY cold temperatures to spread the clay and sand to open up the emergency lane. Also, thanks to Okaloosa County Sheriff deputies and Ft Walton Beach police officers who kept the bridge clear during the sanding operation and to Florida Department of Transportation crews who added more sand. The Motto for the Okaloosa Island Firefighters Should Be: GIT ER DONE! ISLAND GARDEN CLUB INVITATION BUS TRIP TO THE MOBILE FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS You are invited to join the Island Garden Club on a bus trip to the Mobile Festival of Flowers on the grounds of Providence Hospital on Thursday, March 20, The bus will depart promptly at 8:00 a.m. from the parking lot at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island ( with an anticipated return at 4:00 p.m. The cost is $45 per person which includes the bus ride, entry fee and driver's tip. Checks should be made payable to Island Garden Club and sent to 849 Tarpon Drive, FWB, This is a FUN trip with an opportunity to purchase unusual plants and unique gifts. Vendors carry your purchases to the loading area where buses depart. You may wish to take boxes with your name on them to hold purchases in the bottom of the bus for the ride home. Only 50 seats will be sold allowing the back seats to hold trees, tall plants and large garden art. A check reserves your seat. The theme of the 21st annual show is British Gardens in Time. More details can be seen here:

6 SPECIAL ALERT FOR OKALOOSA ISLAND POSTAL CUSTOMERS: IT S TIME TO LET YOUR OPINION BE HEARD!! THE POST OFFICE LOCATED AT THE TOM THUMB STORE ON OKALOOSA ISLAND IS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE ON FEB 24, 2014 The U.S. Postal Service has announced that the last day of delivery to the P.O. boxes at the Okaloosa Island facility (located in the Tom Thumb Store at 1565 Santa Rosa Blvd) will be February 21, Postal patrons (residents & visitors) on Okaloosa Island extensively utilize the Island post office. Without this service, the alternative is to make a 6.5 mile round trip from Okaloosa Island to the closest post office which is located at 21 Walter Martin Rd in Fort Walton Beach. Multiply this drive by thousands of times and a lot of time and fuel is being consumed. This additional drive is even more difficult for the many senior citizens (residents & guests) who live on and/or visit Okaloosa Island. Yes, the decision to close the post office is a business decision which Tom Thumb (owned by the Kroger company) has the right to make. HOWEVER, we who patronize the Island Tom Thumb as store customers and postal patrons, have a right to make Tom Thumb management aware of our opinions. The closing of the post office will be a major inconvenience for those of us who patronize this popular convenience store. If you would like to contact Tom Thumb Corporate and let them know your opinion of this decision, following is information you will need. Telephone Number: (850) Mailing Address: Tom Thumb (Main Office) th Ave Crestview, FL Access the following website: The Tom Thumb Store Address is: 1565 Santa Rosa Blvd, ; the Store Number is: 46 SAVE THE OKALOOSA ISLAND POST OFFICE! Jim Simpson, 624B Pelican Drive, Okaloosa Island,. Cell:

7 OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION JANUARY 13, 2014 MINUTES (DRAFT) BOARD MEETING: January 13, 2014 LOCATION: Okaloosa Island Fire Station Meeting Room I. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 PM by President Paula Hudson. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. Twenty-two (22) people attended, sixteen (16) signed the attendance sheet. (attachment 1) II. ROLL: Board members present were Paula Hudson, Desley Parker, Kathy Foster and Vince Bruner. III. ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Paula Hudson welcomed all guests. IV. GUEST SPEAKERS: Representatives of Aqua Green, Wild Willy s and Rep. Matt Gaetz were invited to speak. None were considerate enough to respond. V. MINUTES: Kathy Foster made the motion to accept the December minutes as printed in the January issue of the OIL Lantern. The motion was seconded by Desley Parker. The minutes were accepted and filed. (attachment 2 - pages 4-6) VI. TREASURER S REPORT: Jim Simpson gave the report (attachment 3) Assoc. Discretionary Fund Balance $ 31, Beautification Fund Balance $ 1, Total Funds Balance as of Jan. 13, 2014 $ 33, (These figures are a summary only. Attachment 3 contains the full report.) Mr. Simpson was unable to attend. President Hudson read the report and requested, on Jim s behalf, reimbursement for the purchase of stamps to mail the January issue of the OIL Lantern. Total reimbursement requested was $ Vince Bruner made the motion to accept the Treasurer s report and to approve the requested reimbursement. The motion was seconded by Kathy Foster. The motion was unanimously approved. Previously approved expenditures were for Mardi Gras beads $83.35 and Moon Pies $ VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Architectural Committee: The report is in the January issue of the OIL Lantern. (attachment 2 - page 2) B. Beautification Committee: Kathy Foster: The Garden Club has completed the work in the first median and the Welcome Triangle and will cover the cost. The two story house on the corner of Sailfish and Seahorse (Farley Street) has completed all the requested work and looks fabulous. A request to have a property on the Island remove or repair a privacy fence was made. Anyone concerned about code/covenant violations on the Island can contact Paula Hudson at pnh2859@aol.com or visit the OILA website, which has the needed form. C. Membership Liaison: Jim Simpson: 246 members. 93% renewal. (attachment 3) D. Website: Bob Seitz: No activity this month. You can visit the OILA Facebook page or twitter at any time. E. Boat Basin: Cathy Taylor/Treasurer: No activity. F. Street Lighting MSBU: Maryl Bednar: The audit trail is received every other month. The streetlight request for the eastern end of Pelican has been submitted and is currently making its way through all the red tape and various approvals/hearings. The cost of the new light, once installed, will be $6.04 per month. VIII. OLD BUSINESS: A. CRA (Community Re-Investment Act) Request: President Hudson, as instructed by vote, sent a letter to the County Commissioners requesting consideration making Okaloosa Island a CRA. After talking with two Commissioners, she was led to believe, that it was not a priority for the Commissioners. The alternate bridge to the Island was also mentioned. More discussion about having the Island declared a CRA Community followed. A recommendation was made to invite all political candidates to speak at upcoming meetings and express their views and positions on issues involving Okaloosa Island. Many of those present, felt that the Island was neglected and ignored by the majority of the County Commissioners.

8 B. Mardi Gras 2014: The date is January 18 th. Jim Simpson, for the tenth year in a row, will supply the decorations for the float at his house on Pelican. Volunteers are needed to decorate the float on Friday at 12 noon. The parade will begin at 11 am on Saturday. Volunteers are also needed to walk the parade route, ride on the float, throw beads, moon pies and have lots of fun. IX. NEW BUSINESS: A. The Redlight in front of the tattoo parlor on the north side of Santa Rosa Blvd: An attendee questioned the function of the multiple redlights in that vicinity. It was suggested that signage advising of right turns only on to Santa Rosa Blvd traveling east should be erected. B. Chamber of Commerce: Kathy Foster thought that OILA should join the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. The cost would be $ per year and would give OILA a stronger voice and presence in the community. After a discussion, it was determined that OILA should be more forceful in presenting a more unified front to the community. Kathy Foster made the motion for OILA to join the Chamber of Commerce and appoint the OILA President as the Chamber Representative or a Board Member, if she/he is unable to attend. Desley Parker seconded the motion. The motion was approved. C. Second Bridge to the Island: Many of those present agreed that another bridge was needed in the future. An alternate route on the east side of Shalimar Point was suggested and would funnel traffic away from Fort Walton Beach. A double decker bridge was mentioned. The Hollywood route was again mentioned. None of those present thought Wright Parkway was a good alternative. Santa Rosa Blvd, just to name a few reasons, is unable to accommodate heavy traffic, has ongoing drainage problems, will always be closed after a hurricane and has extensive tourist and residential foot traffic. X. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by President Hudson at 7:51 PM. Respectfully submitted, Carmen Parker WUZZLE PUZZLE ANSWERS Wuzzle No. 1 Wuzzle No. 2 Wuzzle No. 3 Wuzzle No. 4 Wuzzle No. 5 Smoke Stack Under the Nose So Long For Now Ends Meet In Between Jobs

OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION, Inc. P.O. Box 4323 FT WALTON BEACH, FL 32549

JANUARY 2016 EDITION OF THE OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS NEWSLETTER, THE OIL LANTERN Page 1 of 6 pages OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION, Inc. P.O. Box 4323 FT WALTON BEACH, FL 32549 ADDRESS CORRECTION