Tidbits

September 2007

Notes from the Mayor

Parking (or the lack thereof) continues to be a major issue for discussion – both in business and residential districts.  Due primarily to safety and traffic flow considerations, we have rarely allowed the rights-of-way to be used for permanent or long-term temporary parking.  These instances are by formal agreement and approved development plans only.  For special occasions and rare events, however, special permission to park on the right-of-way may be granted by the Town Commission or coordinated with the Shalimar Police Department.  It is your responsibility to ensure that your customers, guests and service contractors are aware of this law.  Without advance permission or police coordination, expect a parking ticket.  It is true, visiting guests and contractors have already received parking tickets (as well as all others parked on the rights-of-way).  The Shalimar Policemen are strictly enforcing this law – so I will continue to remind you.  On a positive note, we have worked with both residents and business owners to assist in resolving parking issues.  We will continue to assist everyone in seeking some type of solution, so please let us know if you have a specific issue.  Additionally, we are reviewing and updating current development codes to ensure that we don’t permit future development or redevelopment that further compounds an already existing (lack of parking) dilemma.

For emergencies, please continue to call 9-1-1, but for non-emergency police communication, call 225-1272 or 651-1115.  During the day you can call town hall at 651-5723.  Also remember that if you notice something out of the ordinary (street light out, neighbors’ window broken, trash blocking the street or sidewalk, open fires, unattended animals, etc.), call the Shalimar Police Department on-duty officer at 225-1272.

Hopefully we will record another uneventful Hurricane Season before moving on to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Season.  As always, I wish and pray for everyone’s good health.

Gary Combs, Mayor

Upcoming Events

· October 8, 2007—Town Hall closed for Columbus Day

· October 9, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.—Town Commission Meeting

· October 17, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.—Special Planning and Zoning Meeting

All Contractors doing business in the Town of Shalimar are required to have a License.  Please help us protect you from unscrupulous contractors - a list of currently licensed contractors is available on our web site (www.shalimarflorida.org) or you can contact town hall at 651-5723.

Notes from the Special Services Commissioner

YARD OF THE QUARTER

It is such a pleasure to drive through Shalimar’s neighborhoods.  There are so many well-groomed yards that it was very difficult to decide on only one.  There are a few roads where every house has a beautiful yard: very well maintained, clean and a pleasure to look at.  They are Mande, Brande and Dana Courts, Palm Shores and Sara Drive and Shalimar Drive with Garnier’s Cay.  Sunset Bay Court is always such a pleasure to see, this month especially #911.  On Barron Court, I have been watching #2561.  The family there has been putting in a lot of work and many hours and it has really paid off.  The yard is now beautiful.  On Old Ferry Road there are many well-maintained front lawns and shrubs.  All in all, I am so proud to make my home in this beautiful little town.

Your Commissioner, Ursel Behnken

PLEASE REMEMBER that parking on Shalimar streets (or on the right-of-way) is against town ordinances.  This practice not only reduces a driver’s ability to monitor the road for darting children, but can also restrict a neighbor’s ability to safely enter and exit their driveways.  The Shalimar Police Department will enforce the rules against parking on the street.  Expect only ONE warning and then a $25.00 ticket will be issued.  If you have a temporary need for overflow parking for a special event, please coordinate this requirement with the police department or town hall staff.

Reminder

Shalimar Ordinances require all pets to be on a leash or under direct voice command any time they are off the owner’s property.  In addition, when walking pets, owners are required to clean up all pet refuse and must have a device for doing so on their person.

We are still negotiating with the school board on a property swap to support a town RV parking facility.  In the interim, the Commission has decided to offer free temporary storage of trailer vehicles along the fence in the open area adjacent to town hall and free temporary storage of motor homes on the Richbourg lot—please contact town hall.  This will be free only until the facility on Richbourg gets developed.  All vehicle licensing must be current and storage is first come, first served.

The Shalimar Police Department will be out in full force on Halloween night from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. to ensure the safety of all your little ghosts and goblins.  Each officer will also have candy for Trick or Treaters.

The Commission passed a 2.00 millage rate for FY 07-08.  This millage rate is 9% below the FY 06-07 millage rate and the 5th rate reduction in 7 years.

Stormwater

Reminder:  Shalimar Ordinances state that no person shall throw or place any debris in any drainage ditches, drainage easements, catch basins or any part of the storm water management system.  It is also illegal to dispose of any pollutants that may end up in any of these areas.  These include yard trash, earthen fill and all trash/litter.  Please notify Town Hall if you observe any illegal dumping in our storm water drainage systems – let’s stay high and dry and help keep coastal waters clean!

Shalimar maintains a flood information library at the town hall.  If you have questions about FEMA flood maps or insurance, please come by town hall or call us at 651-5723.  If we don’t have the answer, we’ll get it for you.