NOTES FROM TOWN HALL

I received a quick email from Mayor Gary Combs this week advising that he and Nancy arrived safely in the Bahamas after leaving Shalimar in early November. They are on quite an adventure in their motor trawler “Nanseas”, so ask them about all the details when they return. He won’t be leading the Santa parade this year (Tuesday, December 9 at 5 p.m.) so we have a pretty even shot at not getting lost, ha! Gary is “online” during the cruise, but Mayor Pro-Tem Ricardo Garcia is also available to handle any issues that may arise.

The new town maintenance building is finally complete and maintenance supervisor Kent Beck and Jeff Adams have moved into the new office (out of the conference room) and are also moving equipment and tools out of the two portable sheds into the garage. Drop by for a tour if you see the maintenance truck on site. It took awhile to complete, but by doing some of the work ourselves, we were able to save about 40% off the overall cost of construction.

If you haven’t noticed, Waste Management (WM) has made a change to their recycling program and no longer separates recyclables at the curbside pickup. They have begun a “single stream” recycling operation in which the recyclables are separated into categories at their transfer station. As a side note, our current contract with WM ends next May, and we will be advertising for waste collection services early next year. If you have any comments on the current service or suggestions on future service, please email me at tb@shalimarflorida.org.

The Town’s electronic marquee signs are up and running again, so feel free to drop by Town Hall with your announcements or fill out an announcement form on the Town web site (menu; Marquee) at www.shalimarflorida.org.

As always, please give your Town staff a shot at helping you with any of your projects or concerns. I hope everyone had a thankful Thanksgiving…

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season.

At your service,

Tom Burns

Town Manager

NOTES FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Many of our residents will be traveling this year. If you find yourself in this category, do not hesitate to contact the police department for an extra patrol on youf home. We will conduct several security checks while you’re away. You may stop by the police department, Town Hall or complete the form on-line at www.shalimarflorida.org.

With the schools on Christmas vacation, watch out for kids while you are driving along the town streets. Also, this time of year, the report of car burglaries and theft rise. Please remember to secure your vehicles and, if you have a home alarm system, activate it. The police department will be out in force patrolling the neighborhood streets to ensure the safety of each resident and their property.

If you have any concerns please give me a call at 651-1115 or 225-1272. You can always stop by and meet with me in person to discuss any questions you may have. I hope everyone has safe and happy holiday season.

John E. Cash

Police Chief

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.

HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

The Christmas Parade will take place at 5:00 on Tuesday, December 9 with a get together at Town Hall around 6:15 after the scheduled Commission Meeting.

WINTER YARD OF THE QUARTER

As the year winds down, our yards rest until the return of spring. Color is supplied by the changing canopy of our deciduous trees and flowering roses. Most business and home owners take this time to have the yard cleaned up and the mulch refreshed. Another labor of love this time of year exhibits, are the holiday decorations.

A drive down Eglin Parkway, past the businesses of Shalimar, crisp borders, fresh pine straw, and pruned bushes abound. Fairfield Inn as well as the banks and legal offices of our town are neatly kept with a touch of color supplied by roses or the changing hues of the winter foliage.

Shalimar Drive will reveal Garnier's Cay; always smartly landscaped and maintained with a bit of holiday decor near #2531. Further down Shalimar Drive we come to the beautiful roses and yard at #38 and #42 with the flowing window boxes and a nice Christmas display as well. Don't pass by #289 or #54 Shalimar Drive without a look. Lights from 902 Sunset Bay Court can be seen from Hwy. 85, and #909 was in progress at the time of this writing. Residents at #904 Avalon Lane are doing a nice job with their decorations as well. The few homes that are mentioned only touch the tip of the iceberg in relating the spirit of Shalimar residents. Many are still in the process of completing their decorations and adding the final touches for the holidays.

This will be my third Christmas working for the Town of Shalimar and each year there have been, in by opinion, two or three families that really display their holiday spirit. These would be #14 Cherokee Road, perhaps one of the first to start decorating, is a pleasure to gaze upon. #2551 Palm Shores Drive, with the handcrafted wisemen and the myriad of whimsical decorations, to the sophisticated look of #900 Sara Drive, where we are happy to say Santa has returned home. This home with the oversized candles lining the drive and a life-sized Santa to greet guests is a classic.

If I must pick one, I would choose #2551 Palm Shores Drive. I am a sucker for hand-crafted, personalized holiday decorations. At the beginning of each holiday this home has something to offer the Town's residences. This holiday they did not let us down.

Kent Beck

Maintenance Supervisor

-  In Observance of the New Year, the Shalimar Town Hall will be closed on Thursday, January 1 and Friday, January 2.