Notes from the Mayor

So, what's up? For a very slight increase, we negotiated a new waste removal contract with our current vendor. We are still in negotiations to trade a small parcel adjacent to Meigs Middle School to the Okaloosa County School Board for a slightly larger lot near the corner of Carl Brandt Dr. and Richbourg Ave. We plan to develop this new lot into a controlled town resident RV storage lot.

If you have not noticed, town property (especially the parks) has been receiving much TLC from the maintenance staff. Kent Beck and his crew are very knowledgeable in gardening and landscaping techniques. If you are having some yard or landscaping problems, please ask their advice—it's free!

Now for my take on Shalimar businesses, the new Food Max (corner of 12th Ave. and Eglin Pkwy.) has an excellent deli and take-out service. If you are having a party, please check out this new addition to Shalimar’s businesses. Also, Cash's Liquor Stores is exploring the potential of a new establishment in the old Giusseppi's Restaurant. To stay abreast of this issue, I recommend you attend upcoming town meetings. This request will require a zoning review and Town Commission approval (there will be a special Planning and Zoning Meeting on July 13 at 6:00).  If you have a business and you want me to give you an endorsement, please let me know.

Neighborhood awareness is everyone’s responsibility. If you notice anything or anyone out of the ordinary, please call the Shalimar Police Department at 225-1272. We now have four full-time police officers trained and on duty. For emergencies, please continue to use 911. For any non-emergency communication, please call 225-1272, 651-1115 or during the day you can call Town Hall at 651-5723.

Gary Combs

Mayor

WASTE MANAGEMENT (WM) - 862-7141

Mondays - Household Garbage, *Yard Waste, and Bulk Waste (household furniture)

Thursdays - Household Garbage and Recyclables

Saturdays - **White Goods

*Yard Waste is limited to 7 bags or bundles. Bundles can not be longer than 6 feet in length or 4 inches in diameter and containers can not weigh more than 50 pounds.

**There is not an additional charge for white goods pick up but you must call WM to schedule this service by Thursday afternoon.

When you call, always let the customer service representative know that you are a Shalimar Resident.

Notes from the Police Department

Traffic Tips: Proper Use of the two way center turn lane—The center turn lane is bordered on either side by two yellow lines; the inner line is dashed and the outer line is solid.  When making left turns using the center turn lane, wait until you get to a break in the solid yellow line.  Remember that the center turn lane is for left turns and was NOT designed as a driving lane, passing lane, acceleration lane, or extension of the left turn lane.  The police investigate numerous traffic crashes due to the improper use of the turn lane.  Please drive safely and have a safe and enjoyable summer.  Feel free to stop by the Police Department with questions and concerns or call 651-1115 or non-emergency cell phone at 225-1272.

Chief John E. Cash

Notes from the Town Manager

CONTRACTORS – Please make sure that all of the contractors you hire have a license from the Town of Shalimar. We keep records of each licensed contractor’s Liability and Worker’s Compensation Insurance, along with a copy of the contractor’s Okaloosa County Occupational License. A contractor’s unwillingness to secure a very inexpensive Town license may very well be the first RED FLAG indicating possible unscrupulous business practices. It happens in Shalimar more often than many realize. Sometimes, contractors are only unaware of Shalimar’s licensing requirements and once informed of this requirement will readily complete the very easy process to help keep those who are not correctly insured or don’t have correct licenses out of Shalimar. Please feel free to call Town Hall before entering into any contractor agreement and avoid being a victim of illegal contractors.

BUILDING PERMITS – Most building projects require a building permit from the town. This Town building permit is very inexpensive and allows us to review projects for zoning requirements that might exist and also creates a record of the project that is stored in the town’s record vault. Those projects that require inspection from a State certified building inspector also require a permit from Okaloosa County as the county provides inspection services for the town. The county also verifies various building material requirements such as fire ratings and wind load ratings that are required by State building codes. Property owners can pull permits themselves at the Town Hall (especially for self-help projects), but it is recommended that contractors pull these permits as they are most familiar with permit requirements. A quick call to the Town Manager or the Town Clerk at 651-5723 will get you all the information on a specific project or answer any questions you may have.

Yard of the Quarter

As I learn more and more about horticulture in my journey to becoming a master gardener, I am really appreciating the work the residents put into their yards. The larger subdivisions such as Garnier's Cay is so beautiful in the way they are all tied together with the landscaping. The commercial landscaping along Eglin Pkwy. shows pride in our community to all who travel through. But I must confess my favorites are the simple homes that are diligently cared for and groomed throughout the year.  Kudos to the homes on Palm Shore Dr., especially 2563, 2561 and 2551.  Going down Clifford Dr., check out the show by 119, 115 and 113 and don't miss the beauty of the compact bed near 127 Gardner Dr. as well as 107, 105, and 116 Gardner Dr. The yard of 10 Plew Ave. is impressive, as is the ever-changing landscape of 850 Mande Ct., be sure to watch the colorful vines throughout the year that grace their fence. Sara Dr. is always a treat. Shalimar Drive is always a treat; look at 56 and 38, and 42 with the gorgeous begonias trailing out of their window box.  On Sunset Bay Ct., look at the formal beauty of 912 and the Americana splendor of 910.  It is difficult for me to pick the best, so many gardens are out of sight, in the back of the home or behind a fence. However, two yards do stand out to me, 904 Sunset Bay Ct. with the yard edged in coleus and the Crepe Myrtle in bloom and the many and varied large pots of flowers overflowing their container. The other yard is 46 Shalimar Drive. On many days you can see the owners out caring for the many and varied species of plants that grace their yard.

To digress, I would like to thank the many volunteers that have helped the maintenance crew with Cherokee Park this past week. With the help of the airmen of the 68th EWS, we repainted the lines on the basketball court and repainted the compass rose. I would like to thank one of my youngest helpers that has volunteered to help us two days a week, Alexis "Scrappy" Hopkins. She is following her brother, Nicholas "Hoppy Jr." Hopkins that helped us two summers in a row.  FYI, If a homeowner is needing advice regarding horticulture, be sure to call your local extension office and ask for the Master Gardeners. It is their function and desire to help and to "extend" the knowledge of the University of Florida to the citizens.

Kent Beck

Flood and Hurricane Info

Handicapped and elderly persons seeking shelters and who are need of transportation should call Okaloosa Coordinated Transport at 833-9168 as soon as it has been announced that shelters have opened.  Please remember to take your medications with you.

Listen to your local radio for the latest information.  The Official Emergency Alert Stations in our area are 1260 AM, 1050 AM, 104.7 FM, 99.5 FM, and 105.5 FM.

If you have Internet access, you can track the storm by visiting the Okaloosa County web site (www.co.okaloosa.fl.us) and then click on “Hurricane Awareness” under “Public Safety”.

ONLY FOUR EMERGENCY SHELTERS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF OKALOOSA COUNTY!!  County Emergency Management directors are in the process of securing more shelter space that meets new storm damage construction criteria.  The shelters are:

      Davidson Middle School; 6261 Old Bethel Road; Crestview, FL (special needs)

      Baker School; 1369 14th Street; Baker, FL

      Antioch Elementary; Antioch Road; Crestview, FL

      Kenwood Elementary; 15 NE Eagle Street; Fort Walton Beach, FL  32547 (as needed)