FEBRUARY 2014 EDITION OF THE OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERSNEWSLETTER, THE OIL LANTERN

Page 1 of 8 Pages

OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION, Inc.P.O. Box 8116FT WALTON BEACH,FL 32548-8116

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

♦ Message from OILA BoardMember - Kathy Foster

♦ Okaloosa Firefighters OpenAn Emergency Lane on BrooksBridge

♦ Minutes (Draft) January 13,2014 Meeting

♦ Architectural Committee &Island Rainfall Reports forJanuary 2013

♦ Quintuple Wuzzle Puzzles forthe 3r

stTime

♦ Mardi Gras on the Island ParadePhotos in this Newsletter.

♦ ISLAND GARDEN CLUBINVITATION – BUS TRIP TO THEMOBILE FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS

Next Meeting: LOCATION: Okaloosa Island Fire Station, 2nd FloorMeeting Room TIME: 7:00 p.m. DATE: Monday, February 10, 2014.PARKING: Please park behind the Fire Station next to the water tank

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORTATION (DOT)

PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THEEXISTING BROOKS BRIDGE IS IN

FULL AGREEMENT WITH THELEASEHOLDERS POSITION ON

THE ISSUE OF A NEW BRIDGE TOTHE ISLAND – see inside article.

THE POST OFFICE LOCATED ATTHE TOM THUMB STORE ON

OKALOOSA ISLAND ISSCHEDULED TO CLOSE ON FEB24, 2014 – see inside action alert.

The OIL LanternTHE NEWSLETTER OF THE OKALOOSA ISLAND LEASEHOLDERS

ASSOCIATION, IncP.O. Box 8116, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, Editor: Jim Simpson, (850) 585-2116

Association Website: www.oilaweb.com

Meeting Agenda

Date: Monday, Feb 10,2014Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: : OkaloosaIsland Fire Station, 2nd

Floor Meeting Room

Speakers: Candidatesfor District 2 and 4County CommissionersSeats

I. CALL TO ORDERAND PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE

II. ROLL

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you speak, please stateyour name, address and ifyou are a member.

IV. MINUTES

- January 2014 MeetingMinutes (Draft)

V. TREASURER'SREPORT - Treasurer, JimSimpson

VI. COMMITTEEREPORTS

A. ArchitecturalCommittee: (seeNewsletter)B. BeautificationCommittee: Dave MillerC. Membership Liaison:Jim SimpsonD. WebSite: Bob SeitzE. Boat Basin: CathyTaylorF. Street Lighting MSBU:Maryl Bednar

VII. OLD BUSINESS

A. Update: CRA(Community Re-Development Authority)B. Recap: Mardi GrasParade – January 18,2014

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

IX. ADJOURNMENT

FEBRUARY 2014

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paula Hudson,President

529 Dolphin AveFt Walton Beach, FL 32548243-8569pnh2859@aol.com

Desley ParkerVice-President890 The Masters BlvdShalimar, FL 32579651-8197

Desley.parker@gmail.com

Jim Simpson, Treasurer624B Pelican DriveFt Walton Beach, FL 32548301-3547sanleanna@cox.net

Trisha LaBahn330 Bluefish DriveFt Walton Beach, FL 32548

243-4003

Kathy Foster849 Tarpon DriveFt Walton Beach, FL 32548244-4490fosterpk@gnt.net

Tripp Tolbert1500 Miracle Strip Pkwy NEFt Walton Beach, FL 32548243-9161tripp@tolbertgroup.com

Vince Bruner110 Eglin Pwky SEFt Walton Beach, FL 32548243-2222vince@brunerfirm.com

ASSOCIATION WEBMASTER

Bob Seitz709 Sailfish DriveFt Walton Beach, FL 32548243-1399webmaster@oilaweb.com

Message from Kathy Foster, OILA Director

Happy M a r d i Gr a s ! Thank you to the many friends andfamily members who joined Leaseholders Gary & Paula Hudson,Desley Parker, Linda & Tom Valentine, Kathy Foster, Carmen& Alan Parker and Parade Chairman Jim Simpson for 11th MardiGras on the Island Parade. Photos are on the http://www.oilaweb.comwebsite courtesy of Webmaster Bob Seitz.

Islanders are deeply appreciative of the Okaloosa Island FireDepartment every day but especially during this recent freeze. Thedepartment led by Chief Bob Tilley provided outstanding service whilewe were marooned during the bridge closures. Also to be commendedare residents Cathy Jones, Mike Mitchell, George Edlund, JimSimpson and Bill Linz fortheir service on the Fire Board.

The freezing weather has likely damaged much of our landscapingalthough it is best to wait until March before removing plantings. Oneplace for possible answers to gardening questions would be the IslandGarden Club led this year by President Joan Bomar. Meetings are thesecond 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 theIsland Garden Club and the OILA, the Welcome Triangle and thefirst median are being maintained through a contract with GardnerLandscaping. Unfortunately funds are not available to maintain allisland medians, so we are especially appreciative of Azure andIsland Echoes for covering the costs of upkeep in front of theirbuildings. Richard Boyes of Box of Rain created fabulouslandscaping in those medians.

OILA Board members continue to represent all Islanders atcommunity and governmental meetings. From BCC meetings toChamber meetings to Parks Advisory, etc. Additionally, memberscontinue to volunteer for advisory groups. Hats off to islandersMaryl Bednar and Gloria Turner for their service on the ParksAdvisory Committee. Another unfaltering group is the ArchitecturalCommittee. Keith Myers, Kurt Rieper, George Edlund and MikeMitchell are available for consultation every Thursday, 9:00 - 9:30a.m. at the TDD building. Their oversight is delineated in theProtective Covenants of the Island.

Two years ago Okaloosa Island was redistricted into District 2and our Island finally had representation on the Board of CountyCommissioners with a Commissioner who responded to ourquestions, concerns and needs. Commissioner Dave Parisot (withhelp from Dave Hancock) was a driving force in the installation ofswales to reduce flooding along Santa Rosa Boulevard. It isimperative that the OILA Board of Directors and Island residentscontinue to have a strong working relationship with ALLCommissioners. To that end, President Paula Hudson has invitedall 2014 BCC candidates to speak to the membership before theirelection to office. There are numerous items of importance to us …reduction of green space, footprint of a replacement bridge, etc.Please attend the February 10th OILA meeting to meet the candidatesand hear their responses.

ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR JANUARY 2014 for permits and applicationssubmitted 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 TouristDevelopment Center building. 2) ASK BEFORE YOU ACT.

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 Construct boat dock In compliance

Jan 16 Radar Station 1299 Miracle Strip Pwky Holiday Inn Resort Construct sign for Not in complianceDick building

ISLAND RAINFALLFOR JANUARY 2014:3.5 INCHES

Jan 1……. 0.1 inchesJan 2……..0.1 inchesJan 5……..0.2 inchesJan 9……..0.1 inchesJan 11……0.6 inchesJan 13……1.9 inchesJan 19……0.1 inchesJan 28……0.4 inches

Avg Rainfall for January….…..5.0 inches

February Avg Rainfall…………5.8 inchesFebruary Record High………..80º F (1980)February Record Low ………11º F (1951)Feb Avg Water Temperature. .64º F

March Avg Rainfall………….5.8 inchesMarch Record High…………..80º F (1957)March Record Low …………...4º F (1985)Mar Avg Water Temperature..66º F

April Avg Rainfall…………….3.7 inchesApril Record High……….…..92º F(1985)April Record Low …………..…20º F(1987)Apr Avg Water Temperature..72º F

YTD Variance to Average…. -1.5 inchesRainfall Year-to-Date…….… 3.5 inchesAvg Annual Rainfall :………..65.10 inches

“QUINTUPLE” WUZZLE PUZZLES FOR THE 3nd TIME!

What is a Wuzzle Puzzle? It is a puzzle consisting of combinations of words, letters, figures, or symbols positioned to createdisguised words, phrases, names, places, etc. Are you ready to take the challenge and figure out the “disguised” meaning of thesewuzzles? 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

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION(DOT) PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THE EXISTING BROOKSBRIDGE IS IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE LEASEHOLDERSPOSITION ON THE ISSUE OF A NEW BRIDGE TO THE ISLAND

Last December the Florida Department of Transportation announced ithad begun planning for the replacement of the 47-year-old Brooks Bridge.FDOT District Secretary Tommy Barfield confirmed that $3.5 million hadbeen set aside to study replacing the bridge. He also announced another$900,000 had been allocated to repair bridge bearings in 2014 in hopes ofadding a few more years to the life of the structure.

This plan is in full agreement with the position OILA adopted when theAssociation was fighting a new bridge (not a replacement bridge) proposalwhich included an option of connecting Wright Parkway at Highway 98 toSanta Rosa Blvd at or near the far west side (at the Air Force gate). Inresponse to this threat to the quality of life on Okaloosa Island, in October14, 2002 the Association passed resolution “opposing any bridge toOkaloosa Island westward to Navarre”.

Based on the adverse affect such a bridge would have on providingtimely emergency service on the Island the Okaloosa Island Fire FightingDistrict also voted unanimously to oppose any bridge option which wouldconnect Highway 98 to Santa Rosa Blvd.

In conclusion, the Florida DOT plan to replace the existing Brooksbridge with a new, up-to-code bridge has the full support of theLeaseholders Association. In addition, there is no need to reinvent thewheel. The original Hathaway Bridge which connected Panama City toPanama Beach was successfully replaced with a new, toll-free, debt-freeand safety compliant bridge in 2007. The Florida DOT is offering us thesame deal.

MARDIGRAS

PARADEON THEISLAND

SATURDAY

JAN 18,2014

OILA FLOAT AND PARTICPANTS – 2014 MARDI GRAS ON THE ISLAND PARADE

OKALOOSA ISLANDFIREFIGHTERS TAKE

THE INITITIVE TO OPENAN EMERGENCY LANEON BROOKS BRIDGEDURING THE RECENTICE STORM

Firefighters Inspect Brooks Bridge

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 ProvidenceHospital on Thursday, March 20, 2014. The bus will depart promptly at 8:00 a.m. from the parking lot at The Boardwalk onOkaloosa Island ( http://www.theboardwalkoi.com/) with an anticipated return at 4:00 p.m. The cost is $45 per person whichincludes the bus ride, entry fee and driver's tip. Checks should be made payable to Island Garden Club and sent to 849 TarponDrive, FWB, 32548.

This is a FUN trip with an opportunity to purchase unusual plants and unique gifts. Vendors carry your purchases to theloading area where buses depart. You may wish to take boxes with your name on them to hold purchases in the bottom of thebus for the ride home. Only 50 seats will be sold allowing the back seats to hold trees, tall plants and large garden art. Acheck reserves your seat. The theme of the 21st annual show is British Gardens in Time. More details can beseen here: http://www.festivalofflowers.com/index.html

Okaloosa Island Firefighters Sand Team (left toright): 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 responderswith sand men – ANSWER: Innovative, problem solvingOkaloosa Island Firefighters!

During the recent ice storm Brooks Bridge connectingthe Island to Fort Walton Beach was closed due to icing.This problem was exacerbated due to a delay in gettingsand to the bridge and with the closing of the Mid-BayBridge connecting Destin to Niceville. In other words – ifyou lived on the Island or in Destin, had a medicalemergency and needed to cross the bridge, you were – toput it bluntly – stranded.

The old adage goes..”Don’t give me a problem; give mea solution”. This is exactly what the Okaloosa IslandFirefighters did – implement a solution. While their 4wheel drive, pick-up beach truck could get across, thepatient being moved had to set up right. This was – in thewords of Fire Chief Robert Tilley “…not acceptable to us.”

So, they took the station’s supply of absorbent claycompound used to clean up spillage after vehicle accidentsand spread it on the westbound lanes of the bridge. Inaddition, they went to Home Depot and purchased sandwhich was added to the clay compound. And the resultwas, PRESTO! An open emergency lane across BrooksBridge!!

A tip-of-the-hat to the Okaloosa Island Firefighters (nowSand Hogs?) pictured and named in the photo on the leftwho worked for 4 hours in VERY cold temperatures tospread the clay and sand to open up the emergency lane.

Also, thanks to Okaloosa County Sheriff deputies and FtWalton Beach police officers who kept the bridge clearduring the sanding operation and to Florida Department ofTransportation crews who added more sand.

The Motto for the Okaloosa Island FirefightersShould Be:

Firefighters Inspect Brooks Bridge

Okaloosa Island Engine No. 4 on Emergency Standby

GIT ER DONE!

SPECIAL ALERT FOR OKALOOSA ISLAND POSTALCUSTOMERS:

IT’S TIME TO LET YOUR OPINION BE HEARD!!

THE POST OFFICE LOCATED AT THE TOMTHUMB STORE ON OKALOOSA ISLAND ISSCHEDULED TO CLOSE ON FEB 24, 2014

The U.S. Postal Service has announced that the last day of delivery to the P.O. boxesat the Okaloosa Island facility (located in the Tom Thumb Store at 1565 Santa Rosa Blvd)will be February 21, 2014.

Postal patrons (residents & visitors) on Okaloosa Island extensively utilize the Islandpost office. Without this service, the alternative is to make a 6.5 mile round trip fromOkaloosa Island to the closest post office which is located at 21 Walter Martin Rd in FortWalton Beach. Multiply this drive by thousands of times and a lot of time and fuel is beingconsumed. 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 theIsland Tom Thumb as store customers and postal patrons, have a right to make TomThumb 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 ofthis decision, following is information you will need.

Telephone Number: (850) 682-5171

Mailing Address: Tom Thumb (Main Office)619 8th AveCrestview, FL 32536

Email: Access the following website: https://www.tomt.com/contact/contact/aspxThe Tom Thumb Store Address is: 1565 Santa Rosa Blvd, Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548; the StoreNumber is: 46

SAVE THE OKALOOSA ISLANDPOST OFFICE!

Jim Simpson, 624B Pelican Drive, Okaloosa Island, Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548. Cell: 850.585.2116

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. ThePledge 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 wereinvited to speak. None were considerate enough to respond.

V. MINUTES: Kathy Foster made the motion to accept the December minutes as printed in the Januaryissue 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 $ 31,685.03Beautification Fund Balance $ 1,615.68Total Funds Balance as of Jan. 13, 2014 $ 33,300.71(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 reimbursementrequested was $19.32. Vince Bruner made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s report and to approve therequested 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 $177.80.

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 medianand 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 theIsland remove or repair a privacy fence was made.Anyone concerned about code/covenant violations on the Island can contact Paula Hudson atpnh2859@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 anytime.E. Boat Basin: Cathy Taylor/Treasurer: No activity.F. Street Lighting MSBU: Maryl Bednar: The audit trail is received every other month. The streetlightrequest for the eastern end of Pelican has been submitted and is currently making its way through all the redtape 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 tothe County Commissioners requesting consideration making Okaloosa Island a CRA. After talking with twoCommissioners, she was led to believe, that it was not a priority for the Commissioners. The alternate bridge tothe 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 theirviews and positions on issues involving Okaloosa Island. Many of those present, felt that the Island wasneglected and ignored by the majority of the County Commissioners.

B. Mardi Gras 2014: The date is January 18th. Jim Simpson, for the tenth year in a row, will supply thedecorations for the float at his house on Pelican. Volunteers are needed to decorate the float on Friday at 12noon. The parade will begin at 11 am on Saturday. Volunteers are also needed to walk the parade route, rideon 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 questionedthe function of the multiple redlights in that vicinity. It was suggested that signage advising of right turns onlyon 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 ofCommerce. The cost would be $125.00 per year and would give OILA a stronger voice and presence in thecommunity. After a discussion, it was determined that OILA should be more forceful in presenting a moreunified front to the community. Kathy Foster made the motion for OILA to join the Chamber of Commerce andappoint 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 FortWalton Beach. A double decker bridge was mentioned. The Hollywood route was again mentioned. None ofthose present thought Wright Parkway was a good alternative. Santa Rosa Blvd, just to name a few reasons, isunable to accommodate heavy traffic, has ongoing drainage problems, will always be closed after a hurricaneand has extensive tourist and residential foot traffic.

X. ADJOURNMENTThere 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