THE LATEST ON HOTZ

Well, it was a very interesting meeting last night. You never really know what or even sometimes why a County Commissioner thinks or acts as they do. Sometimes I think they may have an agenda, I guess that comes with being in a political position. I must admit I was disappointed with our own Ms. Jones who represents our district. She seemed to have a pre-determined mind set that was really locked into a one way for Hotz.

A liitle Background that happened before the meeting:


On Feb 8th Grant Blackwell, Billy Buzzett, two county engineers, Mr. Blue (Red Bar) and Ms Jones met to look at Hotz and to discuss the county agenda item about making Hotz one way. Pros and Cons were discussed, suggestions made by all, but Ms. Jones seemed already to be locked into a one way Hotz. At our GBNA Board Meeting later that afternoon we were told that even though the engineers seem willing to work with our community by making some small parking changes to see if we could correct the problem before going one way, Ms. Jones seemed pretty fixed on her decision.

The County engineer spoke first, explaining the history of the area, the problem that caused the sitation , the concern of the Fire Chief and some of the suggestions made by the community. The other Commissioners listened and then asked for comments from the Public.


Mr. Blue, both a business owner and home owner spoke before the board. He made some very good points for our community and why making Hotz one way would really not change anything. He pointed out some of the problems that a one way Hotz would cause the Grayton Community. Delivery trucks having to manuver through residential areas, charter boats and their trailers, trying to make sharp turns to get back to Defuniak via Lydia He pointed out Lydia was as wide as it could be and even now two cars passing, (two regular cars) made for a tight squeeze. That many larger vehicles would even have to migrate over to Banefil to make the turn and then come out via Lydia. He spoke about Garfield being a family oriented street, kids on bikes, walkers, moms with strollers etc. He suggested that we try over a 90 day period to try out various solutions before opting to pass on a one way Hotz. The other Commissioners listened and asked all kinds of questions. Mr. Blue did an excellent job of speaking up for Grayton. Shirley Sahlie spoke about all of the parking on public property and along the right of ways and blocking traffic would still occur even with a one way. These overflow cars could and would still cause problems for a Fire Truck or an emergency vehicle as there just wasn't enough parking in our community to handle the needs of the popular restaurants down on Hotz. Mr. Murphy who lives on Lydia spoke and was concerned that he would have trouble leaving his property onto Lydia if it became a "busy get out of Grayton" street. Your Commissioners listened and asked more questions. I was really impressed with Mr. Brannon and Mr. Jones (no relation to Ms. Jones) Ms. Jones still wanted to vote to make Hotz one way. She even ,after the dicussion went ahead and made the recommendation to make Hotz One Way. Her fellow Commissioners talked to her, questioned her, and eventually got her to withdraw her recomendation in making Hotz one way and to agree to allow the Public Works to make some parking changes and then evaluating those changes before taking a final vote.

The next look at this situation will be on January 24th in Defuniak at 4PM. So stay tuned. If you have any ideas or comments I suggest you contact your Commissioners. Here is their contact information:

Scott Brannon
415 Highway 20
East Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 835-4860
Fax (850) 835-4836
brascott@co.walton.fl.us

Kenneth Pridgen
17400 State Highway 83
North DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 834-6328
Fax (850) 834-6385
prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us

Larry Jones
1483 County Highway 1087
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
(850) 892-8474
Fax (850) 892-8475
jonlarry@co.walton.fl.us

Sara Comander
r417 Highway 20
West Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 835-4834
Fax (850) 835-0295
comsara@co.walton.fl.us

Cecilia Jones
70 Logan Lane
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 231-2978
Fax (850) 231-3872
mailto:ljoncecilia@co.walton.fl.us