Locals Special Catch a Sunset Over 1/2 OFF entrées Beautiful Pensacola Bay 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday 51 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 | (850) 932-8638 | labrisarestaurant.com Follow us on August 27, 2015 YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 75¢ County eyes GB Volunteer FD raising gas celebrates 60 years tax by 6 ¢ Since 1955, members of the Gulf Breeze BY PAM BRANNON Gulf Breeze News Volunteer Fire Department have dedicated [email protected] countless hours of time, energy and “When you keep kicking that can down the road, it will soon start rolling downhill back at sacrifice to keep Gulf Breeze safe. ya.” That’s how county commission chairman Don Salter feels about Santa Rosa County not fixing In fact, the department formerly more roads and infrastructure over the past several BY MELANIE KORMONDY Gulf Breeze News known as the Casablanca Volunteer years. He told his fellow county commissioners [email protected] Fire Department predates the city at last week’s budget meeting that is why he is in by six years with help from the favor if increasing the gas tax in the county and get They are on the scene at a Bonifay family. The Gilmores busy fixing some roads. moment’s notice. Commonly deeded the property where the Commissioners asked staff to schedule a public running towards danger while original station is located to the hearing for he Sept. 10 county meeting to get input others run away, these everyday fire department. from residents and discuss it more. men and women hold regular jobs Currently, there are about 30 The county currently levies a six cent gas tax and have lives just like any other; members of the GBVFD, with as allowed by law which is raising just over $3.6 but when emergency strikes, they 15 to 20 active members who million a year. All five commissioners agree that drop what they are doing and attend weekly two- to three-hour it is time to use some other gas tax “tools” the law become heroes. training meetings and are on call allows, which they have not taken advantage of Since 1955, members of the regularly, though a myriad of in the past, to get some much needed road work Gulf Breeze Volunteer Fire volunteers have walked the halls done. But there is some disagreement among Department have dedicated since it was established. commissioners as to how much more to levy and countless hours of time, energy Even though the fire department where to use all the money that would come in. and even sacrifice to keep Gulf holds a membership, this is no There was also some discussion and debate on Photos by Melanie Kormondy Breeze the safe city it is today. ordinary club. Each member is whether to raise the millage rate at the same time The uniforms worn by fi refi ghters at the GB Volunteer Fire as raising the gas tax. Dept. weigh 45 pounds. See SR School, Page 3A » See Gas tax, Page 3A » Tennis may cost After school program draws 107 in fi rst week non-residents BY MELANIE KORMONDY Area church and school BY MELANIE KORMONDY Gulf Breeze News organization are serving as Gulf Breeze News [email protected] volunteers. [email protected] The after school program, The inaugural week of Gulf known as The Rec, has not The city of Gulf Breeze offers 12 tennis courts Breeze’s after school program for compromised any other classes within its limits, 10 at Shoreline Park and two middle schoolers was a success, offered at the community center located at Highpoint Dr. In fiscal year 2015, the according to Parks and Rec during the same time slot, Pulley Parks and Rec Department spent over $90,000 Director Ron Pulley and Mayor said. on tennis court repairs alone, and some residents Matt Dannheisser. As the normal daily schedule are growing more concerned about non-residents “The program is going consists of an hour of social time playing the courts without contributing to the absolutely wonderful,” said and snacks, then to follow more upkeep. Pulley. “The very first day of the structured activities, Fridays It has been a topic of discussion among the city program 48 students attended, will be filled with more grand council and staff for years, but in the near future, then by the end of the week 107 activities. This Friday The Rec city staff will present to the council how probable students participated.” will offer slip-n-slide kickball. it will be to start monitoring and charging non- Pulley said the community is For those interested in residents to play. This will not include organized getting involved as the program participating in the after school leagues that pay dues to the city. has received several monetary program that lasts from 1:30 to “The policy of the park has been for many years donations from private individuals, 5:30 Monday through Friday, it’s that if you want to come to this park and use the as well as local restaurants and not too late. Students can pre- Melanie Kormondy | Gulf Breeze News retailers donating food. Middle school students sign in to attend the City’s new After School program at See Tennis, Page 2A » register at www.kidcheck.com the Community Center. FRI 07/31 SAT 08/01 SUN 08/02 Calendar . 2A Talk of the Town. 4A Mailing Statement WEEKEND MOSTLY SUNNY MOSTLY SUNNY MOSTLY SUNNY Classifieds . 7B Movies . 7A on Opinion Page hi 91/lo 77 hi 91/lo 77 hi 91/lo 77 Crossword Puzzle. 6B Lifestyles . 8A TWO SECTIONS, Weather-plus rain: 60% rain: 60% rain: 60% Arrests and DUIs . 2, 8A Sports . 1-7B 18 PAGES VOL. 15, NO. 35 Opinion . 6A Island News. 8B AUGUST 27, 2015 Grilled Lamb Chops Shrimp and Stuffed Pasta Aegean Burger Itknngf"Ucnoqp"Ucncf LUNCH: Wed-Fri home! Aegean 11:00-2:30 your Restaurant BreezeServing Authentic Greek Cuisine in the Heart of Gulf Breeze DINNER: Executive Chef Stavros Varvouris Monday-Thursday directly to 4:30-8:30 UVGCMU"("EJQRU"̋"UGCHQQF"̋"RCUVC"FKUJGU"̋"UCNCFU"̋"UVWHHGF"VQOCVQGU Friday & Saturday Call 850-932-8986 today RKVCU"̋"DWTIGTU"̋"UCPFYKEJGU"̋"CRRGVK¥GTU"̋"JQOGOCFG"FGUUGTVU 4:30-9:00 Enjoy your community paper mailed 913 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. | Suite 20 | Gulf Breeze | (850) 916-0430 | www.myaegeanbreeze.com CLOSED SUNDAY GULF BREEZE NEWS (850) 932-8986 www.gulfbreezenews.com 2A August 27, 2015 GULF BREEZE NEWS Tennis court maintenance cost Aug. Calendar of Meetings Commissioner Regular Thursday 27 9 a.m., SRC Administrative Center, Board Gulf Breeze $90,000 last year Room GBA Chamber Governmental Affairs on Sundays in which they non-residents to use the Parks here (Gulf Breeze).” Meeting Continued from Page 1A » charge a minor fee to help and Rec facilities for years. Annual memberships for noon, GBA Chamber Conference Room mitigate the amount of people “I have had residents area tennis court usage can add Special Local Mitigation Meeting outdoor facilities and there’s who used the gym. comment to me about people up to several hundred dollars. 1:30 p.m., SRC Public Services Conference nobody there or a reservation “The reason we went to a fee canceling their membership in Henderson has the backing of Room for that time, you’re welcome structure during open gym time town because they know they fellow council members, though GBA Chamber Business After Hours to use them free of charge,” 5:30 p.m., St. Ann Catholic Church said Parks and Rec Director was because there were so many can play here for free,” said at a recent budget meeting Ron Pulley. “But if you want a people coming that there wasn’t Henderson. Mayor Matt Dannheisser Commission Special - Rezoning guaranteed reserved utilization enough room for everyone, and “Even though we’ve built indicated that he wanted 6 p.m., SRC Administrative Center, Board of any facility in the park, there people were leaving dissatisfied more courts, we still have a to make sure the increased Room is a reservation fee.” because they didn’t have a problem with residents having monitoring will not strain staff Police Pension Board Meeting Pulley added that the indoor chance to play,” said Pulley. priority. As far as I know there and resources, and that it will 6:30 p.m., Gulf Breeze City Hall, Council Community Center facilities Councilman Joe Henderson aren’t any other places where create enough revenue to justify Chambers hold open gym times primarily has been vocal about charging you can play for free other than charging. Friday Optimist Club Breakfast 28 6:30 a.m., GB Hospital Cafeteria Escambia, Santa Rosa petition Monday Budget Workshop 31 Washington, DC for fee simple title SRC Administrative Center, Board Room Tuesday Marine Advisory 1 5 p.m., SRC Administrative Center, Board Ruling would affect Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach Room Wednesday Gulf Breeze Toastmasters 2 Noon, Dining Hall First Baptist Church of Gulf BY PAM BRANNON by Florida Senator Marco Rubio. property appraisers began first to try to tax Gulf Breeze News Santa Rosa County Commissioner Bob improvements to the land, like houses and Breeze, 555 Fairpoint Drive [email protected] Cole told fellow commissioners, “I know pools, etc. Now the result is the leaseholders Executive Committee Meeting Senator Rubio has his plate kind of full right being taxed on the land itself, the letter points 6:30 p.m., Gulf Breeze City Hall, Council A serious push to get fee simple title for now with other things, but I appreciate that out, and since the courts have agreed with Chambers Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach home he got this bill introduced earlier this year the property appraisers, leaseholders all owners is underway.