[email protected] The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992 (850) 678-1080 TThhee BBaayy BBeeaaccoonn 14 Pages, 2 Sections, 6 Inserts Wednesday, June 6, 2012 50¢ Okaloosa County taxable values UP Values fall a 5th year By year, propery subject to taxation by the county commission $20 $18,806,840,352 $17,899,368,086 *2012 preliminary $17,410,630,993 Ok. Co. Property Appraiser OMING $16,174,789,111 Niceville, Bluewater Bay buck trend $14,499,871,635 C $15 $13,576,903,661 $13,781,239,430 $13,549,215,050 Thursday, noon By Del Lessard Okaloosa County Property Bucking the countywide $10,767,916,378 Beacon Staff Writer Appraiser Pete Smith, the value decline, the taxable value of prop- $10 The Billions Valparaiso For the fifth year in a row tax- of real estate and business proper- erty in the Niceville area rose last Community able property values in Okaloosa ty taxed by the county commis- year, according to the appraiser's $5 Library County fell, although the rate of sion was $13,549,215,050 as of figures. invites family decline slowed. Jan. 1, down $232 million, or Taxable values are calculated $0 and friends According to preliminary about 1.7 percent, from final val- 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* to Summer property tax rolls prepared by ues a year earlier. Please see VALUES, page A-5 Family Movie Days. The library will kick off the summer with "Journey 2." Snacks and drinks will be provided. Paddling into summer Bring your own lunch. Friday, 7 a.m.-noon Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Niceville, will hold its semi-annual rummage sale. Items avail- able will include electronics, clothing, jewelry, books, fur- niture, sports equipment, housewares and miscella- neous treasures. The sale will also be held Saturday, from 7 a.m.-noon. Info: 678- 7813. Saturday, 10 a.m. The Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County will meet at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida., Valparaiso. Gina Marini, manager of the Heritage Museum, will discuss the activities and programs of the Museum. Following the program, there will be a Beacon photo by Mike Griffith Dutch treat lunch at a local Temperatures rising into the low 90s heralded the unofficial advent of summer, as three people and two dogs filled a canoe for a trip down the cool, spring- restaurant. The public is fed waters of Turkey Creek, Niceville. The thermometer is expected to moderate today. invited. Info: 678-2023. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. The Bluewater Schools superintendent Valp. planners study Bay Tennis Center will host a Round candidates face off Robin for all school-zoning issue skill levels and a pro exhibi- By Mike Griffith By Del Lessard the city commission to consider Union PAC opposes tion featuring Wil Spencer, a Beacon Correspondent Beacon Staff Writer rezoning the former elementary touring professional. The Tibbetts, A-3. The Valparaiso Planning school property. pro exhibtion will begin at 5 Both candidates for Okaloosa Alexis Tibbetts Commission Monday "recessed" for In October 2011, the city com- p.m. Cost: $20 per person, Schools Superintendent said they If no other candidates join the race, two more weeks a rezoning recom- mission, on a 3-2 vote, had changed $50 per family. All proceeds favor public, government-run schools the election would be decided during mendation on the former Valparaiso the zoning of the former elementary will benefit construction of over private, charter or home schools, the Republican primary on Aug. 14. In Elementary School property after a school from C1 commercial to a the Eagle Ram Tennis during a candidate forum. the case of such an "open primary," former city commissioner inundated newly created zoning district called Facility. Info: Candidates for Okaloosa Schools registered Okaloosa County voters of the panel with "exhibits" and Public Institution/Elementary registration@eagleramten- Superintendent debated each other and all party affiliations, or none, may warned of litigation if zoning School (PI/ES). nis.com. answered questions during a candidate vote. forum held May 24, at the American changes under consideration were The zoning change to PI/ES had Candidates for schools superin- been driven by former Valparaiso Legion Hall in Fort Walton Beach, tendent are incumbent Alexis Tibbetts enacted. Calendar, B-3 sponsored by the Republican Club of The planning commission, an City Commissioner Neal Shermer. Okaloosa County. Please see FACE OFF, page A-4 Mary Beth Jackson advisory panel, had been asked by Please see PLANNER, page A-2 Three candidates vie in Niceville election By Del Lessard Circle. Boudreaux is a Niceville because I wish to serve the people of Beacon Staff Writer The special election was business owner who has lived in Niceville, be their spokesperson, represent Voters in Niceville's July 17 special called to fill the vacancy created the city for 32 years. She is mar- their needs and protect their services on a election will choose from three candi- when William Thomas resigned ried and has three grown chil- daily basis," said Boudreaux. dates for a vacant seat on the city council: May 8. The winner will serve dren. Boudreaux previously Edwards a logistics contractor at Eglin —Judy Boudreaux, 69, of 2423 the remainder of Thomas' term, served on the Niceville City Air Force Base for the past six years, has Duncan Drive. which ends July 2015. Council from 1994 until 2011, lived in Niceville 23 years. He is married —Robert Edwards, 41, of 110 22nd If no one candidate receives when she lost to challenger with two daughters, ages 18 and 16. He St. a majority, a runoff election will Heath Rominger. be held July 31. "I am running for office Please see THREE, page A-5 —Barry Reed, 47, of 2020 Kildare Judy Boudreaux Robert Edwards Barry Reed OK sought to put LeMieux campaigns store nearer homes in Niceville By Del Lessard side of John Sims Parkway Former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux campaigned and Mike Griffith between Partin Drive and Cedar for the U.S. Senate in Niceville yesterday at a Tea Beacon Staff Street. Party meeting at Niceville City Hall. Escorted The planning commission Tuesday by Florida House Rep. Matt Gaetz, R., Niceville may get another Fort Walton Beach, LeMieux, 43, is seeking the auto-parts store if city officials tabled the request Monday for Republican nomination Aug. 14 to face Sen. Bill approve a property owner's peti- technical reasons, but is expected Nelson, a Democrat, Nov. 6. LeMieux served 16 tion for waivers of city land-use to consider it again. All planning months in the Senate, having been appointed rules that would allow the store to commission decisions are subject upon the resignation of Sen. Mel Martinez, who be built closer to residences. to final action by the city council. resigned in August 2009. His most prominent The Niceville Planning The Radford property, situated GOP primary opponent is Rep. Connie Mack IV. Commission is considering a to the east of Bank of America, Pictured, Nora Chase, of Valparaiso, greets request by Anna Radford, who is formerly was the site of Bill LeMieux, center, and Gaetz. Between 75 and 100 seeking two setback exceptions Bullfrog's, an automotive repair people attended the Niceville event. for her commercially-zoned prop- business. The vacant lot backs up Beacon photo by Del Lessard erty at 751 E. John Sims to Helms Street. Homes face the Parkway, a vacant lot on the south Please see STORE, page A-3 The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992 Page A-2 T HE B AY B EACON Wednesday, June 6, 2012 NFL cheerleaders drop in on Valp. By Mike Griffith commissioner, said she did it to Beacon Correspondent help her niece’s team better If you had patronized the enjoy their long road trip and Compass Rose restaurant in also to help focus public atten- Valparaiso last Wednesday tion on Valparaiso as a place to evening, May 30, you might visit. have thought you'd stumbled “The beachfront communities upon a convention of pro cheer- like Destin usually get all the leaders. public attention,” Hamilton told Close. Restaurant manager the Beacon, “but people should Kay Hamilton said she invited 17 know that there is also a commu- NFL Tennessee Titans cheer- nity on the north shore of leaders to her restaurant upon Choctawhatchee Bay, with calm learning that they would be in bayous and beaches of our own. Northwest Florida to shoot a I wanted to let people know that swimsuit photo feature along the Valparaiso is more than just a beaches near Destin. So they bedroom community—that we came to supper. are also worth visiting.” Hamilton said her niece, Hamilton said she also noti- Stacie Kinder, is director of fied several local schools of the cheerleading for the Nashville- Titan cheerleaders’ visit, in case Beacon photo by Mike Griffith based Tennessee Titans football any aspiring local cheerleaders The Tennessee Titans cheerleaders were treated to a free meal at the Compass Rose restaurant, Valparaiso, May 30 on their way to a team. When Kinder told her that wanted a chance to meet with Destin photo shoot. the cheerleaders would be pass- professionals to discuss their ing through the Twin Cities on mutual interests and learn what 11, and Jaycee Malone, 13, who ing in public. to continue cheerleading at NHS. does not plan to become a cheer- their way to Destin, Hamilton NFL cheerleading is like. met with Titans cheerleaders Jaycee, who will be a student Kamden recently completed leader herself, but still enjoyed invited them for a free buffet Among those who came out “Jalanda” and “Tiffany.” The at Niceville High School this fall, Bluewater Elementary School the chance to meet professional meal.