Town of Shalimar

Tidbits -- March 2005

Highlights from the Mayor

Spring is right around the corner…Hurray!

The new hotel construction has finally begun and our new electronic sign is finally working correctly. Construction crews have been working at residences and business throughout the town remodeling and repairing. Remember, all reputable contractors should have a contractor’s license and building permit from the town (and, if applicable, a permit from the county). Check with Tom or Tina at Town Hall before you sign a contract. They keep a file copy of the contractor’s liability and worker’s compensation insurance as well as the county occupational license on file.

As for the Shalimar Yacht Basin rezoning request, the request was approved pending downsizing of the planned project. The scope of the new development is still in the works.

Please join the Commission in welcoming our new Police Chief, John Cash, and new patrolmen, Mike Woll and William Curtis. Also, I’m pleased to announce the promotion of Officer John Spohn to the rank of Sergeant. The new Chief is really community service-oriented. This means he wants each of you to know our Town policemen. Please make an effort to introduce yourself. Trust me, they are all really nice guys.

Thanks to everyone who have donated landscaping plants for Cherokee Park. We still have room for more.

Finally, on a very sad note, the Town mourns the passing of our Police Commissioner, Rik Larson. Commissioner Larson was a two-term commissioner and past Planning and Zoning Board member. His commitment and presence will be forever remembered. Thank you to everyone that helped out with Commissioner Larson’s funeral reception.

Gary Combs

Mayor

Police Department Update

With Spring Break looming, I’d like to touch on a couple things. The first thing being the popular motorized scooters and the new $250.00 motorcycle that is identical to a full-size motorcycle, but much smaller. Operators of these vehicles must have a driver’s license and the vehicle must be registered (tagged) to operate legally on public streets.

Secondly, please secure your vehicle at all times. We have had several vehicle break-ins within the City limits in the past three months. These incidents are not occurring in any specific area and our officers work around the clock to keep our neighborhoods safe. Remember the influx of traffic that will be in the area during Spring Break and, as always, drive defensively!

Chief of Police

John E. Cash

What’s up in Town

The weather is finally starting to warm up which means that many of you will be having family get-togethers or parties. If you will be having guests park on the town right-of-way, along the streets, etc. please notify the Police Department.

Also, with this beautiful weather comes mosquitoes. Please remember that the county mosquito spraying trucks will turn the sprayers off when they see people outside. Also, check around your home for anything that might catch/hold water and provide perfect breeding grounds for these tiny but dangerous pests.

Eric "Rik" Jon Larson of Shalimar, Fla., passed away Feb. 22, 2005, at the age of 66 at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

He was born on April 19, 1938, in Buffalo, N.Y.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond J. and Iris J. (Stumpf) Larson. He is survived by his wife, Monique of Shalimar; sons, Chris and Matt of Columbus, Ohio, son, E.J. and daughter Erika (Robert) Bisesi, both of Shalimar; sister, Debbie Honeyman, and nieces, Stephanie (Ryan) Megert of Pickerington, Ohio, and Melissa (Michael) Greenwood of Blacklick, Ohio; stepdaughters, Michele (Edwin) Waide of Georgia, Brenda (Michael) Leach of Niceville, Fla., Lorraine Burns of New York, and stepson, Steve Burns of New Mexico; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; seven stepgrandchildren; and his beloved cat, Zoe.

Rik Larson was employed by Rockwell International for over 40 years when he retired in 1999. Early in his career he was a leader in pioneering system integration and instrumentation procedures in the development of Smart Weapons (GBU-8, GBU-15, and AGM-130) for Rockwell and the U.S. Air Force. In later years, he was promoted to Manager of Flight Test Operations for Rockwell on the AGM-130 Missile System. He spent over 30 of his 40 years with Rockwell at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and participated in every successful aspect of Contractor/Air Force Flight Test Operations.

Since his retirement, Rik was elected Police Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem for Shalimar. Rik was generous, kind-hearted and caring. He will always be remembered with affection and love.

SPRING CLEANUP REGULATIONS

Two dumpsters will be located in the town for disposal of household items and yard waste - no household garbage please. One will be placed on the far end of the lot to the right of Town Hall and the other will be on the corner of Shalimar Drive and Erwin Fleet. These dumpsters are NOT for Hazardous Materials (HazMat). There will be a pallet for HazMat somewhere near each dumpster designated as the HAZMAT DISPOSAL AREA. Please ONLY PUT HAZMAT IN/ON POSTED RECEPTACLE. If it is full, you may lay your item next to the HAZMAT DISPOSAL AREA, drop it off at town hall behind the dumpster or call us and someone will come pick it up. (WM charges the Town approximately 700% more if HazMat is found in either of the two large dumpsters.)

Hazardous Materials include:

Please refer Hazardous Materials questions to Waste Management at 862-7141.