Notes from the Mayor

Believe it or not, we are experiencing a small wave of criminal mischief in the Town. On Thursday, June 7 at approximately 3 in the afternoon, two adults drove their vehicle into a grass area of a neighborhood park and demolished a concrete-reinforced table with hammers (replacement value of the table is $850.00). Yes, there were witnesses, but no one reported the incident or thought to get a tag number. A day later, two complete street/stop signs at one intersection were removed. A few days after that, someone on the water removed an outboard motor from a Snug Harbor private dock.

No matter how well-trained and vigilant, Shalimar enforcement officials simply cannot be everywhere.  Your eyes and ears – and those of your friends and family – can be an enormous help in preventing crimes.  You and your family are encouraged to stay alert to what is happening in your area.  After all, you know best what activities are routine in your neighborhood and the community.  Anyone who observes suspicious behaviors should immediately call our on-duty officer. For example, if you observe workers repairing your neighbor’s home and notice they are removing items from the house, you should call the police to check it out. Yes, it does happen. For emergencies, please call 9-1-1, but for discrete investigations of suspicious activity, call your on-duty officer at 225-1272.

Our storm water mitigation efforts are ongoing. In that regard, we continue to coordinate with Okaloosa County requesting they address the courthouse annex pond issues. Within the next couple of months, you may see our Polyengineering Representatives inspecting the drainage around your property. Following this inspection, some of you may receive letters requesting you to restore/improve/construct drainage swales on your property. Of course, the town will assist if our help is requested.

Hopefully I don’t need to remind you that the Shalimar Town Government exists to serve its residents. If you have issues or ideas, please let us know.

Thank you

Gary Combs, Mayor

In December, we included an article that explained several Property Tax Exemptions allowed by the State of Florida (including the Senior Exemption). In the November 2006 election, the citizens of Florida voted to raise the Senior Exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 (with the current Homestead Exemption, you should receive $75,000 total). The Shalimar Town Commission was required to pass an ordinance and did so on May 29 at an Emergency Meeting.

If you have already applied and qualified for the Senior Exemption (please see below for qualifications), the additional $25,000 will be automatically added to your list of exemptions. If you have any questions or want to check your exemption amount, please call the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s Office at 651-7240.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SENIOR EXEMPTION

Your additional $50,000 Senior Exemption may be applied for if you: 1) Have qualified for the $25,000 Homestead Exemption, 2) Are at least 65 years of age as of January 1^st of the year you want to file, and 3) Have a total household adjusted gross income that does not exceed the limit announced by the State of Florida each January (The 2007 limit is $24,214). If you meet the above criteria, you must apply for this exemption in person. Also, bring with you proof of your age and copies of any federal income tax returns, and any wage and earning documents for each member of the household.

Notes from the Special Services Commissioner

YARD OF THE QUARTER

It’s hot outside and everything shows it – the lawns, the trees and the flowers. Nevertheless, we have a few yards that are outstanding. The most beautiful yard is at 915 Sunset Bay Court, closely followed by 911 Sara, 900 Sara, and 2551 Palm Shores.

The best small yard honor goes to 17 Plew. Other small yards that are really lovely are at 42 Shalimar and 863 Brande Court. Keep up the good work. Shalimar really is beautiful.

Ursel Behnken

Ursel Behnken, Special Services Commissioner

All Contractors doing business in the town of Shalimar are required to have a License. Please help us protect you from unscrupulous contractors - a list of currently licensed contractors is available on our web site (www.shalimarflorida.org) or you can contact town hall at 651-5723.

July 4, 2007 - Town hall closed in observation of Independence Day

July 10, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. - Town Commission Meeting

July 25, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. - Planning and Zoning Meeting

PLEASE REMEMBER that parking on Shalimar streets (or on the right-of-way) is against town ordinances. This practice not only reduces a driver’s ability to monitor the road for darting children, but can also restrict a neighbor’s ability to safely enter and exit their driveways. The Shalimar Police Department will enforce the rules against parking on the street. Expect only ONE warning and then a $25.00 ticket will be issued. If you have a temporary need for overflow parking for a special event, please coordinate this requirement with the police department or town hall staff.

We are still negotiating with the school board on a property swap to support a town RV parking facility. In the interim, the Commission has decided to offer temporary storage of trailer vehicles (no motor homes due to soft sand and space requirements) along the fence in the open area adjacent to town hall for a nominal fee of $10/month. All vehicle licensing must be current – first come, first served.

 

Handicapped and elderly persons seeking shelters and who are need of transportation should call Okaloosa Coordinated Transport at 833-9168 as soon as it has been announced that shelters have opened. Please remember to take your medications with you.

 

Listen to your local radio for the latest information. The Official Emergency Alert Stations in our area are 1260 AM, 99.5 FM, 96.5 FM and 105.5 FM.

 

If you have Internet access, you can track the storm by visiting the Okaloosa County web site (www.co.okaloosa.fl.us) and then click on “Hurricane Awareness” under “Public Safety”.

 

ONLY THREE EMERGENCY SHELTERS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF OKALOOSA COUNTY!! County Emergency Management directors are in the process of securing more shelter space that meets new storm damage construction criteria. The shelters are: