Don't love Mexico Beach? Door is open

Dear Editor:

This letter is in response to front page article in The Star, by news reporter Valerie Garman, in reference to a workshop meeting by the Mexico Beach City Council voting on a “tentative millage rate.”

First of all, that was a workshop that was open to discuss the tentative rate from the council, property owners and citizens of Mexico Beach. The millage rate was not set as a final vote by the council as this was only a workshop. There were several mistakes in the article. First of all the article stated that the city purchased the historic Parker House, to be converted into the Mexico Beach City Hall, for a higher price than was offered at a public auction of the property. This is totally false. The city purchased the property for less than what was offered at the auction. Cathey Parker Hobbs and her siblings decided not to accept the offer from the auction. It was not her decision alone to reject the offer. This accusation was made by a disgruntled property owner. Your reporter did not question the city council, mayor or city manager to verify this accusation. The Parker Family also donated additional land adjoining the property to the city after reaching the agreement for the city to purchase the property.

It is true that the mayor and Hobbs are cousins, but the mayor abstained from voting on the purchase of the Historic Parker House. I for one am proud that the city was able to purchase the property to preserve and honor the Parker Family. For those who do not know, the Parker Family founded and developed Mexico Beach.

On the accusations that materials to reconstruct the Parker House would likely be purchased at the local Ace Hardware Store (owned by the Cathey Family), I see nothing wrong here if the materials are put out for bids, and the local Ace Hardware comes in at the lowest bid. Only makes sense to go with the lowest bidder.

The awarding of the reconstruction contract: Mayor Cathey did not vote on this at all. The decision was made by the city council without the mayor voting.

Last, the city has insurance to cover the cost to make the needed repairs to the Parker House and the insurance company will be making the payment to the Contractor of Choice. The article also implied that total (complete) construction was needed. In truth only the destroyed areas will be torn down and the rest repaired. This was not reported in the article.

My family and I love living in Mexico Beach and have for the past 17 and a half years. We visited here for many, many years before buying property and moving here. For those who don’t love it, the door is always open for them to move away.

Victor Webb

Mexico Beach