Kiwanis Korner

The weeks are passing by so quickly that I getting a little behind on what’s been happening with the Kiwanis Club.  Here is a short caption of our programs in the past few weeks:

On July 20 Marshall Nelson of the Gulf County Emergency Operations Manager, reported on the county’s efforts to protect our coastline from the effects of the oil spill.  He indicated that, while protecting the beaches are important, one of the greater importance is protecting the more sensitive areas such as the grass beds and the nesting areas of turtles and other wildlife.  They are working with BP, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Navy, the Coast Guard, and other entities that are working to contain and control the oil that has entered into the Gulf.  The County’s greatest efforts are being directed towards protecting St. Joe Bay and Indian Pass Lagoon.

Sharon Gaskin of the North Florida Child Development came and gave a presentation on July 27.  Sharon expressed the excitement of receiving the grants, loans, and private funding for their new facility that is to be built out on Highway 98 across the street from the Gulf /Franklin Center College.  She did convey that they were short about $70,000 matching funds but was confident that those funds will be received within the allotted time.  Mrs. Gaskin gave information about the added employee the new center will employ and the additional children that can be taught at the new facility.

On Aug. 10,  Gulf County Property Appraiser, Kesley Colbert gave the Kiwanis Club a report regarding property values, qualified sales, and additional information regarding property in Gulf County.  Kesley reported that the property value’s in the county has continued to decline in the recent years as a result of the economic downturn.  As an example, he reported that in 2004 there were 1,352 qualified sales of property, that number decline to 230 in 2008; 314 in 2009; and through Aug. 6, there have been 226 sales.  Another example is the number of deeds recorded in 2005 of 3,100 versus the number of recorded in 2009 of 1,100.  In his conclusion, he remarked by reminding us that things will get better, that there were some real encouraging signs that the real estate market was improving.

We would also like to welcome our two newest members to the Port St. Joe Kiwanis Club; Cheyenne O’Neal of The Bridge at St. Joseph and Sandi Price of Capital City Bank.

Mark you calendar for Friday, Oct. 1 to join the Kiwanis Club for lunch.  The Port St Joe Kiwanis Club will be hosting a Fish Fry starting at 11:30-1:00 on October 1st at the Frank Pate Park.  The dinner includes fried catfish or mullet cooked by our talented cooks, coleslaw, bake beans, bread for only $6.  You can also purchase tea for $1.  The tickets will be available for sale within the next week or so.  Thank you for the support that all of you give; so that the Kiwanis Club can reinvest it back into our community. 

The Port St Joe Kiwanis Club is looking for some businessmen and women or individuals who would like to be part of a Civic Organization devoted to helping children and giving back to our community.  If you are interested in becoming a Kiwanian, please contact Kathy Balentine at 227-6327 or Johanna White 227-6268. 

The Kiwanis Motto: “Serving the Children of the World”