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"Those who desire to give up Freedom in order to gain Security, will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." - Thomas Jefferson

 "Serving Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Crestview, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field and all points in-between..."
 
NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ISSUE?

- Gaylan's Corner! - Opinions, comments and Notes from the field - by Gaylan King

- BED TAX/CONFERENCE CENTER HISTORY OF EVENTS - The Freedom Committee's goal is to repeal county ordinance 89-23 that has spawned the Tourist Development Counsel (TDC) and bed tax (increase), and is also designed to fund the proposed conference center.  The TDC was created with this ordinance and therefore, by law, will be disbanded with OR 89-23's repeal. In order to do this, a referendum must come to a vote before the people.

There are four major areas on this website that are designed to do four things:

1. Present the FACTS supporting our case that the Conference Center will be a financial burden to the taxpayers of Okaloosa County.

2. Provide a HISTORY of the entire Bed Tax increase/Conference Center and give an historical scope to the issue.

3. To present OUR POINT OF VIEW as an opponent of the Bed Tax Increase/Conference Center and it's supporters.

4. To provide a FORUM in which others can share their point of view.

Gaylan KingOur original goals have not changed one iota - December 14, 1999, I've taken a needed break, had the flu, conquered a case of "burnout", survived a birthday and, refreshed, am back at the task before us. It's good to occasionally take a step back and make sure that you're seeing both the forest and the trees. Both appear, now, to be in plain view.

I've visited with most of the members of our "kitchen cabinet" and am assured of continued support and cohesiveness of goals.  We all realize that our campaign will extend well into the new year, but extend it shall, and we'll have our referendum!

Our original goals have not changed one iota. We abhor the idea of a sweetheart deal on public land, for a conference center that does not represent anything even close to a majority opinion by the citizens of this county. Due to a cleverly conceived Tourist Development Council (TDC) Special Taxing District, consisting of only 13 precincts, the majority of the county registered voters can't even vote on this issue. That is, they can't vote even when we laboriously bring it to a referendum vote.

The TDC is a political extension of the Board of County Commission (BOCC), and the source of a lot of the current mischief. Beware of people who voice opposition to the conference center, but will not include the TDC in the equation. They've either missed it or have a vested interest; the two are inexorably intertwined.

This whole situation fits right in with the quality of government that we are experiencing in both city and county government. I point out the "bend in the road" for a private developer; the second Highway 98 giveaway (they didn't bother to "bend" it) at Silver Shells. Then, there are the CRAs in both Destin and Ft. Walton Beach, both legitimately opposed, by majorities, to no avail.

Currently, the powers in Destin are trying to "walk" past us the Harbor Overlay Project. This project intends the QUADRUPLE the density of downtown Destin so that we can "realize our economic miracle." It'll form a second CRA for Destin (we are so blighted), and push people out of their homes, while serving that same small group of business people who believe their business interests supersede any citizen's rights in this city.

All in all, we've gotten into this position by not exercising our right to vote; by accepting their momentum and organization as a sign that we can't change any of these situations.

Balderdash!

Stick with us; it's going to be a bumpy ride!

Cheers!
Gaylan

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