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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 KingThis has been a fast-and-furious 24 hours...

I spoke to the Republican Club last night (Thursday, 26 Aug) and had a lively discussion, met some very nice people and saw some old friends. Mr. Deckert (TDC Chairman) was in attendance and when I asked for questions, most of them were directed towards him. I honestly believe that 90% of the folks in attendance support our efforts.

Mr. Nicholson, that same day on the WFTW morning show, agreed with our position that "it might be a good idea if some of the Bed Tax goes back into the local infrastructure." That's only if there IS a bed tax, Nick.

This morning, Florida Trend Magazine called out of the blue, interviewed me and I gave them permission to use anything we've written on BeachBrowser.com for an up-coming piece. They're getting more involved in these kinds of issues, and it'll be interesting to see which material they use. They've promised me a copy, and we'll share it with you.

As if that wasn't enough, I got a call from "Shallow Throat" in Tallahassee, a Fed. He'd seen the beach pictures and read the piece about hauling away the beach. He checked with DEP and EPA and someone has already called me.  Shallow Throat's feeling is that there is NO VALID PERMIT for such devastation; that it's illegal. We shall soon see.

I promise a real column tomorrow; I've gotta sort all of this out.

Cheers!
Gaylan

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