Kiwanians hear about Farmers Market and City of Chipley Progress

 Chipley, FL, Tuesday, April 26, 2011.    The regular meeting of the Chipley Kiwanis Club was called to order by President David Corbin.  The first order of business was the election of officers for the club year 2011-2012.  The following slate of officers was unanimously elected:  President: Vincent Spencer,  President Elect: Jan Page, Vice President:  Paul Goulding, Secretary:  Laura Joiner, Treasurer: Todd Abbott, Assistant Treasurer: Joe Johnson,  Three Year Directors:  Georgeann Smith, LaMerle Feitsma, and Vickie Williams,  Two Year Directors: Mike DeRuntz, Wayland Fulford, and Henry Stone,  One Year Directors:  Dell Corbin, Rick Davis and Kathy Rudd.

There were two programs,  Matthew Orwat discussing the Chipley Farmers Market and Cheryl McCall with an update on activities in the City of Chipley.

Matt Orwat brought club members current on the Chipley Farmers Market.  After rededication in 2007, the Market provides an outlet for locally grown produce.  The Market opens on Tuesday, May 3rd.  For the next 3-5 months,  the Market will be open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from Noon to 5 PM.  On Saturdays, the Market will be open from 8 AM to Noon.  The fresh vegetables available at the Market will depend on what is maturing.  Initially, the Market will have summer squash, pole beans, potatoes, blackberries and corn soon.   About two dozen local growers in Washington, Holmes and Jackson counties have gotten permits to sell produce in the Chipley Farmers Market.

Cheryl McCall, City Councilman of Ward 2 and Mayor Pro Tem updated the audience on progress being made by the City.  She mentioned that the new Public Works Director is Chester Campbell.  The $14 Million Wastewater Treatment Project is now complete.

Upcoming projects include a Sidewalk Enhancement Project in conjuction with FDOT to install sidewalks along East Boulevard, Pecan Street and Orange Street from South Boulevard to US 90.  Te cost is estimated at $760 thousand and construction is scheduled for FY 2012-2013. 

A Small Cities CDBO grant of $700,000 has been received to replace water lines in several areas of Chipley.  Over ten thousand feet of water line will be replaced in various areas including:  Martin Luther King Avenue, Old Bonifay Road, Bennett Drive, Anderson Street, North 2nd Street, Glenwood Avenue, and Davis Street.

The Flirda Energy and Climate Commission gave Chipley $250,000 to retrofit the existing downtown decorative street lights with high powered light emitting diodes (LED’s) and to retrofit one traffic signal to operate on solar power.

Applications have been submitted for grants for additional projects.  Theses projects include :  Building sidewalks on Seventh Street from South Boulevard to US90, and from The Ag Center on US 90 to Dalton Street.

The City will install a Welcome to Chipley Sign on the Campbellton Highway in the near future.

Decorative black wrought iron street signs will be installed in the downtown area in the near future.  This project is funded by the CRA.

The City is working with community youth to build a skateboard park in Pals Park.   The City currently has a 70’ by 70’ concrete pate.  The youth have been working to assist in the design of the park.  Future improvements include a pyramid structure, ramps, grind rails and other features.  They are seeking donations to help fund this project.  Barbara James is the contact person.

Ms McCall also informed the club members about the City’s Facebook page.  There is an email list for emergency notifications.  Contact Patty Yates ath City Hall to be added to the email list.

Finally, Ms. McCall discussed the status of the Mongoven building on Railroad Avenue.  The building is in legal limbo,.  Mr Mongoven sold the building, the buyer cannot be located and Mr. Mongoven never foreclosed on the building.  No one has a clear title.  It will cost approximately $250,000 to tear the building down since it cannot be repaired, and the City has no funds to have it torn down.

At the conclusion of the meeting, LaMerle Feitsma presented Ms. McCall with a check to assist in replacing the American Flag which flies on FL 77 on the south entrance to Chipley.