Walton County Employee
Newsletter
Employee of the Month
There is someone who works in Public Works who is doing an outstanding job. She was hired in June 2013 as an
Environmental Specialist and Coastal Liaison.
Her name is Melinda Gates. She was working with Billy
McKee doing the environmental side of Public Works, working on coastal dune lake issues, the habitat conservation plan
and other environmental issues. When the local Restore Act
committee was formed, it was Melinda who help guide them
through the process of developing the criteria for the project
application submittals.
When the BCC was informed that funds will be forthcoming
from the RESTORE Act settlement, Public Works was tasked
with creating RESTORE Act projects, which identify public
need or enjoyment. The projects selected include topics such
as stormwater, recreation, public access, workforce development, and environmental analysis. The team was able to
produce 24 projects. These projects will facilitate a positive
impact to Walton County.
Melinda will tell you that this task was a team project and it
was, but she was very instrumental in putting it into
prospective.
Kudos goes to Melinda and the Public Works team! Way to
go team!
Thank you! Sara Comander
This Month in History
Aug 5, 1583—The 1st British Colony of North America, Newfoundland, was founded by Sir Humphrey Gilbert
Aug 6, 1881, Penicillin discoverer Alexander Fleming was born in
Lochfield, Scotland.
Aug 6-10, 1787—the Great Debate occurred during the Constitutional Convention. This established the 4year term of office for the
Presidency.
Aug 15, 1769—French Emperor napoleon Bonaparte was born on
the island of Corsica.
Aug 16, 1896—Gold was discovered in Rabbit Creek, a tributary of
the Klondike River in Alaska.
Aug 18, 1920—the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was
ratified, granting women the right to vote.
Aug 26, 1883—One of the most volcanic eruptions occurred on the
Indonesian island of Krakatoa. Tidal waves of 120 ft high killed
36,000 persons on nearby islands. Explosions were heard 2000
miles away.
August 2015
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there” —Theodore Roosevelt
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
1 Aug
1 Aug
1 Aug
2 Aug
1 Aug
3 Aug
3 Aug
5 Aug
7 Aug
8 Aug
9 Aug
10 Aug
10 Aug
13 Aug
14 Aug
15 Aug
15 Aug
17 Aug
17 Aug
18 Aug
20 Aug
20 Aug
20 Aug
20 Aug
21 Aug
Chris Carnley
Josh Ervin
Melissa Thomason
Greg Graham
Gary Morse
Brandon Ard
James Henderson
Archie Anderson
Sandra Jenkins
Larry Helms
Katherine Smith
Harold Bigham
Austin Cosson
Jill Breslawski
Richard Mason
Amanda Long
Laura Pelfrey
Garret Miller
Melonie Peacock
Corey Galloway
James Cassady
Robin Grandstaff
Avery spires
Bobby Waynick
Hannah Wells
22 Aug
23 Aug
24 Aug
24 Aug
25 Aug
26 Aug
26 Aug
26 Aug
27 Aug
28 Aug
28 Aug
28 Aug
28 Aug
29 Aug
29 Aug
29 Aug
29 Aug
30 Aug
30 Aug
31 Aug
31 Aug
31 Aug
Michelle Anderson
Deanne Williams
Terry Thomas
Jennifer Vigel
Jonathan Thomas
John Jasper Carter
John Dunnigan
Susie Guiffre
John Singletary
Lisa Bell
Thomas Brannon
George Newsom
William Welch
Anthony Bailey
Steve Foushee
Laurie Gilbert
Karley McDonald
Eric Gill
Flora Morrow
Kyle Beck
David Chandler
Darin Culberson
OOPS — Brenda Stover celebrated her Birthday on June 13th.
Congratulations!!!
to the employees hired in the month of August and
have worked 5 years or more with Walton County
37 years Raymond Spencer
33 years Ernie Montgomery
21 years John Finch
19 years Misty Ferrell
18 years Kerri Aplin
16 years
Brandon Ard
Amanda Lee
14 years
Jennifer Pate
12 years
Dennis Owens
11 years
Angela Echele
Theresa Howard
Robert Williams
Jared Yates
10 years
Debra Hogans
Paul Powell
Terry Robinson
9 years
David Campbell
Carley McMillian
Robin Grandstaff
Anthony Peyton
8 years
Jonie Ammons
David Bush
Briona Nelson
Gaylord Trombly
7 years
Jerry Stafford
Hannah Wells
6 years
Chris Clark
James Halderson
Greg Moran
********
Published by:
District 4 Commissioner
Sara Comander
263 Chaffin Ave
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Open Enrollment
Phone: 850-835-4834
Fax: 850-951-0868
E-mail: [email protected]
Bits of Information:

The renovations for Choctaw Beach park and boat ramp are coming along. There will be new play ground equipment, new bathrooms and a new boat ramp.

For a list of the boat ramps in Walton County go to the webpage:
www.co.walton.fl.us - - under departments, click on parks; then
click boat ramps, there’s the list - - Happy Boating!

All applications for projects for the Restore Act funds should have
been turned in by July 31,

Fed Ex has purchased property at Mossy Head Industrial Park and
will be building a huge building that has 47 truck bays and parking spaces for over 400 vehicles.
Jodie sent an email reminder detailing some of the
changes. If you have any questions please make
sure you go to one of the scheduled dates.

The DeFuniak Springs, Library has Bats in residence. So it will
be closed until they are gone and the building is cleaned up.

Construction on US Highway 331 is moving along rapidly, please
be careful when traveling to Freeport and south Walton.
HR’s phone number is 892-8586 or you can call

School starts back on August 10th.. According to the internet, this
year’s “Tax Free” week is August 7-16.

The work on the Fair Building is coming along. Hopefully it will
be finished by the time the Fair gets here.

EMS will be getting some much needed equipment—new satellite
phone and StormGeo weather services, including interactive
maps, Tropics Watch, Storm Watch with site-specific monitoring
and forecasting.

Donate your new or gently used children’s books for the Storywalk Book Exchange. Drop Off Location: Health, Dept. DeFuniak Springs, OR we will come to you-Please call to schedule a pick
up. For more information contact Brandi Gill at the Health Department (850) 892-8040 ext. 1136 or [email protected].

The District 3 Road department has relocated to 401 Ranch Rd,
DeFuniak Springs.

There was some sad news in July with the Passing of Dr.
(Senator) Durell Peaden. Dr. Peaden was instrumental in getting
Lecom Dental School located here in DeFuniak Springs.

We lost a great Environmentalist/Conservationist with the Passing
of M. C. Davis. Mr. Davis founded the Nokuse Plantation .

Enjoy the summer, but take precautions; the temperatures are extremely high-drink plenty of water and limit you time outside.

For more information pertaining to Walton County go to the website at www.co.walton.fl.us
August 4, 5, and 6 — 7:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.
Defuniak Springs Community Center
August 12 —7:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.
Sheriff’s Sub-Station (South Walton)
August 13 —7:00 a.m. —1:00 p.m.
South Walton Annex
This is the time of year to make changes to your
Health, Dental, Vision plan and Life Insurance
coverage, if you want/need too.
Jodie at 951-7372.
Welcome new employees:
John Paul Bryan—Beach Maintenance Specialist 1
Bruce Allen Lawrence—Truck Driver 1
Ronda Waynick—Contract Custodian
Brooke Disalvo — Lead Information Specialist (TDC)
Trenton Jones — Seasonal Beach Maintenance Specialist
Kimberly Jan Wood — Maintenance Custodian
Devon Peyton—Buyer
Belenda Balzer— PT Library Clerk (Permanent)
Things to remember:
1) It is still Hurricane Season.
2) It is the final two months of baseball season.
3) Hall of Football Game is this weekend.
4) College Football Season starts soon.
5) The Paxton Belles are trying to win the softball
“Dixie World Series” in Louisiana.
6) The DeFuniak Springs Girls All Star Softball Team
are the 2105 Senior League Florida Champions.