Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 12-14-1967 Special — reading text

0~ MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA December 14, 1967 A special meeting of the Fort Walton Beach City Council was held December 14, 1967, at 4: 30 p. m. with the following members 1 present: James C. H. WilliamH. M. Ready Rigdon, Jr. Sconiers Sterlyn W. Killingsworth, and City Manager, City Clerk- Finance Director, City Attorney, Parks and Recreation Director, and Fire Chief Holmes. Holly Rogers of Radio Station WNU~ was present, as were other members of the news media. Councilman Ready as sert~ o.r Council member present, called the meeting to order, and M~ or Brown arrived and assumed the Chair. Manager explained that Holly Rogers of WNUE Radio Station had requested the use of the Community Center for the purpose of securing toys for use by the families affected by the tornado. He said the first problem with having it in the Community Center was City had scheduled activities during the that the period they requested the use of it, which was Saturday evening through Sunday evening, continuing all night; and the second that it was a type of promotion. Manager said the Teen Club would be in use and the Center scheduled for basketball was practice. He said another thing consider was that a to disaster fund had been set up under the direction of the Civil Defense Director, and the City had been supporting and encouraging people through that. He said if to work WNUE would be associated in this type of program, it would get into policy. Manager remarked that the Fire Chief, Civil Defense Director, had asked that no more of the supplies of foods and clothing be provided because had an ample supply at the present time. Chief Holmes confirmed that he asked that those donations be stopped Tuesday evening. He also confirmed that the Disaster Fund had been started, and as of 10: 00 a. m. that morning a Disaster Committee was set up, consisting of Reverend Talmadge Smith, Reverend I Harrison, Ben Totten, III, Sgt. McFadden, and Eulice Shelley. Mayor Brown asked Holly Rogers for his comments.  J__,.__._.____._.. 256 Mr. Rogers thanked Council for hearing him. He said they would not ask for clothing or food, but would ask only for new toys. He said six toy manufacturers had been contacted and they had consented send toys. to He quoted Reverend Smith as saying the Center would be an ideai place since Community program did include live bands, but if the Community Center could not be made available, he would be glad to donate Cinco Baptist Church as second alternate~ Rogers said toys collected would be turned over to Jaycees for distribution and all monies would be turned over to Civil Defense Disaster Unit in this area. He said they would be glad to pay any cost involved to the City. He said they would not sell any advertising on the telethon- they were just performing a public service. Mayor Brown stated that a Mrs. Crook had called him with an idea for contacting toy manufacturers to get toys for the children. Manager said WNUE was asking for a place to hold live entertainment, and tying it in together with the disaster and that concerned him. He said he was not sure this wasn' t something that you would call a promotion. Rogers mentioned Cerebal Palsy Telethons, Cancer Telethons, that last for 24 hours orillnger. He said unless they provided some sort of entertainment would be hard to keep the audience listening, so they could come down and donate toys or money. Rogers said if they got money and not enought toys, would take money and buy toys. He mentioned that when manufacturers sent toys, there might be freight charges. He said commit- ments already obtained were not enough. Council questioned Recreation Director Buddy Elliott Parks & about the building Elliott said Teen Club was schedule. scheduled, and noise restricted it so you couldn' t have two activities in the building at the same time. He said that on Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon basketball practice was scheduled as this was the only time they could begin with basketball season soon starting. Manager questioned Rogers about the project being carried on in cooperation with the Jaycees. Elliott said the President of the Jaycees when contacted knew nothing of it. Bobby Harvell who was present, and a member of the Jaycees said it had not been brought up meeting in a but whether or not Jay- cees knew they needed toys. about, He said their operation Christmas needs tripled from what was expected. Harvell said he assumed that the club would go along with it.  257 Mr. Sconiers commented several times that the Community Center was committed, and though he was in sympathy with WNUE' s program, he didn' t see how Council could back out on its commitments, since every time they diq, it only caused trouble. City Clerk asked Rogers if they had already advertised 1 that they did Rogers said it would be held in the Community Center, why so without that was making prior arrangements. done through misunderstanding. Chief Holmes said the Chamber of Commerce had contacted him and voiced concern over the fact that so many were going around to merchants asking for donations, and asked for a combined effort. Mr. Sconiers pointed out that the City was under the control of the Civil Defense Director, and possibly it was proper for him to make the decision. Mr. Rigdon reported that several groups were foregoing Christmas parties to give the money for disaster relief. Mr. Rogers commented that they had $ 1, 500. 00 already and the question was whether or not they could have the Community Center, that they didn' t need permission to have the toy drive. He said they would have it some place. Rogers commented in answer to a question, that there would be no advertising. The empty building on Beal Street belonging to George Maples was suggested as a location. Mr. Rogers said it had been leased that morning. Mr. Sconiers suggested having it at the Radio Station. Mr. Rogers said they could, but would hamper the operation considerably. Mr. Rigdon suggested Choctawhatchee High School as an idean place, with adequate parking, and a nice stage. Buddy Elliott asked if they couldn' t work it with the J~ ycees who had the building scheduled for three days that week, with a dance on one of those nights. Mr. Sconiers asked if Jaycees would appreciate it if Council 1 cancelled a Mayor honor their schedule at the Community Center, comparison asked these of if prior the it were requests. the commitments, feeling that suggesting the City that the making needed radio to station get another place.  L~___.____ 25q Mr. Sconiers said his feelin~ was that should honor commit- ments) and he had no su~ gestlons. Mayor asked if that were a motion. Mr.