Real Estate Ties to Economy Alarm in Destin Region
McCarley Warns that tax incentives and business costs threaten Destin’s economy. Owen notes Destin’s heavy dependence on construction for restaurants, motels, and firms survival. Stinson of Florida State Bank warns changes in law could hurt Okaloosa and Walton counties and ripple nationwide.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Owen
Destin
McCarley
Okaloosa
Walton
Ed Stinson
Florida State Bank
Tax plan could hit multi family housing and local economy
Community voices warn the proposed tax reform may harm housing, especially multi family dwellings, by removing tax shelters and increasing costs. Condominium analyst Hut chison cites potential economic chaos while John Cox predicts initial pain but longer term shifts toward second homes in Destin-South Walton as buyers adapt to changes in mortgage interest and property tax deductions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William R. Hutchison
Congress
Hutchison
John Cox
Cox & Young Inc
Destin
South
Walton
Cox
Destin Officials Diverge On Wright Parkway Bridge Value
Mitchell said bridge priorities aim to ease congestion and create evacuation routes for Destin and Okaloosa Island. Destin Chamber president Paul Gardner argued the Wright Parkway Bridge offers no real evac problem relief, preferring a northward bay crossing. Destin City Council chairman Bill Phillips commented.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brooks Bridge
Mitchell
Destin
Okaloosa Island
Destin Chamber of Commerce
Paul Gardner
Wright Parkway
Bay
Gardner
Destin City
Bill Phillips
Wright Bridge Seen as Helpful but Not a Complete Fix
Destin leaders discuss the Wright Bridge as a step forward with an estimated 16 million construction cost. Phillips cautions it will not solve all problems, while MPC’s Rudy Sutton notes it could offer relief sooner than the 30 million Hollywood Bridge, emphasizing continued need for mainland access.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Phillips
Destin
Rudy Sutton
MPC
Wright Bridge
Hollywood Bridge
Lawmakers doubt changing tax deduction for second homes
Florida lawmakers and analysts voiced mixed views on preserving the mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Senator Hawkins opposed eliminating it, saying it would harm Florida real estate, while Senator Chiles suggested elimination could be popular amid broader tax reform. Industry figures warned the plan could cut 127,000 single family and 415,000 multi family starts in 1986, risking over 600,000 construction jobs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Congress
Senate
Hawkins
Okaloosa County
Republican Party
Florida
Sen
Lawton Chiles
Okaloosa Island
Treasury
Chiles
Reagan
Kent Colton
National Association of Home Builders
Colton
Walton County committees eye bridge replacement and highway widening
The panel discussed delaying a bridge replacement until 1987 88 due to state funds. The new highrise bridge would have two 12 foot lanes and 10 foot safety shoulders funded 80 percent by federal funds and 20 percent by the state DOT. The group also debated four laning US 98 from Sandestin to the Walton County line, with plans already moving to four lane that highway westward. They decided to pursue the action with some opposition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
DOT
Sandestin
Walton Bay
Four-Laning U S 331 Aids Hurricane Evacuation Plan
The committee favors four-laning U S 331 from U S 98 to State Road 20 to aid hurricane evacuation from South Walton County. Recommendations to Graham and the Cabinet await final adoption of the draft management plan at the March meeting. An Intergovernmental Coordination subcommittee will meet quarterly to ensure adherence, with the full committee reconvening one year after plan adoption.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S. 331
U.S. 98
South Walton County
Graham
Harbor council weighs local control of harbor authority
Destin City Council considers forming its own harbor authority after citizen input. Four of twenty residents favored state appointment. officials say local control may better address pollution and lagoon water quality after recent fish kills.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Destin
Jerry LaChapelle
George Eller
Danny Woodward
Renner
Art Hill
Obituary of John Gregory Sloat Dies at 83 in Santa Rosa Beach
John Gregory Sloat 83 of Santa Rosa Beach died February 12 in a local nursing home. Born in Hamilton Ohio he attended Dartmouth College and led the Sloat Dredging Company of Slidell Louisiana. Surviving are his wife Dyeanna Billie Pryor Sloat and children Dianna Jo Sloat Dyckman John Sloat II Susan Pryor Sloat Myers and grandchildren Catlin William Katie and John. Memorials to Santa Rosa Beach Community Church. Funeral arrangements by McLaughlin Mortuary Fort Walton Beach.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Gregory Sloat
Santa Rosa Beach
Hamilton
Dartmouth College
Sigma Alpha Episclon Fraternity
Sloat Dredging Company
Slidell, LA
Texas
Louisiana
Florida
Sloat
Episcopal Church
Lions Club
Slidell
Santa
Ozone Camellia Society
Dyeanna
Billie’’ Pryor Sloat
John Sloat II
Downingtown
Dianna Jo Sloat Dyckman
Albany, CA
Susan Pryor Sloat Myers
Santa Barbara
Catlin Sloat Dyckman
William Pryor Dyckman
Katie Ellen Sloat
John Steele Sloat
Coast Guard Log From Destin With Multiple Vessel Incidents
The Coast Guard report from Destin lists several incidents in February. A 21 foot craft was disabled in Chotawhatchee Bay and pushed to shore by a Sandestin operator. A 35 foot craft ran aground near Brooks Bridge and was towed to Deckhands Marina. A 31 foot craft sank after taking a wave at Destin with the 41 foot cutter assisting. A red flare near Shalimar Bridge prompted a search. An overturned catamaran was relighted and towed. owner remains missing.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Choctawhatchee Bay
Walton County
Burt Wild
Sandestin
Elrod
Brooks Bridge
Sound
Deckhands Marina
Frank Scalco
South Electra
James Scott
Destin
Shalimar Bridge
Okaloosa Island
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mpo
Odom
Concord Grape
Strawberry Coconut
Apple Strawberry
Odom’s
Hwy
East Destin
Odon Why
INAV
Harbor
Mary Esther
Hotiype
Mary Estiber
Gulp Breezl
PRI
Meat Market & Deli
Holiday Isle
Gulf Shore Drive
Beachside
LVSA
Coast Guard
Mobile
Mobile One
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