Harden Protest Over House Race Ballot Issue Faces Court
Attorney for Republican Robert Harden said he will file suit in Okaloosa County Circuit Court to have ballots sent to 198 voters denied the right to vote in the District 5 House race and seeks to count 80-plus absentee ballots. The canvassing board reported a replacement voting machine without the race listed caused 198 votes in Harden’s precinct. The board cited no authority to alter certified results and noted absentee ballots received after election day may be barred. Continued on Page 7A.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Steve Humphries
District 5
House of Representatives
Robert Harden
Circuit Court
Okaloosa County
Ernest L. Cotton
Supervisor of Elections
Ward
Harden
Shalimar
Keith Brace
Meigs Junior High School
Brace
Dorothy Glisson
Cotton
U.S
William Stafford
Council Races To Draw Crowd
Destin city council and mayoral races begin as inc orporation campaigns end. Pro and anti incorporation leaders have been contacting potential nominees for seven council seats and the mayoral post. Fran Beaird says she is interested but notes the job is a full‑time commitment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ingrid Kreis
Fran Beaird
Civil and Foreign Service
Isle Height Cap Nears County Vote For Holiday Isle Plan
Destin Pointe Development Corp and Wengroup Companies plan to seek county approval to lift the 75 foot height limit on Holiday Isle to advance a proposed condo project. Fort Walton Beach attorney Lloyd Blue notes a meeting with Preservation of Destin Inc and Holiday Isle Improvement Association to discuss lease amendments tying density limits to plan approval. The 1961 lease set the 75 foot cap still under review as developers consider presenting a specific plan.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ingrid Kreis
Okaloosa County
Holiday Isle
Fort Walton Beach
Lloyd Blue
Destin Pointe Development Corp
Destin Pointe Resort
Wengroup Companies
Preservation of
Destin Inc
Destin Pointe Development
Destin Plans Christmas Eve Election for City Council
Destin moves toward its first city election on Christmas Eve to fill eight seats including mayor. Absentee ballots show 192 yes for incorporation, 118 no, with 1,135 yes to self-government and 1,027 no. The first council meets at 7:30 p.m. at the Destin Community Center after officials are sworn in.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ingrid Kreis
State Division of Elections
County Supervisor of Elections
Elsie Garrett
Destin
Supervisor of Elections
Shalimar
Crestview
Destin Leader Burns Nominated with Rodeo Honor
Karen MacGroga reports Matt Burns, a Destin attorney and active community volunteer, was recognized by the Destin Fishing Rodeo with its Good Neighbor Award. Burns spearheaded efforts to incorporate and seek tax exempt status for the Rodeo Committee, proposing charitable funds and a scholarship plan, though IRS scrutiny paused those ideas. He remains convinced the Rodeo reflects Destin’s culture and tradition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Karen MacGroga
Matt Burns
Destin
Destin Little League
Destin Water Users
Destin School Pto
Destin Fishing Rodeo
Burns
Rodeo Committee
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
Also Mentioned on This Page
James Ward
Beaird
Isle
United Way
South Walton
Heach Beach
Ae “A2
Elections Office
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