Brown Funeral Home receives ‘Yard of the Month’ recognition at Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Debbie Mitchell, representing the Chipley Garden Club, was present at Thursday Chamber of Commerce luncheon to present the May ‘Yard of the Month’ certificate to Don Brown.
Mitchell thanked the business for helping create a welcoming atmosphere in the community.
Chamber President Brandon Lovering was also called on at the meeting to update members on upcoming activities.
Included on that list was the June 8th Marvin Engram Memorial Golf Tournament that will be held at the Sunny Hills Golf Course being hosted by the Chipley Kiwanis Club. For more information call Lovering at 850-415- 6870.
Lovering also mentioned the upcoming ‘Lead Washington County’ leadership development program. The nine-month programs starting in September is designed to foster a network of community leaders. The program will provide a diverse group of emerging and existing leaders with opportunities to enhance their community knowledge, civic engagement and leadership skills so they may affect positive change in Washington County. The deadline to apply is July 13th, so if you are interested attending the monthly classes, contact the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at 850-638-4157.
Keynote speaker for Thursday’s luncheon was Washington County County Administrator Jeff Massey who commented on the proactive approach that the Washington County Board of County Commissioners is taking dealing with county business.
Top of the list was the debt paydown being stressed by commissioners. Massey said commissioners are actively working to bring the county government into a better financial situation and work on the 2018-19 budget is already well underway. He said the current Board didn’t want to wait until July to start work but got the ball rolling back in early April.
According to Massey, Commissioner Todd Abbott will be the County’s liaison on the budget committee and he believes they will have a “better handle” on the development of the new county budget.
Massey also said commissioners are focusing more attention on the economic development of Washington County, something previous boards may not have done as well. He said commissioners and county staffers are working closely with city and state governmental bodies to attract businesses to the county.
Massey said the Board of County Commissioners is intent on enabling new businesses to locate in Washington County. He noted that what Washington County’s elected officials do today will have an impact on what is in the county in 20 years. To this end, Massey said commissioners are working with county employees to get their input on what will make things better in the county down the road.
Praising the county commissioners, he said while they might disagree at the start, they work together to reach the goal of what is the best thing for Washington County. He said commissioners want to give the taxpayers “bang for their bucks”.