by Kathy Foster
Talking to fellow Kiwanians at the Aug. 6th Chipley Kiwanis Club meeting, Ted Everett stressed long-term recovery issues being looked at following Hurricane Michael – including transportation and shelter.
A meeting with municipality leaders from around the county has been set for 5 p.m. on Aug. 12th at PAEC in Chipley. Everett stressed that it is to be a public meeting and not just limited to elected officials.
Pointing out that it has already been nine months since Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Gulf Coast and that there is still plenty of cleanup work to be done, Everett said that now is the time to develop plans to be better prepared for the next emergency.
Everett also pointed out that since Hurricane Michael the county is seeing an influx of retirees moving from Bay County to Washington County ultimately driving up property values.
“We need to look at what will make our area move forward”, noted Everett. “We’re in it for the long haul.”
Business recovery and needed workers are other concerns expressed by Everett.
“Businesses are having a hard time finding workers,” said Everett. He then pointed out that the best workers are already employed and of those remaining many are having problems passing drug testing requirements.