Niceville Florida Newspaper - The Advertiser is Niceville's Neighborhood Newspaper

The Neighborhood Newspaper
of Niceville, FL

Okaloosa County | Niceville Visitors Guide | Schools in Niceville | Niceville Community Web Site | Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival

CHAMBER NO LONGER TO ORGANIZE AND SPONSOR FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW

NO FIREWORKS SHOW PLANNED FOR 2009

The Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Board of Directors have announced that they are seeking an organization to take over the July 4th Fireworks Show.

"The mission of the Chamber is to help our businesses and we cannot in good conscience ask our business
community to fund a fireworks show when most of them are simply trying to meet the needs of their businesses in these challenging economic times," stated Chairman of the Board, Brian Walsh. "Most people think that our fireworks are organized and funded by the cities, like they are in our surrounding municipalities, but that is not the case here," Walsh continued. "The Chamber took the project on many years ago with the general understanding that at some point in the future, they would be fully funded through a separate trust fund."

The trust fund Walsh refers to was formed by a group of citizens in the 1980's. They organized fundraisers and collected money from recycling newspapers. Their goal was to raise $100,000 after which the interest from the fund would fully finance the annual show. Their fundraising goal was achieved several years ago, but the interest earned covers only one fourth of the cost. The Cities of Niceville and Valparaiso normally each contribute an additional $3,000 but last year, Niceville cut their contribution to $1,500 due to budget constraints. Even with those contributions, the Chamber is faced with raising an additional $15,000 - $16,000. Last year, the funds almost fell short of meeting expenses for the $1,000 per minute show as has been the case in prior years.

"We really had a difficult time raising the money last year," said Scott Jackson, Chamber Foundation and Fireworks Chairman, "the Chamber is not able to commit to spending up to $16,000 of our members' money on a project that does not address the needs of the business community in general." It is for this reason that the Board of Directors voted to offer assistance to any organization that is willing to take over the project. Chairman of the Board, Brian Walsh added, "We hope our members and the citizens of our community can understand that this decision was not taken lightly. There was much discussion and many meetings before the final decision was made. All options were considered and this move was the last resort."

If an organization is willing to take on this project and comes forward, the Chamber will provide all the assistance and knowledge needed to get them started. However, timing is critical since fireworks companies normally require a 50% deposit no later than April 1st.

It is with sincere regret and sadness that the Board of Directors were faced with making this decision and hope that in light of the current state of the economy, everyone will understand and respect the decision.

If your organization is interested in taking on the July 4th Fireworks show, please contact the Chamber office at (850) 678-2323.

SHERIFF CHARLIE MORRIS ARRESTED, SUSPENDED BY GOVERNOR

Thomas F. Kirwin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced that Sheriff Charles “Charlie” W. Morris, age 59, of Shalimar, Florida, and Teresa Adams, age 50, of Niceville, Florida, were arrested Friday based upon a federal criminal complaint alleging violations of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666 (Theft or Fraud from Federally Funded Programs), 1343 (Wire Fraud), 1346 (Fraud or Theft of Honest Services), 1957 (Money Laundering) and Sections 371, 1349 and 1956(h)(Money Laundering Conspiracy).

Sheriff Morris was arrested by federal agents in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is expected to make an initial appearance in United States District Court for the District of Nevada today. Thereafter, he is expected to be returned to the Northern District of Florida. According to the complaint filed in federal court, Morris, with the assistance of his Director of Administration and Finance, Adams, created fictitious bonuses to sheriff’s department employees. The complaint alleges the employees were directed to return all or a portion of the bonuses in the form of cash and cashier’s checks under the pretense that these returned funds were to be used for charitable purposes. Adams is expected to make an initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy in Pensacola today.

A criminal complaint is merely a charging instrument. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in United States District Court. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall J.(Randy) Hensel.