By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla County School Board held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, May 27, to celebrate the planned new high school building.

The three-year, $97 million project will demolish the nearly 60-year-old high school building and build a new two-story classroom and administration building, as well as a new gymnasium and performing arts center.
There will also be a redesign of the parking lot with one-way entrance to the school at the current traffic light on U.S. Highway 98.
District Facilities Manager Mike Barwick was especially pleased with some of the new planned amenities – the state-of-the-art performing arts center, which he noted will be larger than Chiles High School’s; the lighted band practice field; the athletic center’s classrooms; the new front entrance which will have a security kiosk to be manned by a school Guardian.
Barwick, who was principal at Wakulla High School before moving to the district office, brought knowledge of an educator and administrator to the planning of the new school.
The plan calls for a complete new parking lot and the start of demolition over the summer. From Fall 2026 to next summer work will be underway for the new athletic center, ROTC room, and carpentry shop.
The new performing arts center is expected to be completed in Decembver 2027.
The new school will be completed by Summer 2028.
The day before the groundbreaking, current principal Michele Falk offered a tour to a handful of members of the Class of 1976, organized by class member Debra Brown and joined by Jena Brooks now of Ocala and Donna Crum Godwin of Panama City. But Falk toured the classmates around the new War Eagle Academy rather than the old building, showing off the new classrooms and vocational training.
Falk noted on the tour that she will retire before the new construction is finished.
The tour did end at the old lunchroom, where the classmates noted it had seemed so big 50 years ago, and unable to believe it’s where dances were held with a band in the corner.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

There is a divide between some school booster clubs and the Superintendent Rick Myhre as he has sought to clarify financial policies with the groups.
Myhre had made it clear that monies collected by groups for student extracurricular activities are required to be turned over to schools internal accounts to be managed.

In emails and in a statement issued last week, Myhre said the changes are required and are being done with a goal of transparency.
But the policy has created tension with the Gridiron Club, which supports the football team by selling signs to advertisers at the stadium, and seating and preferential parking to members.
A member of the Gridiron Club, who did not want to be named, said that, in the past, when the coach needed something for the team – meals for after the game, say, or a new washing machine to clean the uniforms – he told the boosters and they went and got whatever was needed.
The new policy, the person said, would hamstring that with bureaucratic oversight.
“It’s been this way for decades,” the person said, under past superintendents.
At this point, the Gridiron Club is wavering over whether to sell signs, seating and parking passes. If the club does not go forward with the sales, it will return any money that’s been paid.
“The fundraisers were stripped from us,” the person said.
Myhre noted his family had been members of the Gridiron Club for decades and had seats, but insisted money raised needed to be accounted for.
Myhre said he had found no “transgressions” by booster groups, but said the law was clear and there should be accounting for the money raised.
“It’s for the students, right? That’s where it should be spent,” he said.
The member of the Gridiron Club questioned Myhre’s interpretation of the Department of Education’s requirements, saying in an email to Myhre that “the current disagreement relects a differing interpretation or administrative approach regarding the application of certain Red Book and policy provisions to independent booster organizations, rather than the discovery of obvious or longstanding violations that went unnoticed for many years.”
The person in the Gridiron Club said one issue of contention is whether the fundraising is school-based, or done at the school, makes the funds required to be turned over to an internal account.
In response, Myhre issued a statement that read, in part: “The legal requirements are clear, all funds generated on school campuses to support individual sports/clubs are to be properly receipted and deposited into the school’s internal account where records are maintained of theexpenditures from those accounts. It doesn’t take an extensive google search in the news to see the public outcry for transparency, nor the numerous instances of fraud across the state.
“While I have not uncovered,” the statement says, “nor am I accusing anyone one of impropriety, I will not turn a blind eye to a continued practice that is not aligned to law or policy and puts our organization at potential risk. Allowing individuals to not publicly account for, in some cases, tens of thousands of dollars, where there is no public oversight of the expenditures is problematic to say the least. One must wonder why some would be so critical of the elimination of this practice if the proper receipting and accountability of the funds still supports the student athletes at the same financial level.”
Myhre also notes in his statement that recent legislation will require Florida school districts to adapt to numerous changes – including allowing Booster clubs to provide compensation to coaches through the School Board, though he notes that financial regulations don’t allow for the payment of staff from internal accounts. “Once again, intentionally diverting funds which are to be receipted into an internal account into an external account, of any type or name, and using them for an improper purpose is impermissible.”
He also noted changes in Name-Image-Likeness payments for student-athletes become more prevalent, “the requirements for these payments to come from entities not connected to schools are going to be closely monitored as well. The diversion of funds expected to be accounted as school internal funds, to an external source, which then provides an impermissible benefit places the entire program at risk. I cannot allow our student-athletes to have their program placed on probation due to the potential improper accounting practices such a system would create.”
The person with the Gridiron Club said the group had met once with Myhre, and communicated via email, but that he had refused to discuss the matter further – though the person was hopeful for a resolution.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN/Editor

The state attorney’s office filed an appeal of a judge’s ruling dismissing a felony charge of using a public record to harass against former County Commissioner Mike Kemp and requested a stay in the proceedings on a remaining felony for tampering with a witness, but Circuit Court Judge Jeremiah Hawkes denied the motion for a stay in an order issued Tuesday, May 26.

In a three-page order, Judge Hawkes found that granting a stay in the case was not appropriate. The case is set to go to trial the week of Aug. 17.
The case centers on information posted on Wakulla Citizens Facebook page by then-administrator Becky Whaley, provided by Kemp, and given to him by County Commissioner Ralph Thomas, of the voter ID that Kemp and Whaley believed was behind “Thunder Lightening” (sic), who trolled the page and was critical of them. It turned out not to be the person behind the anonymous account, but another person.
The judge dismissed the charge, finding that “responding to public critics, and calling out a notable critic, was not an illegitimate actiity for a candidate for office, and indeed was constitutionally protected speech.”

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla Lady War Eagles softball team fell 14-7 to Eustis in the state semi-final, a game away from playing for the 3A state title.

The game was played on Thursday, May 21, in Longwood, and the five seniors of the team still had time to make it back to walk for graduation with their classmates.
A special graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday morning for the five seniors before the team left for the playoffs – and they also visited other district schools before traveling.
They finished with a 25-6 record.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars placed a wreath for fallen soldiers and lowered the flag to half-staff as part of a Memorial Day ceremony held Monday, May 25, at the courthouse, in an event organized by Veterans Service Officer Winston Murphy.

They speaker was U.S. Navy veteran and former Supervisor of Elections Henry ‘Buddy’ Wells, who recently returned from an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Wells spoke of pausing to reflect on the sacrifice of fellow Americans to preserve freedom. Murphy read the names of Wakulla’s War Dead. (Photo by William Snowden)

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The judge presiding over the criminal case of former county commissioner Mike Kemp dismissed one of two felony charges against him for using a public identification to harass.
The case stemmed from the posting on Facebook of a person that Kemp and Wakulla Citizens Page Administrator Becky Whaley was behind the “Thunder Lightening” (sic) Facebook account that was a frequent online critic of both Kemp and Whaley.

But their information was mistaken and instead Whaley posted the voter ID of another person, Craig Rawlings, who had nothing to do with the matter. Along with the post identifying Rawlings, Whaley noted the public record indicated that person she believed was “Thunder Lightening” had not voted in a Wakulla election despite moving here in 2022.
Circuit Judge Jeremiah Hawkes issued a 9-page ruling on Tuesday, May 9, finding that “there is no real dispute that the defendant used personal identification information… The question at hand is whether (Kemp) harassed (the victim).”
The judge found that Kemp’s motive was an effort to reply to an online political critic.
“The actions of the Defendant fall into the range of acceptable political debate at least so far as they involving naming his opponent and identifying what he honestly believed was his spotty voting record. That (the victim) had unwanted fallout from the post does not affect its legitimate purpose. His intent was to engage in protected speech, regardless of whether he may have been misguided or reckless in who was named,” the judge wrote. “There may be a civil remedy for the errant post but the state cannot criminalize protected speech.”
In fact, earlier this month, Rawlings and his wife filed a civil lawsuit in federal court against Kemp, Whaley and Deputy Don Newsome seeking damages for the emotional distress brought on by the actions of the three. (Deputy Newsome was charged with improper use of an agency’s database for providing information on the sheriff’s database to Kemp with authority. In addition to being a former county commissioner, Kemp retired as a major from the sheriff’s office.)
Judge Hawkes did not dismiss the second felony charge of tampering with a witness, finding there was enough evidence for a jury to make a finding.
It’s not yet clear if the state attorney’s office intends to appeal the judge’s ruling, although the office did request a transcript indicating the possibility of an appeal. It’s also not clear if the state Attorney General’s Office will pursue the appeal.
Stephen Webster, Kemp’s attorney, commented: “We appreciate the court’s careful consideration of the motion and his opinion which unequivocally demonstrates Mr. Kemp did not engage in any activity which constituted the criminal use of personal ID and that his posts on FaceBook are protected speech under the First Amendment.”
“It is a perilous proposition to think that law enforcement can use the (underlying criminal) statute to become FaceBook police – which is what has occurred here,” Webster said.
It’s not clear what effect the judge’s ruling may have, if any, on Whaley’s deferred prosecution agreement with the state: she took an offer from the state on the same charge that the judge dismissed in Kemp’s case. The deal was the charge against Whaley would be dropped if she admitted the violation and agreed to testify in trial against Kemp.
Deputy Newsome also accepted a DPA on his charges rather than go to trial. He is still on paid administrative leave with the sheriff’s office.

Panacea businessman Ronald Fred Crum filed a lawsuit in circuit court against Wakulla County over a disputed title for coastal property in Panacea that he wants to develop as an upscale fishing enclave.

At the root of the dispute is whether the county holds some rights to a platted roadway for Division Street that has never been opened. Currently Division Street ends at Clark Drive, but plats show the road continuing onto Crum’s property, dividing the lots he owns.
Crum’s lawsuit notes that the county commission enacted a resolution in 1980 closing and abandoning that undeveloped portion of Division Street. In 2005, the lawsuit states, the county closed and abandoned Paradise Lane, which also abuts the Crum properties.
The county has claimed in its response that it has title to the property by virtue of quitclaim deed from A.B. Taff and Sons from 2008.
Crum’s lawsuit claims that, at the time of that 2008 deed, Taff and Sons did not hold title to the property described.

Crum, who owned Crum’s Mini-Mall in Panacea for years and developed properties around the marina, has indicated he wants to develop the property to show off the beauty of Panacea and its bay, building several small houses on the property to rent to fishers, with a common area with a pole barn and a dock.
For several years, Crum has tried to develop the land – he hired Walt Dickson to cut down trees to open the roadway to his property, but a neighbor complained and the county asserted its rights to that part of Division Street.
Crum is represented in the lawsuit by Tallahassee attorney Christopher Lunny.
Wakulla County is represented in the case by attorneys Elmer Ignacio and Matthew Shaud of the law firm Nabor, Giblin & Nickerson.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

It is with much sadness that we note the passing of photographer extraordinaire and friend of this newspaper Mark Wallheiser.
A longtime photographer at the Tallahassee Democrat, Wallheiser had an exceptional skill to take photos that told stories.

He was also an avid supporter of this newspaper – and all local newspapers still working to be a local asset, providing news services to their community despite the financial difficulties often facing us.
Mark shared the occasional news photo with this newspaper, including some terrific photos of a fire at a condo in Shell Point several years ago.
Our condolences go out to Mark’s wife, Jeanie Booth, and family.
A Celebration of Life for Mark will be held on June 11 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Shell Point Beach, Crawfordville, FL 32327.
Beach attire, chairs, beverages, cookies, cameras, and dogs are all encouraged.
Please RSVP to booth.jeanie@gmail.com.

In another matter, it is with some considerable disappointment that we note that some scofflaw made off with some of the flowers in front of our office recently.
The newspaper’s salesperson, Lynda Kinsey, keeps up a beautiful bunch of flowers in boxes and planters at the front of our building.
Numerous people have told me how much they enjoy seeing the flowers out front – and I always give credit to Lynda for her green thumb.
I, on the other hand, have a brown thumb and would kill a weed if I tried to grow one.
At any rate, I came in one Sunday afternoon to start laying out the paper and notice there’s some empty spaces where flowers used to be. And seeing as how it was Mother’s Day, I assume the culprit stole the flowers to give to his/her dear old mom.
So, if you are a mom and received some potted plants on Mothers Day, namely a hibiscus and a flower fuchsia in a hanging basket, you may be the recipient of some stolen goods.
And shame on the ne’er-do-well who did it.

William Snowden is the editor and publisher of The Wakulla Sun.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

Wakulla County commissioners voted 4-0 last week to move forward with the deal to bring Point Blank Enterprises to the county as part of an effort to attract good-paying manufacturing jobs for citizens.

The company, which makes body armor and tactical gear for law enforcement and the military, has agreed to create 300 jobs with salaries and benefits of more than $60,000.
In exchange, the county has agreed to build a manufacturing facility that the company would lease from the county and buy after 10 years.
The cost of design and construction of the facility is underwritten by more than $20 million in grants from the Triumph Gulf Coast and the State of Florida.
Because the grant money is paid as reimbursement after the money is expended, the county also approved a $10 million revolving loan to pay for design and construction.
At the county commission meeting last week on Monday, May 4, several citizens expressed concern that the county was spending $10 million to support a private business – numerous officials sought to quash that perception, noting the county is pursuing a “net zero” policy in which the money for locating the business is paid for by grants or covered by the company.
(County Commission Chair Ralph Thomas has a Letter to the Editor on Page 4 expressing his opinion.)
The revolving loan will work the same way as the county used loans to pay for more than $100 million for sewer installation in Wakulla Gardens and Magnolia Gardens and improvements to the wastewater treatment facility: taking out a loan to pay for initial costs and then being reimbursed by grants.
Clerk of Court Greg James explained that for sewer projects, the county borrowed $68 million and paid some $3 million in fees.
For this project, the county has secured a loan at 5.5% with fees and other costs to be paid by Point Blank, with the estimated cost at $70,000 a year.
The company will lease the building from the county for 10 years and then buy it.
Numerous speakers referred to bringing Point Blank to Wakulla as a “game-changer.”
Economic Development Council Chair John Shuff called it a “momentous day for Wakulla County” as Point Blank will represent a diversification of the local economy away from being “a bedroom community that drive back and forth to Tallahassee every day.”
County Administrator David Edwards said that Point Blank will become the second largest private employer in the county after St. Marks Powder, which has 500 employees.
Economic Development Coordinator Julie Dennis who, along with Beth Chichetti, worked to bring in Point Blank, anticipated the company locating in Wakulla would “impact generations to come.”
Chichetti read a statement from Point Blank Vice President Tom Steffen, who was unable to attend the meeting, thanking county officials for working with the company.
County commissioners approved moving forward with the project by a vote of 4-0. Commissioner Fred Nichols was absent but would have recused himself from the vote as he sells tactical gear made by Point Blank to law enforcement.
Commissioner Valerie Russell said she was voting yes in the hope that it does bring local jobs.
Commissioner Josh Lawhon thanked everyone who worked on the project.

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN/Editor

Former County Commissioner Mike Kemp was in court on Monday with his attorney arguing for dismissal of two felony charges of using a public record to harass and tampering with a witness.
The motion was heard by Circuit Court Judge Jeremiah Hawkes, who did not immediately rule, but gave Kemp’s attorney, Stephen Webster, and Wakulla Chief Prosecutor Andrew Deneen another day to file any last minute responses to matters.

Judge Hawkes set the case for trial during the week of Aug. 17.
Judge Hawkes is the third judge to preside over Kemp’s case, two other judges having recused themselves: Wakulla Circuit Judge Layne Smith came off the case after making some intemperate remarks to attorney Webster in an unrelated case; then Circuit Judge Ron Flury had the case but recused himself last month without explanation.
On Monday, Judge Hawkes jumped into the case to start the hearing, asking Deneen to explain the basis of the charges against Kemp, especially the charge of using a public record to harass.
Deneen contended that Kemp obtained the voter ID of the victim in the case, who he believed was behind the anonymous Facebook account of “Thunder Lightening” (sic), who trolled Kemp and Wakulla Citizens Page administrator Becky Whaley. Kemp provided the ID to Whaley, who posted it on her page.
The action was done, Deneen said, with the intent to harass the victim, who he and Whaley believed was behind the account. In fact, it was not the person behind the account.
There was debate about whether posting the information – which included name, address, birthdate, party affiliation, etc. – made it a crime, to which Deneen responded it was posting the information with the intent to harass the person Kemp and Whaley believed was Thunder Lightening.
Webster, representing Kemp, contended that this was protected political speech – basically responding to an online troll who had been sharply critical of Kemp.
Judge Hawkes noted that one of the legal cases cited in the motion to dismiss dealt with a citizen going after a public official; but this case could be characterized as a public official going after a citizen.
Webster noted in his response that Kemp had advised Whaley not to post all the information on the victim.
Deneen answered that Kemp didn’t tell her not to post any information and that the goal was still to harass the person they believed was behind the Facebook account.
In trying to figure out who was behind the account, Kemp – who retired as a major from the sheriff’s office before running for office – contacted Deputy Don Newsome to track down an incident report. Webster noted that the information sought by Kemp was public record and that Kemp is still a reserve deputy.
The judge noted that there was no sheriff’s office purpose in Kemp’s communication with Newsome.
As for the tampering with a witness, Deneen contended it was Kemp offering to take the victim out to dinner or do anything for him.
In the motion, Webster contended Kemp was just trying to resolve the issue.
Additionally, it was argued that there was no open investigation at the time of Kemp’s communications with the victim.
Whaley and Deputy Newsome both accepted Deferred Prosecution Agreements for their role in the matter, as well as agreeing to testify against Kemp if the case should go to trial.