With the holiday season complete and the anticipation of 2016, several council members, including Mayor Wesley Meiss, took time to reflect upon the accomplishments of 2015 and what they hope to see in the coming year. One of the proudest accomplishments for the city was the repair and repaving work along Alabama and Dixon Streets.
“One of the biggest things was working through the city’s budget and finding some money to get some major road work done,” Council Member Jimmy Messick said.
Messick along with other elected officials anticipates providing more street paving for 2016. Last year, the city elected to spend $250,000 in order to pay for the work.
Fellow council member Patsy Lunsford was proud to see Dixon Street repaired, due to it being one of the main entry ways leading to the city hall building where citizens regularly pay their utility bills.
“I thought that street was a mess,” Lunsford said. “I wanted it to look nice for the City of Milton.”
Council Member RL Lewis agreed.
“Paving roads is one of the big issues that we have,” he said.
Mayor Wesley Meiss saw the road work as a “positive investment on multiple levels.”
“Look for the City to focus on residential streets,” Meiss said.
In addition to repaving the roads, Council Member Marilyn Jones was also pleased to see the beautification project take place along Dogwood Drive. A $80,000 beautification grant from the Florida Department of Transportation funded the project which has seen trees planted along the median of Dogwood.
“It is really improved the way it looks,” Jones said.
Meiss also mentioned the reformed Locklin Lake Committee, in which homeowners around the site are working with officials to restore the historic lake.
“This committee reformed in 2015 and (are) taking the crucial steps to restoring LocklinLake to its former glory,” Meiss said. “(The) efforts of this committee will improve the health and aesthetics of lake. Also, the property values of the lake front homes and surrounding neighborhoods will eventually bear fruit.”
Lunsford is also pleased to see an active GuyThompsonCommunity Center, which offers programs and activities for area youth and senior citizens, including the SteveMorganSkatePark located near the community center.
Meiss is also proud of the what the city’s youth football teams have accomplished in winning four championships.
“I am proud of our athletes, coaches and volunteers,” Meiss said.
2015 also saw the rebirth of the Milton Youth Council after a 20-year absence. Meiss anticipates the council will, “make a big splash in 2016.”
Another accomplishment mentioned by Messick is attaining the property in downtown Milton in order to better accommodate a potential new courthouse facility. Last May, the council voted to begin negotiating with property owners in attaining downtown properties.
As for 2016, several of the council members and the mayor want to see economic growth.
“I would look for more and continued growth in downtown Milton with businesses,” Jones said.
In addition to attracting more commerce to the downtown area, Messick also discussed potentially building upon the success of downtown events, like the ‘Bands on the Blackwater’ concert series.
“I think we had a fantastic year for Bands on the Blackwater and we are looking to expand upon that,” Messick said.
After receiving a number of phone calls from citizens concerned about speeding along city roadways, Jones said she would like to see an increased police presence in the city. While the traffic concerns might be an issue, Lunsford said she was appreciative of the local police in keeping the citizens safe.
“I am very proud of our police department and the control they have over crime in our area,” Lunsford said. “We are very fortunate to have the police department that we have.”
Lunsford also mentioned improving upon the city’s current library by possibly by finding a larger location.
“It is something that has bothered me for some time,” Lunsford said. “It seems like it is hidden and it needs to be somewhere where people know where it is.”
The current library is located near the corner of Chaffin and Alabama Streets.
Another issue Lunsford would like to see resolved is the traffic congestion along U.S. Highway 90 in downtown Milton. Lunsford wants to continue to work with the Florida Department of Transportation in finding the best solution in alleviating traffic.
Along with other members of the council, Lewis said he would also like to hear additional input from the citizens concerning the City of Milton.
Meiss said city staff will look to improve recorded access to all city meetings with exploring the possibilities of streaming meetings through the city’s newly revamped website.
“The city welcomes public participation and collaboration. In 2016, I challenge the citizens to consider becoming involved in their city,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton Council Members reflect upon 2015, look forward to 2016 (Part Two)