Booms go bust as tropical weather moves into the Gulf of Mexico

With a weather system threatening the Gulf Coast as a potential tropical storm spins in the Caribbean, Unified Command is removing booms in the Santa Rosa and Escambia County waters.

“Right now they have the storm tracking west toward Louisiana and Texas,” Tony Gomillion, Superintendent of Public Services, told members of the Santa Rosa County Commission. “This could impact the oil response as some of the boom being removed now might not be put back in later.

“I know they have delayed the static kill they had planned and are discussing what they would do with the current cap/plug.”

Despite the current threat there has been some over reaction when talks focused on the work.

“Some are overreacting with items such as Bay County as they had the workers stand down based on projections,” Gomillion said. “But the potential impact has lessened the chance the product could reach land here.”

This weather front is expected to push the oil further west but there are still issues with Unified Command in New Orleans.

“Right now we are seeing a lack of sensitivity and consideration from Unified Command,” Santa Rosa Commission Chairman Gordon Goodin said. “The next two or three days we need to lean on Unified Command to do what they are supposed to and communicate with us.”

Goodin has been very adamant and critical of the direction Unified Command has taken some of their efforts.

One of concerns Goodin focused on was how they are now putting people out of work.

“They have told the Vessels of Opportunity to come back in and they would pay them for 48 hours,” Goodin said. “And they are guaranteed nothing after that. “These people are out there as the first line of defense and it is their job to look for oil.”

Goodin stated there are times you have to keep on British Petroleum and the Coast Guard, but he does not trust them.

Commissioners also voted to expand the Tax Collectors space in Midway.

While Tax Collector Stan “Collie” Nichols was as the meeting the Commissioners took the time to question him over taking over drivers licenses.

“The legislation says this phase out will be complete by 2015,” Nichols said. “I would not have taken this on before this except for the fact the Milton office is on the closure list in January of next year.”

If Nichols did not take on this additional responsibility by January then residents would have to go to Escambia County or Midway to take a drivers license test or renew licenses.

Nichols who looked over this budget knowing this might be coming ahead decided to consolidate some offices.

“We closed the Gulf Breeze office and moved those two people to the office in Midway so we need to add space. I would need this space if we do the driver’s licenses or not.”

Nichols pointed out by taking this over he would be saving taxpayers money as he would obtain the equipment in the current state facility on Bagdad Highway.

The tax collector pointed out the printers required cost $25,000 each and they would need three of them not counting the eye test machines which cost $800 each.

“I think if we bought it all new the price would exceed $100,000,” Nichols said. “The biggest thing on my mind is to provide the best service to the people of Santa Rosa County.”

Nichols pointed out between 100 to 200 people a day go to the current state licensing office.

One of the concerns the commissioners had with the licensing issue was the driving road test which is planned to be done at the county offices.

Commissioner Jim Williamson questioned if the road test could be given at what would be the old location.

Nichols pointed out it was considered at working at the current state office, but he felt it would be poor customer service to have them travel back and forth between the offices.

The modifications to make additional room at the South End Service Center would cost $12,000 and was agreed upon by the Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections and the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Courts.