From blogger Pam Oshry: “Hussein Obama is Islam’s candidate. They call it a wink and a nod but shhhhhh don’t let on to the fat, lazy infidels. Expect the fantasy mongerers in the mainstream media to continue to scrub and whitewash (no pun) Hussein Obama’s Islamic bonafides. The rabid fervor by the leftarded lemmings is Hitleresque.”

This based on an article that concludes that Obama is sympathetic to the problems of American Muslims, but that constituency is scared to say so for fear they’ll hurt him. That’s not exactly “Islamic bonafides” except in the right-wing sector Ms. Oshry inhabits where not being bigoted against Islam means you hate America. And being a dark-skinned man who actually knows Muslims obviously makes you unfit for public office.

And again, the right-wing theme that enthusiasm for Obama is indistinguishable from enthusiasm for Hitler. After all, it’s not like he’s a Republican–crowds cheering for Bush (back when he had any popularity left) were totally different, right?

Betty Kenyon: compliments youth council members who showed up. Craig: “i wish the youth council was around when I was a young boy–we need to start looking toward the future, and you are our leaders … everything you’re doing now, today, will help you be ready for these positions when the time comes.”
Applause for council members follows.

Deb Thatcher: Not a question, but “there’s food you can take!”

Sam: Any advice on adding on to a house? Craig:”I’ve been going through the remodeling phase for over two years, my advice is to do it piecemeal at night… it’s been a labor of love, it’s not something I want to do twice.”

And I think we’re done.

Mayor Barker asks for questions from the public.

First up, George Eller: What’s the status on dredging the channel and rebuilding Norriego Point?

Craig discusses the ongoing effort, and what turned out to be the illusory hope last year that the Corps would be able to do it quickly if we provided money. “I cannot understand the dynamics of what has transpired.” However, he hopes to see action soon (check last weekend’s Destin Log for details of where the project is at).

Craig salutes outgoing councilors Ted Corcoran, Larry Williges and Cyron Marler and then the new incoming councilors, Jim Wood, Sandy Trammell, Tom Weidenhamer.

Interviews with the outgoing councilors will come during March in the Destin Log. Stay tuned.

Too rapid for me to list, but including road and sidewalk construction, the Shores at Crystal Beach Park and the YMCA swimming pool, which the city helped finance.

“They are not haphazard,” Barker says, but came out of long-range planning, visioning sessions and public input.

Barker adds he’s very pleased with how the Destin staff is coordinating and improving its operations.

Now, Councilor Jim Bagby is discussing the Sterling Award process. A Florida award for organizational excellence, the city has been going through some of the qualifications for the award for several years, which staffers say will improve the city’s performance even if they never win the award.

Craig: “I conclude 2007 was the most successful year the city’s enjoyed since I took office in 2002.”

Without the public’s insight, he adds, “we are like a ship without a rudder.”

Mayor Barker is going into detail on the program … done while I was posting.

Next success: The “nearly $9 million” restoration of the eastern two miles of Destin’s beaches last spring. In addition, striking an interlocal agreement to work with Okaloosa County and the Tourist Development Council to work on the restoration of Destin and Okaloosa Island.

Ted Corcoan, Destin’s TDC representative, gives a synopsis of the agreement.

Next success: The Town Center road project. “The city finally completed one of the most ambitious projects ever contemplated,” Barker says.

Sam Seevers (in the audience): “Wahoo!”

Larry Williges and Mayor Barker discuss how Airport Road fits into the overall cross-Destin corridor plan, and the benefits to local waters of the new drainage going in along the road as it’s four-laned.

A top priority for a lot of citizens according to the opinion surveys. Barker: “I can assure you your city council not only listened, it shares your passion for this endeavor.”

As for growth management, Barker said, the city has passed a redevelopment program for the harbor, after several years working on it.

Councilor Kelly Windes is discussing the merits of the plan, including the boardwalk and the protection of the fleet.

The opinion survey taken of Destin citizens last year.

Next, Council Marler (speaking extremely fast on camera) discusses the creation of Destin’s Community Land Trust, a not-for-profit that tackles workforce housing. Marler was the one who put the issue on the council’s agenda.

Next: Craig and Dewey Destin discuss the city cutting spending and the millage rate in last year’s budget hearings. Councilor Destin says he’s confident they’ll be able to handle the cuts imposed by Amendment One, which passed in January.

A hand flips through a leather-bound book titled Celebrating Successes. Photos follow inside.

Mayor Barker, onscreen, names the first success: Creating the Destin Youth Council. Sam Seevers, who came up with the idea, is discussing the work the council members have put in on questions such as littering and a Destin youth center.

Why bring up the two “universal truths?”

“This year, we came to a unanimous conclusion we had a very successful year,” Barker says. “I don’t think we can celebrate successes without pointing out some of the boundary conditions we operate under … that make it infinitely more difficult to go out and get things done. As you see these successes, i want you to keep in mind many of the plans for these projects were put in place 10 years ago.”

Case in point: The CRA, which was created 10 years ago to raise money for town center redevelopment. The results–the wider Main Street and Legion and the ongoing work on Airport Road–took a while.