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AROUND TOWN<br />

Updates on Community, Education, Workforce, Governmental Affairs & Military<br />

Strategic Planning Shapes<br />

the Future for Gulf Coast<br />

Community College<br />

Dr. Jim Kerley, GCCC President<br />

Gulf Coast Community College has a rich<br />

history and a solid foundation, and we are now<br />

focused on the future <strong>of</strong> our beloved institution<br />

as we move forward with renewed energy and<br />

involvement. Our region is in the process <strong>of</strong><br />

dynamic change, and we must be responsive by<br />

<br />

serve our workforce while continuing<br />

to prepare students to enter our<br />

universities.<br />

As a new president, I know the<br />

importance <strong>of</strong> moving the college<br />

forward, and I know it doesn’t just<br />

happen. It takes vision, discipline,<br />

and action to bring systemic change<br />

through strategic planning.<br />

In January and February we will<br />

interview the community through<br />

focus groups, community forums,<br />

and Web-based surveys. Hundreds<br />

<strong>of</strong> people will be asked to share their<br />

ideas and desires for this institution,<br />

focusing on the future.<br />

<br />

strategic plan will be the college’s<br />

<br />

which is to be recognized statewide, nationally,<br />

and internationally as a top-tier institution.<br />

A well-designed strategic plan pushes us forward,<br />

positioning us for the major changes ahead <strong>of</strong> us<br />

in this region. We will continue to make dreams<br />

come true, one life at a time.<br />

Local Government Update<br />

Bay Solutions<br />

Bay County<br />

lic<br />

hearing for December 18 at 9:00 a.m. to consider<br />

establishing a Vessel Exclusion Zone at the<br />

public boat ramp located at Lake Powell Park.<br />

<strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong> – Bay County Airport<br />

<br />

funding package that will generate the short-term<br />

<br />

million and $105 million).<br />

<br />

4,037-acre site that will house the new regional<br />

airport.<br />

<br />

design changes to the terminal building that<br />

will trim construction costs by roughly $7 million.<br />

Key changes to the terminal included reducing<br />

the amount <strong>of</strong> glass in the terminal by<br />

nearly 50%, simplifying design <strong>of</strong> the terminal<br />

<br />

<br />

deplanement areas to eliminate bottlenecks. Additionally,<br />

HTNB Architecture, Inc. proposed the<br />

construction <strong>of</strong> a 7,400-square foot annex to the<br />

terminal building to house the baggage loading<br />

and sorting system.<br />

<br />

appeals court judge in New York issued a temporary<br />

stay suspending the Federal Aviation<br />

Administration’s approval <strong>of</strong> the new airport<br />

has been rescheduled for January 8, 2008. On<br />

Monday, the <strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong> – Bay County Airport<br />

<br />

court to vacate the stay, and schedule arguments<br />

as soon as possible. There is no word yet when<br />

the court will rule on these motions.<br />

velopment<br />

deposited $56.5 million into an escrow<br />

account for the purchase <strong>of</strong> the existing<br />

airport site.<br />

Navy News<br />

Capt. Hal Harbeson, Commanding Officer<br />

Naval Support Activity <strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />

The Navy commissioned its newest warship, the<br />

USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) on Dec. 15. <strong>This</strong> is<br />

the third ship <strong>of</strong> a new class <strong>of</strong> amphibious dock<br />

ships. The commissioning team was led locally<br />

by Ted Spangenberg and Capt. Fred Shutt, USN<br />

<br />

Naval Surface Warfare Center here. Literally<br />

hundreds <strong>of</strong> volunteers, service organizations<br />

and local businesses, as well as many<br />

personnel at the Naval Support Activity<br />

<strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong> and its tenants, helped<br />

make this event a huge success.<br />

Mesa Verde is named for the National<br />

Park and World Heritage Center in<br />

Colorado. Former Colorado Senator<br />

Ben Nighthorse Campbell delivered<br />

the ceremony’s principal address. His<br />

wife, Linda Campbell, served as the<br />

ship’s sponsor. The ceremony was<br />

highlighted by the time-honored Navy<br />

tradition when Mrs. Campbell gave<br />

<br />

bring her to life.”<br />

Cmdr. Shawn W. Lobree <strong>of</strong> Miami<br />

<br />

and enlisted Sailors, and the ship<br />

can carry up to 800 Marines, two<br />

hovercraft, helicopters, amphibious<br />

assault vehicles and other equipment to project<br />

Naval presence to the far reaches <strong>of</strong> the globe.<br />

Naval Support Activity <strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong> was proud<br />

to coordinate with the crew <strong>of</strong> Mesa Verde to<br />

commemorate the 66th anniversary <strong>of</strong> the attack<br />

on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7. In what has become<br />

a tradition for our base, we were honored by the<br />

presence <strong>of</strong> two survivors, Ronnie Everett and<br />

Newton Brooks, two surviving widows, and<br />

their families for a special ceremony aboard the<br />

ship on the day it arrived in <strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong>.<br />

On Sunday Dec. 9, as many <strong>of</strong> us were cheering<br />

for the Jacksonville Jaguars, you may have<br />

noticed the Navy team presenting colors at the<br />

beginning <strong>of</strong> the nationally-televised game were<br />

from NSA <strong>Panama</strong> <strong>City</strong>. We’re proud <strong>of</strong> our<br />

<br />

Nesbit, Kelay Jones, Adam Dickson and Jerica<br />

Continued on Page 24<br />

The Circuit January/February 2008 23

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