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AROUND TOWN Updates on Community, Education, Workforce, Governmental Affairs & Military Sales, who did a great job and also got to watch Mark Sokoloski, manager of the Gateway Inns and Suites visitor quarters at NSA PC, was recently named “manager of the year” among all Navy lodging professionals. Mark’s leadership has resulted in our visitor’s accommodations having the longest winning streak of 5-star ratings of any Navy base in the country…just one more reason I have the best job in the Navy! FSU-Panama City Has Just Completed Its 25th Year as Branch Campus Dr. George DePuy, FSU-PC Dean We began 2007 with the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Holley Academic Center Building on January 17th. A naming gift of $1 million was made for this building by Russell C. Holley in honor of his parents. On March 21st, the new Administrative Services Center Building on our campus was dedicated. In May, Congressman Allen Boyd announced that an agreement in principal had been reached for the Air Force to give 40 acres of waterfront property to FSU in Lynn Haven. This will serve as the cornerstone of a research park to be developed there. Legislation to make this possible is winding its way through Congress. In the fall, it was announced that the FSU Circus will be performing next summer in Panama City Beach. The circus should serve as a major tourist attraction for the region. Our final event for 2007 was the fall convocation where we recognized the 142 people who completed their degree requirements in the fall semester. Between 350 and 400 people earn bachelors or masters degrees from our campus each year. Our first big event of 2008 will be our annual golf tournament with celebrity golfer Bobby Bowden. This year’s tournament will held at Hombre Golf Club on March 7th. The major event of 2008 will be the opening of the new Holley Academic Center in the fall. This building will greatly expand the capacity of our campus and it is much anticipated. 24 The Circuit January/February 2008 Community Update Mayor Gayle Oberst, City of Panama City Beach The City recently held a workshop conducted by HHI, a design/planning firm headquartered in Orlando, to consider building heights, shadows, and setback requirements for the Front Beach Road. This presentation combined with other recent workshops led the council to solicit a request for proposals for modifications to the proposed land development regulations. Concerns about tourist/ The new Academic Building at FSU-PC, broke ground in early 2007 commercial businesses located adjacent to residential areas and the need to conform to codes that lend themselves to a walking/pedestrian friendly community require that changes be made. Frank Brown Park offers opportunities for remembering and honoring individuals in our community. Recently a marble bench was placed near the soccer fields and dedicated to Captain English and his family, several trees have been planted in memory of loved ones, and other benches situated at the trail head and on the trails. Parks and Recreation personnel will be happy to assist in arranging for this. Churchwell Drive is nearing completion with the contractor ahead of schedule. The tree lined street will have sidewalks, bike paths, underground utilities, and additional lanes. A parking lot with over 125 parking spaces is located on the south end of the street and restrooms will be added to that area. The work on Beckrich is progressing and while it is a heavily traveled street, the contractor is keeping the traffic flowing. Once it is completed (about 18 months) it will be worth the wait and inconveniencies. All of us are eagerly awaiting the grand opening festivities at Pier Park. Simon Properties is planning several weeks of exciting events as other stores/shops begin to open. The City Pier and the buildings on the south side of Front Beach Road are being torn down and a new pier has been designed, engineered and permitted. The City and Bay County shared plans for piers and once they are completed we will be the only twin piers on the Gulf. Gulf Coast Workforce Board Launches “Next Step” Kimberly Bodine, Executive Director Gulf Coast Workforce Board The Gulf Coast Workforce Board and it partners are launching a new program called “Next Step” to provide free training for approximately 200 employed workers. The program is made possible by Workforce Florida’s Workplace Investment Now (WIN) grant, an award the GCWB recently received. In general, the free training will be short term and result in credentials such as a certificate of completion or industry recognized certification. Kim Bodine, Executive Director of the GCWB, said, “Next Step is designed to enhance the skills of our most vulnerable workers - workers who need specific skills to improve their earnings. This includes single parent employees who struggle to support their families, disabled workers, or workers who have other issues in their lives that keep them in the ‘working poor’ (200% of poverty level) income range. In some cases, we have two-parent working families with a lot of children who just can’t work their way out of that ‘working poor’ category.” In order to qualify for the training, workers must 1) be currently employed; 2) have a child under the age of 18 in the home or be pregnant; 3) live in Bay, Gulf or Franklin Counties; and 4) have a low annual income (certain thresholds apply):
Family Size Annual Income Family Size Annual Income 2 $ 36,340 6 $ 85,000 3 $ 49,880 7 $ 97,320 4 $ 61,580 8 $ 109,640 5 $ 72,680 As part of the program, Gulf Coast Community College’s Workforce Training Center will provide career counseling for participants in the program. These career managers will work individually with employers and workers to determine eligibility and assist in coordinating requested training. “Community colleges are especially important in today’s ever-changing economy,” said Dr. Jim Kerley, President of Gulf Coast Community College. “We are the people’s colleges and we are the best entity to restore Florida’s economic health. Programs brought to the community by the Gulf Coast Workforce Board give hope and opportunity to so many people and we want to be on the front lines of how Gulf Coast Community College can help with our local workforce needs.” The GCWB is currently enrolling participants in the Next Step Program. Interested employers and workers are asked to call the Gulf Coast Community College’s Workforce Training Center at (850) 872-3853. The Circuit January/February 2008 25
Page 1 and 2: The Greater Panama City Beaches Cha
Page 3 and 4: The Circuit January/February 2008 3
Page 5 and 6: you have a choice with hospice care
Page 11 and 12: 2008 Leadership Team Meet Your Mike
Page 13 and 14: Biz Spotlight Shore House Furniture
Page 15 and 16: create a coordinated, comprehensive
Page 17 and 18: Making A Difference BY MARTA ROSE A
Page 19 and 20: SECOND GENERATIONS: Making A Differ
Page 21 and 22: “My vision is to bring the expert
Page 23: AROUND TOWN Updates on Community, E
Page 27 and 28: Friday at the Beach January 11, 200
Page 29 and 30: AMBASSADOR UPDATE Rev. Ramon Duvall

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