Next mural project gets the go-ahead, alcohol ordinance gets final amendment

Holmes County Commissioners started off Tuesday’s regular session on a high note by recognizing an outstanding achievement by the community’s tiniest cheerleaders with big talent.
The Bonifay Blue Devils, a squad made up of cheerleaders ages 4 to 6 years old, traveled to Niceville to compete in the Panhandle Youth Football Association (PYFA) cheerleading competition Oct. 30. The squad took first place in the competition for the second consecutive year.
Commissioners gave Bonifay City Councilwoman Emily McCann permission to utilize the north side of the tax collector’s office building for another mural project. This mural will be a 10 feet by 15 feet map of the county detailing the many communities therein. The mural will be a part of a grassroots effort that has been underway to add more visual appeal to the town of Bonifay.
While private funding was obtained to cover the mural on the tax collector’s building, McCann said organizers have approached the Tourist Development Council (TDC) and reached an agreement for the TDC to help fund four more murals in Bonifay focused on Waukesha Street, one mural in Esto and another in Ponce de Leon. Each mural will depict Holmes County history and give travelers a reason to stop in town for a photo op and hopefully spend some time and money browsing in local shops.
Commissioners passed a resolution to support that CareerSource Chipola should operate as it currently does serving Holmes, Calhoun, Jackson, Liberty and Washington Counties instead of consolidating into a board covering a larger geographic region. The concern would be losing the effectiveness of the current workforce board that is able to deliver high quality services within the rural job market and economy. Commissioners feel the program’s impact would be diminished if Holmes County is absorbed into a larger regional workforce board.
In other business, commissioners passed a motion to amend the current alcohol ordinance to include a clause grandfathering in existing businesses that currently serve beer and wine. The provision would allow these establishments to upgrade to a liquor license. The only business it would have an immediate impact on is Dogwood Lakes Golf Course. Other businesses within the city limits would be subject to that municipality’s ordinance. The amended ordinance is pending a review by the county attorney before it is finalized.
Finally, commissioners voted to issue a letter of support to include available commercial real estate in Ponce de Leon near Interstate 10 in a bid request the Holmes County Development Commission (HCDC) submitted to a manufacturing company seeking property to build a warehouse that would provide 150 jobs if the operation decides to develop in Holmes County. HCDC is aiming to get the business in the county whether it lands in Bonifay or Ponce de Leon.