One on One: Mayor Walt Kelley

It was the buzz around town for months. Would Lynn Haven be the next city to get a super Wal-Mart? It turns out, the answer was yes. But it’s coming with concern. Area residents are worried that the Highway 77 location, near the Post Office, will bring too much traffic and stress on the already crowded infrastructure.

Lynn Haven Mayor Walt Kelley, says the department store giant has agreed to work with the city to offset any problems. They are spending two million dollars to create a buffer zone between the store and area neighborhoods, including a lot of landscaping and a concrete wall.

Wal-Mart could be up and running in one year.

Mayor Kelley also addressed the issue of flooding in his city. He says battling standing water during heavy rainstorms is a problem, one the city is aware of.
He says a resident can call the city at any time for assistance if it gets that bad. He says the goal is to keep water out of people’s homes.

The Mayor was recently re-elected without opposition and will serve for three more years. The original two year term will become four years starting in 2011.

To hear more of the extended interview, click below.

Posted by on 04/24 at 06:05 PM
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The Lead Queston was a good one-- Both the Planning Commission and One Commissioner discovered the facts about the perceived traffic problems with Wal-Mart, one recused himself while another voted against the project and one City Commissioner did also.
The 2.8 Million is for FDOT to allow Wal-Mart to Mitigate (in-kind) themselves out of a hurrendous traffic problem at the Route 77 area Wal-Mart will occupy. No regard or conceern was given to the City roads (24th, 26th streets and Minnesota ave).  This mitigation is for turn lanes on 77 (into Wal-Mart), movement of a medium to facilitate a traffic light (at the entrance to Wal-Mart), a turn lane on 390 (for entry to 77 and a barrier on a third turn lane on 24th street, blocking traffic from turning into the Post Office (but allowing entrance to the Walmart Subdivision) .
This in-kind mitigation is only for improvements that Wal-Mart would have to do to normally allow access to their retail establishment. It is not for landscaping, Barriers, or the one sidewalk.  It also does not allow for Mass transit to enter Wal-Mart. FDOT is on record as aaying"none of the changes to 77 would have to be done if Walmart was not being built.  Also they are on record as saying they have no plans now or in the future for that area for any upgrades. 
If any one would investigate the facts with FDOT, (their office is on 389) the truth would surface.
Mayors comments about the buffer area is half fact, the wall and buffer (trees) will continue half way thru the Walmart Property up to their sub-division (yes included in the Walmart project are two sub-divisions) of which one is adjacent/directly behind, the Post Office. The tree buffer area has already been removed from the back end of the Wal-Mart (sub-division). Walmart plans to sell the subdivisions thus they will have no control over who or what will be done with these areas. 
His comment (the Mayor) about jobs is also lacking fact; The 23rd street Wal-Mart will close thus all their employees (Most are part time/no benefits) will transfer to Lynn Haven creating more traffic on the roads and more gas usage.  Higher paying occupations will be taken from their (WM) corporate rosters.
Had most of the planning commissioners and the City commissioners payed attention to this project (which started in 2006) they would have put the “Bar” higher on what the retailer should pay to alleviate the now problems and futue dangers. 
80,000 dollars in impact fees does not cover the increase in Fire,Police, Traffic problem, Schools, Parks, sewer, water, etc., for now and the future. The LH taxpayer pays this bill now (as construction will not be complete untill late 2009 and infrastructure must be inplace before construction begins (DCA rules) .
One citizen stated after review of the Walmart drawings and the perceived traffic problems: “Bad idea gentlemen” meaning the commissioners) .
For me there was no search of the facts (and very little planning for the future) by our appointed and elected officials especially when concerning The State of Floridas’ (77 is a State Road) citizens’ saftey

Above comment posted by  on  04/25  at  07:58 PM
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Amy - even though I only watched the 6 p.m. news regarding Mayor Kelley and Wal-Mart, I would like to comment about both issues - Wal-Mart and the flooding issue in Lynn Haven.

First, the $2.8 million that Mayor Kelley spoke about is NOT going into Lynn Haven’s bank account.  That is the amount of road “improvements” that FDOT felt was necessary for public safety around the new shopping center.  There is a formula that determines the amount of money that is Wal-Mart’s fair share for the major impact the 12,000 cars a DAY that is calculated to be going into and out of Lynn Haven’s Wal-Mart.  These “improvements” are for Wal-Mart’s benefit and would have had to be done by them anyway to get the cars off #77 and 24th Street into the parking lot.  They consist of a turn lane from #77 into the lot, a turn lane from #77 into Chambless, and a 3rd lane on 24th Street 3/4 of the way from #77 to Minnesota - a portion of this again is a turn lane from 24th into the lot. There will also be a break in the median at Peachtree with a traffic light.  This will be the main entrance into Wal-Mart.

The road “improvements” are overseen by FDOT, but Wal-Mart will choose its own engineering firm to actually do the work. Once the road work is done and the building is built, that’s the END of Wal-Mart’s obligation to the City.  I doubt very much that Wal-Mart will assist with our local roads as they start to deteriorate from these 12,000 cars a day.  These costs will be taken out of Lynn Haven’s budget.  Therefore, the local citizens will see more of their money go to new/improved roads.  If taxes are not raised, this road money will come from other necessary items/department.  There is already some talk from City Hall that Lynn Haven citizens will have to pay additional money each month for fire protection.

Regarding the flooding problem and Mayor Kelley saying that a resident can call the City for assistance.  That is what one gentleman from 8th Street did and when no one returned his call, he attended a Commission Meeting to ask for assistance.  He received NO help.  He attended a second Meeting and received NO help and when he mentioned that he might have to sue the city, one Commissioner said let’s try to work something out.  He then attended a third meeting because nothing was worked out.  At this third meeting he asked “Who at City Hall is telling ALL employees NOT to return my phone calls?” Again, he left without any “assistance” from the City - so I’m not sure what Mayor Kelley was talking about when he said “a resident should call the City for assistance.”

Amy - thanks for bringing these “one on one” conversaions to the public.  Very interesting to hear the elected officials speak without the benefit of the rest of the Commission or City Manager around them.

Above comment posted by  on  04/26  at  03:13 PM
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Amy I wanted to get in touch with you about the Port St Joe Cancer Relay for Life which is this coming weekend Sat the 3rd 12 noon unril Sunday 6am sunrise church service ending our relay. I watched you on the Bay relay last weekend and wondered if there is any way we could get any kind of coverage for ours. we are expecting a wonderful time , our theme is The Greatest Cure on Earth which will be held at Shark stadium.
If you can help us out please call me at 850-647-9661 or my e-mail . I watch you all every day, Team Development chairman
Darlene Spencer

Above comment posted by  on  04/28  at  10:19 AM
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