Broken pipe water bill issue still unresolved

Hi Y’all,

The 20th anniversary of 9/11 was honored more privately than
remembrances in the past years. It was mostly because of COVID, our enemy for
the last couple of years. I am sure that we all felt remembrance, honor and
pain in our own way.

The American Legion had planned to have a ceremony to honor
those we lost and those who were affected more than most. However, it had to be
canceled because of COVID. The positive is that people are making an effort to
protect themselves and others. I still wear a mask in enclosed areas when I am
around strangers.

The St. James-Lanark Volunteer Fire Department did have
their monthly meeting on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. I think that the storm and
COVID kept some away, but we did have some participants and thank you to
Commissioner Boldt and Major Coulter for attending this meeting. The fire department
has received some names for volunteers, both firefighting and support in other
ways. They need as many as they can get and it was reported that all positions
on the board were available. There will be voting for board members in
December. Please consider tossing your name in the ring.

Participants of this meeting received copies of the last
meeting minutes, the treasurer’s report, applications and a copy of the audit
which the county had requested. This audit was conducted for the timeframe
between January 2017 and June 2019. The board at this time was not the same fire
chief or treasurer. This question has been answered in the last two meetings,
in opinions shared in my writings and on Facebook. If you can’t come to the
meetings or just keep asking the same questions, please go to Commissioner
Boldt or Sheriff A.J. Smith for answers, as the audit has been turned over to
the sheriff’s department due to some questionable expenses which were made during
the abovementioned time frame, not during the present fire chief or treasurer.

The water bill issue (a $19,000 bill from a broken, undiscovered,
underground pipe) has not yet been resolved. This water bill was generated
while the Weems EMS ambulances were still stationed at the St. James-Lanark
Fire Department building. Part of Weems’ rental agreement was to pay the water
bills. The bill was sent to the fire department from the Carrabelle Water
Department months after the EMS moved out with no explanation.

The Lanark Village Golf Club Yard Sale moved through the two
unexpected rainstorms with many of our items ruined by the rain. “Thank you” to
those who came out to support us, to those who volunteered their time, those
who donated items and the few members who are always there for us. We need new
tarps BAD. If you are feeling generous, we really need new tarps and new
members. Thanks!

The Carrabelle Library will be having a Plant Clinic on Saturday,
Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This program is hosted by the Franklin County
Master Gardeners. If you have any concerns or questions about your garden and
plants this is the place to find the answers.

The Lanark Village Boat Club will have their
monthly Pancake Breakfast this Saturday, Sept. 18, starting at 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. A donation of $5 gets you a
wonderful breakfast. We would love to have you.  Please watch for any change on the board at the
Boat Club building.

BE BEAR WISE, Get Help. Report Conflicts. Know the Laws,
850-265-3676 and www.myfwc.com/bear.

Reminders: Some of the reminders have changed.

The Coffee Times are still going strong on Monday through
Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Chillas Hall. On Thursdays the representative of
the Veterans Administration will be there to answer any of your questions. Coffee
is free on Thursdays compliments of the veterans representative. Please wear
your masks if you are not vaccinated.

The American Legion has put their Burger Night on hold until
a later date because of COVID-19.

The Lanark Village Golf Club is always open for your fun,
easygoing golfing needs. We are the only course on the Bay and you can come
spend the day for only $5 per person and anyone can join for only $50 a year. Also,
we rent our sign out for special messages as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings,
etc. No COVID restrictions.

Love Lanark.

Please remember to send me an email or message me on
Facebook if you have any questions.