More on Local Budget Turkeys

County Commissioners say they don’t like the idea of two local projects being called “turkeys”, and are fighting to make sure the projects remain funded in the state budget. The non-profit Florida Taxwatch released its annual budget turkey list last week – and two projects in Franklin County made the list. The two Franklin County projects that made the turkey list include 150 thousand dollars for a seafood landing site at two mile and 100 thousand dollars for Vrooman Park in Eastpoint. Commissioners are especially concerned about the seafood landing park, which is also called the Lombardi Property. They say the site is very important for commercial fishermen who are running out of waterfront locations from which to offload their catch. Commissioner Bevin Putnal said he expects the site to be used by thousands of people including tourists and commercial fishermen, and he feels the state should work harder to protect public access to the water. The TaxWatch group says it does not judge the projects on their merits, but rather asks whether the project received the proper public scrutiny before its added to the state budget. They say the two Franklin County projects did not meet the requirements. County Commissioner Russell Crofton said he doesn’t know where the TaxWatch group gets off saying Franklin County did the wrong thing – both of these projects are important. The commission agreed Tuesday to send a letter to the Governor’s office asking that both local projects remain in the state budget. The Franklin County Seafood Workers Association and the Franklin County Oyster and Seafood Industry Task Force are also sending letters in support of the local projects.