Latest news with #BayCountyMunicipalRunoffElection
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
National EMS Week celebrates vital work of paramedics, EMTs
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Every time you see their flashing lights or hear their siren, you know an EMS crew is already in motion. From heart attacks to highway crashes, EMS are often the first one on the scene delivering life-saving care under intense pressure. Voting for 2025 Bay County Municipal Runoff Election set for Tuesday 'We work 24 hours on, 48 hours off. We get about a hundred calls per shift. We have anywhere from eight to ten ambulances on a day. We go to 911 calls. We have ALS ambulances, which is just advanced life support,' Battalion Chief Gina Salaty said. National EMS Week is a chance to say thank you and raise awareness of the critical role these professionals play. From paramedics to EMTs, their job is physically demanding, emotionally taxing and often goes unnoticed. Help Woman's Club give the Salvation Army domestic violence shelter a makeover 'It's not an easy job. We run, we run a lot, but we all enjoy the work that we do, or else we wouldn't do it. You know, we all have fun. You know, even though we're busy, we try to make the best of it,' Salaty said. Salaty said a simple thank you goes a long way. 'We appreciate it, and I appreciate it. You know, it's like I've been doing this for 25 years and I really love it. Obviously, I wouldn't have been doing it this long, but, you know, to have someone say, hey, thank you, you know, you've done a great job. We don't have to hear that, but it's nice to hear,' Salaty added. National EMS Week runs through Saturday. So, if you see an EMT or paramedic this week, take a moment to thank them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jackson County pursues former Marianna city manager for county admin position
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Jackson County may have a new county administrator earlier than anticipated. On Monday, commissioners appointed Marianna's former city manager, Jim Dean. They approved a job offer of $125,000 and standard county employee benefits. Officials expressed a sense of urgency to fill the position as they begin preparing next year's county budget. 'It's imperative to close the budget time. He's probably got more experience than we have about that and he also has had a real comparable 10-12 years, I guess, for the City of Marianna and it was just too good to pass up,' Chairman-Commissioner District 5 Jamey Westbrook said. Voting for 2025 Bay County Municipal Runoff Election set for Tuesday Usually, the position would be advertised for around 30 days, but county officials said there is no legal impediment to the faster hire. Still, not all commissioners were on board. 'We're talking about appointing someone at the highest level of county government without even interviewing other individuals. I have a little bit of a problem with that. I think other people should have the opportunity to apply,' Commissioner, District 1, Dr. Willie Spires said. The vacancy was created when County Administrator Wilanne Daniels announced her resignation last Tuesday. Daniel's salary is $96,000. She recommended the raise for her replacement. 'A salary study that was done around the state of Florida, Jackson County has been paying their county administrators substantially lower than other counties, even similar counties. And so, you know, that's been okay for me because I accepted it and I enjoyed it. And I've loved doing this role and just never really got focused on that. But I knew that when the time came for them to hire someone else, for them to have a competitive salary, they would have to go higher,' Daniels said. Commissioners also approved a 100% buyout of Daniels' unused sick days during her seven years as county administrator, amounting to about $26,000. Spires was again the only dissenting vote. He said it would be unfair to other county employees not to offer them the same. Dean still has to accept the offer before becoming the county administrator. Daniels and Chairman Westbrook will handle the negotiations for his potential salary. Dean was supposed to become a Marianna Commissioner. He ran unopposed for the group five seat in April. He was going to replace Commissioner Kenneth Hamilton. It's unclear if he accepts the county position, who will take the city position. Daniels approaches her final day as county administrator on June 3. She's reflecting on the past 18 years with Jackson County. She first served as a planner in the community development department, then moved to department director. Daniels did not give a reason for her resignation, but is leaving with a positive outlook on her time with the county. 'It's been really great. It's been fun, really just in a lot of ways a joy-filled adventure. It's not been perfect. Nothing is perfect in life or in any job, but I feel like it is as close to perfect as it could have been. As far as the team that we have built, the legacy that I get to leave behind with so many wonderful staff members. And then just to see the growth that has happened within the organization. And just as a county, it is just an amazing feeling to see it, to see it all get passed off to someone that hopefully will take it to the next level,' Daniels said. Daniels will be joining the team at David H. Melvin Engineering in Marianna. She will be running operations and working on company culture. She said she's excited to continue investing in Jackson County and working with the community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Early voting closes Friday for Bay County runoff election
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The early voting period for the 2025 Bay County Municipal Runoff Election is winding down. Voters have to decide in two races. Robbie Hughes and Daniel Schultz are both hoping to win the Panama City Commission Ward One seat. The other election involves the race for the Lynn Haven Commission Seat Four candidates between Judy Tinder and Jeff Snyder. Elections officials say it's crucial that eligible voters show up to exercise their rights. 'Currently, our turnout is a little low, especially for a municipality. We've got Lynn Haven sitting at about 6.5% currently, Panama City Ward One right out of 11.5%. So still low, but we still got time for people to show up. These municipal races, I say it every election I feel like, but they're so important because they are the closest to home, they will affect our daily lives. So please don't sit this one out if you're in Panama City, Ward One, or the City of Lynn Haven,' Bay County Supervisor of Elections Nina Ward said. Early voting ends on Friday, May 16. The hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Panama City City Hall and the Lynn Haven Senior Center. You can also vote next Tuesday, which is election day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the same locations. Tuesday is also the deadline to submit mail-in ballots at the polls or the Supervisor of Elections office. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
