Commissioner Cecilia Jones taking the high road to a lower rent neighborhood
Cecilia Jones is one of the new kids on the block at the Walton County Board of Commissioners, and she's determined to make her mark. As an educator with 35 years in the classroom, she knows the value of both listening and doing her homework.
"I've had a lifelong dream of holding public office, although I've always thought it would be on the school side," she said. "It's a joy to be out in the community, meeting with people personally and listening to constituents."
Out of the gate, Jones is taking on several issues as her personal charge to become a public servant, not a politician.
First and foremost, Jones said that she ran on the need to make U.S. Highway 331 a four-lane highway. It remains her number one issue.
Recently, she met with the state highway and transportation officials and was disappointed to learn that a Small County Outreach Program grant designated for this purpose had been deferred to 2012, due to the state's budget crisis.
Jones remains hopeful that national economic recovery/stimulus programs may help to get this infrastructure need addressed. The funds for two bridges on Chat Holly are already budgeted.
Jones believes that the biggest challenge facing the Walton County Commission is the economy. Even so, she intends to move forward with her priorities - after Highway 331 improvements, education and environmental issues are close contenders for her attention.
"We're in for some real challenges," she said. "We don't want to cut services but we must watch our budgets."
One of the things she is doing immediately is looking for less expensive office space, in a facility owned by the county, to house her office. "County officials should set a precedent," said Jones.
Combining her love for animals, children and the environment in an educational environment at the county's new Kellogg Center is another project that inspires Jones. "You have to foster a love for the environment in children; it is not automatic," she says.
Land on the bay and a rustic homestead, given to the county by Pat Kellogg, a one-time volunteer at Bay Elementary School, is being envisioned to house an educational center, nature trails, a bird sanctuary, and maybe even a butterfly atrium, by and by.
Jones is inviting her constituents to a ribbon cutting ceremony there at 10 a.m. on Jan. 20. The Tourism Development Council is currently managing the Kellogg Center project, and Jones promises plenty of opportunity for citizen involvement down the road.
Active also with the "Friends of 30A" group, Jones enthusiastically mentions two parks that are in the process of being built - one at Helen McCall and another at Driftwood. The Timpoochee Trail signage is another improvement project that merits Jones' attention.
She's also looking forward to installing the lovely bronzed (formerly blue) signs developed by the TDC. "We can offer them to businesses, but not just now. Small businesses have enough on their plates and I wouldn't dream of asking them to contribute to this effort at this time."
A specific Jones initiative is creating a 12-month tourism draw through expanding cultural and arts offerings in the county. Recognizing that tourism is Walton County's biggest economic engine, Jones mentions that the bay area, and historic sites in the northern part of the county also need to see development efforts.
In particular, she mentioned the N.C. Davis Biophilia Center as a likely spot to draw students for environmental education from across the region. Jones indicated that she would be interested in helping to actively market that and other venues for Walton County.
"Times are trying. We need to be creative in the way we allocate and replace personnel," said Jones. "We need to hold on until things get better."
To contact Cecilia Jones' legislative office, phone (850) 622-3050 or e-mail the Commissioner's aide, Jason Catalano, at catjason@co.walton.fl.us.
