John Ledbetter Destin Mayor Ken Beaird gave the traditional state of the city address and addressed the traditional topics - where we've been, where we are, and where we're going. People are moving here and the area is growing. Where the city is and where it's going, according to Beaird, are all related to growth.
Growth management is the primary area of concern.
Some claim we are over driving our headlights, and we need to take time out and give the city a chance to catch up. We've done a little of that with the harbor moratorium. Beaird said tough decisions have to be made, such as whether the traffic warrants six lanes on U.S. 98 or whether we want to tear up established neighborhoods to improve the situation. But answers must be found. Growth creates problems, according to Beaird, but the problems pale when compared to small, dying towns.