THREE-FOR-ALL: Challengers line up to unseat incumbents

When the dust clears from the 2012 municipal elections in Destin, there will be at least one new face on the dais during city council meetings.

With three incumbents up for re-election and one seat terming out, current councilmember’s Sandy Trammell, Tom Weidenhamer and Jim Wood will campaign to keep their seats against challengers Tuffy Dixon, Sky Montieth and former councilman Cyron Marler. Boat captain Kirk Reynolds filed to run, but ultimately withdrew from the race. He did not return multiple messages from The Log.

Here is a look into the men who are vying for a seat on the city council, which will be up for grabs when residents take to the polls Jan. 31.

Tuffy Dixon

As the former fire chief of the Destin Fire Control District, Dixon, a lifelong Destin resident, is no stranger to the inner workings of an organization. Following his retirement in 2009, Dixon was quoted as saying “I am looking at the possibility of running for elected office,” and now is that time.

“I’ve always had a desire to seek public office; probably from my years as fire chief, I really enjoyed tackling the important issues that affected our area,” Dixon told The Log Monday. “I truly do love this area, this community.”

With the campaign cycle now in full effect, Dixon said he is somewhat nervous to “put himself out there,” but he looks forward to getting out, talking to people and shaking hands.

While he has never held an elected office before, politics does run in the family. He is the husband of Mayor Sam Seevers’ sister.

He said he could only run for office based on what he has accomplished in a fire career that lasted 33 years.

“I think I’ve done a lot for this area through my years of service,” he said. “Thankfully I had a lot of help along the way.”

When he looks at the city of Destin, Dixon said the biggest concerns that he see right now would have to be tourism, traffic and beach-related issues, such as restoration and what to do about Norriego Point.

The key, he says, for tourism is to find a way to balance the tourism lifestyle Destin is famous for while maintaining the quality of life permanent residents expect. When it comes to solving Destin’s traffic conundrum, Dixon said at some point, more than likely years down the road, an elevated highway or overpass would be needed.

Cyron Marler

For former city councilman Cyron Marler, a return to the dais would be a welcomed opportunity to champion some of the issues he had when he was a two-term member of the city council from 2000-2008.

“I’m ready,” Marler said. “Let the fun begin.”

Given his experience on the council, the Destin native is familiar with the way residents operate and says the Waste Management topic could be a “hot-button issue” going into the January election. While that might be one of the more recent issues, he said he would still like to see the city address affordable workforce housing, as it’s hard for blue collar citizens to find an affordable place to live.

“We need to do something,” he said

Looking at the campaign trail, Marler said he is going to be a little more subtle this year, not putting up campaign signs unless other candidates do the same. He said candidates have had discussions about limiting the number of campaigns signs put on Destin right-of-ways.

“I’ve been making some phone calls and will be doing a lot of door-to-door visits,” Marler told The Log.

When it comes to his chances of being elected this time around, Marler said he thinks they are pretty good based on his past service and experiences with the city. If he doesn’t win, Marler said it would more than likely go to Dixon and he would be OK with that.

Scott “Sky” Monteith

As Secretary for the Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County, Destin resident Sky Monteith is a relative newcomer to the political scene in Destin.

“I feel like a complete outsider in this race,” Monteith told The Log Tuesday morning. “I’ve got a lot of ideas though.”

Monteith, who has been in Destin since 1995, is a mainstay at city council meetings and in the past has challenged city leaders about the cost of police service in Destin. He ultimately put together a complete package for a Destin Police Department and presented it to the council.

He said the main issues he sees in Destin are the cost of the sheriff’s contract, the city’s emergency action plan and the continuing debates centered on Waste Management. Monteith said the city should spend more time focusing on the services they offer, because that’s what residents desire.

“I’m compelled to do something because I am dissatisfied,” said Montheith, who told The Log he is “far deeper” than his opponents due to his metaphysical approach to life and understanding of his “actual being.”

While he may be new to the political scene, Monteith is very confident when it comes to his chances of taking a seat on the dais. He says the race is a numbers game and in his opinion, the incumbents aren’t going to fare well.

“In my mind, it’s guaranteed there is only going to be one incumbent left,” he said. “And that’s only because there is only three of us running against them.”