From vintage planes to economy, newly-elected councilors get focused

Destinites chose their next three city councilmen on Tuesday, but odd man out Cyron Marler said, “there are no sour grapes.”

Newcomer Larry Hines led the pack on Election Day, garnering 894 votes, or 29.91 percent. Current councilman Jim Bagby was a close second, with 824 votes, or 27.57 percent. And Larry Williges nabbed the third seat with 722 votes, or 24.16 percent.

Marler trailed with 548 votes, or 18.37 percent.

“I’m proud and honored,” Hines said. “I campaigned hard, and I worked hard. But you never know in this kind of election how you’re going to do.”

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Reporter Tosha Sketo provided live updates on the Destin Municipal Election from the Supervisor of Elections Office in Crestview. CLICK HERE TO READ THE PLAY-BY-PLAY AND FIND OUT WHO WON.

The Log also wants to know what you think of the results. Click here.

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Hines, who raised more money than all the other candidates combined, said his first task would be to gain a working knowledge of the city’s codes. But after getting through his first council meeting, he plans to start working on his plans for an economic summit immediately.

Bagby said he was humbled to be elected back to the council. He said that as a returning councilman, he planned to continue to work on the things he’s been working on, such as the Sterling Award process.

“I think it’s going to be a tough year for incumbents,” Bagby said. “So to have survived, I feel pretty good.”

Williges said he’s looking forward to get back to work on the council. He said name recognition and reputation probably helped him win his seat.

“People knew what I stood for before, and I haven’t changed,” Williges said. “I’m very grateful and honored that people put me back in.”

He said he has several things he wants to accomplish on the council, such as addressing the low-level flying that takes place over Destin. He said considering the fact that two people lost their lives when a World War II era plane crashed into the Gulf last Saturday, it may be premature to get into the discussion right away out of respect for the deceased and their families, but he thinks “it’s unsafe to do that kind of flying over the city.”

“I’m not trying to be cold and cruel to the pilots that do that type of flying, but I think they have a responsibility to the community,” he said.

Former councilman Marler said he was saddened by his loss, but even more upset by the lack of voter participation. A little more than 12 percent of eligible voters took part in Tuesday’s election. He said if the voters turned out, it might have turned the tide for him. He also noted his employment with Legendary Marine as a possible reason for why some locals didn’t vote for him.

“If you didn’t vote for me because of who I work for, you’re very narrow-minded,” Marler said. “I have to earn a living. And I’m not quitting anytime soon to get an office that doesn’t pay anything.”

He said his stance on development might also have been a turn off for some voters. But he said he thinks Destin has to evolve, with some control from City Hall.

Surprisingly, he said his old Destin name could have also hurt him. He said there may have been a little bit of backlash against an entrenched Destin family.

But he said regardless of the reason, he accepts the outcome and wishes the new councilmen well. He said he lost fair and square, but Destinites should expect to see his name on the ballot again.

“I have bigger fish to fry” Marler said. “A lot of people have approached me about a county commission run. I like Jim Campbell, but maybe it’s time for a change.”