Cyron Marler says goodbye ... for now

When Cyron Marler became a Destin City Council member in 2000, he had no idea what he was getting into.

"It wasn't just one meeting every other Monday," Marler, who will step down Monday evening, told The Log. "We had a lot of meetings the amount of work involved was more than I originally expected, but I took the challenge."

An electrician, life-long Destin resident and a member of one of Destin's founding families, Marler said he ran for council because "I felt Destin needed to go forward, but also continue to have the spirit of our heritage. I felt the best way to do that was from within, not standing on the sidelines and complaining."

Marler was re-elected in 2004. Term limits in the Destin Charter restrict councilors and mayors to two consecutive terms, but Marler said he plans to run again in 2010.

Marler said his proudest accomplishment from his eight years on the council is putting affordable housing on the council's agenda. In 2005, Marler told his fellow council members that rising Destin home prices were threatening to force blue-collar residents such as himself out of town.

Since then, the council has authorized the creation of a not-for-profit Community Land Trust and considered several methods to encourage the development of more affordable housing.

The low point of his tenure, Marler said, was the dissent and arguments following City Manager Greg Kisela's firing of City Clerk Dana Williams "where the council was really not together and angry with each other."

Marler said he's also disappointed that the Florida Supreme Court, which is reviewing a case involving Destin beach restoration, hasn't handed down a ruling yet.

Marler said the best thing city government could do for Destin would be to give citizens more information about how the process works and how council reaches its decisions, particularly regarding development and property rights.

"And I think I'd say, getting more of the citizens involved in what's going on," Marler added. "As I've said, if you're watching it on TV it's too late, it's already been done."

Marler said the council also needs to step back and let the city staff operate without micromanagement: "We've hired a top-notch staff, we've got a top-notch city manager. Allow him to do his job."

The big issue the city will face over the next four years, Marler said, will be growth, particularly development along Destin harbor: Will the next council change the "tiering system" for reviewing development? How much freedom will property owners have to build what they want on their land?

Marler said the situation grows more challenging as Destin moves from a community that could roll up the sidewalks at night and looked to Fort Walton Beach for shopping to a self-sustaining "24/7 city."

"We're not the sleepy little fishing village we were 20, 30, 40 years ago," Marler said. "We've become a resort community, we have to adapt. If that means the infrastructure has to change, we have to change. We can't go backwards any more, we have to go forward and not only take care of our citizens but the million or more tourists that visit us each year."

At the same time, Marler said, "we need to preserve our heritage and always support our fishing fleet.

"That's what started the city and always remember, most of the fishermen are, like me, born here."

One thing about city life that doesn't receive enough publicity, Marler added, is the countless good deeds and charitable acts done by members of the community, churches and the Okaloosa County Sheriff 's Office, which he said deserves more credit for its work.

Marler said he's particularly thankful for the support he and his wife, Heidi, received during her battle with endometrial cancer, which is now in remission.

"We appreciate the council, staff and citizens who've supported her during the cancer," Marler said. "We appreciate everything they've prayed about."