‘A MARK HAS BEEN LEFT ON ALL OF US': Mayor reflects on difficult 2010, promising 2011 in State of the City speech (LIVEBLOG)

If Sam Seevers was nervous Thursday night, it didn’t show.

“I kept saying that I was more nervous about the fact that I wasn’t nervous at all,” she told The Log prior to her speech. “I guess it’s just easier when you are talking about something you love so much.”

Seevers, Destin’s newest and first female mayor, stood tall in front of about 75 people during her first State of the City Address while sharing the trials, tribulations and successes from the year that was 2010 in Destin.

“The oil spill: the bad “o” word,’ ” she began. “While the oil spill wasn’t the only thing that took place last year, it certainly was the most memorable.”

She told the crowd that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was an unprecedented event in American history and “a mark has been left on all of us.”

“The feelings of uncertainty where everywhere as we watched this unfold in the national media,” she added.

One thing she did make clear was that although Destin was impacted by the spill, the city and its residents did what “it does best.” The city “pulled up its bootstraps and came together as a community.”

“I am so proud of these organizations for providing food and financial support for our citizens who were struggling with the economic impact of the oil spill.”

Despite the negative effects from the spill, whether they were grounded in reality or not, Seevers said the beaches in Destin are beautiful, the fishermen are out fishing and tourists are on their way to Destin.

“From disaster comes hope and a new direction,” she told the crowd. “And in 2010, we the city of Destin found out who we really are — a strong, vibrant community full of willing hands and determination.”

While she had so much to say about the oil spill, the mayor also hit on a number of other topics of importance and achievements:

·       Improvements to Scenic Hwy. 98 and Mountain Drive.

·       Increasing senior membership in the city programs by 55 percent.

·       Receiving a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting.

·       The city being “financially sound,” according to auditors.

·       Acquiring Norriego Point from Okaloosa County.

·       Continuing to build partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce, The Tourist Development Council and the Destin Fishing Fleet and History and Fishing Museum.

Seevers also took time out of the night to dedicate her presentation to the memory of Jerry Najarian, who passed away in October 2010.

“He is truly part of the history and the heritage of this great city and we will all miss him,” she said.

Looking toward 2011, Seevers said she “has a good feeling” and knows it will be a promising year. In order for the city of Destin to continue its success, she said it must do three things: set realistic goals, continue to work closely with community partners and then garner strengths from the spirits of the community.

“If we do those things, there is nothing the city cannot accomplish together. We are all part of Team Destin.

Destin Log Reporter Matt Algarin was at tonight's State of the City Address and offered a live play-by-play of what the mayor had to say. Mayor Sam Seevers shared the trials and tribulations, as well as the accomplishment that took place in the year that was 2010. To read a recap of the night, CLICK HERE.