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Wakulla County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month; 4‑H student urges pet adoptions and a resident raises airport surveillance concerns
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Summary
The Wakulla County commission adopted a proclamation declaring April 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month and recognized a county pinwheel campaign; a 4‑H student encouraged volunteering and pet adoption at the animal shelter, and a resident alleged unauthorized camera surveillance at the local airport, citing a WCSO email response.
The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a proclamation declaring April 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month, urging community partnerships among social services, schools, law enforcement and faith‑based organizations to strengthen families and protect children.
"Be it further proclaimed that all residents are urged to support efforts that strengthen families, protect children, and create a community where every child can thrive," the proclamation reads. The board adopted the proclamation by voice vote.
During the "citizens to be heard" portion, a county 4‑H leader introduced student Elizabeth Davis, who described volunteering at the local animal shelter and urged residents to walk shelter dogs, donate and consider fostering or adopting pets. "Right now, there are 18 dogs available for adoption," Davis said, and she said her 4‑H club’s fundraising and volunteering helped at recent adoption events.
Patrick Allison, who identified himself as president of Carolina's Agape Project in Crawfordville, thanked the commission for the proclamation and described county pinwheel installations to raise awareness of child‑abuse prevention.
A separate public commenter, introduced as Bill Catalina, alleged that the airport manager placed multiple cameras "without the permission" of the property owner and said the county sheriff’s office had been asked to review the matter. Catalina said he received an email response from Geneva Stokely at the sheriff’s office indicating Detective review found no documentation for Catalina’s specifics and noting Florida law "does not preclude a person from video recording other people in a public place," which Catalina disputed, saying the area in question was private.
The commission did not take formal action on the airport allegation at the meeting. Commissioners thanked the speakers and moved on to the audit presentation later in the agenda.
