05/30/2026
Lydia and Norris
May was busy and June looks no different... There are several key events we'd love for you to mark on your calendar at home or in your phone.
June 5: Rabun community - Zoning Signature Collection Day, 4-7 p.m. at the Rabun Volunteer Fire Department, Station 1. This is simply the first step for initiating the process. This is not creating zoning, but is how the community shows the County they would like to proceed. (Stockton collected their signatures in 24 hours, but continued for a week to be sure they had more than necessary, for example). After signatures are collected, the Probate Judge will verify that each signature collected was actually from someone who LIVES and VOTES in Rabun. Rabun needs approximately 100 signatures in order to continue the process. If you would like to have input on the type of growth and development that is inevitably going to try and come to Rabun, this is something you may want to consider. This is how you can say what you do want, and more importantly, what you DON'T want in your community.
June 8: Stockton Town Hall to discuss the upcoming Zoning Vote. Since Stockton did collect all of its signatures and the Probate Judge verified them all, now it's time to actually vote to begin the process. That day is June 30, but we wanted to hold a meeting where folks can come discuss what exactly they're voting for and ask questions and hopefully get them all answered. There is currently a paid opposition group that is likely hired by a large corporation that is trying to scare voters away or encourage them to vote no by advertising on social, calling and texting folks in the North Baldwin area of Stockton and Rabun. There is a reason they don't want this. Come to the Town Hall with all your questions. The Stockton residents that have initiated this process have done quite a deep dive into this with Planning & Zoning and will explain as best they can everything they know.
June 11: "Sallie's Ashes" documentary will be shown for free (with plenty of popcorn!) at the Stockton Civic Club at 6 p.m. This award-winning documentary tells the inspiring true story of a remarkable group of local seniors who courageously fought to preserve our Delta's beauty and resources. This event is sponsored by the Stockton Civic Club, Heritage Association, Five Arts Club, and the Fort Mims Restoration Association. Sallie Crosby Smith, the film's namesake, had deep roots in Stockton, and her legacy lives on through this powerful fight for justice. For her, the crusade against Alabama Power's coal ash pond on the Delta's bank was deeply personal, driven by the knowledge that Stockton will be the first to suffer if the coal ash and embankment is breached. (Visit Mobile Baykeeper to see how you can help with this fight today). All are invited to this free community event!
June 16: Runoff Election! ...the campaigning isn't over yet. There are several VERY important seats that need to be decided. Research who is running for the PSC, for County Commissioner, Agricultural Commissioner, and more. These are CRUCIAL positions for protecting our land, waterways and communities. Turn out is projected to be extremely low, so be SURE you go and VOTE.
June 27: The inaugural Spirit of the Tensaw Festival will take place at the Stockton Civic Club! The free festival is from 10 am. to 4 p.m. This is a Friends of the Tensaw River event, and all fundraising will go towards attorney fees and ability to pay for FOIA requests and to hire environmental experts. Our 501c3 nonprofit is completely all-volunteer...but we still have expenses in order to fight this battle. We are excited to spend the day celebrating just what makes this Tensaw Delta area so special...to celebrate the very thing we are fighting for. Expect a quintessential American summer festival. Enter the pie-baking contest! Listen to live music! Enjoy hot dogs and burgers! Shop local artisan and vendor booths! Play games! Check out education animal exhibits! See historic re-enactors! Bid in the incredible silent auction! Try your luck at the raffle! Bring the kiddos and just have a fun summer day. We are really looking forward to seeing everyone! ~~Please email [email protected] for Pie-Baking Contest Entry Form or to inquire about being a vendor or if you have anything you'd like to offer for the silent auction, etc.
June 30: ZONING VOTE DAY! Very important date! Stockton residents that live and vote in Zone 3....please, please, please be sure to show up and Vote! (remember, if you're confused on what you're voting for, come to the June 8 meeting, mentioned above!). This is the "sharpest tool in our tool belt" to fight for our community and its future. We urge you to set a reminder on your phone and circle the date in red on your fridge-calendar.
BONUS: If you live in the Poarch or Atmore area and are concerned about the proposed Data Center shopping that area, please show up to the Escambia County Commission Meeting on June 8th, at 9 a.m. at the Brewton Courthouse and speak up (this is the same day as Stockton Town Hall in the evening). There is also a solar site proposed with this Data Center and there is ANOTHER solar site that sits on the edge of the Escambia County line, essentially in the North Baldwin community of Lottie, one mile from the other solar site in Lottie. The commissioners need to hear about all of these. If you know someone who lives in this area, let them know about this. Word of mouth is very important right now. Thanks!
We look forward to seeing you this month!
~FTR
