Nikki Fried Visits With The Community of Mexico Beach
The commissioner visited local businesses impacted by Hurricane Michael.
I met then Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried early on the morning before her inauguration. I spent two days in the car with her, capturing and telling the story of the inauguration festivities from her perspective.
During that time, I also shared with her and her team about the #NeverForgottenCoast project and all of the work needed in Mexico Beach.
As the one year anniversary approached, she expressed the desire to go see the community of Mexico Beach, meet business owners, help champion a community that has been through so much and do her part to aid in the recovery.
Two major things still missing in Mexico Beach are a gas station and a grocery store. Commissioner Fried is passionate about eliminating “food deserts,” and her office is a huge part of the regulation of gas stations.
On October 10, 2019, I joined Commissioner Fried and a few members of her team and helped show them around a community that has come to mean so much to me.
We visited some businesses who have already opened their doors, made an unexpected pit stop with WFSU as they were broadcasting live from Mexico Beach and visited with Mayor Al Cathey, who showed the team the two gas stations which are still completely destroyed.
Here are some images from our morning in Mexico Beach. There is still so much to be done, but it is amazing to see Mexico Beach open for business!
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Commissioner Nikki Fried learns from Caribbean Coffee owner David Kiser his storm story.
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Caribbean Coffee is know for their fresh baked daily cinnamon rolls. Definitely a must when you visit Mexico Beach!Caribbean Coffee is know for their fresh baked daily cinnamon rolls. Definitely a must when you visit Mexico Beach!
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Commissioner Nikki Fried hand out challenge coins to some of Mexico Beach’s first responders at Caribbean Coffee.Commissioner Nikki Fried hand out challenge coins to some of Mexico Beach’s first responders at Caribbean Coffee.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried with joining some of Mexico Beach’s first responders at Caribbean Coffee.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried and David Kiser outside at Caribbean Coffee.
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hello@wearetheworkmans.comCommissioner Nikki Fried learns from Mexico Beach Marina Store owner Nate Odum the story of the Marina Store and their journey of recovery and reopening.Commissioner Nikki Fried learns from Mexico Beach Marina Store owner Nate Odum the story of the Marina Store and their journey of recovery and reopening.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried learns from Mexico Beach Marina Store owner Nate Odum the story of the Marina Store and their journey of recovery and reopening.Commissioner Nikki Fried learns from Mexico Beach Marina Store owner Nate Odum the story of the Marina Store and their journey of recovery and reopening.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried shopping for gifts for her family at the Mexico beach Marina Store.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried and Nate Odum outside the Mexico Beach Marina Store.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried at the #NeverForgottenCoast mural which is painted on the east wall of the Mexico Beach Marina Store.Commissioner Nikki Fried at the #NeverForgottenCoast mural which is painted on the east wall of the Mexico Beach Marina Store.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried at the #NeverForgottenCoast mural which is painted on the east wall of the Mexico Beach Marina Store.Commissioner Nikki Fried at the #NeverForgottenCoast mural which is painted on the east wall of the Mexico Beach Marina Store.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried joins the WFSU crew as they were broadcasting “Perspectives” live from Mexico Beach.Commissioner Nikki Fried joins the WFSU crew as they were broadcasting “Perspectives” live from Mexico Beach.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried joins the WFSU crew as they were broadcasting “Perspectives” live from Mexico Beach.Commissioner Nikki Fried joins the WFSU crew as they were broadcasting “Perspectives” live from Mexico Beach.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried visiting one of two gas stations in Mexico Beach. Both gas stations have yet to be rebuild.Commissioner Nikki Fried visiting one of two gas stations in Mexico Beach. Both gas stations have yet to be rebuild.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried learns from Mango Marley’s owner Cathy Johnson her storm story and the journey thy had opening Mango Marley’s in a trailer while their restaurant undergoes repair and renovations.Commissioner Nikki Fried learns from Mango Marley’s owner Cathy Johnson her storm story and the journey thy had opening Mango Marley’s in a trailer while their restaurant undergoes repair and renovations.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried with Steve and Cathy Johnson outside the Mango Marley’s temporary trailer.Commissioner Nikki Fried with Steve and Cathy Johnson outside the Mango Marley’s temporary trailer.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried and Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey inside of the ACE Hardware that Cathey and his family own.Commissioner Nikki Fried and Mexico Beach Mayor Al Cathey inside of the ACE Hardware that Cathey and his family own.
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#NeverForgottenCoast flag inside the Cathey ACE Hardware in Mexico Beach.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried and Mayor Al Cathey ride though Mexico Beach. Mayor Cathey shares his storm story as well as the needs of getting a gas station back to Mexico Beach as soon as possible.Commissioner Nikki Fried and Mayor Al Cathey ride though Mexico Beach. Mayor Cathey shares his storm story as well as the needs of getting a gas station back to Mexico Beach as soon as possible.
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Mayor Al Cathey shows Commissioner Nikki Fried the second gas station that is waiting to be rebuilt in Mexico Beach. They discussed the importance of getting fuel back into the city as soon as possible to support, not only locals, but the tourism economy.Mayor Al Cathey shows Commissioner Nikki Fried the second gas station that is waiting to be rebuilt in Mexico Beach. They discussed the importance of getting fuel back into the city as soon as possible to support, not only locals, but the tourism economy.
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Mayor Al Cathey shows Commissioner Nikki Fried the second gas station that is waiting to be rebuilt in Mexico Beach. They discussed the importance of getting fuel back into the city as soon as possible to support, not only locals, but the tourism economy.Mayor Al Cathey shows Commissioner Nikki Fried the second gas station that is waiting to be rebuilt in Mexico Beach. They discussed the importance of getting fuel back into the city as soon as possible to support, not only locals, but the tourism economy.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried on the newly restored beach in Mexico Beach.
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Mayor Al Cathey shares with Commissioner Nikki Fried the journey of restoring the beaches and replanting the sand dunes.Mayor Al Cathey shares with Commissioner Nikki Fried the journey of restoring the beaches and replanting the sand dunes.
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Mayor Al Cathey shares with Commissioner Nikki Fried the journey of restoring the beaches and replanting the sand dunes.Mayor Al Cathey shares with Commissioner Nikki Fried the journey of restoring the beaches and replanting the sand dunes.
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Commissioner Nikki Fried learns from Killer Seafood owner Michael Scoggins his storm story.
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ichael Scoggins gives Commissioner Nikki Fried a tour of his new custom trailer which Killer Seafood will operate out of in Mexico Beach. He hopes to reopen within a few weeks!ichael Scoggins gives Commissioner Nikki Fried a tour of his new custom trailer which Killer Seafood will operate out of in Mexico Beach. He hopes to reopen within a few weeks!
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Commissioner Nikki Fried and Michael Scoggins outside the Killer Seafood trailer.
Categories: Forgotten Coast
