5 minute read
A Champion for His City
More Than a Mayor, an Advocate
Exiting Destin mayor, GARY JARVIS, has a legacy still being written
Gary Jarvis is a man that wears many hats. He is a husband, father, former boat captain, generational fisherman, Air Force veteran and the former mayor of our very own Destin, Florida. Jarvis has had many titles, but most of all, he is a lifelong advocate for Destin. Speaking with Jarvis, it is obvious that he radiates passion for the city of Destin.
Jarvis has lived in Destin for most of his life. He raised his family and ran a charter boat for 40 years here, in what is known as the world’s luckiest fishing village, prior to his term as mayor. Jarvis also owned one of the only 210 federally dual-permitted fishing businesses that fish in both the charterfor-hire and commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. His fishing experiences have taken him to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Pinas Bay, Panama; and Marsh Harbor, Bahamas.
And, to add another bullet to his already impressive resume, he is also an investing partner in his two sons’ restaurant businesses. However, Jarvis refers to himself more as “just the guy who eats the food.” It’s no lie that Jarvis stays busy, having recently exited as Destin’s mayor and owning multiple businesses, but he is also an active athlete and family man. This former mayor was once a multi-sport athlete in high school. In the military he played
AAA ice hockey, varsity wrestling, baseball and football. Today, he plays in an age-group tournament ice hockey league traveling all over the United States. His wife, Pam, was also a multisport athlete in high school. And this family tradition continued with their sons, who they always encouraged to excel in the classroom and on the field. All three sons played multiple high school varsity sports and two of their sons went on to play Junior college and Division 1 baseball at Pensacola State College and Florida State. Now, Jarvis’s family has expanded to grandchildren. Their family stays busy with four grandsons and four granddaughters, and Jarvis attends all of the kids’ sporting events. The grandkids participate in everything from soccer and football to baseball and wrestling, and, now, dance and cheerleading, too. Outside of sports, the next big event for the Jarvis family is traveling to their hunting camps in Alabama and Kentucky. The family enjoys spending time together outdoors — hunting deer, hogs and turkeys or going out shooting, riding four-wheelers and exploring new places. And, of course, the Jarvis family loves their fishing. Throughout Jarvis’s time as a captain and member of the community, he discovered some problems he wanted to face head on. Motivated by his love and devotion to Destin, he felt campaigning for mayor was a duty he could not ignore. After a competitive election in November 2018, he was elected as Destin’s mayor. As of November 2022, he officially completed his successful term. In his time as mayor, Jarvis helped fund a $22 million beach acquisition initiative under which the city purchased two parcels of land, with a third under contract, to expand the Crystal Beach area. Additionally, he recruited a project and grants manager, and in March 2020, Jeffrey Cozadd began overseeing $41 million to help fund city projects. The community development department processed a total of 41 major plan reviews; 2,932 permits; 1,977 business tax receipts; and 4,482 inspections — all with a total evaluation of more than $98 million. In 2021, they accomplished completion of Phase 1 of the ZerbeCalhoun Pedestrian Improvements Project that came in $90,000 dollars under budget. Additionally, they completed 1,282 work orders from the five key functional areas. Staff inspected 889 storm sewer system components, which contribute to proper operation of Destin’s drainage systems during severe weather events. And, to help keep a green and sustainable environment, the 20-year-old Destin Harbor pump was completely rebuilt — a strenuous process that took more than six months.
Jarvis plans to continue advocating for the city of Destin. While his term is finished, he doesn’t see retirement on his horizon quite yet and plans to remain an active member of the Destin community.
Looking ahead, will be the development of a new city center and the electric grid project — two things Jarvis is extremely passionate about and hopes to see carried out after his term. Destin residents currently pay one of the highest electric power rates in Florida. The electric grid project, calling for the purchase of Gulf Power, will be a much more financially viable option for Destin’s community.
During his time when he’s not advocating for Destin, you might find him enjoying some delicious food at one of his sons’ restaurants and, of course, fishing. He looks forward to spending his days “with the smells, sounds and activity along the harbor,” one of his favorite places to be in the area.
Jarvis is excited for the future of Destin. Whether from his view in the mayor’s seat or looking out over the East Pass Jetty, he sees a future for the world’s luckiest fishing village. One with an even larger booming harbor, enhanced retail, improved walkability and the continuing success of the fishing industry.
“The next generation has a lot more vision,” Jarvis said. “I’m excited for what’s to come in Destin. The timing is right,” he said.
Gary Jarvis entered his mayoral term as a community member who wanted to help — he saw an opportunity to be a voice. An astounding example of what it means to be a devoted community member, Jarvis chose to take action. Thank you, former Mayor Gary Jarvis, for serving our Destin community! The city of Destin is better because of your advocacy for our community and your dedication for the future generations to come. — Destin Florida Magazine
