MEL PONDER MAY NOT SEEK REELECTION

District 4 State Representative Mel Ponder may step down to run for the District 5 Okaloosa County Commission seat in 2020. Ponder has scheduled an announcement for 1:30 p.m. this Friday. He served as a member of the Destin City Council from 2002-06 and as mayor from 2014 until January 2016. Retired Okaloosa County Judge T. Patterson Maney will be among those looking to replace Ponder as State Representative. Ponder, a Republican, said the fact his daughter is starting high school and a chance to return to his local government roots, were factors in his decision.