Editor's Note: The Log will be highlighting each candidate running for office ahead of the March 15 election. The series began with the mayoral candidates, then features those running for city council. To read the past profiles, see www.thedestinlog.com.
Chatham Morgan is a homegrown Destin resident. Born and raised around fishermen and his father’s famous Destin restaurant Harbor Docks, Morgan’s ties to the Destin community run deep. When asked why he would be the best asset to the city if elected to the council, Morgan listed a character trait that he uses in his everyday life.
“I think aside from my intimate knowledge and deep connection to the city of Destin, it would be my fiscal responsibility,” he said. “That is something I have to achieve every day in my businesses, and one of my best qualities.”
Morgan said that between his three businesses; La Paz Restaurante and Cantina, The Local Market and Camille’s at Crystal Beach, he employees 50 to 60 people and also sponsors local little league teams. He said that his passion for giving back to the Destin community is what drives him to serve both in his work and in his campaign.
“Business for me, is my way of giving back to the community,” he said. “My family has been able to do that in the private sector, and now I want to be able to carry on that legacy in the public sector as well by serving in the city. I am proud of what my family has done in the city. I come from a very altruistic background. At Harbor Docks, we take hundreds of kids fishing every year and we serve thousands with our Thanksgiving meal. We always come from the mindset of giving back to the community that has afforded us success.”
Besides the charities that his father runs at Harbor Docks, Morgan launched his own charity, American Lunch, right after he graduated college and it is still operating today.
“It’s like a soup truck on wheels,” Morgan said. “By removing the hassle of transportation it increases our outreach potential. We have four food trucks that double as soup kitchens in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Chattanooga and Athens.”
When it comes to the issues Destin is facing today, Morgan said he believes they can all be wrapped up into one central factor.
“I think for me, the single most important issue would be improving the quality of life for Destin residents,” he said. “One issue we face is funding, so one of my goals would be to make our city limits whole, bringing in the north-county neighborhoods.”
Morgan explained that in the unincorporated Okaloosa County areas around Destin, ad valorem taxes do not benefit the city.
“Right now, in those neighborhoods in the area north of Highway 98 and east of Indian Bayou, the ad valorem taxes are going to Crestview and I believe those would much better be served going to Destin,” he said. “Everything goes back to funding.”
Another passion, Morgan shared is protecting Destin’s famous fishing industry.
“I have bought, sold, caught, cooked and cleaned fish for a living, so the fishing industry runs deep in my blood,” he said. “I will do everything I can to protect, enliven and promote both charter and commercial fishing in Destin.”
When not working in one of his businesses, Morgan said his favorite pastime is spending time with his wife Marilu and his extended family that reside in Destin.
“I also enjoy cobia fishing every April and I’ve got two beagles I love playing with,” he added.