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Land OK’d for Fowler Wildlife Park By Jay Felsberg Florida Freedom Newspapers

BONIFAY
    The Holmes County Development Commission approved a $3.256 million contract Tuesday night to sell land to Jim Fowler’s organization for a proposed wildlife park.
    Under the deal, Jim Fowler’s Parks and Wildlife Services, or PAWS, would acquire 786 acres of commission-owned land around Smith Lake for Fowler’s “Life in the Wild” project, a combined wild animal park and education center in Holmes County.
    PAWS’ Bill Hardy brought $25,000 in earnest money and signed the contract on behalf of Fowler, who was not present. The contract was approved on an 11-2 vote, with Development Committee members Scott Prescott and Eddie Paul voting no.
    Hardy said a major press conference would be scheduled over the next few weeks to describe the project.
    “If you were impressed before, wait until you see what we have now,” he said.
    Hardy said PAWS was finalizing other contracts and expected to close on the Smith Lake property just south of Interstate 10 over the next 30 to 90 days. Hardy also said that a few issues have to be worked out with Blue Dolphin II, a former backer of the project. Hardy said he could not comment on those issues officially but said they did not involve this contract.