By Jamie Gentry on February 6, 2020
Ira Mae Bruce, Ira Mae Hewatt Bruce, Lifetime Achievement Award, Navarre, Navarre Beach Area Board of Realtors, Phil Babiak, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Tourist Development Council
Business
Few people make enough impact in their lifetime to shape an entire community. Even fewer earn the respect of so many people that those efforts are memorialized. But during the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Awards Gala Friday night, one such woman received the Lifetime Achievement Award: Ira Mae Hewatt Bruce. Read the […]
By Jamie Gentry on January 30, 2020
BP oil spill, Colten Wright, District 5 County Commissioner Lane Lynchard, RESTORE Act funds, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner
Local, Santa Rosa County
The Gulf Breeze area now has two candidates vying to be their representation in county government, after current District 5 County Commissioner Lane Lynchard officially filed paperwork with the Supervisor of Election’s last week. Lynchard, a Gulf Breeze lawyer, has served as the District 5 representative for three terms, starting back in 2008. He said […]
By Staff Reporters on June 19, 2019
Commissioner Sam Parker, Florida Association of Counties, Karson Turner, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner
Headlines, Santa Rosa County
The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) recognized Santa Rosa County Commissioner Sam Parker, District 1, as a presidential advocate for his work during the 2019 legislative session. Commissioner Parker received the designation during an awards ceremony held at the FAC Annual Conference in Orange County. Read the full article in the June 20 issue […]
By Rob Johnson on December 19, 2018
Commissioner Dave Piech, Dan Schebler, Daryl Lynchard, effluent, Eglin Air Force Base, Fairpoint Regional Utility System, Florida Ethics Commission, Florida Statute, Gulf Breeze, Holley, Holley Navarre Water Board, Holley-Navarre Water System, Jason Montgomery, John Grant, Navarre, Navarre Beach Utilities, Paul Gardner, RESTORE funding, Rob Williamson, Roy Andrews, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Sen. Doug Broxson, Turkey Bluff Road, Will Goulet, Yvonne Harper
Headlines
Wary of violating a Florida statute about consorting with former colleagues, Santa Rosa officials are carefully avoiding work-related contact with Rob Williamson, the new CEO of Holley Navarre Water System. Keeping Williamson at arm’s length has already required dodging an overture last week to tour Holley Navarre Water’s facilities on Turkey Bluff Road along with […]
By Jamie Gentry on November 28, 2018
Bobby Cooley, Daryl Lynchard, Donna Orbik, Elisa Bailey, Fairpoint Regional Utility System, Fred Terasa, Gulf Breeze, Holley, Holley Navarre Water Board, Holley Navarre Water System members, Holley-Navarre Water System, John Grant, Keith Kilpatrick, Midway, Navarre, Paul Gardner, Rob Williamson, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Tim Carmichael, Will Goulet
Headlines
The Holley Navarre Water System Board of Directors met criticism from a packed boardroom over its closed-door hiring of former District 4 County Commissioner Rob Williamson. Water system members voiced their concerns at a meeting Nov. 20. held in advance of a January election in which four seats on the board are up for grabs. […]
By Jamie Gentry on November 22, 2018
Daryl Lynchard, Florida Statute, Holley Navarre Water Board, Holley-Navarre Water System, Jim McGuire, Keith Kilpatrick, Navarre, Paul Gardner, Rob Williamson, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Will Goulet
Business, Headlines
Williamson can not work with county on behalf of water system due to his previous status as an elected county commissioner.
By Jamie Gentry on November 1, 2018
Air Force, Davie Piech, infrastructure projects, Local-Option Sales Tax, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Leaseholders and Residents Association, Navarre Pass, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
Local
District 4 will have a new county commissioner as of Nov. 20, when Dave Piech takes the oath of office for the seat he won in the August election. Giving a preview of what he plans to prioritize, Piech addressed the Navarre Beach Leaseholders and Residents Association (NBLRA) Oct. 20. Read the full article in […]
By Jamie Gentry on October 25, 2018
Bob Cole's Automotive, Byrd Mapoles, Commissioner Bob Cole, Debbie Dawsey, Kris Long, Milton, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner
Local, Santa Rosa County
Bob Cole first entered the political sphere because he had a bone to pick with then-County Commissioner Debbie Dawsey. “The very first time I ran, it was out of disgust in our commissioner that ran our district. At the time, several times I called her and did not get a response,” he said. Read the […]
By Jamie Gentry on September 20, 2018
Commissioner Bob Cole, history, Jim Short, Kris Long, Milton, Milton High School, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County Commissioner candidate
Local
For the first time in Santa Rosa County history, an African-American will be on the general election ballot for a county post. Kris Long of Milton is running for the District 2 County Commission seat under no party affiliation. Long, a Navy veteran who served in Afghanistan and who works in information technology, officially met […]
By Jamie Gentry on September 5, 2018
Florida Division of Elections, Holley by the Sea, Navarre, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Navarre Chamber, Precinct 34 Project, primary election, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County election, Santa Rosa County School Board, Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections, Santa Rosa County voters, Tamara Fountain, Tappie Villane, Voter education
Local, Santa Rosa County
The 2018 primary election drew more than one-fourth of the voting population to the polls, and many in Santa Rosa County are celebrating that turnout. Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections Tappie Villane said she was pleased to see the spike in participation. Read the full article in the Sept. 6 issue of Navarre Press […]
By Editorial on September 5, 2018
Brian Duncan, dave piech, district 4 commissioner, editorial, Greater Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Holley by the Sea, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Navarre Beach Fire Department, Navarre Press, opinion, Precinct 34 Project, primary election, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, T.J. Goulet, Values, Will Goulet
Navarre Press Editorial
And, silence is permission Navarre Press is certain the outcome of the primary election, including the win by District 4 commissioner-elect Dave Piech is what is best for Navarre and Santa Rosa County. Piech used a saying in his campaign, “No vote, no voice,” and residents responded in big numbers (well, bigger than years past). The […]
By Gail Acosta on August 29, 2018
Alex Andrade, Baxter Troutman, Carol Boston, Commissioner Bob Cole, dave piech, District 4 County Commissiner, Frank White, Jeff Snow, Kris Long, Linda Sanborn, Lynn Piech, Matt Caldwell, Matt Gaetz, Milton, Navarre, Rick Scott, Rob Williamson, Ron DeSantis, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County School Board, Stacy Annese, Tammie Jo Brown, Wallis Mahute, Wei Ueberschaer
Headlines, Santa Rosa County
In a stunning 26.26 percent turnout of voters in the Primary Election, Navarre resident and retired Air Force Colonel Dave Piech was elected to the seat of District 4 County Commissioner, upsetting the incumbent Rob Williamson by a 25.36 percent margin. Of the 34,623 ballots cast, 20,236 voted for Piech. Piech’s campaign lagged behind in […]
By Editorial on August 15, 2018
Chicago Dave, Commissioner Rob Williamson, dave piech, district 4 commissioner, Fee simple title bill, Holley by the Sea, Lies, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, Political postcard, President Donald Trump, Retribution Rob, Rob Williamson campaign, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County voters, Yvonne Harper
Navarre Press Editorial, Rob Williamson
The Rob Williamson campaign mailer, or “hit piece,” that arrived in voters’ mailboxes over the weekend was one for the record books. We thought the low point of his campaign was running on his addictions. But, to our surprise, he reached a new low – just flat out lying. We remind our readers we have […]
By Jamie Gentry on August 15, 2018
Commissioner Rob Williamson, dave piech, district 4 commissioner, Donald Trump Jr., election, Holley by the Sea, Hurlburt Field, Navarre, Northwest Florida State College, Political postcard, Postcard, President Donald Trump, primary election, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County voters, Santa Rosa Supervisor of Elections, Tappie Villane
Headlines
As District 4’s heated election season comes to a close, potentially thousands of voters received mail-out postcards touting current District 4 County Commissioner Rob Williamson as a conservative businessman and avid supporter of President Donald Trump. The mailer, marked as approved and paid for by the Rob Williamson campaign, also paints Williamson’s opponent, Dave Piech, […]
By Staff Reporters on August 13, 2018
"Jaws", Free concert, Free movie, Local Government, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, Navarre Chamber, Navarre Conference Center, Navarre Krewe of Jesters, Navarre Park, Pirate Bash, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County early voting, Santa Rosa County School Board, Santa Rosa County voters, The Starfish Project, things to do in Navarre, Toes-N-Sand, Tunes by the Dunes, Wing cook-off
Events & Festivals, Local
Monday, Aug. 13 Santa Rosa County Early Voting Early voting for election day has begun. Click here for important voter registration information. Read the Navarre Press voter’s guide to learn more about the candidates running for office. Wednesday, Aug. 15 Toes-N-Sand Toes-N-Sand free sunset movies is back at the Navarre Beach Pier. They will […]
By Editorial on August 9, 2018
Commissioner Rob Williamson, district 4 commissioner, editorial, Elected official, Facebook, Lifetime movie, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Press, Opinon, primary election, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County voters
Navarre Press Editorial, Rob Williamson
Many months ago, District 4 commissioner and incumbent candidate Rob Williamson was keeping count of how many editorials we wrote about him. In the spirit of not wanting to disappoint him, and because time may be running out for the opportunity, we have at least one more. He won’t mind because he recently said on […]
By Jamie Gentry on August 8, 2018
candidate forum, Carol Boston, Commissioner Rob Williamson, dave piech, Don Spencer, Greg Brown, Gulf Breeze News political forum, Homestead Tax Exemption, Kenny Long, Linda Sanborn, Navarre, Navarre Beach Master Plan, Navarre Beach preservation clause, Okaloosa County School District, primary election, Roderick Gracey, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County School Board, Santa Rosa County School District, Santa Rosa Professional Educators, Santa Rosa Sound, Scott Peden, STEAM Education, Teacher retention, Teacher salaries, Wei Ueberschaer
Local, Santa Rosa County
As primary election voting inches closer, the window is closing for school board candidates to win over voters. All three of the school board seats up for grabs will be decided on the primary ballot Aug. 28, and votes in the race can be cast as early as Aug. 13. For much of the race, […]
By Jamie Gentry on July 25, 2018
august 28, election, Gulf Breeze, July 30, Milton, Navarre, primary election, Sample ballots, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County School Board, Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections, Santa Rosa County voters, Tappie Villane, Vote by Mail, voter registration
Local
Qualifying citizens of Santa Rosa County have less than a week to update their voter party affiliation or get registered to vote ahead of the primary election Aug. 28. The Supervisor of Election’s books close 30 days prior to Election Day, meaning the deadline for changes is July 30. Supervisor of Elections Tappie Villane said […]
By Editorial on July 18, 2018
Commissioner Rob Williamson, Crime, dave piech, District 4 Commissioner Candidate Debate, Holley by the Sea, Navarre Beach Beautification committee, Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, Navarre Beach sign, No regrets, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Tom King Bayou
Navarre Press Editorial, Rob Williamson
In the most recent debate, District 4 Commissioner and candidate for re-election Rob Williamson was asked by candidate Dave Piech if he had any regrets in the nearly four years that he has served as county commissioner. The question seemed to be a gift to Rob – a chance for Rob to redeem himself. The answer […]
By Staff Reporters on August 3, 2017
Commissioner Rob Williamson, Florida Association of Counties, Florida Counties Foundation, Presidential Advocacy Award, Santa Rosa County Commissioner
Local
The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) presented Santa Rosa County District 4 Commissioner Rob Williamson with his second consecutive Presidential Advocacy Award at the 2017 FAC Annual Conference and Exposition. “It is an honor to serve Santa Rosa County,” said Williamson. “This award is shared with my fellow board members, county staff, Johnson and Blanton […]
By Jamie Gentry on September 14, 2016
Caleb Boudreaux, Chuck Miller, elections, Florida, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, government, Jayer Williamson, Martin Simmons, Republican, Sam Mullins, Sam Parker, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Santa Rosa County courthouse, Santa Rosa County Republican Executive Committee, Sen. Greg Evers
Headlines, Santa Rosa County
Republican nominee Sam Parker is the only candidate left standing for the District 1 County Commissioner’s seat after write-in candidate Caleb Boudreaux dropped out Sept. 1. If he had defeated Boudreaux in the general election he would have taken office Nov. 15 at the end of previous commissioner Jayer Williamson’s term, but the seat is […]
By Rob Johnson on June 23, 2016
Caleb Boudreaux, District 1 Commissioner Jayer Williamson, doug broxson, Florida House District 3 seat, Florida Senate District 1, Florida Senate race, Huston Walters, Jayer Williamson, Mark Cotton, Navarre, Sam Parker, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioner
Local
Florida’s so-called resign-to-run law has been occasionally overlooked by candidates seeking higher office, and last week it forced District 1 Commissioner Jayer Williamson to resign abruptly from his county post. “I knew I would have to resign at some point but I thought it would be midnight of the election and I could finish my […]
By Romi White on March 5, 2015
District 4, Navarre, Rob Williamson, Santa Rosa County Commissioner, survey, Traffic
Community
District 4 residents cited traffic safety and congestion as their number one concern according to a survey distributed by Santa Rosa County Commissioner Rob Williamson. More than 1,000 citizens participated in the survey, and Williamson will use the data to help him outline a plan for district improvements. “The people have spoken up,” Williamson said […]
