First District Court Sides with Home Builders and Affirm Injunction on Santa Rosa County’s School Impact Fee
First District Court Sides with Home Builders and Affirm Injunction on Santa Rosa County’s School Impact Fee
Validating its assertions that Santa Rosa County’s school impact fee was inaccurately calculated and legally flawed, the Home Builders Association of West Florida and 11 additional plaintiffs applaud the July 28, 2021, decision by the First District Court of Appeal to affirm Santa Rosa Circuit Court Judge Darlene Dickey’s temporary injunction against collection of the … read more
Commissioners Wright and Calkins “Battle” During Board Meeting
Commissioners Wright and Calkins “Battle” During Board Meeting
Santa Rosa County District 5 Commissioner Colten Wright and District 3 Commissioner James Calkins got into a verbal altercation during the board’s July 27 meeting. Chairman Dave Piech called a recess to help diffuse the argument, which was quickly resolved. The infighting started when Wright made a motion to ban personal cell phone use during … read more
Commissioner Opposes Time Limits on Public Forum, Meetings
Commissioner Opposes Time Limits on Public Forum, Meetings
District 3 Commissioner James Calkins says he does not support limiting public forum to one hour nor capping Santa Rosa County Board of County Commission meetings to six hours, including the forum portion. “We are paid well to listen to citizens who want to address or question how their local government operates, and I will … read more
OPINION: Pensacola News Journal Caught in Lies
OPINION: Pensacola News Journal Caught in Lies
Gulf Coast Gun Owner Chris Smith pictured at the podium during a 2021 county commission meeting. Santa Rosa County Administrator Dan Schebler isn’t the only one who has been busted for telling a lie when he said Santa Rosa County didn’t receive state road money because the state ran out of funding. Pensacola News Journal … read more
OPINION: Wright is Wrong on Attempt to Ban Personal Cell Phones
OPINION: Wright is Wrong on Attempt to Ban Personal Cell Phones
District 5 Commissioner Colten Wright seems to be a totally different person than the polite man who campaigned to serve. Sadly, he’s turned into a snarky, petty politician who, instead of focusing on the serious issues facing constituents in his district, added a discussion to the board’s July 22 work session to address fellow commissioners’ … read more
Commissioners Discuss Hiring New Attorney and Administrators
Commissioners Discuss Hiring New Attorney and Administrators
Following the firing of the County Attorney in December, the procurement process is underway for Santa Rosa County to hire a permanent replacement. Additionally, the board is looking to fill the County Administrator and Assistant County Administrator positions after both recently resigned, following months of intensifying public heat over county operation failures. How to make … read more
Utility Gains Ground Under Business-Driven CEO
Utility Gains Ground Under Business-Driven CEO
Holley-Navarre Water System CEO Dr. Dallas Peavey Jr., left, pictured with Navarre Area Board of Realtors President Amy Mullins, HNWS President Mike Kennedy and HNWS Board Member Joe Campbell during the July 14 NABOR monthly luncheon at The Club at Hidden Creek, which is owned by the utility. Peavey was guest speaker at the sold-out … read more
Local “End of Watch” Ruck to Honor 368 Officers Who Died in the Line of Duty in 2020
Local “End of Watch” Ruck to Honor 368 Officers Who Died in the Line of Duty in 2020
The End of Watch Memorial Ruck Returns to Santa Rosa County September 26 – October 2, 2021. Teams of athletes will work as teams to ruck 368 miles over the course of 7 days while carrying one-pound weights bearing the name of an officer who died in the line of duty in 2020. “Every … read more
Santa Rosa County Supervisor Fired After Repeated Use of Racial Slurs at Work
Santa Rosa County Supervisor Fired After Repeated Use of Racial Slurs at Work
Santa Rosa County recently terminated a long-time employee after witnesses say racial slurs were used in the workplace. However, it was not the first time racial slurs were used by that employee, who received a written reprimand back in March 2020. On May 7, 2021, the County received a complaint that a supervisor had used … read more
County Staff Punished for Failure to Manage and Enforce Waste Pro Contract
County Staff Punished for Failure to Manage and Enforce Waste Pro Contract
Santa Rosa County Administrator Dan Schebler on July 16 placed Environmental Manager Andrew Hill on a 10-day unpaid suspension and issued a letter of reprimand to Environmental Director Michael Schmidt, stating they had failed to effectively manage and enforce the Waste Pro contract. In May and June 2021, the County conducted an internal investigation into … read more
