“Incorporation is dead,” stated Holley-Navarre Water System Secretary Carmen Reynolds during Monday’s reorganization meeting of the utility’s board of directors, following concerns over an email recently distributed by Wes Siler of the pro-incorporation group Preserve Navarre.
Siler, who lost attempts in 2024 and 2025 to get elected to HNWS’ board, sent a Jan. 26 mass email, attempting to claim a Preserve Navarre victory in the utility’s recent election. “It gives me great pleasure to announce that our 3 candidates had a clean sweep of the Holley-Navarre Water System election, winning all 3 seats…Congrats to our candidates.”
However, Reynolds, who has been involved with Preserve Navarre for years, stated, “I was appalled at the terminology, and there’s a difference between what an individual did and the link to what might be thought is going on. But I will state categorically from my position, Incorporation is dead. D.E.A.D. Dead. It does not belong up here. It does not belong intertwined up here…I don’t believe there is any move afoot to drag incorporation into this or any subterfuge going on.”
Reynolds, pictured with Siler, was named Preserve Navarre’s 2022 Member of the Year – two years before their incorporation effort failed.
Navarre voters rejected incorporation by a margin of 59% during an October 2024 straw poll facilitated by Preserve Navarre. A non-binding ballot referendum on incorporation was also rejected in 2014 with 56% in opposition to creating an additional layer of government.
Reynold’s comments came after fellow board member Pam Hardy expressed concerns over Siler’s email, motioning for the board members to sign conflict of interest statements.
“I am deeply concerned by recent public communications circulated by a nonprofit organization claiming a ‘clean sweep’ of the most recent election and asserting that they now ‘lead’ the Holley Navarre Water System. The Water System is not led by any outside organization, political group, or incorporation effort. It is governed by this board, our members collectively, under our bylaws and for a single purpose: providing reliable, affordable water service to this community,” stated Hardy, adding, “My position is simple: the Holley Navarre Water System must remain focused on water service—not political movements, incorporation strategies, or outside agendas. Decisions here must be made transparently, ethically, and with the full community in mind—not declared as victories by any private organization.”
Hardy went on to express concern that incorporation might be attempted again, considering statements arising from Preserve Navarre regarding HNWS.
“That is not going to happen. This board will not be used for political purposes,” Reynolds added.
Only 4 candidates stepped up to run for 3 open seats on the board. Out of HNWS’ ~17,000 members, only 159 voted this year – compared to 659 votes being cast last year.
Subsequently, Ken Ingram, Don Linnell and Stephanie Lindsay were elected to the board during the utility’s Jan. 20, 2026 annual meeting.
Don Linnell, who has served previously on the HNWS board, stated, “I am not a member of Preserve Navarre, never have been and voted against (incorporation).”
Ingram says he is not a member of Preserve Navarre or any other local group or organization.
Lindsay has not responded to a request for comment. According to Santa Rosa County voter records, she is the only registered Democrat on HNWS board – all the others are registered Republicans.
Democrat Stephanie Lindsay was on an April 10, 2024 Preserve Navarre podcast with Siler ahead of the group’s failed October straw poll.
Board members decided not to immediately establish a new policy on the matter. HNWS Attorney Will Dunaway weighed in, stating the board, during its upcoming Feb. 13 training, could review and discuss the current ethics and conflict of interest policies.
