Whiting pilot missing in T-34 crash: UPDATE
The body of the Whiting pilot missing in Saturday’s Lake Pontchartrain crash was recovered Tuesday night. A Navy flight instructor, Lt. Clinton Wermers, 33, was on a routine training mission with a flight student when the aircraft went down around 7 p.m. The student was rescued. Wermers leaves behind a wife, who is pregnant, and two children. A trust fund is being set up for the family at www.AirWarriorCourage.org.

State Attorney says TEAM performs public purpose: statewide ‘economic development’ implications
In a Tuesday release, State Attorney Bill Eddins officially states that TEAM Santa Rosa performs a government role, and as such, is subject to Sunshine and public records laws.

The statement marks the first formal recognition by a regulative authority of TEAM’s official role in the policymaking process.

Military advocates say offshore drilling could threaten training
A group that advocates for a strong military presence in the local economy is urging caution when it comes to drilling off Florida’s coast.

TEAM Santa Rosa’s Military Affairs Committee recently approved a draft policy position expressing concern that drilling could threaten military readiness. It notes that the Gulf of Mexico and the Eglin Gulf Range Complex are national test and training assets, whose “unique features cannot be replicated anywhere in the United States.”

Public transit to start along Hwy. 90
Santa Rosa commissioners voted 3-2, Monday, to approve a test public transit program between Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties.

The program is expected to cost Santa Rosa up to $33,140 per year, plus about $19,000 in “in-kind,” or personnel expenses from already-existing overhead.

"Florida’s existing water quality criteria fail to protect human health"
Advocates ask EPA to regulate water toxins

Clean Water Network of Florida (CWN), a nonprofit water quality advocacy group, is asking the Feds to help regulate toxin levels in Florida fish and water.

Florida Hometown Democracy closer to ballot after court victory
Florida’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a law allowing voters to “revoke” their signatures on constitutional amendment petitions is unconstitutional.

Navy grants Whiting runway use
Santa Rosa County has received permission from the Navy to share use of a runway at NAS Whiting Field, according to a County release.

“This approval comes after six years of negotiations and partnering by the county, NAS Whiting Field, Naval Southeast Command in Jacksonville and ultimately the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations,” a County release said.

Pace Principal: revisit student election rules
Pace High Principal Frank Lay says the school will likely revisit the Student Government Association elections procedures cited as the reason class officers may not speak at graduation.

“We will be revisiting the [elections] policy,” Lay said at last night’s Pace Assembly of God rally to protest a decision to bar class officers from speaking at graduation. “As a matter of fact, we’d be glad to revisit it before school ends this year.”

Weaker stormwater standards still possible
Santa Rosa Commissioners recently tabled a proposal to weaken stormwater permitting standards.

But commissioners left the option open for revisiting portions of the existing standard.

“I think that we need to go ahead and get proposals to see if there’s any excess requirements that we could be a little more lenient on, but at this time I’m really not in favor of changing the ordinance…” Commissioner Jim Williamson remarked at the May 15 regular meeting.

Bills could weaken growth oversight, worsen sprawl
A pair of growth management bills on Governor Charlie Crist’s desk could weaken oversight of growth planning and worsen sprawl, critics charge. The bills will potentially allow developers to bypass existing permitting requirements, including in currently undeveloped areas.

The first, SB 360, would reduce permitting requirements and developer costs for large “development of regional impact” subdivisions.

The measure allows local governments to establish “dense urban” boundaries in areas with 1,000 residents per square mile. That works out to 1.5 homes per acre, according to opponents, who fear the change could worsen sprawl in undeveloped areas.

Navarre Beach Pier bid approved
At today’s Santa Rosa County Commission meeting, commissioners voted to accept Ed Waters and Son Contracting’s bid for the construction of the new Navarre Beach Fishing Pier. Construction could begin as early as April 30 with a possible completion date as early as May 2010.

In 2004 and 2005, Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis damaged the current pier beyond repair. The new pier is budgeted at $8.43 million, which includes the demolition and removal of the old fishing pier. Ninety percent of the project budget will be paid for utilizing FEMA federal aid for disaster recovery funds for improved projects with a state share of 7.5 percent and the county funding 2.5 percent or $210,626.

BOCC poised to buy controversial $3.1M Pullum land
Despite opposition by two Commissioners and unanswered Sunshine Law questions, Santa Rosa leadership is poised to buy 92 undeveloped acres of land, at a cost of $3.187 million. Officials say the land will be used to construct another industrial park in East Milton.

2009 winning roses announced
Each year, the All-American Rose Selections (AARS) organization picks new and exceptional roses for the landscape. The 2009 winning roses are Carefree Spirit™, Pink Promise, and Cinco de Mayo™.

New Commission eyes budget
Santa Rosa’s new commission took their seats Tuesday, after two newly-elected commissioners joined three returning members.

District 1 Commissioner Jim Williamson and District 5 Commissioner Lane Lynchard, who won seats in this year’s elections, were sworn in.

From left to right Jim Williamson, Bob Cole, Don Salter, Gordon Goodin, Lane Lynchard Photo courtesy Santa Rosa County PIO

Another Gulf Power rate hike approved
Florida’s Public Service Commission has approved another 9 percent rate hike for Gulf Power.

The hike is necessary to pay for expected fuels cost increases, according to a PSC press release.

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