District 4 Update:
Sometimes it’s a little too quiet working here after hours but it sure makes it easier to get stuff done and catch up on a few items that have transpired during the last few weeks,
Today was a relatively routine commission meeting and zoning board meeting.
Please make sure to attend or check out the video replay of next Monday’s Board of County Commissioners Planning Workshop. I’m pleased Chairman Lynchard decided to continue with the annual planning workshop. This workshop provides a great opportunity for the board to give clarity on key policy decisions facing our county in the coming fiscal year.
Three weeks ago while meeting with the leadership class coordinating the Blackhawk Memorial, I provided them with a check for $2050 from proceeds I raised running in the recent Pensacola Marathon. It was at this meeting that I also informed them of my intention to place adding the word “Memorial” to Navarre Park for last Monday’s discussion meeting. The response was overwhelmingly positive without anyone in attendance expressing opposition for the idea. Two weeks later when the item was published with the back up for the meetings agenda, the BOCC received three total emails on the item. Two in opposition and one in support.
Monday is not a “decision” meeting it’s a “discussion” meeting and the item was discussed and, based on comments from my fellow board members, I decided to remove the item from consideration for Thursday. Navarre Park already has the John Duncan “Memorial” Children’s Park, the Veterans “Memorial” nature walk, the “Memorial” for the crew of the AC130 Spectre crew lost during Desert Storm and the Blackhawk “Memorial” will be coming online in a few months. Two of the most well attended events every year are the Veterans Day and Memorial Day events held in the park. When I think of the world “memorial” I think of remembrance; and, I cannot think of anything better to remember than those who make it possible for us to live in this great country. As I said during Monday’s discussion meeting, I don’t believe it strikes a somber tone. I believe public appreciation and support of our military is who we are as a community and given the amount of “memorial’s” located in the park and the future memorial’s to come, I thought it was worth making the recommendation and adding the item to the agenda for discussion. I don’t apologize for it and I will continue to look for ways to show appreciation and respect for our military whenever possible.
On a sidenote, I am saddened to miss tomorrow’s 2pm groundbreaking ceremony for the memorial but I’ve had a doctors appointment scheduled for more than six months now that I cannot reschedule. If you’re in the area tomorrow please try to attend. The class has worked really hard on this project and I think it’s going to be a memorial all will be proud of.
Since the Navarre Press emailed the county last week to try and get me to stop posting my comments on Facebook, here’s a disclaimer for you:
the following comments are from Rob Williamson and I am proud to be a resident of Navarre and Santa Rosa County.
As a resident and small business owner, I am encouraged at the many improvements our community, county and region has enjoyed during the last year. There is a reason we have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state and one of the fastest growth rates as well. Our community is a great place to live, raise a family, build a career, join a church family, enjoy the outdoors and I could go on.
We must be doing something right. We are improving every day and it’s going to continue this year and the next and the next. Why? Because we have great people and any great anything always has the best people. Great people who volunteer, work and try their best every day to build a great community and leave it better than they found it. So, when I read the owner of our local newspaper say she thinks “our community is circling the toilet bowl” and she’s the “only one who cares,” it ticks me off.
I do not have the time or desire to respond to every negative attack or agenda driven article directed at me by the owner of our local tabloid.
But, when she attacks our community, I feel compelled to stand up and defend my home.
Unlike the owner of our local newspaper, I don’t believe our community is “circling the toilet bowl.” Making such a ridiculous statement not only disrespects all those who bust their tail every day trying to build a better community but it goes to show just how out of touch with the community she really is. If you’re going to make such a selfish statement like that in response to the turnout for the local water board election, then back it up with something. You’re upset because people are going to Facebook for information instead of waiting a week to read the latest offering from you bashing the county government? This is the same water board that reduced water tap fees to encourage new business and elected one of the candidates you endorsed? Stop complaining, we are winning. The HNW Utility is better than it has ever been and our community is too!
I think we have a great community with incredible schools, thousands of active and retired military as neighbors, a low crime rate, low taxes, prettiest beaches in the world and we are less than a three hour drive from the best college football program in the country-FSU.
Heck, our Navarre Raider Football team even went undefeated for the first time this year, “circling the toilet bowl as a community?” Really!?!?
If you think our community is so bad, leave. As for me and my family, we love it here and we’re not going anywhere.
Thank God for social media and the other outlets for providing alternatives our community can turn to for information. Throughout history there have those who have tried to restrict or manipulate the flow of information to gain power. Our community no longer depends on one news source manipulating the information we receive. Together we can go to Facebook (why do you think the owner of local paper continuously attacks FB?), the Navarre Newspaper, SSR News, PNJ, NWFL Daily News and others for realtime Holley/Navarre information. Don’t let the steady drumbeat of doubt and negativity from our local tabloid distract you from the truth. We live in a great place with great people.
Do we have work to do, absolutely. Circling the drain, NO WAY!
Take pride in your community. We are getting better every day. Remember that each year there are tens of thousands who have saved money all year just so they can bring their families to visit the area we call home.
Sincerely,
Rob Williamson-non intimidated by the local media bully, longtime Navarre resident, longtime Navarre small business owner, volunteer basketball coach, member of church board, husband, father of two Navarre school attending kids and grateful to be current District 4 Santa Rosa County Commissioner.
