'Biker Chick Beach Slumber Party' Sep 15, 2007
After lunch, ride to Santa Rosa Island (bridge toll: $1) and check in at Comfort Inn, just west of the Sandshaker Lounge on Pensacola Beach. At 3 p.m., join in the Official Biker Chick Induction Ceremony at the Comfort Inns Poolside Tiki Bar. (Pensacola News Journal)
Mark O'Brien: O'B loves O.B., give government -- and us -- a salute, other O'pinions Sep 6, 2007
Just across the state line in Alabama, a mythical, magical beach community called Orange Beach offers so much more than Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key. Orange Beach is clean, with American flags lining the main road and, get this: Virtually no litter. (Pensacola News Journal)
Holiday brings tourists to area Sep 1, 2007
Shark attacks are rare along the Gulf Coast, but sightings aren't unusual this time of year, said Bob West, public safety manager for the Santa Rosa Island Authority. "Any time a surf is flat and green with crystal-clear water, as it is now, you're going to have sharks that see a deep channel," West said. (Pensacola News Journal)
Park dedicated to man from Pensacola Beach Aug 25, 2007
Served on the Santa Rosa Island Authority board from 1992-95 and donated his monthly stipend to Pensacola Beach Elementary School ... Was honored by the Santa Rosa Island Authority with the Spirit of Pensacola Beach award ... The Santa Rosa Island Authority and the Pensacola Beach chamber collaborated to dedicate the park in Gowens' honor. (Pensacola News Journal)
What the boss is reading Aug 19, 2007
As executive director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, Lee had been on the job only a few weeks in July 2005 when Hurricane Dennis hammered Pensacola Beach, already severely damaged the year before by Hurricane Ivan. In the weeks and months after Dennis, Lee helped put the beach back together, and had his battles with FEMA and other relief agencies. (Pensacola News Journal)
Letters to the Editor: August 14 Aug 14, 2007
The Santa Rosa island Authority has let new residents bring in sod for yards in all the "high-rent" areas. All of this sod has two to three inches of dark soil in its base and is just laid down on the sand and watered all the time and this just adds to the sands discoloration. (Pensacola News Journal)
Five hot properties Aug 12, 2007
Based on current Pensacola Beach zoning regulations and the cost of the property, the only viable development is a hotel or motel, said Buck Lee, executive director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. Lee said current zoning regulations on the beach allow for as many as 50 hotel/motel units per acre for commercially zoned property. (Pensacola News Journal)
Hurricane lessons lost in county's Perdido Key plan Aug 11, 2007
That is why National Park Service officials have been so slow to rebuild the road to Fort Pickens, on Santa Rosa Island. It has been washed away multiple times, and rebuilding it risks wasting millions of dollars. (Pensacola News Journal)
Take the Kids: Kids will say, 'mmm ... doughnuts' Jul 27, 2007
Sponsored by the Santa Rosa Island Authority, the free concerts take place from 5 to 8 p.m. each Sunday through the summer at Quietwater Shell on the Portofino Boardwalk on Pensacola Beach. For more information, call. (Pensacola News Journal)
Blues wow crowds Jul 22, 2007
" Christina Crawford, who attend the show with son Aaron, 8 Photo Gallery (12 images) Click images for full-size view Published - July, 22, 2007 WOW!! Blues wow beach crowd Threat of rain evaporates as thousands hit beach Louis Cooper Fears of thunderstorms at Pensacola Beach Saturday gave way to skies filled with angels.The Blue Angels."Thank you for your prayers last night that the rain would move out of here," said Santa Rosa Island Authority General Manager W.A. "Buck" Lee as he welcomed... (Pensacola News Journal)
Hotel ordinance approved Jul 20, 2007
"We all want hotels, real hotels," said Perdido Key resident Kelly Robertson, a former Santa Rosa Island Authority member. The SRIA oversees development on the beach, and its board members clashed with the commission over the hotel/condo debate. (Pensacola News Journal)
Blues 101: Air show advice Jul 20, 2007
"There's not enough," Santa Rosa Island Authority General Manager W.A. "Buck" Lee said of the beach's limited parking. There are approximately 1,600 parking spots in the core area so prepare to scavenge for parking any time after about 8:30 a.m.. (Pensacola News Journal)
Mark O'Brien: O'pinions: Musical chairs, a muscular mayor, resisting urge to merge Jul 20, 2007
Robertson's latest fundraising included $500 from Bill Griffith, a member of the Santa Rosa Island Authority for more than a decade before Whitehead forced him from the board last fall. Whitehead, who has raised only $600 so far, says he's been busy with county business but expressed confidence he can raise money when he gets time. (Pensacola News Journal)
Blues prepare for show Jul 15, 2007
"The Blues know they are loved in this area," said W.A. "Buck" Lee, general manager of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. "Everybody is still upset about No. 6.". (Pensacola News Journal)
Whitehead's view Jul 15, 2007
- Santa Rosa Island property taxes: $6. 6 million, which must be set aside until courts resolve tax issue. (Pensacola News Journal)
Take the Kids: Make pinwheels, then spin them at 'Bands on the Beach' Jul 13, 2007
If you have yet to attend one of these free concerts sponsored by the Santa Rosa Island Authority, you are missing out on good music and a good time. Gather up your family, pack a picnic, load up the car with all the necessities (blankets, chairs, beach toys, extra towels, cooler) and head to the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. (Pensacola News Journal)
Pensacola Beach Pier expansion Jul 6, 2007
"It's going to be built in the sand and won't take any parking spaces," Santa Rosa Island Authority General Manager Buck Lee said. Sitting atop the pier, the building will feature 80 feet of boardwalk running down the center. (Pensacola News Journal)
Newcomers Guide Jun 28, 2007
Located on the northern shore of Pensacola Bay, the city looks south past Santa Rosa Peninsula, Santa Rosa Sound and Santa Rosa Island to the Gulf, and to the westPerdido Key ... Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island is located in Escambia County. (Pensacola News Journal)
Vote delayed on hotel ordinance Jun 22, 2007
In other action Thursday, Valentino announced his new appointee for the Santa Rosa Island Authority: Warrington resident Elwyn "Ed" Guernsey. Valentino dismissed his previous appointee, Kelly G. Robertson, saying that Robertson did not follow his lead in supporting a proposal to allow hotel investors to stay up to 12 weeks in the rooms they purchase, up from the current two-week period. (Pensacola News Journal)
Commissioner fires his SRIA appointee Jun 21, 2007
Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino on Wednesday told his appointee to the Santa Rosa Island Authority that his services will no longer be needed. Kelly G. Robertson received a letter signed by Valentino that requested he resign by the end of business today. (Pensacola News Journal)
Beach road honors Levin Jun 17, 2007
The Escambia County Commission and the Santa Rosa Island Authority approved the name change of a quarter-mile segment of the road near the southwest corner of Portofino, which Mr. Levin helped develop. "The family is very honored and touched with this effort to honor his legacy and what he did for the beach," said his widow, Teri Levin. (Pensacola News Journal)
Levin's legacy lives on at beach Jun 15, 2007
The Escambia County Commission and the Santa Rosa Island Authority recently approved the renaming of a portion of Via de Luna on Pensacola Beach as Allen R. Levin Way ... Why name a road after someone who contributed so much towards the destruction of Santa Rosa Island. (Pensacola News Journal)
Hotel plan heads to county Jun 14, 2007
The Santa Rosa Island Authority board agreed Wednesday to establish its own policies in defining what a hotel is on Pensacola Beach. The Island Authority has been grappling with the issue in response to concerns by some members and beach residents that hotels at the beach could be built for longer-term stays. (Pensacola News Journal)
Area recreation notes Jun 12, 2007
The 14-week training period is in preparation for the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon (SRITRI) October 6. Charles Gheen, 56, the president of TriGulfCoast (TGC), looks forward to the seventh year of summer training sessions. (Pensacola News Journal)
Today's best bets Jun 3, 2007
Concerts are provided and organized by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. Free. (Pensacola News Journal)
Found! WWII practice bomb Jun 2, 2007
WWII practice bomb - 06/02/2007 - MiamiHerald (The Miami Herald)
Beware of objects on beach Jun 1, 2007
Santa Rosa Island was a bombing range during World War II.. The past few weeks, four to five devices -- including a practice bomb found this week -- have been discovered along Pensacola Beach, said Detective Michael White of the State Fire Marshal's Office. (Pensacola News Journal)
Cleaning up the beach May 31, 2007
Micheal Hunter, left, and Adel Tomasek, right, of the Santa Rosa Island Authority join other SRIA workers Tuesday morning cleaning-up the litter and trash left behind on Pensacola Beach over the Memorial Day Weekend. Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj. (Pensacola News Journal)
Lifeguards ensure safety May 30, 2007
From Friday through Monday on Pensacola Beach, lifeguards were involved in 58 rescues "and everyone made it out of the water safely," said Bob West, Santa Rosa Island Authority public safety director. "It was the biggest crowds and the roughest surf I've seen" since beginning work in 2001, West said. (Pensacola News Journal)
Mark O'Brien: Gavel out of order, lesson in life, west side story, other O'pinions May 30, 2007
I'm no stickler for decorum, but when it comes to meetings, the Santa Rosa Island Authority is the most unprofessional board in town. A recent meeting was another example of too little discipline. (Pensacola News Journal)
Swimmers stay safe over weekend May 29, 2007
"We only had a handful of assists (Memorial Day)," said Bob West, public safety manager for the Santa Rosa Island Authority. "It really slowed down.". (Pensacola News Journal)
Property tax reform revisited May 29, 2007
What happened to all of the money generated by taxing property on Santa Rosa Island. All of that beach property now paying taxes, and it STILL ISN'T enough. (Pensacola News Journal)
Rescuers save 15 swimmers from Gulf May 28, 2007
Thousands flocked to Casino Beach on Sunday to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend. Ben Twingley/btwingley@pnj. (Pensacola News Journal)
Weekend off to busy start May 27, 2007
"So far, we haven't had any problems with people getting into the water on Pensacola Beach," said Bob West, public safety manager for the Santa Rosa Island Authority. The news was more somber in nearby Gulf Shores, Ala. (Pensacola News Journal)
Crowds begin to swarm beach May 26, 2007
J. Earle Bowden Way, the road that links both ends of Santa Rosa Island, still is closed because of heavy hurricane damage. Article Comments. (Pensacola News Journal)
Watch flags - surf is rough May 25, 2007
The 18 lifeguards on duty Thursday at Pensacola Beach vigorously enforced red-flag warnings for the second day in a row, though no rescues were made, said Bob West, public safety manager for the Santa Rosa Island Authority. The same precautions will be taken until at least Saturday, he said. (Pensacola News Journal)
Beach business booming May 25, 2007
Three times so far this year, the number of cars crossing Bob Sikes Bridge have exceeded what has been seen on a day during the annual Blue Angels summer weekend show, said Bob West, public safety manager for the Santa Rosa Island Authority ... The Santa Rosa Island Authority is paying for 200 extra hours of law enforcement that Montee said will primarily go toward patrolling the Casino Beach and Quietwater Beach areas with all-terrain vehicles. (Pensacola News Journal)
Caution: Red flag is flying May 24, 2007
The red flags will be out through Friday and possibly into Saturday as locals and visitors alike pile onto the beach for Memorial Day weekend, said Bob West, public safety manager for the Santa Rosa Island Authority. There probably will be no calm-condition green flags for the entire weekend. (Pensacola News Journal)
Mark O'Brien: O'pinions on taxpayer tears, Beulah boom, political timing, 'island' idea May 21, 2007
Portofino isn't just the largest luxury resort on Santa Rosa Island. Now it's "Portofino Island," according to a brochure touting its charms. (Pensacola News Journal)
We must find a way to keep the old NAS lighthouse open May 17, 2007
It provides a panoramic sweep of Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key, of the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Bay, and of the Naval Air Station and the west side of the county. To be able to look down and see airplanes landing and taking off from Sherman Field is an amazing sight. (Pensacola News Journal)
Local briefs May 13, 2007
The Santa Rosa Island Authority's $1. 6 million Public Safety Building is set to open May 22. (Pensacola News Journal)
SRIA studies parking garage May 10, 2007
It's the first cost estimate the Santa Rosa Island Authority has seen for building such a garage. It was presented to them at Wednesday night's board meeting by Dave Hemphill, an engineer for Baskerville-Donovan Inc., which contracts engineering services for the Island Authority. (Pensacola News Journal)
Local news briefs May 10, 2007
The Santa Rosa Island Authority's budget also is on the agenda. The meeting will be in the commission chambers on the first floor of the Escambia County Governmental Complex, 221 Palafox Place. (Pensacola News Journal)
Malaise, a short story May 7, 2007
All he really wanted was some hurricane-ravaged stretch of beach you would hurry by in a car on the way to Mobile or Pensacola or Santa Rosa Island. A no-place with no name. (Townhall.com)
Beach road compromise points to lower cost, impact May 3, 2007
Abandon the road and surrender to the natural rhythms of Santa Rosa Island, which resist permanent structures. The compromise on Bowden Way, which runs through a portion of Gulf Islands National Seashore, is to avoid the budget-busting, environmentally risky armored road and replace it with a cheaper "sacrificial" road. (Pensacola News Journal)
Beach concert series is back under a new name May 1, 2007
Luckily, the Santa Rosa Island Authority's summer concert series, "Bands on the Beach," has that all taken care of ... "We're just trying not to pigeon-hole it into one variety of music," says W.A. "Buck" Lee, who has been Santa Rosa Island Authority general manager for two years. (Pensacola News Journal)
Viewpoint: Lawmakers should legislate vision, not marketability Apr 29, 2007
Positive consequences include an increase in hotel development, additional bed tax revenue, more Santa Rosa Island Authority lease fees, increased property tax revenue to the county and more jobs for skilled and unskilled labor. The commission must not repeat the mistakes of the past by micro-managing land use. (Pensacola News Journal)
Mark O'Brien: Relief for Pensacola Beach parking problem is en route - maybe Apr 27, 2007
It's a periodic problem on Santa Rosa Island, testing visitors' patience and frustrating business owners who see potential customers driven away by a lack of space ... Nighttime parking at Quietwater Beach is the main problem, say officials for the Santa Rosa Island Authority ... Yet employers can't tell employees to park elsewhere, or they may be held liable if the employees are hurt or robbed while going the extra distance, Powell told the Santa Rosa Island Authority on Wednesday night. (Pensacola News Journal)
Protecting Jones Swamp is a good step Apr 26, 2007
Similarly, off-road vehicles had to be banned from Santa Rosa Island to protect sand dunes. Creating an outdoor course where boggers can bury their trucks up to the hubs and spray mud without damaging wildlands would be a plus for both sides. (Pensacola News Journal)
SRIA will draft own hotel plan Apr 25, 2007
The Santa Rosa Island Authority will meet at11:30 a.m. May 8 to consider a hotel-regulation ordinance being drafted by Chairman Vernon Prather ... If you're talking about Santa Rosa Island, that is ... Santa Rosa Island Authority board member Tammy Bohannon used the duck criteria Tuesday, as discussion continued on a specific definition of a hotel room. (Pensacola News Journal)
Beach fireworks may return Apr 20, 2007
The Santa Rosa Island Authority, which gets a portion of business receipts on the island, still didn't have the funds to put on a show this year as receipts lagged pre-hurricane levels. Doug McAllister, president of Fun Coast Promotions in Gulf Breeze, said he was disappointed last year when the beach had no July Fourth fireworks. (Pensacola News Journal)
SRIA, school liable in drowning Apr 19, 2007
Lisa Beasley, the mother of victim Earl Beasley, filed the suit against the Santa Rosa Island Authority, which the jury found 15 percent liable, and the now-defunct Gulf Coast High School, which it found 85 percent responsible. How much Beasley will receive is not clear. (Pensacola News Journal)
Letters to the Editor: April 18, 2007 Apr 18, 2007
No lease is renewed beyond its 99-year term and eventually Santa Rosa Island returns to a state as close to what God intended as can be. Impossible. (Pensacola News Journal)
Mark O'Brien: 'Less government,' some say, until meddling suits their purposes Apr 17, 2007
Yet, they also want government to intrude on the free market when it comes to business, especially on Santa Rosa Island. These opponents want to stop Escambia County's efforts to relax rules and make it easier for investors to build hotels, desperately needed on both Perdido Key and Santa Rosa Island ... And they're urging the Santa Rosa Island Authority to keep its antiquated rule that hotel rooms can be no larger than 500 square feet. (Pensacola News Journal)
Captains want in on ferry service Apr 16, 2007
They have vessels that could carry several dozen passengers for the short jaunt to the west end of Santa Rosa Island and the historic fort ... A visit to Fort Pickens, on the western tip of Santa Rosa Island, now requires a seven-mile trek by foot or bicycle. (Pensacola News Journal)
Outside consultant can help clarify beach hotel question Apr 15, 2007
The Santa Rosa Island Authority would be wise to proceed with a proposal to hire an outside, independent hotel consultant to help bring clarity to the confusing issue of condo/hotels on Pensacola Beach ... But what is clear is that in the late 1940s, in turning over Santa Rosa Island to Escambia County, which still owns the land, Congress charged the county with managing the island in the interests of the public. (Pensacola News Journal)
Volunteers spruce up beach Apr 14, 2007
Volunteers are invited to join Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson IV, Vernon Prather, chairman of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, residents, businesses and organizations in removing trash from Pensacola Beach roadways ... The Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, Santa Rosa Island Authority, residents, businesses and Escambia County officials are combining efforts to get the job done. (Pensacola News Journal)
Viewpoint: Public needs to be heard on Pensacola Beach Apr 14, 2007
Pensacola Beach has enjoyed a very diversified and successful development under the watchful eyes of the Santa Rosa Island Authority ... William H. Griffith is a 39-year beach resident and served on the Santa Rosa Island Authority for 14 years. (Pensacola News Journal)
Hall of famers shared passions Apr 12, 2007
Ann and Charlie Knight stand in front of their monument at Casino Beach for their work with the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon ... The interest grew from a hobby into a passion, joining with husband, Charlie, to develop what is now the Abita Springs Santa Rosa Island Triathlon, scheduled Oct. 6 on Pensacola Beach ... Before he died of cancer in 2005, Charlie Knight was the event coordinator for the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon. (Pensacola News Journal)
SRIA mulls hotel definition Apr 12, 2007
The Santa Rosa Island Authority will wait until later this month to consider changes to its definition of a hotel ... County commissioners did away with room-size limitations last year, but the Island Authority still has its own 500-square-foot limit on hotel room sizes for Santa Rosa Island. (Pensacola News Journal)
One beach, two visions Apr 10, 2007
His unlikely allies include some longtime Portofino opponents -- the Pensacola Beach Residents and Leaseholders Association and environmentalist and former Santa Rosa Island Authority member Michael O'Donovan -- as well as a number of beach shop and restaurant owners ... Santa Rosa Island effectively reached its residential building cap of 4,128 units when Portofino owners announced earlier this year they will build the last 248 units allowable ... Former Santa Rosa Island Authority member Bill... (Pensacola News Journal)
J. Earle Bowden Way (Photos) Apr 10, 2007
Santa Rosa Island Authority workers build a retaining wall to protect asphalt on a J. Earle Bowden Way parking lot after Tropical Storm Helene sloshed ashore on in September 2000. Bruce Graner/bgraner@pnj. (Pensacola News Journal)
Beach road to get repairs Apr 10, 2007
Santa Rosa Island was washed over in that area by Hurricane Ivans storm surge, wiping out a segment of road. Debate about how to gird the road from future storms without damaging the islands ecosystem remains unsettled. (Pensacola News Journal)
Global warming issue hits home Apr 8, 2007
Santa Rosa Island would not respond immediately to the rise in sea level but would go through an adjustment period with increased coastal flooding and damage to infrastructure, even during small winter storms. It would be a relatively long time before the dunes could recover and develop to their pre-Ivan height. (Pensacola News Journal)
Viewpoint: Condo-hotel ordinance bad for Perdido Key Mar 31, 2007
The "significant differences" between Perdido Key and Santa Rosa Island, many of which are at the heart of the opposition to its implementation on Santa Rosa Island, are not that apparent ... Santa Rosa Island's "unique mix of commercial (which includes retail, hotel and condominium), single family residential and conservation" is not unique ... Excluding Santa Rosa Island from this debate is no better an idea than excluding Perdido Key. (Pensacola News Journal)
