MILTON — Santa Rosa County Commissioner Lane Lynchard ran unopposed for his District 5 seat, but incumbent Don Salter of District 3 has a non-party affiliation candidate to face in November.
Meanwhile, District 1 candidate Sam Parker won his challenge with no other party members to face in November.
Salter won his primary contest with 23.18 percent of the vote while Parker won by 21.3 percent.
DON SALTER
If he wins in November, Salter will continue a 16-year career of public service to Santa Rosa County as commissioner.
He said he’s tried to be consistent and have a vision for the county.
His top three priorities are protecting and enhancing Naval Air Station Whiting Field, improving the county’s infrastructure and public safety measures, and continuing to support local veterans.
Salter also said he believes some form of public transportation could return to Santa Rosa County in this coming term.
He said hopefully a plan will emerge to provide at least major corridor public transportation in areas such as Highways 90 and 98.
SAM PARKER
Sam Parker, a real estate agent and real estate investment company owner, will take the District 1 seat Jayer Williamson vacated. Parker has a master’s degree in public administration from Troy University.
He’s already served the county in the property appraiser’s office, as a school teacher, and as a correctional officer.
Parker said after acclimating himself to the position and getting to know county staffers, his first priority is to contact the business community.
“One of the biggest things I want to do is proactive outreach to the business community. I’m ready and willing to listen to their concerns (and) help in anyway possible,” he said.
Parker said he was glad to see the infrastructure tax pass, calling it “equitable as opposed to a property tax.”
However, he said he believes the courthouse tax failed because most residents do not like the downtown Milton site.
“It’s back to the drawing board,” he said, to look for a new site and educate the public on why whichever site the board selects is best.
Parker said getting the courthouse underway will “help restore confidence between the citizens and the county (officials).”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa commissioners-elect talk courthouse, public transportation