The race is on to replace outgoing Santa Rosa County Sheriff Wendell Hall, Santa Rosa County Commissioner Rob Williamson is taking a listening tour to see what residents think about the county budget and other issues, and the Beaches to Woodlands Tour is accepting applications for events to be included in the annual October series.

Santa Rosa 2016 sheriff's race heating up

With Sheriff Hall set to retire after four terms, potential successors are lining up to compete for his seat.

Two Republicans have pre-filed to run for the seat, which is up for election in 2016.

Robert Johnson, who is currently a major in the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office, pre-filed to run on July 7, 2014. He is a resident of Navarre. Ted Roy, a sergeant with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office who lives in Gulf Breeze, pre-filed on July 6, 2015. Johnson reports collecting $15,400 in campaign contributions. Roy has not yet filed a financial report.

Three incumbent officers up for re-election in 2016 have also pre-filed to run, including Supervisor of Elections Tappie Villane, Clerk of Court Donald Spencer and Santa Rosa schools superintendent Tim Wyrosdick. The only other pre-filed candidate is Buddy Powell, who has pre-filed to run against Wyrosdick.

Other county offices up for election in 2016 include Santa Rosa County Commission Districts 1, 3 and 5, currently held by Jayer Williamson, Don Salter and Lane Lynchard, respectively. When Salter won reelection to his fourth term in 2012, he said he would also retire in 2016.

All of the pre-filed candidates are Republicans.

Two school board seats and the tax collector's position are also up for election next year.

For more information about the 2016 Santa Rosa elections, candidates and finances, go to www.votesantarosa.com.

Commissioner sets out on 'listening tour'

Commissioner Rob Williamson is in the midst of a five-stop, countywide listening tour.

“With county leaders in the process of crafting the fiscal year 2015/2016 budget, listening to feedback from residents throughout the county will help me with pending budget decisions," said Williamson, whose District 4 includes the Navarre area.

"I'm interested to hear their thoughts on a variety of topics. Topics like infrastructure spending, stormwater/flood management, courthouse, tourism, economic development, industrial park improvements, agriculture, quality of life, growth management, RESTORE funding, fuel taxes, impact fees and water quality.”

The tour began on July 9 with a meeting in Milton, and continues with these events:

-- Tuesday, July 21, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Pace Chamber of Commerce July Breakfast at Oops Alley, 3721 U.S. 90, Pace

-- Friday, July 24, noon to 1 p.m. at the Navarre Visitor Information Center, 8543 U.S. 98, Navarre

-- Tuesday, July 28, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze

-- Monday, Aug. 3, noon to 1 p.m. at the Jay Chamber August Luncheon, Jay Community Center, 5259 Booker Street, Jay

Williamson, who was elected in 2014, plans to conduct these meetings every year.

Beaches to Woodlands seeks events

Applications to participate in the 12th annual Beaches to Woodlands Tour of Santa Rosa County are being accepted through Aug. 5 for the October showcase of events.

Events in the tour are primarily staged in the month of October, although some straddle late September and early November. The tour is intended to attract visitors and locals eager to enjoy the area’s natural resources during a milder season. In the past, events on the tour have included the Jay Peanut Festival, the Munson Community Heritage Festival and the Fenner McConnell / Matt Wantz Blackwater Heritage Century Ride, among others.

“The Beaches to Woodlands Tour has grown to include a wide variety of events from agritourism to festivals and country fairs to 5Ks and more,” said Karen Harrell, who has served as the Beaches to Woodlands Tour coordinator for seven years. “This last year we had more than 40 events and we expect to see at least that."

The Beaches to Woodlands Tour is presented by the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Organization.

Groups and organizations interested in joining the tour should contact: [email protected].