I have lived in and reported on Northwest Florida for more than 15 years, most of that time focusing on the people, politics, businesses and personalities of Santa Rosa County.

From time to time, I will collect a few notable news nuggets from Santa Rosa and pass them a long here on progresspromise.com.

Here's my first offering:

WILLIAMSON’S SON SEEKS COMMISSION SEAT

The son of a longtime Santa Rosa County leader is seeking to replace his father who died earlier this month.

Jayer Williamson has prefiled to run in the special election this fall to fill the County Commission seat left vacant by his father, Jim Williamson. The elder Williamson resigned from the commission on April 1 and died a day later from complications related to a liver transplant more than two decades ago.

“It would be an honor to fulfill my father's final two years, but more importantly, a privilege to be a public servant to the citizens of Santa Rosa County,” Jayer Williamson wrote on his Facebook page.

Williamson, who now manages the electrical business in Milton that his father opened in the 1970s, prefiled to run for the seat as a Republican on April 10. So far, he is the only candidate to do so. District 1 joins the Districts 2 and 4 seats, which are usually up for grabs in this election cycle.

Jayer Williamson previously ran for office in 2012 when he led an unsuccessful primary campaign against state Rep. Doug Broxson.

In the meantime, Gov. Rick Scott may appoint a commissioner to serve until the election. There’s been no word on when Scott might announce that appointment.

“It is my understanding that the governor does not have to appoint anyone,” Santa Rosa County Public Information Officer Joy Tsubooka said. “The office could just remain vacant.”

NEW EMERGENCY WARNING SYSTEM INSTALLED

Be it a chemical spill, a flood or other imminent disaster, Santa Rosa County has a new tool to alert citizens of an emergency.

GeoCast Web will make rapid telephone notifications to residents and businesses in an area likely to be impacted by a disaster, according to a report from the county. The calls will include a recorded message instructing residents what measures to take to protect themselves.

GeoCast cost $10,000 annually. It is covered by state Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance Grant funds.

The new system replaces the old REVERSE 911. That system used 24 phone lines to make about 1,240 calls per hour. The GeoCast system is web-based and can make up to 6,000 calls per hour. The messages can be received by landline, cell and VoIP phones. As the system is web based, county officials can send messages wherever they have an Internet connection.

The system will also be utilized for less time-sensitive yet important messages, including those provided by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office concerning criminal activity in a particular area.

All listed landline phone numbers in the county will be automatically imported into the new system, but unlisted numbers, cell phones and some VoIP phones will not. However, all residents and business owners are asked to register even if their phone number may already be in the system to establish an account.

Register at the county’s website, www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency, or through the system’s self-registration web portal at https://santarosa.onthealert.com.

REPLACING TONKIN

The nonprofit Santa Rosa Clean Community System is seeking a new executive director following the sudden death of its longtime leader John Tonkin in February.

The system “is seeking an experienced, self-starter to manage our plant nursery, staff and coordinate a large number of volunteers.”

Candidates must live in Santa Rosa County, pass a background check, have marketing and grant writing capabilities, as well as managerial experience and basic horticultural knowledge. Beginning salary is $25,000 annually plus $500 monthly expense allowance and commission on nursery sales.

The application and more information is available at www.srclean.org. The deadline to apply is April 30.

BUTTERFLY HOUSE OPENS

The Panhandle Butterfly House, located in Navarre Park on U.S. 98 at the foot of the Navarre Bridge, will celebrate its grand opening for the 2014 season with a ribbon cutting on May 3.

Festivities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring music in the outdoor gazebo, refreshments and a live butterfly release in the vivarium.

A variety of native butterflies inhabit the inside and outside gardens at the Butterfly House.

The Butterfly House is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday, starting May 3. Prescheduled tours for groups of 10 or more are available Monday through Wednesday. You may reserve a tour by visiting our website atwww.panhandlebutterflyhouse.org.

To contact Louis Cooper, email him at [email protected].

[progresspromise]