White Becomes First Commissioner Re-elected In Almost 30 Years

November 6, 2008

Escambia District 5 Commissioner Kevin White made history in Escambia County Tuesday, becoming the first commissioner to be re-elected in almost 30 years.

White, a Republican, was re-elected to his commission seat Tuesday by more than 8,000 votes, taking 63.6 percent of the vote in his race against Democratic challenger Jim Barnett.

Since Escambia County returned to single member commission districts in the early 1980’s, no commissioner had ever won re-election to his seat, White said.

“I am very humbled and honored by it,” White said of his victory. He said he plans to a make economic development and transportation top priorities the next four years. “Including more dirt road paving and taking care of substandard paved roads,” he added.

One former commissioner has managed to return to the commission in a different district.  Wilson Robertson, who previously served as District 5’s commissioner, was elected Tuesday to the District 1 seat held by Mike Whitehead.

Comments

5 Responses to “White Becomes First Commissioner Re-elected In Almost 30 Years”

  1. Robert E on November 10th, 2008 11:16 am

    I can promise Mr White one thing. If some sweeping changes do not occur in the next four years on paving some roads as promised previously. He will very quickly vacate his office shortly after the next election.

  2. Mom on November 9th, 2008 9:24 am

    I personally hope Commissioner White will look at the land development codes for the North End. The current restrictions do not allow a landowner to sale land as they wish. I was recently told that I must have a 100 foot right away to sale my house. There is NO POSSIBLE way that I can get that much right of way. I guess I am a “victim” of land development.
    I have 40 more acres of farm land that does not have 100 foot right away either so guess what? I am stuck there also. Perhaps Commissioner White can help give the property owner the right to choose what they would like to do with their property and not have it slammed down our throat by down town government.

  3. kevin love on November 7th, 2008 11:11 pm

    THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR MR. WHITE. WHEN WALNUT HILL,
    BRATT, MOLINO, AND MCDAVID IS FILL WITH SUBDIVISIONS SEND HIM A BIG
    GIFT. HE IS SUPPORTED BY THE HOME BUILDERS OF ESCAMBIA COUNTY.
    HE IS NOT INTERESTED IS NOTHING THAT GO ON IN THE NORTH IN OF THE
    COUNTY, BUT HE IS INTERESTED IN THE BEAUTIFUL LAND THAT WE ENJOY.

  4. Bill on November 7th, 2008 2:39 pm

    “He said he plans to a make economic development and transportation top priorities the next four years. “Including more dirt road paving and taking care of substandard paved roads,”

    The same false pretense he ran under the first term!

    Drive up US 97N from US 29N and start looking for “dirt road paving and taking care of substandard paved roads”. Start on 97 itself (a very poor surface indeed yet so heavily traveled) then 97A, 99, 99A, Pine Forest Road, Kansas or any of them once in Walnut Hill or further north. Save your gas, I’ll just tell you there hasn’t been anything done in four years. With one exception, 2 miles of Kansas road’s 9 miles. Perhaps the most horrific road in the north end as far as it’s surface goes. If anyone believes this promise will be kept, don’t kid yourself.
    Heck, maybe his thought is that since garbage will only run once a week beginning in January (he too voted for and approved that stinky mess) that the reduction of heavy vehicles (waste trucks) is how he’s going to improve the roads and thier surfaces?

  5. Rick on November 7th, 2008 12:36 pm

    That is really good news, “making economic development and transportation top priorities”. Highway 99 was widened a year or so ago and needed to be resurfaced then, and now even more so. There are several other major highways in our community that also need to be improved.

    I would like to know what the state and/or county’s specifications are in regard to how wide paved roads vs. un-paved roads should be. We have some extremely narrow roads, and I believe these have led to preventable accidents.