Santa Rosa Commissioners Bobby Burkett and Rhett Rowell take the stage

Tuesday saw a much-anticipated changing of the guard at the Santa Rosa County Commission, and hundreds of county residents braved high water to be on hand to witness the event.

Despite heavy downpours that brought 2.3 inches of rain to Milton and triggered flood advisories across the region, there was no room in the county administration building’s spacious parking lot during the ceremony. swearing-in at 1 p.m.

There also wasn’t an empty seat in the county commission meeting room as citizens rubbed shoulders with local luminaries such as former state Sen. Doug Broxson, Sheriff Bob Johnson, Assessor real estate Greg Brown and Tax Collector Stan Colie Nichols.

The stars of the show were newly elected commissioners Bobby Burkett and Rhett Rowell, as well as returning board member Colten Wright. The three men took turns taking the oath of office to begin a four-year term, and each man received a warm ovation after taking the oath, with some in the crowd standing to signal their approval.

“You know you are loved,” one woman blurted as a smiling Burkett finished his arraignment and shook the hand of presiding Judge Robert Hilliard.

This event was as much a fond farewell as an enthusiastic welcome. As commissioners took their places behind the dais to conduct the important business of reorganizing the board, incumbents Wright, Kerry Smith and Ray Eddington took turns speaking about the expectation of a return to civil discourse and regain public trust.

Although the names of outgoing District 1 Commissioner Sam Parker, who was defeated in August by Burkett, and District 3 Commissioner James Calkins, who suffered the same fate at the hands of Rowell, have not been released. , both have often been mentioned.

Both men had sparked controversy when they were commissioners and were questioned about their apparently close ties to local developers. Calkins had often drawn the ire of Smith and Wright for, among other things, demonizing local Democrats and accusing other board members of bid-rigging.

Wright spoke of looking forward to a “rejuvenation” of county governance and the return of respect and dignity. He warned the new commissioners against “the cruelty of certain people.”

“Your lives will never be the same,” he said. “Don’t let the negativity and criticism you receive discourage you.”

Smith addressed the voters who had elected Burkett and Rowell. He praised them for staying informed during county commission campaigns and not falling into the trap of negative publicity, much of it generated by a political action committee funded by development interests and run by the Calkins’ grandmother.

“I woke up this morning with a little step forward. It’s a great day,” Smith said. “You sent a clear message that outside influences and underhanded tactics have no place in Santa Rosa County. This victory is yours.”

Smith, who was elected by the board as president this year, also addressed the new commissioners.

“Thank you for stepping up,” he said. “Now hold tight to this leadership role. Your integrity in public service is your foundation. You will need it to build the trust we so desperately need to bring back to the board.”

Eddington, who like Smith spent two years sharing the dais with Parker and Calkins, enthusiastically said he thinks the new board “will be the best board I’ve ever been on “.

“I have a feeling there won’t be any more noise, no more shouting. It’ll be nice,” he said. “It’s going to be a great board.”

Burkett, who admitted after the meeting to being almost overwhelmed by everything that was happening around him, spoke briefly to thank the Lord for giving him the courage to run for himself and the voters who elected him.

“Now I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” he said. “I’m fighting for you.”

Rowell, who will serve as commissioner in a district known for its prime farmland and the famous NAS Whiting Field military training center, promised to defend agriculture and farmers, support the military and small businesses and working alongside the county school district.

“As we face an exciting and uncertain future, let us realize that every time we face a setback, an opportunity presents itself,” he said.