Gaetz fights for SR island cut-through

Florida’s 1^st District Congressman Matt Gaetz reassured Navarre residents Nov. 27 at a town hall meeting that he would continue to fight for a cut-through of Santa Rosa Island that would allow faster boat access to the Gulf of Mexico from Navarre. The pass could infuse $1B into the regional economy, according to Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach). "The new investment would make Santa Rosa one of the wealthiest counties in Florida," Gaetz said. Eglin Air Force Base leaders have opposed the idea for a pass, which they claim would increase boat traffic and interfere with training along a 20-mile stretch of military-owned beach between Navarre and Destin. Gatez indicated that he was going to look at other options in the area for the military training, including Gulf Islands National Seashore. Gaetz also suggested restitution money paid by BP from the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill could potentially be used to fund the pass. (Source: Pensacola News Journal 11/28/17)