Beach Rumors

The News Journal isn't is reporting it... WEAR-TV isn't saying... but rumors are circulating that the Santa Rosa Island Authority has tapped Buck Lee as the SRIA's new General Manager. Lee is a former Santa Rosa County commissioner who left office last November.
Addendum
The the latest news is --:

After interviewing six candidates to replace Monte Blews, who is retiring at the end of May after 12 years as general manager, the board unanimously agreed Wednesday afternoon to offer the position to the 58-year-old Pensacola native. The offer will be made after a special meeting next week, giving Island Authority attorneys time to draw up a contract.

"I'm excited," said Lee after he was informed of the upcoming offer. "I'm looking forward to working with the Island Authority. Hopefully, we can get this beach back to better than ever."

The board voted to give Lee about 10 percent less than Blew's current $91,000 salary, citing Lee's lack of experience on the managing side of government. But they acknowledged that his experience on the policy side is what made him the front-runner over candidates such as Navy Capt. John Pruitt, commanding officer of the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Pruitt, who has 2,000 people reporting to him, was a close second.