Hurricane recovery, sinking the Oriskany top news stories for 2006
BY LISA NEWELL Gulf Breeze News lisa@gulfbreezenews.com

If you ask Buck Lee what was the biggest newsmaker on Pensacola Beach this year, he’s got a short response.

“No hurricanes,” the Santa Rosa Island Authority General Manager quipped.

As the island tries to continue recovery from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Dennis in 2005, many of the news stories include rebuilding infrastructure on Pensacola Beach.

Lee lists the following projects as impacting Pensacola Beach in 2006:

¦ Four-laning Via de Luna

¦ Launching construction of public restrooms and public safety building on Casino Beach; and

¦ Resurfacing the SRIA portion of Fort Pickens Road, installing underground utilities and adjacent bike path.

Additionally, despite rumors of its abolition, the Santa Rosa Island Authority installed four new members ¦ Rep. Dave Murzin presented a $1 out of six, with Dr. Thomas Campanella winning re-election to his seat.

¦ The NCAA Fall Festival brought over 800 Division II student athletes to Pensacola Beach in November for championships in several sports, boosting the economy in the autumn.

Pensacola Beach Elementary School rebuilt and was able to begin classes back on beach soil. Students occupied temporary classrooms while construction was underway.

¦ Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic church reopened Mother’s Day and was re-dedicated on Father’s Day by Bishop Ricard.

¦ The Community Church and the Beach Church House were reopened after the storm.

¦ Lot sales slowed significantly as insurance rates skyrocketed.

¦ Residents were inundated with sand from storms, and the SRIA crews stayed busy removing sand from roadways.

million check to help fund a cleanup of Little Sabine Bay, to install a pipe to encourage a flushing action. However, the full project will cost nearly double that amount.

¦ The SRIA passed a regulation limiting the amount of enclosed space to 850 feet below the base flood level. The move was intended to prevent excess debris from trashing the island and possibly damaging other structures.

¦ In May, the Oriskany was towed 26 miles into the Gulf and 22 explosives were detonated, causing the aircraft carrier to sink within 90 minutes. The result is a “carrier” reef that is expected to attract sealife and scuba divers, potentially boosting the local economy.

¦ The Krewe of Wrecks parade again took the Via de Luna in 2006 after being cancelled in 2005 due to hurricane Dennis.

¦ Longtime beach supporter and “Head Wreck” Andrea Brunt passed away October 30 at the age of 55.