Newcomer Jeremy Johnson faces longtime incumbent Thomas Campanella for SRIA seat

Editor's note: This story has been updated to provide the correct date of the election.

Longtime incumbent Thomas Campanella will face off against Pensacola native and Realtor Jeremy Johnson for a seat on the Santa Rosa Island Authority board in the Nov. 8 general election.

Johnson is a political newcomer, while Campanella, a dentist, was first elected to the SRIA board in 2002.

Although both are longtime residents, the two have different visions for how to improve and protect the island's future.

Meet Jeremy Johnson: Candidate, elected SRIA board

Thomas Campanella did not complete the candidate Q&A

Each candidate's big three

According to Campanella, his campaign priorities have remained consistent with the first time he ran for the position two decades ago.

His top three goals, if reelected, are to maintain a responsible and interactive government for all residents, leaseholders, businesses and visitors; back the survival and success of beach businesses, local churches and Pensacola Beach Elementary; and preserve and conserve the fragile natural environment, especially the wildlife.

He said maintaining community staples, such as churches, civic organizations and schools, are essential to a growing community.

"That's what makes this more than just a beach destination," Campanella said. "It is a community first, then a beach destination next. (For the heart and souls) that helped develop the beach, that moved out here, built homes, built businesses, grew the beach: This is home."

Newcomer and lifelong local Johnson also has based his campaign around three central issues, but has focused heavily on resolving frequent criticisms about traffic and parking issues at Pensacola Beach.

His top three priorities are to mitigate traffic congestion and parking issues; ensure the SRIA receives adequate funding for infrastructure, capital improvement projects, maintenance and public safety from Escambia County; and implement the use of technology for better communication with leaseholders.

"I think that we need to work to improve traffic and parking on the island, especially in the core area of the beach. That seems to be No. 1 on pretty much everybody's list. I want to make sure that the island is receiving its fair share of funding back from the county for infrastructure improvements," Johnson said.

Meet your SRIA candidates

Campanella remembers Pensacola Beach fondly as an annual summer vacation spot as a child. The memories were so sweet, his family decided to make a permanent move while he was still in high school.

His parents built a home of their own in Villa Sabine in 1969 and made the permanent move from Biloxi, Mississippi. He kept Pensacola Beach in mind as he went through college and dental school at Louisiana State University, knowing all along he would return to Pensacola Beach one day also.

"When I graduated from dental school, got all my schooling finished, I moved back here full-time and that was about 1977," Campanella said. "I didn't have to find my way back — ­­I was coming back, mind made up: this is where you're going to set your roots down and practice (dentistry.)"

Johnson said a love for Pensacola Beach is also in his blood, as he grew up on the beach himself, following in the footsteps of family who came before him.

"I am a third-generation beach resident, I have a 10-year-old son who is going into the fifth grade at the beach school, he's a fourth-generation beach resident. My late grandmother, Jane Waters, was one of the integral forces in getting this elected position to even exist. She fought for there to be a local voice on the SRIA board," he said. "So, I have a long history on the beach. I grew up out here, I went to Pensacola Beach Elementary School."

Johnson noted how having a young child at home only increases his commitment to improving the lives of those who call the island home.

"Raising a family out here, (I) certainly have a vested interest in maintaining and improving the quality of life out here," Johnson said.

Election 2022: Veteran, professor and ex-board member vie for open Santa Rosa County School Board seat

Building on infrastructure, keeping growth cap

Although there is a limit to how many residents can occupy the island, Johnson said it is important to maximize the infrastructure that already exists.

"When it comes to development, I want to be very clear that I support the residential development cap that is in place and I will fight to keep that in place. I feel that our density cap is one of the major reasons why our beach is so special," he said.

Johnson said he would like to add more parking options and upgrade the trolley system to make it more efficient and effective.

Campanella echoed that he also plans to protect the residential cap.

"I have no other priorities other than to preserve Pensacola Beach for the enjoyment of not only we the residents, but the public and the tourists as well that come here and visit," Campanella said. "There can be no more growth out here because we are capped out as far as that goes. We have a residential cap of 4,178 residential units, which has been reached. You are seeing, on the beach, redevelopment of two of the hotels here that were damaged. ... It's pretty much just to try to maintain it."

Campanella said due to his time spent on the board, he knows the hardship of what it takes to rebuild a community after natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sally and Hurricane Ivan.

Campanella plans to continue to support the SRIA infrastructure improvement and maintenance projects such as rebuilding the boardwalk pier, reroofing the pavilions, rebuilding restrooms, establishing crosswalks and increasing lighting. However, he said, there is more to be done, such as improving roadside parking on the island.

Cultivating a beach community

Campanella said he plans to keep Pensacola Beach a place locals can enjoy.

"When I refer to it as a 'locals' beach,' that means it's not just the people here. It's Pensacola's beach as well, and that's what we call 'locals,'" Campanella said. "They drive out here to participate in whatever is going on, whether it's to go to the beach, whether it's a 5K run, Blue Angels, Taste of the Beach or any of those events that go on. You want to maintain the accessibility of it. One of the ways is to try and keep the tolls down, you don't want to price people out."

Campanella said he maintains a door "always open" policy and is not afraid to ask members of the community their takes on various issues or projects. To keep residents and leaseholders informed on what is happening on the island, Campanella said he would like to host town hall meetings to hear concerns.

Pensacola: Pensacola City Council District 6: Hill faces two challengers in Patton and Padden

Johnson said he wants to ensure that Pensacola Beach remains a place where locals can enjoy easy access to a family-friendly beach, events and festivals, such as Taste of the Beach, while also attracting visitors. He said more communication with residents will help board members see what is wanted and needed.

Johnson advocates for using technology to make it easier for leaseholders to feel involved, such as livestreaming all SRIA meetings.

"I think we could improve communication between the Island Authority and the residents. Whether that's through more frequent surveys, town hall meetings. I plan on being available and really listening and committing to taking action," Johnson said.

What makes you the best candidate?

When asked why he would be the best candidate to represent his community, Johnson said his "fresh perspective" will aid in bringing needed change to the island.

"I'm a problem-solver. I like to find win-win solutions to problems. I work well with groups in finding solutions to complex problems. I'm here to listen and to take action and I think I provide a fresh set of eyes on some of the issues that the beach faces," Johnson said. "I'm committed to the prosperity of this island."

Johnson added traffic and parking remain at the forefront of his campaign.

"I would like to be a part of finding a solution to the traffic problems and finding a solution to parking issues. I mean those are really two of the major items that seem to be at the top of everybody's list," he said.

Campanella, on the other hand, said his experience is what makes him stand out as a top choice.

"I am very experienced and have held this position for the last 20 years, in which I have learned a lot about government and have a lot of experience with all the projects that have been going on here, and how all this works in order to accomplish a goal," Campanella said. "I have a history with all the projects that have been tried and failed and so forth that way, I have experienced all the hurricanes, know what it takes to overcome the damage, the length of time it takes to do projects."

He added, "I continue to reflect the pride and always represent our community values. This is from the very first time I ran and I'm no different. I'm that same man, with those same beliefs."

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: SRIA: Jeremy Johnson faces Thomas Campanella in general election