Gaetz sees opportunity to fix government

Florida's economic slump could force more efficient government, state Sen. Don Gaetz said last week in Navarre.

"I don't think it's tough times or grim times, I think it's opportune times,"  said Gaetz, a Niceville Republican. "It is a time of opportunity for all of us who believe in real conservative government."

Gaetz, a retired healthcare entrepreneur, former Okaloosa County School Board member and former school superintendent, was elected to the state senate in 2006. He regularly visits communities throughout District 4 (parts of Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa an Walton counties) to meet with small groups and go door-to-door to meet constituents. The latter practice led Navarre businessman Bart Pullum to introduce Gaetz as  "the pizza man of politics"  July 30 to about two dozen Navarre Area Board of Realtors and Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce members at the Visitor Information Center in Navarre Park.

"He brings government to your door,"  Pullum said.

For more details on this story, see the Aug. 7 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe to our online edition.