As requested by a majority of the board members at our recent committee of the whole, our attorney Alison Rogers has emailed board members a tentative timeline for completing our redistricting in a compressed fashion---- due to the expected late arrival of our census data from the Census Bureau.
This is putting us in a position where we must complete 6-8 months worth of work in essentially less than four months.
For my part, I don't believe we should rush it.
The statute plainly states that for counties the redistricting shall be completed "from time to time" but it does not state that it must be done in the first year following the census data being released. The caveat that we as commissioners around the state face is that we can only, statutorily, complete our redistricting in odd numbered years. That is codified in statute. So, if we can't complete it this year, it has to carry over to 2023. Conversely---the state representatives and senators do not have this same odd-year only redistricting restriction. In fact, they will do their January through March early session next year, and then work the rest of the year to carefully finish their new boundaries in the fall of 2022----AFTER their elections--giving them a full nearly two year cushion until their next election in their "new districts." They ARE allowed to do their redistricting in even years. So it will be very, very comfortable, workable, and convenient for them.
Not so for us.
Given the historical civil rights era rulings that dictate that we in Escambia County must have at least one minority-majority district--our redistricting must take into consideration the "before and after" demographics of any switching of precincts and districts; it's not simply a mathematical, formulaic calculation as it is in other places. If we rush it and get it wrong, we can be challenged in court and that's a can of worms we don't need...
I know this, because I'm the only one on the dais that was an elected official in 2011 the last time the BCC and school district did this, redistricting, after the 2010 census. And we did it right and took the time necessary and importantly--we got our data on time, in February. Yet it still it took us a solid 7 months to do it right, ultimately completing it in September of 2011.
So no, I'm not going to accede to a self-imposed, self-generated timeline when there is no statutory requirment nor a reason to do this. Especially this year with COVID-19 throwing everything off. If we can get it done efficiently this year, I'm willing to try. But I won't rush it for my vote, not for anyone, because doing it right is much more important than acquiesing to someone's artificial deadlines which are surely driven by political agendas.
So we will see how it goes, and if we actually get our data in August from the Census Bureau.
Meanwhile--see the attorney's proposed, draft timeline below:
This is going to turn into a twisted game of monopoly. If Doug Underhill gets Pensacola Beach we can all kiss our public access goodbye. Look at how he’s cut off public access to PK. You think PB is being given away to developers now, you haven’t seen anything yet if Doug Underhill gets his hands on Pensacola’s most valuable asset. Postpone this until he’s gone so he can’t do even more damage than he’s already done.
ReplyDeleteThis is on the agenda also
ReplyDeleteRECOMMENDATION/REQUIRED ACTION:
That the Board take the following action concerning the Agreement for Interim Public Safety Medical
Director for Escambia County, Florida, between Benjamin N. Abo, D.O., and Escambia County,
Florida:
A. Ratify the Agreement for Interim Public Safety Medical Director for Escambia County, Florida, to
allow Dr. Abo, D.O., to perform the duties of the Medical Director commencing July 13, 2021, ending
July 31, 2021, with an option to renew for up to three additional 30 day periods;
B. Ratify the County Administrator's signature on the Agreement; and
C. Authorize the issuance of a Purchase Order, in the amount of $15,200, to Benjamin N. Abo, D.O.
And this:
ReplyDeleteRecommendation Concerning the Medical Director and Associate Medical Director Services Agreement Between Escambia County and the University of Florida Board of Trustees - Eric Gilmore, Interim Public Safety Department Director
Recommendation
Agreement.UF.Escambia County Medical Director Services-Final Pending Approvals (KDH)
You have had a busy week
"Postpone this until he’s gone so he can’t do even more damage than he’s already done."
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more, Keep PB. Because Doug is only a pawn in all of this for the monied special interests who have kept him under protection from the get-go.
Something to consider: one of Doug's favorite games is Red Herring. My sister and I call this the "Look at the Monkey!" game. Pair that with the louder he explodes a stupid idea onto the scene, that's often when he is using something as a distraction. "They" say that the hoteliers and other interests out on the Beach threw him over a long time ago, but the power brokers out there are masters of the game and more than capable of using him while appearing broken from him--they'll just keep a good many healthy layers between them and him now, like Downtown has always done.
Then there's the thing of any special interest who is employing Doug always has the tiger by the tail. He just may get your business across the finish line (jamming DPZ into OLF8), but the collateral damage of his peripheral explosions aren't always predictable and are sometimes difficult for his backers to swallow.
Too much chaos all and all, but even if the Downtown development barons weren't juggernauting for Escambia taxpayer money, the Board should give a serious pause to redistricting from a place of an insufficient Census. This is nothing against all of the valiant Census workers who tried so hard to deliver in the middle of a pandemic. Those numbers are necessarily going to be a mess and not reflective of reality. Why on earth would taxpayers be clamoring to be locked in to a 10-year redistricting off of flawed data?
How about also reducing the unheard of 49% return rate on the local 401a option. That be great, thanks.
ReplyDeleteCommissioner Bender youre making it too obvious that you’re the second vote now bought by the real power players. You could at least try to hide it better. Who will be the next to be courted for a third vote to give into their every whim?
ReplyDeletePLEASE DELAY THE REDISTRICTING UNTIL COMMISSIONER UNDERHILL IS GONE!!!!! HE CANT GET HIS HANDS ON PENSACOLA BEACH!!!! HE’LL DESTROY IT!!!
ReplyDeleteI don’t have the time to do this with an 11 and 5 year old and a family business to run, but could someone please start a petition to keep Pensacola beach from being given to D2. Pino haters need to think of this too because if she wins and it’s a possibility it’ll be in her hands. Although I’m okay with that and I’d choose her over Commisioner underhill any day of the week, I’m just saying it’s a cause they should get behind too. It needs to stay in Commisioner Bender’s district. I agree with the other person that said it’s too much of a risk for Commisioner underhill getting it. Please God don’t let that happen.
ReplyDeletePlease help, for what it's worth (which isn't much), I think the Beach needs to stay in 4 also, if for no other reason than two barrier islands is way too much for a single district that has a ton of other disparate needs. The Key has been neglected from responsible management for a long time, so the next commissioner of 2, whoever it is, needs to focus on all of the D2 waterfront issues Doug has caused through interference or neglect during his tenure, and not go eyeing another barrier island. The commissioner of D4 has a lot of time to focus on the Beach apart from the rest of the district, which is primarily handled by the City anyway (many constituents in D4 care a whole lot more about who is mayor than who is commissioner). Just my two cents.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, Indeed. What are the chances of him getting the beach put in his district? I’m terrified of it happening.
DeleteI agree with everything you said. Morgan gunning for Mayor is very scary too. We can’t risk Commisioner Underhill having his dirty paws on Pensacola beach though. All that aside, his con that he’s the most ethical and honest commissioner on the board is puke worthy.
DeleteAnon 12:53, if I had to place a bet, he's just rabble rousing about the Beach as a distraction from what he's really planning on getting up to. Doug used to have firm support out there, but he failed to deliver on a lot, and is moreover so impossible to work with, I can't imagine that they'd even want to have to stomach him again through redistricting for any purpose. But they might go one more round of squeezing the last of the juice out of him by trying to get redistricted into 2 so that the competition between the power brokers on the Beach versus the Key becomes an alliance. "Anything is possible " isn't a great answer, but it's an honest one. Along With the strong gut that Doug just brought that up about the Beach to get people all worked up. He pretty much lives for that, as he confuses sadistic and destructive behavior with being powerful.
ReplyDeleteObviously Bender and Underhill want to rush this for political reasons.
ReplyDeleteBarry is non committal at this time. If the data shows the districts can stay the same, keep the status quo or similar.
Underhill runs on ECW talking about "lil kings" after the votes, He's an ass.
The cost for medical examiner has increased -- reasons documented here, of course most know the problems with medical director, I'm not sure what went on with Jail, but I suspect it is multifaceted. For one, it blew up. Him wanting to blame everyone is sleazy.
"Everybody sees it, everybody knows it."
A few still smooch up to him on that site.
"People know you by the company you keep."
If people would have come here and read your blog about commercial on the FLU for OLF it could have saved them a trip downtowm. Even Bender could have read it.
Wonder if Marlette will make himself look like an idiot again like clockwork.
He’s the most underhanded vindictive scum bag of a con D2 has ever had and we’ve had our share.
DeleteThe board AIN'T gonna put the PB beach under Underhill's domain this year or ever.
ReplyDeleteAlso to the point on Public Forum when the Ecat representative was escorted out, I don't know all about the negotiations however, I agree that Chairman Bender did the right thing to keep order and I agree with Underhill to a point about the process and keeping negotiations in the proper place. Clerk Childers did exercise her right to speak and definitely has a stance.
ReplyDeleteThat was actually an interesting moment to watch on ECTV, simply for that. Note not as an emotional opinion from me taking one side or the other, but just for observation of Robert's Rule of Order in play in chambers.
Note Melissa Pino on her page says that is the worst thing she has seen in six years of watching meetings. She exaggerated. When she went to the podium about Underhill calling the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida kids "miscreants" she said she had never been to a county meeting and that was 2018. Do the math.
Note this is not Pino Hate, however as a candidate she is also political and open to criticism. Emotional rants are her hallmark and I do not look forward to her ever being in a seat of power.
As much as I don't like Underhill I would vote for him over her.
I know this is off topic. She gets some things right and some things wrong, however I have seen her bullheadedness and total disregard for someone having a different position than her own.
To be on Topic, I am in no rush for redistricting and if the board doesn't even have the data by now, I think it is way too late in the game to get this done, unless everybody votes to just keep the lines like they are, if the data seems to support that.
The wheels of government grind oh too slow and the last thing we need is more lawsuits.
I think Morgan may keep law and order in Pensacola. I find him running is interesting, pearl handled pistol and all.
ReplyDeleteIs the clerk out of order speaking out like she has been doing?
ReplyDelete2 barrier islands should not be in 1 district. Doug Underhill’s dreams of running, or rather ruining Pensacola beach isn’t going to happen. His gang of 4 low rent, low intelligence cry babies can whine on ECW until their blue in the face, but the only thing they’ll accomplish is wasting their lives staring at their computer while the rest of us live happy and prosperous lives.
ReplyDeleteThis blog has become ECW 2.0. Just as much trash talk about other commissoners from individuals that are just sucking up. Hope your families are proud and you sleep well at night knowing you're no better.
ReplyDeleteOh Wen, it’s rough when karma bites back eh? Have a drink dear and finish packing already. The rest of us have a party to plan
DeleteEnough is enough, I personally sleep like a baby. Statements made about Doug isn’t sucking up, it’s called truth. You two should try it every once in a while. Your husband’s smear campaign that you’re all too happy to join in is something neither of you should be proud of. Its who you two really are though.
DeletePack up buttercup, you have another district to move to. Hallelujah.
Enough is enough, it’s good to see people catching onto the game. I looked at Escambia hate page and Sean Bullyton and Jacqueline Rogers was at it first thing this morning. They’re not happy unless they’re bullying someone and twisting truths to push their smear campaign. Miserable beings that will go to any lengths to control their agenda. I also saw this written to you. it’s on point.
Delete“Wendy Kinton Underhill, why would I need to think about the arrogant remarks you made? Your self righteous attitude is fiendish. I don't pounce on anyone. I call you as you are. I'm not angry, nor is a nerve struck, you are not a big enough idea to spark any emotion above pity. I stand on what I said. Be careful how you judge others, especially those whom you feel are beneath you. God has a good way of humbling us. You may find yourself among the homeless whom you speak of or maybe worse. You should never speak of anyone's suffering as if you are better. Perhaps they are better than you, even in their misfortune.”
The clerk saying the 401a is illegal dropped in the room like a rock. She just seems to be on a high horse. She could have taken this up separately. One can notice how she feels about you all letting Gilley go. She should be more professional, Her slip is showing.
ReplyDeleteHate to see the peanut gallery get a hold of this. Noticed the mix up about the discussion item at the end..
Rick saw it too.
ReplyDeletehttps://ricksblog.biz/childers-goes-off-again/
Childers says it’s illegal but the county attorney says it isn’t? Why is Childers grandstanding?
DeleteTo Enough is enough
ReplyDeleteDid you lost on the way to the Sunday school class or perhaps a particular support group?
I find it very odd Childers would make the public statement about the 401a. I seem to walk to a different drum than most people in the public who comment. I think Barry is smart to say the county attorney will represent the board..The more Childers speaks the less impressed I am. I guess I'm old school. Respect our elected officials unless they act like Underhii and the ones he attracts. They are a cancer. https://www.irs.gov/government-entities/federal-state-local-governments/government-retirement-plans-toolkit
ReplyDeleteThis official link from the IRS addresses 401a and public positions. I'm not going to get in the weeds because it really doesn't concern me except this ordeal didn't have to be made such a mess of political fodder. And yes Underhill started it and I see through that part of it.
He is a con and I want him and all his ilk to fade away like a bad dream in the rearview mirror of our lives.
Anon 11:12
ReplyDeleteI think Mrs. Childers behavior is odd. Back in April TDC chair requested an independent audit regarding how bed tax is handled. Her grandstanding seems to me like some sort of plan to lay a path to make it look like retaliation if the audit finds any wrongdoings. That’s how I see it.
https://ricksblog.biz/tdc-chair-officially-requests-state-audit-of-tdc-funds/
https://ricksblog.biz/childers-still-upset-about-audit-of-how-she-handles-bed-tax/
To “enough is enough”,
ReplyDeleteNo one can show facts or have their own opinion on ECW without being attacked by Sean Bullington Alex Arduini and Jacqueline Rogers. The three stooges spread hate and defame. It’s their only happiness in life. Sean is a moron. He didn’t even understand what a warrant is in the Statute posted. Alex Arduini and nasty Jacqueline Rogers had to pile on too like clockwork. “Enough is enough”, I’m glad to see some people stand up to their bullying ways. It’s long past due. I think they’ll end up getting sued before the year is over. That’s my prediction. I’ll bring the popcorn.
It’s entertaining to watch people like Alex Arduini get schooled. He can’t hold his place in a real in depth conversation because he’s not knowledgeable enough. His “I’m jumping on the train of hate..just because” mentality is glaringly obvious.Jacqueline will have to jump in the conversation to save him from drowning. Watch and see. It’s predictable like clockwork.
DeleteRegarding the topic at hand: Redistricting shouldn’t be rushed. It’s a 10 year commitment so it must be done thoughtfully. The county doesn’t need more lawsuits and that’s exactly what will happen if it’s rushed and not done properly. Commissioner Underhill and Bender’s political agenda to rush it should be ignored.
Anon 11:30 Most intelligent people have become desensitized to their unfounded opinions. They drone on and on and on with nothing but speculations assumptions innuendos and out and out lies. If everyone would only speak on facts this area would be such a nicer place. It’s simpleton small town gossip from small minded people that have dedicated their wasted lives to spread hate on the internet.
Delete"Note Melissa Pino on her page says that is the worst thing she has seen in six years of watching meetings. She exaggerated."
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 4:00, thank you for pointing that out--you're right, and I intended to say it was the worst moment of Public Forum I have witnessed from a chair (and I stand by that), not the worst moment out of all of the meetings. I posted the following on my Facebook in correction. I appreciate your comment on it, as when I get something wrong--as I did there--I'm more than happy to admit it, recant, and clarify.
-----------------
EDIT FROM MEETINGS REPORTING YESTERDAY.
Last night I was reading comments in Jeff's blog yesterday, where an anonymous commenter said that I had made a gross exaggeration that Robert Bender's snit with having the bailiffs remove Curtis Howard yesterday was the worst moment I had ever seen at any meeting.
I thought--here we go again. What BS...that is NOT what I said. I said it was the worst moment of *public forum* I had ever seen by a chair, which I stand by. I was not regularly attending public forum when Doug was chair years ago, so I have no idea how he conducted himself during it. I have regularly attended since though, with Jeff Bergosh, Lumon May, and then Steven Barry as chair, and I never witnessed anything as unfortunate from their times as chair as I did yesterday with Chairman Bender's theatrics after Ms. Childers's out-of-line falsehoods on the ATU negotiations.
Well, I am grateful to that commentator, because s/he was right. I did--unintentionally--shorthand it as the whole kit and caboodle of meetings. That wasn't what I was thinking, but in reporting the three meetings across three days I was typing as fast as I could for 10 hours across three days, and sometimes my attention lapses as I'm holding a thought while the meeting continues in the background.
That moment really shook me up, truthfully. Which I mentioned as I started to try to report the regular meeting...I couldn't shake what had happened to clear my head. In that comment, I made it clear that my thoughts were with public forum, which holds a special place and a sanctity that completely relies on the good graces of the chair, and the respect he is willing to afford the public. That second comment was this, as I was fumbling to regain concentration during, I think (but am not sure, as I didn't locate the conversation in the agenda as I usually do), Commissioner's Forum:
"Pam Childers just asked for a private conversation with Robert Bender on TDT. David M. Bear There is some expanded wording on the different cents but I missed it. Still trying to recover from the shock of how badly the Chair handled Public Forum. It was a really awful moment."
So I apologize to Chairman Bender for the unintentional exaggeration to expand outside public forum--his actions and tone really rattled me. I don't apologize for calling it out in respect to the confines of Public Forum. And I'm grateful to the anonymous commenter for pointing it out, so I could clarify what I was trying to say, and expressed badly in the heat of trying to report and comment on it.
So what else has Pino exaggerated? Hum
ReplyDeleteI agree with the below statement. I too think her behavior has been uncharacteristic recently.
ReplyDeleteI think Mrs. Childers behavior is odd. Back in April TDC chair requested an independent audit regarding how bed tax is handled. Her grandstanding seems to me like some sort of plan to lay a path to make it look like retaliation if the audit finds any wrongdoings. That’s how I see it.
https://ricksblog.biz/tdc-chair-officially-requests-state-audit-of-tdc-funds/
https://ricksblog.biz/childers-still-upset-about-audit-of-how-she-handles-bed-tax/
Melissa
ReplyDeleteGreat comment on Ricks blog about the Public forum and Childers, I believe I concur and thanks for typing out the budget meetings. That's phenomenal, I can't stand to watch paint dry although I know that is very important part of government. I appreciate that and glance over agendas.
I've seen you grow as a person these last few years. I'm just breezing through glancing over things a few hours of the day. Not trying to make a name for myself.
I am still very aggravated about national politics but that is not the discussion here. I do better to streamline, read, put a few thoughts down, turn it off and go about my business and circle of concern.
Mostly just a bit of cerebral stimulation and hopefully inspire other people will think for themselves.
Things do happen fast and it's easy to criticize and replay moments. On second thought Pam Childers seems to really be out of line speaking out like she has been doing.
I can also see the chairman trying to stop a brawl and has to act quickly.
We need to try to see things from the other person's point of view.
For what it is worth this entire Covid ordeal has been divisive and just plain weird.
People try to put everyone in one box, one group, to process info. I see you do that a lot. Perhaps I do also. We are human.
I think DeSantis is trying to keep the economy open. I think people should be vaccinated and protect themselves..
I wish people would stop resigning..
What the heck?? IDK
1246
ReplyDeleteI'm not even going to waste my time and look at the ECW site.
Have a Good Day!
Anonymous 11:30
ReplyDeleteIt gets even funnier as you read through the rest of the ignorant comments. Like this one.
*Sean Bullington says - “Haven’t heard that anyone signed nor definitely have not heard of a warrant being issued. Have you David M. Bear?”
*David Bear says - “Sean Bullington The term warrant in the context of this law refers to the document used to make/request the payment. You can think of it sort of like a purchase order. Not sure what type of warrant you're referring to in your question.”
😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡
Pam Childers has stuck her foot in her mouth. She’s put herself in a very precarious position now. The only comments I’ve read that have been factual and not based on ridiculous emotions, are from David Bear. Like him or hate him, personal opinions of him don’t take away the fact that he’s right.
ReplyDeletePam says it’s illegal for elected officials to participate in the 401(a) program. If she’s right, and that’s a HUGE if, she’s been issuing the warrants for the illegal annuity for years and continued to do so after publicly announcing she knew it was illegal. This law clearly states that the clerk would be personally liable for repaying the county for making any illegal payment of county funds. If she knowingly made the illegal payments, she's also broken the law.
If she’s wrong and the county attorney is right, and the 401(a) is legal, then she spoke out of line and owes everyone a huge apology for the brew ha ha she’s created, as well as an explanation as to why she spoke too soon before knowing for certain.
Although this comment from another person is speculation, it does make me ponder …..”Back in April TDC chair requested an independent audit regarding how bed tax is handled. Her grandstanding seems to me like some sort of plan to lay a path to make it look like retaliation if the audit finds any wrongdoings. That’s how I see it.”
She’ll be another woman pnj, et al, can falsely claim were “attacked” by the big bad wolves on the board.
The real instigator behind the scene is terribly upset the board didn’t jump to pay his legal fees. Vendetta should be the name of Rick Outzen’s next book.
Melissa July 23, 2021 at 10:07 AM
ReplyDeleteThe exaggeration was you said you had been watching SIX years instead of THREE years.
Maybe you will make a good politician:
Strawman
Straw man
A straw man is a form of argument and an informal fallacy of having the impression of refuting an argument, whereas the proper idea of the argument under discussion was not addressed or properly refuted. One who engages in this fallacy is said to be "attacking a straw man"
Or try fishing.. "It was THISSSS long."
I read the PMs between Doug and Roy when Gene filed that lawsuit and published them.
ReplyDeleteDoug told Roy to "Call people Carpetbagger and that will SHUT THEM UP"
ECW tried to suppress that. Popcorn eaters a side at the time.
Doug called Melissa Pino a carpetbagger after that at a democrat Woman's meeting.
How's that working for you Doug? LOL
Write that into the chapter of Vendetta Escambia style by Rick O.
Jacqueline tries to suppress EVERYTHING that shows Doug’s true colors. I quit looking at that rat hole long ago. I also cancelled my PNJ subscription.
Delete