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I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following : Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commissioner District 1








Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Doug's Map Fails: It Was a Disaster

Doug's Underhill's redistricting proposal map he presented last night had numerous, fatal flaws.  It died shortly after it was presented--receiving zero support for obvious reasons...

At last night's second joint County Commission/School Board Meeting-- Commissioner Doug Underhill brought a rendition of what he thought the new district lines should look like between District 1 and District 2 in Escambia County.

It received no play whatsoever among those of us who were there and serious about the work at hand.

Doug's map was ill-conceived--- and a total and complete, unmitigated disaster....

His map (above) had so many flaws that were readily apparent--I'm astonished he even brought if forward.  It was not unlike a rocket exploding on the launch pad.

As I discussed with him just a few of the glaring problems (minute 46:27  of this video)  I noticed upon just receiving it 5 minutes before he pitched it to the dais members---he didn't acknowledge any of the serious shortcomings of his proposal.  Instead-- he simply doubled down on it, with a steaming, rancid helping of gibberish and gobldygook about "equities" being lost and neighborhoods being separated----while ignoring the fact his map kept Myrtle Grove carved up like a jigsaw puzzle---not fixing the precinct 99 issue as every other map presented has.

Just a few of the MAJOR flaws with the Underhill map that quickly relegated it to the trash recepticle.

---It left District 1 an astonishing 5,584 citizens short of the ideal district size of 64,381

---It left District 1 even 2,365 citizens short of the required 5% statutory minimum deviation below the ideal size

---It boots a duly-elected ECUA Board member out of her seat for which she won election less than one year ago (which would have, for more than the next three years,  served to disenfranchise voters who put this official into office)

---In a complete and total snub to the District 1 School Board Member, Kevin Adams, the Underhill plan would have knocked three schools (Bailey Middle, Helen Caro Elementary, and Blue Angels Elementary) out of District 1 against the wishes of this sitting school board member.

I could go on but why?  It was a drammatic fail, it was a feckless attempt at actual gerrymandering, and it died upon arrival at last night's meeting.  DOA.

But at least he showed up with something.  It just wasn't anything useful to the task at hand.  At all. 

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

It’s impressive that Dougie continues these eloquent speeches that either have you tune him out within the 1st two words or leave you with a big “huh”. I give it to you to be able to stay tuned in and provide a well thought rebuttal.

I was able to laugh when he said the research my staff has done. This must be the staff championed by his secretary.

It is sad that he continues to say “people in my district want” or “ people in my district are saying”. He listened to a few folks after his 1st election, then he began to seek out those who’d say what he wanted to hear.

All he’s done is transplanted himself and acted as though he’s a native while calling our success stories and philanthropist corrupt crooks.

He made so many hilarious points in these few minutes. I’d love to mention all of them, but the big bad Windy Hill will step in to defend her man.

Anonymous said...

As smart as Doug seems to be, how is he always on the bottom of 4-1 votes. It’s astonishing. It’s tragic. Thankfully, he’s leaving. At least ECW likes him.

Anonymous said...

November 3, 2021 at 8:44 PM

I joined ECW when I heard about it and thought it would be a good way to learn about local government and started watching a few meeting with them and compared what he he typed on ECW to what he said at meetings. It took just a few weeks to see what he and the breeze were all about. Clicked off of there. Did not want to be associated with them at all.
It is telling watching the few that still fall for his gibberish and even worse reelected him--Not to mention the local print newspaper. Beats anything, I've ever seen.

I wonder if the rest of the board will remember his lies about funding on projects, and how he pressured staff to add them to budget cost centers hoping the other members wouldn't notice, like in the golf cart trail to his private beach front.

Keep that in mind tonight on the beach haven project.

Anonymous said...

You really need to watch Underhill on these project that originated as wild ideas for RESTORE then morphed into "necessities for his constituents" Right.

You know he misrepresented the Beach Access project on the MYIP claiming it is a portal to acquire more Beach front land and wanted 10 million dollars or more voted on by the board when that is not what the board voted on originally and submitted to the Department of Treasury -- then went behind the skirts on ECW crying how mean you are on the board, the usual B/S.

It was for improvements at the already purchased Beach Access number four-- which he them wanted to hide and keep for himself claiming every other breath..PKMP. habitat conservation plan, like it was a genuine argument?

DON"T FORGET> HE CANNOT BE TRUSTED.

Anonymous said...

☝️Pino replying anonomously as usual.👆

Anonymous said...

Well that was a fuster cluck of a meeting tonight. 11/3

What is the big add on for Dug and May and redistricting? That will take three hours to discuss?

Notice May kept getting up for the motion to spend D2 discretionary $$ Ha Ha He's afraid to cross Underhill, who sure has a death grip grab on his discretionary $$ for someone who doesn't want discretionary. $$

The only thing that happened is ole Grover got his Tennis courts. And ya'll blew a bunch of hot air without making a decision otherwise.

From what I remember about the original discussion and vote for Beach Haven, Wes said "what do you want me to do -- call other people if only one bids?" Joy J said it was bid competivly also.

Pino complicates things now she wants Navy Point sewer without an MSBU most likely (don't we all) so now she is All For It.

Tar Baby comes to mind once again. Sorry but if the shoe fits wear it.

Gheez..

I LOVE THE WAY YOU TELL IT LIKE IT IS TO UNDERHILL. BARRY HAS HAD A BELLY FULL AND KNOWS TO CHECK THE ACCOUNTS> HE REMEMBERS THE GOLF CART BUDGET LOST move.

Oh and to November 4, 2021 at 12:54 PM -- Hardly. Are you stupid or what?


Anonymous said...

(cont)

But Underhill added to it being rebid also. Seriously if Gilley had done it correctly and procurement had done it correctly they should have simply spoken up and said it was done right and not done all this 2 step bull. It's embarrassing to watch.

If Pino didn't spend so much time being against other people like Gilley and try to get her fired or to make Underhill look bad it seems things would go smoother, but yes why did he go on and on about the procurement also.

If nothing was wrong, why didn't someone have the balls to say, "Hell no..this is fine. Take a vote and quit pussyfooting around"?

Ridiculous.
What happened with decisive votes and getting the work done?

As far as I am concerned let it die and charge the residents a MSBU like you did Innerarity. Why would others get a special privilege and others be treated differently?

Discrimination?

I wish your motion and Barry's second would have passed for Beach Haven. Bender and May were too wishy washy. I guess they are not as sick of working (or dealing with) Underhill for all these years.

Also you already had the final vote on the Redistricting-- Done. 11/3 was supposed to be the first hearing

I don't know why chairman is allowing a second special meeting.

Indecision is aggravating to observe. I honestly hope Bender is replaced..UH Uh UH UH..





Anonymous said...

I also love it that Barry is finally speaking up about Doug and pointed out that Underhill was playing the victim. He had kept silent and patient long enough. Too Long.

It is clearly on Underhill if he doesn't use his funds to bring the project forward.

Why you still gave him yet another chance--two more weeks beats me, I guess you saw you wouldn't get the votes to fund it with D2 discretionary. He said it's none of your business but he sure makes it his business to talk about all your choices, after a vote, or before it..

I know I'm on this, I watched the video late and yes you and Barry are finally putting him in his place. I wish you had been doing it more often and much sooner but better late than never.

Of course you opened the Beach Access.. That was good.

I wonder if PNJ will even try to cover this.. I doubt it.

Let's Go Brandon.

Anonymous said...

Also if May wanted sewer in D3 why didn't he come up with a RESTORE project instead of that ridiculous Soar with RESTORE that puts money in multiple Preacher man's 501c pockets? Honestly he just goes on and on and on, then doesn't do anything and just bitches about things.
It is getting to be tiring to listen to him ramble on and on also.
Sorry .. I need to turn this off, there was just way too much jaw jacking tonight at the BCC meeting from the dais.

Git er done.

Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican for Escambia Commission D1