3 Important Area Visits over the Last Week

 We've had several high profile visits from important groups and individuals over the last week.

Mr. Ryan Newman--the General Counsel to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis--is introduced to the Federalist Society of the Emerald Coast on Friday, June 24th in Pensacola at the Artel Gallery

First off, we had the General Counsel to the Governor of Florida, Ryan Newman, at the Federalist Society of the Emerald Coast Meeting on Friday.  More than 80 attendees--including dozens of current and former Judges from the 4-county area, locally elected officials, state representatives, judicial candidates, former Mayor Ashton Hayward, State Attorney Ginger Madden, and many others--had an informative question and answer session with this important and powerful attorney.  After introductory remarks, where Mr. Newman discussed how he went from the U.S. Army as a Tank Platoon Commander, to Law School at the University of Texas, to interning for then Solicitor General of Texas Ted Cruz, to private practice, then back to work for now Senator Cruz, to working as Ron DeSantis' lawyer.  An interesting tidbit that elicited some chuckles from the crowd was when Newman recounted being offered the job by DeSantis with the caveat that before he come down he just needed to go ahead and take and pass the Florida Bar  😀.....The discussion was heavy on legal theory, the importance of textualists and originalists on the bench, the chevron deference issue, and how Newman came to the position of being DeSantis' attorney.  He went in depth on the important work he does in assisting in the process of appointing judges statewide.  It was a very compelling conversation that folks in the audience genuinely enjoyed. (Interesting that very few questions came from the audience about the Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court which had been handed down earlier that day.)

Mr. Ryan Newman--the General Counsel to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis--speaks to the Federalist Society of the Emerald Coast on Friday, June 24th in Pensacola at the Artel Gallery

Mr. Ryan Newman--the General Counsel to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis--speaks with Circuit Court Judge Gary Bergosh and to the Federalist Society of the Emerald Coast members on Friday, June 24th in Pensacola at the Artel Gallery

On Tuesday the 28th-- the Triumph Gulf Coast Board of directors held their regular meeting here in Pensacola at the Pensacola International Airport.  It was a rather short meeting--with two Bay County projects discussed as well as one $1.5 Million Dollar project for Escambia County that was pitched to the board by Florida West Executive Director Scott Luth.  Two members who will be rolling off the board, former Senate President Don Gaetz and Mr. Matt Terry-an appointee of the Senate President Wilton Simpson--were given warm send-offs by the board, staff, and members of the audience.  Notably, Pensacola member David Bear will be taking over the chairmanship of this important board that is overseeing the disbursement of $1.5 Billion in Oil Spill penalty funds earmarked by the Florida Legislature for the 8 westernmost Florida counties that received the most profound impacts from the BP oil spill of 2010.  So we will likely see more of these important meetings here in Pensacola--rather than Okaloosa, Walton, or other counties further to our East.

The Triumph Gulf Coast Board of Directors met Tuesday in Pensacola at the Pensacola International Airport.

Florida West CEO Scott Luth describes Project Arbor to the Triumph Gulf Coast Board of Directors--who met Tuesday in Pensacola at the Pensacola International Airport.

And then on Wednesday Congressman Matt Gaetz came to town and joined Senator Doug Broxson, NAS Pensacola CO Terrance Shashaty, former NAS Pensacola Skipper Tim Kinsella, and a room full of dignitaries, elected officials, business owners, and others to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with attempting to once again permit base access to civilians at NAS Pensacola--chiefly to allow for visitors to the museum.  It was a very informative meeting with lots of ideas presented and some good information disseminated about the current ways in which civilians can access the base to play golf and also the process by which folks with relatives buried at Barrancas National Cemetery can access gain access to the base to visit the graves of their loved ones.  Additionally, CAPT Shashaty gave the group updates on his efforts to get two different waivers approved by higher Navy command--one which would allow for the vetting of museum visitors off base, with subsequent transportation to the museum via buses.  This idea appears to have broad support and a high likelihood of approval.  The other waiver in the works would once again allow for civilians to drive their privately-owned vehicles (POV's) on the base--much like the way things were before the terrorist attack and COVID.  On that particular waiver--no definitive timeline for approval was given nor was there any assurance from anyone that it would be approved.  So the takeaway from the meeting was that there are lots of folks interested in getting the base opened up again---but there are numerous challenges as well.  More to come on this topic I am sure.

I Normally Don't Do it, But......

.....This time I did.  I Picked up the phone and made the call.

Yes, I normally do not return calls where the citizen is irate and yells at my aide(s) or is rude, threatening, or just plain onry in their call to our office.  I especially avoid the ones where they make a threat or an ultimatum.

Because, what is the point, right?  Obviously this individual--whoever they may be at any given time--has made up their mind and have picked up a phone and taken the time to call my office to enunciate the fact that:

1.) If I vote for "X"--they will never vote for me again or 2.) They will never vote for me again because of some "thing" I purportedly did or 3.) they think I am somehow engaged in criminal conduct or 4.) all of the above.

These are not every day occurrences, but these sorts of calls do come in from time to time.

And I normally don't do it, I normally don't call back--especially when they explicitly tell my staff "not to bother having Bergosh call back."  But this time, along with the "don't bother having him call back" --the individual actually left a name and number.  So I did call back--and I am glad I did.  I actually had a productive conversation with the original caller and one of this individual's relatives who listened in.

The setup was this:  I am apparently not worthy of continued support because of the state retirment plan others on the board take.  And the article in the paper was infuriating to this constituent!

So, again, I called her and asked her about it.

"Look, I read that article in the PNJ, and it made me so angry!  It's not right that the commissioners are taking an extra $40,000.00 per year over and above their $85,000.00 salary for a part-time job--and I am mad!"  She continued..."Look, I know you don't take that plan, but you voted for it and so I am not happy about that either!"

I listened to her speak, and there is no doubt she was angry and worked up.  So I listened, and then we had a back and forth dialogue and she listened as well.

"I understand you are angry, but that was not a news piece you read--it was an opinion piece from the local cartoonist, Andy Marlette.  And, it is full of lies, half-truths, and falsehoods." I stated flatly. 

"Look, that guy is constantly taking shots at me, he has for the last 16 years.  Cartoons, hit pieces, and flat out lies, slander, and libel about me and other elected conservatives.  He is a sack of garbage, a liar, a misogynist,  a racist, and he is not anyone who is trustworthy in any sense of the word" I explained to her.  "I'm astonished you even take the paper locally--it is so bad, they LIE so OFTEN and so many I know have cancelled their subscriptions!" I stated.  Then I asked her how, if I was such an horrible dishonest politician as Marlette insinuates falsely--"how in the world could I not have been ever accused of doing anything unethical, illegal, or immoral in the last 16 years as an elected official where my entire life exists under a microscope for everyone to examine?"

We talked for a while, and I asked her if she has seen the toxic garbage lies this same individual, racist liberal activist and conservative Christian-hater ---Andy Marlette---  puts out about our Governor, Ron DeSantis, and our Senator(s) Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.  "Yes, I have" she conceded.  "And yet you still support those elected officials though?"  At which point she expressed support for these men while also volunteering the fact that she is/was a Democrat that "votes for the person, not the party, and at the last election I voted straight Republican."  

Then I asked a rhetorical.  "So, you support those Republicans, and do not believe what the PNJ says about them---but the Republican Commissioners---you believe what the cartoonist says about us?

Then we talked at length about the FRS, the 401(a) the differences and the costs for both plans.  I went through the plans in meticulous detail, including the fact that these plans have been in existance in the county for 25 years, the commissioners did not "invent" these plans, and I have not voted for these plans.

We talked about all the employees and elected officials who have expensive pensions, the employees who retire with 100% of their pay for life, and also the exorbitant costs associated with the pension plan for constitutional officers like, for instance, clerk of the court Pam Childers--who's FRS pension costs to the taxpayer are nearly DOUBLE every year (nearly $80K) what the county commissioner's plans

More Concern(s) about a Potential Upzoning on Tower Ridge Road in Beulah

 Folks are concerned about the rapid growth in Beulah.  As a long term resident I am, too.

Going by existing zoning out here is one thing--and I have supported the requests that fall within existing zoning.  But requests for upzoning shoul be studied and considered carefully before approval.  As I stated in my first post on this topic early last week, For my part--I do not favor nor am I inclined to support any upzonings in this area unless and until after we complete the overall Beulah Master Plan and we see what suggestions are offered by the professional planner who will complete this plan based upon the citizen input provided in 2019-2021.

A very well written email in opposition to this upzoning was sent to all commissioners late yesterday afternoon.  Here's the email:

"Dear Commissioners Bergosh, Underhill, May, Bender and Barry,

 My name is xxxxxxxxxxx and I and my family reside at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rd in Beulah. Recently we received  a notice of public hearing for a property wishing to be rezoned on Tower Ridge Rd. I would now like to give comment and concern with rezoning and putting in ANY more new subdivisions in this area, as I will not be able to make it to any of the scheduled meetings in person.

         On the surface, sprawling subdivisions and commercial zones are an economic boon for our local economies and municipalities. It creates employment and provides additional revenue to our local government through additional taxes. However, such development also produces drains on the local environmental resources, shifts the economic burden of development to longtime residents, increases transportation and energy costs and diminishes overall community character.

          The most obvious effect I'm seeing out here in Beulah is the destruction of wildlife habitat. We have lived here for over 25 years and have had chickens a good portion of that time. In all that time, we rarely had any trouble with wildlife, in fact the worst we saw was an occasional hawk flying about. Our chickens slept out on top of their coop in warm weather and roamed about free in the day. Since Navy Federal purchased the 250 acres from the 4-H in 2012 and all the building of multiple new subdivisions began in our area, especially the last 4-5 years, the wildlife problem has continued to exacerbate. We began seeing raccoons, possums, more hawks, owls and most recently, we lost 10 chickens over a 4

What Happened?

Some folks are asking about the "why" an ambulance was not dispatched to a fainting episode at an area eaterie, where the patient, once sat up back in her chair,  specifically requested transport to an Emergency Room...

Late Saturday afternoon I received an email from a foodserver who works at a restaurant out on Perdido Key in District 1.  The email came to my personal email account, with the heading "Piss-poor EMS."

In the email, this individual reported that a patient was literally on the ground, on the floor, in her restaurant with no response from EMS for two hours.

Obviously, I am going to look behind that.  Which I did.

From her email:

"I work at Sunset Grille at Holiday Harbor. I also live on Innerarity Point. Tonight I had a guest faint at my restaurant. She needed medical attention.. She wanted to be transported by ambulance. After lying on our restaurant floor for almost TWO  HOURS,  her family opted to drive her to emergency care. This is absolutely unacceptable. It is not only embarrassing it is very worrisome. Escambia County HAS to do better! How can you expect repeat tourism when they experience zero aid in need? Our clientele is elderly and if not that then also not used to our climate. How do we prevent this embarrassment from happening again??? Unacceptable!!!!!"

In her follow-on email to me, she provided a little more context:

"The woman fainted at her table after dinner. As a mainly outdoor restaurant (XXXXXXXXXX) this does happen occasionally. Some require and some decline medical attention. This guest requested professional help. We called 911 immediately. My boss XXXXXXXXXXX spoke with the operator. 30-40 minutes later we called again and were told we were on a list for an ambulance. Another half our later we called 911 a third time and received the same update. We were on a list. At that point the family opted to drive her to the closest urgent care themselves. Five minutes after they left the fire department showed up. I am not in the medical field, I sling shrimp baskets. If one of my guests requests an ambulance I am going to get her one. And while I understand prioritizing emergencies, I

Lawyers for Condo Owners Make Extensive Public Records Request of County Regarding Beach Access #4 In Perdido Key....

 Here we go again.

Just when we thought it was safe to go in the water--along comes another "request" from the attorneys representing nearby cond owners to Beach Access #4  in Perdido Key in District 1.  They are looking for information on discussions between the county and state and federal environmental agencies specifically about Beach Access #4 in Perdido Key.

It is a wonderful asset, the community at large loves this access point, but apparently there are still some that are looking for a way to shut it down.  That's what it looks like, that's my opinion, and I hope I am wrong.  But Occam's Razor dictates otherwise.

It's open, it's been open, and unless the courts order it closed--it's here to stay.

Here's the request for records, below.

Gas Tax Holiday?

What would a 4 cent reduction on gas locally cost our General Fund in Escambia County?

Channel 3 requested and subsequently conducted an interview with me yesterday on the topic of the President's "Federal Gas Tax Holiday."  Apparently we as local communities and counties will be asked to forego local gas taxes as well along with the federal reduction if it occurs--ostensibly in order to cobble together enough savings to where the average consumer would actually feel "some" relief at the pump.

The state is doing something similar in the month of October.

The idea is fraught with problems, in my opinion,  as I explained during the interview which I don't think Channel 3 used.  Which is fine, no worries.  It's probably no a popular viewpoint I have on this.

Number one problem is I don't know that the President will have support---in his own party---to get this done.

Number two is, 18 cents in federal taxes on a gallon of gas--even if the congress did support this-- would likely be slurped up by the stations, oil producers, refiners and the distributors--with very few pennies of the 18 cents winding up back in consumers' pockets.  

The other argument is that with gas in some areas approaching $7 per gallon---even if all 18cents on a gallon of gas  went back into consumer's pockets----for a 10 gallon fill up this only represents a savings of $1.80 on a cost of $70 dollars on the fill up.  $1.80 on a $70.00 fill up is a savings of only a little over 2% and a negligible amount when juxtaposed to the $70.  $1.80 doesn't even buy a cup of coffee at waffle house or denny's these days.

Locally--our 4 cents per gallon goes exclusively to support mass transit and generates nearly $5 Million per year for ECAT.  Giving that funding up --even for a short duration--would provide very negligible relief in and of itself (e.g at $5.00 per gallon on a 20 gallon fill up costing $100---the savings to an individual if all four cents directly lowered the price which is not a guarantee--adds up to less than a dollar--$.80cents.).  But the overall costs to our general fund could reach a million dollars or more--depending upon how long such a "tax holiday" would last;  if we cut this tax for 30, 60, or 90 days--we would have to plug that funding hole with general fund dollars totalling betweeen $416,000-$1,250,000 (depending upon length of the holiday).

I explained to Ch. 3 that the board has not discussed this, and that I do not know if a discussion is planned, but I would obviously be willing to have this discussion.  But I also told them the better option is for the federal government to actively work to increase supply--which will drastically reduce costs rapidly without constricting demand and utilizing a gimmick bandaid solution which is what a gas tax

D2 Park Problems Persist: Lawnmower Man, Machete Man, and "Poop-Pyramids" on the Beach Path?

Campers who are apparently homeless are creating a nuissance to nearby residents according to a citizen email received by all commissioners yesterday.

UPDATE --5:30 PM Thursday June 23rd--ECSO have sent their neighborhood services team out to this park today and have worked to help find temporary housing for the mother and her children that had been camping in this park.  Staff from parks report the area was cleaned up and cleared out today--the grass and overgrowth was cut back and appropriate additional signage was placed at this park this morning.  Kudos to ECSO and the parks and recreation department for the quick action.

ORIGINAL POST, below.....

Board members received an alarming email yesterday alleging some pretty serious issues at a county-owned property at the end of Fairfield Drive where that road dead ends into Bayou Grande in District 2.

Addressed to the D2 commissioner, the rest of the board was copied on this complaint.

The email listed some pretty significant issues--to include an allegation that folks are camped out on the water and defecating in the sand and then covering up the excrement with dirt, making "poop-pyramids."  There is also mention of a "Lawnmower Man" (not Jeff Fahey)who roams this area cutting down shoreline growth so he can camp on the shoreline.  Apparently there used to be an individual nicknamed "machete-man" who has been spotted down in this area brandishing a machete.  I think machete man moved along. (And no, thankfully it was not Danny Trejo)

It appears as if the issue has risen to the level of the Sheriff's Office and now multiple county officials are aware of it.  I will speak with staff on the matter, as I now been told one group that is "camping" at this park are actually a mom and her two teen children who are homeless.  Apparently they are desperately seeking assistance--but there are no resources available for these folks even though there's supposed to be a well-funded task force addressing this chronic issue.  The email asserts that this family does not want help?  Anyway-- I'll be looking into that and asking questions when we have our upcoming joint city/county meeting on the homelessness issue.

This picture of a purported homeless encampment in D2's South Fairfield park was sent to all commissioners and staff yesterday.

From the email:

"I sent the email below last week and have not heard back. Many residents in the Beach Haven Subdivision are waiting to hear back from me as to your response to this growing problem.

 The email sent June 17, 2022 :

 Doug Underhill,

 I haven't spoken to you in a few years, but found you very helpful when I needed help in my neighborhood some time ago.

 Our neighborhood needs help. We have a park at the end of South Fairfield Dr. in Beach Haven, which is on the water at Bayou Grande.

 Here are just a snippet of the things we neighbors have dealt with from people at the park. Mind you, I feel if this happened in your neighborhood or Chief Simmons' neighborhood, it would be taken care of by now. And this all happens after the park closes. Fights, drug deals, prostitution (my husband had to get people off the beach having oral sex out in the open in front of our grandkids), meth induced women passed out on my lawn, drunk men passed out on my dock, loud music after 10:00 pm, small things like extension cords and crab traps stolen, witnessing THIS WEEK, a woman living in a tent with kids defecating along the pathways. By the way, this woman thinks it is okay because "I cover them with sand." Take a walk through there and you'll see piles of her poop pyramids. 

 I have called the Sheriff several times this week. Every officer gives me a different answer. I have had the Sheriff at my door step to talk about the issue. Last night I called because the park closed after dusk and the woman camping (as she calls it) was still there day after day. She has left her kids there while she is gone and I told her it is not safe there. "Well why don't you call the Sheriff on the guy with the machete?" Oh my gosh, this is what I'm talking about. It is not safe for her kids. Her response, "I have protection in my tent." Also, her response to me was, "Your Sheriff can't do anything to me and the County can't do anything to me. I don't care if I break the rules, lots of people break the rules." I offered to help her and she told me it was none of my business. I told her there are safe places for her that the County provides where her kids will have access to a toilet. I believe she is from Alabama because of her license plate. Listen, she is not some cracked out mom from what I can tell. But she is refusing help, using the park as her toilet and doesn't care about the laws or the respect of the County property. 

 So this woman is correct, "Your Sheriff can't do anything to me." When I called last night, dispatch had a deputy call me. His response when I asked him to have someone go down and get her out of the park, "We'll try, there are only so many of us." And this morning she is still there. It is so disappointing. So I feel like the Sheriffs just give me BS to get me off the phone and never show up at the park to engage with her. I've called several times this week.

 Go to the end of Rentz Street and you'll see several people living there. At night the "F" word echoes through the air. The park was good for a while, but now it is escalating.

 This is exhausting. Several of us work to keep the park clean. I know you can't police the park 24/7. I know your resources are limited, but you told me when I talked to you about the park a few years ago, that I have the right to call every time. It worked for a while. Now, there are zero results. And you'll love this. I Sheriff came to my house and she said, "The County Commissioner has told us we cannot tell homeless people to move off County property if they have no where to go." What?! But she did get the guy with the lawn mower to leave. Then last

TDC Votes to Cut Clerk's Administrative Overhead Costs by $212,500.00

Some numbers got re-arranged at today's TDC meeting.......

At this afternoon's Tourist Development Council meeting we went through a number of items related to the proposed yearly budget.

We voted upon  the good idea of establishing some reserves for contingency within the budget--which passed unanimously.

We also had a primer in public records law and the Florida Sunshine Law from BCC attorney Steven West.

Toward the end of the meeting, the chairman brought forward a cleaned up proposed 2023 budget for TDT funds usage for the board's consideration.  (pictured above).

After Chairman David Bear went through the proposed budget line by line, it came time for a motion to approve which I made and which was seconded by Shirley Cronley.  With a motion and a second on the floor, discussion ensued with Ronnie Rivera asking what could be done about the $562,000.00 in budgeted administrative overhead fees to the Clerk of the Court (which appear to have grown geometrically as collections have increased this year).

Discussion went back and forth between Bear and Rivera about how the fee is calculated, which typically has been a flat 3% of collections figure given to the clerk for her staff's effort(s) in supporting this board and managing these funds.  Mr. Rivera obviously wanted the acurate number in that slot--not a formulaic one..which makes perfectly good sense.(Currently, the auditor general is looking into the spending and accounting of these funds, requested by TDC Chairman David Bear, and a clear answer as to what specific ammount [the whole 3%--or up to 3%--of the collections] is authorized has not yet been given.)

So what does it cost for the Clerk to support the TDC and the TDT funds?

Fortunately for us all--Mike Davis from the Clerk's office was still at the meeting------- so I asked him to come to the podium to tell us how much it costs the clerk to manage these funds and support the TDC.  He gave the figure "about $330,000.00"  so I took that number and asked if we budgeted $350,000 for the clerk's administrative overhead--would that work?" to which Mr. Davis agreed.

So I subsequently amended my motion to approve the budget,  inserting $350,000.00 for the Clerk's administrative costs (it had been a flat 3% which generated $562,500.00) and taking the delta of $212,500.00 from what was originally budgeted to go to the clerk for overhead/administrative costs, and adding that number to the 2023 surplus--increasing that number $1,487,500.00 for 2023.

This amended motion was voted upon and passed via a roll-call vote 5-1 with Jim Reeves voting "no."

Jim quipped, before he voted no, "I think this might create a controversial vote for the Board of County Commissioners to approve."  to which I responded "I think I can find at least three votes for it."

Several Citizens Have Expressed Concern about a Potential Upzoning on Tower Ridge Road

Multiple residents have expressed concern to me over an upzoning application that's been filed on a four acre parcel of land off of Tower Ridge Road in Beulah.

I was contacted by a Beulah resident about an "upzoning" on Tower Ridge Road.

Another on social media worried apartments were going in along this narrow road of primarily single family homes.

So I checked with staff and the answer is there is an application from a property owner on Tower Ridge road, via their attorney, to "upzone" this particular 4 acre parcel from LDR (Low Density Residential) which allows for up to four homes per acre---to MDR, (which allows for up to 10 homes per acre.)

Many feel this area of Beulah should not be upzoned---as there has been a significant amount of growth and Tower Ridge Road is a very narrow road that many feel is overly taxed already.

So here is the story:  This is not before the BCC for action yet, it hasn't even gone before the planning board yet.  I believe it will come to the planning board at their first meeting in July.

Folks that live in this area should make their feelings known on this upzoning request by attending the meeting and speaking on the topic.

For my part--I do not favor nor am I inclined to support any upzonings in this area unless and until after we complete the overall Beulah Master Plan and we see what suggestions are offered by the professional planner who will complete this plan based upon the citizen input provided in 2019-2021.

The entire Beulah area was massively upzoned in 2015 before I joined the board when at that time the zoning designations were condensed to a manageable number for uniformity.

But in the meantime, nothing is set in stone, no final decision is made. We will see what the planning board says at their meeting in July.

Is Florida "Full?"--Is Escambia County "Full?"

 

On member of the BCC publicly stated he feels the State of Florida and Escambia County are "Full" and by implication new citizens should not move here.  Seriously--I can't make this stuff up...

We had a very big agenda at our last BCC meeting on Thursday.  Lots of big issues, lots of important initiatives, and several interesting conversations.

One rather surreal exchange occurred when two of my items on the agenda were pulled for discussion by my counterpart on the board from D2.  These two items, which I think are important and which should not be controversial and which ulimately and eventually were approved by a usual 4-1 vote (with D2 voting against), involved the request for board support for a request to Triumph Gulf Coast for funding support to bring 122 new, good paying jobs to our area.  These jobs would be partially funded via the utilization of BP oil spill penalty funds provided to our area in the wake of the 2010 oil spill.

The wacky conversation was at it's heart built on an incorrect assertion that this Triumph Gulf Coast money is "taxpayer money."  It isn't--it's penalty money paid by British Petroleum for their negligent oil spill in the gulf which harmed our economy significantly in 2010-2011.  But the other part of the conversation that was equally wrongheaded, myopic, illogical, ignorant, and perplexing--was the vocalized assertion by D2  that Florida, Pensacola, and Escambia County are "Full!"  That's right, he actually stated that our state is too "full."

One of the craziest, most selfish things I have heard yet.  Not surprising I suppose, but really, insane.

Here's the thing:  Our state is fantastic--that's why we are the fastest growing state in the country and the third largest state, by population, in our nation.  Great weather, a great governor, great tax structure, plenty of jobs and an overall excellent quality of life.

I get the fact that growth changes things,  I get the fact that growth can be uncomfortable.  But when our nation's population nearly doubles in my lifetime--the growth extends outward and places grow.  That's a fact.  Add to this the reality that there are a lot of great citizens that languish in horribly-run blue states--places with high taxes, inept leadership, no good jobs, and horrible weather --- and these folks end up moving here in droves because Florida is the home of liberty and has the very things these other states lack.  To say we're full, or we shouldn't accept new arrivals, or to set up some bizzare binary choice construct thae crux of which is that current citizens who live here either accept no additional growth or they will totally sacrifice their current quality of life----- is ridiculous.  And inaccurate. And ludicous.   People are coming here because our nation is growing--and people have to live somewhere---and they want to live here.  Good--I'm happy for them.

To be so tone-deaf by having moved here from somewhere else yourself, to have "gotten yours" but now to deny that opportunity to others by saying "we're closed" is the absolute personification and illustration of rank hypocrisy.

Yes, growth must be managed.  Yes, the state and local communities can do better with managing growth. Yes, growth presents challenges.  But it also unlocks opportunity.   And without growth---taxes go sky high and that trend will continue and accelerate for the dwindling numbers of citizens who remain "trapped" in failing blue states.  By contrast--smart growth brings lower taxes, lower costs, diversity in entertainment options, dining options, and employment options, as well as quality of life enhancements.  It also brings new opportunities and new blood and fresh perspectives.

So in many respects it is a competition.  A competition for great, productive and motivated citizens, families, and companines.  Places like Florida (and Texas and Arizona) are winning this competition.  Places like New York, California, and Illinois---complete with dysfunctional state budgets, deficits, high taxes and ineptitude among leaders--are the losers.

And anyone that says we shouldn't take any new arrivals from these other dismal locations is living in la la land.

watch this exchange at 52:55 of this video.

On Real News with Rick Outzen this Morning at 7:10 AM

I was invited to appear on the area's #1 Morning Drive News/Talk program--"Real News with Rick Outzen on 1370 WCOA.  Hear the podcast in this post.

 I was invited to participate on the Pensacola area's best and highest rated morning drive news program, 1370 WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen," and I just completed my interview on the show.

(I am fortunate to have the day off of work, in observance of the nation's Juneteenth holiday.)

Host Rick Outzen asked that I come on the show to recap last Thursday's BCC meeting--and we discussed the highlights from last week's meeting, including: the board's decision on the best way forward for fire funding, Florida West's Triumph Gulf Coast ask to fund 122 new area jobs at average salaries in the mid 50K yearly range, the Beulah Master plan, EMS's $12.2 Million tech-refresh contract with Stryker Sales, and the potential to create a full-service health clinic at Pine Forest High School in conjunction with Community Health Northwest (similar to what was done at C.A. Weis Elementary School), as well as the county's coup in realizing nearly a $1 Million Dollar profit while purchasing 18 new dump trucks.

It was a good conversation, very informative.  I appreciate Rick having me on the show.

Once the podcast is published, I will link it here.

Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) Coming to Escambia County (and District 1) This Saturday!

 

The nationally-televised SRX racing series is coming to Five Flags Speedway in Escambia County's District 1 this Saturday!

This Saturday's arrival of the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) in Escambia County at the Five Flags Speedway will be an incredible event for our area, region, city, and District 1!  Complete with internationally-renowned drivers--the names of which everyone will know-- this will be like the all-star race of the country on Saturday.  A short track and a small number of drivers (12)--it will be exciting.  Having the national spotlight on Escambia County, our area, and Pensacola---with CBS covering the event and televising it---will also be a great boost for our profile nationally as well as a n economic shot in the arm financially by way of all the participants and spectators who will attend this event in person on Saturday.  I look forward to attending this race and I look forward to seeing this organization and racing series come back to our area again and again over the next few years! 

read all about the Camping World SRX 2022 series here.

How YOU Can Help the State DOT Properly Prioritize 4-Lanes for Sorrento Road

 

We need citizens to speak to the state via their (FDOT's) online survey which is open until the end of July.  If you think Sorrento Road needs four lanes, massive FHP patrol increases, and safety enhancements--please join me in telling this to FDOT.   See the link to do so in this post, below.

It really comes down to the citizens on this one.

The old adage is true--the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Sorrento Road had a planned 4-lane project PD&E years ago that was summarily cancelled in early 2015 after the D2 commission race that year led to a new commissioner coming into the seat with different priorities.  Elections have consequences.

4-lanes on Perdido Key drive died after that.  Dead and buried, and so did the PD&E and project to 4-lane Sorrento Road.  That's the undisputable fact of reality that occurred and it has been a problem ever since.

Meanwhile, the crosses keep multiplying on Sorrento Road--another death just this past Monday.  I spoke to Channel 3 about it yesterday evening, I spoke at last week's TPO about it, and I've been banging the drum about Sorrento Road ever since re-districting--it was a prominantly-featured discussion point at my Perdido Key townhall.  Still, this Sorrento Road state project languishes at number 19 on FDOT's priority list locally.

This road has had 86 crashes and multiple fatalities over just the last 15 month period!  I wonder how many of those could have been avoided if the 4-lane project wasn't halted 7 years ago?  We will never know.  Meanwhile, the wrecks keep happening and people keep dying.

Now, the FDOT is doing a big project from the Baars bridge to Bauer Road.  Good--this is desperately needed and will help.  Bravo!  

But the stretch from Blue Angel to Bauer is where the deaths are happening and the bad head on collissions.  That stretch desperately needs attention.

We need more FHP (state road should have a massive influx of STATE troopers patrolling it)

We need wider lanes, 4-lanes, paved and level shoulders, rumble strips, some sort of barrier between the lanes perhaps? , and more lighting.  There is plenty of ROW (right of way) to make these improvements---the state just needs to do it and stop can-kicking.  That's my opinion.  They know this roadway has potholes, problems, and yes--lots of fatalities.

Yes--I know, I know.  A lot (if not the majority) of the wrecks are caused by impatient, careless, reckless or impaired drives.  Yes, I know.  But these sorts of folks are driving all our local roadways---yet the deaths are stacking up at a higher rate on SORRENTO ROAD---meaning there is an issue with the road moreso than just chalking it up to bad drivers.

SO HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP!

The state has an online survey up through the end of July.  It will be used to help the state and the TPO prioritize local state roadways like Sorrento Road.  It can be accessed here.  Take the survey, make your voice heard, and tell the state to do more to make Sorrento Road safer.  The survey literally takes 3 minutes to complete.  But here is the key: At the end of the survey there is a fill-in the blank box that states, literally, "Please share any additional transportation concerns below" I'd encourage citizens to write in that box something akin to the following: "Sorrento Road from Blue Angel Pkwy to the Baars Bridge is dangerous and needs state attention immediately--as there have been 86 accidents in just over a year's time.  It needs to be four laned, with shoulders, lights, rumble strips, and a barrier between the East and West bound lanes ---particularly on the stretch between Blue Angel Parkway and Bauer Roae---to prevent any more head on fatalities.  Also, this road needs a massive state police FHP operation and ongoing, enhanced patrols, to cite careless drivers!"   (or something like that)

If they hear from enough citizens--they will move and this project will get bumped up.

If everyone, collectively, shrugs their shoulders---nothing will happen and the crosses will continue to multiply and line the side of this dangerous state roadway we all drive upon to get to the beach at Perdido Key.

Help me get their attention, please!

Big things are Moving Forward in Escambia County

There are several "big things" moving in the county right now.

Some are discussed openly and frequently--others are being worked by staff and will be presented once finalized.

But make no mistake--big things are moving.

Here are some examples.

OLF-8's RFQ is on the web site.  It is up, and we are getting interest in it from the development community.  Although it seems like it's been an agonizingly, excrutiatingly protracted process--it is coming together.  We had our Master Planning Process, we had COVID-19, and a number of staff changeovers which put this out longer than we had hoped.  But again--it's moving now.

The first 84 1/2 acres will be the start.  Stay tuned.

Jail Medical RFP is in the works.  A draft has been completed by staff after the board signaled it's willingness to look at outsourcing ---IF -AND ONLY IF-- it makes economic sense to do so.  The only way to know for sure is to put it out and see what comes back.  I know our Jail Medical costs have risen geometrically and so we shall soon see if the private sector can handle this vital and expensive function more efficiently and economically than the current system which is expensive and where a sizable portion of the workers are already staffed through outside agencies.  So we will see.

Beulah Master Plan.  I have asked that staff get this process going once again and re-solicit for this work.  We have Restore Act funding for the effort--however the last time we put it out for bid we did not have enough qualified respondents necessary to make the award.  So it will be put out again.

Public Safety Prioritization and Budgeting--We will sort-out ECFR's budget this week, EMS is moving forward with an aggressive growth strategy, and there is an effort underway to streamline the next three years' worth of funding for the sheriff's office--similarly to what we did in 2018 when I was last Chairman of the Board.  This 3-year deal is being worked and will benefit the county if it can be finalized.  I believe we are close, very close to getting an agreement that the full board and the ECSO can consider.

Affordable Housing- the board is working a unique strategy to source the materials and labor and build affordable housing on county owned property.  I think it is a great strategy and look forward to watching it happen.  I think we can do it less-expensively and more rapidly than working with an intermediary to get these houses built.  I look forward to watching this initiative take off.

Intelligent Outsourcing for pond maintenance and grass cutting-Administrator Wes Moreno found a creative solution to a daunting problem--no enough staff to adequately cut the county's growing number of storm ponds.  So he brought forward an initiative to outsource some of the work and to everyone's surprise the bids came back very well priced.  Now we are going to carve out smaller lots of work so that small businesses can also take on some of this work.  From the county staffing side--Wes has recommended strategic pay increases to attract more workers combined with the cutting of funded positions to add higher pay.  This is working, and I believe will be expanded county wide.

Beach Traffic Management/Improvement--My hat is off to staff and commissioner Bender for the work they have done to streamline traffic at the beach, provide more parking, and create a situation where a drive to the beach is no longer a 2-hour affair!  We are doing record numbers of vehicles through the toll booths which are now cashless---and traffic is flowing better than it ever has.  I am out at the beach a lot at all different times, and with the smart light synchronization, the "hot-right" down Fort Pickens Road, additional parking, and new traffic patterns at the Casino Beach lot--I think we have hit the practical, 95% solution for beach traffic.  

Fiscal Austerity--The administrator has a duty to bring us a balanced budget.  To that end and at the board's recent direction--the county will accelerate the task of permanently eliminating positions that have historically been "on the books" but that are never filled.  We have asked for up to 50% of the open positions be eliminated---which once done will free up more than $10 Million for this year's budget.

So, in summary, I simply say there are lots of big things happening.  And way more than what I've listed above--but that is the flavor of where we are headed.  With a re-constituted purchasing/procurment department, a reinvigorated administrative staff on the 4th floor, and with commissioners (the majority of whom) are willing to push through and forward with bold initiatives--keep watching as we continue to put millions of dollars to work in the community on drainage, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.  Watch as we bring creative solutions to some lingering problems.  There is a lot to watch--and I am bullish on the next few years in Escambia County.  Great things are coming--new libraries, fire stations, boat launches, public beach accesses, and new roads and sidewalks.  It's coming.

And Finally: to those, that miniscule minority number of folks, who only attack and spew garbage lies

On WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" Later this Morning

I'll be on "Real News with Rick Outzen" later this morning talking public safety budgeting for the upcoming year

I've been invited to appear on the morning drive's best and highest rated local news/talk program "Real News with Rick Outzen" later this morning.

I'll be discussing and recapping last week's BCC meeting and some topics sure to come up will be:

1.  Funding for ECFR

2.  This year's budget

3.  Finding a proper location for the D1 Medical Examiner's Office

4.  Public Safety budgeting for the upcoming year and potentially 3-years.

Ahead of our meeting this Thursday--this discussion this morning should be a good one.

Once I get the podcast back from Rick, I will post it here.

Swapping the Taxes?

Later this morning we will have a committee of the whole meeting.  A large part of the conversation will center on how we pay for the increasing budgetary requirments for our Fire Service in Escambia County.

Costs have escalated and they continue to do so.  The current MSBU structure is coming up about $2 million short every year--necessitating a general fund transfer yearly to cover this shortfall.  

Add in the increasing costs of personnel, raises that we recently gave to keep us competitive with nearby districts, and we are in a position going forward where we will need about an additional $5 million yearly over the next few years to keep up.

So the idea that is being brought forward is an addition of about $40 yearly to the MSBU that residents pay.  This would bring the total (currently $125 per house) to $165 per house.

As I have stated on a number of occassions, I do not support raising year over year rates on existing Escambia County taxpaying property owners.

While I know Fire needs the money, and I want to be supportive of the MSBU along with my counterparts--I want to do it in such a way that the taxpayers are held harmless.

So later this morning I'll put forward the idea of  supporting a $40 dollar increase to the MSBU conditioned on the simultaneous implementation of a commensurate reduction in the ad valorem millage rate of 6.615 mills---down to 6.390 Mills.  This can be accomplished by adding the $40 increase to the MSBU and lowering the millage rate to 6.390 mills which will leave the taxpayers flat as the two will essentially offset each other.  

Now, the good news is that the overall tax roll has had a massive increase this year, approaching a 15% increase.

FY21             $20,902,196,260.00

FY22 (est.)    $23,890,256,161.00 

So if we can lower the ad valorem to 6.390 and increase the MSBU we will:

1.) Set up ECFR with a dedicated funding source going forward for the years to come that meets their budgetary requirements

2.) Increase our ad valorem revenue $13-14 Million over last year's collection

3.) Not increase year over year tax rates on Escambia County Taxpaying property owners.

I hope I can get support for this, but we will see what happens at the meeting.

Otherwise, if we simply levy the static 6.615 Mills to the growing tax roll we will realize nearly a $20 million dollar increase year over year  AND if we also add $40 the MSBU--that would be an additional $5 Million the taxpaying property owners would have to shoulder.  That's $25 Million in additional, new revenue from the property owners year over year.  I think that is too much.

But I'm just one vote.  We will see how things go later this morning....

$6 Dollar Gas: The Take-Away from Yesterday's Coffee with the Commissioner

 We had our 73rd Coffee with the Commissioner yesterday morning and the huge take away for me was the discussion of potentially having to budget $6 Dollars per gallon for next year.  We talked about a lot of topics, primarily focusing on hurricane preparedness--but we did talk a little about this year's budget, and that's when the topic of budgeting $6 Dollars a gallon came up.  It was a good discussion, you can watch it here, below.

Will Adding the 4th Lane to Pine Forest Road between 9-Mile and I-10 Move Ahead--Starting Today?

Later this morning at today's Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization meeting one item in particular is standing out.

Beyond discussion of the priorities is an action item to move the prioritization up for the project to add a 4th lane on Pine Forest Road from I-10 the 9-Mile Road.

This has been a traffic pinch point forever, and many have questioned whether or not adding a 4th lane (currently there are two lanes southbound and only one lane northbound on this stretch of Pine Forest Road) would ever happen.

Many, like me, wonder what the rationale ever was for designing this stretch of road this way with only three lanes.

This morning we have the ability to move this project one step closer to reality by bumping the priority of this stretch up as is on the agenda.

We've talked about it, complained about it, and heard complaints about it.

Later this morning, hopefully, we will do something about it!

Two Big Discussions on Tomorrow's Committee of the Whole

Tomorrow we will have two items to consider on our Committee of the Whole Discussion.

Both are important, relevant, and timely.

#1 is the funding of Fire Service locally.  We will discuss whether or not we should increase the MSBU for Escambia County Taxpaying property owners or find some other way to cover an increasingly bigger and bigger shortfall for the Fire Budget locally.  Our Current MSBU generates about $19 Million, but costs are slated to escalate to $24 Million over the next several years, meaning additional revenue will need to come from somewhere.

I have proposed a tax swap to eliminate the MSBU and fund fire with a sales tax--however the earliest this could be implemented and voted upon by the citizens will be 2024--due to onerous state requirements that must be met ahead of a referendum for this tax.

#2 is a discussion about increasing costs for the District 1 Medical Examiner's office (Serving the 1st Judicial Circuit--Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties) and also the structure of the funding required to construct a new D1 Medical Examiner's facility.  The current facility is woefully inadequate, and the caseload of this office has skyrocketed over the last several years.  The budget request for 2023 has been put forward and represents a nearly $800,000.00 year over year increase.

The funding of the capital costs and the funding of the operational costs will be at the center of the discussion--as a new formula is being put forward that is based upon caseload and population and which lowers Escambia's portion of the equation from 52% to 47% of the costs.  The sticking point will be not on the operational side of the equation (e.g. many understand that Escambia has the highest caseload and population and therefore should pick up a higher share of the operational costs) but on the fixed asset and capital costs (e.g. some feel that fixed asset costs should be evenly split among all four counties and not pro-rated--as the fixed assets and facilities serve all four counties)

So this will be an interesting discussion.

See the proposed D1 Medical Examiner's Budget here

See a power point on increasing costs and cases from the medical examiner's office here

On WCOA's Real News with Rick Outzen tomorrow Morning at 7:10 AM

 

I have been invited to appear on the area's top rated morning-drive news radio show "Real News with Rick Outzen," tomorrow morning. 

Rick and I will be discussing current county issues and recapping last week (Thursday's) Board of County Commissioner's Meeting.

Should be an interesting discussion, tune in tomorrow early on the area's #1 morning news/talk station, AM 1370 WCOA.

Once Rick sends the podcast I will link it here.

History Front and Center in Escambia County This Past Week!

This past week was a busy one in Escambia County.

A lot of what we as a community were doing was remembering those who came before us, those who sacrificed their lives for the defense of our country, and we were also celebrating our area's rich history in a number of ways.

It started last weekend on Saturday as the Boy Scouts of America locally, along with affiliated groups, placed flags at every grave site at Barrancas National Cemetery aboard NAS Pensacola.  The ceremony was solemn and the turnout was large.  I was honored to be invited to speak to the scouts and welcome them for the flag placement.  This was followed by multiple Memorial Day events throughout the area on Sunday and Monday.

We also had a very special visit to our area by a beautiful United State Coast Guard Tall Ship.  Warm Thanks to the Navy League of Pensacola and Seville Quarter for hosting the first Pensacola visit for Coast Guard Cutter "Barque" Eagle. Captain Michael Turdo and his entire crew hosted a ships reception on Saturday evening.  This ship, built in Germany and originally an asset of the German Navy in World War II-was taken as a war prize after the Allied victory in WWII.  It has been utilized by the Coast Guard ever since the end of the war to train U.S. Coast Guard Academy recruits at sea and also to visit ports around the world for outreach from the US Coast Guard.  Touring the ship felt like walking back into history as it was explained that upon the commissioning of this ship Adolph Hitler was present and walked on this vessel.  Great to see the ship doing good things for our country in the wake of its beginning in Nazi Germany.  And the crew--wow.  Meeting these impressive young men and women reinforces my faith in America's youth.

The Navy League of Pensacola organized a luncheon in honor of the crew of the Eagle on Friday morning, after providing the opportunity for dignitaries to "ride-in" on the ship the morning before.  As a gesture of goodwill and appreciation for the hospitality the Pensacola area has shown the ship and the crew--Commanding officer of the Eagle CAPT Michael Turdo, presented a certificate of appreciation to Fiesta 2022's Don Tristan De Luna at this function held downtown at Jackson's Restaurant.

On Wednesday afternoon, the community held a soft opening ceremony for downtown's newest historical heritage attraction "America's First Settlement Trail" a 20 stop, 3-mile interactive and self-paced, self guided walking tour through downtown Pensacola--spotlighting our area's rich history.  This project was funded by the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, and a lot of individual contributions from families and businesses.

Later Wednesday night--the community celebrated the "Surrender" of the city and county to Don Tristan De Luna in Downtown Pensacola at Seville Quarter.  It was a great evening of fun and festivities that everyone enjoyed.