Can We Answer the 40% Question First?

Dealing with the homeless issues in the county is an ongoing concern.

The city is dealing with issues arising from a growing population of the homeless or the "unhoused."  ("Unhoused people" is a term I am hearing a lot lately.  Maybe this is the new PC term we are all supposed to be using now?)

So the county has $4 Million in Federally-provided funds to help address the issue(s) surrounding homelessness.  And the county has discussed this on a number of occassions.

We'll be discussing it again this Thursday evening.  What do we do with the money, how do we distribute it to help with the issues and what does victory in dealing with this problem look like?

We settled last meeting on having staff bring a process for us to award nonprofits that work in this space individual allocations from this $4Million corpus of money.  Then progress can be tracked, multiple appropaches (and cash awards) can be made to vetted, fully licensed and documented legitimate 501(c)3's to assist families and individuals that are in need find what they need to once again become productive, normal members of civilized society.  So that part is good, and I look forward to supporting multiple approaches and organizations that have already rolled up their sleeves and proven they can assist with this issue in our community.  

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ESTIMATED UP TO 40% OF HOMELESS WHO DON'T WANT HELP?

My question to several who work in this space is simple, yet the concrete answers never come back.  But this question is just as important as the question about what we do for folks who are truly needy, down on their luck and want help to be once again productive and off the streets.

Whatever we do, I won't vote for anything that enables dysfunctional lifestyle choices (continued addiction, street crime, drug abuse, vandalism, trespassing, littering, etc.).  And therein lies the problem.

I'm told up to 40% of these "unhoused persons" are quite content where they are and doing what they do.

Unfathomable as it may seem, yes, it is true.  These folks, this up to 40%, do not want to give up the drugs and booze, they want to panhandle, they will continue to steal, litter, or do dysfunctional things like attack other unhoused persons or run around with their genetalia hanging out of their clothes, defecating in public, starting fires in their campgrounds (that subsequently get out of control) or dumping shopping cart loads of feces in bags in peoples' yards.

So yes, we can all agree to sing Kumbaya and help the majority that truly want help and want to break the cycle of their situation(s).

But as a commissioner serving compassionate citizens who care about communities and neighborhoods and safety----helping folks cannot also require that we tolerate dysfunctional destructive behavior that erodes the quality of life for citizens, children, neighborhoods, and communities that want to be clean, safe, and crime and dysfunction free.

So we need to know what we are going to do to help the 60% AND how to deal with the 40%

Can we answer the 40% question first, please?

"Napkin-Man" Shares His Words of Wisdom with D1........Again

Some constituents call.

Others, they send email.

Others still will send messages of concern via Facebook messanger.

And many will simply find me out in town, at Home Depot, Publix, Wal Mart, or even out at dinner, and just come over to me personally to let me know what they think about any number of things.

And then, there is "Napkin-Man.'

Napkin man has sent four letters to my office over the years; short notes, saucy language, scribbled on other cards or repurposed pieces  of scrap paper.  

Last week I received my fourth letter from Napkin Man.  So I thought I'd share his thoughts with you  😊 !     (I darkened out the curse words and offensive terms that Napkin Man likes to use)

I'll Be on "Real News with Rick Outzen" This Morning at 7:10 Discussing the Contractor Competency Board

I've been invited to appear on the area's #1, top rated, and most informative morning drive news radio program "Real News with Rick Outzen" this morning at 7:10.  The discussion will center on the efforts to reform our Contractor Competency Board an process for oversight and licensing of contractors by this board.

 I've been invited to appear a little later this morning on 1370 WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" Radio program.

Rick has invited me on to discuss what the BCC's direction was after last Thursday's meeting with respect to the Contractor Competency Board.

At Thursday's meeting, the board gave staff direction and a number of initiatives were discussed for implementation going forward to hopefully prevent what we have seen recently with several contractors scamming citizens out of large sums of money and never doing the work that was proposed by such contractors.

It should be an interesting conversation--when Rick publishes the podcast, I will link it here.

What's the Most Pressing National Public Health Emergency Right Now--AND one that is Affecting Escambia County Disproportionately?

What is the most pressing national health "emergency?"  a non-fatal skin disease that has a vaccine and can be prevented---or dangerous fentanyl from China being added to illegal drugs throughout America (and right here in Escambia County) which will, along with other opioids, actually and ultimately kill more than 100,000 Americans this year?  How come we are being told the former is the crisis--while the latter is all but ignored?

No, I normally do not delve into national topics here on this blog unless there is some compelling local connection to Escambia County.  

And there is.

Some master-hypnotist media types and national-level bureaucrats/politicians (left-leaning, primarily) want you to forget all about the epidemic of opioid drug overdoses with fentanyl in America killing more than 100,000 yearly--- and instead---- want us all to focus on a primarily nonfatal disease that afflicts less than a 10th of the number of actual overdose deaths we will see in America this year.  They want you to believe MonkeyPox--a disease that is primarily spread among one sex and one very small segment of the population---and for which there is already treatments and a vaccine---is what EVERYONE must be terrified about right now.

But wait just a minute.  

We in Escambia County have pockets of areas and populations where there is a massive, unrestrained drug problem.  Massive.  We have a correspondingly massive increase in deaths and a huge number of citizens overdosing daily on opioids, primarily fentanyl.  And it is costing taxpayers millions of dollars dealing with it-- as our County EMS attends to nearly 6 overdoses daily in our county. (this figure does not include the overdoses that are dumped at emergency rooms nor does it count our sheriff's responses to overdoses)

By contrast--we have had ZERO Monkeypox cases as of the morning of this blogpost reported in our area as reported by the local media.  Nada.  Zilch.  Zero. (one suspected case occurred in Santa Rosa County two weeks back)  (UPDATE-8-23-22--I received a call from William Reynolds yesterday, publisher of NORTHESCAMBIA.COM, on an unrelated topic and he did let me know his outlet and channel 3 also both reported that our area has one (1) presumptive case of MonkeyPox.)  1 case of that, and 6 overdoses daily our EMS units are racing to.......

So why do some politicians and bureaucrats seek so desperately to get average citizens' eyes off the real ball with respect to the massive quanitites of Chinese fentanyl packs coming over the porous border with Mexico flooding America's states and cities?  Illegal crossings are hitting all-time highs and  many who cross are body-packing this dangerous China-manufactured drug like sherpas?  

Look at the "number of deaths" increases, directly in proportion to the surge in illegal border crossings over the last 3 years, and tell me THAT is not the pressing national health crisis upon which we should all be focusing?

Nope--it has to be MonkeyPox now.  Only MonkeyPox.  

Look, I feel for anyone who gets that awful disease.  It looks horrible from the pictures I have seen--horrible, awful, painful and unsightly.

But we know how to stop it, It is known which behaviors spread it and what the risk factors are, and there is treatment and a vaccine.

So instead of having David Muir lecture us and pontificate at us nightly --complete with a serious face--

Some Online Critics Liken the Work of Commissioners to Cattlemen

 

Some commentors on a previous blog post want to use a cattleman's term applied to a county commissioner's performance.  Okay, well we both oftentimes deal with "BS"--- but that's about the extent of the similarities.  

Even so-- If we must force such a comparison (Cattleman/County Commissioner) I'd simply suggest this.... the county commissioner who gets things done, gets projects funded, shows up prepared, brings intelligent ideas, works well with peers, and does not foster division and drama would not rate such a comparison.  

Nope.  

By contrast---the  commissioner who talks a lot but gets little done, is disliked universally, is mired in legal/ethics allegations/complaints/court fights, can hardly get a second on a motion,  rarely gains consensus to get a project over the line, blows off meetings, is hated by staff, projects frequently, reviles employees publicly, attacks others with ad hominems and lies, and cries lika a baby online daily would be the apropos recipient of the term "all hat, no cattle" in the county commission context.  (If that hat fits, wear it 😀)

With that in mind-- let's look at what actually happened last Thursday, shall we?

Lots of things were swirling around on Thursday (Contractor Competency Board Hearing, Hiring of Wes Moreno, Lingering Homelessness Issues/discussions, etc. etc. etc.) leading up to our meeting that morning, so naturally it is not surprising that the big (Huge, actually) infrastructure items that I added to the agenda with the help and support of numerous county departments passed with relatively little fanfare and did not garner much attention.

That's right.  These items I discussed here did pass and were approved by the full board unanimously later that morning as I had believed that they would in the early morning blog post.  They are big, they are ballsy, and yes, I will  talk about these items because these are profound and timely--big win infrastructure projects that benefit residents in the central, northern, and southern portions of Escambia County.  And besides that, I'll use another western term to explain why I'll talk about them now that they are funded.  "Folks will use it as a spitoon--if you don't blow your own horn!"

You can see the actual agenda items that ultimately passed, here and here.  Again--they passed via the consent agenda, passed without even a discussion by the board, and passed unanimously.  All hat no cattle commissioners don't have the juice to get things like this accomplished.  They can't even get a second and die on the bottom of 4-1 votes frequently.  No hat, no cattle.

Here's a recap of reality, though, and what was approved via the consent agenda on Thursday.

 --$2 Million for the immediate implementation of a PD&E for the 4-laning of Sorrento Road to shave 5-years off the completion of this important project(Win for Perdido)

 --$2 Million for hardening/widening of Frank Reeder Road in Beulah (Win for OLF-8 and Beulah)

 --$6.7 Million for Longleaf Road re-work to include: drainage improvements, center lane, turn lanes,  sidewalks north and south, new signals at Pine Forest/Longleaf plus a new bridge at Wymart Road (Win for Bellview)

--$500K for Midas/Muldoon/Hogan's Pit drainage system--a lingering project that has required dedicated funding.   This project being funded now is a win for Bellview and frees up $500K from LOST IV in the out years

 --$500K for new sidewalks in Beulah along Rebel and Beulah roads (Huge win for Beulah residents and students at BAS and BMS).

So while some that get nothing done outside of banging away at keyboards all day and night long like woodpeckers are still wondering what actually happened----reality passed them all by. Because all hat and no cattle refers to someone who wears a big Stetson but has a little, insignificant ranch and no large herd of livestock. 

I'm not in the "BS" business.  I finish things, get things agendaed, and win votes to get important projects passed unlike others who struggle constantly to even get a "second."

The strugglers really are, in all respects, NO hat NO cattle.  They can't even fake it with a top hat.

And everyone (outside of the cult of 12 on one chat site--some of whom occassionally comment on this blog, too) who exactly who they are.

I'll Be On WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" This Morning at 7:10 Discussing the Contractor Competency Board

 

I've been invited to appear on the Pensacola area's best, most highly rated morning drive news program, "Real News with Rick Outzen" on the area's best news/talk station 1370 WCOA

I've been invited to appear and will be the 7:10 guest this morning on "Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA.  The topic will be the contractor competency board, a subject that is on our BCC agenda later this morning.

Should be an interesting conversation.  When I get the podcast of the conversation I will post it here. 

The Brass Balls Infrastructure Acceleration Plan, Part I

There is a plan coming on Thursday morning's BCC agenda which will greatly accelerate multiple desperately needed infrastructure projects that will help multiple districts, are ready for movement, require additional funding and are vital safety projects.

The project to improve and modernize Longleaf Drive will be awarded withing two weeks, and this roadway improvement will include a new bridge at Wymart road, pedestrian sidewalks on the north and south of the roadway, stormwater improvements, and a signal improvement at Pine Forest Road and Longleaf.  This important corridor is also the site of four public schools, so the addition of the sidewalks will be a tremendous safety improvement for students.

Now here's the really good news:

With the economy's recent retreat due to disastrous monetary and energy policy in Washington DC, combined with supply chain issues that have slowed many projects down, combined with a commonsense downsizing of this local Longleaf Drive project based upon 2007 traffic projections compared to 2020 actual traffic counts --the cost of this project came in significantly lower than what was originally programmed, leaving an excess of funds of around $5.6 Million.  (see breakdown, below)

So now comes the bold, brass balls approach to accelerating and supercharging some lingering, desperately needed infrastructure projects utilizing this excess LOST money.  Any time it is difficult and strenuous and requires a lot of thought, planning, and teamwork---it requires something else.  Alec Baldwin said it best in Glengarry Glen Ross--it takes brass balls....    this plan coming Thursday is aggressive, intelligent, and ballsy.

Here's the setup:

Because it has been the standing practice of the board on numerous occassions--when a bid comes in low on a district project--the commissioner of such a district has typically been shown deference in re-

Are Services for those in Drug Abuse/Mental Health Crisis Locally Diminishing as the Need for Detox Services is Increasing?

 

We've got a major drug issue in our community--yet the only area detox facility for uninsured and underinsured has closed.  Why?  Sadly, according to those familiar, it is all about money and resources.

At our committee of the whole last week, one speaker came to the podium with a very serious concern.  An employee of Community Health NW Florida--this individual has a history with assisting those who are homeless and those who are in drug abuse crisis.

So when he exclaimed that Lakeview's Acute Stabilization Unit has closed (see discussion starting 1:09:01 of this video)--it naturally evoked concern from the board.  This facility was one that provided inpatient detox services for adults in crisis.  It was/is a necessary service--especially given our massive drug abuse issue in portions of Escambia County, illustrated by our EMS units responding to an average of 6 opioid overdoses per day, and solidified by our Medical Examiner's warnings on the number of overdose deaths in our community overwhelming her office.  Why would that ASU facility close--necessitating that adults without insurance would have to be transferred all the way over to Bay County?  We're much bigger than Bay County--so why would this vital function be pushed over there?

I made several calls to folks who would know after that back and forth at the COW.

Lakeview's ASU did, in fact, close in December of last year.  I confirmed that fact after speaking to an individual in the know about that particular facility. Patients that would have been transferred there are now sent as far away as Panama City for Detox.  It was a resource and usage scenario which set the stage for that facility's closing, according to this informed source.  "We had a staffed facility for 10 and at times it just wasn't being utilized fully--often with as few as two patients."

In speaking with a different individual who works at Baptist Hospital and who is intimately familiar with this issue--it does come down to two things:  money and resources.   According to this individual--this is a problem and it is about to become a much bigger one-- as now only one of our three area hospitals will be taking Adolescent Baker Act patients.  Sacred Heart has not ever accepted them, and now West Florida Hospital will no longer be taking them as of the end of August--leaving just Baptist Hospital taking these cases--this according to this BHC source as well as a member of our state delegation with whom I also spoke and with whom I confirmed this issue.  "The first [judicial] circuit is now down to two Crisis Stabilization Units--one here at Baptist and one in Fort Walton Beach.  By comparison, the 2nd Judicial circuit [serving Franklin, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Liberty, and Wakulla Counties] has half our population and 5 facilities.." stated the Baptist Hospital affiliated individual.   "We're taking in about 14 patients daily--and West Florida would take as many as 10--but now they won't be taking any and we will be getting them all--which is going to lead to issues in getting these patients into beds.  We will do what it takes--we serve the community--but it is an issue."  When I asked his thoughts on why Lakeview was closing the ASU--he mentioned the culprits:  money and resources.  "Look, that facility is not closing due to a decrease in need" he quipped.

In speaking with a person well acquainted with West Florida Hospital who is familiar with this issue--this statement about West Florida's curtailing acceptance of adolescent Baker Act cases is true.  According to this individual it was a difficult decision based upon.....money and resources.  "Baptist Hospital receives $1.7 Million yearly from the state to help offset the costs [of the CSU] and we [West

Where We Left the Issue of Homelessness and the BCC's $4.1 Million Funding to Address this Issue

 

There is an issue in our county that continues to create problems for citizens.  

 Many view it as a crisis.

Homelessness creates many problematic spin offs in our community and many residents are concerned about the problem for various reasons.  Some for compassionate reasons (i.e. they want more social assistance, support and wrap-around services provided for our homeless community--as some in this camp refer to as the "un-housed")  Others are concerned about an erosion in the quality of life for citizens that live in our community and pay taxes (e.g.--these folks are concerned about the campgrounds in the woods, fires, illegal behavior, public urination/defecation, crime, panhandling, drug use/needles, etc.)

Meanwhile, the county has a little over $4 Million from the American Rescue Plan specifically set aside for uses to assist the homeless.

Last week, we learned of very large ($3Billion) additional Federal monetary resources (grants) which may be available to us for this problem as well.

So now the question is, what do we as a county want to do with the money we have and any money we may get?

I attempted in vain to get a meeting scheduled with the city --a joint BCC/City Council workshop meeting to brainstorm ideas on this topic specifically.  That effort ran into resistance from the city and members of the BCC so I agendaed the conversation to two BCC meetings to find the pinch point--which I did find.

(Meanwhile, many with whom I have spoken do not agree with the approaches the city has taken with its $3 Million dollars for addressing homelessness.)

So, at the second meeting on the Homelessness topic last Thursday the BCC discussed what we wanted to do with the money--and the opinions were varied.

We settled on the approach of having staff create an application protocol for 501(c)3 organizations that are working in this space to seek board funding for assistance with this issue of homelessness in our county.  The good thing about spending the money this way is that it will 1.) Allow each commissioner to pursue initiatives/models to assist with this problem based upon our individual preferences and ideas.  2.) will require a full board vote for any successful applicant to receive funding.

I believe this approach will produce results and will enable initiatives to help homelessness in ways that are approved by the full board, measurable, sustainable and not "one big idea" or the "all the eggs in one basket approach."  

With this system, we can double down on programs that achieve objectives and solve problems while eliminating funding for programs that do not work or show little benefit.

And now, with this model as the way forward and based upon input I heard at Thursday's workshop---a joing BCC/City meeting will not be necessary--which in and of itself is a positive development in the eyes of many as it eliminates the need for yet another government meeting to "discuss" problems.

More Good News for Sorrento Road: Signal Warranted and will be Constructed at Sorrento Road and Doug Ford Drive

District 1 citizens attempting to enter Sorrento Road from Doug Ford Drive will soon see something like this at the intersection---allowing for safe egress for these drivers

Many people have worked for many years to get a light at Doug Ford Drive and Sorrento Road.  I've spoken countless times to FDOT, been on the scene with residents, discussed it at TPO meetings, and sent this letter to FDOT District 3 Secretary Phillip Gainer in early July.  I had the opportunity to meet with Secretary Gainer and FDOT secretary Jared Perdue again just this last Monday at NAS Pensacola.  And the light at Sorrento and Doug Ford was discussed again.

I've brough it dozens of times now, like a broken record.

We now, as of today,  have confirmation of what was rumored to have been true late last week.

FDOT has completed its latest signal warrant study on the Doug Ford Drive at Sorrento Road Intersection and the signal there is warranted.

In the past, studies have come back and such a signal has not been found to have been necessary.

But the most recent study has come back recommending a signal.

This location, where Perdido Bay Country Club exits onto Sorrento Road, is a jam packed roadway for traffic going to and from Perdido Key.  Often the scene of wrecks--residents have reported to me over and over the difficulty in getting out onto Sorrento Road--especially if making a left (heading eastbound) on Sorrento.

Many simply make right turns then go into the Winn Dixie parking lot down the street to turn around safely and head eastbound.

So this light will serve to allow residents to safely exit this subdivision/country club and will also serve to slow down traffic that sometimes (oftentimes) comes speeding around this corner on the way to or from the beach.

A light at this intersection will also make it safer to make a left turn into the Perdido Bay Country Club from the west on Sorrento Road heading eastbound--which currently is very dangerous.

In addition to this light at Doug Ford and Sorrento--I am also told by staff that "...the striping along Sorrento Road will have an auditory profile to warn motorists of lane departures.  These were previously included on Bauer to Blue Angel.....they are now included from Innerarity to Bauer [as well]."

This week I will work with county traffic staff and FDOT to see if this signal can be added to the currently underway project on Sorrento that FDOT is doing.  If this can be done it will save tax dollars while also speeding up the completion of this signal.

There will be much more good news on Sorrento Road this week on Thursday.   I plan on bringing a plan to the BCC to fund the PD&E for Sorrento Road's 4-lane widening plan--which will serve to shave as much as five years off of the timeline for us to completed this desperately needed widening project in District 1.  

Much more to come on that later in the week.

On 1370 WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" Later this Morning

I've been invited to appear at 7:10 this morning on the area's best, most informative, highest rated and entertaining morning drive news radio program "Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA.

After an action-packed Committee of the Whole yesterday, I am sure we will be discussing the hiring of Wes Moreno as our administrator next week.  We will more than likely also discuss the Board's direction on issues of homelessness and the Contractor Competency Board--if time permits.

It should be a good discussion.  When the podcast is published, I will link it here.

Victims of Contractor Fraud: Go to the Florida Homeowners Construction Recovery Fund

We are all hearing about the dozens of cases of alleged fraud in our area where contractors have been accused of taking money from clients then subsequently never completing the work.  Or doing part of the work and not finishing.  Or never even starting.  And when refunds are requested, they are not given.

Some folks are out tens of thousands of dollars.  Some even more.

Now, one such contractor has gone bankrupt and has been arrested.

Another is facing allegations and loss of his license.

Meanwhile, the victims (which are growing exponentially) are wondering how they are to be repaid.

One mechanism that is available is the Florida Homeowner's Construction Recovery Fund.

From the Bar Journal article describing this fund:

"The Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund (Fund) was established in 1993 in order “to compensate consumers who suffer monetary damages as a result of certain violations by licensed contractors.”1 The Fund’s legislative purpose is to “compensate an aggrieved claimant who contracted for the construction or improvement of the homeowner’s residence2 located within this state and who has obtained a final judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction, was awarded restitution by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), or received an award in arbitration against a licensee based on specified acts.”3 The CILB is a professional licensing board within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).4 The Fund provides a remedy for claimants that becomes available once the claimant has exhausted diligent efforts to seek reimbursement from the contractor.5"

Florida  I am told there is a cap for recovery from this fund of $25,000.00.  I'm also told there is significant documentation/paperwork requirements to qualify.

But if you are out tens of thousands of dollars--it may be well worthwhile to go through the paperwork requirements to try and collect some of your money.

Download the claim form here

About the Contractor Competency Issue....

A number of citizens have rightly expressed concerns about a couple of licensed contractors in the County who have not finished work and who have accepted large up front fees for such work and not paid customers back the money.

It's been all over the press and Facebook.  Folks are angry and upset.

After speaking with staff today on this issue particularly, I am told that if restitution in the amount of $62,052.42 is not proved to have been paid back to customers by Banks Construction, Inc., by August 10th--Wednesday--this firm's license will be immediately suspended and this company will not be able to any work which requires this license--- nor will they be able to pull any additional permits.  In addition to this restitution, I'm told this firm owes fines in the amountof $16,379.56 that must be paid by 9-1-2022.

There are additional customer complaints on this particular firm--this $62,052.42 represents the first group of complaints..

I am told there is one more firm who also has had a number of complaints for non-performance and non-payment and this firm must also pay restitution or have their license suspended.  I will be getting more information on that company tomorrow, and I will post that here.

Could there be a BCC VETO on an Upcoming SRIA Decision?

There is litigation ongoing regarding a lease renewal request from one leaseholder group and the Escambia County Property Appraiser's office. 

I was recently made aware of it and have subsequently spoken to numerous folks intimately familiar with the issue and the majority of whom believe a compromise proposal that has been put forward by the island lease holders in the case is fair and would solve the impasse in a way that is beneficial to the taxpayers.

I'm told this particular settlement/lease renewal proposal:

--Allows the leaseholder to renew the lease early

--makes the lease one that renews in perpetuity and therefore will pay ad valorem taxes on improvements and the land

--agrees to an annual lease fee to the SRIA that increases and will be tied to the CPI--which will be memorialized in the lease

Quixotically--it appears and I am told some staffers and others with the island authority are not on board with this settlement and lease renewal proposal and are working against it.

I hope not.  I've also heard anecdotally that my name got thrown into the mix as being a commissioner who would not support this settlement.

But nothing could be further from the truth.  We need to start getting better terms in these renewals for the owners of the property (the taxpayers of Escambia County) and worry less about the fees for the property managers (SRIA).  I've screamed this loudly on multiple occassions in the wake of the Beach Club FIASCO at the SRIA.  We desperately need one lease template for these renewals going forward, too.

My simple question is this:  Why fight this??  This settlement appears to be a win-win and could serve as a template for many other beach renewals that are in the pipeline.  It puts this property on the tax rolls, pays a lease fee with escalator to the SRIA   and settles the lawsuit currently arguing this land should not be taxable.  (a lawsuit that Escambia County taxpayers are paying for through the BCC's footing of the bill for Chris Jones' attorney to defend this suit)

In speaking with at least 3 different lawyers recently on this very topic--I just do not see why this settlement proposal is languishing.  Maximizing the benefit to the property owners (ALL the taxpayers of Escambia County)  MUST be the priority---not maximizing lease fees irrespective of the ad valorem taxation implications for the maximization of lease fees to SRIA.

So I am eager to see how this vote for this lease and settlement goes.  If it is not approved when it appears all the parties appear to agree it makes sense--then maybe we as the BCC need to veto the rejection and accept the terms of the settlement from these island leaseholder over SRIA's no vote.

Tens of millions of dollars are potentially at stake if this current lawsuit is lost.

Much more to come on this.

County Administrator Search: 28 Total Applicants, 13 finalists divided into 2 Tiers, to be Presented to Board this Thursday

This Thursday morning we will be given a report from GovHR-- the firm that is conducting our Administrator Search.  My understanding is that we will be getting a full report, a full package with the names of all 28  applicants from 15 states, and the complete resumes for the 13 applicants that are considered finalists, broken into two tiers.

My understanding is that this information will be provided to the public as well, after appropriate redactions are made.

This information will be brought forward by County Attorney Alison Rogers for discussion by the board.

This Thursday morning at the committee of the whole.

Should be a good discussion, and my prediction is it will be a short discussion.

A Different Approach to Safely and Securely Offering Public Access to Public Portions of NAS Pensacola?

 

Ever since the terrorist attack of December 6th 2019 and then the subsequent COVID 19 Pandemic which followed the next year---access to NAS Pensacola by the public at large has been severely limited and all but curtailed.

There are many good reasons why-- and the decisions to do so are made largely via higher headquarters and are not made locally.

The Navy has a training mission which is the priority.  Everyone understands this.

The tourism opportunity provided by the National Museum of Naval Aviation, the Lighthouse, and the National Seashore are important to the local community as a vital revenue generating source--but the mission of the base is the priority.

Protecting the various missions on the base is the most important factor because this alone provides our area with a tremendous influx of dollars for the economy--the size of which is only rivaled by seasonal tourism and the beaches.

So is it possible to provide access to the base safely, securely, while not jeopardizing missions here?

That has been the question, several options have been studied.  The most recent idea was to have the Florida Department of Transportation take over and improve the roadway all the way through the base which would have allowed for the station's security posture to be maintained while also allowing for visitation to the Museum, cemetery, golf course, and national seashore by the general public and tourists from around the country.

Unfortunately, this option does not appear likely due to the tremendously high costs associated with implementation.

Other ideas are being explored (e.g. busing visitors aboard the station to tour the museum after such persons are vetted off the station).

This past week I was invited to participate in a conference call with  NAS Pensacola CAPT Terrance Shashaty and multiple folks from FDOT.  The reason for the call was primarily an introduction and to

Community Partners: What we Spend and What we Get

 Every taxpayer dollar that is spent in Escambia County is rightly scrutinized.  

Funds are watched over by staff, our budget and finance office, the state, the County Commissioners, citizen taxpayers, and the media.

One area where dollars are expended and where there has been a good deal of taxpayer consternation and skepticism is in the area of our "community partners" expenditures.  These allocations are made yearly to entities that are 501(c)3 non-profits and that also provide goods, services, and/or support to our citizens in addition to the services provided by the county.  

Some of these entities (e.g. Gulf Coast Kids House) are given taxpayer monies via a state formula and are mandated.  Others provide services to citizens that are helpful and beneficial to a thriving community.  Others still provide services (e.g. Council on Aging, Health and Hope Clinic) that, if not provided by such a group, would be provided by some other area entity ----the cost(s) of which would result in higher outlays of taxpayer funds by  Escambia County to cover Medicaid costs foisted on local counties based upon such claims being made. 

Some entities request funds but are not awarded any money.

Other entities request money and are given small amounts, while others still request money and are given large amounts.

But all entities must provide metrics, quarterly, delineating the outputs and the benefits they are providing the community on a regular bases as a condition  required for the taxpayer monies recieved.  

The commissioners were recently provided the latest information on all of our community partners by the budget and finance office.

Upon reading through the list and looking at the outputs and numbers--it is readily apparent that with most of these entities we (the taxpayers and county) are receiving a very good return on the monies expended.!

At this time of year, right as we go into the process to finalize our budget, it is good to show everyone this list so that everyone can see the performance and the return on investment we are receiving from our community partners.  See the complete list, below.

75th Coffee with the Commissioner this Wednesday Morning on Facebook Live---All About Growth Management and Zoning

Join us this Wednesday, August 10th, for our 75th Coffee with the Commissioner live on Facebook.  We will have Administrator Wes Moreno and Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore giving updates on the county and public safety, respectively, and as our special guests we will be joined by Development Services Director Horace Jones and Andrew "Drew" Holmer, Division Manager, Development Services. We will talk with Drew and Horace about upcoming developments, how the county's development process works, and how this county department works in conjunction with the planning board and the board of county commissioners to implement the land development code.  This is one area of governance that receives a lot of scrutiny and many citizen complaints, so I look forward to the discussion and having a lot of answers to citizen questions and complaints.  

We will start at 6:30 live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/ as is always the case--residents are encouraged to participate and send questions to via the comment feature during the livestream or by sending questions in advance to district1@myescambia.com or by calling the D1 office at 850-595-4910.

Projection, Deflection, then Ultimately.....Reflection and Disconnection

 I was watching an old classic the other night, and the ending reminded me of some current events going on. Life sometimes imitates art----metaphorically speaking.

You've got an individual and his followers lying, libeling, slandering, deflecting, manipulating, and projecting.

Then, you have rational people who see the patterns, know the facts, and can ascertain the truth.

When you lie, over and over and over, when you sow discontent over and over and over needlessly, when you purposely pick fights you shouldn't over and over and over, ultimately it ends badly.  It goes south. And everyone sees this.

The Warriors didn't kill Cyrus--we know who did it.  Luther did it.  And he paid the price.  But just before he went down he sure did project, bully, accuse, and scream and yell.  He yelled and screamed and accused and deflected.  And he ultimately did reflect--just before he went out like a coward --------wimpering and crying right before the inevitable occurred.

Projection, Deflection, then Ultimately....Reflection and Disconnection.  Lies evaporated and the truth prevailed.

Because the funny thing is--in most cases, not all, but most------- at the end of it all, the truth just has a way of coming out.

Enjoy the scene, below.

I'll be on 1370 WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" This Morning at 7:35

I've been invited to appear on the area's best, highest rated,  most reliable, dependable and informative morning news show in the area, "Real News with Rick Outzen" later this morning at 7:35.

I've been asked to appear in order to discuss the current county budget and also the county's funding of outside agencies that appear to be more in the wheelhouse of the newly established Escambia Children's Trust.

Should be an interesting conversation.  

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