Legislative Priorities Set by BCC

 

At yesterday's special meeting of the Escambia Board of County Commissioners three high-priority legislative "asks" of our state delegation were solidified and memorialized.

1.  Pushing to complete the FDOT Work Plan (to include the high-priority Beulah Interchange-which multiple commissioners voiced as a top priority for the county)

2.  $2.5 Million in funding for a lift station at OLF-8

3.  Reform in the residential property insurance market in the state of Florida (also the main topic of the upcoming special session of the legislature in Tallahassee in early December)

While numerous worthwhile issues and topics were discussed--these three rose to the surface for being the ones most important.  The running consensus is that giving more than three big priorities muddies the water and limits the chances of any getting over the line to receive apropriations from the state.

Broadband and ARPA Funds

Some citizens online question the board of county commissioners' wisdom in utilizing ARPA funds for strategic infrastructure investments in broadband.

We all lived through COVID and learned the lessons of how a good internet connection (or lack thereof) made two classes of citizens----those who could work and have their kids attend school virtually--and those who could not.

And not because of price.  Because of availability.

Escambia County has broad swaths of areas where the citizens have no good broadband accessibility, and investing ARPA funds in providing this (in conjunction with private providers and their investment and buy-in) is a good investment for citizens, our communities, our county and our region.

Some citizens think that utilization of ARPA funds for this purpose is reckless.  I disagree.

MANY counties around the nation are utilizing portion(s) of their ARPA funds to increase accessibility to quality, high-speed internet for underserved communities.

Placer County and San Diego County in California and Hamilton County Ohio are each spending $10 Million from ARPA for broadband accessibility.  Onondaga County New York is spending $15 Million in ARPA funds for the same purpose--to address the "digital divide" within their community.

El Paso County, Colorado, Franklin County Ohio, Travis County, Texas, and Washington DC are all utilizing some portion(s) of their ARPA funding allocations to achieve strategic investments in broadband accessibility for their citizens.

Lots of other counties are doing likewise---a list which is soon to include Escambia County, Florida

So if you run into someone who does not know what is going on, is rather clueless on what's happening around the country in multiple jurisdictions regarding ARPA funding utilization statutes and regulations and ARPA expenditur for broadband infrastructure expansion---make sure you tell them to do some basic research on these specific  topics: 1.) the allowable uses of ARPA funds, and 2.) how Escambia County is FAR FROM being an OUTLIER in this form of community investment utilizing ARPA funding.  

Many of the negative perceptions on this strategic planning/investment Escambia is working toward come from "individuals" and "group thinkers" who have no idea what is actually happening outside their own home, street, and online chat groups--let alone the rest of the country.

Hopefully they'll find the time to figure out it isn't uncommon to do what we are going to do.

Probably not, some of them.

Special Meeting of BCC this Monday at 1:00 PM: Topic--Legislative Priorities

At yesterday's BCC installation meeting, it was announced that this Monday afternoon, the 28th of November, the BCC will have a special meeting to discuss Broadband AND to discuss the board's legislative priorities for next spring's session of the state legislature in Tallahassee.

Everyone's mind is on storm recovery and dysfunction within the property insurance market(s) in the state of Florida post-Hurricane Ian.  That issue will be discussed heavily in the upcoming special session of the state legislature in early December.

So we will probably discuss Insurance matters on Monday.  

I also want to talk about getting more power from the state to curb the ongoing, incessant littering we find ourselves dealing with in our County.  We clean it up, citizens dump more out of their car windows, over and over the cycle repeats.  I get a lot of calls on this so I am assuming my peers do as well.  So we will discuss the idea of working with the state to allow us to up the penalty for littering locally at our discretion.  Currently, this is a highly controlled area of governance where the state has usurped our ability to independently enforce and or set our own penalty amounts.  An interesting discussion of this issue occurred in February of 2021 and can be heard at minutes 9:45 and 12:45 of this video.

I'm certain we will also be discussing the area of getting state reimbursement for state prisoners we house in our Jail--as this is something that costs local taxpayers lots of money and for which we have not been reimbursed.

Other topics of interest will certainly be discussed, and this should be a productive meeting this Monday at 1:00.

Escambia's Pet Cemetery Needs some TLC

Escambia County's District 1 has a little something for everyone....

All the usual stuff like roads, bridges, drainage systems, public buildings, boat landings, public beach accesses, a public library, and public parks.  You know, like "normal" things.

But we also have super cool things like our Equestrian Center where we do horse shows and show jumper competitions along with Rodeos.  We also have nifty stuff like an archery range where you can learn to shoot a cross bow like John Rambo did or a standard, long or compound bow like Katniss Everdeen did---- if you want to. We've even got a model airplane park where RC aviation enthusiasts can fly their models--even some that are miniature jets with scaled-down jet engines that are as loud as some real jets--just ask the nearby neighbors that built their houses very close to this flying field!

Yes, we have all of that and more.

But how many of you honestly knew that we're also the home of the Escambia County's only "official" Pet Cemetery??  I mean, I am a dog-lover, still in mourning over the 2019 death of my best 4-legged friend and Goldendoodle, "Rocky", (still pondering what to do with his ashes) and even I must admit---I was several years into my tenure as a County Commissioner before I found out we had one! Most folks probably don't know this is a thing that exists here.

But yes, this is a real thing.  No, it's not like the Stephen King horror show "Pet Sematary"--but rather an actual, real life pet cemetery. Where dogs and cats are buried.   It sits right on a major road in D1, just catecorner to the area's Dollar General and across from a filling station.

And lately, sadly, it has fallen into a dilapidated state of disrepair.  

I hadn't visited it before, so on Saturday I came out in the cold rain and drove down Pine Forest Road, where-- nestled between an assited living/elder care facility and a high-end RV campground across from a few homes--sits the county's  pet cemetery.  I wanted to see it, I wanted to walk through it.  Yes, Escambia's Pet Cemetery needs some serious TLC.

The first thing I noticed was there are no more plots unclaimed.  The cemetery is full.  Cats and dogs from the 1950's onward have found this location as their final resting place.  Interesting, heartfelt nameplates, some with cute sayings on them and even some famous community names you would know adorn the plots of multiple pets buried here.  Some owners are obviously still visiting, as several of the pet burial sites had ornate decorations, flags, and even a chew-toy on one plot.  Some have elaborate landscaping with rocks and marble headstones.  Look, I get it--some people's pets are like their family.  I get that.  These particular plots I saw yesterday are obvioulsy the ones that someone has been visiting and looking after.   

What once, apparently, was a segregated (utilizing white picket fencing) area for deceased Law Enforcement Canine Officers is overgrown and the fencing is busted and destroyed.  four of the plots containing deceased LEO canine officers had flags neatly placed in front.  But at least 8 of these sites didn't--and were in a terrible state of upkeep.  Canine Officers Thor and Spike--I wonder how their lives went? I wonder about the great things they did, and how many bad guys these two canine officers helped to capture?  In an odd, perhaps prescient, Nostradamus-esque turn--there is even a LEO Canine officer buried there named "Morgan"--who's time of service and ultimate death apparently occurred prior to the beginning of the tenure of our former human Sheriff Morgan (2009-2021).  Kind of weird I thought.  Maybe that is a common name for a dog?  Who knows?

But "Morgan's" grave site's a wreck though.  His and many others. Untidy, disheveled, and unkempt.

So I have now, very recently,  been contacted by the nonprofit entity that currently owns this property.  They are asking for and wanting to turn this property over to the county so the site can receive better maintenance and upkeep and so the fencing can be repaired and the landscaping cleaned up.  I'm working out a way to make this happen because I think those sites deserve to be maintained and preserved.  Those animals are/were very special to the owners who buried them there.  The canine officers deserve the dignity and respect of a clean and orderly, well maintained site.

So I'll be bringing this for discussion to an upcoming meeting in December.  If necessary to gain support for the county taking on this property/maintenance responsibility--I'll be pledging to utilize D1 discretionary to get the fencing repaired and the site cleaned up.

I believe this is the least we can do for those animals and for the families (and Law Enforcement Agencies) that buried these animals here.

Look for the discussion to come, and check out the photos, below.

On "Real News with Rick Outzen" Later this Morning at 7:00

Rick Outzen--journalist, publisher, and host of the area's best, most widely listened-to and most informative local morning drive news-talk program "Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA--has invited me onto his show later this morning at 7:00 as his leadoff guest.

Rick has asked me to come on and talk about the last year on the BCC and accomplishments the board has made over this past year as we prepare for tomorrow's swearing in and re-organizational meeting at 9:00AM when I will hand over the chairman's gavel to D3 Commissioner Lumon May.

Once this podcast is completed later today, I will post it here.

We will discuss the big-ticket wins of the last year districtwide:

--Completion of once every 10-years redistricting of county commissioners' districts

--Completion of the 4-year salary deal with ECSO

--Moving out of COVID Pandemic utilizing Cares Act and Rescue Plan funding

--Building a better staff/County Leadership Team

--Formalizing/negotiating Wes Moreno's contract as Administrator

--Completion of Bargaining with all the County's Bargaining Groups

--Opening Beach Access #4 at Perdido Key

--Record $620 Million FY 23 Budget WITHOUT raising Millage Tax Rates

--Funding $1.6 Million for regional Advanced Traffic Management System

If time permits, I'll also spotlight some completed D1 Specific projects 

--Opening of the first D1 public library, the Bellview Library 

--Awarding contract and breaking ground on the Beulah Fire Station

--Working to get Sorrento Road widening project on Sorrento Road moved up on TPO priority list

--funding for Beulah area master plan finalized, project is forthcoming

Another Inaccurate, Misleading, Garbage PNJ Headline: Par for the Course

"Mike Kohler Looks to Restore Trust in District 2 Commissioner's Seat" is how PNJ's misleading headline above should have read.....

Yesterday's electronic PNJ put out a story about soon-to-be sworn in County Commissioner-Elect Mike Kohler.  And once a reader was able to get by the BS headline--the story was well-written. (and don't worry, the PNJ are saving this piece, along with the garbage headline, for their Sunday edition....the only day they have any readership of their hard copy product to speak of.....

 But the headline they used and will be using tomorrow is garbage.  No, it is worse than that, it is BS, misleading Garbage.

 "Mike Kohler Looks to Restore Trust in Escambia County"

 After reading that headline, I expected to see yet another inaccurate, hatchet piece article running down the current commissioners--  because--to read that headline one would assume the county is in shambles and broken--and Kohler like a white-knight is coming in for a rescue job.  (In fairness, some do believe Escambia's Governance is a wreck:  The PNJ, a former PNJ cartoonist, a couple of downtown types, a downtown stockbroker, and about 12 people on one Facebook chat site.)

 Most normal human citizens don't share this dystopian and skewed view of reality, though. 

 Looking at the election, where the only incumbent Escambia County commissioner on the ballot won in a landslide, and looking at the recent survey the Studer group put out showing year-over year improvement in the public's perception of the county commission and the county's overall trajectory--what the PNJ and some foil-hat haters think about the commissioners and the county does not line up with what the average citizen believes.

I get a lot of email, phone calls, and feedback directly from constituents all day, every day. They don't hold back, either. Rarely do I get a complaint about the 401a, lack of a strategic plan, or the idea of consolidation or creating a "charter county" with a "strong elected administrator."  I never get complaints about firing former administrator Janice Gilley.  Nope-those are the issues of the PNJ and a handful of downtowners.  Normal folks are concerned with their own issues--traffic, over-development, and to a lesser degree--stormwater issues.  What I don't hear is ordinary folks upset about the PNJ's faux issues of anger above.   Never.

 Knowing all this and seeing the headline I was prepared for the worst.

 But the article did not attack the commissioners, at least not overtly anyway.  It was primarily a piece about the incoming commissioner and some of his priorities and goals once getting into office.  And the article is framed around his challenge in doing that due to his predecessor's horrible record and tumultuous, scandal-ridden tenure and departure under clouds of suspicion, ongoing litigation, and multiple ethics violations.

from the article:

"Kohler said for the first few months in office, he would focus on restoring trust in the District 2 office. “I really want to try to build a decent relationship with the other commissioners so that hopefully they'll work with me to get some stuff done in District 2," Kohler said. "I know the people in District 2 really feel like they've been underserved..Kohler said he hopes he is not "held hostage" by the actions of his predecessor, who he pointed out did not support him during his election campaign.  I'm hoping I can make some amends and just go in and prove to them that I'm not an enemy," Kohler said."

So, I asked Jim Little about the misleading headline.  I told him the headline should have been something like "Kohler to attempt to restore trust in D2 Commission seat" which he disagreed about.  He doubled down on the headline he used.  "I see your point, but I think the article conveys he is looking to restore trust in the D2 seat but also trust in the county for the residents of D2.  So, I think the headline fits the story" he stated.

 Another inaccurate, misleading garbage PNJ Headline--it's par for the course because they want strife, conflict, angst, and controversy.  They feast on it, and a headline like that magnifies a "position" that is not held by a majority of area citizens.  No matter, the PNJdoesn't care.  They will create it or attempt to manifest dysfunction in order to sell ads and papers--because they do not care about this community and the people that live here.  It's all about making a buck, meeting sales goals, and a desperate attempt to stay relevant.  It is disgusting and dishonorable, but legal, the way this paper plies its trade.  And they risk setting up the soon to be commissioner for a tougher start than needed by publishing this article this way.  They don't care though.  They want strife and division on this board, they are counting on it.  They leverage it to sell papers and ads.

If they (the PNJ) were offered a community guaranteed to be free of crime or any issues with locally elected leaders that served the citizens and functioned at a high level --but this scenario required them to go out of business---they would cast that perfect community aside for the ability to continue doing what they do---fostering discontent with fake, garbage "news", misleading headlines, unfair and inaccurate "editorials" and cartoons ONLY on their perceived philosophical rivals and those who their advertising patron(s) disfavor.

 No wonder the PNJ are shrinking; they're slowly going out of business, quietly and incrementally.  But it is coming.  They did (and continue to do) it to themselves.   This headline is another example of why.

The Mystery of the More Than $7,000.00 1-Month ECUA Water Bill?!?

Just imagine it.  You go online to pay your routine bills, to include your ECUA bill for water, sewage and garbage.  Ho hum, just something you do once a month.

But when you log in to pay your bill, you spit coffee through your nostrils and adrenaline pumps through your body and your blood pressure skyrockets  as you see something that CANNOT be right---a bill that is normally around a hundred bucks is $7,326.00 dollars!

What!?!     (picture the Allstate Commercial where the guy on your door cam starts smashing your car window and you aren't there to stop him from doing it)

What?!?  Seven Grand!!!

Making matters worse--you quickly realize this isn't a "mistake."

Uh oh, spagetthi o's--or as Scooby Doo might say "Ruh-Roh Raggy!!"

In this instance of a true story that unfolded yesterday afternoon/evening--------the bill was, in fact,  correct.  Apparently--the culprit was a water leak on the property-owner's side of the meter that was not noticed by anyone. (not sure how, but that's a question for another time I guess--once folks calm down and come back from the ledge) 

So what do you do?  Well,  you --the property owner---quickly contact your county commissioner--- (who has no play in this at all-- by the way--but whatever:  I am here to help!)----who quickly forwards the issue to his ECUA counterpart--and lo and behold there is an explanation.  And, thankfully, a solution.

In this story--the quick actions of ECUA staff and board member Vicki Campbell are to be commended.  ECUA immediately went out to the property, checked the situation, and determined a leak was the culprit.  No word back yet on what caused it or whether or not it has been repaired by the property owner (hopefully it has been!--but it must've been leaking a while to run up that kind of a billing--how did the property owner not notice this?).

Thankfully--there is now a happy ending to this story coming.....

Because ECUA offers its customers a one time credit for such catostrophic occurrences.  (I know this firsthand because I had a similar situation occur and was able to wipe away the charges with this one-time facility provided by ECUA.)

Thankfully (and mercifully)--this is a bill that this homeowner won't have to pay.

Whew--that's a relief!

77th Coffee with the Commissioner--Great Conversation on How we are Attacking the Opioid Epidemic Locally

Today on our 77th Coffee with the Commissioner Event(which you can view in it's entirety by clicking the video above) we discussed the CORE program which the county will be implementing, in conjunction with community healthcare partners, to combat our out-of-control opioid overdose issue here.  This program will help folks find addiction treatment options to help them kick their habits if they seek help.  The panel describes how this program will work, and how it is modeled after a very successful program in south Florida.  Dr. Mark Stavros from Florida West Hospital, Chandra Smiley from Community Health Northwest, Marie Mott from the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, and Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore joined County Administrator Wes Moreno and I for the discussion.

Affordable Rentals, Lack of Available Childcare, and the Public Education System Locally--Concerns I am Hearing

 

At yesterday's meeting of the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, several themes emerged that are proving to be difficult barriers for the families of some junior enlisted and junior officer members of the armed forces stationed here (or potentially transferring here).

Affordable Rentals, Lack of Available Childcare, and the Public Education System Locally (which many deem to be insufficient for the military dependents' needs) are the big three that were discussed.

Multiple CO's and XO's from several Pensacola area commands were represented at this meeting, and they each expressed an awareness of this frustration/concern.  These are not necessarily all new concerns, either.

The discussion on housing and childcare revolved around a "plus-up" in allowances that area military families will be receiving to help offset the skyrocketing costs of housing rentals and childcare. (although there is fear this increase won't completely offset the rate of inflation of the costs)

We also discussed methods we are employing within the county to build affordable housing units. (which received no press once we passed it earlier this month....)As well as some things that Habitat for Humanity is doing in the community to address the affordable housing issue.

But the economy has changed, inflation has become rampant ( a bi-product of money printing ) and fewer folks are stepping up to do low-wage work (like childcare) due to federal and state policies that many feel are overly remunerative for folks that do not work.  So there's that double whammy.

With respect to challenges within the public schools--several attendees were interested in learing more about what school choice/voucher programs were/are available to military families that come to our area.  I told the group there are resources for military dependents and their families funded by DoD and the State of Florida, and information on this topic was disseminated to the group.   I also described some of the historical challenges our schools have faced which have dragged down performance district wide and the various, numerous programs that have been tried, and ultimately failed, at a couple of very difficult and high-profile schools.

When the family totally and completely breaks down in entire communities--this (poor public school performance) along with blight, high crime, and decreased property values is what we see.

Some of the conversation on that topic was uncomfortable.  But the truth is the truth, and I'll never be one to add sugar-coating over the top of it.  Great communities MAKE great public school districts, that is the universal truth of reality, and I will always defend hard working teachers and school district employees that work their guts out to help students.  In other words, this is more an isolated community problem in pockets of our area, and less an academic one or a teacher competency one districtwide.  Folks don't like to hear that though and some believe it is a lack of more "programs" and money.

That's not it, though.

On a brighter note, I did take the opportunity to spotlight the performance of more than a dozen Escambia Public Schools that together earned more than $1.5 Million in school recognition bonuses from the state of  Florida for sustained excellence and/or learning gain improvements over the last school year.

I also let the attendees know about the upcoming coffee with the commissioner event on December 15th where we will discuss the school district in depth with my special guest that day, School Board Chairman Kevin Adams.

These issues that are acutely affecting the military community here are a HUGE concern of mine as an elected official that understands that the federal military spending in our community represents nearly half of our economy locally.  If we don't get these issues ironed out and (heaven forbid) lose missions or have them diminished in size--this would be an economic loss that we cannot afford to sustain.

So we have to work to fix these issues.  Period.

Fixing the "Sign-Noise" at the Beach

There is a growing, grass-roots anger among many long-time locals who love to surf at Perdido Key.

They have approached me about the issue--which I agree needs a solution.

The problem: tacky, offensive signage up and down the beach (often connected by rope or chain) carving out portions of the beach there on Perdido Key that are privately owned.  These are "no-trespassing" signs.  I've heard, anecdotally, that children have run into the ropes and also that these tacky, connected signs potentially increase the danger to nesting turtles trying to get up the beach to lay their eggs.

It looks terrible, and tacky.  It's dangerous to kids, and potentially harmful to sea turtles--those that are roped off from the dunes all the way down to the surf.  According to many with whom I have spoken (and indeed from my own personal experiences at Perdido Key as a kid fishing with my dad)--this is a "newer" phenomenon that came about not too long ago.

Look--we all get it.  portions of much of the beach at Perdido Key from the dunes to the mean-high tide line are private property and the owner(s) of such properties have the right to enforce no trespassing on such parcels and also to post signage notifying visitors of this.

But there is a less tacky, less obtrusive, and less onerous way to properly notice beachgoers that such parcels are "private property."  They do it other places without such tacky eyesores.  So we're going to be looking at best practices from around the state with respect to this issue with an eye toward a better, more aesthetically pleasing sign ordinance that doesn't litter the beaches of Perdido Key with these eyesores.

December 8th this will be discussed during public forum.

Escambia County Welcomes Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz (Left) and Escambia Circuit Court Judge Gary Bergosh discuss the Justice's judicial philosophy in Pensacola at the Artel Gallery, 11-9-2022

Wednesday evening Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, and the Federalist Society of the Emerald Coast welcomed the Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, Carlos Muniz, to our community.

The Justice arrived early at Escambia County's Artel Gallery and graciously met with dozens of citizens, primarily those involved in the legal profession in the Panhandle.

As the attendees milled around, enjoying sub sandwiches and beverages provided by the Federalist Society and visiting one another--the room began to get packed.

Ultimately, nearly one hundred attendees arrived and took their seats for the intimate, in-depth question and answer session with Muniz, the man who sits at the pinacle of the court system in the nation's 3rd largest state.

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz
visits Pensacola 11-9-2022

Former Supreme Court Justices, numerous Federal Magistrates, lawyers, and dozens of locally elected/appointed Circuit and County Court Judges and their staff members were present--as were other elected officials including Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons and two local County Commissioners.  A UWF Legal studies professor even brought his whole class to the event so they could hear from the Chief Justice firsthand.

To start the evening off--some interesting facts were put out about the Justice by the host and President of the Federalist Society of the Emerald Coast--Circuit Court Judge Gary Bergosh.  Many of the Justice's former jobs with both the Federal Government and the State of Florida were rattled off.  When discussing the Justice's educational background--the name Dave Grohl came up.  (Grohl is the former drummer for the alternative powerhouse band Nirvana and current guitarist and vocalist for the legendary rock band Foo-Fighters.)  Apparently, Grohl and Muniz attended the same Catholic prep school in northern Virginia and knew of each other.  "Yes, I knew of him while we were in school, he was a year behind me in my brother's class" Muniz mused upon being asked about the world famous musician.   

After High School, Muniz attended The University of Virginia for his Undergraduate degree, and Yale Law School for his JD. (Muniz made a passing comment about his concern for some apparent issues with free speech that have become newsworthy as of late at his law school alma matter.)

Then came the questions about his current role and his judicial philosophy.   Much of the discussion centered around a view the Justice has held about Judicial Imperialism--with discussion flowing from the Justice's 2005 paper on this topic submitted to the James Madison Institute.  Muniz elaborated on that topic, while also describing his current role as a College Professor at FSU's Law School where he is currently teaching a course on Textualism and its Rivals.  The Justice expressed thanks for the presence of the students from UWF.

As the evening wound down, several questions came from the audience, which Muniz fielded.  He also elaborated strongly, as a transplant to Florida from Virginia,  on his view of our State's Constitution--how it is really a "people's constitution" compared to many other states, due to the Florida Constitution's accessibility and ease of revision/augmentation by citizen petition.

The Justice thanked the attendees profuesely for coming out, expressing gratitude for the significant turnout.

After the event, the Justice had a more intimate discussion with several attendees over at McGuires Irish Pub, before he headed back to Tallahassee.

An interesting evening and conversation, to be sure.

Read more about Chief Justice Muniz, here.

Read more about the Federalist Society, here.

Two Big Coffee with the Commissioner Events Coming--#77 and #78

The next two coffee with the commissioner events are all lined up.  Our 77th coffee with the commissioner will happen one week from today on Wednesday, November 16th from 6:30-7:30 AM featuring our County Administrator Wes Moreno, Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, and four special guests Chandra Smiley – Community Health, Marie Mott – FL Dept of Health, Dr. Mark Stavros – Florida West Hospital and Christine Jandora – from Sacred Heart Hospital--who together will go through our soon to be implemented and recently funded CORE program to curb opioid overdoses in the community and to help prevent addiction and treat those in crisis due to dependency on narcotics locally.  Should be a great discussion.

Then next month, on Wednesday December 14th from 6:30-7:30,  we will have our 78th coffee live on Zoom, and my special guest will be School Board Chairman Kevin Adams.  He and I will discuss the state of education locally, the Warrington Middle School issues, books in the libraries causing controversy, school closures, and a host of other issues.  That is a conversation I'll be looking forward to!  

We will start at 6:30 live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/ on both those dates--and 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.

Election Night Vindication!

Many believe last night's election results validate the direction the BCC is going with respect to the operation of the county.  I tend to agree....

I was asked to appear on last night's live election coverage on the area's best, most trusted, most accurate, and most listened to news talk station--- WCOA 1370AM.  Rick Outzen was anchoring the show and the focus of our brief discussion, after speaking of the Governor's HUGE election victory, as well as Senator Rubio's win-- was on the vindication the county can take from a couple of the local election results.

--Commissioner Robert Bender, the only incumbent commissioner on the ballot, defeated his challenger Myra Van Hoose by nearly 20 points.

--The county's EDATE ballot measure passed by a 10-point margin.

These were profound outcomes--as some in the community (and at least 12 on one facebook chat site) were "all-in" for Bender's opponent and were smearing Robert Bender all over the place unfairly.  Bender's opponent even launched an attack ad on radio that was fact barren, full of lies, and nothing but an ad hominem attack.  It backfired on her spectacularly--- to the point that from this point forward she'll simply be known as #MyraVanWho?  She lied in the ad and said "The commissioner's voted to increase their pay" which is a bald-faced lie!  The state sets our salary.  It was an attack on Bender--but also a smear job on the rest of us.  It was total BS,

The same voices and Bender's opponent tried their best to kill the county's EDATE initiative--but they had no sway and carried no influence whatsoever with voters (or anyone else) and therefore the EDATE ballot measure easily passed for another 10 year run.  Thank You to the voters for that!!!! Thank You!!!

While on the show, Rick asked somewhat rhetorically "Doesn't this outcome sort of validate the direction the county is going and also--doesn't it point out that negative campaigning in local Escambia races doesn't work?"  To which I agreed and elaborated in response and in support of his theory/thought.  Robert's been unfairly attacked, he is a good person, a nice person, and a hard worker on this board.  He didn't do anything wrong and he didn't deserve (nor did his family, nor did Angela Crawley) the garbage lies spewed from these haters and his opponent.   And a lot of lies have been told about the retirment plan (which lies will be brought to the light of truth once the lawsuit is settled), and again---the radio attack ad on Bender and the rest of the Commissioners was nthing but a big fat disgusting hatchet job--I'm glad it backfired.

It was vindication.  More vindication to come--stay tuned!

Napkin Man Part IV

The infamous "Napkin Man" has struck again, sending me the below screed lionizing soon to be former county commissioner doug underhill.  Interesting what he, napkin man, thinks is a victory--he (napkin man) obviously must not know that currently the soon to be former commissioner is #1.) under threat of removal by the governor any day now, #2.) is defending multiple lawsuits simultaneously ( including one in his state case where he (underhill) was ordered to provide discovery within one week and also to pay all court costs associated with his rejected motion for continuance), #3.) is accruing tens of thousands in ethics fine penalties and legal fees associated with appealing the recent decsion where the non-partisan Florida Commission on Ethics recommended a $35,000.00 fine and his (underhill's) removal from office, and #4.) sweating out also what could be an forthcoming indictment for perjury according to some familiar with the lies he told under oath during a deposition.  Whew--that's a mouthful--but like Vince from Shamwow used to say "But wait, there's more!"   In addition to living in what could be described as a human-sized crucible/pressure cooker turned up to full blast--he also is coming to grips with reality of loss over his epic failures one after another as a commissioner which led to him not bothering to run again--a good decision for him to make.  All of this following his (underhill's) devastatingly lackluster--actually failed-- legacy as a commissioner where he lost all working ability with his peers, lost all his committee assignments, lost most of his district in the latest re-districting, and lost all ability to be effective.  No wonder he decided to blow off so many meetings and leave an empty chair on the dais to represent his constituents?  And to further solidify his legacy of failure--he ran not one but two opponents against another sitting commissioner in 2016 and 2020 where both of those candidates failed in epic fashion--in large part due to his (underhill's) lack of any coattails whatsoever for them to ride.  He actually hurt both of those candidates' chances, LOL.  Now, as he leaves the commission wounded and with a whimper limping out the door, with no fanfare or sendoff whatsoever for his 8 years of failure,  after libeling and slandering his peers on the board, family members of some members of the board (including me, my brother and my wife), average ordinary citizens and even former and current employees of the county--after all of these machinations he, underhill,  (Like Charlie Crist, apparently) even switches party allegiance by supporting a Democrat in the D4 election for the county commissioner!!!  Wow, what a desperado--switching party allegiance after all that failure, an avalanch of failure, in a desperate attempt at renewed relevance.  But then the failure continues:  He chose, unwisely, to publicly support the Democrat over a Republican and he RAILED against the county's very wise EDATE ballot initiative in last night's election.  He even got about a dozen minions on one chat site to support him in this.  Unsuprisingly given his 0 batting average, non-existent ability to lead,  and utter and total legacy of defeat---his (underhill's) advocacy held no weight whatsoever---Robert Bender beat doug underhill's girl #MyraVanWho? by a healthy double digit smackdown, and the county's EDATE sailed to victory by nearly a 10-point margin.  Beat down central.  Ugly beat down of the sort that you see at some football games.

So I say all that to say--I don't know what weird metaverse reality in which "napkin-man" resides--and I don't know what he considers a brilliant victory--but he (napkin man) is either delusional, off his meds, or hallucinating and  very badly mistaken if he somehow thinks underhill was a victor in any way whatsoever.  As Private Hudson stated bluntly in Aliens and might point out to "napkin man" "I don't know if you are keeping up with current events pal--but he just got his A$$ kicked in there!

"Napkin -man must also think Monty Python's flesh wound = a victory.

Napkin man is a strange bird......I hope he keeps sending me his thoughts.  They are amusing.  I wonder if napkin man's real fake identity is Tallman?

Everyone Brings Joy

Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain both had famous quotes that essentially said the same thing.  A positive way to look at things related to human interaction is to say EVERYONE brings joy--people we like, and also people we dislike.  The trope goes like this--"Everyone brings joy--some as they arrive, others when they leave."

Thursday marked the last meeting for one of the Escambia County Commissioners, Doug Underhill. 

That brought joy to many.  Champaigne corks were popping all over town I am certain.

 But his last meeting was uneventful, nobody gave any speeches or accolades, he didn't give a soliloqy, and the meeting ended with very little fanfare. in  my 16 years in public office locally watching a lot of last meetings--that really was a first.  Most often--in my experience serving for a decade and a half-- when an elected official or long term employee leaves a board or organization after serving multiple terms--there is a strong turnout for the last meeting--with family,  anecdotes, standing ovations, and multiple speakers lauding such a person's accomplishment(s).  I saw it on the School Board, and we've seen it on the BCC.  Not so Thursday.  

Commissioner Underhill even had an agenda item to present multiple plaques to all of his board appointees most probably in anticipation of such a sendoff.  He only presented one however---because only one appointee showed up.  So the rest of his plaques remained stacked in a bag behind the dais.  He didn't even think to recognize his most loyal, most ardent supporter and lifelong best friend and ally (and secretary) Jonathan Owens.  He must have really been discombobulated due to nobody showing up to his last meeting.  But failing to recognize his best buddy and out of town meeting attendee travel companion Jonathan Owens was a spectacular faux-pas.

Why are you always after Doug Underhill some might ask?  

Answer--I'm not.  I'm just playing defense against this guy and his lies, libels, and slanders hurled my direction over the last 6 years.  He not only attacks me, but he lies about my family members to include my wife and slanders and libels her, me, and even my brother.  He calls Commissioner Barry a thief, and says the most horrible things online about Commissioner Bender and May as well.  Lies, lies, lies.  He calls constituents "PuS*y" he calls students "miscreants and insurgents" and he is the commissioner who has had more public records complaints, federal and state lawsuits, ethics violations, and censures than any other commissioner in the history of the county.  Now, the Florida commission on ethics have recommended he be fined $35K and REMOVED FROM OFFICE for 5 sustained violations.

So yes, his departure is just in time and brought joy to many.  For my part, I actually felt sorry for him in a way.  And the day of his last meeting I actually said a prayer for a peaceful day and I prayed for his family.

That was hard for me to do, I admit that, but I did it.

One of his most ardent, loyal, obsequious and vituperative supporters from about 12 that bee-hive online on a facebook chat site few look at even sent an email to me stating her displeasure about some picture she saw online that she felt was "Tacky, unclassy, and embarrasing"  --she also included her number which to me illustrated she wanted to discuss it.  So I called her back yesterday and explained why so many people were happy--and her response to me was "It's my birthday today-you're not going to ruin it, you are full of SHI#!  FU@% you! she screamed as she hung up on me!  Then she went online and said I was "stalking her" LOL.  And then subsequently only printed a snippet of the email I sent back to her after she attempted to Dog-Cuss me out for having the audicity to return her call and speak truth to her.  She posted a snippet--but no mention of her cursing, F-bombs,  and histrionics--so it was totally non-contextualized and inaccurate.  Not surprising.  So I'm going to post my full response to her for posterity, right here.  I tell you, some of these Underhill die-hards just can't see the forest for the trees...they would have been among the first to follow Marshall Applewhite on his magic starship meteor journey.   But I'll never be anyone's pinata--I'll always defend myself and my actions, even as some may not like this.  Too bad.  My letter to this individual, after she said to me "You're full of SH!&!!!!  FU#K  You!!!--is below:

"Your opinion means nothing to me or anyone else.  You are irrelevant.  You sent a BS email with an attack and I responded. Period.  Because I’ll always stand up for myself and repel BS attacks from the likes of you.  Remember, what is truly “tacky” and an embarrassment is someone like you banging away on the keyboard all day long in support of your God and hero Doug Underhill while lying about the other four of us that do our jobs and get things done.  Remember, your hero Doug has more ethics complaints, lawsuits (federal and state) and censures than any other commissioner in the history of the county—and now a non-partisan board of impartial ethics commissioners has recommended he be removed from office and fined $35K for 5 violations of ethics statutes.  I guess all those folks just “had it in” for Doug LOL.  No, it’s him and his conduct only.  And now he is gone and spontaneous celebrations and champagne corks were popping all over town after his last meeting on the 3^rd.  Understand that.  Now, run along and post this to ECW so you and about 12 others just like you can have it rattle around your heads.  And, remember, you contacted me with a BS email and your phone number meaning you obviously wanted a call back—which I did.  You just didn’t want to hear the reality of the situation when I called you.

 

 

Jeff Bergosh

Chairman of the Board

 & District 1 Commissioner,

Escambia Board of County Commissioners"

I'll Be on Real News with Rick Outzen on 1370 WCOA at 7:10 This Morning

I'll be on the area's highest quality, highest rated morning drive news program--"Real News with Rick Outzen" this morning at 7:10

I've been asked to appear as today's leadoff guest on the area's highest rated, most informative and entertaining morning drive news program, "Real News with Rick Outzen" later this morning on 1370 WCOA.  I've been asked to give a recap of last Thursday's meetings of the BCC, so I assume we will discuss the Navy Point shell piles, Commissioner Doug Underhill's last meeting with the BCC, and the Animal Shelter Dog Theft Fiasco.  We may also discuss the County's CORE program which was also approved Thursday for the fight against OPIOID addiction and overdoses we are shouldering locally.

It should be a good chat--tune in at 7:10 to listen in.

Check out the podcast here.

Traffic Light at Doug Ford Drive and Sorrento---UPDATE

Improbable as it may seem--when, not if, but when we complete the project to install a long-needed, much anticipated stop signal at the intersection of Doug Ford Drive and Sorrento Road in District 1--it will be an achievement of monumental significance.

The scene of countless accidents and near misses, this intersection has been difficult for the residents, guests, and visitors to Perdido Bay Country Club for decades.

Over and over, the initiative to add a light was rejected by the state.

Fast forward to earlier this year and at long last the project has been warranted by the state and they (FDOT) will be constructing this signal in the very near future.  This comes hot on the heels of their completion of numerous safety improvements on Sorrento Road in the wake of a string of fatal accidents on this roadway.  At last week's massive town hall meeting in Perdido--this was a subject that came up on multiple cards.  And I said it then, half in jest, that "If there was ever a traffic signal's installation that will warrant a press interview on site upon completion--it will be this one."  

So when this is completed, I will do a press release and news conference from the site.  Because this light will make things safer and more convenient for residents and visitors and most importantly--it will save lives.  

Here, below, is the very latest on the progress toward completion of this signal---directly from an FDOT email string from early this week:

"A signal warrant analysis was recently completed for Doug Ford Road and a signal is warranted.  We are currently looking at opportunities for signal construction.  It was determined that profiled thermoplastic be used for the centerline and edge line markings for the limits of this project too.  Our consultant is going to update the plans to include them...The signal at Doug Ford Road is current in design with anticipation of constructing the signal either as part of the active RRR project, or directly following the RRR project if there is significant delay in procuring the signal equipment."

So this is great news.  It's coming.

DeSantis Visit to Port of Pensacola and American Magic Team Was the Big Deal Meeting before the Rally

Area elected leaders and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tour the Port of Pensacola, 11-1-2022.  (from left, Escambia County Commission Chairman Jeff Bergosh, Pensacola Mayor-elect D.C. Reeves, Governor Ron DeSantis, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson, and Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender)

Prior to the election hoopla of the political rally at Pensacola's Fish House Restaurant downtown yesterday, an even more important and profound visit occurred at the Port of Pensacola.

Don't get me wrong, I was at the rally and it was fantastic.  You can all read about it here and here.  DeSantis hit all the high notes of the campaign, contrasting Florida's better approach to a number of hot button-issues (NO sex-change surgeries for adolescents, NO school lock downs, NO community lockdowns, NO mandatory masking, NO mandatory vaccines for children, NO vaccine passports, better tax policy, more intelligent budgeting, better public safety, better infrastructure, etc.) than that of his opponent's platform, the President's agenda, or any of the big blue states' current policy.  And he's right, by the way, Florida has it right.  And DeSantis  will win next week by a 9-point margin, that is my prediction.

But the big visit before the rally is/was more important than any political speech delivered after.

Locally elected leaders and area businessmen as well as the team from American Magic met at the port and saw the plans for a world class sailing facility for Pensacola where our bay and area could potentially be the premiere sailing and training facility in the nation.  That is the big deal.  There is a Triumph Gulf Coast ask in the works to help fund this endeavor--which would be a massive win for our area.  The County and City are already benefitting from over $4 Million dollars in direct spending from the more than 100 personnel from American Magic who have been here for the last several years training for the upcoming America's Cup race in Spain in a few years.  The team's presence here will have a financial impact of more than $8 Million dollars total in just the next 18 months.  Your can read all about the team, their goals, and their vision for their future Pensacola area plans here.

The tourist development commission, a board upon which I sit,  voted overwhelmingly to recommend to the county commission that we spend $500,000.00 to support American Magic's training here from bed tax revenues, and the BCC voted this forward--which represents a great return on investment.  

Going forward, the next steps are to solidify our area as the official training grounds for the American Magic via the committment of space at the port and some funding to match private funding and Triumph money which will allow for the construction of this modern, state-of-the art training facility here in Escambia County.  

If area leaders can make this happen--we will have a brand new industry here that will benefit youth, the sport of sailing, and the entire community for years to come.  

So yes, it was great to see the Governor get geared up for the ride on American Magic yesterday on Pensacola Bay on a perfect weather morning.  I'm sure it was a pleasant departure from his hectic campaign schedule and the blur of meetings, greetings, speeches and campaign stops.  I know one thing:  he won't see any more sophisticated sailboat racing equipment and sailing team members anywhere else he goes in the state.  We have a lock on that here in Pensacola Bay!   That--and the economic impact of a relationship between Pensacola/Sailing/American Magic/State Leadership---is why the meeting before the rally was so much more important.  See the additional photos from yesterday, below.

Governor DeSantis Back in Pensacola Today

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to a group of area leaders at Jackson's Steakhouse in Downtown Pensacola earlier this year.

Governor Ron DeSantis will be visiting Pensacola this afternoon for a quick tour of the Port Facilities with area leaders including Pensacola Mayor-Elect D.C. Reeves, Commissioner Robert Bender, myself, Senator Doug Broxson, Representative Alex Andrade, Representative Michelle Salzman and multiple others. This will be followed by a rally at the Fish House Restaurant at 1:30. (doors open at 1130)

Many of us believe DeSantis is among the best governors in the country--and his leadership is making Florida the place to be for businesses, families, and individuals who value law and order, low taxes, and freedom.

Those who support Governor DeSantis should make time to come out and show support as we are one week from election day in a very, very important election locally, statewide, and nationwide.

See you at 1:30!