Judge Rules Against Medical Examiner in Defamation Lawsuit

We received news late yesterday afternoon that the Lawyer for Medical Examiner Deanna Oleske was handed a fairly significant loss in the circuit court--as the Judge locally granted the defendants' motion to dismiss in suit filed by the Medical Examiner against local funeral home directors.

This comes after a long running dispute between the Medical Examiner and a couple of funeral home directors who had pointed out some issues with the way bodies were being treated by the Medical Examiners office.

Those issues, to the best of my knowledge, have since been addressed.

Regardless, litigation was initiated against several funeral homes by the lawyer for the Medical Examiner.  And it dragged on and on and on.  LOTS of public records requests have been made and fulfilled.

Now, it looks like this is winding down nicely.

Yesterday, the below ruling came out.  Looks like this one is all but wrapped up in favor of the funeral home directors that were the targets of the lawsuit.  This is a good outcome, in my opinion.

"Vote Jeff Bergosh for County Commissioner! Vote by Mail, Vote Early, or On Election Day, August 20th. Vote Bergosh!"

 

Our Campaign Radio Ad is Going Ballistic!

Because it is really well done, it tells the facts of reality, and it is all true and can pass muster of any fact check----yes, our radio ad is blowing up!!!!  I'm REALLY grateful for the team at Southern Media and all the folks we worked with us to get this produced and on the air.  Thank You!!

Check out what is playing all over town for the next 3 weeks----it is really good....

Next District 1 Townhall Meeting: THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT---6:00 in Perdido at Perdido Bay United Methodist Church

We will host our next District 1 Town Hall Meeting in Perdido at The Perdido Bay United Methodist Church on Innerarity Pointe Drive on Wednesday, August 7th from 6:00-8:00 PM.

The discussion will focus on current, planned, and upcoming infrastructure projects in this fast growing area of D1 and Escambia County.

Staff from every relevant department will be in attendance and available to answer questions.

I will answer questions and make myself available for any question(s) from any citizen present.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend!

District 1 Debate Tomorrow Night in Perdido

 The Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Candidate Debate and forum tomorrow evening at 6:00 PM at the Pointe Church on Innerarity Pointe Drive.  Here, below, are the details from the chamber:

93rd Coffee with the Commissioner Event: Public Safety Update and Discussion with Allison Hill of Lifeview

 We had a great discussion this morning on our 93rd Coffee with the Commissioner event.

County update, public safety update, and then a very interesting update on the operations and function of the newly opened Central Receiving Facility for folks in crisis/Baker Act patients.  Very interesting and enlightening discussion--check it out, below.

D1 County Commission Candidate Forum: 7-23-24

 Two of the three Republican Candidates for the Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Seat participated in a candidate forum this evening online.  Jeff Bergosh and Jesse Casey attended and participated.

Steve Stroberger did not show up and did not participate.  

SS United States Move to Escambia County Waters: Is the Lack of a Re-compression Chamber Locally an Unmovable Safety Obstacle?

Could the lack of a publicly-accessible recompression chamber in Escambia County slow the momentum to bring another large wreck to our local waters?

In the recent flurry of activity surrounding the potential move of the SS United States to the waters off of Escambia County, one issue has arisen that is worth consideration.  Safety.

Full disclosure, I am not a diver, I am not a subject matter expert.  But I know folks that are so I reached out to a few that do know this topic.

On deep dives, there are multiple issues that can go wrong.  Sometimes, a diver requires a re-compression chamber after a complication resulting from such a dive.

According to a constituent with whom I spoke--who is not anti-ship or anti-diver-- safety should be looked at when considering whether or not to bring the SS United States to the waters of Escambia --because there are no publicly available Re-compression chambers in Escambia County.  The closest ones are in Mobile County to our West, and Bay County to our East.

This constituent lost her husband tragically due to a complication resulting from a deep dive on the Oriskany in 2016.

"There was no chamber here, and by the time the ambulance was taking him to Mobile---he died" she related.

Acording to a veteran, very well-versed diver who also has experience in healtcare with whom I spoke--Pensacola will never get a recompression chamber.  "They are simply too expensive to purchase and staff for the one or two incidents per year they would be required to treat" said this individual.  He continued--"After all, these hospitals are businesses at the end of the day, and this would be a huge expense that is also not covered by insurance."

According to this individual--divers must purchase their own, stand alone policies that cover such treatment in case of an emergency during a dive.  The average, garden variety health insurance policy does not cover it.

I don't think the lack of a re-compression facility should dissuade us from looking seriously at bringing this wreck to Escambia County--but I do think a clear-eyed, iron clad protocol should be established that dictates severe diving related incidents MUST be treated utilizing an air ambulance that could get such a diver to Springhill in Mobile in a very short time--if such a service is needed.  Perhaps the protocol should be discussed and codified.

Meanwhile, I received another call yesterday in support.  This time from a very successful, local, and well-respected and wealthy real estate developer and outdoor enthusiast.  He expressed support and optimism that our area could not only pull this off, but that this ship's stacks could be cut off allowing for the entirety of the ship to be sunk at depths where the average recreational diver could visit the whole ship safely.

"I only dive once every five years--but I will definitely want to dive this wreck if it is shallow and if we get it.  If we were talking about another wreck at Oriskany's depth--I would not have called you, Jeff.  This conversation would not be happening."  He quipped.

So we will see how the conversations go in the next few weeks.  Again, for my support and yes vote, it has to be funded, completely, utilizing non ad-valorem revenues and no LOST funds.  

But if we can get grants and/or TDT funding or private funding--or even a Triumph Gulf Coast Grant, I am ALL IN!

Huge Day for District 1: Perdido Key Multi-use Path Ribbon Cutting at 11:00 AM

From the County's Press Release:

Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh and county staff invite the public to a ribbon cutting for the Perdido Key Multi-Use Path Tuesday, July 23, at 11 a.m. The ribbon cutting will take place at the Perdido Key Visitors Information Center, located at 15500 Perdido Key Dr.

"The multi-use path is a fantastic amenity for Perdido Key," Commissioner Bergosh said. "I'm excited to officially open it up during our summer season, where residents and visitors can get outside and explore the area's natural beauty, and I'm thrilled to see the multi-use path already being well-used by pedestrians and bicyclists. This is the culmination of years of hard work, and I'm thankful to our staff for their diligence in completing this project."

The Perdido Key Multi-Use Path was identified as a priority in the Perdido Key Master Plan, along with the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization’s 2018-2022 Pedestrian/Bicycle Master Plans.

The multi-use path is designed for pedestrians and bicycles, with motorized vehicles prohibited. The Perdido Key Drive Multi-Use Path East project extends from River Road to the western boundary of Perdido Key State Park, spanning 4.26 miles in length. The western portion of the path runs approximately 2.3 miles eastward from the Florida-Alabama state line.

This project aims to provide better connectivity along Perdido Key, while providing opportunities for alternative means of transportation such as walking or biking. With the completion of the Perdido Key Multi-Use Path, residents and visitors can more easily access and travel between residential, commercial and recreational areas throughout Perdido Key.

The Perdido Key Multi-Use Path project also includes an extensive wildlife mitigation program to protect critical habitat for endangered species.

Join us for our 93rd Coffee with the Commissioner Online This Wednesday Morning at 6:30 AM Online!

 

    Join us this Wednesday at our virtual 93rd Coffee with the Commissioner event. The live stream will take        place from 6:30-7:30 a.m. To join the meeting, visit us on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/.                                                                               

Attendees will include County Administrator Wes Moreno, Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, and LifeView Group CEO Allison Hill. Moreno will provide an update on county business, Gilmore will discuss public safety matters, and Hill will lead a discussion with us on the new Central Receiving and Crisis Stabilization facilities, and how both are helping the area serve citizens' mental health needs.

Residents are encouraged to send virtual questions and comments they would like to discuss with Commissioner Bergosh during the event through Facebook.

SS United States: Could We Soon Have a Ship Larger than the Oriskany Sunk in Local Waters?

Could Escambia County soon be the final underwater resting place for a ship larger than the Oriskany and even longer than the Titanic?

 Yes, we could.  Yes, this is something that is under serious consideration. 

That is the buzz I am hearing from folks excited about the prospect of a nearly 1,000 foot ship, bigger that the Oriskany, being submerged in our local waters.

"This would make Escambia County waters the ULTIMATE dive spot, if we could sink the SS United States in waters off of Escambia County." said a local avid fisherman and diver with whom I spoke about the prospect of us acquiring, transporting, and ultimately scuttling the United States off the coast of Pensacola Beach.

"Right now, to our east and west, the other counties are working overtime to add more artificial reefs and dive spots---so for us to add the SS United States would help us keep pace." said this individual.

He then pulled out a tablet and showed me all the submerged reefs and ships and tanks and other features on our sea bed extending east and west and out as far as 30 miles or longer.  From the HUGE amount of numbers on this graphic shown to me---it appears as if Alabama has everybody beat, with row after row of sunken features lighting up the screen.  Rows and columns.   Way more than Escambia--although Escambia does have a lot of Bridge pilings and concrete spoils submerged off the coast in a gigantic rectangle.

Okaloosa county has a huge footprint of sunken materials and ships as well.  Also, they have a row of "columns" extending out into the Gulf in a kind of Christmas tree array.  These are buoys that extend downward into the ocean to the bottom in and attract all sorts of pelagic species.

"If we could compliment the Oriskany with the SS United States--we would be a hub for divers worldwide and we would generate a lot of trips here and a lot of stays here from pro and amatuer (recreational) divers from around the world." said this angler/diver

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE--WHAT WOULD IT COST?

The move to bring SS United States to Escambia County will require a commitment of $10 Million dollars, and swift action.  According to another individual with whom I spoke who has intimate knowledge of the plan to acquire and scuttle SS United States here--the vessel is up in Pennsylvania at a shipyard and must be moved by September 12th.  It would have to be towed here, in the midst of peak hurricane season, and then there would have to be a plan on where to sink the vessel.

I'm told the objective would be to sink it so it is an easier dive for recreational divers who typically can only go down about 130 feet.  (by contrast, the Oriskany sits in water that is 230 feet deep, with only the very top of the tower reachable by the amateur, recreational diver).

I'm told there is a spot, closer to the shore than Oriskany, where the SS America could be sunk and which would allow for the 57' of vertical clearance necessary while also allowing a much larger porition of this ship to be reachable by recreational divers than is the case currently with the Oriskany.

I like the idea, I like the plan.  But $10 Million is a heavy lift.  Possible funding sources include TDT funds, perhaps some BP Oil Spill money, and potentially even a Triumph Gulf Coast grant if such a project could meet that board's criteria.  Stay tuned over the next several weeks as this will be discussed due to the pressing timeline.  And again, for my vote, I LOVE this idea just as I LOVED the plan to bring American Magic here -- which has now come to pass.

This ship could also be a huge get for our area.

I received a strong email of support from a member of the area's Marine Advisory Committee, on some additional data and facts about the SS United States, which I will publish, below:

"The SS United States

 990 feet long   100 feet longer than the Titanic

101 ft 6 inches Beam.  The maximum width at the time for passage thru the 

                                       Panama canal was 105 feet.

53,330 Gross tonnes 

When loaded to the Load Line she draws 36 feet 4 inches.

She has 12 decks.

She currently holds the "Blue Riband"  (not Ribbon) award for the fastest

trans-Atlantic Ocean Liner.  For her maiden voyage July 3-7 1952 crossing 

from Ambrose light to Cornwall of 3 days 10 hours 12 minutes. Average speed

34.51 knots almost 40 miles a hour. Her top speed 38.32 knots 44 mile a hour.

Impressive numbers. 

She was designed by William Francis Gibbs. He was also head designer of the American "Liberty Ship which led to the larger "Victory Ship". both of which were

major contributors to the American and Allies victory in WWII.

WFG's daughter Susan Gibbs has headed the SS United States Conservancy.

she has stated in the past that " It would be preferable if the ship can't be restored that she be reefed". Opposed to being scrapped.

I understand that the Conservancy may have a sizeable amount of objects for a museum. There's also a maritime museum in Virginia with a sizeable collection. I think it's time to create our own maritime museum with or without UWF's participation. I also think Susan Gibbs would want to participate in the dedication of any SSUS museum or monument.

Fun Facts: There has been four Presidents to have sailed aboard the SS United States and too many celebrities to mention. When Leonardo DaVinci's masterpiece "Mona Lisa" was on loan, she traveled safely aboard the SS United States.

I sincerely hope we can find the funding for this project. It is a rare opportunity. I will be 

glad to keep you updated with any information pertaining to this."

Don Gaetz Endorses Jeff Bergosh for BCC D1 seat in August 20th Republican Primary Election

Gaetz and Bergosh
Tallahassee, 2015

Former Senate President and local business and political Icon Don Gaetz has now officially endorsed our campaign for re-election in the August 20th Republican Primary Election.

Gaetz, one of the most beloved, well-respected, and influential political figures in NW Florida spoke with me yesterday and endorsed me as the right Republican choice in the August 20th Primary Election.

I've know Senator Gaetz for 17 years and I have worked with him on important legislation pertaining to education since he passed the Merit Award Plan for teachers in 2007.

Gaetz, Bergosh, and Governor Charlie Crist
in Tallahassee March 2007 signing important
teacher MERIT PAY legislation

He has been invaluable to our area and his influence led to the gigantic and transformational appropriation for the new Pensacola Bay Bridge.  Don Gaetz has done so much for our area, and he is poised to more and he is a candidate for re-election to the Senate in the November General Election.

He will win--and he will be a dynamic, effective representative for our area--and we will all benefit from his leadership, influence, and political savvy.  Here is what Don Gaetz, our once and future D1 State Senator, has said about my campaign for D1 Commissioner.

“I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Jeff Bergosh to get good things done in Tallahassee and here at home.  Jeff is so effective because he’s highly skilled, tough when it matters and absolutely honest and ethical.  Jeff actually listens to folks’ concerns and solves their problems.  In the August 20th Republican Primary in Escambia County—Jeff Bergosh is the right choice for D1 Commissioner.”

Senate President Don Gaetz

Paid for by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commissioner 

Law Enforcement Supports Jeff Bergosh in the August 20th Primary Election

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the men and women of the NW Florida Police Benevolent Association for Endorsing my campaign for re-election to the Escambia County Commission, District 1 seat in the August 20, 2024 Republican Primary Election. I also want to personally thank PBA President Chase Horne for the very kind words of support in the endorsement letter he presented to me today along with a generous campaign contribution.

Thank you!!

Paid for by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, For Escambia County Commission

On 1370 WCOA at 7:00 AM Tomorrow Discussing the $240 Million Dollar Appropriation for the Beulah Interchange in D1....

I'll be on 1370 WCOA tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM to discuss the full-funding D1's Beulah Interchange!

I've once again been asked to appear as the lead off guest on the area's best, most accurate, most trusted, and most listened-to morning drive news program--"Real News with Rick Outzen" on the area station with the best top to bottom news talk line up---AM 1370 WCOA.

Rick and I will discuss the tremendous news from today, already covered on WEAR and in the PNJ, about District 1 getting a MASSIVE win in the form of a $240 Million Dollar appropriation from FDOT this year for the complete construction of the Beulah Interchange.

This project has been nearly a decade in the making;  Beulah is the fastest growing area of the county and this project allows us to catch up with the growth and prepare this portion of Escambia County for the build-out of OLF 8.

This project, which will commence in 2025, will be transformational for D1, Escambia County, and for our region.  I look forward to the conversation.  

Catch the interview live at 7:00 AM--or catch the podcast here.

Massive $240 Million Appropriation Coming to Beulah: Interchange is Fully Funded

Channel 3 is reporting today that it is official.  

Rumors had swirled, folks had made mention of it as a possibility....

But today the word is out.   And it is official

The Beulah Interchange is fully funded in this current year's budget and with some shuffling of existing projects from elsewhere in the state and the use of some other funding sources.  

Read the Channel 3 story here

Much more to come on this MASSIVELY Transformational win for the Beulah Community, District 1, and Escambia County in the next several days.  

A ceremonial groundbreaking for this project is tentatively scheduled for late next week and will feature dignitaries from the state as well as members of our local legislative delegation and county officials.

I was asked by PNJ, WEAR, and NorthEscambia for my statement on this epic win, which I will print below:

"The $240 Million Appropriation from the state to fully fund the construction of the Beulah Interchange beginning next year will be an amazing  and transformational project for Beulah, District 1, and Escambia County!  We certainly could not have done it without the steady leadership of Senator Doug Broxson, combined with sustained persistence by the Florida Alabama transportation planning organization as we on that committee kept this project as our number one priority.  Thank you to our legislature, the Governor, and the folks at FDOT for  getting this necessary project funded for Escambia County!"

 

Great, Energetic, and Positive Prayer Vigil Monday Evening at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church

Our Country would have been thrown into massive chaos if President Trump had not simply turned his head, at precisely the right time, Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania.

All weekend after the attempted assasination of Former President Trump--I kept thinking this.  I was so thankful he was not killed.  It could have very well happened....had he not simply turned his head right before the shot was fired at him.  How fortunate was that head turn?  Folks will look at that video and the pictures from here on out and always wonder--how was it he turned at just the exact moment he needed to in order to save his own life?  How?

It was borderline miraculous.  

It could have been a different story had this assasain's bullet hit it's intended target.

I believe it was Divine intervention.  

And a lot of other folks believe that as well.

Because love Trump or Hate him-------nobody deserved what he has been reciving.  NOBODY.  They tried to imprison him, they have prosecuted him, they are trying to bankrupt him, and now with the TOXIC rhetoric oozing out of certain media and certain special interests---they have tried to kill him.

So Saturday, Sunday, and Monday many of us were angry, upset, and then, eventually,  thankful.  I prayed to God and thanked him for sparing the former President.  I also prayed for the victims that were killed and seriously injured.  It was a horrible day in American History.  And many were processing what had happened and many turned to prayer.

And that is precisely what Congressman Gaetz facilitated Monday evening at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in Pensacola, as about 600 citizens joined he and Pastor Gordon Godfrey for a prayer rally for President Trump and our Nation.

It was moving, it was energetic, and it was positive.

I was thankful to be there and hear from the Pastor and to pray together with my fellow citizens.  Thank GOD we live in a free country where we can do this.  Thank GOD.

And thank you to the folks at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church for facilitating this vigil.

I'll be on WPNN's Morning Report with Chris Bryan this Morning at 7:45

 

I've been invited to appear this morning on the WPNN morning news program "Morning Report" with Chris Bryan.

We will discuss current events in the county as well as my campaign for re-election to my District 1 seat on the Escambia County Commission.

Tune in at 7:45 and listen live!

The Bradshaw McNair Fire Station Ribbon Cutting Held Yesterday in Beulah

 Here is a video of the ceremony and the ribbon cutting.

ECAT Wins Competitive, Nationwide Grant for $21 Million Dollars for Electric Bus Fleet and Charging Station

Electric Buses are on their way to Escambia County

Overnight last night, the Board of County Commissioners was notified that Escambia County Area Tranist ECAT has been named one of 117 transit organizations nationwide, from submissions by 47 states, to win a $21 million dollar grant for electric buses and a charging station.  From the email we received:

"I send this email to inform you that on July 9^th, FTA announced the results for the competitive Low or No Emissions Program 5339 (c) awardees, and Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) was on the list.  ECAT will receive funding ($21,272,962) to buy battery electric buses and install a charging station as part of ECAT's plan to transition to a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035.

 This is a major accomplishment for the staff of ECAT and Escambia County from a transit perspective.  We have been looked over at the State and Federal level for many years due to the belief that there was no desired change in how we operated or viewed transit in our area.  To be selected as one of the 117 funded projects from the 47 states that submitted applications, clearly shows that the once-known “pre-historic” transit agency in the State of Florida is moving in the direction of excellence."

I'll be on "Real News with Rick Outzen" Tomorrow Morning at 7:30 to Recap BCC Budget Meeting

I've been invited, once again, to appear on the area's best, most trusted, accurate, and listened-to morning drive news talk program--Real News with Rick Outzen on the station with the area's best top to bottom lineup of talent--AM 1370 WCOA

I've been asked to appear at 7:30  on tomorrow morning's "Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA.

We will be discussing Tuesday's BCC Budget meeting and any other relevant topics.

Tune in live at 7:30, or catch the podcast here.

Vote Jeff Bergosh for County Commissioner! Vote by Mail, Vote Early, or On Election Day, August 20th. Vote Bergosh!

Paid for by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, For Escambia County Commission

Two Huge Events Next Week on Fire Service Infrastructure for District 1

On Tuesday--the BCC will be voting on an agreement with the US Navy to acquire 5 acres of property to construct the new Fire Station 20 in Paradise Beach.  The previous station 20 was shut down in 2018 by Administrator Jack Brown.  I have been working ever since to get a replacement, and we are taking another step forward on Tuesday at the meeting.  We have already surveyed this property and purchased some equipment for this station.  It is coming.

And also, on Thursday of next week, we will be cutting the ribbon on Beulah's brand new, state of the art 14,500 SF fire station, the "Bradshaw McNair" fire station.  See the county's press release on this event, below:

"The Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station, serving the residents of the Beulah community, is named after the late District Chief Dwain Bradshaw and retired ECFR District Chief Steve McNair. Chief Bradshaw died in the line of duty while responding to a call on Nov. 6, 2019. Chief McNair served the Beulah community as a volunteer firefighter for over 50 years before retiring. 

The 14,503-square-foot facility will feature four vehicle bays for fire trucks. Along with the standard features within a fire station, such as a kitchen, living room area, gym, bedrooms, and shower facilities, the new Beulah fire station will include a community meeting and training room for public use.

Construction of the Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station was completed by Emerald Coast Constructors, Inc., and was fully funded by Local Option Sales Tax, or L.O.S.T.

"With the opening of the brand new Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station in Beulah, this community will have a state-of-the-art facility, a full-time staff, and multiple pieces of new firefighting and lifesaving equipment that will help protect the citizens and property," said District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh. "This is a fitting tribute to the two men for whom this station is named, Dwain Bradshaw and Steve McNair, as this facility and those who man this station going forward will continue the legacy of service that Mr. Bradshaw and Mr. McNair epitomized. I am thankful for all the staff who worked for the last seven years to keep this project going, and I want to thank my predecessor, Commissioner Wilson Robertson, for his efforts to get momentum behind this project nearly a decade ago. A project like this requires patience, persistence and teamwork, and in this case, the team had it. This station is the fruit of this teamwork."

The Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station is located directly behind the former Beulah Fire Station, which has served Beulah residents since 1977. Numerically, the fire station will remain as ECFR-Station #2.

"This is an exciting time for the community of Beulah and for Escambia County Fire Rescue," said Fire Chief Adam Harrison. "We have seen tremendous growth and opportunity in this community, and we're honored to continue the elevation of Beulah with the addition of this fire station, which will serve the Beulah citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

The Story behind the Story of the Big Development on Perdido Key:They'll be Sticking with the Perdido Key Master Plan on my Watch!

Today's PNJ has a story on a big development proposed for Perdido Key in District 1.

This concerns me for multiple reasons, not the least of which is the traffic situation we already are dealing with as it pertains to the "Doug Underhill roundabout" which has been a failure.  Which I am having re-designed so it will actually work-which I will fix to work properly.

So this new development is proposed for the footprint of the old Best Western motel that was wiped-out during Hurricane Ivan.  In addition, it will encompass some additional parcels to the east of the Best Western footprint.

This additional development will exacerbate already significant traffic bottlenecks--which is why the permitting of this development has to be thoughtfully considered and scrutinized.

It is also why we DESPERATELY need traffic mobility fees/concurrency to put the onus for widening roads on developers when such developers' projects degrade capacity of exising roadways.  I've brought it multiple times, and staff is working on this and will be studying what other like sized counties are doing and then they will be bringing recommendation(s) back to the board for our consideration.  More to come on that in the months to come.

For my vote, if I get one on this project, I will NOT support any variations from the established Perdido Key Master Plan.  That plan is widely embraced by the folks at Perdido Key and so I will demand it be followed. (Just like I am doing with proposed developments at OLF 8 in Beulah).

More importantly than that, we have responsibilites to ensure the Perdido Key Habitat Conservation plan is followed to the letter, which staff will do.  Additionally, the platting of the subdivision portion of this development will require the requestor go through the county's subdivision platting process, which could take 12-18 months or more.  Additionally, I am told all impacts to the wetlands will require mitigation and impacts to beach mouse habitiat will require the developer to donate similar mouse habitat elsewhere on the key, where such property will be placed in conservation, and not be buildable.

And finally, the roadway proposed directly impacts wetlands, meaning DEP and Federal permits from the Army Corps of Engineers will be required, and can take between 6-months and a year to acquire.  It is unknown at this time as to whether or not this developer, Joe Mirabile, has obtained such permits.

All this to say this development will not be a slam dunk, lots of existing state, federal, and local laws, codes, and ordinances will have to be met to the letter, and lots of eyes on this project.

Including mine.

I'm a rule follower.  Time for us all to become keenly attenuated to the adopted, accepted, and widely embraced PK Master Plan....

Galvez Landing: We can Have Both a Boat Launch and a Recreational Area---And WE WILL

As long as I am commissioner of District 1--the issue on Galvez Landing where the artificial binary choice (Either a Boat Launch OR a Recreational Area) was the topic------my answer is simple.

Both.

Not everything is a binary choice.  Having a great little area with a swing, picnick table, and areas for children and parents to wade in the water is perfectly fine at Galvez Landing---and the Boat launch and rebuilt docks the county has built for a first class boat launch are also just fine.

You can have both, and we will so long as I am around.

Because not everything in life comes down to an either/or decision point.

At Galvez, it can be, will be, and IS-------- BOTH.