Escambia County's Equestrian Center Could be the Location of Next ECSO Substation (and a Community Resource Center)

I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Sheriff Chip Simmons and Chief Deputy Andy Hobbs out at the Equestrian Center in Beulah yesterday.

The topic was the rapid growth out in Beulah in District 1, and also the need for a Sheriff's substation in the Beulah Community.

As District 1 Field Representative Jesse Casey and I discussed the location with Sheriff Simmons and Chief Deputy Hobbs, the reasons for this location became very clear.

"If we can have a location out here, it is very central to Beulah and it allows us to quickly get to all the local schools including the ones on Longleaf if that became necessary" said Sheriff Simmons.

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons, Escambia County
Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Andy Hobbs, and D1
Commissioner Jeff Bergosh Discuss an ECSO
Beulah Substation, 5-30-2024, at the Escambia
Conunty Equestrian Center

"With Beulah's population estimated to grow by tens of thousands over the next several decades, this location in the center of Beulah makes the most sense for a substation."  Said Hobbs.

I asked the Sheriff and Chief Deputy if we could co-locate an upgraded resource center for the community and they seemed open to the idea-- once security concerns could be addressed.

In speaking with County Administrator Wes Moreno on the topic, he was positive as well.

"Sheriff Simmons and I have discussed this location and I think it is a great idea, I am all about it." said Moreno.

The ideal area where such a substation could be located on the Equestrian Center land, complete with parking, appears to be the northwest corner, right on Mobile Highway, where a second driveway already exists.

Look for this to be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the full board and also look for some continued discussions with the Sheriff's office on this topic.

It could be a win-win for both the ECSO and the Beulah community!

The Verdict is In---Food Trucks in Beulah Concept is a HIT!

Bringing Food Trucks to Beulah has proven to be a HUGE hit with the community!

The first week of the initiative to bring a rotating assortment of food trucks to Beulah's equestrian center has turned out to be a HUGE hit with the community.  I knew it would be--as a Beulah resident for the last nearly 16 years---I know folks are tired of not having more hot food options locally.

So this week I have come out to the equestrian center a number of times and seen for myself the success of this idea.

Some detractors that are detached from reality panned the idea early in the week.  One anonymous poster (who actually railed against anonymous posters--while posting anonymously himself) went so far as to weaponize this idea, and attack me in the comments portion of my blog saying it was "embarrassing" how bad the idea--and that I should be "ashamed"(not really sure what that guy was thinking, seeing, observing......or smoking  LOL---but he obviously isn't rational).  Want a good laugh?  see his delusional comments, the ones he hasn't removed yet, here on the bottom of this post.  Really a whacked-out--lunatic -job!).  Spock would likely call this guy's idiotic, unhinged, and exercised ramblings fascinating....

But nut-jobs and nut products aside---- and back to reality here on Planet Earth----most everyone else (like 99.9%) seems to be pretty upbeat and positive on the outcome.  I've been thanked profusely online for helping to bring the concept out to the Equestrian Center, and for adding more trucks to the site and for getting the fees waived.

And now----------- even the PNJ--no friend to any idea I have ever put forward---is recognizing this idea has been a gigantic, smashing success.

From the article that will appear in print tomorrow in the local section:

"The Escambia County initiative to bring a rotating selection of food trucks to Beulah has proven a success — a hit with locals grateful to pay for meals brought to their area on wheels — as evidenced by the number of munching, crunching and smiling faces spread across the Equestrian Center parking lot Thursday at lunchtime.  Vendors were pleased too — happy for business."

Food Trucks at the Equestrian Center Update: Demand Outpaced Supply!

Folks wait patiently in socially-distanced lines, to order food from one of three food trucks that came out for Beulah's opening evening of food trucks at the Equestrian Center.

I stopped by the Escambia County Equestrian Center yesterday after work.  I wanted to buy food to support the restaurants that sent trucks.  Lots of folks were in the parking lot.

It was day one of a community initiative to bring food trucks out to Beulah--an idea that garnered much support online on facebook and on my blog post regarding this topic last week.

One truck, the "Whacked-Out Wiener" had at least 15-18 people in line, socially distanced.  The other truck had no line, it was the Chic-Fil-A truck.  I went up and spoke to the attendant.

"So how did it go today" I asked.  He replied  "We didn't get out here until 4:15--and we sold out of all of our sandwiches by 5:00PM--Sold out!"  He continued.."We are waiting right now for more sandwiches from out store--they are bringing them to us"

As I stepped back from his truck, sure enough the re-supply came.  When it did, folks flooded his truck and a line quickly formed.

During lunch, I'm told there were two trucks, a Snow-Cone truck and the "Whacked-out Wiener."  Apparently, according to some who have weighed-in---there were customers but no food!"  Demand outstripped supply!

I think as this initiative develops and word spreads among the truck operators--more trucks will come out--and the supply will meet demand and things will balance out--and this will be good for everyone.

For the rest of this week--see the line-up BELOW-- listing the types of food that will be available and at what times as well as the contact:

Horse Stall Fees Waived for Hurricane Irma Evacuees!

Escambia County's Equestrian Center is waiving per-horse stall fees for Irma Evacuees

There has been much discussion yesterday evening and also today on social media about Escambia County's Equestrian Center's use fees for horse owners affected by the storm.

I have spoken with administrator Jack Brown about this matter, and his staff have advised that the stall fees per horse (Typically $18.00 daily) will be waived for non-local horse owners who are evacuees from Hurricane Irma.

Owners will be responsible for providing their own shavings (or purchasing these from us)and also owners will be responsible for feeding (and providing the feed) for their horses.

We will allow for the horses to remain in our center for a reasonable period of time after the storm, in order to allow for evacuees to plan for return to their respective communities.

We have a number of RV spaces available as well, upon which we pay TDT fees, water and electricity charges.  These spaces will be available for use by horse owners at our customary rates as availability and space permits.

A press release describing all of this will be coming out later this afternoon.

Equestrian Center Information:

 7750 Mobile Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32526

Phone: (850) 941-6042