Thursday Wake Up Call: Political "Earthquake" as Matt Gaetz Resigns ahead of AG Appointment

Today on the Wake Up Call with Jeff Bergosh--we will talk with key influencer and local small business owner Collier Merrill about Matt Gaetz's resignation from congress, who will fill his office and the other offices that will vacated once other current office holders must resign to run as specified under Florida law?

Great conversation--check it out here once it is published or listen live at 7:00.

89th Coffee with the Commissioner- Featuring D1 State Representative Michelle Salzman

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody attends Sheriff's Foundation Coffee Kickoff in D1

I had the opportunity to attend a kickoff event for the Escambia County Sheriff's Foundation yesterday afternoon as they launched their latest flavored coffee blend  "High Noon."  The proceeds from the sale of this and other flavored coffees benefits the Sheriff's Foundation.   The event was held at Coach & Four Steakhouse in District 1 off of Pine Forest Road.

I had the opportunity to taste this coffee, produced by local firm De Luna Coffee company, and I must say it was delicious.  I left the event with a bag of it and a mug and this will be my morning coffee for the next several weeks!

The event was well attended also featured special guest Ashley Moody, Florida's Attorney General, who had been in town earlier in the day with the grim news that our area leads the state, per capita, in opioid overdose deaths.  State Representative Michelle Salzman was also on hand for the event.

Good coffee and good company benefitting a good cause!

$2 Million for D1 Beulah Pedestrian Bridge Vetoed by Governor

Representative Michelle Salzman worked to get the line item into the budget for the construction of a pedestrian bridge in Beulah. from the north side of 9-Mile Road to the south side at Beulah Middle School.  I had agreed to kick in $500,000 in D1 Discretionary LOST funds to get this project over the line.  Then, we added this component to an ongoing FDOT project on 9-Mile through the Florida/Alabama Transportation Planning Organization specifically to avoid a veto.

It didn't matter.

The project was vetoed yesterday by the Governor.  And we were not alone.  

The Governor vetoed 12 pages worth of projects. 

We will have to try again or find a different funding mechanism.

See the complete veto list here.

Very Preliminary Cost Estimate for Beulah Pedestrian Bridge Comes in at $3 Million

A Pedestrian Overpass project has been imagined for the Beulah area---if state funding could be acquired to construct it.  Initial estimate is high at $3 Million

As has been discussed previously on this blog and in the press, there is an effort underway to acquire the funding necessary to construct a pedestrian overpass over 9-Mile Road in Beulah.

State Representative Michelle Salzman has indicated she will seek state funding in the upcoming legislative session for construction of this bridge in District 1.

This effort is supported by Salzman, myself, and District 1 School Board Member Kevin Adams.

If the funding is acquired and this can be built--it will be a tremendous safety enhancement for the students who attend Beulah Middle School (South side of 9-Mile Road) and live north of 9-Mile road.

It will also compliment an aggressive sidewalk construction program I will be initiating over the next 36 months to enhance the walkability and safety of the growing Beulah community.

I requested a "placeholder" estimate from our traffic and engineering departments and have now received a very preliminary estimate of $3 Million Dollars--broken down as follows in the email received:

"Commissioner Bergosh-

Received the attached estimate for the most recent pedestrian bridge completed by FDOT in Panhandle (Panama City).  This bridge was bid last year from my understanding, therefore, we should estimate the following factors:

 

Estimated cost of Bridge:                                                 $3.1 M

Year 2022 Cost Increases (30%):                                    $0.93M

Programmed project in 5^th year inflation (30%):                $0.93M

                                                                                                $5.0M

 

This cost includes the design, construction, and construction inspection services.  This is just an estimated cost not to include any right-of-way acquisition if needed." 

Joint District 1 Press Conference on Pedestrian Safety Improvements in Beulah Happening Monday