Lawyers for Condo Owners Make Extensive Public Records Request of County Regarding Beach Access #4 In Perdido Key....

 Here we go again.

Just when we thought it was safe to go in the water--along comes another "request" from the attorneys representing nearby cond owners to Beach Access #4  in Perdido Key in District 1.  They are looking for information on discussions between the county and state and federal environmental agencies specifically about Beach Access #4 in Perdido Key.

It is a wonderful asset, the community at large loves this access point, but apparently there are still some that are looking for a way to shut it down.  That's what it looks like, that's my opinion, and I hope I am wrong.  But Occam's Razor dictates otherwise.

It's open, it's been open, and unless the courts order it closed--it's here to stay.

Here's the request for records, below.

They Really, Really, Really, Really Do NOT Want You Out There, Part II

Could repeated complaints, made over and over to multiple entities, serve to close  your public beach access #4 at Perdido Key?  Some people must believe this to be true......

Sometimes folks complain and raise legitimate issues that must be addressed.

Sometimes the purpose is alturistic and there is a legitimate, bonafide public interest.

Sometimes it appears as if there is a real, legitimate and bonafide public interest in making complaints, filing reports, and having your lawyer send ominous, threatening-sounding complaint letters to various authorities.  And sometimes these letters by lawyers point out these things under the guise of coming on behalf of "concerned citizens" that have the "best of intentions."  And, coincidentally, sometimes such complaints aspire to tacitly serve a dual purpose:  Getting you off a public beach that you, Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer, paid for and now own.

Luckily, fortunately, and ultimately---that purpose will not be realized.  

I'm a rule follower, and I understand the rules, so we will enforce the rules.  

But we won't ever throw the baby out with the bathwater and KowTow to some who have utter disdain for the general public and wish there was no public beach access anywhere near their private beach enclaves.

Yes yes yes--we don't want folks partying all night long at a park that's supposed to close at dusk.  None of us do.

Of course we don't want folks to dump trash all over the place.  Of course not.

And obviously--we all care about the habitat and the species of animals we are protecting at Beach Access #4 on Perdido Key.

But is that why the below letter got written?  Really?  I don't believe it is--but read it and decide for yourself.  Heck, they even included exhibits and attachments showing the Following:

a.)  A person walking a dog in the parking lot of Access #4  (Oh no-- a DOG!!I can't take the horror of it!)

b.)  A group of folks fishing from Access #4 (  NO FISHING!!!!!!!!  Fishing attracts SHARKS!!!  I might get ATTACKED BY A SHARK!!!!!!!!!!!!)

c.)  A "hole" dug out of the sand.  Seriously.  A hole.  Probably dug by some really curious, industrious young children who were out at the access having a great day at the beach. (AAARRGGHH--they dug a hole in the sand--how dare them!!!!I'm going to need a "safe space!")

d.) A selected snippet from this blog about my strident support of Public Beach Access! (How dare this County Commissioner disagree with us--the private beach owners!!! Cancel Commissioner Bergosh!!!!)

Why the "complaints" one by one over the last two months.  Why this "complaint" by a lawyer?  Why the ridiculous Kabuki theater?

They want access #4 closed, that's why.  They don't like you. By hook or by crook, by any means necessary, they want you gone from there for good, they wish Beach access #4 gone. They don't want you in their back yard, they don't want you anywhere near them.  They are wealthy, they OWN their beach and don't want you near it! That's the real intention, that's my opinion.  

Why do I think this?  

Well, it's because the same group used the same lawyer to try to prevent the beach from ever opening up in the first place.  They lost that fight, they failed, and you, the public, won.  That's why.   I've had several of them call me up and tell me as much.  They're not happy, some of them.  Angry, bitter, scornful, and downright mean.  Some of them--not all of them thankfully.  Not even a majority of them.

They may not say it directly (although some have, to me directly)---but here's the key:  These few elitists don't want you near them.  Anywhere near them.  They really, really really really do not want you out there near their "private" beach on Perdido Key.  You're not worthy, according to a small

Simmering Anger from a few Because We Were Able to #OpenOurBeach for All

There are a few that really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, DID NOT want us to open Beach Access #4 on Perdido Key.  They lost, the taxpayers who own the property (you) won!

One week ago today we opened Beach Access #4 at Perdido Key.  It was a love fest--one of the most positive days I remember in my five + years on the Board of County Commissioners.

After 9 long years, we finally were able to #OpenOurBeach !!

Since that time, though, there have been a few folks who have tried to rain on the parade.  Like "Jones"....

"Bergosh:

Are you the moron that is responsible for opening up another access to the beach to let a flood of trespassers on to the beach?  This is going to allow every red neck drunk up and down the highway to come on to the beach and campout on private property that belongs to the folks owing homes on the beach These people using this access will not respect private property. If this does in fact pan out like I think it will I will find a way to make sure you are held personally $ accountable. I look forward to meeting you one day.  

-----Jones"

To which I responded

“Jones”

I’m the commissioner who pushed for, found the funding for, and fought against the special interests FOR opening this parcel of land.  The “Morons” (your term) are the ones who favored having a taxpayer-paid for, 300 foot parcel of gulf front property (purchased expressly FOR public beach access and habitat conservation) sit behind a locked gate with no trespassing signs keeping taxpayers out---- while nearby condo owners and others used and trashed the lot with litter and trampling walks up and down and all through the sensitive habitat-----all the while preventing the owners (the taxpayers who bought it) from using it for 8 years. Yes, those were the “morons” (to coin your pejorative term) that lost this issue, thankfully.Call me anytime if you’d like to discuss 😊  850-293-1459"

"Jones" didn't call........  And then I got this one from "Jeanette":

"...I just watched the YouTube Video you did at the opening of the new public access on Perdido Key and as a resident of Perdido Key was deeply offended.  Your comments regarding the “locked beach walkover” showed your complete ignorance of deeded beach access.  That easement has existed since the land was sold to the County and the walkover was paid for and maintained by private funds and those same private funds pay to clean that area of beach because the County does nothing..."  

 Both of these emails just oozed with disdain for the public, the taxpayers, the owners of this beach.  Just utter resentment that anyone else ought to be able to enjoy the beach.

Jeanette, of course, was wrong.  Her "deeded access" went away when the Sundowner South property was sold to the taxpayers.  They maintained "only" a 6' access easement for a walkover they owned.  But that did not give them permission to use the county's 300' of beach (which they did anyways, not surprisingly, as we didn't enforce a "no trespassing" on them as they always did to us).  What should have been mandated was that the access easement should have come with the stipulation that the walkover could only be maintained in place if it was left unlocked and accessible to the public.  That's what should have happened in 2014 to insure everyone could use that taxpayer owned beach--not just the folks at Sundowner North.  But it didn't---and that condo's occupants used our beach for 9 years when we couldn't, and kept their "walkover" locked with "no trespassing" signs affixed.  Man, what a comfortable status quo they negotiated:  a private beach paid for by the taxpayers where the taxpayers couldn't go.   So yes, Jeanett's assessment of "deeded access" was flawed--according to staff:

"Sundown North has “deeded access” to 6’ of beach between the Crab Trap and Beach Access #4. There are no additional rights for Sundown North residents over the general public to utilize the county property."

"...The County owns the 4.04 acre property on the Gulf front, south of Perdido Key Drive, which it acquired from the Trust for Public Land, which acquired it from Sundown Owners Association, Inc...The only recorded easements excepted from coverage in the County’s title insurance policy are Gulf Power’s.  There is a six foot strip that runs along the western boundary of the County’s parcel.  The County does not own this.  I assume that the Sundown condo owners on the north side of Perdido Key Drive retained the six foot strip" 

Public Beach Access # 4 Opened Today!

 See the video of the event here, below, followed by a photo gallery of the event.  Today was a great day for Escambia County!

Photos below:

We'll Finally, After Nearly 9-Years, #OpenOurBeach Next Friday at 9:30!

A brand new, free public beach access point in Perdido Key will open one week from today--more than DOUBLING the County's current Gulf-Front, free access footprint on Perdido Key---It's a great day for Escambia County!

It was a dog-fight and a battle to get this done.  

Lots of credit goes out to my counterparts on the BCC (3 of them) AND lots of folks who fought with us against a very comfortable status quo that existed where nearby condo owners accessed and used the county's beach but residents who OWNED this land were shut out behind a locked gate and "No Trespassing" signs.  

But with determination and lots of pushing--even through litigation---we shattered that status quo, got to work, and  got this done!  

At 9:30 in the morning one week from today we will finally #OpenOurBeach at Beach Access #4 in Perdido Key!

.....The county will issue the below press release later this morning on MyEscambia.com 

Click HERE to View in Browser Perdido Key Beach Access #4 to Open on March 4 Escambia County will host a grand opening ceremony for the new Public Beach Access #4 at 16470 Perdido Key Drive on March 4, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. The new beach access will be open sunrise to sunset and features a permeable concrete parking lot with 35 parking spots, an ADA-compliant AccessMat dune walkover and educational signage about protected wildlife. The site will add an additional 300 feet of public beach access on the western side of Perdido Key, adjacent to the Crab Trap restaurant. Escambia County District 1 Commissioner and Chairman Jeff Bergosh, who represents Perdido Key, stated: “A lot of folks have worked very hard for eight long years to see this project come to fruition—and on March 4th --this beach access will finally be available for public use! A HUGE thank you goes out to all the staff and citizens who worked to make this day a reality! This new access point will allow us to more than double the existing amount of free public beach access on Perdido Key for all the citizens of Escambia County to enjoy—which in and of itself is a remarkable accomplishment. But this is only the beginning of the work our office plans to pursue to create more free access points on Perdido Key for our citizens’ use in the years to come. I look forward to aggressively moving in that direction—but in the meantime, I look forward to utilizing this newly completed beach access #4 very frequently-- along with all the citizens of Escambia County—and it will be open just in time for Spring Break! This is a great day for Escambia County!” The site was acquired in 2014 in part with a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide public beach access and conserve critical habitat for threatened and endangered species. It was the former site of the Sundown Condominium which was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The original concrete pad and building debris were removed in the summer of 2020 and the prior parking lot’s shell base was reutilized for the new public access. Funds for construction were provided by the Tourism Development Tax (TDT). The site is also home to designated Perdido Key Beach Mouse habitat and the site will be managed in accordance with the Perdido Key Habitat Conservation Plan. Fencing will prevent pedestrian and vehicular trespass into protected habitat areas, while signage will educate visitors about threatened and endangered species that utilize the site, including beach mice, nesting shorebirds and sea turtles. Escambia County would like to thank the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and US Fish and Wildlife service for their cooperation in the acquisition and development of the project. For more information, please contact the Office of Community and Media Relations at 850-595-1647 or email cmr@myescambia.com.   Community and Media Relations Phone: (850) 595-3476 Email: cmr@myescambia.com After Hours Media Line: (850) 595-1647 You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive alerts for MyEscambia.com. Click here to unsubscribe from email alerts. Florida has a very broad public records law. Under Florida law, IP addresses and both the content of emails and email addresses are public records. If you do not want your IP address and the content of your email or your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in person. Escambia County is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to facilitate participation in county meetings or other county services, programs, or activities. For information or to make a request at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting or other county activity, visit myescambia.com/ADA or call 850-595-4947. Home to more than 300,000 residents in northwest Florida, Escambia County is the westernmost and one of the oldest counties in the state. The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs, and promote a safe and healthy community. With nearly 1,800 employees, we pride ourselves on being the perfect climate for everything - building a business, raising a family and enjoying recreational pursuits. Picture-perfect white sand beaches and clear, emerald Gulf waters draw millions of vacationers to Escambia each year, especially to Pensacola Beach, named the #4 Top U.S. Beach in 2020 by Tripadvisor. WalletHub ranks Pensacola, Navarre among best 2021 beach towns to live (pnj.com).

Saturday in Perdido Key.....

 I had the opportunity to spend a good part of Saturday morning/afternoon in one of  the newest portions of District 1 post-redistricting, Perdido Key.

I was invited for a neighborhood Garden Clean up at the visitor's center in Perdido Key, which I was eager to do.  After that, I had the opportunity to drive around the area and spend some time looking around and exploring, including spending time walking and looking over what will be our area's newest free public acess, Gulf Front facility on the island.  Public Beach Access #4  is nearing completion and a ribbon-cutting is scheduled for mid-to late February.

Here are some pictures, below, from the day:

USFWS Approves Escambia's Conservation Management Plan for Beach Access #4--Letter Received Today!

Staff provided the two page letter (above) and the complete 40 page approval package from The United States Fish and Wildlife Service for Escambia County's Habitat Conservation plan at Beach Access #4.  The salient two-pages of approval are above, and/or you can read the entire package here for lots of additional historical information on this project.

The important thing to note is that the USFWS concurs with Escambia in that this development of this parcel is consistent with the original grant application as well as the modification from 2013 for the addition of the public access component.  This is vital as it dispells lots of rumors, innuendo, and misinformation from those in opposition to this project for selfish and emotional--not logical or rational--reasons.

Next step is we will fund the cost delta needed to finish the construction and #OpenOurBeach, bring in two contractors, and finish this long-overdue project that will protect habitat for endangered species while simultaneously providing desperately needed free public beach access and parking on Perdido Key.