Bellview Ballpark Renaissance

It began last year with a concerted effort by the County's Parks and Recreation Department to work on modernizing, cleaning, and upgrading Bellview Park off of Longleaf Drive.  Crews came in, trash was cleared, a new Scoreboard was installed at the football field for the Bellview Packers, and the baseball fields were re-sodded, cleaned and painted.

Now, I'm told we are getting interested travel teams and other baseball and softball programs (the number of which had declined sharply in recent years due in large part to the condition of the facility) coming back to Bellview.

As an example of this, a High School softball game and a High School baseball game were scheduled this week in the evening on the same night;  East Hill Christian High had these two remodeled (pictured above) diamonds rented for their baseball and softball games -and they have several games scheduled here this year. 

The complex has also been rented a lot over the last several weeks with youth baseball season approaching-a far cry from 1-2 years ago with very little activity at this park.

Kudos to Michael Rhodes and the county parks department for sparking this renaissance!

Congratulations to a Talented District 1 Beulah resident and Student-Athlete!

District 1 Resident (and BAS 6th Grader) Megan Corcoran won 5 First Place Finishes in a recent regional competition

Huntsville, AL- BAS sixth grader, Megan Corcoran, dominated the 2018 Southeastern Swimming Short Course Championship meet last weekend. Corcoran, 12, brought home five first place finishes and earned the title of “Overall Champion” in her age group. She did not stop there. Along the way, Megan picked up six new personal best times, a new team record for the 500 Freestyle, and a place in the top 20 national ranking.

Megan is a member of the Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club (GPAC). She trains for two hours a day, six days per week. Summers off? No way! GPAC swimmers train for three hours a day, six days per week during the summer. Megan joined GPAC in June of 2017. She was paired up with BAS seventh grader, Sara Lypko. It has certainly been a good match as the girls became friends and training partners.

Beulah Resident Megan Corcoran won 5 First Place finishes in her recent competition in Huntsville, AL 

Megan began swimming at the age of six. By age 10, she was dominating her age group and taking home state titles. Megan currently holds two Louisiana state records.

Outside of the pool, Megan is a typical 12 year old girl. She is an honor roll student. Her teachers describe her as “delightful,” “ conscientious,” and “just a pleasure.” Despite being a fierce athlete in the pool, she has a wonderful disposition and is very humble. Megan enjoys sleepovers, scary movies, and making slime with her girlfriends.

Megan will compete at a regional level again in mid-March at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.  Best of luck Megan!!

Coffee With a Commissioner 2-27-2018

As a continuing part of my outreach effort as District 1's Commissioner, we held our February Coffee with a Commissioner event yesterday at McDonald's on Blue Angel and Hwy 98.

Several constituents came to discuss many important issues in their respective communities.  From street lights, to crime, to neighborhood safety, to drainage issues, to school safety in the wake of Parkland--the conversation was wide ranging.

Administrator Jack Brown was there to provide and overview of some important county-wide issues (Jail, OLF 8 transfer, Budget) and my Aide Debbie Kenney was there to take down the concerns so we as an office can follow up.

We will continue to do these coffee's frequently going forward, and we will often live-stream these meetings on Facebook, for those who are unable to attend in person.  Come on out and join us--tell us what is on your mind and let us work on your issues!

A Letter from a Beulah Constituent

I received the below letter in the mail from a Beulah constituent.  I appreciate the perspective and the opinions expressed.  It mirrors a lot of comments I have heard from other Beulah residents, in person and in emails and phone calls---- and not just the residents that live in Nature Trail..........

Bullets Flying over Wedgwood and Bellview AGAIN!

Residents that live in Bellview have recorded bullets flying through their neighborhoods.  We had several reports of shooting coming from an old borrow pit late last year.  We all thought that issue was addressed after numerous media outlets covered the story.

This week, however, a family that lives in Wedgwood has once again reported that shooting is occurring and once again bullets are flying through their yard.

"I'm afraid to let my children play in the yard--there are so many bullets flying through this yard" stated Natasha Roemer.  "I have called the police, they come out, and they say there is nothing they can do.   This time, I took some videos as proof.  It is getting out of control and someone is going to get shot" Mrs. Roemer told me.

After watching the videos Mrs. Roemer provided, It is hard to believe nothing can be done.  According to her, one of her neighbors had a bullet go through two walls and lodge right in the wall above the toilet.  "If someone would have been on that toilet when that bullet came through--that person would have been dead!"

It is my understanding that the Sheriff's office is now initiating an investigation into this past weekend's  shooting.

A Local Circuit Court Judge's Take on Direct File

Circuit Court Judge Gary Bergosh weighed in on several interesting topics during a morning radio interview yesterday on AM 1370 WCOA.

A big topic of discussion was the issue of direct file for certain juvenile suspects into the Adult System. This issue created a bit of consternation on the Board of County Commissioners last week as a resolution in support of eliminating direct file was passed by the BCC by a 3-2 vote.

Additional issues were discussed as well, to include the recent Parkland massacre.

Listen to the interview here

Latest Traffic Light and Intersection Improvement Project Information for Beulah Rd. and Mobile Hwy.

Here is the very latest chronology for the long awaited project to improve the intersection of Mobile Highway and Beulah road, including the addition of a stoplight.  This project is moving forward, here is the latest information direct from FDOT:

Letting:  12/14/2017       

Anticipated Award: 01/08/2018

Anticipated Execution: 01/30/2018*

Anticipated NTP:  2/27/2018

This Contract has 210 Contract Days (plus holidays, weather, added work, etc.).

This Contract also has 30 days for acquisition time for signal equipment.

Bid Amount $1,508,857.51