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