Multi-Agency Town Hall Tonight at 6:00 PM- at Jim Bailey Middle School Cafeteria

Warning Signs Will Be Placed at 11-Mile Creek in Beulah

Signs like this one, above, will be posted at 11-Mile Creek in Beulah next week. 

The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued an advisory that reads, in part, as follows:

"The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has issued a Health Alert for the potential presence of cyanotoxins in surface waters of Escambia County. Cyanotoxins are  toxins that can be produced by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Recent surface water testing conducted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on September 23, 2019 showed very low levels of the cyanotoxin called Microcystin in Eleven Mile Creek downstream of the Mobile Highway Bridge. The Microcystin level of 1.09 micrograms per liter is just above the laboratory method detection limit (capability of lab equipment to detect presence). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has recently recommended a level of 8.0 micrograms per liter for Microcystin in recreational water as a basis for issuing a swimming advisory."

A dog that was swimming in 11-Mile Creek last week passed away within hours of coming out of the water, and this prompted media reports which led the county to request testing of the waters of 11 Mile Creek.  This testing occurred earlier this week and confirmed the presence of very low levels of  the cyanotoxin,  microcystin.  Now, according to the tests, the levels of microcystin found in 11-Mile Creek were extremely low;  the levels would have to be 8 times as high as the levels detected to prompt the EPA to issue a swimming advisory.

Regardless, I have asked county staff to coordinate the placement of signs at the locations where the testing was conducted.  The county has  also requested additional testing be conducted, which will begin starting Monday.

Hopefully the levels will drop once we have some rain to push the water downstream.

Meanwhile, in an abundance of caution, I would not advise folks to swim in 11-Mile Creek, nor would I advise them to allow their pets to enter the waters of this creek at this time.

Multiple Water Tests in Perdido Bay in 2018 Resulted in NO Water Quality Violations

The commissioners were sent an email clarifying some information about the discharges from IP.  Some had mistakenly claimed that the process water was going directly into 11-mile creek, which is inaccurate.  The discharges, since 2012, have been piped to a 1400 acre wetland facility, two miles north of Perdido Bay.  From the email:

"IP discharges their effluent 14,000 feet north of Perdido Bay at the northeastern corner of a 1400-acre wetland.  This is the compliance point where FDEP assesses the quality of IP’s effluent.  At this “end of pipe” compliance point, IP’s effluent does not meet state water quality standards for discharge to wetlands.  The parameters of exceedance at the compliance point include pH, specific conductance (sodium), and dissolved oxygen.  Monitoring data also indicates there may be issues with turbidity and wetland insect toxicity testing results at the “end of pipe”.  This water quality information was emailed to you on June 7^th, 2019.  After discharge from the pipe, the effluent sheet flows across 1400 acres of wetlands where additional biological and vegetative treatment occurs before the effluent reaches the surface waters of Perdido Bay.  The 2018 water quality monitoring data from the 5 surface water sites in Perdido Bay (shown on the attached map as PB-01, PB-02, PB-03, PB-04, and PB-05) meet all state water quality standards with no violations."

Good Discussions at our 27th Coffee with the Commissioner Event

We had a great one-hour conversation on a variety of county issues yesterday morning at the Hardees Restaurant on Pine Forest Road

We held our 27th Coffee with the Commissioner event yesterday at Hardee's Restaurant on Pine Forest Road in District 1.  A big thank you goes out to the residents who came out early.  I also appreciate staff that came out as well--to include Sharon Pitts, Wes Moreno, Tim Day, David Heroux, and our Security Officer Gary Preslar.  We had some really good conversations on a wide range of topics.  For those that are interested and who missed our live-stream of this event on Facebook, you can watch the video of the conversation here

Join Us for our 27th Coffee with the Commissioner Tomorrow Morning

Tomorrow morning from 6:30-7:30 AM we will hold our 27th Coffee With the Commissioner event.  This month we will be  at the Hardee's Restaurant on Pine Forest Road at Wilde Lake Blvd--2500 Wilde Lake Blvd Pensacola, FL 32526.

We will have staff present to answer questions, and we will be live streaming the event so that those who cannot make the event in person can watch remotely.

I anticipate some robust conversations on the following topics of interest:

1.  Traffic - 9-Mile Road Construction
2.  OLF 8 Master Planning update
3.  NW District 1 Advisory Committee update-Master Plan/Overlay
4.  Budget Discussion
5.  Road Swap-Perdido Key Drive for Beulah Road
6.  Update on other county-wide issues of importance
7.  International Paper permit issues
8.  Civic Center Modernization Plan

Remember, these are informal events so please feel free to show up and participate, I look forward to seeing you!

What is "Raising Taxes?"

Here's why what some in the media call a tax increase is really NOT a tax increase, it is not us "Raising Taxes!" 

It is being reported today in the press that the Board of County Commissioners "Raised your Taxes" at last night's meeting.  This headline is inaccurate.  This headline is a misleading product of the TRIM (Truth in Millage) disclaimer the state dictates local taxing authorities like Escambia County use.

Here is the TRUTH:

We kept the total millage rate for all Escambia County Property Owners static--the same RATE as last year.  We did not RAISE the RATE--which in my opinion would have constituted a TAX INCREASE.  but we did not do that--we kept the rate static.  In 13 years in public office, I have never once -ever-voted to increase the year over year millage rates on Escambia County Taxpayers.  Never once.  I did not do this last night either.

We DID NOT raise the millage rate, or the amounts collected for Fire MSBU, the Sheriff's MSTU, or the Library MSBU.  All amounts are the same as last year's amounts.

But in the esoteric, weirdo world of how the legislature knee-caps local governments with their constant machinations--under this scenario only--the state considers keeping millage rates static while the tax roll increases as "raising taxes."

But I do not believe I raised taxes by the actions I took last night.

Here is why.

Consider these simple examples to illuminate the truth:

Scenario A:  Assume you made $100,000 in income in 2018 and the IRS taxed you at 36% and you paid $36,000 in taxes that year.  If in 2019 you made $125,000 and the IRS held your tax rate steady at 36%--and you paid a little more Income tax in 2019 due to the fact that your income went up--would you consider that situation as the "IRS raising your taxes?"  (here is a hint:  uh, of course not--you paid more, because you made more)

But better yet, though, ...ask yourself this:

Scenario B:  Assume you made $100,000 in income in 2018 and the IRS taxed you at 36% and you paid $36,000 in tax.  If in 2019 you had a bad year and only made $50,000-----but the IRS demanded the same amount of gross tax dollars from you that you paid in the previous year and therefore raised your TAX RATE to 72% so that you would, indeed, pay $36,000 as you did the year prior-----would you consider THAT a TAX INCREASE?  (here is a hint:  uh,  HELL YEAH!)

But guess what?  In the Twilight Zone of Tallahassee Bureaucratic Gobbledygook--Scenario A, if applied to the County and our millage rate--constitutes a TAX INCREASE  but scenario B---if applied to a county's millage rate increase year over year--would not be considered a TAX INCREASE!!  No joke, no kidding I am not making this up.  I can't make this stuff up.

And of course the media buys right into this, never looking past the TRIM notice, never digging

Who is the Real Dunce?

If Andy Marlette HATES the process of IP garnering their discharge renewal permit so badly--he should prove it by going to congress with his issues--it is a FEDERAL process, something over which the Escambia BCC has no control....

It's easy to shake one's fist in anger and lash out at people.  It's somewhat amusing to watch this happen when such a person who is decompensating and going apoplectic happens to be glib on the subject about which he is so aggrieved.

Fire!  Ready! Aim!  and the shadow-chasing, windmill tilting simpleton takes shots at people who have no say in the issue about which he is so heated and lathered.  Who cares though, right?

"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it any more" is the tone, as if channeled directly from the 70's cult favorite "Network."  "Dammit--I'll show them!!" is the attitude.

This, folks, perfectly describes PNJ cartoonist Andy Marlette's ridiculous garbage "pieces" in Sunday's paper.  (They preempted Walter Williams' excellent piece on police entrance examinations that should have run on Sunday-and did in most markets--and instead ran Andy's rambling screed about IP and Escambia County on Sunday, relegating Williams' excellent article to the no-audience Monday edition of the PNJ...ho hum)

What's he so worked-up over now--you might ask?!?

Andy is "angry" about International Paper's attempts to get a renewal of their discharge permit under NPDES.

But wait just a minute.

Who is in charge of that process anyway, you might ask?  The County Commissioners??  (here is a hint--it ain't the BCC)

Answer:  it is a FEDERAL program and process, delegated to the States, a product of the FEDERAL Clean Water Act.  And yes, it is a very circuitous, cumbersome, opaque, and  time-consuming process.  And yes, it has layers and layers of processes, procedures, appeals, mitigation strategies, and due process protections for the applicant.  Yes, due process--that thing that progressives like Andy normally really, really support....except when the recipient of such due process is an "EVIL" large and successful Corporation!!!

So why the heck is Andy blaming the Escambia Board of County Commissioners for this process, anyway??

Because he apparently doesn't get it.

Andy, listen to me, and check out this logical advice...... 

If you don't like the NPDES process, go to Congress and tell them to modernize the process and protocols under the CWA.  Go yell at them---IT'S THEIR PROCESS!

Otherwise, you are just exercising yourself,  pushing a wet noodle up a hill.  And you look foolish.

  Of course we all want a clean environment.  Nobody likes pollution, and nobody wants the water flea to die. That's why I met with FDEP back in June to learn what is going on--something you obviously didn't do yet...so tell the truth--the toxicity tests on the minnow and the flea come from water at the "end of the pipe"--but water from the "end of the pipe" goes for miles and miles and through a three-berm system within 1200 acres of private "polishing" wetlands---- before it ever hits Perdido Bay.  Did you know that Andy?   Come on man, really?!?

Deer Run Subdivision in Beulah: How did 50' Lots Get Approved?

A series of events began back in 2007-2008 that control and delineate what size lots will be allowed to be constructed at Deer Run in Beulah.  Read the facts below....

A legitimate question was raised by a citizen regarding the 50' lot widths allowed in various locations within the currently-under construction Beulah Subdivision known as Deer Run.

"How could this happen when the 50' lot widths do not meet the current code?" was the essence of the question from this individual.

So I asked staff to research this and they have provided the chronology of how this happened and the legitimate reasons why this occurred.

Some believe that I personally am responsible for all the growth out in Beulah.  Some that are really completely and totally out of touch with reality espouse the fiction that 5000 homes have been built in Beulah in the last 2-3 years "Since Bergosh was elected commissioner."  Of course this is not true.  The truth is the lion's share of the development that we are all now living with out here in Beulah (because I live here too, since 2004)--- was approved before my tenure on this board began in late 2016.

These 50' lots in Beulah at Deer Run are a great example.

Look at staff's chronology of the events that led to this approval, much of which took place more than a decade ago.....

Deer Run Subdivision in Beulah: 10 Questions Asked and Answered

What are the facts surrounding the allegations leveled against the  Deer Run Subdivision in Beulah?

There has been a significant level of scrutiny applied to the Deer Run subdivision currently under construction in Beulah.  There were issues with the holding ponds, and there were issues with wetlands clearing and sediment infiltration.  A group of the neighbors asked for me to host a meeting with them and the developer at the property--which we did.

Now, a sweeping list of 10 allegations has been made against Deer Run's developer.  I have relayed the concerns expressed in this email blast with BOTH the developer and with staff.  For staff, my request was simple: run these allegations to ground and tell me if there is any truth or substance to these allegations, and we will go from there.  When I spoke to the developer's representative--he was exasperated.  "Jeff, we are doing everything we said we would do, we are complying with the consent order and fixing the ponds.  If there is something else we need to fix, we will fix it!"

So late this week I received back the answers to the questions that were posed, which I am going to publish below.  Here is my position on this matter:  Everyone must abide by and comply with our LDC, to the letter of the ordinance.  If they do, and they have approved plans, then they can and should be allowed to continue to build.  If, on the other hand, a developer does not do as is specified in the code--there should be appropriate sanctions and a delay in approvals going forward.

to me it is very basic and simple.  Do what's right, get your permits and carry on.  Cut corners or worse--don't comply--and you will not be moving forward.

According to staff and from their assessment of the 10 allegations presented, it appears as if this developer is doing as requested and as expected, but by all means judge for yourself by reading the 7 pages of questions and answers below:

Could the Interim Medical Examiner's Compensation Approach $1 Million for FY 2019-2020?

The proposal above was submitted by the 4-County, First Judicial Circuit Interim Medical Examiner for next Fiscal Year.  

This will be on the board's agenda for consideration later today, and the other 3 counties in the circuit would need to approve this as well in order to move forward. 

With a base salary of $350,000.00 plus $1,250 per each additional autopsy performed above 250 autopsies yearly--the total compensation for this doctor could approach $1 Million Dollars--if the office only performed the same number of autopsies performed last year (729).  

We all love our doctors, we LOVE them. And we know doctors in private practice command gigantic salaries.  We all know this, and we get it.  

We are now being told that the salary offered for a Medical Examiner is too low. 

We are also being told that we had very few applicants due to the "politics" of the area--whatever that means.  Will there be more than one doctor?  Do we know?  The way the last deal went, we were funding for two (2) Doctors but the office never hired a second doctor and best I can tell, the one doctor pocketed the money/salary of what should have been a second MD.  Will this happen again, will we pay one guy $1 Million next year?

Here is the Key for me:   this is a HUGE salary to pay.  Huge.  Part of the issue I had when the whole Medical Examiner issue erupted last year was the way money was moved around between the previous ME's office and her private company leading to her garnering compensation approaching $700K.  Meanwhile, we are still in the midst of litigation to recoup funds Escambia County feels we are owed from that debacle.   Who knows where that will land.

And now this proposal is being put in front of us.

I don't know that we can pay this high of a salary in the public sector--we cannot pay private level wages with public dollars, I just don't know how this can be justified.

Escambia Youth Commissioners Have First Meeting

County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh discusses the conduct of meetings and Roberts Rules of Order with the 2019-2020 Escambia Youth Commission Members, 9-17-2019

Tuesday night marked the first meeting of the Escambia County Youth Commission.

County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh discusses
county government operations with the
2019-2020 Escambia Youth Commission
Members, 9-17-2019

The Escambia Youth Commission was established in 2018 via a resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.  The program was created to allow interested and motivated youth in the community a vehicle to learn about local government, gain an understanding of the process of government, and to develop leadership skills that will assist these students in their futures.

During Tuesday evening's inaugural meeting, the students were introduced to the staff that will be working closely with them over the next year and the members were given their shirts and name badges.  Additionally, the group was given a tour of the county's facility including offices and the commission chambers.

After introductions by County Administrator Janice Gilley, County Attorney Alison Rogers, Commissioner Jeff Bergosh, Commissioner's Aide Debbie Kenney, and CMR Supervisor Hana Frenette--the group discussed the overarching goals and objectives of the group.  An ice-breaker session was conducted and each new member was given the opportunity to discuss their personal goals and objectives as a participant.

"I want to become a better public speaker, more comfortable with speaking in front of groups." said one of our new youth commissioners.

Another expressed an interest in local government when she stated "I want to know how the local governments operate--how it all works."

County Administrator Janice Gilley
brings greetings to the 2019-2020 Escambia
Youth Commission Members, 9-17-2019

"My dad works for the county, and he strongly suggested I take a shot at this" said another new member.

We had a very good discussion about what we are going to do over the next year, and I am very happy to have youth interested in the way local government works--after all, these youth are the future leaders of our community!



The members of the 2019-2020  Escambia Youth Commission are:

Mallory Bell, Escambia High School, Sophomore
Amelia Myers, Pensacola HS IB, Sophomore
Trinity Kyles, Pensacola High School, Sophomore
Maggie Brown, Tate High School, Junior
Claire Jimenez, Pensacola Catholic HS, Junior

Hana Frenette and David Heroux from Escambia's Community and Media Relations Department give the Youth Commission Members a tour of the county's video production studios, 9-17-2019

The five new members of the commission will be introduced at the BCC's October 3, 2019 regular meeting.

Read all about the goals and objectives of the Escambia Youth Commission here

Visit Pensacola's Staffing over 5 Years

The chart above is a graphic illustration of the staffing of Visit Pensacola over the last 5 years since that entity came out from under the umbrella of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce.

During last week's initial budget hearing, there were questions from the dais about "employment creep" at Visit Pensacola.  The above chart shows the growth that has occurred, and also the corresponding increases to the budget at Visit Pensacola over the same 5-year time frame.

First Meeting of the Escambia Youth Commission is Tonight

A Splash Pad for Beulah Park?

I'm having staff assess the viability and feasibility of installing a small splash pad at Beulah Park

With hot summers here and with a need for additional recreational outlets for neighborhood children, "splash pads" are quickly becoming  must haves throughout the southeast.

Communities throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida are installing these structures.

I have been asked about the feasibility of bringing one of these amenities out to the residents that live near Beulah Park--so I have had some staff looking into this.

With Beulah growing and with a tremendous level of usage at Beulah Park--I believe this would be an ideal location to install a splash pad.

Gulf Breeze recently added a splash pad at Shoreline Park, and rumor has it that Legion Field in the city will be getting a splash pad as well in the near future.

Initial research indicates that a modest structure that could accommodate 15-25 children at a time would cost between $75,000-$90,000.  In addition to upfront costs, there are recurring costs to consider with these structures.  If the water is to be recirculated, it must be monitored and checked daily in order to assure cleanliness and prevent contamination.  If, on the other hand, a system that uses potable water and does not recirculate is selected--it will be less expensive to construct but will generate higher water bills and therefore be costlier to operate in the long term.

Because of Beulah Park's close proximity to the county's equestrian center (where staff is located daily)--this park would be an ideal location for a splash pad.  If daily maintenance is required, staff is close by to handle this tasking.

So there are multiple issues that must be looked at by staff before a final decision can be made.

If it is deemed feasible and practical, I will set aside some of my discretionary LOST funds to construct this amenity. 

I hope we can get this done--it would be great for the county to have one of these for the many children who do not have access to pools or other bodies of water in the heat of our summer.

More to come on this, stay tuned!

County Partners with Community Volunteers for the Good of Citizens!

Community volunteers from Civitan and Pensacola Young Professionals (PYP) constructed a wheelchair accessible ramp for a disabled District 1 county resident this past Saturday, September 7, 2019

In February of this year, the Escambia BCC  approved a pilot program to pay for the materials needed
 to build access ramps for the disabled in our county.  Thus far, this fledgling program has funded ramps at the homes of 8 Escambia County disabled individuals.

What a wonderful thing it is when the community locks arms with one another and works with other volunteers and the county to improve the lives of ordinary citizens!  This is government at it's best in my opinion--working with private groups in a support role to make our neighborhoods better.

The funding for the materials is from the program income realized by the county's low interest Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.  The county is working to make this program more efficient and streamlined--but there is need for this:  Right now the county is receiving an average of 20 calls per month asking about this program.

This past Saturday morning, Civitan volunteers, along with 8 members of the Pensacola Young Professionals (PYP) teamed up to construct a ramp in the northern portion of District 1.  The local Civitan Chapter has constructed 487 such ramps in our area over the last which is AMAZING and AWESOME!

Huge thanks to the community, Civitan, PYP and all other volunteers for stepping up to support this worthwhile endeavor.  And I am proud the county has found a way to help.


Learn more about Civitan here and here.

Learn about Pensacola Young Professionals here and here

What is the Current Status of the Traffic Issues and Potential Roundabouts at Pensacola Beach?

There is a continuing push from some Pensacola Beach interests to add roundabouts and pedestrian underpasses (as depicted above)  at Pensacola Beach to improve traffic flow.  

We have discussed the traffic situation at Pensacola Beach for years.  Many solutions or potential solutions have been put forward, several have been implemented.  Not all beach interests are satisfied with what has been done to date.

I believe the biggest impediment to moving traffic to and from the beach was, is, and remains the toll booth.  I have loudly advocated that we get rid of the booth forever and make up the lost revenue by converting some areas of Casino Beach into paid parking.  This could more than make up for the revenue lost by removing the toll plaza.  So far nobody has stepped up to support this good idea.

Short of doing that, making the tolls automatic and syncing the lights through Gulf Breeze and at the core of Pensacola Beach drops travel time---- during peak usage days---- between the Gulf Breeze Chic Fil A over to the first light at Fort Pickens Road---- from nearly one hour down to 12 minutes!  As I always assumed (correctly)---------- the biggest traffic issue clogging up the route to the beach has been, was, and is the toll booth and non-synced lights through Gulf Breeze.

I brought forward a plan to continue taking cash tolls while suspending tolls and going into a "zero-fare" mode at times when the traffic back ups get severe.  After some initial pushback while other plans were tested, ultimately my "panic switch" concept was put into place this summer with very good results and with very little fanfare..... (although nobody has publicly acknowledged this--staff has confirmed it).

Just this past Saturday, for instance, the "panic switch" was activated for an hour and a half, and this resulted in a complete flushing of the gridlocked traffic.  Roughly 5300 cars went through the toll booths during this period and paid no toll--and once the traffic was pushed through, traffic flowed freely, and we resumed taking tolls again.

Even though we are working through that back-up issue and actually have a plan that keeps the cash flowing (and the cars flowing to the beach as well)--some beach lease holders and hoteliers insist that the entire problem is not yet corrected, and that beach traffic must be improved even more.

These folks want roundabouts on the beach--to keep traffic moving.

I have voted for the funding for the costs/feasibility of constructing roundabouts on the beach--largely in support of and showing deference to my former colleague in D4 Grover Robinson.  My yes vote was also largely due to the fact that the costs associated with these studies/plans was paid from the D4 discretionary LOST budget.  (We've spent $1.6 Million to date with Volkert on developing the cost estimate for this project.)

The price-tag:  $9.4 Million and 12 months time to complete according to Volkert.

Now there is a push to go forward and put this contract and this plan out to bid to construct the roundabouts and the pedestrian underpasses. There does not appear to be an appetite for taking a wait

Mutual Aid for Disaster Recovery--Here is the TRUE Story

The notion that Escambia County Public Safety Resources were not available for aid and assistance to South Florida is a Lie.

Over the long Holiday weekend some noise, disinformation, misinformation, and outright propaganda was put out on social media regarding Escambia County, the Escambia County Commissioners, and our response to Hurricane Dorian.

I spoke with our Administrator late last week and into the weekend, and a team was being put together by the Director of Public Safety--in the event that Escambia County resources would have been necessary to aid our neighbors to the east.  We had two emergency response vehicles and a half dozen personnel standing by, at the ready, to deploy to the storm zone!   From the administrator:

......After conversation we decided that Escambia County could provide the following actions by his department.

• At the request of the State of Florida, three EMS personnel “EMT/Paramedics” and an ambulance deployed this afternoon to National Guard Base at Camp Blanding in Clay Co., responding to staging and to await assignment.
• Emergency Command Vehicle (THOR) and two Emergency Management staff will deploy tomorrow to Suwannee Co. to support the running of a staging area.
• All are support for the response to Hurricane Dorian.
• These actions are 100% reimbursable.
• We will be able to maintain EMS services by the department for our community. "

But our team was told by authorities closely monitoring the storm to stand down;  we were told not to head to Camp Blanding in Sanford to stage for storm recovery.  Our resources would not be needed--even though we were prepared and ready to go.

Luckily for Florida--Dorian had stalled off the coast and did not make a South Florida landfall as was initially predicted.  The Bahamas has been devastated, but thus far South and Central Florida has been spared the worst of this storm.

I received one (1) email about this, and I immediately responded to this individual with the truth and was able to work out from where the propaganda was emanating in the process.

It is unfortunate that some folks, even in the midst of an approaching storm, will take cheap political shots at us.

Here is a newsflash for those that want the truth and not the garbage political rhetoric:

---Had we (Escambia County) been needed, we would have gone. 
---Our team that was standing by to head east was told to STAND DOWN
---Had we needed a special allocation of funding to support this--I am confident the administrator and the chairman would have called an emergency meeting and we would have voted to fund this mutual aid.
---The administrator, in conjunction with public safety and state officials (Not the County Commissioners) make the call about whether or not, and to what extent and based upon traditional commitments, to send personnel and resources to other areas.
---We will ALWAYS support our neighbors when needed, always have and always will--despite what some will say when their negotiation strategies are failing.......

Multi-Agency District 1 Town Hall Monday, September 30th 6:00-8:00 PM

A District 1 Multi-Agency Town Hall will be hosted by Commissioner Jeff Bergosh on Monday, September 30, 2019. This meeting will be held at Jim Bailey Middle School, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

The elected representatives who will be 
participating are:

Jeff Bergosh, Escambia Board of County Commissioners, District 1
Alex Andrade, State Representative, District 2
Vicki Campbell, ECUA representative, District 1
Kevin Adams, Escambia County School Board, District 1

Specific topics of discussion will include:

---Sorrento Road Improvement

---Blue Angel 4-Lane project status

---Traffic

---Storm-water management

---Water front access/amenities for residents

---Appointed Superintendent update

---New Pleasant Grove Elementary - Sorrento Rd.

---Future new elementary school Beulah and update on additional District 1 school construction projects.

---Security, and Hazardous Pathways to Schools.

---Upcoming legislative session & educational issues

---Smart Growth

---Septic to Sewer Conversion

---Identify Solutions for Growth in Sanitation

---Continued Implementation of Customer Friendly Technology

Citizens are encouraged to attend the Town Hall to become informed about relevant issues in their community and to ask questions of their representatives