So after the written account of this behavior was circulated by the attorney, I made the motion to censure Doug. I do not take this action lightly, and this sort of a vote does not occur frequently.
In fact, I cannot recall locally the last time in the past decade any elected official has been censured locally.
13 years ago, when I was on the School Board, we publicly censured Superintendent of Schools Jim Paul for his DUI arrest that was a disruption within the school district.
That might have been the last time a censure of a locally elected official occurred.
So while it is largely ceremonial with no real ramifications--It's not something that happens every day.
But it is a stinging, public rebuke that draws immediate press coverage.
PNJ has already covered it, and it led the 10:00 news on WEAR last night.
Some of the conduct coming out of the D2 office is nothing sort of reprehensible and unacceptable, this censure was a long time coming. Although Underhill, his secretary John Owens, and office intern Conor Mann can run us down online--nobody cares and even fewer pay any attention, outside of about a dozen or so keyboard warriors on a facebook chat site.
So Underhill and his aide John Owens can meet up with cartoonist Andy Marlette over Schlitz Beers and Crackaroni and Cheese at the Elbow room to conspire to do cartoons and unflattering PNJ editorials on members of the board and the county attorney---none of that will be remembered in the long run. Dumb cartoons that nobody cares about will fade away into the noise of the internet...
What will be remembered, what will always show up top of the page on Google, is a stinging, public rebuke like the censure we issued last night to Underhill, dutifully covered by the very press Underhill had previously, apparently, been protected from.
We will discuss this and more later this morning on Rick's show at 7:15
34 comments:
It was heartbreaking to listen to Alison. She has always impressed me with her character and dedication to Escambia County. Alison exhibited tremendous bravery to bring this forward and in Public.
Thanks for saying “I don’t believe you, I believe her”. Having had something similar occur with this bully I know that had to mean a lot to her.
Douglas Underhill is a embarrassment. His wife’s comments are cringe worthy and she’s running down the county attorney real bad.
If anyone wants to hear the truth and not Douglas Underhill or his crazy 2 fan’s version listen to Robert Bender’s interview with Rick Outzen. They explain what really happened in Tallahassee.
https://ricksblog.biz/real-news-podcasts-commissioners-explain-censure-vote/
The only people who believe Underhill are people who watch all of this stuff from afar on social media, as if it's some sort of competitive reality game show. They're on "Team Underhill" and they hate "Team Bergosh."
Anyone who knows Doug Underhill personally has no doubt at all that he is lying and that Allison Rogers is telling the truth. People who know Underhill personally know him to be a completely dishonest person.
Everyone time he has one of these run-ins where he is smearing someone all over Facebook, you will find a smattering of "Gee, I don't what's going on here, but I know ______(fill in name of Underhill's current target here)_______, and I've always found them to be an honest and decent person."
Prediction: You won't see ANYONE come out and say something like that about him.
Joel Cotton quit lying on ECW.
You said to Margaret Hostetter but it's okay for 3 of the others to say far worse about Pam Childers. Okay.
Pam says she overheard being called a bitch. Alison Rogers was told by Douglas he would ruin her reputation until she resigned from her job. You think being called a bitch is worse? You’re stupid or crazy or both.
Wow. You all knew this was going to happen. Little back alley politics?
The very notion that Doug harassing management, staff, the Administrator and Attorney, or anybody else unlucky enough to cross his path that day is new to anyone is absurd. Doug was harassing people on the Fourth Floor before he was even sworn in to office. His verbal abuse and coercion are legendary, and he has even physically threatened–repeatedly–female staff. I only wish that this would have been done a few years earlier. We might have retained some really amazing people who fled the County as a direct result of not wanting to suffer his abuses any more.
Look, I did not agree with a PAC putting out the information about Doug’s restraining order one bit, mostly because I felt it would be pointless and offer him an opportunity to self-victimize all over again. If people didn’t believe it, or care, the first time around, why make the same mistake twice? Nonetheless, the man has track record–emphasis on record–of abuse. And he has a violent temper that is legendary at the County. I’ve long considered him a ticking time bomb and have encouraged others to take his lack of impulse control seriously. Commissioner Bergosh is right–he ought to just resign. Maybe they can bolt town like they did their last time through here. But he’s good for less than nothing, at this point. His press secretary Jacqueline Rogers has already let people know that he is done with agenda reviews, which is why the ones he has missed recently have been pleasant and productive. Remove him from the regular meetings, as well, and watch how quickly a large part of the dysfunction at the County sorts itself out. A man with his destructive bent should not be in a position of policy maker, and he is the sort of pathological liar who believes his own lies. Six years has been long enough for any community to have to suffer him. Hopefully they will head on down the road soon, and find the next place to blow up. Maybe if they leave soon we might get a road fixed in our district. Because Doug Underhill is a trash-talking bully who can’t fix traffic.
People who are paying attention should remember back in 2018 when Randy Cudd asked Doug about the offer from the "condo group" (Seafarer HOA) to purchase Beach Access #4 from the county. Doug looked at Randy square in the eye and called him a liar. It was later proven to be true and there is an email showing Doug knew of the offer long before that meeting at the Pizza restaurant on the key. So he has straight lied and been busted for it using the same method he used to deny Ms. Rogers claims during the meeting last night. You were correct to believe her, and you were also instrumental in getting attention to Dougs back door dealings negated and opening up BA#4! Thank you for both, Commissioner.
The administrator should place "Censure Doug Underhill" on the agenda as a standing biweekly item like the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the Invocation.
JAR and Wendy still making fools out of themselves, they don't like that people come over here and call them out. For instance for their pathetic followers that look to JAR to tell them how the meeting is going..She says they adjourned the agenda review for some stupid off the wall reason. If anyone watched it for themselves they would know that Chairman Bender's father had passed away and he had to leave early so out of RESPECT and EMPATHY they adjourned when he had to leave.
People --- don't let these operatives and bad characters filter their untruths on facebook. From their twisted minds to yours. Just say no.
Yes -- elected officials can request opinions from the ethics committee.
There has been a petition out for years asking you to Censure Underhill.
Relieved you all finally woke and and did it. Do it more often.
Oh and btw I saw the video Wendy posted, her child snatched someone's phone and then pinched his juglar vein area, it was a crime. They as parents posted it themselves on facebook.
There is something very wrong with them.
Commissioner Underhill said that directly to Alison Rogers, the other accusation was second hand info from someone that said they heard it in a hallway. Big difference. Calling someone names is better than your reputation and career being threatened directly to you..
Jeff, it’s time to bring back the non interference issue. This is not a first time for Underhill, but he is not the only commissioner that interferes with staff. You guys have got to win back your staff because the county is hemorrhaging talent. The toxic atmosphere needs to go and staff needs to be supported. Please get to fixing real issues so we can get this county on track.
It’s become abundantly clear Underhill’s vengeance stems from the board’s refusal to pay his legal fees. Underhill is literally absorbed with retaliating against the board, but mainly Rogers and Barry. It’s going to get even worse now due to his censure, and the fact that the Levin firm has offered to represent the County to sort out the 401(a) legalities.
In regards to the board not paying Underhill’s fees, Barry had previously stated “I feel to pay this is to enable, and to a degree endorse behavior I don’t agree with”. Underhill also stated in an interview regarding Rogers “I'd be very interested to see the county attorney's statements will be in court.. how she can justify us refusing to follow our own policies.” - The fact that Rogers didn’t force the board to pay his legal fees, has made him become even more hateful. We’ve all seen how he lashes out at people that don’t agree with him. You’ve even posted screenshots showing how him and his wife set out to “ruin” your brother as well, after their son’s court appearance before him.
Underhill used the 401(a) issue as a retaliatory tool. He blatantly lied about the reason Barry and Rogers went to Tallahassee, so he could manipulate the situation to ruin reputations/credibility, because he’s proven over and over he’s a bitter, vengeful, petty human being. His sole purpose as Commissioner now is to retaliate against the board, and inevitably Escambia County citizens will be the ones suffering the aftermath. Underhill is a lame duck at this point, so he’s simply collecting a check - a decent sized check we as tax payers provide him for doing pretty much nothing!
It’s great the board finally censured Underhill. However, I believe it should be the consensus of the board that it is in the best interest of the county that Underhill resign. His incessant defamatory/retaliatory comments on social media combined with the continual lawsuits/ethics complaints/violations, his suit against the county for his legal fees, and his upcoming hearing for probable cause, is only creating more of a burden on tax payers. Underhill is too consumed with vengeance, personal animosities, and the perpetual controversies he creates, to focus on doing his actual job for our community in a competent manner. I hope the board will ask for his resignation. Escambia County cannot endure/doesn’t deserve to endure his dangerous dysfunction until November of 2022.
Commissioner Underhill needs to read the comments on this old petition to censure him.
https://www.thepetitionsite.com/707/287/628/censure-commissioner-douglas-underhill/
How's your head feeling this Saturday morning? Is the sun especially bright today? Maybe your eyes feel a little swollen. Do you feel dehydrated and just can't get enough to drink? Regret making late night posts? There could be a reason.
Underhill is still denying it after he posted publicly on not only ECW and also studio850 that basically Barry and Alison were criminals and needed to be removed. I'm sure they were behind the editorials and cartoons.
Watch him lie and his wife and others cover for him. So now he is denying he said that? It is right in front of our eyes.
The thing is, the more he lies he will start to believe it himself. He has done that several times with several issues, over and over. It's a document pattern.
The screen shots of what he said is the evidence, he was attempting to ruin her reputation as well as trying to ruin the boards' and most everybody else that he comes into contact with.
The public rebuke of his continual behavior was and is appropriate and long overdue.
The board spoke, the vote taken..end of the conversation, yet he continues to do the same thing. He will not accept correction nor wise council.
Proverbs 9:8
Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
Watch him. He still doesn't get it and keeps doing the same thing on ECW. He compares not getting his legal bills paid to the others getting the 401a.
It is apples and oranges. He defamed the wedgewood guy on Facebook, not in an official capacity as the board of cc.
The board is setting the record straight on the retirement issue.
He plays the victim rather than accept feedback. He has enablers who are either unable or unwilling to recognize the truth. Government by mobs, social media, emotion and propaganda have come to light. Unacceptable and powerless.
On the other hand, a settlement above and beyond was also not a good idea. It didn't pass, so move on.
Work as a board. That's how it works. Underhill is a cog in the wheel but he thought he was more than that.
I read over the PM released when Valentino sued him. They show his character right there. ECW tried to squelch that. Its out there. He repeats himself.
Too bad a few yokles in Buelah don't recognize your bravery and leadership.
You can't please all the people all the time.
Pino was texting him and posting it. She said they had put a cease and disest so that in my opinion would be harassment also..The best thing would be for Underhill to step down, her drop out. ECW just fade into the background.
I am glad that Allison stepped forward and let her supervisors know she had been threatened and the BCC took action. It would have been nice, had Allison and the BCC done the right thing when multiple employees in EMS reported the exact same thing, had their complaints covered up and then allowed the employee to actually not just destroy their reputations but sit behind closed doors for 8 months until magically evidence arrived to have them arrested. It would be nice for the board to censure that employee. Rayme Edler censored would go a long way towards healing.
It is fun watching you out think and out smart Underhill in meetings. Underhill is rumored to be so smart, but I am Underwhelmed. He has chinks in his armor. Obviously, he knows you're smart and, when you both debate on the Dias freestyle, he gets nervous. I see it and it's fun to watch. When he has talking points, he is smooth, but when you drag him to the deep end of the pool to really debate, you certainly drown him.
I guess your brother is a lot smarter than him, too. Wow, making his kid get caught on the video taking a cell phone and choking a kid so an arrest warrant was drafted by a police officer, based on probable cause, could be brought to the judge is 100 3-d chess moves ahead of Uderhill. Then, your brother setting Underhill up to post the video, which is protected and not a public record as there are laws to protect minors, on Underhill's own FaceBook is Sherlock Holmes genius manipulation. That is not implying Underhill is a Moriarty, as he is not. He is a sociopath, but not a smart sociopath.
No wonder Underhill is not running for election again as you and your family own him intellectually and verbally. I will miss the fireworks at the meetings, but I look forward to the County running smoothly, as it most certainly will, when Underhill leaves to buy his farm. I will also not miss his loud jet skis on the weekends at 6 a.m.
https://youtu.be/F-jEtmH8BvU
Jeff as you said yesterday--sick of this crap--guess ur ok with ur volunteer speaking of others with a nasty mouth?
September 4, 2021 at 8:07 AM KIM C
Articulated this perfectly.
Commission Bergosh
Could the board put in writing all the reasons for the Censure and make it formal and well articulated rather than it just be about the attorney and that one instance.
Also as a board do you have the will and authority to take a vote to ask DeSantis to remove him from the board?
I believe that would be prudent.
I don't know who would be appointed to the seat until the election.
Of course you could have some fum with it, with all the white knights and persecutors playing the drama triangle with Underhill but really it is time to move past that and simply get the work of the county done in the manner in which government is supposed to be run.
Who is the central figure behind most of the legal problem and the board?
I think we all know who the spotlight shines back onto and it is Underhill.
I know we can be funny and creative with metaphors and satire, so once again I get the picture of Pigpen on Charlie Brown with lawsuits being the dark cloud following him around.
But seriously, will you as a board ask the Governor to remove him and assign someone who is not known to be a nemesis or a player or a candidate.
It will probably be a relief to everybody.
In my opinion a great appointee to the D2 seat for the next year if Underhill steps down before he is removed would be perhaps someone none of us have heard of, who isn't political.
The rest of you have enough experience with the government roles but it would be great to have someone from D2, that is perhaps retired military but in the health care field. A higher up in the health care field, like a Doctor or Hospital administrator would be best.
I think the pandemic and choices we have in front of us this year are the most important. A smart reasonable person with a proven track record of leadership willing to fulfill that role if even for a year would be a godsend.
Grow up Joel.
Now he's blaming the censure on David Bear. He's pathetic. I knew it wouldn't take long. The first night his two white knights defended him (look up that psychological term)
Then it was the fact he was for the people and not in the club.
Next it Bear's fault.
Classic.
He's in his little club trying to suck out vampire juice to feed his ego.
Here's the real problem: You and the other commissioners constantly state from the dais, that you all are just policy makers but yet you each continue to try and control the day to day operations of the county. If Doug Underhill made the statements that Mrs. Rogers says he made then he should have been reprimanded but where is the proof. How do we know Mrs. Rogers is not lying? We don't so this looks and smells like a a very scripted event.
How is what Rogers states Underhill said different from what you (Commissioner Bergosh) are doing to Janice Gilley and Jana Still? You continue to throw them under the bus on several issues(via your blog and on radio), which could impact their future careers. So, should we also Censor you? I doubt Doug could get the votes for that.
You also continue to state from the dais that you will fight for any employee and that all should have due process. So, where was the due process for Janice Gilley and Jana Still. Did you put either one on a PIP plan? No. Were they given coaching on how to improve and given the chance to improve? No. I think the words both were told is ..... It's just not working out. Sounds like great coaching / counseling skills were used.
I think it's always easy to point the finger at someone else but remember when you point your finger at someone there's three others pointing back at you.
Everyone should read this truth from David Bear about Commisioner Underhill and his lying puppets….
Drake Dimitry When Alex continues to mention that people are fighting for the 51% payout, he’s either intentionally trying to mislead you about the facts or he is showing you he doesn’t really understand what is going on with the retirement discussions at the county. The County’s contribution to the Florida retirement program for Commissioner Underhill’s retirement is the exact same amount going to the other commissioners’ retirement programs. That’s right, an amount equal to 51% of Commissioner Underhill’s salary goes to the Florida retirement program to fund his retirement. He likes to publicly tell everyone he thinks no elected official should receive retirement compensation because he’s trying to grandstand. Commissioner Underhill also wants you to believe he never signed up for the retirement program, and maybe that’s why he has failed to disclose it on his annual financial disclosure forms to the State (Does that seem to match or conflict with his demands for transparency of his fellow commissioners?)Alex and friends want you to believe Commissioner Underhill is taking the moral high ground for his position against retirement compensation for elected officials but Commissioner Underhill knowingly refused to check the box that would allow him to opt out of the retirement program. Instead, he chose none of the options on the form, which enrolled him into the Florida retirement plan by default. More than likely, Commissioner Underhill and his lieutenants from the disinformation army will attempt to tell you he didn’t know leaving the firm blank it would sign him up by default, and maybe that’s true (highly doubtful). However, for the past nearly seven years, Commissioner Underhill has received a weekly paycheck from the County showing the itemized contribution to the Florida retirement program for his benefit. Not one time, in the 350 weeks of receiving that retirement compensation equal to approximately 51% of his salary, did Commissioner Underhill request to terminate those payments or file a report to opt out of the retirement program. If he did, that document would certainly be a public record. There is only one set of facts and those facts will be supported by documentation.
What will the board/attn do now when Underhill doesn't accept correction and continues the same behavior on Escambia Citizens Watch in public after the Censure?
verify this and take appropriate action
"PROCEDURES OF CENSURE
The motion to censure is a main motion; it needs a second; it is debatable and amendable. It is subject to all subsidiary motions. It is usually brought up under new business or under for the good of the order. A quorum must be present and it takes a majority to adopt and a vote by ballot is advisable. A member may debate his censure but he cannot vote. The same rules apply to presiding officers and other officers being censured. A member or officer cannot be censured twice for the same offense. The next step would be suspension, removal or expulsion. "
https://www.parli.com/newsletter/censure-and-removal-from-office
I will say although at first I was appalled that Underhill would post on ECW the same thing he was Censured about, it is definitely worth the takedown that David Bear is doing on there right about now...
You all should still remove him.
We all also await the Ethic Committee decision on his case.
And we don't even have any political needs nor finacial involvement, just HATE lies and misinformation and propaganda and UNDERHILL BULLSHIT. Period.
Look at the thread.
Go David Bear.
See what Underhill is trying to do with that yellow scratch pad page he posted on ECW?
It says four commissioners.
So he is trying to exclude himself to the sheep who still actually believe him when the truth of the matter is:
HE WAS NOT IN THE PERIOD OF TIME AFTER AN ELECTION TO ASK TO BE IN THE 401 A. Even his wife said they just found out about it. He missed the boat even if he wanted to enroll.
Plus like EJ pointed out..that is the truth also.
YOU BARRY AND MAY COULD HAVE SIGNED UP because you all were in the window after election to get it.You didn't and said you don't want to.
Bender saw it and opted for it.
Underhill has said he won't run again--plus his window to sign up for it was past.
So 1)
He is posting that yellow paper AFTER the CENSURE!!! And he should be removed for violating the Censure and continuing the same behavior.
But on top of that it is misleading and that, my friends is WHAT HE DOES.
We really should NOT have to put so much effort in unraveling his constant attempts to paint himself in a good light at the expense of others when it is actually false to begin with.
Alison didn't have him as #5 in the notes because it had NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM BECAUSE OF THE TIME CONSTRAINTS ON signing up for the 401a after a election or reelection.
This doesn't take a lawyer or paid staff just someone who is not stupid enough to trust ANYTHING UNDERHILL TRIES TO PASS OFF AS TRUTH.
Do you think PNJ finally gets that?
IT IS NOT BECAUSE ALISON KNEW WHAT HE FELT ABOUT UNDEHILL GETTING RETIREMENT> as he claims on that post this labor day in ecw..
He is signed up for FRS and gets the same contribution put into his account, the difference with the 401a is the rate of the return.
Has he told himself the same lies over and over and over to the point he actually believes them himself?
YOU as a BOARD HAVE TO GET HIM OUT OF THAT POSITION BECAUSE HE IS DELUSIONAL.
I know we aren't supposed to get emotional and type in Caps but it is so obvious and long term and unacceptable.
The Governor would have the power to remove Underhill and someone would apply to be appointed to his seat. Governor would probably need an indictment to act.
You weren't at the budget hearing but at the end, the discussion about employee insurance brings up the need that you all should have a vaccine mandate and mask mandate.
It should be county wide.
Well Shiver me timbers..
JAR and Windy broke out their "secret weapon" Miss the Mark Marlette" and his crayons and editorial.
She said she had to "ask" permission to publish the whole thing on Escambia Citizen Watch.
Looks like one of them wrote it, handed it off to Moron Marlette to publish, while their hero is in Tallahassee standing in front of the ethics committee.
How's that Social Media control the narrative working out for you guys.
They got the guy from the town hall, that should have been led out in a straight jacket on their side.
Hey JAR and Windy Whiner...notice how no one chimes in on your threads?
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