Could Natural Gas Costs be Headed Higher Locally?

Are Natural Gas prices headed higher locally if a rate increase request is honored by the Florida Public Utilities Commission?

Natural gas prices have tripled since the last Presidential Election beginning in early January of 2021.

From January of 2022 alone natural gas costs have doubled.

Obviously inflation is at a record, 40 year high, interest rates are going up and the costs for everything is going up---so the idea that natural gas could go higher is not out of the realm of the possible.

So when I received this email from a law firm representing a large statewide Natural Gas distributor--I immediately thought this could signal price hikes for this commodity locally.

I was copied, along with dozens of mayors and county commissioners, on this letter to the Florida Public Utilities Commission requesting a rate increase for this gas company, a regional company owned by parent company Chesapeake Energy.

After reading the letter, where Escambia County is mentioned prominantly as an area of the state where this firm had invested in expanding infrastructure, I asked our attorney to look into this and whether or not this would impact customers who buy natural gas from Pensacola Energy.

In an anticlimactic response, I was told that this company does indeed supply Pensacola Energy with natural gas.  But, this company is only one of two larger suppliers from whom Pensacola Energy buys Natural gas. (I asked, but did not get the answer to the question of what percentage of total Pensacola Energy gas comes from this firm, the one requesting a price increase)  Additionally, it was reported back to us that the prices Pensacola Energy pays to this Chesapeake affiliated company have been negotiated in advance and locked in for a number of years which "should" prevent price increases to end-users locally--regardless of what happens at the Public Utilities Commission when they act on the rate increase request.

So we will see if local customers see steady billing.

If I were to hazard a guess, though, I would assume that the prices will tick upwards---regardless of what was negotiated.

But we will see.

On WCOA's Real News with Rick Outzen Podcast Yesterday

I was asked to lead off Monday's show at 7:10AM.  Great discussion with lots of information and opinion. 

 

I was asked to join Rick Outzen on his #1 rated morning drive talk show "Real News with Rick Outzen", on the area's top AM Station--- 1370 WCOA---- yesterday morning.

We discussed last Thursday's BCC meeting and some of the more interesting aspects of the meeting, to include;

--Amy Parker's 6th and 7th grade class from Creative Learning Academy bringing ideas for solving the county's issues with respect to ECAT, Criminal Justice Reform, and Homelessness.

--A discussion about large condominium lease renewals at Pensacola Beach--where some condo leases are being recommended for approval by SRIA despite language which is not favorable to the property owners-the taxpayers of Escambia County.

--The approval of the Board's ordinance prohibiting employees of the county running for the office of County Commissioner

--Approval of large apartment complexes, and the consternation this causes many nearby homeowners.

It was a good discussion--you can listen to the Podcast here

What are the Actual, Historic Amounts Collected by the BCC for our 1 Cent and 1/2 Cent Sales Taxes?

There were some inaccurate figures thrown out at last week's meeting whent the subject of sales tax swapped for MSBU was discussed.  Some lowball numbers were thrown out that didn's sound accurate.  I thought the half penny was generating and would generate a little over $30 Million annually.  Others thought the number was closer to $25 Million yearly.

So I turned to the school district's 1/2 penny sales tax chart and lo and behold it is clocking $32 Million.  

That's what it brought in last year, that's what the school board is budgeting it will bring in this year.

So I asked staff why their 1/2 penny was outperforming us by $7 Million yearly.  

Turns out, it isn't outperforming us--we just didn't have the right number.  So I requested historical actuals from staff and received the chart above.

Looks like the half penny is generating $32 million in the county as well as the school board--not $25 Million.  

In this economy right now--out 1 penny is collecting nearly $60 Million, and our half penny is north of $30 Million-------just as I originally thought and stated at the meeting.

Glad we got that one sorted out........

Post Redistricting--What will the New District 1 Precinct Map Look Like?

I received the above rendering from the Supervisor of Elections Office.  It reflects the new district boundaries post-redistricting.  I've zeroed in on District 1 in the above .jpeg.

These new precinct maps will be presented to the BCC at our upcoming workshope this Thursday.

Meanwhile, there they are for all to see, above.

To download the full .pdf file so you can zoom in to see all 5 district precincts and where your precinct is now, click here.  See the full map, below.

ECAT Votes NO on Ratification

 We were all hopeful. 

But the members of ECAT, upon their ratification vote of our agreement, voted "No."

We were notified yesterday evening via this email, below.

Why Does the School District's 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Outperform the County's 1/2 Cent Sales Tax?

 At a recent BCC meeting where we discussed my idea of funding the fire service with a consumption-style 1/2 cent sales tax to generate more revenue while simultaneously not adding more taxes to existing property owners--and instead providing a big tax break to Escambia County property-owning taxpayers-----a lowball figure of $24-$25 Million was thrown out as being "what the county's half penny generates yearly"

It seemed low, that figure.  

And I remembered as a school board member we were doing that amount 5-6 years ago when I served on that board.  Plus, the economy locally has gone straight up like a rocket since then--with the minor COVID recession of 2020-2021 (the economic pain of which was largely masked-over with unprecedented federal money printing and stimulus provision nationwide to).

So the natural question is this:  Why Does the School District's 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Outperform the County's 1/2 Cent Sales Tax?

Look at this chart, below, that will be provided to the members of the school district's 1/2 cent sales tax watchdog committee later this week.  This graph indicates the total revenue (quarterly and monthly reimbursements including interest/investment income on the funds)  received from the school district's 1/2 cent discretionary sales tax over several fiscal years.  Over the last 3 years the average revenue is what I thought the BCC's 1/2 sales tax should be--just under $30 million per year.

So I'm waiting for staff to clarify/explain--but it seems to me that their 1/2 penny is doing better than ours is.  So if so, I want to know why.  If not-----what is the real number the BCC's 1/2 penny is generating?  I think my statements at the last meeting were right--$30 Million yearly.

But we will see when staff answers my query on this topic later this morning.

Mythology versus Reality on Sales Tax Referendum versus Higher Property Taxes to Pay for Fire......

Separate facts from mythology if you want to make a cogent argument against everyone sharing in the shouldering of a tax to pay for fire service

Some folks are already attempting to shoot holes through the idea of a sales tax based system for funding fire protection in Escambia County.  They are implying it would harm those who are poor and struggling to pay for food.

But sales taxes are not applied to groceries.  Groceries are exempt. To say otherwise is untrue.

Gas is also exempt from this particular sales tax.  (Don't get me wrong--each gallon of gas is LOADED UP with all kinds of Federal, State, and some Local taxes---but this particluar sales tax is not applied and would not be applied--so this change, in and of itself, will not make gas more expensive for poor people) To say otherwise is untrue.

Other necessary purchases that are subject to taxation that are important to all citizens, (wealthy/middle class/poor)-- such as back to school supplies or hurricane supplies--are frequently given sales tax amnesty periods where no state taxes are applied to applicable purchases.  So with proper planning--- even those sales taxes can be avoided by all consumers in Escambia County.

Yes--big ticket items like automobiles, appliances, furniture--yes these carry a sales tax burden.  But often these taxes can be rolled into the financing deal or a discount equal to sales taxes can be negotiated.

Yes--retail and big ticket purchases are subject to sales tax.  That means if someone is "POOR" and they spend, say, $5,000 a month on non-exempt retail purchases, the total additional sales taxes they would pay if this proposal for a half-penny moves forward by the voters, would be............insert sound of drumroll............   ($25 dollars extra).  (Most truly poor individuals won't even spend $5,000 per YEAR on cash money purchases subject to full taxation--when all exempt purchases they make are taken out of the equation.....)

Here's a couple of newsflashes:

1.  If you are spending $5,000  per month (equalling 60K Yearly) on sales tax applicable non-exempt retail merchandise you probably do not meet any rational definition of  "poor."

2.  If you still, somehow, feel as though you are "poor" and yet can afford to spend $5,000 per month

I'm Not Voting to Raise Property Tax Rates on Existing Escambia County Taxpaying Property Owners

If you're a taxpaying Escambia County property owner---pay attention to the meeting today.  Watch it closely.......

I've never once voted to approve increased year over year property tax rates on existing Escambia County Taxpaying property owners.  Not once in my 15 years in elected office.  And I'm not about to start now, either.

But this is exactly what staff will be asking us to do later this morning.  

They truly feel there is no choice and that they need 45 more career, paid firefighters and that the ONLY way to pay for this extra cost is to put it onto the back of Escambia County taxpaying property owners via a massive increase in the MSBU or the addition of an extra MSTU.  It's a tax increase they are proposing--make no mistake about it.

But here's why I won't/don't support that. 

Property owners are getting crushed right now with historic property insurance rates if not outright policy cancellation.  They are dealing with unprecedented, 40 year inflation on materials for maintenance and repairs of their properties.  If they are paying for services, they are paying rapidly escalating fees and costs as wage-push inflation is rippling through the economy like a Tsunami and forcing service providing purveyors to raise wages and then by extension, service call fees.  Example:  a one hour (or less) easy-peasy installation of a dishwasher is now officially over $200. (Was $99 or  FREE- included with purchase -just two short years ago).  Bleach for cleaning properties has increased a whopping 400% in the last year.  Yeah, 400%.  Everything is going up for everybody in this crazy inflationary environment (did I mention gas prices doubling, to historic high prices over the last year and a half?)---------so I will not let bureauracrats and staffers make the homeowners shoulder more tax burden as the average homeowner is hurting like never before thanks to fiscal dysfunction coming out of Washington DC. 

So no, I don't think struggling families that have purchased a home, or small mom and pop businesses who own property and who are battling this double-edged sword of inflation and employee wage pressure, should be hit over the head with another increase on their property tax bill.  (remember, they just got hit with a new tax the electorate approved for the Escambia Children's Trust).

There's another way, and a better way.

We have the ability, under Florida Statutes 212.055(8), to ask the electorate to approve the levy of an additional sales tax .5 percent or up to 1 percent for the specific purpose of providing fire service county-wide.  This would also, conveniently, compel us to eliminate the current $125 MSBU from current property owners.  Yes, you heard that right.  It would cut property taxes for Escambia County taxpaying property owners.  That's something I believe we could all support.

Additionally--it will make everyone pay toward the service.  Right now---a LOT of citizens do not pay direct MSBU or property taxes that support the fire service.  Out of state visitors pay nothing toward Fire Coverage and services---this funding source change would positively alter that paradigm and provide for a hefty percentage (potentially as much as 35-40%) of the total sales tax funding to be burdened by out of state visitors or those traversing the interstate who pay for goods and services while travelling through.  Like our LOST penny and like the School Board's half penny sales tax---it generates a consistent revenue stream with much of the revenue coming from non-residents.  It also captures revenue from those who make purchases but who currently pay no property taxes or MSBU for fire---like folks who work for Escambia but live in Pace and pay ZERO toward fire protection where they work.

Now, the naysayers will say it is regressive, and that it hurts poor people.  I'd simply say that for the poor this will be less burdensome than some espouse---as essential basics like groceries are already exempt from all sales taxes.  for other, taxable cash purchases a disadvantaged person might make--the hit of a half-percentage will be de minimus.  (if taxable purchases of $1000 are made monthly--the net effect of the levy of a half penny on that would be $5.00--if $2,000 is spent, it would be $10 additional for a month)  At this point I'd simply point out that if a "poor" individual is spending $1,0000, $2000, or $3000 monthly on retail or non-tax exempt purchases some (many? most?) might question whether or not such an individual is/was really poor?

Nevertheless--we can and will have those conversations when and if it becomes necessary.  And I will ask staff to explore this option and I hope to at least get two additional commissioners' support.

I will not cave in the the reflexive, easiest path of least resistance to simply add more to the MSBU on property owners.  Nope, especially if there is another way to do it better.  And I believe there is.  A tax that everyone pays.  Everyone.

Breakfast with Governor Ron DeSantis in Pensacola

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spoke before a group of local citizens on Tuesday, May 10th at Jackson's Steakhouse in Downtown Pensacola

Yesterday morning I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast event featuring Governor Ron DeSantis.

I was invited to attend the event-- and the room was filled with about 50 other invitees-- consisting of locally elected officials, several state representatives, several political candidates, local and regional business owners, law enforcement officers, community leaders, individual citizens, and several college presidents.

After some brief socializing among the attendees, host Collier Merrill, owner of the event venue Jackson's Steakhouse, gave a warm welcome to the folks in attendance.  He began by introducing the event's host committee and several attendees including the mayor who was seated up front.  Upon being introduced first, Mayor Grover Robinson rushed up front to shake Gov. DeSantis's hand.

"Okay, no one else do that when I introduce you!" Merill quipped after Robinson returned to his seat to some chuckles in the room.

Then Governor DeSantis took the mike and began giving a very well timed, fact and data-filled stump speech to the assembled group lasting about 25 minutes or so.  I was surprised at the amount of time from the twenty-five minutes the governor spent on issues of education and school boards. I was glad to hear that.  It was also interesting to watch literally everyone stop eating and put down their foks and knives when he started his speech.

He began with The Walt Disney issue that has been all over the press lately.

"Listen, Disney wishes they could get a mulligan on some of their statements about our legislature and our state--they've lost about $60Billion in Market Capitalization since we passed the [Reddy Creek] law."  He went on.  "They're a California company and they think they can tell us how to run our Florida schools?--that's not happening!"  He also mentioned some of the Zoom meetings among Disney Executives held in the lead up to their very public statements vowing to support overturning Florida's Parental Rights in Education Bill--urging folks who hadn't yet seen these videos to watch them.  "Everyone who hasn't seen those should watch them" DeSantis stated.

Then he transitioned to the election, discussing his assessment of the 2018 election, in which he defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum by a slim margin.  "Look, we dodged a bullet in 2018--imagine if we had not won that election?  We would have been locked down with the rest of the other Democrat states in the COVID Pandemic and we would have lost jobs and businesses.  In this [2022] election we have the opportunity to win and not just win but to win big--which is not just a win for me but also a win for the state and other Republicans and conservative candidates in the election all across Florida.  Congress, the state legislature, and local school boards--this election is an opportunity to win all of this-and win big"

He talked about the growth of the state, particularly from Blue states. "Listen, a lot of people have asked me about people moving here from Democrat states, and the concern is this will somehow change our state to a Democrat state.  What we are seeing is the opposite of that, conservative people and businesses are moving here because they like our tax structure and they like the fact that we are the beachead for freedom during the pandemic when other states--even nearby Republican states--were locked down.  He continued "What we are seeing with voter registrations is that there are fewer registered Democrats now and more Republicans --meaning like-minded citizens are coming to Florida in bigger numbers.  And we are also getting some Independents and Democrats to switch to Republican as they like the way we are running things here in Florida."

He took a good bit of time touting Florida schools:  "Look, our schools never locked down when other states' schools did.  We kept schools open and we kept kids in schools and as a result our perfomance compared to every other non-rural state puts us at #1.   It's because we kept our students in school where they need to be to learn."

He also touted Florida's fiscally austere stewardship.  "We are doing a great job with our budget compared with these Democrat states." he stated flatly.  "We have a $100 Billion Dollar budget--a state like New York has 3 million fewer citizens and budget that is double ours, double, $200 Billion.  No, Florida is doing it right and we also have reserves coming out of this session that total nearly $20 Billion Dollars."   He continued "Look, we might go into a recession.  I hope we don't, but with this crazy inflation coming down on us from Washington, we could.  If we do, we have reserves and we can plug the hole and carry on." 

After he completed his speech to a room that was literally silent and hanging on every word, he took a few questions.

The Mayor thanked him for his leadership and discussed NW Florida's need for the state's continued assistance with infrastructure.

One gentelman behind me shouted out to the governor his approval.  "I'm one of those transplants Governor.  I brought my company down here two years ago from Louisville"

Another question came from an attendee asking about the 2024 Presidential election.  DeSantis didn't take the bait on that loaded question, though, instead pivoting back to 2022's election and the recent legislation Florida has passed tightening security at elections and establishing an election integrity unit.

"Florida will have fair elections--we won't be like those other states that take two weeks to count the votes after election night"  he continued "We counted 99% of all the votes on election night by midnight.  Other states take weeks.  And if you take that long, and a candidate is winning on election night and then after weeks of additional votes being counted that candidate loses--it calls the election into question"  He went on  "We've done away with unattended ballot boxes and 'ballot harvesting' in Florida, we're not having that.  In other states they have these boxes all over the place and people stuffing ballots into them in the middle of the night.  You've got other states mailing out ballots to people who didn't request them, we're not going to do that here.  And we are going to require a photo ID to vote and out elections are going to be secure" he concluded

After the questions the Governor concluded his remarks to sustained round of applause.  He spent a little time speaking with some attendees and taking photos with others.  It was a very short time later that he was whisked out of the venue and the room cleared out.  It was good to hear from the governor in person in Pensacola.  I suspect there will be many more stops here prior to the general election in November.

On 1370 WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" Yesterday--Discussing the New Beulah Fire Station

I was asked to appear on Monday Morning's "Real News with Rick Outzen"--the area's #1 rated morning drive radio program.  The topic--the new Beulah Fire Station.

I was asked to appear on yesterday morning's "Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA to discuss the groundbreaking for our newest fire station.  We had a great conversation and discussion about this soon-to-be constructed facility in Beulah.

We also discussed some disinformation that was put out by the other local morning radio host, denigrating the location for the station with inaccurate descriptions of the reason(s) for the siting of the new facility in it's current location.

Rick also asked my opinion about the possibility of luring Twitter and Elon Musk to Escambia County to set up their headquarters here.  

It was an interesting conversation you can listen to here.

See the pictures and watch the video of the Fire Station Groundbreaking, here.

72nd Coffee with the Commissioner this Wednesday Morning

District 1 Coffee with the Commissioner on May 11

Join us this Wednesday morning for our 72nd Coffee with the Commissioner event . The live stream will take place from 6:30-7:30 a.m. To join the meeting, visit the District 1 Facebook site here: www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/. 

Attendees will include Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno and Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. Moreno will give an update on county business and Gilmore will discuss public safety matters. This month's special guest is Escambia County Mass Transit Director Rodriques Kimbrough. Kimbrough will join Commissioner Bergosh, Moreno and Gilmore for a conversation on the operations of Escambia County Area Transit including bus routes, conditions during the pandemic, driver safety, physical barriers, safety enhancements, and new buses and equipment. Kimbrough will also discuss the different types of transportation programs offered and the benefits of mass transit to the community.
 
Residents are encouraged to send virtual questions and comments they would like to discuss with District 1 Commissioner Bergosh during the event through Facebook.

A Humble Privilege: Naming Station 2 the "Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station"

Watch the ceremony via this video, above

Friday morning was a great day for Escambia County, ECFR, and the Beulah Community of District 1.

It was my honor and humble privilege to host the community, fellow elected officials, and county staff members as we broke ground on Escambia County's newest, most modern fire facility in Beulah.

It has been a long time coming, and the effort to make this happen predates my time on the board.

But finally, at long last, the Board has approved the expenditure of $8.4 Million to build this facility.  They have also unanimously approved the naming of this facility in honor of 2 great men, Dwain S. Bradshaw and Steve McNair.

What a great day; days like this are what it is all about! 

Check out the local media coverage of the event here, here, and here 

See all the pictures from the event, below:

Visit Pensacola Celebrates Escambia County's Tourism/Hospitality Industry

I had the opportunity yesterday to speak and present a proclamation at Visit Pensacola's Hospitality Heroes Awards Luncheon at Bayview Community Center.

The luncheon was presented and sponsored by Visit Pensacola, and the host was CEO of Visit Pensacola Darien Schaefer.

The Board of County Commissioners approved a proclamation at our last meeting in April naming this week hospitality and tourism week in Escambia County-- which I presented at the luncheon as Mr. Schaefer graciously introduced me and invited me to the stage.

One of the best, most enjoyable parts of the program was the video montage of a recent "Hospitality Olympics" held by Visit at Blue Wahoo's stadium---where some interesting competitions were had.

--sack races

--toilet paper backward over hand toss into trash cans

--50 yard dash with a tray loaded with cocktails

--tug-of-war over a kiddy pool.

Yes, the video drew some chuckles from the crowd.

I was honored to speak yesterday at the Hospitality Appreciation Luncheon

But the overall topic of tourism is very serious.  

According to the information given by Schaefer during the introduction to the program---the serious financial impact of tourism last year is evident in real numbers:

-In 2021 2.1 Million Visitors came to Pensacola

-the 2.1 Million Visitors generated $1.2 Billion in Economic Activity/Spending

-the hospitality/tourist sector locally employes more than 20,000 Escambia Citizens

-the taxes collected from visitors totaled more than $70 Million--representing 26% of all taxes collected

-the taxes collected from visitors, if not realized, would necessitate an additional $600 yearly in taxes on county residents.

So yes--Tourism/Hospitality is a big deal.  Huge.

The final portion of yesterday's event centered on recognizing individuals for accomplishments in this space.  5 total citizens were awarded based upon exceptional acts over the last year.  The most prominent recipient was a hotel employee who witnessed a child drowning and jumped in fully clothed with his wallet, cellphone, keys and all----and saved the child's life.  It was a powerful picture--this individual Rosendo Morillo Peralta of the Surf & Sand Hotel, holding the little girl he rescued!

Read all about the awards here

Read about what Visit Pensacola does to promote our area, here

Health and Hope Clinic of Pensacola the Recipient of a Great Amenity Courtesy of LeaP 22!

The Leadership Pensacola "LeaP" Class is a year long program sponsored by the Pensacola Chamber to give area businesses and individuals the opportunity to hone their leadership and teambuilding skills via collaborative efforts and projects that benefit the Pensacola community.  You can read all about LeaP here.

Normally 10-months in duration, The extended (Due to the Pandemic) COVID-19 Leadership Pensacola Class of 2020-2022 recently completed one of their two community service project(s) and opened it up for use yesterday.  

This particular project was the design and building of an outdoor gazebo at Pensacola's only full-time, full-service, 100% free to the end user medical and dental clinic for working citizens that do not have medical or dental insurance--the Health & Hope Clinic of Pensacola.  

Staffed by volunteer providers (dentists, doctors, nurses, counselors) the Health and Hope Clinic's mission inspired the LeaP class of 2022 to help in a meaningful way.  You can read all about the Health and Hope Clinic and their mission Here

On days when it is hot or raining, the Gazebo that was constructed by LeaP-- along with the associated brick walkway--will give patients an additional space to wait for their appointements or a ride from their appointments out of the direct sunlight or rain.  

It is strategically located between the Health & Hope Clinic and Ministry Village at Olive Church, another nonprofit entity that provides support services to citizens in need of items like food assistance and job training.

It was a great celebration yesterday of giving and helping the community.

Thanks to Leap22, the Pensacola Chamber, all the company sponsors, the individuals that did the work, and everyone else associated with making this project happen!

We Need the Public's Help to Fix Sorrento Road---Here's How YOU can Help Us! Part I

There is an upcoming project priorities public workshop online at which time the public can press the state to move the project to 4-lane Sorrento Road forward.  But we need the public's help to make this happen.  Will you attend and lend your voice to this effort? 5-11-2022 at 2:00 PM Online......

Because I have served on the Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) for more than 5 years- once year as Chairman,  I know all too well the issues and challenges of Sorrento Road.  I have driven it many, many times over the years---going all the way back to when I got my first car in 1984.

Others know it's dangerous, too.

After my first blog post on this topic on April 18th, local news outlets investigated.  In a series of published media reports that followed-----the issues with Sorrento were spotlighted. Sorrento Road is such a dangerous roadway--it has tallied up an incredible 85 traffic collissions over the last 15 months according to the PNJ's report.  Including multiple fatalities.

It is a narrow, dark road where folks speed between Perdido Key and West Pensacola/Pensacola--and sadly this roadway has seen far too many fatalities.  White crosses signifying the loss of loved ones dot the side of this roadway.

Something has to get done, this has to be fixed.  But why has this not happened sooner?

The state had a plan to 4-lane this roadway--as a part of a larger plan to 4-lane Perdido Key Drive, Sorrento, portions of Blue Angel Parkway and other roadways to create an alternate West to East 4-lane hurricane evacuation route out of Escambia County. but the inertia to make it happen evanesced in 2014-2015 after the departure of Assistant County Administrator Larry Newsome and the former commissioner in D2.  Sorrento got lost in the death of that project and subsequently  languished far down the list of TPO priorities.

Since that time,  the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organizations has prioritized other projects ahead of Sorrento.  

But now is the time for the citizens that drive this road to make their voices heard.  The TPO will be holding a series of public input sessions to receive citizen suggestions as to what the prioritization of Sorrento Road should be.  This is where YOU, the citizen, comes in.  We need,  no,   I NEED--your voice to be heard on Sorrento Road if you feel the state need to make it a higher priority than number 18 on the list.  Without a higher prioritization this road will not be 4-laned.

So those that are passionate about Sorrento road can attend one or all of the following workshops and speak on the topic of Sorrento Road.  Next Week's meeting will be online.  Scroll to the bottom of this

27 Palm Trees Cut Down on Perdido Key Yesterday

27 large Palms were removed by FPL's contractor in one day, yesterday, on Perdido Key.  

.....But it was known this was going to occur.

One week ago marked the 39th day since FP&L whittled-down their initial list of Palms need for removal from 70 down to 27.  In speaking with FPL in March about this topic, I asked for 45 days for the HOA's to have an opportunity to relocate any palms they wished to save.  Numerous HOA's reached out to the county, and I spoke with the Sundown HOA manager about the 8-9 Palms in front of her development twice back in March.  But they (Sundown HOA) didn't move on removing any of them.  I called and left messages for this individual asking if they were interested in relocating the palm trees, and did not receive a call back from any of my repeated messages to her after we had first initially spoken and she did initially seem interested in saving the palms.  When contacted by a resident of Sundown two weeks ago on an unrelated matter, we subsequently spoke about the Palms.  I let this individual know I was not hearing back from the HOA manager and the clock was ticking.  He said he'd have her call me, but that never happened.  Then, we received this email one week ago on Tuesday,  from the Arborist:

"Good afternoon.  This will be my final email concerning Perdido Key Drive prior to completing the work on Monday, May 2, 2022.  My Contract Arborist and I drove down this morning to recheck the road right-of-way for any changes in the count of palm trees.  I noticed none of our initial 27 palms as having been removed by anyone.  The 9 palms I marked specifically for the Sundown Condominiums HOA, at the request of Commissioner Bergosh, are still present.  So, again, in total, we are removing the 27 tallest palm trees between Lafitte Reef Rd and the state line this year under the scope of this project.  I will be on-site Monday morning." 

I received the final word yesterday, May 2nd, that the Palms had been removed via a follow-on email from FP&L's Arborist, Chris Pope.  FP&L kept their word and waited 45 days.  But then they took action.  From Mr. Pope:

"I wanted to let everyone know that Wright just removed the final palm.  All 27 palms at the locations on the list below were cut down today.  A small amount of debris will get picked up shortly as the guys drive out.  We appreciate the cooperation from the county!....We will re-evaluate this same section of right-of-way next year and will put a similar plan in place for necessary removals at that time.  The

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