Thank you District 1 for the Honor and Privilege of a Lifetime: Serving You for 18 Years.

Last night's election was not the outcome I had anticipated or hoped for, but the voters have spoken in District 1 and have chosen new leadership and direction for this district. I thank God for his grace and love, I thank my wife Sally and my entire family for their support over the last 18 years I have served in office locally. I also want to thank the countless friends and supporters I have been fortunate to know over that same time period who have propelled me into office multiple times over. And finally, I want to thank the citizens of District 1 for giving me the honor and privilege of a lifetime--the opportunity to serve you two terms as your school board member and two terms as your County Commissioner. I will always look fondly on the many good and positive achievements that were realized in these years in both the school district and in the county. Last night, shortly after the returns came in, I called and spoke to the victor in this contest, Steve Stroberger. I congratulated him on his win and I ensured him that I would work with him to provide for a smooth, seamless transfer of this office in November. Thank you to everyone and I am remain hopeful, optimistic, and bullish on the future of this great community!

IMPORTANT ELECTION MESSAGE from Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons

 IMPORTANT ELECTION MESSAGE from Escambia Sheriff Chip Simmons.

Tomorrow is Escambia's Primary Election Day-and I encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote. I also want to encourage District 1 citizens to vote for Jeff Bergosh for County Commissioner.

Bergosh has been a steadfast supporter of the Sheriff's office over the past 4 years-- and he'll work with us on a multi-year pay and staffing plan if re-elected.

Jeff Bergosh is the ONLY candidate I have endorsed in this election. Read my endorsement of Commissioner Bergosh (and dozens more for Bergosh from his other supporters) here: https://jeffbergosh.com/testimonials- endorsements/

Paid for by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commission. 

Bergosh BLITZ Saturday!

Today is the last day of early voting ahead of Tuesday's primary election and our team was out in Perdido today for our BLITZ of the intersection of Perdido Key Drive, Innerarity Point Road and Gulf Beach Highway.  Such a high-energy positive reception we were given.  Waves, honks, thumb's up, and lots of smiles to go around.  Tuesday is going to be a great day and a great team win for team Bergosh!

3 days!

Basic Math in Stevenville....

Some candidates that find themselves losing their elections badly resort to the same playbook.  Attack their opponent, lie about them, pepper them with ridiculous ad hominems, and then resort to scare tactics.

That's what is going in in the D1 commission race.

One candidate just continuously displays his ignorance over and over and over on basic math and government budgeting and accounting.  He mistakenly confuses the very good practice of growing the economy, which spins off concomitant revenue increases---with a "tax increase" on homeowners.  It's garbage.

And our overall budget is from a LOT of different sources--not simply ad valorem revenue.  It has sales tax revenue, income from services provided, MSBU's, MSTU's, grant revenue, Interest income, and LOST revenue as well.  And the amounts and type fluctuate over time.

Here is an easy, basic, illustration that even he can (hopefully) understand.

Think of an imaginary town of Stevenville--if there is one resident and his house is worth $100,000.00 and his tax on that house to the Stevenville treasury is $1,000.00----if another identical house is added to the Stevenville tax roll the next year and that identical house is also valued at $100,000.00 and generates the same amount in taxes as the first house $1,000.00-----did the town of Stevenville really raise your taxes by 100% when they collected $2,000.00 in year 2--$1,000.00 each from 2 residents?   

Answer:  of course not.  Stevenville grew the economy by 100% and doubled their revenue so they could provide more services and add additional staff because now they have double the population to serve.  Think on that, imagine larger examples, expanded services, etc. it's pretty basic.....but the bottom line is this.  If Stevenville didn't change the millage rate, did not raise it, then they didn't raise your taxes...

(And neither has Escambia County "raised your taxes" either---- by the way) 

Investigation Underway

The thing about rules is that they have to be followed.  And laws regulating official communications from government entities and official documentation must be followed.  And finally, rules, regulations, and laws that are in place concerning elections communications and required disclaimers have to be followed.

Signs of political candidates, legally placed, cannot be touched or moved or damaged.  That's against the law.

Everyone knows that often when candidates and their campaigns are desperately flailing and not gaining traction---such candidates and their supporters do things they shouldn't.

Unfortunately, and it is sad to say, this has been and continues to occur in the nasty, despicable campaign by one candidate in the District 1 County Commission Race.  

Now, multiple citizens have reported this misconduct and potential violations to local officials including the SOE and the ECSO.

And an investigation is underway locally.

Sad that such histrionics must be employed.  Regardless, rules have to be followed and the law respected--otherwise the whole system breaks down.  So I applaud the citizens who have reported these issues which have now led to the initiation of an investigation.

More to come....

Nasty, Negative Lies Will NOT Win Elections... Don't Believe the LIES by a Losing Candidate

This authentic looking document is a fake that is actually a campaign advertisement (devoid of facts and without legally required campaign disclaimer) for one of my opponents in this Republican primary election.  Don't believe it because it does not represent the truth.

I have been contacted by multiple constituents about a fake, doctored "document" being circulated by one of my opponents in this Republican primary--- purportedly showing I have raised tax rates.

It is a LIE, don't buy it.      Use your logic and discernment to personally debunk this garbage--look at your own tax bills over the last 7 years.....ZERO chance the millage rate has changed.  ZERO!!

Desperate opponents ALWAYS go to the "Lie about your opponent" playbook when they FAIL to get traction and they know they are losing badly.

We have NEVER, in my 7 years on the BCC,   EVER raised tax rates.

 We grow the economy, grow the tax roll, apply a STATIC millage rate, and grow revenue yearly that way--- which we subsequently re-invest in infrastructure, services, and higher pay for first responders and employees. In addition to this, any homesteaded property in Florida and here in Escambia  is protected by the Save Our Homes CAP on assessed value--keeping year over year assessments at no greater than 3% yearly--meaning a 55% increase over 7 years is IMPOSSIBLE!  It is a lie.  (Check the official county budget site and see for yourself.  Our year over year millage tax rate has not changed ONCE since I joined the board.)

Don't believe the lies of a desperate campaign.

In six days this all ends for this candidate and his sign-defacing, sign smashing minions...... tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock,  6 days....

Sunday Afternoon Campaign Warm Up for Congressmen Chip Roy and Matt Gaetz

Congressman Chip Roy (R) TX joined Congressman Matt Gaetz (R) FL yesterday afternoon in downtown Pensacola for an early voting kickoff event/campaign rally.

Well attended, the event featured multiple speakers warming-up for the two Congressmen--including State Representative Michelle Salzman, Former Senate President Don Gaetz, and myself.

It was truly a fun, energy infused opportunity to tackle some fairly red-meat national Republican Issues--which I keep up on ----  so I was very pleased I got the invite to launch on some of the national stuff.

The congressmen both implored the audience to get out and vote early--they also challenged the audience to keep a close watch on some of the moves in other parts of the country to allow for illegal aliens to vote in our elections. They both also talked about their efforts to re-work the military to be lethal, survivable, capable, less-woke, and used sparingly--as they also warned about the "swampy" lobbyists and others that are driving military spending that isn't necessarily aligned with what is best for our military--or for our country.  All of these are real concerns, and these gentlemen drove the point home with emphasis--- much to the delight of the crowd!

You can see the warm ups and the comments from the Congressmen here.

Great Early Voting Campaign Kickoff Event Yesterday in Bellview!

We had an excellent "first day of early voting" kickoff event yesterday in Bellview at the Intersection of Blue Angel Pkwy and Pine Forest Road.  We had a great showing of citizens and other interested folks stop by to join us--including multiple First Responders!  We had an ECFR firefighter, a retired volunteer firefighter, a corrections sergeant, as well as Andy Hobbs from the ECSO and our Sheriff Chip Simmons stopped by.  It was great--so many waves, honks, thumbs ups, and positive vibes.  Heck--we even had a horse come by that supports our campaign!  (Thanks to Horse Rides of Pensacola!).  I am so honored to be the candidate in this race that is the choice of public safety:  Humbled and proud to have the endorsement of Sheriff Chip Simmons, the NW Florida Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association, The Escambia County Professional Firefighters, and many more law enforcement professionals.  Thank you all for your support!  Let's Go!!

Great day--9 days to go.

www.jeffbergosh.com

#VoteBergosh

#Bergosh2024

Paid for by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commission

What do Desperate Campaigns Do When They Are Losing?

Political minions are systematically destroying our campaign's signs, defacing our signs, and stealing them.  This is typical, and for every one they break, I fix them promptly and install two additional signs.  They never win this game with me.  And they know it.

One of the greatest US Presidents of all time, Ronald Reagan, believed in an "11th Commandment"--A Republican shalt not attack a fellow Republican.  He said, "If we are aligned 85%-90% of the time--we're allies--not ENEMIES!"  He was right then, and this is still true today.  Regrettably, the political climate has devolved and sadly it has now become a free for all.  Among some candidates, but not all. 

You see---desperate campaigns and desperate candidates that are losing do desperate things.  They lie, cheat, and steal.  It is a disgusting reality at the national, state, and local level.

It is why most folks will never enter the political arena.  

It is hard on candidates, and it is hard on families, too.  But the work is important, and it has to get done, so thank God so many good people do step up and run for offices from the School Board to Congress to City Council, to State Senate, to US President.

I have run in a number of local races and I thank the Good Lord for being successful.  As a candidate, and as an officeholder.

But one unescapable reality of local politics is the negativity.  

Desperate opponents will do anything, say anything, lie, cheat, and steal to win.  

Negative politics can be effective at the state and national level.  In my experience, it does not work in local elections.  In fact, it is off-putting and actually works against a candidate who attempts it in local races.  I've actually been the beneficiary of opponents' dirty tricks, attacks, and lies in the past as these histrionics turned off the voters and pushed more supporters my way.

And I am proud of the fact that I have never once--- in any race I have ever competed in---not once have I ever gone negative or attacked an opponent in my political advertisements.  Not once, not ever.

Nevertheless, I have been on the receiving end of unfair, dishonest, and deplorable attacks in every race I have run (and won) in Escambia County from School Board to County Commissioner.

Sadly, this race will be no exception.

Fast forward to this race for D1 County Commissioner and I now have an opponent, via his wife, sending out texts and mail pieces full of lies about my record.  In addition to this, this same opponent through his supporters and political minions are systematically destroying our campaign's signs, defacing our signs, and stealing them.  This is typical, and for every one they break, I fix them promptly and install two additional signs.  They never win this game with me.  And they know it.

But now comes the lies via texts and mailers.  I'm not going to engage in negativity toward my opponent.  Voters have a way of sorting this out for themselves locally.  They will look at the platforms of each candidate, they will look at the resumes side by side, and THEY, the VOTERS, will make the choice of who to believe, and who is best for the job.  So let me take this opportunity to go through the lies and correct the record.  And by all means, fact-check everything I say, below.

Lie #1:  Jeff Bergosh used the government to punish his political opponents.  This is a lie on multiple levels.  Individual commissioners are unable to compel board or county action--it takes a public vote of the board to do anything.  In this instance--sensitve, confidential, privileged information was stolen from the county and is unlawfully in the possession of multiple entities and individuals.  The full board voted 4-1 to seek the return of this stolen county information (2:13 of this video), the Ethics Commission in Tallahassee is moving ahead with a disciplinary hearing for one former county employee who has this data, and the state attorney is reviewing this stolen data issue and contemplating criminal charges.  I never "used the government" to "punish" anyone and I never "admitted" doing this in a text message, because it never happened.  The individual who admits possessing this information is facing a $20,000 sanction at the Ethics Commission for what he did and he is a former political opponent ----who I dispatched in the 2020 election by 17 percentage points. 

Lie #2:  Jeff Bergosh raised your taxes.  It is an outright, bald-faced lie.  I have never once in my time in office voted to raise year-over-year millage rates.  NEVER.  We grow the economy, grow the tax roll, apply a STATIC millage rate, and grow revenue yearly that way--- which we subsequently re-invest in infrastructure, services, and higher pay for first responders and employees. In addition to this, any homesteaded property in Florida and here in Escambia  is protected by the Save Our Homes CAP on assessed value--keeping year over year assessments at no greater than 3% yearly--meaning a 55% increase over 7 years is IMPOSSIBLE!  It is a lie.  (Check the official county budget site and see for yourself.  Our year over year millage tax rate has not changed ONCE since I joined the board.)

Lie #3: Jeff Bergosh is in the pocket of big developers that want to change our way of life without political input.  This is another lie and simply an ad-hominem, baseless attack implying I am corrupt.  I am the candidate who will re-instate concurrency (which developers hate) I have made it publicly known I will demand a rewrite of our Land Development Code to be more modern and allowing for more public notice, and  I am the commissioner who will bring transportation mobility fees to our county.  All of these are in the works, and the developers DO NOT Want any of this.  I am my own man, I follow the rules, support impact fees publicly, and am in nobody's "pocket."

Lie #4:  Jeff Bergosh supported an illegal retirment plan, giving himself the option for up to an additional $57,000 per year in benefits.  This is a lie.  I never took the 401(a) plan, never was offered it once I became a commissioner, and would not have ever taken it because I am already vested in the traditional FRS Pension plan from my days on the School Board and to switch would not have been an option if I wanted to maintain the pension.  This 401(a) plan was in effect in the county and statewide for decades, and it was paid on locally, and "blessed" by Clerk Pam Childers every month from the date of her election in 2012 until 2021 when, after she got into a spat with several commissioners over hearsay and the board's firing of her "buddy" Janice Gilley, she suddenly, unilaterally declared it illegal.  Even though she had paid on it for ten years prior saying it was "legal."  Her lawyer questioned the legality, at her behest, our lawyer said it was legal, so litigation settled the question once and for all and the board has subsequently adjusted that plan accordingly and in adhearance to the court's ruling.  period, end of story.

Any candidate can lie to the people.  They can hide behind their prior record of military service as if it is some sort of sword and shield that allows them to say anything they want

A Fight that is Worth Having: Maintaining the Public's Beach Access Easement at Perdido Key

Some fights are worth it.  They are worth having.

Maintaining the public's right to access a 1.2 Mile long, 75' swath of pristine beach that was memorialized in the original deeds from the Federal Government to the original private sector owners in 1957 is such a fight that is worth having.

This language wasn't an accident on the part of the Federal Government.  

It wasn't a one-off.  

No, every one of the 64 deeds in this stretch of beach has the same language in the deed indicating there is a PERPETUAL EASEMENT for the public to use that portion as a public beach.  64 out of 64 deeds.

"The southerly 75 feet of said lot being subject to a perpetual easement for a beach for public use generally."  

That precise language is in every one of these 64 deeds.

And people have, through the years, used that beach and accessed that beach because it was known it was public, that stretch.

West-side surfers have walked up and down that beach--surfing the best breaks along that stretch-- in the 1960's-1970's-1980's-1990's-2000's and 2010's.  Ditto for families and fishermen like my Dad and I in the early to mid 1980's.

There was never any issues there.  Ever.  We parked across the street at the (then) Junior Food Store and walked up and down the beach fishing this beach.

So, what happened?  When did this change?  Why did this change?  Who pulled this language out of subsequent property transfer documents as these individual lots changed hands through the years?  How was this not caught?  Who erected the first "no trespassing" sign on this stretch--who started that nefarious process to attempt to keep the public out of beaches this same public knew was set aside for their use?

Thankfully---many have continued to use that beach even up to the present time---ignoring the signs and sometimes being confronted by owners and private security guards.  Several folks that I know NEVER acknowledged this false narrative of privacy of this strip of land.  And thankfully, they didn't.  More on that later in the litigation, but for now suffice it to say that from 1957 to the present day there have been members of the public that have exercised their right to use that beach---even though recently they were harrassed for it.  That will prove to be important.  This easement never was, never has been and NEVER WILL BE abandoned by the public.  

Here is the thing, this is what I want the current owners and the general public to know about my position on this:  

It is not your (current owner's) fault, and it certainly isn't the county's fault or my fault we are here where we are with impending litigation:  It is a mess.  A big giant problem.  But I have confidence in the justice system overall--even though I know it isn't perfect.  With that said--until some bright legal minds in the courts say differently--my position always has to be on the side of and in support of  legal, lawful, enforceable documents--which I believe these original deeds from the Federal Government to be.  Anything less than a full-throated, strident defense of this language and these easements for the people's benefit would be a reckless dereliction of my duty as a constitutional officer.

So yes, I will fight for the people's right to access this beach because it is the right thing to do. Even if it costs me an election.

It's the right thing to do--because this IS a Fight worth having.

One of the 64 Original Deeds from 1957 with the easement language

Statement on the Order......

This afternoon the Board received word that the Okaloosa County Judge that was handling the Replevin and conversion lawsuit to recover stolen county files has issued an order.  The order was a motion to dismiss, with prejudice, and with attorney's fees and costs.  Obviously it is a disappointing outcome.  All we have attempted to do with this lawsuit, which the Board filed filed under advice from our attorneys,  was to recover confidential, privileged, data that was stolen from the county's IT department.  Social Security numbers, bank accounts, medical information, Driver's licenses--full color pictures of all of these, etc.  This was never an attempt to silence anyone--because ALL of the files that were public records were already released by the county.  Months ago.  This is specifically why this is NOT a SLAPP suit. Never was.  The board will meet in executive session on Sept. 5th and I will strenuously advocate for an appeal------ because this is a disappointing ruling, the court got it wrong here, this is a young judge--- and I believe this will be overturned on appeal or at a minimum-remanded back to this Judge for further proceedings. Separately--- criminal investigations and ethics investigations/proceedings continue against those who unlawfully, gleefully admit they have this stolen data--as the mere possession of this information by those who are not entitled to it is unlawful under 817.5685 Florida Statutes.

Watch the Video of our Perdido Key Town Hall Meeting Here

Vote for the CHOICE of Public Safety: Vote for Jeff Bergosh in the August 20th Republican Primary!

Humbled and honored to be the choice of first responders in the August 20th Republican Primary!

Vote August 20th
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Vote Bergosh! 

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commissioner District 1

Agenda and Run of the Show for Tomorrow's Perdido Town Hall Meeting

 Here is the agenda for tomorrow evening's Town Hall Meeting in Perdido.

I'll be on "Real News with Rick Outzen" tomorrow morning at 7:15

I've been asked to appear tomorrow morning on the area's best, most trusted, most accurate, and most balanced morning-drive news talk program--"Real News with Rick Outzen." on 1370 WCOA.  This is the area station with the best top-to-bottom news talk lineup, and Rick and I will kick the day off tomorrow morning discussing last week's regular meeting of the BCC.  We will also discuss the upcoming District 1 town hall meeting in Perdido this Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the Perdido Bay United Methodist Church on Innerarity Point Road.

Should be a good conversation, as usual, so join us at 7:15 or catch the podcast here once Rick Publishes it.

Escambia County Professional Firefighters Endorse Jeff Bergosh for D1 Commissioner in August 20th Republican Primary!

 We had a great visit this past Monday with the men and women of the ECFR Union.  We had a very frank and honest conversation.  We also buried the hatchet on some of the negatives from the past, pressed the reset button, and shook hands figuratively and literally.

Now we are moving forward.

Thank you to President Justin Marcum and the men and women of ECFR for this endorsement in this race.  It means a lot to me, and we will keep making progress and moving forward to make this the best funded, best compensated department in this region.  Lets GO!

Read the endorsement letter, below.

District 1 Debate Held 7-31-24. Watch it Here