What are the Study's Conclusions?

Would you want to trade a sandy beach for this in your neighborhood?

 

The living shoreline project at Navy Point has had some issues through its history post-construction.

Folks in the area have passionately requested the project be removed--as the oysters have come loose from the piles and the area's swimmers, boaters,  and kayakers do not like the obstructions and potential for injury from the sharp shells that in many cases have washed ashore and been left scattered on the bayou's sandy bottom near the beach.

Folks are rightly concerned about Vibrio--a flesh destroying and often times fatal condition that is found in shallow, brackish and warm bayous.  Many feel these oyster piles are an unnecessary risk to water sports enthusiasts in the area---given the issues with Vibrio. 

Now, I am a supporter of thoughtfully considered living shoreline projects, like the one constructed in Pensacola Bay along Bayfront Parkway.  The difference there and here is this:  That area is not normally home to folks who swim and snorkel--so there hasn't been a "loss" of recreation opportunity for nearby residents.  Same scenario elsewhere.  Areas where folks often swim and kayak should have a different system implemented to improve water quality, in my opinion.  I mean, imagine if Bruce Beach was targeted for a wall of these oyster bags like Navy Point was?  What reaction might that trigger?  Or here's a better one:  What if these oyster bags were piled all over the shoreline near the Bayview Community Center near the dog beach down there?  What would those residents think?

You know the answer to that.

So now comes a privately funded study of the effectiveness of this 5 year project at Navy Point authored by a licensed, professional Coastal Engineer.

Videos of what looks like a messy, yucky disaster of a project can be found here.

I'm not a scientist, but I can sure watch these videos and read the study's conclusions (p. 19 of the study), combined with the numerous emails I am now receiving, combined with videos I have now been sent combined with what I have seen with my own eyes as I have personally visited this area on multiple occassions.

Tonight we will discuss this project at our BCC meeting.

I do not yet know what the outcome of the discussion will be---but based upon the totality of all the issues around this project combined with the study's conclusions that the project has NOT prevented erosion (which has actually become worse since the oyster bags were deployed)--I would not be surprised if the board votes to remove these bags, regroup, and come back with a better, more effective and community-friendly environemental alternative to try later.

D2 Park Problems Persist: Lawnmower Man, Machete Man, and "Poop-Pyramids" on the Beach Path?

Campers who are apparently homeless are creating a nuissance to nearby residents according to a citizen email received by all commissioners yesterday.

UPDATE --5:30 PM Thursday June 23rd--ECSO have sent their neighborhood services team out to this park today and have worked to help find temporary housing for the mother and her children that had been camping in this park.  Staff from parks report the area was cleaned up and cleared out today--the grass and overgrowth was cut back and appropriate additional signage was placed at this park this morning.  Kudos to ECSO and the parks and recreation department for the quick action.

ORIGINAL POST, below.....

Board members received an alarming email yesterday alleging some pretty serious issues at a county-owned property at the end of Fairfield Drive where that road dead ends into Bayou Grande in District 2.

Addressed to the D2 commissioner, the rest of the board was copied on this complaint.

The email listed some pretty significant issues--to include an allegation that folks are camped out on the water and defecating in the sand and then covering up the excrement with dirt, making "poop-pyramids."  There is also mention of a "Lawnmower Man" (not Jeff Fahey)who roams this area cutting down shoreline growth so he can camp on the shoreline.  Apparently there used to be an individual nicknamed "machete-man" who has been spotted down in this area brandishing a machete.  I think machete man moved along. (And no, thankfully it was not Danny Trejo)

It appears as if the issue has risen to the level of the Sheriff's Office and now multiple county officials are aware of it.  I will speak with staff on the matter, as I now been told one group that is "camping" at this park are actually a mom and her two teen children who are homeless.  Apparently they are desperately seeking assistance--but there are no resources available for these folks even though there's supposed to be a well-funded task force addressing this chronic issue.  The email asserts that this family does not want help?  Anyway-- I'll be looking into that and asking questions when we have our upcoming joint city/county meeting on the homelessness issue.

This picture of a purported homeless encampment in D2's South Fairfield park was sent to all commissioners and staff yesterday.

From the email:

"I sent the email below last week and have not heard back. Many residents in the Beach Haven Subdivision are waiting to hear back from me as to your response to this growing problem.

 The email sent June 17, 2022 :

 Doug Underhill,

 I haven't spoken to you in a few years, but found you very helpful when I needed help in my neighborhood some time ago.

 Our neighborhood needs help. We have a park at the end of South Fairfield Dr. in Beach Haven, which is on the water at Bayou Grande.

 Here are just a snippet of the things we neighbors have dealt with from people at the park. Mind you, I feel if this happened in your neighborhood or Chief Simmons' neighborhood, it would be taken care of by now. And this all happens after the park closes. Fights, drug deals, prostitution (my husband had to get people off the beach having oral sex out in the open in front of our grandkids), meth induced women passed out on my lawn, drunk men passed out on my dock, loud music after 10:00 pm, small things like extension cords and crab traps stolen, witnessing THIS WEEK, a woman living in a tent with kids defecating along the pathways. By the way, this woman thinks it is okay because "I cover them with sand." Take a walk through there and you'll see piles of her poop pyramids. 

 I have called the Sheriff several times this week. Every officer gives me a different answer. I have had the Sheriff at my door step to talk about the issue. Last night I called because the park closed after dusk and the woman camping (as she calls it) was still there day after day. She has left her kids there while she is gone and I told her it is not safe there. "Well why don't you call the Sheriff on the guy with the machete?" Oh my gosh, this is what I'm talking about. It is not safe for her kids. Her response, "I have protection in my tent." Also, her response to me was, "Your Sheriff can't do anything to me and the County can't do anything to me. I don't care if I break the rules, lots of people break the rules." I offered to help her and she told me it was none of my business. I told her there are safe places for her that the County provides where her kids will have access to a toilet. I believe she is from Alabama because of her license plate. Listen, she is not some cracked out mom from what I can tell. But she is refusing help, using the park as her toilet and doesn't care about the laws or the respect of the County property. 

 So this woman is correct, "Your Sheriff can't do anything to me." When I called last night, dispatch had a deputy call me. His response when I asked him to have someone go down and get her out of the park, "We'll try, there are only so many of us." And this morning she is still there. It is so disappointing. So I feel like the Sheriffs just give me BS to get me off the phone and never show up at the park to engage with her. I've called several times this week.

 Go to the end of Rentz Street and you'll see several people living there. At night the "F" word echoes through the air. The park was good for a while, but now it is escalating.

 This is exhausting. Several of us work to keep the park clean. I know you can't police the park 24/7. I know your resources are limited, but you told me when I talked to you about the park a few years ago, that I have the right to call every time. It worked for a while. Now, there are zero results. And you'll love this. I Sheriff came to my house and she said, "The County Commissioner has told us we cannot tell homeless people to move off County property if they have no where to go." What?! But she did get the guy with the lawn mower to leave. Then last

So What Was Said at the Neighborhood Meet and Greet?

This past Saturday afternoon, a community "meet and greet" was held at Rossi Way and Dowdy Drive in West Pensacola.

The area, and the surrounding communities, have had several years of flooding and they reached out to State Representative Alex Andrade, who in turn invited me, to attend the meeting.  I accepted the invitation and attended the meeting.

This area is currently in District 1, right on the border with the current D2.  However-- after the redistricting takes place--the entire area will be in D2.  For this reason I personally invited all currently-announced D2 Commissioner Candidates to attend as well.  Only candidate Kevin Brown unltimately came out to meet the folks though.  (in fairness to the others, it was a short-notice invitation).  In addition to the candidates for D2, I also put a call in to the D2 office secretary, Jonathan Owens, alerting him to the meeting and inviting him to participate.  He neither answered the phone, responded, nor showed up at the meet and greet.

Once at the meeting, I met several of the residents who had personally been inundated with flood waters, in their homes, twice in the last 7 years.

"I have lived here since 1989 and never had a problem," said Steve Hoxie, one of the organizers of the event.  "But ever since 2014 the situation has changed and become worse and worse." he continued.

He and co-organizer Mike Arbrouet pulled together about 30 residents to discuss the issue and request assistance from both the county and the state to what is growing into an increasing problem for the area. 

At one point in the meeting, one attendee spoke up with some interesting input.  "We worked with the county for many years on the issues with Chris Curb--but nothing ever happened, he always had some excuse for why nothing could be done, always some explanation for why the issues weren't getting fixed."  she stated.  And this individual (a long-term resident of the area), it just so happens, works for FEMA as a floodplain specialist in her day job.  So yeah, I'd venture a guess that she knows what she's talking about.  Upon hearing the name Chris Curb--I had to ask her "Wait, you mean the guy who used to work in stormwater for the county for like 25 years wasn't able to help you back then?  But now he comes to our meetings wearing a red shirt and tells us what we need to be doing?"  I asked rhetorically (and somewhat sarcastically).  She smiled and nodded.  I want to work with Flood Defenders--I actually sat down and met with their founder Jai Faison.  But it is somewhat galling to hear criticism from the former guy at the county that ran this department for decades----------- when he comes to us now telling us all the things we should have been doing for the last several decades......

Be that as it may, I am going to work with Flood Defenders to address issues in my district where they can be helpful.  Heck, I'm having Chris Curb and Flood Defenders on my January Coffee with the Commissioner.  I'll work with any and everyone to address this issue--as it is real and acute county-wide.

But this particular meeting was not just a gripe session--in fact it wasn't that at all.  These folks just want help for a long-running concern that appears to be getting worse.

And the concern over a lack of maintenance of ditches and storm ponds is a real issue.  I took the time at this meeting to describe the issues the county is experiencing currently with a lack of manpower and a lack of an able workforce in a number of county departments.  I think most of the folks realized this is a real issue with which the county is contending currently.... and not just us.  Most businesses and all governments at all levels are contending with labor shortages in key areas. 

The residents passed out  an informational flyer (and gave me a copy as well) with all the longstanding issues chronicled, one by one, on the page.  This paper also had specific residential addresses, names, and contact information so that staff can reach out to explore possible solutions with these residents directly.

Although this area will no longer be a part of D1 after the recent redistricting vote takes effect (right after the new year)  I will still be following up with these residents to push for a solution.  That won't change just becuase the lines have changed.  

I have subsequently forwarded the one page flyer and contact information from this meeting to the county engineer, the county administrator, and the county's stormwater engineer.  And I sent additional specific information as well that I heard at this meeting.  I have requested a meeting be organized with these staff members and these residents after the first of the year so these issues can be fleshed out in person and potential solutions worked.

This meeting will happen in January.

And yes, once organized I will once again invite all D2 candidates and the D2 office to participate as well----if they so choose.

Pee-Wee Football.....A Parody

When the coach demands to play even when the lightning is crashing and the rain is coming down--that coach, upon getting the game they demanded and upon  losing such a game very badly, cannot with any integrity ask for a "do over".....

There was an all important, pee-wee football tournament scheduled.

Two teams were playing the early game on a field of astroturf.

Two teams were playing the late game on grass.

And the clouds were forming.  Heavy weather was coming.....

The two coaches for the early game, and the ref, said "Let's go ahead and play, we can get the game in before the weather hits and it is important to the kids-------we can DO IT!"

The two coaches playing the late game, on grass when it would be raining, discussed the issue.

Coach one, who wore impeccable outfits and spoke eloquently with lots of wit and big words opined "We need to go ahead and play today--the kids are here, the families are here, this team and their families have EQUITIES that need to be protected, and there is no reason to wait------you're not worried about losing, are you??! he stated to his opposing coach, as he continued,,,, "Let's go ahead and just do it today--there is no reason to delay--we can get it done before the rain!"

Coach two, who was a veteran of many seasons and was  laid back, wearing flip flops and sporting a week's growth on his beard and a San Diego Padres baseball hat, said simply  "Why rush?"  He continued.. "We can wait until the week after next, the weather will be better, the fields will be better, and there will be no issues---so let's wait!"

Coach one said  "No!!!!, we need to play right now, there is absolutely no reason to delay--so we should play now."

Coach two, looking back at his team, stated dryly "We're ready to go whenever-- if you want to go today, let's go, but it would be smarter to wait."

The first games on astroturf ended without a hitch, as expected, and then the rain started after that game ended and as the second game, on grass, commenced.........

Interstingly--Coach one disappeared for the first quarter of the game he wanted so desperately. inexplicably, he abandoned his team to be run by his trusted secretary and intern in his absence for the all important first quarter.   And while he was gone, coach one's team got pummelled.  They were slip-sliding all over the place on the increasingly muddy field and having the dog-snot whipped out of them.  It was ugly.  Upon his return, coach one wondered, aloud, what had transpired in the first quarter?  "What happened???" was his question to his two faithful helpers.  But they had no words----"They are running away with it, they are imposing their will on us." one of them murmured.

When the third quarter was almost over, and when  coach two's team was by then winning 56-8------Coach one suddenly changed his tune.  Curiously and unexpectedly--he climbed up on the bleachers and pleaded to the crowd of parents:

"We didn't need to play today!!!!!!!--we should have waited.  Look at this field, it's muddy, and it is not fair to these players!!!-----It's not safe!!!!!   Don't you think we need to end this game and start a new game in three weeks??????!!!!

"This is Unacceptable!!" he screamed to the crowd, who by this time wondered if this particular coach had lost his mind.

Then time out was called, and coach two walked over to coach one and stated, flatly:

"You lobbied for this game, you're losing, and now that you're losing---------NOW you want to do what we should have done--what I WANTED to do before we started----which is to play this in three weeks when the field is dry!!!"  "NO, not going to happen"  said coach two.  He continued.

"You wanted this game, you were intransigent, you're side is getting beat, and you don't get to change the rules after the game you wanted has started.  You wanted this, be careful what you wish for--you might just get it!"   Said coach two.  "Besides--you are not considering all the officials, the scorekeepers, the linesmen, and the referees.  They stayed and put in the effort to officiate this game you so badly wanted--now, you want them to just do it all over again?  That's not happening..."

After this, the clock wound down to zero, the fourth quarter ended and the final score was 62-11.

Coach one and his team were humbled--losing a game they pushed for but that they could have postponed......

Meanwhile, coach one again abandoned his players and parents as he stormed off the field in anger and haste---even refusing to shake hands with the winning coach. 

Then, something really great happened....all the players from both teams shook hands and started eating their snacks, talking to each other, and running through the "human tunnel" their parents created on the field, facing each other and grasping each others' hands.  Everyone left the field happy, even the losing team made friends with the winning team and the day ended with the sun coming out and everything was at peace.

Upon heading to the parking lot to exit the facility--Coach one, the poor sport who left in anger, was reportedly seen sitting in his truck with his secretary and intern, busily banging away on their cell phones all by themselves, with the coach chugging a bottle of Sailor Jerry rum as if it was a Gatorade and he was Michael Jordan.  

It was bizzare behavior to say the least.  It was weird--and the parents he abandoned in the stands just walked by their former coach, shaking their collective heads in disbelief...... 

It was reported that between gulps of the rum, coach one was heard mumbling and talking to himself, saying "I'm quitting!"  I'm done with being the coach, I AM DONE!

The End

*This post is a parody and not based on any real pee-wee football games or political processes or actual real people, coaches, secretaries, valets, or interns....

Issues That Never Go Away Part II: The Gulf Beach Highway Dollar General Fight

In a horror show you never really, fully dispatch the monster.  They just keep coming back (Like Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th series of films, above).  Some issues we deal with (Issues, not people) are eerily reminiscent of this trope...

As discussed in Part I----Some issues with which we must contend are not unlike the horror show (s).  You never really kill the monster, it just keeps coming back.  In the case of Jason Voorhees from the 12-movie franchise Friday the 13th----he dies but always comes back.....sometimes in the same movie, frequently also in a follow-on movie.  You can NEVER really kill the horror show monster, there is always doubt and it can always come back.  This is similar to some ISSUES we face as a county commission.

I'm talking issues, NOT (necessarily) People

Over and over.  The same issues. That never get dispatched.

One issue of extreme consternation and gnashing of teeth that keeps coming back is the proposed "Dollar General" discount store that is/was planned for Gulf Beach highway in District 2.  The developers and staff have gone back and forth, round and round.  Residents don't want it, and the plan was denied.

But then the denial was appealed.  Then it went to court.  Staff and the petitioners have dueling beliefs about whether or not this proposed development conforms with county planning and zoning ordinances....I wonder what the citizen activists lauded in the paper today think about this particular case?  We know how the commissioner from that district feels about this from his public statements on the dais on this issue.  But I wonder who is right here, according to these citizen activist planners that the PNJ think are worthy of a Nobel Prize? Dollar General and the petitioners-- or the County's BOA?

Who cares what they think--it's a rhetorical question.

And it doesn't matter as of Friday and the judge's new order in this case.

Because just this past Friday  the Circuit Court Judge in the case, Judge Jeffrey Burns, issued a scathing order demanding the Board of Adjustment re-hear the case with no new evidence injected.  If not done precisely in this manner, according to the order,  the county could be in direct contempt.  Yikes!  Trouble........

Read the ten page order below, for yourself..

Lake Charlene Project: What is the True Story?

Some residents and the  HOA at Lake Charlene appear to be at odds over a stormwater project.  And the PNJ blames the Board of County Commissioners for this.........??

About 4 months ago I had a meeting with county engineer Joy Jones.  She requested the meeting.

The subject was a stormwater project at Lake Charlene in District 2.

Knowing what I know about our county's challenges--I know traffic/roads/bridges and stormwater are our  biggest infrastructure issues--- I thought it would be a "no-brainer."

She hinted to me at this meeting there could be opposition from some residents but that she felt it was a good project.

Fast forward to the meeting where the subject of the .11 acre piece of land in Lake Charlene was before the board---and we were inundated with speakers that said NO WAY to the project and HELL NO to the eminent domain taking of the portion of land necessary to pursue this project.  In fact, at this meeting, not ONE (1) resident showed up  to voice support for this project.  Not one.

And at that meeting a motion was made by D2 to take the land via eminent domain---- and that motion died for lack of a second.  End of story.  or so we thought....

Between that meeting and this past Thursday's meeting--I received a few emails here and there about this project.  Most seemed to be in favor of the project.

And then at our most recent meeting, the crowd that showed up WANTED the project---but they failed to have the HOA president sign the county easement necessary for us to do the work.

Commissioner Barry rightly summed it up when he said "Why is this on the agenda?"  He was right--this had no place on the agenda because the HOA and the homeowners were not on the same page.

This project's lack of progress was nobody's fault but the residents and that district's commissioner.  The rest of us were simply standing by to cast votes if everyone could manage to get it together.  But they couldn't, and they didn't.  End of story, right?

No.

So now we get an ill-informed opinion piece laying the blame for this at the feet of the Board of County Commissioners---when in fact we were the ones that were standing by to move this forward!

All the other players in this issue were  the ones NOT ready to move, not ready for primetime.

Somewhat amusing how the media takes pieces of an issue and rams them together to make an editorial with the intention of slinging mud at the BCC.  Amusing because it totally and completely missed the mark and people aware of this issue know it.