On the Monica Sanford Podcast: Unrestrained

I sat down earlier this month for an interview with the Monica Sanford Podcast.  The episode dropped yesterday on her site where you can listen if you are so inclined.

Listen to the podcast here.

---OLF 8 discussion

---Rayme Edler's lawsuit discussion

---EMS issues with the county over the years

---No Growthers and Nimbys Discussion

---Election Liars discussion

---Is Pre-K the best way to spend academic educational dollars

---elected vs appointed school superintendent discussion

---is it really poverty that drives lower school achievement--or is it actually social dysfunction in pockets of our community?

---how my live, local radio show "The Wake up Call with Jeff Bergosh"  on WPNN 103.7 FM came into existence

---and lots more

no holds barred, no pills sugared, UNRESTRAINED

Tomorrow on the Wake Up Call: State Representative Alex Andrade

Tomorrow on the wake up call we will have special guest Alex Andrade on the call.  He will appear right at 7:05.

Andrade agreed to appear two days ago ahead of the appearance today of Kim Kline, an NPA candidate for the District 2 Office.

It will be a great interview, tune in live.

Today's podcast is available here.

Isabella Subdivision-Perdido Key

This past weekend I had the opportunity to speak before an HOA group from a condominium complex on Perdido Key in District 1.  

There were lots of issues to work through and we discussed a lot of initiatives that are in the works for that area.

But one area of concern expressed by the residents was the soon to be constructed subdivision on Johnson's Beach road near the intersection of Johnson's Beach Road and Perdido Key Drive--an area of much consternation post-roundabout construction.  

I was asked about it, specifically which roads would be used for ingress/egress for that subdivision.

I told the folks in the room I would ask staff about it and then publish what I learned here on this blog, which I am doing.

The subdivision has not yet been approved, it is under review.  Initial applications were made a few years back that have subsequently expired.  Recently, new drawings and plans were submitted.  These are currently under review.

At this stage, what is being requested is a 41 lot subdivision on the north and south portion of Johnson's Beach Road--as indicated on the drawing above.

Nothing has been approved yet, but this is the current state of the project

What Infrastructure Projects are Being Worked Currently in District 1?

Here is a list of projects currently being worked in District 1 by the County's Engineering Department.

We will be discussing this in depth at my 87th Coffee with the Commissioner event.

Check out the list, below:

I'll Be the Leadoff Guest on Tomorrow Morning's (Monday's) Real News with Rick Outzen on 1370 WCOA

 I've been invited to appear tomorrow morning as the leadoff guest on the area's best, highest rated, most trusted, most credible and unbiased source for morning drive news talk--"Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA.

Rick will likely ask me to recap last Wednesday's BCC meeting and in addition we will more than likely discuss the latest on OLF 8, the appropriate and lawful utilization of TDT funds, the impending closure of REAP lodges, The big meeting in Perdido/D1 on incorporation tomorrow night, and any other issues of importance Rick would like to discuss.

Tune in live at 7:00AM--or catch the podcast here, where I will post it once it is published.

Two Informed Perspectives on the PK Roundabout from Perdido Key Reisdents

I've received some correspondence on the PK roundabout this weekend.  One of these residents is also a professional Traffic Engineer with decades of experience.  The other is a nearby resident that utilizes this circle on a very routine basis.

They both have informed opinions.

The takeaway:  The circle is too small, the good of the roundabout outweighs the bad, and a few tweaks can help make it better.

The frequent user resident's perspective:

"I noted your recent comments regarding the 2018 FDOT study claiming that a round about was not the best solution on Perdido Key Drive.  However, sometimes the transportation department’s statistical analysis gets it wrong. True, the round about is too small, but it has vastly improved the safety of the intersection. What is needed are rumble strips, which have been authorized, and a lower speed limit, which has not been authorized. Said lower speed limit would allow safer ingress into the circle considering west bound traffic acts like its merely a curve in the road. Please do not abandon the round about because a vocal few want to speed through on their daily commute. From the Alabama line to the bridge is less than 6 miles, so a slower speed limit at Johnson Beach Road will not materially alter their travel time."

The resident who also is a seasoned traffic engineer's perspective:

"Hello! I would like to point out a major issue I have observed, as an experienced transportation engineer, with the roundabout at Johnson Beach. It is too small.  See attached.  The standard diameter is 105’ for a single lane roundabout.   I would love to know if it really cost $1.7M as I recently read?   I understand R/W costs could have been a good part of this because corner clips could be expensive at this location. That is one of the only major downfalls with a roundabout. I’ve been involved in so many roundabouts (beginning when I was City Traffic Engineer and afterwards) in Tallahassee including full 2-lane roundabouts.  Regardless, I am 100% still supportive of roundabouts as traffic control devices versus signalization.  Much safer, typically.  But the size of this one has negative effects on capacity and safety in my opinion."

 

County Attorney's Response to the Clerk's Non-Payment of a BCC Approved Expenditure.

This item should have been paid three months ago....Why wasn't it?

I wrote extensively last week about what I felt was an unnecessary, unprofessional withholding of payment by the clerk's office of a duly approved and voted-upon item by the BCC.  The County Attorney has now sent the below response to the Clerk and her attorney to address this failure to make the payment.  Hopefully, payment will be made without ANY further delay, as it should have all along....From the email:

"First, let me express how extremely disappointed I am that you did not extend the courtesy at the earliest opportunity to advise of your concerns with this expenditure relating to Mr. Selover’s attorney’s fees and administrative fine.  As you know, the Board voted to authorize this expenditure at its October 6, 2022 meeting. Since then, more than three months have passed, and until now, you have not contacted me regarding this matter.

 Pursuant to Fla. Stat. §125.17, the Clerk shall make payments as directed by the Board of County Commissioners.  The Board is the elected legislative body that determines what expenses serve a public purpose and, unless illegal, those payments shall be timely made.  Under home rule authority, it is not necessary to demonstrate specific statutory authorization to make payment; instead, upon legislative authorization, payment shall be made unless illegal.  While you have provided statutory authority for payment of public officer and employee attorney’s fees, that authority is clearly not preemptive or exhaustive as illustrated by the common law theories regarding those expenses.

 There is no authority of which I am aware finding the payment of attorney’s fees or a fine illegal or inappropriate.  To the contrary, there is a strong public policy in favor of financially supporting public sector employees who become engaged in legal jeopardy arising out of their public sector employment.  To not defend such employees would discourage public employment as such employees are often asked to perform duties that are subject to legal challenges for various reasons.

 Mr. Selover’s attorney’s fees and the fine at issue were associated with an administrative action, rather than a criminal proceeding, that was directly related to his employment with the County.  The settlement agreement made no finding of grossly negligent conduct, bad faith, malicious purpose, or willful and wanton disregard of human safety.  Moreover, the settlement was entered into for the purpose of effecting an expeditious resolution rather than incurring the costs of a lengthy proceeding. 

To require a public employee or former employee to undergo an evidentiary hearing to avoid a fine instead of entering into a settlement agreement as a condition for authorizing payment is contrary to the public policy and would, undoubtedly, result in unnecessary expense.  It is also relevant to note, on occasion, the County must pay fines or penalties assessed against the County, whether arising out of the actions of its employees or otherwise.  Thus, assuming proper legislative action, it stands to reason that public funds may be used to pay fines assessed against a public employee when those fines arose out of his public employment.

 Additionally, although you have not communicated any concerns, it is my understanding the Clerk has not yet processed payment of Kate Kenney’s attorney’s fees, which the Board voted to authorize on  October 20, 2022.  I assume the issue of expenditures for fees or other expenses incurred by Public Safety employees was the subject of Ms. Childers discussion with the JLAC auditors after our meeting on Friday afternoon.  If so, I point out that only the elected legislative body can make a legislative determination as to what serves a public purpose.  That said, if the auditors provided specific advice on this issue then it should be shared between our agencies in the unified effort to perform and accomplish the public’s business. 

 Thus, I respectfully request the payment authorized by the Board on October 6 be processed as expeditiously as possible."

 

Swapping the Taxes?

Later this morning we will have a committee of the whole meeting.  A large part of the conversation will center on how we pay for the increasing budgetary requirments for our Fire Service in Escambia County.

Costs have escalated and they continue to do so.  The current MSBU structure is coming up about $2 million short every year--necessitating a general fund transfer yearly to cover this shortfall.  

Add in the increasing costs of personnel, raises that we recently gave to keep us competitive with nearby districts, and we are in a position going forward where we will need about an additional $5 million yearly over the next few years to keep up.

So the idea that is being brought forward is an addition of about $40 yearly to the MSBU that residents pay.  This would bring the total (currently $125 per house) to $165 per house.

As I have stated on a number of occassions, I do not support raising year over year rates on existing Escambia County taxpaying property owners.

While I know Fire needs the money, and I want to be supportive of the MSBU along with my counterparts--I want to do it in such a way that the taxpayers are held harmless.

So later this morning I'll put forward the idea of  supporting a $40 dollar increase to the MSBU conditioned on the simultaneous implementation of a commensurate reduction in the ad valorem millage rate of 6.615 mills---down to 6.390 Mills.  This can be accomplished by adding the $40 increase to the MSBU and lowering the millage rate to 6.390 mills which will leave the taxpayers flat as the two will essentially offset each other.  

Now, the good news is that the overall tax roll has had a massive increase this year, approaching a 15% increase.

FY21             $20,902,196,260.00

FY22 (est.)    $23,890,256,161.00 

So if we can lower the ad valorem to 6.390 and increase the MSBU we will:

1.) Set up ECFR with a dedicated funding source going forward for the years to come that meets their budgetary requirements

2.) Increase our ad valorem revenue $13-14 Million over last year's collection

3.) Not increase year over year tax rates on Escambia County Taxpaying property owners.

I hope I can get support for this, but we will see what happens at the meeting.

Otherwise, if we simply levy the static 6.615 Mills to the growing tax roll we will realize nearly a $20 million dollar increase year over year  AND if we also add $40 the MSBU--that would be an additional $5 Million the taxpaying property owners would have to shoulder.  That's $25 Million in additional, new revenue from the property owners year over year.  I think that is too much.

But I'm just one vote.  We will see how things go later this morning....

Escambia County Surrenders!

 

Last night, via proclamation, the Escambia Board of County Commissioners "surrendered" the county to Don Tristan De Luna.  The above plaque was presented to DeLuna signifying this action by the board.

It was all in good fun, of course, and the "surrender" was in jest.  It is all part of the Festival of Five Flags-- a rich Pensacola tradition that takes place every (non-COVID) year around this time.

Fun, festivities, and merry-making.  Good times for all!

So we surrendered last night at Seville Quarter and had fun doing it--all of us.  The City, County, Sheriff, Police Chief, Supervisor of Elections, Captain of NAS Pensacola, and Fire Chief.

Everyone had a little gag before they surrendered--and I was no exception.

You can watch my ceremonial surrender--and associated tall tale-- of the county here.  See pictures, 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

Case between Escambia County Commissioners and Clerk Pam Childers is transferred Once Again....

Recently the board of county commissioners of Escambia County filed a complaint in the circuit court for a writ of mandamus against the clerk of the court Pam Childers.  That complaint was moved to a judge in Okaloosa county on Tuesday.  That particular judge quickly recused.  Now, today, comes word that the case was reassigned to a different Circuit Court Judge in Okaloosa County.  We shall see what comes of this.  Some with whom I have spoken predict that all judges in the first circuit will recuse and this complaint will land in the 14th circuit, in Panama City.

But we will see what happens in the next several days......

 

What's the Deal with the Power Bills Going Through the Roof?

Folks are calling, folks are emailing.

Everyone is pissed off about their power bills going up.  Come to think of it---I am, too!

But some people think I am responsible for this, which I am not.  I got this email recently:

"If I'm not mistaken, you voted for the rate hikes. My bill just doubled. It was reported on Wear that it would mean about a seventeen dollar hike. Seems the board has some explaining and over charges to pay for. District 1 needs to change the butt seating in the seat.

Sent from my LG Mobile"

Here was another:

"Sir,

I hope you are aware of the suffering Many residents are experiencing related to FPL increases.  My own bill doubled ove $200  and according to  there app I am using $12+ electric daily times days in month unsustainable.  There are many right now sitting in cold homes heat switchrd off some even in dark fearing next FPL bill. Nothing has changed in my home I have lived In over 30 years yet my last bill doubled  Please sir help the citizen's and seriously look into FPL billing and practices.   I am reading of folks now recieving notice cut off electric." 

Folks are mad and they want relief.

I've called both area state representatives and our state senator on this issue specifically.  They are in session, they are busy.  I heard back from one of the three who told me:

"Jeff, there is nothing we can do.  Under statutes the power company must be permitted to make a profit.  The costs for natural gas have doubled over the last two years, and this is the reason the bills are going up.  Green energy initiatives at the federal level cost us locally---we're not set up for green energy--we are set up for fossil fuels.  This is why the bills are going up"

Escambia Circuit Judges Out of Ruling on BCC Complaint Against Pam Childers

This order, below, was issued by Chief Judge John Miller this afternoon.  The complaint filed against Clerk of the Court Pam Childers on behalf of the BCC has now officially been transferred to Okaloosa County.

The blanket recusal anticipated in the order necessitated this action.

I'm told the Judge in Okaloosa County to whom this was transferred has now recused as well.  Already.

Some observers believe this will eventually have to be sent over to the 14th Circuit in Panama City.  We will see what happens.

Next District 1 Coffee with the Commissioner This Wednesday, Dec. 8th 6:30-7:30 AM: Discussing ALL COVID-19 Treatments

Join us for our 67th Coffee with the Commissioner event on Wednesday, Dec. 8. The live stream will take place from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. To join the meeting, visit us on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/. 

Attendees will include Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno, Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, and Dr. MyHuong Nguyen, Dr. Anthony Junck, Dr. Michael Coyle, Dr. James Thorpe,  and Dr. Tim Boyett. Moreno will give a county update and Gilmore will discuss public safety matters in the county. Drs. Nguyen, Junck, Coyle, Thorpe, and Boyett are local medical professionals who have been on the front lines in healthcare during this COVID-19 pandemic. They will join Commissioner Bergosh for a discussion on current recommended treatments for the virus, the vaccines, boosters, alternative treatment methods, Ivermectin, Hydroxychloroquine, the Omicron variant and other interesting COVID-19 related topics.

Residents are encouraged to send virtual questions and comments they would like to discuss with us during the event through Facebook--or questions related to alternative  COVID-19 treatments (the topic of discussion) can be emailed in advance to District1@myescambia.com

For more information, contact District 1 at 850-595-4910

Commissioner in the Classroom!

I recently was invited to speak to a classroom full of 5 and 6 year olds about all the fun things I do in my job as a County Commissioner!

Sometimes being a County Commissioner has its rewarding opportunities...one of which came my way recently.  And no--I'm not talking about the redistricting meeting last Tuesday....😏

I'm talking about a trip to an elementary school classroom to discuss what I do as a career and all the fun I have doing it.  

And I recently had the pleasure of being invited to career week at Oakcrest Elementary School to do this.  But because of COVID-19, I had to appear virtually, via Google Meetings.

I was asked to consider a series of questions put to me by the students in Mrs. Summers Kindergarten class---and I was also asked some questions by the students during the meeting.

It's interesting to see the way the questions come from the minds of young students, and what it is they think is truly important.

The students wanted to know one thing in particular:  Roads, where do they go and who decides?  They thought the roads issues we discussed were really cool.  I thought this was really interesting.  And putting the answers into  responses that make sense to kindergarteners was a fun diversion from normal interview responses I give.

Some takeaways from what the students wanted to know (who were remarkably well behaved, I must add)

1.  How can students help make our community better?  My answer:  Stay in school, follow your parents' and teachers' directions and rules, and be good to your fellow students.

2.  What do you do as a commissioner?  My answer:  We fund the sheriff, the fire department, we approve houses to be built, we manage parks and playgrounds, and we build and repair roads and ditches.

3.  Do you have children?  Yes--I have three--and they are all three graduated from Escambia County.

4.  What is the most important thing students should do to be successful?  My answer:  Understand your assignments and work, study and be prepared, and be decisive.  You will make mistakes, but it is better to make minor mistakes and be decisive than it is to never make decisions and not make progress going forward.

Thanks to Oakcrest Elementary, Mrs. Summers, and the students in her class for the opportunity to participate in Career Week---I think I enjoyed it more than the students!

On Real News with Rick Outzen This Morning Recapping Last Night's Redistricting Meeting

Empty Chair

I was invited onto the WCOA morning show "Real News with Rick Outzen" earlier this morning to discuss last night's redistricting meeting.

I was happy to talk about it--as it was a positive meeting and a lot was accomplished in just a short hour and a half or so.

Jim Little of the PNJ also covered the story, as did I last night.

Doug Underhill didn't show up to the meeting.  Although I was told subsequently he was out of state for a jet ski competition--he didn't call in either.  He could have called in if it was important to him....(as school board member Kevin Adams--- who was also out of town--- did do) .

Underhill didn't show up to the Shade meeting immediately preceeding the redistricting meeting either.

No show.

Check out Rick's Podcast here

Three of Four Former EMS Employees Have Cases Concluded in Court

 

The first employee, several months back, had some major, serious charges leveled against him.  Some were felonies.  Eventually, his case was disposed of, and all the serious charges were dropped to two misdemeanors.  He is continuing his career elsewhere.

Now, today, comes news that two more of the former EMS employees that had a laundry-list of allegations leveled against them by our former medical director--have now had their cases resolved in circuit court today.  These two cases from today were concluded with neither employee admitting guilt to any of the charges, and both of these former employees were given a pre-trial diversion option--which allows all the charges leveled against them to eventually be expunged from the record--so long as the terms of the pre-trial deal are adheared to by these two former employees.  And if they so choose, both of these employees can continue their respective careers in EMS.  NO ramifications on their licenses.

Many of us have been watching these events closely, waiting for this day.

For many of us, this is vindication.  

I am quite pleased that these former employees can now move forward with their lives and get past this terrible situation they found themselves in with one employee who could take no criticism, and lashed out at junior employees once multiple harrassment complaints were filed against her.

Many believe, based upon what we're now seeing, that much if not all of these accusations and allegations of wrongdoing  was simply comprised of cooked up, trumped up allegations that have now evanesced under the scrutiny of a court proceeding.

I plan on really digging into this in more depth in the next couple of days.  

In the meantime---I'm very glad we have new leadership in Public Safety, EMS, and in the role of Medical Director.  Because what happened over the last three years did not have to happen, and a lot of good people were disparaged, disrespected, and run out of their jobs.

And some were charged with serious infractions which it appears, now, never happened.

The damage one rogue employee can inflict on fellow employees, junior employees, and an entire organization, are immense.  That's why mature, effective, and strong leadership is mandatory.

For several years in public safety we didn't have this.

Now, with our new org chart, I believe we do.  

Anger and Frustration, Disappointment over Lack of Raises for All County Employees

We're certainly very far from perfect--but we do try.

We gave starting firemen $10,000.00 raises.  We gave ECSO 6%.  We bumped up our corrections officers, We increasand EMT and Paramedic pay, we offered signing incentives/bonuses to increase recruitment, and we finalized the ECAT contract.  Lots, if not most, of our employees and other constitutionals did and will receive pay increases

But some employees for the BCC did not get raises.  

And this, apparently, has led to some significant consternation which bubbled up into the candid and frank email blast late last night from Chips Kirschenfeld, Director of Natural Resources Management.  

What did Chips say about the budget?  read it below.  He's certainly entitled to his opinion--and I respect his willingness to be open and say it.  Our jobs are not easy, and it will never simply be a reflexive "let's raise tax rates" as some administrators would like.  Not for my vote.  We work within our means, we do the best we can.

We're certainly very far from perfect--but we do try......

Big Name Law Firm to Provide Pro Bono Legal Representation on County's 401(a) Issue

 I am of the opinion that the county ought to be able to sort out the issues with our 401(a) program.  I don't take the program but multiple employees and several commissioners do.

However, as we have seen from the numerous cartoons and editorials on this subject--the local print media's "crack" two-person "editorial board" have their panties in a wad over this issue.  They don't like it, damnit! is the sentiment.

Along the way, the PNJ seems to insinuate the employees and board members who take this plan are somehow acting nefariously and criminally.

The fact of the matter is the plan is legal.  And because it is, the clerk of the court had no business constructively terminating the legitimate contract the board entered into with ICMA back in early 2016.

This is my interest in this issue.  The board is the entity that contracts for service with service providers on behalf of the citizens and employees of the county, NOT the clerk.  Her function is to keep the books and pay the invoices.  If we do something illegal, she has an obligation to NOT pay the invoice.  But she has a legal obligation TO pay legal invoices.  If we allow, without any resistance, the clerk of the court to unilaterally void some contracts she "doesn't like" (after paying invoices on said contracts for nearly a decade)--that usurps our authority, resposibility, and areas under our purview.  It is a bad precedent to passively allow, so yes, although I do not take this plan I won't stand by and watch our responsibilities  be usurped inappropriately by the clerk.    

On this particular matter, the clerk has waffled back and forth between saying payments under the board's 401(a) contract are "problematic"-or they are "Improper" or "Outside the General Law" and she finally gave her honest opinion "It's ILLEGAL" last month when I pressed her.

But now she is walking that back saying she didn't mean to say that.

What??

Meanwhile, we have presented her with multiple legal opinions that show, in great detail, that the plan is a legal one, the contract is valid.  The one she used to pay, until she decided not to pay....

Still, she remains intransigent

Still, she won't honor the board's legitimate, legal contract.  She won't make the payments.  She is stuck now in a two way bear trap as I discussed in these posts here and here.

But we're trying to work with her.

Both attorney Alison Rogers (in writing, via an email) and I both offered to work jointly between entities to seek an Attorney General's Advisory Opinion.  In both instances, the clerk rejected this good will offer to get the legality question answered.  To put it a different way--the olive brance was broken in half and handed back to us.

That's alright.

Now comes word that one of the nation's leading trial lawyers from one of the nation's leading law firms will weigh in on the County's side, and work with the county to resolve this issue with the clerk on a pro bono basis.  

Hopefully this doesn't have to go to court, that's not what anyone wants.

But if it does, it looks like we will be well-represented, and very well prepared.

Then, once we ascertain the legality, which is the central issue, we can address the rate and other issues that appear to be in need of adjustment.  But step one has to be taken before step two.  See attorney Troy Rafferty's letter, below, signalling his willingness to step in and assist the county for free.

How is This Okay? How Does Andy Marlette Get a Pass on This? Part II

 

Tonight the Governor's Press Secretary fired back at PNJ Cartoonist Andy Marlette's misogynistic, racist cartoons.  Her tweet was re-tweeted hundreds of times, and has now been subsequently re-tweeted by Matt Gaetz--and that re-tweet has been re-tweeted thousands of times.....

When I wrote part I---I knew it wasn't right.  A white, wealthy man flaunting his use of the "N-Word" in a nationally syndicated (Gannett) newspaper.

The clock might be finally, at long last, be ticking on Andy Marlette and the PNJ, however.

Because many have asked one simple question and received no good answer from Gannett or the PNJ:

How is it that white, priviledged liberal Andy Marlette can write racist, misogynistic cartoons left and right and never be called to task for it.  It is ridiculous!

In fact--he's been rewarded!  He's been given a lucrative, nationally syndicated cartoon strip recently.  Incredible, and unbelieveable.  He must make a TON of money for Gannett.

I know, I know, the first ammendment.

But why is it that Republicans get "Cancelled" for the slightest of infractions---while white, wealthy liberal elites like Gannett's syndicated cartoonist Andy Marlette can use the "N-Word" in cartoons and not be called out?

Well, again, this might be changing.

I've been calling him out for a while now.  

Looks like others are now catching on.  Apparently, Andy has insulted some powerful folks with HUGE online connections.

Late today, my phone blew up with texts about Andy Marlette being called out in the press and on twitter for his apparently racist cartoons.

Folks are tweeting about it--and some have thousands of retweets.  Some are being tweeted to the editor in chief at Gannett and to the Pensacola News Journal.  Good.  He needs to explain how he feels comfortable drawing such cartoons and using the N-Word.

Let's stay tuned and see if the match that's been struck starts a fire.