FDOT's Bridge Project Creates Woes on the Citizens and the Workers.....Who is Ultimately Responsible Though?

 I received this email, below, from a frustrated constituent today...........my response to his email is below..

"Hi my name is XXXXXXXXX. I live in Pensacola and work on Pensacola beach. I am XX years old, and I have managed XXXXXXXXXXXXXX since I was 18. I have a XXXXXX and XXXXXXXXX. I’m a normal young adult with an appropriate amount of debt and my family will not survive this without your help!

 Corona virus has obviously been tough on everyone but especially the tourist destination of which I work. It was tough but we were going to survive. Then hurricane sally came and for some reason XXXXXXXX decided not to move their equipment and destroyed the connection between the city of Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Pensacola beach. 

I’m fine with driving farther to get to work, I’m fine dealing with the traffic, I’m fine with the challenge they have made for me to spend time with my family as well, since they all live in Gulf Breeze. But the part that realllllly sucks for me is my job will not make it through this and it will be very difficult for me to find a job that can support my family like the one I had before XXXXXXXXX negligence. I have worked very hard my entire life to get where I am now and it seems to have been ripped away from me out of no where. 

 Please hold XXXXXXXXX Liable for their actions, not only for me but also my friends, family, and neighbors. They have destroyed this town and we need your help to get back on our feet! 

 

Thanks for your time. 

XXXXX  XXXXXXX

 

XXXXXXXXXXX"

My Response...

XXXXXXXXX,

Thanks for your email—and I completely sympathize with your situation.  Like you, I am extremely concerned about this FDOT project and their contractor that is conducting the work.

As a county commissioner, I have limited ability to do much to resolve your situation.  We are working with the city of Pensacola and FDOT through our legislative delegation and the TPO to stand up a Ferry Service between Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.  I know this will do little to help—but it may help with your daily commute.  And we are all trying to keep the pressure on FDOT to get this bridge fixed on time!

Because this is an interruption in your income directly related to the barge/bridge issue—I strongly suggest you consider speaking with an attorney about your situation.  There are some great firms in town that may be able to assist.  And believe me:  Every business in both Gulf Breeze proper AND Pensacola Beach (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX) will be seeking claims for business interruption, which they will more than likely be successful at.  But this may not trickle down to the employees like you.  So I’d say look after your interests, and those of your family, by speaking with an attorney.

Additionally—I would strongly suggest that you speak with our elected Florida Legislative delegation—to include Senator Doug Broxson and Representative Alex Andrade—to describe your dissatisfaction with FDOT’s project and their contractor.  They MUST be held accountable (FDOT). 

Thanks for reaching out and I wish you and your family the best in pursuing this issue.  And we will recover from this—but it will take time. 

Sincerely,

 

Jeff Bergosh

Escambia Board of County Commissioners,

District 1

221 Palafox Place Suite 400

Pensacola, FL 32502

850-595-4910 office

850-377-2209 Voicemail

District1@myescambia.com

www.jeffbergoshblog.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/

Twitter-- @jeffbergosh 

Who is Doing the Recovery Work?

The county has engaged three firms to oversee the debris-removal portions of recovery from Hurricane Sally for which the Federal Government will ultimately reimburse Escambia County:

Roads Inc.

Ashbritt

Panhandle Paving and Grading

This weekend county staff reported on the subcontractors that have been engaged by each of these firms in this cleanup endeavor.  from the email

Zone 1 – Ashbritt

1. Added Roads as a contractor for final disposal
2. Interviewed a WBE for haul-out of mulch that turned down the work
3. Plans on extending rates to Bonner Tree Service once they begin work in Zone 1 parks

Zone 2 – Panhandle

Panhandle is utilizing the following local sub-contractors:

1. Creek Waste & Recycling – C&D Debris Hauling / Loading
2. BKW, Inc. – Vegetation Debris Hauling / Loading / Tree Removal - Cutting
3. Boyett’s Septic Tank and Portable Toilets
4. Nations Rent – Pensacola
5. Sunbelt Rental – Pensacola
6. SGC, Inc. (Carpentry) – FEMA Towers
7. TEC Equipment Rental – Pensacola
8. Thompson Cat Rental – Pensacola
9. Compu Graphics (Site Signage) – Pensacola
10. Outpost Rentals, Inc. (Equipment Rental)
11. Bay Area Blueprints – MAPS / Signage
12. ACME Rentals (MOT) – Pensacola

Notes:  No significant reported changes.  Note from Panhandle – Panhandle has received and corresponded with several other local contractors within multiple districts of the County, however most of these did not come to fruition as certain companies were unable to provide proper insurance, registrations, etc. and were unable to meet contract requirements.  We have kept notes on this information.  Furthermore, we have advised several of our out of town subcontractors to take calls, pursue local contractors as well. 

Zone 3 – Roads

Roads is utilizing the following local sub-contractors:

1. MO Construction
2. The Wallace Company
3. Cantonment Excavating
4. BKW Inc.
5. A & B Hauling
6. J & M Dozer
7. Gulf Atlantic Constructors
8. Floyd Construction
9. Dave Dunsford
10. United Rentals
11. Nova Engineering
12. Boyett’s Portable services
13. Sunbelt Rentals
14. Action Rental
15. Purifoy Construction, LLC
16. Arnett Construction Services, LLC
17. Charlie Heath, LLC

On WCOA's Good Morning Pensacola Today talking Debris Removal from Private Subdivisions

I was on WCOA's Good Morning Pensacola today discussing the FDOT bridge debacle and debris pickup from gated, private neighborhoods.

I was asked to speak today on WCOA's Good Morning Pensacola radio program with Don Parker, and so I happily agreed.

We had a good conversation about the thorny issue of picking up Hurricane Sally debris from all around the county AND the difficulty facing our efforts to pick up from some private subdivisions due to Federal red-tape.

I discussed this issue with WEAR ABC Ch. 3 yesterday.

We also talked about the ongoing saga of the FDOT's contractor's  barges trashing our three-mile bridge--creating an absolute nightmare in our two county area.

You can listen to the segment from today's show here

Debris Removal from Private Gated Subdivisions and Private Roads? It May Take 30+ Days for Authorization

Debris Removal Underway in 
Beulah on September 25, 2020

Escambia County has multiple private, gated communities with private roads and private infrastructure.  As the county begins the process of storm recovery and debris removal--the  issue of debris removal from private subdivisions with private roads becomes important.

I have asked if the roads in gated subdivisions like Nature Trail in District 1 can be cleared like the rest of the roads in the county are being cleared.  Currently, the answer seems to be no.  

But the folks that live in private, gated neighborhoods and on private roads are taxpayers, too.  I believe they should be entitled to debris removal after storms just as the rest of us are.  It's funded by taxpayers--and they are taxpayers, too.

County Administrator Janice Gilley has sent the below request on behalf of the citizens who live on private roads and in gated neighborhoods.  We will see what comes of it.  Meanwhile, I have communicated with residents in Nature Trail who are currently paying for the removal of debris from that neighborhood's common areas.  It is my understanding that members of the HOA board of Nature Trail have also reached out to county staff to seek assistance.  I have been contacted via email by residents of Innerarity Island about this same issue.

Vegetative Debris Drop off Sites Identified for Residents

The County has opened up multiple locations (Indicated above) for citizens to drop off vegetative debris from Hurricane Sally.