Concerns over Perdido Key Roundabout Discussed

The Perdido Key Roundabout is built.  It works as designed. I was at Perdido Key yesterday and it was functioning smoothly.  Some folks are happy with it, others want additional measures implemented, still others want it scrapped.

One thing I can say with certainty:  This traffic feature has been divisive--which is unfortunate.  As an example-- I offer this email exchange from this morning....I've had several like it from both supporters of the roundabout and detractors as well.

"Dear Mr. Jeff Bergosh

 I am a Canadian snow bird and been coming to Perdido Key for over 15 years, watching it grow every year along with downtown Pensacola and for the most part very pleased.

But my main peace now is the round about at Johnson Beach rd. It s way too small I do not even think it complies with US Government recommendations https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/00067/000676.pdf

In my opinion it is about 40-60 ft shy in diameter there is not deterrent for south bound travelers to slow done at all they can enter round about at 50 + per hour and not even have to slow down it needs to be enlarged to be safer and I am surprised you have not gotten any law suites from accidents there but I’m sure you will just saying.. because if I get clobbered there I will bring my dash can video to court and will be suing Pensacola and the driver who hit me.. Been 3 close call just this winter alone from people who fail to yield ….

XXXXXXXXXXXX    XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Canada"

To Which I replied: 

 

Hello XXXXXXXX,

 Thanks for the email of concern.  I have received several just like this one.  By contrast, I have also received several of late that appreciate the county building the traffic circle.  FULL DISCLOSURE:  I am not a traffic engineer, but I am told by the traffic engineers that the roundabout’s size is sufficient.  I have driven it from every angle and have found it to work adequately.  We have applied a number of additional measures to the roundabout to make it even more effective, safe, and efficient—however no amount of engineering can account for unsafe driving behavior of some who speed through the roundabout, drive over it, and are reckless.  This is why we all must drive defensively.

 A little history for you XXXXXXX…..Upon this area reverting to District 1 in early 2022 after a decennial census dictated we had to rebalance our 5 county voting districts---this project had already been designed and funded and was “shovel-ready.”  In addition to this---the citizens of Perdido Key had been consulted with numerous town hall meetings where they were asked which of three options they preferred on this county owned road.  1.  No build of anything—status quo  2.  A traffic signal  or 3.  A roundabout.  Overwhelmingly—the citizens chose option 3, a roundabout.   I agree with you in that it (roundabout) seems to be off-centered and undersized, but as I stated previously, above, the professional engineers who went to school for this and have studied these sorts of things academically have told me, eye to eye and in my face, that the roundabout was built as designed and is working as it was designed to work; slowing down traffic to prevent high speed wrecks while also allowing for a safer left turn solution from Johnson’s Beach Road going West back toward Alabama. Furthermore—do to a number of environmental constraints we face on Perdido Key and a lack of available right of way to expand the size of the roundabout---I am told by the professionals from the county’s environmental and traffic divisions (copied on this email) that enlarging the circle is impossible.  If I am wrong in this, again—they are copied and I’m asking for them to correct my understanding of this.  

 So let me make this perfectly plain.  If we can enlarge the circle, if this would improve safety, I am committed to doing it.  Enough have requested it of me and I have a budget for it.  Chris Phillips and Tim Day—can we do this?  We are still watching the operation of the roundabout and considering a bypass solution which could de-conflict some of the traffic going into the circle.  When I receive a final determination on whether or not we can do that—I will take decisive action and act on the recommendation.

 In closing, XXXXXXXX, I offer this:  What I have learned in nearly 18 years in local public office is that no solution will please all people.  To quote the famous trope from Goldilocks and the Three Bears—The porridge will never be just right—it is always too hot or cold.   With this said, I am always willing to re-assess a decision in light of new input and data from knowledgeable sources so your comments and considerations below are duly noted.  Thanks for your email, and I hope you enjoy your winter down here in America.

 Sincerely,

 Jeff Bergosh

District 1 Commissioner

Escambia Board of County Commissioners

Sorrento Road Needs to be FIXED! Part I: I Heard You Loud and Clear

At my recent town hall meeting (minute 49:30) in Perdido/Innerarity--I heard the citizens loud and clear:  "FIX the Sorrento Road MESS!"

And I have heard from many constituents since then all saying the same thing:  Sorrento Road is dangerous, dilapidated, and insufficient to handle the traffic it currently has--FIX IT!

Sorrento Road is the name of state road 292 that leads from Blue Angel over into Perdido--becoming Perdido Key Drive at the intersection of Sorrento, Gulf Beach Highway, and Perdido Key Drive.

It is a road that is travelled frequently by locals and visitors alike--and it is a road that has a series of tremendous car collissions, including several fatal ones, over the last decade and a half.

At one point from 2011-2014--there was a real possibility of 4 laning Sorrento Road as the part of a larger project to provide a four lane evacuation route from Perdido Key Drive, through Sorrento Road, to Blue Angel, and ultimately out of Escambia County headed East.  That project did not come to fruition and was all but killed upon the changing of Leadership in Escambia's District 2 in 2014.

Meanwhile, the project to improve and 4 lane Sorrento Road has languished far down the priorities rankings on the Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization's (TPO) priorities list.  

So I told the audience at the town hall and others who have contacted me about Sorrento Road that now that it is within District 1 and I can lobby for this to be done as the commissioner representing this area and I understand the pressing nature of getting this road enhanced for safety--I am going to work as hard as I am able to get this bumped up on the priority list at the TPO so that this state road can be improved and the carnage on this roadway can end.

At last week's TPO meeting - we had a robust discussion with the panel as well as with FDOT's Bryant Paulk--culminating in my request for a formal safety audint of this state road by FDOT.  The below email was sent after the meeting by county roads division director Chris Phillips to Mr. Paulk:

"Bryant,

 This email is to follow up with written communication regarding Commissioner Bergosh’s request for a safety audit to be conducted on Sorrento Road (SR292) from Blue Angel to Innerarity Point / Gulf Beach Hwy intersection.  As discussed after the meeting, if you could provide results of the prior safety audit, it would be beneficial for my information to see what was examined for increase safety.  It would also be of benefit to see if the addition of the paved shoulders coming with this current mill and resurface project is a result of that previous safety audit.  I anticipate that since construction is about to commence for the mill and resurface and additional turn lanes at Bauer, the safety audit may take place after that construction is complete.  If there is any chance to look at the corridor sooner than later to potentially work some improvements into the current project, we would welcome that..." 

Jail Issues Front and Center this Week

With the ongoing media spotlight on the jail, and in the wake of a congressional letter of inquiry on the matter---issues at Escambia County's Correctional facilities will take front and center stage this week.

The letter, addressed to the administrator and the sheriff, will be answered by administrator Wes Moreno this week.  The sheriff has already submitted and made public his response.

Yes, as illustrated in the pictures I have previously submitted in earlier blogs and am attaching to this post---the conditions within the old jail are unacceptable.  Yes, these are human beings and must be controlled in custody and care of our staff within safe and sanitary conditions.  Sleeping on the ground next to a stinking, leaking overfolwing toilet is something I never thought I'd see in Escambia County--I doubt you'd even find this in most third world countries  (see below)

Sadly, this condition is a reality.  Here.  Not in Guatemala, Honduras, Chad, or Eritrea--here, in Escambia.

And mold and filthy, non-serviced and maintained ductwork--to boot.  (see below).

So no,  I'm not interested in spending another nickel, not one red cent, on the old jail.  As I was directly quoted saying in Sunday's paper--I want to demo that facility and forget it ever existed.    Because it is past the point of salvage--and to attempt a temporary fix would be akin to using a band aid on a sucking chest wound.  Too many decades with feckless maintenance and care, and too many liabilities if we keep it open.  Mold.  Need I say more?

So we MUST move forward with that jail in the rear view.  ASAP.

To that end, our administrator will be bringing a plan for the board's consideration this week at our Thursday committee of the whole  (COW) meeting to do the following:

1. An action plan to, as quickly as practicable,  to move personnel and inmates from the areas where facility conditions are borderline unacceptable within our corrections department.
2. a plan to enact a near-term strategy to harden other existing county owned corrections facilities to safely allow the movement and relocation of all prisoners out of our old jail and into acceptable new buildings/spaces.
3. Utilize the $9 Million we (BOCC) have allocated toward old-jail repairs to quickly implement #1 and #2 above.

 

Additional guidance and information, as well as the way forward, will be discussed between staff, the board, and the administrator at the board’s committee of the whole meeting this Thursday, March 10^th at 0900.

Citizens Want Us To Fix the Roger Scott Tennis Courts

Emails, Phone Calls, and now letters.

Folks appreciate and enjoy the Roger Scott tennis facility located in the city of Pensacola----but open to use by all citizens of the county.

This letter, below, sums up much of the support and the reasons for support that I've been hearing....

Florida's New Texting and Driving Law--Good Information for All Drivers

A more robust Florida texting and driving law goes into effect in one month...here's what you need to know about it.....

I received the below information from NAS Pensacola's Base Operating Support Safety Officer late last week.

It contains excellent information that drivers need to be aware of ahead of the implementation of Florida's new texting law -----which will go into effect on July 1st of this year.

Here is the information:

"What Florida Motorists Need to Know

1. When Florida’s New Texting Ban Becomes Law – The new texting law will officially take effect on July 1, 2019, but even when it does, officers will only give motorists warnings until January 1, 2020. At that time, they can begin issuing citations.
2. Texting While Driving a Primary Law – The bill signed by Gov. DeSantis makes texting while driving a primary offense, thereby allowing law enforcement officers to pull motorists over and issue citations solely for texting behind the wheel. Texting while driving had previously been a secondary offense, meaning officers were only able to cite drivers after they pulled them over for another primary offense, such as a moving violation.
3. Handheld Devices Banned in Construction / School Zones – In addition to prohibiting texting by all drivers as a primary offense, the new law also bans the use of handheld wireless communication devices in construction zones and school zones, except for emergencies. This provision will take effect on October 1, 2019, with officers issuing warnings until January 1, 2020.
4. Fines, Penalties, and First Offenders – Under the new law, a first texting offense will be punishable by a $30 fine and court fees. A second offense carries a $60 fine, court costs and related fees, and three points on a driver’s license. A first offense involving texting in school or construction zones also carries additional license points. First offenders can purchase hands-free Bluetooth devices, show proof of purchase, and complete a driver safety education course in order to avoid fines and license penalties.
5. Permitted Cell Phone Use - Florida’s law bans text messaging while a vehicle is moving, but permits the use of cell phones and other similar handheld electronic devices (except in school and construction zones) for limited purposes. Drivers are still allowed to use phones and devices for Maps / GPS navigation, making phones calls, and reading emergency messages, such as weather alerts.

WHY A NEW LAW?

Texting while driving has been illegal in Florida for years, but existing law was largely ineffective in terms of enforcement. Because officers were not able to pull drivers over and cite them unless they committed another traffic violation, few motorists were actually cited under the law. In the entirety of 2018, for example, law enforcement issued just over 1,600 citations throughout the state.

Who is Shooting Live Ammunition at the Pits Near Houses on Wymart Road?

A silver sedan, a Blue Dual-Axle Full-Size Pickup truck, and 3 Sheriff's Office Vehicles were parked in front of the Pit last Monday as residents heard many volleys of loud gunfire from a pit off of Longleaf drive (photo courtesy of  a resident)

At a recent meeting of the Lake Francis Neighborhood Watch I attended--the residents there all wanted one answer from me:  Who is shooting live ammunition so close to neighbors and houses on Wymart Road?

This Silver sedan was parked in front of the pit on Monday, November 6th.  (Photo courtesy of a resident)

I told them I would look into this matter and try to figure it out.  Since that time I have spoken to several residents that have found bullets on their property after hearing shots fired at the pit.  One resident found a bullet in his car, and he turned it over to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.  Another resident told me he has found multiple bullets in his backyard pool.  "They look like 9 MM and 223 rounds.  I collected them from the bottom of my pool, I called the sheriff's office and I turned them in to a deputy" this resident told me.  "If these bullets are coming down in my pool--what's to say they won't hit me or someone else in the neighborhood?" he questioned as we spoke over the phone.

Another nearby resident I spoke with says he has heard loud shots coming from the pit for a while now.  "One night, I heard what sounded like automatic weapons being fired down there--that or a bump stock on a rifle--but it was rapid fire!"  he continued  "I've heard explosions down there too, really loud ones.  I had a recording of this gunfire on my phone for a while, but I accidentally deleted it recently when I was trying to free up space on my phone."  he told me.

I have followed up with code enforcement staff, and they do not have any information on any permitted shooting ranges in this area.  An internet and Facebook search turned up an organization called "Beaver Bayou Battleground" that runs an air-soft gun game in this location from time to time.  They have some interesting drone footage of the events and the course online.  But residents with which I spoke are convinced what they are hearing is not air-soft or paintball guns.  "Absolutely not a paintball gun--nope those are real guns being fired down there!" said a neighbor I spoke with about this.

I have been contacted by the sheriff's office and I have forwarded them pictures of several vehicles that a resident sent to me from this past week. There was a silver sedan, a Blue Full-Sized Pickup Truck, and three sheriff's office vehicles there.  All of these vehicles were parked at the entrance to the pit just this past Monday--a day where lots of shooting was happening.

Yesterday, I received the following text from a concerned resident  "Sorry to text on Saturday but shooting in the pit continues."

I hope that together we are on the verge of solving the mystery of who is un-safely firing weapons down in this pit--I hope we solve this before an innocent bystander is hit by one of these bullets!  With many residents now expressing concern, with several schools very close to this location, we certainly do not need a tragic, preventable gun accident to injure or kill someone.

Beulah Road Mobile Highway Intersection Light and Improvement Project De-funded!

This weekend I have been busy.  I've been making calls and writing emails. I've talked to some of the most powerful elected and appointed officials in the state;  I'm concerned because a VERY important project that was just at the cusp of commencement is being back-burnered.

The $2 Million in State Funding for the Beulah Road/Mobile Highway Intersection Project has been re-allocated to different projects in Escambia County.

This isn't just any old project--this is a tremendously important transportation safety project for Beulah in District 1.  So to those residents in Beulah that want to help with something that is of tremendous importance--help me get this project back on track.  I'm asking for your help.

The project  to add a traffic light and intersection improvements at Mobile Highway at Beulah Road has been discussed for many years as the number of crashes has grown geometrically, along with serious injury crashes like this one.

My predecessor on the BCC Wilson Robertson has worked hard to make this happen;  I have pressed for this.  The residents wanted this--and it has been presented to the residents in Beulah at a series of public meetings just last summer.  It was coming, it was funded in the FY 18 Work plan--meaning a contract for this project was going to be let sometime in August or September, and construction could have begun as early as this coming November.

That is all changed now.  see the below email from Thursday evening....

So in order to get this project funded and back on track, I'm going to work very closely with my counterparts on the Board, interested District 1 constituents, the road staff, administrator Brown, as well as with our local delegation of lawmakers--several of whom I have spoken to this weekend.

This is too important to just let go.  A brand new middle school is coming to Beulah, massive growth is happening here, this intersection is only going to get busier and busier--and these improvements were desperately needed because this intersection is DANGEROUS!