What to do about Panhandlers? Homeless?

 

I've been contacted by a number of citizens that want the county to draft an ordinance "prohibiting" panhandling.

Our board has discussed it, this issue comes up frequently.  The problem is panhandling is allowable free speech according to the lawyers.  Where counties can step in is when there is behavior is unsafe (e.g. if panhandlers are in the road).  But even this behavior is tough to tackle--as by the time a complaint is made and a police officer is dispatched, such a violator more than likely will have retreated to the right of way or sidewalk.  Thus, even that unsafe (and already illegal) behavior is next to impossible to curtail.  And an additional ordinance enacted would do little to nothing to curb the behavior.  It's like the genius state law passed last session about "noise from vehicles" that is so subjective, so opaque, that not ONE law enforcement agency in the state of Florida will be able (or willing) to enforce it.

But they passed a law, though!  Problem solved!  Drinks all around!!  (Yet the noise from car problem persists.....)

You cannot legislate your way out of every problem.

Despite this being an axiom of truth most of us understand with crystal clarity--some folks with whom I have recently spoken "Want us to do something, pass an ordinance, or something, anything, to make this go away!"

Of course that's a fool's errand for multiple rational reasons.

And meanwhile----panhandling persists.  Homelessness is a growing problem.  And yes, the two are intimately intertwined.  Along with untreated mental illness, poverty, social dysfunction, and addiction.

Yesterday evening we received word that Pensacola is opening a homeless facility.  Good, good for them and I wish them all the best.  Meanwhile, the county has $4 Million to help with the problem and I can't get the city to even respond to a request for a joint meeting.  We have sent no fewer than 4 requests.  I've spoken personally to the mayor.  I've spoken to Connie Bookman.  They obviously don't want a meeting with the county. 

So I'm adding this topic to our next meeting on August 4th.  Maybe the city will do their thing, and the county will do our own?  Maybe that is what the city wants, due to their lack of interest in a joint meeting?  Who knows?

Nevertheless---I still think scaling up the Satoshi Forest model, deep in the woods, away from subdivisions and residences is the way to go. Something that is secure, with wrap-around services brought out to the camp, and where no drugs are tolerated and where security and CC cameras are present to maitain safety and order. 

Interestingly---The students from CLA independently brought the same general, basic concept. (Minute 13:00 of this video)

So the county will discuss this on the 4th and figure out the answer to an important question:  How do we best spend the $4 million earmarked to assist this problem?  

I have my thoughts, now hopefully we will get the conversation started on the dais so I can hear what my counterparts want to do about it.

And I guess we will be doing it separately from what the city is doing....

Complex issue, lots of moving parts, no easy solutions.

Blue Angels "Cockpit-Experience" Hitting the Road Soon!

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience" 7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience" 7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

National Aviation Museum foundation Vice President Cindy McCalip invited me out to NAS Pensacola Sherman Field yesterday for an exclusive first look at an attraction that has been in the works for the last 3 years....The Blue Angels Cockpit Experience!

Now--I must say upfront that NOTHING compares with an actual ride in an F-18--which I was fortunate to experience in 2012 when I was invited to ride with the Blues as the Chairman of the School Board and community Key Influencer.  That was one of the most amazing rides in my life.  Very funny  Video here. of my 2012 flight......

But this cockpit experience is pretty awesome in it's own right---most especially because it will be shared with tens of thousands of fans (or more) who more than likely will never get to ride in the real F-18.

The attraction will also be a way to bring the museum to the people--as this interactive flight demonstration experience will be brought to locations all around the country, in conjunction with Blue Angels shows, to let citizens experience the cockpit of an F-18 Super Hornet in person.

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience"
7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

Those who come to the cockpit experience will sit in an exact replica of an F-18 cockpit and experience a 2 minute "mission" from the vantage point of the cockpit.  It has all the buttons, tabs, switches, gagues, and other electronics of an actual cockpit, I'm told.

"If I pull this, will I get launched for the bonus ride?" I quipped as I pointed to the ejection strap between my legs on the seat.  Obviously, none of these gagues or switches work.  But I couldn't resist asking.....

The cockpit was manufactured in Germany and shipped back to America earlier this year "After an extended delay in New York due to customs there" according to museum staff.  The trailer was built in Indiana and the entire attraction was just recently completed/assembled in Chicago and returned to NAS Pensacola--where it sits under a tent on the tarmac, very near where the restored F-4 Phantom Jet (which will be a feature of the soon to be constructed General Chappie James memorial) is parked currently.

Staff also discussed how this attraction will function as an ambassador to and for the Pensacola area.  "That truck is going to be wrapped and decorated/painted with 'Visit Pensacola' logos and iconic features like the Pensacola Beach 'Beachball' watertower and it is going to say something along the lines of 'follow me to Pensacola!'" the staff explained.  "Lots of folks don't know Pensacola is the home of the Blue Angels so we want to promote that and also promote this area at the same time" staff explained.

The goal will be to work together with Visit Pensacola on getting this attraction out and visiting places all around the country.  According to staff, a full time driver and attraction attendant/curator have already been hired and the "rig" is set to make it's debut in Chicago at the Chicago Airshow later this year.

"Whenever we take it out on the road it gets LOT's of attention--folks waving, smiling and honking" McCalip said.  

What a great way to let people learn about the Blue Angels  AND our area at the same time!  Goodwill, a great story for a great institution and a great community!

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience" 7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

Blue Angels "Cockpit Experience" 7-25-2022 NAS Pensacola

Pensacola's Faith-Based Community Comes through For Students and Families!

Many who come to Pensacola/Escambia County for the first time, or folks that move here from other places, marvel at the robust faith-based community here.  It is incredible.  And this community of faith does great things for the citizens---in a multitude of spaces including healthcare, mental health, family counseling, student support, and family support.  This community of faith also does much to assist those who find themselves down on their luck, homeless, or in despair.

A striking example of the generosity of the faith based community was on display this Saturday in District 1 at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds.

Pastor Tim Fox of Jubilee Church, Transformation Church, and literally hundreds of volunteers and community support groups descended upon the fairgrounds for one combined, important mission:  Supporting students and families as we prepare for the start of the next school year.

--More than 2-dozen area barbers donated their time and skill to provide free haircuts for students

--Feeding the Gulf Coast, with a generous gift from Healthcare Solutions, Inc. donated 35,000 pounds of food for families and students.

--Jubilee church provided more than 1,300 free backpacks for students

--multiple other entities teamed up to provide school supplies and other giveaways for the students and families that attended this 3-hour event Saturday morning.

Yes, our area has challenges and they are numerous (generational poverty, social dysfunction that is generational, crime, drug abuse, child abuse, high incarceration rates in some communities,  blight, apathy) ---but with the help of fantastic and dedicated community volunteers and faith-based organizations---there are weapons in the fight to make our community better.

I am thankful for the generous, giving spirit of our gracious and selfless community volunteers and specifically--the faith-based community.

Where would this community be without such entities and individuals?

These are "Natural, No Brainer" Funding Opportunities for the Children's Trust, But......

 

There are several entities that receive funding yearly from the Escambia Board of County Commissioners.

These are vetted, legitimate groups that have track records of serving the community.  They are our community partners

Several specialize in serving the community's youth.

So, naturally, as we worked through the budget this year with staff, in meetings, and in sessions on the fourth floor--it became clear that several of these organizations are natural, no brainer funding opportunities for the children's trust.

So at our recent workshops, the board intimated that these groups, the ones who focus on youth, should first seek funding from the newly established, and soon to be flush with cash Escambia Children's Trust. (Their initial millage rate of .5 mills will generate $12 Million Dollars--a full $2 Million over initial projections....)

Some entities vocalized the concern that any attempt by the BCC to not fund such entities and instead foist them on the Children's trust would be tantamount to "supplanting" funding which would be frowned upon if not outright disallowed.

The attorney for the board quickly dispatched that notion with an email recently, where she stated.

"My determination was that the language in the ordinance (which was not drafted by us) would address mandatory funding or obligatory funding obligations.  It would not, in my opinion, address discretionary funding that the Board considers every year and which the Board is not obligated to provide in any particular amount or at all.  I understand the executive director of the Trust has indicated that she has concerns about this, but the attorney for the Trust does not appear to have provided an opinion to the Trust about it yet."

Meanwhile---several of the organizations we sent over to the trust have received this response:

"Good morning. We have received the Community Partner applications for consideration for funding by the Escambia Children’s Trust. However, while these are worthy projects, I’m afraid we cannot consider them at this point – not because we do not think they fit our funding goals, but because we do not have a mechanism in place yet for consideration of unsolicited proposals.

 Our Board is still refining our grantmaking process. Our formal needs assessment will not be ready until at least next month, and our priorities for funding have not yet been established, let alone approved by our Board. We simply have no process in place to make an immediate decision on the applications you forwarded, as they were not in response to a Trust application or request for proposals.

 If possible, please let your applicants know that their proposals likely will not be considered for funding by the Trust at this time. We cannot review unsolicited proposals until the Trust Board of

FDOT Working on Sorrento Road to Implement Immediate Safety Measures

 

We know Sorrento Road in District 1 has major issues.  Lots of wrecks, lots of fatalities. Lots of problems.

We've been talking about it, and the media has covered it.  Folks in FDOT have been hearing about it, as has the TPO.  

Next month the TPO will vote on the prioritization of multiple projects, and I believe with the outpouring of community concern that has been coming regarding Sorrento--that the project to widen Sorrento to 4-lanes from Blue Angel Pkwy to the Theo Baars bridge will make a major leap upwards on the list (where it currently languishes at #18).

Meanwhile, I've now heard from State Representative, Dist. 2, Alex Andrade on a host of issues FDOT is taking on right now to improve safety on Sorrento Road immediately.  Rep.  Andrade has been extremely supportive and helpful on the issue --for which I'm very appreciative.  According to Andrade:

"the following is a quick mention of the improvements along Sorento Road. These improvements and added safety features represent the  efforts underway. There are more features coming in the interim until we can provide the long term features as the projects make their way through the resurfacing program. Also we will continue to monitor the corridor for additional improvements and possible safety enhancements.

•             Construction underway for resurfacing of Sorrento Rd from Theo Baars Bridge to South of CR 293 (Bauer Rd).

            Resurfacing the pavement and upgraded signing and pavement markings

            Construction of a southbound left turn lane at Choctaw

            Construction of paved shoulders as needed

            Reconstruction of the Canal Dr. intersection at SR 292 (Perdido Key Drive)

             Adding keyhole bike lanes at the existing westbound right turn lanes near the Dollar General and in front of the Perdido Bay Baptist Church and Merlin Ave.

             Extension of the newly constructed left turn lane from Innerarity Point Road to the existing three lane section at Iaca Ave. as well as the extension of the existing right turn lane at Innerarity Point Rd.

            Adding audible and vibratory pavement markings on outside edge line and centerline.

•             Construction underway for intersection improvement at SR 292 Sorrento Rd and CR 293 (Bauer Rd.) to construct an eastbound right turn lane, northbound right turn lane, and extend the westbound right turn lane and westbound left turn lane.  New pedestrian crosswalks with pedestrian signals are also included.

•             We are closely monitoring Doug Ford Rd. and have an ongoing speed study in this area.  The speed study is nearing completion.

•             Construction underway for turn lane improvements at the intersection of SR 292 Sorrento at CR 292A Innerarity Point Intersection.  This project will add a southbound left turn lane, eastbound right turn lane, and extended the westbound left turn lane. Intersection lighting was also included. Construction is estimated to be complete in the near future.

•             SR 292 Sorrento Rd/ Gulf Beach Hwy from CR 293 to CR 292A is currently being considered as a candidate resurfacing project for design in FY 24 and construction in FY 26.  Additional safety improvements will be considered during design of the resurfacing.

•             The Department is conducting immediate safety improvements to install outside and centerline vibratory and audible pavement makings as well as speed feedback signs between Bauer Rd and Blue Angel Pkwy; set to begin in August. 

•             Left turn lane on Sorrento Rd at Nighthawk Ln is currently in construction."

I'll Be On 1370 WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" Later this Morning at 7:20

 

Host Rick Outzen of 1370 WCOA's smash-hit, top-rated in the market morning drive radio program, "Real News with Rick Outzen"--has once again invited me on the show later this morning to discuss yesterday's BCC meeting.

I'll be on at 7:20.

As was widely covered in the press yesterday afternoon, the Board of County Commissioners voted by a 4-0 margin (Underhill stormed out of the meeting before the vote) to ask the Governor to look into multiple citizen complaints about Doug Underhill abandoning his district, his residence, and by action of that --his office.

I'm certain the conversation later this morning will be all about that.

Tune in to the show live, and I will post the podcast later this morning here.

Commissioners Vote 4-0 to Send Request to Governor to Clear up Underhill Residency Requirements Questions

 The Escambia Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 (Underhill left the meeting and did not vote) to send the below letter to Governor DeSantis regarding Commissioner Underhill vacating his homestead property and his subsequent move out of the district he represents and up to a D5 property he recently purchased.  This decision was made after multiple constituents complained that Commissioner Underhill had, in fact, abandoned his district.  

Last week at the BCC meeting on Thursday July 14th, several constituents complained at Underhill during public forum about his, Underhill's,  moving out of the district before his term expired.  This generated several news stories

Last night on Facebook, underhill downplayed these accusations, questions, and media reports and stated "So we sold and rent back until I'm done with my service."

Just this morning, however, a citizen sent me a screen shot from two weeks ago--before the media brewha over Underhill moving out of his district and before today's meeting.  In this screen shot, taken on July 7th,  it says  "We have 2 days left to get everything cleared off our Sally-damaged property before the buyer takes possession.."

So it appears that there is a disconnect between what was stated last night, and what was stated online two weeks ago.  Therefore, and because several citizens have now complained--- and although given multiple chances at public meetings to set the record straight Underhill refuses to address the growing controversy---the below letter will be sent so the matter can be properly investigated.  We will see what happens.