Big Decisions on Homeless Locally this Week?

The city council will be meeting this week to discuss the homeless situation in the city--particularly the homeless campsite under the I-110 bridge that the city is desperately seeking to clear.

Three options have been put out, and several entities have expressed "interest" in helping.

And there is over $3Million in federal funding in play to apply toward a long range solution and/or strategy to address the issue.

I've spoken to a city council representative, and I have spoken with several experts in this space.

I believe the city should take a step back and re-evaluate their next move(s) carefully.  I believe they should work together with the county on a solution.  Thus far--there has been no coordination.

So hopefully on Wednesday, the Pensacola City Council will press the pause button and bring in County staff to the discussion.  I would not be opposed to a joint meeting on this topic specifically.

But the idea of dumping the campsite in the county with no coordination, no permits, no notice-----yeah, that's not going to happen.  It only would have happened if folks just did it commando style--unlawfully without site approvals, permits, or required permissions.

I'm told that Pensacola/Escambia should consider doing what Okaloosa County is doing on this issue--I'm told their model is "working."

I'd like to know more about it--but I'm not opposed to looking at someone else's best practices that are successful.

But for my part, in my opinion, and for my vote----I think any such facility should be far away from suburbs and existing neighborhoods.  Build a facility out in the woods, far away from any residence, business, or suburban community. 

I also think we need to define what success looks like so that outcomes can be measured.  Touchy-feely feel good platitudes don't cut it.  I want to see numbers.  I want to see outcomes.  I want to know how folks measure success.

We also need to look at how such a facility for the homeless will be funded going forward so that any such concept can stand on it's own two feet and be viable with private support--not necessarily relying on the public sector for funding.

So there is much to be discussed, much to be worked out.  And there is no reason to rush.  Anyone can circle a date on a calendar and say "This will be gone by THIS date."

But as we have seen with respect to the I-110 campground, for example, often times these dates will slide to the right.  Significantly.  Particularly if they are poorly planned and hastily organized.

What Will the District Map Look Like if Proposed and Advertised District Map is Approved by BCC December 2nd?

The map and corresponding numbers of voters for our five commissioner's districts will look like what is depicted above----if the BCC moves forward with final approval next week, on December 2nd, as I anticipate we will.

............And of course this data and much more detailed information about the redistricting is all posted on the county's website, here.

On Real News with Rick Outzen This Morning at 7:45

 

I've been invited onto the area's #1 rated morning drive news/talk program "Real News with Rick Outzen" later this morning, at 7:45.

Topics that will be discussed include 

--the PNJ cartoonist Andy Marlette's latest ridiculous attack on me in response to my calling him out for his disgusting, racist use of the "N-Word" in his cartoons--and what the county has done to deprive PNJ of revenue subsequently for legal advertisements.  (And it is a big number--could be as much as $100K yearly going forward.)

-- The redistricting and calls by some for the censure of Dough Underhill for purposely putting out misinformation/disinformation/lies at his recent series of very sparsely attended town halls last week

--My priorities going forward into the next year as I once again serve as board chairman.

Should be a great show--and once I get the podcast back from Rick, I will post it here! 

Should Doug Underhill be Censured---Again?

At least one angry citizen believes he needs to be---- based upon some misinformation that was put out by the District 2 office in last week's sparsely attended town halls... Read the email we all received, below:

"Dear Commissioners,

During the last three town halls your fellow colleague on the board put out false information on the record on video and it is now posted on your website about the redistricting process and the laws and requirement you are to follow.

As a citizen it is my belief, for you to allow that behavior to stand without a public reprimand is very poor practice for the Board of County Commissioners to allow especially at the juncture of the ten year redistricting process.

It needs to be clearly, documented in writing and in the record of what was false info and what is the truth and available to be reported in local media, published n the agenda and subsequent minutes.

It is my suggestion that you review those recordings and document, in a more concise fashion. what was said to the constituents that is untrue, write in clear language what is in fact true, put it on the agenda and up for a vote prior to the December 2 vote to adopt the published maps.

Otherwise you just have these falsehoods hanging in the public domain.

I believe the chairman viewed the videos and documented some of the outright blatant information that was put out but not yet in an official capacity, only on his blog, and he also posted the letter the attorney sent to you.

It is my thought you should not allow that to stand because it foments division and unnecessary unrest and problems for good governance in a professional manner in Escambia County. The Censure motion is appropriate because it is your duty as a government body to correct bad behavior of another member.

We are governed by rule of law and specific guidelines, not propaganda and falsehoods so please add this to the agenda ahead of time, fully documented, take the vote to Censure, then vote to adopt the map that was settled upon by the joint bodies of local government in the time frame specified by the county attorney.

To let that hang out there unchallenged should not be condoned. 

Of course some is gobbly gook rhetoric but especially that the redistricting does not have to be done or that McMillan being followed is racism by the board.

Are you really going to allow that to stand?

 Sincerely

XXXX  XXXXXXX

Escambia County Citizen"

Attorney To BCC: "We are more than 10% in population deviation between our least populated district and most populated district."

 Nevermind the sour grapes, gobldygook gibberish, and the misinformation and lies from last week's "Clown" hall meetings by D2 (and I say "clown" to describe the D2 office staff--Doug, his secretary, and his intern---- that put these sparsely attended events on--not the concerned citizens that attended or EMR staff that professionally supported these "events")----Nevermind any of that noise.  This, below, is the important factual information citizens and constituents need to know regarding the "why" we are redistricting now instead of waiting and also why McMillan and the Voting Rights Act  REQUIRE that we maintain a minority-majority district.  

Forget about the lies

Get the FACTs in this email that just arrived in our inboxes this morning:

Here's the Next Big Push: Let's Just Wait Until 2023!!

Whether smiling while they say it a la Mr. Rogers--or with a serious look on their face similar to Henry Rollins--a lie is a lie, facts are facts, and numbers don't lie......no matter how information is delivered.... 

Now, suddenly, a few people are demanding we stop the redistricting process and wait until 2023 to do it.  Interesting--- that's what I said in March, April, July and September.  Loudly, and publicly.

But then majority of the BCC, including Doug Underhill, wanted to plow forward and finish in 2021-- so that's what we did.  I'm happy to work at the speed the majority wants--that's called politics.

Now, at the 11th hour, 59th minute, and 59th second metaphorically speaking-- with advertised draft final maps at the county and at the school board set for adoption in the next three weeks---some folks realize they don't like the map.  

They're throwing all kinds of reasons at the wall like a Jackson Pollack artwork---hoping desperately that something will stick and stop this process.

Now they want to reverse course, do nothing and hold on to the status quo with respect to our district sizes.

But at this late stage that is an unrealistic, untenable position.

Here's Why:

Attorneys for both the School Board and the BCC have urged us—since our first joint meeting in October and in the strongest possible terms, to complete this process this year ahead of the elections of 2022 due to the fact that currently our districts are outside of the legally allowed deviation of 10% between the highest and lowest populated districts.   This, according to the attorneys, could very well trigger a lawsuit and we would be very vulnerable as everyone has been told, publicly, that we are now officially outside of the 10% allowable deviation as our districts stand currently.

 Now, I know that my counterpart from D2, Doug Underhill, and his staff intern and secretary are telling folks at their sparsely attended town halls this past week that “we are NOT outside this population deviation threshold” (47:30 of this video)---however this statement is a blatant lie.  If you look at the census data fact-sheet (pictured below) that we all received from the Supervisor of Elections David Stafford this past August-----anyone and everyone can see with crystal clarity that the numbers do not lie and we are, indeed, out of balance beyond 10% between the largest district (D1—68,158 citizens currently)   and the smallest district (D2--- 61,111 citizens currently).  This is calculated by taking what should be the ideal district size post-census provided by the Supervisor of Elections to the board (64,381 citizens), multiplying that number by 5% which equals 3,219 and adding that number to an ideal sized district of 64,381 citizens to reach the maximum allowable high end deviation size of 67,600 citizens.  To arrive at the smallest possible district's size without a 5% deviation, we simply take the ideal sized district of 64,381 and subtract the 3,219 (5%) to reach the figure of 61,162.

 

Currently—District 1 has a population of 68,158 and is above the 5% threshold district size of 67,600 citizens.

Currently---District 2 has a population of 61,111 and is below the 5% threshold district size of 61,162 citizens.

look at the data chart below, for yourself, to see the numbers.  Numbers do not lie.  Wanna still think I'm lying while you believe those that are really lying?  request this table yourself from the SOE's office.

 

The difference between these two district population sizes exceeds 10% and nobody has to be a math major to work this out.  It is what it is, no matter what any politician or his secretary or aide tells you with a serious look or a smiling face.   Facts are facts, numbers do not lie.

They (Doug and his intern) next go on to lie about the proposed population size of District 1 post-redistricting--exclaiming D1 will be "topheavey" after the process and one of the largest districts population wise. This was proclaimed at their very lightly attended "Town Hall" last night in Beulah.  Doug expounds on this misinformation with additional gobledygook and gibberish that is nonfactual drivel (beginning 49:20 of this video)--all the while knowing that in the current, most recently voted --the new D1 is the second smallest (Only D5 is smaller) of the five districts population-wise, smaller than the ideal sized district by 818 residents,  for the exact, precise reason that it makes sense to be smaller ahead of the planned growth that is coming to the district over the next 10 years.  This is a fact--do not be feeble and maleable like a human, kool-aide chugging Gumby doll and let a politician (or his secretary) look you in the face and lie to you.  Fact check them. Don't believe me?---check the data chart for the most recently proposed district maps for adoption, post redistricting, on the county website, here, and also posted below:

 

BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY:  

Look at the agenda item for what it is we will be adopting on December 2nd--it is posted on the county's website---here  If adopted as it is being presented and advertised....DISTRICT 1 WILL BE THE SMALLEST OF THE 5 DISTRICTS AT JUST 61,909 IN POPULATION POST REDISTRICTING---BARELY OVER THE MINIMUM SIZE TO MEET THE 10% DEVIATION THRESHLD.  Again--don't believe me or your lying eyes--fact check me by going to the county's public site.  Dough and his secretary and intern know this stuff.  Don't let them lie to your face.

Watch out for any politician that will look you in the eye and lie to you.  When you catch them lying to you, call them out for it and ask them to explain it.  Hold them accountable.  

Otherwise get out of the way because you are an enabling water-carrier, a part of the problem, not a part of the solution.

Lies, lies, lies, "clown hall" dis-informational sales jobs, potential lawsuits and a rapidly ticking clock.....  

For all of these reasons and many more that we could get into but won’t—maintaining the status quo on current district lines and sizes at this, the 11^th hour, 59^th minute, and 59^th second,  is an unrealistic, untenable option.

We must and we will move forward on Dec. 2nd.

 

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....