New District 1 Office Staff is Here to Serve!

The District 1 County Commissioner Office staff has changed.

Long time aide Debbie Kenney has retired.

Office Intern Raeleigh Woodfin has gone back to school.

We appreciate all the hard work both of those former staff members put in for our district.  And we wish them both well--Raeleigh in her school work and Debbie in retirement.

So we now have a new D1 team.

I'm your commissioner, here to serve D1 constituents and all county residents. Call me any time on my cell phone at 850-293-1459.

We now have a field representative, Mr. Jesse Casey-- a citizen most in Escambia know, a tireless volunteer who has served this community for decades.  Reach Jesse at 

jecasey@myescambia.com or at 850-595-4910.

And we also have D1 Constituent Services Representative Kevin Harmon--a 2023 graduate of Florida State University and soon to be Law School Student.

Reach Kevin at 850-595-4910 or kmharmon@myescambia.com.

We are here to serve you!

Concern Mounting over a Relocation of Homeless: Where Will They Go Next?

I've been contacted by a number of folks concerned about some signage being put up around a couple of lots where we know there are significant populations of homeless in campsites.

"I was given a heads up that they will begin trespassing people off of this property on Wednesday" said one concerned citizen, speaking about a privately owned lot in the vicinity of North Palafox street and Beggs Lane in Pensacola.

When I asked where these folks would go once removed, I was told "probably to jail if they don't leave.  Also, I don't know where they will go other than [the county's property] at Beggs Lane--which is already overflowing."

But then I was sent this picture, below, which seems to indicate we will be clearing out the county's property in that area as well.  My natural question is this--where will these folks go if removed?

The individual told me next-"This is going to make the situation much worse--these were posted today all along Beggs Lane...."

Beware of this Roof Mailer--This is NOT a County Program

Late yesterday afternoon many in Escambia County received an "official-looking" mailer like the one I received, above.

Looks like something official from Escambia County.

The problem--the county has not authorized this nor does the county have anything to do with this.

It looks like a sales job--misleading at best--a scam at worst.

So I am telling folks DO NOT call this number and DO NOT give them any information.  This is not a county program and there is no county program where we fund roofs up to $75K.  Nada.

Both the county attorney and the county administrator have been notified.  I am told the State Attorney has also been given a copy of this and told what is going on.

The county has sent out a press release, and Channel 3 is covering this story as well.  

Thought's on the Gun Violence Reduction Task Force Meeting

Are guns the problem?  Or--is it crime, drugs, societal breakdown, breakdown of the family, un-diagnosed mental health issues, rank social dysfunction, and a culture of violence in some pockets of the community that leads to  and manifests itself as the "gun-violence" we've seen in Escambia County?

Yesterday evening from 5:30-7:00 PM Sheriff Chip Simmons hosted the final Brownsville Gun Violence Reduction Task Force Meeting at the Brownsville Community Center.

About 100 citizens attended, as well as locally elected and appointed officials to include three county commissioners (myself included), the county administrator, a city councilman, our state senator, one of our two state representatives, multiple representatives from the school board- to include the Superintendent and one school board member- as well as others associated with the court system and the media.

The objective:  To hear public input and for each stakeholder to report in on the specifics of what his/her organization has done and is doing to improve safety in the Brownsville community.

My counterpart, Commissioner Lumon May, kicked the discussion off by listing a huge amount of projects and initiatives the county had undertaken in Brownsville.  Stormwater infrastructure, sidewalks, community centers, sports leagues (tennis and basketball) a new library in Brownsville, the youth employment program, the construction of affordable homes, and a host of other programs.

Similarly-the newly appointed interim superintendent of schools discussed some initiatives he will be bringing back, to include peer-to peer mentoring and conflict resolution strategies.  He also reported that he will be a partner to the Sheriff in creating a safe atmosphere in schools.

Interestingly--a majority of public speakers chastised the sheriff and law enforcement in particular--saying they felt "Brownsville was being over policed" and multiple speakers pushed back on the Sheriff for saying the violence and murders thus far this year has been chiefly "black on black."   After a number of speakers expressed dismay that the sheriff would use this term--he (Sheriff Simmons) gave the stark facts.  "There have been thirteen murders in the county this year.  All thirteen perpetrators were black, as were 11 of the 13 victims.  These are the facts and I am not going to hide this" he stated to the room which was silent upon hearing this enlightening, factual statistic.

I spoke and thanked the stat for funding mental health facilities in the community and I focused on mental health (undiagnosed, untreated) as a big factor in the violence we see.  I also discussed some of the economic development initiatives the county has undertaken to create more jobs here.  Finally, I ended my comments explaining how the county is approving new residential development so that the extra supply will help to ease the housing affordability issue we are seeing area wide.

The meeting ended on a note of optimism with several speakers giving praise for the group's efforts and work.  One young man in particular keyed into what I said about mental health shortcomings in the community leading to the violence.  He gave his own story-- a violent recovering addict who is changing and celebrating 8 years of sobriety while also giving back and mentoring folks in the community where he now lives (Jacksonville).  His story was compelling.

We will have more of these sorts of roundtables going forward.  Potential next topics were enunciated by the Sheriff:

Fentanyl crisis

The Clergy's role in community issues

Gentrification

School issues

So look for community action and meetings to come on these topics.

On WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" Tomorrow Morning talking County Budget

I'll be on "Real News with Rick Outzen" tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM talking the 2023-2024 Escambia County Budget. 

I've been invited to appear tomorrow on the area's most reliable, accurate, and in-the-know morning AM drive news radio show--"Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA.

There is a lot to discuss as the BCC is headed into the budget process with a record-setting $700 Million Dollar proposed budget that will be discussed in tomorrow morning's BCC meeting starting at 9:00 downtown.  So we will preview that meeting on Rick's show first at 7:00 and discuss the important aspects of it.

For those that want a deeper dive:  Check out the county's very in-depth and informative 2023-2024 proposed budget document online here.   It is a very detailed and thorough look at our revenue sources and where we are spending your (taxpayer) dollars in the county.  It is worth the time to read.

--Check out page 8 for historical comparison

--Check out page 31 for our funding allocations for the Constitutional offices 

--Check out page 43 for the start of the BCC departmental budgets

--Check out page 228 for the judicial budget

Lots of information, all transparent, and most importantly:  Once again NO TAX RATE INCREASE in this budget to support the operations of the county--we are living within our means.

Catch the podcast here

Is the Perdido Key Roundabout Helping or HAMPERING the Flow of Traffic there?

Traffic was backed up from the Wal Mart at Sorrento and Blue Angel all the way to the "Roundabout" at Johnson's Beach Road and Perdido Key Drive on Perdido Key Saturday....

Extra signage.  Extra rumble strips.  Additional lighting.  And still even more signage.

Yet the complaints about the Perdido Key roundabout (which was supposed to improve safety and movement in, out, and through Perdido Key) appears to be a problem.  Now I am wondering---Is this roundabout helping or HAMPERING the flow of traffic into and out of Perdido Key?

I've spoken to our traffic engineer this weekend and we are going to get to the bottom of the issue and answer that question---scientifically---over the next several weeks.  Then, we will decide a potentially new course to take.

Because once this portion of the district reverted back to D1 in January of 2022 after redistricting in 2021--the roundabout was already engineered, designed and funded by the previous commissioner from this area.  On top of that--I was assured that the roundabout was the preferred option that was voted upon by the citizens by a large margin after multiple open house meetings out there prior to 2022.

So upon assumption of this area I moved forward with construction which is now completed.  And I have been out there multiple times and driven through the roundabout from every direction with no problem. But others are having problems..... 

And now that it is constructed---I am having a hard time finding anyone, literally anybody who will publicly claim they "like" the roundabout or "support" the county's construction of it.  And I can't even find anyone from this supposed "majority" who supported it initially.  They've pulled a D.B. Cooper on me.

I am finding complaints though.  Lots.  "It's not big enough" is one common one I am hearing.

"It's backing things up" is another.  "There are a lot more wrecks now!" is yet another.

Yes---there have been a number of wrecks, and also multiple persons have blown through the roundabout, straight through it, damaging signage and plantings which had to be replaced at county expense.  According to one angry citizen: "I  hope they [the county] figure it out.  I got a feeling until the turnabout is gone and some alternative turn lanes is put in the problem will continue.  The 35' ACE Hardware delivery truck that's route takes it through there twice a week had to stop and back up and eventually just crossed striaight over the mediun in order to get through.  Impossible for any emergency vehicle or delivery truck of any size getting through without resorting to doing the same.  The ACE driver has reported it to the owner of ACE hardware who also told me the same thing."

An official very familiar with the issue summed it up succinctly: "There isn't much we can do when both roads are backed up and headed in the same direction..we can't do anything to make people move quicker across the bridge and not back up through the intersection.  Too many people on too narrow of a road."

So we are going to do an analysis and apply an appropriate  fix.  That's what we are going to do.

stay tuned.

Big Lagoon State Park Repaired and Reopened

Representatives from the Florida State Park System invited me to join them for a ribbon cutting in D1 at Big Lagoon State Park Friday

Like a lot of our area did--Big Lagoon State Park in Perdido in District 1 took a huge hit during Hurricane Sally in September of 2020. 

The state has subsequently invested millions of dollars into the rehabilitation of the facility.

A rebuilt pavillion and observatory deck, a repaired observatory, repaired boardwalks, a repaved roadway through the park, and much, much more.

So this past Friday dignitaries from the state of Florida's Parks department descended on Pensacola to come out and "cut the ribbon" at the newly revitalized facility.

The local park superintendent, the regional supervisor of the parks, and also the state's park system director, Chuck Hatcher, were all present.

Because this park is in District 1--I was also invited to speak and celebrate the ribbon cutting, which I did.

There were about 100 citizens and others present for the event to see the new facility and hear from the dignitaries present.  "We have more than 1000 employees and we take pride in parks like this one in Perdido." said Hatcher.  "We brought in $85 Million in revenue and we appreciate the state of Florida's support for our parks system" he continued.  "For many years we were the only gold medal winning state park system that had repeated this honor multiple times--until recently when Delaware earned a second Gold Medal for their state park system.  But Florida stands out:  We not only have won the Gold Medal for quality--but we are the only state that has won this honor four times."

Hatcher and the other parks personnel thanked the citizens who volunteer to help operate the park, and then refreshments and a trolley tour of the facility was offered for all in attendance.  

It was a beautiful day, and this is a beautiful facility--I encourage all Escambia Citizens to visit!

Read more about Big Lagoon State Park

Read more about the Florida Parks Service