Viewpoint: Bergosh – Disagreeing Isn’t Attacking
September 26, 2018
From Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh
A one-sided opinion piece was published very recently about Escambia County’s project to acquire the property in Beulah Known as OLF 8. The publisher would not allow me a written rebuttal.
Here are the key facts missing from that piece:
— The jobs-generating project at OLF 8 was the #1 economic development project selected by the County’s Restore Act Committee
–The jobs-generating project for OLF 8 was conceived, voted upon, and financial commitments were made long before I was elected to the Board.
—Our triumph gulf coast application, for which we stand to receive $30 Million dollars, creates at least 1,000 good-paying jobs with the OLF 8 property including quality of life improvements, biking trails, restaurants and retail amenities—all of which benefit Beulah and the region.
— I support this project because we must be good financial stewards with this soon-to-be county-owned resource; staying in the running for our $30 Million-dollar grant while intelligently developing OLF 8 is how we demonstrate this.
–The county expended $17.3 million dollars to acquire OLF 8 to create jobs–not for building “town-centers” or for sourcing land to benefit residential developers.
—I made the motion to sell 100 acres to NFCU for a market price plus the commitment of 300 jobs–so we only need to create a minimum of 700 more good jobs at OLF 8 to stay in the running for the $30 Million triumph grant!
— I made the motion to have staff create an RFP for master planning OLF 8 that: 1.) listens to residents, 2.) captures the maximum amount of value for this land, and 3.) stays within the guidelines of our Triumph grant request.
These are the facts missing from Sunday’s editorial.
I’ve attacked nobody in my disagreement amid concerns over what is being planned for OLF 8— despite this baseless claim being printed about me.
I simply feel residential development is inappropriate at this site—not because I have any dislike of residential development, but because more than 1200 apartments, condos, and homes are currently under construction within walking distance from NFCU’s campus already. The area in and around the proposed Beulah Interchange now has roughly 7,000 residential units recently completed, currently in construction, in planning, or going through development review…
Our roads and infrastructure simply cannot handle any more of this residential development! This is what my constituents are telling me, and I am hearing them loud and clear!
A final pressing concern that I have heard in listening to my constituents is this:
While there are many progressive, urban, mixed-used developments and town center concepts put out as examples of what could be built out on OLF 8–not all those concepts are necessarily applicable to Beulah.
Beulah is a rural, suburban bedroom community desperately trying to retain its rural charm and character despite the growth that is engulfing it rapidly. (I am working to help with this via a citizens’ committee and a regional master plan.)
Many constituents simply DO NOT want a big-city styled Mall-development with apartments and condos built on OLF 8 making traffic worse—And I agree with these constituents!
To agree with my constituents that do not want to build a “mini-city” on Beulah’s OLF 8 isn’t an attack.
Far from attacking anyone or insulting citizens (which I don’t do), I’m doing my job, listening to measured voices of reason from constituents like me that live right across the street from OLF 8.
I’m taking the county-wide, broad-view perspective on this issue.
Jeff Bergosh
Chairman,
Escambia Board of County Commissioners
Click image to enlarge.
Facing A Navy Commander: NJROTC Students Undergo Inspection
September 26, 2018
Northview High School’s NJROTC Annual Inspection was held Tuesday at the school, with cadets undergoing face to face scrutiny with a retired Navy commander.
Commander Merlin Ladner, USN (Ret) conducted the inspection. The day’s events began with a personnel inspection, drill demonstration and a pass-in-review in the school gym. The commander also conducted a financial record review, briefings, administrative inspections, supply inspections and more.
One by one, Cmdr. Ladner went face to face with each cadet, asking them questions about their NJROTC experience and conducting a complete inspection of their uniform.
“Yes, sir,” the cadets answered as they faced the questions about their NJROTC service, their ribbons, their uniforms and some less than expected questions about every day life that left some cadets trying not to crack a smile.
“Who pressed your uniform?” Ladner asked one cadet.
“Sir?” She responded.
“Your mom? You didn’t take it to a dry cleaner did you? he asked. “It looks good.”
Several cadets were promoted and received awards or ribbons.
Petty Officer Third Class:
Cadet John Bashore
Cadet Sarius Davis
Cadet Ethan Kilburn
Cadet Dallon Rackard
Exemplary Personal Appearance award/ribbon:
Cadet John Bashore
Cadet Jasmine Benjamin
Cadet Grace Johnson (not pictured/identified by the Inspecting officer following the awards ceremony)
Cadet Julie Keith
Cadet Colby Morris
Cadet Dallon Rackard
Cadet Adrianne Shanks
Cadet Melissa Sunday
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cross Country: Northview, Flomaton, PCA, Central
September 26, 2018
Northview, Pensacola Christian, Flomaton and Central took part in a cross country meet on a rainy Tuesday afternoon at Northview High School in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Girls
1st — Pensacola Christian
2nd — Northview
Boys
1st — Pensacola Christian
2nd — Northview
3rd — Flomaton
No girls from Flomaton took part. Century ran individual male and female athletes but did not field full teams.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Big Money Backs Gambling, Dog Racing And Other Florida Ballot Measures
September 26, 2018
Florida voters this fall could decide the fate of 12 ballot proposals that deal with issues ranging from limiting taxes to banning greyhound racing.
Behind the scenes, businesses and organizations have already spent tens of millions of dollars as they try to pass — or defeat — some of the proposed constitutional amendments.
Here are snapshots of five ballot proposals that are drawing big chunks of money:
MARSY’S LAW: Part of a national movement to boost crime victims’ rights, Amendment 6 on the November ballot had already drawn $30.37 million as of Sept. 14.
The amendment, put on the ballot by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, is dubbed “Marsy’s Law” and is rooted in the 1983 death of a California woman, Marsy Nicholas, who was stalked and killed by an ex-boyfriend. Marsy Nicholas’ brother, Henry, is the co-founder of Broadcom Corp. and has spearheaded the Marsy’s Law movement.
Almost all of the money backing the Florida measure, $30.045 million, has come from the national Marsy’s Law for All Foundation, according to the state Division of Elections website. Another $325,000 has come from Henry Nicholas.
GAMBLING BATTLE: Amendment 3, which is designed to make it harder to expand gambling in the state, has drawn millions of dollars from supporters and opponents. Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. and the Seminole Tribe of Florida have combined to contribute $26.43 million to the political committee Voters In Charge, which led a petition drive to get the measure on the ballot and is steering efforts to pass it.
Disney is a longtime opponent of casino gambling, while the Seminole Tribe already operates lucrative casinos in Florida. The ballot proposal would change the Florida Constitution and give voters the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling” in the state. If approved, it would require voter approval of casino-style games in the future and effectively reduce the power of the Legislature and governor to decide gambling-related issues.
The gambling industry, however, has started funneling money to at least two political committees to fight the ballot proposal. One of those committees, known as Citizens for the Truth About Amendment 3, had raised $3.52 million as of Sept. 14, while another, known as Vote NO on 3, had raised $650,000.
FELONS VOTING: Restoring the voting rights of felons has long been a contentious legal and political issue in Florida.
But buoyed by money from the American Civil Liberties Union and a series of other large donors, the political committee Floridians for a Fair Democracy is seeking to pass a proposed constitutional amendment, known as Amendment 4, that would automatically restore the rights of most felons after they serve their sentences, complete parole or probation and pay restitution. The amendment would not apply to people convicted of murder or sexual offenses.
Floridians for a Fair Democracy had raised $14.4 million as of Sept. 14 to get the measure on the ballot and to try to pass it. The ACLU had contributed $3.8 million in cash and had made hundreds of thousands of dollars in in-kind contributions.
TAX CAP CONTINUATION: Voters in 2008 approved a constitutional amendment that placed a 10 percent cap on annual increases in assessed values of non-homestead properties, such as commercial properties. But the limit will expire Jan. 1 unless it is extended by voters in November through the passage of Amendment 2.
Lawmakers placed Amendment 2 on the ballot, along with two other measures — Amendment 1 and Amendment 5 — aimed at cutting or holding down taxes.
The industry group Florida Realtors is trying to make sure Amendment 2 passes. As of Sept. 14, the group had contributed $5.56 million to a political committee known as Amendment 2 is for Everybody, according to the Division of Election website.
GREYHOUND RACING: Animal-rights groups have tried for years to convince lawmakers to stop greyhound racing in Florida.
But unable to get legislation passed, they enlisted the support of the Constitution Revision Commission, which approved placing a measure on the ballot designed to ban dog racing at pari-mutuel facilities.
An effort known as the Committee to Protect Dogs had raised about $2.3 million as of Sept. 14 to bolster efforts to pass the amendment, with $1.5 million coming from the Doris Day Animal League. The group Grey2K USA had added more than $480,000.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Broxson Tours Beulah Middle School
September 26, 2018
State Sen. Doug Broxson joined Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and School Board member Kevin Adams in touring the new Beulah Middle School Tuesday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Dies In Crash While Fleeing From Escambia County Deputy
September 25, 2018
A man fleeing from deputies died in a traffic crash early Tuesday morning in Escambia County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was attempting to stop a Hyundai Elantra driven by 20-year old Micheal Ozarius Crumpton on Palafox Street when he fled from deputies, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. While continuing to flee, Crumpton ran a red light at the Fairfield Drive intersection, striking a Chevrolet Silverado driven by 22-year old Shyanne Nicole Doster. The Silverado overturned and struck a Toyota pickup driven by Edward Glenn King of Cantonment.
Crumpton was ejected. He was transported to Baptist Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Doster and King were not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation.
Photos by Kayla Mott for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon
September 25, 2018
A Century man was arrested for allegedly pulled a gun on a man and threatening to kill the man’s friend.
Aaron Lee Sutton, 29, was arrested Saturday in connection with the incident on September 6 on Crary Road . He was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor battery.
The victim told deputies that he was walking home when Sutton stopped and offered him a ride to the home he shares with a friend. When they arrived, Sutton reached into his vehicle center console and retrieved a pistol, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, before running toward the door yelling that he was going to kill the victim’s friend.
Sutton allegedly grabbed the man by the throat and pointed the gun at his face before driving away “yelling and screaming” that he was going to kill his friend inside the home, the report states.
The friend told deputies that he saw Sutton beating on the door of the home with a firearm and observed him grab the other victim, but he said he did not see Sutton point the firearm at the victim, according to the ECSO.
The victim did not report the alleged incident for two days.
Sutton was released from jail on a $6,000 bond.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team Places At National Field Trials
September 25, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team earned two big wins recently at the United States Police Canine Association’s National Patrol Dog Field Trials.
During the Four-Man Department Team Competition, Escambia County’s Deputy J. Marcum and K-9 Benga, Deputy J. Rogers and K-9 Axel, Deputy M. Watkins and K-9 Bady, and Deputy J.R. Reaves and K-9 Alek took third place.
Master Deputy Wayne Gulsby and K-9 Enzo won 15th place overall out of 85 teams.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DUI Driver Gets Life For Crash That Kill Two Sisters In Pace
September 25, 2018
A Santa Rosa County man was sentenced to life in prison Monday for the DUI manslaughter death of two girls in Pace.
Kailen Kelly, age 35 of Pace, was traveling at a high rate of speed May 6 when he crossed into another lane on Woodbine Road and slammed his 2008 Ford pickup head-on into a 2010 Buick driven by 39-year old Melanie Harrell of Pace. . Stormie P. Harrell, 7, and Michaela D. Sidney, 17, were killed. Melanie Harrell and 18-year old McKenzie Murphy were injured.
Kelly’s license was suspended until April 2018 — reinstated just days before the crash — after he refused to submit to a DUI test in Okaloosa County in 2017. His past includes threatening a person with a firearm and discharging a firearm in Escambia County and two prior DUI convictions.
He had a blood alcohol level of .149, had marijuana in his system and refused a breath test after the double fatal crash May 6, according to testimony. He showed no remorse, and a 12 pack of beer was found in his truck.
Kelly was charged with two counts of DUI-vehicular manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury to another, refusing to submit to a DUI test after license suspension, reckless driving, fleeing/eluding police and other traffic offenses.
Pictured top: Kelly’s vehicle following a double fatal crash. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Farm Families Recognized For Environmental Leadership
September 25, 2018
Three Santa Rosa-based farmers and ranchers were honored for their environmental stewardship with a County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) award recently at the Jay Civic Center.
Recipients honored were Alan Edwards of Alan Edwards Farms, Tyler Brown of Brown Farms and Trent Mathews of Sweet Season Farms.
Alan Edwards is a fifth-generation farmer who farms cotton, soybeans, peanuts, wheat, hay and raises beef cattle. Tyler Brown is a first-generation cotton and peanut farmer. Trent Mathews raises cattle and grows row crops and owns an Agri-tourism operation, Sweet Season Farms.
The CARES program was established by Florida Farm Bureau and the Suwannee River Partnership in 2001 to recognize superior natural resource conservation by agricultural producers. The program relies on action by farmers and ranchers to implement state-of-the-art natural resource management systems, or Best Management Practices, on their properties.
“Florida’s farmers and ranchers answer the call to protect our environment while also producing our food supply,’ said Florida Farm Bureau CARES Coordinator Cacee Hilliard. “Demonstrating outstanding efforts to implement practices that reduce water and nutrient use and also improve water quality earn an agricultural producer recognition with a This Farm CARES designation and sign. The customized CARES sign is farmer/rancher’s tool to demonstrate to the general public that they are committed to protecting local natural resources.”
Florida farmers and ranchers depend upon the life-sustaining capacity of the natural resources they manage to maintain their livelihoods. Nearly 800 agriculturists statewide have received the CARES award since the program was established.
In partnership with more than 60 public agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource and Conservation Service, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida’s water management districts, agricultural organizations, businesses and local government, CARES has become a model for the rest of the nation.
Pictured: Awards presented Alan Edwards (top), Tyler Brown (below) and Trent Mathews (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
