The majority of Pensacola voters would like Mayor Ashton Hayward to appeal Judge Roger Vinson’s ruling that the Bayview Cross was unconstitutional and needed to be removed from city property.
On June 26, the Inweekly and Political Matrix conducted a study regarding the ruling.
We asked: What do you think Mayor Ashton Hayward should do regarding the federal judge’s ruling that the cross is unconstitutional and must be removed?â€
After surveying 488 likely Pensacola voters we found that only 15.4% wanted the cross removed.
Additionally, we found that 42.8% wanted the Mayor to appeal the decision and 33.4% thought the Mayor should lease the property to a separate non-profit to preserve the cross.
Less than nine percent either needed more information (5.3%) or had no opinion (3.1%).
This study was conducted via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology. The numbers used were supplied by the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. Only households who voted at least 3 out of the last 4 elections were called in this survey. The number were randomized upon implementation of the study and 488 completed studies were collected.
The study consisted of 1 questions (excluding gender and race) were asked of the respondents. The margin of error of this study was +/- 4%.
|  1. What do you think Mayor Ashton Hayward should do regarding the federal judge’s ruling that the cross is unconstitutional and must be removed? | ||
| Responses: 488 | Total |
Overall %Â |
| 1. Remove the cross |
75 |
15.4% |
| 2. Appeal the ruling |
209 |
42.8% |
| 3. Lease the property to a non profit entity to preserve the cross |
163 |
33.4% |
| 4. Need more information |
26 |
5.3% |
| 5. No opinion or undecided |
15 |
3.1% |
| By City Districts | |||
| District 1, Responses: 76Â | Total | Crosstab % | Overall % |
| 1. Remove the cross | 14 | 18.4% | 2.9% |
| 2. Appeal the ruling | 29 | 38.2% | 5.9% |
| 3. Lease the property | 25 | 32.9% | 5.1% |
| 4. Need more information | 5 | 6.6% | 1.0% |
| 5. No opinion or undecided | 3 | 3.9% | 0.6% |
| District 2, Responses: 58Â | |||
| 1. Remove the cross | 9 | 15.5% | 1.8% |
| 2. Appeal the ruling | 30 | 51.7% | 6.1% |
| 3. Lease the property | 16 | 27.6% | 3.3% |
| 4. Need more information | 2 | 3.4% | 0.4% |
| 5. No opinion or undecided | 1 | 1.7% | 0.2% |
| District 3, Responses: 92Â | |||
| 1. Remove the cross | 13 | 14.1% | 2.7% |
| 2. Appeal the ruling | 32 | 34.8% | 6.6% |
| 3. Lease the property | 44 | 47.8% | 9.0% |
| 4. Need more information | 3 | 3.3% | 0.6% |
| 5. No opinion or undecided | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| District 4, Responses: 83 | |||
| 1. Remove the cross | 11 | 13.3% | 2.3% |
| 2. Appeal the ruling | 32 | 38.6% | 6.6% |
| 3. Lease the property | 33 | 39.8% | 6.8% |
| 4. Need more information | 5 | 6.0% | 1.0% |
| 5. No opinion or undecided | 2 | 2.4% | 0.4% |
| District 5, Responses: 65Â | |||
| 1. Remove the cross | 11 | 16.9% | 2.3% |
| 2. Appeal the ruling | 32 | 49.2% | 6.6% |
| 3. Lease the property | 18 | 27.7% | 3.7% |
| 4. Need more information | 3 | 4.6% | 0.6% |
| 5. No opinion or undecided | 1 | 1.5% | 0.2% |
| District 6, Responses: 68Â | |||
| 1. Remove the cross | 10 | 14.7% | 2.0% |
| 2. Appeal the ruling | 33 | 48.5% | 6.8% |
| 3. Lease the property | 15 | 22.1% | 3.1% |
| 4. Need more information | 4 | 5.9% | 0.8% |
| 5. No opinion or undecided | 6 | 8.8% | 1.2% |
| District 7, Responses: 46Â | |||
| 1. Remove the cross | 7 | 15.2% | 1.4% |
| 2. Appeal the ruling | 21 | 45.7% | 4.3% |
| 3. Lease the property | 12 | 26.1% | 2.5% |
| 4. Need more information | 4 | 8.7% | 0.8% |
| 5. No opinion or undecided | 2 | 4.3% | 0.4% |
Mayor Hayward should lease the lead to Senator Evers non profit and include a sunset provision in the lease that if the City prevails then both sides who want to appeal and lease win. Over 75% want to save the Cross. Nowadays you can’t even go upstairs to City Hall to the Mayors Office. The Mayor has blockaded himself. Talk about no access to our Goverment officials. Now they literally are in their Ivory tower.
I am absolutely strongly asking mayor Hayward to appeal judge Vincent decision. I think there is a very good chance of reversing that. Then you do not have to worry about leasing the property. That can be the second option after at least trying the appeal. I am hoping that he decides to do just that. That cross is so much a part of my childhood history and it will truly break my heart if it comes down. But legally I think it should stand as a historical monument with strong military significance as well as displaying a beautiful cross welcoming to all. I do not believe one or two bullies should when when the majority of Pensacola wants it to stay where it is.
Appeal the ruling
Allow all religions that desire to display their symbol or none at all. Fairness and love for all of mankind is the Christian way, correct? Be ye kind one to another, tenderheartedly forgiving one another…Correct?