PNJ published columnist Theresa Blackwell’s monthly tirade on OLF-8 yesterday. Bless their hearts, the Gannett-owned newspaper apparently does not have the staff to fact-check Blackwell.
Blackwell’s points were:
- Developers are good; Business leaders are evil.
- Developers whose primary motivation is turning a profit –“will put us on the right path and serve us well” are better than leaders like David Bear, banker Bruce Vredenburg (“shilling for Bear), and the public (“unelected body of sycophants”).
- Dismissal of any concerns about losing the $14.2 million Triumph grant and Live Local Act because they “can be managed at the right time” but provides no evidence or details of how.
Of course, Blackwell doesn’t mention that no one elected her to be the “voice” of the Beulah community. She didn’t write about how she worked with the DPZ to make the 540 acres all public amenities and residential, even though most Beulah residents wanted commercial development and employment initiatives.
She touts the final hybrid DPZ plan and repeatedly stresses that it must be followed. Yet, Blackwell doesn’t believe fulfilling the hard-fought Light Industrial component is essential and continues to mock and attack any proposal that meets the Light Industrial component of the DPZ master plan.
- In November, she tried to debunk an economic impact analysis done by the UWF Haas Center – which she mentioned again yesterday – but Blackwell didn’t say that UWF Haas Center did the economic impact analysis for DPZ, too.
Her code word for unwanted prospects for OLF-8 is now “advanced manufacturing.” Advanced manufacturing can be light industrial, but Blackwell needs “red meat” to feed her small following.
Reminder: The DPZ master plan creates a Light Industrial District, even defining it as “A medium intensity district, consisting of light industrial and commercial/office uses.”
- Permitted uses include Warehouses, Maintenance Facilities, Light Industrial, Wholesale warehousing, and Building or Construction Trade shops.
Blackwell has an agenda and has been less than truthful in pursuing it. She wants to be seen as the interpreter of the OLF-8 master plan and the decision-maker on what should be allowed on the site. Ironically, private developers give her less control, not more.
- OLF-8 is on the Board of County Commissioners’ agenda this Thursday. Stay tuned.
In January 2019, Escambia County acquired OLF-8 in a land swap with the U.S. Navy for property in Santa Rosa County. The process took over 20 years to put together. For more background, read:
This infographic covers the history of offers for the OLF-8:
Featured Photo by Ali Mohseni Rad on Unsplash
Isn’t it great to be able to delete content when it goes against what you are slinging? I don’t expect you to keep this message either. You missed a very informative meeting last night with three different Developers presenting their ideas under a master plan and it seems that they are not reaching in others wallets to make it happen! I for one hate corruption in local government! Bless your heart and have a great day!
How about a DAMAC deveopment and a Trump Golf course. Win Win. Get Gaetz to whisper in MAGA’s ears.
You have to give Blackwell credit, she’s focused and consistent. ?
Mr. Schultz, this isn’t a witch hunt, but I am curious what you think is the fiasco? Ms. Blackwell attacked those who have a different vision for OLF-8 – but a vision rooted in the master plan – for not being an “unelected body of sycophants.” I pointed out that she isn’t elected either. Ms. Blackwell, you, the business community and everyone have a right to express their opinions. However, she continues to mislead the public to what is in the master plan.