The recent article on FPL’s consultant spying on Times-Union reporter Nate Monroe reminded me of a statement Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier made on my radio show last November when we discussed her interest in the city’s franchise agreement with the utility giant.
Brahier said, “When I was looking into these things, I was warned completely that they would come at us guns barreling. I was told last week that a politician in Tallahassee said that there was a smear campaign aimed at me.”
Councilwoman Brahier was my guest this morning. We discussed FPL and yesterday’s council workshop on the charter review recommendations.
Former Pensacola City Councilman Brian Spencer is a big fan of Brahier. He sent me this email:
Council representative, Jennifer Brahier, is officially my hero. She boldly challenged Mayor Robinson’s insistence on rubber-stamping/renewing our city’s franchise agreement with FP&L, despite the relentless intimidation tactics that were deployed to dissuade her from doing the research that is her “signature”. Because of Honorable Jennifer Brahier’s tenacity, the citizens of Pensacola not only have a fighting chance to rewrite our franchise agreement, (with inclusion of mandatory conversion of overhead power distribution to underground, thus restoring and preserving tree canopies bordering streets and sidewalks, for example), but we can further explore the benefits of owning/operating our own electric utility provider enterprise.
With the revealing NYT article on FP&L’s investment/presence in the Florida panhandle, Jennifer’s actions as a local representative are validated, while FP&L’s actions are vilified. It is my intention to distribute printed copies of the article for distribution to all Council members, the Pensacola Mayor, City Administrator, and the City attorney. Local media should be notified as well. It will make the uninformed and mildly curious skeptics of your crusade incensed.
Excerpt:
“Whether we’re talking about control of the P.S.C., the Legislature or even down to the local city level,” Ms. Schafer said, “with Florida Power & Light, time and time again we see this track record of them doing whatever they feel they need to do to protect their monopoly.’
Council representative, Jennifer Brahier, is officially my hero. She boldly challenged Mayor Robinson’s insistence on rubber-stamping/renewing our city’s franchise agreement with FP&L, despite the relentless intimidation tactics that were deployed to dissuade her from doing the research that is her “signature”. Because of Honorable Jennifer Brahier’s tenacity, the citizens of Pensacola not only have a fighting chance to rewrite our franchise agreement, but we can further explore the benefits of owning/operating our own electric utility provider enterprise.
Today’s NYT includes robust feature on FP&L. You are so validated, while they, on the other hand, are vilified. A full printed copy of the article needs to be distributed to all Council members, laggard Mayor, AND all local media. It will make the uninformed and mildly curious skeptics of your crusade incensed.
Excerpt from article:
“Whether we’re talking about control of the P.S.C., the Legislature or even down to the local city level,” Ms. Schafer said, “with Florida Power & Light, time and time again we see this track record of them doing whatever they feel they need to do to protect their monopoly.’
Congratulations and thank you for your perseverance, Jennifer.
Brian Spencer