With nearly all the players in the same room, the discussion roamed until it was exhausted. That journey continues tonight during the Escambia County Commission’s regular meeting. “Commissioners, we have come, I…
Category: Jeremy’s Notebook
Pointing Fingers and Finding Solutions
The Escambia County School Board took another step yesterday in the reconfiguration of Lincoln Park Elementary School. Although the school’s proponents lobbied for further consideration and additional support, the board moved ahead…
Touart’s On the List
There are a number of last-minute applicants looking to land the county administrator position with Escambia County. Among them, is the man currently serving on an interim basis. Last week, Human Resources…
Lincoln Park Shake-Up?
A group of Lincoln Park Elementary School teachers went to visit with Escambia County School District Superintendent Malcolm Thomas this week. According to Principal Christine Nixon, the teachers wanted to discuss the…
No Panhandling in the Upside
The final installment of the so-called ‘homeless’ ordinances was approved by the Pensacola City Council last night. The new ordinance targets panhandling. “I know it’s going to be challenged in court, and…
Brush Strokes and Non-Starters
It’s unclear what course of action the Escambia County Commission will take in response to the recent U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the operations of the Escambia County Jail. The board…
Escambia Eyes ECAT
Since March, Escambia County Director of Human Relations Tom Turner has been interviewing mass transit employees following complaints about the system’s management company. “Right or wrong,†he concluded in a report to…
McKenzie Appointed as NLG VP
Local attorney Alistair McKenzie was recently appointed Regional Vice President for the National Lawyers Guild. He will be working with Guild chapters across the South. McKenzie has gained a reputation locally as…
Looking for Lockup Money
Later this week, the Escambia County Commission will be looking at three proposals from staff concerning the Escambia County Jail and the sheriff’s budget. County officials are working to address findings from…
Panama Gene and the Flow Control Victory
Fresh off his economic development trip to Central America, Escambia County Commission Chairman Gene Valentino is jazzed about possible opportunities locally. “Contrary to the pundits, I was not on the beach sunning…
Bayou Grande Spill: 72,000 Gallons
Yesterday, it was announced that 35,000 gallons of untreated sewage had spewed into Bayou Grande due to a broken water line. Emerald Coastkeeper Sava Varazo was pegging the number at about 100,000…
COW Rundown
The Pensacola City Council has a fair amount of meat on the table for Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Here’s a taste: Maritime Park Land Lease – Mayor Ashton Hayward is…
RESTORE Tour Kicks Off in Pensacola
Many of the attendees at Monday’s Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council public input session sported stickers that read ‘RESTORING Our Environment RESTORES Our Economy.’ The council’s executive director took notice. “I see…
Escambia’s Garbage Showdown
The Escambia County Commission made moves today meant to block the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority from following through on a waste-disposal contract with a private company that’s looking to turn trash into…
Talking Trash
After months of unsuccessful negotiations between Escambia County and the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority over the fate of the area’s trash, county commissioners decided to show up at the utility board’s May…
Homeless Ordinances Find Home
The Pensacola City Council’s passage of the so-called homeless ordinances has been an uncomfortable affair. During the first reading, it was the Boy Scouts. Thursday, it was a Chinese visitor with the…
Picnic Protest at City Hall
A protest/no-money yard sale/picnic is scheduled for tomorrow on the Pensacola City Hall lawn, prior to the Pensacola City Council meeting. “It is a protest, as well as giving away of items—that…
Closing the Loop on the CRA
When it came time for the Community Redevelopment Agency report during the May 9 Pensacola City Council meeting, Councilman Brian Spencer—who also serves as the CRA chairman—was out of the room. He’d…
CMPA Looks at Bylaws
A number of motions were thrown onto the table this afternoon during the Community Maritime Park Associates’ Bylaws Committee special meeting. Members shied away from the bigger-deal changes, but did embrace an…
Myers: Table ‘Aggressive’ Panhandling Proposal
The Pensacola City Council will be discussing a proposed ordinance this afternoon aimed at “aggressive†panhandling. It is the final proposal in a collection of proposed ordinances that critics charge will “criminalize 
