The Pensacola News Journal has endorsed Councilmen P.C. Wu and Brian Spencer as the best candidates for Council president, which the incoming council will select today. The Independent News is not sure it matters who holds that office. We’ve seen Mayor Ashton Hayward’s handpicked candidates win the post in 2011 and 2012 with few positive results for the community.
What we would like to see is the Pensacola City Council return to its committee structure that was in place prior to Mike Wiggins serving as the mayor. Instead of all recommendations being debated and discussed by the Committee of Whole in meetings that last four to five hours, committees comprised of three or four council members would hash out the details before a recommendation reached a regular council meeting.
There are two benefits. One is council members can become more versed in specific issues, like the Port of Pensacola, Neighborhoods or Pensions. Secondly more council members could gain experience as committee chairpersons, which would help if they are ever elected as council president.
We hope the council and whatever is elected president will consider this proposal.