The proposed Children’s Resource Center (CRC) didn’t win approval of the Escambia Children’s Trust Grant Committee yesterday.
In June, Mayor D.C. Reeves announced his intention to seek funds from the Trust to purchase the Morris Eaddy Activity Center at Lakeview. Read more.
Why it matters: The Trust is rapidly moving toward committing its annual $10 million budget for the next three years if its board votes to renew all of its grants.
Mayor Reeves will have time to his proposal again with additional information, but there are no assurances that all the money won’t be committed.
Dig Deeper: The UWF Pockets of Poverty shows that over 1,700 children living in poverty reside within a short walking distance of the Lakeview site.
- The facility would be run by the City’s Parks & Recreation Department and would have a pediatric clinic run by Community Health Northwest Florida and mental health services offered by Lakeview.
The building also could provide office space for the Trust staff. Currently, the Trust pays Pensacola State College $5000/month for rent. According to those attending the grant meeting yesterday, Trust executive director Tammy Greer rejected any notion of moving to the West Moreno District.
There is an email circulating that has Commissioner Lumon May and city officials upset. I will post it as soon as I receive it.
Commissioner May will be my guest on “Real News with Rick Outzen” at 7 a.m. today.
White Endorsed
Frank White received two more endorsements for his bid to replace State Senator Doug Broxson, who terms out of office in 2024. Read more.
Former Rep. Jayer Williamson: “Too many North Floridians are one single tax increase from a bill going unpaid, and that’s unacceptable. I am proud to endorse Frank White for the Florida Senate because I know he will be a taxpayer champion for our families and small businesses by fighting wasteful spending and tax increases.”
Rep. Joel Rudman: “I know that he’ll be the partner we need in Tallahassee to keep a watchful eye on government bureaucrats so they don’t stifle our economy with unneeded regulations.”
Dig Deeper: White served one term in the Florida House before he ran unsuccessfully against Ashley Moody for Attorney General in 2018. He is expected to easily win the GOP nomination for the Senate District 1 post.
Drop the Mic
Police chiefs in Florida will get the last say when they’re fired, thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Any city that fires its police chief must allow the chief to appear at the local governing body’s next regularly scheduled public meeting so they can deliver a “full and complete response” to the move.
Also, cities must give written notice of the termination to police chiefs, and the law prohibits nondisclosure clauses in employment contracts.
Dig Deeper: Imagine what would have happened if the law was in effect in 2016 and also included fire chiefs when Mayor Ashton Hayward fired Chief Matt Schmitt. Read more.
