Mayor Ashton Hayward was in East Hill last night to answer questions about RESTORE Act money and address other concerns from District 4 residents as part of the “Taking City Hall to the Citizens†series. Held at the Bayview Senior Resource Center, Hayward and city officials gathered for just over an hour at the sixth town hall meeting this year. Councilman Larry B. Johnson was also in attendance to answer questions from the audience.
Hayward discussed RESTORE Act money with the audience and encouraged them to attend meetings and be involved in knowing how the dollars should be spent. “The RESTORE Act money is an incredible opportunity in Pensacola,†he said. “We need to make sure we spend this money wisely. We don’t want to see these dollars wasted.â€
Traffic concerns were also a major topic at last night’s meeting. James Nims, who lives on Langley Avenue, voiced his concerns about the dangers of the intersection at 9th Avenue and Creighton Road. “There have been three crashes in less than a month,†Nims said. “What disappoints me is that I feel like there has to be a fatality before anything is done.â€
Derrik Owens, City Engineer, said that the Florida Department of Transportation owns and maintains that intersection and that he would bring it to their attention. “The last thing we want is a loss of a life,†Hayward said.
District 4 resident Cheryl Tucker requested that the city do more press releases on tennis events, as well as other sports. Tucker also inquired about the state of city employees’ pensions. “The number one issue in Pensacola is the pension problem,†Hayward said.
Crime was a topic addressed last night as well. District 4 resident Janet Walsh inquired about the increase in homicides during the summer and what was being done about crime in the community. “There were a few pockets of individuals engaging in long-term conflict about drugs,†Police Chief Chip Simmons said.
District 4 resident Karen Lessard had concerns about degradation of the bluffs near Scenic Highway and her neighbors cutting down trees on the bluffs. Hayward said that taking care of the bluffs is priority number one and that he will address the problem with FDOT since they own Scenic Highway.
Stan Tarter said that he frequently walks from his home in Scenic Terrace Condominiums to Apple Market and finds it dangerous to cross the street. “The right of way for pedestrians should be more strictly enforced near the intersection of Blount Street and Scenic Highway, he said. “I would like to make roads safer for pedestrians.â€
“Two top things that come out of these meetings are strengthening public safety and your neighborhoods,†Hayward said.
Hayward ended the meeting by reciting a poem called “Work Together†from District 4 resident Joe McCormick:
“City Council and the mayor together, work to make Pensacola better
Support the vision everyone can see, actually benefit the entire community
Bury the hatchet the negative past, the citizen first instead of last
Cooperation is the right way, achieve new goals without delayâ€