At the Escambia County Commission’s Committee of the Whole meeting on July 18, Chairman Gene Valentino demanded that I show myself in commission chambers. He accused me of falsely accusing him of some conspiracy.
Here is what we published in our July 18 “Winners & Losers” column on the “Loser” side of the ledger. There is no mention of conspiracy.
Gang of Three
Interim County Administrator George Touart and Escambia County Commissioners Gene Valentino and Wilson Robertson are upset with just about everybody who questions their actions—this paper, Sheriff David Morgan, Commissioners Lumon May, Grover Robinson and Steve Barry and the public. The last Gang of Three that ran the county was Touart, Commissioner Mike Whitehead and Sheriff Ron McNesby, which didn’t turn out so well.
Commissioner Valentino added that my paper hurt the county’s chances with Airbus (the French company building a plant in Moblie). It is Commissioner Valentino’s responsibility to make Escambia County Commission look good. When he does, we will report on it.
By the end of this clip, I had walked into commission chambers and sat in the front row. I didn’t ask to speak. Instead I waited to see if Commissioner Valentino and Interim County Administrator George Touart had any questions of me.
Commissioner Valentino told the audience that I wasn’t going to be allowed to speak.
