Last night our legislative delegation held an open forum at Pensacola Junior College. State Sen. Durell Peaden (R-Crestview) and State Rep. Greg Evers (R-Baker) made a rare appearance in Escambia County to tell citizens that they may not support a bill that would establish a commission to draft a consolidation document for the citizens to vote on sometime in 2010. They voiced concerns over consolidation even though the three elected bodies in the county – Escambia County Commission, Pensacola City Council and Century City Council- each unanimously approved the formation of a commission.
Only Peaden, Evers and Dave Murzin were there. State Sen. Don Gaetz was in Tallahassee. State Rep. Clay Ford, who I had seen earlier in the day at McGuire’s Irish Politicians Club, was too ill to attend, according to the PNJ report.
What will it take to get Peaden and Evers on board? Not sure. Evers wants to run for Peaden’s seat in 2010. He may see this as means to gain support in north Escambia County, especially if Dave Murzin is his opponent. Murzin supports the bill.