The Economic Development Question
Does the Escambia County Commission want to create the PEDA – Pensacola Economic Development Authority – or any government body to control and handle day-to-day…
Pensacola: focus of Naval Aviation Centenniel
Craig Dalton, senior vp for military affairs at the Chamber, says the Pensacola will be the focal point of the Navy’s celebration of the first…
Gulf Coast airports compete for Southwest
Pensacola has an opportunity to get Southwest Airlines for the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport. If we get it, Southwest officials have said that it…
Buzz: City employees may form union
We have heard the Pensacola city employees are considering forming a union. Attorney Roy Kinsey has reportedly been approached to be their attorney.
Nodine misstated private commitment
Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine misstated the private sector’s commitment to economic development. He said it was $10 million commitment over two years. The program…
Lee’s Summit EDC close to Chamber plan
One of Gene Valentino’s experts was Jim Devine, president/CEO of Lee’s Summit (MO) Economic Development Council. It is a public-private partnership with the business community…
No need for PEDC review, only one decision
Economic Development hinges on one decision that only the Escambia County Commission can make: Should Valentino’s PEDA (Pensacola Escambia Development Authority that has the commissioners…
Valentino/Birdwell strategy
Their strategy is clear–delay voting on economic development as long as possible in hopes of building a ground swell against the Chamber. Yes, against the…
Commissioner Valentino’s comments
The BOCC referred the economic development to the PEDC for further discussion. Here are Commissioner Valentino’s comments on today’s meeting (the emphasis is his): I’m…
Valentino show
Commissioner Gene Valentino presented his “plan” to the Escambia County Commission. Jane Birdwell worked the PowerPoint presentation and coached the commissioner during the meeting. Valentino…
Gainer school closing no surprise
The PNJ is reporting today that the “Ruby J. Gainer Charter School, a high school for at-risk teens, will not reopen in the fall because…
Century votes down gas tax
The Century Town Council voted 3-2 Monday night against supporting the tax for Escambia County Area Transit. According to NorthEscambia.com, the sticking point was ECAT…
Sen. Nelson is coming
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson will hold a press conference today at 3 p.m. at Plaza de Luna at the end of Palafox. He is holding…
Charter commission sets public hearing
This is a big week for local government. On Tuesday, June 16, at 9 a.m., the Escambia County Commission will discuss economic development at its…
Memorial service set for Mayor Gilchrist
The family will receive friends on Monday, June 15 at St Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze from 4pm to 6pm. A memorial…
Gilchrist was a statesman, public servant
For his 27 years of public, Lane Gilchrist was paid a total of $27. He was fair and had no hidden agendas. Lane didn’t worry…
Gulf Breeze mayor dies
Long-time Gulf Breeze Mayor Lane Gilchrist, 72, has died. I received a phone call early this morning that Lane had passed away during surgery. Lane…
County may drop longevity pay
Escambia County is looking for $17.1 million in budget cuts. County Budget director Amy Lovoy has made these recommendations to the BOCC: — Eliminate longevity…
Nuclear power coming to Escambia County?
Is Gulf Power planning to build a nuclear power plant in north Escambia County? William Reynolds of NorthEscambia.com thinks its possible. The electric utility has…
Seville Rotary
I spoke last night to the Seville Rotary, Pensacola’s newest Rotary club and the only one that meets in the evenings. The club meets at…
