The No Boss Mayor PAC has released a draft of its campaign finance report for October. Charlie Fairchild has loaned the PAC $3,000 of the $5,750 cash the campaign has collected. Read…
Valentino gains another opponent
Karen Sindel has filed to run against Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino in 2010. Valentino now faces five opponents in the Republican primary, including former County Administrator George Touart, Andy Kowalski and…
Even more pension stats
The City of Pensacola has 2008 estimated population of 53,820. The two Florida cities that are closest in populations are Bradenton (53,513) and Margate (54,086). Bradenton has a blended system. General employees…
More on pensions
The comparisons are even worse. The Escambia County Public School District: 2006 5,668 employees, pension costs $14.9 m, cost per employee $2,632 2007 5,765 employees, pension costs $19.5 m, cost per employee…
Pension plan train wreck
One of the biggest examples of the financial risks in having an administrative branch of city government that isn’t directly answerable to the public is the city pension/retirement system. The staff –…
Anti-charter tones down Fear & Smear campaign
The No Boss Mayor group has reduced its message down from six to four points and toned down the language. They have combined these two points from the Oct. 16 notice:”1)Accountability for…
Update on NMTC numbers
The New Market Tax Credit numbers are better than Ed Gray reported in August, based on the latest info that I’ve received: Sources: Gross Proceeds from Bonds: $44,922,968………………………….Not the $48M that Donovan…
Two ironies
1. The anti-charter people tell us we should leave government to the city staff. The anti-park people tell us we can’t trust the financing plan submitted by staff. Many of the same…
New Market Tax Credits – quick look
The use of New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) for the Community Maritime Park and particularly the maritime museum has yet to be decided. Here is how Ed Gray of Capital Trust Agency-Community…
What is the CMP bond plan?
The bond financing plan recommended by staff and approved by the council uses New Market Tax Credits which will allow UWF to get $12,256,785 for the maritime museum (if the NMTC portion…
Buzz: Benson to announce Thursday
The buzz is Holly Benson will announce her candidacy for Florida Attorney General on Thursday, Oct. 29 from the Escambia County Courthouse steps.
Marty makes smart political move
The new PAC and petition drive against the bond financing is a smart political move by former City Councilman Marty Donovan. There is no downside politically. His political career tanked after the…
Marty is back
The PNJ reports that former City Councilman Marty Donovan has formed a political action committee to try and get enough signatures for another referendum on the Community Maritime Park. He is stepping…
Another regional alliance
Gov. Bob Riley of Alabama and Gov. Haley Barber of Mississippi will announce today the formation of “The Aerospace Alliance†—a four-state region from NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi to Panama…
Last day to register to vote on charter
To register to vote in the City referendum on the proposed Pensacola charter: Visit escambiavotes.com and complete the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida driver’s license number, a valid…
Anatomy of Southwest/Bay Co. deal
The Panama City News Herald published this weekend an article on how Bay County landed Southwest Airlines for their new airport. As I reported earlier St. Joe agreed to make quarterly payments…
BTW: Al Coby does his job out of the Sunshine
Yesterday, Pensacola City Manager Al Coby did his job as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the city without a reporter sitting in his office. He met with department heads, staff and…
What email problem?
Having dodged prosecution by the State Attorney’s Office, the Santa Rosa County Commission has passed unanimously a new email policy. According to the Daily News, the new policy mandates that all e-mails…
Possible end run on Charter vote
Email sent to Pensacola City Council: From: Rusty Wells Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 2:05 PM To: Mike Wiggins; M Wiggins; P.C. Wu; Sam Hall; Sam HallFWD; Maren Deweese; ‘Maren DeWeese’; Larry…
Patrick Gonzalez booked for battery (updated)
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office website shows that Patrick Gonzalez has been charged with aggravated battery. We’ve requested the arrest report. From arrest report: Kevin Dale Wilkins is housed in the cell…
