Pat Bainter is a powerful political consultant that has pumped over the years millions into the campaigns of Republican lawmakers in the state through a host of Electioneering Communications Organization. Organizations tied…
House District 2 Race, Jeremy Lau Interview
This week’s print edition of the Independent News features excerpts from interviews with the District 2 candidates as they head toward June’s special election in the wake of Rep. Clay Ford’s passing….
CMPA problem is process, not size
I wrote last month about the lack of a set process for the CMPA/City Council/Mayor to lease the parcels at Maritime Park. During the debate over the YMCA leasing parcel 8, the…
Evers’ Ethanol Victory
Sen. Greg Evers is applauding passage today of a bill repealing Florida’s requirement that fuel sold in the state be blended with ethanol. He described the passage as a “tremendous victory.†“The…
The Calming Clarification
A state senate bill amendment pertaining to RESTORE Act funds made local officials a bit nervous this week. It’s calmer now, after some language-tweaking and assurances from state lawmakers that counties will…
Local teachers presented Governor’s Shine awards
Press Release: Today, Governor Rick Scott showed his appreciation for Florida’s teachers and applauded their commitment to improving Florida’s education system by presenting the Governor’s Shine Award to six 2013 – 2014…
Gunther says city and state ethics codes don’t apply to CMPA
Fred Gunther visited the Independent News and said that he believes that he did nothing wrong when he presented a competitive lease proposal for Parcel 1 at the Maritime Park. He said…
RESTORE Committee Rolls On
By Jessica Forbes RESTORE Advisory Committee Rolls On: Experts and Televised Sessions to Come Two Lines in Tallahassee The politics of determining whom will be responsible for distributing the expected hundreds of…
Odom sentenced to six months for election fraud
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Jay Odom, 56, of Destin, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Lacey A. Collier to six months in federal prison for his conviction on one count of…
Does Size Matter?
While some members expressed concerns about cutting two seats from the Pensacola City Council, most were inclined to follow Councilman Larry B. Johnson’s lead. “Our council is too big, we need to…
Horowitz Piano coming to Pensacola
Steinway Artist Kadisha Onalbayeva on the legendary Steinway & Sons Model D Horowitz Piano will come to Pensacola State College in April 28 at 2:30 p.m. in the Ashmore Auditorium as a…
Butler honored by Meals of Honor
Press Release: Meals of Honor (MOH), a nationwide organization dedicated to feeding disabled and homeless US Veterans, through the recycling of old cell phones. The founder of Meals of Honor is Jodie…
Johnson Guns for Gunther, At-large Seats
By Jeremy Morrison It looks like Pensacola City Councilman Larry B. Johnson will be throwing a couple of suggestions on the table this afternoon during council’s Committee of the Whole meeting. In…
More support to reduce Pensacola City Council
I was copied on this email to the Pensacola City Council: Dear Members of City Council, Due to scheduling conflicts, I will be unable to attend both the Committee of the Whole…
New Poll: Gray continues to lead, Hill closing
The latest poll by SaintPetersblog.com on the Florida House District 2 race shows that the Republican primary has tightened up with still a significant percentage of the votes undecided. Ed Gray, the…
Terhaar backs down
Pensacola City Councilman Andy Terhaar has written on his blog that he will not make a motion for Fred Gunther to be removed from CMPA board until a decision is made by…
Feds and local law enforcement bust local meth labs
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A federal grand jury returned two indictments this week charging twelve individuals with methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related conspiracy offenses. The indictments were announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States…
Studers give YMCA $5 million without restrictions
Press Release: Today officials from the Northwest Florida YMCA announced that Quint and Rishy Studer, in what is one of the largest private donations to a YMCA in the country, reiterated their…
Florida Economy continues to create jobs
Press Release: Governor Rick Scott today announced that 32,400 private-sector jobs were created in Florida last month and the state’s March 2013 unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 7.5 percent. This…
Gunther clearly states it’s his client
Here is the video from yesterday’s CMPA board meeting. Board member Fred Gunther at the 36:00 minute mark presents his proposal for parcel 1. He clearly and unequivocally says “my client” repeatedly…