This past week had several major storylines.
Bay Bridge Battle
Local officials are looking for specifics from FDOT about the design of the new $600M Pensacola Bay Bridge. The City of Gulf Breeze believes its wayside park is worth more than the $2.2 million offered by the state. And Mayor Ashton Hayward’s supporters are upset their favorite firm didn’t make the cut to propose a design for the bridge. Meanwhile, state lawmakers and Escambia County Commission chairman Grover Robinson warn that any delays endanger the $600M funding.
FDOT will two meetings on the bridge this month. On July 7, a 3-member FDOT committee will meet in Milton. However, FDOT spokesman Ian Satter has said the proposed plans won’t be unveiled to the public until July 18. At that meeting, the committee will look over the proposals and make a final decision.
The Devil and Mr. Bare
The Pensacola City Council will hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 7 to discuss its invocation process. The Satanic Temple of West Florida is on the agenda to give the invocation at the next regular council meeting set for July 14. In the past, the city clerk has assigned invocations based on requests she has received from local ministers. Council President Charles Bare is proposing replacing the invocation with a moment of silence.
Santa Rosa Island has Amity Island moment
The waters on Pensacola Beach are safe. Really, they are. Visit Pensacola has had to battle false rumors that health official have had to closed the beach because of flesh-eating bacteria. Apparently the rumors started with a news report by an Atlanta television station. Maybe we should bring back former Mayor Mike Wiggins and have CNN show him jumping into the Gulf. (Note: Amity Island is the town in “Jaws” that tried to convince tourists its waters were safe)
Be The Bulb Lights Up
On June 30, Quint and Rishy Studer gave away $50,000 to fund ideas to help improve early learning in Escambia County.
Dynita Bufford, LaTris Sykes, Andréa Johnson won the $25,000 grant for the Escambia School District for their Early Learning on Wheels. A Be the Bulb vans will visit five ZIP codes with highest number of children in poverty. Each vehicle will have five early learning stations for kids ages 0 to 4.
Leslynne Green and Vanessa Kennedy won the $25K grant for the community division for their Pop Up Learning Fairs that will focus on the geographic areas with the greatest need, for the maximum impact. The fairs — with book giveaways, food, music and other incentives will be a fun way to engage families with young children.
Sun Sets On John Sunday
On Friday, Judge Gary Bergosh ruled that the city must issue a demolition permit for the John Sunday House. The developers had the permit before city staff locked up city hall for its three-day weekend.
Studers and Bubba Watson Hit the Sweet Spot
Downtown Pensacola’s candy store – Bubba’s Sweet Spot – opened on Friday. Kids now have their place on Palafox.