Escambia County politics continue to take center stage. People want the argument over who determines public purpose regarding community impact grants (i.e. discretionary funds) settled once and for all. The legal gamesmanship with $50 settlement offers is hurting Childers’ popularity.
- People want to like Wes Moreno—a good old boy who rose from a road crew to administrator. However, his power grab to dismantle the West Florida Public Libraries system and restructure it as a county department loyal to him has disheartened those who fought so hard for the libraries to be independent. The smear campaign and lies haven’t helped either. The public records are damning.
Last, the shenanigans at the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College continue to upset readers who remember how they once focused on education, not petty politics.
#1 First Tee Gulf Coast director Marty Stanovich set the record straight on the nonprofit funding fight with Escambia County Clerk Pam Childers. Read First Tee’s Marty Stanovich on Lawsuit vs. Pam Childers.
#2 Inweekly’s cover story connecting the dots on my four-month investigation has drawn attention across all our media platforms—”Lies, Deceit & Abuse of Power.” My companion blog post reveal how “King” Moreno rigged the library director hiring from day one—and his staff lied to cover it. Read “Six More Points in King Moreno’s Power Grab.”
#3 Childers offered First Tee & WEAC $50 each to settle the lawsuit over funds she refused to pay. Here’s why that number isn’t an accident. Read “Childers Offers to Settle First Tee Lawsuit for $50.”
#4 Florida House Speaker Danny Perez has appointed former Congressman Matt Gaetz to the Triumph Gulf Coast Board, effective July 1, 2026. Read “Breaking: Matt Gaetz Appointed to Triumph Board.”
#5 Moreno canceled library board meetings for the summer—including today’s. Resolution and bylaws say he can’t. The Library Board chair pushed back and requested a special meeting. Moreno ignored the request:
- Breaking: Moreno Cancels Library Board Meetings for the Summer
- Library Board Chair Protests Moreno’s Overreach
- Crickets from Escambia County Administration on WFPL ask
#6 Diaz Sets Up UWF Charter School Outside School District
#7 Pensacola State College Presidential Search Following UWF Playbook