Pensacola’s Mud Island
Eighteen months after the Vince Whibbs, Sr. Community Maritime Park opened, the city has a problem with the retention pond at the park. The liner has floated to the surface, forming a mud island.
Mark Taylor, a CMPA board member, said that it is too early to conclude the cause, but it appears it could be one of two things.
He said, “Simply the depth of the pond, elevation of the ground water, and elevation of the tidal plane are all wreaking havoc on the pond, or some kind of soil gasses are coming up that could be floating the liner.â€
Dollar General Protest
The furor over the possibility of the construction of a Dollar Store near Cordova Park has not subsided. East Hill Baptist Church dropped by our offices on Friday to tell its side of the story. I will post that interview later today.
Grover Rakes In Cash
Commissioner Grover Robinson was the guest of honor at a campaign fundraiser last Thursday held at Nick’s Boathouse. Jim Cronley, Fred Donovan, Sr., Jim Reeves and Robert Rinke hosted the breakfast that raised over $18,000 for Robertson’s 2014 re-election.
Reining in Stallion
The Escambia County Commission was not too pleased about the latest funding plan submitted by the city of Pensacola and the Greater Pensacola Chamber for Project Stallion, the Malaysia-based aerospace company that is considering a location at the Pensacola International Airport and bringing with it 350 jobs to the area.
Scott Luth, vice president for economic development at the chamber, asked the commissioners at their Nov. 19 Committee of the Whole meeting to consider relocation of its Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds to provide $10 million for Project Stallion.
Commissioners Wilson Robertson and Steven Barry expect something in back from the city for the $10 million loan.
“I won’t support Project Stallion without a commitment, and I want it in writing, that the $10 million will be replenished,†said Robertson.
Barry said, “For two parties, there has to be equity on both sides.â€