Let’s face the Escambia County Administrator job is no plum job for anyone, especially if you have no roots in the area. Just this decade alone – we’ve had four commissioners removed by the Florida Governor. The most recent administrator – George Touart – resigned/retired/was fired under controversy. The current board chairman, Mike Whitehead, made headlines last year for getting in a shouting match with the Florida Speaker of the House at the Coffee Cup.
The county has huge poverty, literacy, health and infrastructure issues. Plus the entire state is in turmoil over property taxes and insurance rates.
The only good candidates interested are those already here: Bob McLaughlin and Willie Taylor.
Escambia County needs a long hard look in the mirror. We aren’t as pretty and desirable as we think we are.