Escambia Commission Installs Four Commissioners, New Chair And Vice-Chair
November 20, 2024
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners installed the newly elected and re-elected commissioners and reorganized to appoint the new chairman and vice chair during a meeting Tuesday.
During the meeting, District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger, District 3 Commissioner Lumon May, and District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry took the oath of office for their term through November 2028. District 4 Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger took the oath of office for her term through November 2026.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“I’m honored to step into the role of County Commissioner for District 1,” Stroberger said. “Although I’m new to elected office, I’ll bring years of executive experience and leadership, a fresh perspective, and a commitment to serving our community with a renewed dedication. Thank you, Escambia County, for your support and trust.”
“What an honor to serve as District 3 Commissioner for another four years,” May said. “I want to thank God and my family for believing in me and giving me the strength to serve my community. It remains my highest honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Escambia County. Investing in human capital has always been my priority and will remain a focus over these next four years. I couldn’t do it without the support of my colleagues on the board, and I’m grateful for their commitment to make Escambia County better for all of our citizens. It’s been a blessing to serve on this board and I look forward to another term as your commissioner.”
“I am honored to serve Escambia County as the District 4 representative and grateful for the trust placed in me by our community,” Hofberger said. “I want to thank everyone who supported me, especially my family. My focus remains clear: to support our first responders, facilitate business growth, and ensure responsible management of taxpayer dollars. I am committed to enhancing resources for those who serve our community, streamlining operations to help local businesses thrive, and making strategic investments that benefit the residents of Escambia County. I look forward to working hard as we complete the projects underway and begin new initiatives that will positively impact our district. I believe that a collaborative approach will allow us to make a lasting difference together.”
“I’m very grateful for another opportunity to serve our community in District 5,” Barry said. “I’m thankful to my wife, Ellen, and of course our children, Sloane and Jack, for their support during my time as District 5 Commissioner, especially now as I enter a fourth term. I could not have been re-elected without Ellen’s love and support, but I would not have ever won, or even run for office, without it. Campaigns are tough on our families, and this was especially tough on ours. I want to also thank the voters for selecting me to represent the community we all love. The attitude of a public servant is one who leads by actions and by service. We’ve made incredible progress in District 5 in the last 12 years, and I intend to keep that momentum going. I look forward to working with my counterparts on the board to continue to move District 5 and Escambia County in a positive direction. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve the community I grew up in. I will continue to work hard to make District 5 the best it can be for our families, children, and neighbors, and I’m excited to see what else we can accomplish for Escambia County.”
In addition, the board reorganized to appoint Kohler as chairman and Hofberger as vice chair. Commissioner Kohler accepted the gavel from former chairman Barry. Commissioner Kohler will serve as the commission chairman until November 2025.
“It’s an honor to serve the citizens of Escambia County and represent District 2 as the chairman,” Kohler said. “I’m grateful to Commissioner Steven Barry for his leadership as chairman over the last year and I’m humbled to accept the gavel from him as incoming chairman. I look forward to a productive year with my colleagues on the board. We are all public servants, and it is our duty to listen and work diligently for what is fair and right. As chairman, I plan to ensure our board maintains integrity, honesty, and transparency. We’ve made great strides over the last year, and I will continue to work with my fellow board members to bring calm and steady leadership that will move Escambia County in a positive direction for our residents.”
A reception was held following the installation ceremony at the Artel Gallery.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Rep. Michelle Salzman Says She’s Running For Congress After Gaetz Resignation
November 20, 2024
Florida House Rep. Michelle Salzman announced Tuesday that she is running for Congress after Maetz Gaetz resigned last week.
“I am making my intentions to run for Congress by filing today I want to do what is best for our country and helping President Trump with the Make America Great Again Agenda,” Salzman said.
Last Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump announced Gaetz as his pick to serve as U.S. Attorney General, and Gaetz resigned from Congress hours later.
A special election will be held for Gaetz’s seat; a date for the election has not yet been set.
Under Florida’s “resign-to-run” law, Republican Salzman must resign her position irrevocably in writing at least 10 days before the first day of qualifying or before any successor for her current position takes office.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections said Tuesday that he hopes a special election for Salzman’s seat, if she runs, could be held in conjunction with the special election for Gaetz’s seat.
Century Extends Town Management Services Contact With South Florida Company; One Council Member Objects
November 20, 2024
The Century Town Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to extend a contract with a South Florida company to manage many of the town’s operations, but one council member objected saying the same invoices have been paid multiple times under his watch. Council member Shelisa McCall also questioned what happened to the money and alluded to a leadership problem.
In December 2023, the town accepted a city management company proposal after newly appointed Century interim Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. told the council that he would need help to properly run the town.
The town signed a contract with Local Government Consulting Group (LGCG) of West Palm Beach for up to six months for $7,500 per month.
Under a contract amendment approve June 18, 2024, the rate for LGCG increased to $8,000 per month for town manager services for six months. The town will pay an additional $3,000 per month for grant writing services and $175 per hour for Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Consulting Services.
LGCG will also serve as “Coordinator of Ongoing Projects Services” for $40 per hour.
The new agreement approved Tuesday night will extend the contract under the same rates and terms until June 12, 2025.
LGCG representatives Howard W. Brown Jr., Erin Connelly, and Cheryl Harrison-Lee will provide the various services.
“Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to work for the Town of Century,” Brown said Tuesday night. “I’ve been very happy to serve you guys in this capacity, and I think the new few months might be critical for us to set up some goals.”
“In the next few months, we’ll start putting together an action plan on specifically the town clerk position and the town manager-administrator position,” he continued. “There are things I think would be critical for you was you move forward. You need to have someone in some sort of management capacity.”
“Mr. Brown had been critical in the operation. We have accomplished a major deal of work, and it shows,” Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said. “He has done tremendous work in bringing issues to light that was never discovered before he came.”
“I said when I took this seat that I felt that the town always needs some sort of administrative leadership, whether it’s Mr. Brown or anybody else. I think it’s critical that we keep some type of day-to-day operations experience of how to operate a city. Hats off to all the previous mayors before me, but my choice is to have someone here to find stuff that I would never think of looking. And that doesn’t mean that I’m incompetent; it’s just that there are specialists for everything, and Mr. Brown is an operation of a city specialist.”
“I appreciate all the work that you put in,” council president Dynette Lewis told Brown. “Any person in this room that volunteered into the at position (town mayor) would need some help…That position does require a little bit more assistance. No one in this room would be able to roll into a roll like that without some type of assistance.”
Before casting the dissenting vote, Council member Shelisa McCall, who attended the meeting remotely by video (pictured left), said she’s noticed a problem with invoices and perhaps management this year.
“In the past six months, we have voted to pay the same three invoices twice,” she said. “When we voted the second time to the exact same invoice, who was paid or where the money went?”
McCall said she voted against paying the invoice more than once, and she declined to name the vendor or specific invoices when asked by Lewis. She did say the invoices were not from Brown or his company.
McCall also expressed that “after every meeting or so”, someone (an employee) just leaves abruptly without an explanation, and I my experience when that happens, it speaks to leadership.”
Pictured top: Howard Brown (left) whose company Local Government Consulting Group acts as town manager for Century and Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. following Tuesday night’s meeting. Pictured top inset: Brown watches a monitor asc ouncil member Shelisa McCall (bottom inset) spoke at the meeting by video. Pictured first below: Brown addresses the council. Pictured bottom: Council members (L-R) Sandra McMurray-Jackson, Dynette Lewis, Henry Cunningham and Alicia Johnson. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Long-Term Parking Opens At Pensacola Airport
November 20, 2024
Beginning today, Pensacola International Airport will have a new long-term parking lot to serve its burgeoning passenger demand. The new lot is located on Tippin Avenue, is fully paved and lighted, offers 435 parking spaces, two bus shelters and 14 EV charging stations to accommodate guests with electric vehicles. Shuttle service will be provided.
Rates at this lot will be $2 per hour up to a maximum of $9 per day.
“As we continue to break new passenger records almost daily, this new state of the art parking facility will help increase our capacity to maintain the FlyEasy experience” said Matt Coughlin, executive director of the airport.
New Tax Collector Brentwood Office Opens, Replacing Marcus Pointe Location
November 20, 2024
The new Escambia County Tax Collector Brentwood location opened Tuesday, replacing the now-closed Marcus Pointe location.
The new Brentwood office is at 5045 North Palafox Street. Tax Collector Scott Lunsford said the Brentwood office will provide the same services as the Marcus Pointe office, with significant enhancements and modernized facilities designed to improve efficiency and customer experience. Driving tests will be offered on a walk-in basis only beginning Thursday, November 21.
Pictured: The new Escambia County Tax Collector Brentwood office that will open on November 19. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Boys, Girls Sweep Atmore Christian (With Gallery)
November 20, 2024
The Northview Chiefs swept two from Atmore Christian School Tuesday night in Bratt.
The Northview boys defeated Atmore Christian 55-42, while the Chiefs girls beat ACS 53-8.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Up next, Northview will hot Pensacola Christian Academy Thursday — girls at 5:03 p.m. followed by boys action.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Jordan Smith Signs With New College Of Florida
November 20, 2024
Tate High School’s Jordan Smith has signed to play softball for New College of Florida.
Smith is four-year starter for Tate varsity softball and has been on the Tate golf team for three years. She has a 4.9 high school GPA and a 3.68 college GPA with 47 credit hours as a dual enrollment student at Pensacola State College. She has been dual enrolled at PSC since her junior year at Tate and is a member of the National Honor Society.
A few fun facts about Jordan Smith: She is a twin, she coached a 10u softball team recently and will graduate with her AA from PSC before she graduates high school.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Instagram Worthy Photo Op: 4-H Hay Bale Decorating Contest Winners
November 19, 2024
The results are in from the 2024 Escambia County 4-H Hay Bale Decorating Contest. And you have a chance to check out the winners (and snap a few great Instagram photos too).
First place went to the Barrineau Park 4-H Club, second place to the Perdido Bay 4-H Club, and third place to the Blockheads 4-H Club. Other entries were from the Escambia County Horse, NAS Pensacola, Discovery, Clever Clovers, Beulah, Northview, and Emerald Achievers 4-H clubs.
There is a QR code with each display — stopy by and vote for the people’s choice award.
The hay bales are on display at the corner of Stefani Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road, the first intersection south of the Escambia County Extension Service.
For photos of all of the entries, click here.
Pictured: First place went to the Barrineau Park 4-H Club (top), second place to the Perdido Bay 4-H Club (first below) and third place to the Blockheads 4-H Club (third below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Credit Union Location Planned On Nine Mile Road At Milestone
November 19, 2024
A new credit union has been proposed for Nine Mile Road at Milestone.
The Champions First Credit Union project includes the construction of a 4,208-sf single-story credit union/bank building with a drive-thru on two parcels on Littleton Street at Nine Mile Road, the current site of a car wash.
According to an application filed by Hamilton Engineering, most of the car wash improvements would be removed if the project is approved. The project would be located on two parcels that total just under one acre with access from Littleton Street.
A pre-application meeting on the project is set for Wednesday with the Escambia County Development Review Committee.
According to their website, Champions First Credit Union currently has Pensacola location on North Pace Boulevard and Holsberry Road.
Food Distributions At Walnut Hill, Marcus Pointe And The Fairgrounds
November 19, 2024
Several food giveaways are planned beginning today and over the next week in Walnut Hill, and at the fairgrounds and Marcus Pointe.
Michelle Salzman Thanksgiving Meal And Food at Marcus Pointe
Rep. Michelle Salzman in partnership with Sheriff Chip Simmons, Farm Share and other community partners are sponsoring a Food Distribution and Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway on Saturday, November 23rd starting at 7:30 AM and continuing while supplies last (minimum of 300 families) at Marcus Pointe Baptist Church.
What: District One, Rep. Michelle Salzman, Food Distribution and Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024, 7:30 am (cars can line up at 7:00 am) while supplies last
Where: Marcus Pointe Baptist Church, 6205 North W Street, Pensacola, FL 32505
Walnut Hill Food Distribution
Justified Incarcerated Ministries will hold a Thanksgiving Food Giveaway on Friday, November 22 beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing while supplies last at the Walnut Hill Community Center. The Feeding the Gulf Coast distribution is sponsored by Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry.
What: Walnut Hill Thanksgiving Food Giveaway
When: Friday, November 22 beginning at 9 a.m.
Where: Walnut Hill Community Center, 7850 Highway 97, Walnut Hill
Watson Firm’s Annual Community Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway
The Watson Firm, together with local businesses and entrepreneurs, will be serving their neighbors at their Annual Community Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway at Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds located at 6655
Mobile Highway. This year’s turkey dinner giveaway will accommodate the first 1,000 families. The feast will include a whole frozen turkey or ham, and a variety of sides. Gather early in front of the parking lot at the Fairgrounds.
What: Watson Firm’s Annual Community Thanksgiving Grocery Giveaway
When: Monday, November 25 at 10 a.m.
Where: Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds
File photo. Food items may vary by location.