Congratulations Pensacola
The new city charter has passed with the unofficial votes cast at:
55% yes and 45% no.
This is the next logical step in transforming our city's future. We have a confident and energized City Council and a City Staff with decades of experience. This is the perfect time for change in how we communicate and drive our successes.
When I walked the district last year & discussed the direction of our city with you at your frontdoor, I could see the "What If" that was happening for our citizens. We have a wonderful opportunity in our hands now to create the momentum that our city has lacked in the past. We have the most diverse City Council Pensacola has ever seen with 70% minority membership and each council member bringing all aspects of our city together.
Tomorrow is a new day Pensacola. Let's change the official seal and get to work!!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Fire Truck Pull
What a wonderful way to spend your Saturday...Hope to see you there!!
"The Ronald McDonald House will host the Fire Truck Pull from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola.Teams of 20 will compete to pull a fire truck 50 feet in the least amount of time to win the trophy.
The event will feature a free children’s area with activities including face-painting, games, inflatable bouncers and more. Ronald McDonald and Friends, Scoop from the Pelicans, and Star Wars characters will be there from noon to 2 p.m. to greet attendees. Admission is free.
Proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House. For more information about the Fire Truck Pull, contact development director Angie Hanson, 477-2273 or e-mail events@rmhpensacola.org"
information from Staff Reports at PNJ Nov. 16th.
"The Ronald McDonald House will host the Fire Truck Pull from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola.Teams of 20 will compete to pull a fire truck 50 feet in the least amount of time to win the trophy.
The event will feature a free children’s area with activities including face-painting, games, inflatable bouncers and more. Ronald McDonald and Friends, Scoop from the Pelicans, and Star Wars characters will be there from noon to 2 p.m. to greet attendees. Admission is free.
Proceeds will go to Ronald McDonald House. For more information about the Fire Truck Pull, contact development director Angie Hanson, 477-2273 or e-mail events@rmhpensacola.org"
information from Staff Reports at PNJ Nov. 16th.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
District 3...START YOUR ENGINES!!!
The City of Pensacola is accepting applications for the 2009/2010 PCIP Neighborhood Matching Grant Program from neighborhood associations that have been registered with the City for at least 3 months. Neighborhood groups may apply for up to $10,000 which must be matched by cash, in-kind donations or volunteer labor. The deadline for applying is 5:00 p.m. on December 11, 2008.
Neighborhoods may apply for a grant under one of two categories: a) improvements to public property b) neighborhood improvement programmatic activities; or improvements to association owned property. (You may request an application in WORD format by email to hgibson@ci.pensacola.fl.us).
Neighborhoods may apply for a grant under one of two categories: a) improvements to public property b) neighborhood improvement programmatic activities; or improvements to association owned property. (You may request an application in WORD format by email to hgibson@ci.pensacola.fl.us).
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Believe in Pensacola! Vote Yes on the Charter
Believe in Pensacola supporters are out in the community daily, educating voters and connecting with neighbors. We waved at various locations this past weekend in the heart of many districts around our city. Some citizens were hearing about the charter for the first time, most were excited with thumbs up and smiles from their cars. We only had one NO from a handsome couple in a red convertible.
This week ballots will be mailed to the voters in the City of Pensacola asking whether we should adopt a new charter or remain under our current form of government. While I respect the opinions of those that are comfortable with the status quo, I feel that the proposed charter will make for a better city, a more accountable leadership and provide citizens with more influence in the City's operations.
The most important change being, that under the new charter, voters will have a vote for the leader of our city, the decision maker and Chief Executive Officer. I encourage voters to grant themselves the right to elect the chief executive of their own city. You do not have that right today and you do not have a vote.
When I ran for office I promised the citizen's of District 3 I would promote term limits and a Mayor-Council form of government, both of which have been included in the proposed charter. I had long discussions with many of my neighbors and the citizens of District 3 during last year's campaign and the most asked question was who is responsible for our city's successes and failures? Who is ultimately accountable?
While our council-manager system has served us well to maintain basic services and provide infrastructure it has run it's course with regard to growth, innovation, and prosperity for Pensacola. The council-manager system is no longer effective in the highly politicized environment we find ourselves in. The problem is that the Mayor is just one of ten council members without the clout to get things done, even though the public expects more from the holder of our city's top elected post. The mayor has ceremonial duties, but not a lot of authority under the council-manager system. The mayor is not able to drive success. I have seen, during the past 10 months in office, that under the council-manager system the responsibility for problems and successes is a moving target, depending on which council members vote for a particular issue. Also, under our current form of government, decisive leadership by the mayor and city manager is extremely difficult because ,with 10 council members, each of us constantly wants the full and undivided attention of the city manager.
Here are some experiences from a mayor that has served under both forms of government and has a unique perspective of the system because he was mayor for one term under the council-manager system and then became the city's first strong mayor.
"The mayor was expected to lead the city under the old form, yet the mayor only chaired the council meeting and was but one vote," Patterson said. "The executive form created a very clear line of priority throughout the entire city operation. It is the difference between night and day. There is now a clarity of purpose and a commitment to supply the resources that the purpose requires."
I find history always helps explain the purpose and intention of our current structure:
"City manager government evolved as a reaction to corruption in the early 1900s. It's intent was to take politics out of city administration. A city manager would be a nonpolitical appointed chief executive who exercised the same checks and balances on the city council and would stand up to that body. This was a very noble concept with a fundamental design flaw: The city manager works for the council and is an at-will employee. City managers are political and have to be to keep their job. Government is a 50-50 relationship. Half is about structure and the other half is about the people in office at that time. For example: The presidency is an institution with authority granted by the Constitution that exists regardless of who holds the office. Today, corruption is mitigated with ethics rules, campaign finance laws and other effective tools".
from Jim Boren We have sunshine laws in place that mitigate corruption.
Pensacola has an opportunity to establish a system that will continue beyond the personalities of today and the highly contentious issues that we face within our current processes.
Also, the concern raised about Pensacola not being large enough to warrant a mayor-council form of government. I see this as the very way of thinking that keeps the City of Pensacola as small as it has been for decades now. It would be like parents not sending their kids to college because we weren't sure what their careers might be...Let's allow Pensacola to grow and thrive with new ways of creating our successes, with one voice and a plan that will be executed.
Now to answer my very 1st question from so many citizens. Under mayor-council government the Mayor is accountable to voters for Pensacola's successes and failures and the Mayor is ultimately accountable to each voter for the actions he or she takes.
Remember the difference: a strong mayor answers to voters. A city manager does not.
Voters hold the keys to accountability.
Let's have one voice for prosperity, a Strong Leader.
Believe in Pensacola and Vote YES for the new Charter!!
This week ballots will be mailed to the voters in the City of Pensacola asking whether we should adopt a new charter or remain under our current form of government. While I respect the opinions of those that are comfortable with the status quo, I feel that the proposed charter will make for a better city, a more accountable leadership and provide citizens with more influence in the City's operations.
The most important change being, that under the new charter, voters will have a vote for the leader of our city, the decision maker and Chief Executive Officer. I encourage voters to grant themselves the right to elect the chief executive of their own city. You do not have that right today and you do not have a vote.
When I ran for office I promised the citizen's of District 3 I would promote term limits and a Mayor-Council form of government, both of which have been included in the proposed charter. I had long discussions with many of my neighbors and the citizens of District 3 during last year's campaign and the most asked question was who is responsible for our city's successes and failures? Who is ultimately accountable?
While our council-manager system has served us well to maintain basic services and provide infrastructure it has run it's course with regard to growth, innovation, and prosperity for Pensacola. The council-manager system is no longer effective in the highly politicized environment we find ourselves in. The problem is that the Mayor is just one of ten council members without the clout to get things done, even though the public expects more from the holder of our city's top elected post. The mayor has ceremonial duties, but not a lot of authority under the council-manager system. The mayor is not able to drive success. I have seen, during the past 10 months in office, that under the council-manager system the responsibility for problems and successes is a moving target, depending on which council members vote for a particular issue. Also, under our current form of government, decisive leadership by the mayor and city manager is extremely difficult because ,with 10 council members, each of us constantly wants the full and undivided attention of the city manager.
Here are some experiences from a mayor that has served under both forms of government and has a unique perspective of the system because he was mayor for one term under the council-manager system and then became the city's first strong mayor.
"The mayor was expected to lead the city under the old form, yet the mayor only chaired the council meeting and was but one vote," Patterson said. "The executive form created a very clear line of priority throughout the entire city operation. It is the difference between night and day. There is now a clarity of purpose and a commitment to supply the resources that the purpose requires."
I find history always helps explain the purpose and intention of our current structure:
"City manager government evolved as a reaction to corruption in the early 1900s. It's intent was to take politics out of city administration. A city manager would be a nonpolitical appointed chief executive who exercised the same checks and balances on the city council and would stand up to that body. This was a very noble concept with a fundamental design flaw: The city manager works for the council and is an at-will employee. City managers are political and have to be to keep their job. Government is a 50-50 relationship. Half is about structure and the other half is about the people in office at that time. For example: The presidency is an institution with authority granted by the Constitution that exists regardless of who holds the office. Today, corruption is mitigated with ethics rules, campaign finance laws and other effective tools".
from Jim Boren We have sunshine laws in place that mitigate corruption.
Pensacola has an opportunity to establish a system that will continue beyond the personalities of today and the highly contentious issues that we face within our current processes.
Also, the concern raised about Pensacola not being large enough to warrant a mayor-council form of government. I see this as the very way of thinking that keeps the City of Pensacola as small as it has been for decades now. It would be like parents not sending their kids to college because we weren't sure what their careers might be...Let's allow Pensacola to grow and thrive with new ways of creating our successes, with one voice and a plan that will be executed.
Now to answer my very 1st question from so many citizens. Under mayor-council government the Mayor is accountable to voters for Pensacola's successes and failures and the Mayor is ultimately accountable to each voter for the actions he or she takes.
Remember the difference: a strong mayor answers to voters. A city manager does not.
Voters hold the keys to accountability.
Let's have one voice for prosperity, a Strong Leader.
Believe in Pensacola and Vote YES for the new Charter!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Picture Perfect!!!
Parks Calendar Photo Contest
Calling all shutterbugs to create a 2010 calendar!! The Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a photo contest. This contest is open to all photographers (amateur or professional) for photos of parks within the city limits. With over 90 parks, there is sure to be a winning image, see our complete list of parks and their locations.
All photos must be submitted on CD in high resolution digital format (8 inches x 10 inches @ 300 dpi) with accompanying hard copy print. Thirteen winners will receive a framed copy of their photo as well as recognition in the Pensacola Parks 2010 calendar. Contest begins, Friday October 30th and ends Monday, November 30th. All submissions must be submitted to Kathy Condon (City Hall 4th floor) by 5:00pm Monday, November 30th. For a complete list of contest rules, visit www.playpensacola.com or call 436-5670.
Calling all shutterbugs to create a 2010 calendar!! The Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a photo contest. This contest is open to all photographers (amateur or professional) for photos of parks within the city limits. With over 90 parks, there is sure to be a winning image, see our complete list of parks and their locations.
All photos must be submitted on CD in high resolution digital format (8 inches x 10 inches @ 300 dpi) with accompanying hard copy print. Thirteen winners will receive a framed copy of their photo as well as recognition in the Pensacola Parks 2010 calendar. Contest begins, Friday October 30th and ends Monday, November 30th. All submissions must be submitted to Kathy Condon (City Hall 4th floor) by 5:00pm Monday, November 30th. For a complete list of contest rules, visit www.playpensacola.com or call 436-5670.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Trade with Cuba?
In years past, the Pensacola City Council had made efforts to establish a working relationship with Cuba to further our efforts for trade relations. “The Port of Pensacola once did a thriving trade with Cuba, and still ships frozen food there under a food-related Cuban exemption to the embargo. A Cuba with more money to spend means more business for the Port.” (Courtesy of PNJ) There has been some discussion on Council this year about reviving our efforts and working on our trade relationship again.
"Change is in the air" regarding the decades-old embargo that has stifled interaction between the United States and Cuba, a former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia said Tuesday.
V. Manuel Rocha, who is senior adviser on international business at Foley & Lardner LLP, said it's not realistic to predict how many more years the embargo will remain in place.
But he said there are changes occurring in both the U.S. and Cuba that favor the U.S. eventually lifting the embargo that dates back to the 1950s.
Rocha said it wouldn't necessarily be better for U.S. businesses if Cuba were to change its communist government. He said the current leadership of Cuba wants to ensure a "successor" form of government so future leaders maintain a connection with the revolution that brought the Communist Party to power.
He said that scenario would be comparable to how the U.S. has dealt with Communist Party-led China and Vietnam, whose top tradingpartners are the U.S.
He said the other alternative for Cuba would entail a tumultuous "transition" from the Communist Party to another form of government. He compared that possibility to the turmoil that occurred after the break-up of the Soviet Union.
"There are more McDonald's in 'successor' China than in 'transition' Russia because of the stability" in China, he said.
Cuba's top trading partner for exports is China, accounting for about 28 percent of Cuban products shipped abroad, according to the Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook. Canada is second with about 25 percent of Cuba's exports followed by Spain at about 7 percent, Netherlands at 5 percent and Iran at 4 percent.
Cuba gets 32 percent of its imports from Venezuela, 11.8 percent from China, 10.6 percent from Spain, about 7 percent from Canada and 6.6 percent from the U.S. The imports from the U.S. are for certain goods exempted from the embargo.
Rocha said Jacksonville officials should be planning for more future trade with Cuba and identify what products the city wants to target for shipment through Jacksonville's port, and then make contact with those manufacturers. He said the cities that establish those relationships in advance will be able to capitalize on increased trade.
"You don't necessarily have to take big steps," he said.
"Change is in the air" regarding the decades-old embargo that has stifled interaction between the United States and Cuba, a former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia said Tuesday.
V. Manuel Rocha, who is senior adviser on international business at Foley & Lardner LLP, said it's not realistic to predict how many more years the embargo will remain in place.
But he said there are changes occurring in both the U.S. and Cuba that favor the U.S. eventually lifting the embargo that dates back to the 1950s.
Rocha said it wouldn't necessarily be better for U.S. businesses if Cuba were to change its communist government. He said the current leadership of Cuba wants to ensure a "successor" form of government so future leaders maintain a connection with the revolution that brought the Communist Party to power.
He said that scenario would be comparable to how the U.S. has dealt with Communist Party-led China and Vietnam, whose top tradingpartners are the U.S.
He said the other alternative for Cuba would entail a tumultuous "transition" from the Communist Party to another form of government. He compared that possibility to the turmoil that occurred after the break-up of the Soviet Union.
"There are more McDonald's in 'successor' China than in 'transition' Russia because of the stability" in China, he said.
Cuba's top trading partner for exports is China, accounting for about 28 percent of Cuban products shipped abroad, according to the Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook. Canada is second with about 25 percent of Cuba's exports followed by Spain at about 7 percent, Netherlands at 5 percent and Iran at 4 percent.
Cuba gets 32 percent of its imports from Venezuela, 11.8 percent from China, 10.6 percent from Spain, about 7 percent from Canada and 6.6 percent from the U.S. The imports from the U.S. are for certain goods exempted from the embargo.
Rocha said Jacksonville officials should be planning for more future trade with Cuba and identify what products the city wants to target for shipment through Jacksonville's port, and then make contact with those manufacturers. He said the cities that establish those relationships in advance will be able to capitalize on increased trade.
"You don't necessarily have to take big steps," he said.
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Green Standard is the New Gold Standard
Green Development Standard
If you have chosen to reduce the burden on the environment and add value to your development project through a voluntary Florida green designation as administered by the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. FGBC’s purpose is to provide you with the tools and guidance necessary to help you please your customers, as well as reward and promote your efforts as a Florida friendly developer.
Why should you support a Green Development Designation?
Many property purchasers are desiring, and some insisting, that their community be earth friendly, affordable to operate, and pleasant to live in. FGBC’S Green Development Standard is a tool that will guide you and your design team through the process of selecting green features that benefit the environment while providing long-term value to the project. The standard has been developed so that it is achievable by everyone who is willing to make an effort; and yet stringent enough that it will be recognized as a statewide standard for the industry, as verified by an independent organization (FGBC). If your local municipality does not already provide incentives for developments meeting the standard, encourage them to do so.
Benefits of Achieving the Green Development Standard to...
The Municipality
The Developer
Property Purchasers
Preservation of green space
Gain valuable promotion and advertising
Reduce operating expenses
Less traffic congestion
Third-party environmental verification
Value of community amenities
Natural resource conservation, e.g., water, energy
Differentiate your development from the competition
Healthier living for employees and residents
Less water and air pollution than standard development
Potential local incentives
Pride in purchasing in a designated green community
Quicker application review process
Quicker application review process
Potential financing incentives
Show leadership in your community
How the Program Works
For each listed green feature incorporated into the development, points are awarded. Developments that acquire a minimum number of points qualify to receive the green development designation and will be able to take full advantage of the designation?s incentives. The Green Development Designation Standard Checklist and Application contain a list of the topics considered for earning points, while the Green Development Designation Standard Reference Guide explains each of the criteria in detail including benefits, associated environmental implications, how to earn points and examples. Anyone can suggest changes using the form available at www.FloridaGreenBuilding.org.
Certification Process
The developer should contact the Florida Green Building Coalition as early in the process as possible to apply for the green standard and be assigned a project evaluator. The project evaluator will interpret any questions regarding qualifying for the standard to the development team, and if desired, may be able to facilitate on-site training. The Green Development Application Form or Pre-Submittal Application will need to be completed along with an application fee. If a project is to be completed in phases, it is best to plan the project in its entirety and have the entire development certified at one time. The fee will cover the continued development of the program as well as cover expenses associated with verification and publicity of the designated development. This fee is for certifying the land development as green, referring to the horizontal development, not the vertical construction. Homes, commercial buildings and schools are evaluated under their own standards with their own processing fees. You can submit a pre-application form without having completed a full submittal. The development team is responsible for defining and describing, in paragraph form, which points, as described in the reference guide, are earned for the development. Submittals must include a site plan, any covenants and deed restrictions, and any material necessary for verifying points as described in the Reference Guide.
Modification Process
· Suggested revisions shall be submitted to the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. using the Modification Request Form available at the www.FloridaGreenBuilding.org web site.
· Applications shall be compiled and circulated to the Florida Green Building Coalition Green Development Committee, past applicants, and project evaluators for comments. The comment period shall be at least thirty days.
· Following the public comment period, each application and its public comments shall be reviewed by the Florida Green Building Coalition Green Development Committee, which will make written consensus recommendations to the Board of Directors for suggested revisions to the standard along with the original applications.
· The Board of Directors of the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. shall adopt, adopt with modification, or reject each application for change.
· Revision Cycle for the Green Development Designation Standard:
· Periodic review. At least triennially, the provisions set forth in these Green Development Standards shall be reviewed by the Standards Committee of the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. in collaboration with other stakeholders. At a minimum, this review shall include consideration and evaluation of changes in the law, technological innovations, and comments and requests received from interested parties.
· All applications for revision shall be disposed of on an annual cycle such that applications received prior to the last working day of June 15 are included in the application review cycle that concludes no later than September15.
· The Board shall approve any changes to the standard by the last day of October in any year in which it is to be revised.
· Any new standard shall be in placed on the web site (along with the current standard) no later than November 15.
· The effective date of any new Green Development Designation Standards shall be January 1. Only those proposals to change these Green Development Designation Standards that are received on or prior to June 15 shall be considered for the revisions to these Green Local Government Designation Standards that may become effective on January 1 of the following year
If you have chosen to reduce the burden on the environment and add value to your development project through a voluntary Florida green designation as administered by the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. FGBC’s purpose is to provide you with the tools and guidance necessary to help you please your customers, as well as reward and promote your efforts as a Florida friendly developer.
Why should you support a Green Development Designation?
Many property purchasers are desiring, and some insisting, that their community be earth friendly, affordable to operate, and pleasant to live in. FGBC’S Green Development Standard is a tool that will guide you and your design team through the process of selecting green features that benefit the environment while providing long-term value to the project. The standard has been developed so that it is achievable by everyone who is willing to make an effort; and yet stringent enough that it will be recognized as a statewide standard for the industry, as verified by an independent organization (FGBC). If your local municipality does not already provide incentives for developments meeting the standard, encourage them to do so.
Benefits of Achieving the Green Development Standard to...
The Municipality
The Developer
Property Purchasers
Preservation of green space
Gain valuable promotion and advertising
Reduce operating expenses
Less traffic congestion
Third-party environmental verification
Value of community amenities
Natural resource conservation, e.g., water, energy
Differentiate your development from the competition
Healthier living for employees and residents
Less water and air pollution than standard development
Potential local incentives
Pride in purchasing in a designated green community
Quicker application review process
Quicker application review process
Potential financing incentives
Show leadership in your community
How the Program Works
For each listed green feature incorporated into the development, points are awarded. Developments that acquire a minimum number of points qualify to receive the green development designation and will be able to take full advantage of the designation?s incentives. The Green Development Designation Standard Checklist and Application contain a list of the topics considered for earning points, while the Green Development Designation Standard Reference Guide explains each of the criteria in detail including benefits, associated environmental implications, how to earn points and examples. Anyone can suggest changes using the form available at www.FloridaGreenBuilding.org.
Certification Process
The developer should contact the Florida Green Building Coalition as early in the process as possible to apply for the green standard and be assigned a project evaluator. The project evaluator will interpret any questions regarding qualifying for the standard to the development team, and if desired, may be able to facilitate on-site training. The Green Development Application Form or Pre-Submittal Application will need to be completed along with an application fee. If a project is to be completed in phases, it is best to plan the project in its entirety and have the entire development certified at one time. The fee will cover the continued development of the program as well as cover expenses associated with verification and publicity of the designated development. This fee is for certifying the land development as green, referring to the horizontal development, not the vertical construction. Homes, commercial buildings and schools are evaluated under their own standards with their own processing fees. You can submit a pre-application form without having completed a full submittal. The development team is responsible for defining and describing, in paragraph form, which points, as described in the reference guide, are earned for the development. Submittals must include a site plan, any covenants and deed restrictions, and any material necessary for verifying points as described in the Reference Guide.
Modification Process
· Suggested revisions shall be submitted to the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. using the Modification Request Form available at the www.FloridaGreenBuilding.org web site.
· Applications shall be compiled and circulated to the Florida Green Building Coalition Green Development Committee, past applicants, and project evaluators for comments. The comment period shall be at least thirty days.
· Following the public comment period, each application and its public comments shall be reviewed by the Florida Green Building Coalition Green Development Committee, which will make written consensus recommendations to the Board of Directors for suggested revisions to the standard along with the original applications.
· The Board of Directors of the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. shall adopt, adopt with modification, or reject each application for change.
· Revision Cycle for the Green Development Designation Standard:
· Periodic review. At least triennially, the provisions set forth in these Green Development Standards shall be reviewed by the Standards Committee of the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc. in collaboration with other stakeholders. At a minimum, this review shall include consideration and evaluation of changes in the law, technological innovations, and comments and requests received from interested parties.
· All applications for revision shall be disposed of on an annual cycle such that applications received prior to the last working day of June 15 are included in the application review cycle that concludes no later than September15.
· The Board shall approve any changes to the standard by the last day of October in any year in which it is to be revised.
· Any new standard shall be in placed on the web site (along with the current standard) no later than November 15.
· The effective date of any new Green Development Designation Standards shall be January 1. Only those proposals to change these Green Development Designation Standards that are received on or prior to June 15 shall be considered for the revisions to these Green Local Government Designation Standards that may become effective on January 1 of the following year
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