Round-up, 08.13.09

A few items I wanted to highlight today:

County Attorney proposes technology rules. County Attorney Allison Rogers has proposed that the County Commission adopt a policy banning the use of cellphones, Blackberries, PDAs, or laptops by commissioners during meetings. The policy would also prohibit commissioners from blogging or using social networking sites like Facebook in relation to County business. Jamie Page of the News Journal is reporting that Commissioners Wilson Robertson, Marie Young, and Kevin White have already voiced support for the policy.

Progressive Pensacola feels that the policy goes too far. As presently worded, the policy would appear to prohibit commissioners from using technology like blogging to connect to their constituents. None of the five Escambia County Commissioners presently do so, but numerous members of the Pensacola City Council maintain blogs, and they have proven to be exceptional ways for Council members to get information to constituents and gather feedback.

Mack to Spencer: Be “more facilitative.” At Tuesday’s Council workshop discussing the proposed charter revisions, Councilwoman Diane Mack asked Charter Review Commission chairwoman Crystal Spencer to be “more facilitative and less defensive.” Ms. Spencer says the CRC process was “very facilitative,” but PNJ columnist Mark O’Brien agrees with Councilwoman Mack, writing that Ms. Spencer “comes across as combative.”

Charlie Morris sentenced to 71 months. Former Okaloosa County Sheriff and embezzler of public money Charlie Morris was sentenced earlier this week to 71 months in prison.

Sheriff responds to TaxWatch report. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has responded to recent criticisms by the TaxWatch organisation with an attractive PowerPoint presentation defending its budget.

Interim City fire chief. Russell Beaty will serve as the interim chief for the Pensacola Fire Department, until a permanent replacement for previous chief Frank Edwards is hired.

Restoration work at Dead Man’s Island. The News Journal reports on the progress of restoration work at Dead Man’s Island in Gulf Breeze. The latest efforts involved the construction of a large oyster reef to serve as a breakwater.