Round-up, 11.19.09

A few items that we wanted to highlight today:

IN sits down with Aronberg and Gelber. The Independent News sat down with State Sens. Dave Aronberg and Dan Gelber, Democratic candidates for Florida Attorney General, both of whom were in Pensacola last week for a candidate forum at Washington High School. Both candidates are incredibly impressive. Senator Aronberg in particular, though, has been to the Pensacola area several times over the last few years and is remarkably on top of the issues facing the area and the state as a whole. Check out davearonberg.com.

Publix at 9th and Bayou open. The Publix at 9th Avenue and Bayou Boulevard opened yesterday to huge crowds. The renovated store looks great both inside and out, and we know residents of East Hill, Pineglades, Cordova Park, and elsewhere are glad to have a grocery store at that location again. Our thanks to Publix for its generous donation of $500 checks to eight local elementary schools.

“Outtakes” on NBM fear campaign. In his “Outtakes” column, Independent News publisher Rick Outzen criticises anti-charter group No Boss Mayor for what he calls its “fear and smear campaign.” Earlier this week, Progressive Pensacola also expressed disappointment in No Boss Mayor’s misleading and fear-based rhetoric.

Pensacola Fire Department budget cuts. WEAR ran a story earlier this week about the budget cuts the Pensacola Fire Department has dealt with over the past two years. The PFD, like all other City departments, has had to trim its budget as the City deals with decreased revenue. Unfortunately, the cuts have impacted some of the Department’s abilities, and the firefighters warn that continued cuts may further degrade their response capability. If you value the PFD’s top quality fire protection, please tell your City Council members.

Fire Truck Pull. Pensacola City Councilwoman Maren DeWeese highlights the Fire Truck Pull event at Seville Quarter this Saturday. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Public meeting on Downtown Library design. Councilwoman Megan Pratt talks about library design and reminds us of a public meeting on December 1. The meeting is intended as a forum for suggestions and feedback on the design of the new Downtown Library.