PNJ editorial misleading, unbalanced
The PNJ editorial today was inaccurate, misleading and unbalanced. In this case, the editorial board has failed the citizens of Pensacola by failing to look at the facts and underlying documents.
In today’s editorial, you state “at least five council members have joined commissioners in trying to prevent city voters from having that choice” (in a vote).
Nothing could be further from the truth. The Council was acting on an existing resolution put in place prior to the formation of the ECCSC.
The resolution (35-08) enacted by the previous City Council in November 2008 is attached. Section 2 clearly states “The City Council SHALL (my emphasis) communicate its approval or disapproval of the Charter to the Legislative Delegation prior to it being placed on the ballot.” The vote is about whether the current council believes the proposed document is in the best interest of the City, period. Not whether or not it should go to the voters. That is a decision for the Legislature. Many on council feel it should go to the voters, but that does not relieve this council from voting independent of the legislature their opinions on the document. City residents deserve to know how their elected officials feel about the document as they are elected to REPRESENT the voters, not merely pass the buck to voters.
The vote by Council is separate and apart from the actions by the Legislature. The vote by Council is merely a statement as to whether they approve or disapprove the document as presented.
I for one am proud of the Council for seeing the faults in this clearly flawed and rushed document and standing up for the citizens, assets and employees of the City.
Criticizing the City Council for fulfilling their responsibilities and actually leading seems contrary to previous PNJ positions that elected officials often fail to lead.
The recent lobbying emails uncovered by Progressive Pensacola show that the Legislative delegation including Evers are “under control” therefore, Council should not concern itself as to whether consolidation is placed on the ballot but is it the right path for Pensacola’s future.
Jeff DeWeese is a City resident and financial consultant.
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As long as the PNJ “news” is controlled by the little power players of Pensacola, we can never expect to get the real news.
Thanks for the rest of the story, Jeff.
Not surprising when the consolidation supproters can tell the Journal how to write the story and the Journal Editorial Staff meets with 2 commission members together out of the sunshine
From: Scott Remington
To: jepage@pnj.com
Subject: Fwd: Quotes
Date: Thursday, January 07, 2010 7:37:58 PM
Scott A. Remington
Clark Partington Hart
850-384-4364 (mobile)
sremington@cphlaw.com
Begin forwarded message:
From: Scott Remington
Date: January 7, 2010 7:37:10 PM CST
To: jepage@pnj.com, Scott Remington
Subject: Fwd: Quotes
Jamie,
The close vote was a surprise. Therefore, I would revise my quotes as
follows.
Thanks
SAR
Scott A. Remington
Clark Partington Hart
850-384-4364 (mobile)
sremington@cphlaw.com
“Consolidation initiatives pass in spite of politicians, not
because of them,” said Pensacola attorney Scott Remington,
co-chairman of Escambia All For One, a group supporting the
study of consolidation.
“The timing of this action confirms this was an effort to stop
the public from voting on consolidation. Robertson’s proposal
came out at the last minute as an “add-on item”— just like
the soccer complex vote. The public had no reasonable
opportunity to respond or comment before the commission
voted. These political games are exactly why we must have a
more accountable form of government and better leadership.”
—-Original Message—–
From: Scott Remington [mailto:SRemington@cphlaw.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 7:11 PM
To: jepage@pnj.com
Subject: Quotes
Jamie
Based on the 3-2 vote I would temper my quotes. Please call
or email to confirm before printing.
Thanks
SAR
Scott A. Remington
Clark Partington Hart
850-384-4364 (mobile)
sremington@cphlaw.com
Minutes of the January 12, 2010 Meeting of the
Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission
Date: January 12, 2010
Location: New World Landing, City of Pensacola
Time: 5:30 p.m.
I. Call to Order
…………..Tom Wilkes, who has been assisting with the drafting of the charter. Mr. Wilkes, Commissioner Harper and Chairman Bell met with the Pensacola News Journal editorial board before the meeting and answered questions about the charter.
Good ol Scott. Keep those comments and the PNJ under control.
Consolidation my foot
Derek — kind of unrelated, but still an issue. Thanks for letting those of us who fear for our jobs to post on your blog without disclosing our identity. I can no longer post comments on rick’s blog because he requires that I disclose my identity. Once my employer knew that I was the one who posted comments, I would be fired. I appreciate having a forum where I can provide my comments without fear of termination.
You’re welcome.
Simply mindblowing that Derek (who seems to be pro consolidation…if done truthfully) is single handedly bringing the hard news to this community. (Mark Obrien tries)
James, same here. Screen names are about far more than simple privacy, it’s a common default for security online.
Rick needs to control his platform.