Candidate profile: Charles Bare
At 39, Charles Bare is the youngest candidate in the race to become the first executive mayor under the City of Pensacola’s new mayor-council form of government. He may be a political rookie, but he’s not entirely unseasoned. A University of West Florida graduate, Mr. Bare worked for the U.S. Department of Education before returning to UWF, where he served as Director of Governmental Relations. An Army reservist, he deployed to Iraq from 2003-2004. After returning home, he served as a district representative for Congressman Jeff Miller, and founded a small business, consulting firm Catalyst Technologies.
Asked to make his case, in ten words or less, why voters should elect him mayor, Mr. Bare replies, “I believe in citizen-led government.”
Top three issues
Economic development. Unimpressed with the City’s traditional economic development model, Mr. Bare promises to shake things up if elected. “Right now we pay the Chamber to do our economic development,” Mr. Bare says. “A large percentage of their budget comes from public sources. I don’t think they’re doing a good job.” He would instead set up an “economic development council,” which is a model used by cities and counties elsewhere. Such a council would initially be tasked with assessing the skills possessed by our workforce and working with Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida to find out what programs are popular. “Until we have a good grasp of what we have here, we can’t go out and bring in new business,” he explains.
Public safety. “I don’t like the cuts we’ve had to training and personnel,” Mr. Bare says, referring to cuts that have affected both the police and fire departments. “I believe that right now we roll three firemen on a truck, so we have to have a second truck on scene to go into a fire. That affects the safety of our home and the insurance rates for our businesses. If the PFD’s rating falls any lower than it is, business insurance rates will go up.”
After having spent time with various police officers during ride-alongs, Mr. Bare also has thoughts on changes that could be made at the Pensacola Police Department. “We need to look at the way we manage personnel,” says Mr. Bare. “I don’t believe the 12-hour shifts are an effective way to manage personnel. I would prefer 10-hour shifts that overlap. Right now we have a 15-minute overlap between shifts. I’m very concerned that during shift changes we don’t have adequate coverage. We should have 10-hour shifts with overlaps of around two hours.”
Transparency. Mr. Bare also has detailed plans to open up the City government and better disseminate information to citizens, something he thinks the City does poorly. He’s mentioned revamping the City’s outdated website and forming a citizens’ committee to develop better methods of getting information out. “I believe there’s a lot of information that’s not readily shared,” he says. “There are staff within the City government that are not as open to citizen input as they should be and do not share as much information as they should. Citizens need to know how every dollar is being spent — how much a street sweeper costs, how much it costs to equip a fire crew. I believe we don’t do a good job of that as a City.”
Standing out
Asked what differentiates him from the three other candidates in the race, Mr. Bare focuses on his combination of education and experience. “I’m a local graduate, I was very active in student government and served as the SGA president,” Mr. Bare says. “I came back to UWF to work as the Director of Governmental Relations, where I spent time in Tallahassee and representing the university president in the community when the Legislature wasn’t in session.”
Mr. Bare credits his government experience with allowing him to hone his financial skills. “My first job out of college was with the U.S. Department of Education, reviewing financial aid programs. That led to me serving as a criminal investigator with the Inspector General’s office. I have a natural suspicion for money and following where it goes. I have an ability to dig deeper and make sure that we’re spending money correctly.”
He also views his military experience as a plus. “I spent 365 days away from home in Iraq in hostile territory,” he says. “The job was very demanding, trying to rebuild their economy, that was a big challenge. Pensacola’s economy doesn’t look to be as big a challenge after Iraq.”
First five actions
Candidates were asked what, if elected, his or her first five actions would be.
- Hire a Chief Administrative Officer.
- Create an Economic Development Council.
- Appoint a “citizens’ task force” to look at ways to make government more open, including the City’s website, methods of better communicating and bringing citizens in government, and ways to communicate with citizens who do not have access to the internet.
- Meet with department heads. “I’d treat department heads like a cabinet, and outline my vision for the City.”
- Hire an environmental advisor to advise the City about environmental impact not just with the BP situation, but on everything the City does. “It was clear to me when I’ve been to Environmental Advisory Board meetings that City staff does not know the environmental impact of a lot of things they do. We could do a better job of minimising our impact on the environment.”
Budget issues
Police and fire. Budgets for City police and fire have seen substantial reductions in recent years, which some would argue has affected response ability. Do you plan to restore police and fire funding?
I plan on evaluating the training budgets especially, and equipment, and personnel. I wouldn’t say I would restore it to the pre-economic downfall level. I know our response time is still pretty good. We need to look at manpower and training. I would want to restore quite a bit of the training budgets. SROs (Student Resource Officers) have special training needs. For Fire it is essential to me that we have four people on a truck. I want a fire truck to be able to come up to a fire and send two people into it.
Arts funding. With recent budget crunches, there has been discussion about the City’s role in providing funding to outside not-for-profits. Do you favour the City funding not-for-profits that do not provide social services, such as arts groups?
I think the arts is a vital part of our City. I think they need to seek funding from as many sources as possible and rely on fundraising where possible. If I have to make a choice between funding arts and four people on a fire truck, my focus is going to be on public safety. I do think it’s important, but it’s not going to be my focus. We have to look at it on a case-by-case basis. The best I can do as mayor is to promote the arts in our community and recognize their contributions to the community, but it’s going to be very tough to fund the arts especially with BP’s impact on tax revenue.
Raises for City employees. Most City employees have not seen a raise in three years. Will you make budgeting for raises a priority in your administration?
I think it depends in large part on the status of our economy. I would like to give employees raises, but I have to balance that with our needs. We’re in a budget situation right now where we can’t give them. It’s not going to be my top priority to give raises. It’s my top priority to keep good people, and if raises are the only way to do that then we’ll have that discussion. I would favour performance based raises.
Pension liability. What steps will you take to address the City’s $80 million unfunded pension liability and make the three pension funds whole?
I don’t think there’s a short term solution to that. It’s going to take money, and we don’t have money right now. I don’t want to take away pension benefits. People came into the system with the expectation that they would receive certain benefits and I don’t want to take those away. We can make changes for the future. Ultimately we’re going to have to find a way to pay for it and it’s something that a lot of cities are struggling with. There’s no fast solution to it.
Vision
City Administrator. The new Charter provides that the City Administrator should have “relevant management, executive, or administrative” experience. What are you looking for in a City Administrator?
I’m looking for someone that will be a chief of staff. Not the day to day person running the city, but if I’m out, I want to feel comfortable that this person can manage the staff in my absence. I’m looking for past City management experience or someone who is military with experience on the base commander level.
Pensacola’s Promise. What are your impressions of the “Pensacola’s Promise” plan? Will you work to implement the plan in your administration?
My reservation is the funding source from ESP’s marketing fund. I firmly believe that if we have extra money in ESP we need to give people a rate reduction. [ESP Director Don] Suarez tells me he needs the marketing dollars to compete with Gulf Power. I think the idea is great. We should also focus on two year degrees, vocational schools, and apprenticeships. Some people may not want to go to college, we need to give them the opportunity to do that.
BP oil disaster. In directing the City’s response to the BP oil disaster, is there anything you would do differently than what is being done now?
Immediately after the spill, I would have called the Environmental Advisory Board together to look at the potential impact on our coastline. As Mayor, I would have called the City Council into session sooner. We would have had more frequent meetings than the once-a-month the Council is meeting this summer. People need a public forum to discuss issues such as this. I also think it was irrational for the City to let the County take the lead. If elected I’ll hire an environmental advisor that will communicate issues to the public.
Annexation. As you know, the City of Pensacola is essentially “built-out” and losing population. The City hasn’t annexed a significant area since 1988. Is annexation a top priority, and if so, how do you plan to begin that process?
To begin the process, you have to look at the areas that are ripe for annexation, that may not be happy with services they are currently receiving. We have to focus on those things that we do better than the County. Ultimately you have to get people to vote for annexation. We have to have a city that is running efficiently and that can attract people before we can annex. With all of the issues we are facing, this City is going to have a tough time continuing to maintain the same level of services to the territory we have now.
“Lightning round”
Candidates were asked several questions and asked for yes or no answers if possible.
Generally speaking, are senior City staffers overpaid?
I’d have to do more research.
Would you be open exploring the to the possibility of consolidating City police and/or fire with County equivalents?
Police yes, fire no.
Would you have supported the City-County consolidation plan developed by the Consolidation Study Commission?
It wasn’t a full consolidation plan, but I think it should have gone to a vote.
Do you support zero-based budgeting?
Yes.
Without naming names, are there staffers at City Hall you have already determined would not be returning in your administration?
Yes.
Would you support requiring senior City staffers to live within the City limits?
I would prefer it, but we’ve got work to do before we can require that. I would support a discussion on it.
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crickets – again
Thanks Derek. You did an excellent job of fairly reporting my responses.
Charles – government does not create jobs, businesses do.
Thanks for your comment Mr. ?
Generally you are correct, except for certain circumstances such as during the Depression when many government jobs were created. In times of war, we have also added additional jobs via the draft. In the city, we have been cutting for several years, but we may need to create a few jobs to fill needs in public safety.
As Mayor, my goal is to create the right conditions for local business growth and relocation of businesses to the Gulf Coast. We must work hard on incentives both on the local and state level. We must fight in Tallahassee for dollars to attract and retain businesses here in Northwest Florida. This is particularly timely given the negative impact of the Oil and the State legislature’s likely action for some relief combined with federal dollars.
I would be happy to meet with you to discuss your concerns, but you’d have to first divulge your last name. Thanks.
charles bare
Charles Bare should NOT be considered a serious candidate. A vote for Bare will be a WASTED vote that will only help Mike Wiggins “old-guard”, power-brokers, big time developers, contractors trying to control City business, Irish Politician Club members (being a bit redundant here, because most of Wiggins financial backers fit into 2 or more of these categories). Look at Bare’s track-record as a candidate. He could NOT even come up with 1,980 required signatures on petitions. His Campaign Facebook page he said he was trying very hard to get petitions signed, but he came up very short. If a candidate for a very important position of new “strong” Mayor, cannot organize an effort to gather petitions by using his own efforts and his supporters’ efforts, how would Bare ever be able to lead a City of 50,000+ Citizens??? Instead Bare had to pay with his own Campaign funds (funds that should be used for standard campaign expenses), the $3,000 election filing fee. Bare next pleads the “poverty” loophole (so did Diane Mack by the way!), in order to not pay the required $1,000 election qualifying fee. Do voters want Bare (Mack) in charge of the almost $1 Billion (with a “B”) City budget (over new Mayor’s 4-year term), after publicly pleading “poverty” as a candidate for Mayor — that would really impress potential business looking at Pensacola wouldn’t it, if Bare (Mack) won!!! Bare’s now trying to play “hide & seek” on his campaign Facebook page, giving away a free homemade pizza to whoever “finds” him — give us a break!!! Also, Bare has begged for 500 Campaign Facebook “Friends” since July 5th, but still is at only 480 “Friends — effective leadership by Bare??? — NOT!
Without commenting on your point, I wanted to make one correction: the City budget is only about $213 million (that’s FY2009).
I hear he makes very good pizza.
$213 Million x 4-years = $852 Million, plus inflationary growth that will be compounded. Gets pretty close to $1 Billion!
Plus, City’s $ associated cost with the construction, operation and maintenance of the coming Community Maritime Park.
Also, in reality the new Mayor will obviously impact many of the peripheral $$$ decisions affecting the Park.
Additionally, there will probably be other new projects that will at least begin during the new Mayor’s 4 years term, resulting in significant $$$ budget growth beyond a normal % increase.
Not to mention the fact that he Mayor will be eligible to stay in office for 3 full terms (the next 12 years), bringing the grand total to a probable $3 Billion (with a “B”), give or take a few % points.
Begs the question, do the Citizens really want to elect a 1-term Mayor. It will take more than 4 years required to completely undo the status-quo and get the City back on the track necessary to compete with other Florida cities, the Southeastern region, the entire U.S. and the rest of the world — for future business, industry and the quality, high-paying jobs that are so desperately needed.
How old would Mike Wiggins (be almost 80?), or even Diane Mack (be 7?+) , be in nearly 13 years (remember, it’s 6 months until the new Mayor would take office, plus possible 12 years in office).
Ashton Hayward is the ONLY logical choice. Thankfully, he is up to the challenge and has the energy necessary to get going!!!!
Oh, sorry, I didn’t realise you were talking about a four-year aggregate.
Hey wizard,
There are less than 50,000 citizens. It keeps dropping every year because of voters voting with their feet… I believe it’s lots closer to 40,000 citizens and only 38,500 are registered to vote!
I suppose you don’t think Charles could win this election on Aug. 24 without a run-off!!! Whereas, I bet he could…
TR: The 2009 Census Bureau estimate for City of Pensacola was 53,752.
I humbly hope that’s correct, however, I bet a box of chocolate it’s LESS today!
I think 2010 Census will be something like 52K.
TR, I would bet with you, but it really would be like “taking candy from a baby”!
If you think Pensacola’s population has dropped 13,000 since 2009 U.S Census figure, then I can understand why you think Bare could win without a runoff!!!
Please get off your Mom’s computer and go to Disney.com!
Easy does it Pinhead Wizard,
I think Derek laid out the census facts! What you should take heed to is PEOPLE are leaving this $5 dollar town… Pull your head out of the MUD, dude! It would be easy to say I’m on your moms computer, if, you wanna bring in talking about peoples MOMs!
Charles could win this election with GREAT possibility (factoring the correct strategy). He could win with 50% plus one! MOOOOOT Point…
drive down Bayou Blvd between 12th and Cervantes and notice the “for sale” signs and unkempt lawns. I have lived in the area for over 20 years and can’t help but notice the rapid decline of what was once one of Pensacola’s strongest neighborhoods. Drive back up into the side streets and you notice the same trend. My guess is that this scene is being played out in other established neighborhoods throughout the city. People are flying out of here folks – no longer do we get the military families who were the backbone of our local economy. We now get trainees who are just passing through. This is great for sales of cell phones, etc but does nothing for home and auto sales. Don’t get me wrong I love the Navy and the important role it plays in the local economy but that role has changed. The service workers have also fled for greener pastures. Apartment complexes are begging for tenants. We are experiencing a triple whammy – bursting of real estate bubble, hangover from post-Ivan construction boom and effects of BP oil spill. Unless we make some big changes quickly this place will wither and die. Wake up, our city is declining before our eyes. Maintaining the status quo is not a viable option. Bare’s strategy to lead us out of this is to blow up the chamber and chase off the new CEO who has a proven track record of job creation – wtf? Time to wake up people – Rome is burning. We can’t afford to move at Pensacola speed (painfully slow)on these issues. Stop living in the past. Sunshine and white beaches ain’t gonna get us out of this ditch. Pardon me for my Jerry Maguire moment.
Very well articulated jimbob jerry maguire!!! However, the Chamber is BROKEN… lets just hope the New “Hines Guy” will be able to break the OLE Fraternity Boys up with it… The CHAMBER is responsible for Pensacola being a $5 dollar town, after all, they’ve been very unfair for many, many decades! Ruled by an endemic group of factions…
The New Guy has got his work cut out for him… I hope he doesn’t fall prey to the seduction of those guy’s. Hope in one hand and wish in the other…something like that!
TR – his name is Jim Hizer. It’s all the Chamber’s fault – give me a break. Give the PNJ some credit for the current situation. They make a big weekend at the beach or a parade out to be examples of economic development success stories. Come on people, set your standards a little higher. How about an electorate that does not show up for key elections. It is much bigger than the chamber my friend but I guess they are an easy target. Bare certainly seems to think so.
I agree that Pensacola’s population is declining — that is a fact. Let’s just be accurate, Pensacola’s population has NOT dropped by 13,000 since 2009′s U.S. Census. To say otherwise is not being straight with all others on this blog TR.
The fact that Pensacola has NOT been growing, has a lot to do with the old-guard, the IPC and certain property developers & commercial property owners; the ones who really do NOT want Pens to grow. Ones who currently have a lot of buildings/office space for lease. Look at contributions to Wiggins campaign, see who contributed under their corporate identities. See http://www.escambiavotes.com for their corporate names and then look up those corporations on Florida’s Division of Corporations website. Bare can’t even get 500 Facebook “Friends” after a month begging for people to sign-up; but TR says Bare could get 51% of the August 24th vote — NO way TR. If your going to just give ‘em away, I can take your chocolate candy on that one, since you’re determined to give it away. Bare WILL finish 4th, since Fogg is out (if not, it would be a 5th place for Bare). Bare can’t get enough votes with his “hide & seek” pizza give away scheme. That is really something that he should have gotten out of his system as a UWF undergrad!!! Bare is all pizza & NO pizazz!!!
PNJ confirmed my theory today with their lead business article by local business expert Troy Moon and his story about bars on the beach.
Can we return to Mr. Bare’s profile? I have many questions for all 4 candidates, but here’s a start for Mr. Bare.
How does he plan to keep taxes at their current level while at the same time adding staff to the police & fire departments, increasing money for training (which has been cut to the bone in every department), etc. What cuts does he plan to make in order to increase staffing & training?
I don’t care which department directors he wants to fire. I want to know why he wants to fire them. Which department directors has he met with? Has he spoken to the city manager & been told that certain directors do not take direction well, or…..?
Does he plan to conduct a nation-wide search for a city administrator, or does he have someone in mind? Has he spoken to Al Coby about taking the job?
That’s enough for now. I look forward to the answers from Mr. Bare.
can I get a free pizza if i answer the questions?
$213 million (that’s FY2009) for 53,000.00 +- residents
while Wiggins and Mack who have been making the decisions, threaten cuts in services while they continued to lead the cheerleading squad to spend spend spend on their version of economic stimulus-building a ballpark.
Keep your change if it just means more debt, taxes, government and wasteful spending.
If a drive down Bayou Boulevard says anything about this race, Hayward has many more private property owners displaying his signs .
I came across some very troubling information. Mr. Bare, I would like to know how you will handle the City’s budget. I know you received your house from your wife’s parents trust fund. What will you do with the struggling finances of the City. The city doesn’t have a “Trust Fund”
I have nothing personal against trust fund babies – I know some who have been very successful in their own right and the trust fund is lagniappe. In this case it looks like it is Mr. Bare’s primary source of financial support. Probably explains his lack of drive in obtaining petitions and raising money. Not good.
This was taken direct from Charles Bare’s Campaign Facebook page: “Bare for Mayor of Pensacola We were waving at 17th and Cervantes this morning. Did you see us? Next week we’ll be playing a new game. It’s called “Where’s Bare?” The first person to post my location on facebook will be able to come to a pizza party with me. I’ll bake the pizza and all you have to do is come and eat it.July 30 at 10:14am · Comment · Like”
GUESS WHAT: Apparently there was NO winner! Doesn’t pizza dough go bad after that many days with NO response???
Now Bare has started some other game about “Super”, on his Campaign Facebook page!
Maybe he thinks he’s running for “Entertainment Director” instead of Mayor!!!!