Guidelines

I am one member of a five person board. The opinions I express on this forum are mine only, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Escambia County Staff, Administrators, Employees, or anyone else associated with Escambia County Florida. I am interested in establishing this blog as a means of additional transparency to the public, outreach to the community, and information dissemination to all who choose to look. Feedback is welcome, but because public participation is equally encouraged, appropriate language and decorum is mandatory. Although this is not my campaign site for re-election--sometimes campaign related information will be discussed, therefore in an abundance of caution I add the following : Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commissioner District 1








Wednesday, March 27, 2024

I've been Invited to be the Leadoff Guest on 1370 WCOA's "Real News with Rick Outzen" Tomorrow at 7:00 AM

I'll be on the area's best morning news talk program, "Real News with Rick Outzen," at 7:00 tomorrow morning.  LOTS of big news to discuss and I will be prepared to discuss it all with Rick.  Tune in live! 

I've been invited to appear tomorrow morning at 0700  on the area's best, highest rated, most-trusted, least biased, least opinionated and most relevant morning-drive news program---"Real News with Rick Outzen" on the area's best news talk station--1370 WCOA.

I am certain we will discuss recent court rulings regarding the theft of county property, the upcoming board meeting next Thursday, recent happenings in the OLF 8 sale negotiations, The HUGE opening of the regional CRF facility in Escambia County, the Children's Trust/CRA issue, the upcoming primary election, and any/all other topics of interest Rick wants to discuss.

Tune in live at 7:00 AM.

It will be a very good discussion with LOTS of information passed.

I'll post the podcast here once Rick publishes it.

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Escambia County's Central Receiving Facility will open Mid April

Today stakeholders and supporters of the regional Central Receiving Facility (CRF) in Escambia County met and toured the soon-to-open local CRF.

The facility--to assess and direct patients in mental distress-- is desperately needed locally, as currently Baker-Act patients often end up in emergency rooms of local hospitals where they exacerbate alreadly long wait times.  Additionally, if a Baker Act patient is brought to a hospital's emergency room by law enforcement officers--often the Sheriff's deputy or the Police Officer who brought the patient cannot leave until the patient is admitted to the hospital--which can take hours and hours.

At the new Central Receiving Facility operated by the LifeView Group---Law Enforcement Officers can bring Baker Act Patients to the facility and be released from the call within 7-14 minutes, according to staff who gave a tour of the facility today.  This will allow for the officers to return to duty in the field much quicker than under the current protocols.

Additionally--the CRF will allow for staff to quickly assess the patients and also to provide such individuals with an array of ongoing support services that may not be offered by a Hospital's ER staff members.

With this new facility, slated to be operational by April 15th, Florida will have about 14 such facilities total.

This arrangement, along with the associated support services, will allow the local hospitals to better serve all patients.  

Once the CRF goes live, all Baker Act patients will come first to the CRF, at which point their ultimate destination will be determined.  But in close proximity (within walking distance) to the new CRF are two facilities that can house for treatment on a short term basis as many as 65 patients.

Youth that are Baker Acted will be sent to Baptist Hospital, and the adult Baker Act patients that need to be hospitalized will go to Baptist Hospital and/or Florida West Hospital.

Mental Health continues to be a vexing issue locally--but thanks to all stakeholders who envisioned, championed, and ultimately funded and established this facilty--the processes will be smoother and more efficient for everyone involved.

Thanks to State Representative Michelle Salzman, State Senator Doug Broxson, Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, and the City of Pensacola for their contributions to the establishment of this facility.

Because not only will this facility be better for the patients in distress--it will also be better for the taxpayers, cities, and counties in our area as well financially.

Thanks to Allison Hill and Shawn Salameda for hosting today's tour--and to all who took time from their busy schedules to attend and tour this facility.

See additional pictures of the facility from today's tour--below





511 Petitions, Nearly 2 Months Ahead of the Deadline



Today I turned in 511 signed petitions for my re-election to the Escambia Board of County Commissioners.

Thanks go out to all the District 1 registered voters who signed my petition to get on the ballot.

Because I was able to get these petitions, I will save nearly $5,500.00 in qualifying fees.

Thanks again, District 1, for your incredible support!

Again!







Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican, for Escambia County Commissioner District 1

Friday, March 22, 2024

Volunteers Step up to Assist Honor HER Foundation


This past week, a group of volunteers from the Marine Corps League of Pensacola teamed up with other volunteers, to include D1 Field Representative Jesse Casey, to assist the Honor HER Foundation.

Honor HER (Honor, Empower, Rebuild) is a local nonprofit that assists women veterans of the armed forces with housing and other support services.

Of an estimated 1.7 million female veterans who have served--approximately 35,000 are homeless around the country.

That is unacceptable.

Locally, the Honor HER Foundation operates a transitional shelter 100% supported by volunteers and community donations.  The goal is to provide temporary, safe living arrangements while simultaneously providing assistance to the local homeless female veterans they serve by providing social services, computer, and job skills training. The aim is to have these ladies become self-sufficient within 12 months.

The idea was the brainchild of founder and veteran Nancy Bullock-Prevot, who tragically died in a traffic accident in 2022.

Others have carried her vision forward and have continued to serve local homeless ladies in a shelter they run on Fairfield Drive in the west side of Escambia County.

Recently, a number of storage facilities that were generously donated to the shelter experienced issues when the wooden foundations upon which these storage sheds were rested began to rot.

In conjunction with the Marine Corps League--a group of citizens and ladies from the shelter constructed a concrete pad upon which all the storage sheds will be placed to prevent the degredation issues encountered with wooden foundations.

The concrete was generously donated by American Concrete founder Billy Campbell.  Jesse Casey, D1 Field Rep, along with multiple community volunteers, completed the work to build out the form and finish the concrete work.

It is truly great to see so many assist with this worthwhile effort---and our area is better for the generous citizens who step up in multiple ways to support our local nonprofits like Honor HER.

Thanks to everyone who participated--and thanks to everyone who supports this worthwhile, effective cause!

Sunday, March 17, 2024

I'll be on Real News with Rick Outzen Tomorrow Morning at 7:00 AM

I'll be on at 7:00 AM tomorrow on the area's best, most listened to, most trusted,  and most highly rated morning drive news program, "Real News with Rick Outzen" on the area's station with the best talk lineup--1370 WCOA

 

I've been invited to appear tomorrow morning on the area's best, most trusted, knowledgable and engaging morning drive news program--"Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA.

I'll be in studio with Rick at 7:00--prepared to discuss any topics of interest he wants to discuss.

-OLF-8

-The 2024 Election

-Jonathan Owen's Ethics Investigation

-New SCOTUS rulings on Elected Officials' Social Media

-This Week's Coffee with the Commissioner at 6:30 Wednesday--Featuring Bert Thornton

Or whatever Rick wants to talk about.

Catch the show live at 7:00 AM--or catch the podcast here once Rick Posts it

91st Coffee with the Commissioner this Wednesday: Bert Thornton on Success and the Value of Mentoring

 



Join us at our virtual 91st Coffee with the Commissioner event this Wednesday, March 20. The live stream will take place from 6:30-7:30 a.m. To join the meeting, visit our Facebook site here: www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/

Attendees include County Administrator Wes Moreno, Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, and author, public speaker, entrepreneur and District 1 resident Bert Thornton, retired President and Chief Operating Officer of Waffle House Restaurants. Moreno will provide an update on county business, Gilmore will discuss public safety matters, and Mr. Thornton will discuss his thoughts on success and leadership in life and the workplace and the importance of mentoring.

Residents are encouraged to send virtual questions and comments they would like to discuss with us during the event through Facebook.

For more information, contact District 1 at 850-595-4910 or district1@myescambia.com

Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved by Jeff Bergosh, Republican for Escambia Commission D1