News Articles
Mark O'Brien: Have you even read the plan?
Pensacola News Journal, February 22, 2010
Mark O'Brien
mobrien@pnj.com
Here's a way to have some fun with people arguing over a plan to consolidate the governments of Escambia County, the City of Pensacola and the Town of Century.
Just ask them, "Have you read the plan?"
Chances are that they haven't read even one page of the document. Too many on both sides argue from old reflexes -- they're pals with someone or enemies with another or they overheard someone say something, and now their minds are made up.
To its credit, the citizens on the Consolidation Study Commission wrote a document that's easy to understand. It's 46 pages long, accompanied by reports explaining details around many of the proposals.
You can go online and read it yourself, or you can wait until tonight and see what state lawmakers do. They can kill it or refer it to the full Legislature, with a countywide vote possible Nov. 2.
Political pickle
"I'm getting a lot of pressure from both sides," said State Rep. Clay Ford, R-Pensacola. "My e-mails run about 50-50."
He's chairman of the local delegation of state lawmakers who will make the decision: Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, and Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola, and Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville. (Another member, Sen. Durell Peaden, won't attend.)
"There's a lot of emotion around it," Murzin said.
"Everyone who lives in Escambia County has skin in the game, one way or the other," Evers said.
Some people think the delegation should approve the plan and let the citizens vote on it, but Ford said the delegation promised only to consider the proposal. Traditionally, delegations don't ask the Legislature to ratify proposals that lack strong support from local governments. Century, Pensacola and Escambia officials all have issues with it.
Big shift
The plan would meld the County Commission and Pensacola and Century governments. The results: A mayor runs this new entity, much as the president runs the country, and a nine-member council serves as a legislature, a la Congress.
As Dr. Phil would say, "How's that working for you?"
Then again, how's the current system working for you?
When they oppose the plan, are the politicians trying to protect their turf? Maybe so, but they generally know a good deal about the system and what works and what doesn't, so their arguments may have merit. Or not.
Why, it's so confusing that you might have to read the plan yourself and make up your own mind.
Want more Mark? Pnj.com/markobrien.
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