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June 30, 2010
PENSACOLA MAYORAL CANDIDATES ARE ASKED ABOUT THE DEEPWATER OIL SPILL
Recently, all the candidates for Mayor of Pensacola appeared on the show, "Better Pensacola Forum" and spoke about their individual vision for Pensacola. In light of recent developments surrounding the environmental impact of the Deepwater Horizon Spill, a follow-up series of questions have since been posed to the candidates by Better Pensacola Forum. All candidates were asked the same follow-up questions. Here are their answers:
1. What are your plans for limiting the impact, now or in the future, of the Deep Water Horizon catastrophe on the local physical environment?
Charles Bare: The city must work with the county to demand local control of the cleanup efforts funded by BP. As Mayor, I would re-create the environmental staff position to provide advice and manage our cleanup & response efforts. If necessary, I would fund this position from the city's reserve budget and then seek BP reimbursement. I would also call the environmental advisory board together and schedule weekly meetings with them and the environmental staff person. Finally, I would lobby the Governor for National Guard assets to aid in the preparation and cleanup efforts.
Ashton Hayward: As the Mayor of Pensacola, my plan is to protect the health and welfare of the citizens of Pensacola, and that includes protecting the local physical environment that is an integral part of our community. Pensacolaís rich history was possible only because of our natural, local, physical environment that included abundant timber and water resources. Protecting the local physical environment from the impacts of what scientists are calling the worldís worst environmental disaster is one of the biggest challenges that we may ever face.
Limiting the oil's current and future impacts requires the City to work closely with Escambia County, the State of Florida, the Coast Guard, and other federal agencies. My ability to effectively communicate our frustrations to these entities will help this City receive the equipment, supplies, and expertise that we need to protect our physical environment and natural resources from the potentially devastating impacts of oil. Emergent marsh wetlands along the shores of Pensacola Bay, Bayou Texar, and Bayou Chico require protection with absorbent and floating boom. A skimmer boat should be available to the City so that the boat can be directed to critical areas of concentrated oil each morning when locations are reported by the daily Sheriffís helicopter flights. Keeping the oil from the marsh wetlands is crucial for the survival of the vegetation, crucial for the survival of recreationally and commercially important seafood species, and crucial for providing shoreline stability and preventing land loss and erosion. The oil is much easier to skim from the middle of the bay, and much less expensive to remove, than it would be to try and clean from marsh vegetation by hand. In addition, involving local concerned residents who have been shut out of volunteering by other agencies would be part of my plan. The involvement of citizens as shoreline monitors who can provide daily status reports of oil accumulation would be invaluable information that could be forwarded to the Unified Command, the State Warning Point, and skimmer boats for clean up and removal.
Diane Mack: The impact on the environment will be a moving target until the gusher has been contained. Even then, the best scientists are not able to advise us as to the long-term impact. It is difficult to make plans, with any confidence, to deal with a moving target. The best we can do to protect the City shoreline and inland waters is to be ready to deal with "what ifs" if and when they should occur. What if oil makes it through the protections near Pensacola Pass and gets into Pensacola Bay? Booms are in place to catch oil on the surface. What if there should be sub-surface oil that would threaten Bayou Texar? We need to work with Escambia County, which is the lead agency in emergency operations response, to determine if curtain booms would provide the needed protection and, if so, put those in place as well.
Pleasure boats have been reported returning to inland waters from the Gulf with oil-contaminated hulls. City Council has directed staff to ask the Coast Guard about the possibility of declaring the Pass closed to recreational boating on those days when significant areas of oil are present in the Gulf near our shores. We may close City boat ramps as part of that effort.
If a hurricane hits, the worst case scenario includes oil-laden flood waters hitting land, oil mist deposited far inland, and oil in our sea grasses and waterways. We will not be able to prevent these occurrences, but only clean up afterward.
Mike Wiggins: First, I have been involved in all the EOC briefings and news conferences in order to be informed and involved in current conditions which change constantly. I meet almost daily with County officials with whom we are working to address the oil situation. I also have been in touch with our city manager and city engineer to ensure that the cityís shoreline is protected. I have inspected the booming that has been installed and suggested additional areas to be protected which have been added to our plan. I also have visited the decontamination facility on Bayou Chico three times and supported independent monitoring and agreements to protect not only our environment on Bayou Chico but financial assurances that we will be compensated if damage is done on this site. Finally, I have met and discussed this situation with local officials, state officials including the governor, attorney general, chief financial office and other officials. On the federal level, I have met with our US Senators, Congressman Miller and the President of the United States to discuss our local situation. Finally, I will continue to push for more skimmers to capture the oil before it reaches our shores.
2. What are your plans for limiting the impact, now or in the future, of the Deep Water Horizon catastrophe on the local business community?
Charles Bare: The city must work with the county to demand that BP provide funds to a local government office for personal and business claims. These funds should be disbursed by a local entity. In addition, I would immediately setup an Economic Development Council to consider the future impacts on our economy and to chart a course for diversification. We must look at our own workforce and educational institutions to determine what types of businesses we need to attract or grow. We must also look internally and streamline our regulatory process to make it easier for businesses to launch, grow and relocate here. Finally, we must identify economic development funds available from within the Community Redevelopment Agency and other sources to foster business growth in the city.
Ashton Hayward: As Mayor of Pensacola, it is critical that I have a plan for limiting the impact of the Deep Water Horizon catastrophe on the local business community. Our Cityís economy and financial stability depends on a healthy environment. We have seen time and time again how contaminated groundwater issues, ozone air quality issues, Superfund site issues, and fish kills in Bayou Texar can affect tourism, new business recruitment, and the value of real estate. The oil spill catastrophe may very well become another ìblack eyeî for our City unless a strong effective Mayor can communicate and showcase the success that this community has with clean up efforts. Showing innovative clean up methods, showing proactive approaches to minimize damage, and showing an ability to effectively communicate with state and federal agencies to get the resources this City needs to fight this catastrophe is critical to showing that our City is a place where new businesses and new families want to relocate to.
Diane Mack: As a member of the City Council, I will join with my fellow Council members and with Escambia County to press BP and the federal government for continuing compensation for affected businesses. As Mayor, I will join with other elected officials and with business leaders to demand that the government declare our community, along with others on the Gulf Coast, as a federal disaster area in order to have access to additional relief funds. The feds, who carry more clout against an international corporation, can then settle up with BP instead of leaving us to fight and struggle for settlement of claims.
Mike Wiggins: We not only are in an environmental crisis but in an economic crisis as well. Business throughout our region are affected and, with the oil still present, we will continue to have adverse economic effects from this disaster. I have been working on various strategies. First, it is important that we keep visitors coming to our region to support our businesses. I have encouraged the people of the nation to not give up on travel to Pensacola but to stay in touch with us to get the current information. I have worked with the visitors and information center to discuss and develop strategies to bring these visitors to our area and to come and enjoy all the other attractions we have in Pensacola. We need to continue to monitor the claims process and assist those city businesses that are having issues regarding the payment of claims. Finally, we need to keep our eye on the ball in so far as long term economic growth strategies are concerned.
3. What is the most significant lesson you have learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?
Charles Bare: I have learned that the city's decision to cut the environmental staff position from the budget was naive and irresponsible. The city council disregarded environmental concerns and failed to have a public meeting related to the disaster for almost 30 days. They are unable to quickly address issues that have disastrous effects on our citizens. As Strong Mayor, my office will react quickly and decisively to protect the citizens of Pensacola from all enemies including natural and man-made disasters.
Ashton Hayward: The most significant lesson that I have learned from the Deep Water Horizon oil spill is that the Mayor of Pensacola needs to be a strong voice to effectively communicate the needs of our City to the state and federal agencies. We can not be passive and sit back and wait for other agencies to help us. We must be proactive, strong, and innovative to receive the protection and the clean up resources we need to protect the health, welfare, and natural resources of our community. BP is a for-profit corporation, and they are concerned with their stockholders, dividends, and profit margins just like any successful corporation should be. BP should not be in the position of deciding who gets paid what. There is clearly a conflict of interest with BP in this role. Local governments should demand an independent review of their reimbursement requests so that the monetary requests are based on need and merit, not on how expensive it may be and how it may impact the finances of BP.
Diane Mack: The most significant realization that I have come to is that the U.S. is not technologically equipped to deal with the consequences of drilling for oil in deep water and therefore there must be no more deep-water wells, ever, off any of our coasts. Our contemporary world depends on petroleum for the production of so many products that it is unrealistic to suggest an end to the use of oil. I don't know how much oil is used in the production of electricity, but I believe we could get that down to zero by going to nuclear energy production. The French produce 80% of their power through nuclear plants and have an impeccable safety record.
Mike Wiggins: It has been reinforced to me that our environment is fragile and deserves our full attention as it affects our entire economy on the Gulf Coast. We need to fight off shore drilling and continually have a plan ready for emergencies like this. This event has validated the fact that our small businesses are the backbone of our economy and deserve all the help and assistance we can provide. I have been very proud to be the Mayor of this great city as our citizens have rallied to do what they can do to help, advise and protect our shores and waterways.
PENSACOLA MAYORAL CANDIDATES ARE ASKED ABOUT THE DEEPWATER OIL SPILL
Recently, all the candidates for Mayor of Pensacola appeared on the show, "Better Pensacola Forum" and spoke about their individual vision for Pensacola. In light of recent developments surrounding the environmental impact of the Deepwater Horizon Spill, a follow-up series of questions have since been posed to the candidates by Better Pensacola Forum. All candidates were asked the same follow-up questions. Here are their answers:
1. What are your plans for limiting the impact, now or in the future, of the Deep Water Horizon catastrophe on the local physical environment?
Charles Bare: The city must work with the county to demand local control of the cleanup efforts funded by BP. As Mayor, I would re-create the environmental staff position to provide advice and manage our cleanup & response efforts. If necessary, I would fund this position from the city's reserve budget and then seek BP reimbursement. I would also call the environmental advisory board together and schedule weekly meetings with them and the environmental staff person. Finally, I would lobby the Governor for National Guard assets to aid in the preparation and cleanup efforts.
Ashton Hayward: As the Mayor of Pensacola, my plan is to protect the health and welfare of the citizens of Pensacola, and that includes protecting the local physical environment that is an integral part of our community. Pensacolaís rich history was possible only because of our natural, local, physical environment that included abundant timber and water resources. Protecting the local physical environment from the impacts of what scientists are calling the worldís worst environmental disaster is one of the biggest challenges that we may ever face.
Limiting the oil's current and future impacts requires the City to work closely with Escambia County, the State of Florida, the Coast Guard, and other federal agencies. My ability to effectively communicate our frustrations to these entities will help this City receive the equipment, supplies, and expertise that we need to protect our physical environment and natural resources from the potentially devastating impacts of oil. Emergent marsh wetlands along the shores of Pensacola Bay, Bayou Texar, and Bayou Chico require protection with absorbent and floating boom. A skimmer boat should be available to the City so that the boat can be directed to critical areas of concentrated oil each morning when locations are reported by the daily Sheriffís helicopter flights. Keeping the oil from the marsh wetlands is crucial for the survival of the vegetation, crucial for the survival of recreationally and commercially important seafood species, and crucial for providing shoreline stability and preventing land loss and erosion. The oil is much easier to skim from the middle of the bay, and much less expensive to remove, than it would be to try and clean from marsh vegetation by hand. In addition, involving local concerned residents who have been shut out of volunteering by other agencies would be part of my plan. The involvement of citizens as shoreline monitors who can provide daily status reports of oil accumulation would be invaluable information that could be forwarded to the Unified Command, the State Warning Point, and skimmer boats for clean up and removal.
Diane Mack: The impact on the environment will be a moving target until the gusher has been contained. Even then, the best scientists are not able to advise us as to the long-term impact. It is difficult to make plans, with any confidence, to deal with a moving target. The best we can do to protect the City shoreline and inland waters is to be ready to deal with "what ifs" if and when they should occur. What if oil makes it through the protections near Pensacola Pass and gets into Pensacola Bay? Booms are in place to catch oil on the surface. What if there should be sub-surface oil that would threaten Bayou Texar? We need to work with Escambia County, which is the lead agency in emergency operations response, to determine if curtain booms would provide the needed protection and, if so, put those in place as well.
Pleasure boats have been reported returning to inland waters from the Gulf with oil-contaminated hulls. City Council has directed staff to ask the Coast Guard about the possibility of declaring the Pass closed to recreational boating on those days when significant areas of oil are present in the Gulf near our shores. We may close City boat ramps as part of that effort.
If a hurricane hits, the worst case scenario includes oil-laden flood waters hitting land, oil mist deposited far inland, and oil in our sea grasses and waterways. We will not be able to prevent these occurrences, but only clean up afterward.
Mike Wiggins: First, I have been involved in all the EOC briefings and news conferences in order to be informed and involved in current conditions which change constantly. I meet almost daily with County officials with whom we are working to address the oil situation. I also have been in touch with our city manager and city engineer to ensure that the cityís shoreline is protected. I have inspected the booming that has been installed and suggested additional areas to be protected which have been added to our plan. I also have visited the decontamination facility on Bayou Chico three times and supported independent monitoring and agreements to protect not only our environment on Bayou Chico but financial assurances that we will be compensated if damage is done on this site. Finally, I have met and discussed this situation with local officials, state officials including the governor, attorney general, chief financial office and other officials. On the federal level, I have met with our US Senators, Congressman Miller and the President of the United States to discuss our local situation. Finally, I will continue to push for more skimmers to capture the oil before it reaches our shores.
2. What are your plans for limiting the impact, now or in the future, of the Deep Water Horizon catastrophe on the local business community?
Charles Bare: The city must work with the county to demand that BP provide funds to a local government office for personal and business claims. These funds should be disbursed by a local entity. In addition, I would immediately setup an Economic Development Council to consider the future impacts on our economy and to chart a course for diversification. We must look at our own workforce and educational institutions to determine what types of businesses we need to attract or grow. We must also look internally and streamline our regulatory process to make it easier for businesses to launch, grow and relocate here. Finally, we must identify economic development funds available from within the Community Redevelopment Agency and other sources to foster business growth in the city.
Ashton Hayward: As Mayor of Pensacola, it is critical that I have a plan for limiting the impact of the Deep Water Horizon catastrophe on the local business community. Our Cityís economy and financial stability depends on a healthy environment. We have seen time and time again how contaminated groundwater issues, ozone air quality issues, Superfund site issues, and fish kills in Bayou Texar can affect tourism, new business recruitment, and the value of real estate. The oil spill catastrophe may very well become another ìblack eyeî for our City unless a strong effective Mayor can communicate and showcase the success that this community has with clean up efforts. Showing innovative clean up methods, showing proactive approaches to minimize damage, and showing an ability to effectively communicate with state and federal agencies to get the resources this City needs to fight this catastrophe is critical to showing that our City is a place where new businesses and new families want to relocate to.
Diane Mack: As a member of the City Council, I will join with my fellow Council members and with Escambia County to press BP and the federal government for continuing compensation for affected businesses. As Mayor, I will join with other elected officials and with business leaders to demand that the government declare our community, along with others on the Gulf Coast, as a federal disaster area in order to have access to additional relief funds. The feds, who carry more clout against an international corporation, can then settle up with BP instead of leaving us to fight and struggle for settlement of claims.
Mike Wiggins: We not only are in an environmental crisis but in an economic crisis as well. Business throughout our region are affected and, with the oil still present, we will continue to have adverse economic effects from this disaster. I have been working on various strategies. First, it is important that we keep visitors coming to our region to support our businesses. I have encouraged the people of the nation to not give up on travel to Pensacola but to stay in touch with us to get the current information. I have worked with the visitors and information center to discuss and develop strategies to bring these visitors to our area and to come and enjoy all the other attractions we have in Pensacola. We need to continue to monitor the claims process and assist those city businesses that are having issues regarding the payment of claims. Finally, we need to keep our eye on the ball in so far as long term economic growth strategies are concerned.
3. What is the most significant lesson you have learned from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico?
Charles Bare: I have learned that the city's decision to cut the environmental staff position from the budget was naive and irresponsible. The city council disregarded environmental concerns and failed to have a public meeting related to the disaster for almost 30 days. They are unable to quickly address issues that have disastrous effects on our citizens. As Strong Mayor, my office will react quickly and decisively to protect the citizens of Pensacola from all enemies including natural and man-made disasters.
Ashton Hayward: The most significant lesson that I have learned from the Deep Water Horizon oil spill is that the Mayor of Pensacola needs to be a strong voice to effectively communicate the needs of our City to the state and federal agencies. We can not be passive and sit back and wait for other agencies to help us. We must be proactive, strong, and innovative to receive the protection and the clean up resources we need to protect the health, welfare, and natural resources of our community. BP is a for-profit corporation, and they are concerned with their stockholders, dividends, and profit margins just like any successful corporation should be. BP should not be in the position of deciding who gets paid what. There is clearly a conflict of interest with BP in this role. Local governments should demand an independent review of their reimbursement requests so that the monetary requests are based on need and merit, not on how expensive it may be and how it may impact the finances of BP.
Diane Mack: The most significant realization that I have come to is that the U.S. is not technologically equipped to deal with the consequences of drilling for oil in deep water and therefore there must be no more deep-water wells, ever, off any of our coasts. Our contemporary world depends on petroleum for the production of so many products that it is unrealistic to suggest an end to the use of oil. I don't know how much oil is used in the production of electricity, but I believe we could get that down to zero by going to nuclear energy production. The French produce 80% of their power through nuclear plants and have an impeccable safety record.
Mike Wiggins: It has been reinforced to me that our environment is fragile and deserves our full attention as it affects our entire economy on the Gulf Coast. We need to fight off shore drilling and continually have a plan ready for emergencies like this. This event has validated the fact that our small businesses are the backbone of our economy and deserve all the help and assistance we can provide. I have been very proud to be the Mayor of this great city as our citizens have rallied to do what they can do to help, advise and protect our shores and waterways.
