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WHO'S VOTING?

A VOTER REGISTRATION GUIDE + CONVERSATIONS ABOUT GETTING OUT THE VOTE WITH LOCAL ORGANIZERS & CAMPAIGNS Independent News | October 1, 2020 | Volume 21 | Number 40 | Charles Williams / Photo by Natalie Allgyer

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winners & losers

outtakes

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Your vote can drastically change the outcome of how your city or your state focuses on you.

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publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Jeremy Morrison, C.S. Satterwhite

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Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. ÂŠ 2018 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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October 1, 2020

winners & losers

Courtesy of YMCA

winners BEAR LEVIN STUDER YMCA The

SKANSKA USA The bridge contractor, which has the $430 million contract to build the Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Bridge across Pensacola Bay, was noticeably absent from the press conferences held at the Escambia County Emergency Operations Center. Twenty-two of its barges broke loose from their anchors as Hurricane Sally blew through the area, destroying at least five spans of the bridge and wreaking havoc on public and private property in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The company has a worldwide revenue of about $19 billion, according to media reports, but didn't send a representative to the pressers to explain what happened and how the contractor plans to deal with the destruction caused by its equipment.

THE LEWIS BEAR COMPANY The beer distributor partnered with AnheuserBusch, American Red Cross and Commissioner Lumon May to deliver thousands of cases of emergency drinking water to the Walmart Neighborhood Store in Warrington for distribution to the Forest Creek and Lexington Terrace areas affected by Hurricane Sally. Since 1988, AnheuserBusch has provided more than 79 million cans of emergency water to disasterstricken areas. Lewis Bear Company Vice President David Bear said, "The Lewis Bear Company is proud to donate over 37,000 cans of disaster relief water to the affected communities in partnership with the Red Cross and Commissioner May."

RECYCLING Hurricane Sally did a number on our county's recycling programs. The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority's Materials Recycling Facility (ECUA MRF) at the Perdido Landfill is expected to be out of commission for four to six weeks after sustaining approximately $800,000 in wind and rain damage. The ECUA MRF processed 49,197 tons of recyclables last year. The city of Pensacola and ECUA recycling programs have been suspended, though ECUA officials have encouraged residents to stay in the habit of recycling, if possible, by storing clean recyclables in their cans until service resumes. Until the facility is back in operation, collected recyclables will go into the landfill with the other trash.

MICHAEL FERGUSON The late retired

Friday, Sept. 25, the Russian president expressed his sincere wish to help bring an end to vote meddling once and for all. Putin called for a reset between Russia and the United States and said he wanted an agreement between the two countries to prevent incidents in cyberspace. According to Reuters, he proposed "exchanging guarantees of non-interference in each other's internal aff airs, including electoral processes, including using information and communication technologies and high-tech methods." We can now sleep without worrying about the 2020 election results, right? Two weeks ago, Microsoft warned that hackers linked to Russia, China and Iran were trying to spy on people tied to both Trump and Biden. Russia and China dismissed the allegations.

downtown YMCA hosted hundreds of linemen and tree service professionals from all over the country who were here restoring power to our community, offering a safe and comfortable place for these hard-working men and women to shower and sleep after working 16-hour days. One Houston lineman was so grateful for his first shower in five days that he made a donation to the Y's scholarship fund as a thank you. For its part, the YMCA was honored to serve the greater community in recovery efforts. "The Y has always been so much more than just a gym," said CEO Michael Bodenhausen. "Thanks to our members who were patient with us as we supported this need."

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Army brigadier general and Pensacola attorney, who died in January at the age of 81, is among the 20 people selected for upcoming induction into the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. A 1960 graduate of the United States Military Academy, Ferguson was an Army Ranger, served in the Vietnam War and was awarded a Purple Heart. Following his retirement from the Army, Ferguson graduated from the University of Florida law school, became part of the McDonald, Fleming, Moorhead and Ferguson law firm and handled the legal work for Inweekly when it was formed in 1999. He also served as civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army for more than 12 years as a tireless advocate for military members and their families.

VLADIMIR PUTIN In a statement released

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NO EMPATHY DISPLAYED When the Federal Emergency Management Agency didn't immediately make Escambia and Santa Rosa residents eligible for its Individual Assistance program, those of us who survived hurricanes Opal, Erin, Ivan and Dennis were stunned. "This is a different FEMA," said State Sen. Doug Broxson (R-Gulf Breeze). "We're getting a different response … historically, I've never seen them not writing checks at this point. Very disappointing." For the first time, FEMA asked residents to send in photos and narratives about the damage they suffered. Maybe county officials screwed up in their meetings with FEMA and Florida Emergency Management and didn't correctly stress the need for the assistance. But this is a Republican country—every presidential candidate in the past 20 years has come here to boost their campaigns and egos. Why aren't we getting any love—and financial assistance— from our state and federal leaders? Gov. Ron DeSantis did a flyover, a press conference on the tarmac of the Pensacola International Airport and held a closeddoor meeting with local officials. He didn't come to comfort and reassure the hoi polloi. It might have messed up his outfit. After Ivan, Gov. Jeb Bush visited both counties two days after the storm struck. He met with Kathy Jablonski and heard how difficult it was to get aid information. Robert Cross told him about the lack of water at Pensacola Civic Center. At Santa Rosa County EOC, Councilwoman Beverly Zimmern reviewed a map with the governor and pointed out how the bridges surrounding Gulf Breeze had been damaged. The governor's brother, President George W. Bush, visited two days later and walked the streets of Navy Point and Innerarity Point. He came before FEMA arrived on the scene. Residents asked the president to autograph their doors that had been ripped from their frames by Hurricane Ivan. His message was help was on the way. Resident Al Boyd shared with Inweekly that he wasn't surprised FEMA and the Red Cross showed up after the president's visit.

"I knew that would happen because Dubya, the president, told me they would be right over," Boyd told Inweekly editor Duwayne Escobedo. "Dubya was awesome. He didn't have his entourage. He was like anybody else." When Pensacola flooded in April 2014, Gov. Rick Scott arrived the next morning while it was still raining. He toured Piedmont Road, which had become a muddy river after the stormwater pond at the airport had been breached. The governor inspected the flooding at the Forest Creek Apartments and walked through ankle-high water in shops and restaurants on Palafox Street with Sheriff David Morgan and Mayor Ashton Hayward. Gov. Scott stopped and talked with several downtown business owners. He told me that his biggest concern was the safety of the people whose homes were damaged. Gov. Scott promised the city and county would receive whatever resources he had at his disposal. In a quick five-minute interview outside of the flooded Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom, I could see how deeply what the governor had seen in the Piedmont and Forest Creek areas had impacted him. Scott talked about the families he'd seen and how the state was committed to helping with their recovery. In the following days, he appealed to the Obama administration for federal disaster relief, which we got. President Trump didn't visit and sent FEMA Director Peter Gaynor instead. The president held a rally in Jacksonville and played golf in south Florida over the weekend. DeSantis had Emergency Director Jared Moskowitz do onsite visits here. Instead of financial assistance for families, Gaynor and Moskowitz told officials to get photos to prove our damages. None of the empathy of the Bushes and Scott was displayed. No promises of aid. We experienced, as Sen. Broxson remarked, a different FEMA and a very impersonal governor's office. Very sad and extremely disappointing. {in} rick@inweekly.net

Why aren't we getting any love—and financial assistance—from our state and federal leaders?

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WHO'S VOTING?

We hope everyone reading this answered that question with an enthusiastic "ME!" because every election is important, but this one, happening on Nov. 3, is very consequential. It's got some key local races and judicial appointments, not to mention that presidential race you've probably heard about a least once (or a thousand times) this week alone. But before we can make our voices heard this November, we have to make sure our registration status is in order this October. Monday, Oct. 5, is the registration deadline for the 2020 general election. That's this week, which means time is running out to register and to make sure your registration information is current. So let's get to it, OK? Because this is one election that you don't want to end up sitting on the sidelines for.

KNOW YOUR STATUS

MAKE A PLAN

First things first—if you're not registered, get registered. And just so it's super clear, you only have until Monday, Oct. 5—so don't wait. You can register online at registertovoteflorida.gov, in person (find a list of locations in Escambia County at escambiavotes.gov/nvralocations) or by mail (instructions can be found at escambiavotes.gov/register-to-vote). If you choose to register offline, via a Florida Voter Registration Application, you must return it to the Supervisor of Elections or postmark it on or before the registration deadline—which, again, is Monday, Oct. 5. To register to vote in Florida, you'll need to meet the eligibility standards to vote in the U.S. Make sure you have your Florida driver license (Florida DL) or Florida identification card (Florida ID card) issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, the issued date of your Florida DL or Florida ID card and the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN4).

Don't brush off these urgent "Register to vote!" reminders, even if you think you're already registered. It's important for all voters to make sure their information is up to date before the book closes for the 2020 general election. Your address, for example, will affect your Election Day polling location and who is on your ballot for local elections. For voters in Escambia County, checking your registration status couldn't be any easier. Just go to escambiavotes.gov/am-i-registered.

Once you've gotten registered or confirmed your registration status, it's time to make your voting plan. This is always important, but it's especially crucial this year due to coronavirus and concerns about voting in person. If you're going to vote-by-mail, request your ballot now. Then figure out where and when you will drop it off. Give yourself a deadline that's at least one week prior to Election Day—because that's what the USPS is recommending. Saturday, Oct. 24, is the deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot in Escambia County. Your next option is to vote early in person. The early voting dates for this election are Monday, Oct.19, through Saturday, Oct. 31. You can find a list of early voting locations in Escambia County at escambiavotes.gov/early-voting-locations. If you decide to wait until Election Day, confirm your plans now and discuss Election Day policies with your workplace, family and friends. Make sure you come prepared and be patient. Efforts to maintain safe social distancing standards and properly sanitize things might make the process a little slower than you're used to.

There you can: •Check the status of your registration •Update your registration information •View your sample ballot (in English and Spanish) •Request and track a vote-by-mail ballot •Locate your polling location for Election Day

DON’T FORGET: MONDAY, OCT. 5 IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE October 1, 2020

A CONVERSATION WITH LOCAL ORGANIZERS By Jeremy Morrison

Charles Williams and Jamil Davis / Photo by Jeremy Morrison

This summer protests against police brutality and systemic racism washed across the country. Now organizers nationwide are working hard this fall to ensure those issues are taken seriously by candidates and that voters exercise their voice on Election Day. In Northwest Florida and Pensacola, that work is being done by groups such as Black Voters Matter and Dream Defenders. Recently, Jamil Davis, North Florida regional organizer for Black Voters Matter, and Charles Williams, organizing lead for Dream Defender's Pensacola chapter, spoke with Inweekly about their efforts during this election season. Black Voters Matter works with organizations in 12 states to increase voter participation and push for movement on issues that impact the Black community. The Dream Defenders have over ten chapters in the state of Florida that all represent different cities. "We tell people our mission is to spread Black love, Black joy," explained Davis, "by going to those states and the organizations that are already doing the work on the ground floor, supplying them with resources and assistance and getting the work done that they need to build Black power." INWEEKLY: When people say the 'Black vote,' what does that mean? And why is it important? JAMIL DAVIS: There's so many layers to the Black vote in this country. Presently, 88

right now, a lot of modern day organizers and activists see the Black vote as a vital tool that can be used to gain our liberation and freedom. We see electoral organizing as a means of going into communities, finding out the issues that people within those communities have, then finding those candidates who are already building their platforms on those issues and doing our best to get those candidates into office. But it doesn't stop there, because once we get them into that office, then it's still up to us to go and make sure that we're pushing them on the issues and the platform they said they would fulfill. INWEEKLY: Recently you said that your organization's work kinda started the day after Election Day, can you talk about that? DAVIS: I tell people all time, and our co-founder Latosha Brown says the same thingâ€”most of these organizations, especially these political organizations doing strictly political and voting work, their work ends Nov. 3, 2020. Our work, whether it's Black Voters Matter or Dream Defenders, our work begins Nov. 4, 2020, because we've got to sit with the people within our communities that we organize in and strategize and build on how we're going to still hold these candidates to the fire for the promises that they make, whether it be on issues such as defunding the police, gentrification within our neighborhoods

or environmental racism. Even here in the state of Florida, voting rights and voting restoration for returning citizens, that's a key, major issue that we have to focus on. So, it's really all about just focusing on the work within the communities, more so than just, 'Hey, get out and vote on Nov. 3.' Because we want you to do that, but it's also going to be a situation of 'What happens after Nov. 3? What happens after all these organizations that do just strictly electoral work leave?' CHARLES WILLIAMS: I'll piggyback on that and say, participation is vital and critical to even having a voice after Nov. 3. You know what I'm saying? So, we, of course, want you to participate in voting and making sure we elect the candidates that represent us the best, but then also after Nov. 3 to hold them accountable for what they need to provide our communities and then at the same time work with them insofar as organizing and building around those particular commitments and things we want our community to look like in the future. It's definitely collectively working to build the future we want to see. INWEEKLY: In this area, Pensacola, North Florida, what do you all identify as priority issues? WILLIAMS: We, of course, have had several demands and pushes that we've laid out over the course of a year or so now, since the passing of Tymar Crawford due to

gun violence by the Pensacola Police Department. So, first of all, a priority of ours has definitely been to lean towards defunding the police to better correspond to our communities. To make sure that they're held accountable to offenses to us, and of course providing restitution and restoration towards those harms towards us in regards to this situation. That's definitely been a priority of ours. But, you know, we could go on and on, I'm sure there's numerous more when it comes to education, when it comes to gentrification, those are things we could go into. INWEEKLY: You have anything you want to throw in there, Jamil? DAVIS: Honestly, within this area the issues that we see as greatly important is of course the divestment of funds from local police and reinvesting those into communities that we serve. That's a key issue. Also here in Escambia County, and I think the issue has become stronger with Hurricane Sally, environmental racism is a key issue. These are things that we've been talking to them about, but these issues trickle down not just with the people we have organizing in the communities, but also with the people that we put forth into these elected offices that see this being of great importance. And I think one more key issue within this area in general is gentrification and the gerrymandering maps after this election to possibly eliminate Black inweekly.net

representation within the city. In the late Sixties, early Seventiesâ€”there was a group of organizers and activists here in Pensacola who sued the state for us to be able to have Black representation on city council, county commission and on the school board. Now, we had to deal with a situation in 2018 of the individual who was in the school board seat retired and because of the decree that was signed, the decree said 'minority' representation, so Rick Scott utilized that to put a white Republican woman in that seat. It put us in a position, before the mid-term election, we no longer had representation on the school board. And now we're faced with a situation of Delarian Wiggins, who did win his primary, thankfully, in August, for him to officially be the councilman for District 7, but we're in the process of him literally being the only person to represent the Black constituency on the city council. Because we have Ron Helms currently running against Teniade Broughton in District 5. And then District 6, which was the seat that we fought for in that lawsuit, is currently being occupied by Ann Hill, so we see how swiftly gentrification reared its ugly head within the Belmont-Devilliers district. These are things that we're looking at and trying to basically fight against. Not just within this election, but within elections to come and also when these elections are over with. INWEEKLY: Why does this year seem so consequential, electorally speaking? And what kind of feedback are you getting when you go out there and talk to people? DAVIS: Right now a lot of people are getting tired of the scare tactics used to get them to go out and vote. And so that's a key thing that we as Black Voters Matter focus on them not doing. We're strong advocates on making sure that people that work for our organization, partners with our organization, don't vote-shame individuals. We go into communities and we ask about the issues and then we parlay that into letting individuals know, 'Hey, on this particular issue, if you vote this way we can push the issue a bit further to where we can get that taken care of. If you vote this way, you know, this will be the thing.' So, we make people look at the pros and cons of how they want to vote, or if they even want to vote at all. And if they don't, cool, but we still don't think you're any less because of the fact that you didn't exercise your right. It's a right. I have a right to do it, and I also have a right not to. INWEEKLY: When people tell you that they don't want to vote, do you understand their rationale? DAVIS: I do. We definitely understand that people feel that the system has failed them time and time again and we try to make people understand that the system is only going to fail us as much as we allow ourselves to not operate with the power that we already possess. I tell people time and time again, my favorite phrase is: 'Don't leave any money on the table.' And people tell me, 'What does that mean?' Voting. Your vote is money on the table. Your vote October 1, 2020

can drastically change the outcome of how your city or your state focuses on you. We understand, because a lot of us as organizers, before we really started getting educated on how to exercise that power for our communities, a lot of us felt like the system did us dirty, and the current way that government operates in this country did us dirty, and now we understand that there's nothing like the power of the people, because the power of the people got Minneapolis city government to figure out a new way to define public safety in their city by eliminating the charter for the police department. The power of the people got it to where Los Angeles city government reallocated, I think it was a $100 million, for Black community outreach, and they reallocated those funds from the police budget. These are things that we've been valiantly fighting for within communities across the county and these are things that we've, of course, been fighting for here in Pensacola. The power of the people got Daniel Siemen, who was the police officer who shot and killed Tymar Crawford, fired from the Pensacola Police Department. The power of the people got us to make the city government to quickly establish a civilian advisory board and to actually put people on that civilian advisory board. The power of the people got it to where the city government had no choice but to settle with the family of Tymar Crawford. WILLIAMS: Another thing I'll respond to, when people don't want to vote, I'll say 'y'all need to think about it, man,' because the power of the people also allowed felons to be able to vote within the state of Florida. So, you know, we're giving more people the ability to vote that have actually been negatively affected by the system, a chance to actually voice their opinion on politics and voice their opinions on candidates. So, we've got to also think about how much more power we have in that aspect. INWEEKLY: Are you optimistic about this election? WILLIAMS: I'm an optimistic person, so I'm just going to let you know, yes. We deserve better and we know that â€Ś So, I feel like we'll connect on Election Day to show the world, to show the country, to show the state that we're all on the same page to continue to move forward and to use that as ground to keep going. DAVIS: I'm optimistic about the work we've been doing for the past year and a half to till the ground for proper revolution and liberation in this city. I'm optimistic of the chances of candidates who care about our well-being and the races that they have for this election. But more so I'm optimistic about the way that people have responded in light of what's happened to Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Jacob Blake and Daniel Prude and Tony McDade. I'm optimistic of their responses because they've responded by action and by research on who it is that they need to vote for to gain the things that we've been fighting for so long. WILLIAMS: How can you not be optimistic when you've got all this support? We're all on the same page in regards to humanity. {in} 9

POLITICKING IN A PANDEMIC By Jeremy Morrison

Phil Ehr / Photo courtesy of the Ehr for Congress

With primary season over, the registration deadline quickly approaching and a presidential race headlining the ballot in November's general election, political campaigns find themselves navigating the homestretch—a period traditionally packed with lots of handshaking and faceto-face campaigning—in a new world full of coronavirus safety precautions. "It's a different world now," said Teniade Broughton, who is running for the District 5 seat on the Pensacola City Council. During this campaign season, Broughton has put on her mask and delivered her pitch door-to-door. Oftentimes, the candidate's knocks have gone unanswered and campaign literature is left behind. "When I would look down the street, they were all gone," Broughton said, explaining how the literature would be retrieved

once she'd left. "What that showed me was they were just not answering their doors." Like everyone else, Broughton has shifted more of her energy toward online efforts, but something's missing. The coronavirus seems to have robbed campaign season of an essential element—a genuine human connection with the voters. "They rely on that face-to-face interaction," Broughton said. "They want to be able to see your face; they want to feel you." This coronavirus curveball notwithstanding, candidates and political parties, from the national and state level on down to local level, are still plenty busy between now and November. "This time of year, I don't think it's gonna let up," said Lilly Eubanks, chair of the Escambia County Democratic Executive Committee.

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Nationally, a presidential contest between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to drive high voter turnout, and Eubanks is hopeful that will pay off for Democrats in Northwest Florida. "I feel like we've got opportunities," Eubanks said, noting that the president's dismal performance on fronts such as his handling of the coronavirus pandemic was making it easier for Democrats to motivate voters. "I think Mr. Trump has been helping us some." John Roberts, chairman of the Escambia County Republican Party, holds a starkly different perspective. He thinks the president's performance has made reelection an easy sell for Republicans. "Good news just keeps happening," the local Republican party chair said. "This is just the way it's been for three and a half years."

Besides, Roberts said, Republicans have Northwest Florida sewed up tight. Between now and November, it's all about ensuring Trump gets enough votes here to offset Democrat-heavy voter populations elsewhere in the state. "That's where the game is. We're certainly going to win in Escambia County, but our goal is to win big," Roberts said. "We can't take it for granted that we could sit back and do nothing and Trump would win. It's a swing state. It's not Wyoming."

CAMPAIGNS & GROUND GAMES

If there's one consistent component to every political campaign season, it's that candidates try and help voters put a face to their name. But things are different this year. "I think the frustration is—getting out and pressing the flesh," said Democrat Phil

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Ehr, who's running for incumbent Rep. Matt Gaetz's congressional seat, lamenting the inability to get out and meet with voters. Because large gatherings are still off the table, the Ehr campaign searched for other avenues of connection. "We're finding ways to socially distance but still get out in the community," said Nicole Henderson, Ehr's director of communications. Instead of hosting rallies and events, the congressional candidate has volunteered at local food banks, attended Black Lives Matter protests and partnered with Keep Pensacola Beautiful to host clean-ups at local parks. "It's meant that we've put on our thinking caps and gotten creative," Ehr said. Like just about every campaign, Ehr is also employing virtual get-togethers and phone banking by volunteers. "We're doing a lot of phone calling. We're not doing in-person talking; we're not knocking on doors," said Eubanks. Local Democrats have also conducted car parades, featuring a motorcade adorned with political signs. The state party, Eubanks explained, refers to such parades as "Ridin' with Biden' events." "I think the candidates kind of like it because it gives something that's a little normal," Eubanks said. "I think they all feel a little strange about it; I think they'd all like to be able to go and talk to people." Dianne Krumel, a Democratic candidate for the District 2 seat in the Florida House, is getting out and talking to folks but with COVID-appropriate precautions. "I wear my mask, I'm 6 feet away, and that's how I talk to folks," Krumel said. That's the same approach Roberts said local Republicans are taking. "They put the masks on, they knock on the door and stand 8 feet back," he said. But going forward, the Republican candidates may also see some larger events in the area. Roberts pointed to a planned visit by Eric Trump, the president's son, to Panama City. "I think he'll get a crowd. A lot of people just want to do something to show support," Roberts said. In the past, during Trump's 2016 campaign as well as after taking office, the president has shown an affinity for visiting the deep-red, friendly territory of the Florida Panhandle. Roberts didn't rule out such a visit during this campaign season. "I think it's very possible we could get a visit during the campaign, but I have no idea when it would be," he said.

DISRUPTION OF A "RITUAL"

A lot of the voters in Broughton's city council district are Black, many of them older, and the candidate is concerned the coronavirus may make this upcoming election especially stressing for them. "Part of the African American tradition, going to the polls is a ritual for us," Broughton said, explaining the special place voting holds in the community. "They say 'come hell or high water, I'm going to the polls'" … a trip to the polls is a "pilgrimage of sorts." But this year, things are different. Normally, polls in Black communities can serve as a social "mini-reunion of sorts," but during the recent primary, Broughton October 1, 2020

sensed an "over-arching fear of 'let me get this done and get out of here.'"

FINGERS CROSSED & KICKED BACK With a Democratic base energized in its opposition to Trump, and a slate of local and regional candidates making a go at it, Eubanks feels good about this year's election—"there are things that people are unhappy with, and that gives us an opportunity"—but knows there's a lot work to be done between now and Election Day. "We're keeping our fingers crossed and working every day to make this happen, to make sure we don't ask ourselves on November 4 if we did everything we could," she said. In her quest for Rep. Alex Andrade's seat in the state legislature, Krumel is optimistic—"Is there a pathway to victory for me? The answer is yes"—but she's not delusional. She knows Northwest Florida can be challenging for Democrats. For instance, Krumel pointed out, it's been nearly a quarter-century since a Democrat held the seat she's running for. But the candidate is hopeful that this year is different. "I have met a lot of people who are disillusioned," Krumel said. "They're looking for the change and the trust." And Krumel's not just referring to Democrats. She recognizes that her victory will require Republicans straying across the partisan divide. "There's a lot of unhappy people, some Republicans. I've talked to them," Krumel said. "I'm hoping that will lead to votes for me. That's how I see a pathway forward. We are in a red district. It's tough." On this point, Ehr agreed. He's hopeful his Navy credentials can attract some military-centric conservative voters. "We recognize that we'll need Republicans to win this," Ehr said. Eubanks also points to the large number of voters in the local region registered as No Party Affiliation. She's hopeful Democrats' efforts to reach these voters pay off. "There are 45,000 No Party Affiliations, which means that they will vote their conscience," she said. "I'm thinking that will help our chances." "I have found there's a lot of unhappy or disillusioned folks in NPA," agreed Krumel. Roberts dismisses that—"the NPAs are more often Republican"—and said he believes Republicans have Northwest Florida locked up tight, save for a seat here or there on some municipal, county or utility board. "We're pretty optimistic, but we're not taking it for granted," Roberts said. Mostly, Republicans are focused on the presidential race. Not so much for Escambia's sake—they think that's in the bag, Roberts said—but to better Florida's chances of going for Trump and potentially tipping the race the president's way. "We could kick back and relax and still win Escambia County, but it's not just about winning Escambia County. It's about winning the state," Roberts said, stressing Florida's importance in the national race. "It could go either way. We understand that. We understand we can't take it for granted. It's a swing state." {in}

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EXPLORING A SHARED HISTORY and hopes the designation will help provide occasion for the community to learn more about Native American history and culture. "That's a part of the history of this country that we need to know more about and celebrate," she said, "and also acknowledge the injustices that have been done to Native American people." Myers wasn't surprised her resolution sailed through city council on a unanimous vote. "I really think it's a no-brainer that we want to be inclusive," she said. "So why not have an Indigenous Peoples' Day?"

STARE DOWN IN THE PLAZA

A piece from "Bring Me the Head of Osceola/There Is More to Remember" / Photo by AnArchivist, 2020

By Jeremy Morrison The second Monday in October is a federally recognized celebration of explorer Christopher Columbus. But this year in the city of Pensacola—with a replica of Columbus's smallest ship the Niña eerily and coincidentally marooned at Maritime Park by Hurricane Sally—that date on the calendar will be shared with another recognition—Indigenous Peoples' Day. In early September, the Pensacola City Council passed a resolution introduced by Councilwoman Sherri Myers that designates a local Indigenous Peoples' Day recognition. It's something she's wanted to do for a while now. "I feel like to be a truly inclusive community, we need to do a better job of recognizing the history, culture and importance of Native Americans," Myers said. One of the people Myers conferred with regarding the Indigenous Peoples' Day designation was local artist Sean Linezo, who submitted a rough draft of a resolution to the councilwoman. But the Indigenous Peoples' Day designation is only a part of Linezo's focus, as the artist has a slate of exhibits and events—as well as a public art proposal— planned in an effort to raise awareness and ignite discussion about the nation's shared history with Native Americans as Pensacola prepares to celebrate "the 200-year anniversary of the colonization of Florida." "I feel like part of the racial divide in America today is related to miseducation and misunderstandings of history," Linezo explained. October 1, 2020

CELEBRATING NATIVE AMERICANS

It's no coincidence that Pensacola's newly designated Indigenous Peoples' Day falls on Columbus Day. "I think if we're going to have Indigenous Peoples' Day, it should be on Columbus Day," said Myers. This duality, explained the councilwoman, serves to offer historical context to the celebration of a problematic figure such as Columbus. "He was pretty notorious for his brutality," Myers said of the explorer's treatment of Indigenous Peoples, "not to Native Americans in the U.S., because he never came to this continent, but in the islands." Columbus Day has been a federal holiday since 1937. The Italian explorer who flew a Spanish flag won out in dueling campaigns for recognition as the first European to arrive in the Americas, with his contender being Leif Erikson, the Viking thought to have reached North America 500 years prior. In 1977, the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, with the backing of the United Nations, began pushing for the United States to celebrate an Indigenous Peoples' Day in lieu of Columbus Day. In 1992, the city of Berkeley, Calif., became the first municipality to declare such a recognition, using the occasion to launch Native American educational efforts within schools and at museums. In the years since, numerous cities and more than a dozen states have moved to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day. Myers thought it was time for Pensacola to join them

A week before Pensacola's inaugural Indigenous Peoples' Day, Linezo will be making a presentation to city council concerning a proposed public art installment. The proposed work—a bust of Seminole leader Osceola to lock gaze with the bust of Andrew Jackson in Plaza Ferdinand—is part of a larger effort and meant to invoke historical reflection and consideration. "With the monument," said Linezo, "I'm asking the city to actively and creatively engage with complex issues from our shared history in an honest and inclusive way so that we can promote empathy, understanding and acceptance of diversity in our community." Linezo serves as artist-in-residence for School House 4, a nonprofit partner of the Pensacola Private School of Liberal Arts. Over the coming months, he has mapped out a series of exhibits, events, panel discussions and film screenings designed to explore and celebrate Native American history and issues, particularly as they pertain to Florida and Pensacola. Linezo's efforts lead up to and consciously coincide with the approaching 200-year celebration of Florida becoming a territory of the United States, when in 1821, Andrew Jackson observed the occasion in Pensacola. Like Columbus, Jackson offers a character celebrated yet conflicted, particularly when it comes to his treatment of Native Americans. "I understand Jackson was a war general and the seventh president of the United States. I understand he was standing in Ferdinand Plaza when Florida officially raised the U.S. flag for the first time. This is local history with national significance. I can appreciate the facts," Linezo said. "However, I think we are leaving a lot of facts out of the story, and I feel like conflict comes from misunderstandings of what the symbols stand for, and this is related to how and what we teach as history." Jackson's relationship with Native Americans can be well illustrated by, among other instances, the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which he signed into law as president. In contrast, Linezo has identified Osceola, who fought against the Seminoles' removal from Florida, as representative of a spirit of resistance.

It is Osceola—who was captured during peace talks near St. Augustine in 1837— who Linezo explores in his exhibit "Bring Me the Head of Osceola/There Is More to Remember," currently on view at the Pensacola Museum of Art. Specifically, the exhibit deals with conflicts between varying versions of history—the U.S. government maintains that Osceola died of illness in prison, while tribal history relays that the Seminole leader was murdered, beheaded and stripped of regalia. Osceola is also the subject of Linezo's public art proposal, which calls for a bust of the Seminole leader to be positioned in Plaza Ferdinand so that it appears he and Jackson are staring at each other. The concept builds upon his 2018 exhibition at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center, in which the artist's Native American grandmother stares at Jackson, as well as his previous "Staremaster Champion" project that focused on staring contests. In contrasts to national and local discussions centered on Confederate monuments, Linezo isn't suggesting the removal of the Jackson bust from Plaza Ferdinand. Feeling that the act of removal "seems to perpetuate an unresolved tension within the community" and "fails in the attempt to erase historical trauma, rather than opening a dialogue and working through it," the artist thinks a context addition would be more useful. "In presenting the 'opposing views' in a playfully dramatic and inoffensive manner where both sides are treated with respect in presentation, history is invited to speak for itself," Linezo explained the intent of his proposal. "It's not about tearing anything down; it's about working with what we have. It's about being honest about our local history and accepting the diversity in our local community. We are neighbors, and we are all in this together." Linezo will present his proposal to the city council, which he would like to see funded via crowdsourcing means instead of public dollars—"I would like to offer it as a gift to the city"—on Monday, Oct. 5. A couple of days later, he'll be hosting an online educational workshop with guest Durante Blais-Billie, Miss Florida Seminole, where the ground covered will include both Columbus Day and Florida's upcoming 200th-anniversary celebration viewed through a Native American lens. This is the type of event that Councilwoman Myers is looking forward to and hoping that it provides a chance for the community to learn about the Native American historical perspective. "I'm looking forward to learning a lot more," she said. {in} For a full listing and schedule of related exhibits and events, go to schoolhouse4. org/there-is-more-to-remember. 13

Commissioner Lumon May with Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried / Photo courtesy Florida Dept. of Agriculture

TALKING WITH COMMISSIONER FRIED

On Sunday, Sept. 20, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried visited Escambia County to survey the hurricane damage. She met with County Commissioner Lumon May at the distribution site set up at the Brownsville Community Center and then toured the farms in the north end of the county. Inweekly caught up with Commissioner Fried at the Walnut Hill Community Center. She has been mentioned in several circles as the Democrats' best chance of defeating Gov. DeSantis in two years. When asked if she was considering running for governor in 2022, Fried dodged the question. "My laundry list of things that I oversee is enormous, between COVID response to our school nutrition program to agriculture, rebounding, getting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris into that White House," she said. "Those are my focal points, and everything else is on the back burner until we get through this." What's her message to other women thinking about getting into politics? Fried didn't hesitate to say, "Do it. That's the message that I always say to women. We sometimes have to work a little harder, but we've got the internal strengths to do so." She added, "Being a public servant and serving, whether it's your local school board, to your county and your city to your state, to your country is one of the most gratifying experiences anybody could ever have." Fried said women come to the table wanting to be problem solvers. "We put our egos aside here and really just want to come up with a resolution to make people's lives better," she said. "I don't care what party you are in. We need more women at the table to really advance 414 1

a lot of these issues that are the forefront of so many Americans across the country."

COVID FREE PHASE 3 On Friday, Sept.

25, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that the state would move to Phase 3 of his "Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan" for re-opening Florida, effective immediately. The executive order reopened all bars, restaurants and most other businesses to full capacity. DeSantis said the move is designed to ensure "business certainty." He said it shouldn't be that much of a change outside of restaurants, bars and craft breweries, which have been limited to 50% indoor occupancy statewide. The governor has no plans to close businesses again. He said at a presser held in St. Petersburg, "If we see an increase, we're not closing anything going forward." Phase 3 allows local governments to impose health regulations. However, local officials can't close businesses such as restaurants, tell people they can't work or collect or impose fines on people who violate local health rules about wearing face masks. The governor's order doesn't prevent businesses from requiring customers to wear masks.

CHARLIE BROWN POLITICS Following an Escambia Board of County Commissioners meeting is like wandering in a pitch-black cave without a flashlight and a book of damp matches. There are brief flashes of light, but nothing is clear. On Thursday, Sept. 24, the commissioners discussed how to budget $28.7 million the county has been allocated in the first two rounds of CARES Act funds from the state. The first allocation of $14.3 million

had to be spent or encumbered by Sept. 30, so a lot of numbers were kicked around. Unfortunately, the public was not shown any of the figure. The commissioners were given notebooks, but the public didn't see what was in them. No attachment was included with the agenda item. No charts were displayed on a screen to help citizens understand how $28.7 million was being spent. Remember the Charlie Brown cartoon shows when the adults made sounds but not words that could be understood? That was the Sept. 24 board meeting, where millions were spent without public review or input. Upon request, the county sent Inweekly a breakdown of the CARES Act that was approved: •Family Assistance: $9,580,331 •Small Business Assistance: $7,580,331 •Rapid Testing: $1,250,000 •Escambia Serves: $3,500,000 •Public Health & Safety: $3,500,000 •General Government: $2,000,000 •FEMA Match: $378,530 •Operations & Oversight: $125,000 •Replenishment: $850,000 Total: $28,764,192

A DIFFERENT FEMA On Sunday, Sept.

20, President Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for South Alabama. The following morning, residents of the Alabama counties of Escambia, Baldwin and Mobile began filing for FEMA Individual Assistance. The Florida Panhandle received its declaration on Thursday, Sept. 24, but not the Individual Assistance. "This is a different FEMA," said State Sen. Doug Broxson. "We're getting a different response. Historically, I've never seen them not writing checks at this point. Very disappointing." Escambia County had been asked to provide photos and documentation of the hurricane damage. Escambia County Commission Chairman Steve Barry expressed his dismay that Florida was being treated differently by FEMA at a presser on Thursday, Sept. 24 "I was disappointed that it wasn't included in the award today," Barry said candidly. He noted that the declaration is a "dynamic document" that can be supplemented as time goes on. "So it's not with the expectation that it won't be; it's just with the bit of disappointment today that it was not included." He added, "We've been told that folks that were in town and doing assessments on the federal level didn't see as much damage as they might've thought that they were going to see or maybe that they've seen in the past." Individual Assistance helps citizens cover home repairs, rent of temporary housing and other expenses caused by the disaster, such as childcare, medical, clean-up items and the loss of room furnishings, appliances, clothing and other household items. State and federal officials asked the

county to send in photos of damage suffered by residents. On noon Wednesday, Sept. 23, the county set up hurricanesally@myescambia.com and asked residents to email photos that show their damage with a short narrative. At the presser, Commissioner Barry said FEMA had not given the county a dollar threshold that needed to be met before the Individual Assistance would be available. "All of us operate in systems where there are rules and objective things that you can meet to find out what standardized issues are," he said. "It was re-articulated today that it's clearly a subjective issue … That's scary." Barry continued, "We have had a tremendous loss, and that's unfair to our citizens to not have the opportunity to apply … It's concerning to know that it's not a dollar threshold." Sen. Broxson echoed the commissioner's disquiet, "We're very concerned, and we expressed that to Tallahassee today— that we need them to exert their power on whoever they have to, to make sure that whatever application was sent up there, complete or incomplete, is responded to." The award of Individual Assistance had not been made as of Inweekly's publication deadline.

PENSACOLA'S MASK ORDER STAYS The

city of Pensacola will continue to require the wearing of masks in public businesses, following the Pensacola City Council's full-throated, unanimous shutdown of Mayor Grover Robinson's efforts to repeal the city's mask order aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. "Why in the world would you change it?" asked Councilwoman Sherri Myers during the Sept. 24 council meeting. "It was hard enough to get people to do it, but they're doing it." For weeks, Mayor Robinson has pointed to the downward trend in local COVID hospitalizations and said he thought the mask order should be dropped when the count fell to 50 hospitalizations, a threshold which was recently met. He repeated his rationale for that decision to the council, explaining that leaving the mask order in place as conditions improved risked diminishing the public's respect for the order. "At this particular time, it's like giving a mandate on a sunny day," Robinson said. Council members roundly disagreed. They argued that the widespread wearing of masks was contributing to the falling hospitalization number and that scrapping the order would lead to an increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations. "Let's not stop what we're doing when it's working," said Councilwoman Ann Hill. Myers suggested the city develop a "better organized strategy" for determining when it would be reasonably safe to drop its mask order, as did Councilman John Jerralds—"We need to sit down, buckle down and think about where we're going and what we're doing to prevent it." inweekly.net

Similarly, Council President Jewel Cannada-Wynn suggested that repealing the mask order should be part of a larger strategy that outlines the city's anticipated reopening process in phases. She said, "We should have a plan of how to come out of it and still keep our city safe." Councilman Jared Moore noted the potential for increased spread of the coronavirus in the wake of Hurricane Sally, as a large number of people have come into the area from elsewhere to help with recovery efforts. "Thousands of heroes at this point from all over the country converge on our area," he said, suggesting the city hold off on dropping its mask mandate in case COVID numbers began to rise again. "In two weeks or a month, it might be a more comfortable thing to consider." Councilman Andy Terhaar pointed out that for the time being, the city's mask order appeared to be good for local businesses as well, making both the customers and employees feel more comfortable. He said, "Right now, people do feel safe going out in our community and spending money in the economy." Mayor Robinson said he viewed any repeal of the city's mask order as pertaining to "management" issues. "This is by no means a reflection on masks," he said. "At this particular time, it's a question of management, not a question of masks because masks certainly work." When it became apparent that there were no votes on council in support of repealing the mask order at this time, Mayor Robinson said that the order was resulting in a certain amount of work for city staff and that he was "more than happy to allow the council to manage it" if members preferred leaving the mandate in place, which didn't sit well. "It is disheartening to me for the mayor to say to us that he'll give the management of this over to city council if we don't repeal it," said Councilwoman Myers. "We're not

going to manage it; we're going to legislate it and the executive branch will manage it."

RAIL-TO-TRAIL OPPORTUNITY?

Also during the mayor's Facebook Q&A on Wednesday, Sept. 23, he spoke a bit about the damage sustained to the CSX rail line during Hurricane Sally. The company's tracks along Escambia Bay were torn up during the Category 2 storm, which has required trains to be rerouted. Noting that the spur of track connecting to the Port of Pensacola was still functional, Mayor Robinson said it wouldn't be entirely tragic if the stretch of track hugging the bluffs between Scenic Highway and Escambia Bay were left abandoned. "If it becomes permanent, there are all kinds of things we can do," Robinson said. "That could certainly be a rails-to-trails opportunity." The mayor has spoken of this potential before, of creating a trail along the bluffs that would connect to trail networks farther north, including the Florida Trail. That discussion, perhaps until now, has always been had in the shadow of a theoretical deadend—the CSX track. "Outside of GE, I don't know of anyone that's serviced once we make the turn downtown and go all the way across and up the bluffs. I don't know any actual service users outside of GE, so from that standpoint, there are no users if that rail line is not to come back," Robinson said.

HURRICANE SALLY RECOVERY Escambia County has a Citizen Information Line that is available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for residents to call with questions or concerns at 471-6600. If you need assistance with debris cleanup, mucking, tarp installation and mold remediation, please contact Crisis Cleanup at 800-451-1954. Florida Baptist Disaster Relief is also available to assist with debris cleanup, mucking, tarp installation and mold remediation at 904-253-9924. Contractors can get building permits at

UNITED WAY RELIEF FUND United Way of West Florida (UWWF) has a number of ways to provide support to those affected. The most immediate and useful way to support recovery efforts is through financial assistance. To donate to UWWF's Hurricane Sally Relief Fund, text 850RELIEF to 41444 or visit uwwf.org/850relief. If you would like to volunteer to support those affected by Hurricane Sally, please create a profile through UWWF's online volunteer portal GET CONNECTED by visiting uwwf.galaxydigital. com. BRACE will recruit volunteers by using this platform. If you or someone you know needs assistance, UWWF's 2-1-1 Northwest Florida information and referral services are available 24/7 identifying or accessing any support services needed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally.

•Vegetative Debris (whole trees and large limbs that should be cut into lengths of 4 feet or less, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material) •Construction and Demolition Debris (damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings and fixtures) •Appliances and White Goods (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters) •Electronic Waste (computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.) •Household Hazardous Waste (materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.) Only loose debris will be collected; bagged debris should not be placed on the public right-of-way. Make every attempt to avoid stacking debris below low-hanging power or utility lines. If all debris is not picked up during the initial pass, please continue to push remaining debris to the right-of-way for collection on subsequent passes.

DROP-OFF SITE LOCATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL VEGETATIVE DEBRIS

FLORIDA SBDC - BUSINESS RECOVERY CENTER The Florida Small Business

the COC, 3363 West Park Place, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. For storm-related repairs, permitting fees are waived; however, permits and land use approvals are still required.

In addition to curbside removal of debris for residents, residential drop off sites are accepting vegetative debris only generated by Hurricane Sally. This is for private, residential use only—no commercial debris. Escambia County residents are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way. Drop off locations are Baars Field, 13020 Sorrento Road; Escambia County Equestrian Center, 7750 Mobile Highway; John R. Jones Athletic Complex, 555 E. Nine Mile Road; Lexington Terrace, 900 S. Old Corry Field Road; Oak Grove Landfill, 745 County Road 99; and Park East, 12331235 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach. Residents are urged to separate the debris as follows:

Development Center opened Business Recovery Centers to assist area businesses with applying for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans. Florida SBDC at UWF - Business Recovery Centers: •Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce Leslie Nguyen, 15500 Perdido Key Drive •Florida SBDC at UWF (SCI Building) Jenny Kunz, 220 W. Garden St., Ste. 301 •Florida SBDC at UWF (UWF Building 8) Brooke Gaskell, 9999 University Parkway •Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church Christa Wilson, 75 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze •Santa Rosa County Economic Development John Emsing, 6491 Caroline St. #4, Milton {in}

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October 1, 2020

CANDIDATE INTROS PART 1: FEDERAL AND STATE Ballots are in the mail, and the registration deadline is looming, which means the 2020 general election is officially underway. If you skipped some pages in this issue, flip back. We've got a complete breakdown on how to register (if you haven't already) and how to check your status (if you're already registered). This is key for all voters, especially if you've moved or changed your name. It only takes a few minutes and helps make sure you won't have any issues when you go to cast your ballot next month. In Escambia County, they make this incredibly easy—all you have to do is click on the "Am I Registered?" tab at escambiavotes.gov. Once you're registered and all your information is up to date, it's time to start thinking about your ballot. Last week, we gave you a full list of offices up for election in Escambia County, plus the names of all the qualified candidates running for said offices. This week, we're going a little further and giving you some basic facts, like professional and political experience, and links to each candidate's platform information. We did it this way so you can research the issues that matter to you and not be swayed by what we think is important. If a candidate doesn't have any information listed about an issue you care about—like climate change, for example—ask them. Seriously, email them and see if you get an answer back. It's the only way to see if they care enough to at least listen to potential constituents or add your issue to their agenda. This week, we tackled the candidates for federal and state offices. Next week, we'll do the local races.

FEDERAL PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN Political party: Democratic party Running mate: Kamala Harris Professional experience: Defense attorney Political tenure: County Council member,

2 years; U.S. Senator from Delaware, 36 years; Vice President under President Barack Obama, 8 years Platform information: joebiden.com/ joes-vision DONALD J. TRUMP Political party: Republican party Running mate: Mike Pence Professional experience: Real estate developer, television producer Political tenure: President of the United States, 3 years Platform information: promiseskept.com DON BLANKENSHIP Political party: Constitution party Running mate: William Mohr Professional experience: Coal industry executive Political tenure: None Platform information: donblankenship. com/constitution-party/the-issues-westand-behind

Political tenure: None Platform information: lariva2020.org/program

Political tenure: None Platform information: kbutler4flsenate.com

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, 1ST DISTRICT

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 1

MATT GAETZ Political party: Republican party Professional experience: Attorney Political tenure: Florida House of Representatives, District 4, 4 years; U.S. House Florida District 1, 3 years Platform information: gaetz.house.gov/issues

MICHELLE SALZMAN Political party: Republican party Professional experience: U.S. Army veteran Political tenure: None Platform information: michellesalzmanforhouse.com/issues

PHIL EHR Political party: Democratic party Professional experience: U.S. Navy veteran Political tenure: None Platform information: ehrforcongress.com/ issues

ALBERT ORAM Political party: No party affiliation Professional experience: Attorney Political tenure: None Platform information: Not available

HOWIE HAWKINS Political party: Green party Running mate: Angela Nicole Walker Professional experience: Postal freight worker Political tenure: None Platform information: howiehawkins.us/ platform JO JORGENSEN Political party: Libertarian party Running mate: Spike Cohen Professional experience: Marketing and business executive, academic Political tenure: None Platform information: jo20.com/issues GLORIA LA RIVA Political party: Party for Socialism and Liberation Running mate: Sunil Freeman Professional experience: Newspaper publisher, political activist

STATE STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 1

DOUG BROXSON Political party: Republican party Professional experience: Insurance executive Political tenure: Florida House of Representatives District 3, 4 years; Florida State Senate District 1, 3 years Platform information: dougbroxson.com/ issues.cfm KAREN BUTLER Political party: Democratic party Professional experience: U.S. Air Force veteran, realtor

FRANSCINE MATHIS Political party: Democratic party Professional experience: Teacher, nurse Political tenure: None Platform information: franscine2020.com/ issues

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 2

ALEX ANDRADE Political party: Republican party Professional experience: Attorney Political tenure: Florida House of Representatives District 2, 1 year Platform information: voteandrade.com DIANNE KRUMEL Political party: Democratic party Professional experience: Artist, business owner Political tenure: None Platform information: votedianne.com *Pensacola Votes is a nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement guide developed by the team at Inweekly to empower local voters to show up and stay focused. Got questions? Send them to us at pensacolavotes@gmail.com, or send us a direct message on Instagram,@pensacolavotes.

GENERAL ELECTION DATES TO REMEMBER OCT. 5 Voter Registration Deadline | OCT. 24 Vote-by-Mail Ballot Request Deadline OCT. 24-31 Early Voting | NOV. 3 Election Day

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inweekly.net

a&e happenings Attending "normal" events might not be happening yet—but that doesn't mean local businesses and nonprofits aren't still keeping the community connected in creative ways.

NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

PENSACON PARTNERS WITH WEEKEND BACKPACK FOOD PROGRAM

Pensacon is partnering with Saint Christopher's Episcopal Church to help feed children in need who attend O.J. Semmes Elementary School in the new school year. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, Pensacon will be giving away passes to its 2021 event, scheduled for Feb. 26-28, to donors to Saint Christopher's Weekend Backpack Food program. The convention will award a pair of VIP Experience passes to one donor in September and a pair of weekend passes to one donor per month starting in October and running through February. A donation of just $135 can fill a backpack for one child for nine months, which covers the entire school year. All those who donate any amount of food or money each month will be entered into the monthly drawings. A collection table will be set up at the church, 3200 N. 12th Ave, on the Memorial Garden patio (in the front on the right) during regular business hours, 8 a.m.4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Additionally, a donation box is set up behind the church seven days a week. For more information on St. Christopher's Episcopal Church and the Weekend Backpack Food program, visit scpen.org. For more information on Pensacon, visit pensacon.com.

PENSACOLA OSTEOPATHS HOSTS INCLINIC FOOD PANTRY Pensacola Osteo-

paths' in-clinic food pantry is open and available any time that the clinic is open, which is typically Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.5 p.m., for both patients and members of the community who are concerned about hunger and income during the COVID-19 crisis. Anyone is welcome for as long as there is food available—no questions asked. "As a doctor, I cannot ensure good health outcomes when my patients are hungry or when they're worried about their kids going hungry," said Dr. Alexys Hillman. "I've never been the type to stand by, see a situation and not take action. If there's something I can do to help, I'm going to do it, and in this case, an in-clinic food pantry helps a lot of people." Pensacola Osteopaths is located 14 W. Jordan St., Ste. C. Donations to the food pantry are accepted. For more information, call 368-7528.

ARTS + CULTURE

GALLERY NIGHT PENSACOLA PRESENTS: ARTIST TALKS Join Gallery Night Director Sydney Robinson as she interviews Pensacola area artists about their creative process. The Artist Talks series is a biweekly virtual event available on Facebook Live. The first Artist Talk will be 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, with Dylan Nadsady. Join in by visiting facebook.com/gallerynightpensacola. October 1, 2020

OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT WITH RUNNING WILD Join Running Wild Friday,

Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. for Outdoor Movie night. Running Wild will project the films onto the side of the building and have space to set up a lawn chair, crack open a cold beverage and enjoy the show. For more information, visit facebook.com/werunwild.

FIRST CITY ART CENTER'S 14TH ANNUAL PUMPKIN PATCH AT WAHOOS STADIUM For the first year ever, First City

Theatre's new production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's timeless classic at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. Choreographer Nadezhda Kalinina (Mariinsky Theatre, Teatro Lirico, Omsk State Music Theatre) retouches the oldest St. Petersburg version of the ballet. Tickets start at $32. Visit pensacolasaenger.com for more information.

Art Center is hosting their largest annual fundraising event at a new location—the Blue Wahoos Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St. The change in venue allows for more outdoor space, more social-distancing capabilities and more available parking. First City Art Center's Pumpkin Patch is 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The event supports FCAC as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit center for the arts, offering affordable education and outreach programs. Pumpkin purchases also help to support over 40 local artists. The event features thousands of one-of-a kind handmade glass and ceramic pumpkins from over 40 individual local artists starting at $20. For more information, visit firstcityart.org.

PLT PRESENTS: STEEL MAGNOLIAS

SINGERS' CINEMA Every Friday after-

RUSSIAN BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS: SWAN LAKE Watch Russian Ballet

The Pensacola Little Theatre presents "Steel Magnolias" Oct. 9-25. Live performance dates and streaming options will be available. Watch website for details at pensacolalittletheatre.com. There will be limiting seating in the theatre, and masks will be required at live performances. Tickets are available online and by calling the Box Office at 432-2042.

VIRTUAL PUMPKIN PARTY For those

who never miss a Strong Street Studio's glass pumpkin patch, you don't have to miss out during the pandemic. This year, the pumpkin patch will be online. Shipping will be available as well as curbside pickup for locals. Check out the pumpkin inventory Oct. 3, 17 and 31 and Nov. 14. For more information, visit strongstreetstudioglass.com.

ALYSSA'S ANTIQUE'S PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST Alyssa's

Antiques Inaugural Pumpkin Decorating contest is now open to anyone. Your $10 registration fee goes to a good cause, with 100% of profits benefiting your selected charities and winners picking their choice of nonprofit organizations. Voting will be $1 for each ballot. The pumpkins cannot be carved. The decorations will need to be all done on the exterior of the pumpkin. Any theme is open. However, any pumpkin deemed inappropriate will not be accepted. Registration is open until Friday, Sept. 25. The deadline for dropping off completed pumpkins at Alyssa's is Friday, Oct. 9.Public voting both online and in store will be Oct.10-26. The winner will be announced on Oct. 27. For more information, visit shopalyssas.com.

BALLET PENSACOLA VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING AND NEW SEASON Ballet

Pensacola's 2020-2021 season kicks off in October with the virtual performance of "Unhinge the Wind" premiering Oct. 9. The performance will be live streamed online Oct. 9-11 and Oct. 16-18. For more information, and to see the entire season lineup, visit balletpensacola.org.

noon through August, enjoy a movie pick from the Choral Society of Pensacola. Information on each week's movie and where to find it online will be available on their Facebook page, facebook.com/choralsocietyofpensacola. Some can be viewed free; most are available for rent for under $5. Watch the movie over the weekend, and then join the Choral Society Monday evenings for a Zoom session to share your thoughts.

LIVE MUSIC

BEN BELL AT DOLCE AND GELATO

Singer/songwriter Ben Bell will be performing live at Dolce and Gelato, located at 2050 N. 12th Ave., Friday, Oct. 2, from 6-8 p.m. For more information, visit facebook. com/dolcegelatopensacola.

PENSACOLA OPERA AL FRESCO CONCERT SERIES Enjoy fresh air and

free performances from Pensacola Opera artists every Saturday (weather permitting). All performances begin at 5:30 p.m. with the first one on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Seville Square. Visit pensacolaopera.com for more information. Next dates are: •Oct. 3 at Bayview Park •Oct.17 at Bryan Park •Oct. 24 at Magee Field

WHITE TIE ROCK ENSEMBLE AT BLUE WAHOOS STADIUM Pensacola's preemi-

nent classic rock band will take the stage at Blue Wahoos Stadium, located at 351 W. Cedar St., on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 7-9:30 p.m. for an epic night of rock music. Gates will open at the stadium at 6 p.m., and the band will take the stage accompanied by an electric string quartet at 7 p.m. to play two 45-minute sets filled with classic hits from bands like Journey, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Aerosmith. General admission seating will be available in the stadium's stands for $25. Exclusive front-row VIP on-field boxes, each including eight tickets, food and access to a private on-field cash bar, are available for $600 ($75 per ticket). Seating will also be available in the Hancock Whitney Club over-

looking the field for $65 per ticket, including a dinner-style buffet and access to a private cash bar. For tickets, visit mpv.tickets.com.

OPEN JAM AT ARTEL GALLERY Artel

Gallery is open from 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays for open jam with Pensacola Folk Music Society. Feel free to visit and listen to music. Artel Gallery is located at 223 S. Palafox.

KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS Sing

your heart out Sundays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway, or just enjoy drinks friends with $4 Smirnoff and $6.50 domestic pitcher drink deals from 7 p.m.-3 a.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/mugsjugs.

LIVE MUSIC AT HUB STACEY'S Sit back with good food and live music at Hub Stacey's, located at 312 E. Government St. For a full calendar of bands, check hubstaceys.com.

FITNESS + RECREATION

THE HUNTERS QUEST MEDITATION Celebrate October's first full moon with a guided meditation 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, at Asher and Bee Apothecary and Tea House, located at 3014 N. Ninth Ave. Class is $10. For more information, visit facebook.com/asherandbee.

2020 WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S

This year's Walk to End Alzheimer's is virtual. Pledge to walk in small teams of friends and family in your community and help raise money to end Alzheimer's. Register your team and make a donation at act.alz.org.

WISE WOMAN WELLNESS RETREAT

Hosted by Marni Alisha of Asher & Bee Apothecary and Tea House, the Wise Woman Wellness Retreat is an all-inclusive camping experience with activities such as nia under the stars, yoga by the water, meditation and more. The retreat is Oct. 16-18 at Bear Lake Park. Cost is $333. For more information, visit asherandbee.com.

RELEASE & RENEW AT FITNESS IMPACT TRAINING At 8:15 a.m. on Mon-

days, Wednesdays and Fridays, release into a yin yoga flow centered around low-stress training for high-stress individuals. The focus will be on the basics of breath and openness in the shoulders, hips and spine. For more info, go to mindandmetta.online. Cost is $12 per class, and the location is 375 N. Ninth Ave, Ste. B. Limited space available. Ask about membership pricing.

GULF COAST BREWERY RUN Thurs-

days at 6 p.m., join Pensacola Runners Association for a 5K fun run. Enjoy a free beer after the run and complimentary games such as cornhole, ping pong and more. Gulf Coast Brewery is located at 500 E. Heinberg St. For more information, visit facebook.com/gulfcoastbrewery. for more listings visit inweekly.net 17

free will astrology WEEK OF OCTOBER 1 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): "I am,

indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself," wrote 16th-century author Pietro Aretino. By January 2021, Aries, I would love for you to have earned the right to make a similar statement—"I am, indeed, a royal sovereign, because I know how to rule myself." Here's the most important point— The robust power and clout you have the potential to summon has nothing to do with power and clout over other people— only over yourself. Homework—Meditate on what it means to be the imperial boss and supreme monarch of your own fate.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): "The basic principle of spiritual life is that our problems become the very place to discover wisdom and love." Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield made that brilliant observation. It's always worth meditating on, but it's an especially potent message for you during the first three weeks of October 2020. In my view, now is a highly favorable time for you to extract uplifting lessons by dealing forthrightly with your knottiest dilemmas. I suspect that these lessons could prove useful for the rest of your long life. GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): "My busi-

ness is to love," wrote poet Emily Dickinson. I invite you to adopt this motto for the next three weeks. It's an excellent time to intensify your commitment to expressing compassion, empathy and tenderness. To do so will not only bring healing to certain allies who need it; it will also make you smarter. I mean that literally. Your actual intelligence will expand and deepen as you look for and capitalize on opportunities to bestow blessings. (P.S. Dickinson also wrote, "My business is to sing." I recommend you experiment with that mandate, as well.)

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): "I'm the

diamond in the dirt, that ain't been found," sings Cancerian rapper Curtis Jackson, also known as 50 Cent. "I'm the underground king and I ain't been crowned," he adds. My reading of the astrological omens suggests

By Rob Brezsny

that a phenomenon like that is going on in your life right now. There's something unknown about you that deserves and needs to be known. You're not getting the full credit and acknowledgment you've earned through your soulful accomplishments. I hereby authorize you to take action! Address this oversight. Rise up and correct it.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): The author bell

warrior who defeats monstrous aliens; an exobiologist working with indigenous people on the moon of a distant planet in the 22nd century; and a naturalist who lives with mountain gorillas in Rwanda. If you have ever had comparable fantasies about transcending normalcy, Libra, now would be a good time to indulge those fantasies—and begin cooking up plans to make them come true.

hooks (who doesn't capitalize her name) has spent years as a professor in American universities. Adaptability has been a key strategy in her efforts to educate her students. She writes, "One of the things that we must do as teachers is twirl around and around, and find out what works with the situation that we're in." That's excellent advice for you right now—in whatever field you're in. Old reliable formulas are irrelevant, in my astrological opinion. Strategies that have guided you in the past may not apply to the current scenarios. Your best bet is to twirl around and around as you experiment to find out what works.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Scor-

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): "Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have," says motivational speaker Robert Holden. Hallelujah and amen! Ain't that the truth! Which is why it's so crucial to periodically take a thorough inventory of your relationship with yourself. And guess what, Virgo—Now would be a perfect time to do so. Even more than that: During your inventory, if you discover ways in which you treat yourself unkindly or carelessly, you can generate tremendous healing energy by working to fix the glitches. The coming weeks could bring pivotal transformations in your bonds with others if you're brave enough to make pivotal transformations in your bonds with yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21):

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): In her

high school yearbook, Libra-born Sigourney Weaver arranged to have this caption beneath her official photo—"Please, God, please, don't let me be normal!" Since then, she has had a long and acclaimed career as an actor in movies. ScreenPrism.com calls her a pioneer of female action heroes. Among her many exotic roles—a fierce

pio-born Prince Charles has been heir to the British throne for 68 years. That's an eternity to be patiently on hold for his big chance to serve as king. His mother Queen Elizabeth just keeps going on and on, living her very long life, ensuring that Charles remains second-in-command. But I suspect that many Scorpios who have been awaiting their turn will finally graduate to the next step in the coming weeks and months. Will Charles be one of them? Will you? To increase your chances, here's a tip: Meditate on how to be of even greater devotion to the ideals you love to serve.

Inventor Buckminster Fuller was a visionary who loved to imagine ideas and objects no one had ever dreamed of before. One of his mottoes was, "There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." I recommend that you spend quality time in the coming weeks meditating on butterflylike things you'd love to have as part of your future—things that may resemble caterpillars in the early going. Your homework is to envision three such innovations that could be in your world by Oct. 1, 2021.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): During World War II, Hollywood filmmakers decided it would be a good idea to create stories based on graphic current events: for example, American Marines waging pitched battles against Japanese soldiers on South Pacific islands. But audiences were cool to that approach. They preferred comedies and musicals with "no message, no mission, no misfortune." In the coming weeks, I advise you to resist any temptation you might have to engage in a similar disregard of current events. In my opinion, your mental

health requires you to be extra discerning and well-informed about politics—and so does the future of your personal destiny.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): "Pre-

tending is imagined possibility," observes actor Meryl Streep. "Pretending is a very valuable life skill and we do it all the time." In other words, fantasizing about events that may never happen is just one way we use our mind's eye. We also wield our imaginations to envision scenarios that we actually want to create in our real lives. In fact, that's the first step in actualizing those scenarios—to play around with picturing them; to pretend they will one day be a literal part of our world. The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to supercharge the generative aspect of your imagination. I encourage you to be especially vivid and intense as you visualize in detail the future you want.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): "My

own soul must be a bright invisible green," wrote author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau. Novelist Tom Robbins suggested that we visualize the soul as "a cross between a wolf howl, a photon and a dribble of dark molasses." Nobel Prize-winning poet Wislawa Szymborska observed, "Joy and sorrow aren't two different feelings" for the soul. Poet Emily Dickinson thought that the soul "should always stand ajar"—just in case an ecstatic experience or rousing epiphany might be lurking in the vicinity. In the coming weeks, Pisces, I invite you to enjoy your own lively meditations on the nature of your soul. You're in a phase when such an exploration can yield interesting results. THIS WEEK'S HOMEWORK: Make up a song that cheers you up and inspires your excitement about the future. It doesn't have to be perfect.

freewillastrology.com

Adoption • Paternity • Dependency/DCF Hearings Prenuptial Agreements • Postnuptial Agreements Divorce • Child Custody and Timesharing Child Support • Child Support Modifications Alimony • Collaborative Divorce • Divorce Mediation • Pre-Suit Family Law Mediation

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inweekly.net

news of the weird QUESTIONABLE JUDGMENT Ukraine International Airlines has banned a traveler from all future flights with the carrier after the unidentified woman opened an emergency door on a Boeing 737 and went for a walk on the wing as it was waiting at a gate at Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv. CNN reported the passenger had traveled from Antalya, Turkey, with her husband and children in the Aug. 31 incident, when other passengers heard her say she was "too hot" before she popped open the emergency exit and went outside. The airline criticized her for setting an inadequate "parental example" and threatened she may face "an exceptionally high financial penalty." Airport security and doctors on the scene determined she was "not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs." •A 51-year-old man from St. Cloud, Minnesota, was released from the Sherburne County Jail in Elk River on Sept. 12, but as he left the facility, he decided to take with him a DoorDash delivery that had been intended for a correctional officer working there. The Star News reported the officer contacted the former inmate by phone to inquire after his $29.13 order, and the man said he thought his family had sent it to him. He was cited for theft. OOPS! Officials in Dania Beach, Florida, recently upgraded signs welcoming visitors to their city, including a small one that has greeted drivers for years along Dania Beach Boulevard, but local activist Clive Taylor took exception, pointing out that the sign is actually in Hollywood, not Dania Beach. "The little sign was bad enough," Taylor, who is vice president of the Hollywood Historical Society, told the Sun Sentinel. "But to have Dania put up this mini-billboard with lights on it is wrong." Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy says he's confident the two towns can work together to resolve the issue. •An octogenarian in the village of ParcoulChenaud, France, set off a violent explosion in his attempt to kill an annoying fly, the BBC reported in early September. Not realizing a gas canister in his home was leaking, the man used an electric fly swatter to battle the insect and caused an explosion that destroyed his kitchen and damaged the roof of his home. While the man was mostly unharmed, he has had to move to a local campsite while his family makes repairs to the home. CHUTZPAH Three unnamed MetroNorth Railroad employees were suspended without pay on Sept. 24 for turning a storage room under New York City's Grand Central Terminal into a man cave, complete with a television, refrigerator, microwave and futon couch, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The Associated Press reported that investigators found the space after receiving an anonymous tip in February 2019 that the three—a wireman,

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

a carpenter foreman and an electrical foreman—had built a secret room where they would "hang out and get drunk and party." NATURE Caesar, a 16-year-old alpaca at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, was killed on Sept. 20 by a wild brown bear that tunneled under a fence while the facility was closed then left. Caesar, who had lived at the zoo for 15 years, was "a crowd favorite," executive director Patrick Lampi told the Associated Press. The bear had been hanging around the zoo, knocking over trash cans and breaking locks, and was later euthanized when it returned. Caesar's companion alpaca, Fuzzy Charlie, escaped the attack and was unharmed. Lampi said a similar incident took place about 20 years ago; that bear was captured and relocated to Duluth, Minnesota. COLLECTIONS September 22 marked the 60th anniversary of the day 14-year-old Boy Scout Steve Jenne scored a special memento of then-Vice President Richard Nixon's campaign visit to Jenne's hometown of Sullivan, Illinois. Nixon took a bite of a buffalo barbecue sandwich that day, then set it down. "I looked around and thought, 'If no one else was going to take it, I am going to take it," Jenne told the Herald & Review, and the leftover has been in a glass jar in Jenne's freezer ever since. In 1988, word of the sandwich earned Jenne a spot on "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson" and led his acquiring half-eaten items from Carson and fellow guest Steve Martin, as well as Tiny Tim and Henny Youngman. SMOOTH REACTION A 78-year-old Spanaway, Washington, woman was alerted by her barking dog on Sept. 20, and opened her door to find "a man," she told KIRO, standing in front of her. As "he turned and started to leave," the woman, identified as Sandy, said, "Oh, no, you don't," and picked up her shotgun and cocked it. The alleged intruder plopped down on her porch steps and the two waited for police to arrive. "You know, I've got grandchildren your age!" Sandy told him. Pierce County Sheriff's deputies took the man into custody, but Sandy didn't press charges. GOVERNMENT IN ACTION The Opa-Locka (Florida) City Commission voted 4-1 on Sept. 9 to repeal a 13-year-old ordinance that made wearing saggy pants a crime, the Miami Herald reported. Around town, visitors can see signs reading, "No ifs, ands or butts ... It's the city law!" and showing two young men with low-riding waistbands, but Vice Mayor Chris Davis explained: "I felt it disproportionately affected a certain segment of our population, which is young African American men." The ACLU of Florida agreed. {in} From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2020 Andrews McMeel

Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com October 1, 2020

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Independent News | October 1, 2020 | inweekly.net