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Pensacola Discussion Forum » Politics » Gaetz visits local Superfund site, vows to abolish the EPA...

Gaetz visits local Superfund site, vows to abolish the EPA...

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del.capslock

del.capslock

This is a great local site, take some time to check it out if you read the linked post.

http://pulsegulfcoast.com/2017/04/gaetz-visits-pensacola-superfund-site-amid-pledge-abolish-epa

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

othershoe1030

othershoe1030

del.capslock wrote:This is a great local site, take some time to check it out if you read the linked post.

http://pulsegulfcoast.com/2017/04/gaetz-visits-pensacola-superfund-site-amid-pledge-abolish-epa

If anyone ever needed proof that Republicans are only listening to their corporate donors these days this dunce is it. If cleanup of this type of site were left to the states it would never get done. Poor states that pandered to toxic industries in the hopes of bringing jobs are now paying the price by having to live with sinkholes and contamination.

I was glad to see the article mentioning that the bill had scant support and likely would not ever come to a floor vote. Why do people vote guys like this into office? What do they say to get their vote? Wait, wait, second amendment and abortion, right? And in the meantime the planet can get by as best it can.

del.capslock

del.capslock

This is from Gaetz's latest newsletter to constituents:

April 20, 2017

“Pentachlorophenol and other chemicals impacted the soil, impacted adjacent properties and for a period of time, impacted the water table and ground water,” Gaetz told the crowd. “I do not believe the environment is best served by the EPA.”

http://weartv.com/news/local/gaetz-holds-town-hall-at-superfund-site-to-push-epa-bill

This is Pensacola's representative in the United States Congress.

Yikes!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

Floridatexan

Floridatexan


Florida Panhandle’s GOP politics: Sex, lies, and dead bodies
By Wayne Madsen
Posted on August 29, 2016 by Wayne Madsen
The Florida Panhandle has seen its share of sketchy Republican office holders. Few local voters who were around in 2001 can forget the suspicious death of Lori Klausutis, a 29-year old constituent services staffer for retiring Florida GOP Representative Joe Scarborough. Klausutis’s body was discovered at 8:00 in the morning on July 20, 2001, by a couple who arrived at Scarborough’s North Fort Walton Beach office for a meeting. Klausutis is said to have died from a skull fracture. The local coroner’s determination that the very physically fit Klausutis died from accidental causes left many voters in Florida’s First Congressional District convinced that Scarborough, now the host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” somehow knew more than what was revealed about the circumstances of his aide’s death during the middle of the night.

On Tuesday, August 30, the Panhandle’s GOP primary voters will be given the opportunity of electing another congressman with a shady past from the heavily-Republican First District. Matt Gaetz, the son of Florida State Senator Don Gaetz, hopes to head to Washington to fill Scarborough’s old House seat. The Gaetz father and son team hail from a prominent Republican political family in North Dakota.

Matt Gaetz, currently a member of the Florida House of Representatives, portrays himself to the Bible-thumping voters of the Panhandle as a God-fearing conservative. However, even a partial glance at Gaetz’s record reveals at least seven arrests for drunk driving and a reputed alternate gay life style. Gaetz’s politically powerful father Don ensured that none of the arrests led to prosecutions.

The current U.S. House hopeful Matt Gaetz saw his political career launched when he became a legislative aide to Florida’s Republican House Speaker Ray Sansom. Sansom, who succeeded Marco Rubio as Speaker, was pressured to hire Matt by the elder Gaetz. Sansom fired Gaetz twice due to his aide’s DWI arrests and Gaetz’s habit of speaking on behalf of the Speaker without clearing statements first with his boss.

Sansom represented Florida’s 4th House district. In 2010, Sansom resigned after he was indicted on fraud and conspiracy charges by Leon County state prosecutor Willie Meggs. The Florida House’s campaign to have Sansom resign over his alleged ethical violations was led by Don Gaetz, who then arranged to run his son Matt to fill the vacant 4th district seat in a special election. Matt Gaetz won and was easily re-elected in 2014 with no Democratic opponent. After Meggs was indicted, Florida prosecutors dropped all criminal charges against Sansom. However, the political damage to the former Florida House Speaker was done. Matt Gaetz and his father used the corrupt prosecutor-manufactured political grave of Sansom to launch Gaetz’s current campaign for the U.S. House.

And what would be Panhandle politics without a dead body? Gaetz’s roommate at Florida State University was reportedly found dead under suspicious circumstances while they were undergraduate students. The same political machine that drove Sansom from office was used to cover up the circumstances of the roommate’s death. Sources close to the investigation of the death, however, told WMR that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the death as a possible homicide but the agency was later politically-pressured to rule it a suicide. As with Gaetz’s multiple DWIs, the suspicious death of his college roommate was buried by Florida authorities and the university.

Matt Gaetz later, according to WMR’s sources in the 1st Congressional District, became involved in a gay relationship with a well-known pastor of an evangelical mega-church in Fort Walton Beach. Matt Gaetz is running for the U.S. Congress as a traditional “family values” and anti-gay rights conservative. Gaetz has also endorsed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

On August 30, Florida Panhandle Republican voters have the opportunity to maintain their storied tradition and elect another scoundrel to the U.S. Congress. Our guess is that they will not disappoint.

http://www.intrepidreport.com/archives/18966

del.capslock

del.capslock

How is it possible that the Democratic party in Pensacola and District 1 is so impotent that this guy gets elected?

What are they NOT doing?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

del.capslock

del.capslock

Well, I just kinda answered part my own question. With a quick search of OpenSecrets.org I found the top three contributors to his campaign. You're not going to believe it:

Lewis Bear Co.    $35,000    Lewis Bear is the local Anheuser Busch distributor. Considering his numerous arrests for DUI, why doesn't this surprise me. I wonder if the threat of a boycott would help them reconsider their political strategy?

Surterra Holdings     $21,600    Believe it or not, this is a company that's promoting medical cannabis! They're headquartered in Atlanta! I wonder how many of his constituents know this. Hmm-m-m...

Costa Farms     $15,000    According to their own site, Costa Farms "Sprawling family-owned nursery includes an extensive selection of indoor & garden tropical plants."   They're located in Miami, which is about as far as you can get from Pensacola and still be on the mainland. I wonder what their interest in our fine example of Representative could be? Could it have anything to do with attempt to get weed rescheduled nationally from Schedule I, no currently accepted medical use, to Schedule III, drugs which have a medical use but may have a potential for abuse.

Now, why in the hell aren't the Dems all over this guy like spots on dice? I still can't put together why he's opposing the EPA but...   more later.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

Floridatexan

Floridatexan


http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/navarre/2017/04/17/matt-gaetz-navarre-pass/100560828/



U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz told Navarre leaders on Monday that he plans to move forward with legislation that would allow for private ownership of land on Pensacola and Navarre Beaches, but he said the bill will not include reopening Navarre Pass.

Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, had previously said the two issues should be tied together in a single bill because they both involved Santa Rosa Island, the narrow barrier island that stretches from Fort Pickens in the west through the Destin Pass in the east.

During a round-table meeting with about a dozen Navarre leaders, Gaetz said reopening the pass would have to wait because of concerns from Eglin Air Force Base leaders that increased recreational boat traffic would disrupt important amphibious assault training by special forces and missile testing on a 20-mile stretch of military-owned beach adjacent to the proposed pass.

"It is especially important in light of what we are seeing happen in the Korean peninsula right now," said the freshman Congressman.

A narrow channel, which allowed Navarre boaters quick access from Santa Rosa Sound to the Gulf of Mexico, opened briefly in 1965. Less than three months after the pass opened, Hurricane Betsy tore through the region and filled the newly cut channel with sand and debris. The pass has remained closed ever since.

Gaetz said reopening the pass could be an economic boon to the Navarre region, infusing up to $1 billion in the local economy through tourism and recreational fishing.

But he said the military test mission has to take priority for now.

"Right now, the military says the pass would be incompatible with its mission," Gaetz said.

RELATED:EDITORIAL: Navarre Pass is a doomed idea and bad for taxpayers

Because of this, Gaetz said he had decided to drop the issue from legislation to allow for private ownership of land on Pensacola and Navarre beaches. The revised legislation, which has the backing of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, calls for Congress to transfer full ownership of Pensacola Beach and Navarre to the counties. Leaseholders would in turn exchange their leases for property deeds.

READ GAETZ'S REVISED BILL

Gaetz Bill

The complicated lease system dates to 1956 when Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach were deeded to Escambia County by the federal government after World War II. The deed agreement prohibited the county from selling the land outright and stipulated that the county use the land "for such purposes as it shall deem to be in the public interest."

In the 1950s and 1960s, area leaders decided developing the island to promote tourism was in the public interest. The county created the Santa Rosa Island Authority, which advertised "tax-free beach land" in publications around the region. The island authority offered 99-year leases to people wanting to build homes and businesses on the island.

After the island became heavily developed in the 1980s, the county turned to the beach for tax revenue and began assessing property taxes on the leased land. The move prompted a series of lawsuits that continue today. In the latest rulings, courts have found the county can tax improvements to beach land but not the land itself.

Other Congressional leaders have tried and failed over many decades to abolish the deed agreement and allow for outright ownership of beach land.

Gaetz said Monday that he believes he has the backing from the Republican-controlled Congress and President Donald Trump's administration to succeed.

In the past, environmental advocates have opposed the move, saying that the lease fee system has held back widespread development on Santa Rosa Island and that private beach ownership would open the door for many more high-rise condominiums. Opponents say the move would make Pensacola Beach and Navarre more like eastern Perdido Key, Destin or Panama City Beach.

But Gaetz said the public would still have access to the beach, regardless of how the land develops.

"The beaches will remain public," he said.

Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson, who represents Pensacola Beach, said the legislation would simply "clean up" confusion surrounding the taxes and lease fees.

Santa Rosa County leaders agreed, but wanted reassurances from Gaetz that he would not give up on the eventual reopening of the pass.

Chuck Pohlmann, a longtime Navarre resident who has advocated for the pass to be reopened, encouraged Gaetz not to abandon the issue.

"It something that we need that is important to all of us here in Navarre," he said.

***********

del.capslock

del.capslock

Floridatexan wrote:
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/navarre/2017/04/17/matt-gaetz-navarre-pass/100560828/



U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz told Navarre leaders on Monday that he plans to move forward with legislation that would allow for private ownership of land on Pensacola and Navarre Beaches, but he said the bill will not include reopening Navarre Pass.



This is all real nice and everything but it doesn't explain why the Democratic Party in Pensacola, Escambia and the rest of District 1, is so goddamn ineffectual. It doesn't explain anything! He's a Republican, he supports real estate development. What a shock!

As a relative newcomer to this area, I'm really shocked at how pathetic Dem efforts are. What a bunch of wimps. Progressives in this area DESERVE Gaetz!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

RealLindaL



del.capslock wrote:
Floridatexan wrote:
http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/navarre/2017/04/17/matt-gaetz-navarre-pass/100560828/

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz told Navarre leaders on Monday that he plans to move forward with legislation that would allow for private ownership of land on Pensacola and Navarre Beaches, but he said the bill will not include reopening Navarre Pass.

This is all real nice and everything but it doesn't explain why the Democratic Party in Pensacola, Escambia and the rest of District 1, is so goddamn ineffectual. It doesn't explain anything! He's a Republican, he supports real estate development. What a shock!

As a relative newcomer to this area, I'm really shocked at how pathetic Dem efforts are. What a bunch of wimps. Progressives in this area DESERVE Gaetz!

Don't know about those efforts as I'm not politically active myself (at least party-wise), but I do know for certain that Dems are hopelessly outnumbered in this area. Hopelessly! The Redneck Riviera has earned its moniker well.

As for the referenced proposed legislation to provide for fee simple title to leaseholders on Navarre and Pensacola Beaches, I have a copy of it and it contains protections in perpetuity against development or loss of existing public lands and accesses. In other words, it does not in any way promote further real estate development on Santa Rosa Island. Just so you know. Now, if and when this latest attempt at fee simple legislation passes through Congress and is signed into law, implementation will become an extremely hot local topic, mostly due to ignorance as to what it means. But don't let me get started. It's my favorite local issue, as Sea can attest. We'll doubtless be debating it all again sometime down the road, as we have before.

del.capslock

del.capslock

If it's your favorite local issue and you're NOT active politically, what do you expect?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

Guest


Guest

del.capslock wrote:How is it possible that the Democratic party in Pensacola and District 1 is so impotent that this guy gets elected?

What are they NOT doing?

It's my understanding a Democrat can't get elected in this burg.

Or do Democrats run as republicans just to get elected? Rumor? True?

Floridatexan

Floridatexan

del.capslock wrote:If it's your favorite local issue and you're NOT active politically, what do you expect?

I can't speak for Linda, but I've wanted to become more involved (more like re-involved) in local politics; however, much like Linda, I've had a multitude of personal issues to deal with that precluded that endeavor. (that is an understatement).

Floridatexan

Floridatexan

panhandler wrote:
del.capslock wrote:How is it possible that the Democratic party in Pensacola and District 1 is so impotent that this guy gets elected?

What are they NOT doing?

It's my understanding a Democrat can't get elected in this burg.  

Or do Democrats run as republicans just to get elected?   Rumor? True?

Stephen Specht ran as a Democrat against "Conservative Gaetz". That's what his signs said. Judging from research, and my personal meeting with his father at a local church during the Bush years, I would say that this family has been grifting for a few generations.

del.capslock

del.capslock

Democrats can't get elected because these women are the guts of the Escambia Democratic Party. Not one of them has had an original idea since Kennedy was president. Pitiful. [this was taken at a recent fundraiser--what they need is a hellraiser]

Gaetz visits local Superfund site, vows to abolish the EPA... XhlnYBc

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

RealLindaL



del.capslock wrote:If it's your favorite local issue and you're NOT active politically, what do you expect?

I said I wasn't politically active as to party.  I didn't say I wasn't active on this issue.  Far from it.  Ask Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson and he'll tell you I've been a bee in everyone's bonnet on fee simple since ad valorem taxes were imposed on island leaseholds in 2004, and that includes untold hours spent on innumerable emails, phone calls, and forum posts, at least one AM radio appearance, many direct entreaties to local media people, who typically get the facts of this matter totally wrong -- usually casting it in a highly unfavorable light, inadvertently or otherwise --  and several Viewpoint pieces in the PNJ.  
Once this new bill is active on the floor of Congress I'll also be among the many contacting Senator Bill Nelson to urge its passage, since he was a strong opponent last time similar legislation was attempted, just a couple of years back.  As much as I dislike most of the Republican agenda, being a left-leaning independent (NPA), this is one time when having a Republican Congress will work in favor of an issue I personally support.

RealLindaL



del.capslock wrote:Democrats can't get elected because these women are the guts of the Escambia Democratic Party. Not one of them has had an original idea since Kennedy was president. Pitiful. [this was taken at a recent fundraiser--what they need is a hellraiser]

Have you ever met and/or spoken with any of these women, or are you judging them solely on their appearance? If the latter -- pitiful.

del.capslock

del.capslock

RealLindaL wrote:
del.capslock wrote:Democrats can't get elected because these women are the guts of the Escambia Democratic Party. Not one of them has had an original idea since Kennedy was president. Pitiful. [this was taken at a recent fundraiser--what they need is a hellraiser]

Have you ever met and/or spoken with any of these women, or are you judging them solely on their appearance?  If the latter -- pitiful.

Your point is well taken, but...  

First: Matt Gaetz got elected despite significant negatives.

Second: I checked out a bunch of photos taken at that fundraiser--the one I posted was on the Chairwoman's site--and the attendees were all so white I had to wear shades. Escambia is 30% minority but you wouldn't know looking at the folks at the fundraiser.

Thirdly: I live in District 3, a predominately minority district. I walk around the neighborhood a lot and, prior to the election, I saw NONE of the normal indicators of political activity--yard signs, posters etc. It was like a political dead zone, yet it should have been hot bed of political activity.

Fourthly: Yes, I did form an opinion based on, among other things--their appearance. I also formed an opinion based on my experience with those kinds of self-congratulatory events. They're a sham, as far as I'm concerned--nothing more than a reason for the well-heeled to get together and gab about social shit.

Fifthly: Whatever they're doing, it ain't working is it? Do you honestly think any of those women--or any of the folks in the image below--are going to walk around a black neighborhood in August or September, trying to round up votes?

Here's wider shot from the same event:

Gaetz visits local Superfund site, vows to abolish the EPA... LCpf2Zsl

They aren't willing to do what needs to be done to elect a viable Democrat.

Ask yourself: What was the net from that event? What do you think the room and the meal cost vs. how much they took in? Fundraisers like this are not a particularly good way of raising money. The best way is using the mailing list--if they even have one, and it's not on smeary file cards.

Not long before the election, I had a visit from a canvasser from the local Dem organization. The only thing she asked me was if I was registered to vote. She didn't take my name or email address or even, really try to connect with me in any visceral way. She just asked my if I was registered to vote and that was it. I invited her in and tried to engage her in conversation but nada.

How the hell can you win an election that way?

I have nothing but contempt for everyone at that event.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

del.capslock

del.capslock

RealLindaL wrote:
del.capslock wrote:If it's your favorite local issue and you're NOT active politically, what do you expect?

I said I wasn't politically active as to party.  I didn't say I wasn't active on this issue.  Far from it.  Ask Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson and he'll tell you I've been a bee in everyone's bonnet on fee simple since ad valorem taxes were imposed on island leaseholds in 2004, and that includes untold hours spent on innumerable emails, phone calls, and forum posts, at least one AM radio appearance, many direct entreaties to local media people, who typically get the facts of this matter totally wrong -- usually casting it in a highly unfavorable light, inadvertently or otherwise --  and several Viewpoint pieces in the PNJ.  
Once this new bill is active on the floor of Congress I'll also be among the many contacting Senator Bill Nelson to urge its passage, since he was a strong opponent last time similar legislation was attempted, just a couple of years back.  As much as I dislike most of the Republican agenda, being a left-leaning independent (NPA), this is one time when having a Republican Congress will work in favor of an issue I personally support.

Okay, here's your chance, explain the issue to me. You can write obviously, let's hear it...   so to speak.

And try to do it with minimal use of the first personal pronoun, that sucks the guts out of any argument. (and hit the goddamn return button once in awhile so an old guy can read it. Jesus, women!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

RealLindaL



del.capslock wrote:Okay, here's your chance, explain the issue to me. You can write obviously, let's hear it...   so to speak.

And try to do it with minimal use of the first personal pronoun, that sucks the guts out of any argument. (and hit the goddamn return button once in awhile so an old guy can read it. Jesus, women!)

Look, do you seriously want to understand this issue, or do you just want to be a critical, controlling a**hole? Take your pick.

At the moment this particular woman has no interest in responding to you, for reasons indubitably obvious to the average reader.

dumpcare



I am registered as NPA, before Republican. I and Z voted for Stephen Specht he was a very moderate Dem, actually had some conservative ideas. The problem with this area is if you're a dem you are far out in left field and that is not so. There are moderates on both sides. I will continue to stay registered as I am, I have voted on both sides and stand on different issues with both sides. Stephen Specht has a facebook page and may run again and I will vote for him again.

I still believe anyone that votes straight party line has very limited tunnel vision. I also think most people are just too damn lazy whether repub or dem to research and study the issues at voting time. Yep, I'm a dem let me just mark all these dems and the amendments that they're for or I'm a repub and feel the same way, neither one in most cases know what the hell their voting for except for some misplaced loyalty.

RealLindaL



del.capslock wrote:
RealLindaL wrote:
del.capslock wrote:Democrats can't get elected because these women are the guts of the Escambia Democratic Party. Not one of them has had an original idea since Kennedy was president. Pitiful. [this was taken at a recent fundraiser--what they need is a hellraiser]

Have you ever met and/or spoken with any of these women, or are you judging them solely on their appearance?  If the latter -- pitiful.

Your point is well taken, but...  

First: Matt Gaetz got elected despite significant negatives.

Second: I checked out a bunch of photos taken at that fundraiser--the one I posted was on the Chairwoman's site--and the attendees were all so white I had to wear shades. Escambia is 30% minority but you wouldn't know looking at the folks at the fundraiser.

Thirdly: I live in District 3, a predominately minority district. I walk around the neighborhood a lot and, prior to the election, I saw NONE of the normal indicators of political activity--yard signs, posters etc. It was like a political dead zone, yet it should have been hot bed of political activity.

Fourthly: Yes, I did form an opinion based on, among other things--their appearance. I also formed an opinion based on my experience with those kinds of self-congratulatory events. They're a sham, as far as I'm concerned--nothing more than a reason for the well-heeled to get together and gab about social shit.

Fifthly: Whatever they're doing, it ain't working is it? Do you honestly think any of those women--or any of the folks in the image below--are going to walk around a black neighborhood in August or September, trying to round up votes?

Here's wider shot from the same event:

Gaetz visits local Superfund site, vows to abolish the EPA... LCpf2Zsl

They aren't willing to do what needs to be done to elect a viable Democrat.

Ask yourself: What was the net from that event? What do you think the room and the meal cost vs. how much they took in? Fundraisers like this are not a particularly good way of raising money. The best way is using the mailing list--if they even have one, and it's not on smeary file cards.

Not long before the election, I had a visit from a canvasser from the local Dem organization. The only thing she asked me was if I was registered to vote. She didn't take my name or email address or even, really try to connect with me in any visceral way. She just asked my if I was registered to vote and that was it. I invited her in and tried to engage her in conversation but nada.

How the hell can you win an election that way?

I have nothing but contempt for everyone at that event.

Sweeping contempt for everyone there, not one of whom you've ever even met. Sweet. But look: since you know everything there is to know about what-all to do and not to do, why not volunteer your services to the local Dems? I'm sure they'd appreciate your invaluable input, time and effort. Perhaps you could even make a difference.

del.capslock

del.capslock

Floridatexan wrote:
 Judging from research, and my personal meeting with his father at a local church during the Bush years, I would say that this family has been grifting for a few generations.

Specht looked to me like a viable and vastly superior candidate, especially considering Gaetz's many negatives.

If you did some research on Specht, I'd really like to know what you found out, more specifically the search terms you used. Gaetz was easy to search--every hit led me to something else--but all I found for Specht was stuff that led nowhere.

I'm relatively new to Baja Alabama Pensacola, so I don't know the history of a lot of this stuff.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/btraven/

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