PBRLA Press Release - October 4, 2004

PRESS RELEASE 10/02/04:
From: PBRLA
To: ESCAMBIA COUNTY COMMISSION; PNJ;WEARTV;ISLANDER & SUN

The Pensacola Beach Residents and Leaseholders Association (“PBRLA”) would like to express, on behalf of its members and all other residents and leaseholders on Pensacola Beach, its extreme outrage at the draconian, arbitrary and overly restrictive limitation on beach access for people who live on Pensacola Beach. Sundays only, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, is not sufficient access for residents to secure their property, gather belongings and get on with the steps necessary to begin the insurance claims process and repair of their homes. Additionally, the restriction to Casino Beach parking lot with no cars or trucks allowed down Via de Luna or Ft. Pickens makes it impossible to remove furniture and other valuables.
Right now, they have the power to keep us off the beach (George Tourat and Sheriff Mc Nesby’s deputies with guns) but what gives them that right?

In spite of the fact that there is no electricity, utilities or clear roads, Navarre Beach residents have free access to their property and the Santa Rosa County officials in charge of that beach have recognized that they have no legal means to keep residents from their homes. Likewise, no mainlanders are being kept from their homes. Portofino is being given preferential treatment and so are certain hotels and friends and members of the SRIA who own businesses on the beach. This is just another example of SRIA good ole boy politics. Neither the SRIA nor the Escambia County Commission care a bit about the Island residents because we do not have sufficient political clout to effect their election or appointment. Consequently, our rights are being trampled to help business owners and fat cats salvage their property and the revenue stream from the tourist trade. In the mean time, our property and possessions deteriorate.

As usual, Pensacola Beach is being governed with ad hoc favoritism and inept anonymity. It is not possible, at this point, to determine exactly who is in charge or what the plan is, except to make it as easy as possible for the in-crowd and business people at the expense of ordinary residents. Bill Griffith justifies this action with a promise that utilities will be restored to the entire island in a month. Monte Blews says six months. The fact is, no one knows and they are just making it up as they go along. What law allows George Touart, Ron McNesby, Monte Blews, and Bill Griffith to dictate how we occupy our own property?

The PBRLA hereby demands that Island residents be given unfettered access to their property immediately. If not, stronger measures will follow.

Gary E. Smith
President
Pensacola Beach Residence and Leaseholders Association