Out Front Magazine Out Front Magazine -Dec 2018

EDITORIAL COMMUNITY One Man’s Opinion New Beginnings Publishing and Out Front Magazine’s 27th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Program Photos by Abraham Booker Admiral L. LeRoy, Jr. Hold All Elected Officials Accountable – Part II 4 conferences, and I have become more confident that under Robinson’s leadership, the city of Pensacola, Florida has a very bright future ahead. Positive excitement is already beginning to build about the future of Pensacola under the new leadership of Mayor Robinson who was sworn into office on November 27, 2018. I personally believe the best man to lead the city of Pensacola into the future was elected. I also believe that Mayor Robinson’s opponent, Pensacola City Councilman Brian Spencer would have been a good mayor for our city. Both men have solid political experience. Robinson held the position as Escambia County Commissioner of District 4 for 12 years, and Spencer has been Pensacola City Councilman of District 6 for over 7 years. Mayor Robinson has stated that he will attend city council meetings -- some- thing that former mayor, Ashton Hayward rarely did, opting instead to have his city administrator represent the Mayor’s Office at council meetings. I have said in previous columns that we should hold all elected officials accountable. I have also stated that many elected officials discard cam- paign promises soon after attaining office and almost immediately begin to act self-important as though they are Grover C. Robinson, IV, Mayor of doing us a favor just by talking with us. Pensacola, FL Please remember folks, that elected officials are “public servants,” and we must remain vigilant in holding our elected officials’ feet to the fire regarding the campaign Robinson has pledged that one of his top priorities will be promises made and the demonstration of good gover- to open the Mayor’s Office to the citizens of Pensacola nance and policy in moving our community forward. -- an act that somehow got lost during the previous administration. Robinson has also started weekly press In future issues of Out Front Magazine, I will delve into conferences tagged “Mondays with the Mayor,” which are reporting both the good and the bad political actions of designed to improve media relations with the press while our elected officials, allowing the chips to fall where they also improving transparency within city government. He may. promises regular town hall meetings in all districts to keep the citizens engaged and to enable their participation I congratulated Mayor Robinson on becoming the new in helping to move the city of Pensacola forward. Also, in mayor and on his leadership capability. But I also the interest of transparency, Mayor Robinson has formed cautioned him to be watchful for any moves made by his his transition team and has tapped prominent business- administration that are not in the best interest of the man and philanthropist, Quint Studer to serve as chair- citizens of the city of Pensacola, Florida. man of the 12-member committee. Meetings are open to the public and will operate under Florida’s Sunshine Law. Stay tuned!! I have attended two of Mayor Robinson’s press Pray for our communities, our nation and our world. Admiral L. LeRoy, Jr. Founder & Publisher Emeritus –- Out Front Magazine Award Recipients pictured (l-r): Mr. Reginald Dogan, Accepting on Behalf of Mr. Quint and Mrs. Rishy Studer, Studer Community Institute; Kimberly Wyatt, WEAR-TV News Director; Ann Richard, King Richard Foundation; Ferne Guil- lebeaux, North 2 South Ballroom Connection; Venisa Jones-Lutley, The Dwarf Chicken Stand; Mrs. Vera Rancifer, The Dwarf Chicken Stand; Ms. Gail Johnson, Dance Konnection; Mr. Vernon Watson, Dance Konnection; Mr. Ted Haddock, The Haddock Foundation P ensacola, FL – New Beginnings Publishing and Out Front Magazine recently commemorated their 27 th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Program on November 2, 2018, at the Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Center, 913 S. I Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. The Anniversary Celebration and Awards program, hosted by Mamie Webb Hixon and Linda “Sonshine” Moorer, honored seven business, civic and community organizations which have made and continue to make a positive difference in the lives of others as well as . . . C ont inu ed on p ag e 6 Linda “Sonshine” Moorer - Co-Host Mamie Webb Hixon, Host O n November 06, 2018, the citizens of the city of Pensacola, Florida elected new mayor, Grover C. Robinson, IV. 5

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