Mayor Grover Robinson

Last week’s grand jury decision not to return charges against a former Pensacola police officer in the shooting death of Tymar Crawford has begun the next chapter in the case.

“I’d just like to thank the family of Tymar Crawford and the entire community for their patience as they’ve waited for this investigation to be completed,” said Mayor Grover Robinson. “We understand it’s been a difficult process for everyone, and we are hopeful that we can continue to come together as a community and move our community forward.”

With a grand jury set to investigate the July shooting of an African-American man by a Pensacola police officer, city leaders are watching from the sidelines — for now.

Earlier this week, Pensacola area residents got a second chance to review and comment on Florida Department of Transportation plans to improve pedestrian safety on Cervantes Street. Most aspects of the road safety project are getting thumbs up. But, at least one proposed feature is drawing some push back.

While preparations are ongoing for the formation of a gun safety task for in and around the city of Pensacola, another issue – more police scrutiny – came up during Mayor Grover Robinson’s weekly news conference at City Hall on Monday.

“Our men and women in the Pensacola Police Department do an excellent job, and it’s a tough job they have to do; and I appreciate the work that they do every day protecting us,” said Robinson.

Almost four months after a “Homeless Summit” in Pensacola brought together both government and private entities, it appears the issue is being revisited.

Much of the work has been on hold, since the mass exodus of top-ranking officials in Escambia County government, and the hiring of several people at Pensacola City Hall. At his weekly news conference Monday, Mayor Grover Robinson said a meeting was held earlier this month with new administrators: Chris Holley for the City of Pensacola, and Escambia County’s Janice Gilley.

Visitors to downtown Pensacola may have noticed the purple ribbons that adorn the many trees along Palafox Street. The ribbons symbolize the designation of June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month throughout the city.

“We’re very happy to part of the Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and we will be reading the proclamation on Thursday night,” said Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson, who is expected to will read and sign the proclamation at tonight's (June 13) City Council meeting.

Almost eight in 10 Pensacola city employees have responded to a new survey, gauging their on-the-job engagement and satisfaction.

Conducted during April and May by the Atlanta-based firm Sperduto & Associates, the survey results were released to department heads last week, and now go public.

“We had 76% of employees participate. So that was a very large number. We beat what our goal was, so we’re excited about that. It told us a lot of things,” said Mayor Grover Robinson, who made the announcement at Monday’s weekly news conference.

Unwanted trash, an upcoming town hall, and food truck inspections…all part of Monday’s news conference with Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson.

After reviewing last week’s events, the Mayor touched on the litter problem at DeLuna Park downtown, and the apparent bad aim of some visitors.

“And how much litter there is – in a sense less than 50-feet from a trash can,” said Robinson. "Most all of our parks have trash cans in them; we put them there for you to dispose of your trash. We want you to come use our parks – that’s the idea.”

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson is defending his decision to hire Milton Mayor Heather Lindsay as an assistant city attorney.

City Attorney Susan Woolf made the announcement during the Mayor’s news conference a week ago.

“Heather has over 20 years of experience in various areas, predominantly in employment law and in municipal law,” said Woolf. “Her firm previously represented the City of Milton, so she has a wide array of exposure and experience that I was looking for.”

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson and the City Council are out with a draft of the City's strategic plan, hammered out during a six-hour workshop last week.

The document comes as Robinson finishes his first six months in office.

“I think working toward a mission statement and some values, I thought we did a good job with the Council and citizens to begin that process,” said Robinson during his weekly news conference Monday. He added that the numbers contained in the plan now, may not be the same ones which could emerge later.

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson welcomed about 100 students from high schools around the city, to his weekly news conference at City Hall on Monday.

Meeting in the City Council chamber instead of the Hagler Auditorium, Robinson fielded questions from the students on a wide range of issues, from economic development to preserving local historical landmarks to homelessness. On the latter, he told them he’s looking forward to following up on the “Homeless Summit” held earlier this month.

Funding is on the way for 23 water quality projects in the Pensacola area, from Natural Resource Damage Assessment. That includes $2.1 million for Carpenter Creek’s restoration.

Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson listed Carpenter Creek as his top project to receive funding from BP oil spill funds, when he was a member of the Escambia County Commission.

Fire protection in Pensacola is going up a notch, with the opening of a new fire station on Summit Boulevard. Three years in the planning, the project was funded with $3 million from the local option sales tax.

No ribbons were cut in the opening of the station. Instead, fire hoses were uncoupled at the entrance of the building, that replaces a 50-year-old facility which was closed temporarily because of mold in 2016.

After three months and 14 public input sessions, Mayor Grover Robinson’s transitional team is out with its recommendations for the city’s long-term well-being.

In the 90-page report, the dozen team members are offering 55 recommendations as part of cobbling together a united strategic plan in 11 areas — such as public safety, finance and budget, education, the environment and transparency. During the Mayor’s weekly news conference Chairman Quint Studer said the findings are based on three criteria: mission, vision and values.

Work is ongoing by the City of Pensacola on a program aimed at making the city’s roadways friendlier to all.

Speaking at his weekly news conference, Mayor Grover Robinson announced [Monday] that the city will make an initiative to move forward on “Complete Streets,” by hiring a staff that will evaluate that and finding ways to do a better job.

“Complete Streets” puts the emphasis on pedestrians rather than vehicular traffic, through building and upgrading crosswalks and sidewalks. Other parts of the equation include safe bicycle lanes and medians, and mass transit.