The Pensacola Police Department's refusal to enforce the law caused great harm to me and my husband

I reported to the Pensacola Police Department (PPD) that Pensacola City Officials were running an illegal scam on Pensacola residents by verbally demanding a new Certificate of Occupancy (CO) on change of tenant, even if the classification stayed the same, which was against the construction regulation, the Standard Building Code (SBC). The PPD refused to stop this illegal demand even though City Officials used this made-up illegal requirement in order to steal historic artifacts, steal building materials, steal life savings, etc. - effectively running a grand theft ring out of City Hall.

I informed City Officials (City Manager Bonfield, Building Department Director Wilkinson, City Attorney Caton, PPD, etc.) that their demand was illegal and that the law had no requirement for us in order to operate our newly purchased business; that it was legal for us to operate our business immediately.  I refused to submit to their unwritten, illegal policy.  City Officials refused to obey the construction regulation, the SBC, which stated that a new CO on change of tenant when the classification stayed the same was not appropriate. 

 

City Officials used extortion, threats of possible arrest, almost daily trespassing on our property (without a warrant and without our permission) and harassment with false complaints against us to force us to stay closed. City Officials illegally refused us the operation of our business for almost two years. Even though we repeatedly reported these illegal actions to the PPD, the PPD sided with the City Officials who appeared to be committing felonies against us.

We finally submitted to the City Officials' illegal demands since we were going bankrupt since we were paying out (mortgage payments, utilities, etc.) but officials refused us income from our business.  All officials all the way up to Governor Jeb Bush,, that we reported the illegal demands to, sided with the law breakers. The City Officials' illegal demands did not involve any items in their area of supervision and requirements (plumbing, roof, etc.) but consisted of what is considered cosmetic - removing historic artifacts from our historic building.  City Officials forced a contractor on us, Mr. Miller, who stole many of our historic overmantels, stole all of the veranda spindles (over 500) and the rails with them, stole building materials we had ordered, stole shutter hardware from the outside of the house, stole many interior architectural features, and on and on.

Since he was protected by City Officials, Mr. Miller freely bragged about grand theft of our property to his friends and to the Escambia County Contractors Competency Board Inspector who put Mr. Miller's confession in his official report. State Law required a Board to report crimes encountered to law enforcement officials.  The Escambia County Contractors Competency Board did not report Mr. Miller's crimes (even though he freely confessed) to anyone and determined he had done nothing wrong.  The Escambia County Board did not revoke his contractor's license and did not attach the official complaint I had made to his record.  He was free to continue contracting, free to abandon projects, and free to continue committing grand theft.  Unfortunately, he victimized another couple, this time in Santa Rosa County and the Santa Rosa Officials obeyed Florida Statutes and revoked his contractor's license for 5 years.

We reported his grand theft to the PPD based on our knowledge and based on his confession which was in the Escambia County's official record although the Escambia County Officials, even the Escambia County Sheriff, had refused to take any action against Mr. Miller.

The PPD refused to arrest the contractor and officially allowed him to keep everything he had stolen from us.  This is documented in the Official Pensacola Police Department Investigation which is located online in cipensacolaflus.com, memo dated 08/14/2000, Subj: 520 North Spring Street – responses to Ms. Mary Mead's complaints. The Official Police Report is printed on pages 24 to 32. Investigator Stone stated on page 25, “Miller states in the record he has some materials of Meads he is holding because Mead owes him money.” The “record” referenced above is the official report of the investigation of the Escambia County Contractor's Competency Board where Mr. Miller confessed to committing grand theft against us. I had submitted all invoices from Mr. Miller to Investigator Stone. They were marked “paid in full” by Mr. Miller which proved that we did not owe him any money. Committing grand theft is not allowed in Florida under any circumstances but the PPD investigator used this false, unfounded claim by Mr. Miller to allow him to keep tens of thousands of dollars of our property. Even if we owed Mr. Miller money, which we did not, Florida Statutes require Mr. Miller to file a mechanics lien on our property to recoup any money he says he is owed instead of committing grand theft against us.

Investigator Stone's official report consisted of rumors and gossip devised to protect the City Officials and the contractor from felony charges.

City Manager Bonfield, City Attorney Caton and Building Director Wilkinson along with the Pensacola Planning Board framed me by constructing an amendment to the zoning code book, the Land Development Code (LDC), requiring a new CO on change of tenant and pretended it was the official building code when it was not. Florida Statutes list the valid building codes. The LDC was not one but the SBC was. Amending the SBC would have been difficult since it required prior notice, advertising, an official hearing, etc.  Amending the LDC was easier especially when City Officials used "minor changes" to describe the supposed new requirement, hiding the fact that is changed CO requirements, so that no one, including me, would know that "minor changes" was supposed to change the CO requirements.  While the LDC cannot change the CO requirement, they were pretending they had officially changed the CO requirement. 

 

Officials illegally used the LDC to steal our life savings, building materials and historic artifacts. I reported these illegal actions to the Pensacola City Council, Pensacola Police Chief, the Escambia County Sheriff, the State Attorney, and Governor Jeb Bush. All of these individuals stood firmly behind the requirements of the invalid and false LDC in denying my official request for City Officials to obey the law (the Standard Building Code) and leave me and my historic property alone.

City Officials framed me with these illegal actions so they could illegally say that I was the bad one and they used the false “regulations” to violate my constitutional rights by continuing to illegally come on my property, without a warrant and without my permission, to further their grand-theft scheme which appeared to be criminal (mostly felonies). 

 

In addition to City Officials changing the wrong regulation, I also stated that I had no change of tenant after the effective date of the change to the LDC. City Officials ignored this additional illegal action on their part and again violated my constitutional rights since the Constitution forbids ex post facto – which means holding me responsible for a regulation created after the action (change of tenant).

I appeared on TV at City Council Meetings and revealed the illegal scam. This was difficult because many council members and Mayor Fogg tried to shut me up.  After I spoke, City Manager Bonfield  denied any illegal activity, Mayor Fogg refused to let me respond to Mr. Bonfield's false statements by making up a parliamentary rule - he said that Robert's Rules of Order stated that a speaker could not respond to false statements made against them unless a Council Member asked them a question.  I knew this was false since I was a past President of a local Toastmistress Club that used Robert's Rules of Order as our parliamentary procedure.  Councilman Nobles gaveled me down when he was acting for Mayor Fogg and threatened me with being charged with libel.  Councilman Wiggins stated again and again that City Officials were not breaking the law and he was upset and angry with me for saying they were.

 

Even with their misbehavior, I was able to get the message out.  There was a public outcry which induced City Officials to stop their illegal demands. Thankfully, three members of the City Council, City Council Member Rita Jones, City Council Member Debra Thompson and City Council Member Reverend Hugh King revolted against this illegal policy and brought it to a halt. On page 59 of the Pensacola City Council Minutes dated January 27, 2000: “COUNCIL MEMBER KING: . . . I just want to say this is another one of those good situations where, you know, the citizens speak up. This has been – well, I guess I do need to compliment Ms. Mead for being very vigilant in kind of directing us to a point where we can all agree – and even she can even agree that the situation is much better.”

I did approve of the City Officials finally agreeing to obey the SBC, the official construction regulation, and discontinue their illegal grand theft actions.  I did not approve of the City Officials lying by saying they had to amend the LDC again to remove this requirement.  The real regulation, the SBC, had stayed the same which had always denied the new CO requirement on change of tenant. City Officials had never had any kind of authority to make their illegal policy to require a new CO on change of tenant but had always been committing unauthorized trespass, unauthorized lies and force, and grand theft against the people of Pensacola.  

I repeatedly reported the magnitude of the illegal conspiracy to commit grand theft on Pensacola property owners, especially owners of historic properties, but all officials denied anything illegal had happened.

City Officials never made restitution for conspiring, through illegal demands, to keep our business illegally closed for almost two years to force us to comply with their illegal demands. City Officials never made restitution for conspiring, also through illegal demands, to steal our (my husband and I) life savings, to put us deep in debt, and to steal valuable building materials. City Officials refused to return our stolen historic artifacts and gave the historic artifacts to the contractor who stole them instead of returning the stolen historic artifacts to the building they had been made for and which they had been attached to, a part of, for over 115 years.

I repeatedly reported many instances where City Officials appeared to commit illegal/criminal actions.  The latest report I made to the PPD was to Police Chief Alexander III in December, 2015.  Some excerpts follow: 

"I reported to you, via email dated December 10, 2015, Subj: Illegal closing of our authorized business without due process, that the Pensacola Police Department came on our property on March 19, 2005, without a warrant or any paperwork whatsoever and illegally closed our business down.  The United States Constitution, Amendment 5, requires due process in this situation."

Chief Alexander III refuses to lift the illegal prohibition on us operating our business as legally authorized. 

"I reported to you that on Sep 9, 2010, it appears that Florida State Attorney, Mr. Bill Eddins, the Pensacola City Attorney, Mr. Wells, and Pensacola Community Development Department employee, Ms. Morris conferred and discussed the answer Mr. Wells was going to send to Mr. Ramage of the FDLE regarding my reporting to FDLE, again, the illegal closing of our small business, an art gallery/antique shop holding functions, on March 19, 2005. It appears that they decided to send false statements and false charges about us to FDLE instead of the real facts:  we were authorized many times (latest in 2000 and in 2001) to hold functions, we operated in compliance with all rules and regulations, we were illegally closed down without due process by the Pensacola Police Department on March 19, 2005, etc.  It appears the above individuals deliberately conspired to and, in fact, did lie to FDLE about us."

 

Chief Alexander III refuses to address rampant corruption in Pensacola which is harming us.

 

"I reported to you, via email dated December 10, 2015, Subj:  Violation of Florida Statutes, that Pensacola City Officials were violating Florida State Statute 112.313 regarding the appointment and reappointment of individuals to Pensacola Advisory Boards who have a conflict-of-interest.  In addition, I reported to you that illegal members committed perjury, according to Florida Law, in swearing that they were eligible to be members of these boards when they were not eligible."

 

Chief Alexander III refuses to stop City Officials from violating Florida Laws.

 

In addition to the PPD, Mayor Hayward and City Council members ignore my reports of apparent illegal/criminal actions and pretend that Pensacola does not have a serious corruption problem.  The Escambia County Officials and Florida State Officials refuse to address and stop the corruption we are burdened with in Pensacola.  Even though the Florida Constitution appears to require County services for City dwellers when they pay County taxes, Sheriff Morgan refuses us law enforcement services.  Sheriff Morgan came into Pensacola to campaign - asking us to vote for him.  Sheriff Morgan put up signs in Pensacola directing us to lock our car doors, but when we report a crime against us, Sheriff Morgan refuses to address the crime.  In the future, if a candidate refuses law services to Pensacola, since, according to law, we should receive them, we should refuse to vote for that candidate and only vote for a candidate who will obey the Florida Constitution and provide good law enforcement services to us.  Sheriff Morgan and Chief Alexander III seem to be annoyed when we ask for their services and dump us - drowning in corruption and living in the murder capital of Florida.  Their attitude appears to be "Shut up and leave me alone."  We are then forced to try to handle the crime on our own, report it up the line of responsibility and hope for the best.  I have been scammed and defrauded out of at least $300,000.00 (I have the receipts) plus the historic artifacts stolen by Mr. Miller.  My husband and I had carefully planned to use the income from our business to augment our pensions.  City Officials illegally deny us any income for our officially authorized business.  We have been illegally closed down for two years before (to force us to submit to their illegal demands) and 11 years after (to sadistically, brutally punish us for defending ourselves from their illegal actions) the brief period of almost 5 years when we were allowed to operate our business as legally authorized.  At all times we were is complete compliance with all laws regarding the operation of our business downtown. 

 

President-elect Trump has repeatedly promised to stop corruption in government in America when he takes office. I plan to test his promise.  Even now, I am sending reports of the rampant corruption in Pensacola to some appointees he has already made:  Homeland Security and the United States Attorney General.  Both of these positions are supposed to address and stop corruption.

I have three blogs that address corruption in Pensacola:  pensacolanewsletter.blogspot.com, pensacolanewsletter2.blogspot.com, and pensacolanewsletter3.blogspot.com,

More on the Illegal Closing, by City Officials, of my business which was legally authorized by the Pensacola City Council

These are excerpts from Rick's Blog, dated March 3,2016, Pensacola City Attorney opines council resolution on city hall access not binding

27 Comments

27 Comments

·  Reply Mary MeadMarch 8, 2016 at 10:03 am

I’m so sorry you feel that way. I do comply with the law and I am not asking for a concession or variance as I already have been authorized and approved, according to the law, for the operation of my business.

I’m afraid we must just agree to disagree. I wish you the best in all of your endeavors.

Sincerely, Mary

·  Reply George HawthorneMarch 8, 2016 at 9:46 am

Ms Mead,

Your answers are convoluted, however, clearly you do not intend to “follow the law” that every business owner is held to in the City.

What you called “made-up interpretations” are clearly within the regulations “written in the development/building code” that is publicly published.

What you want is the City to make a concession or variance for YOU because you refuse to follow the regulations.

Accordingly, this is why NO ONE has taken your argument as “real” because clearly, you have facts wrong and are stubbornly clinging to “YOUR story” that frankly doesn’t line-up with the facts … not the facts as YOU perceive them.

I don’t think you are right nor just in your position that “you shouldn’t have to abide by the regulations.”

Unfortunately, your stubborness and blatant refusal to comply is the ONLY reason you do not have a business operation and it is NOT some alleged “illegal actions” by city officials that are enforcing the regulations that you think DON’t APPLY to you. YOU are the reason you don’t have a business …

Just because you

·  Reply Mary MeadMarch 8, 2016 at 9:15 am

I have repeatedly answered the two questions you ask:

REPEATING THE ANSWER TO QUESTION ONE AS FOUND IN MY PREVIOUS COMMENT TO THIS POST:

“MARY MEADMarch 4, 2016 at 3:42 pm
My situation is very simple. My property is officially authorized to operate as an art gallery, antiques, crafts and functions. I want to use my property to operate as an art gallery, antiques, crafts and functions. City Officials illegally closed my business, without due process, on March 19, 2005, and refuse to lift the illegal closing. I want the illegal prohibition City Officials placed on operating my legally authorized business lifted. I want City Officials to stop harassing me and stay out of my business since I have not violated any laws.” Of course, I want what I am allowed by law.

THE ANSWER TO QUESTION TWO:
I have always obeyed the law as recorded in Florida Statutes, city and county ordinances and the United States Constitution and will continue to do so. I will refuse to submit City Officials’ made up “interpretations” designed to harm me and my historic property.

·  Reply George HawthorneMarch 8, 2016 at 7:30 am

Ms. Mead

You always avoid the 2 direct questions I asked that are the “fundamental obstacles” to you opening YOUR business that you refuse to address.

Will you do the inexpensive fire/safety upgrades to the property that are required for an arts/antique business and operate that retail business?

Do you expect to open your business without following the licensing and fire/safety codes that are current NOT from 2001?

·  Reply Mary MeadMarch 7, 2016 at 6:03 pm

There seems to be some misunderstandings.

The Office Building misunderstanding was started, after City Officials illegally closed our business, by Ms. Sherry Morris when she answered Melanie Nichols inquiry by falsely stating that our property was an office building and that we had some kind of consulting business license. The facts were that our property was approved for use and actually used as an art gallery, antiques, crafts and functions and our business license was for retail and was issued by the City and the County as appropriate for the situation. After quoting Ms. Morris in my post, I was sure to state, “All of Ms. Morris’s statements are false and apparently intended to keep us illegally closed down.” This was a big red flag to show that Ms. Morris’ statements were false – just more harassment to deny us the legal use of our authorized business. Mr. Hawthorne mistakenly quoted Ms. Morris’ statement as true when it was not.

It would be wrong for me to “petition for conditional use as an antique/art store” since I already have legal authorization for art gallery, antiques, crafts and already have the appropriate occupancy classification for the situation. I can operate my business now if the illegal closure were lifted.

I agree with Mr. Hawthorne’s public position that Mayor Hayward and City Hall are dysfunctional or even, in my opinion, corrupt and willing to commit apparent sadistic illegal/criminal actions to harm individuals and the City population as a whole. I will continue to follow Mr. Hawthorne’s posts with interest.

While my blog posts may not get anywhere with these people, perhaps the continued revelation of how bad they are, and sometimes even felonious, may help get rid of them and get in a new crew who will be willing to obey the law, willing to stop preferential treatment to their friends, and willing to stop ******** the rest of us by victimizing us to get all they can from us.

I expose not only the sadistic actions injurious to me but apparent violations of local, state and federal law which harm us as a whole i.e. illegal members on Pensacola Advisory Boards who break the law in their decisions whenever they want.

I will continue to expose as much corruption as I can, and will continue to seek the lifting of the illegal prohibition on us operating our business as legally authorized.

·  Reply Mary MeadMarch 7, 2016 at 2:02 pm

Thank you for letting me know that “someone” has apparently messed up regarding the use code/description of my property. In 2012 my property was listed as multi use, code 1200 store/office/single residence which reflected the true use. Without my knowledge, the use code and description was changed to 1800 OFFICE/MULTISTORY. I called Mr. Chris Jones, the Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office, and spoke with Anthony about the apparent change. He is changing it back to store which is appropriate as my property is not and has never been an office building. He said he can be contacted if there are any questions.

Mr. Hawthorne stated that it is my responsibility to get the use code changed. Well, it is changed. Actually the use code on line at the Appraiser’s office means nothing (according to them) and has no relevance to opening or not. It is the official authorization passed by the Pensacola City Council that matters and that authorization is for an art gallery, etc.
Ms. Sherry Morris incorrectly reported that our property was an office building. Apparently they do not keep their files in line with reality. On July 27, 2005, Ms. Morris responded to Melanie Nichols’ request for information regarding the illegal closing of my authorized business:

“Hi Melanie, according to City records, the Meads have a business license for an office use (a consulting business). This is a general employee license which would cover most office uses with the exception of medical offices and things of that nature. According to Inspections Services, hosting wedding and other special events would change the occupancy of the building . . . .”

All of Ms. Morris’s statements are false and apparently intended to keep us illegally closed down. Our property is not and has never been an office building, we have had a license for a retail shop since 1998, we classify for assemblies of less than 100 people, etc.

It is apparent that City Officials are giving Mr. Hawthorne a lot of false information as reasons we are not allowed to open: wrong use code (not my doing), neighbor complaints (didn’t happen, etc.) The facts are that we are illegally closed for persecution and punishment reasons. It appears that City Officials plan to stall and keep me illegally closed down until I die. March 19, 2016, will fall on a Saturday again and will mark eleven (11) years that we have been illegally kept closed down without due process and without any valid reason because I have consistently been in compliance with laws.

·     Reply George HawthorneMarch 7, 2016 at 2:51 pm

Ms. Mead,

For the record, I have NOT talked to the City nor am I taking their side or direction. Furthermore, given my very public position on the dysfunction at City Hall and the Mayor’s administration, I don’t think I can be confused as some “city hall parrot” trying to conspire with them against YOU.

However, I have seen your blog posts, in every forum, for 10 years and I see you are getting nowhere and spinning your wheels and I truly want to help give you good advice. I don’t want your property,

I don’t want you to hire me for ANYTHING and frankly given my relationship with the Mayor and his administration, I wouldn’t be the best person to advocate for you at the City.

I am giving you my expertise as a RE Developer and Business operator and based upon my experience with Pensacola specifically on my business that was subjected to the same conditions and I was also shut down for “events/functions.”

This is real simple, if you do the life/safety upgrades (shouldn’t cost more than $2,000) and petition for conditional use as an antique/art store (a retail use/retail license NOT office/business consultant) you could operate your business NOW.

However, if you think you can open without upgrades and proper license you are mistaken. If you think that a continued blog post assaults and inflammatory allegations AGAINST the people you need to get approval is going to help you … I respectfully must remind you that it hasn’t worked to date and to continue to take the same actions expecting a different reaction, I would say you are mistaken.

I wish you well and hope you truly get understanding, because I would like to someday come and buy some art and antiques from you.

All the Best!

Your own posts regarding a communication with the City said, “According to Inspections Services, hosting wedding and other special events would change the occupancy of the building” … that is the issue you have a consulting business license, NOT a retail license, NOT an event center license.

To change the USE from office to retail requires different building codes for different uses.

The Illegal Closing, by City Officials, of my business which was legally authorized by the Pensacola City Council

These are excerpts from Rick's Blog, dated March 3,2016, Pensacola City Attorney opines council resolution on city hall access not binding

·  Reply Mary MeadMarch 7, 2016 at 10:51 am

My business is not a grandfathered non-conforming use but is a grandfathered conforming use as art galleries and functions are legally allowed in PR-2. There is no time limit on this unlike in a non-conforming use. Event functions are legally allowed on my property and are documented online in Pensacola’s council file record to prove it as I have repeatedly pointed out. The continued accusation that functions are not allowed at my business is false and contrary to the documented evidence. I have never refused an inspection by the Fire Department and I have passed them all.

I only want what I am allowed by law and which I was illegally forced to stop based on apparent illegal/criminal actions by City Officials to include the violation of my constitutional right for due process.

I don’t understand the hostility, false charges and threats directed at me in illegally closing my business and continuing even after since I have broken no laws and have harmed no one. Pensacola City Attorney Wells, State Attorney Eddins and City employee Sherry Morris even conferred to make a report to FDLE containing false charges against me to try to justify the illegal closing. I think lying to law enforcement to libel and falsely accuse me is a serious matter.

My small business provided a great deal of pleasure to many people and I have received thanks for it from our clients especially from the young military people at the Naval Air Station who wanted to get married. We provided a beautifully decorated historic house which was candle-lit, made arrangements at their convenience (usually at night) and all at a nominal cost. I performed the ceremony as I am a notary. They and their friends then left for a celebratory dinner.

I will continue to defend my legal business because that business is what I am good at and I can make it a success again. I want to pass this business and my property on to my children and grandchildren. One is a gifted artist who has not been allowed to show her art in my legally authorized business because City Officials illegally closed it down.

I try to open my legally authorized business everyday by having the illegal prohibition of operating my legally authorized business removed so I can open without continued harassment and without exposing myself to false arrest and bodily harm, after all, I am elderly.

·     Reply George HawthorneMarch 7, 2016 at 12:45 pm
Ms. Mead,
Do you understand that to open your business you must bring it up to fire/safety codes and that is why you can’t open?
Do you expect to open without doing this work?
Your building use code is OFFICE/MULTISTORY not Antique/Art retail there are different requirements for both and that is what you need to comply with and get your Use changed.
That is YOUR responsibility and the reason you can’t open as you say.
I have been through the exact same thing with the City. Do you get it EVERY one of your posts talks about the past.

 

Reply Mary MeadMarch 6, 2016 at 8:43 pm Comment awaiting approval
While I welcome everyone’s interest in the apparent illegal/criminal actions inflicted on me, there are too many rumors and false excuses that City Officials broadcast to cover-up their illegal actions. This causes many misunderstandings. The authorization to use our property as an art gallery, antiques, crafts and functions was not a conditional use but was based on the grandfather regulations. The use and parking were grandfathered but we also have a parking lot with more spaces than are required for the stated use according to Pensacola Ordinances.
Official regulations in the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Office, and the Standard Building Code, state that historic properties are exempt from changes in building codes. Our house is recorded in the National Registry of Historic Places, is located in the North Hill Preservation Area and has been recognized as a historic property by City Officials.
Mr. Hawthorne mistakenly stated, “An “event facility” is not allowed by code and your property doesn’t have the parking required for such a facility and your neighbors complained that your events’ guests were parking all over the neighborhood.” This is a false statement which the City Attorney, Mr. Wells, originated in his email of September 9, 2010 to FDLE to cover-up the illegal closing. I have discussed this in pensacolanewsletter2.blogspot.com in the post titled “False Statements by the Pensacola City Attorney and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) General Counsel.” I was able to obtain, by the Freedom of Information Act, an email from Chief Simmons which showed there were no complaints against us for parking or anything else before our illegal closing.
From: Chip Simmons
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 11:17 AM
To: Al Coby
Cc: Thaddeus Cohen; Rita R. Lee
Subject: RE:
Thanks Al. I checked and we have no paperwork on the location or information regarding the complaint. We do have a total of nine alarm responses dating back to 2004.
My legally authorized, successful business was illegally closed down as retribution because I had repeatedly exposed City Officials’ apparent illegal/criminal actions. City Officials tried desperately to keep the illegal Certificate of Occupancy scam but this illegal policy was stopped. I also reported my deep concerns about the Maritime Park being anything other than a baseball stadium, for Mr. Studer, to the Pensacola News Journal but they refused to print my letters. The editor said he refused because the PNJ was definitely for the park. I was concerned about land purchased by the City with the help of the Public Trust for Land being used for anything other than the public. I have also repeatedly reported that the Pensacola Advisory Boards were illegally populated with members who have a conflict of interest. According to Florida Statutes, decisions about the future of Pensacola should not be made by people who receive all, part or some of their income from the City of Pensacola.
Forcing me to appear before an illegal Planning Board even though I have valid authorization to operate my business appears to be just more of the persecution directed for over a decade at me, an elderly, widowed grandmother who is a veteran and a law-abiding patriot. The illegal prohibition on me operating my business, as I was legally authorized by the Pensacola City Council, should be immediately removed.

·     Reply George HawthorneMarch 7, 2016 at 7:53 am

Ms. Mead,

It is clear to e that you only want “what YOU want” and are more interested in continuing to fight than to operate your business. The so-called “grandfathered” non-conforming uses cease to exist after 1 year of non-operation of the “grandfathered” uses. Again, I ask ‘When was the last time you ACTUALLY tried to open your business?”

You continue to constantly talk about the “past” and have done NOTHING (other than complain about how you were DONE) to affirmatively go and operate an antique/art business. You want to insist on event functions that not allowed.

Additionally, a “historic building” designation DOES NOT give you immunity from upgrading non-compliant fire/safety upgrades. How do you expect to operate a “public gathering” place and not provide the required “fire/safety” upgrades required? Do YOU think that YOU should be allowed to operate a fire/safety deficient building?

Reply Mary MeadMarch 6, 2016 at 2:47 pm Comment awaiting approval
Mr. Hawthorne
You appear to be mistaken. The 2001 approval was based on grandfathering of all uses equally – there was no percentage assigned to retail or events. I have never had or needed a conditional use and that fact was stated by Mr. Cowper. The building code changes would not matter as historic buildings (which we are) are exempt, by law, from changing building codes. (see online authorization records)
You statement, “An “event facility” is not allowed by code and your property doesn’t have the parking required for such a facility and your neighbors complained that your events’ guests were parking all over the neighborhood,” is a false statement originated by City Attorney Wells, on September 9, 2010, in an email to FDLE as a cover-up for the illegal closing. I show the evidence for this in pensacolanewsletter2.blogspot.com in the Article False Statements By The Pensacola City Attorney And The Florida Department Of Law Enforcement (Fdle) General Counsel. The parking facts are that our parking is grandfathered and we have a parking lot which far exceeds the required parking spaces. My occupancy use or code was and is business and functions of less than 100 were under the category “B” business and a limit of 100 attendees was contained in my rental contract for clients. I obtained a copy of the following email through freedom of information from Chief Simmons showing there were no complaints.
From: Chip Simmons
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2011 11:17 AM
To: Al Coby
Cc: Thaddeus Cohen; Rita R. Lee
Subject: RE:
Thanks Al. I checked and we have no paperwork on the location or information regarding the complaint. We do have a total of nine alarm responses dating back to 2004. (Note: Remember that the illegal closing was in 2005.)
The cause of the illegal closing was retribution for my repeatedly reporting that City Officials were involved in illegal activities which eventually forced them to stop the Certificate of Occupancy scam which cost them millions. In addition, I had stated deep concerns about the Maritime Park not really going to be a museum, peoples’ park, trellis path, etc. The PNJ refused to print my letters to the editor citing these concerns because as the editor stated to me, they were for the park. I have also reported through the years that Pensacola Advisory Boards (Planning Board, Construction Board, etc.) were composed of members who were in violation of the Florida Statute regarding conflict of interest. They still are. Many decisions of the Planning Board have been illegal – Councilman Bare realized this. Trying to force me to go before an illegal Board when my authorization is valid, seems like more persecution of an elderly widowed grandmother who is a veteran and a law-abiding patriot.
I am again asking that the illegal prohibition of me operating my small legally authorized business be lifted so I can reopen since I have always been in complete compliance with the law.

Reply Mary MeadMarch 4, 2016 at 6:21 pmMr. Hawthorne
Thank you but my late husband and I have already completed this process (on January 11, 2001), and the Pensacola City Council approval is recorded in the http://cityofpensacola.com/ Pensacola online records section under Council Files and is also recorded in the Pensacola City Council Minutes.
We also have the proper Certificate of Occupancy for this operation. We also have kept our business licenses for the City and County current. All City Officials have to do is remove the illegal closure they placed on our property and we can reopen immediately.
How to find the Authorization: (see http://cityofpensacola.com/, city government, sunshine center, search available records, click on “I understand ….” Click on “02 Council Records,” enter 01/11/2001 in the to and from dates and “Mary Mead” in the in the enter keyword space, click find – page 6, third paragraph, second sentence, states, “The meads propose to use the structure for an art gallery, antiques, crafts and functions.”

• Reply George HawthorneMarch 6, 2016 at 7:34 amMs Mead,
  Respectfully, I would offer that a 2001 conditional use approval is just that “conditional” and the “conditions” for approval have changed as the building and fire/safety codes for your proposed uses have changed.
  It seems as if the problem you encountered was because the “events/functions” business became the “primary business operation” instead of the “arts/antiques” retail as proposed.
  An “event facility” is not allowed by code and your property doesn’t have the parking required for such a facility and your neighbors complained that your events’ guests were parking all over the neighborhood.
  I had the exact same problem with a property that my wife operated on Gregory Street and they closed us down because the “event use” was not allowed in a R/NC zoning.
  However, if you have a current occupancy use for these uses and you have a current business license. YOU can OPEN your “arts/antiques retail” business and you will have to make the “functions” portion of your business in conjunction with your arts/antique sales. For example, a function in conjunction with arts/antiques sales (ie, reception, open house, exhibit, artist party, art auction, etc.) should be permitted, however, to advertise/operate the property as an “events venue” open for rental of the property for special events is NOT allowed.
  However, I can guarantee you that the building and fire/safety codes have changed since 2001 and you must comply with these new codes.
  If your position is that you shouldn’t comply then YOU are wrong, because, the public that you are soliciting to come to this “business” must be protected under the law and the CITY would be liable if something happens on that property and you were not in compliance and they knew and did nothing.
  When was the last time you TRIED to open your “arts/antique retail” business and NOT an “events facility”?

Reply Mary MeadMarch 4, 2016 at 3:42 pmMy situation is very simple. My property is officially authorized to operate as an art gallery, antiques, crafts and functions. I want to use my property to operate as an art gallery, antiques, crafts and functions. City Officials illegally closed my business, without due process, on March 19, 2005, and refuse to lift the illegal closing. I want the illegal prohibition City Officials placed on operating my legally authorized business lifted. I want City Officials to stop harassing me and stay out of my business since I have not violated any laws.
City Officials want me to stay illegally closed from now own to punish me for reporting on their illegal actions. All City Officials I have notified of these illegal actions (from Mayor Hayward on down) refuse to lift the illegal prohibition on me operating my business and make false reports to other officials maligning and libeling me to cover up their illegal actions.
Other people want me to lease or sell my property to them for their use.
The bottom line is it’s my property. I want to use my property to display and sell my granddaughter’s art work to help her pay for college. I want to collect, refinish, and sell antiques and pictures. I am authorized to do this, I have successfully done this, and I want to do this in order to earn an income from my investment property. This worked best as a small family owned and operated business and that is what I want.

• Reply George HawthorneMarch 4, 2016 at 4:46 pmMs. Mead,
  Your property is zoned PR-2 North Hill Preservation -Multifamily
  You can use the property for :
  1. Bed and breakfast subject to regulations in section 12-2-55. And you can comply with these regulations with some minimal life/safety upgrades as required for the Certificate of Occupancy Use Change. These are compliance issues to ensure safety of guests that may stay there and ARE required from everyone that operates a business as such.
  “Conditional Uses” permitted (means that you must get Planning and Council approval ) you CAN operate:
  a. Private clubs and lodges except those operated primarily as commercial enterprises.
  b. Office buildings (under five thousand (5,000) square feet).
  c. Antique shops—No outside displays.
  d. Art galleries—No outside displays.
  e. Social services homes/centers.
  f. Boarding and lodging houses.
  g. Childcare facilities subject to regulations in section 12-2-58
  If you want to operate the Art Gallery and Antique Shop you can petition the City to let the conditional uses as allowed above.
  Yes, it is a process and yes they will probably take you through the ringer, however, they will have a hard time denying the conditional use approval, given, the other similar type of conditional use permits approved throughout downtown and North Hill.
  One thing I am sure of, if you were to go through the process, I bet they will try to get this behind them and let you open your facilities.
  However, it would be unreasonable for you to expect them to allow you to open WITHOUT following the required building upgrades to meet current fire/safety and building codes for these type of facilities.

Reply George HawthorneMarch 4, 2016 at 1:41 pmMs. Mead,
I respectfully would suggest that your claims that may be valid (let’s assume are fully valid) the problem is that you have a tort case. Such cases have a “limited life” based upon a statute of limitation for such “tort” claim. Even if you were to include extra time for a claim involving fraud, the statute of limitation for you to file a claim in the courts may have passed.
If this is the case and all you have to “rectify” this wrong is blog posting about the “wrongful actions” with no forum to get redress (clearly this forum can’t resolve your issue), I would respectfully suggest that maybe a “different approach” to this issue may be appropriate.
Back to my suggestion, it is very possible and very legal to lease the property to a bona fide “B&B operator” and then they operate the B&B and pay you money under a lease that would include provisions that let you participate in the profits. Look at the Lee House as an example, Collier Merrill is an “owner” of the business and/or property and I am sure he doesn’t live there.
I think that given the “history” between you and the City, it may be “time” to try to get a deal that works for you and that is within the development code. Clearly, if it is done with transparency the City cannot afford to screw you again.
My point is solely based around the fact that you are getting older and it is only right that you have some peace and happiness … life is too short. Don’t let the “past” consume YOUR “future” and making that ASSET work for YOU.
God Bless and Best Wishes

 

Reply Mary MeadMarch 4, 2016 at 9:38 amMr. Hawthorne
While your intentions are good, your advice does not fit the situation.
My losses are because City officials illegally closed an authorized business, without due process, which was operating in compliance with the law. They could not have closed it with due process because we were in total compliance with the law. It is true that I am defending my property and defending my right to operate as I am legally authorized. The business had operated for over 25 years (including the previous owner) with no complaints and was closed down without due process at the whim of City Officials.
The problem comes from officials refusing to obey and enforce the law not from what kind of business I operate. If they can illegally close down my previous legal business they can illegally close down a B&B whenever they feel like it, legal or not. In addition, I won’t be able to lease it to another and falsely claim that the owner is the operator. My switching businesses won’t solve the problem. Only stopping the corruption will solve the problem.

Reply Mary MeadMarch 3, 2016 at 11:17 pmThere must be some misunderstanding. My situation is not over and done. The Pensacola City Council authorized the use of our property as an “art gallery, antiques, crafts and functions” and this authorization is still alive and well. It has never been officially rescinded by the Pensacola City Council. City Officials are interfering with the legal use of my property by illegally closing my business, without due process, and by illegally keeping it closed down. City Officials made false statements to FDLE and to others as a cover-up to keep us closed down while falsely blaming us for breaking rules. Any local gossip and rumors being spread are false if they say the closing is our fault and I have the documentation to prove it.
We purchased the property because we liked to collect and restore antique furniture, and we liked to collect and reframe art. The thought of having functions appealed to us. Upon purchase, City Officials illegally refused to let us operate and closed us down because they were running the Certificate of Occupancy on change of tenant scam in order to steal many of our historic artifacts, drain our life savings and put us deep in debt. It took me two years to prove that their actions were illegal and, finally, we were allowed to open.
We operated for almost 5 years with no complaints from the City, neighbors or clients. We also won best restored historic property in 2000. City Officials sent a Pensacola Police Officer to illegally close us down again, this time in 2005.
I hate to whine about the second illegal closing, but our family loved participating in the goings on in the beautiful house. We especially miss the use of the art gallery since my granddaughter (in her twenties) is a gifted artist and we would love to be able to display her portraits for income to help her with college expenses (UWF). City Officials have refused to let us use the property as currently authorized; we appear to be banned forever as punishment for pointing out illegal actions.
Mr. Hawthorne stated, “You have consistently, complained about “what happened” instead of utilizing the property for something that fits the “existing and current” code like a B&B.” Unfortunately Mr. Hawthorne is incorrect. I am familiar with municode.com where Pensacola City Ordinances are available online and I am familiar with the requirements for a B&B and I do not qualify and never have. My property does not fit the “existing and current” code but it does meet the requirements for an art gallery, etc. which is currently authorized for that property.
• Sec. 12-2-55. – Bed and breakfast facilities. Modified
(D) Owner occupancy required. No bed and breakfast facility shall be permitted except where the principal building is owner-occupied.
I do not live at our business property but live, for almost 40 years, in the residence my late husband and I built together in 1978. The business property is not owner occupied and does not meet the requirement above. I am not trying to make a point but I am trying to earn an income by operating my business (which I like very much) as I am legally authorized which I think is my constitutional right since it is in compliance with all laws governing the situation.
I have been approached by many people to sell but I don’t want to sell. I have been approached by some who say they can get the prohibition to use my property lifted if I lease to them (Mr. Odom, Mr. Hawthorne, and on and on.) I declined. When the illegal prohibition is lifted, I want to operate my own business as I am legally authorized and as I did successfully before.

• Reply George HawthorneMarch 4, 2016 at 7:14 amMs Mead,
  If I offended you, I apologize. However, my point is still the same in that your losses of income are primarily because you insist on fighting a fight that has been lost to date. And, from then 2005 to now has been 10 years. Clearly, you could have operated this as a B&B or some other ALLOWED business. For example, you could (and still can) lease it to a B&B owner/operator (if you don’t operate it) for a base rent & percentage and made hundreds of thousand of dollars.
  However, as you have noted, every official, agency and governmental group you have contacted has declined your argument. You have never taken it to court and won, and now the statute of limitations has run out on such a case. Furthermore, your property still is vacant and you still have holding expenses and your fight is limited to blog posts to people that aren’t listening nor can help you.
  I truly do feel for your condition and have no doubt that you were “wronged” by the City (it happens all of the time), however, your approach isn’t working and any hopes for civil damages is done. You are now hurting YOU, by continuing to hold on to a “dream” that your are going to re-open as you had operated.
  My suggestion to you (with all good intentions) is that you seek someone that you can trust and start some business operations at this property and make some money in your “golden years.”
  I would truly suggest (as I did when I discussed leasing the property) that you consider opening a B&B (like the Lee House) and operate it with all of the fine antiques and art that you love. You could tell the guests about the history of Pensacola, your love for your husband and your lovely property’s history.
  I am not against you, as I have spoke up, over the years when people have attacked your blog posts. In fact, that is why I sought you out to help you … not to take advantage of you. I do believe your plight, however, my approach to being “wronged” is “tell about the wrong” and “take actions to mitigate the wrong’s effect on my life.”
  Just telling about the wrong and hoping that people care enough to get behind you and support you … just doesn’t work in Pensacola. People here just don’t care about the truth nor do they move to change when the lies are exposed.
  Just look at the apathy about the Mayor and his leadership, integrity and administration. If people don’t care enough about how the City treats them … why would they care about your problem. I am not trying to be mean or insulting to you … I am just giving you the professional advice I would give a client of mine if they were in the same position.,

Reply Mary MeadMarch 3, 2016 at 12:46 pmCity Officials have a long-time policy of defying the United States Constitution since they appear to view Pensacola’s government not as a part of a Republic required to obey the United States of America Constitution but illegally view the government as a servant to a small group of rulers. I have repeatedly reported to City Officials that they are in violation of the Constitution in the illegal closing of my officially authorized business without due process. I have been illegally closed for over 10 years. City Officials had the Police Department send a Police Officer to close our legal business down during a function, verbally, without a single piece of paper, without a hearing and without prior notice. City Officials sadistically used force and bullying to close us down and violated the Constitution which requires due process in this situation. City Officials have repeatedly refused, in writing, in answer to my repeated requests, to permit me to operate my business as authorized by the Pensacola City Council on January 11, 2001 during an official Pensacola City Council meeting and the authorization was properly recorded in online records and in the official minutes.
I have diligently reported this illegal action which has deprived me of any income from my authorized business for over 10 years. Meanwhile the expenses continue. City Officials are trying to force me into bankruptcy and drive me from the City apparently in retaliation for my repeated insistence that City Officials obey the Florida and federal laws which they are required and paid to do. My insistence that they stop the Certificate of Occupancy scam probably cost them millions. City Officials consistently refuse to obey the laws even though they have sworn to under pain of perjury.
I have reported this illegal situation locally to Mayor Ashton Hayward, City Attorney Lysia Bowling, Police Chief Alexander III and they refuse to obey the United States Constitution which they are paid and required to do.
In addition to the illegal actions against me, City Officials are also sadistically harassing others: City Council members, Pensacola Fire Chiefs, Melanie Nichols, and on and on.
I have diligently reported the refusal of these officials to obey Florida Statutes and federal laws to Sheriff Morgan, State Attorney Eddins, FDLE, State Attorney General Bondi and Governor Scott. These Officials appear to fear the small group running Pensacola but don’t fear violating the United States Constitution. None of these individuals have the authority to support enemies of the Constitution but they do. State Attorney Eddins, City Attorney Wells and City employee Sherry Morris even conferred (conspired?) to submit a report of false charges against me to FDLE which FDLE accepted and acted on even though I submitted extensive follow-up evidence to FDLE to show that their claims were, indeed, false. We in Pensacola deserve the protection of the law – both state and federal – instead of continued persecution.

• Reply George HawthorneMarch 3, 2016 at 1:05 pmMary Mead,
  With all due respect, you are wasting your time and resources fighting for something that is OVER and DONE, move on to what you CAN do with your property instead of whining about what they DID to you.
  You have a beautiful property that has been wasted by YOU over the last 10 years. You have consistently, complained about “what happened” instead of utilizing the property for something that fits the “existing and current” code like a B&B.
  YOU have missed out on hundreds of thousands of dollars, “trying to make your point.” They haven’t lost YOU have.
  Make your beautiful property “work” instead of being vacant, unproductive and costing you money for upkeep. You think that this is THEIR problem and mistake … and in reality it is YOUR own actions that have and ARE costing YOU money.

   

Reply George HawthorneMarch 3, 2016 at 7:25 amCharles Bare
Did the Mayor veto the resolution within the timeline for veto? No, he just didn’t act on it.
Clearly, you and the Council do not have the resources, guts nor acumen to wage a “legal” battle against the Mayor.
Get some courage and START a RECALL … and get rid of the Mayor and Olson.
What do you have to lose … your council seat? Stop whining and do something “disruptive and decisive.”
Start a recall petition and get voters to sign it … that is REAL leadership.
Dr. Martin Luther King said, “True leaders are not seekers of consensus, they are molders of consensus.”
Don’t wait for someone to form some committee so you can “jump out front” … “jump out front” and get people to follow.
RECALL