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[[Image:{{Infobox Biography| subject_name =Jeff Bergosh| image_name =JeffBergosh.jpg| image_size =200px| image_caption =| date_of_birth =|rightplace_of_birth =| date_of_death =| place_of_death =| occupation =Escambia County Commissioner for District 1, 2016-present, former[[Escambia County School Board|140pxSchool Board]] Member<br/>Escambia County [[Escambia County School Board District 1|Jeff BergoshDistrict 1]]2006-2016| religion =| spouse =Sally Bergosh| parents =| children =Tori, Nicholas, Brandon}}'''Jeff Bergosh''' is currently the Escambia County Commissioner for District 1. He has served on the Escambia Board of County Commissioners since his election to this board in November of 2016, where he defeated his Democratic opponent in that election by a margin of 69% to 31%. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Board during his first year on the board, and as Chairman of the Board from 2018-2019. During his time on the Board of County Commissioners, he has focused on Economic Development and Job creation as well as managing growth in his community in a more intelligent fashion. He created the first Escambia Youth Commission in 2019, and he has made it a priority to engage the public via monthly coffee meetings as well as frequent town hall meetings. Bergosh is currently a candidate for the Escambia Board of County Commissioner District 1 seat for the 2020 election, where he has two opponents in his race. Prior to his time on the Board of County Commissioners, he was the [[Escambia County School Board]] representative for [[Escambia County School Board District 1|District 1]]. He was elected in [[2006]], filling the seat vacated by his brother [[Gary Bergosh]], who won a [[Circuit Court]] judgeship in the same election. He was re-elected to a judgeshipthe School Board in 2010, defeating two opponents (Luke Keller and Hosea Pittman) in the primary election where Bergosh captured 66% of the vote. Bergosh was elected unopposed in 2014 to the school board. He came under fire in [[2007 ]] for posting controversial comments on the [[pnj.com]] messageboards message boards under the [[Wikipedia:Pseudonym|pseudonym ]] '''Godzilla''' that . His identity was revealed against his wishes in a ''[[Pensacola News Journal|News Journal]]'' story, which cited the website's registration database as proof, sparking discussions of both political and journalistic ethics. "Off the record" conversations between Bergosh and PNJ reporter Sara Rabb were critical also leaked in the "outing" of opponents and complimentary to himselfBergosh. This conduct was rebuked in a subsequent media article on the topic. "<ref>[http://media.www.thevoyager.net/media/storage/paper977/news/2007/10/11/Opinion/Newspapers.Should.Report.Not.Exploit-3035316.shtml "Newspapers should report, not exploit."] ''The Voyager'', October 11, 2007.</ref>
When his brother decided not to seek reelection=="Godzilla" controversy==On [[October 4]], [[2007]], Bergosh said he was asked the ''[[Pensacola News Journal]]'' published an article by reporter [[Escambia County Superintendent|SuperintendentSara Rabb]] that revealed Bergosh had been posting comments on the [[Jim Paulpnj.com]] to seek forums under the officepseudonym "[[Wikipedia:Godzilla|Godzilla]].<ref name="lookingoutRabb purportedly noticed that "Godzilla's"/> He posts were similar to the views expressed by Bergosh at School Board meetings, and she was elected able to confirm with the website's administrator that Bergosh's personal email address had indeed been used to register the account. Rabb requested an interview with Bergosh on [[September 5October 2]], [[20062007]] , to discuss teacher salaries and merit pay. At the interview, Rabb confronted Bergosh with 5her findings and indicated that the ''News Journal'' wanted to run a story on the pseudonym. Bergosh admitted he was Godzilla during the interview, but then issued an official statement "unequivocally denying" the alter-ego.<ref name="whois">"Who is schools' 'Godzilla?'" ''Pensacola News Journal'',110 votes — about twice as many as his closest rivalOctober 4, 2007.</ref> He has claimed this initial admission was made to Rabb "[[Todd LeonardWikipedia:Journalism sourcing#Using confidential information|off the record]]."<ref>"Escambia County School Board[http://www.inweekly.net/article." asp?artID=5842 Bergosh Is Godzilla], ''Pensacola Independent News Journal'', September 6October 11, 20062007.</ref> Bergosh officially confirmed the online identity during an [[October 8]] "[[IN Your Head Radio]]" interview on [[AM 1620]].<ref>[http://ricksblog.biz/?p=2490 Bergosh=Godzilla]</ref>
=="Godzilla" scandal==On [[October 4]], [[2007]], the Bergosh was criticized in subsequent ''[[Pensacola News Journal]]'' published an article by reporter editorials for a number of the comments he made as Godzilla, which included:*a claim that schools in the lower-income [[Sara RabbEscambia County District 3|District 3]] were a statistical "drag" on the district's performance. *a suggestion that revealed Bergosh had been posting comments on [[pnjgovernments should "do away with compulsory education beyond grade 8.com]] under … Build more prisons and get ready for the influx, but let's keep school a positive environment for students who WANT to come to school!!"<ref name="whois"/>*criticism of teachers' unions for "roadblocking districts every step of the pseudonym way"in a debate over teacher merit pay. In the same debate, Bergosh (as Godzilla) complimented himself in the [[Wikipedia:GodzillaThird-person narrative|Godzillathird person]].: " Confronted by Rabb, I know we can count on Board member Bergosh denied being Godzillato be there and vote to keep the bonus money here in Pensacola. Facing the fact that the PNJ had utilized their own internal IT information I know he is not going to learn the true identity of Godzillagenuflect, an "off bow down and kiss the record" admission was given to Rabb. Against Bergosh's wishesunion ring, Rabb and give the PNJ ran with the story and were criticized heavily for doing so. union what they want."<ref name="whois"/>"Who is schools' 'When the School Board voted 4-1 against the existing merit pay plan, Godzilla?'said he could hear their " ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 4, 2007spines breaking in unison."</ref> He finally confirmed the online identity during an [[October 8]] name="[[IN Your Head Radio]]outing" interview on [[AM 1620]].<ref>[http://ricksblogwww.cjr.bizorg/?p=2490 Bergosh=behind_the_news/outing_godzilla.php Outing Godzilla: An Internet crack in the Chinese wall.]''Columbia Journalism Review'', October 16, 2007.</ref>
Bergosh accused the The ''News Journal'' 's decision to share details of "outing" his identity on what he had believed their website registration database with the editorial staff was a safe outlet for anonymous opinion: "When criticized by many members of the [[pnj.com]] forums and by other publications. According to the [[UWF]] ''Pensacola News Journal[[Voyager]]'' created an anonymous forum, encouraging "A bias was inherent in that story — the use of pseudonyms, as bias to let people take down their guards and speaking in a frank manner regarding political ideas and thoughts, I jumped at the opportunitysell more newspapers."<ref name="statement">[http://ricksblogmedia.www.thevoyager.biznet/wp-contentmedia/storage/paper977/uploadsnews/2007/10/jeff11/Opinion/Newspapers.Should.Report.Not.Exploit-bergosh3035316.pdf Statement by Bergosh regarding Godzillashtml "Newspapers should report, not exploit."]''The Voyager'', October 11, 2007.</ref> The publication pointed out that their websiteonline editor for the ''[[Northwest Florida Daily News]]''s terms of use reserved "decried the right to identify you exposé as the author of any of your postings or submissions by name, email address or screen name, as we deem appropriate"bush league."<ref>[http://www.pnjnwfdailynews.com/appsblog/pbcs.dllpost/theOnlineEditor/section?Category=TERMS pnj.com Terms of Use]<746/ref> Bergosh asserted that he "never divulged any 'inComments-house' secrets or committed ANY crime" and that the left-leaning newspaper had engaged in "[[Wikipedia:yellow journalism|yellow journalismAnonymity Comments and Anonymity]]" as retribution for his conservative opinions, prompting him to "fight for my right to freedom of speechOctober 9, 2007."</ref name="statement"/>
→Initiatives and Projects Implemented as School Board Member-2006-2016
Bergosh and his wife Sally have three children: Tori, Nicholas and Brandon.
==Education & career==
Bergosh received is a 1986 graduate of [[Pensacola High School]]. After high school, he moved out west to attend college, earning an associates Associates of arts Arts degree from Grossmont College (El Cajon, California) in 1990 and a B.A. from San Diego State University in 1994. Bergosh has earned a Master of Science in Administration from the University of West Florida. Before entering politics, Bergosh had a ten-year career as a retail business operator and facilities management specialist, including about 1 1/2 years working at [[Naval Air Station Pensacola]].<ref name="lookingout">"District 1 candidates looking out for students." ''Pensacola News Journal'', August 18, 2006.</ref>When his brother decided not to seek reelection, Bergosh said he was asked by [[Escambia County Superintendent|Superintendent]] [[Jim Paul]] to seek the office.<ref name="lookingout"/> He was elected on [[September 5]], [[2006]] with 5,110 votes — about twice as many as his closest rival, [[Todd Leonard]].<ref>"Escambia County School Board." ''Pensacola News Journal'', September 6, 2006.</ref> ==Initiatives and Projects Implemented as County Commissioner 2016-2020== {| class="wikitable"|-! Initiatives and Projects Implemented as County Commissioner 2016-2020|-| Restrooms at [[Beulah Park]] || Completed|-| Traffic light at [[Beulah Road]] and [[Mobile Hwy]] || Completed|-| [[Mitchell Avenue]] Sidewalks in [[Avondale]] || Completed|-| Drainage improvements and Sidewalks project on [[Merlin Road]] || Completed|-| 4-lane and sidewalk addition for [[Longleaf Drive]] from [[Pine Forest Road]] to [[Wymart Road]] || funded and currently at 60% design|-| $2.5 Million in Restore Act funding for District 1 Boat Ramp and park on [[Perdido Bay]] || Requested|-| $1.5 Million in D1 Restore Act funds utilized to help bring the $230 Million ST Engineering Aerospace expansion to Escambia County--1300 new jobs projected, || In progress|-| Acquisition of OLF8 in Beulah to be utilized to create mixed-use development and amenities for the Beulah community and an additional 300 jobs at Navy Federal Credit Union || In progress|-| Turn Lane at [[Woodside Avenue]] || Completed|-| Wilde Lake at Pine Forest Intersection improvements || Completed|-| [[Hwy 98]] resurfacing || Completed [[2018]]|-| [[Muldoon Road]] resurfacing || Completed [[2018]]|-| [[Mobile Hwy]] safety improvements, in Design [[2021]] || completion anticipated [[2022]]|-| 4-lane [[9-Mile Road]] with sidewalks and bike lane || Completed by Summer 2020|-| [[Bellview Park]] upgrades including new scoreboard || Completed [[2019]]|-|NW D1 Advisory committee for intelligent growth in [[Beulah]] || established [[2018]]|-|Escambia Youth Commission initiative || Approved and Established [[2019]]|-|District 1's first public library || funded and under construction Fall [[2020]]|-|[[Beulah Fire Station]] remodel || fully funded and under design Summer [[2020]] by Townes+Architects|-|4-Year pay plan for [[Escambia County Deputy Sheriff's Department]] || mediated and implemented [[2018]]|} ==Initiatives and Projects Implemented as School Board Member-2006-2016== *Implementation of a Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Hotline - Independently run *District-run health clinic November, 2010. This first of its kind in Escambia County Schools*Implementation of a multi-faceted Drug Eradication Strategy -- this includes canine searches and drug testing students that participate in extracurricular *Video Recording of all workshops and meetings of the School Board *School Board "web-presence" on the district's new web page. After a 16 month series of delays, the School Board's web page was put up in [[2011]] to increase transparency.*Addition of a Safe Harbor Provision in the District Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, as a balance to zero tolerance. This initiative to provide students and parents an additional layer of due process protections was implemented over extensive protests by district staff and administrators*Participation of the Escambia County School District in the MAP (Merit Award Program), a statewide teacher performance pay program to reward great teachers and grow student achievement. *Expansion of music programs at the secondary level, with the addition of a new High School Band at [[West Florida High School]] beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.*Initiation of the Establishment of a University Lab School in Partnership with the [[University of West Florida]]. School opened 2010-2011 school year.*Acceleration of closure and consolidation process to correct district inefficiencies.
===Reaction & aftermath===Bergosh was criticized for a number accused the ''News Journal'' of the comments he made as Godzilla. Among his posts were claims that schools in the predominantly black [[Escambia County District 3|District 3]] were a "dragouting" his identity on the rest of the system, and what he suggested that governments should "do away with compulsory education beyond grade 8. … Build more prisons and get ready for the influx, but let's keep school a positive environment for students who WANT to come to school!!"<ref name="whois"/> He had believed was critical of teachers' unions for "roadblocking districts every step of the way" and even praised himself in the third person during a debate over merit pay safe outlet for teachersanonymous opinion: "I know we can count on Board member Bergosh to be there and vote to keep When the bonus money here in ''Pensacola. I know he is not going News Journal'' created an anonymous forum, encouraging the use of pseudonyms, as to genuflect, bow let people take down their guards and speaking in a frank manner regarding political ideas and kiss the union ringthoughts, and give I jumped at the union what they wantopportunity."<ref name="whoisstatement">[http://ricksblog.biz/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/jeff-bergosh.pdf Statement by Bergosh regarding Godzilla]</ref> When The publication pointed out that their website's current terms of use reserved "the School Board voted 4-1 against right to identify you as the existing merit pay planauthor of any of your postings or submissions by name, email address or screen name, as we deem appropriate, Godzilla said he could hear their "spines breaking in unison."<ref name="outing">[http://www.cjrpnj.orgcom/behind_the_newsapps/outing_godzillapbcs.php Outing Godzilla: An Internet crack in the Chinese walldll/section?Category=TERMS pnj.com Terms of Use] </ref> although this policy may have been altered since Bergosh initially registered.{{fact}} Bergosh asserted that he "never divulged any 'in-house'Columbia Journalism Review''secrets or committed ANY crime" and that the left-leaning newspaper had engaged in "[[Wikipedia:yellow journalism|yellow journalism]]" as retribution for his conservative opinions, October 16, 2007prompting him to "fight for my right to freedom of speech."<ref name="statement"/ref>
[[Image:BergoshPNJCartoon.jpg|thumb|right|[[Andy Marlette]]'s cartoon & winning caption]]
[[Image:BergoshSchneiderCartoon.jpg|thumb|right|Bergosh's cartoon response]]
Hostilities continued when the ''News Journal'' held a contest asking readers to submit captions for a cartoon of Bergosh wearing a Godzilla costume. (The winning caption said, "All the School Board costumes were taken!"<ref>[http://pnj.com/graphics/opinion/cartoon_101407_winner.jpg Final cartoon]</ref>) Bergosh countered by offering alternate captions critical of the newspaper's online policy (for example, "Deception <u>is</u> at the core of '<u>anonymous</u>' blogs!!"<ref>[http://jeffbergosh.net/cartoons.html Bergosh's parody cartoons]</ref>) and drawing a caricature of editor [[Dick Schneider]]:
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
[[Category:Escambia County School Board members|Bergosh, Jeff]] [[Category:Pensacola High School graduates|Bergosh, Jeff]]
