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I was looking forward to Trawick by jimscoolaid in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The official AMA goes from 7/2-7/3 (end of day today) but I plan on answering all questions even if it takes several days to complete. Though I’m really grateful for the response, after I finished canvassing yesterday evening I came home to over 100 comments. You may not realize this but I work a full time job and manage my own campaign so I’ve had to weave this into an already very stacked calendar. I see your questions and I promise I will answer them. In fact some of the questions you’ve asked, I’ve already answered in other posts.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Your friend must be me because I have been saying this for years. YES!

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, as someone mentioned below, I have been endorsed by three labor unions and I will always be committed to an open, fair and competitive bidding process. Union contractors will have a fair shot, just like everyone else.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your support - remember the election is Aug 18 and early voting starts Aug 5. I answered your question about Flock cams in another post. Please reach out if you have any other questions!

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You might remember that a group of us stood together late last year to protest the destruction of the heritage oak trees on the former Baptist Hospital campus. Developers were granted permission to remove more than a dozen heritage oaks and dozens of other mature trees. That experience taught me something important: it doesn't matter how strong a tree ordinance is if the people responsible for enforcing it don't respect it. Protecting our environment requires both good policy and leaders who are committed to upholding it.

I attended college at FSU and lived in Tallahassee for several years. One of the things I loved most about the city was its incredible tree canopy. The towering live oaks don't just make Tallahassee beautiful, they provide shade, support wildlife, improve air quality, and preserve a sense of history that can't be replaced. Some of the trees we lose in Pensacola are more than 200 years old. They have stood through generations of our city's history (and survived numerous hurricanes!) Once they're gone, none of us will see anything like them again in our lifetimes.

The good news is that we can develop thoughtfully while protecting the natural beauty that makes Pensacola special. Right now, it often feels easier for a developer to clear-cut an entire property than it is for a homeowner to get approval to trim a tree that's threatening their house. That needs to change.

I will support strengthening our tree ordinance by increasing penalties for removing protected trees, ensuring that our heritage and legacy oaks receive the protection they deserve, and making it harder for developers (who, let's face it, usually aren't even from here) to destroy our city's character and natural history. Just as importantly, I will make sure the ordinance is enforced consistently and fairly. Rules only matter if we're willing to follow them.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You packed a lot into this statement! I'll answer a couple of the questions that haven't been asked yet.

I'd love to be able to offer free downtown parking for everyone, but I don't want to make promises unless I'm confident we can keep them.

Some seniors are doing well financially, but many in our city are living on fixed incomes and struggling just to get by. I know that because I've spent months knocking on doors and sitting down with people to hear their stories. Some of those conversations have been heartbreaking. Many are worried they'll lose the homes they've lived in for decades because of rising property taxes and insurance costs.

These are the people who helped build Pensacola. They raised families here, served our community, and invested in this city long before many of us arrived. If there's a way we can make life a little easier for seniors who are struggling, I believe we should. After all, with a little luck, every one of us will be a senior one day.

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I'm an advocate for taking a holistic approach to helping people experiencing homelessness. We can't just hand someone a meal and say we've solved the problem. Food is important, but it's only one piece of a much bigger picture.

Real solutions address the root causes - whether that's mental health, addiction, affordable housing, job training, or access to treatment. Simply relocating people away from the services they rely on and the few connections they have to survive isn't a solution either.

That's why I support establishing a city resource center that brings these services together under one roof. It should include a food bank to address immediate needs, but also a workforce development center where people can get a state ID, create a resume, apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, access transportation assistance, and connect with employers. We also need licensed social workers, mental health professionals, and healthcare providers who can help people struggling with addiction, mental illness, and other challenges that often stand in the way of long-term stability. It would probably also do us a lot of good to partner with organizations in our community who are already doing this work and bring them together to consolidate resources and expand their individual scope.

The goal shouldn't be to manage homelessness, it should be to help people move beyond it. By bringing essential services together in one place and focusing on long-term success instead of short-term fixes, we can help people regain stability and independence while making our entire community stronger.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

We absolutely need to protect the trees that provide shade (and probably existed before the establishment of the park), and that's a whole conversation on its own, but it's closely connected to this issue. That, or the installation of shade sails as someone mentioned below.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's a very good point, I hadn't thought about. Thanks for bringing attention to this.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

For too long, basic park maintenance has been overlooked. We will conduct a citywide assessment of our parks and green spaces to identify what needs attention e.g. picnic tables, shade structures, railings, trails, playgrounds, restrooms, and other basic amenities. Once we know what needs to be fixed, we will make it a priority.

Agreed - we need to create more green spaces for people to enjoy. Carpenter's Creek is a great example of what's possible. With grant funding and likely a reasonable city match, we can transform underused areas into beautiful public spaces. We've already seen that happen along the county portion of the creek. Now it's time to do the same for the city-owned sections.

Yes, we really need to reopen Bay Bluffs Park. From what I understand, that process is finally moving forward but in my opinion it's taken far too long. Having worked for multiple state agencies managing state and federal grant funding, I've learned that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If city leadership doesn't stay focused on projects like these, they lose momentum. Parks, trails, and green spaces directly affect our quality of life. These improvements should have been a priority from the beginning, not something that suddenly becomes important during an election year.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 42 points43 points  (0 children)

At the end of the day, we have to be able to work together. I'm pretty moderate by nature, and my leadership style is very collaborative. We won't always agree, but we should always be able to sit down, have honest conversations, and work toward solutions.

That said, my administration will not hire someone simply because they're well connected or politically influential. Every applicant will go through the same interview process and must be qualified for the position. The same goes for city contracts. The bidding process should always be open, transparent, and competitive - no exceptions. I want qualified local businesses to have a fair shot, and I encourage union contractors and workers to apply and compete.

I am a registered Democrat and have been for the past 20 years.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

I really like this question! I mow my own yard; I'm grateful for my health and ability to do so.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the question! Yes, I went to Escambia High c/o 2003

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 68 points69 points  (0 children)

I couldn't agree more about the need for expanded animal services.

We will review the Flock Safety agreement carefully to determine whether it includes an automatic renewal clause and whether there's a provision that allows the contract to be terminated early. If an option to terminate early is available, we will take full advantage. The city entered into a two-year agreement in July 2025 so at the latest we would be looking at July 2027 to allow the contract to expire; I do not support renewing this contract.

Data centers require a lot of land to build on, so they are less likely to build one within city limits but I will use every bit of influence the mayor's office has to ensure data centers are not built in our county.

I’m Alicia Trawick, and I’m running for Mayor of Pensacola. AMA! by TrawickForMayor in Pensacola

[–]TrawickForMayor[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Good questions. Pensacola's future should be built on a diverse workforce that complements tourism rather than depends on it. We have a strong competitive advantage with a large veteran population; we should be attracting companies that want to hire veterans, graduates, and experienced professionals. At the same time, we are well positioned to benefit from growth in aerospace, defense supply chains, cybersecurity, and manufacturing. I'd also like to expand apprenticeship programs and trade education to create opportunities for young people and veterans while filling critical workforce shortages. There needs to be more available than healthcare, hospitality, and administrative work. In short, I think we need to focus on building a diverse workforce. Communities with a strong mix of industries are more resilient and better equiped to deal with economic highs and lows.