Councilman Gerald Wingate sitting in Council Chamber

City of Pensacola Mourns the Loss of Councilman Wingate

The City of Pensacola is mourning the loss of Councilman Gerald Wingate, who passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 73. Councilman Wingate was elected to represent District 5 in 2012, serving as City Council President from 2017-18 and City Council Vice President from 2016-17.

Mayor Grover Robinson and the City of Pensacola offer their sincere condolences to the family during this difficult time, and City Hall has lowered the flags to half-staff in honor and memory of Councilman Wingate.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Councilman Wingate, who was a devoted public servant, father, husband and community leader," Mayor Robinson said. "We know his legacy will continue to live on in the city of Pensacola and beyond. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to grieve their loss."

Gerald Wingate with P.C. Wu and Charles Bare

Councilman Wingate represented the City Council on the Juvenile Justice Council and the Florida/Alabama Transportation Planning Organization.

A native of Pensacola, Councilman Wingate graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida. He served his country for 25 years as an Army Officer and retired from the paper industry with 40 years of management experience. He also worked as a realtor with Main Street Properties.

He is survived by his wife Betsie Wingate and their five children, along with numerous other family members and friends.

Today is City Hall Selfie Day!

Grab your selfie stick and come visit your nearest government building because City Hall Selfie Day is here.

Participating is easy. All you have to do is visit City Hall or any government building, snap a photo of yourself or your group and post the photo to social media using the hashtag #CityHallSelfie so everyone can see.

Let's show them what Pensacola has to offer! Visit the Facebook event page and RSVP.

New York Times Features Pensacola in Vacation Article

The headline simply reads "White Sand, Clear Water."

In an article by the New York Times, Pensacola was highlighted as one of the several places in the Florida Panhandle where many families all over the United States go for a beach vacation "with a Southern accent."

Pensacola was featured for the National Naval Aviation Museum as well as being home to the famous Blue Angels.

Other areas covered in the article were Destin and Seaside.

Boots to Business Reboot Program Teaches about Starting or Growing a Veteran-Owned Business

Registration is underway for Boots to Business Reboot with the U.S. Small Business Administration, an entrepreneurship training program for veterans and their spouses interested in learning about starting or growing a veteran-owned business.

The program will take place Thursday, Aug. 22 and Friday, Aug. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the fourth floor of Pensacola City Hall, 222 W. Main St.

Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration website to register for the Boots to Business Reboot program.

The course is open to veterans of all eras, active duty service members including National Guard and Reserve, and their spouses.

Read the press release to learn more about the program.

Boots to Business Reboot: Starting or Growing a Veteran-Owned Business

Gull Point Resource Center Offers Women's Self Defense

The City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department has teamed up with Higher Self Fitness to offer a Women's Self Defense class at Gull Point Resource Center.

Participants can choose between a Tuesday or Thursday night class beginning Tuesday, Aug. 20. Classes run until Thursday, Oct. 24. Both classes are scheduled 7-8 p.m. The class is free.

Gull Point Resource Center is located at 7000 Spanish Trail.

Reminder: National Senior Citizens Day is Aug. 21

flier celebrating national senior citizens day

Save the Date, 5-2-1-0 Day of Play is Coming Sept. 14

Mark your calendars for Sept. 14 and come play with us at the 5-2-1-0 Day of Play at Community Maritime Park!

The City of Pensacola has teamed up with the Florida Department of Health and the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Escambia program for a day of fun activities and learning about healthy lifestyles from community sports and fitness partners and heath organizations.

The best part? Admission is free!

So, what does 5-2-1-0 mean? It is a guide for a child's healthy lifestyle. Five is the number of fruit and vegetable servings they should eat every day. Two is the maximum number of hours children should spend looking at a screen. One is the minimum number of hours children should be active each day. Zero is the goal for sugar-sweetened drinks.

Learn more on our website PlayPensacola.com.

INSTAGRAM: Photo of the Week

Be sure to tag us using @cityofpensacola so we see your pic!

Photo Credit: @j.backpacker