C.J. Lewis
The Better Pensacola Forum conducted a Pensacola Mayoral Leadership Benchmark Survey in March 2010. The key question in the survey was, “In your own words, what is the most important quality for the new Mayor to have?” The highest percentage of respondents said, “Honesty, Integrity, Character.” Retired Navy Captain Ferd Saloman is running for State Representative Greg Evers’ District 1 seat. Saloman was recently quoted in the Pensacola News Journal, “People are tired of politics as usual and want candidates with character and integrity.” In 14 words Saloman unwittingly captured the essence of the city’s mayoral election. The candidates “are” the issue.
Incumbent Mayor Mike Wiggins, first-term Councilwoman Diane Mack and City Hall Outsider Charles Bare are all “open books.” Each has strengths and weaknesses and all could do the job. They’d each do it very differently. Winston Churchill once described Russia as “an enigma wrapped in a riddle shrouded by mystery.” His meaning was that there were a lot of hidden things about Russia that didn’t make much sense. That seems a good description of the fourth candidate Ashton Hayward III. The media refuses to “look under his hood.” They’ve all but anointed him the winner. He now wears an air of inevitability with his sense of entitlement.
Several months ago I began analyzing the city’s new “form” of government and studying the candidate’s backgrounds and qualifications. I’d been a candidate in the 2008 mayoral race and have kept my finger on the pulse of the electorate. When I got to Hayward I stumbled upon information about a 1990 arrest. I provided what I knew to Pensacola News Journal publisher Kevin Doyle. It seemed like an important aspect of Hayward’s past the public deserved to know about. When nothing happened I dug a little deeper. In the following pages I present facts I’ve learned about Hayward and some hyperlinks to key documents. I’ve barely scratched the surface trying to find the "real" Hayward. Any corrections, updates or leads can be sent to: FindingAshtonHayward@gmail.com.
Hayward graduated from Florida State University (FSU) in December 1993. His official campaign biography boasts that after graduation “opportunity came knocking so I moved to New York City.” That’s true in a roundabout way. Hayward graduated from Catholic High School in 1987. I think it took Hayward 6 years and 7 months to earn a college degree. At some point he dropped out of FSU and moved to Miami for a while to become a fashion model. He met his future wife An in Miami, returned to FSU and earned his B.S. Political Science degree. In 1994 they moved to New York City.
The Pensacola News Journal mentions Hayward and his modeling career it in A Model Life published February 13, 2003, “An and Ashton Hayward met in Miami when they were both models.” You can read it on microfilm at the old Tryon Library. The story was mostly about Hayward’s wife An described as a “Belgium-born bombshell” and “physically flawless.” Born An Maria Aerts her Facebook entry describes Antwerp, Belgium as her hometown and Pensacola, Florida as her current city. The Haywards were married in 1996 and moved here in 2004. Friends say she’s the smarter and more industrious partner in the Hayward marriage. Friends give her most of the credit for her husband’s successful petition signature drive. She may be the campaign’s “Field Marshall.” She’s probably the family breadwinner. As an international fashion model there might be a practical reason An has never become a city voter. Friends tell me she’s a Belgium citizen.
Hayward’s case for being elected mayor rests almost entirely on his self-described “success” in business. No one in the media has challenged his claims of greatness. Pensacola News Journal Business Editor Carlton Proctor’s kid glove candidate profile Political rookie Hayward makes strong move for Pensacola mayor was a “puff piece” quoting testimonials from Hayward’s business partner in Tennessee and campaign backers. The daily newspaper has been very kind to Hayward. His uncle J.D. Hayward dates Managing Editor Ginny Graybiel. His campaign contributor Dee Dee Ritchie likes to mention him in her “Page 3 Mingle” cocktail society column. He even got his own flattering Andy Marlette cartoon. As recently as August 20 a Letter to the Editor was published from Hayward’s Campaign Treasurer David Penzone. Penzone wasn’t made to disclose he’s working for Hayward. Penzone lives over by the Pensacola County Club and blogged on Hayward’s Facebook page March 25, “Great news for the city and people of Pensacola.” On April 15 Penzone gave Hayward a $500 campaign contribution.
Pensacola News Journal columnist Mark O’Brien has called the strikes and balls fairly when Hayward stands at the plate during public events. A local politician can have no better friend or worse enemy than O’Brien who calls them as he sees them. O’Brien’s July 26 blog post Political rookie sounds unconvincing captured the essence of Hayward’s underwhelming performances as best exemplified before the Escambia Federated Republican Women’s Club. It was the most brutally honest assessment of Hayward I’ve seen in print, or at least on the Internet. O’Brien said Hayward sounded more political than the politicians. Hayward’s set-piece answers to too many questions like Annexation, Pensacola Promise, the Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, etc. can be paraphrased as, “Once elected I’ll look into these issues.” That’s the politician’s equivalent of, “Trust me; the check is in the mail.” Hayward also likes to use nonsensical phrases like "start thinking outside the box" and "game changer."
Hayward repeated his lackluster performance before the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce on August 4 in a fast-paced debate hosted by Independent News publisher/editor Rick Outzen. My wife Yvonne and I and some neighbors and friends were in the audience. It was the first time I’d heard Hayward speak under pressure. We all scored it Bare, Wiggins, Mack and Hayward dead last. A friend and city voter driving back from Birmingham listened to the debate on News Radio 1620 and scored it this way in an e-mail sent to me the next morning, “Hayward came across as babbling idiot. Wiggins a politician, Mack a pompous ass, as for Bare -- he beat them all down.” Yvonne and I scored the next night’s August 5 WSRE debate Wiggins first, Bare a close second, Mack third and Hayward again a distant fourth. Hayward was noteworthy in his too casual demeanor not wearing a tie like the other male candidates.
Hayward’s LinkedIn professional relationships profile shows his corporate experience is limited to sales and marketing. He oddly misspelled “Advertising” as “Advertiesing” in his own entry. He has attention to detail issues. He even misspelled his own first name on his campaign signs in the small print. Former Financial Times Managing Director Stuart Arnold who left the company in 2002 managed Hayward “indirectly” and says he was “one of our top sales people” and his “customers loved him and he was very easy to work with.” He had “excellent” sales result. In his Progressive Pensacola candidate profile Hayward brags, “I don’t know that any of my opponents have worked on a level where you’re managing hundreds of employees and multi-million dollar accounts. I’ve grown businesses, I’ve grown departments. I’ve been successful in the corporate arena and as an entrepreneur.”
Hayward says he was the “Ad Director” in the Financial Times' New York office between 2000 and 2003. I’ve found Financial Times references to him as an “Account Executive” and as “Manager, National Accounts.” At the Financial Times Hayward says he “managed accounts for major financial institutions, and also helped major clients navigate what was then the new world of online advertising.” I’ve spoken with people at the Financial Times who remember Hayward. When I ask about his “managing hundreds of employees” I get a pregnant pause and an offer to be transferred to Human Resources. At AT&T Mobility between 1994 and 1999 Hayward was a “Global Accounts Manager.”
It seems more likely Hayward has experience “managing hundreds of accounts,” some of which were multi-million dollar accounts. If he’d served in the military like Wiggins and Bare he might have gained experience “managing hundreds of employees.” However, I doubt Hayward could have been commissioned as an officer. Officers are granted “special trust and confidence” and held to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. An officer’s word is their bond. Hayward’s word isn’t worth much.
Hayward is the only candidate arrested on three felony charges. As far as I know he’s the only mayoral candidate ever arrested. Supporters have dismissed this “incident” as a youthful prank as if he got “busted” in a bar using a fake Vermont Driver’s License bought for $50 in the back of a comic book store. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has Hayward’s mug shot and original arrest report that are public records available at no charge. The Criminal Case file (90-1840-K) is available on microfiche at the courthouse for public review. On May 30, 1989 Hayward walked into the old Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles state driver license officer on West Fairfield Drive masquerading as “Christopher M. Barone.”
Barone is a 1989 graduate of FSU who sells real estate in Kansas. Barone and both Hayward’s are Facebook Friends. Hayward was 20 when he committed the crime and 21 when arrested. Hayward presented documentation in Barone’s name and swore under oath to the Examiner that he was “Christopher M. Barone.” Hayward had his picture taken for a second driver’s license. A keen-eyed Examiner noticed a discrepancy with Barone’s signature and summoned a Supervisor. Barone (Hayward) was asked to step into the Supervisor’s office. Hayward refused to comply and fled.
I don’t yet know how they caught Hayward but they had his picture and handwriting sample though in the name of Christopher M. Barone. A warrant was later issued for Hayward’s arrest and 321 days after the crime he was taken into custody on April 16, 1990. I found no mention of the arrest in the Pensacola News Journal. Hayward was charged with 1) Driver’s License Fraud; 2) Obstruction by Disguise; and 3) Perjury. Hayward pled “Not Guilty.” After multiple trial dates were set and delayed Hayward’s attorney struck a deal with the State Attorney’s Office.
Hayward was fortunate in being rich, white and having prominent parents. In a Pre-Trial Intervention Deferred Prosecution Agreement the charges were knocked down to one count of Driver’s License Fraud. The gentle justice meted out to Hayward included requiring him to stay out of trouble with the law for 180 days, paying $40 a month to the Florida Department of Corrections for his weekly supervision and complete 25 hours of community service. The State Attorney’s Office then exercised its discretion to not prosecute a very relieved Hayward.
The campaign story of Hayward’s great personal success as an “individual businessman” is mostly a myth. Florida Department of Corporations records show Hayward is actively involved in three corporations. He has not disclosed to voters his involvement in Redfish Harbor, LLC (2004 to present) and East Gregory, LLC (2006 to present). Redfish Harbor’s projects reportedly included an $80 million, 244-unit condominium development called Shelter Cove of Perdido that never got off the ground. On March 8 Hayward appeared before the Escambia County Planning Board on behalf of Redfish Harbor in a rezoning case involving 30.47 acres at Innerarity Point. Hayward’s campaign Statement of Financial Interests form indicates he owns property located at “1300 Innerarity Road.” Hayward is listed as a current corporate officer along with Matt Pair of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, W. Allan Bell of Gulf Breeze and Cody Rawson of Cantonment. Allan and Stephanie Bell have contributed a total of $400 to Hayward’s campaign.
Old business ventures are usually old news. Hayward’s past corporate track record is relevant because it establishes that everything he touches does not turn to gold as he wants us to believe. His record shows past involvement in three now inactive corporations: Bell Pair Hayward, LLC (2003 to 2006), MPJ Properties, Inc. (2004 to 2006) and EPH Development, LLC (2005 to 2006). Bell Pair Hayward was merged into Pair & Hayward Properties, Inc. Hayward was once an Owner [top center picture with swimsuit designer Ashley Paige] and Vice President of Marketing & Business Development of the now defunct World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAAMA). LRS Marketing, Inc was merged into the WAAMA in January 2008. WAAMA was active from August 2007 to only April 2008. It reportedly folded due to a lack of advertising revenues. Advertising revenues would have been Hayward’s “department.”
The status of Hayward’s primary business Pair & Hayward Properties based out of his house is “murky.” Hayward owns a half interest with his childhood friend Matt Pair. Hayward’s first venture into local real estate investing was in 1998. Pair and Hayward’s first real estate investment together was in 2000. Pair & Hayward Properties put Pair’s 52 Port Royal Way home on the market in February 2009. The property bought for $700,000 in 2006 was sold in 2010 for $599,000. The Pair & Hayward Properties corporate address was shifted to Hayward’s home in March 2009. A recent Independent News profile says of Hayward, “Today he owns a real estate company he runs with his wife.” Regardless of An’s corporate duties she is not a real estate professional. In 2008 Hayward was deleted as an officer of the corporation. The 2010 annual report filed in May describes Hayward as “Manager.”
In early 2009 Pair moved to Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. Pair then gave Hayward's home address as his current mailing address to Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). It remains so to this day. Pair’s real estate broker’s license became involuntarily “inactive” effective March 31, 2009. On August 23 Pair's record was updated to reflect that his license is now "active." As best I can tell looking at the record Pair has never provided DBPR with his mailing address in Tennessee or changed his Florida realtor status to “non-resident.” Pair failed to report his 2003 DUI arrest and Reckless Driving adjudication of guilty to the DBPR.
The DBPR has three entries for Pair & Hayward Properties, Inc. The first entry reads, “License Authority Voided, 03/31/2009.” The license location address given is 226 S. Palafox Place #202, Pensacola, FL 32402. This is where Pair & Hayward said the business was physically located. The address is now occupied by the law firm of Litvak Beasley & Wilson, LLP. Kramer A. Litvak incorporated Pair & Hayward Properties, Inc. in 2003. Another address found in corporate records is 223 West Gregory Street. The second entry reads, “Null and Void, 03/31/2009.” The license number was changed from CQ1015917 to CQ1033474. The main address was changed to Hayward's home at 1708 Osceola Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32503. Up until August 23 a third entry read, “Application in Progress.” The record now reads that the status is up to date.
Hayward failed to report his 1990 arrest and Deferred Prosecution Agreement to the DBPR when originally applying for his realtor’s license. Hayward’s sales associate license became involuntarily “inactive” effect September 30, 2009. Hayward has now taken care of the paperwork to make his license "active" and it reflects so as of August 23. However, until last week Hayward was the listing agent for a property at 1005 Harbourview Circle (MLS #385765). It’s near the Pensacola County Club and on the market for $800,000. It's unclear how Hayward could not know his license was inactive. Because his license is tied to Pair's he may have had a problem for more than 16 months.
On August 17 I contacted the Pensacola Association of Realtors Executive Director Chuck Michaels to clarify Hayward’s status as a real estate professional. Michaels said he terminated Pair & Hayward Properties' access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) within five minutes. I have no idea what disciplinary action the association intends to initiate against Hayward, Pair or Pair & Hayward Properties. Several days later I spoke with the Harbourview Circle property owner who knew nothing of the issue. She helpfully suggested that someone should tell Hayward his realtor’s license was “expired.” Technically, it’s “inactive.” I told her Hayward knew the status of his real estate license. As I later learned Hayward didn't know the status of his real estate license. That's a whole other issue.
Hayward is a real estate speculator. In 2009 he built and then put his magnificent Bayou Texar waterfront home on the market last August 28 for $2.3 million. The price was later dropped to a more enticing $1,999,999. The Haywards and “Hayward House” as they’ve christened their home were featured in the February/March issue of Coastal Lifestyle Magazine – Open Haus: Pensacola Home Sheds Light on Future of Contemporary Coastal Design. “Open Haus” is a linguistic play on words. “Haus” is German for “house.” The article seems intended to be part of an advertising campaign to help sell “Hayward House.” The photographs by Thomas Birdwell very clearly show an immaculately “staged house” prepared for immediate sale.
The Haywards had a $980,000 balloon mortgage payment with Warrington Bank coming due on March 10. The property’s 2010 Certified Roll Assessment is less than $980,000. On March 2 the Haywards took the house off the market. An told friends it was because she had decided to keep the house. An alternative theory is that the Haywards were saved by a guardian angel. On March 3 the Hayward’s secured a one year extension of their mortgage that will now again come due in full on March 10, 2011.
In Proctor’s article Hayward says, “Once the charter passed, I did some homework in a major way to see if I was going to run for mayor. An and I spoke with business contacts, personal friends, and we were encouraged.” Hayward put his house on the market August 28 knowing the charter was soon going to the voters. The charter passed on November 24, 2009. Hayward House unexplainably remained on the market for 98 more days. On March 23, 2010, 21 days after taking his house off the market, Hayward filed to be elected to office. His Q1 Financial Report almost immediately records 25 campaign contributions totaling $9,450 in one week. Hayward soon boasts about it in an almost breathless press release.
The rapid sequence of events in late March suggests a staged campaign event orchestrated to generate “buzz” for the launch of a new product. Hayward is selling a carefully crafted veneer image of himself he wants voters to buy unmindful he doesn’t come with a warranty or money-back guarantee. As a former advertising sales executive this is what he does. He sells “dreams.” He is now a political ad man pitching himself to voters. In spite of his self-serving claim made to Proctor, Hayward seems to have never done his homework in a major or even a minor way. Hayward brags in one campaign flyer about the Pensacola News Journal endorsement that, “He’s done his homework and it shows.” I doubt it. If Hayward ever even read the entire new city charter he didn’t do so carefully and doesn’t understand it. Hayward too very hopefully wrote Strong Mayor on his Statement of Candidate. No other candidate made that mistake. The new charter was carefully crafted to give more political power to the nine member part-time council.
Multiple sources tell me Hayward expects the council to “significantly” increase the mayor’s projected $100,000 salary. The amount being discussed is $150,000. His wife has said the same to friends. It’s doable. The new city charter was quietly drafted to ensure that voters could not object to new or increased city taxes or mayor and council pay raises. The council also withheld telling voters that their new “term limits” didn’t impact them until 2023. A “Mayor” Hayward might have the votes to increase his own salary whenever he wants. Councilman Larry Johnson owes Hayward for helping to get him elected and now spearheads Hayward’s campaign. Hayward is supported by Councilwoman Maren DeWeese and Councilman Sam Hall. DeWeese might not go along with such “hanky panky.” She’s the only council member who has refused to enroll in the city taxpayer-funded pension plan. Council members voted themselves eligible to receive pensions after six years part-time “public service.” Mack and Hall initially promised the same as DeWeese but later secretly filled out the paperwork.
Hayward could though count on his friend architect/developer Brian Spencer’s vote if he defeats Deputy Mayor Jewell Cannada-Wynn. Spencer’s business partner Ray Russenberger has made three donations to Hayward totaling $1,000. The fabulously wealthy Spencer has already raised $17,000 and is backed by many of Hayward’s supporters. Spencer’s wife attorney Crystal Spencer served as Chairwoman of the Charter Review Commission. Her chief accomplishments were to implement the pre-ordained “strong mayor” agenda, ensure the charter was “consistent with consolidated government” and direct the falsification of the commission’s Final Report. The commission never produced its required study explaining and justifying its many changes to the old 1931 city charter. Most city electors were confused and didn’t vote in the charter referendum. Only 20% voted YES. A future comparison of Hayward and Spencer’s overlapping campaign contributions will be instructive. They strike me as two peas from the same pod. Hall who expects to be elected President of the Council with a larger salary and status as Assistant Mayor when Hayward is away or traveling abroad on city business is linked in with Spencer.
Hayward has boasted, “I’m the only person in this race who hasn’t been part of a broken political process or worked in “the system.’” Hayward’s interests described on his LinkedIn page include art, modern architecture, theatre with an “e,” networking and “politics.” Politics is in Hayward’s blood. Political Science was even his college major. A detailed review of his college experience would be fascinating. In truth, Hayward is more of a “City Hall Insider” than “Councilwoman” Mack. In his Independent News candidate profile Hayward says, “I think first and foremost everything you do in life is politics….” When he appeared on BLAB-TV’s Citizen’s Voice mayoral candidate forum Hayward boasted that he has “been active down in City Hall.” That’s an understatement. The first time I met Hayward he came bounding up the steps of City Hall towards the second floor like he owned the place. He’s very much at home in City Hall.
In December 2005 Hayward was appointed to the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment. He filled the unexpired term of his business partner Matt Pair’s father Joe Pair. He continued to serve until July 2008. In 2006 Hayward asked to be appointed to the Community Maritime Park Associates Board of Trustees. Wiggins nominated him but Hayward was not selected. In June 2009 Hayward was appointed to the Planning Board after being nominated by his political ally Johnson. In September 2009 Hayward was appointed as the Planning Board representative to the Architectural Review Board after again being nomination by Johnson. No one in the media has ever scrutinized any of the votes cast by Hayward or his public statements made while serving on these three city boards.
Hayward also has “Insider” experience at the state level. In June 2009 he requested appointment as the Escambia County representative on the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority (NFTCA). The NFTCA appointment is of critical appointment to city residents. NFTCA’s 2010 Master Plan includes alternatives that could route a new bridge from east of Gulf Breeze Proper into East Pensacola Heights or one from Avalon into Scenic Heights routing traffic to the airport. Commenting on a similar plan for a new bridge in 1989 Gulf Breeze Mayor Ed Gray told the News Journal, “Wherever one goes, it will be helpful to Gulf Breeze.” The key objective of a new bridge would be to divert traffic around Pensacola’s bedroom community Gulf Breeze Proper in neighboring Santa Rosa County.
Local attorney, former business partner and major campaign backer Fred Levin was listed as a personal reference for Hayward on his NTFCA appointment request. Developers Jim Reeves and Collier Merrill wrote personal letters of recommendation praising Hayward to Governor Charlie Crist. Since being appointed to the NFTCA in October Hayward has unexplainably missed 3 of 6 scheduled meetings. He lied to the Women for Responsible Legislation telling its President he couldn’t make their April 22 mayoral candidate forum because of a NFTCA meeting he also skipped. He was seen driving around town that day. She found out the next day and was reportedly furious. On his application to Governor Crist asking to be appointed to the NTFCA Hayward swore under oath that he had never been arrested. Lying to Governor Crist is a bad move. He has shown no hesitation removing public officials for wrongdoing. After the primary election Hayward's political consultant Travis Peterson told Bare, "The governor didn't have a problem with it."
Hayward speaks in riddles and has mastered the politician’s art of telling people whatever he thinks they want to hear. In his two page thick so-called “campaign platform” Hayward claims he will, “Implement a code of ethics for all city employees and department heads that set standards for behavior and professionalism, and institutes strict transparency requirements to prevent even the appearance of conflicting relationships between decision-makers and those doing business with the city.” Hayward’s promise is remarkably similar to what city voters tasked the council to do last year when approving the new city charter and they have not yet done, “The City Council shall, upon adoption of this Charter, enact by ordinance a Code of Ethics for all elected and appointed officers and employees of the City which shall set standards of conduct equal to or stronger than the standards of conduct established by law.”
Hayward fails to grasp that the mayor’s job will require total and absolute commitment of his time and energy. It will be all-consuming. He seems to envision it is mostly a public relations or acting “gig.” Wiggins, Mack and Bare all fully understand that the charter dictates the new mayor’s position will be “full-time.” They each have business transition plans if elected. During the Chamber’s debate Hayward said that he will not divest himself of his business interests. Hayward reassured the audience that he wasn’t worried and said that his business partners will take care of him. Hayward seems blind and deaf to the public’s concern that he might return the favor and take “really good” care of his partners when they have business before the city.
When I saw Hayward’s F1 campaign finance report alarm bells started blaring. His accompanying press release tries to persuade us that he is the candidate of the regular people who are opening up their wallets to him in droves. Hayward’s list of campaign contributors includes an embedded “Who’s Who” of the local “rich and powerful.” By my count he’s directly or very closely tied to more than 20 people on the Independent News “Power List 2010.” Ten owners of BLAB-TV recently donated a total of $5,000 “in-kind” services to Hayward reinforcing the perception that the media desperately want him elected. On his BLAB-TV campaign "Informercial" Hayward emphasized that his "strongest point is building relationships." It's a valuable skill in raising campaign money. Hayward has reported raising $53, 927.50 to date and is well on the way to his goal of $100,000. His wife donated $500 at the outset to help set up Hayward’s campaign “war chest.” Amazingly, Hayward has not invested a single dollar into his own campaign. The scent of other people’s money seems to ooze from Hayward’s pores.
Almost as troubling is how Hayward uses his campaign cash. He spent $800 paying for airplanes based out of Fort Walton Beach to fly overhead towing a banner with his name. The outfit’s motto is – “Your name in the sky will catch the eye!” One of the event venues supported is “Political Elections.” Hayward is the only candidate listed in the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections campaign finance data base who has ever used Boomer Aviation. Friends who saw one of Hayward’s banner planes said it was more annoying than anything as the plane droned along “Pensacola Beach.” Hayward even bought himself fancy “campaign” stationary at the very fashionable Nancy’s Haute Affairs on Scenic Highway. Hayward paid his $1,000 Florida Election Assessment using campaign contributions. I have very wisely ignored Hayward’s “multiple” requests directly asking me for a campaign contribution.
Hayward received an important early $300 in-kind “teaser” contribution from political persuasion consultant Travis Peterson's Impact Strategies to help “brand” his campaign. Hayward has now spent at least $30,660.62 paying for Peterson’s advice and services. Peterson is Hayward’s “Political Brain.” When the candidates showed up for the Pensacola News Journal’s Editorial Board vetting session Hayward brought Peterson as his guest. The Editorial Board acted as if Hayward was bringing a friend home for lunch. Peterson was allowed to enter the room and take his place alongside the candidates. Mack then rightly objected on behalf of the three candidates who didn’t need a helper. Peterson was then asked to leave and wait outside for a presumably distraught Hayward. He need not have worried. The Pensacola News Journal endorsement was never in doubt for a minute. Peterson is also supporting Hayward’s sidekick Brian Spencer. Spencer’s endorsement isn’t in doubt either.
Hayward enjoys Facebooking about the money he raises, the important people he knows, the fine places he eats, the posh places he visits, etc. The stream of consciousness babble provides useful insight into his priorities. His first post on April 13 reads in part, “Great news – in one week of campaigning, we’ve raised more money [Hayward’s emphasis] than every other Mayor candidate in the race including the current and former mayors!” Two days later Maritime Park Development Partners public relations guru and non-city voter Jane Birdwell offers her help getting Hayward’s petitions signed, “My kid has track meet and I’ll be around gobs of city folks…can we get these signed on your behalf? I can rally some help.” Several people told me they decided to “not” vote for Hayward just because Birdwell knocked on their East Hill door asking them to sign his petition.
My favorite Hayward Facebook blog is this intriguing May 18th 8 pm post: “Just arrived home from a short 24hr trip to Miami to visit with two key members of our executive team Brandon & Marisa Adams. Brandon has a Master's degree in Finance from the London School of Economics and teaches Finance at Harvard's School of Economics. Marisa has a Master's in Architecture & Planning from Harvard. The input was invaluable for the campaign.” I almost imagine that Hayward has a corporate jet at his “beck and call.” Many of his wealthy patrons do. We’re all expected to be impressed by the fancy Harvard pedigrees. We never learn why the Adams family “input was invaluable for the campaign.” We later only learn the name of one other “executive team” member. Taylor “Chips” Kirschenfeld is the Escambia County Water Quality & Land Management Division Manager and owner of the Dharma Blue restaurant across the street from the law firm of Kerrigan, Estes, Rankin, McLeod & Thompson, LLP.
Hayward brags that Brandon Adams “teaches Finance at Harvard’s School of Economics.” That’s “barely” true. Adams likes people to call him “Professor” Adams but he’s not one. Adams is probably better known as a professional gambler on the poker circuit. In a May 19 blog entry Robert Harris comments about Adams, “And he’s one heck of a card player ;)” Adams’ 60 Minutes interview with Katie Couric discussing illicit performance-enhancing drugs is troubling. Harvard University confirms that Adams is a business school doctoral program teaching fellow. Adams sometimes instructs undergraduates in the economics department.
Adams is one of two Harvard PhD students Hayward has “looking at our pensions.” Hayward say, “Right now [the city employee pension fund shortfall] it’s the 800-pound gorilla for us, and the whole world for that matter.” It’s mostly “our” problem. As of October 1 the city’s three pension funds will have a projected shortfall of $81 million. Since the Miami trip Adams and his wife Marisa have given Hayward a combined $400 in campaign contributions. Adams’ father is Wayne Adams of Adams Homes. Hayward was reportedly involved in Adams Homes’ Ventura Estate development in Milton.
Hayward often boasts of having a “Finance & Accounting Team” at his disposal. We have no idea who “they” are. Hayward was recently quoted in the Pensacola News Journal saying about the city pension issue, “I have a blue-chip group looking to solve this and going forward we will have solutions that may include buyouts, early retirements and other options to reduce the burdens on our taxpayers.” Again, “Trust me; the check is in the mail.” Hayward seems to have never “personally” read the current 2010 or proposed 2011 annual city budgets. One Hayward campaign mailer says his plan for Pensacola includes, “Cutting wasteful spending in the city budget.” However, when asked by Outzen at the Chamber debate to name two areas he’d cut Hayward couldn’t name one. It reminds me of when Outzen once asked Hayward on television to name his top three priorities as mayor and Hayward could only name two.
Hayward’s “Putting Citizens First – 20 Solutions For 2011” platform has a fatal flaw. He never identifies the problems his solutions are intended to address. In public policy analysis you normally start with a statement of the problem, study the issue, consider the many alternatives to include “do nothing” and then recommend the best solution. For Hayward a supposed top priority is to convert the city’s fleet of 749 vehicles (of which 527 are on-road vehicles) to Natural Gas Vehicles. He says, “We need to use renewable and solar power, and convert all of our vehicles to natural gas…we own the gas company, so it makes fiscal sense.”
Hayward must imagine the city’s “enterprise operation” Energy Services of Pensacola (ESP) will just give away the natural gas to the city’s Fleet Management Division for free or “on the cheap.” ESP is run like an independent business and is not a charity. It has to make a profit. Hayward never says how much his scheme will cost, how long it will take and how much it will save if anything. I bet he never spoke with anyone on the city staff. He never even considers the more practical alternative of immediately reducing the size of the city vehicle fleet and “Fuel & Lubricants” costs. Two options would be to not give “take home” vehicles to senior city staff and to limit personal police cars to Pensacola Police Officers who actually live within city limits. Both are council policy decisions. None of Hayward’s “solutions” have ever been analyzed by the media. Some “solutions” seem to pander to groups of special interest voters.
As a self-described “boutique real estate developer” Hayward seems mostly focused on downtown waterfront development. He says that “a successful downtown that includes pedestrian-friendly areas and waterfront access, such as the Community Maritime Park, is vital to that growth.” Hayward says, “I see the Maritime Park as a huge economic drive for our city. Seven years ago, I said in an interview that I’d bring in a land planner and turn this land into a world-class development. Fast forward to now, the voters voted…I’m 150 percent behind it. I think people will want to see progress.” Hayward seems unaware that all Community Maritime Project “economic development” project profits will be given away by the private Community Maritime Park Associates (CMPA) Board of Trustees to its favorite charities. No profits ever benefit the city taxpayers.
Hayward also doesn’t seem to know or care that 95% of increased property tax revenues “must” be spent inside the two square mile “blighted” downtown Urban Core Community Redevelopment Area that includes the upscale Aragon and Port Royal communities. Hayward can’t have read the University of West Florida Haas Center for Business Research & Economic Development’s “Economic Impact of Proposed Community Park” study. It’s a tortuous “study” drafted at the personal direction of UWF President John Cavanaugh when he was a CMPA Principal. Hayward ignores that the Pensacola City Council falsified completion of the Community Maritime Park’s “economic viability” study on May 28, 2009, actively helped the CMPA suppress public participation in the public decision-making process as far back as September 2006 and broke multiple promises made to voters during the 2006 referendum vote.
The Pensacola Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 707 and Fraternal Order of Police unions both very unexplainably endorsed Hayward. Their union leadership may never have read Hayward's campaign platform. He is the public safety “status quo” candidate. Hayward says he will “continue the current level” of police and fire services. That’s not good. Hayward seems unaware that the council intentionally puts one too few Firefighters on each fire engine and ladder truck. Firefighters responding to a “fire suppression mission” cannot safely initiate an “interior attack” into a burning structure until another fire engine from another fire station arrives on-scene. The “two-in/two-out” rule is a well-established professional standard. Two Firefighters entering a burning must have two other Firefighters standing by ready to rescue the rescuers. Once one of the preeminent fire departments in the nation, the Pensacola Fire Department is now just barely rated ISO Class 2 (on a scale of 1 to 10) and on the verge of soon falling to Class 3. A higher rating results in lower commercial and residential insurance rates.
During 2008 the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that violent and property crime rates per 100,000 people were higher in the City of Pensacola (Violent: 940.3; Property: 5,050.1) than in Escambia County outside city limits (Violent: 884.4; Property: 3,776.8) and the State of Florida (Violent: 688.9; Property: 4,140). The crime rates plummet to the east in Santa Rosa County and to the west in Baldwin County. The Executive Director of the Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board appointed by the Mayor himself more safely lives in Baldwin County. The 2009 data will be released to the public later this year. The numbers never tell the full complexity of a community’s “policing problem.” Pensacola’s challenges are aggravated by the daily influx of day workers and fun seekers at night and on weekends. They pay nothing for public safety provided at city taxpayer expense.
Hayward seems unaware that at times there might be as few as eight Police Officers, two Police Sergeants and one Police Lieutenant guarding the entire city on a 12 hour patrol shift. The Pensacola Police Department does the best it can with what the council will give it. Now retired Police Chief John Mathis warned the council in April, “Current manpower vacancies are resulting in reductions in officers in our Patrol, Criminal Investigation, and Community Services divisions. These reductions create fewer officers on the street available to respond to calls for service, fewer officers assigned to investigate reported crimes, and fewer officers to respond to special crime problems or neighborhood frustrations. Reduced officers on the street translate to slower response times and fewer officers available as back-ups on violent reported crime. The Pensacola Police department is committed to the safety and security of Pensacola residents. Current and continued reductions have an increasingly negative impact on our efforts and successes.”
Hayward’s prospective governing style was once very unexpectedly put on public display before the television camera. In an especially humorous episode of unprovoked campaign rivalry, Hayward sauntered into council chambers fashionably late one Thursday night. He snuggled uncomfortably close to Bare in the adjoining seat. Hayward’s intrusion seemed like an intentional violation of Bare’s personal space. There were dozens of open seats all around Bare in the television camera’s field of view. Hayward chose to sit in the one seat directly next to Bare that was barely a few inches closer to the camera lens. Hayward then sat nearly motionless for what seemed like eternity voguing to the home voters. Bare totally ignored Hayward and continued paying attention and taking notes. It was classic “Form” (Hayward) versus “Substance” (Bare).
Hayward fails my “Honest, Integrity, Character” test. Vote for him at your own risk. I think we could all forgive his 1990 arrest and plea agreement if that’s all there was in the negative column. Most of us have been “guilty of stupid” at least once. But Hayward also failed to disclose the arrest to the Department of Business & Professional Regulation and then boldly lied to Governor Crist. Hayward is dishonest and untrustworthy. The Pensacola Association of Realtors, Florida Real Estate Commission and State Attorney’s Office can sort out Pair and Hayward’s professional realtor “issues” to include any administrative, civil and/or criminal “penalties.” The unlicensed practice of real estate seems like a very serious offense. The DBPR has reportedly initiated investigations into Pair & Hayward Properties, broker Pair and sales associate Hayward. If everything they've done was "above board" they have nothing to worry about.
Hayward’s misrepresentation of his business experience acting like he has “real” executive decision-making skills is offensive. His failure to tell voters the full scope of his business ventures and misadventures is doubly offensive. Solving his balloon mortgage crisis seems to have been the key impetus motivating him to run for elected office. Multiple people have told me a very prominent patron directly asked Hayward to run for mayor. Under the circumstances it might have been more than a polite suggestion. Hayward is reportedly at that person’s office throughout the week receiving advice and probably instruction too. Among qualified city electors needing gainful employment Hayward was drafted by the rich and powerful as the best available “Anti-Wiggins” candidate their money could buy.
None of the three other mayoral candidates are perfect. Our tough test as voters is to elect the one who is “perfect enough.” Hayward doesn’t strike me as even barely “good enough” to serve in any elected or appointed position requiring “Honest, Integrity, Character.” When the rich and powerful try this stunt again in 2014 they should thoroughly vet their “chosen” mayor. It isn’t that hard to conduct a detailed background check to include a criminal records check, a financial analysis, an employment check and a polygraph examination. Accept nothing at face value. As President Reagan said, “Trust but verify.” My analysis hasn’t done much more than scratch the surface but I’ve seen enough. A mutual friend early on told me Hayward has always been “shady” and had no business being mayor let alone serving in any position of responsibility. She seems to have been right.
Last updated September 16.
