Remarks by Rolando Escalona
30 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 2
- Play at 3:13:28
“I do support what Gabela said. I support everything you said.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 3:37:13
“City Attorney, is there a way to add to this resolution P3, consideration of P3?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 3:37:35
“Okay, I would like to make a motion with that and with Commissioner Gabela's amendments.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 4:45:37
“Yes. So I hear our residents today and obviously I understand how they feel, how passionate they are about this issue. The goal is not to arrest anybody. So because of the concerns they may have, I have two amendments. City Attorney, can you read those amendments?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 4:46:00
“Can you read those amendments into the record, please?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 4:46:32
“So if I understand this right, how it's going to work is, let's say you have somebody sleeping on the sidewalk. The police officer would approach. And James, I don't know if you want the police chief to explain how the process will work in the future, or do you want to do it yourself?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 4:47:47
“So question number one, if there are no beds, if you offer a bed to an individual doing any of these activities, you offer a bed. They refuse. They either have to move or they go to jail. Is that right?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 4:48:11
“So if you don't have any beds, you cannot make the arrest. Is that accurate? Correct. Okay. That's what I wanted to get out there because it looked like we just wanted to arrest everybody. And that's not the goal. That's not what we want to do. So I just wanted to get that clear. Yes, sir.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 4:55:18
“Let me ask you, David, what resources do we offer right now homeless?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:01:37
“David, I have one question for you. In the county, do you know which city does the most for homeless? offer more resources, et cetera. Do you happen to have an idea?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:02:16
“Are you working with Manos de la Calle? Yes, we are. Madam Chair, can you call the question, please?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:04:06
“This is very clear. We also, I understand what it is being homeless. I get that. But we also need to be honest and we also need to understand that we have residents. I invite you all to stop by Flagrant 12 and see Flagrant 12. It's a disaster. I am not going to have a district like that. With all due respect, I understand that people go through situations in life, but we are providing the resources that are needed for them to go to shelter. Nobody here is saying, we're going to go and arrest you. No. We're providing resources, not only beds. We're providing way more than that. So I genuinely…”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:07:38
“City Attorney, for RE3, we cannot discuss publicly what we were told. I was told, right?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:08:00
“I just want to know for the public to understand what can be discussed. Yes. of the conversation that we had with you.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:09:02
“approval by the City Commission I mean there are a lot of things that we can say but look at the Commission I remember when I was running the fight I'm sorry sorry Gabriela the fights in Gabriela we have we cut all you and the disagreements are part of a week at all you as well I don't believe So you have to see all the facts to understand why we're moving forward the way we are. And they can see that later on, right? Because this becomes public after, what, three months or something like that? Senator?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:09:49
“So when you see the facts, you're going to understand a lot of things. That's all.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:13:55
“That's why I wanted to discuss all the issues that we have in this case.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:17:04
“May I? I don't believe we should be able to determine what they want. I believe it's the will, as you say, the will of the people. So they should elect whoever they want, not who we believe could be good for that seat. I strongly oppose appointments. To me, it's always, always election. Let them decide what they want, who they want to be represented with. That's my point.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:22:55
“I think that's a big mistake. I personally believe.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:24:40
“Yeah. Listen, to me, this is about letting them decide what they want to do, but I understand your points.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:26:33
“We still can decide when we want. So let's say that I leave. The commission will decide when we have the election, right? If this passes right now, they cannot appoint anybody. And I leave tomorrow.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:26:55
“Exactly. So that could be three months from now, four, five, six, seven, eight, right?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:27:38
“Do you believe the residents will support an appointment?”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 5:31:14
“If you want, we can defer this item and then we can revisit.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026
- Play at 6:03:40
“Commissioner, I heard about what happened yesterday night. Let me do my research, and I will let you know. Okay, thank you.”
City Commission · Jul 9, 2026