How the Penny and One Dedicated Neighbor Transformed the Lincoln Park Community

"Building those sidewalks was uplifting for this neighborhood and it contributed a lot to its beautification."

Venson White is a retired businessman who lives in the Lincoln Park community.

He's also an outspoken advocate for improving the neighborhood's quality of life.

And he knows how to get things done.

His homespun, proactive approach is simple: "If you don't say nothing, nothing will get done."

His advocacy has paid off.

The Lincoln Park neighborhood is one of many in Escambia County that has benefited in recent years from improvements funded by the 1 cent Local Option Sales Tax.

For Lincoln Park it was the installation a few years ago of sidewalks, a project White says has had a noticeable and welcomed impact on the community.

"I live out here and I want to see this neighborhood uplifted," says resident Venson White. "And it's good to know there are resources like the Local Option Sales Tax to make things happen."

"Building those sidewalks was uplifting for this neighborhood and it contributed a lot to its beautification," says White. "It's given a lot of motivation to families out here to keep their property up and reduce litter.

"And now, with the sidewalks, you see people out walking their dogs, children riding their bikes. It's really brought this neighborhood closer together."

So, it's no wonder White is supporting the county-wide "Penny for Pensacola" campaign for continuation of this vital funding source – first approved in 1992 – for another 10 years.

White says if the penny is renewed there are numerous projects still needed in the Lincoln Park community. Those include upgrades to drainage and playground and park improvements.

"I live out here and I want to see this neighborhood uplifted," he says. "And it's good to know there are resources like the Local Option Sales Tax to make things happen."