Farm Bureau Has Legislative Agenda
March 15, 2009
As the Florida Legislature convenes to focus on budget issues during a period of revenue shortfalls, Florida Farm Bureau Federation says it is on guard against unintended consequences that could adversely affect the state’s second-largest industry. The Federation is the state’s largest agricultural organization and speaks for family farmers.
Legislators, facing a revenue shortfall of $5 to $7 billion, are looking to bolster revenues by increasing fees, eliminating some sales tax exemptions and increasing taxes. At the same time, they realize they will have to decrease state spending. It adds up to a perilous time for the state’s agriculture industry.
“Our state legislative team is going to have to play some strong defense to ensure our family farmers are not disproportionately impacted,” said Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick. “Strong family farms contribute to a strong Florida. That has been demonstrated time and time again, particularly in tough economic times. All Floridians have a stake in keeping Florida agriculture producing and continuing to make a $100 billion annual economic impact, particularly as other segments of the economy contract.”
Hoblick noted the recently released 2007 Census of Agriculture shows an overall increase in the number of farms in the state and the value of agricultural products sold. While other segments of the economy have faltered, agriculture continues to be a strong pillar of the economy.
Ben Parks, Farm Bureau’s director of State Legislative Affairs, said the Federation would be joining with commodity organization and allied groups to ward off attacks on agriculture’s sales tax exemptions and state’s Greenbelt property tax classification for agricultural operations.
“Each one of these sales tax exemptions has been put in place for a reason,” Parks said. “As the legislature reviews them, we will be reminding lawmakers why they exist and why they are necessary to keep Florida producers competitive in the national and global markets.”
Parks said Farm Bureau would also be watching to ensure institutions upon which agriculture depends, such as the University of Florida/IFAS and the Florida Department of Agriculture, do not sustain disproportionate budget cuts.
Florida Farm Bureau also has identified some priorities in the areas of energy and the environment, taxes and fees and local government actions. The organization will continue to support renewable energy and energy efficiency programs that benefit agriculture and the state.
Farm Bureau will seek tax relief at the state level on the purchase of all agricultural inputs. It will also pursue relief at the county level from local business taxes for agricultural operations as well as a clarification of the definition and requirements for non-residential farm buildings. It will also seek to prohibit local governments from imposing tax assessments or fees for stormwater management on agricultural lands with discharge permits or where best management practices are implemented.
Additionally, Farm Bureau will encourage legislation to prohibit local governments from enforcing regulations on agricultural lands which duplicate state, federal or water management district regulations.
Hundreds Pray For Schools
March 14, 2009
Hundreds gathered this afternoon at Jay High School to pray for the schools in our area. Shofar horns were sounded during the service. The horn, made from a ram’s horn, is sometimes used in religious ceremonies. NorthEscambia.com will have a full story and a complete photo gallery Sunday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EXCLUSIVE: Gulf Power Purchasing North Escambia Land For Possible Power Plant, Could Be Nuclear
March 14, 2009
NorthEscambia.com has learned that Gulf Power Company is purchasing land in North Escambia for a possible power generation plant — maybe even a nuclear plant.
Gulf Power has already purchased two parcels totaling just over 100 acres in the 200 block of Roach Road near McDavid. Area residents tell NorthEscambia.com that a Gulf Power representative has gone door to door along Cox, Holland and Roach roads telling residents that Gulf Power wants to purchase their property for a possible nuclear power plant.
“We are looking for property to purchase in that area for a generating facility,” Gulf Power Company Manager of Public Affairs Sandy Sims told NorthEscambia.com. “What kind of generating facility it will be has not been determined at this point.”
When asked about the rumors that the plant could be a nuclear power plant, Sims replied, “We can’t rule anything out at this point. We are looking at a diverse portfolio of options for the future.”
Sims said the plant could be nuclear, natural gas powered or even an advanced technology like wind or solar. “We really can’t rule out any possibility right now.”
Whatever the type of power generation facility, the earliest it would likely produce its first kilowatt of electricity would be the year 2020, and perhaps as late as 2025.
The property purchased on Roach Road and the offers to purchase other land in the area does not necessarily mean that anything will ever be constructed on the land by Gulf Power, Sims said.
The new facility that might be located near McDavid would presumably at least partially replace the coal powered Gulf Power Crist Plant in Pensacola, she said.
Neighbors Not Happy
Whether the power generation plant is nuclear or gas powered, residents along the quiet roads in the Roach and Cox Road areas are not happy.
“You don’t want a nuclear plant in your backyard,” said Cox Road resident Frank Way. “You don’t want any kind of power plant here. We live in a quiet neighborhood where people just don’t want that kind of thing.”
“This is home,” Suzanne Rigby said. She and her husband have lived in the same house on Cox Road for almost 40 years. “We don’t want to leave. We don’t want to even think about moving.”
Their sentiments were echoed by other residents NorthEscambia.com spoke with Friday. And we heard another concern from each area resident that talked to us — they were being pressured to sell.
“The man was real intimidating to my wife,” Way said. “He told her we would have to sell whether we wanted to or not because they were going to build a nuclear plant or maybe natural gas.”
“He was very high pressure,” Rigby said. “He told us we had to sell.”
“Our property is not for sale,” Way added.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to follow this story and bring you the latest updates.
Pictured above: The property in the 200 block of Roach Road that was purchased by Gulf Power Company. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Resident Finds Suspicious People In His Backyard
March 14, 2009
A Walnut Hill resident reported to deputies that he found two suspicious people in his backyard early Friday afternoon.
The Morgan Road resident told Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies that he arrived at his home to find two black males in a truck in his backyard. The truck was described as a white work-type truck with a toolbox.
The two men reportedly told the man that they were at the home to fix a refrigerator. But the resident told deputies that no one had been called to do any type of repairs at the home.
Deputies searched the area for the truck and its occupants, but they were unable to locate either.
Anyone with information about this incident or who may have seen the truck in the Morgan Road area of Walnut Hill is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department at 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at 433-STOP.
NHS Varsity Wins Seventh Straight; JV Wins Too
March 14, 2009
The varsity Chiefs picked up their seventh straight win Friday against Walton, and the junior varsity team added another to their win column.
The Northview High School varsity baseball team beat South Walton 7-3. The varsity team is now 7-2 on the year.
Austin Reid pitched six innings for the Chiefs, allowing just one run.
Scooter Hamilton had two hits, one run and one RBIs. Brad Lowery had one hit and two RBIs. Brad Lowery had three hits and two runs. Dakota Stuckey had one hit; Austin Lowery had one hit and two RBIs. Patrick McPherson had one hit for the Chiefs.
Northview scored one run in the first inning. The second inning saw the Chiefs adding four more to the board. NHS scored a couple more in the third, and the Chiefs added one more in the fourth. South Walton’s scores came in the third and seventh innings.
The junior varsity Chiefs shutout South Walton 10-0.
For a photo gallery from both the varsity and junior varsity game, click here.
Pictured above: Sophomore Austin Arrington at bat for the Chiefs. Submitted photos by Heather Leonard for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Want To Be A Northview Cheerleader?
March 14, 2009
If you want to be a Northview High School cheerleader for the 2009-2010 school year, there are some important dates you need to know.
An informational meeting will be held Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. It is important that all candidates and parents attend this meeting.
A clinic will be held March 21 from 8 a.m. to noon. A practice for all cheerleader candidates will be held March 23 until March 31 from 4:00 until 6:00 each weekday.
Tryouts for the 2009-2010 Northview cheerleading squads will be April 1 at 3:00 p.m.
This is the last year the Northview cheerleaders will be chosen by outside judges. Squads for the 2009-2010 school year will be entirely coach selected.
Stop Crape Murder: Don’t Cut Back Your Myrtles
March 14, 2009
from the Escambia County Extension Service
Crape myrtles are a favorite tree along the Gulf Coast. It seems that every yard has at least one tree and landscapers frequently rely on these flowering trees for street plantings and commercial properties. Crape myrtles are low maintenance plants that reward us with colorful flowers throughout the summer months.
Flowers are not the only virtue of this tree. Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned.
Unfortunately, many crape myrtles receive unnecessary pruning every winter in the form of topping or hat-racking. The practice of topping trees is so common that many people believe it to be needed in order for the tree to flower heavily. This is not always true.
Crape myrtles bloom on new growth which will occur without any pruning. Trees will continue to flower without topping and we all can then enjoy the natural shape and shade that the trees provide. Less pruning also saves the need to dispose of all the trimmings and may reduce your need for pesticides to manage unsightly powdery mildew or sooty mold. If you are pruning because your tree is too large for it’s spot, consider removing it and planting a tree or shrub that fits that spot.
There is a crape myrtle for any spot. Crape myrtles cultivars range in size from 1 foot to over 20 feet tall. Shop carefully so that you purchase a suitable plant for your landscape. The publication Crape Myrtle in Florida will help in your selection process.
Pictured top: Crape myrtle trees do not need pruning for new growth. Pictured below: These Crape myrtles were ruined with unnecessary topping. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
School Prayer Service Today In Jay; Everyone Invited
March 14, 2009
A prayer service will held Saturday afternoon at Jay High School. Sponsored by over a dozen churches, the service is a direct response to an ACLU lawsuit and a federal court judge’s order against any prayer or promotion of religion in Santa Rosa County Schools.
At 4 p.m. Saturday at least 14 churches will come together on the baseball field at Jay High School to pray for the students in the Jay area. Herring said the gathering will not be impacted by the judge’s order because the event is not school sponsored, and the churches are paying to rent the facility under district guidelines. The event will take place rain or shine.
“We want to encourage these kids to stand in their faith,” said Pastor Mitch Herring of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, “and let them know that they have people praying for them. We want the Lord to raise up leaders at our schools.”
The event is being called “Sounding the Trumpet”. Shofar horns will be sounded during the service. The horn, made from a ram’s horn, is sometimes used in religious ceremonies, often to signify change.
“We are going to come as Christians, not any denomination, and offer prayer that our students will serve the Lord,” said Pastor Herring. His Poplar Dell church is located in North Escambia, but he is taking part in the service because he lives in Jay.
“We want the children to know we are for them, even though they took Baccalaureate away from them,” the pastor said.
Berrydale Baptist, Brownsdale Baptist, Cobbtown Christian, Cobbtown Holiness, Jay First Baptist, Jay Pentacostal, Jay United Methodist, Mt. Carmel United Methodist, Pine Level Baptist and Poplar Dell Baptist Church are among those participating in the non-denominational prayer service.
U.S. District Court Judge Casey Rodgers issued an injunction banning prayer and religion in Santa Rosa County Schools following an ACLU lawsuit against Santa Rosa County. That injunction prevents the school district from promoting or sponsoring prayers during school-sponsored events, including graduation; planning or financing religious Baccalaureate services; holding school-sponsored events at religious venues when alternative locations are reasonably available; and prohibits school officials from promoting their personal religious beliefs in class or during school-sponsored events and activities.
That order has also prompted many Escambia County high schools, including Northview, to eliminate a school sponsored Baccalaureate this year.
Want to go? The prayer service will be held at Jay High School, Saturday at 4 p.m. It is open to the public, not just to people connected to Jay High School or Santa Rosa County. Escambia County residents are encouraged to attend.
Friday Brush Fire Surrounds Walnut Hill House
March 13, 2009
A brush fire in Walnut Hill completely burned the yard around a wood frame house Friday afternoon, but the home was not damaged in the blaze. The fire ,on Railroad Street just off Arthur Brown Road, was reported during the noon hour. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire-Rescue responded to the fire. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
71-Year Old Bratt Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing Two Young Girls Pleads Not Guilty
March 13, 2009
A Bratt man arrested for allegedly abusing two girls — one just five years old — has entered not guilty pleas in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Jody Posey, 71, of 7100 North Pine Road, was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and charged with three felony child sexual abuse charges. Bond was set at $100,000 each on two of the cases, and no bond was set on one count. He remains in the Escambia County Jail.
A five-year old girl told investigators that Posey had been “massaging her privates”. The molestation allegedly occurred on multiple occasions over some period of time, according to authorities. The most recent molestation reported by the five-year old was January 9. The girl told officials that Posey told her she would go to jail if she told anyone about the incidents.
Posey was also charged for inappropriately touching a now 16-year girl several times over the last few years.
Posey’s court appointed public defender, Andrew Marks, entered a plea of not guilty on all three charges in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Court records show that the ongoing abuse of the now 16-year old occurred from 2002 to 2006 — when the girl was as young as nine years old.
Posey’s residence at 7100 North Pine Barren road is located north of Highway 4, less than one mile from Northview High School.