Ernest Ward Middle Names Students Of The Month
November 4, 2010
Students of the month for September and October have been named at Ernest Ward Middle School.
September students of the month are (pictured above, L-R) Hunter Cofield, Ben Linam, and Trevor Levins. October students of the month are (below, L-R) Kayleigh Linam, Penny Banda, and Liberty Peebles.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Complete Election Results From Florida And Alabama
November 3, 2010
NorthEscambia.com is your source for complete local and state election coverage.
We have complete post-election coverage from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, Escambia County in Alabama, as well as the big state issues and races in Florida and Alabama.
For results and analysis, click a link below.
- Florida
- Complete Escambia Florida Results; Commisison, ECUA Incumbents Re-elected
- Evers Takes Senate District 2, Defeats Tea Party Candidate
- Broxson Easily Wins House District 1 Race
- Alex Sink Concedes Florida Governor’s Race To Rick Scott
- Hayward Pensacola Mayor, Council Results
- Amendment 8 Fails; Class Size Rules Stand
- Bob Cole Returned To Santa Rosa Commission
- Rubio Rides Republican Wave, Puts Crist Out Of Work
- Charlie Crist Sees Career Halted On GOP’s Night
- Republicans Pick Up Seats In Fla. House, Senate
- Amendments 5 And 6 Poised To Pass
- Putnam Wins Ag Commissioner
- Pam Bondi Wins AG Spot
- Atwater Elected Florida CFO
- Land-Use Amendment 4 Rejected
Alabama
- Complete Results: Escambia County Alabama
- Escambia (Ala.) Sheriff: Smith Defeats Jackson
- Robert Bentley Defeats Ron Sparks For Ala. Gov.
Rick Scott Elected Governor
November 3, 2010
Democrat Alex Sink has conceded the Florida governor’s race to Republican Rick Scott.
“Unfortunately we just fell less than 100,000 votes of victory,” Sink said during a morning news conference in Tampa. “The fact that we came so incredibly close is really a remarkable statement that so many people believed in me.”
“”He will need to work very hard to bring our state together,” a teary-eyed Sink said. “There are 2.5 million Floridians who did not vote for him, and his highest priority needs to be to bring the people of the state of Florida together.”
She blamed Scott’s record-setting spending for her loss. Scott poured about $73 million of his own money into the race, more than any other politician in Florida history.
The unofficial tally has Scott ahead of Scott by 68,277 votes. The unofficial results this morning as Sink conceded were
Rick Scott 2,588,415 (48.94%)
Alex Sink 2,520,138 (47.65%)
The difference was outside the one percent threshold that would automatically trigger a recount. Over three percent of the total vote went to no or minor part candidates.
Palm Beach County election officials finished tallying up ballots shortly after 4 a.m. Democratic candidate Alex Sink tallied 216,438 votes in the Democratic stronghold compared to 146,786 votes recorded for Republican challenger Rick Scott.
Late additions to the troubled Palm Beach numbers added about 12,690 votes to Sink’s earlier tally but she remained about 60,000 votes behind Scott, more than double the number, about 26,500, that would trigger a recount. Palm Beach again became the focus of election night drama when returns were delayed with little explanation for Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher.
Pictured above: Now Florida’s governor-elect, Republican Rick Scott campaigns at Fran’s Country Grill in Molino last Friday. Pictured inset: Scott greets supporters at Fran’s. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Amendment 8 Fails; Class Size Rules Stand
November 3, 2010
Florida voters Tuesday narrowly struck down a lawmaker orchestrated attempt to alter the laws dictating how many kids can sit in a Florida classroom.
Amendment 8, a proposal that would have tweaked the existing class size law to eliminate the hard classroom size caps set in place by voters in 2002, garnered 54.6 percent of the vote, short of the required 60 percent for proposed constitutional amendments to be enacted.
The vote means that caps on school classroom sizes that voters put in the Constitution eight years earlier will stay in place. The 2002 Constitutional amendment caps classes at 18 students in kindergarten through third grade, 22 in fourth through eighth grade, and 25 in high school. The limits have been phased in since the amendment was passed. The hard numerical caps went into effect this year.
But shrinking class sizes is pricey — it requires putting more teachers in the classrooms. And lawmakers have struggled to give schools the amount of money needed for them to adequately meet the caps.
Districts began clamoring for flexibility to meet the caps when the economy spiraled downward and lawmakers couldn’t budget the necessary dollars to keep pace. The cost has been a major concern since before the original amendment was even passed. Its highest profile opponent back in 2002 was then- Gov. Jeb Bush, who said the cost of it would “blot out the sun.”
The proposed amendment would have allowed schools to calculate the class size at a grade wide average, rather than at the individual classroom level.
The state teachers’ union has staunchly defended the original class size provision, arguing that the softening of the law is merely the Legislature backing out of a promise to fund the schools to meet the hard caps. The group challenged the proposed amendment in court, but the Supreme Court ultimately ruled to keep it on the ballot.
The group has argued that there was no need to amend the Constitution and that flexibility could be achieved via statutory changes.
By Kathleen Haugney
The News Service Florida
Update: Florida Gov’s Race Still In Doubt
November 3, 2010
Despite an unprecedented wave of Republican victories across Florida and the nation, the state’s governor’s race fell into the too-close-to-call category by sunrise Wednesday.
The current tally is not enough to close the gap between the two. Statewide totals with the Division of Elections show Scott with more than a 1 percentage point lead over Sink, a margin of victory that would not trigger a machine recount.
“We look forward to finishing the count, we know we will win and look forward to putting our state back to work,” Scott said. “Nothing in my life has honored me as much as the willingness of Florida voters to put their faith in my plan for Florida.”
Palm Beach County election officials finished tallying up ballots shortly after 4 a.m. Democratic candidate Alex Sink tallied 216,438 votes in the Democratic stronghold compared to 146,786 votes recorded for Republican challenger Rick Scott.
Late additions to the troubled Palm Beach numbers added about 12,690 votes to Sink’s earlier tally but she remained about 60,000 votes behind Scott, more than double the number, about 26,500, that would trigger a recount. Palm Beach again became the focus of election night drama when returns were delayed with little explanation for Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher.
“This is turning out, as we suspected, to be a nailbiter, a classic Florida election,” Sink said. “We’re coming down to the wire in what looks to be a dead even race.
Scott, who was sequestered with his family on an upper floor of a Fort Lauderdale waterside hotel, made no public statements. But a crowd of several hundred listened to live music, enjoyed an open bar and steamships of beef as they awaited what most expected to be Scott joining U.S. Sen.-elect Marco Rubio and three Republican Cabinet victors in the winner’s circle.
Scott spent more than $70 million of his own money on the race, only to see it go to Election Day as a toss-up.
With a pick-up of two state Senate seats and five Democratic House incumbents appearing headed toward defeat, Republicans also looked like they’d secured veto-proof, two-thirds majorities in both legislative chambers.
But the governor’s race remained perhaps the night’s biggest prize – still in doubt.
Dave Beattie, a Sink advisor, said of the remaining votes, “the biggest chunks are in Democratic places, and the more outstanding there is, the better there is.”
Heading into the election, polls showed the race tied, and Tuesday’s balloting seemed to only affirm the deadlock. Sink won by a wide margin in Democratic-rich Broward County, was carrying Miami-Dade County with most of the vote in, and narrowly won her home Hillsborough County, where she had campaigned hard for a potentially larger margin.
Scott ran strong across the Panhandle, the Jacksonville area and across most of Central Florida, although Sink carried Orange County by a wide margin.
Rubio Rides Republican Wave, Puts Crist Out Of Work
November 3, 2010
Republican Marco Rubio rode a rising national GOP tsunami to an easy trip to the U.S. Senate Tuesday, getting help from a divided Democratic electorate split by Charlie Crist’s independent bid.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants and a former speaker of the state House, was one of several conservatives swept into office Tuesday as an angry electorate protested the policies of President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress. While Republicans were poised to take control of the U.S. House, it wasn’t clear yet whether they’d take the Senate. The Florida seat that Rubio was taking had already been in GOP hands.
Rubio, 39, ran as a fiscal conservative who will fight against Obama’s policies, and was a Tea Party favorite. He was so popular with conservative Republicans that Crist, an extremely popular governor, quit the GOP primary when it became apparent he would lose to Rubio.
While running as an independent, Crist clearly staked out Democratic positions, posing himself as an alternative to Rubio with a legitimate chance to win, unlike, he said, Meek.
Meek, who left a safe U.S. House seat for the run, was in third place in most polls for much of the race – and it got worse for him as time went on, as Crist began telling Democrats they should go with him if they wanted to keep Rubio out of Congress.
The race got heated, but both Crist and Meek offered gracious concessions early in the evening Tuesday, Rubio said.
And as he did during the campaign, Rubio said he wanted to return the GOP to promises it has made but not kept, to control spending and lower taxes.
“We make a grave mistake if we believe these results are an embrace of the Republican Party,” Rubio said at a victory party in Coral Gables. “What they are is a second chance.”
The seat is being vacated by caretaker U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, who was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to fill a vacancy – but supported Rubio in the race. The seat became vacant when former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez quit early.
Several Republicans praised Rubio with backhanded final slaps at Crist, who Republicans derided as willing to compromise principle to get elected.
“Through it all Marco never compromised his beliefs for momentary fame, he never traded his take on the issues for votes from interest groups, and as a result voters are sending a United States senator to Washington who they can trust to stand up for Florida regardless of the circumstance,” said incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon.
Meek lamented the role Crist played in the race, saying that his willingness to float between the two parties was not a virtue, as Crist had argued, but a vice.
“The lifelong bedrock that makes our party great and this nation flourish is rooted in principles of equality and social justice, of protecting our environment and defending a woman’s right to choose,” Meek said in a short concession speech. “These are not sometime Democratic values, but all-the-time Democratic values. On our essential beliefs, we can never compromise because too many people in the generations preceding us have toiled and struggled for the liberties we now enjoy and the way of life we deserve.”
Sen. Tony Hill, D-Jacksonville, mourned the third-place finish by his friend Meek, with whom he had a sit-in in former Gov. Jeb Bush’s office with when the pair opposed Bush’s “One Florida” anti-affirmative action hiring proposal.
But not only did Meek and Crist split the vote – both ran into a buzzsaw in Rubio on a night when conservatives around the country were enthusiastic to send a message to Washington. And Rubio was a formidable messenger, Hill said.
“We were hoping the numbers would’ve been a little closer, but you have to remember the guy (Rubio) ran a sitting governor out of his own party,” said Hill.
By David Royse
The News Service Florida
Escambia (Ala.) Sheriff: Incumbent Grover Smith Defeats Heath Jackson
November 3, 2010
Two-term Democratic Sheriff Grover Smith defeated political newcomer Republican Heath Jackson, an Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s narcotics investigator in the race for Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff.
“I an deeply humbled and appreciate the fact that people overlooked party lines in voting for me,” Smith (pictured left) said Tuesday night in Brewton. “I will continue to be a sheriff that every man, woman and child in this county can count on.”
Jackson, who handily defeated Lloyd Albritton in June’s primary election, conceded the race just before 9:30 Tuesday night. Smith received 6,531 votes, while Jackson received 4,203 according to complete, but unofficial, results.
“We are very grateful for the citizens that put their trust in us,” Jackson (pictured left) said late Tuesday. Facing a two-term sheriff with more than a dozen years experience as a police chief was a “heck of a mountain to climb”, but he said he felt like it was a good, positive race.
The defeat will not be end of Jackson’s political aspirations — he plans to seek Escambia’s top cop job again.
“I hope in four years that 4,000 that voted for us and a few thousand more will support us,” Jackson said.
During his next four years as sheriff, Smith said he has a few major goals. One is to continue to be accessible to the citizens and to implement a required drug rehabilitation and mandatory work program for drug offenders in his jail.
And, in the short term, Smith said, “I going to be pulling up all of my signs. I’m sick of them”.
Jay Native Seriously Injured By Suicide Bomber in Afghanistan
November 3, 2010
Miles Baker of Jay was severely injured by a suicide bomber Monday in Afghanistan. He has shrapnel in his left arm and stomach and is being kept sedated, according to his wife Brittany, who learned of his injuries Tuesday morning.
“Thank you everyone for the prayers,” she said. “You have no idea what it means to me. Please continue to pray. They are not sending him home right now.”
Miles Baker joined the Army right after graduating from Jay High School. He and wife Brittany have one child, Zaiden, age two months.
Pictured: Brittany and Miles Baker. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blood Drive For Wounded Deputy To Be Held In Walnut Hill
November 3, 2010
A blood drive will be held Saturday in Walnut Hill in honor of wounded Deputy Jeremy Cassady, who was shot Friday during a home invasion hostage situation in Pensacola.
The Northwest Florida Blood Services blood drive will take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. during the annual Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Fish Fry at the Walnut Hill Fire Station on Highway 97.
Cassady, who remains in critical condition at Sacred Heart Hospital, has used well over 200 units of blood since Friday.
Catfish and chicken plates will be sold during the event. Each $7 plate will include catfish fillets or grilled chicken, hush puppies, baked beans, cole slaw, homemade bread and dessert. There will also be door prizes, with the drawing at 1 p.m. Baked goods will also be for sale.
Complete Escambia Florida Results; Commisison And ECUA Incumbents Are Re-elected
November 3, 2010
Incumbents Gene Valentino and Grover Robinson re-elected to the Escambia County Commission. Incumbents Lois Benson and Dale Perkins to return to the ECUA Board.
Local Escambia County (Fla.) results:
Initial Unofficial Results Include Partial Absentee and All Early Votes
90 of 90 Election Day Precincts Reporting
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2
Gene M. Valentino 9,224 58.69 %
Myra L. Simmons 3,887 24.73 %
Paul Redman 2,606 16.58 %
COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4
Grover C. Robinson 18,019 80.64 %
Danny Lewis 4,325 19.36 %
ECUA DISTRICT 2
Lois Benson 11,506 76.47 %
Dave Carlson 3,541 23.53 %
ECUA DISTRICT 4
Dale Perkins 16,561 76.92 %
Scott Schroeder 4,970 23.08 %
ESCAMBIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
Dan Cain 46,581 64.30 %
Dillon Mason Powell 25,863 35.70 %