New Poll Says Rick Scott, Florida Budget Unpopular
May 26, 2011
Voters might not be that familiar with the nuances of Gov. Rick Scott’s policies or the budget he will sign Thursday, but they don’t care for either, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.
The survey of 1,196 registered voters, parts of which were released Wednesday, showed Scott’s disapproval rating climbing to 57 percent, up from 48 percent in April and 22 percent in February. The governor’s approval rating slid to 29 percent after having held steady at 35 percent in the earlier two polls.
“These are not good numbers,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “There’s no way to spin these numbers that they’re good for the governor.”
Most of the newly critical voters appear to have been undecided in February, when 43 percent offered no opinion, far more than the 14 percent who didn’t weigh in during the May poll.
Brown said the approval ratings are the worst numbers for a governor in any of the six states Quinnipiac regularly polls.
The brief honeymoon for Scott from Florida voters isn’t surprising, said Susan MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida. Scott narrowly won the general election in November and has since had to contend with a legislative session that ended badly and a painful budgeting process. He’s also taking heat for the slow economic recovery.
“If people are suffering in a bad economy, and you promise to create jobs, you’ve got to deliver — and people aren’t too patient,” MacManus said.
And as Scott heads to The Villages on Thursday to approve the state spending plan and nix some proposals with his line-item veto, the poll suggested both the budget and Scott’s handling of it are unpopular.
Voters disapproved of the governor’s approach to the budget by a 59-30 margin, and only 24 percent of those responding to the poll approve of the spending measure.
Despite Republicans’ largely successful efforts to hold the line on tax and fee increases during the last legislative session, voters split 42-40 when asked if Scott has kept his promise not to raise taxes.
At the same time, more than half (54 percent) said Scott shouldn’t have made that pledge, and only about a quarter (26 percent) think the spending plan will help create jobs — something the governor and lawmakers have said is at the enter of the proposal.
“The voters who are aware of the cuts he has made to the budget are not particularly happy about it, and those who might be expected to support him because (lawmakers were) able to balance the budget without raising taxes don’t know that that’s the case,” Brown said.
In an interview with WQAM, a sports-talk radio station in Miami on Wednesday, Scott suggested the steps he’s taken to deal with the state’s budget crisis are partly to blame for the poor numbers.
“When you go make all the tough decisions, when you walk into a budget deficit of $3.7 billion and you hold people accountable, you make sure that education’s headed in the right direction, you make sure that you’re getting the jobs back — it takes time for those things to happen,” Scott said. “We’re on the right track, the right things are going to happen.”
Some of the confusion over taxes could stem from discussions by county commissions and school boards about whether to increase revenues as they try to close out their budgets, MacManus said.
“The bottom line is, whether it’s state or local, it all ends up on the governor’s desk,” she said.
Sensing an opening, Democrats amped up long-shot efforts to get Scott to veto the entire budget. Party Chairman Rod Smith sent an email to supporters calling the blueprint “nothing short of a nightmare for Florida” and asking them to sign a petition. At least two lawmakers — Reps. Dwight Bullard of Miami and Mark Pafford of West Palm Beach — issued statements supporting a veto.
“By vetoing the entire budget — rather than simply rejecting a few token line items — and calling the Legislature back into session to craft a better state spending plan, the governor can help prevent the hardship that this budget will bring to thousands of Floridians,” Pafford said.
Pollsters also asked voters about property-insurace rates and regulation. Only 3 percent of voters think it’s getting easier to buy property insurance in Florida; 59 percent of those polled favor more government regulation of the market. That includes 67 percent of voters in Southeast Florida and 64 percent in the Tampa Bay area.
At the same time, lawmakers and Scott have pushed to loosen rules on private insurers and push property owners out of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, saying those moves would help encourage new insurers to enter the state market. Critics of those efforts quickly pounced on the numbers.
“It’s not surprising that Floridians are rejecting Rick Scott and the Republican Legislature’s rate hikes and insurance industry giveaways,” said Sean Shaw, a former state insurance consumer advocate who now works for Merlin Group, a law firm that specializes in suing insurers. “Most Floridians aren’t worth $300 million, which makes it a little harder to swallow higher insurance bills and less insurer accountability.”
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
Photos: EWMS Band, Chorus Perform
May 26, 2011
The Ernest Ward Middle School Music Boosters held a Spring Concert and Spaghetti Dinner Tuesday night in Walnut Hill. All proceeds from the event, which featured performances by the school’s band and chorus, benefited the school’s music programs.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Pictured: The Ernest Ward Middle School chorus (above) and band (below) perform during an event Tuesday night at the Walnut Hill Community Center. Submitted photos by Leslie Gonzalez for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northwest Escambia Closing Ceremony Tonight
May 26, 2011
Closing ceremonies for Northwest Escambia Little League in Walnut Hill will be this evening at 6:30. All players should arrive in uniform by 6 p.m.
Everyone is invited to attend. Organizers said there will be a “secret” event for the kids.
Junior and senior baseball and senior softball will play after the ceremonies, about 7:30 p.m. and will continue through June 14.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 15 Years For Robbing Taxi Driver
May 26, 2011
An Escambia County man was convicted of the late 2010 robbery of cab driver.
State Attorney Bill Eddins said Thursday that Melvin Tyrone Dixon was convicted of attempted robbery with a deadly weapon by an Escambia County Jury. Judge Nickolas P. Geeker sentenced Dixon to 15 years in state prison.
On November 20, 2010, Darrell Vincent, a Yellow Cab taxi driver, was called to pick up Dixon at the intersection of Fairfield Drive and Mobile Highway. When Dixon got in the front seat, he immediately pulled a knife and demanded Vincent’s wallet and ATM card.
Then Dixon ordered Vincent to drive him to the bank so he could withdraw money with Vincent’s ATM card. Before arriving at the bank, Vincent located a Tom Thumb with several people outside where he pulled in to seek help.
One of the individuals present was off-duty Escambia County Deputy Ronnie Whiddon, who was able to take control of the situation until other deputies arrived.
Dixon was then arrested.
Gene Rackard
May 26, 2011
Mr. Gene Rackard, 68, passed away on Monday, May 23, 2011 in Flomaton.
Mr. Rackard was a native of Uriah and a resident of Flomaton since 1999. He attended the Holiness Church.
He was preceded in death by a son, Lonnel Rackard.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lillian Rackard of Flomaton; three sons, Douglas and Yvette Rackard of Bay Minette, Steve Rackard of Flomaton, and Timothy and Carrie Rackard of Molino; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, May 26, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the Serenity Garden Cemetery with Brother Daniel Capers officiating.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 26, 2011, from 10:00 a.m.. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Daryl York, Danny King, Lantz Benson, Chad Lambeth, Robert Day and Timothy Rackard, II.
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Rev. Herman Reed “Nick” Boren
May 26, 2011
Rev. Herman Reed “Nick” Boren, 84, passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2011, in Kingsland, GA.
Rev. Boren was a native of Stilwell, OK and a resident of Byrneville since 1960. He was a member of the U.S. Army occupational forces during WWII, and a member of the Bethel Temple. He was the pastor for the Century Assembly of God Church for 16 years, the Bethel Temple for 25 years, and other churches of the area for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Lillian Boren, his parents and siblings.
He is surved by two Sons, Nick and Sharon Boren of Mobile and Jeff Anderson Boren of West Palm Beach; his daughter, Donna and Ralph Pierno of Kingsland, GA; 10 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Ricky Peebles and the Rev. Fil Enfinger officiating.
Burial will follow at Byrneville Methodist Cemetery.
Visitation was held Wednesday, May 25, 2011 between from 6:00 until 9 p.m.. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons and son-in-law, Terry Boren, Bill Boren, Ralph Pierno, Ben Anderson, Shane Long and Lee Long.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Holland and Jeff Anderson Boren.
Century Man Guilty On Animal Abuse Charges, Sentenced To Jail
May 25, 2011
A Century man has been sentenced to jail time on eight animal cruelty charges related to the December seizure of several malnourished dogs and horses from his property.
Willie Lee Jones, 54, was found guilty of three counts of cruelty to animals and five counts of confinement of animals without sufficient food, water or exercise. Judge Thomas Dannheisser sentenced Jones to 30 days in the county jail, 50 hours of community service and six years probation. He will also be required to pay $1,000 in court costs and $3,906 in restitution. Jones was also ordered to actively seek a job or maintain employment, and he is forbidden from possessing any animal anywhere he lives.
Jones is now behind bars in the Escambia County Jail.
On December 22, 2010, Escambia County Animal Control, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized at least six dogs and four horses from Jones’ home at 6420 North Century Boulevard, just south of Tedder Road.
One of the dogs, a pit bull, was found chained to a piece of post, according to the Sheriff’s Office incident report. Another, also a pit bull, was found in a cage by itself with open sores on its body. A female pit bull was found with three puppies. The puppies were playful and appeared to be of reasonable health, according to the reporting deputy, but the mother’s ribs and hips were clearly visible.
Two of the pit bulls were euthanized due to their poor health, according to Escambia County Animal Control. The other animals are all recovering after receiving veterinary care.
One of the horses was stabled by himself in what deputies described as “an old dilapidated building”.
“The horse was standing on a thick layer of manure that coated the entire floor of the stall,” according to the Sheriff’s Office report. There was no food or water for the horse.
A man that lives on the property told deputies that he had fed and watered the horses shortly before authorities arrived, but it was the last of the food. He said that Jones was due to purchase more food and hay for the horses the following day.
Deputies found another horse in small enclosure standing in a pile of manure that was several inches thick. None of the horses on the property had food or hay, and several lacked adequate water, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Pictured above and below: A Century man was sentenced to jail for the abuse of these animals seized in December. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Complete List: Northview Presents Awards For Grades 9-11
May 25, 2011
Northview High School held their annual Award Program on Tuesday for students in the ninth to eleventh grade.
The following is a complete list of awards and presentations made at the event:
Agriculture (Meehan)
- Exemplary Freshman — Courtney Solari
- Exemplary Sophomore — Jessica Baldwin
- Exemplary Junior — Lydia Weaver
Art (Castor)
- Freshman HAA — Victoria Wright
- Sophomore HAA — Tiffany Sutton
- Junior HAA — Kiani Okahashi
English (Baggett)
- English 1 Hon HAA — Kasie Braun
- Exemplary — Victoria Wright
- English 1 HAA — Audrey Byrd
- Exemplary — Mason Solchenberger
- English 2 Hon HAA — Jazzlyn Franklin
- Exemplary — Julia Thorpe
- English 2 HAA — Zach Johnson
- Exemplary — Maranda Moye
- English 3 Hon HAA — Jamila Codrington
- Exemplary — Holly Dickson
- English 3 HAA — Taylor Hubbard
- Exemplary — Camie Goetter
Family And Consumer Science (Smith)
- Exemplary Freshman — Courtney Solari
- Exemplary Sophomore — Sandy Rainwater
- Exemplary Junior — Elizabeth Wright
Math (Marshman/Barry)
- Algebra 1a HAA — Lauryn Walker
- Exemplary — Jeffery Taylor
- Algebra 1b HAA — Stephanie Roach
- Exemplary — Natyia Bailey
- Algebra 1 HAA — Courtney Jones
- Exemplary — Justin King
- Algebra 1 Hon HAA — Courtney Solari
- Exemplary — Anna Donald
- Informal Geometry HAA — Jessica Hedgepeth
- Exemplary — Alex Riggs
- Geometry HAA — Zach Johnson
- Exemplary — Ashley Gunter
- Geometry Hon HAA — Kasie Braun
- Exemplary — Victoria Wright
- Algebra 2 HAA — Alexander Payne
- Exemplary — Jamila Codrington
- Algebra 2 Hon HAA — Holly Dickson
- Exemplary — Joel Wetzel
Science (Pleasant/Mcdonald/Barry)
- Anatomy Honors HAA — Holly Dickson
- Exemplary — Jamila Codrington
- Anatomy HAA — Taylor Byrd
- Integrated Science Honors HAA — Courtney Solari
- Exemplary — Anna Donald
- Environmental Science — Tyler Hester
- Exemplary — Lydia Weaver
- Integrated Science HAA — Tiffani Pritchett
- Exemplary — Courtney Jones
- Integrated Science Ii HAA — Lantz Jones
- Exemplary — Dylan Cartwright
- Chemistry 1 Honors HAA — Joel Wetzel
Social Studies (Barry)
- American History HAA — Chelsea Parham
- Exemplary — Michael Sepulveda
- American History Hon HAA — Holly Dickson
- Exemplary — Jamila Codrington
Spanish (Baggett)
- Spanish 1 HAA — Jazzlyn Franklin
- Exemplary — Chelsea Parham
- Spanish 2 HAA — Josie Doucette
- Exemplary — Holly Dickson
Business (Smith)
- Digital Design I Exemplary — Jessica Warner
- Computing For College & Careers HAA — Kasie Braun
- Exemplary — Victoria Wright
- Digital Design 2 Exemplary — Alissa Fiellin
- Web Design 1 HAA — Elizabeth Wright
Physical Education (Day)
- Physical Education HAA — Audrey Byrd
- Exemplary — Cory King
Reading (Findley)
- Reading 180 1 HAA — Chloe Leonard
- Exemplary — Harley Davis
- Freshman Reading III HAA — Mashama Codrington
- Exemplary — Mikaelea Santos
- Freshman Reading III HAA(Semester) — Zaccarra Davis
- Exemplary — Hannah Hedgepeth
- Freshman Advanced Reading — Kasie Braun
- Sophomore Reading — Ashley Cunningham
- Junior Reading — Brandon Carnley
- Exemplary — Atidze Johnson
Vocational (Meehan)
- Construction Technology HAA — Justin King
- Drafting HAA — Aaron Rausch
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
VA Awards (Essay Contest)
- Elizabeth Wright, 1st place
- Victoria Wright, 2nd place
Atmore Youth Leadership (Atmore Chamber)
- Charleigh McPherson
- Caroline Prater
- Hannah Hinton
Atmore Rotary Academic All Stars
- 9th Grade
- Madison Brooke Arrington
- Kasie Lee Braun
- Kira Nerys Cartwright
- Morgan Nicole Digmon
- Anna Elizabeth Donald
- Anna Elizabeth Fischer
- Tamara Maria Green
- Jessica Nicole Lowery
- Tiffani Nichole Pritchett
- Mikaela Lynn Santos
- Courtney Yvonne Solari
- Danielle Nichole Steadham
- Courtney Alexander Weaver
- Victoria Anne Wright
- 10th Grade
- Alison Danielle Bardin
- Hannah Elizabeth Fiellin
- Jazzlyn Shanece Franklin
- Ashton Brooke Gibbs
- Georgia Anna Goetter
- Marcus Trey Johnson
- Zachary Sean Johnson
- Skyler Ashton Macks
- Ashley Nicole Mooney
- Maranda D Moye
- Sandy Michelle Rainwater
- 11th Grade
- Jamila Akilah Codrington
- Holly Nicole Dickson
- Josie Britt Doucette
- Amber Dianne Francis
- Cory Robert King
- Joel Nathaniel Wetzel
- Elizabeth Ashley Wright
‘Flash And Dash Of A Star’ – Molino’s Kart Racing King Jarrett Parker
May 25, 2011
Molino kart racing star Jarrett Parker continues his winning ways, taking another big win this past weekend in Gulfport. The Northview High student has caught the attention of Chase’n Race’n Illustrated magazine, America’s top kart racing publication dedicated to dirt karting.
Rowdy Jordan, the magazine’s publisher, gives NorthEscambia.com an industry-insider’s look at Parker:
Submitted by Rowdy Jordan
A couple of years ago, we stumbled on a youngster on the kart racing scene from Molino. This youngster had the flash and dash of a star. This youngster was Jarrett Parker.
Rules of the sport presented an opportunity in 2010 for Jarrett to continue competing in the junior divisions while also making the move into the senior divisions at select events.
In 2011, Jarrett has made the move into the senior ranks full-time. Early results, while fairly good, paled in comparison to his usual “winning” ways. Struggling a little against much more experienced veterans served as a wake-up call for the teen. Over the past month, Jarrett has competed at two high level events with national media in attendance. If there was ever a time to “answer the call”, this was it.
Jarrett managed a strong weekend in late April in Booneville, MS at the Mississippi Dirt Track Series event, but his “break-out” event of the year came in round three of the Mississippi Series held in Gulfport, MS on May 21.
Jarrett’s performance at Gulfcoast Motorsports Park exuded maturity, confidence, and the demeanor of a champion, something that has been missing in his earlier events this season. As a result, Jarrett bagged a win in the Stock Medium feature. That was just a “warm-up” for the Pro Flathead feature, which is the measure of success on this particular tour. Jarrett started on the outside pole alongside fellow Florida competitor Carson Haulman. While Haulman led the early laps, Jarrett clearly had the fastest ride on the track, but chose wisely to bide his time as the pair of youngsters sailed away from the field of competitors.
Just past the halfway point, Jarrett took over the top spot and cruised to the checkers nearly a half second ahead of second place Wesley LeBlanc of Louisiana, to claim the big payday.
His performance at the Gulfport event signals good and bad news. The good news; Jarrett Parker is here, and he’s here to win. The bad news is for his competitors: Jarrett Parker is here, and he’s here to win!
Photos courtesy Chase’n Race’n Illustrated for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Multimedia Is Career Academy Of The Year
May 25, 2011
The Tate High School Multimedia Academy was named the Career Academy of the Year.
The honor was presented last week during the Next Generation Learning Community’s second annual Career Academy Awards luncheon at the University of West Florida.
The Tate Multimedia Academy instructor is Cynthia Reeves.
The mission of the career academy is to prepare students for careers in mass media with an emphasis on television production and performance. Upper level students have opportunities for job shadowing and other experiences to help them prepare for college communications programs and jobs in the broadcast field.