Escambia, Santa Rosa Go For Gingrich
February 1, 2012
In Tuesday’s Republican Primary, Newt Gingrich beat rival Mitt Romney in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Romney’s statewide victory was double digits over Gingrich — 46.37 percent to 31.95 percent. That gives Romney all 50 of Florida’s delegates because it is a winner-takes-all state.
In Escambia County, Gingrich received 38.85 percent of the vote to Romney’s 34.73 percent. Rick Santorum finished a distant third in Escambia County with 15.58 percent of the vote, while Ron Paul had 9.37 percent.
In Santa Rosa County, Gingrich received 40.83 percent of the vote to Romeny’s 33.03 percent. Santorum was third in Santa Rosa County with 15.95 percent of the vote, while Ron Paul had 9.20 percent.
Support Builds For Anti-Septic Tank Inspection Bill
February 1, 2012
After a long-running debate that has included rural lawmakers, builders and environmentalists, the Florida Senate is moving forward with a bill that would repeal state-mandated inspections of septic tanks.
The Senate Health Regulation Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a bill which would give local governments the power to make many decisions about septic-tank inspections.
Lawmakers in 2010 approved the inspection program, at least in part because of concerns that septic-tank discharges are affecting water quality in the state’s springs.
SB 820, which is sponsored by Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, would direct cities or counties that have what are known as “first magnitude” springs to develop septic-tank evaluation programs — though those local governments also could vote not to carry out the requirement. A similar measure (HB 999) has cleared one House committee.
By The News Service of Florida
Public Meeting Today To Address Planned Closure Of Molino USDA Office
February 1, 2012
A public meeting will be held this morning to discuss the federal government’s plan to close the USDA’s Escambia County Farm Services Agency office in Molino.
The public meeting will offer an opportunity for Escambia County farmers and ranchers to speak on the proposed closure. The USDA Florida Farm Service Agency management team will be on hand for the meeting, including State Executive Director Tim Manning, Administrative Office Mark Cottrell and Executive Officer Debby Folsom.
The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church at 6240 North Highway 95A in Molino.
On January 9, the USDA announced the proposed closure of their Molino office, the only Farm Service Agency Office in the North Escambia area to be shut down. The Santa Rosa County office in Milton and the Escambia County (Ala.) Office in Brewton will remain open.
The USDA has proposed to streamline operations and decrease costs under a plan that includes the consolidation of 131 county FSA offices in 32 states, including six in Florida.
The Molino FSA Office administers farm commodities, crop insurance, credit, environmental conservation and emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers in Escambia County.
Escambia Voters Approve Tax Break Referendum
February 1, 2012
Escambia County voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum Tuesday that allows the county to continue a tax break for jobs program known as EDATE for the next 10 years.
EDATE — the Escambia County Ad Valorem Tax Exemption — is a property tax abatement program that’s designed to encourage businesses to relocate to Escambia County and encourage existing businesses to expand. The tax abatements are good for up to 10 years.
With 90 of 90 precincts reporting Tuesday night, the referendum passed with 36,413 votes in favor and 10,070 votes against, or 78.34% to 21.66%.
“Over 4,000 new jobs in Escambia County are credited to EDATE,” Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver said prior to the vote. Navy Federal has created 3,000 new jobs under the EDATE program, while International Paper has added 496. In all, 4,346 jobs have been created under the EDATE program, according to county records.
“It is a tool for economic development,” Oliver said. “The county gives up tax dollars in exchange for jobs.”
In order for a company to qualify to pass on property taxes under EDATE, there must be an increased assessed value on their property. “So in theory it does not impact current tax revenue,” Oliver added.
The tax waivers do not impact any other taxing district — tax revenue is not cut for schools, the Northwest Florida Water Management District or the city of Pensacola.
Companies do not automatically qualify for a full 100% abatement — different levels of discounts are given under the program. A full tax waiver would require an investment over $5 million and over 100 new jobs that pay an above average wage. Anything else and the percentage of forgiven taxes decreases.
The EDATE program has been in place since the early 1990’s and must be approved every 10 years. If approved Tuesday, the EDATE program will continue through 2022 in Escambia County.
More Rain Possible Tonight
February 1, 2012
Locally heavy rainfall is possible Wednesday along the Gulf Coast. Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then a slight chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 74. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 71. East wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 56. South wind around 5 mph becoming west.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind around 10 mph.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.
Molino’s Travis Fryman, Former MLB Player, To Speak At Northview
February 1, 2012
Molino resident Travis Fryman, former third baseman for the Cleveland Indians, will be the guest speaker Thursday morning at a meeting of the Northview High Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The FCA meeting will take place at 8 a.m. in the Northview theater. The public is invited to attend as Fryman shares his testimony.
Fryman was a starting third baseman with the Detroit Tigers from 1990 to 1997. He was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1997 and was traded two weeks later to the Cleveland Indians. He played for the Indians from 1998 to 2002.
He made a total of five trips to the annual All Star Game and won a Gold Glove Award with a 60-game errorless streak.
School Prayer Vote Could Come Today
February 1, 2012
The Senate is set to vote as early as Wednesday on a measure that deeply divides the chamber, allowing school districts to let students lead prayers at public school graduations, football games and other assemblies, as long as adults aren’t involved.
The version of the bill (SB 98) set for a floor vote doesn’t set out any limits on the inspirational message – messages that are sectarian, and those that are proselytizing in nature would be OK, drawing the opposition of some Jewish members of the Senate.
And, in deference to constitutional prohibitions on establishing a religion, just about anything would have to be fair game.
“Any inspirational message they want to do,” Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, the sponsor of the bill, said during discussion of the measure on the floor Tuesday.
Presumably, if a district were to approve a policy, and a student wanted to take the P.A. system at a football game and offer a prayer to the Goddess of the Earth or to Allah or a Wiccan deity, they would have to be allowed to do so under the bill.
“Suppose a first grader wants to do an inspirational message to Buddha, to Allah? ….Who decides who says what?” asked Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood.
As long as it is “inspirational,” and being voluntarily delivered by the student, it would have to be allowed, Siplin said. The bill doesn’t define “inspirational,” nor does it let school districts do that. In fact, it clearly prevents school districts from choosing what students are allowed to say or not say, spelling out that school district personnel “may not monitor or otherwise review the content of a student volunteer’s inspirational message.”
“So the inspirational message my little children would be hearing would not be up to the family….? asked Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach.
That is correct, Siplin replied. It would be up to the students at her children’s school.
And if she doesn’t want her children to hear any “inspirational messages” at school functions, what should she do? Sachs asked.
“Since school boards are elected you can vote against them next time,” Siplin responded.
The measure, which changed between the time it was heard in early committees and its arrival on the Senate floor, has a House companion (HB 317), but it has yet to get a committee hearing there. Some of the changes also alarmed opponents. Originally the bill was aimed only at secondary schools, but it was changed before reaching the floor to include elementary school students.
Another change opened up the prayers to any school event – originally it would have made it clear that prayers could only be offered at events students aren’t required to attend. Now the bill would allow prayer at any school event.
Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, said she couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want students to hear inspirational messages at the start of an assembly.
“Do you suppose opponents want, instead of to inspire little first graders, maybe they want to demoralize them?” asked Storms.
By The News Service of Florida
FFA Students Complete At Districts, Advance To State
February 1, 2012
Local FFA chapters recently participated in the Florida FFA Association District 1 competition in Pensacola.
Ernest Ward Middle School received first place in Middle School Parliamentary Procedure and will advance to the state competition in June in Orlando.
Tate High School also advanced to state in the High School Parliamentary Procedure division. West Florida High School took home first place in Safe Tractor Operations for a trip to the state competition.
Northview High School had two teams to take the Farm Business Management and Agriculture Mechanics tests. Scores will be determined at a later date.
Jay High School’s Harley Tagert won the Prepared Speaking Middle School Division with her speech on hydroponics. She will also advance to state.
Pictured top: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA. Pictured below. Members of the Northview High School FFA. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Prison Privatization Bill Slows
February 1, 2012
The Legislature’s push to shed more than two dozen South Florida prisons and turn them over to the private sector slowed on Tuesday in the Senate and cracks in Republican support that may endanger the idea began to show.
While GOP leadership in the Senate is driving the proposal – which they say will save the state at least $16 million a year – a few Senate Republicans, mostly those with large state-run prisons in their districts, made it clear on Tuesday that they oppose the idea. Others, while less clear, sent signals in their questions of backers that they’re skeptical.
After several questions on the floor, discussion of the proposal (SB 2038) was put on hold until at least Wednesday when it became clear that the Senate wouldn’t have time to work through questions on proposed amendments that have been filed.
But the bill, from a procedural standpoint, remains on “second reading,” unavailable for a final vote without the approval of two-thirds of the chamber’s membership. It’s not clear that backers of the proposal have enough votes to bring it up for a final vote on Wednesday even if they do get through the amendments, which would further slow the proposal down.
There remains plenty of time to get it through both chambers with the legislative session not yet at the halfway point, but the tone of the queries, and the number of Republicans who questioned their leadership’s assertions about the need for the bill raised questions about how solid the support is.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos said the measure is crucial because of the state’s economic situation. The potential for at least $16.5 million in savings claimed by supporters of the bill is too precious to pass up at a time when lawmakers are considering potentially hurtful budget cuts. Because of that, he promised an all-out effort to get the bill passed.
“I’m going to fight like hell to try to find some savings, it’s serious,” said a testy Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, after the floor session. Haridopolos met earlier in the day with foster kids, and noted that a state subsidy for kids aging out of foster care is on the chopping block in this tight budget year.
“Imagine what we could do with $18 million for those kids,” said Haridopolos.
Much of the questioning on the Senate floor Tuesday was about the projected cost savings from privatizing all the prisons in the Department of Corrections region that covers South Florida, 18 counties roughly from Orlando and Tampa Bay south.
Estimates on the cost savings have been broad, and have moved. But one of the bill’s main backers, Sen. JD Alexander, the chief budget writer in the Senate, said at a minimum, costs for operating the prisons will go down 7 percent – because the bill requires it.
“That’s about $16-and-a-half million in savings,” Alexander said. “If we don’t achieve that then we won’t go forward with privatization.”
He believes that it will far exceed that.
“It’s my understanding and belief that it would probably double the 7 percent, or about $32 million annually,” said Alexander, R-Lake Wales.
Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, asked Alexander if it was really worth saving $18 million considering how many corrections officers might lose their jobs.
“I don’t know, are 300 teachers maintained in our schools worthwhile,” asked Alexander. “I think so.”
There was also continued discussion Tuesday about the net savings – after accrued sick leave and other benefits are paid to those prison workers who leave the state’s employ, either to work for a private prison operator or because they’ve quit altogether.
Several members appeared agitated at the inability to pin an exact number down for how much that might be, in part because it’s not clear how many corrections officers would leave, and what the mix will be in terms of how many are veteran officers with lots of accrued benefits owed to them versus younger officers.
The Senate bill would require private contractors to pick up $8 million of the cost of paying out those benefits, a number supporters say will cover those payouts to the roughly 2,700 employees that would be expected to leave the state’s employment.
While Alexander and Haridopolos insisted that the effort to privatize prisons is being driven entirely by the chance to save money in the tight budget year, other backers of the bill also made it clear that the measure and a companion bill that more generally addresses privatization are also aimed in part at making it clear that lawmakers can privatize functions of government if they choose to.
The Legislature passed largely the same prison privatization proposal last year, but it was thrown out by Leon Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford, who said lawmakers violated the constitution in doing it in the fine print of the budget, rather than passing a bill.
Several backers of the bill said making it abundantly clear in law that the Legislature has the prerogative to take on such a proposal without approval from a judge was important as well.
“We wouldn’t even be here today if we hadn’t had a local Leon County Circuit court tell us what we did was incorrect,” said Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine. “I don’t think anybody in this room wants to let a court tell us how to do our budget.”
By The News Service of Florida
Crystal Cherie Owens
February 1, 2012
Crystal Cherie Owens, age 30 of Pensacola, passed away on January 27, 2012.
She loved life and people. Crystal was a people person who had a big heart and would do anything to help, whether right or wrong.
Crystal was preceded in death by her aunt, Cindy Macon and her grandparents, Romaine and Walter Spivey.
She is survived by her children, Daniel Fine and Daelyn Fine; long-time companion, Shawn Fine; mother, Rochelle Dannelly; father, Richard Owens; sisters and brothers, Chris Shiver, Kelly Grim (Anthony), Richard, Jacob and Patrick Owens; grandmother, Anna Scruggs (Carl); aunts and uncles, Lynn Cruz, Joanne Mullins, John Owens, Dorothy Issac, Roxanne Bonifay, and Rhonda Pulley (Ronnie); nieces and nephews, Rebecca & Courtney Grim and McKenzie and Chase Shiver; and many cousins.
There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, in the Parkview Baptist Church at Rosalyn Way and Cary Memorial Blvd (Brent Lane and Palafox area). Fellowship gathering immediately following service in Church Hall. In place of any food being brought to the house, friends are encouraged to bring to the church to share.
Crystal was a loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be missed by all who knew her.