Voters Reject 8 Of 11 Amendments

November 8, 2012

Florida voters on Tuesday shot down legislatively proposed constitutional changes dealing with abortion, local government tax caps and a ceremonial shrug at Obamacare as they rejected 8 of 11 proposals put before them by Republican lawmakers.

While rejecting most of the proposals, voters did approve a handful of modest property tax breaks for military veterans, first responders and low-income seniors. Those tax breaks were not generally opposed by local government groups and will not have significant impact on already cash-strapped cities and counties.

But overall, Florida voters rebuffed legislative efforts to make significant constitutional changes, with most measures failing to gain the 60 percent approval rating needed to pass. In many cases, a majority of voters opposed the proposals.

One of the most controversial measures, Amendment 6, would have prohibited state funds from being spent on abortions, unless the health of the mother was in danger. The proposal also whittled away at privacy protections in Florida’s constitution that have been used to overturn abortion restrictions in recent years including a parental consent requirement for minors seeking an abortion.

When the votes were counted, 55 percent of voters rejected the amendment outright, a margin of victory that abortion rights advocates say they hope will curtail legislative attempts to expand restrictions on the procedure.

“We hope that Tallahassee politicians will now turn their attention to expanding health care instead of trying to take away existing health coverage that women need,” said Lillian Tamayo, campaign chairwoman for Vote No On 6.

Another closely watched amendment also went down as voters rejected Amendment 8, which would have made it clear that government money is free to be spent on religious groups.

The proposal was backed by religious groups including the Catholic Church and was seen as a precursor to allowing state education funds to finance religious backed schools. Voters rejected the amendment by a 56-44 percent margin.

Local governments also flexed their muscle Tuesday, defeating a handful of amendments, including one that would have limited the increase in local revenue to inflation and population growth.

The Florida Association of Counties led efforts to scuttle Amendment 3, saying it would hamstring already cash-strapped local officials by limiting the ability of cities and counties to raise necessary revenue.

Voters also rejected Amendment 4, which reduced the cap on tax assessment increases for non-residential property from 10 percent to 5 percent while providing additional exemptions for first-time homebuyers and all homeowners if the market value of their property drops.

Critics said expanding the “Save our Homes” protections to second homes and other commercial property would make it even more difficult to pay for schools, roads and other local infrastructure financed through property taxes.

“The defeat of Amendment 4 is a major win for home rule and Florida’s year-round taxpayers,” said Cragin Mosteller, spokeswoman for the county group. “Voters have clearly signaled their support for the principles of home rule and commonsense tax policy that truly puts Florida’s residents first.”

A slate of three less dramatic property tax proposals, Amendment 2, Amendment 9 and Amendment 11 were the only proposals to meet the 60 percent threshold.

Amendment 2 would allow combat disabled veterans to be eligible for an additional homestead exemption while Amendment 9 would provide a break to the spouses of deceased veterans and emergency responders.

Likewise, low-income seniors would be given an additional homestead tax break under Amendment 11, which garnered just under 61 percent of the vote.

Among other amendments that went down to defeat Tuesday were:

AMENDMENT 1: A ceremonial slap at the federal Patient Protection Act, which would have barred the state from requiring citizens to carry health insurance. The proposal was largely moot as federal law would preempt state law on the health care issue.

AMENDMENT 5: The proposal would have required Senate confirmation for state Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor, making it easier for lawmakers to influence court procedural rules.

AMENDMENT 10: The proposal would have increased the exemption on tangible personal property from $25,000 to $50,000.

AMENDMENT 12: The proposal would have changed the way the student member of the State University System’s Board of Governors is chosen.

By Michael Peltier
The News Service of Florida

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

James Stanley Marshall

November 8, 2012

James Stanley Marshall, 37, of Pensacola, passed away on Sunday, November 4, 2012. James was born on July 31, 1975, in Pensacola.

He is survived by his mother, Hellen S. Marshall of Molino; father, James S. Marshall of Pensacola; two sons, James N. Marshall and Jared E. Marshall, both of Pensacola; and two sisters, Suzanne Renee Marshall of Pace and Lynda L. Marshall of Montpelier, VT.

Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, November 8, 2012, at Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2012, at Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home.

Interment will be at Bayview Memorial Park Cemetery.

Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries

Local Resident Signs Nashville Recording Contract

November 8, 2012

A North Escambia resident has signed a Nashville recording contract.

Dusty Sanderson, 20, has signed with Lamon Records Nashville. He was in Quad Studios in Nashville recently recording original songs for his upcoming EP release, which should hit the street early in 2013.

The Molino native has been playing guitar since he was 10 years old and singing since he turned 14. “It all started around a bonfire on the river,” says Dusty, “with just me and my guitar, which eventually led to me getting my first real gig in my hometown at a little place called the Fugly Worm.”

Suddenly, the young aspiring artist was landing professionally paying gigs at all the bars and clubs in the area. His deep baritone voice is reminiscent of great country singers like Vern Gosdin or Lefty Frizzell, yet he makes every song his own.

“Dusty has a very unique quality to his voice and a viable music style of what he’s writing,” says his producer Dave Moody, president of Lamon Records. “It’s very ‘now’ … a mixture of backwoods country and hard driving high energy rock. I think he’s drawing from the best of today’s country artists, and classic outlaw artists too, like David Alan Coe, Waylon Jennings, and others. Whatever he’s doing, it seems to be working.”

Asked about his songwriting, Dusty says, “I’ve been interested in writing songs all my life, but I didn’t get serious about it until I was 17. I had a girlfriend that I spent all day, every day with, so when she took a trip to LA for a week I had no clue what to do with my time, so I sat down in my room and started writing.” And he’s not stopped since.

Pictured top: Dave Moody, president of Lamon Records, and Dusty Sanderson in Nashville. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News

Middle 30’s Tonight

November 7, 2012

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 64. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 39. Calm wind.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 73. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Calm wind.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 76. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
Veterans Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 67.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

“You Didn’t Have To Murder Him” – Wife Remembers Lottery Store Owner

November 7, 2012

A family and a community are mourning the loss of local business owner who was gunned down in his lottery store Tuesday afternoon in Davisville.

Thomas “Tommy” Kroll, 74, was found behind the counter of the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97 — one of the top Florida Lottery retailers in the entire state.

“These scumbags killed one of the nicest men you could want to meet He would have given you the money. You didn’t have to murder him, Kathy Kroll, his wife of 44-years said early Wednesday morning. Tommy and Kathy were planning on retiring in about six months to spend time together traveling.

“He helped many people out all the time if they were in need,” she said. “He loved his children and he was so proud of his grandson and granddaughter. They now have been stolen of their years with their love and guidance of grandpa.”

The Krolls had owned the lottery store, located in a bright pink building just yards south of the Alabama state line, for about 11 years. He typically worked there most every day.

Years ago, the Krolls also owned Echo Bowling Lanes in Ensley, located on property that was later sold and eventually became home to Walmart. Tommy always had a love of bowling. He was in the bowling hall of fame and was the first bowler in Pensacola to carry a 205 average, Kathy said.

As word of Tommy Kroll’s murder spread Tuesday afternoon, community members shared fond memories of man that would go out of his way to help someone in need like they were a member of his own family.

“Everyone was touched by Tommy,” she said.

“Please keep our family in your prayers,” Kathy said. “My darling husband, I miss you more than I can say…God bless my sleeping Angel.”

For more about the murder, click here.

Pictured: A K-9 unit searches for a suspect Tuesday afternoon after the murder of a lottery store owner in Davisville. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

One Suspect Apprehended In Lottery Store Murder

November 7, 2012

Click here for an update to this story.

(Updated 1:55 p.m.) One person is in custody in connection with the shooting death of the 75-year old owner of the State Line O’ Yes Lotto on Highway 97 in Davisville Tuesday afternoon, and authorities are continuing their search for a second suspect.

Malcolm Troy McGhee, Jr. was arrested during the early morning hours Wednesday after a search warrant was executed at a home in Escambia County, Alabama. McGhee is being held awaiting extradition back to Florida to face charges in connection with the incident.

Authorities continued their search for a second suspect throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday.

The victim was found behind the counter Tuesday suffering from a gunshot wound about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was identified as Thomas “Tommy” Kroll, the longtime owner of the small bright pink-colored store known for selling numerous winning Florida lottery tickets just yards from the Alabama state line. The store is one of the top lottery retailers in Florida.

For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.

Deputies said two tall and thin males wearing ski masks and blue jeans entered the store armed with a handgun and attempted to rob Kroll. Kroll was shot and killed “after an exchange of gunfire”, the Sheriff’s Office said. The suspects fled in an unknown direction following the shooting. K-9 units from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Century Correctional Institution were unable to locate a track on the suspects. No further description of the suspects was available.

Numerous law enforcement officers from Florida and Alabama surrounded the store and scoured the area following the shooting looking for the suspects as investigators questioned several potential witnesses.

Investigators have not said what, if anything, was taken during the robbery.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.

For more about Tommy Kroll and words from his wife, click here.

Pictured: The first deputy arrived at a reported robbery and shooting at the State Line O’ Yes Lotto just a few moments after the was reported. Pictured inset: A K-9 unit from Century Correctional Institution searches for a possible suspect track. Pictured below: The search for a suspect Tuesday afternoon in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive

Four More – Barack Obama Re-Elected President

November 7, 2012

President Barack Obama defeated his Republican challenger Mitt Romney Tuesday to win a second and final term in office.

Romney conceded the long, hard fought 2012 campaign in a speech before a crowd of disappointed supporters in Boston, Massachusetts, the state he once governed. Standing alone on the podium, he congratulated Obama on his election victory, saying “this is a time a great challenge for our nation, and I pray the president will be successful in guiding our nation.”

Romney also praised his vice presidential running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan, calling him “the best choice I’ve ever made” next to marrying his wife Ann.

Supporters at the president’s campaign headquarters in Chicago waved flags and cheered at the news, which came after Obama won enough states to reach the 270 electoral votes needed to clinch the election.

“We are an American family, we rise and fall together as one nation, as one people,” Obama said during his victory speech early Wednesday morning. “For the United States of America, the best is yet to come.”

Obama’s campaign staff Tweeted “Four more years,” and included a picture (left) of the president hugging his wife, Michelle Obama. The Empire State Building in New York lit its light atop the iconic building blue, the color of the Democratic Party.

Pictured top: President Barack Obama delivers his victory speech early Wednesday morning. Pictured inset: Obama’s campaign staff Tweeted “Four more years” and this photo after the victory. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News

Thomas Retains Superintendent Job

November 7, 2012

Escambia County Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas was re-elected Tuesday nearly a 2-1 margin.

Republican Thomas received 64 percent of the vote to Democrat Claudia Brown-Curry’s 36 percent.

“I’m certainly happy with the results,” Thomas said. “For an incumbent to win another term is a validation that you have been doing the job you were elected to do.” Thomas said his number one priority will continue to be the children in the school district and a continued effort to make improvements.

“I look forward to continuing to protect the interest of the students in the district,” he said. “We have accomplished a lot in four years and will continue to work to become stronger and stronger.”

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News