ECUA Sanitation, Water And Sewer Rate Increases Proposed; D5 Rep Says He Won’t Raise Rates ‘Willy-Nilly’
June 30, 2021
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is proposing a rate increase for water, sewer and sanitation rates.
The proposed increase for sanitation services is 9.5%, which would be about $2.33 for garbage and included recycling service.The proposed water and sewer rate increase is 2.5%, which would amount to about 76-cents on a residential customer using 6,000 gallons of water each month.
During a District 5 town hall meeting Monday night, ECUA District 5 board member Kevin Stephens faced tough questioning from citizens who stated he said he campaigned on a promise of no rate increases.
But Stephens said he stated during the campaign that he would raise rates only as a last option after first looking for ways to cut expenditures.
“I’m going to look at all the information; I’m going to look at the budget,” he said. “I’m going to find out where we can cut costs. We are going to look at our house first. Where can we cut things where it comes to waste when it comes to inefficiencies, redundancies, overlap, that sort of thing. When it comes to, like I said, spending. That’s our big thing.
“If I’ve done the best I can do when it comes to cutting spending looking at budget restructuring our debt load — keep in mind there’s about a $150 million DEP consent order that we’re putting money back into the kitty to pay for. If I can’t find the money through cutbacks, then absolutely, I would vote for one (a rate increase). But not willy-nilly, and not knowing where the money’s going to go to.”
Stephens said he continually gets complaints about missed pick ups, and that can be attributed a driver and laborer shortage. He said the sanitation rate increase would go toward salary increases for those employees and to bolster recruiting efforts.
“We have agreed that, that increase, if approved, would be targeted to employee pay. Not maybe, not general fund, but targeted. In fact, it was specifically designated for employee raises,” the District 5 representative said.
“I can tell you definitively if we don’t … at $14.50 an hour to start out with, our biggest competitor to retain our employees, our drivers, the ones that come to pick up our garbage right now, is the private sector and the city (of Pensacola). If the city gets wind of us proposing raising our employees’ pay, they instantly send out a proposal to one-up us.” He said the City of Pensacola currently charges 11% higher rates than ECUA.
Pictured: ECUA District 5 representative Kevin Stephens speaks during a District 5 town hall meeting Monday evening at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
District 5 Quintette Neighborhood Cleanup Scheduled for July 7
June 30, 2021
Residents of Quintette will have the opportunity to dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge Wednesday, July 7 during a District 5 neighborhood cleanup.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup (click map above to enlarge). Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected.
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of a residence by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Do not place piles under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes.
Items eligible for removal include:
Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive clean-up effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Cantonment Improvement Committee Continues Weekly Food Giveaways
June 30, 2021
When the pandemic forced schools to close last year, it left many families in need of help to feed their children who had relied on school breakfast and lunch.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee (CIC) stepped up and is continuing to hold weekly food giveaways.
The CIC food distributions begin at 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Carver Park and continue while supplies last for anyone in need of food. Participants are asked to line up on Webb Street facing north, and the food is loaded into vehicles. The takes place rain or shine.
Pictured: Volunteers from Ascend Performance Materials helped with a Cantonment Improvement Committee food giveaway Tuesday at Carver Park. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Donut Strike For Manna Collects Enough Food For 34,074 Meals
June 30, 2021
The final count is in from the “Donut Strike” for Manna Food Panties. First responders were on strike against doughnuts for three days last week worked toward a goal of 30,000 meals for Manna.
The Donut Strike collected 20,233 pounds of healthy food and $21,582.05. That’s 11,358 people fed for an entire day and 34,074 meals, according to Manna.
Participating agencies were Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Gulf Breeze Fire Rescue, Gulf Breeze Police Department, Midway Fire District, Pace Fire Rescue District, Pensacola Fire Department, and Pensacola Police Department.
Pictured: Donut Strike for Manna at Winn Dixie in Cantonment and the Beulah Publix on Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour and ECSO, click to enlarge.
Kimble Nikita Davis
June 30, 2021
Mr. Kimble Nikita Davis, age 58, passed away on Saturday, June 26, 2021 in Atmore, AL.
Mr. Davis was a lifelong resident of Atmore, AL. He loved plants and gardening. He always had a “Green Thumb”. He adored all his nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Sam Davis and Mrs. Frances (Davis) Hayles.
He is survived by his sister, Gaye King of Atmore, AL; step – father, Edison Hayles of Atmore, AL; two nephews, Jonathon Taylor, Justin Taylor, one great niece, Shelby- Marie Taylor, three great nephews, Jonathon Taylor Jr; Henry Taylor and Will Taylor, many other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Enon Baptist Church Cemetery. With Chaplain Gabe Holloway officiating.
Burial will follow at Enon Baptist Church Cemetery.
Blue Wahoos Get Series Opening Victory Over Biloxi
June 30, 2021
Along with command of his arsenal of pitches, the Blue Wahoos’ Max Meyer has shown another important quality in his rookie professional season.
He’s twice followed a rough outing with a brilliant one.
Meyer matched his season-high length, working six shutout innings and getting enough run support for the the Blue Wahoos to hold off the Biloxi Shuckers in the ninth inning for a 5-3 win Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Credit his brother’s weekend wedding, too. It followed Meyer’s disappointment in allowing four runs a week ago at Birmingham, leading to the Barons’ comeback win that night.
“I took a couple days off from throwing and I feel like I was just getting loose back out there again,” said Meyer, smiling, afterward, as he continued his progression as one of the Miami Marlins’ top prospects.
“As the game went on, I felt I got a little sharper,” Meyer said. “I think my (velocity) went up a little bit and knocked all that rust of off.”
In two starts against Birmingham, Meyer has giving up a combined nine runs and 13 hits. Against everyone else in the league, he’s given up one run. That’s one run in seven games.
“Being able to bounce back after giving up runs that I obviously hate to do…. just kinda dial it in more and be a little more focused,” said Meyer, explaining his approach. “Birmingham has got me twice now and the next start I usually lock it in a little bit better. I guess it is fun to do.”
It was fun to watch among a crowd of 4,409 as the quick-working Meyer breezed through six innings, allowing four hits, just one walk with six strikeouts. He twice gave up leadoff singles in the third and fifth and responded with quality pitches.
The win began a six-game, Fourth of July week homestand for the Blue Wahoos (29-20) in a festive way. The Shuckers (15-33) have now lost eight straight games.
The Blue Wahoos are sending another heralded prospect, Edward Cabrera, on the mound Wednesday for the first of four post-game fireworks nights, followed by Jake Eder on Thursday. It’s a trio that is among the top of minor league baseball with earned run averages and overall performance.
“It’s really fun to watch these guys (Cabrera, Eder),” said Meyer, the No. 3 overall selection by the Marlins a year ago out of the University of Minnesota.
“Us three kinda rolling out back to back to back,” he said. “We kind a feed off each other and we all have pretty good stuff so you are able to see how to throw to the teams we are facing. And really, good guys, too.”
As they’ve done all season, the Blue Wahoos’ offense made the most of each hit. Five hits, five runs.
Demetrius Sims started with a solo home run in the second into the right field berm. In the fifth, after Peyton Burdick and J.J. Bleday walked, Jerar Encarnacion just missed a three-run homer to straightaway center.
But catcher Nick Fortes hit a one-out single to score both runners.
In the ninth inning, Burdick followed a bases-loaded, none out situation by delivering a two-run double to continue his Double-A South lead in RBI.
Blue Wahoos closer Colton Hock gained his 11th save by making one big pitch – striking out Alexander Palms with the bases loaded in the eighth on a perfect curveball.
But Hock then struggled in the ninth, giving up a single, double, another batter reaching on an error, then a two-run double before ending the game on two flyouts.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Wilmer Padgett Jr.
June 30, 2021
Wilmer Padgett Jr. was born November 1, 1952 to the union of Wilmer and Mary Padgett. As a child JR was an avid baseball player. JR’s favorite position was back catcher. He would often be seen in his catching stance inside and outside instead of sitting in a chair. He continued squatting in this manner until he was no longer able to crouch.
JR was preceded in death by his parents, Wilmer Sr. and Mary Padgett; sister’s, Mary Lee Padgett and Mary Ann Rudolph.
He is survived by his children, Ty (Melissa) Padgett of Cantonment; children, Kuan (Lashonda) White and Sonameukia (David) Banks all of Cantonment, grandkids, Mykamia Padgett, Tiakanimi Padgett, Rena Banks and David Banks Jr. siblings; Catherine (Keith) Valrie of Loxely, AL, Eddie Padgett and Karl Padgett both of Daphne, AL, Annette (Troy) Campbell of Mobile, AL and Sarah (Calvin) Johnson of Fairhope, AL; As well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, July 9, 2021 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Robert Gross to give Eulogy. Burial will follow in Williams Cemetery.
Family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM prior to services.
Barry: New Industry With Up To 200 Jobs Likely Headed To Central Commerce Park In Cantonment
June 29, 2021
A new industry bringing up to 200 new jobs in their first year of operation may be coming to the Central Commerce Park in Cantonment.
Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry told NorthEscambia.com Monday afternoon that he believes he will present a letter of intent from the company to the full commission for a vote on July 8.
Barry same the company is looking at about 75 acres in the Central Commerce Park for a facility that will bring 150 to 200 jobs their first year in operation. He expects the private capital investment by the company will be about $20 million.
He said the project will involve no out of pocket money from the county.
“It’s really good news. It’s the first company we’ve been able to bring forward for this commerce park since I’ve been in office,” said Barry, who is now in his third term.
He declined to name the company or the type of industry due to economic development privacy exemptions, but he did say it will be a company that is new to Escambia County.
Pictured: Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry discusses a potential new industry during a town hall meeting Monday evening at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Convicted Sex Offender Captured Early Tuesday Morning Near State Line
June 29, 2021
A convicted sex offender was captures early Tuesday morning near the Alabama/Florida state line after several hours on the run.
Authorities from Alabama and Florida were involved in a search Monday night into Tuesday morning west of Flomaton for 36-year old Jedd Jackson Grimes who was wanted on outstanding warrants for a probation violation and a felony sex offender violation.
Grimes was capture just before 1:30 a.m. in the 3000 block of Old Atmore Road, just north of the state line. He was located on the roof of an abandoned shed in a wooded area, according to Escambia County (AL) Sheriff Heath Jackson. Grimes surrendered to Jackson shortly after he arrived on scene.
A search Monday night for Grimes was concentrated in the area of Old Atmore Road between Tom Shivers Road and Red Maple Drive, along both sides of the Alabama/Florida state line. The Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Department of Corrections, Alabama State Troopers, and Alabama Drug Task Force were involved, including K-9 teams.
According to the Alabama Sex Offender Registry, Grimes was convicted in 2016 of sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old. He was released from prison on March 28, 2019, and his last reported address was 1036 North Canoe Road, Atmore.
Pictured: Wanted sex offender Jedd Jackson Grimes (center) was captured shortly before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in a wooded area off Old Atmore. Pictured left is Escambia County (Alabama) Sheriff Heath Jackson, and picture right is an unnamed member of an Alabama Department of Corrections dog team. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia EMS Increasing Pay, Manpower; Considering Medical Director Partnership With University Of Florida
June 29, 2021
Escambia County EMS is considering a new direction in medication direction training partnership with the University of Florida.
“When we go with the University of Florida…this will give us another level,” Escambia County Interim Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore said, stressing that the county’s paramedics and EMTs are already trained and certified. “Another degree of training, of certification that will allow us to actually build upon what we have now and make the system even better.”
There will be three medical directors for Escambia EMS, two of which live in the area.
Gilmore expects to present the University of Florida contract to the Escambia County Commission for a vote on July 8.
“Contracting with UF affords us the opportunity to bring in all types of training now. We can actually get a baseline training for our EMS personnel, identify the gaps, fill those gaps and build upon advanced stuff,” he said. “So the opportunities that we are bringing to the county are trying to make this system a much better system.”
In 2003, Escambia County EMS was named Florida’s Provider of the Year.
“There’s no reason we can’t get that again,” Gilmore said during a District 5 town hall meeting at the Molino Community Center. He said new EMS Manager David Torsell, who has been on the job since June 1, has set a goal to once again be the best in Florida.
“Since he’s been here three and a half weeks, he’s brought accountability back to the system that has been long needed,” Gilmore said. “We’ve got crews back on the road like they are supposed to be, answering calls.”
Gilmore said the starting pay has increased to $19.19 per hour for paramedics, which he believes will lead to an influx of paramedics coming into Escambia County. He said that’s competitive with other EMS systems to the east and west of Escambia County. Some of those pay more, he said, but don’t offer benefits.
“We are getting manpower coming back to the county. We are hoping to staff more ambulances down the road,” he said. The county is aiming for about 20 ambulances on the road in the daytime hours and 15 at night.
“That will get us where we need to be. Right now we are trying to do 15 in the daytime, and we’re getting 12-15. And we are trying to get 10 right now at night, and we’re getting around seven to eight, sometimes six, and we have to call in extra manpower for mandatory (hours). We are trying to fix those gaps.”
The low manpower, and the low number of ambulances on the road, sometimes mean parts of North Escambia are without an EMS unit in the area.
“I live up here too; my family lives up here. I’ve been here all my life, and I am dedicated to make this happen so that nobody has any issues with the EMS system or the fire system,” said Gilmore, who is a resident of Bratt. “I’ve been doing the county stuff for 25 years as district fire chief for McDavid, and this is near and dear to my heart. I want to make sure we get it right for you guys, for your family, for my family.”
Pictured: Escambia County Interim Emergency Manager Eric Gilmore speaks during a District 5 town hall meeting Monday evening at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.