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Greg Evers Remembered As Champion For Florida, North Escambia

State Sen. Greg Evers is being remembered as a champion for Northwest Florida and for the communities of North Escambia.

Evers, 62, was killed in a single vehicle traffic accident near Baker. [Read story.]

Less than a week after an EF-5 tornado ripped through Century in 2016, Evers was on the ground with rest of the Northwest Florida Legislative delegation. Evers  removed metal debris from the street and stopped to listen to and console the victims. Evers was critical in pressuring the state government to release recovery funds for Century.

Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said Evers was a friend of North Escambia, and he was instrumental in the development of the new 4-H facility in Molino.

“I am shocked and extremely saddened to hear of Senator Evers passing. He was a true public servant and an ally and advocate for Northwest Florida, especially Escambia County, for many years in Tallahassee,” Barry said. It’s not an embellishment, nor an exaggeration, to say the successful 4-H property acquisition and subsequent development in Molino would not have happened without his personal, passionate, and direct involvement, regularly over a two year period. He will be missed and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this tragic time. North Escambia County has lost a friend today.”

Evers was behind legislation that changed the way Florida regulates farm equipment on the state’s highways. The law eliminated the permits and fees for producers and allows them to move over-sized agricultural equipment within a 50-mile radius of their farms. He worked with several North Escambia farmers on the bill that also resulted in the highway signs depicting a tractor with the words “Share the Road” to remind Florida motorists that agricultural equipment shares the road.

For the town of Century, Evers supported several projects and grants.

“He was always here for us and supported us,” former Century Mayor Freddie McCall said Tuesday as he learned of Evers’ passing. “He is going to be missed.”

Tributes and condolences poured in Tuesday from elected officials and others who knew Evers for his work as a state lawmaker.

“Ann and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Sen. Greg Evers,” Gov. Rick Scott tweeted. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family.”

“Vicki and I are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our friend Greg Evers. Greg was a true gentleman and an outstanding public servant,” former U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller said.

“I’m crushed by the news that former State Senator Greg Evers was killed in a car accident late last evening. Greg has been my friend for 16 years. Northwest Florida has lost a great champion and true public servant,” Congressman Matt Gaetz said.

Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, said Evers was “a dedicated public servant and an even better friend.”  “He will be greatly missed,” Gainer said in a tweet. “Go rest high on that mountain.”

Gus Corbella, a lobbyist and former Senate chief of staff, called Evers “one of a kind.”  “A down-home gentleman who always kept his word,” Corbella said in a tweet.
“Greg passionately represented his district for many years in both the House and Senate,” Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said in a statement. “He was especially dedicated to the men and women of his community who were serving or had served in the military, as well as our fellow Floridians across the state who serve as corrections officers.”

A native of Milton, Evers, a Republican, served nine years in the Florida House before his election to the Senate in 2010. Evers left his Senate seat last year to make a bid for the U.S. House but lost the Republican primary to U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz.

In addition to his advocacy for corrections officers and on criminal justice issues, Evers was a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights.

In 2014, he authored the so-called “Pop-Tart bill,” which prohibits schools from disciplining students who play with simulated weapons. The bill was inspired by the suspension of an 8-year-old Maryland boy for biting a Pop-Tart into the shape of a gun.

More recently, Evers made a bid for an appointment to the Florida Public Service Commission, although he was not chosen as a finalist last week.

In interviews with a Public Service Commission nominating council, Evers underscored his rural roots and independence.

“Farmers never make any money,” Evers said, when questioned about the lack of reported income from a farm supply business. “You know, if we made money then we’d become entrepreneurs.”

“I’m pretty much my own man and I make up my own mind,” Evers also said.

Pictured top. Sen. Greg Evers consoles Century tornado victim Helen Mincy in the days following an EF-3 tornado in Century.  Pictured inset: Evers removes debris out of the roadway on Front Street in Century. Pictured below: Evers signs a letter from the Northwest Florida Legislative Delegation encouraging Gov. Rick Scott to release funding for Century tornado victims. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.