Scott: State “Working On” Response to DOJ On Voter Purge
June 6, 2012
Florida is “working on a response” to the U.S. Department of Justice’s questions about its efforts to remove ineligible voters from the rolls and hopes to be able to respond by today’s deadline, Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday morning.
Federal officials have asked the state to tell Washington by today whether it intends to continue notifying some voters that they have been flagged as potentially ineligible because their names match names on a separate state database of possible non-citizens.
The effort has come in for criticism, including from local elected elections supervisors, because a number of the people flagged for possible removal have been able to prove their right to vote, showing they either are natural-born or naturalized citizens.
Scott also said Wednesday that no one who is eligible to vote has been removed from the rolls, because letters have gone out first warning people before they are removed. People who don’t respond are supposed to be removed, but many supervisors have balked at that, fearing the prospect that they may actually be eligible.
“Not a single eligible voter as far, as I know, has been removed from the voter rolls,” Scott said in an interview with WNDB radio in Daytona Beach, where Scott was Wednesday. “Not one. And we’re working to keep it that way.”
Scott again defended the process as necessary to protect the impact of legitimate voters’ choices.
“Their vote should not be diluted by people who don’t have the right to vote,” Scott said. “We need to be reviewing our voter rolls and making sure only those individuals who have the right to vote … are voting.”
WNDB also asked Scott about a concern raised by Volusia County Elections Supervisor Ann McFall, who questioned recently why Scott didn’t order the check and purge of voter rolls last year, rather than waiting until less than 90 days before the August primary election. That’s one of the major concerns of the Department of Justice – federal standards generally require that regular, systematic cleaning of voter rolls, which generally occur in an ongoing fashion, stop 90 days before an election and resume after the vote.
Scott didn’t directly answer why the state was doing the purge now, saying that he would have liked it to happen sooner, and that state officials had hoped to get access to a federal Homeland Security database to better check the names, but hadn’t been granted that access. Why state officials decided to go forward with the purge while still waiting on Homeland Security, Scott hasn’t said.
“We don’t want people that don’t have a right to participate in elections,” Scott said. As to the Justice Department’s request for information on what the state plans to do now, Scott said it’s in the works.
“We’re working on a response. Hopefully we’ll be able to respond today,” Scott said before changing the subject. “But you know the most important thing? It’s jobs.”
The Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections has suggested to local supervisors of elections – who don’t officially answer to Scott because they’re independently elected – that they hold off on actually removing voters they can’t contact because of the Justice Department’s concerns, and those of several supervisors.
In addition to the 90-day issue, the federal government also is concerned that major changes in election law are supposed to be approved by Washington before being made in five Florida counties with a history of discrimination. No such federal approval for voter purges was sought for the current effort, though that may be less of an issue because supervisors routinely cull people from voter rolls when they’re found to be ineligible, such as when they’ve died, or moved out of state.
By The News Service of Florida
Severe Thunderstorm Warning — North Escambia, West Central Santa Rosa
June 5, 2012
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Statement as of 4:08 PM CDT on June 05, 2012
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
northern Escambia County in northwest Florida…
west central Santa Rosa County in northwest Florida…
east central Baldwin County in southwest Alabama…
* until 515 PM CDT
* at 408 PM CDT…a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter
size hail and damaging winds over 60 mph was located 7 miles
northwest of Molino…or 11 miles west of Chumuckla…and moving
southeast at 25 mph.
* Locations impacted include…
Wallace… Skyline… Point Baker…
Jay… Chumuckla… Allentown…
Molino… Brownsdale…
This includes Interstate 10 in Alabama between mile markers 49 and
55.
Strong Storms Possible Today
June 5, 2012
Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will develop ahead of a cold front today bringing the threat of a few severe storms, according to the National Weather Service.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely after a high around 93. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
Century Library’s Summer Series For Kids And Teens Begins Today
June 5, 2012
The Century Branch Library’s Summer Reading Series begins today and continues through July 10. Events for kids and teens each Tuesday at noon during the month of June include:
June 5 — Music with Kathleen Gibson. She is an award winning family entertainer, song writer, author, producer and recording artist. She will share her special program, “Whoever You Are, Be a Star!! Dream Big!!”
June 12 — Magic with Dr. Gee & Daffodil the Clown. The zany performers will need the audience’s help as they perform fantastical magic acts and bring stories to life.
June 19 — Storytelling with Pat Nease. She will share some witty, wiley and wicked tales.
June 26 — Cartooning with Mike Artell. The award-winning cartoonist and illustrator will present an exciting time of cool and creepy facts about a variety of subjects. Mike gets the audience excited about reading, writing, drawing and creative thinking.
July 3 — No program.
July 10 — Drums with Mark Seymour. Explore the world of drums, drum styles and sounds.
The Century Branch Library also offers a preschool story time each Tuesday in June at 10:30 a.m. for children birth to five-years old.
For more information, call the library at (850) 256-6217.
Flomaton Lions Club Being Reorganized, Meeting Tonight
June 5, 2012
The Atmore Lions Club is help to reorganize the Flomaton Lions Club. The club first met in 1934 but has not been active for about three years.
The Flomaton Lions Club will meet from 6:00 until 7:00 tonight at the Flomaton Community Center. Anyone interested in learning more about the Lions Club is invited to attend.
“Flomaton needs a civic organization like Lions. Please come and see if you are willing to better your community. Lions help with eye exam, glasses, diabetics, help provide scholarships to students. Lions do a lot for a community,” said Patty Helton Davis of the Atmore Lions Club.
Hiring Event Tuesday For Walnut Hill Jobs
June 4, 2012
The hiring process for jobs paying up to $20 an hour will begin Tuesday for a new crude oil transfer station planned for Walnut Hill.
Workforce Escarosa will assist Genesis Rail Services and their partner, Rail Solutions of Florida with the recruitment and hiring of rail car unloading operators at a hiring event next from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Walnut Hill Community Center (Ruritan Bulding) at 7850 Highway 97, just north of Ernest Ward Middle School.
Genesis Rail Services representatives will be on-site and may choose to conduct interviews with selected individuals at the event.
Rail car unloading operators will be responsible for offloading crude oil from rail cars.
Operators will be required to work 12 hour shifts with four days on and four days off. Positions offer a full benefits package with a pay rate of $16 to $20 per hour. Individuals interested in applying for rail car unloading operator positions must have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and will be required to pass a security screening, physical and a drug test.
To view a complete job description and a list of additional requirements, log on to the Employ Florida Marketplace, www.employflorida.com, and review job order number 9677713.
Genesis’ Senior Vice President of Business Development, Paul Davis, said the company will be creating about 30 new jobs at the Walnut Hill facility over the next couple of years.
No Arrests In Weekend Flomaton Armed Robbery
June 4, 2012
There have been no arrests in a weekend robbery at a Flomaton convenience store.
The Kangeroo Express at Sidney Manning Boulevard (Hwy. 29) and Wilkerson Street was robbed at gunpoint about 10:30 Saturday night.
The incident, which was captured on the store’s surveillance video, shows two white males entering the store. Both were described as being of about average height. One was about 160 pounds, wearing a black ski mask, a black jacket with a camouflage stripe across the shoulders and khaki pants. The other was described as about 180 pounds wearing a black ski mask and khaki pants.
One of the men was armed with pistol, according to Flomaton Police Chief Daniel Thompson. They fled the store on foot.
The Flomaton Police Department, the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office, and the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office joined in a manhunt for the suspects using K-9 dogs. After several hours, the unsuccessful search was called off.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Flomaton Police Department at (251) 296-5811.
Pictured above and below: These reader submitted cell phone images show police on the scene of an armed robbery Saturday night in Flomaton. Submitted photos by Anthony Stinson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High School Class of 2012 Baccalaureate Today
June 3, 2012
Baccalaureate service for the Tate High School Class of 2012 will be held this afternoon.
The service will be held in the Worship Center at Olive Baptist Church at 3 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
List: Vacation Bible Schools
June 3, 2012
Vacation Bible Schools will begin this week at churches in the North Escambia area.
To add a VBS to this list, email news@northescambia.com
VBS at Brooks Memorial Atmore
“Gold Rush” Vacation Bible School at Brooks Memorial Baptist Church, 904 McRae Street in Atmore, June 4-8 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
VBS at First Baptist Flomaton
Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of Flomaton, June 4-8 for ages 5 through 6th grade. Registration is 8:30 a.m. daily; VBS is 9 a.m. until noon. Info: (251) 296-2453.
VBS at Flomaton Pentecostal
Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church will hold “Sky-With God All Things Are Possible” Vacation Bible School June 4-8 from 5:30 until 8:15 p.m. Need a ride on the church bus? Call Angie at (251) 236-0304.
VBS Canoe Baptist
Vacation Bible School at Canoe Baptist Church, June 10-14 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. A Fun Day to kick off the “SonQuest Rainforest” VBS will be held on June 9 from 4-6 p.m.
VBS First Baptist Church of Bratt
Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of Bratt, June 11-15 from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. each day. Family night will be Friday, June 15 at 6:00.
Heritage Baptist VBS
Vacation Bible School at Heritage Baptist Church at 3065 Hwy 297A in Cantonment, June 11-15 from 6-8:45 p.m. for children who have completed K-5. For information, call Melissa at (850) 478-3316 or register online at www.excitingheritage.com
VBS FBC Wallace, AL
Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS at the First Baptist Church of Wallace (AL), June 11-15, 6-8 nightly. Family night on Friday night.
VBS Cottage Hill UMC
Vacation Bible School at Cottage Hill United Methodist Church, June 18-22 from 6-8 p.m. For grades K-9. Supper provided.
VBS First Baptist Atmore
Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church of Atmore, June 18-22 from 5:30 until 8:00 nightly. Preschool to 5th grade.
Berrydale Baptist VBS
Berrydale Baptist Church “Amazing Wonders Aviation” Vacation Bible School, June 18-22 from 9 a.m. until noon. 6730 Hwy 4, Jay.
Blackwater Baptist Milton
Blackwater Baptist Church at 11689 Munson Highway in Milton will hold Vacation Bible School June 24-June 28 from 5:30 until 8 p.m. VBS Family Night will be Thursday June 28 beginning at 7 p.m. with VBS Commencement followed by homemade ice cream, homemade desserts and more. (850) 957-4044.
Little Escambia Baptist – Flomaton
Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton will have VBS July 16-20 from 8:30 a.m. until noon for four-year olds through the sixth grade. Also, the church will host a summer day camp each Tuesday from 8:30 until noon for four-year olds through the sixth grade. (251) 296-2777.
VBS – Walnut Hill Baptist Church
Walnut Hill Baptist Church will take flight June 25-29 with “Amazing Wonders Aviation” Vacation Bible School for children through the eighth grade. VBS will be held from 6-8:30 nightly, with a VBS celebration to be held after morning worship on Sunday, July 1.
Aldersgate UMC Molino VBS
“Operation Overboard” Vacation Bible School at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino, July 30-August 3. Daily activities 5:30-8:30 p.m. for ages 3 to rising fifth graders. Preregister now at www.aumcmolino.org. For more info, contact Sandra at (850) 587-2489.
Great Weekend Weather
June 2, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Calm wind.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest between 10 and 15 mph.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Tuesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Wednesday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind around 5 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
- Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
- Saturday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 20%.