Century Employee Letter Raises Allegations; Words Fly Between Mayor And Town Planner
June 20, 2019
Words and allegations flew at a recent Century Town Council meeting between Mayor Henry Hawkins and Town Planner Debbie Nickles, and Hawkins refused at the time to say which town employee wrote a letter with the allegations he brought to light.
Hawkins told the council he that was reading from a letter from a town employee. Copies of the letter he distributed to council members had the name of the author redacted (see bottom of story). When NorthEscambia.com asked for an unredacted copy of the letter, Hawkins replied “You won’t get it…until I give it to the ethics commission you will not get it.”
Update: After publication of this story, the town provided the unredacted version of the letter.
In the letter dated June 17, window clerk Tammy Amerson wrote that Nickles asked to be contacted after work, and a discussion about filling problems ensued.
“Mrs. Nickles asked me to gather up information regarding our Town billing clerk,” Amerson stated in the letter. “Information that included getting copies of all the customers’ documents that have yet to be into the system and were receiving free services for long periods of time because of her not doing her job. I agreed with a lot of the things she was saying. I told her I would call her back. I called her back and told her that I would not do that. I told her that it wasn’t ethical and I thought it was probably against the law. She said that she was gathering this information for Ann Brooks to bring up at the council meeting. Again I said ‘NO’.
“I should’ve never been put in this situation. My job and this community are very important to me,” Amerson concluded.
“That is a board of ethics violation,” Hawkins said. “I’d like to remind us that I am the mayor, and do not want people calling and trying to get dirt on somebody else cause you put everybody in a bad distrust issue. I had several people that was ready to quite on Friday.”
“That is not true. I was told that information was here, that was available, that someone was not doing their job. I don’t appreciate you saying that I’m violating ethics,” Nickles responded to Hawkins. “I don’t care what that letter says. That letter is not correct.”
“I don’t appreciate you Mayor Hawkins of accusing me…It’s not true, and I don’t appreciate it,” she said, also adding that she was told Hawkins threatened to fire anyone “on the spot” or their paycheck would be withheld for providing information about what was happening at town hall.
Hawkins said he became aware of the issue during a staff meeting last Friday, and he had the employee put it writing and had the letter notarized.
“I’m tired of you Mr. Hawkins,” Nickles said.
“You have been showing that you are tired of me because I understand that you have a petition trying to get me impeached,” Hawkins said shortly before Nickles walked out of the meeting.
Nickles issued a written letter of her own emailed to NorthEscambia.com after the meeting with the subject line “Tammy Amerson’s letter”.
“I feel sorry for the employees of the Town as they must work under conditions of intimidation and the threat of losing their jobs if they air the Town’s dirty laundry with outsiders. Apparently, Town Hall has something to hide,” Nickles wrote. “On another note, I want to set the record straight in that Council President Ann Brooks had NOTHING to do with my request for any documentation nor was any information provided to me ever going to be brought to the Century Town Council meeting(s).”
The mayor claimed the letter to be notarized, and it does appear to include the notary seal of Kimberly Godwin, the town clerk. However, the letter is missing Godwin’s signature and certification statement as required by Florida Statute 117.05.
Godwin originally provided a redacted copy in response to a NorthEscambia.com email requesting the letter read by Hawkins. “I am forwarding a copy of this email to Mayor Hawkins as I do not hold the original,” she wrote. As of Wednesday night, Hawkins had not responded to our original request or to any email forward from Godwin. Thursday morning, Godwin had obtained and emailed the unredacted letter to council members and NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com image, click to enlarge.
Former Century Resident Facing Federal Prison Time For Throwing Meth Chemicals At U.S. Marshal
June 20, 2019
A former Century resident with numerous local convictions is awaiting sentencing in Ohio on federal charges for throwing explosive meth manufacturing chemicals at U.S. Marshals during a chase.
William Burr Milliron, now 47, pleaded guilty to assault of a federal officer, possession of materials to manufacture methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine and felon in possession of ammunition.
U.S. Marshals were searching for Milliron near Bowling Green, Ohio, on a probation violation out of Santa Rosa County in Florida. They spotted Milliron and attempted to pull over Milliron, who fled. Marshals pursued and officers from the North Baltimore (OH) Police Department joined the chase, according to court documents.
Milliron began throwing bottles containing unknown substances at the pursuing cars, and one of the bottles exploded on the front end and windshield of the police vehicle, according to court documents.
The pursuit continued until Milliron’s vehicle went off the road and crashed. Milliron was arrested and had 13 rounds of live ammunition in his pants pocket, according to court documents.
The substance in the bottles was found to be a combination of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. The chemicals are highly volatile, toxic and combustible. The bottles had paper wicks which were charred from being lit on fire, according to court documents.
Milliron has multiple local felony convictions, including convictions for possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and possession of drug paraphernalia related to a 2015 traffic stop in Century. The Florida First District Court of Appeal recently denied a motion to suppress evidence in that case. [Read more in a June 9 NorthEscambia.com story.]
Pictured: William Burr Milliron was convicted on multiple charges after this 2015 traffic stop in Century. NorthEscambia.com exclusive file photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Volunteer Firefighters Take Part In Ladder Truck Training
June 20, 2019
Volunteer firefighters took part in ladder truck training this week at the Molino fire station.
The Molino, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, Beulah and Myrtle Grove stations of Escambia Fire Rescue participated in the training, which included familiarization with the “Ladder 5″ truck that is stationed in Century.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Tops The East In All-Star Baseball, Softball Games
June 20, 2019
The West teams from Escambia County beat the East teams from Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties Wednesday night in the 20018-19 Subway High School All-Star Series at the University of West Florida.
The West Girls beat the East Girls 10-6. Northview’s Tori Herrington was named the West Softball MVP, and the EAST MVP was Alicyn Grete of Choctaw High School.
The West Boys beat the East Boys 8-5. East Boys MVP was Trevor Flowers of Jay High, and Tate’s Trey LaFleur was the West Boys MVP.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NEP Gold Wins Gospel Projects T-ball World Series; Molino Gets Historic Second Place Finish
June 20, 2019
The NEP Gold 6-year old team won the Gospel Projects T-Ball World Series Wednesday evening, while the Molino All-Stars finished as runner-ups. The Molino team was the first Molino team to place in the World Series since it began in 1970.
Molino team members are Hayden Hollingsworth, Wyatte Golson, Brooklyn Hommerbocker, Jaxton McDaniel, Tyson Brown, Caden Mandel, Jaidyn McCants, Samuel Drysdale, Brantley Pangburn, Keaton Walker, Jayce Wilson and Ansley Morgan. Coaches are Jimmy Morgan, Luman Wilson, Ronnie Pritchett, Jeff Hommerbocker and Derrick McDaniel.
(NEP Gold team member names were not submitted.)
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Commissioner May Recognized As A FAC Presidential Advocate
June 20, 2019
The Florida Association of Counties recognized Chairman and District 3 Commissioner Lumon May as a Presidential Advocate for their work during the 2019 Legislative Session. Commissioner May received the designation during an awards ceremony held at the FAC Annual Conference in Orange County, Florida.
The FAC Presidential Advocate recognition is given to county commissioners who have shown exceptional leadership in advocating with FAC during the 2019 session to advance the counties’ legislative agenda.
“As commissioners, we are empowered to stand up for our community, to be the voice for those who can’t speak, and to fight for our right to decide our own future,” said FAC President and Hendry County Commissioner, Karson Turner. “During the Legislative Session, our role becomes increasingly important as hundreds of bills are heard that have a direct impact on our communities. Those receiving this honor displayed a commitment not only to the counties’ legislative agenda but to their community and the state.”
For more than 85 years, the Florida Association of Counties has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that government closest to the people governs best. The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.
Massive Fire Destroys Over Two Dozen Perdido Key Condos (With Video)
June 19, 2019
A massive fire on Perdido Key Wednesday morning destroyed at least 26 condominiums and a home just east of the Flora-Bama on Perdido Key.
The first fire units arrived on scene shortly after 4 a.m. to find a working fire spanning multiple condos and spreading quickly due to wind and close proximity of the units to one another. It is estimated that 14 units at Key Harbour and 12 units at Pescador Landing have been destroyed. One residential stand-alone home on the west side of the fire was also destroyed and considered a total loss.
An estimated 50 people were displaced by the fire at Key Harbour.
Escambia Fire Rescue believes all residents are accounted for, while some pets may still be missing. One resident was transported with minor injuries and smoke inhalation and one firefighter from Orange Beach was also transported with heat-related injuries. Both were taken to South Baldwin Hospital.
The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating.
NorthEscambia.com video (below) caught one of the structures collapsing. It can be seen burning in the photo at the top of the page, and it is no longer there in the photo below.
For a photo gallery, click here.
An estimated 75 firefighters responded with assistance from Escambia County EMS, Escambia County Area Transit, City of Pensacola Fire, Baldwin County EMS, Santa Rosa County Fire, Orange Beach Fire, Fire & Emergency Services of the Gulf Coast, Lillian Volunteer Fire Department, Gulf Power, ECUA and the Red Cross.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Local Man Allegedly Fires Gun At Woman In Cantonment
June 19, 2019
A local man is accused of shooting at a woman in Cantonment.
Denarion Keon Wallace, 24, was charged aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired disturbance Monday afternoon in the area of Lake Drive after an anonymous caller reported hearing gunfire and people screaming. A witness told deputies that her cousin got into a verbal argument with Wallace, who pulled out a small black handgun and made the statement “You better get off Lake Drive”, according to arrest report.
He then allegedly pointed the gun toward the victim and fired two rounds. Both rounds missed.
After Wallace was detained, a 9mm bullet was located in his pants pocket, the report states. Wallace told deputies there was a verbal argument, but there was no gun involved. He also told deputies he found the bullet somewhere on the road.
Wallace remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning. He was being held without bond.
Former Gulf Breeze City Manager Proposes To Help Century
June 19, 2019
Longtime Gulf Breeze City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy has offered his consulting services to the Town of Century to help them solve the numerous problems identified in a recent report.
Eddy made the unsolicited offer after reading a report by independent financial consultant Bob Inzer, whose services were provided to the town by the Florida League of Cities following a scathing grand jury findings. Inzer repeatedly told the town council that Century needs to hire someone for a chief financial officer type position to have direct oversight over the town’s finances.
Eddy is not currently seeking a full time job with Century. Instead, he is proposing an hourly rate of $35 as a consultant.
“I have read Mr. Inzer’ s report and I have had a couple of informal conversations with Mayor Hawkins over the past few months. I am available, if the Mayor and the Council decide to secure additional administrative assistance, to help out,” Eddy wrote in an email this week to council President Ann Brooks. “Using the Inzer report as a basis and individual interviews with the Mayor and Council members, we would develop and assist in implementing a series of steps to get the Town of Century back on track.”
After meeting individually with the mayor and council members, he said the next action would be to evaluate utility operations, including billing and service-related issues.
Eddy recommended that the town set aside $5,000 for the initial phase, providing for 143 hours of service.
Council members collectively indicated that they would be interested in Eddy’s services, but they would want to first have him attend a meeting with the council to fully present his proposal.
Eddy met with the Century Town Council in early 2018, explaining a new tax up to 10 percent that the town could levy on electricity, municipal water, propane and natural gas usage within the town limits. He also told the council that they could add an additional 25 percent premium to the bills of those outside the town limits that use town water or natural gas services, and up to a 5 percent communications tax to phone and internet bills.
The council never acted on any utility tax increases.
Eddy served as the Gulf Breeze city manager from 1992 until his retirement in 2017. He also worked as the city manager in Coral Springs, Florida, from 1988-1992.
Pictured above and below: Consultant Buz Eddy explained possible new tax revenue to the Century Town Council in February 2018. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal Named Best Place To Work In IT
June 19, 2019
Navy Federal Credit Union was named a Computerworld 2019 Best Places to Work in IT for a fifth consecutive year, ranking eighth among 49 large organizations. This is Navy Federal’s highest-ever ranking, and the organization continues to be the only credit union on the list.
Navy Federal’s Information Technology professionals provide support for the credit union’s 18,000 employees and over 8 million members. The credit union is known for its workplace culture that’s filled with opportunities to learn and encourages collaboration and innovative thinking.
“Navy Federal’s focus is always on our members,” said Tony Gallardy, chief information officer. “That focus is the main reason we’ve created a thriving culture that empowers our team members to explore and develop digital solutions to provide members with the best experience possible.”
Computerworld compiles its Best Places to Work in IT list based on a comprehensive questionnaire regarding company offerings in categories such as benefits, career development, training and retention.
Additionally, IT professionals are surveyed and their responses are factored heavily in determining the rankings.
In 2019, Navy Federal is placing an emphasis on growing its team in the information services department, with commitment to fill 120 positions before the end of the year.
Pictured: Employees in the Information Services Department (IT) at Navy Federal’s Greater Pensacola Operations Center. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.