Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: The Pitter-Patter Of Little Feet In The Governor’s Mansion
January 6, 2019
Tuxes and ball gowns are coming out of the closet. Custom-made boots are being buffed and shined. Babysitters’ calendars are blocked off.
Whether it’s a pizza party, prayer breakfast or posh gala, Tallahassee’s illuminati are preparing for a once-in-while glamfest known as an inauguration.
Two days of fetes will mark the advent of new administrations in the offices of governor, attorney general and agriculture commissioner.
Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis won’t take over as chief of the nation’s third-most populous state until Tuesday. But the former congressman, a Republican, this week continued to round out his brain trust, including naming some agency heads with ties to his predecessor, Gov. Rick Scott, who’s on his way to Washington after defeating U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
Next week’s pageantry sets the table for an administration headed by a fresh-faced governor who’s toting a crib to 700 North Adams Street.
DeSantis, 40, and his wife, Casey — a Jacksonville television personality — are the parents of a 2-year-old and an infant who won’t turn one until March.
Republicans will be celebrating with DeSantis, Attorney General-elect Ashley Moody and returning Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, but Democrats also will get a chance to kick up their heels. Haitian-born pop star Wyclef Jean will highlight an inaugural celebration for Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried — the lone Democrat to win a statewide election in November.
Amid the pomp and circumstance, the Legislature is dusting itself off as lawmakers prepare to take on issues ranging from veggie gardens to school safety.
The state Senate this week also released details of a settlement that will close the books on a complaint related to the downfall of former legislative leader Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who left office amid allegations of sexual harassment.
Rachel Perrin Rogers, the Senate staffer whose complaint of sexual misconduct led to Latvala’s exit from the upper chamber he loved so well, agreed to a $900,000 settlement in December. Perrin Rogers leaves the Senate after years as legislative aide privy to the closely held secrets of elected officials, lobbyists and other insiders.
Perrin Rogers signed off on her Senate career in a short resignation letter last month to her boss, Sen. Wilton Simpson.
“I feel an immense sadness that at this time I am no longer able to do this work for you in the Senate,” Perrin Rogers wrote to Simpson, a Trilby Republican slated to take over as Senate president in 2020. “Thank you for your unwavering support.”
SCHOOL SAFETY ON THE SLATE
Nearly a year after a deadly shooting at a Broward County high school, a state panel created to investigate the horrific event and come up with ways to prevent future tragedies released its initial recommendations this week.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission found that “personal and system failures” culminated in the mass shooting on Valentine’s Day that left 14 students and three faculty members dead and 17 people wounded at the Parkland school.
The months-long probe also revealed that many Florida schools remain vulnerable to attacks similar to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas attack by confessed killer Nikolas Cruz, a former student at the school who legally purchased the AR-15 assault weapon used in the massacre.
State lawmakers responded to the mass shooting, which occurred during the 2018 legislative session, by quickly passing a sweeping law that raised from 18 to 21 the age to buy long guns, such as the rifle Cruz legally purchased; banned so-called “bump stocks;” and imposed school-safety requirements and mental-health screenings for students.
The new law also required all schools to have at least one school safety officer and allowed districts to hire armed “guardians” — school personnel whose primary job duties are outside the classroom — to supplement the officers, who are usually deputies.
In its report Wednesday, the state panel recommended that classroom teachers also be allowed to act as armed “guardians,” even though that controversial idea created an impasse before the school-safety measure passed last year.
Allowing specially trained teachers with concealed-weapons licenses to bring guns to classrooms was among the many recommendations offered by the commission, which was created as part of the law. The only commission member to vote against the armed-teacher proposal was Max Schachter, whose 14-year-old son Alex was among the slain students.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, chairman of the commission, defended the proposal.
“This isn’t about ideology. This is about reality, and this is about making sure that we can save kids’ lives,” Gualtieri said.
The report blamed the Broward County school system and sheriff’s office for being unprepared and for delays in responding to the volley of bullets from Cruz, who reloaded five times during the minutes-long assault at the high school.
“Anybody who thinks we’re going to get rid of guns is crazy. We’ve got to do something,” said Gualtieri, who at one time opposed allowing teachers to carry weapons but has since reversed his stance.
Teachers should undergo “an absolutely rigorous selection process” and training prior to getting permission to bring guns to schools, Gualtieri said, adding that Floridians “have to be realistic” about the threats schools are facing.
The “best possibility” to reduce the harm to students and faculty is to have someone trained with a gun on campus, he said.
“And that’s school staff,” he said.
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE YOUNG
DeSantis will be Florida’s youngest governor in more than a century when he takes office on Tuesday.
DeSantis turned 40 about two weeks after he won the Aug. 28 Republican primary. He will be the youngest governor on Inauguration Day since Park Trammell took the oath of office on Jan. 7, 1913, as a 36-year-old former attorney general.
The former congressman will be Florida’s first “Generation X” governor, succeeding three “baby boomer” leaders, including Scott and former governors Charlie Crist and Jeb Bush.
“The election of Gov. DeSantis is a generational shift in Florida politics,” said former Senate President Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican whose 36-year-old son, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, is one of DeSantis’ closest advisers.
“I think he comes with a fresh perspective. He’s not hamstrung or tied up in a lot of the decisions and prejudices of my generation perhaps,” Don Gaetz added.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Tallahassee insiders are preparing for the inauguration of Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis and new Florida Cabinet members, who will be sworn into office Tuesday amid two days of celebration.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The reality of this is that it is going to happen again. The question is where. The question is when.” — Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, referring to the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that left 14 students and three faculty members dead and another 17 students and staff injured.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Troopers Find Meth, Spice, Cocaine And More During Highway 29 Traffic Stop
January 6, 2019
Florida Highway Patrol troopers found meth, spice, cocaine and more during a traffic stop Saturday morning on Highway 29.
Troopers said a white Cadillac sedan was stopped with a green traffic signal in the outside lane of Highway 29 at I-10. Traffic began to travel around the stopped vehicle at which time the trooper approached the vehicle and observed signs of criminal activity, according to a FHP report.
The trooper made contact with the driver, 33-year old Travis Montes Mitchell. The FHP said he began to resist and attempted to put the vehicle in drive. He was taken into custody with the assistance of backup law enforcement. A search of the vehicle found 5.2 grams of rock or powder cocaine, 56.3 grams of methamphetamine, 60 assorted pills, 62.4 grams of spice and additional drug paraphernalia.
Mitchell was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a harmful new legend drug, marijuana possession, habitual driving without a license and resisting arrest.
He also received traffic citations for obstructing traffic, a seat belt violation, open container and a learners license violation.
Mitchell remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning with bond set at $41,500.
Drunk Driver That Slammed Into Deputy, Two State Troopers On Highway 29 Sentenced
January 5, 2019
A drunk driver has been sentenced to state prison after slamming into a deputy’s vehicle, two state troopers and another pedestrian on Highway 29 in Escambia County,
John Vincent Pluas of Pompano Beach was sentenced to five years in state prison, with credit for 574 days served while awaiting trial. He was ordered to pay $4,614.65 in restitution to the Florida Highway Patrol, plus fines and court costs. He was convicted of DUI with serious bodily injury, three counts of DUI damage to property or person, driving with a suspended license and no vehicle registration.
About 3 a.m. on May 27, 2017, Florida Highway Patrol trooper Sebastian Vo observed a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 29 just south of Brent Lane. Trooper Vo initiated a traffic stop and pulled the suspect vehicle over. Trooper Chad Lynch and an Escambia County deputy arrived on scene to assist.
Trooper Vo and Trooper Lynch initiated a DUI investigation on the wrong way driver.
The unoccupied marked ECSO patrol car with emergency lights activated was occupying the center lane of Highway 29 when it was struck by a 2013 Chrysler 300 driven by Pluas. The ESCO vehicle was pushed into an FHP vehicle where Trooper Vo was working in the front seat. Trooper Lynch had just removed the wrong-way diver from his vehicle when both were hit by the ECSO vehicle.
Trooper Lynch and Trooper Vo were transported by EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital, where both troopers were treated and later released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Convicted Felons In Escambia County Can Register To Vote Starting Tuesday
January 5, 2019
Convicted felons in Escambia County can register to vote beginning Tuesday.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections will begin processing applications from previously ineligible voters beginning Tuesday, the effective date of the Voting Restoration Amendment approved by voters in the 2018 general election.
According to the ballot summary, the amendment to Florida’s Constitution “restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation. The amendment would not apply to those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, who would continue to be permanently barred from voting unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore their voting rights on a case by case basis.”
Voters who have previously lost their voting rights due to a felony conviction but are now eligible must submit a new voter registration application. Individuals who are unsure of their status should contact the Florida Office of Executive Clemency, the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where they were sentenced, the Florida Department of Corrections where they were supervised or incarcerated, or the U.S. Probation Office if in the federal court system.
Voters may register to vote online at EscambiaVotes.com, in person at the Supervisor of Elections office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver License office, and several other governmental offices and public assistance centers. Registration applications are also available for pick up at many locations countywide and can be returned to the Supervisor of Elections office by mail or in person.
Century Little League Registration Underway Now
January 5, 2019
Century Little League registration for 2019 is happening now.
Registration fees are as follows:
- Now to January 14 – First Child $50; $45 each additional
- January 15 to 14 February 14: First Child $60; $55 each additional
- February 15 to March 2: First Child $70; $65 each additional
Register online here, or in person registration dates will be held on the following Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon at the Showalter Park press box:
- January 19
- February 9
- February 16
- March 2
All fees are due at the time of registration. Credit and debit cards are accepted online. In person registration is cash or check only.
Escambia Man Sentenced For Robbery, Kidnapping
January 5, 2019
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to state prison for kidnapping a woman.
Ontorius Larrell Turner was sentenced to 30 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender by Circuit Judge Scott Duncan. On November 20, 2018, Turner was convicted by an Escambia County jury of burglary of a dwelling while armed with a dangerous weapon, two counts of robbery with a firearm; carjacking with a firearm; armed kidnapping; and false imprisonment with a weapon.
On October 20, 2017, Turner and his co-defendant Avery Lamont Goss kidnapped a Pensacola woman from her home after carjacking her fiancé at gunpoint and forcing him to take them to their home. The defendants demanded money and forced the victim to drive them around Pensacola for almost two hours before she was rescued.
Turner was identified in a photo lineup and was later arrested in Alabama.
Co-defendant Avery Lamont Goss was tried and convicted by the same jury of sexual battery with a weapon and battery in addition to burglary of a dwelling while armed with a dangerous weapon, two counts of robbery with a firearm; carjacking with a firearm; armed kidnapping; and false imprisonment with a weapon. The sentencing of Avery Lamont Goss is still pending.
Flood Warning Continues For The Escambia River
January 5, 2019
A flood warning is in effect until Tuesday for the Escambia River near Century.
Midday Saturday, the river was at 18.6 feet, above flood stage of 17 feet. The river is forecast to continue to fall below floods stage by midnight Monday.
At 17 feet, there is considerable flooding of lowlands. At 19 feet, low lying pasture will flood, forcing the movement of cattle to higher ground.
January Is ‘Move Over’ Month In Florida
January 5, 2019
January is Move Over month and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) urges all motorists to move over for emergency and service vehicles stopped along the roadway. Preliminarily in 2018, there were 231 crashes and almost 17,000 citations issued for motorists failing to move over. DHSMV and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Sheriffs Association and AAA – The Auto Club Group to ensure all law enforcement, first responders, service and utility workers and Road Rangers Arrive Alive in 2019.
“When a crash occurs, law enforcement and first responders are there. When a disabled vehicle needs assistance, Road Rangers or tow truck drivers are there. When power lines need repairs, utility and service workers are there,” said DHSMV Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes. “The Move Over Law is in place to protect those who serve all of us on the roadways, giving them a safe space to do their jobs. Move Over, Florida, and help ensure that these public servants come home safely each day.”
The Move Over Law was added to section 316.126, Florida Statutes, in 2002. The statute, which was originally introduced in 1971, requires motorists to move or yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles and in 2014, utility and sanitation vehicles were added to the Move Over Law. The Move Over Law states that drivers must move over as soon as it is safe to do so for any authorized law enforcement, emergency or service vehicles displaying any visible signals while stopped on the roadside, including Road Rangers, sanitation vehicles and tow trucks.
“Troopers, first responders and utility workers put their lives on the line every day on our roadways,” said Colonel Gene S. Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Protect the men and women that answer the call for service in Florida and Move Over, so they can return home to their families.”
When motorists cannot vacate the lane closest to the emergency or service vehicle, they must slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. Failure to yield or move over puts law enforcement officers, emergency first responders and public service workers in danger while they are on the job protecting and serving the citizens and visitors of Florida.
Florida Department of Transportation Interim Secretary Erik R. Fenniman said, “The Department’s Road Rangers provide important assistance to motorists, lessen delays and support the Florida Highway Patrol on Florida’s roadways. We want each of our Road Rangers, and all responders, to remain safe while maintaining Florida roads and encourage all drivers to Move Over for service and emergency vehicles.”
“Police chiefs around the state of Florida work hard to ensure that their officers return home safely at the end of each shift. However, the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) knows that we can’t do it alone. Law enforcement needs our citizens help to ensure the safety of each and every officer and first responder out on our roadways,” said FPCA President and Florida State University Police Chief David Perry. “The FPCA reminds you to always slow down and move over so that law enforcement can quickly and safely assist Florida’s drivers so they can return home to their loved ones.”
“Our deputy sheriffs, along with other first responders, willingly place themselves in harm’s way daily to proudly protect the citizens we serve. Our Florida sheriffs fully support the ‘Move Over, Florida!’ campaign to protect those who protect us,” said Sheriff Mark Hunter, President of the Florida Sheriffs Association.
“This law is in place to protect the ones who protect us,” said Matt Nasworthy, Florida Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Not focusing on the road puts your life and others at risk. To help ensure everyone’s safety, drivers should also move over if a motorist is stranded on the side of the road.”
To comply with the Move Over Law drivers must:
Multi-Lane Roadway:
- Vacate the lane closest to the stationary emergency vehicle, sanitation vehicle, utility service vehicle, Road Ranger or wrecker and always signal the intention to change lanes.
- Slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit if a driver cannot move over safely.
- Be prepared to allow those who are attempting to move over into the next lane.
Two-Lane Roadway:
- Slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
- Travel at 5 mph if the speed limit is 20 mph or less.
The public is encouraged to report aggressive drivers by dialing *FHP (*347). For more information on the Move Over Law, visit: https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/move-over/.
Barn, Greenhouse Destroyed During Early Morning Storm Near Jay
January 4, 2019
A pole barn and a greenhouse were destroyed during an early morning storm near Jay.
A resident said it “sounded like a tornado” on Watermill Road, and the winds lasted for about a minute to a minute and a half. The storm hit sometime between 1:30 and 1:45 a.m.
There were no injuries reported.
The Jay Fire Department responded to a report of a tornado on Pine Level Church Road near Highway 178, but nothing was found.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grand Jury To Review Century Town Operations; Council Members Charged With Sunshine Law Violations
January 4, 2019
A grand jury will investigate operations of the Town of Century, and three council members have been charged with violating the Sunshine Law.
“A number of issues have been brought to the attention of the State Attorney’s Office regarding the manner in which the town has operated, and these are the issues that may brought before the grand jury,” Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille said Thursday afternoon. The issues, he said, span a period of several months.
He said a grand jury is always in place in Escambia County, and a new grand jury is convened twice per year. The Century issues will be presented to a new grand jury that will begin their term before the end of January.
“Under Florida law, not only can they (the grand jury) charge a crime, they can investigate how a city or county is being operated and make a report to the general public of their findings that will be educational to the general public and hopefully helpful to the city of Century,” State Attorney Bill Eddins said.
Town council President Ann Cofield Brooks and council members Sandra McMurray Jackson and Luis Gomez, Jr. were charged Thursday with noncriminal violations of the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege the three council members “did unlawfully engage in a discussion or exchange of information with other members of the Century Town Council regarding a matter which foreseeably could come before said board or commission for action, outside of a public meeting, in violation of … Florida statues,” according to the charging documents.
Last summer, three council members allegedly attended at least some portion of a closed-door meeting with CPA Robert Hudson, Town Clerk Kim Godwin and the town’s auditors. The meeting was not advertised as a public meeting, which would forbid more than one council member from taking part under Florida’s Sunshine Laws.
They are due at an arraignment hearing on January 24 at 8:30 a.m. “They will enter a plea before a judge,” Marcille said, “then set for trial unless their plea is not guilty.” Each faces a maximum fine of $500.
Noncriminal Sunshine Law charges were filed against four individuals accused of violating Florida’s Sunshine Law in 2016. The former members of a Citizens Advisory Task Force were charged with having a public meeting that was not properly advertised. A July 26, 2016, meeting was advertised in a legal notice to begin at 4 p.m. The meeting was actually held at 2:00 p.m., preventing the public from attending. Each defendant signed a deferred prosecution agreement and charges were dropped.
The State Attorney’s Office put the town on notice in 2016 that future Sunshine Law violations would be taken seriously.
Marcille said Thursday prosecutors will not be looking for tenancy against the town council members charged with violating the Sunshine Law, but would instead hold them accountable as elected officials.
“That case was different in that it was a citizens’ board, not elected officials. In this case, we would ask for the maximum fine,” he said.
Pictured top: Century Council members (L-R) Luis Gomez, Jr., Ann Cofield Brooks and Sandra McMurray Jackson at the council’s most recent meeting on December 17, 2018. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.