DeSantis Picks Muniz As Third New Supreme Court Justice
January 23, 2019
In the final step in reshaping the Florida Supreme Court, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday named Carlos Muniz, general counsel at the U.S. Department of Education, as his third selection to the state’s highest court.
The appointment of Muniz, 49, who served as chief of staff to former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and deputy general counsel to former Gov. Jeb Bush, solidifies a conservative majority on the court after years of justices regularly thwarting the Republican-led Legislature and the GOP governor.
“The court is going to apply the law as written,” DeSantis said while announcing his selection outside the governor’s mansion. “You may not agree with every decision, but they are not going to go off on a major tangent. I think that is very good for us. I think that the separation of powers will be strengthened with the newly constituted court.”
Muniz said in his new role he has a “solemn duty to set aside my own policy preferences.”
“The role of a judge is to preserve the Constitution, not to add to it or subtract from it,” Muniz said. “I believe strongly in judicial independence, but judges have to earn that independence through their fidelity to the Constitution.”
Muniz noted he shares DeSantis’ “judicial philosophy,” which was outlined in the governor’s inaugural address this month. DeSantis said justices should not “legislate from the bench” and should make the state and federal constitutions their “supreme” guide.
In between his state and federal positions, Muniz worked in private practice. DeSantis said Muniz’ lack of a judicial background should be a plus.
“One of the critiques I’ve had of the court is that they have not understood their proper jurisdiction,” DeSantis said. “They’ve expanded it beyond where they should.”
However, the Florida Democratic Party criticized the selection by noting the appointment leaves the court without a black justice for the first time since 1983 and that Muniz lacks experience as a judge.
“From his appointment it’s clear that Ron DeSantis has no respect for the rule of the law and is seeking to stack the courts with his political allies,” state Democratic Party Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo said in a statement. “Carlos Muñiz has no judicial experience, instead comes with a long political resume that includes working for (U.S. Secretary of Education) Betsy DeVos’ Department of Education and Pam Bondi’s Attorney General Office.”
But Senate President Bill Galvano, a Republican from Bradenton, applauded Muniz’s “comments on the importance of judicial independence and the commitment each judge must make to set aside personal policy preferences.”
In a past role as chairman of the House Rules Committee, Galvano worked with Muniz, who also served as a counsel in the Florida House and as a general counsel of the Florida Department of Financial Services.
As Bush’s deputy general counsel, Muniz worked under Charles Canady, now the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. At the time, Canady was Bush’ general counsel.
Bush praised the selection.
“Carlos Muniz is one of the brightest legal minds I know, and he will serve Florida with integrity and with the utmost respect for the rule of law,” Bush tweeted on Tuesday.
Muniz, a Yale Law School graduate who clerked for two federal judges, was appointed in 2017 to the U.S. Department of Education role by President Donald Trump, an ally of DeSantis and Bondi.
DeSantis during the past two weeks appointed appellate judges Robert Luck and Barbara Logoa to the Supreme Court. Luck and Logoa served on the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami.
Lagoa, Luck and Muniz replaced longtime justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince, who were required to step down this month because of a mandatory retirement age.
Muniz, Luck and Lagoa were among 11 names recommended for the court by the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission.
DeSantis, an attorney, said he did not ask Muniz during an interview about how he would act on specific matters but rather how they approach questions of law.
“I’m confident if you have the intellectual horsepower and the wherewithal, the right method and you’re applying that, I may not agree politically with whatever decision comes out, but you shouldn’t do that,” DeSantis said. “But I’m confident those will be well-rounded decisions. I think that goes for Carlos. I think that goes for others.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
FHP Looking For Dump Truck With Equipment Trailer In Hit And Run
January 22, 2019
UPDATE: The Florida Highway Patrol has released a photo of third vehicle wanted in connection with a hit and run crash January 17 on Fairfield Drive.
Troopers are looking for a single axle dump truck with a white cab and black dump bed, towing a 30-foot dove-trail trailer that is possibly yellow with three pieces of equipment, including a Bobcat.
The photo released by the FHP is above.
A white Dodge pickup truck was traveling westbound on Fairfield Drive approaching Pace Boulevard as a pedestrian was crossing northbound on Fairfield Drive. Witnesses told troopers that the pickup did not have headlights and was driving in two lanes when the pedestrian was struck.
The truck is a white in color Dodge pickup, possibly a dually, with white hub caps. It may have a black color front grill protector.
Friday afternoon, the FHP said they are also looking for a dark in color pickup that may have also been involved in the crash. Troopers also said the drivers of the black and white pickup trucks many not have known they struck the pedestrian.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on the scene. His name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Anyone with any information about this crash or information about a possible vehicle, is asked to contact FHP Corporal E. Diaz at (850) 484-5000.
Early Morning House Fire In Cantonment Under Investigation
January 22, 2019
Fire destroyed a home on Cedar Tree Lane just east of Highway 29 in Cantonment early Tuesday morning.
No one was home and there were no reports of any injuries in the 12:30 a.m. blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the blaze.
Reader submitted photos by Sonameukia Banks for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Safety Improvements Made At Cantonment Crossing Where Train Hit Vehicle Last Month
January 22, 2019
The railroad crossing where a vehicle was hit by a train last month has been upgraded with crossing arms.
The marked crossing on on County Road 97 just south of Muscogee Road had flashing lights but no crossing arms on December 13. That’s when 20-year old Dustin Ryan Crumbley of Atmore was traveling north at 11:40 p.m. and failed to stop in time at an Alabama Gulf Coast Railway railroad crossing, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
He was transported to an area hospital as a “trauma alert” by Escambia County EMS. A puppy in the vehicle was also injured and taken to a veterinarian at an emergency animal clinic in Pensacola.
The FHP cited Crumbley for failure to obey a railroad crossing traffic control device and for not wearing a seat belt.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Family Celebrates Three Generations Of Birthdays On The Same Day
January 22, 2019
Against the odds, three generations of a local family are celebrated a birthday on Sunday.
Janis O’Farrell of Walnut Hill, born in 1935, turned 84. Her son Dennis O’Farrell of Walnut Hill, born in 1959, turned 60. His daughter Candi O’Farrell Lusk of nearby Perdido, AL, was born in 1981 and turned 38 Sunday.
What are the odds? 1 in 133,225, according to published reports.
Bowman Avenue Closed At Nine Mile Road
January 22, 2019
Beginning 7 a.m. Tuesday, Bowman Avenue South between West Nine Mile Road and Bush Street will be closed to through traffic. Traffic will be detoured along Ashland Avenue South to Bush Street, then east back to Bowman Avenue. Construction will consist of new FDOT roadway construction.
The roadway closure is expected to remain in effect for approximately five days and every effort will be made to expedite construction efforts to reopen the road before Sunday, Jan. 27.
If other lane or roadway closures are necessary beyond the anticipated time periods, another notice will be issued.
Seven Northview Girls Weightlifters Advance To Regionals
January 22, 2019
Seven Northview High School girls weightlifters are advancing to regionals.
Chiefs earning advancement at last week’s district meet at Baker, along with their weight class and district rank, were:
Lynnsey Holzapfel – 101 lb. class, 6th
Chanalei Auelua – unlimited lb. class, 3rd
Destiny Clecker — 129 lb. class, 5th
Naudia Carach — 169 lb. class, 5th
Destiny Braddock — 110 lb. class, 4th
Lexxi Baggett — 139 lb. class, 6th
Hailey Harigel — 169 lb. class, 6th
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course On Wednesday
January 22, 2019
Escambia County Extension Services will host a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training course Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with topics to include introduction to produce safety, soil amendments, agricultural water and how to develop a farm food safety plan. The event will take place at the UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County 4-H Center located at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act, Good Agricultural Practices, and co-management of natural resources and food safety are encouraged to attend. The PSA Grower Training Course also serves as a way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement.
The course instructors will spend approximately seven hours of instruction time covering content contained in these seven modules:
- Introduction to Produce Safety
- Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
- Soil Amendments
- Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
- Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
- Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
- How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. There will be time for questions and discussion, and participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.
The course fee is $25 for produce industry members and government/university employees and $125 for all other attendees. Registration includes the training materials, lunch, refreshments and a certificate of course attendance issued by the Association of Food and Drug Officials. Registration is limited. Participation for the entire training is required for the certificate. Register for the course here.
For general registration questions, contact Jessica Lepper at jal20xox@ufl.edu or Libbie Johnson at libbiej@ufl.edu.
Ransom Tiger Volleyball: Here Are Team Rosters And The Schedule
January 22, 2019
The Ransom Middle School Tigers have announced their 2019 volleyball teams and schedule:
Varsity
Kaylen Brock
Hannah Cerverizzo
Emily Chang
Ava Culbertson
Jordyn Dunaway
Aniyjah Hooker
Jaslyn Stuart
Cameron Kent
Karigan Kowal
Van Nguyen
Jordan Williams
Cara Willis
Junior Varsity
Chloe Biggs
Addyson Chinchar
Kaylee Emmons
Miranda Gaut
Natalie George
Allyson McCammon
Chloe Puckelwartz
Tristen Showalter
Laykin Simpson
Jaanai Whitaker
Lacy Wilson
Kara Wine
Learn To Play The Mountain Dulcimer At The Molino Library
January 22, 2019
You can learn to play the mountain dulcimer at the Molino Branch Library.
The “Molino Melodies” class will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29 at the library. The class is free, and no experience or materials are required. Dulcimers are provided for the class.
Pictured: Last Tuesday’s mountain dulcimer class at the Molino Branch Library. NorthEscambia.com photos, Click to enlarge.
