Federal Judge Orders Spanish Language Sample Ballots In Escambia, Santa Rosa
September 8, 2018
A federal judge Friday required elections officials in 32 counties — including Escambia and Santa Rosa - to provide Spanish-language sample ballots for the November general election — but said there wasn’t enough time to order more far-reaching steps to help Puerto Ricans eligible to vote in Florida.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, in a 27-page ruling, partially sided with plaintiffs who sought an injunction to require Spanish-language ballots and other assistance for what are believed to be more than 30,000 Puerto Ricans in the counties.
“Voting in a language you do not understand is like asking this court (to) decide the winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry — ineffective, in other words,” Walker wrote. “Courts have long held that the right to vote includes not only the right to physically enter a polling place and fill out a ballot but also the right to comprehend and understand what is on that ballot.”
But with the election less than two months away, he acknowledged concerns raised by county elections supervisors about making changes at this late stage. In issuing a preliminary injunction requiring the Spanish-language sample ballots, he declined to order such things as Spanish-language ballots and hiring bilingual poll workers.
Walker wrote that granting “all of plaintiffs’ requested relief would place significant hardships on election administrators.”
“If this court denies all relief to plaintiffs, they will lose their right to a meaningful vote,” he wrote. “This court would, in effect, be authorizing disenfranchisement. If this court grants all plaintiffs’ requested relief, defendants will be required to spend considerable time and effort to comply with the Voting Rights Act. They would have to do so in the lead-up to the November general election, which involves significant planning, logistics, and oversight — all of which is well-documented in the record.”
The potential class-action lawsuit was filed in August by a coalition of groups, with Alachua County resident Marta Valentina Rivera Madera as the named plaintiff. It targeted Alachua, Bay, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Hernando, Highlands, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Pasco, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Sumter, Taylor and Wakulla counties.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys have focused on part of the Voting Rights Act that is aimed at people who were educated in schools where the predominant language was not English and that seeks to ensure they are not denied the right to vote. A motion filed by the plaintiffs said Congress enacted that part of the law “to protect the rights of Spanish-speaking Puerto Ricans to vote stateside.”
The plaintiffs also have pointed to an influx of Puerto Ricans to Florida after Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory last year. Walker’s ruling said Rivera, the named plaintiff, moved to Gainesville after the storm.
The plaintiffs filed an underlying lawsuit and sought a preliminary injunction to try to quickly get changes for the Nov. 6 general election. Walker’s ruling dealt only with the preliminary injunction but appeared to make clear he backs the plaintiffs on the underlying issues.
“Puerto Ricans are American citizens,” he wrote. “Unique among Americans, they are not educated primarily in English — and do not need to be. But, like all American citizens, they possess the fundamental right to vote. The issue in this case is whether Florida officials, consistent with longstanding federal law, must provide assistance to Puerto Rican voters who wish to vote. Under the plain language of the Voting Rights Act, they must.”
Walker, who has repeatedly clashed with Gov. Rick Scott’s administration about voting-related issues, openly mocked state elections officials.
“Here we are again. The clock hits 6:00 a.m. Sonny and Cher’s ‘I Got You Babe’ starts playing. Denizens of and visitors to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania eagerly await the groundhog’s prediction. And the state of Florida is alleged to violate federal law in its handling of elections,” he wrote sarcastically.
The ruling said 13 Florida counties — Broward, DeSoto, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough, Lee, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, and Seminole — provide Spanish-language ballots to comply with another part of the Voting Rights Act. Also, Collier and Volusia counties provide Spanish-language material, though they have not been required to do so. The lawsuit targeted 32 counties with Puerto Rican populations.
Walker’s order requires the Florida Department of State to direct elections supervisors in the 32 counties to make available Spanish-language sample ballots that have “matching size, information, layout, placement, and fonts as an official ballot does.” Also, the supervisors will be required to publish the Spanish-language sample ballots on their websites and provide signs at polling places to make sure voters are aware of the sample ballots.
Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton, who is a defendant in the case as a representative of other supervisors, said in court documents that she has taken a number of steps to try to help Spanish-speaking voters, such as providing a materials in Spanish, providing bilingual support in her office and planning to have a voters’ guide translated into Spanish.
Similarly, Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Earley said this week his office has worked to make accommodations.
“All of our election guides and voting guides were all translated,” Earley told The News Service of Florida. “We had printed copies, and copies available at the polling places. During early voting, we had one person request assistance in voting in Spanish, out of 206,000 registered voters or the 76,000 that voted.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Church To Host 9/11 Appreciation Breakfast For First Responders
September 8, 2018
Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton will hold a 9/11 Appreciation Breakfast from 6:30 a.m. until on September 11. All first responders, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, military personnel and politicians are welcome.
The church is located on Highway 113 just north of Highway 31.
File photos.
Marcus Pointe Christian Preschool Opens In Beulah
September 8, 2018
A ribbon cutting was held Friday for the new Marcus Pointe Christian Preschool- Beulah Campus.
In the faith-based preschool’s one and two-year old rooms, children learn baby sign language, art, and music, and begin potty training, sharing, and playground play through our “Wee Learn” curriculum. Three-year old students are prepared to enter K4 through the “Pathways for Preschool” curriculum that covers all the basics – numbers, shapes, colors, alphabet, and much more.
The new location of Marcus Pointe Christian Preschool is at 8300 Beulah Road and acceps one to three year olds. The main campus at 6205 W Street provides care for infants to three-year olds.
For more information call (850) 479-1605.
Pictured: The grand opening ribbon cutting for the new Marcus Pointe Christian Preschool- Beulah Campus Friday morning. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats South Walton (With Photo Gallery)
September 8, 2018
The Northview Chiefs upended the South Walton Seahawks 14-7 Friday night in Bratt.
“Our defense played a hell of a game tonight. The defense stepped up after the past couple of weeks after having some rough outings, but hey the defense stepped up time and time again,” Northview head coach Derek Marshman said. “We moved the ball great from 20 to 2o and we just got to capitalize on it. We left 20 to 30 points on the board tonight. We’ve got to capitalize on scoring opportunities.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
South Walton opened with a 7-0 lead on their first drive of the game. The Chiefs answered with a Trent Kite touchdown with 4:54 to go in the first quarter, but the Seahawks held on to a 7- advantage.
The Northview defense pushed South Walton back, with senior Lance McLaughlin sacking the Seahawk’s QB in the end zone after a bad snap for a safety to put the Chiefs up 8-7 with 9:31 in the third.
With 39 seconds on the clock in the third, Northview capped a 99 yard scoring drive with junior Trent Kite punching in a touchdown from a few yards out, giving the Chiefs a 14-7 lead.
Northview sealed the deal with an interception from McLaughlin with 1:40 to go in the game.
Northview (2-1) will travel to Blountstown (2-1) next Friday night.
“It’s gonna be tough. That’s the measuring stick. They were in the state championship a year ago so let’s see where we’re at,” Marshman said.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Gulf Breeze Tops Tate (With Photo Gallery)
September 8, 2018
The Tate Aggies suffered a tough 58-25 non-district loss Friday night at Gulf Breeze.
Gulf Breeze senior running back Tyler Dittmer racked up over 350 yards and five touchdowns for the Dolphins.
The Tate Aggies took a 6-0 lead with 9:41 in the first on a long touchdown pass from senior Hunter Riggan.
By the end of the first quarter, the Dolphins held a 28-6 advantage. At 10:19 on the clock in the second, Tate scored again on Riggan quarterback keeper. A missed two point attempt, and it was 28-12.
At the half, the Dolphins were up 35-19.
Tate (1-2) will be at Pensacola High (1-2) next Friday night at 7:00.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night High School Football Scores
September 8, 2018
Finals from around the North Escambia area Friday night:
FLORIDA
- Gulf Breeze 58, Tate 25
- Northview 14, South Walton 7
- Jay 52, Rocky Bayou 0
- Pensacola 14, Washington 7
- Pine Forest 40, Pace 7
- Pensacola Catholic 34, Choctaw 9
- Milton 26, Fort Walton Beach 7
- Crestview 41, Navarre 35 OT
- D’Iberville (Miss.) at West Florida – Canceled
- Escambia at Archbishop (La.) Rummel, 7 p.m. (Saturday)
ALABAMA
- Escambia Academy 41, Clarke Prep 7
- Escambia County (Atmore) 54, Monroe County 0
- T.R. Miller 34, Excel 19
- Hiillcrest (Evergreen) 62, W.S. Neal 20
- Flomaton (OPEN)
Eighth-Inning Walks Dooms The Wahoos In 3-2 defeat
September 8, 2018
Biloxi scored twice in the eighth innings thanks to four walks issued by the Wahoos bullpen and won Friday’s game 3-2 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Shuckers can now clinch a spot in the championship round with a win in either of the remaining two games.
It was the second defeat of the series that was mired with self-defeat rather than having been outclassed. Tony Santillan started the game for Pensacola allowed one run on two hits across 6.1 masterful innings. He had four separate innings in which he retired the side in order, and he exited the game with eight strikeouts and only one walk.
For the Shuckers, Trey Supak looked like he was in trouble right from the start. After walking two batters in the first inning, he walked three more in the second. The Wahoos were able to score one run courtesy of Jose Siri’s two-out single that brought home Gavin LaValley in the bottom of the second. Supak lasted only three innings, but Pensacola only churned one run out of his six walks on the night.
With the game tied at one in the bottom of the seventh inning, TJ Friedl drew a leadoff walk and stole second base after Aristides Aquino struck out. With two outs, Shed Long placed a single perfectly through the right side, which scored Friedl and gave the Wahoos a 2-1 lead. However, Pensacola’s lead was short-lived. In the eighth, Robinson Leyer—who entered the game in the previous inning—walked Max McDowell to start the inning. After a bunt moved him into scoring position, Jody Davis brought in Jesus Reyes to face Corey Ray. Reyes walked the bases loaded before allowing a sac fly to tie the game and a double to Keston Hiura, which gave Biloxi a 3-2 lead. Alejandro Chacin then replaced Reyes, and after walking Lucas Erceg, he induced Blake Allemand into an inning-ending groundout. The Shuckers scored twice on one hit and four walks.
Pensacola had a last gasp in the ninth against Nate Griep when Friedl drew his fourth walk of the game with one out. After a Mitch Nay flyout, Aquino singled to put the tying run at third and two outs. With Long at the plate, the Wahoo second baseman groundout out to short on a bang-bang play to give Biloxi a 2-1 series lead.
Game four of the South Division Series returns to Biloxi where the Wahoos are looking to avoid elimination. RHP Daniel Wright led the Southern League with 28 starts this season, and he will be tasked with keeping the Wahoos season alive. Biloxi is expected to start with RHP Marcos Diplan.
About 230 Lose Power In Barrineau Park
September 7, 2018
About 230 customers in Barrineau Park lost power Friday afternoon due to a downed power line about 1:40 p.m. on Barrineau Park School Road. Gulf Power was on scene shortly afterwards and worked to make repairs. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Looks For $100K To Balance Budget, Considers Cuts
September 7, 2018
The Century Town Council held their final budget workshop of the year Thursday afternoon, aiming to find $100,000 to balance their annual budget for the next fiscal year.
The town’s gas department can’t account of 58 percent of the natural gas it purchases for resale, and those gas department losses left the council maneuvering for savings.
The town has allocated an immediate $100,000 this budget year to purchase new gas meters for residential and commercial customers and about $4,000 for a new “gate station” meter to measure the quantity of gas purchased to verify the amount billed by their supplier.
The new gas meters are expected to increase revenue substantially due to improved accuracy.
At a previous meeting, the town council decided to leave their estimated gas fund revenue at $400,000 in next fiscal year ’s budget, based upon current income levels in order to easily see increased revenues. Accountant Robert Hudson instead Thursday recommending raising that income projection to $500,000.
“You are still going to see it (any revenue increase),” Hudson said. “We raised it to balance the budget.”
“But you’re still just making up a number,” Council President Ann Brooks said. “I think it is disguising the fact that we need to cut (expenses) somewhere.”
“One we get them in the ground, we should start seeing a change almost immediately,” Mayor Henry Hawkins said of the new meters and additional revenue. He said most of the current gas meters are about 26 years old.
Town Clerk Kim Godwin, who previously served as gas superintendent, said the meters were damaged and accuracy dropped several years ago when automatic reporting devices were added to them.
The town will also remove old meters from longtime inactive addresses, work to improve billing accuracy and conduct a self-audit of accounts to make sure residents are being properly billed.
“If you have been getting gas or water for free, it’s about to end,” council member Luis Gomez said.
Rather than increasing the projected gas department revenue by $100,000, the council increased it by $50,000 and began to look for other ways to save the money and balance the budget.
After discussions that including cutting back on the employer health insurance contribution, dropping an annual Independence Day Fireworks Show and slashing donations to non-profits, community service organizations and local school groups, the council instead turned their focus to other line items.
They decided to delay the purchase of a $15,000 side-by-side vehicle for the gas department and postpone employee merit raises for a $30,000 savings. Employees will still receive a cost of living increase.
And the council upped anticipated revenue for acting as a second signature on bond issues by the Capital Trust Agency by $75,000 in final budget balancing maneuver.
The first of two public hearings to consider the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget will be held Monday at 5:01 p.m. A regular council meeting will follow at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Century Woman Charged With Bribery Of Escambia Sheriff’s Deputy
September 7, 2018
A Century woman was charged with allegedly bribing a sheriff’s deputy with cash so he would not take her to jail for trespassing.
Valene Alaine Walker, 33, was charged with misdemeanor trespassing and felony bribery.
Walker’s ex-boyfriend called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to the 6000 block of North Century Boulevard after Walker was allegedly banging on the window of his residence. An arriving deputy reported that he observed Walker on the property causing a disturbance as she walked from the backdoor to the front yard of the home. Walker was previous trespass-warned from the property by the ECSO.
While Walker was being transported to the Escambia County Jail on the trespassing charge, she tried to bribe the deputy, according to an arrest report, by offering to give him the bond money in her possession so he would let her go. The report notes that audio and video were captured on the deputy’s in-car camera.