Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Tragedy Hits Home Again
March 18, 2018
TALLAHASSEE — As Floridians continue to process the incomprehensible slaughter of 14 children and three staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, another catastrophe struck South Florida this week when a pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University.
The latest tragedy, which left at least six people dead and at least as many injured, came less than a week after Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill that had been quickly put together in response to the deaths at the Broward County high school, the nation’s second-worst school shooting.
The collapse of the 950-ton pedestrian bridge eclipsed other dreadful news Thursday: the release of a video showing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school-resource officer Scot Peterson standing outside the building where gunman Nikolas Cruz was picking off students.
Just a day before the release of the video, students nationwide participated in a school walk-out to show their allegiance to the Parkland school and to honor the teenagers and faculty who died.
But on Friday, the country’s eyes were turned to the cars trapped beneath the rubble in Miami-Dade County, where authorities had abandoned hope of recovering anyone alive.
It’s another national moment for the governor, who has assumed the dubious distinction of the state’s mourner-in-chief.
Scott quickly joined local and federal officials on the scene, promising a full investigation and pointing the finger at the university for the disaster.
With the end of the legislative session and what feels like perpetual anguish for many of those even far removed from the tragedies in Parkland and Miami, perhaps it’s time to set aside the snark and the sarcasm and focus on compassion and kindness.
“Everything we do, every step, every breath should bring joy and happiness to us,” Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh advised on Twitter this week. “Life is already full of suffering; we don’t need to create more.”
ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS
The week began on a unified note with the Legislature finishing its business Sunday, a tad overdue, by passing the state’s $88.7 billion budget.
And Scott — who will be forced to leave office this year due to term limits — wasted little time completing the work on his last Florida spending plan. The governor signed the budget Friday, using his using his red pen to slash $64 million in projects and other budget decisions.
“Today, Florida is strong and I am proud of our hard work over the past seven years to grow the economy, invest in education, protect the environment and keep our families safe,” Scott wrote in a budget-transmittal letter to Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “While this is my final budget as governor, I am confident that the Securing Florida’s Future budget will continue to advance the priorities of Florida families for years to come and keep Florida’s future strong.”
The budget includes tax cuts, one of Scott’s chief priorities.
And it includes what Scott called “record funding” for K-12 schools — which will receive an average $101.50 per-student bump — and the university system, where performance funding was increased by $20 million.
The state’s school superintendents, however, were not happy with the K-12 funding, saying the way it was structured gives districts too little money to address rising operational costs. The superintendents asked Scott to call a special session to address the issue — an idea Scott effectively rejected in signing the budget.
The budget also includes $65 million to deal with the state’s opioid crisis, which was another priority for the governor.
Scott praised pay raises in the spending plan for law enforcement officers, including the Florida Highway Patrol, and workers at the Department of Juvenile Justice.
And he lauded the Legislature’s support for requiring nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have generators to provide backup power. That became an issue after residents of a Broward County nursing home died following Hurricane Irma.
But Scott, as well as Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, said the 2018 session may be best remembered for the response following the Feb. 14 mass shooting at the Parkland high school.
The shooting led to a $400 million school-safety initiative and legislation imposing new restrictions on gun purchases.
“Probably the most important thing we did this year is we listened to the families of Parkland. In very short period of time, we came together and passed historic legislation to make our schools safer,” Scott said Sunday. “This is my last regular legislative session, and I couldn’t be more proud of this session than all eight sessions I’ve been a part of.”
LAWYERS, GUNS AND MONEY
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission, which wrapped up public hearings this week, will be the latest host of the gun-control debate.
Facing a May 10 deadline, the commission will start meeting Monday in the Senate chamber in Tallahassee as it considers what proposals to place on the November ballot.
The panel, which meets every 20 years and has the unique power to place issues directly on the ballot, has scheduled seven floor sessions to wade through three-dozen proposals before March 27.
One measure (Proposal 3), sponsored by Commissioner Roberto Martinez of Miami, will certainly spark debate, as it has attracted several amendments related to gun control in the wake of the Valentine’s Day massacre in Parkland.
The proposal was initially designed to remove an obsolete provision in the Florida Constitution that bars illegal immigrants from owning land.
But Martinez, a former federal prosecutor, has filed an amendment that would also require anyone purchasing a firearm to be 21 years old. And it would require at least a three-day waiting period after a gun purchase to carry out a “comprehensive background check.” It would ban “bump stocks,” devices added to weapons to greatly increase their firing capacity.
The provisions are already included in the law signed last week by Scott, but placing them in the Constitution would prevent future legislatures from undoing the restrictions. The National Rifle Association has filed a lawsuit challenging the age requirement.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Chris Smith of Fort Lauderdale has another proposed amendment that would ban assault-style weapons.
Also, Commissioner Hank Coxe of Jacksonville has filed an amendment that would raise the age of buying a firearm to 21 and would impose a 10-day waiting period. It also would ban bump stocks. Commissioners Arthenia Joyner of Tampa, Sherry Plymale of Palm City and Frank Kruppenbacher of Orlando support Coxe’s amendment.
Another controversial proposal up for consideration would remove from the state Constitution the so-called “no-aid” provision, which prevents public spending on churches and other religiously affiliated groups.
Other proposals would require all school superintendents to be appointed; ban greyhound racing; require businesses to use E-Verify or a similar system to determine the immigration-related eligibility of employees; and ban vaping in workplaces.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott signed the state’s $88.7 billion budget, vetoing $64 million in projects and budget decisions.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It’s exactly the opposite of what we had intended, and we want to extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of those who have been affected. The bridge was about collaboration, about neighborliness, about doing the right thing, but today, we’re sad. And all we can do is promise a very thorough investigation, getting to the bottom of this, and mourn those who we’ve lost.” — Florida International University President Mark Rosenberg, after the collapse of a pedestrian bridge at the school killed at least six people Thursday..
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Thomas: Armed Security Coming To All Schools, Fulltime SRO’s Already Return To Northview, Ernest Ward
March 17, 2018
Armed security is coming to all traditional Escambia County schools, as full-time school resource officers have returned to Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High schools.
Beginning Monday, a new plan will take effect in Escambia County Schools that will provide armed security at all elementary schools in addition to school resource officers currently assigned to middle and high schools.
After cutbacks in the SRO program, Northview High School and Ernest Ward Middle School were sharing a single SRO, but Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said a full time SRO was assigned to each campus this week. “Northview and Ernest Ward were problematic due to distance so I that moved was already made this week,” he said.
“The district will work with local law enforcement agencies; the Escambia County Sheriff and the City of the Pensacola Police Department, as well as contract security vendors to achieve the objective of providing armed security in elementary schools, while maintaining the School Resource Officers we already have assigned to our middle schools and high schools,” explained Superintendent Thomas. “The sole purpose of these officers will be to provide security on our campuses.”
When law enforcement officers are not available, security personnel from Securitas will bridge the gap.
But some schools, which Thomas declined to name for security reasons, may not yet have an armed officer on Monday morning.
He said the objective is to provide armed security to schools, while cautioning that achieving this goal will take time to build the capacity and availability of security personnel. “It will take time to identify all of the officers, and also ensure contracted security personnel have the proper credentials. “Campus assignments will increase as we work toward adding coverage for all of our elementary schools,”
The plan is expected to cost an extra $303,000 for the remainder of the school year, according to school board vice chair Patty Hightower. The district will spend $171,000 on sheriff’s deputies and police officers, and $132,000 for armed security from Securitas. She said the money is already in the district’s budget.
Under legislation that will be in effect by next school year, school districts must hire security officers or arm teachers. The Escambia County School District has chosen not to arm teachers.
“That is too much to impose on our teachers, too much to ask,” Thomas said. “It would take each teacher a minimum of 148 hours of training to have a weapon at school.”
Earlier this week, the Escambia County Commission reached an budget concession agreement with Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan. That agreement calls for 50 percent of Law Enforcement Trust Fund monies to go toward SRO’s where feasible. But since that annual amount varies because it is from seizures, it can’t be properly budgeted.
“If the sheriff is able to return the SRO’s he cut at the beginning on this school year, that’s a good thing. But I do not like funding with a fund source that is variable. I prefer to have a budget amount that is sustainable,” Thomas said, adding that the school district has a good working relationship with the ECSO and Pensacola Police.
“We’re committed to supporting the Escambia County School District” said Sheriff David Morgan.
The Escambia County School Board is expected to act upon the superintendent’s recommendation next week.
Scott Vetoes $1 Million For Beulah Beltway, Nearly $1 Million For UWF
March 17, 2018
When Gov. Rick Scott signed Florida’s nearly $89 billion state budget, he vetoed $1 million for a Beulah Interchange Connector and $931,439 for the University of West Florida archaeology program/
The Beulah Beltway project proposes to a build a new four-lane highway over about 11 miles to connect West Nine Mile Road to Highway 29, including a new interchange with I-10. The I-10 interchange and southern segment along Beulah Road are expected to begin construction in 2023. At this time there is no identified funding for the construction of the northern segment, and no time frame estimate.
Scott said the $1 million in funding for the Beulah project was vetoed along with other transportation project because “these projects circumvent the Transportation Work Program”.
He said the UWF archaeology program funding was “vetoed because University of West Florida receives operational funding with which the institution has the flexibility to support such initiatives based upon their priorities. Since Fiscal Year 2011-12, University of West Florida’s operating funding has increased by $43.7 million.”
Related story: Scott Signs Budget, Takes It Easy On Vetoes
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Historic Preservation Board To Meet
March 17, 2018
The Century Historic Preservation Board will meeting Wednesday, March 21 at 11 a.m. at town hall to review site and architectural plans for the placement of one housing unit at 581 Church Street.
The home is located withing the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Residential Historic District and was damaged as a result of the February 15, 2016, tornado.
For more information, call Interim Town Clerk Kim Godwin at (850) 256-3208 or Town Planner Debbie Nickles at (850) 982-3984.
Scott Signs Budget, Takes It Easy On Vetoes
March 17, 2018
With a light touch of his veto pen, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed a new $88.7 billion state budget, eliminating only $64 million in spending and projects, the lowest total of his seven-plus years as governor.
“Today, Florida is strong, and I am proud of our hard work over the past seven years to grow the economy, invest in education, protect the environment and keep our families safe,” Scott said in a budget message.
He said his final budget as governor “will continue to advance the priorities of Florida families for years to come and keep Florida’s future strong.”
Scott wasted little time in dealing with the budget, which was passed by the House and Senate on Sunday and delivered to him Wednesday. The budget will take effect July 1.
Related story: Scott Vetoes $1 Million For Beulah Beltway, Nearly $1 Million For UWF
His $64 million in vetoes was lower than the $69 million he eliminated in 2014, when he was running for re-election. Scott, a Republican, is considering a run for the U.S. Senate this year against Bill Nelson, the Democratic incumbent. This year’s vetoes represent a little more than 10 percent of the $615 million Scott eliminated in his first year in office in 2011, his high mark for vetoed spending.
But rather than focus on the vetoes Friday, Scott emphasized the spending initiatives in the new budget, as well as a tax-cut package that includes sales-tax “holidays” and a slight reduction in a commercial-lease tax. The budget plan also avoided $377 million in increased property taxes for schools because lawmakers decided to roll back a tax rate.
In an interview Friday with The News Service of Florida, Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he was pleased with the governor’s support for the Senate’s initiatives, including a $122 million increase in funding for Bright Futures college scholarships.
“I think the vetoes were very modest, and I’m grateful to the governor for his consideration of Senate priorities,” Negron said.
While Scott and Republican legislative leaders have touted the budget, the Florida Association of District School Superintendents this week asked Scott to call a special session to increase funding for the 67 school districts. Although the budget includes a $101.50 increase in per-student funding, the superintendents said districts, on average, would only see a 47-cent increase in basic funding per-student because much of the new money was targeted for mental health and safety issues following last month’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County.
In signing the budget, Scott rejected that request, emphasizing the “record” level of funding for the kindergarten-through-high-school system, including a $485 million increase over the current year.
He also cited the $400 million school-safety initiative, which will increase funding for mental-health services, school resource officers and security improvements at schools after the Feb. 14 mass shooting that killed 17 people.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Rain Reschedules Branden Penegar Car Show For March 31
March 17, 2018
Due to rain this weekend, the annual Brandon Penegar Memorial Car Show has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 31.
Any make, model or year car is welcomed for the show. Car registration will be from 8:00-11:00 a.m. on March 31. The fee is $15 to only display a car, $25 to enter the car in the show. Spectator admission is free. Click here for a printable flyer (pdf) with more information.
Branden Penegar, known as the “Gentle Giant” was a 2011 graduate of Tate High School, an assistant coach for the freshman Tate Aggies’ football program and varsity tennis team, and a member of the Tate High School Student Hall of Fame. He passed away in March 2013 at the age of 20. Penegar was a active member of the Gonzalez United Methodist Church and youth program.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Wind Energy Powering Over 130,000 Homes
March 17, 2018
Gulf Power customers may be surprised to learn that some of the energy they use to wash clothes, cook dinner and power their ever-growing inventory of electronics and smart-home gizmos comes from wind.
At the beginning of 2016, Gulf Power became the leading purchaser of wind energy in Florida. As the utility marks its second anniversary of wind in its mix, it has provided more than 1.7 million megawatts hours of wind-generated energy, enough to power 131,842 houses.
“Two years later, we continue to be the leading purchaser of wind energy in Florida,” said Kimberly Blair, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Wind marked a major step forward in our promise to an efficient and reliable energy future. By using a balanced energy mix that includes smart renewable energy like Kingfisher Wind Farm, our customers can count on us for their energy needs.”
The Kingfisher Farm is among six renewable energy sources that generate 11 percent of Gulf Power’s energy mix. The other renewable sources are three solar farms that make up the Gulf Coast Solar Centers — 1.5 million photovoltaic solar panels on three military bases across Northwest Florida — and the Perdido Landfill Gas-to-Energy facility in Escambia County, Florida.
The benefits of wind are significant. Research from the Department of Energy confirms that producing energy from wind involves zero direct emissions. Wind is one factor that has contributed to Gulf Power reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 percent over the past decade.
While wind energy is seen as an emerging green energy source today, it’s been used for thousands of years — propelling boats along the Nile River as early as 5000 BC and turning simple windmills to pump water in China in 200 BC, according to the Wind Energy Foundation.
As of 2017, the United States’ wind power capacity surpassed 82 gigawatts, according to Energy.gov, making it the largest renewable generation capacity in the United States — enough to power more than 20 million average American homes. The projected growth of wind-energy projects is on track to provide 10 percent of the nation’s energy by 2020 alongside $85 billion in economic activity and 50,000 new jobs, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
“Desiring to harness this clean energy, Gulf Power entered into its first wind agreement involving a 178-megawatt portion of the Kingfisher Wind Farm in January 2016. A second agreement involving an additional 94 megawatts was inked in February 2017, for a total of 272 megawatts of wind capacity.
“We are always looking at renewable energy opportunities that make economic sense for our customers,” said Blair. “Gulf Power is leading the way in Florida.”
Little River State Forest North Of Atmore Reopens
March 17, 2018
Little River State Forest and Claude D. Kelley Recreational Area north of Atmore reopened Saturday.
The park will be open to the public on weekends for day-use only, from Friday noon through Sunday at 5:00 pm.
According to officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC), the park’s hours of operation will be expanded in the near future, and camping sites should be available soon. Closed for over a year now, State Forester Rick Oates said, “We are truly excited to reopen Little River. As owners of the park, our agency has a responsibility to see that this beautiful, natural state resource is available for the public’s benefit.”
Consisting of approximately 2,100 acres of longleaf pine forest and a 25-acre lake, Little River State Forest and Claude D. Kelley Recreational Area offers a beautiful setting for outdoor adventures including hiking, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding. Along the trails there are plenty of opportunities to view wildlife, and bird watchers find it an exceptional site to observe species of all types. Pavilions are available (in varying dimensions to accommodate different group sizes) to rent by the day for family reunions, weddings, church events such as Easter sunrise services, as well as Boy Scout and Girl Scout activities. All of these activities are available for a moderate entry fee.
Oates continued, “Plans for the near future include providing electricity, water, and sewage hook-ups for people with campers and travel trailers.”
There is something at Little River State Forest and Claude D. Kelley Recreational Area for everyone, including history buffs. A literal example of US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s ‘Great and Lasting Good,’ much of the original construction remaining on the grounds hails from the ‘CCC Era.’ Previously owned by private individuals, the property was deeded to the Alabama Forestry Commission in the early 1930s during the Great Depression. As a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) development project, workers from Company 1432 built structures (now a cabin and office), pavilions, the Gazebo Trail, as well as the lake with its dam, levee, and spillway from local stone..
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Natural Gas Pipeline To Be Installed Along Hwy 29, Not In Century Residential Neighborhoods
March 16, 2018
A company installing a natural gas pipeline has abandoned plans take a path through a Century residential neighborhood.
Instead, Florida Public Utilities (FPU) will install the pipeline under sidewalks along Highway 29 under a new agreement reached with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
“FDOT just approved a new plan this afternoon,” Barry Kennedy, director of gas operations for FPU, told NorthEscambia.com Thursday afternoon. “We will be using Highway 29 after they agreed we could go under the sidewalks and our hours were extended.”
FDOT will allow the company to work 5 pm. to 5 a.m. to bore and place the pipeline under the sidewalks on the east side of Highway 29 south from East Highway 4. There will be minimal lane closures, Barry said, with work expected to last about six weeks.
FDOT previously approved plans to run the pipeline along Highway 29 through Century, but new restrictions were imposed. FDOT specified that the gas pipeline be placed underneath the outer northbound lane of Highway 29, and work would only be allowed during the night and overnight hours. The job would require digging large holes in Highway 29 every 1,000 to 1,500 feet in order to bore the pipe under the roadway. It was estimated that the process would take about three months.
FPU then switched plans, looking to bury the pipeline aong Jefferson Avenue and Salters Lake Road within an estimated two week time frame. But that idea raise the ire of local residents along Jefferson Avenue in Century as they expressed concerns over property values, damage to their property and safety.
Pipes that were preliminarily placed along Salters Lake Road, but not buried, will be removed.
The Town of Century held a public meeting last week with concerned residents and FPU, and schedule another meeting for Thursday, March 16 — but that meeting was canceled Thursday afternoon after the new agreement was reached with FDOT.
Florida Public Utilities is constructing the pipeline along a 42-mile route through North Escambia from Century to Nine Mile Road. The pipeline continues south from Century along Highway 29 right of way from Century to Old Chemstrand Road. From there, an eight-inch line will follow Old Chemstrand Road to Ascend, while another eight-inch line will continue south on Highway 29 to Highway 95A in Cantonment to West Roberts Road to Pine Forest Road to West Nine Mile Road where the project will connect to an existing gas system.
Florida Public Utilities is a private company, not a government agency.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Don Ripley Retiring As ‘Century Care’ Administrator
March 16, 2018
Century Health and Rehabilitation Administrator Don Ripley is retiring. A retirement reception in his honor was held Thursday.
Ripley has been a dedicated member of the Century community since 1999 when he set out on a mission to make what was then called the Century Care Center the best skilled nursing Home in the area.
He devoted time and effort to projects like the construction of a stocked fish pond for residents, a producing garden, and numerous programs to reach the interest of residents.
Ripley was also devoted to the community, volunteering as a board members and vice-president of the Century Area Chamber of Commerce, where he served on numerous committees and recruited volunteers. He was also a proud supporter of the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society, the Century Lions Club, the Rotary Club, and local schools.
In 2016, the Century Area Chamber of Commerce named Ripley their Citizen of the Year.
Ripley said he plans to spend time fishing during his retirement. He final day on the job will be March 30.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
