Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Democrats Get Chance To Celebrate
October 1, 2017
With piles of debris rotting in the Florida sun and rain after Hurricane Irma tattooed much of the state, officials are turning their attention to an even more dire disaster in Puerto Rico.
More than a week after Hurricane Maria ravaged the territory, a developing “humanitarian crisis” spurred a bipartisan demand from Florida’s U.S. senators to demand that “the cavalry” — in the form of the military — hightail it to the island to get the situation under control.
And Gov. Rick Scott took time out from crisscrossing the state before and after Irma to make a brief visit Thursday to Puerto Rico, where he met with the island’s governor. On Friday, Scott hopscotched to Washington, reporting in to his pal, President Donald Trump.
Closer to home, what really had insiders on both sides of the aisle abuzz this week was Tuesday’s win by Democrat Annette Taddeo, who bested Republican Jose Felix Diaz in a highly competitive matchup for an open state Senate seat in Miami-Dade County.
The election, considered a referendum on Trump and a test of Democrats’ ability to compete in next year’s mid-terms, will undeniably inject some much-needed enthusiasm — and cash — into the Dems’ attempts to weaken the GOP’s stronghold in the state.
But it’s also prompted Republicans to huddle about how to distance GOP candidates from the president, a tough task considering the Twitter-happy Trump shows no signs of abandoning his stream-of-consciousness posts.
Perhaps the rapidly worsening catastrophe in Puerto Rico and what many viewed as Trump’s lackluster response when compared to hurricanes Harvey and Irma in Texas and Florida, contributed to Taddeo’s success.
Maybe, as one of Diaz’s consultants posed, Trump’s harsh criticism of National Football League players who kneeled during the national anthem drove more black voters than expected to the Miami polls.
Or could it be that, in the words of GOP strategist Rick Wilson — one of the founders of the “Never Trump” movement — “Everything Trump touches dies?”
That seems unlikely. But what is certain is that it all adds up to what without a doubt will be a very exciting year in the Sunshine State, if only for political junkies.
FLIPPING FLORIDA BLUE?
Despite being outspent by Diaz and his supporters, Taddeo coasted to victory in the race to replace disgraced former Sen. Frank Artiles, who resigned this spring after a racially tinged and profanity-laced outburst at a private club near the Capitol.
While Taddeo trailed Diaz in mail-in ballots, she made up the difference on Election Day and in early voting, winning by a decisive 3.75 percentage-point margin, according to results posted on the Miami-Dade County elections office website.
“I told you it was a people-powered (campaign). I meant it. It really was,” Taddeo, a 50-year-old businesswoman who was born in Colombia, told The News Service of Florida in a telephone interview Tuesday night.
Democrats in Florida and across the nation crowed about Taddeo’s defeat of Diaz.
Florida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel called Taddeo’s triumph “a win for all of Florida.”
“Annette will head to Tallahassee ready to fight for higher paying jobs, affordable health care and fully funded public schools. Democrats across the state are energized and mobilizing to flip Florida blue. After nearly 20 years of harmful GOP policies, voters are ready for a better deal,” he said in a statement.
Taddeo ran unsuccessfully twice for Congress, most recently last year, and was U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist’s running mate in his failed 2014 attempt to recapture his old job as governor.
She was outgunned financially by Diaz, who had the backing of GOP Senate leaders. The abbreviated contest carried a whopping price tag of more than $2 million, including spending by the candidates, political committees affiliated with the Senate hopefuls and outside groups.
Around noon Tuesday, Diaz, a Cuban-American who resigned from his state House seat to run for Senate, was buoyed by news that mail-in ballots received over the weekend increased a Republican turnout edge by several thousand votes. But Taddeo — who nailed down the endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden late last week — more than compensated by topping Diaz in early voting and in ballots cast on Election Day.
The abbreviated and heated contest was characteristic of Miami-Dade’s brand of rough-and-tumble politics.
Supporters of Diaz painted Taddeo as a communist sympathizer, linking her with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, an unfounded accusation she characterized as “painful.” The FARC kidnapped Taddeo’s father, who fought in World War II for the U.S., prompting her family to flee Columbia when she was a child.
Taddeo and her backers, meanwhile, portrayed Diaz as a lobbyist “insider” and repeatedly tied the Republican to Trump. Diaz once appeared on Trump’s television show, “The Apprentice,” and endorsed the president.
The swing district is almost evenly split between Democrats, Republicans and independents, with Democratic having a slight voter-registration edge, and has a large Hispanic population.
While many of the district’s older Cuban-American voters continue to support Trump, the president remains unpopular with younger Cuban-Americans and other Latinos, such as those from Taddeo’s country of origin, Colombia.
Many Hispanic voters are especially unhappy about Trump’s decision to undo an Obama-era policy that would protect from deportation undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children, known as “Dreamers.”
And the controversy over whether National Football League players should kneel during the national anthem got in Diaz’s way, according to J.C. Planas, a former Republican state representative who teaches election law at St. Thomas University.
Trump’s tweet storm over the weekend, excoriating players for kneeling, bumped up turnout on Sunday, the last day of early voting, and on Election Day, Planas said.
“It really boosted Democratic, particularly African-American Democratic turnout. Big time,” the Diaz backer said.
TURNING UP THE HEAT ON AIR CONDITIONING
While Maria may have dominated this week’s news, fallout from Irma continued to ferment.
An industry group filed a legal challenge to new requirements by Scott’s administration that nursing homes and assisted-living facilities quickly install generators to power air-conditioning systems.
LeadingAge Florida, which represents more than 100 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, filed the challenge late Tuesday in the state Division of Administrative Hearings.
LeadingAge Florida and another industry group, the Florida Health Care Association, contend that it is unrealistic to expect facilities throughout the state to install generators within 60 days, as required in the emergency rules issued last week by the state Agency for Health Care Administration and the state Department of Elder Affairs.
State health officials issued the emergency rules after eight residents of The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills died Sept. 13. Four more died later. The Broward County facility’s air-conditioning system was knocked out Sept. 10 by Hurricane Irma, but residents remained in the sweltering 152-bed home until the deaths and a resulting evacuation.
In the legal challenge, LeadingAge Florida said penalties for failing to comply with the generator requirements could include revoking the licenses of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
“There is no emergency that requires the imposition of an impossible deadline and the imminent revocation and imposition of fines on assisted living facility and nursing home licenses throughout the state,” the 17-page challenge said. “The emergency rules would create an emergency rather than solve one.”
Meanwhile, nursing-home administrators and long-term care lobbyists remain in the dark about what, if anything, the state will do to help offset what could be a $240 million price tag for the generators.
Members of a nursing-home payment workgroup learned Tuesday they may have to wait until November before state Medicaid officials discuss generators and whether the facilities can be reimbursed under an existing cost-based reimbursement system that has been in effect for more than 20 years or through a prospective payment system that starts in October 2018. Under a prospective payment system, facilities receive prepaid fixed amounts.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Democrat Annette Taddeo defeated Republican Jose Felix Diaz, a former state representative, in a special election for a Miami-Dade Senate seat.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Where the hell is the cavalry?” — U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., calling for more federal aid to Hurricane Maria-ravaged Puerto Rico.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Motorcyclist Killed When He Hits Vehicle Backing From Driveway
October 1, 2017
A motorcyclist died in Escambia County Saturday night after hitting a car that had just backed out of a residential driveway.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 54-year old Michael Brouwer backed his 2005 Dodge Ram from a driveway onto Bellview Avenue about 7:10 p.m. The truck was struck by 52-year old Patrick Michael Carr on a Harley motorcycle traveling eastbound on Belleview Avenue.
Carr was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Any charges in the accident are pending the outcome of a FHP traffic homicide investigation.
ECUA Raises Water, Sewer And Trash Rates
September 30, 2017
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) customers will see an increase in their water, sewer and sanitation pickup rates.
The ECUA board voted to raise sanitation collection fees by 5 percent, from $21.31 a month to $22.38 a month for the average residential customers for weekly collection of recycling, yard waste and bulk waste items.
Water and sewer rates will increase by 3 percent — just over $2 a month more for the average 6,000 gallon residential user.
Manhunt In Barrineau Park: One Arrested
September 30, 2017
A manhunt was underway Friday afternoon and into Friday night along the Perdido River near Barrineau Park.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were assisting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in the search that included multiple K-9 units and a FWC helicopter.
At least two people reportedly fled a vehicle as FWC closed on them, prompting the manhunt. One suspect reportedly remained on the run Saturday morning, while was booked into jail during the early morning hours Saturday.
Christopher Ray Findley, age 45 of Molino was booked into the Escambia County Jail about 3:30 a.m. on FWC charges of felony driving with license suspended habitual offender, resisting an officer and attached license plate not assigned. He was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for felony fleeing and eluding police, resiting an officer and reckless driving.He is being held on a $19,000 bond.
Residents of the area reported heavy law enforcement activity on Perdido Lake Road, Vantage Road and other areas near the river. One resident of Perdido Lake Road reported that suspect was seen running from their property to the Perdido River Friday night.
Messages sent by NorthEscambia.com to a FWC spokesperson were not returned Friday night. Further details were not available.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Elementary Collects For Hurricane Irma Relief
September 30, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary collected donations this week for Hurricane Irma relief, ending with a “Hat Day” on Friday. Students and staff wore hats and brought in donations.
The school had a goal of $500. The total amount collected was $1,352 plus three pairs of uniform pants, six uniform shirts, and eight packs of socks.
The money collected will be used to purchase additional uniform items (shirts, pants, and socks) for Bonita Springs Elementary in Lee County, FL.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FDLE: Drug Dealer Hid Meth Inside Portable Drill Battery
September 30, 2017
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) arrested an Escambia County man for selling drugs.
Agents arrested Lee Matthew King, 39, on charges of trafficking methamphetamine over 28 grams. Agents found the drugs hidden inside a cordless portable drill battery inside King’s vehicle. He was arrested near the intersection of Whitmire Drive and East Olive Road.
King was booked into the Escambia County Jail and later released on a $15,000 bond.
Body Found Near Brentwood Elementary
September 30, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation after a body was found along Palafox Street near Brentwood Elementary School late Friday afternoon.
The body was found about 5:30 p.m., and authorities said it appeared to be a local homeless man who was found not breathing. There was no immediate indication of any foul play.
Further information has not yet been released.
NorthEscambia.com reader-submitted photo by Jason Isbell, click to enlarge.
Tate Gets District Win Over Washington (With Photo Gallery)
September 30, 2017
The Tate High School Aggies beat the Washington Wildcats for the sixth straight time Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment. With the 35-17 win, the Aggies improved to 4-0 overall, 1-0 in District 1-6A.
Junior quarterback Hunter Riggan put the Aggies on the board late in the first quarter from less than a yard out, and Tate was up 7-0 with 1:48 on the clock.
Washington would strike back from about their own 20 yard line just inside the first quarter, 7-7. The Aggies scored again with 7:17 to go in the second quarter. Riggan found senior Alex Young for a touchdown, 14-7 the Aggies back on top.
Washington managed a field goal to wrap up the first half scoring, Tate on top 14-10 headed to the lockers.
Tate increased their lead to 21-10 with 3:59 to go in the third on a pass from Riggan to Patrick Palmer just inside the end zone.
Washington scored with 10:29 to go in the ballgame, 21-17.
Shemari Jones scored another Aggie touchdown with 5:51 in the fourth, and the Aggies added one more TD just over a minute to go for the final 35-17.
Tate sits out next week with an open date before facing Escambia at October 13. The Aggies and the Gators are tied for the top spot in District 1-6A, both at 1-0.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
Friday Night High School Football Scores
September 30, 2017
Here are Friday night high school football finals from around the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Freeport 48, Northview 19
- Tate 35, Washington 17
- Baker 49, Jay 27
- Escambia 33, Pine Forest, 21
- Pensacola High 22, Bay, 19
ALABAMA
- Hillcrest-Evergreen 40, Escambia County (Atmore) 8
- Carroll (Ozark, AL) 26, W.S. Neal 13
- Tallassee 33 T.R. Miller, 29
- Flomaton (open)
- Escambia Academy (open)
Freeport Rolls Past Northview (With Photo Gallery)
September 30, 2017
The Northview Chiefs dropped their fifth straight Friday night in Bratt, losing 48-19 at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
“We ran the ball wonderfully, but we got behind,” Northview head coach Dereck Marshman said. “We got behind on the scoreboard and had to start throwing the football a little more.”
Freeport jumped out to a 7-0 lead with a long 95-yard touchdown with 4:47 to go in the first quarter.
The hometown Chiefs answered with a Trent Peebles touchdown at 9:51 in the second, 7-7 under the Friday night lights in Bratt.
With 7:05 before the half, Freeport was back on top 14-0 and jumped up 21-7 with 2:41 on the clock.
Freshman Jayden Jackson was in for a touchdown from about 35-yards out, recovering from a bad snap. The Chiefs were down 21-13 with 1:06 to go in the half.
“We didn’t play a really good first half,” Marshman said. “I know the score didn’t indicate it, but we made a lot of mistakes and left a lot of points out there. We made a lot of mistakes, even though we played with a lot of energy.”
Peebles would score again for the Chiefs late in the third.
“In the second half, those same mistakes came back to bite us. Both teams were real sloppy in the first half. We continued to play sloppy in the second half, and they continued to do what they needed to do,” he said.
Next week, the Chiefs will travel across the Escambia River to take on the Jay Royals on their home turf.
“Jay is always a big rivalry game, it’s going to be a challenge to get these guys up and ready to play. They just played their hearts and soul out and ended up a little short,” Marshman said. “It is Jay and a big rivalry game. Just the name itself with get the guys up sometimes.
The Northview Chiefs (1-5) and Jay (1-4) will face off at 7 p.m. next Friday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
