Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Where’s The Love?
August 28, 2016
Floridians may be excused for avoiding their mailboxes, refusing to answer knocks on their doors and turning off their televisions.
It’s what’s known in Capitol circles as “the silly season,” and the mud is at an all-time high.
Accusations of bribery and links to terrorist groups and arguments about the rap sheets of candidates’ dads are part of the campaign slime leading up to Tuesday’s primary elections, which can’t come soon enough for some.
Thank goodness for the Florida Supreme Court for providing a salacious respite from business-as-usual on the election trail. The justices permanently disbarred two lawyers affiliated with a bizarre case involving a Tampa radio personality known as “Bubba the Love Sponge.”
Trustees of a Florida university also offered a diversion from the antics leading up to Tuesday’s primary elections, but what happens now at the school is about as clear as, well, mud.
Inboxes are bursting with last-minute appeals from candidates and strategists who could not be blamed for relying on the wisdom of Sun Tzu, whose “The Art of War” is considered a handbook for many in the hand-to-hand combat of politics.
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity,” the centuries-old advice reads.
NO LOVE LOST
From Miami to Pensacola, political campaigns and shadowy committees are doing their final bits of dirty work before the primaries.
In an already-contentious state Senate primary in Palm Beach County, the acrimony reached a new level after two Democratic contenders dragged in paternal rap sheets.
State Rep. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach, and personal-injury attorney Michael Steinger of Palm Beach Gardens had already exchanged volleys about alleged vote-by-mail ballot shenanigans and ties to special interests.
But Steinger, who has put $490,000 of his own money into the Senate race, ran a television ad that included a mug shot of Powell’s father.
Powell’s father, a previously convicted felon, was arrested in July for aggravated assault. He was alleged to have hit a woman in the head and fired a gun in a Riviera Beach home the Powells have shared.
Steinger said the intent wasn’t to make the senior Powell an issue, but to highlight that Bobby Powell talks of supporting gun control yet he allowed a firearm to have been “illegally” kept in his home.
“It seems to go against everything he says,” said Steinger, who added he was simply responding to prior negative ads from Powell.
Powell lashed back Monday against the TV spot through an email, which also served as a fundraising message, saying, “This race isn’t about our parents — which is why I’ve never talked about his father — this race is about Michael Steinger and me.”
But that didn’t stop Powell from visiting the sins of Steinger’s father.
“If my father were currently serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted of running a $1.25 Billion Ponzi scheme (as Mr. Steinger’s father Joel is), I don’t think I would bring family into things,” Powell said in the email.
Further south, a contentious Senate battle between three Democrats has included accusations of bribery, links to a terrorist group and election hijinks. The fight has roped in state prosecutors and local police as three Democratic primary contenders vie in the newly redrawn Senate District 40.
Incumbent Sen. Dwight Bullard is being challenged by Andrew Korge, who doesn’t live in the district but says he grew up in it, and Ana Rivas Logan, a Republican-turned-Democrat who served a single term in the state House.
Korge and supporters have recently focused on a trip Bullard took to the Middle East with members of the Dream Defenders, a group affiliated with the Black Lives Matter organization.
Bullard’s tour guide was affiliated with the anti-Israel BDS movement, a pro-Palestinian group linked with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, something Bullard said he was unaware of until news reports raised questions after he returned from the May trip.
“It’s just disturbing,” Korge said in an interview outside the West Miami Dade Regional Library recently. “This raises a lot of questions. … It’s concerning that an American elected official should be meeting with members of a terrorist organization.”
Bullard said he is “agnostic” about Palestinians and Israel, a hot-button issue in a district with many Jewish voters.
“I am not supporting a terrorist organization nor have I ever nor am I leaning to it,” Bullard said in a telephone interview this week. “The reason I went was because I had never been to the region and had been hearing all kinds of issues and concerns related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as to the conditions under which the Palestinians were living.”
Rivas Logan, the only Hispanic seeking the nomination, suspended her campaign a month ago but has re-emerged on the scene in the final days before the Aug. 30 primary.
“People are using whatever they can to get elected, and running at all costs is not victory,” she said.
NOT MUCH LOVE FOR LOVE SPONGE LAWYERS
In a rare move, the Florida Supreme Court permanently disbarred two lawyers for their roles in setting up the drunken-driving arrest of an opposing attorney in a high-profile case involving radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.
Describing the misconduct as “essentially unprecedented,” the Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously supported the disbarment of Robert D. Adams and Adam Robert Filthaut, who were with the Tampa firm Adams & Diaco, P.A. in January 2013 when the bizarre series of events occurred.
At that time, Adams & Diaco was defending Clem in a defamation lawsuit filed by another radio personality, Todd Schnitt. Adams, Filthaut and a third member of the firm, Stephen Christopher Diaco, took part in a scheme to set up a DUI arrest of one of Schnitt’s lawyers, Phillip Campbell, according to the Supreme Court.
Diaco agreed earlier to disbarment, according to the ruling.
The set-up took place on Jan. 23, 2013, as the civil lawsuit involving the radio personalities was in recess for the night. Campbell and his co-counsel in the case had walked to Malio’s Steakhouse in Tampa for dinner and drinks and were spotted by a paralegal who worked for Adams & Diaco.
The paralegal, Melissa Personius, contacted Adams about Campbell being in the restaurant and ultimately had drinks with Campbell at the bar without telling him that she worked for Adams & Diaco, the Supreme Court ruling said. Filthaut, meanwhile, called a friend, then-Tampa police Sgt. Raymond Fernandez and told him Campbell was drinking at Malio’s and might drive while intoxicated.
Later in the evening, Campbell — who planned to walk to his nearby home — offered to call a cab for Personius. Personius refused to leave her car overnight in valet parking and insisted it be moved to a secure parking lot, the ruling said. Campbell agreed to move the car to a lot near his apartment building, was pulled over by Fernandez and subsequently charged with DUI. Campbell’s bag containing trial information was left in Personius’ car.
FAMU PREZ DOESN’T FEEL THE LOVE
The future of embattled Florida A&M University President Elmira Mangum remained in limbo after the school’s board of trustees this week narrowly rejected a one-year extension of her contract.
Following a trustees’ decision in June to take no action on Mangum’s three-year contract, which is scheduled to expire April 1, the board renewed its debate Wednesday after an annual evaluation that was critical of her leadership.
A solid majority of the 13-member board found the president did not meet expectations on four of the 11 goals, including her relationship with trustees.
Mangum, who was appointed in 2014, said there was a “lack of clarity” on many of the evaluation goals, which included items like “organizational management.”
“What does success look like and how do the members of the board define it?” Mangum asked, adding she had expected more discussion between herself and the evaluators before the report was finalized.
But Mangum’s comments drew a strong rebuttal from a number of trustees, who noted the evaluation goals were very similar to last year’s evaluation and the process has been underway for months.
Matthew Carter, a trustee and former member of state Public Service Commission, said if Mangum had issues with the evaluation process, they should have been raised much earlier. “I’m just kind of in shock really,” he said.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Florida health officials reported the state’s first locally transmitted case of the mosquito-borne Zika virus outside of Miami-Dade County, announcing Tuesday that a case had been found in Pinellas County. The state later said another locally transmitted case was found in Palm Beach County.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The misconduct giving rise to the disciplinary actions against these three attorneys is among the most shocking, unethical, and unprofessional as has ever been brought before this (Supreme) Court.” — The Florida Supreme Court in a ruling permanently disbarring two lawyers involved in a high-profile case involving “Bubba the Love Sponge,” a Tampa radio personality.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Southwest Plane Diverted To Pensacola After ‘Uncontained Engine Failure’
August 28, 2016
A Southwest Airlines flight from New Orleans to Orlando diverted to Pensacola Saturday morning due to a mechanical issue with one of the plane’s engines.
“Today, the Captain of Flight #3472 from New Orleans to Orlando made the decision to divert to Pensacola due to a mechanical issue with the number one engine. The flight landed safely without incident at Pensacola International Airport at 9:40 a.m. central time,” Southwest said in a statement.
The plane experience an “uncontained engine failure”, according to The National Transportation Safety Board.
There were no injuries to any of the 99 passengers or five crew members, Southwest said. Alternative arrangements were made to get the passengers to Orlando.
The aircraft remained out of service in Pensacola awaiting a damage assessment.
Photos courtesy Stephanie/Twitter and Lexy/Twitter.
Wahoos Beat Jacksonville
August 28, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won the first half of the Southern League South Division and now are in the hunt to win the second half, too.
The Blue Wahoos defeated Jacksonville, 5-3, thanks in part to a two-out, two-run homer by Brandon Dixon and pulled within 1.5 games of current frontrunner Mississippi Braves.
Mississippi lost its seventh game in a row and is 33-27 in the South Division and are 67-62 overall. Meanwhile, Pensacola is 32-29 in the second half and are having the club’s best season in its five-year history at 73-58 overall. Pensacola won five in a row starting Aug. 17 and are 12-5 since then.
The Blue Wahoos pulled out another victory Saturday when they scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning when Pensacola shortstop Zach Vincej hit a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed both center fielder Jeff Gelalich and left fielder Phillip Ervin to score when Jacksonville left fielder Austin Dean threw the ball to home off the mark. The two runs put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 5-3.
Pensacola closer Alejandro Chacin then entered the game in the ninth and saved his 26th game for the Blue Wahoos record, surpassing Zack Weiss, who had 25 for Pensacola last season.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly, who was celebrating his 61st birthday, likes the way his team is playing, especially Chacin, who allowed two hits and struck out two in his one inning.
“The players have confidence behind him,” Kelly said. “There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was going to finish that one out.”
Pensacola jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Dixon smashed a two-out, two run homer to left field. Dixon, who last hit one out of the park on Aug. 2, now has a team-leading 15 homers and 61 RBIs. He has a seven game hit streak and is batting .469 (15-32) with one homer and seven RBIs.
Dixon, who has 28 hits in August compared to 31 in June and July combined, said he turned things around working with Cincinnati Reds instructor Hall of Fame shortstop Barry Larkin on being more consistent and driving the ball.
“I’m just driving the ball more and trying to make more consistent contact,” said the 24-year-old Dixon, who played for the Arizona Wildcats in college. “You get hot sometimes and sometimes things just don’t go your way.”
Ervin generated a run in the sixth inning. He leadoff with a hit by a pitch, stole second for his 34th steal of the year, move to third on a ground out by Vincej and beat a diving Jacksonville catcher Cam Maron to home plate for a 3-0 lead.
“He had Billy Hamilton in him there,” Kelly said about the Cincinnati Reds base thief. “He got a great break to the plate. It was outstanding.”
After allowing 10 runs in eight innings in his last two starts, Pensacola starter Tyler Mahle returned to his pitching form when he came up with the Blue Wahoos mid-season.
Mahle had retired 12 batters in a row before Jacksonville right fielder Alex Glenn smashed a two-run, line drive home run with no outs to pull within, 3-2, of Pensacola. The 21-year-old Mahle tossed 6.1 innings, gave up two hits, two runs, three walks and struck out seven.
Jacksonville’s Glenn, who is hitting .296 this season, has four homers and 12 RBIs in his last 11 games.
Girl Airlifted To Hospital After Equestrian Center Accident
August 27, 2016
A young girl was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after an accident Saturday morning at the Escambia County Equestrian Center.
A horse reportedly fell on top of the 7-year old girl. An update on her condition was not available.
The Beulah and Bellview stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded to the call.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Finals
August 27, 2016
Here are final scores from around the area:
Crestview 70, Northview 0
Flomaton 42, Jay 7
Tate 42, Biloxi 22
Pine Forest 33, Pensacola 12
Washington 25, Milton 13
Gulf Breeze 38, Choctaw 29
Pace 35, Fort Walton Beach 7
Navarre 41, Catholic 13
Baker 30, Holmes County 14
West Florida 28, Escambia 27 (Thurs pm)
Escambia County (Atmore) 24, Wilcox Central 16
Opp 30, T.R. Miller 20
Tallassee (AL) 26, W.S. Neal 21
Escambia Academy (off week)
Century Unable To Discuss Attorney For Four Charged With Sunshine Law Violation
August 27, 2016
Four members of a Century volunteer task force charged with noncriminal violations of the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law will have to wait until next week to find out of the town will provide them with an attorney.
The Century Town Council was to hold a special called meeting Friday afternoon to discuss retaining an attorney, but the council failed reach a quorum in order to hold the meeting. Council members Gary Riley and Ann Brooks were present, but council members Ben Boutwell, Sandra McMuray-Jackson and Annie Savage were absent. At least three members must be present for the council to take any action.
Alfonzie Cottrell, Helen Mincy, Sylvia Godwin, and Robert Mitchell were charged by the State Attorney’s Office with having a public meeting of the Century Citizens Advisory Task Force that was not properly advertised. On July 26, a meeting was advertised to begin at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was actually held at 2:00 p.m. preventing the public from attending.
This case is set for arraignment on September 7. At that hearing, the four will have a chance to enter a plea or move forward with a trial in front of a judge, most likely in one to three weeks after the arraignment. They face a maximum penalty of a $500 fine, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.
The Century Town Council was also set to discuss the appointment of a Citizens Advisory Task Force to review two proposed grant applications at Friday’s meeting.
A new special council meeting at been scheduled for next Wednesday at 6 p.m. to discuss the attorney and CATF members.
Pictured top: CATF members Helen Mincy, Robert Mitchell and Sylvia Godwin during a CATF meeting on Thursday, July 28. NorhEscambia.com file photo.
UWF Enrollment Reaches Record Of 13,000 Students
August 27, 2016
The University of West Florida has surpassed 13,000 in enrollment for the first time in the institution’s history, reaching 13,030 students for the Fall 2016 semester, as of today, Aug. 24, 2016.
“We have a lot to be excited about as we start the fall semester, and this news adds to that excitement,” said UWF President Dr. Judith Bense. “I am proud that we’ve reached this milestone, as it shows we are becoming a first-choice university. Enrollment is dropping at many mid-sized public and private universities, but we are growing and thriving. The future is bright at UWF.”
UWF reached 10,000 in enrollment in 2008 and 12,000 in 2012. The growth has been steady in recent years, reaching 12,416 in 2014 and 12,603 in 2015.
“We have added a number of new programs to meet student demand and regional workforce needs,” added Dr. Martha Saunders, executive vice president and provost. “Our cybersecurity, supply chain logistics and online programs have generated a great deal of enthusiasm. Combine that with the finest faculty on the planet, and we have a winning combination for a great academic year.”
Graduate students accounted for the largest growth entering Fall 2016. The total graduate student headcount increased by approximately 20 percent compared to Fall 2015.
Additionally, sophomore undergraduate students increased by approximately 15 percent for Fall 2016. The increase in sophomores is a direct result of the University’s increased focus on student retention.
Escambia Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash
August 27, 2016
A motorcyclist was killed in a traffic crash Friday afternoon on Pine Forest Road.
Austin Rickmers, 23, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident on Pine Forest Road near Loblolly Road. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Rickmers was southbound on Pine Forest Road when 72-year old Judy Courtney of Robertsdale entered the roadway from a driveway entrance in a Ford F-150 pickup and traveled into Rickmers’ path.
Judy Courtney and her 66-year old passenger, Russel Courtney, were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation.
Reader submitted cellphone for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Tops Biloxi (With Photo Gallery)
August 27, 2016
The Tate High School Aggies hit the road Friday night for their season opener to hand Biloxi High School a 44-22 loss.
The Aggies were first on the board with 8:12 on the clock in the first, and added another touchdown with 1:07 in the first to end the quarter with a 14-0 advantage. Tate scored again early in the second for comfortable 21-0 lead, but Biloxi scored in the second and again early in the third to make it 21-14.
Tate answered with 9:48 to go in the fourth to make it 28-14; however, the Indians scored again and had two point conversion for a 28-22 score.
The Aggies scored again twice in the fourth quarter for the 44-22 final.
The Tate Aggies (1-0) will be at home in Pete Gindl Stadium next Friday night as they host the West Florida Jaguars.
For more photos from Biloxi, click here.
Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Early Voting Ends Today, Over 7,000 Voted Early So Far In Escambia County
August 27, 2016
Today is the final day of early voting in Escambia County, with seven sites available. As of Friday, 7,092 residents — a 12 percent turnout — had voted early in Escambia County.
Early voting is available today at the following locations:
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Genealogy Branch Library, 5740 N. 9th Avenue, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Bellview-Saufley, 916 W Michigan Avenue, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Southwest Branch Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Supervisor of Elections Main Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Early voters cast paper ballots through digital scanners and may choose any one of the seven sites.
On Election Day, Tuesday, August 30, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Voters must present a valid photo and signature ID and must vote at their home precinct on Election Day. Voters are encouraged to be sure to know where to vote on Election Day by checking their Voter Information Card, sample ballot, the precinct finder at EscambiaVotes.com, or by contacting us by phone or e-mail prior to Election Day. Any voters who need to change their address should contact the elections office prior to Election Day.
Vote-by-mail ballots must be received in the elections office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. The Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Vote-by-mail participants may track the status of their ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.