Our View: Gov. Scott Should Look Tornado Victims In The Eye
February 18, 2016
Governor Rick Scott was in Pensacola Wednesday, visiting with Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan to learn about the tornado damage in Century.
Really governor? You just can’t set foot in North Escambia? We are extremely disappointed and want to know where is the compassion in that?
We’ve been behind the scenes – in the command post and in the midst of the destruction since just minutes after the tornado hit. The Sheriff’s Office has done an excellent and commendable job in Century, so Sheriff Morgan was certainly qualified to relate information about the situation. We have nothing but praise for the hard working men and women of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and their response to the Century tornado. The Sheriff and his department are not any part of our issue.
Escambia County Administrator Jack Brown, Commissioner Steven Barry, Century Council President Ben Boutwell and very long list of county department heads and key personnel were in Century Wednesday afternoon and could have filled you in , as they did your EMA director that did visit. He took a 25 minute vehicle tour of the damage, but, strangely enough, never stepped outside the vehicle in the damaged area to speak to a single victim.
But to not set foot in Century was, in our view, inexcusable for the top leader of our state that was instead inside an office just 45 miles away. The “at a distance” meeting was nothing more than a slap in the face to those in their time of suffering.
Let us remind you, that according to 2008–2012 American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Century is the poorest town (over 1,000 population) in the entire state. Century is anything but a poster child for your “Let’s Get To Work” campaign. But this should not have been about politics, political parties or political ambitions.
This is about the elderly lady that lived near Jefferson Avenue. She worked hard, very hard, for 60-70 years for what she had until Monday’s tornado. She begged us Monday for information about her home, but we had been unable to reach it. On Tuesday, we climbed over downed trees, and power lines and fences to get pictures of her home. We found her later in the day helping her neighbors and were able to show her photos of her destroyed home. We held her as she cried.
This is about the Healthy Start office that was flooded due to roof damage. We stopped by and helped them pour water out of their computers. They don’t know how they are going to provide WIC services next week for the babies they serve.
This is about standing in the shadows of the Lord’s house…the historic Methodist Church moved from it’s foundation. This is about talking to church members and learning that the wooden building may be off its foundation, but the church — the people — remain firm in their foundation and praise for the Lord.
This is about walking the streets and seeing the magnitude of the destruction and understanding that pictures, or a briefing from officials is not the same. But you know that Governor, from your visit last month to see the Siesta Key tornado damage, like a roof ripped off a condo building by the EF-2 tornado. For those that don’t know, Siesta Key has an average family income four or five times that of Century.
It’s about the people in Century who don’t know what they will do without state and federal aid as they look at their homes in shambles, their belongings scattered everywhere. Many of them honestly didn’t have much in this old world. But sometimes when have very little you treasure it more.
This is about the lady with no insurance on Pond Street who now has no home. Yes, she could have done the responsible thing and purchased insurance, but she chose to work the best job she could find and use the money on other things…like food for her children. Oh, and by the way Governor, her little kids are still looking for their beloved cat. He’s a grey tabby with “big and sad” eyes, and the kids are more worried about him than they are their home with no roof.
Those are just a few of the things you can learn walking through the destruction in Century.
Governor, Century is not just your state’s poorest little town. It’s a place full of people rich beyond belief in their love for their little town and each other. Perhaps you have to deny them assistance under existing state and federal regulations, but the least you could have done is stood with them and looked them in the eye.
EMA: 109 Structures Damaged Or Destroyed By Tornado
February 18, 2016
New information Wednesday afternoon from Escambia County Emergency Management indicates that 109 structures, mostly homes, were damaged in Florida by Monday’s tornado. The EF-3 tornado carved a 16.5 mile path up to 330 yards wide from Lambert Bridge Road near McDavid into Alabama. The tornado was at its worst as it tore through Century.
Escambia County Emergency Management Director John Dosh said 38 structures were destroyed, 36 received heavy damage and 35 were otherwise damaged by the tornado.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
FHP: Man Runs Red Light, Causes Fatal Crash
February 18, 2016
A 68-year old Escambia County woman was killed in a three-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 32-year old Darrel Earl Daise ran a red light at intersection of Lillian Highway and 69th Avenue, colliding with a Toyota Camry driven by a 73-year old female.
Daise’s Chevrolet Tahoo then rolled over, rolling over the top of Grand Caravan driven by 68-year old Carline Ann Pepper. Pepper was transported to a local hospital were she was later pronounced deceased.
The Camry driver and Daise suffered serious injuries in the crash. Charges against Daise are pending, according to the FHP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Days Later: Century Pharmacy Back Serving The Community
February 18, 2016
The Century Pharmacy was finally able to open their doors Wednesday, two days after the devastating EF-3 tornado hit Century.
The pharmacy on Mayo Street was in the hardest hit area of Century, an area that was closed to residents and business owners until Wednesday. The tornado blew out the store’s windows and caused other exterior damage like a torn-off awning. A downed tree cut natural gas service to the store’s generator.
By late Wednesday morning, the gas was back on and the store was running on generator power, and Gulf Power was able to make repairs and restore electric power by late afternoon.
“We have always been able to open the day after the storm in the past,” pharmacist and owner Julie Booth-Moran said, “even after the hurricanes. People depend on us for their medications. This was very hard to accept.”
Moran and her employees spent their morning cleaning up and getting ready to open as a steady stream of area residents stopped by to make sure that everyone was OK.
Pictured top: Century Pharmacy owner Julie Booth-Moran talks to a customer on the phone as she watches as Gulf Power work to restore electric service to the Mayo Street business in Century late Wednesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
At A Glance: Tornado Recovery Need To Know, Where To Get Help
February 18, 2016
In the aftermath of the Century tornado:
Where To Get/Give Help
- Farm Share is partnering with Senator Greg Evers and Representatives Doug Broxson, Mike Hill, and Clay Ingram to sponsor a disaster relief food distribution on Saturday, February 20, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Century Community Center, on West Highway 4. Families in need after the devastation of the tornado earlier this week will be given food and supply bags free of charge from Farm Share. Each household will receive a variety of fresh produce, canned & dried food, water, juice, paper products, and other needed essentials. Supplies are very limited and will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis to tornado victims.
- Donations can be made to the Florida Baptist Convention and designated for “Century Tornado” for direct use to assist Century area residents. Contact any Southern Baptist Church for more information.
- The shelter at the Century Community Center on West Highway 4 closed Wednesday night. The center will be open on Thursday as a reception center to host people in need of assistance. While there, clients can meet with volunteers who will help with essential items, provide health and mental health services, as needed, and help plan their next steps to recovery. The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday.
- The Abundant Life Assembly of God Church is accepting donations of food, toiletries and cleaning supplies at 8040 North Century Boulevard.
- Feeding the Gulf Coast, together with Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church and several local volunteer groups and churches in Flomaton and Brewton, are distributing 5,000 pounds of free groceries, hot meals, and clothing to families affected by the February 15 tornado in Flomaton, Alabama. The distribution will take place on Thursday, February 18 from 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Flomaton Pentecostal Holiness Church.
- The Town of Century is in the process of setting up a fund to help town residents.
Essential Information
- Residents are asked to go to the Century Community Center for assistance
- Residents must go through Century Town Hall for permits and construction. All fees are being waived by the town for disaster related permits.
Damage Assessments
- Damage assessments now show 25 major impacts, 29 minor impacts and 30 structures destroyed
- The National Weather Service determined the tornado that hit Century to be a strong EF2, weak EF3.
Red Cross
- The Century Community Center (6001-A Industrial Boulevard) is open and the Red Cross is on scene for assistance until 7 p.m. tonight; will re-open at 9 a.m.
- The Red Cross now has case workers available
- They will continue to provide food, water and comfort supplies
- The Red Cross will not operate a shelter tonight
Relief Resources
- Visit Century Community Center and let Red Cross know you are there for one of the following purposes:
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- To register for assistance (such as debris removal and salvage of belongings)
- Disaster volunteer check-in (Do not self-deploy. Please register at the community center)
- Red Cross Shelter (for temporary shelter relief)
- Food (provided by Atmore Tribal Creek Indians)
- Additional Resources available at Abundant Life Assembly of God Church. They are providing food, water and clothing for anyone who needs it. Donations accepted. 8040 Century Blvd. 850-256-5227
Power Companies
- EREC has restored power to those areas able to receive electricity
- Gulf Power has restored power to all houses that are able to receive electricity
Debris Pickup
Residents are asked to separate vegetative debris from all other types and place on the right of way.
Pictured: A food distribution even for tornado victims Wednesday at the Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century.
Tornado Recovery: The Power Of Prayer
February 18, 2016
Pictured: Two men pray together at the Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century during a food distribution event for tornado victims Wednesday morning. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Senate Gambling Bill Doubles Down On Slots
February 18, 2016
Pari-mutuels in at least six counties could add slot machines, under a measure approved Wednesday by a Senate committee that set the House and Senate at odds over a $3 billion gambling deal inked by Gov. Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe.
The gambling package approved by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee authorizes the Seminole agreement, called a compact, but includes significant changes that would force further negotiations for the deal to go into effect.
“We are not back to square one, at all,” committee Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, told reporters after the meeting.
Under the compact signed by Scott and tribal leader James Billie in December, the tribe would add craps and roulette to its casino operations in exchange for a guarantee of $3 billion in payments to the state over seven years.
Many people believed that a compact would never be signed, Bradley said.
“That got done. Then came the idea that there’s no way this thing could ever get out of a committee in the Florida Senate. It got out of a committee today. So we are continuing to make progress. That does not mean that it’s a sure thing to get done. Challenges still remain. But we are where I think we need to be,” he said.
The House is considering a less expansive proposal that would ratify the agreement and allow slots at the Palm Beach Kennel Club and at a new facility in Miami-Dade County, items permitted but not expressly authorized by the compact.
Bradley had floated a nearly identical measure earlier this month, but held off on a vote after Sen. Joe Negron, slated to take over as Senate president later this year, filed a series of amendments last week.
Under one of Negron’s amendments folded into the bill (SB 7072) Wednesday, pari-mutuels could add slots in six counties where voters have approved the machines — and other counties where voters sign off on them in the future. Bradley voted against the amendment. The six counties are Brevard, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach and Washington.
The Senate plan now also would allow horse and dog tracks, as well as jai alai frontons, to do away with live racing or jai alai matches altogether, a process known as decoupling, while keeping more lucrative gambling operations, such as slot machines and cardrooms.
The House proposal would allow decoupling of greyhound racing and most horse racing, but would keep thoroughbred races intact at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Jai alai frontons would also be required to keep operating live matches.
Negron insisted that the changes to the compact struck by Scott and the tribe were necessary to keep the measure alive.
“If you have a pure compact, and that’s all you have, it’s not going to pass out of this committee,” Negron, R-Stuart, said before the vote. “It’s very important that we have geographic concerns echoed in the amendment, and I think we can go back to the Seminole tribe and negotiate out a compact.”
The Senate plan now includes $45 million for thoroughbred purse pools — $20 million from payments from the Seminoles and $25 million from slots and cardroom revenues at pari-mutuels that decouple. The House proposal would earmark $10 million for the purse pools, a sweetener for the horse industry, which, in general, opposes decoupling of any type.
The Senate committee rejected an attempt by Negron to include in the gambling bill an amendment that would authorize fantasy sports in the state. Proponents of the popular online games, including Negron, insist that the games are legal in Florida, but some attorneys general elsewhere in the country contend that the activity equates to online gambling, which is illegal in most states.
The committee, however, inserted language — also sponsored by Negron — into a separate compact-related bill (SB 7074) that would amend the agreement to allow for fantasy sports without affecting the tribe’s payments to the state.
The future of the Senate proposal remained in doubt Wednesday evening. Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, now must refer the measure to another committee before it is ready for a full vote by the chamber.
House Regulatory Affairs Chairman Jose Felix Diaz, who worked with Bradley and Scott’s top staff for months to nail down the accord with the tribe, said that he wants state economists to evaluate the economic impact of the Senate changes. As a result, a vote from the House Finance and Tax Committee, expected next week, will be delayed, Diaz said.
Reaching consensus before the session ends on March 11 could be problematic, but Diaz remained hopeful.
“This bill will be touch and go all the way through to the end. I’m optimistic that there’s a path forward. I just don’t know what it is,” Diaz, R-Miami, said Wednesday evening. “It’s going to take some creativity and a lot of time.”
by The News Service of Florida
Senators Block Records Exemption For Hunters
February 18, 2016
A proposal that would have prevented the release of names of hunters in Florida was shot down Wednesday in a Senate committee.
The Rules Committee voted 5-4 to reject a measure (SB 1364) that would have created a public-records exemption for personal information — such as names, dates of birth, addresses and telephone numbers — of people getting hunting licenses from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Sen. Alan Hays, a Umatilla Republican who sponsored the bill, said the proposal was designed to protect gun owners who could be targeted by people who use the state’s public-records law as a way to track down and burglarize the homes of gun owners.
“My hope is that nobody goes and steals any of the guns,” Hays said. “I hope that the next time you have murder on the street that it’s not from a stolen weapon.”
Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who voted against the measure, said during the meeting that Hays’ reasoning for the bill was “a reach.”
Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation, welcomed the defeat of the bill, which she labeled “the Ted Nugent Act” because of publicity surrounding a bear hunt last year. The state issued 3,778 permits for the controversial bear hunt, the first such hunt in Florida in more than two decades.
Among the people buying permits were rock star Ted Nugent, House members Frank Artiles of Miami, Jay Trumbull of Panama City and Tom Goodson of Titusville, and Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Aliese Priddy.
Nugent, who didn’t participate in the hunt, was contacted by the Orlando Sentinel when the commission released the names and information of the permit holders.
Petersen said the names of people applying for permits should remain public, but acknowledged that the Fish and Wildlife commission could reconsider the information it collects, which for the bear hunt in October included telephone numbers and emails.
“I think Fish & Wildlife needs to look at what information they’re collecting and decide what they need for regulatory purposes,” Petersen said.
(Disclosure: The News Service of Florida is a member of the First Amendment Foundation.)
Hays’ proposal had cleared two prior committees without opposition.
A similar House bill (HB 1153) was unanimously supported by the Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee last month and has not been scheduled for its next stop before the State Affairs Committee.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Government Aid Not Likely For Century Tornado Victims (With Gallery)
February 17, 2016
Century residents were allowed late Tuesday to return on foot to their tornado-ravaged homes. Many residents in the hardest hit areas found notices posted by the county building inspector informing them that their homes are no longer habitable.
A large number of the residents have no insurance…that’s a luxury they can’t afford in a town that is the poorest in Florida and where over half the residents live in poverty. Several told NorthEscambia.com that there next step is to begin cleaning up and wait for financial help they believe will come as it did after Hurricane Ivan.
But the chance of Century and its residents receiving federal funds are slim to none as the rebuilding process from Monday’s EF-3 tornado begins.
Escambia County Emergency Management Director John Dosh said a federal disaster declaration from the White House would require documented losses of over $25 million in the county. He said it is extremely unlikely for the tornado damage to totals to be anywhere near $25 million.
Without the federal disaster declaration, FEMA funds will not flow.
However, the Town of Century and the county ares working with state and federal agencies to see what other options and other funding pools just might be available.
In the meantime, Century is turning with open arms to charitable organizations such as the Red Cross and local churches that are lending a helping hand.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Murder Remains Under Investigation
February 17, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation into a murder Monday night.
About 11:20 p.m. deputies responded to the 7100 block of Windsor Oak Drive to a domestic violence incident. When deputies first arrived, they found 35-year old Robert Edward Parizo dead from a gunshot wound.
Investigators questioned Parizo’s father in connection to the incident, but no arrests were made.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.