Election Watch: Two Candidates Officially Qualify On Tuesday
June 22, 2016
This is qualifying week for candidates seeking local office.
Those qualified Tuesday for local offices are listed below. For additional candidates that qualified on Monday, click here.
Friday at noon is the deadline to qualify for local offices.
Sheriff:
- Douglas DeWayne Baldwin, Sr., Republican
County Commissioner, District 1:
- Audra Carter, Democrat
Lake Stone Caretaker Reappointed
June 22, 2016
The Escambia County Commission has extended their caretaker agreement for the Lake Stone Campground near Century.
Dennis Keith Cole will continue to manage thee facility for another year, until May 31, 2017. He will be paid $11,400 in 12 equal monthly installments of $950 with housing an utilities provided. Cole was first named Lake Stone caretaker in June 2013.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located at 801 West Highway 4 in Century. The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Lake Stone is the Escambia County’s only facility located on a fresh water lake. The facilities include a boat ramp , indoor public use pavilion, a playground, showers, restrooms, a fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the lake.
The Lake Stone pavilion or campsites can be reserved by calling the Lake Stone campground manager at (850) 256-5555 or Escambia County Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Since the inception of the Lake Stone Campground, the County has entered into an agreement for on-site caretaker/management services at the facility.
Pictured inset: The Century Area Chamber of Commerce June 2013 Community Pride Award was presented to caretaker Dennis Cole for the Lake Stone Campground. Pictured top and bottom: Lake Stone and the pavilion. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Three Children Injured In North Century Boulevard Wreck
June 22, 2016
Three children received minor injuries in an accident about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon on North Century Boulevard at West State Line Road, near the Food Giant. The children were transported to Jay Hospital by Escambia County EMS. Two adults involved in the crash were not injured and refused medical treatment.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: One of the two vehicles involved in a crash that injured three juveniles Tuesday afternoon in Centuy. The vehicles were moved to the Food Giant parking lot following the crash. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Grammer Receives State FFA Equine Proficiency Award
June 22, 2016
Tate High School FFA members Rachel Grammer received the Equine Proficiency Award at the Florida State FFA Convention last week in Orlando. She received first place out of four state finalists. She is pictured above (holding awards) with Tata FFA sponsor Austin Courson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Cracking Down On Boating Under The Influence
June 22, 2016
As the summer recreational boating season gets into full swing, the FWC Law Enforcement Division is ramping up its enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on boating under the influence.
The annual three-day, heightened awareness and enforcement campaign, Operation Dry Water, focuses on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Law enforcement agencies nationwide will be out in force June 24-26, looking for boaters who choose to boat under the influence, and then removing them from the water. Increased awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence, along with officers focused on identifying impaired operators, aim to drastically reduce the number of accidents and deaths due to impaired boating.
“It is our job as law enforcement officers to identify and remove impaired boaters from the water so that everyone else can continue to have an enjoyable boating season and not become a victim of boating under the influence. Protecting the public goes to the heart of our mission,” said Maj. Richard Moore, FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section Leader. “Our agency is participating in Operation Dry Water, and joining thousands of law enforcement officers nationwide to decrease the number of accidents, injuries and deaths that come as a result of boaters who choose to drink and boat.”
In Florida it is illegal to operate a vessel with a BAC level of .08 or higher. The FWC wants to remind boaters to stay safe this summer by staying sober on the water. Alcohol use is one of the leading contributing factors in recreational boater deaths. During the national weekend of heightened awareness and high-visibility enforcement, boaters can expect to see an enhanced law enforcement presence and increased messaging about this dangerous and preventable crime.
Another Semi Truck Overturns In North Century Boulevard Curve
June 21, 2016
For the second time in just over a week, and 18-wheeler has overturned on North Century Boulevard near Jackson Street, just south of the Food Giant.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 30-year old Aref Alday of Miami traveled off the roadway, causing his 2000 Freightliner semi-truck to overturn. He was cited for careless driving. Aref Alday was not injured; his passenger, 53-year old Amnerys Alday was transported to Jay Hospital with minor injuries.
The truck was hauling cotton bales.
The Town of Century has complained as recently as Monday night to the Florida Department of Transportation about slope of the curve and the inability of 18-wheelers to safely navigate it at the posted speed limit.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Driver ‘Rear-Ends’ Tree In Highway 97 Wreck
June 21, 2016
An adult female driver “rear-ended” a tree in a Tuesday morning wreck on Highway 97 near Walnut Hill.
The woman was southbound on Highway 97 south of Howell Road when she apparently lost control of her Hyundai Elantra in a curve. She over-corrected and ran off off the roadway. The vehicle skidded in the ditch and rotated backwards into a tree.
The driver was transported to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered critical.
Further details, including the name of the driver, have not been released as the Florida Highway Patrol continues their investigation.
Atmore Ambulance and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Council President Boutwell Resigns, Qualifies To Run For Mayor
June 21, 2016
Century Town Council President Benjamin Boutwell has submitted his resignation so that he may run for the office of mayor.
His resignation, required by Florida law to seek another elected office, is not effective until the end of the day on January 1, 2017.
“It’s been a privilege to serve our residents of Century and I look forward to continuing to serve my town, town workers and my neighbors,” Boutwell said in his letter of resignation.
Monday, Boutwell became the first candidate to officially qualify to seek the mayor’s office in Century. Incumbent Freddie McCall pre-filed last week, but had not completed the qualification process by the close of business on Monday, according to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office. The qualification period ends at noon Friday.
“I love the town; I love the citizens here,” Boutwell said, adding that he said decided to run for mayor after being asked by numerous residents. “I think I could be a big asset to the town.”
Boutwell said he’s looking to bring businesses and jobs into the town.
He will retire in December after 30 plus years in the Air Force and DOD civil service.
Election Watch: Several Candidates Officially Qualify On Monday
June 21, 2016
Monday marked the first day of qualifying week for candidates seeking local office.
Those qualified as of close of business Monday for offices included the candidates listed below. Additional candidates have pre-qualified for the positions listed but did not officially qualify as of Monday. Friday at noon is the deadline to qualify for the offices listed.
Tax Collector:
- Buck Lee, Republican
- Deb Moore, Democrat
- Scott Lunsford, Republican
Sheriff:
- Rex Blackburn, NPA
- John Johnson, Republican
- Ron McNesby, Republican
- David Morgan, Republican
Supervisor of Elections:
- David Stafford, Republican
Property Appraiser:
- Chris Jones, Democrat
Clerk of the Circuit Court:
- Pam Childers, Republican
Superintendent of Schools:
- Malcolm Thomas, Republican
County Commissioner, District 1:
- Jeff Bergosh, Republican
- Jesse Casey, Republican
- Karen Sindel , Republican
County Commissioner, District 3:
- Mirza Aftab Ahmad, NPA
School Board, District 1: (Nonpartisan office)
- Kevin Adams
- Willie Kirkland, Jr.
School Board, District 4: (Nonpartisan office)
- Patty Hightower
School Board, District 5: (Nonpartisan office)
- William Slayton Jr.
ECUA, District 1:
- Vicki Campbell, Republican
- James Faxlanger, Republican
ECUA, District 3:
- Clorissti Mitchell, Democrat
- Elvin McCorvey, Democrat
- John R. Johnson, NPA
- Kennie Lyons, Democrat
- Derrick Gainer, NPA
ECUA, District 5:
- Jim Taylor, Republican
- Larry Walker, Republican
City Council, District 1: (Nonpartisan office)
- P.C. Wu
City Council, District 3: (Nonpartisan office)
- Andy Terhaar
City Council, District 7: (Nonpartisan office)
- Jewel Cannada-Wynn
Escambia County Soil & Water Conservation, District 1: (Nonpartisan office)
- Betty Ann Wilson
Escambia County Soil & Water Conservation, District 3: (Nonpartisan office)
- Anne Bennett
SRIA: (Nonpartisan office)
- Thomas A. Campanella
Century Mayor
- Benjamin Boutwell
Century Revisits Establishing A Community Redevelopment Area
June 21, 2016
Back in February, the Century Town Council approved the formation of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), but that effort stalled as the town recovered from an EF-3 tornado.
At Monday night’s meeting of the Century Town Council, council member Ann Brooks questioned the progress of a CRA.
“We need to get our hands wrapped back around it, and, if we are, let’s move forward,” Mayor Freddie McCall said.
Council members expressed concerns over costs to establish the CRA, and exactly how much help Escambia County might provide. “We need someone (from Escambia County) to come talk to us and explain how they might help us,” Brooks said.
McCall said he would call Commissioner Steven Barry and start those discussions.
Upon declaration of an area as blighted, the CRA works to improve conditions. As property tax values rise, most of the increase is funneled back into the redevelopment area for further improvements. An estimate provide by Escambia County showed Century might, in a best case scenario, receive about $5,300 in tax funds for the first year of a CRA that included a full maximum 80 percent of the town.
Essentially, CRAs use redevelopment funds within a deteriorating area to transform it into one that again contributes to the overall health of a community. The money can roll over year to year, up a 40-year life for a CRA.
CRA funds can be used for a variety of public purposes, including items specified in the agency’s redevelopment plan, planning and surveys, acquisition of real property, affordable housing development and community policing innovations.
In February, the council decided that Century will enter into an interlocal agreement with Escambia County for assistance in forming and managing the CRA. Their next step was to be the formation of a seven member board — the five council members plus two at-large members — to oversee the Century CRA.
There are currently nine other redevelopment districts in Escambia County — Atwood, Barrancas, Brownsville, Cantonment, Englewood, Ensley, Oakfield, Palafox and Warrington — and three within the City of Pensacola.
Pictured top: Century Council members Ann Brooks (left) and Annie Savage listen to discussion Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.