Gambling Deal Met With Scrutiny, Skepticism
December 9, 2015
Far from a sure bet, Gov. Rick Scott’s $3.1 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida is getting a tepid response from some legislative leaders, virtually guaranteeing that the proposal could require major changes to win enough support for passage.
The agreement, signed by Scott and tribal Chairman James Billie on Monday, equates to a major expansion of gambling in Florida, bringing to the state craps and roulette for Seminole casinos and opening the door for slots and blackjack in areas where a previous agreement prohibited the games.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli on Tuesday said legislative approval, required for the pact to take effect, would be a “heavy lift.”
Senate President Andy Gardiner told reporters “there are no guarantees” that lawmakers will sign off on the deal, known as a “compact.”
Scott said the compact, months in the making, “is a first step.”
Even the Seminoles’ chief negotiator, Jim Allen, called Monday’s signed contract “the boundaries of an agreement.”
Some lawmakers were more dubious about the proposal’s future.
“I suspect that this compact is DOA,” said Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater. “Because there are so many issues in it that different people are going to find problems with.”
Under the 20-year compact signed Monday, the Seminoles could add craps and roulette to their seven casinos in exchange for $3.1 billion in payments to the state over seven years. The Seminoles could also expand blackjack games, now limited to five of their facilities, to all of their casinos.
The compact would also allow slot machines at the Palm Beach Kennel Club and at a new location in Miami-Dade County. And it would also permit horse and dog tracks to stop racing altogether — known as “decoupling” — while still maintaining cardroom or slot machine operations.
The agreement would also permit lawmakers to lower the tax rate on slot machines for Broward and Miami-Dade pari-mutuels and would allow those “racinos” to add blackjack, something now limited to tribal casinos, although on a small scale. The racinos would only be allowed to have a maximum of 15 blackjack tables, and bets would be capped at $15.
But, as they once did for slots, voters would have to sign off on the card games for the Miami-Dade and Broward county facilities.
The proposal also envisions a new, voter-approved gambling facility with slot machines in Miami-Dade County. Lawmakers plan to require a bid process to determine who would get the new gambling license, said House Regulatory Affairs Chairman Jose Felix Diaz, the chamber’s chief negotiator on the compact.
The Miami lawyer also called Monday’s agreement a framework for future discussions.
“There’s still a lot to get this in a position for the Legislature to make a decision,” Diaz said. “This bill sets parameters, but it doesn’t define them.”
In the signed compact, the Seminoles also pledge “to make significant investments” — $1.8 billion — in their gambling facilities, which Allen said would mostly be spent on non-gaming construction like hotel rooms.
Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting Tuesday morning, Scott praised the deal, which is triple the current $1 billion the Seminoles agreed to pay in 2010 in exchange for exclusive rights to “banked” card games like blackjack.
But the governor conceded that the plan may morph before lawmakers leave their imprint on it.
“I’m just the first part of the process. Now it goes to the Legislature. I respect the decision of President Gardiner and Speaker Crisafulli. It goes to them,” Scott said.
As lawmakers scrutinized the plan Tuesday, it became almost certain that the proposal would require what could be a major overhaul to get the requisite support from the GOP-dominated Legislature, including the historically gambling-averse House.
Key issues that could bog down passage of the compact — which would also allow lottery tickets to be sold at gas pumps — include allowing the Palm Beach County dog track to add slots, considered a snub to five other counties where voters have given slots a thumbs-up.
“I just have a problem picking one winner and five losers. I don’t know how we can do that,” Latvala said.
Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, two years ago headed a committee charged with considering an ill-fated bill that could have paved the way for at least one “destination resort”-style casino in Florida.
More than 60 percent of voters in Lee County, which Richter represents, approved the addition of slots at the dog track in Bonita Springs. But the Seminoles could consider the Lee County facility a threat to their Immokalee casino.
The agreement inked by Scott is a “starting line,” Richter said.
“I know that no matter where this ball stops rolling, wherever it stops rolling, somebody’s going to be unhappy,” he said. “And right now, where it started rolling , I’m unhappy that the Bonita Springs-Naples dog track doesn’t have casinos.”
By early Tuesday, lobbyists were already arming themselves for a major turf war when the legislative session kicks off on Jan. 12.
Ron Book, who represents tracks owned by the Havenick family in Bonita Springs and Miami, was outraged that the compact gave preference to “rich” Palm Beach County over more financially strapped regions, such as Gretna Racing in Gadsden County, operated by the Poarch Creek Indians of Atmore.
“If anybody thinks we’re laying down our arms and going to sleep …. with something in there for rich Palm Beach County to the detriment of poor little Lee County and poor little Gretna, they’re mistaken,” Book said.
In a telephone interview Tuesday, Seminole Gaming CEO Allen, the tribe’s chief negotiator, said the Seminoles “are receptive to concerns” that lawmakers may have regarding the compact, but would not specify which components the tribe would be willing to negotiate.
“I think it’s very, very important not to negotiate anything on an individual basis. But once we have a cumulative list of concerns, at that particular time I would be able to have a comment on what we may or may not be able to find some flexibility for the state,” Allen said. “We certainly understand that the process is not completed and there’s a tremendous amount of work to navigate through the committees, and, eventually, all the leadership and all of the elected officials of the state.”
The proposal would cap the number of slot machines the Seminoles are allowed to have at 6,000 at any one facility, with an average of 3,500 among its seven locations. Tables for banked card games, such as blackjack, would be capped at an average of 150, with a maximum of 300 at any one facility. Allen said none of the tribe’s current casinos are at those maximums.
Scott and tribal leaders — along with high-ranking GOP lawmakers — have been negotiating for months, spurred by a component of a 2010 compact that gave the Seminoles exclusive rights to operate banked card games at most of their casinos. The card games portion of the larger, 20-year deal, expired this summer, but the Seminoles have continued to run the games.
As they did five years ago, lawmakers expect to handle the issue in two separate pieces of legislation — one dealing with the compact and another focused on provisions related to the state’s pari-mutuel industry.
Lawmakers in 2010 sued then-Gov. Charlie Crist for entering an agreement with the Seminoles without their approval, and the Florida Supreme Court decided that such a deal requires ratification by the Legislature.
Any deal between the tribe and the state also requires approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees Indian gaming.
Gardiner cautioned that the agreement is anything but a done deal.
“As (Scott) knows, there are no guarantees in this process. We’ll just have to wait and see, to see what happens,” Gardiner told reporters Tuesday morning. “Certainly, the compact piece is important. But … it’s what else is there that potentially needs to be looked at.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Man Charged With Sexual Battery Of A Minor
December 9, 2015
An Escambia County man has been charged with the sexual battery of a minor.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 38-year old Kenyada Danurael Travis was arrested Tuesday following a three-month long investigation. Travis is charged with one count of sexual battery of a minor over the age of 12. Investigators said additional charges are pending.
Travis was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Two Century Men Arrested On Meth Related Charges In Atmore
December 9, 2015
Two Century men were arrested on drug charges following a routine traffic stop in Atmore.
An Atmore Police officer stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic violation and noticed evidence of a controlled substance offense.
A search revealed a large duffle bag containing “numerous precursor chemicals and other paraphernalia used to manufacture and ingest methamphetamine,” police said.
The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested at the scene. Gary Glenn Roley, 45, and James Nicholas Jordan, 35, were charged with unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance. They were booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton where they were being held on $250,000 bond each.
Pictured top: The meth making materials found in the vehicle of two Century men by the Atmore Police Department. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Escambia Educators Receive Shine Awards
December 9, 2015
Two Escambia County educators received Shine Awards Tuesday from Gov. Rick Scott.
Alisha Wilson is currently the Innovation Center Specialist at Washington High School and a former English teacher. She recently opened a satellite Writing Lab on campus in partnership with University of West Florida. She promotes “Makerspaces,” a creative space in the library where students gather to create video story production and to also work with robotics.
Gary James works in the Escambia County School District’s technology department, and teaches new methods of learning digital technology in classrooms. He mentors a team of high school students to help develop their computer skills.
“Florida is home to the best teachers in the nation and I am honored to recognize four outstanding educators today with the Governor’s Shine Award. I hope our teachers and students have a wonderful holiday break, and I forward to seeing their success in the classroom at the start of the New Year,” Scott said.
Sheriff Warns Of Warrant Scam
December 9, 2015
Sheriff David Morgan is warning citizens of a warrants scam in Escambia County.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has received several complaints in which a caller identifies his or herself as an ECSO employee. The caller then proceeds to tell the victim that they have a warrant for their arrest but the warrant will be dropped if the victim sends money.
FDLE: If You See Something, Say Something
December 9, 2015
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is relaunching the “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign after recent terror attacks.
“As the holidays approach, we remind our citizens to remain vigilant,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “It’s important that we are aware of our surroundings and report suspicious behavior to law enforcement.”
Florida initially launched the “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign in 2011. Although the campaign never ended, FDLE is redistributing information to its law enforcement and media partners asking them to consider reposting the information on social media and writing news stories about the campaign.
Officials encourage anyone who sees suspicious activity to report it to local authorities or call 1-855-FLA-SAFE (1-855-352-7233). It can also be reported online through FDLE’s website at www.fdle.state.fl.us.
Examples of suspicious activity include things like: people drawing or measuring buildings for no known reason, strangers asking questions about building security procedures or people in secure areas where they are not supposed to be, or leaving behind briefcases, suitcases, backpacks or packages.
The “If You See Something, Say Something™” campaign, originally implemented by New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and now licensed to Department of Homeland Security for a nationwide campaign, is a simple and effective program to engage the public and key frontline employees to identify and report indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime to the proper law enforcement authorities.
Fourth Red Bulb On Fire Safety Wreath
December 9, 2015
Monday night, Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle fire that extended to a nearby townhouse on the 4300 block of Erress Boulevard. The incident resulted in the fourth green light bulb being replaced in the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
The first 911 call was received at 6:41 p.m. on Monday and on-site crews were able to extinguishing the fire, which saved the townhouse and others connected to it. Escambia County Fire Rescue was also able to replace the door that had been damaged by the fire and allowed the homeowner to secure their property at no charge and still come and go as usual. Residents of the home were assisted by the American Red Cross.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with City of Pensacola and Santa Rosa County to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign, five-foot wreaths will be on display at 23 different county fire stations. Every time firefighters respond to a residential fire, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by holiday decorations.
Pensacola Airport Adding New Flights For Summer
December 9, 2015
The Pensacola International Airport is adding new flights for the 2016 summer travel season.
Beginning Saturday, June 11, 2016, and extending through the end of July, Southwest will offer a non-stop Saturday flight to Dallas, Texas, and a non-stop Saturday flight to Kansas City, Missouri.
These two Saturday flights will be in addition to the daily non-stop Houston and Nashville service already provided by Southwest, and in addition to the Saturday non-stop service to Chicago that Southwest will be bringing back in mid-March. This additional service is reflective of the City of Pensacola’s commitment to improving the air service options for those individuals traveling to and from the Pensacola Gulf Coast region.
The new flight times will be as follows:
Kansas City
FLT 5052 Depart PNS 1:50 PM Arrive MCI 3:55 PM
FLT 438 Depart MCI 3:00 PM Arrive PNS 4:55 PM
Dallas
FLT 6161 Depart PNS 11:30 AM Arrive DAL 1:25 PM
FLT 1276 Depart DAL 9:10 AM Arrive PNS 11:00 AM
Escambia EMS Crew Saves Kitten Suffering From Smoke Inhalation
December 8, 2015
An Escambia County (FL) EMS crew is being credited with saving the life a kitten found near death as a mobile home was burned in Flomaton.
Firefighters from the Flomaton, Friendship and Pineview fire departments burned the abandoned trailer on Sue Street in Flomaton Saturday as a training exercise.
The kitten was found under the porch of the burning mobile home, nearly dead from smoke inhalation. The Escambia County EMS crew fashioned a kitty oxygen mask from a water bottle and nursed the kitten back to health with no apparent lasting injuries.
The training exercise gave the fire fighters from the three departments the chance to see how fire grows, learn techniques for knocking it down, and real life experience for those that had never experienced a structure fire. During the weeks before the burn, firemen also used the trailer to practice forcible entry, victim searches and victim removals.
Photos by Daphne Clark for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
\
Tate Showband Peforms At NAS Event; Next Year It’s Off To Pearl Harbor
December 8, 2015
A Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony was held Monday at the National Museum of Naval Aviation aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station. Monday was the 74th anniversary of the attack that pushed the United States into World War II.
The Tate High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble and members of the Tate Showband of the South performed at Monday’s event, a decade-long tradition.
Next year, on the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Tate Showband won’t perform at the Pensacola ceremony — the Showband will be performing at Pearl Harbor.
The Tate High School Showband of the South is headed to Hawaii in December 2016 to take part in the 75th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Mass Band. They will join bands from around the United States and Japan in a concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The mass band, including the Tate Showband, will perform on the pier of the U.S.S Battleship Missouri in a worldwide live webcast “Gift of Music” concert on December 7, 2016. The trip was announced more than a year in advance to give the Band Boosters and band members a chance to raise the funds needed for the 215 member band. The trip is estimated to cost from $2,000 to $2,500 per band member.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
