Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Family Feuds
November 1, 2015
“Ain’t nothing but a family thing,” the fictional White House chief of staff Leo McGarry once said in an episode of “The West Wing.” And while he was talking about his battle with alcoholism, he might as well have been discussing the past week in Tallahassee.
The state Senate redistricting battle descended into a personal and political quagmire that involved no fewer than three of the Legislature’s almost dynastic families. The fight has also ripped apart the Republican caucus in the upper chamber, which has started to resemble a dysfunctional family.
Meanwhile, the tight-knit community centered on Florida A&M University’s campus continued to be buffeted by a heated clash between President Elmira Mangum and the school’s board of trustees, prompting one member to resign.
And family values always come into play when Florida talks about expanded gambling.
Alas, unlike the great television shows of the past, there is not a matriarch or father figure in Tallahassee to straighten things out, come up with a compromise and make sure everyone moves forward together. For now, the family things will just have to play themselves out.
‘YOU HIT BACK AND NEVER GIVE IN’
It’s not like the battle over how to redraw the state Senate’s 40 districts wasn’t contentious enough before former Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, stood up Wednesday and laced into Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who would like to be among Gaetz’s successors in the chamber’s top job.
Already, the issue of how to ensure that Hispanic voters in South Florida have adequate representation in the Senate had led to heated debate about a redistricting plan (SJR 2-C). On Tuesday, the Senate approved a proposal increasing the Hispanic share of three seats over objections from Democrats who argued the move was an attempt to prevent incumbents from running against each other.
Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, a Miami Republican who sponsored the amendment, said the revised plan would ensure that Miami-Dade County will still have three districts in which Latinos can elect candidates of their choice.
“The (original) plan would basically disenfranchise Hispanics in Miami-Dade County by creating two Hispanic seats, Hispanic-performing seats instead of the three that we’ve had, as I mentioned, for about 30 years,” Diaz de la Portilla told reporters after the Senate vote.
Diaz de la Portilla’s proposal drew questions about whether it might violate the ban on favoring incumbents included in the “Fair Districts” redistricting standards approved by voters in 2010. The amendment removed Diaz de la Portilla’s residence from a proposed district that also would include the homes of Sens. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, and Anitere Flores, R-Miami.
It would also move Diaz de la Portilla’s brother, Alex, into the same seat that Miguel Diaz de la Portilla now holds. Alex Diaz de la Portilla is a former state senator who has been angling to run for the chamber again when his brother’s tenure is up.
“We’ve just now made this map unconstitutional,” said Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, during a debate over the amendment. “We’ve just now said that the court is going to reject this map.”
Unconstitutional or not, the Senate eventually voted 22-18 to approve the final version of the proposal, with four Republicans joining all 14 Democrats in opposing the plan. But it was what happened next that threatened to rip apart whatever fragile peace had been reached in a battle for the Senate presidency between Latvala and Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart.
Latvala has publicly suggested that Gaetz, who chaired the Senate Reapportionment Committee in 2012, should apologize for the problems that now are forcing lawmakers to redraw the Senate map. That provoked a 17-minute rebuke from Gaetz on the floor Wednesday. Latvala, who was preparing for an event elsewhere in the state, had left the chamber before Gaetz’s remarks began.
By the end of the week, Latvala supporters and some others were calling for the delay of a scheduled Dec. 2 vote to designate the GOP’s next Senate president, likely Negron. The winner would take over the caucus after the 2016 elections.
Sen. Tom Lee, who has not endorsed either leadership candidate, told The News Service of Florida on Thursday that he has asked “people who are interested in pursuing the caucus” to reconsider.
“If you really care about the institution of the Senate, if you really care about your colleagues, it is not the appropriate time to twist the knife,” said Lee, a Brandon Republican who is a former Senate president.
But Senate President Andy Gardiner did not appear willing to delay the vote.
SEE YOU IN COURT. NOW, LET’S TALK
Lawsuits are generally not a sign that negotiations are going well. But as the Seminole Tribe of Florida filed a lawsuit against the state over the tribe’s exclusive rights to offer “banked” card games like blackjack at most of its casinos, it also said the Seminoles have made “significant progress” in negotiations with state officials toward a deal that could allow the tribe to add craps and roulette.
The exclusive rights to the banked card games expired July 31, and a 90-day grace period ended Thursday. The lawsuit accuses the state of acting in “bad faith” — a legal “term of art,” according to the tribe’s lawyer, Barry Richard — and asks a federal judge to allow the Seminoles to keep offering the games. The Seminoles are also asking for mediation to try to work out another deal.
Tribal leaders have been meeting with Scott’s general counsel, Tim Cerio, and Republican House and Senate leaders for weeks, hoping to expand on a 20-year agreement signed in 2010, called a “compact,” that authorized the tribe’s slot-machine and table-game operations. A provision of the deal gave the Seminoles exclusive rights to operate banked card games for five years in exchange for a minimum payment of $1 billion
Under the current talks, the Seminoles could pay the state at least $3 billion over seven years in exchange for exclusive rights to roulette and craps, according to sources close to the negotiations. A Palm Beach County dog track could have slot machines, a new gambling operation in Miami-Dade County could start up with slot machines, and dog tracks could stop racing greyhounds while retaining lucrative card rooms.
Meanwhile, amid the negotiations and lawsuit, an anti-gambling group wants to give voters the ability to decide whether Florida should have non-tribal casinos. But the preliminary fate of the proposed constitutional amendment rests in a Supreme Court decision about slot machines at a Gadsden County horse track.
A newly-formed political committee called “Voters in Charge” announced Tuesday it has started a petition-gathering process, with an eye on getting a proposal on the 2018 ballot. If approved, the “Voter Control of Gambling” constitutional amendment would require future statewide votes to authorize casino-style games including blackjack, craps and roulette.
The amendment would take away the Legislature’s ability to approve casinos in Florida but would not affect tribal operations, which are regulated by federal law.
Whether or not Voters in Charge intends to pursue a ballot initiative ultimately rests with the Supreme Court’s decision in a case over whether a horse track in the Gadsden County community of Gretna, which originally received its pari-mutuel license for rodeo-style barrel racing, can have slot machines.
Committee chairman John Sowinski said his group wants “to have a ready weapon” with the ballot proposal in case the Supreme Court decides that no constitutional action is necessary for pari-mutuels outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties to add slots.
But it could upset the talks over the new pact with the Seminoles, because the provision that would permit the Palm Beach County greyhound track to add slots would be banned without statewide approval under the proposal floated by Voters in Charge.
FIGHT AT FAMU
The week also brought a reminder of the problems at Florida A&M, the state’s only public historically black university. When Mangum tried to hold a feel-good press event on Thursday, she kicked up a Tallahassee dust storm when she left without answering questions about the university’s governance woes.
Last week, the president barely survived two motions to fire her — one with cause and one without — by the university’s board of trustees. Within hours, FAMU students marched to the governor’s office to support her. The next day, trustees Chairman Rufus Montgomery, seen as Mangum’s chief opponent, stepped down from his leadership post, although he remains on the board.
And late Wednesday, longtime trustee Spurgeon McWilliams resigned, effective immediately. The retired physician was the lone vote on the current board against hiring Mangum in January 2014 and supported both motions last week to ax her for unproven “financial improprieties.”
But after her remarks at the Thursday press conference about eliminating questions on academic admissions forms asking if applicants have ever been convicted of crimes, Mangum said she’d have to depart.
“Unfortunately, I’m going to have to step away for some other meetings,” she said — and left by a back door that reporters couldn’t easily reach.
Trustees spokeswoman Lisa Brock — the trustees and the president have separate press operations — said McWilliams had “indicated that the commitment to serve on the board was far greater than he has experienced in the past. And this is obviously a concern, because we need to be able to attract the caliber of leader that Dr. McWilliams is.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: The Senate narrowly approved its version of districts for the chamber’s 40 seats, but not before sparking a bruising fight over Hispanic voting strength and GOP caucus politics.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I take no satisfaction from this exchange. I did not seek it. But when a bully throws a sucker punch, you hit back and never give in.”— Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, during a 17-minute speech attacking Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, over critical remarks about the 2012 redistricting process.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Two Charged With Cantonment Drive By Shooting
October 31, 2015
Two Escambia County are behind bars charged with a drive-by shooting in Cantonment.
The drive-by shooting occurred during the early morning hours of October 29. Shots were fired into a home in the 2400 block of Stacey Road. No one was injured during in the incident, but one home did receive minor damage when struck by gunfire.
Thomas Devontae Jackson, age 23 of Pensacola, and Christopher Bernard Staten, age 21 of Cantonment, were both booked into the Escambia County Jail Friday. Both are charged with felony firing a weapon into an occupied dwelling and with criminal mischief with property damage. They are being held on $600,000 bond each.
Further details, including a motive for the shooting, have not yet been released.
The Escambia County Sherriff’s Office said both are also wanted for questioning in a separate drive-by shooting.
Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Pedestrian Killed On Airport Boulevard
October 31, 2015
A pedestrian was killed on Airport Boulevard Friday night in Escambia County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 36-year old Phillip Harper of Pensacola westbound on Airport Boulevard approaching Rawson Lane in a 2010 Mazda CX-7. The FHP said pedestrian Roy Julian, age 57 of Pensacola, walked directly into Harper’s path about 7:38 p.m.
Julian was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital were he died a short time later.
No charges were filed in the crash, according to the FHP.
Molino Park Students Create Pumpkin Project Book Reports
October 31, 2015
First graders at Molino Park Elementary School recently completed pumpkin book report projects.
The students read a great book, wrote a book report and decorated a pumpkin (with mom and dad’s help) as a book character.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Photos by Sara Calhoun for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Forest Win 1-6A Crown; Tate Still In Playoffs
October 31, 2015
It’s been 35 years…since 1980 when Carl Madison’s Aggies won state…since Tate has won a district championship. Friday night at home seemed like as good of a time as any to end that lengthy steak in Cantonment as the Aggies and Pine Forest Eagles put their perfect 2-0 district records on the line.
But in the end, Pine Forest claimed the District 1-6A championship 47-28 over Tate.
The Eagles were first on the board with a 7-0 lead with 5:23 to go in the first. A pass from Sawyer Smith to Aldondo Thompkins set up a Dee Thompson touchdown for a 7-7 tie just seconds into the second quarter. Pine Forest struck again to make it 13-7 with 6:03 in the half. Tate answered with a Madison Lockman touchdown, 14-13, with 5:01 in the second.
Headed into the final quarter, the game was tied 28-28, with Pine Forest going on a 19 point unanswered scoring spree.
Pine Forest will travel to Jacksonville Trinity Christian next Friday night before hosting the first round on the playoffs November 13 against the winner of a Gulf Breeze-Pace-Milton shootout.
The District 1-6A runner-up Tate Aggies will be on the road November 13 for a first round playoff game at e District 2-6A Navarre.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Look Out For Florida’s Top 10 Creepy Crawlers
October 31, 2015
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reminds residents and visitors to be on the lookout for these 10 creepy, crawly, invasive and destructive pests found in Florida. In addition to threatening Florida’s $123 billion agriculture industry and the more than 2 million jobs it supports, pests pose a serious risk to commerce, the environment, public health and the food supply.
On average, a new invasive pest is introduced in Florida every month, and that trend will only increase with the continued rise of global commerce and travel. Know the signs of emerging and existing pests and diseases to help protect Florida.
source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Baker Takes District Title From Northview; Chiefs Still In Playoff Hunt
October 31, 2015
The Northview Chiefs and the Baker Gators battled it out in Bratt Friday night for the District 1-1A championship, with Baker coming out on top 35-21.
The Chiefs were on the board first with a 2-yard touchdown run from junior Toney Harrison for a 6-0 lead with 4:43 to go in the first quarter.
Baker answered just inside the second quarter to take a 7-6 lead over the Chiefs with 11:03 on the clock with a 5-yard touchdown run. After a 72-yard run, Baker scored on the next down for a 13-6 lead over Northview with 8:54 to go in the first half.
And again, Baker would score with 6:07 in the half for a 21-6 advantage over the Chiefs.
The Chiefs added two to close out the half with a safety, still trailing Baker 21-8.
Baker increased their lead to 28-8 with 7:18 to go in the third. Gavon Grant found Jacob Dunsford for a 27-yard touchdown run to close the Gator gap to 28-15 following a good kick from Seth Killam..
The Gators gained another TD with 3:43 in the third, 35-15. Then with 7:21 in the game, the Chiefs worked to come back, adding a 44-yard touchdown run from Harrison for a 35-21 Gator advantage.
“Missed opportunities,” Northview head coach Wheatley said. “They break a couple of big runs, to their credit, and that was the difference in the game…I thought we were going to be able to cash it in late and cut it to one score, but we didn’t get it done.”
Baker (7-2, 2-0) took the District 1-1A championship with the win, while the Northview Chiefs (2-7, 1-1) are still in the hunt as the playoff series begins in two weeks. The Chiefs will begin round one of the playoffs on the road November 13 at District 2-1A champion Vernon.
For more photos, click here. (Senior Night, band, cheerleader and dance team photos will be posted by Monday)
NorthEscambia.com, click here.
Man Charged With Murder For Child Abuse Death
October 31, 2015
Escambia Sheriff’s Investigators have arrested a man in connection with the death of a 14-month-old child.
On October 21, Escambia Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Sacred Heart Hospital for a suspected child abuse case. When they arrived, they received information that A’Niyla Marie Mitchell was undergoing treatment for injuries she had sustained as a result of what appeared to be blunt force trauma to the head. A’Niyla was placed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
At about 5 p.m. on October 23, A’Niyla succumbed to her injuries.
Cornelius Kendale Nickson is charged with first degree murder and aggravated child abuse. He is currently being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Friday Football Finals
October 31, 2015
Here is a look at tonight’s high school football final scores:
FLORIDA
- Baker 35, Northview 21 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- Pine Forest 47, Tate 28 [Read more, photo gallery...]
- Escambia 28, Washington 26
- Navarre 47, Gulf Breeze 7
- Milton 30, Pace 27
- West Florida 23, PHS 13
- OFF: Jay, Catholic
ALABAMA
- W.S. Neal 26, T.R. Miller 17
- Bessemer 20, Escambia Academy 8 (Thurs. pm)
- Flomaton 22, Monroe County 20
Appeals Court Ruling Will Send Century Man Back To Prison On Drug Charge
October 30, 2015
A Century man that recently completed a prison sentence for a drug charge will be headed back to prison following an opinion issued this week by Florida’s First District Court of Appeals.
Steven Daniel Kite was arrested as part of the “Operation Blister Pack 2″ sweep in April 2013. It took an Escambia County jury just under an hour to find Kite guilty of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a listed chemical – pseudoephedrine.
However, Kite moved for and obtained a judgement of acquittal on the conspiracy to traffic count. The trial judge cited two grounds for the judgement of acquittal — inaccurate wording and the failure to prove that there was any agreement between Kite and any other person to purchase and deliver pseudoephedrine. The state appealed the ruling.
Wednesday, the appeals court found the acquittal on the conspiracy to to traffic count to be incorrect and ordered the trial court to reinstate the jury’s original guilty verdict.
The appeals court found that Kite did conspire to traffic in methamphetamine. Between December 2010 and April 2013, Kite made 53 purchases of pseudoephedrine, totaling 123.94 grams, from various pharmacies. He would deliver the package of pseudoephedrine to the home of a known methamphetamine cook and receive half a gram of meth each time in return.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, Kite faces a minimum mandatory sentence of seven years on the reinstated trafficking charge. The seven years must be served day by day without the possibility of parole or gain time. He will not be able to receive any credit for the two years already served under the possession charge.
Kite previously received a two year sentence, with credit for 122 days previously served, on the possession charge. According to Florida Department of Corrections records, Kite was released from prison on September 20. A court date for sentencing on the reinstated charge has not yet been set.
In 2013, Operation Blister Pack targeted nearly 80 individuals on methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine related charges. Many of those arrested were involved with drug groups dubbed “The Village Group”, centered around “The Village” area of Forrest Street and Lakeview Avenue in Cantonment; and “The Ayers Group”, a group centered around Ayers Street in Molino, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Offfice.