And The Survey Says: Down At The Library
November 3, 2014
Escambia County recently asked residents to complete an online survey to gauge residents’ thoughts and ideas about West Florida Public Library System facilities.
Results, as provided by Escambia County, were as follows:
Envision Escambia 2028: The West Florida Public Library System
Question #1: In which area of Escambia County do you currently live?
Nearly 51 percent of respondents to our West Florida Public Library System survey live north of Nine Mile Road. Another 3 percent came from the extreme southern portion of the County on Pensacola Beach. More than 6 percent of respondents were from Perdido Key, 8 percent represented the neighborhoods in the area East of Palafox, South of Brent Lane/Bayou Boulevard to the Escambia Bay on the East and Pensacola Bay on the South and another 3 percent lives West of Palafox, East of New Warrington Road, South of Fairfield Drive, North of Pensacola Bay. No area of Escambia County was unrepresented in this survey.
Question #2: Do you have a library card?
- Yes: 86 percent
- No: 14 percent
Question #3: How often do you visit the library?
- Daily: 6 percent
- Weekly: 28 percent
- Monthly: 28 percent
- Rarely: 23 percent
- Never: 14 percent
Question #4: Why do you visit Escambia County libraries?
- To check out materials (books, DVDs, music, etc.) for home use: 82 percent
- For research or reference assistance: 8 percent
- For computer access: 4 percent
- For classes or programs: 6 percent
Comments included:
“Classes and programs for my kids.”
“Buy used books from Friends of Library.”
“Read periodicals.”
“Meetings.”
Question #5: Please choose any/all reasons you may have for not visiting the library. Choose as many as are applicable.
- Hours of operation are not convenient: 29 percent
- Location of facilities is not close to my home: 71 percent
- Security is insufficient: 0 percent
- Facilities are not well maintained: 5 percent
- I don’t know where facilities are located: 10 percent
- We are too busy or not interested: 33 percent
Comments included:
“Too many computers, not a wide enough selection of books.”
“Been years since I’ve been in a library and wouldn’t know what to do.”
“No reason. The internet has more and is convenient to all.”
“Haven’t had the need to go to the library lately. However, I am glad we have one in the north end of the county.
“My grandson has used the facility a couple of times.”
Question #6: More than $6.7 million of Local Option Sales Tax III funds has been used to build, upgrade and restore libraries throughout Escambia County. Please tell us how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements. Well maintained libraries:
Are versatile community centers, offering access to reading materials, classes and computer access:
- 73 percent strongly agree
- 19 percent agree
- 5 percent neither disagree nor agree
- 0 percent disagree
- 3 percent strongly disagree
Offers residents improved economic prospects and an enhanced quality of life:
- 57 percent strongly agree
- 25 percent agree
- 10 percent neither disagree nor agree
- 5 percent disagree
- 3 percent strongly disagree
Contribute to safe, thriving neighborhoods:
- 51 percent strongly agree
- 32 percent agree
- 9 percent neither disagree nor agree
- 6 percent disagree
- 3 percent strongly disagree
Foster learning and skills improvement:
- 70 percent strongly agree
- 22 percent agree
- 6 percent neither disagree nor agree
- 3 percent disagree
- 0 percent strongly disagree
Question #7: How would you rate each of the following library services?
- Customer service:
- Excellent: 45 percent
- Good: 29 percent
- Fair: 7 percent
- Poor: 4 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 15 percent
- Collection (books, DVDs, music, newspapers, etc.):
- Excellent: 20 percent
- Good: 39 percent
- Fair: 23 percent
- Poor: 4 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 15 percent
- Children’s programs and classes:
- Excellent: 19 percent
- Good: 23 percent
- Fair: 12 percent
- Poor: 1 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 45 percent
- Adult programs and classes:
- Excellent: 9 percent
- Good: 29 percent
- Fair: 13 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 45 percent
- Computers and printers:
- Excellent: 19 percent
- Good: 35 percent
- Fair: 9 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 35 percent
- Internet access:
- Excellent: 22 percent
- Good: 30 percent
- Fair: 10 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 36 percent
- Facilities:
- Excellent: 39 percent
- Good: 37 percent
- Fair: 8 percent
- Poor: 1 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 15 percent
- Hours of operation:
- Excellent: 19 percent
- Good: 34 percent
- Fair: 28 percent
- Poor: 7 percent
- Don’t know or not applicable: 12 percent
Question #8: How important are each of the following library services to you?
- Borrowing materials (books, DVDs, music, etc.):
- 73 percent said very important
- 16 percent said important
- 3 percent said somewhat important
- 7 percent said not important
- 3 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Reference assistance:
- 30 percent said very important
- 36 percent said important
- 14 percent said somewhat important
- 14 percent said not important
- 5 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Children’s programs (classes, storytimes, etc.):
- 28 percent said very important
- 18 percent said important
- 19 percent said somewhat important
- 14 percent said not important
- 22 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Adult programs (classes, training, book clubs, etc.:
- 32 percent said very important
- 22 percent said important
- 16 percent said somewhat important
- 17 percent said not important
- 13 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Computers, printers and internet access:
- 33 percent said very important
- 22 percent said important
- 17 percent said somewhat important
- 17 percent said not important
- 10 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Bookmobile:
- 19 percent said very important
- 22 percent said important
- 14 percent said somewhat important
- 28 percent said not important
- 18 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Genealogy research:
- 17 percent said very important
- 26 percent said important
- 23 percent said somewhat important
- 27 percent said not important
- 8 percent don’t know or not applicable
- Overall, how important is the library to you and your family?:
- 57 percent said very important
- 21 percent said important
- 11 percent said somewhat important
- 11 percent said not important
- 1 percent don’t know or not applicable
Question #9: Do you have any suggestions regarding programming or services you would like to see at one or any of our branch libraries?
Comments included:
“More weekend hours, especially in the summer.”
“Don’t close at 4 p.m. on Friday’s.”
“Employment assistance.”
“Mobile library at the beach.”
“Online newspaper.”
Question #10: What is your overall opinion of the West Florida Public Library System branches? Answer as many as applicable.
- Century Branch:
- Excellent: 10 percent
- Fair: 5 percent
- Good: 6 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- No opinion: 76 percent
- Main Library:
- Excellent: 33 percent
- Fair: 18 percent
- Good: 21 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- No opinion: 24 percent
- Molino Branch:
- Excellent: 22 percent
- Fair: 9 percent
- Good: 7 percent
- Poor: 0 percent
- No opinion: 61 percent
- Southwest Branch:
- Excellent: 21 percent
- Fair: 8 percent
- Good: 17 percent
- Poor: 2 percent
- No opinion: 53 percent
- Tryon Branch:
- Excellent: 21 percent
- Fair: 14 percent
- Good: 23 percent
- Poor: 0 percent
- No opinion: 42 percent
- Westside Branch:
- Excellent: 5 percent
- Fair: 8 percent
- Good: 8 percent
- Poor: 3 percent
- No opinion: 75 percent
- Bookmobile:
- Excellent: 5 percent
- Fair: 15 percent
- Good: 5 percent
- Poor: 6 percent
- No opinion: 69 percent
Question #11: Do you have any additional questions, comments or concerns?
Comments included:
“Please build one in Cantonment!”
“Best part of my tax dollars.”
“Looking for bus service to and from the library.”
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Learn How To Do Business With ECUA
November 3, 2014
The Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center will offer a free workshop on how to do business with the ECUA. The event will be held Thursday, November 6 at the Escambia County Central Office Complex at 3363 West Park Place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The informational meeting will educate attendees about the potential of doing business with the ECUA, while increasing participation in obtaining future ECUA contracts. Participants will learn about the bidding process, qualification requirements, future business opportunities, and how the ECUA hiring process is conducted.
ECUA speakers will include Stephen P. Holcomb, director of wastewater infrastructure, Peter Wilkinson, purchasing and store manager, and Frances Webb, HR generalist.
The workshop is free; however, pre-registration is recommended. For additional information contact Laura Subel, PTAC procurement specialist, lsubel@uwf.edu, (850) 474-2549 or register online at clientsfloridasbdc.org/center.
Bonus Gallery: Northview’s Zombie Band; Cheerleaders Show Support With Pink
November 3, 2014
The Northview High School cheerleaders and the Tribal Beat band showed their support for breast cancer awareness by going pink for their home game against Walton. And the band transformed into the Tribal Beat Zombie Band last Friday night at Baker for Halloween.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Crist, Scott Pull Out Big Guns In Final Push
November 3, 2014
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist marched down the street in Fort Lauderdale, visited black churches in two counties and stumped with Vice President Joe Biden in a last-minute push Sunday, the final day of early voting in Florida.
Playing to a crowd made up almost solely of blacks at Mount Hermon AME church in Fort Lauderdale, Biden linked Crist, a former Republican governor trying to get his old job back as a Democrat, with President Barack Obama, who remains wildly popular with African-American voters despite plummeting favorability nationwide.
“I have a simple, basic message for you, a message from the president of the U.S. He’s had your back and you got to get his back,” Biden told a few hundred Crist supporters. “The way you get his back is to turn out to vote.”
But to the south of Democrat-rich Broward County, Republican Gov. Rick Scott brought out another political big gun Sunday — former Gov. Jeb Bush, who urged a crowd in Hialeah to keep Crist from moving back into the governor’s mansion.
“Charlie Crist has gotta go,” said Bush, drawing applause and cheers as he was flanked by Scott, Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and other GOP leaders.
Both campaigns have pushed to turn out their base supporters in early voting and now are trying to get them to the polls Tuesday. Former President Bill Clinton will campaign Monday night with Crist in Orlando, while Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Texas Gov. Rick Perry will join Scott for a series of stops in the politically pivotal Interstate 4 corridor.
Biden’s appearance was among several “Souls to the Polls” events geared to black churchgoers held throughout the state Sunday.
“The president has said restoring the middle class is the defining issue of our time. That’s just what’s at stake with this election,” he said.
Biden, who also joined Crist for a rally at Florida International University earlier in the day, contrasted Scott as one of a new breed of tea party-style Republicans who can’t identify with working-class Floridians.
“They think it all trickles down.. They think if we take care of the very, very very wealthy, somehow that’s going to get down to us. In the neighborhood I was raised in that didn’t happen, man. Nothing trickled down except the rain from the roof that you couldn’t repair,” he said. “I don’t think they get it. I don’t think Rick Scott gets it and I don’t think this new Republican Party gets it.”
Biden, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972, recalled how Congress reauthorized the Voting Rights Act in 1982.
“And guess what? We didn’t count on there would be Rick Scotts left,” Biden said. “I didn’t count on the fact that you’d have a whole slew of Republican governors once again trying to convince us that we should not vote.”
Florida was one of several states that passed restrictive voting laws that critics said were aimed at curbing Democratic turnout prior to the 2012 presidential election. In 2011, Scott signed a law that cut back early voting hours and made it harder for Floridians who moved from one county to another to cast regular ballots. But last year, in response to long lines in mostly Democratic strongholds in 2012, the Legislature — with Scott’s approval — undid most of the restrictions.
Elections supervisors in 12 counties — including Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade — took advantage of the option to allow voters to cast their ballots on Sunday, the last day when voters could go to the polls before Tuesday’s election.
Democrats boasted of record turnout in Florida this year in contrast to previous mid-term elections when Democrats typically are outgunned by Republicans.
Democrats have been catching up to Republican in terms of ballots cast since early and absentee voting began last month. As of Sunday, Democrats had cast about 4.2 percent fewer ballots than the GOP, or about 125,000 votes, compared to 275,000, or a 12.7 percent advantage for the GOP in 2010, according to Democratic strategist Steve Schale, a consultant to Crist.
And black voter turnout — considered critical for a Crist win — is double that of four years ago, Schale wrote on his blog Sunday morning.
Two years ago, Obama defeated Republican Mitt Romney by a 71,000-vote margin in Florida. If 6 percent fewer of the 1 million blacks who voted in Florida in 2012 had stayed home, Obama would not have won, Biden said.
“Well it’s the same thing today, guys. Let’s get this straight. We get out the vote, we win. We stay home, we lose. We lose, the community loses,” he said.
But the Scott campaign spent part of the weekend trying to encourage turnout in GOP strongholds, such as Southwest Florida. To help do so, it enlisted high-profile Republicans including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Christie, the chairman of the Republican Governors Association, appeared Saturday with Scott in Naples and praised the incumbent’s leadership of Florida, calling him “my friend.”
“He tells you what he believes, he stands firm to work to get it done. You can count on his honesty. you can count on his loyalty. And you can count on the fact that if he asks you for four more years as he’s done, that he will deliver those four years in a way that will make you proud,” said Christie, who has made a series of appearances for Scott during the campaign.
Many Democrats blamed former state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink’s loss to Scott in 2010 on lackluster turnout in Broward County, where more than half of the 1 million registered voters are Democrats, and nearly a quarter of registered voters are black. But County Commissioner Marty Kiar said Sunday that voters — who cast more than 12,000 ballots on Saturday alone — are more enthused this year.
“Our early voting numbers have been huge,” Kiar, a former state representative, said. “People are coming out in droves. … The margin that we’re going to win by in Broward County is what’s going to put Charlie over the top.”
Appearing on stage before Biden and Crist, state Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith, who has been leading an intensive get-out-the-vote effort in black neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale, urged supporters to join him and Crist for a march down Sistrunk Boulevard to a nearby early voting site.
“Four years ago we did not turn out like we should,” Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, said. “Broward County will make the difference this year.”
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz credited the uptick in turnout to Crist’s campaign, which has 120 workers statewide and has micro-targeted minority voters and women who cast ballots in 2008 and 2012 but stayed home in 2010.
“I have not seen a ground game like this ever in Florida,” Wasserman Schultz, who is also the chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, said.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Pictured top inset: Incumbent Rick Scott campaigns on Sunday in Miami. Pictured bottom inset: Challenger Charlies Crist greets crowds in North Miami. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Expected To Approve Century Chamber Economic Development Plan
November 2, 2014
This week, the Escambia County Commission is expected to approve a Century Chamber of Commerce plan that will allow the University of West Florida’s Haas Center to handle economic development coordination for the chamber.
The county previously appropriated $40,000 for the chamber’s economic development program under an agreement that did not allow the chamber to subcontract services with the funds without the prior written approval of the county. The chamber requested the county approve a subcontract with the University of West Florida for the services of an economic development coordinator.
UWF’s Haas Center will provide a staffer for the economic development coordinator position and supplement pay and benefits to make it a full time position.
The Haas Center recently developed Century’s economic development strategic plan, and the Haas staffer that will take over the chamber position will work to implement the plan.
“I thought it was the best of both worlds,” said Century Mayor Freddie MCall, “for us to use the county money and go ahead and contract with the Haaas center to implement this (economic development plan) for us.”
A year ago, the chamber had hired Cindy Anderson for the economic development cooridinator position, which was funded by a previous $40,000 contribution from the Escambia County Commission. Anderson had spent a decade as executive director of Team Santa Rosa, a public-private partnership that was the economic development contractor for Santa Rosa County from 1992 until 2012.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 30 Years On Long List Of Felony Charges
November 2, 2014
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison on a variety of charges.
Charles Edward Cordera Brown received the sentence from Judge Ross Goodman after pleading no contest to trafficking in cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and tampering with evidence. He also entered a plea in three other cases that included trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in illegal drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault, possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, domestic violence battery and more.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Archery Season Opening Day Violations; Little Bass
November 2, 2014
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending October 30.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
On the opening day of archery season, Officer Manning located a hunter sitting in a ladder stand. When Officer Manning identified himself as an FWC officer, the hunter jumped out of the stand and took off running. After backup arrived, the officers looked around the stand and located a loaded .22 caliber rifle and some clothing. The officers, with help from local K-9 units, tracked the individual to a blacktop road. The track was lost at the road. The officers located the hunter’s cell phone during the track. The officers also located the hunter’s vehicle and were able to identify him from all the items they had found. The officers towed the vehicle. Warrants were issued for the suspect for numerous criminal charges.
Officer Hutchinson was patrolling the area of Escambia River and Williams Lake Boat Ramp. Upon arrival at the boat ramp, Officer Hutchinson observed two male subjects loading a boat onto the trailer. He made contact with both subjects and asked if they had caught anything. The owner of the boat said, “Yes, we caught a few small ones.” After the subjects pulled the boat out of the water and loaded it, the owner asked Officer Hutchinson if he wanted to look in the boat. While Officer Hutchinson was attempting to inspect the fish in the live well, the passenger of the boat pulled an undersized black bass out of the live well and turned toward the water with it. Officer Hutchinson told him to hold on and let him see it. At that time, the subject threw the bass into the water and the fish swam away. Officer Hutchinson asked the subject how long the bass was and he said, “It was 11 inches.” Officer Hutchinson asked him why he threw the bass into the water after being told to wait. He said, “I knew the bass was not legal to keep because it wasn’t 12 inches long.” The subject was issued a notice to appear citation for interference or obstruction of an FWC officer.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Hoomes and Manning were working the opening of archery season in Blackwater WMA. They observed a vehicle parked near a location where the officers earlier found an area baited with corn. The officers went to this baited area and located a hunter wearing camouflage. The hunter was sitting in a tree stand overlooking the baited area. He was also in possession of archery equipment. The subject admitted to placing the corn in the area and also admitted he knew it was illegal to hunt over bait in the WMA. The subject was issued a citation for hunting over bait in a WMA.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Early Voting Ends With Over 18K Ballots Cast In Escambia County
November 2, 2014
Early voting has ended in Escambia County for Tuesday’s General Election with 18,420 voters, an 8.4 percent increase over 2010.
In the North Escambia area, there were 3,010 ballots cast in Cantonment and 1,127 cast in Molino. The most popular early voting location was the Genealogy Branch Library on North Ninth Avenue with 5,449 voters.
The unofficial voter turnout based upon early voting and absentee ballots was 22 percent. Of those, 55 percent were Republican, 33 percent were Democrat, and 12 percent were other.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 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 vard, sample ballot, the precinct finder at EscambiaVotes.com, or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections Office by phone or email prior to Election Day. Any voters who need to change their address should contact the elections office prior to Election Day.
Absentee ballots must be received in the elections office by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
For further information on absentee ballots, early voting, or precincts and polling locations, call (850) 595-3900, email soe@escambiavotes.com or visit EscambiaVotes.com.
ERC Youth Football Champions: Excel, Flomaton And Jay
November 2, 2014
It was Championship Saturday for the Escambia River Conference youth football league at Northview High School with Flomaton, a couple of Excel teams and Jay handing losses to NWE, Neal and two Poarch teams.
The Escambia River Conference includes teams from Flomaton, Poarch, Uriah, Excel and East Brewton in Alabama; and Walnut Hill, Jay and Baker in Flomaton.
Results are posted under each photograph below:
Flomaton finished a perfect season with a 34-20 win over NWE for the senior championship.
Excel won the junior championship over Poarch 13-0.
The Excel sophomores ended a perfect season with a 37-27 championship win over Neal.
The Jay Royals defeated the Poarch Warriors 33-28 for the freshmen championship.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Cheer Up, The Election Is Almost Over
November 2, 2014
A chill descended upon Florida this weekend that is not tied to the campaign season.
But rather than dwell on the weather or Halloween mischief, the time is finally approaching for many in the Sunshine State to celebrate a long-deserved, early Thanksgiving.
There are justday go in the 2014 general election — barring any statewide recount — and we will know which of the unpopular gubernatorial candidates, Republican Gov. Rick Scott or former Gov. Charlie Crist, the Democratic convert, will lead Florida for the next four years.
Questions will also be answered this week about how big of a majority the Republicans maintain in the Legislature and in the state’s congressional delegation.
There is less suspense about the outcome of three Cabinet races.
The good news is that for the next few months email inboxes and Twitter chatter won’t be as stuffed on a daily basis with shrill missives from countless campaign spokespeople and candidates. Also, TV and online commercials will return to more honest pitches for criminal defense lawyers, automobile dealers and pharmaceuticals.
More important, state workers and lobbyists will be able to turn their attention to preparing bills that could wind up stuck in committees during the 2015 legislative session.
But first, the week in review:
THE ELECTION HOME STRETCH
As the election approaches, campaigning has dominated the news cycle. This week, more so.
OK, there was the excitement of a World Series Game 7 and the Louisville-Florida State University football game, which included halves that could be enjoyed by both Seminole haters and Seminole fans.
But those were interludes.
Former President Bill Clinton and singer Jimmy Buffett both made stops in Tallahassee for Democratic congressional hopeful Gwen Graham. Clinton is due to return Monday for Crist in Orlando.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie continued to fit time into his unofficial presidential aspirations to appear alongside Scott on a campaign swing. Christie is planning another South Florida trip Saturday, this time to Naples, with Scott.
Meanwhile, an ad in the bitter congressional contest between Democratic freshman U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia and Republican Carlos Curbelo, a Miami-Dade County School Board member, increased what was already a muddy contest.
Garcia ran a Spanish-language spot that featured a prominent Cuban dissident. The ad broke a supposed unwritten rule of South Florida politics against using opponents of the Castro regime for political gain, according to the Miami Herald.
And possibly setting the stage for runs at higher offices, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, both with plenty of money to burn and little opposition, got tastes of the state in separate campaign bus tours .
Putnam noted on Twitter that his tour stopped this week for coffee at Palmano’s in Winter Park, lunch at 4 Rivers Smokehouse in Winter Gardens, and that his “guava pastry tour” detoured to Melao Bakery in Kissimmee.
Atwater’s tweets have noted a stop at the Swamp Restaurant in Gainesville, a pizza party in Marion County, coffee and donuts in Pinellas County, ice cream with Attorney General Pam Bondi in Naples, and dropping off “my infamous Atwater cookies” for campaign workers in Sarasota County.
All three Cabinet members have also been putting in face time at Scott’s campaign stops.
HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU SAY TOO CLOSE TO CALL?
Both Crist and Scott spent the week rushing across the state trying to drum up their bases to boost turnout.
And they need to.
The most-expensive contest in state history — and also one of the most negative — remains too close to call.
On Thursday, the latest polling showed that despite numerous attack ads and Scott’s debate-fan moment, nothing has really changed in the projections since this summer when the contest moved to a dead heat.
Crist has the support of 43 percent of likely voters, while Scott has 40 percent and Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie is at 8 percent, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll.
Crist was up 14 points over Scott among women. Scott had a 10-point lead among men. In a potential outlier, or sign of the impact of the recent debates, independent voters now favor Crist by a margin of 47 percent to 29 percent over Scott, the Quinnipiac poll said. Wyllie was getting 16 percent. A week earlier, Crist was ahead of Scott among independents 41 percent to 38 percent.
Meanwhile, a University of Florida poll conducted for the Tampa Bay Times, Bay News 9 and News 13 of Orlando found the contest knotted at 36 percent for both Crist and Scott, while Wyllie was drawing 6 percent.
Since June, the average margin in polling has been less than 1 percentage point, with Crist up, when the major party candidates have been matched head-to-head in polls conducted by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Survey USA, Gravis Marketing, Quinnipiac, Rasmussen Reports, and the New York Times/CBS News, according to Ballotpedia.
With Wyllie added to the mix, polls during the same period are equally knotted, the average tipping by less than 1 percentage point to favor Scott, with Wyllie on a course for just under 7 percent of the vote.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The end is in sight for the governor’s race.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “A lot fewer people say that they’re interested in voting, because they feel like they can’t find out who’s telling the truth, there’s no one really talking about what would make these casual voters’ lives better. …” — University of South Florida political-science professor Susan MacManus.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida