Scott Signs Florida GI Bill
April 1, 2014
Flanked by military veterans, members of the Florida National Guard and lawmakers, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law on Monday the “Florida GI Bill,” modeled after the World War II-era program and intended to make Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation.
The wide-ranging measure (HB 7015), rushed through the Legislature the first week of session as a priority of House and Senate leadership, provides university tuition waivers for veterans, pays for military and guard base improvements, is expected to help increase employment opportunities for veterans and allocates $1 million a year to sell the state to veterans.
Andrew Sloan, a Georgia native who spent six years in the U.S. Air Force and has been lobbying lawmakers since September on behalf of student veterans, said the bill will draw other veterans to Florida’s universities.
“We served our nation and we only ask for that which we earned, by virtue of our service, (to) be there when we get home,” said Sloan, who is now a political science and German double-major attending Florida State University.
Scott tied his own experiences when leaving the U.S. Navy to wanting to support veterans and active duty service members.
“I remember when I got out of the Navy back in the early ’70s, it was not a good time to get out of the service in this country,” Scott said after the signing ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Panama City. “Our veterans were not respected; it was a tough time. We’re going to make sure that is this is the most military-friendly state for active-duty members, but also for all the veterans.”
According to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the state currently houses 1.5 million veterans, of which nearly one-third are from the Vietnam era and 231,000 served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Florida’s nursing home population includes nearly 114,000 World War II-era veterans and more than 178,000 veterans of the Korean conflict.
House Speaker Will Weatherford and Senate President Don Gaetz crafted the package during a statewide “listening” tour last summer.
Weatherford called the legislation “the most important bill that we’ll pass this legislative session.”
The package, expected to cost more than $30 million in its first year, includes an anticipated $12.5 million for ongoing upgrades of the state’s National Guard facilities and $7.5 million to purchase a total of 45 acres of buffer lands around MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville and Naval Support Activity Panama City.
The proposal also requires Visit Florida to spend $1 million a year on marketing aimed at veterans, and allocate another $300,000 to a new nonprofit corporation, Florida Is For Veterans, Inc. The nonprofit, to be housed within the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, would be used to encourage veterans to move to Florida, and promote the hiring of veterans.
Meanwhile, state universities and colleges are expected to take an $11.7 million hit in waivers for out-of-state tuition charges for all honorably discharged veterans, a proposal named the “Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Act” after the late Pinellas County lawmaker who served more than four decades in Congress before his death last year.
Because in-state tuition, covered by the federal GI Bill, is thousands of dollars cheaper than out-of-state rates, lawmakers hope the new waivers encourage veterans from outside of the state to apply to Florida schools.
To assist families of active-duty service members, the bill also waives the requirement for spouses and dependents to get a Florida driver license if they get a job or enroll in a public school.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Pictured top: Monday, Gov. Rick Scott was joined by Senate President Don Gaetz, Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, Rep. Marti Coley, Speaker Pro Tempore, Rep. Jimmie Smith, Rep. Jimmy Patronis and Rep. Doc Renuart to sign House Bill 7015 which creates the “Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program,” that waives out-of-state tuition fees for honorably discharged veterans. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Electric Line Workers Recognized On National Lineman Appreciation Day
April 1, 2014
Monday was National Lineman Appreciation Day with Gulf Power Company and Escambia River Electric Cooperative joining utility companies across the nation in recognizing the efforts of the men and women who work in all sorts of weather at all times of the day and night to keep electricity flowing.
“Whether it’s going on storm duty, restoring a customer’s power or just turning on someone’s power for the first time, the work Gulf Power crews do every day is to keep our customers at the center of everything we do,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power Corporate Communications manager. “These men and women are truly heroes and this day is to honor them.”
Gulf Power has approximately 175 employees who work on the company’s transmission and distribution lines.
While the state Legislature has made August 26 Lineworker Appreciation Day in Florida, a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives set aside March 31 as National Lineman Appreciation Day.
“Our line workers are committed to getting customers’ power back on, whether here in Northwest Florida or across the country,” Rogers said. “That’s what they do and we’re proud they are being recognized for their efforts.”
Pictured top: EREC linemen work on Tungoil Road just off Highway 97 the morning on February 21 to rebuild a section of power lines destroyed by strong straight line winds. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Downtown Pensacola Goes Blue For Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 1, 2014
Blue bows are up along Palafox Street in downtown to raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention month.
“The ‘From Blue to Better’ campaign takes place every April to raise awareness about child abuse prevention and to promote the fact that we all have a role to play in protecting children,” said Stacey Kostevicki, executive director of Gulf Coast Kid’s House. “Our hope is that these bows serve as a daily reminder of our obligation to children in our community.”
“From Blue to Better” is a month-long series of events for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Launched by local child and family service agencies, the campaign uses the color to highlight child abuse awareness and prevention during the month of April.
The campaign also emphasizes that it is everyone’s job to keep children safe.
Local residents and visitors will see blue events popping up around town throughout April, including the painting of the 17th Avenue “Graffiti Bridge”.
Firefighters Battle Pasture Fire
March 31, 2014
Firefighters from several departments battled a pasture fire north of McDavid Monday afternoon.
The fire on Dawson Road, just east of Highway 29, was reported just after 4 p.m. The fire burned about 15 acres of mostly pasture land. The first fire units on scene did work to keep the blaze away from a mobile home and six to seven vehicles that were threatened.
The cause of the fire was not immediately available.
The McDavid and Century stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the fire. There were no injuries reported.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
NHS Cadet Wright Award Air Force Four Year ROTC Scholarship
March 31, 2014
Northview High School NJROTC Cadet Victoria Wright has been awarded the Air Force’s four-year Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) college scholarship. Wright has been a member and leader in the NJROTC unit at Northview for four years. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Turn Lane Constructon Begins This Week On Nine Mile At Louise Avenue
March 31, 2014
Construction of a westbound left lane from Nine Mile Road onto Louise Avenue (across from Winn Dixie) in Escambia County will begin the week of March 31.
During construction the travel lanes will be reduced to ten feet through the area. Turn lane construction is anticipated to take approximately one month to complete.
Construction activities may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.
Prayer And WD-40: Hattie Schneider Celebrates 105th Birthday
March 31, 2014
Hattie Schneider of Molino is celebrated her 105th birthday Monday.
She gives credit for her long life to “prayer and WD-40″. Hattie says she is not sure why she has lived so long or what God’s purpose is for her, but she has trust in the Lord.
She has one son, Carlton Abbott, two grandchildren, and many great and great-great grandchildren. Her family and friends said they thank God everyday for blessing them with her, and she is a true inspiration to everyone.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bratt Road Resurfacing Project Underway
March 31, 2014
Work is underway to prepare for the paving of a ortion of Bratt Road from North Pine Barren Road to West Highway 4. A section of Bratt Road was recently surfaced east of North Pine Barren Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Cantonment Mobile Home
March 30, 2014
An early Sunday morning fire destroyed an unoccupied mobile home.
The fire was reported at 2:25 a.m. in the 400 block of Garmo. Road, off Becks Lake Road. The mobile home was mostly involved when the first firefighters arrived on scene. Neighbors told firefighters that no one was currently living in the trailer.
Firefighters were hampered by the physical location of the trailer in fighting the fire; it was located down a long narrow driveway that was inaccessible to large fire trucks.
There were no injuries reported; the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Vietnam Veterans Get Long Overdue ‘Welcome Home’ (With Gallery)
March 30, 2014
It was a tearful welcome home Saturday for a small group of Vietnam veterans….a welcome home 40, 50 or even more years overdue.
“When I came home to California, I kissed the ground. And I looked around,” said Alabama VFW State Commander Val Obergon, pausing for a moment. “And I looked around. Nothing. There were no parades; no welcome home. Nothing.”
National Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Day is observed on March 29, the 41st anniversary of the last U.S. troops leaving Vietnam — except for the prisoners of war. Saturday, a few dozen people gathered for a ceremony sponsored by the Atmore Memorial Ladies Auxiliary to VFW Post 7016.
“I am thankful to God for this day we can be welcomed home. I have a family sitting here today. Some of the other guys represented by this flag,” Vietnam veteran Harold Askew said, standing before the POW/MIA flag, “they didn’t get that chance.”
Yellow ribbons were tied to trees around Atmore’s Heritage Park for the event which included the patriotic music, food and fanfare of a welcome home ceremony most of the Vietnam veterans in attendance had never received.
“It was a special thank you and tribute to those that came back,” Vietnam veteran Mike Hanks said. “It’s something that was long overdue.”
“Those that served in the Vietnam War are deserving of our country’s praise,” Alabama Rep. Alan Baker said in an address to the group. “They are our unsung heroes.”
Baker ended his speech in the crowd, with a personal “thank you” and a hug for each veteran. “No sir,” the state representative said to an elderly veteran who struggled in an unsuccessful attempt to rise from his chair. “I’ll come down there to you.”
The ceremony concluded with VFW Ladies Auxiliary members giving each Vietnam Veteran a gift and a hug — and sometimes a quick kiss on the cheek — to thank them for their service. It was a scene reminiscent of a welcome home ceremony that has played itself out over and over for other American wars.
And tears that were decades overdue fell from the eyes of several veterans as they were finally welcomed home.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Veterans are welcomed home during national Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Day Saturday in Atmore. Pictured top inset: Vietnam Veteran Harold Askew remembers the prisoners of war that never returned from Vietnam. Pictured bottom inset: Alabama Rep. Alan Baker leans down to hug a veteran that struggled unsuccessfully to rise from his chair. Pictured below: A yellow ribbon tied around an oak tree welcomed the Vietnam veterans home. Pictured bottom: Several of the Vietnam veterans in attendance at Saturday’s event. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
