Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: All Signed Up And Nowhere To Go
June 21, 2014
There aren’t that many politicians looking to get out of Tallahassee nowadays — not that there are many options, with neither U.S. Senate seat up for grabs in 2014 and Florida already boasting two possible presidential contenders.
Instead, most incumbents are simply looking to return to their existing posts. (One Democratic lawmaker found out this week how difficult it can be to do just that.) And the few who are looking for new jobs are looking around the capital city for posts like the presidency of Florida State University or a spot on the Public Service Commission.
Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott was handling the duties of his job — in this case, by signing bills — even if he took some time out of his schedule to throw a few elbows in his campaign for re-election.
THE MULTIMILLIONAIRE VS. THE MILLIONAIRE
The headliners of qualifying, of course, were Scott and his most likely Democratic foe, former Gov. Charlie Crist. Both officially got in the race Monday — no surprise there — and filed personal financial disclosures that shed a little bit of light on their wealth.
And Scott, far wealthier than Crist, tried to flip the script from the 2012 campaign, when President Barack Obama’s Democratic allies hammered on GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s reluctance to release tax returns giving details on Romney’s personal fortune.
Scott, a former health-care executive, released of three years of tax returns, and challenged Crist to do the same.
“I hope that Charlie Crist will follow our lead and take the same steps today by releasing his and his spouse’s tax returns,” Scott said. “His immediate public production of these tax returns for 2011 and 2012 is important to provide the people of Florida the transparency they deserve.”
The actual net worth that Scott disclosed was more money than most Floridians are likely to see in their lifetimes: $132.7 million as of the end of 2013, up from $83.8 million a year earlier.
Crist is no pauper; while his tax returns aren’t out yet, he had to file a financial disclosure showing he’s now worth almost $1.3 million after earning $712,780 last year.
In a statement, Crist’s campaign said he would release “way more financial records than Rick Scott.” That didn’t stop the GOP from starting a website counting how long it had been since Scott issued the challenge.
To pull off the disclosure, Scott ended a blind trust he formed in 2011 and publicly listed his investments, then placed them into a new blind trust.
“I think it’s incumbent for a governor to have their assets in a blind trust,” Scott said in a telephone interview. “By not knowing what assets, and having an outside professional run those assets, you don’t have either the appearance or the conflict of interest by knowing what is in the blind trust.”
The law allowing Scott to use a blind trust was in court Thursday, as an attorney for Jim Apthorp, former chief of staff to the late Democratic Gov. Reubin Askew, argued that the use of blind trusts violates disclosure requirements under the state’s Sunshine Amendment.
Leon County Circuit Court Judge John Cooper didn’t rule on the challenge. The outcome of the case could hinge on whether Apthorp has “standing” — a legal basis — to bring a lawsuit.
“That’s the one that obviously troubles the judge, so it’s got to trouble us as well,” said Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, Apthorp’s attorney. “But if not Jim Apthorp, who?”
COMING AND MAYBE GOING
Other candidates also qualified this week — and we don’t just mean former Senate Minority Leader Nan Rich, who has struggled to gain media attention in her primary challenge to Crist.
“For the past eight years, Republican governors Rick Scott and Charlie Crist and the right-wing Republican leadership in the Legislature have taken Florida down the wrong path,” she said. “It’s time we changed direction. I believe it’s time Florida had a genuine progressive governor again. And, this year, I am the only genuine progressive Democrat running.”
Most incumbent lawmakers not facing term limits also officially signed up to run, though one missed the deadline: Rep. Reggie Fullwood, D-Jacksonville, failed to qualify after two notaries public improperly filled out his financial disclosure form. Fullwood is likely to file in a special election called because there are no other candidates.
All three incumbent members of the Cabinet — who qualified themselves — drew challengers. Attorney General Pam Bondi will, as expected, face either former Department of Children and Families Secretary George Sheldon or outgoing House Minority Leader Perry Thurston in the fall. Libertarian Bill Wohlsifer is also challenging Bondi, who has a huge fundraising edge on her opponents.
Meanwhile, Deerfield Beach Democrat William “Will” Rankin qualified Wednesday to run this fall against incumbent state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who also has a huge edge in money raised.
So does Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who will face Thaddeus Hamilton and a write-in candidate in November.
Officeholders weren’t just seeking another term in their jobs, though. Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, continues to be a top contender for the presidency of his alma mater, Florida State University. A search committee agreed Friday to set a goal of recommending a new president by late-September.
The committee agreed Friday to a timeline that will require potential applicants to file by Sept. 2. The committee would whittle down the pool of candidates three days later. Interviews with select applicants would be held the next week. The finalists would be asked back for additional interviews the week of Sept. 15, with the committee’s recommendation coming Sept. 22. The timeline places the completion of the selection process between the primary and general elections — and Thrasher faces opposition in both.
Thrasher was initially scheduled to have an interview with the search committee before other candidates were considered. But an uproar followed, and the committee eventually backed down. Its first choice for a consultant resigned after receiving a vote of no-confidence from the Faculty Senate. That has raised concerns among some of those observing the search.
“I think this search has damaged FSU, their national reputation,” said board member Dean Colson. “I think it’s damaged the national reputation of FSU the way this search has played out.”
And three current or former lawmakers were among 33 applications for two upcoming vacancies on the Florida Public Service Commission. The applicants included term-limited Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City; PSC General Counsel and former longtime lawmaker Curt Kiser; and former Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola. Commissioner Julie Brown is seeking appointment to another four-year term, but Commissioner Eduardo Balbis, whose term will expire in January, announced last month he would not seek another term.
Kiser plans to retire as Public Service Commission general counsel in December, but said serving on the commission would be a different role. As a staff member, Kiser said he is able to make recommendations and suggestions, but as a commissioner he would have more decision-making authority.
SCOTT WIELDS THE PEN
When he wasn’t challenging Crist to release tax returns or doing other campaign-related duties, Scott was tending to the final bits of business remaining from the spring legislative session: Signing bills. Lots and lots of bills.
On Monday, he quietly signed a measure legalizing a limited form of medical marijuana known as “Charlotte’s Web,” even as much of the state’s GOP leadership continues battling a constitutional amendment allowing more extensive use of pot.
The bill (SB 1030) allows some patients to use a strain of marijuana that is low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but high in cannabidiol (CBD) — a mix that supporters say provides the health-care benefits of pot without the high.
The strain is supposed to dramatically reduce life-threatening seizures in children with a rare-form of epilepsy but has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“The approval of Charlotte’s Web will ensure that children in Florida who suffer from seizures and other debilitating illnesses will have the medication needed to improve their quality of life,” said Scott, who had announced during the legislative session that he would sign the bill. “I am proud to stand today with families who deserve the ability to provide their children with the best treatment available.”
On Tuesday, it was a pair of bills (HB 989 and HB 7141) aimed at curbing human trafficking.
And on Friday, Scott released a list of 58 bills he had signed, from a measure (HB 850) expanding eligibility for the state’s de facto voucher program to a bill (HB 7095) setting up a new ranking system to fund professional sports stadiums in Florida out of a designated pool of money.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Candidates qualified to run in the November elections, as Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist traded shots over their finances.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I could have gotten my documents in earlier. We’ll get it right this time — we’ll literally make sure the boxes are checked.” — Rep. Reggie Fullwood, D-Jacksonville, after failing to qualify for re-election because his paperwork was improperly filled out.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
FDOT: Highway 97 Collapse Repairs Still In Planning Stage
June 20, 2014
Temporary repairs have been made to a collapsed road shoulder on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, but so far there’s no date to begin permanent repairs.
Back on May 15, the shoulder of Highway 97 about a mile south of Ernest Ward Middle School collapsed in an existing 50-foot deep gully. Last week, the situation worsened, with part of the paved shoulder falling into the hole.
The Florida Department of Transportation is completing their damage assessment and working on preliminary cost estimates, FDOT spokesperson Tanya Branton said Thursday. Since the damage occurred after the flooding event that led to a presidential disaster declaration for Escambia County, repair costs for Highway 97 will not be reimbursed by FEMA.
On or about May 15, a large drainage pipe travels under Highway 97 to the site of the collapse and then curved downward along the bank of the gully where it was designed to drain at the bottom. But the pipe apparently separated under the shoulder of the roadway, just beyond a guardrail, and blew out and undermined the shoulder of the road.
Crews used sandbags to shore up the shoulder on temporary basis back on June 13.
United Way Workplace Campaign Raises More Than $2M For Community
June 20, 2014
Nearly 200 partner agencies, donors and friends joined United Way of Escambia County at Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Center to celebrate the results of the 2013-14 workplace campaign and the announcement of United Way grant recipients.
Thanks to the generosity of 10,000 United Way donors and giving led by three top workplace campaigns, Ascend Performance Materials ($290,177), Gulf Power Company ($221,134) and Publix Supermarkets ($186,933), United Way awarded one and three-year grants totaling $2,151,794 to 43 programs from 30 agencies making a difference in our community.
The following agencies received United Way grants. They were selected based on their ability to return promised outcomes that can create measurable change in our community:
EDUCATION
Three-year funding ($504,064):
Autism Pensacola, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Pace Center for Girls, YMCA of Northwest Florida.
One-year funding ($113,702):
Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Chain Reaction, Every Child A Reader in Escambia, Gulf Coast Kids House, Independence for the Blind, The Salvation Army, United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida.
HEALTH
Three-year funding ($829,631):
ARC Gateway, Council on Aging of West Florida, Lutheran Services of Florida, Manna Food Bank, Inc., New Beginnings, United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida, YMCA of Northwest Florida.
One-year funding ($63,895):
Baptist Healthcare Foundation, Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Gulf Coast Kids House, Independence for the Blind, Lakeview Center, Learning Post Ranch, SEASTARS Aquatics.
FINANCIAL STABILITY
Three-year funding ($491,807):
Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, United Way 2-1-1 Northwest Florida.
One-year funding ($148,695):
Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, FavorHouse of Northwest Florida, Legal Services of North Florida, Northwest Florida Legal Services, The Salvation Army.
United Way also recognized several of the 300 outstanding businesses and campaign volunteers whose employee giving and corporate support made these grants possible.
Special recognition was given to the following individuals and organizations:
CAMPAIGN COORDINATORS OF THE YEAR
Agency Division
Trish Morales, The Salvation Army
Small Business Division
Susi Miles, Pensacola Animal Hospital
Education Division
Jennifer McSherdon, Virginia College
Financial Division
Susi Franklin, ServisFirst Bank
Government Division
Carolyn Roberts, Escambia Clerk of the Court
Professional Division
Joni Humphreys, Landrum Human Resource Companies
Retail Division
Chuck Fair, Publix – Nine Mile location
Corporation Division
Kay Singleton, International Paper
SCHOOL SPIRIT OF GIVING AWARDS
Elementary
Oakcrest Elementary
Middle
Ernest Ward Middle School
High
Pine Forest High School
Department
Professional Learning Department
Center
McMillan Pre-K Center
BUSINESS RECOGNITION BY COMPANY SIZE
1-99 Employees
Atkins
100-399 Employees
Armstrong World Industries
400+ Employees
Publix
Tri-County Team Takes Second In Gospel Projects World Series
June 20, 2014
Tri-County Tee Ball’s six-year old team placed second at the Gospel Projects Tee Ball World Series. Team members are: Carson Baxley, Nicholas Baxley, Rowdy Fretwell, Brady Godwin, Luke Godwin, Landon Golden, Jax Lowery, Judson Marcantel, Mason Mathis, Blake Roberts, and Jayden White. Coaches are Stewart Baxley, Brandon Godwin and Sonia Marcantel. Team manager is Jeremy Lowery. Photo by Brandy White for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets Life For Brutal Murder Of Woman
June 20, 2014
An Escambia County man was sentenced to life in prison Thursday by Circuit Judge Terry Terrell for the 2010 murder of a woman in Ensley. A jury had recommended the death penalty.
Joshua Wayne Douglas, 26, was convicted of the brutal rape and murder of whose body was found in wooded area off Nine Mile Road. The body of 25-year old Jamie Broxson was found near a Gulf Power substation not far from Broxson’s home in November 2010. Douglas was tied to the murder by DNA evidence.
New Atmore Walmart To Open Aug 6
June 20, 2014
Construction is nearly complete on the area’s newest Walmart store in Atmore, and an opening date of August 6 has been announced.
The 70,000 square foot store at 911 North Main Street will include a full line of groceries and a wide assortment of merchandise.
“Now that major construction is done, it’s great to get in the store and start getting it set for opening,” said store manager Joe Ferguson. “I’m proud of all the work the associates have done and we’re all looking forward to opening the doors and getting to know our new neighbors.”
Employees are in the process of setting up shelving and stocking the store in preparation for the opening. On Thursday, construction crews were also busy adding turn lanes on North Main Street for the store.
Pictured: The new Walmart store in Atmore, as seen Thursday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Gets 10 Years On Meth Charges
June 20, 2014
An Escambia County man is headed to prison on meth charges.
Brandon Edison was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of Trafficking in Methamphetamine (28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams), manufacturing methamphetamine, and two counts of possession of unlawful listed chemicals.
Circuit Judge Edward P. Nickinson, III sentenced Edison to 10 years state prison with seven years to be served as a minimum mandatory, which means Edison will serve the first seven years of his sentence day for day.
On November 9, 2013, there was a report of a fire at the Mayfair Motel on Mobile Highway. The maintenance man responded to room 125 where he found smoke coming from under the door. When he entered the room he found a fire in the microwave. He recognized two of the three people that fled the room and was later able to identify them in photo lineups. Escambia County Narcotics investigators, Escambia Fire Rescue, and hazmat responded to the scene. Inside the motel room there was an active meth lab found. There was also evidence that this had been an ongoing meth lab. No one was hurt in the fire.
Wahoos Open Second Half Of Season With 7-2 Win
June 20, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos started the second half of the Southern League season with four new faces in the starting lineup.
In fact, those four – second baseman Ryan Wright, left fielder Jesse Winker, third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean, and right fielder Kyle Waldrop – all made their Double-A debuts Thursday night in Pensacola’s 7-2 victory in front of the team’s 21st sellout in 36 home games.
Delino DeShields was cautiously optimistic how they would handle the jump from High-A Bakersfield Blaze where they hit like a Murderers’ Row.
“As far as expectations, I have none,” DeShields said before the game. “They all played well in Bakersfield. But I know how difficult this league is. We will find out who can really play.”
In the first inning, the newcomers got off to a blazing start. Wright, Winker and Mejias-Brean loaded the bases and all scored on catcher Ross Perez’s double that rolled to the fence in right center field, giving Pensacola a 3-0 lead. Perez, who added a solo homer in the eighth inning, has hit in 11 of his last 12 games at a .444 clip and leads the team in hitting with men on base at .368.
Then Waldrop, who led Bakersfield and the California League with a .359 average, singled to right field to knock in Perez, putting Pensacola ahead, 4-0. Waldrop has a hit in his last 14 games and is hitting .466. The Wahoos led 5-0 after the first inning.
Their excitement was contagious with most of the players standing and leaning on the rail in the dugout to watch the game. The Wahoos called up seven players total from Bakersfield, which won its division in the first half. Pensacola finished last in its division with a 31-39 record in the first half.
“Who really cares what happened in the first half,” Perez said. “It’s really exciting to have all these new guys in here and they’re really excited to move up. The team’s looking different and I think we’ll have a real good second half.”
Winker admitted he was “very pumped up” about his debut, especially with his family traveling from Orlando for the series. Winker, the Cincinnati Reds 2012 first round pick and No. 3 prospect, walked twice and scored a run. With his addition, Pensacola now boasts four of the top five and six of the top 10 Cincinnati prospects on their roster.
“I’m just going to come out and play hard and hopefully help the Wahoos make the playoffs,” Winker said. “I want to work hard, play hard every day and just win.”
Wahoos reliever Carlos Contreras, who hasn’t given up a run in five appearances after pitching a scoreless ninth inning, said he likes the lineup changes.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “We have all these prospects on one team playing together. I hope we’re all playing together in the big leagues very soon. I think now we’re going to do very good in the second half. I think we’re the best team in the Southern League.”
Reliever Carlos Gonzalez also appeared in his first Double-A game, pitching the eighth inning. Gonzalez, who earned 15 saves and had a 0.57 ERA for Bakersfield, allowed one hit and struck out one.
by Tommy Thrall
Judge: Cantonment Man Competent To Stand Trial For DUI Death
June 19, 2014
A Cantonment man has been found competent to stand trial for a November 2013 traffic crash that claimed the life of his 54-year old passenger.
Judge Terry Terrell ruled this week that 48-year old Melvin Pryear is competent to face charges of DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage. He is charged with the death of of Albertina McCarty of Pensacola. The Florida Highway Patrol said Pryear was driving under the influence when he pulled into the path of a 18-wheeler near International Paper last November. The FHP said that according to multiple witnesses, both north and southbound Highway 29 had a green light, but there was no green turn arrow for Pryear.
The front of the 18-wheeler struck the Chrysler, causing it to rotate onto the southbound shoulder at the Raceway gas station. McCarty, Pryear’s passenger in the Chrysler, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Pryear remains in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $101,000. Jury selection in his trial is set to begin next week.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Murzin Among Applicants For Open Public Service Commission Seats
June 19, 2014
With a series of major issues looming in the future for utilities and regulators, two upcoming vacancies on the Florida Public Service Commission have drawn 33 applicants — including Commissioner Julie Brown, who is seeking appointment to another four-year term, and Dave Murzin from Escambia County.
Murzin, who served in the House from 2002 to 2010, said utilities will deal with issues such as federal attempts to phase out coal-fired power plants. Murzin said he has long been involved in utility issues as a lawmaker and in other roles and said that would prepare him for a spot on the Public Service Commission.
“I’d hit the ground running,” said Murzin, who now works as an aide to state Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker. “I’m the type of geek that keeps up with that sort of thing.”
The terms of Brown and Commissioner Eduardo Balbis will expire in January, touching off a selection process that involves a nominating panel whittling the list of applicants and recommending finalists to Gov. Rick Scott, who will make appointments to the seats.
Balbis announced last month he would not seek another term, saying in a letter to the Public Service Commission Nominating Council that after discussions “with my family and those closest to me, I have decided the time is right to seek new challenges in other arenas after the expiration of my current term.”
Brown is seeking to follow the path of commission Chairman Art Graham and commissioners Ronald Brise and Lisa Edgar, who were reappointed by Scott when their terms were set to expire.
The list of applicants, submitted before a Tuesday deadline, also includes state Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City; Public Service Commission General Counsel and former longtime lawmaker Curt Kiser.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.