Senate Prez Backs Statewide Vote On Casinos
December 13, 2013
Senate President Don Gaetz said Thursday voters should probably weigh in on whether the state opens the door to Las Vegas-style casinos, posing another hurdle for out-of-state operators eager to start doing business in South Florida.
“I think you can make an argument that that’s a systemic change that the people of Florida ought to have a say about,” Gaetz, R-Niceville, said during a free-wheeling breakfast meeting with reporters.
Gaetz’s comments make it more likely that voters will play a role in any gaming expansion next year.
House Speaker Will Weatherford last week told The News Service of Florida he is “warming up to” a constitutional amendment that would require statewide voter approval for any future gambling expansion. But Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, was unclear about whether any changes approved by the Legislature next year would also have to get the voters’ blessing.
“Those details have to be worked out in the future,” Weatherford said this week.
But what is clear is that both the House and the Senate are considering a constitutional amendment — or possibly more — as part of the solution to the thorny issue of reshaping the state’s gambling landscape.
Gaetz indicated that destination resorts, one of the myriad components being considered by lawmakers as they explore gambling ideas, would be a sweeping enough change in state policy to require a statewide referendum. That could mean a second question for voters to decide in November.
Gaetz said “localized issues” might not necessarily require a statewide referendum. A destination resort in Miami-Dade County could be considered a local matter, Gaetz said.
But when pressed, he conceded that even a single hotel casino in a lone county could represent a marked shift in the state’s gambling policy.
“I think it could be. We don’t have destination casinos other than on Native American land right now. So if we opened up to two or three or …I don’t know. It’s hard then to say we’re going to do it in Miami but nobody else need apply. So in effect you’ve made a decision to get in the destination casino business. I think you can make an argument that that’s a systemic change that the people of Florida ought to have a say about,” he said. “I tend to sit on the side of asking people what they think.”
Lawmakers drew fire for placing 11 proposed constitutional amendments, many of them politically charged, on the 2012 ballot.
Gaetz said he and Weatherford last year pledged not to “litter up the constitution or the ballot with a bunch of crap, a bunch of issues de jour, a bunch of political stuff.”
But the gambling proposals now under discussion are different, he said.
“This is not like a political issue where you’ve got one side using a constitutional issue to try to posture and get people to the polls or something like that. If we did a major expansion of gambling, that’s a significant change,” Gaetz said.
Some destination resort proponents are hoping that voters have warmed up to the idea of Las Vegas-style casinos in an already gambling-rich state home to eight Indian casinos offering slots, blackjack and other tabled card games; 27 pari-mutuels, including two dozen that also have poker rooms and seven facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties that also have slot machines; a state Lottery; and “cruises to nowhere” with unregulated and untaxed casino gambling three miles offshore.
A sweeping gambling bill that included up to three destination resorts went nowhere during the 2012 legislative session, prompting Malaysian-based casino giant Genting Group to back a ballot initiative. Genting later abandoned that route after it became clear lawmakers would again tackle the issue during the 2014 session.
Resorts World Miami, linked with Genting, owns property in downtown Miami it hopes to transform into one of the stand-alone casinos.
Including destination resorts in the gambling framework is a plus, said Resorts World Miami lobbyist Brian Ballard.
“Obviously, the Senate president is going to have a huge amount of sway on the final outcome. At first blush, I’m just glad he’s talking about destination resorts being part of the mix. As far as a referendum goes, we’re open to any and all solutions,” Ballard said. “It’s certainly appealing that the concept of destination resorts seems to be gaining either support or a recognition that it is going to be an important part of this package at the end of the day.”
by The News Service Florida
Your Christmas Photos: Bratt House Decked Out
December 13, 2013
This house in Bratt, located on North Highway 99 just south of Breastworks Road, is decked out for the Christmas Season.
Share your Christmas lights or other Christmas photos. Email the photos to news@northescambia.com.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Burglary Suspects Appear In Court
December 12, 2013
The two adult suspects in the burglary and vandalism of Molino Park Elementary School were in court Wednesday. During the August 9 burglary, over $60,000 in property was stolen, and the school sustained another $7,000 in damages. Most of the stolen items — including computers and iPads– were burned by the suspects.
Tatanya Zahna Blackmon, a 19-year old female from the 2400 block of North Highway 29 in Cantonment, and Rodriques Ricardo Young, a 19-year old male from the 1300 block of Barth Road in Molino appeared before Judge Gary Bergosh Wednesday morning for what was due to be a docket hearing prior to jury trials later this month.
Both had their trials delayed until mid-February – Blackmon at the request of the defense and Young at the request of prosecutors. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Blackmon and Young are charged with grand theft, larceny, criminal mischief with property damage, destroying evidence and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Both remain in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $90,000.
Three juveniles are also awaiting trial for the incident. Tracy Deshawn Lett, 14, Jacob Lett, 11, and Vashawn Lamond Brown, 13, were charged with grand theft, larceny and criminal mischief. The suspects were identified by Sheriff’s investigators with the assistance and cooperation of the Escambia County School District.
Thousands of dollars worth of electronics were stolen from throughout the school, including Apple computers, iPads, Wii gaming systems, cameras used by the school’s student-operated closed circuit TV station, along with other items. Portions of the school were also vandalized during the break-in. Ceiling tiles were damaged or destroyed throughout the campus, and holes were punched in walls. A vending machine was also toppled and burglarized.
Pictured below: Three Apple computers were stolen from this desk in a computer lab. Pictured below: Surveillance video shows two people running through the school at 9:17 p.m. on August 9. Pictured inset: An overturned and burglarized vending machine in the school. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia High Teacher Arrested On Child Porn Charges
December 12, 2013
An Escambia High School teacher was arrested Wednesday on federal child pornography charges.
Jeffrey Bruce Richards, 63, was charged with the distribution, receipt and possession of child pornography. He made is initial appearance in federal court Wednesday.
According to a criminal complaint sworn to a FBI special agent, Richards used peer-to-peer software between December 2012 and December 2013 to share hundreds of images of child pornography online.
The complaint was a result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Pensacola Police Department and other members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg.
Information released Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office does not indicate if Richards allegedly used any school district computers to trade pornography.
Beer Can ‘Festivus’ Pole Now Stands In Florida’s Capitol
December 12, 2013
Festivus, the sitcom-created holiday,” went on display Wednesday in the first floor of the Florida Capitol through a state-approved pole comprised of beer cans. South Florida political blogger Chaz Stevens delivered his 6-foot-tall “Festivus” pole — made of Pabst Blue Ribbon cans.
The pole is a not-so-subtle protest to a Christian nativity scene that was put up December 3 by the Florida Prayer Network. Stevens, an atheist and member of the American Civil Liberties Union, wants to make a political statement on the need for the separation of church and state.
“When I asked to put this up, I hoped that I could make a circus out of this whole thing, to make it ridiculous,” Stevens said. “It’s six feet of beer cans … the government doesn’t belong here.”
Festivus, celebrated Dec. 23, is a “holiday” created for the TV sitcom “Seinfeld” as a non-commercial festival “for the rest of us” in the Christmas and year-end holiday season. A symbol of the holiday is an unadorned aluminum pole.
Pam Olsen, president of the Florida Prayer Network, attended the non-ceremonial standing of the pole Wednesday morning. “I’m not shaking and my God’s not afraid either,” said Olsen, who had a brief exchange with Stevens. “We’re all in the Capitol exercising our freedom of religion.”
The pole stands next to a banner from the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation. The state Department of Management Services, which oversees displays in the Capitol, continued Wednesday to review additional requests for seasonal banner space in the Capitol’s entry rotunda. Those requests were by the American Atheists Florida Regional Directors, the Tallahassee Atheists and the Satanic Temple of Tallahassee.
The Festivus pole is approved for display until January 3.
‘American Pickers’ Coming To North Escambia Area
December 12, 2013
The American Pickers from the History Channel are coming to the North Escambia – Pensacola area in January and they are looking for people with barns, warehouses, buildings full of odd, unique, and interesting collections. They also love to explore the history of the locations tied to the items.
Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, are longtime “pickers” or as they call themselves “modern archaeologists”. They drive the back roads of America knocking on doors, digging through barns and basements, and sifting through junkyards and warehouses. The dirty, rusty treasures and antiques they pull out of these places are not just given a new life; they’re saved for future generations to appreciate. Along the way the guys meet the amazing people and interesting places that make America great.
A list of wanted items the American Pickers sent NorthEscambia.com is below. They are looking for the items in Florida only.
Police Investigate Double Shooting
December 12, 2013
Police are investigating a double shooting that occurred Tuesday night.
The incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. at 711 Underwood Avenue. Upon arrival, Pensacola Police officers found an 18-year-old male in a parking lot with a gunshot wound near his left elbow and a bullet hole in his pants near his right hip.
The male told police he was randomly shot while walking through the apartment complex. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The second male also was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a gunshot to his buttocks.
While a motive for the incident remains under investigation, investigators say it may have been drug related.
Anyone having information on the incident is asked to contact the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Your Photos: Santa Visits Friendship Kids
December 12, 2013
Santa Claus visited with the children of the Friendship Learning Lodge on Wednesday.
Have a Christmas photo to share? Email news@northescambia.com.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Moves Toward Electronic Proof Of Insurance For Motorists
December 11, 2013
Motorists might soon be able to use their cell phones or other electronic devices to show proof of insurance when they are pulled over by police.
Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet — Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam — approved without comment a request Tuesday from the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to allow people to display electronic copies of their motor-vehicle insurance through cell phones, tablets or other electronic devices.
The use of electronic copies is in state law, but the department’s administrative rule currently requires motorists to carry “3 1/2 inches × 2 1/4 inches” identification cards that list personal-injury protection benefits and property-damage liability insurance providers and policy numbers, along with the vehicle year, make and vehicle-identification number. The rule has been on the books since 1989.
Pedestrian Critical After Being Hit By Car
December 11, 2013
A pedestrian is in critical condition after being struck by a car Tuesday night on Davis Highway south of Northcross Lane.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 52-year old Jeffery Kucinski of Pensacola was attempting to cross Davis Highway about 6:55 p.m. when he walked into the path of a 2002 Cadillac driven by 66-year old Christina Smith of Gulf Breeze.
After being hit by the vehicle, Kucinski was thrown forward about 60 feet. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.
Smith was not charged.