Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Scott’s Tres Bonne Week
June 23, 2013
After a weekend where Democrats expressed confidence that they could beat Gov. Rick Scott in 2014, a pair of events this week sent them a stark reminderthat approaches cliché: In politics, 17 months is a lifetime.
On Tuesday, a public poll showed Scott’s approval rating improving — not enough to give him a lead on some of his possible Democratic opponents, but enough to give him a chance to put his rumored $100 million re-election budget to good use.
“Now that doesn’t mean that happy days are here again for the governor, but if he is going to make a comeback these are the kind of steps that would be required,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, in a news release announcing the results. “Whether it is the start of something larger, we’ll see in the coming months.”
And the governor got more encouraging news by the time he stepped off a plane Friday, returning home from a trip to Paris. The state’s unemployment rate fell to 7.1 percent in May, the lowest since September 2008.
SCOTT’S TRES BONNE WEEK
The positive news for Scott’s political fortunes could only be seen when considering where he was a few months ago. Florida voters were evenly divided on his job approval rating, with 43 percent approving and 44 percent disapproving. That’s an improvement for a governor who, in March, was staring at 36 percent approval and 49 percent disapproval.
Scott also boosted his standing in a hypothetical race against former Gov. Charlie Crist, who spent the weekend showing off his newfound Florida Democratic Party membership at the Jefferson-Jackson soiree in Hollywood, Fla., but wouldn’t directly answer questions about whether he would challenge Scott.
If Crist does take that step, the poll showed the race moving from a drubbing for Scott to a sound defeat. Crist led the poll by 10 points, instead of 16 points just three months ago. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson would also win by 10 points if he reverses his not-quite Shermanesque insistence that he won’t run.
Scott would beat former state Sen. Nan Rich, but that could have more to do with the fact that Rich remains unknown to 84 percent of Floridians despite Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry’s efforts to bring attention to the only current or former elected official to announce her candidacy for the Democratic nomination.
In perhaps the surest sign that the poll was good news for Scott, Democrats tried to downplay the numbers.
“Only in Rick Scott’s world does going from an F to a D- represent success,” state Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant said in a statement. “While polls will go up and down, what’s certain is that Florida voters do not trust this governor to fight for them and their families, and we are confident they will vote him out of office next year”
The governor was not in town to hear about the poll numbers — he had spent the week in Paris, attending an air show while leading a trade delegation. Nor was he there to hear Brown’s advice for how Scott could continue to turn things around.
“The governor needs to make voters believe he is responsible for a better economy. That’s the key to his electoral future,” Brown said. “He isn’t going to get re-elected because he is Mr. Personality. He needs to essentially convince voters, ‘You may not like me, but I’m the guy who is making things better.’ ”
But as Scott returned to the country — voila! — the state’s unemployment rate continued its turnaround. It fell to 7.1 percent in May, the latest chance for Scott to use his campaign slogan: It’s Working.
“Each month, we continue to distance ourselves from the national unemployment rate, and it is clear we are succeeding in growing opportunities for Florida families to pursue the American Dream,” Scott said in a release. “Once again, Florida’s unemployment rate is well below the national average.”
The national mark stands at 7.6 percent.
The state’s seasonally adjusted figure is down from 7.2 percent in April, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity.
Economists said, however, that some of the drop is still due to people having dropped out of the work force, in addition to new jobs created in a clearly recovering economy.
An economic overview released Wednesday by the Florida Legislature Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimated the unemployment rate would have been 8 percent in April if the workforce participation rate hadn’t change since December 2011.
Scott also returned to some work that could affect his standing, at least at the margins: the final bills from the legislative session that ended in early May have now hit his desk. Among the newcomers that the governor needs to grapple with are measures to ensure the public has a right to speak at government meetings (SB 50) and block firearms purchases by some people who voluntarily admit themselves for mental-health treatment.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Despite most of their students being out, the two boards that oversee the vast majority of education in Florida spent the week considering policies concerning public schools and universities.
After hearing hours of presentations about the future plans of universities, the Florida Board of Governors shot down those schools’ proposals on student fees — even though the increases were favored by students.
The most sweeping decision came on a proposal by eight universities to increase the “capital improvement trust fund” fees, or CITF fees, which pay for construction projects approved by university panels that draw at least half their members from the student body. But the board also rejected new environmental fees at two Florida schools.
Carlo Fassi, the student body president at the University of North Florida, said he and other colleagues strongly support the increase in the construction fee and the projects it could fund.
“I truly, and the student body presidents here truly do not believe that a vote against CITF is pro-student,” Fassi said. “Not whatsoever.”
But board members said they were growing exasperated with repeated requests to boost fees by what they were constantly assured was a small amount.
“And we amount it to, well, it’s only a cup of coffee,” board member Norm Tripp told students backing one of the fees. “But what we’ve got now are gallons and gallons of coffee that you’re paying for every credit hour.”
Meanwhile, the State Board of Education was maneuvering to avoid another embarrassing rollout for school grades after last year’s release was botched. Superintendents from around the state are warning that a possible collapse could happen because of a slew of changes to testing standards.
“When you put all of that together, I don’t think anybody’s taken the time to examine the implications of the simultaneous coming together of all these variables,” Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said.
The board asked Education Commissioner Tony Bennett to put together a task force to look into the issue. Bennett’s predecessor, Gerard Robinson, resigned in 2012 after less than a year on the job after the public-relations pounding the department took when FCAT scores collapsed, followed a few months later by a school grades mix-up.
SLOW-WALK THE LINES
Looming almost as large as Scott’s poll numbers in the 2014 electoral picture is whether the districts that lawmakers drew for congressional districts — and legislative districts for that matter — would stand. Leon Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis decided Thursday to push back the trial on a case challenging the congressional maps, in part because Lewis is still working on which documents can be used during arguments over the lines.
The trial was set to begin in August, but will now likely be pushed back to December or January, Lewis said. In that trial, a coalition of voting-rights groups will argue that the maps violated the state’s new, anti-gerrymandering “Fair Districts” standards.
Lewis’ decision became despite arguments from Ashley Davis, counsel for the Florida Department of State, that the delay could impact the 2014 election cycle, with candidates facing a March 31 deadline to collect signatures for qualifying petitions.
Meanwhile, the two sides continued scuffling over whose maps were actually biased. George Meros, an attorney for the Florida House, said the coalition’s maps would intentionally favor Democrats.
“A fundamental part of their complaint is that these are non-partisan entities that joined together that wanted to draw fair districts, when we know the evidence shows to the contrary,” Meros said.
But the newest filing from the coalition also included portions of the May 16 deposition of Marc Reichelderfer, listed as a “political operative,” which indicated that he received seven electronic drafts of congressional maps a couple of weeks before they were made public. The maps were given to Reichelderfer by an aide to then-House Speaker Dean Cannon.
When asked during the deposition if he received the maps so he could analyze the political impact of the proposed lines, Reichelderfer responded, “I could have done that, yes, sir.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: The Florida Board of Governors, under pressure from Gov. Rick Scott, shot down a series of fee increases requested by students.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We always anticipate that when former Gov. Bush doesn’t get his way, he just keeps coming back until he can try and get it.”–Florida Education Association President Andy Ford, on whether he anticipates the return of an education bill backed by former Gov. Jeb Bush
By The News Service of Florida
Photos: Northview Summer Ball
June 23, 2013
After 22 games against several larger local schools and teams from as far away as Georgia, Mississippi and Louisiana, the Northview Chiefs will wrap up their summer ball schedule on Sunday with games at Catholic and Escambia.
Pictured: Northview summer ball action from Saturday. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Biscuits Walk Off Over Wahoos
June 23, 2013
Robby Price belted a two-run walk-off homer lifting the Montgomery Biscuits to a 4-3 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Saturday night at Riverwalk Stadium.
Entering the frame trailing 3-2, Kevin Kiermaier reached on a one-out hustle double setting the stage for Price, who ripped a no-doubt shot off Pensacola hurler Loek Van Mil (0-4). It was Van Mil’s third blown save of the year.
The back-and-forth affair was scoreless headed to the last of the fifth. Kyeong Kang led off the frame with a single and came around to score on a Robi Estrada single through the right side. The Biscuits ended up loading the bases in the fifth with one out against Pensacola starter Shaun Ellis, but Ellis induced two lazy pop-ups to escape the jam.
Ellis earned a no decision for the Wahoos, but once again gave a superb outing. The right-hander allowed just a run on six hits in five innings with two strikeouts.
Pensacola knotted the game at one in the top of the sixth on Yorman Rodriguez’s RBI single that extended his hitting streak to 13 games between Bakersfield and Pensacola. Much like Montgomery, the Wahoos loaded the bases with two outs, but Erik Hamren got Barnhart to pop out to end the threat.
Montgomery pushed back on top 3-2 in the seventh inning on a two-out double from Mikie Mahtook. Wilkin De La Rosa was able to retire Cameron Seitzer with two insurance runs in scoring position.
The Blue Wahoos rallied for a pair of runs in the eighth inning against Hamren. With runners on second and third and one out, Travis Mattair bounced a ball to the third baseman, but it was hit softly enough that it allowed Corey Wimberly to scamper home with the tying run. After a walk to Marquez Smith, Barnhart greeted new pitcher C.J. Riefenhauser with a solid single up the middle to score Devin Lohman from second.
Despite allowing the then go-ahead run, Riefenhauser ended up picking up the win to improve to 3-0 on the year. The southpaw tossed a scoreless 1.1 innings, but allowed an inherited runner to score.
The two teams will square off in the rubber game of the series on Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. Josh Smith (5-6, 3.66) gets the start for Pensacola against Montgomery’s Jake Floethe (1-1, 6.00).
story by Kevin Burke
Murder Under Investigation
June 22, 2013
An early Saturday morning murder is under investigation in Escambia County.
Just before 1 a.m., the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a report of shots fired near the intersection of North “S” and West Cross Street. When deputies arrived, they discovered a female on the ground suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The, later identified as 31-year old Taccora L. Luckett, was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased upon arrival.
Further details are not yet been released by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Citizens Property Insurance Considers Rate Hike
June 22, 2013
The Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will review proposed rate increases for the state-backed agency’s 1.26 million policy holders next week during meetings at Miami Dade College.
The new rates, which for policy holders will vary depending on coverage and location, are expected to be between 6.9 percent and 8.8 percent higher.
The premium costs are expected to cover Citizens’ projected losses and expenses during the next year. The 6.9 percent increase would create a $178 million increase to premiums. An 8.8 percent increase translates into $226 million more in premiums.
Citizens’ committee meetings are planned for Tuesday, with the board meeting on Wednesday.
Blue Angels Visiting Local Libraries Next Week, Starting With Molino
June 22, 2013
During West Florida Public Library’s Summer Reading Program next week, a member of the Blue Angels team will visit each library branch to read about flying, airplanes, and blue skies.
The Blue Angels will read to the children and share their stories about what it is like to be a part of this elite service group. These special story times will take place beginning Monday as follows:
- Monday, June 24 at 2:45 P.M.,: Molino Branch, 6450A Hwy 95A.
- Wednesday, June 26 at 10:30 A.M.,: Main Library, 239 N. Spring St.
- Wednesday, June 26 at 2:30 P.M.,: Century Branch, 7991 N. Century Blvd.
- Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 A.M.,: Tryon Branch, 1200 Langley Ave.
- Saturday, June 29 at 2:30 P.M.,: Westside Branch, 1580 W. Cervantes St.
- Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30 A.M.,: Southwest Branch, 12248 Gulf Beach Hwy.
Local Unemployment Numbers Creep Up
June 22, 2013
The latest jobs numbers released Friday show the unemployment rate fell statewide in Florida and Alabama, but the local jobless rate held steady or increased.
Escambia County’s unemployment rate inched upwards from 6.4 percent in April to 6.7 percent in May. There were 479 more people reported unemployed during the period, for a total Escambia County unemployment of 9,497 people. One year ago, unemployment in Escambia County was 8.3 percent.
Santa Rosa County unemployment held steady at 5.9 percent from April to May. Santa Rosa County had a total of 4,334 persons reported to be still unemployed. The year-ago unemployment rate in Santa Rosa County was 7.4 percent.
In Escambia County, Alabama, unemployment increased from 7.4 percent in April to 7.7 percent in May. That represented 1,107 people unemployed in the county during the month. The year-ago rate was 8.7 percent.
The jobless numbers released by Florida and Alabama do not include persons that have given up on finding a job and are no longer reported as unemployed.
Florida’s unemployment rate was 7.1 percent, which is the lowest since September 2008. The state’s seasonally adjusted figure is down from 7.2 percent in April, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity. The job growth continues to be led by the trade, transportation and utility sector. Leisure and hospitality, private education, health services, and construction also continue to see significant gains in jobs as well, the state Department of Economic Opportunity said.
Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, at 6.8 percent in May, was down from April’s rate of 6.9 percent and was below the year-ago rate of 7.5 percent.
Healthy Summer Series: Happy, Healthy Travel, Making Smart Choices
June 22, 2013
The following article from our “Healthy Summer Series”, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Health, takes a look at summer travel and healthy choices.
Happy Trails Can Be Healthy Trails: How to Make Smart Choices While Traveling
No matter your level of pre-vacation excitement, we can all agree on one thing—traveling is exhausting. But just because an 8-hour flight or seemingly endless drive may make you feel like you just ran a marathon, it’s important to remember that you didn’t. It’s no secret that vacation is a dietary and exercise wasteland, where healthy routines fall by the wayside and indulgence becomes the rule, not the exception. Cruise buffets, long layovers, and afternoons by the pool sipping calorie-laden cocktails are the recipe for a dietary disaster, and after a draining family reunion or eventful exotic adventure, the last thing you want is to rejoin the real world tasked with working extra hard to shed those extra vacation pounds. The solution? The Florida Department of Health (DOH) reminds you that a little planning and a few healthy choices can go a long way to making your vacation healthy without taking away any of the fun.
Sometimes It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination
When we think of over-eating on vacation, we think of hitting the aforementioned cruise buffet for thirds or indulging in dessert after every meal. Remember, you needn’t only watch what you eat at your vacation destination, but also mind your food choices as you journey there. A long layover or road trip pit stop will, more often than not, land you in fast-food mecca. Swap by-the-slice pizza stands and sinfully sweet coffee shop bakeries for homemade snacks. Add baked apple chips, trail mix, crackers and other healthy favorites to your packing list so you can skip the fast food and munch on healthy options instead. Check out easily portable healthy snack recipes from Livestrong as you plan your trip. http://www.livestrong.com/article/408585-healthy-homemade-snacks-on-the-go/
Take Advantage
Find yourself at a hotel with a fitness center or swimming pool? Take advantage. Regardless of pace, walking a mile burns about 100 calories. Get on the treadmill and cover some ground before you hit the hay, or go for a swim if running isn’t your thing. According to the Mayo Clinic, a person weighing 160 pounds who swims for an hour burns about 423 calories, an amount that can go a long way in cancelling out extra calories consumed throughout the day. Staying at a relative’s for a couple of days? Offer to walk their dog or lend a hand with calorie-burning housework, such as gardening. If you fall victim to a cancelled or delayed flight, strap on your backpack and stroll the airport to reap some health benefits from an otherwise unfortunate situation. Check out the calories burned by these activities and more on Mayo Clinic’s website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/SM00109.
Sit Less, Move More
Fitness-friendly vacations are in, and DOH invites you to join the trend and change it up this summer. Have a beach trip planned? Go snorkeling, take lengthy walks, or challenge your kids to a swimming contest. Going camping? Make time for a hike or get a bike rack so you can hit the trails on wheels. Is sightseeing in your future? Explore the city on a bike tour or on foot. If you’ve got kids in tow, get them moving too! Check out this guide from Nemour’s Kids Health to plan a kid-friendly, activity-filled vacation that will make staying fit a family affair: http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/staying_fit/active_vacations.html#
Drink Up
Before digging into that shrimp cocktail, make sure to pour yourself a tall glass of H20. Drinking water is a dieter’s best friend, and a helpful tool to keep from over-indulging on vacation. A study released by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that adults who drank a large glass of water before meals ate an average of 75 fewer calories in that meal. That amount of calories may not sound like a lot in the grand scheme of caloric intake, but the same study revealed that cutting out those extra calories at lunch and dinner can lead to a 14 pound loss in a year. To read more from the Academy, visit: http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442468394.
Soak It All In, Write It All Down
Ever look back and wish you’d recorded great memories with family and friends? A travel journal will not only keep good times alive, but can help you remain conscious of your choices too. Jot down funny moments and descriptions of beautiful scenery, as well as the day’s meals and activities. Logging food and exercise each day will help you make smarter decisions tomorrow. If you decide to keep up this habit after vacation has come and gone, check out some advice from the Cleveland Clinic on how to keep a food journal that will make a true difference in helping you reach your health goals: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/weight_control/hic_keep_a_food_journal.aspx
Sleep, Sleep, Sleep
The equation for a healthy weight is a combination of diet, exercise and…sleep? That’s right. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, a good night’s rest on vacation will do more than keep you relaxed. Catching a few extra zzz’s can control your hunger, deter unhealthy late-night snacking, and repress cravings for high-carb, high-calorie options. Waking up rested may eliminate the need for creamer-filled coffee or a sugary energy drink, and may give you the energy you need to squeeze in a vacation workout. Read more on this Harvard study here: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/sleep-and-obesity/
Eat Out, Just Eat Smart
We all know that restaurants are a dieter’s greatest downfall. Reserving a condo with a kitchenette is a great way to save money and calories on vacation, but if you do eat out, just remember to eat smart. Check out restaurant menus online and decide what to order before arriving so you aren’t influenced by another’s choice. If you get a hefty portion, ask for a box early into your meal so you can save half for later. Mix and match: if you’re getting dessert, get a light entrée, or indulge in that pasta dish and skip the cheesecake. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has great tips for eating healthy while eating out, check them out at: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/weight-management-calories/weight-management/better-choices/eating-out.html#overcome Vacation is, after all, about having a good time. Sample local cuisine in moderation and give yourself a cheat day, take naps and lounge by the pool, but be smart about food and activity so you take a vacation from the daily grind, not from a healthy routine..
NorthEscambia.com’s “Healthy Summer Series”, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Health, will take a weekly look at issues aimed at keeping your Florida summer safe and healthy.
Growing Together: Carver Community Center Kids (Part 2)
June 22, 2013
The children and youth from the day program at the Carver Community Center have wrapped up their “Growing Brunch” series with the staff from UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County.
(This is the second part of this story. For part one, click here),
Along with Carver Community Center Director Marilyn Robinson, the children have taken part in lessons this week related to nutrition, preparing healthy food, water resources, insects, livestock, discovering where food originates, and healthy choices for the youth of Century.
In addition to visiting local farms earlier in the week, the students visited Sigafoose Dairy. Boyd Sigafoose, in the dairy business since the 1950’s, explained the milking process, milk handling and transportation to the children. They also had the opportunity to meet a newborn calf.
(story info continues below each photo)
Above: Carver Community Center program participants meet a newborn calf at Sigafoose Dairy.
Above: Jamie Spiker taught knife handling skills and had the youth practice on cheese that they later used as a snack with whole wheat crackers.
Above: Allison Meharg brought live rabbits so youth could learn how to take care of small animals. The youth then made a rabbit craft.
Above: Participants also prepared a healthy snack by using whole wheat tortillas, salsa, and other ingredients to create a soft taco.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Pound Biscuits 9-3
June 22, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos used a 15-hit attack to blast the Montgomery Biscuits 9-3 on Friday night at Riverwalk Stadium. Every member of the Wahoos lineup smacked at least one base hit in tying a franchise-high with the 15 base knocks.
Pensacola gave up an early run in the first inning but the offense turned the deficit into a lead in the top of the third against Montgomery starter Enny Romero (6-3). With the bases loaded, Yorman Rodriguez drew a walk to tie the game and was followed by Travis Mattair’s RBI single and Marquez Smith’s RBI fielder’s choice to push Pensacola in front 3-1.
The Biscuits quickly tied it in the last of the third on an RBI triple from Kevin Kiermaier, who then scored on a groundout from Robby Price to knot the game at three. That was the last rally Montgomery would muster against Wahoos starter Daniel Renken (2-5) who settled down to retire 10 straight from the third through the sixth inning.
Meanwhile, the Wahoos’ bats erupted to score in three straight innings from the fifth through the seventh. In the fifth, Mattair belted a solo homer out of the park to left field, his team-high eighth of the season, to give Pensacola a 4-3 lead. Mattair ended up going 3-for-4 on the night with two runs scored and two RBI.
An inning later, Matt Kennelly drove home Ryan LaMarre with a double and came around to score on a sac fly by Corey Wimberly to make it 6-3. Kennelly established a new career high with four hits on the night, scoring two runs and driving in one.
In the seventh inning, the first two Wahoos reached in front of Smith who smashed a two-run double down the left field line to give Pensacola a five-run advantage. Smith drove home three runs to increase his total to four in his five games with Pensacola.
The Wahoos added another run in the top of the ninth inning as Wimberly reached on a fielding error by first baseman Cameron Seitzer, allowing LaMarre to score to make the final margin 9-3.
Renken picked up his first win since April 8, his first start of the year, with six innings of work, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six. Trevor Bell and Chris Manno combined to throw three scoreless innings out of the pen to nail down the win.
Romero took just his second loss in the last two months, both of which have come against Pensacola. He gave up four runs on six hits in five innings. Pensacola peppered the Biscuits bullpen for five runs on nine hits in four innings.
The Wahoos look to take the series on Saturday night behind Shaun Ellis (2-1, 3.38). Montgomery will counter with Victor Mateo (2-7, 6.51). First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
story by Kevin Burke