Five Questions With Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
April 1, 2013
Attorney General Pam Bondi is rarely out of the news. Her name was among those that surfaced amid speculation about Gov. Rick Scott’s next lieutenant governor after Jennifer Carroll resigned. She’s nationally known for Florida’s lead role in a 26-state lawsuit against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. And she’s following a full slate of legislation, in some cases for the third year.
Bondi is a graduate of the University of Florida and Stetson Law School. She was a prosecutor in the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office for 18 years before running for attorney general in 2010. She’s known for her passionate advocacy, her fierce rhetoric and for working closely with law enforcement on such issues as synthetic drugs, pill mills and drug-addicted newborns.
Five questions for Pam Bondi:
Q: Florida received a record $8.4 billion in a mortgage settlement with the five largest servicers. Explain why you’re tracking what the Legislature does with it.
BONDI: That money is meant to go back to homeowners. That money is meant to go to people who are victims of robo-signing, of delays in their loan processing, of all kinds of misdoings by those top five servicers. And so an example is California. I think they may be the only state that received a larger settlement than Florida. And you know what happened with that money? Every penny of it, basically, was raided by the Legislature to go balance their budget deficit in California.
And that’s not what that settlement money was sent for. And I am so proud of our House and our Senate and our governor for committing to put the money where it’s meant to go. We’ve already allocated $60 (million) or $70 million through the (Legislative Budget Commission) to go out to help immediately, right away, with legal aid, counseling – not counseling in the traditional sense, but counselors in the industry to help people deal with their homes in the foreclosure crisis. And now there’s another $200 million going through the House and the Senate, through the appropriations process.
Q: You’ve been talking to legislative committees about human trafficking, urging them to crack down on perpetrators and help victims.
BONDI: Well, human trafficking is a $32 billion business. Twenty-seven million people worldwide are victims of trafficking, and in the United States alone, 2 ½ million people – it’s real. It’s so ugly that I think people don’t believe that it’s happening.
Kristi House in Miami, our state attorney in Miami, Kathy Fernandez Rundle, they’ve done a wonderful job of combatting it, but it’s all over our state. And so last session we fought to get some tougher penalties on human trafficking. My statewide prosecutors now have jurisdiction to join with the federal authorities, with the state attorneys, to take on these cases. And what struck me was, of the calls to the national human trafficking hotline, nationwide, Florida ranked third in the number of calls. So we’ve got to make Florida – and we are making Florida – a zero tolerance state for human trafficking.
A lot of it falls under domestic servitude, which is horrible. Many of these are 13- and 14-year-olds. Some are illegal aliens who’ve come here for refuge, and they’re being trafficked. And they’re scared, obviously, to report it, because they have nowhere to go. A lot of them are runaways, kids who’ve been bounced from foster home to foster home, and where do a lot of them want to go? Florida.
It affects everyone, and it’s a horrible, ugly, ugly business. Anybody who’s going to exploit our children needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Q: You’ve filed a petition to allow a medical examiner to exhume the bodies at the Dozier School for Boys. Do you have any idea when the judge will rule?
BONDI: No, we don’t, but we’re hoping sooner rather than later. I know (University of South Florida anthropologist) Dr. (Erin) Kimmerle wants to start her exhumations as soon as possible because of the rainy season coming up in a few months.
There’s so much that we don’t know. And my office – because we have a great relationship with the sheriff there, with the medical examiner, with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with the families – everyone has a great relationship, but it’s just getting it all done and all working together. So my office has now come in, and we’re assisting the medical examiner, and we have requested an order to exhume these bodies. And so we’re waiting on a ruling on that order. Hopefully the judge will allow us to go through with this, because these families deserve answers. We don’t even know how many bodies are buried there. And these are kids.
Q: You’ve made synthetic drugs a top priority almost since taking office. Where are you with that now?
BONDI: A month after I came into office, Sheriff [Frank] McKeithen in the Panhandle wrote me a letter…I’d had no idea that this was a problem. And when it started in Florida, it was only in the Panhandle, because it had been outlawed by Bobby Jindal in Louisiana, and they moved to the Panhandle. And these are creative chemists, and they’re making these synthetic drugs that are killing our kids.
At that time I started calling law enforcement from central Florida down south. No one had heard of it. Many hadn’t had any problems with it at all. Look what’s happened in two years: It’s spiraled out of control. So the first session I signed an emergency order and outlawed six compounds. By the time it went through session, we had nine, then last session we outlawed approximately 90, and I just signed another emergency order a few months ago, outlawing an additional 22 compounds.
These creative chemists are taking basically household items and mixing them up to create synthetic drugs. And here’s the part that scares me to death: People think – they call it synthetic marijuana, but this is not synthetic marijuana. This is synthetic heroin, LSD, PCP, acid. It’s a hallucinogenic, it makes you extremely violent. You can go into seizures. And after we started passing the legislation outlawing these compounds, calls to poison control were on a decline.
Now we have more before the Legislature this session. We’re going to put these guys out of business…If you know of a convenience store that’s selling this stuff, call the police or call my office, and we’ll get rid of it.
Q: Is your hat in the ring for lieutenant governor?
BONDI: Well, I’m passionate about being attorney general. I was a prosecutor for almost 20 years when I lost my mind and decided to run for attorney general. I love practicing law. I feel like I can continue my work as a prosecutor and even more as attorney general. My only plans are to run for re-election, because I think if you’re in this office not looking at the next, you can get so much done. This office deserves stability. This office – hopefully, if I’m blessed to be re-elected, then we’ll have eight years of stability in this office.
And there’s so much more we want to do. I could talk all day about it.
By The News Service of Florida
Prayer And WD-40: Molino Woman Celebrates 104th Birthday
April 1, 2013
Hattie Schneider of Molino celebrated her 104th birthday on Easter Sunday, giving credit for her long life to “prayer and WD-40″.
She 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.
Four People Killed In Four Separate Wrecks This Weekend
March 31, 2013
Four people have died in four separate traffic crashes this weekend in the two-county region.
Bob Sikes Bridge Crash
The Florida Highway Patrol said 42-year old Kevin Michael Roland Small of Pace was northbound on the Bob Sikes Bridge on a Yamaha motorcycle when he attempted to travel in between two different vehicles in front of him a high rate of speed. He lost control, hitting one of the vehicles before possibly striking another car and the bridge guardrail.
Small was ejected off the motorcycle and fell from the bridge in the 11:35 p.m. Saturday crash.. The driver of the second vehicle, 16-year old Zane Joseph Johnson of Gulf Breeze, was not injured.
The FHP is looking for a car, unknown in color, possibly a Ford Mustang with rear end damage to the vehicle’s right tail light and possibly the bumper.
Pedestrian Fatality
A pedestrian was killed at 12:00 a.m. Sunday on Michigan Avenue just east of Mobile Highway.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 48-year old Mark Anthony Stewart walking northbound in a dark area of Michigan Avenue while wearing dark clothing. Stewart was struck by a 2002 Dodge car driven by 19-year old Amanda Kaye Wilson of Pensacola and a 2008 Ford car driven by 18-year old Asma A. Alsharif of Pensacola.
The crash is under investigation by the FHP Traffic Homicide Unit, and any charges are pending the outcome of that investigation.
Pensacola Country Club Crash
The Florida Highway Patrol said 50-year old James B. Bennett was traveling east on Barrancas Avenue when his 1984 GMC Jimmy SUV crossed into the westbound lanes. He collided with a 2000 GMC Van taxi driven by 42-year old Barry L. Riles of Pensacola in the 12:45 p.m. Saturday crash.
Bennett’s SUV slid off the roadway, across the sidewalk and into a tree and fence at the Pensacola Country Club. Bennett was ejected from his vehicle and was pronounced deceased.
Riles was transported to Baptist Hospital with minor injuries.
Santa Rosa Crash
The Florida Highway Patrol said 38-year old Mikkel Anthony Teekell of Pensacola was northbound on Highway 87 in Santa Rosa County at 11:42 p.m. Saturday. He was traveling at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate a curve near River Road and was ejected from the motorcycle.
Teekell was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
Area Pizza Hut Damaged By Fire
March 31, 2013
Fire damaged an area Pizza Hut restaurant Sunday afternoon.
The fire was reported about 3:45 at the Pizza Hut at 5660 Pensacola Boulevard. The fire was contained by Escambia County Fire Rescue within about 30 minutes. There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Faithful Celebrate Resurrection At Easter Sunrise Services
March 31, 2013
Easter morning sunrise services were held at many locations across the area Sunday morning.
One of the largest in North Escambia was in Molino as several churches came together for a community Easter morning sunrise service at Aldersgate Methodist Church, celebrating with music and a message.
Other sunrise services were held across the area, including Century, Atmore,Walnut Hill, Flomaton, Gonzalez and Cantonment. And thousands attended a Marcus Pointe Baptist Church Son-Rise Service held at the Blue Wahoos Stadium downtown (pictured above and below).
The sunrise services celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, an important event to the faithful. According to the Bible:
Matthew 28:1-20
Resurrection Morning
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”
The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie
11 As they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.
The Great Commission
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
from the Holman Christian Standard Bible
Learning By Fire
March 31, 2013
Firefighters from the Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue took to the woods Saturday for a live lesson in fighting and controlling brush fires. The training is part of the firefighter certification process.
The live burn exercise was conducted on a 40 acre parcel on North Highway 99 in Oak Grove.
Pictured top: A firefighter watches a controlled burn Saturday afternoon in Oak Grove. Pictured inset: Firefighters pull a hose a long a fire line cut into the wooded area. Pictured below: The exercise was conducted on a 40 acre parcel. Pictured bottom: A portion of the fire is lit. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church ‘Eggstravaganza’
March 31, 2013
Dozens of area children took part in the annual “Eggstravaganza” Saturday at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia.
The children played Easter egg bingo, jumped in a bounce house, dined on cupcakes and hunted hundreds of eggs. Two lucky children found prize eggs that won them a new bicycle.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Do you have photos of an event at your church? Email them news@northescambia.com
Submitted photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Scott Campaign Gets To Work
March 31, 2013
Former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist has received plenty of attention as he ponders another run for governor as a newly minted Democrat.
But the current occupant of the governor’s mansion, Republican Rick Scott, is leaving little question that Crist should be ready for a tough campaign. Scott this week signaled that a major line of attack would juxtapose his economic leadership to Crist’s tenure, when the nation tumbled into a recession that caused widespread job losses.
“We’re going to show that there’s a stunning contrast (between) the economy I inherited and the economy today,” Scott said Tuesday.
He also added: “In the four years before I became governor, the state had lost 832,000 jobs, unemployment tripled from 3.5 to 11.1 percent, state debt had increased by over $5 billion, and, you know the housing market collapsed.”
Is it fair to pin all of that on Crist? Nah, probably not.
But here’s one translation: Scott will not be Jim Davis, the Democrat who Crist steamrolled during the 2006 gubernatorial race.
Need more evidence? Scott this week jumped on Crist after the release of an inspector general’s report about Digital Domain Media Group, a company that received $20 million from Florida in 2009 but later failed. Scott tried to tie Crist to the deal.
“This Inspector General report shows two things – first, our current economic project vetting process is in place for a reason, and second, that process was clearly circumvented by the previous administration for the Digital Domain deal,” Scott said in a release.
Despite all the media attention and a stream of pre-emptive Republican Party attacks, Crist has not formally announced he will run next year. And even if he does, 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink has indicated she is thinking about entering the race, and former Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich has been trying to build support for months.
Rumors also surfaced that Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson might take on Scott. But Nelson, who was in Tallahassee on Wednesday, said he doesn’t have plans to run for governor.
At this stage, Crist appears far more popular than Scott. A Quinnipiac University poll this month gave Crist an edge of 50 percent to 34 percent in a head-to-head matchup.
A group that is a fund-raising arm for Scott began running the campaign’s first ad this week on the Internet. Scott also has taken steps to try to shore up his popularity, such as calling for $2,500 raises for teachers and objecting to college tuition increases.
But Democrats appear ready to portray Scott as a Johnny-come-lately to such issues. The Florida Democratic Party website touts Scott’s “state of denial” and says he is “running away from everything he campaigned on to get reelected.”
THE PARTY’S OVER
Crist might be persona non grata with many Republican leaders. But for months, they probably shared a hope that former party Chairman Jim Greer would head off quietly into Florida political history.
It remains to be seen whether Greer will stay quiet. But a judge this week sentenced Greer to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in a scheme that involved creating a fund-raising company and steering party business to it.
Crist installed Greer as GOP chairman, but a trial threatened to expose a pile of dirty laundry about the party. Greer argued before pleading guilty that he was being punished for his support of Crist, who split from the party to run in 2010 as an independent for U.S. Senate.
Greer’s attorney, Damon Chase, contended that the former chairman should get a short sentence and that he was being punished because of who he was and the high-profile nature of the case.
“If this weren’t Jim Greer, this would be probation,” Chase told Circuit Judge Marc Lubet before the sentencing. “Mr. Greer wants to move on, he wants to make amends, he is contrite for everything that occurred.”
Prosecutors sought a longer term for Greer, but Lubet handed down the 18-month sentence because he noted that Greer had paid $65,000 in restitution and because his former partner in the fund-raising company wasn’t prosecuted. The former partner, Delmar Johnson, served as executive director the party and later wore a wire to help prosecutors make the case against Greer.
“A court has responsibility to see that there’s justice whenever it sentences, tempered with some sort of mercy if that mercy is deserved,” Lubet told Greer at the sentencing in Orlando. He added that Greer, who had no prior criminal history, had “egregiously violated a position of trust for your employers.”
MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE TALL BUILDING ON THE HILL …
Lawmakers had a short week, breaking for Passover on Monday and Tuesday and Good Friday on, well, a beautiful Friday.
But back in the warrens of offices, House and Senate appropriations staffers finished drawing up budget proposals that reflected the brighter economy. As examples, lawmakers could tell folks at home about plans to pump an additional $1 billion or more into schools and give raises to teachers.
Lawmakers also crammed in committee meetings Wednesday and Thursday, as bills spun through on issues such as revamping the state retirement system and allowing designated employees to carry guns at school.
Maybe the most-popular move this week, however, was a final vote on repealing a 2012 law that caused confusion among international visitors to the state — especially the Canadian snowbirds who load up their cars and head south during the winter.
The 2012 law called for foreign visitors to get what are known as international diving permits before leaving their home countries. Those permits would be in addition to regular driver’s licenses, with the requirement designed to help Florida law-enforcement officers sort out traffic incidents.
But the Senate, following an earlier move by the House, voted unanimously this week to repeal the law because of the consternation it caused. Gov. Rick Scott is expected to quickly sign the repeal, which Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said is designed to make sure foreign visitors know the “welcome mat” is out.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Former Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in a scheme that involved creating a company and steering party business to it.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “As we all come back from Passover and Easter, that’s when – as President Lee said – the smell of death will be in the air, because bills will begin to die that haven’t been heard.”— Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, referring to former President Tom Lee and the hopes of numerous lobbyists and interest groups watching their bills wither.
By The News Service of Florida
Camp Fire Century Accepting Pre-K Registrations Now
March 31, 2013
The Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center is now enrolling children for the 2013-14 school year Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program.
To be registered for the VPK program, a child must be 4-year old before September 1, 2013. The program is free for children with parents that are Florida residents. Children of Alabama residents are accepted, but the program is not free to Alabama families.
For more information, contact Pamila Townson, director of the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center, at (850) 256-0953.
Birth: Ayden James Chancery
March 31, 2013
Baby Ayden James Chancery was born Friday, March 22, 2013 at 1:10 p.m., just two day’s before his father’s 21st birthday. The son of Aaron and Britany Chancery, Ayden was 7-pounds, 15.5-ounces and 20 inches long,
He is the brother of Riley Chancery and the grandson of Richard and Lisa Chancery and Loretta Floyd.