Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Jim Greer Soap Opera; Red Light, Green Light
February 17, 2013
It was supposed to be a week of loud scandal, with much of the attention of the Florida political establishment focused not on the Capitol, but on an Orlando courtroom where the trial of former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer was set to take place.
In the same courtroom where the sensational Casey Anthony trial played out, tales of golf carts crammed with prostitutes and stories about the inner workings of the RPOF stretching back to the days when Charlie Crist was still a Republican were supposed to unfold. No one was quite sure who had more to fear from the spectacle — the RPOF or Crist, now a Democrat — but the likelihood was that someone would end up covered in more sludge than a powerless cruise ship.
Instead, the courtroom was filled largely with a curious audience as the proceedings were set to begin. Greer, the attorneys and the judge were elsewhere — because a plea deal was being worked out that could send Greer to jail for 42 months and might have other, confidential terms.
The closest Tallahassee would come to political scandal would be the revelation that the state’s transportation secretary had ordered up a study of the speed limit on a road where he was pulled over for driving too quickly — a stretch of pavement with a top speed that had driven its fair share of city residents to distraction.
And the loudest things would get were perhaps at debates over traffic-light cameras or alimony. Which was somewhat fitting — after all, it was a stop-and-go week of news, there were suspicions that someone was getting paid to go away, and no one was happy in the end.
NOBODY DIES IN THE END
Maybe it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Greer would ultimately cop a plea to four counts of grand theft and one count of money laundering; there were too many people who wanted it to go away. But the plea came after months of ominous warnings from Greer, who promised the Miami New Times “a Shakespearean play where everyone dies in the end.”
As it turned out, those threats were “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
Democrats believed Republicans “breathed a collective sigh of relief this morning,” but the RPOF was too busy focusing on its bête noire: Crist, who hand-picked Greer to head the party after Crist’s sweeping win in the 2006 gubernatorial election.
“For the past three years, Jim Greer has tried to damage the reputation of the Republican Party and its leaders, but the truth is now known that Jim Greer broke the law, stole from RPOF and our donors, and then said and did everything he could to cover up and distract attention from his crimes,” RPOF Executive Director Mike Grissom said. “Everything Jim Greer has said and done over these past few years should be considered in that light.”
The case against Greer centered on allegations that he used his position as party chairman to steer business to Victory Strategies, his fundraising company. Greer said party leaders knew what he was doing, and that a secret severance agreement between himself and party leaders should have protected him from any criminal liability.
And despite inquiries from multiple media outlets — including some who asked whether Greer was paid to walk away — Damon Chase, who had fiercely defended Greer during his legal troubles, wouldn’t elaborate on any terms of Greer’s agreement to plead guilty. Chase said it was confidential.
“Knowing the deal he got, I don’t blame him one bit for taking it,” Chase told the News Service.
Greer was not the only figure from the Republican political establishment who settled an investigation with a plea deal this week. On Tuesday, Panhandle developer and prodigious GOP contributor Jay Odom pleaded guilty in federal court to a scheme to funnel donations to a presidential campaign through employees or their family members. The two cases were not related, and no one had been threatened with as much as bodily injury in the Odom case.
MEANWHILE, BACK IN TALLAHASSEE
At about the same time Greer was considering his future, House Republicans were approving a legislative measure dealing with an entirely different kind of fundraising: the amount individual campaigns can raise and the kind of third-party groups that can involve themselves in campaigns.
On a 10-2 vote that included half the Democratic minority on the prevailing side, the House Ethics and Elections Subcommittee approved a measure allowing a candidate running for a state House seat in the Panhandle to raise almost four times as much money from each contributor as a candidate running for president of the United States.
The trade-off for the new, $10,000 limit is a law abolishing “committees of continuous existence,” often-shady groups that work as the attack dogs for candidates who want to appear above the mud-slinging. The measure (HB 569) is a key priority of House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.
“Let’s face it, we would all like to see less money in the political process, but we know that that’s not going to be an option,” said Rep. Larry Ahern, R-Seminole. “On balance, and together, these reforms address the problem and provide the solutions.”
Others were less sanguine about the possibility of 20-tupling the amount of money a candidate could raise from each individual; Florida’s current limit is $500.
“By increasing these limits, (it) does not look out for the small guy,” said Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, one of the dissenters. “It does favor incumbents.”
The same panel unanimously approved a bill designed to expand early voting in some areas and limit the length of ballots, though Democrats said they will want more for their support on the floor. Still, it left some hope that the legal overhaul following the snafus in November’s presidential election will not be a bitter, partisan fight like the 2011 battle over HB 1355, which included reducing early voting days.
“You’re certainly going to get Democratic support if it improves and resolves the problems we had with 1355,” Waldman said.
RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT AND AN ALIMONY FIGHT
With the big-ticket issues leading to a spirit of Kumbaya in the House, and Senate committee burying their noses in budget-briefing books, the legislative fighting was largely confined to issues that could labor in the background in the 2013 legislative session, like a bill to repeal the state law allowing cameras at traffic lights.
The cameras are used to catch — and hopefully deter — those who might run red lights. But they also bring protests from those on the right and left on civil liberties and privacy grounds.
“We’re willing to compromise the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution: the right against self-incrimination for self-perceived safety,” said Rep. Carlos Trujillio of Miami, the bipartisan measure’s Republican sponsor. “That’s the road we’re going down. We’re willing to tell somebody, ‘You are guilty until proven innocent.’ ”
But critics of the repeal bill (HB 4011) — some of whom draw funding from the cameras — say it would roll back a key safety feature.
“I think it’s obvious that it does change people’s driving behaviors, and I think it is obvious that it also helps to save lives and prevent people from having serious injuries,” said Haines City Police Chief Rick Sloan.
Also drawing some controversy: a proposal (HB 231) that would rein in the amount of time that alimony payments could be required, try to short-circuit alimony in marriages of 10 years or less and shield retirees form alimony requirements.
“I want to make this so people can get divorced and move on with their life,” said Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, who is divorced but indicated he has not paid or received alimony.
Nothing is ever quite so simple in family law. Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami, promptly slammed the bill as “anti-woman.
“I think this bill will do more harm than good, ” she said.
And foreshadowing another potential battle in the Legislature, Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, filed a bill that would allow parents to petition their school board to adopt a specific turnaround option for any school that drew an “F” on state report cards for two straight years.
“When you give parents the opportunity to get involved and do what’s best for their kids, it’s a win,” Stargel said.
But Democrats, who beat back the idea last year, were already drawing the battle lines, saying the measure (SB 862) could end up with private businesses running many Florida schools.
“We should focus our efforts on improving public schools, not giving up on them by handing the keys to a for-profit corporation,” Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, said in a statement.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Jim Greer pleads guilty to four counts of grand theft and one count of money laundering, avoiding a trial that could have brought the secrets of former Gov. Charlie Crist and the Republican Party of Florida to light.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I was one of those dorky kids in high school with no girlfriend that sat in the front row and read a lot and helped other students study for their exams and read the Congressional Record at night.” — Senate Appropriations Chairman Joe Negron, R-Stuart
ARC Gateway Seeks Mardi Gras Bead Donations
February 17, 2013
Now that the Mardi Gras parades have passed, ARC Gateway is looking for donations of beads – as well as organizations to volunteer as collection sites. At ARC Gateway’s Pollak Industries, adults with developmental disabilities sort and package donated beads for resale to Mardi Gras krewes and other organizations.
The program not only allows them the opportunity to earn their own money while gaining valuable vocational training, it also supports local recycling efforts and helps generates revenue for additional services at ARC Gateway.
Collection boxes can be found in the following locations:
Pensacola
ARC Gateway Admin – 3932 North 10th Avenue
ARC Gateway Nursery – 1112 East Fairfield Drive
Becky’s Eatery – 5 Interbay Parkway
Barne’s – 1301 North 9th Avenue
Beach Community Bank branches – 9 Mile at Palafox, 4465 Bayou Blvd and 33 W. Garden St.
City Grocery – 2050 North 12th Avenue
Everman’s Foods – 315 West Garden Street
Food World – 4320 Lillian Highway
Pearl Nelson Center – 3911 North 10th Avenue
Pollak Industries – 2313 Truman Avenue
Pollak Training Center – 1000 East Fairfiled Drive
Publix – 2180 West 9 Mile Road
Publix – 9251 University Parkway
Seville Quarter – 130 North Government Street
Stein Mart – 1660 Airport Boulevard
Winn Dixie – 4751 Bayou Boulevard
Winn Dixie – 5975 Mobile Highway
Gulf Breeze
Beach Community Bank – Northcliff and Highway 98
Dani Demure – 913 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Harbourtown #31
Higher Learning: Firefighters Train In McDavid With Tower Truck
February 17, 2013
Twenty volunteers are currently in the midst of a 160-hour Firefighters I class for Escambia Fire Rescue that is being conducted at the McDavid fire station. Saturday, the crew from Tower 7, stationed at Ferry Pass, demonstrated the 105-foot tower truck’s capabilities in McDavid. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Details Released: Local, Federal Agents Raid Cantonment Meth Lab
February 16, 2013
Three people were arrested when federal and local law enforcement raided an alleged meth lab in Cantonment Thursday.
Nikki L. Kight, 45, Joseph David Peterson, 33, and Sylvia Marie Rutherford, 34, all of the 400 block of Well Line Road, were booked into the Escambia County Jail Thursday afternoon. Each suspect was charged with producing methamphetamine, trafficking pseudoephedrine, possession of a listed chemical with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a listed chemical with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
All three remained in the Escambia County Jail Saturday morning. Bond for Kight was set at$61,000. Peterson’s bond was at $26,000, while Rutherford was held on a $28,500 bond.
On Thursday, two federal probation officers performed a probation check on Kight at her residence at 445 Lakeview Drive. When the probation officers, along with an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics investigator and a DEA agent entered the residence, they found Kight, Peterson and Rutherford in the residence, along with Kight’s teenage children.
During a check of the residence, the federal probation officers observed what appeared to be several burned marijuana cigarettes in the ashtrays of the residence and smelled what they believed to be burned marijuana. Kight told the officers that she thought “someone” had been smoking it in the residence and she believed “Spice” was in the home.
Outside the residence, officers located a bag containing salt and drain cleaner on a makeshift shelf behind a pile of yard debris, along with a plastic soda bottle with a hose containing a white substance — items commonly used in a meth lab.
Upon searching the residence and property, investigators found dozens of items of drug paraphernalia typical associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine, including large quantities of pseudoephedrine. They also reported finding “paperwork” associated with the operation.
Deputies said additional arrests and charges may be forthcoming as a result of the raid.
Kight is expected to face federal violation of probation charges. She, according to federal court records, is currently on five years probation for conspiring to defraud the government. She was convicted last year in a scheme in which she and other defendants would use the names of social security numbers of Florida prison inmates to file fraudulent tax returns in order to obtain refunds. The scheme netted about $1 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Ernest Ward Holds Valentine’s Dance, Names Court (With Photo Gallery)
February 16, 2013
Ernest Ward Middle School held its annual Valentine’s Dance Friday night, naming a queen and her court based upon student votes.
Eighth grader Morgan Myrick was named queen, and Jacob Weaver was named king. From the seventh grade, Anna Nelson was named maiden, and Logan Calloway was named knight. Sixth grade maiden was Shelby Bashore and sixth grade knight was Brandon Santos.
For a photo gallery with the complete court, click here.
Other sixth grade court members were: Ashtyn Carnley, Catherine Casey, Nikoal Creamer, Madison Sherouse, Zachary Hilton, Tanner Levins, Cameron Long and Noah Moore. Seventh grade members included: Abby Hammond, Celeste North, Olivia Reber, Tori Smith, Korbin Bryan, Eli Deese, Triston Long and Trevor Singleton. Additional eighth grade court members were: Autumn Albritton, Peighton Dortch, Lenora Hall, Daysha Kite, Dustin Bethea, Dillon Clary, Desmone Knight and Luke Ward.
Pictured top: Ernest Ward Middle School Valentine’s Court sixth grade Knight Brandon Santos and Maiden Shelby Bashore, Queen Morgan Myrick and King Jacob Weaver, seventh grade Maiden Anna Nelson and Knight Logan Calloway. Pictured below: Queen Morgan Myrick and King Jacob Weaver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Cop Found Not Guilty Of Battery
February 16, 2013
A Pensacola Police officer has been found not guilty of battery.
Officer Christopher Geraci was fired last year after the department said a routine review of his patrol vehicle’s camera revealed he used unnecessary force in making a recent arrest. He was also charged with battery.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. August 2 when Geraci responded to a hit and run crash at D and Cervantes streets. The driver – identified as Abbi Bonds, 29, of Pensacola – was found with the car in the 1100 block of North C Street. The car had heavy front end damage and was disabled.
The Pensacola Police Department said a verbal exchange followed between Geraci and Bonds, Geraci approached Bonds and grabbed her by her left arm. He then forcibly slung her into the side of the car, then grabbed the back of her head and forced it into the top of the vehicle while placing her in handcuffs, police said.
But a jury this week cleared Geraci of the battery charge. He pleaded no contest to leaving the scene of an accident.
Escambia Man Gets 25 Years For Burglary, Choking Police Dog
February 16, 2013
An Escambia County man is headed to state prison on burglary related charges.
Marcus Lawaun Bryant was sentenced by Judge Gary Bergosh to 25 years in state prison with a minimum mandatory sentence of three years. Bryant plead straight up to the court to burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, burglary of an occupied dwelling, attempted burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, burglary of an unoccupied structure, dealing in stolen property, grand theft, petit theft, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, resisting officer without violence, criminal mischief, and battery upon a police dog.
On April 15, 2012, Victim Jill Jones called the Pensacola Police Department to report that her home had been burglarized and she saw Defendant Bryant in possession of her bicycle a short distance from her home. Officer David Rogers and his police dog, Darek, arrived at the scene, they saw Defendant Bryant on the bicycle, but when he attempted to flee the area, Bryant wrecked the bicycle. At that time, Officer Rogers and K-9 Darek struggled with Defendant Bryant and Bryant grabbed K-9 Darek by the neck and tried to choke him.
Bryant was taken into custody and charged with burglary, theft, causing harm to a police animal and resisting an officer. He had other outstanding warrants for burglaries, grand theft, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and dealing in stolen property. He had taken over $30,000 worth of jewelry from several homes in the area. He pawned many of the items to various pawn shops in Pensacola.
EREC Sends Area Juniors On Tallahassee Youth Tour
February 16, 2013
Ten area high school juniors were guests of Escambia River Electric Cooperative last week in Tallahassee as they learned more about their state legislature and electric cooperatives.
Participants were Garrett Peirce from Central High School; Kayne Caraway, Kayla Flowers, Dakota Mack, Chassity McCranie, Tate Upton and Dylan Wolfe from Jay High School; and Taylor Brook, Shelena Dukes and Victoria Wright from Northview High School.
While in Tallahassee, the students met with nearly 120 other high school juniors from electric cooperatives throughout the state of Florida. EREC delegates enjoyed visiting the Challenger Museum and viewing the IMAX movie, Space Junk (3D). The group took part in a mock session in the Florida Supreme Court and participated in a mock session in the House chambers where various members of the Legislature addressed the group.
The Youth Tour program provided students an opportunity to learn more about their state government and electric cooperatives and also gives them a chance to interact
with other students from co-ops throughout the state.
“It was a great educational experience and a lot of fun for the entire group,” according to Sabrina Owens, EREC’s marketing director.
EREC Youth Tour delegates with Representative Clay Ingram. (L-R) Garrett Peirce, Dylan Wolfe, Chassity McCranie, Victoria Wright, Dakota Mack, Representative Clay Ingram, Tate Upton, Kayla Flowers, Kayne Caraway, Taylor Brook and Shelena Dukes. Pictured inset: Tate Upton enjoys the batting cage at Tallahassee’s Fun Station. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Pictured below: The group with Sen. Greg Evers. Pictured bottom: Taylor Brook, Victoria Wright, and Shelena Dukes look for clues to the scavenger hunt in the Challenger Learning Center.
Firefighters: Retirement Of Florida Public Employees In Jeopardy
February 16, 2013
A proposal to change the retirement benefits of public employees, such as teachers and firefighters, is gaining momentum in the Florida House of Representatives.
House Bill 7011 would force all public employees hired by agencies participating in the Florida retirement system after next January into a 401(k)-style plan, instead of the current pension plan.
Gary Rainey, president of Florida Professional Firefighters, says lawmakers are pushing this through without understanding all the consequences.
“Frankly, I don’t think they really care, for the most part,” he said. “The fact that nine Republicans on the committee would vote to do this without having the first numbers saying this is going to cost an exorbitant amount of money, or it’s going to save us money.”
Other states, including New Hampshire and Nevada, considered a similar plan recently, Rainey said, but abandoned it after they realized it would cost the state more instead of saving money. Part of the problem, he said, is that phasing out the pension plan also would reduce the money being paid into the plan for existing workers, and force the state and local municipalities to foot the bill.
Closing the current pension plan would also end benefits such as life insurance or death benefits if employees are hurt or killed in the line of duty. Rainey said death benefits of a newly hired firefighter killed in the line of duty under the 401(k) plan could offer his or her family less than $1,000.
“Not providing any type of disability or death benefit or survivor benefits for families is unconscionable by anyone who is proposing to do this,” he said.
According to the Florida Retirement Security Coalition, no tax increase is needed to fund the current system, which is 86 percent funded. If lawmakers move to the 401(k) plan, the coalition said, tax increases may be necessary.
Opponents of the current pension plan insist that it places a demand on the state budget.
By Stephanie Carroll Carson, Public News Service – FL
Weekend Gardening: Best Time to Prune is Now
February 16, 2013
Now until buds break is the best time to prune, according to the UF/IF Extension Service.
Why Prune?
- Control plant size or form
- Remove damage (mechanical, disease, etc.)
- Prevent potential damage (overlapping branches, poor crotch angles, diseases, etc.
- Stimulate new growth (rejuvenate old plants, fill bare areas, increase flowering, etc.)
When to prune:
- Corrective pruning due to injury or dead tissue should be done as soon as evident.
- Avoid pruning from August 15 until plants are dormant.
- Most pruning should be done during the dormant season or immediately after flowering.
Rules of thumb – The “May Rule”:
- May defined if the plant blooms before May 1, prune immediately after flowering has ended (flowers produced on old wood or last year’s growth: Azaleas, Forsythia, etc.)
- If the plant blooms after May 1, prune during the dormant season (flowers produced on new growth: Crape Myrtles, Lilac Chaste tree, etc.).
- As with any rule there are exceptions: Oak leaf Hydrangea.
General rules of Pruning:Eddie Hand Pruners
- Local in affect (usually within 6” of cut).
- Cuts should be made ¼” above a bud or to a crotch (Lateral branch).
- Cuts should be made at angles.
Pruning Equipment: (Make sure blades are sharp)
- Hand Snips (for small branches)
- Loppers (branches > 0.75” in diameter)
- Pruning Saw (limbs > 1.5” in diameter)
- Shears (for a more formal look)
- Pruning Knife (for clean-up)
Safe Pruning Principles:
- Keep equipment clean and in good repair.
- Appropriate, properly fitted safety equipment for job (eye and ear protection, no loose fitting clothes, etc.)
- Keep equipment within your control zone. Don’t over extend, know the limitations of your equipment and yourself.
- Know your surroundings (overhead utilities, other workers, etc.).
- Be able to identify Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and other skin irritants.
Quick Tips to Remember:
- Pruning: Remove dead wood and seed pods annually during the dormant season.
- Size control should be done by cultivar selection, not by pruning.
- To promote a second set of flowers, prune away faded or spent flowers throughout the season.