Florida Lt. Gov. Carroll Resigns Amid Scandal
March 14, 2013
Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll’s resignation in the wake of an illegal gambling probe sent shockwaves through the Capitol on Wednesday, potentially ending the career of a rising political star and confronting Gov. Rick Scott with one of the most sensitive personnel decisions of his administration.
It was the end of a tumultuous two years for Carroll, the highest-ranking black elected official in state history, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing in the investigation. Law enforcement officials, though, said more indictments were possible in the ongoing probe.
Carroll had earlier raised hackles with some of her comments; after criminal charges against an employee led to allegations last year that Carroll was caught in a compromising position with another female aide, Carroll suggested she was too attractive to be gay. She later apologized.
Still, the lieutenant governor had been a darling of social conservatives, and her selection as Scott’s running mate was a gesture from the former health-care executive who was known mostly for his economic conservatism.
And Carroll was often seen as a desperately needed female, minority voice in a Republican Party whose strongest voices are largely white and frequently male. In 2012, she was named a member of TheGrio’s 100, a list of prominent political, cultural and business figures put together by a website focused on black issues.
On Wednesday, Scott stood on a sun-drenched corner of the Capitol grounds and spoke about Carroll’s departure, which was handled quietly late Tuesday and became public the next day.
“I will not elaborate on the details of her resignation further, other than to say that she resigned and she did the right thing for the state and for her family,” Scott said.
A company Carroll co-owned during her time in the Legislature, 3N & JC Corporation, provided consulting services for Allied Veterans of the World, the entity at the center of the investigation.
In a statement issued through unofficial channels, Carroll said she did not believe she or her company are “targets” in the ongoing investigation.
“My decision yesterday to resign as Lieutenant Governor represents my unwavering commitment to the great state of Florida,” Carroll said in the lengthy statement. “I simply refuse to allow the allegations facing a former client of my public relations firm to undermine the important work of the Governor and his administration.”
Attention immediately pivoted to who might replace Carroll. Speculation surrounded members of the Cabinet, including Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Attorney General Pam Bondi. It wasn’t clear whether either of those officials, both of whom have been rumored as potential primary challengers for Scott in 2014, would be interested in the position.
“I’m very happy being attorney general,” Bondi said at a press conference about the investigation. “I’m sure the governor will make a great choice.”
Scott said he wouldn’t pick a replacement until after the 2013 legislative session ends in early May.
“I think, whenever you pick a lieutenant governor, you want somebody that can do the job, somebody that can do the right things for the state of Florida,” he said.
Some legislators were also mentioned, including Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, whose supporters quickly started a hashtag on Twitter to boost her chances. A legislative choice could help Scott, an outsider, work with lawmakers on his election-year agenda in 2014.
“A lieutenant governor can be helpful in this process, here,” said Sen. John Thrasher, a St. Augustine Republican and former chairman of the state GOP. “I certainly think that that’s appropriate, to look at somebody that might have some experience in this process, somebody that has an identity from the standpoint of the entire state, if you can find somebody like that.”
The selection could also have a political impact on Scott’s bid for re-election in 2014.
“The governor now has a chance to pick, frankly, somebody that he believes can help him in the campaign,” Thrasher said. “So I think it will be benefit to him, frankly, down the road.”
Like most lawmakers, though, Thrasher stressed the final decision was Scott’s to make.
Legislative leaders also shrugged off the thought that the open position could give Scott more sway over representatives or senators who might want to be considered.
“I don’t think it has any more leverage over lawmakers than him having the veto pen [over] every bill and every appropriation that goes in the budget,” said House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.
As for Scott, the governor promised to remain fixed on his long-running message of creating jobs.
“That’s what I want to focus on,” he said. “That’s what I’m going to go back to focusing on.”
By The News Service of Florida
Cantonment Man Arrested On Drug Charges
March 13, 2013
A Cantonment man is behind bars on multiple drug charges following a traffic stop on the George Stone Technical Center campus.
Corderius Devon Stanton was charged with felony cocaine possession, marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and two felony counts of destroying evidence. He was also cited for not wearing a seat belt.
An Escambia County deputy initiated a traffic stop on Stanton’s vehicle on Diamond Dairy Road, with Stanton continuing on to weave through the George Stone Campus before coming to a stop.
Escambia County Sheriff’s K-9 Rex alerted on the car, where deputies reporting finding marijuana. Deputies also found a knife that field tested positive for the presence of cocaine. As deputies placed Stanton under arrest, they found he was concealing a piece of crack cocaine in his mouth. He was ordered to spit out the crack, but swallowed it instead, according to an arrest report.
Stanton consented to a Q-tip swab of his mouth to test for cocaine residue. As the deputy conducted the test, Stanton bit down on the Q-tip. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital for medical treatment after the swab tested positive for cocaine.
At Sacred Heart, Stanton attempted a flying, head first leap out of the patrol vehicle while tossing a “large amount” of loose marijuana on the ground. He was secured on the sidewalk before being taken into the hospital.
Medical personnel reported finding a marijuana cigarette near Stanton’s privates.
Pensacola Man Sentenced For Atmore Manslaughter
March 13, 2013
A Pensacola man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the death of an Atmore man in 2011.
Antonio Alberto Crenshaw, age 31 of Pensacola, was originally charged with capital murder for the shooting death of Christopher Payne Andrews. He was given a 20-year split sentence. Under the terms of a plea agreement and with time served, he will serve approximately 42 months in state prison.
Atmore Police responded to 195 Maxwell Street just before 1 a.m. August 25, 2011, where they found the 23-year old Andrews near his vehicle, dead from multiple gunshot woods.
Crenshaw was developed as a suspect, and Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force received word in late August 2011 that he might be in the Pensacola area. That Gulf Coast task force, along with the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Pensacola, were able to confirm that Crenshaw was in fact staying at Red Roof Inn in the 7300 Block of Plantation Road near what was then University Mall. Crenshaw, aka “Ton-Ton” was arrested without incident.
Northview, West Florida, Ernest Ward FFA Members Attend Ag On The Hill
March 13, 2013
Students from the FFA chapters at Northview High, West Florida High and Ernest Ward Middle schools attended the annual “Ag On the Hill” event Tuesday in Tallahassee. The local FFA members were able to visit with state leaders, including Sen. Greg Evers (pictured above), Rep. Clay Ingram and Commission of Agriculture Adam Putnam. Ag on the Hill is presented annually by the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators, The University of Florida and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Cheerleading Parent Meeting
March 13, 2013
Parents of students interested in trying out for cheerleading at Northview High School need to attend the parent meeting on March 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Contact Megan Carroll or Tammy Calloway at (850) 327-6681 for more information.
Century Correctional Receives ‘Community Pride’ Award
March 13, 2013
The Century Chamber of Commerce’s Community Pride Award for March has been presented to the Century Correctional Institution.
CCI, the largest employer in Century, recently installed new “Welcome to Century” alongside Highway 29 at the northern and southern boundaries of the town. The “Welcome to Century” signs were designed by Lt. Tony Nolen of CCI and built with inmate labor. The signs celebrate the town’s sawmill heritage.
Pictured: New “Welcome to Century” signs constructed with inmate labor from Century Correctional Institution were dedicated in late January. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Agricultural, Forestry Leader Jamie Hall Passes Away
March 13, 2013
Local communities are mourning the loss of agricultural and forestry leader Jamie Hall of Oak Grove. Hall passed away Sunday night at the age of 43.
Hall, a 1987 graduate of Ernest Ward High School and a 1993 graduate of Auburn University, previously worked for Larson-McGowan Forest Managers and Consultants and was currently employed by Resource Management Services, LLC. He was also a registered Black Angus cattle farmer.
He served on the Escambia County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, Young Farmer & Rancher Leadership Training program, Florida Farm Bureau Forestry Advisory Committee, Chairman of Escambia County Extension Office, FSA Advisory Council, Wedgeworth Leadership Institute – Class V, Florida and Alabama Cattlemens Association, Government Affairs Committee and member of Florida Forestry Association and was honored in 40 under 40 Florida Forestry Association leadership group.
Hall was actively involved in the Escambia County 4-H program. He was an honorary member of the Northview High School FFA where he served as advisor for the cattle program and the interview committee for chapter officers.
He is survived by his wife, Blaire Hall and children, Tucker Graham Hall and Colbie Capri “Jamie” Hall, all of Oak Grove; parents, Jan Hall of Atmore and James Earl “Bud” (Anita) Hall of Oak Grove; mother-in-law, Carol Hopkins; brother, Rusty (Traci) Hall of Augusta, GA and his nieces and nephews, Maddox, Noah, Brody, Hudson and Lillyanne.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 15, 2013, at 10 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gene King and Rev. Charles Melvin officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 14, 2013, from 6 p.m .until 8 p.m from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northview FFA Alumni & Friends, 4100 West Highway 4, Century, FL 32535. Donations will be used to establish a scholarship in Jamie Hall’s honor.
For the complete obituary, click here.
Senate Committee Passes School Safety Bills
March 13, 2013
Senate committee approved three school-safety bills Tuesday, one of the first legislative efforts to handle the emotional issue in the wake of the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn.
Two of the bills drew concerns, and one of the measures in particular appears to face an uphill climb. But both of those passed the Senate Education Committee on 7-1 votes, and there were no real qualms raised about a third measure.
The most contentious of the proposals was a bill (SB 514) by Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, that would allow local voters to create special districts that could raise money to fund school safety initiatives. The districts and the taxes they could impose would have to be approved through referendums.
“This bill lets the voters decide,” Sobel said. “We don’t decide.”
But some Republicans are hesitant about the bill, saying that it would create a new and unnecessary entity taking care of issues that could be handled by local school districts or cities.
“Obviously, school safety is the highest priority that we have,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg. “I want to make sure, though, that we do it in a prudent and judicial way to make sure that we’re not expanding the role and scope of government.”
Supporters said the bill recognizes the wide-ranging implications of protecting schools.
“Student safety is not just the interest of the school board or the school district,” said Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, a former Leon County superintendent. “It’s the whole community’s interest.”
Sen. Bill Galvano, the Bradenton Republican who chairs the Senate’s education funding panel, said his committee would look to better fund school safety in the budget plan it assembles. But Galvano, who reluctantly voted for the measure, said he believes local officials need to make sure money spent on school safety is spent wisely by looking at schools on a case-by-case basis.
“I think if you’re going to do that properly, you need to start with an assessment,” he said.
The Education Committee also approved a measure (HB 626) that would specifically ban “cyberbullying” and require school districts to address the technological harassment in their policies. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, drew bipartisan support despite some First Amendment concerns.
“It looks like our laws have not caught up with our times. … And until they do, we have kids that are suffering,” said Committee Chairman John Legg, R-Lutz.
But Brandes worried that the law could create legal problems for districts if they try to punish students for actions outside of school. And he suggested the law was unnecessary.
“We have laws on the books that allow for the school districts to deal with harassment, and we have civil actions that deal with defamation,” he said.
The panel passed a third bill (SB 284) by Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, that would allow private school districts to join warning systems used by law enforcement to alert schools to potential emergencies.
By The News Service of Florida
Ticket Selling Bill Runs Into Questions
March 13, 2013
Legislation to make it easier to resell tickets, either by an individual or an online distributor such as StubHub, squeaked through its first House committee Tuesday, but lawmakers said changes are needed for the proposal to advance.
Over the objections of performing arts and sports venues, the House Business and Professional Regulation Subcommittee gave a 7-6 backing to the “Ticketholders’ Rights” bill (HB 163).
However, Subcommittee Chairwoman Debbie Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, advised the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, that the support is wavering and will be withdrawn if concerns from venue operators are not addressed before the legislation appears before the House Regulatory Affairs Committee.
“Even though when we say you buy the ticket it’s your right, it’s your property, but you really are renting space in an area that is being put on by a group of people,” Mayfield said. “This (bill) is so broad and I struggle with that.”
Proponents say the bill is needed because venues offering “paperless” tickets require the ticket holder to show proof of identification to match the name when picking up tickets at “will call.”
Venue operators, such as the Tampa Bay Times Forum, contend the bill will make it easier for third-party vendors to purchase large numbers of tickets, both driving up sales prices and making it more difficult for the casual fan to attend.
They also expressed concern that the bulk purchases at college events could result in students being unable to get seats in student sections.
Ron Pierce, lobbying for the Tampa Bay Lightning, said if a person called the box office and directed that tickets be left in another’s name, the request would be allowed.
“We’re trying to address an issue that doesn’t exist,” Pierce said. “If it existed we’d be hearing about it from our fans.”
Smith said he has been trying to work on the bill with proponents and opponents, but so far the backers of the legislation have been more willing to discuss the proposal.
“My concern is that when you buy that ticket, and you own it, and if you don’t want to own it and you want someone else to own it, you can transfer it,” Smith said. “If you want to give it away at a charity you can. This is the intent of the bill.”
By The News Service of Florida
NHS Varsity Softball Now 8-0; Jay JV Goes 10-0; Other Area Scores
March 13, 2013
Seasons remained perfect Tuesday in Bratt as the Northview Lady Chiefs hosted the Royals of Jay.
SOFTBALL
–Northview 3, Jay 2
In varsity softball, the Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Jay Lady Royals 3-2 in a hard-fought district battle Tuesday evening in Bratt. With the win, the Lady Chief’s improved to 8-0 on the season.
–Jay 7, Northview 6 (JV)
In junior varsity softball action, the Jay Lady Royals beat the JV Lady Chiefs 7-6 Tuesday afternoon in Bratt. The JV Lady Royals improved to 10-0 on the season.
For a photo gallery of Jay at Northview varsity and junior varsity action, click here.
– Tate 5, Navarre 4
Amy Waters went 3-3 for the Tate Lady Aggies as they beat Navarre 5-4 Tuesday. Bailey Burk and Kaylan Rowell were 1-3 for tATE.
BASEBALL
–Pace 7-6 Tate
David Moorhead hit a three-run homer in the third for the Tate Aggies for a 4-3 lead. But the Pace Patriots came out on top against the Tate Aggies Tuesday, 7-6. JT Grenat was 2-2 with a homer and two RBIs.
–Jay 5, Flomaton 3
The Jay Royals beat the Flomaton Hurricanes in Flomaton Tuesday, 5-3. Tate Upton had two hits for the Royals at Hurricane Park. Dalton Edwards pitched the win for the Royals, giving up six hits and striking out eight. The Royals are now 6-2.
–West Florida 15, Escambia 7 (JV)
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
