Our View: Problems With Library’s Reasons For Cutting Out North Escambia
September 27, 2012
The West Florida Library announced that hours are being cut at library branches across the county — most dramatically in North Escambia.
Part of the cuts will essentially reduce the Century Branch Library to a part-time library sharing employees and resources with the new Molino Library. The Molino Library will open next month, robbing Peter to pay Paul with staff from Century. The Molino Library will be full of used furniture, taken from the Main Branch which is being replaced with a new building and new furniture, perhaps a wise reuse of taxpayer property. Most of the books on the Molino Library shelves will be duplicates from other branches, donations from citizens and books culled away from an upcoming Friends of the Library book sale. The phrase about a red headed stepchild comes to mind.
In tough budget times, sacrifices are necessary. But wait…the library has increased expenses almost 12 percent in a year. According to Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver, the county has eliminated about 150 positions and cut expenses by 8.6 percent from 2012 and almost 16 percent since 2009. But not the library.
Escambia County contributes about 70 percent of the library’s funding, while the City of Pensacola kicks in the rest. The county, however, has no say in how their millions are spent by the library. So who gets the shaft from the library? The unincorporated areas of North Escambia.
But the library’s management had reasoning why Molino and Century were cut. But fact checking the reason given to the Escambia County Commission Tuesday night finds the reasoning has more holes than a good Swiss cheese.
“But since Century and Molino are not so far apart from each other, we had to reduce Century’s hours in order to open Molino’s hours. So that the staff that works at Century would pick up their hours at the Molino Library when that opened,” Darlene Howell, acting library administrator told the commission.
Libraries are a great place to do a little research before making such a statement before the board that provides 70 percent of your funding.
The library locations in Century and Molino are not “not so far apart from each other”. From Google maps, we found these distances between library branches. For the Century to Molino distance, we double checked that we had the most direct route, and did not even include any dirt roads.
- Century Branch to Molino Branch — 19.7 miles
- Main Library to Tyron Branch — 6.2 miles
- Main Library to Southwest Branch — 14.5 miles
- Main Library to Westside Branch — 1.3 miles
- Tryon Branch to Westside Branch — 7.1 miles
- Tryon Branch to Southwest — 21.2 miles
Looks like several of the libraries are even more “not so far apart from each other”. Don’t take us wrong…this is not a call to shutdown the very valuable Southwest and Tryon branches. They are a reasonable distance from the main library and serve very important roles in their communities. And, from our experiences, the Tryon Branch is a library and employees in which to take pride.
But while we are talking “not so far apart from each other” — what’s the deal with the Westside Library? Which politician’s pet project what this? If it is as necessary as library management says to cut hours and “share resources”, why is there a branch that is currently operating 60 hours per week (compared to a current 40 hours in Century) just 1.3 miles from the full-featured Main Library? Why are we not sharing resources or closing the Westside Branch just 1.3 miles away rather than Century and Molino at 19.7 miles away?
The Westside Library, if something must be cut, is just a short ECAT bus ride away from the Main Library, or a quick 2-3 minute trip by car. We fail to see how that would be as inconvenient as 19.7 miles — about 40-45 minutes and a couple of expensive gallons of gas round trip.
Westside will see hours of operation cut to 44, while Century will be cut to 24 hours per week. Still not seeing the fairness factor.
Oh wait…the Westside Branch is in the City of Pensacola. And Century…well, Century is just that place where the high school was closed, the middle and elementary schools were closed, the tax collector’s office was closed, the health department was closed….hmm, it’s just the Century Branch Library. And I bet those people in Molino won’t notice if we shaft them either…just a bunch of country folks that probably won’t use the library anyway.
The West Florida Library needs to take notice that North Escambia residents are taxpayers too. The West Florida Library need to take notice that 70 percent of their funding is from Escambia County, and note that the Century and Molino communities are part of Escambia County.
If Escambia County is going to fund 70 percent of the library system budget, Escambia County needs a 70 percent say in how the system is operated.
For an earlier story about the library cutbacks, click here.
Ernest Ward Middle Seeks School Advisory Council Members
September 27, 2012
Ernest Ward Middle School is actively soliciting parents and community members who wish to become part of the School Advisory Council for the 2012-2013 school year.
The SAC is an avenue through which parents can meet with representatives from school administration, teachers, educational support staff, and students to discuss all aspects of student life at Ernest Ward, from academics to extracurricular activities.
The SAC meets at least four times per year. The first meeting will be at noon Friday, September 28 in the school media center.
Friday Is Last Chance To Save On Registration For Chief Challenge 5K
September 27, 2012
Friday is the last day to save on registration for the Third Annual Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk at Northview High School.
The event will be held Saturday, October 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the school campus in Bratt. “The course is not your typical 5K race. It includes a variety of terrains and challenging hills around the campus,” according to event organizers.
For a registration form and more details, click here. The registration fee and a t-shirt are discounted to only $15 though September 28.
Awards will be presented to the top six male and female runners in the elementary, middle and high school categories, and to the top three male and female runners in two adult categories plus master and grand master.
About 120 runners and walkers took part in last year’s Chief Challenge. The Chief Challenge 5K Run/Walk is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured: The 2011 Chief Challenge. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Have Unwanted Medications? Prescription Drug Round-Up Is Saturday
September 27, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and CVS Pharmacies will partner Saturday for a “Prescription Drug Round-Up”.
The event is a one-day effort between local and federal law enforcement to provide the pubic a site to voluntarily surrender expired, unwanted, unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction.
“This is an excellent opportunity for citizens of Escambia County to dispose of their unwanted medications before they fall into the hands of someone who may abuse or misuse them,” Sheriff David Morgan said, “We appreciate the assistance of a community-minded business CVS in this endeavor, so much can be accomplished when law enforcement, businesses and citizens partner together.”
Medications can be dropped off from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday at the Pensacola Police Department or the following CVS locations:
- 2090 South Hwy 29 ( Hwy 29 & Kingsfield Rd.)
- 5301 North Palafox ( Pensacola Blvd & Brent Lane)
- 8150 North Davis Hwy ( Olive Rd & Davis Hwy)
- Mobile Hwy and Saufley Field Road
- 444 Gulf Beach Hwy ( Gulf Beach and Navy)
This event is a part of a national take-back effort. For more information concerning the prescription drug round-up, contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Community Oriented Policing Unit at (850)-436-9496.
Prison Health Care Privatization Case Sent Back To Circuit Court
September 27, 2012
The latest challenge to Florida’s plan to privatize prison-health services has been sent back to circuit court by the 1st District Court of Appeal, online dockets show. State employee unions went to the appeals court September14 to try to block the Department of Corrections from contracting with two companies to provide inmate health care.
But last week, the case was transferred to Leon County circuit court, where an earlier challenge to the privatization plan died in July. In their filing with the appeals court, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Federation of Physicians and Dentists/Alliance of Healthcare and Professional Employees said privatization opponents had tried to block the contracting process in the circuit court but had been “unable to obtain a judgment on the merits.”
The long-running dispute stems from a decision by state lawmakers in 2011 to approve prison health privatization in budget fine print, known as “proviso” language.
AFSCME and the Florida Nurses Association early this year challenged the constitutionality of that move. Leon County Circuit Judge Kevin Carroll in July declined to rule on the constitutional question because the proviso language had expired with the June 30 end of the fiscal year. That led the Department of Corrections to move forward under other parts of state law to privatize the services.
Wexford Health Sources is expected to receive a contract for prisons in South Florida, and Corizon, Inc., would serve prisons in other regions.
By The News Service of Florida
Quarter Horse Show This Weekend
September 27, 2012
The Northwest Florida Quarter Horse Association is hosting a three day horse show this weekend at the Escambia County Equestrian Center. Starting Friday, September 28, through Sunday, September 30, this special show features futurity and palomino classes along with the regular show schedule.
The competition starts at 6 p.m. on Friday and at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Spectators are welcome with free admission. For a list of classes or for more information on the event, visit nwfqha.com.
Molino Park Students Learn Fire Safety (With Gallery)
September 27, 2012
Molino Park Elementary School students learned all about fire safety this week. The crew of Engine 1819 from the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was at the school as part of the Molino Park’s annual “Fire Safety Days”.
Pictured: First graders at Molino Park Elementary learn about fire safety Wednesday. Submitted photo by Sara Calhoun for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Perdido Man Dies In Flomaton Industrial Accident
September 26, 2012
A Perdido man was killed in an industrial accident this morning in Flomaton.
Authorities said 55-year old Joseph Wayne Odom was crushed by a piece of equipment while working at Advanced Recycling Center in the 27400 block of Highway 31 in Flomaton. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County (Fla.) EMS.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office said Odom was working on a skid steer loader when hydraulic lines lost pressure causing the bucket to fall, pinning him underneath.
Odom was reportedly a longtime employee of the company.
The accident remains under investigation by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Th Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, Flomaton Fire Department and the Flomaton Police Department also responded.
Hundreds Of Students Gather To Pray At The Pole (With Photo Gallery)
September 26, 2012
Hundreds of students gathered to pray at their schools in across the area Wednesday morning during the annual See You at the Pole event.
“The students at Northview come from every type of household, whether it’s high or low income, high or low morals, high or low beliefs in God,” said Northview student Ashton Gibbs. “Even if God used this day to save one person, it’s worth all the trouble and effort to put it together. If students were to just let go and let God on this day, we could see a change in the entire county.”
Students gathered as school began to pray in the non-denominational event. See You at the Pole is a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event. Students prayed for their school, friends, teachers, government and the nation.
“I think See You at the Pole is a very important and profound day of prayer nationwide. Students gather around their school’s flagpole, hand in hand, and simply worship, pray, and cry out to Jesus whether it be outwardly or inside their heart,” Northview student Alison Bardin said. “What Christians need to realize is that they do not need to just pray on that set day, they need to pray daily, for God is always listening and wanting to help those that cry out to Him.”
“Having that reputation and personal relationship with God is the only thing I feel good about myself at the end of the day, because God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. I’d love to see a change in this school, and it’s only a matter of giving up yourself before God and you’ll see a change. It’s that simple,” Gibbs said.
“Its important to pray for our leaders to allow God to lead them in the right direction,” said Taylor Brook, another Northview student. “Also, its an important time to pray for students who are uprising leaders in this community.”
Pictured: See You at the Pole gatherings this morning at Ernest Ward Middle School (top), Northview High School (inset), and West Florida High (below). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Students Won’t Make Up Missed Isaac Days
September 26, 2012
Escambia County students will not be required to make up three days missed in August due to Hurricane Isaac.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said Tuesday it would not be necessary to make up the days since the August 27-29 closure dates were so early in the school year. However, Thomas said any additional closure dates that might occur during the first semester would require make up days.