Library War Continues Between ‘Dysfunctional’ City And ‘Extortionist’ County
October 12, 2012
“Dysfunctional”, “horse crap” and “extortionist” — the war of words between Escambia County and the City of Pensacola over library funding escalated Thursday, with members of the Escambia County Commission firing the latest verbal salvos over not just the library but also public transit.
The county commission cut their contribution to the library by 5-percent with the new budget year that began October 1, and the West Florida Library System responded by cutting hours at at all branches but most drastically at the Century and soon to be open Molino Branch. Just over two-thirds of the library system’s budget is from the county, while the city funds less than a third under an interlocal agreement.
In a letter last week to the city, County Administrator Randy Oliver said the county will withhold a portion of their funding for the library system in order to hire the city’s library employees to fully staff libraries in the county, reducing the appropriation by the amount necessary to provided staffing to all library branches in the unincorporated areas at the same level as the branch in the city with the greatest operating hours.
After NorthEscambia.com published Oliver’s plan on Monday, City Administrator Bill Reynolds responded to Oliver Tuesday with a letter defending the reduced hours and claiming the county has actually failed to pay $1,229,663 for library services since 2008.
Reynolds said that Oliver’s plan to adjust library funding to maintain service hours at the rural branches “can only be taken as contemplation by the County to somehow further disrupt the system”. And he called the county’s threatened cutbacks “extortion”.
Thursday morning, commissioner fired back during a Committee of the Whole meeting.
“I call horse crap on that,” Escambia County Commissioner White said Thursday morning. White represents District 5, home of the Century and Molino Branch libraries. “They are the extortionists.”
Commissioner Grover Robinson suggested that the city and county sit down to discuss the library and funding. But White said that would be a “waste of time” because “they’re so dysfunctional”.
The county has been “villainized” by the city, Commissioner Wilson Robertson said, mentioning how the city quit funding mass transit and leaving the county to foot the entire bill for ECAT, including routes in the city. He suggested that county add up the mass transit money not paid by the city, about $6.5 million, subtract $1.2 million for library funding and bill the city for the difference. If not, he suggested that the county limit mass transit service inside the city.
“It we are going to be accused of extortion, let’s get this right,” Robertson said.
Commissioner Gene Valentino suggested that the county could “seize control” of the library system since the commission represents the entire county, including Pensacola residents.
Robinson asked County Attorney Alison Rogers to draft a motion to be considered by the commission on October 18 that would get the county out of their interlocal library agreement with the city.
Prep Football Finals
October 12, 2012
Here are final football scores from around the area Friday night
Florida
Pensacola 32, Tate 14
Jay 36, Cottondale 20
Pine Forest 63, Washington 0
Escambia 29, Pace 28
Gulf Breeze 23, Milton 20
Catholic 26, Walton 0
Open: West Florida, Northview
Alabama
Southern Choctaw 26, Flomaton 21
Escambia County 36, Monroe County 18
Clarke Prep, 27, Escambia Academy 26
T.R. Miller 48, Southside 18
W.S. Neal 44, Bayside 42
Pictured above and below: The Jay Royals picked up a homecoming win against Cottondale Friday night. Photos by Michelle Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JV Football: West Florida Over Northview (With Gallery)
October 12, 2012
The JV West Florida Jaguars got past Northview 22-20 Thursday evening in Bratt.
The JV Chiefs will end their season next Monday evening at 6:30 against Escambia County High School of Atmore.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Commission To Review, Possibly Terminate Administrator Next Week
October 12, 2012
The Escambia County Commission could vote to terminate the contract of of County Administrator at their next meeting on October 18.
Calling it a “housekeeping” measure, District 5 Commissioner Kevin White introduced a motion during a Thursday morning meeting to reserve the right to take a termination vote October 18 after a public evaluation of Oliver’s performance. The motion passed 3-2, with commissioners Grover Robinson and Marie Young against.
Each commissioner has already submitted their own personal written evaluation of Oliver’s job performance. He was given a generally good reviews by Young and Robinson, but numerous issues and shortcomings were raised by commissioners White, Wilson Robertson and Gene Valentino.
“The policies he promotes are his, not the commissioners,” Valentino wrote in his review of Oliver. “Initiatives of commissioners were killed through his approach. He would not champion a commissioner cause unless he agreed.”
Valentino also scored Oliver poorly in his leadership abilities, community relations, administrative duties and economic development. “Feedback from the public and other county agencies found him to be arrogant and rude,” Valentino wrote. He also said Oliver had a “I know better than the commissioner” attitude.
“This is a tough job. Randy is not perfect but who can be with five bosses,” Robinson wrote in his evaluation, generally rating Oliver at or above satisfactory in all aspects.
“He does not seem to be open minded to other ideas,” White wrote, giving Oliver less than satisfactory ratings in supervision, community relations, administrative duties, economic development and intergovernmental relations.
White said that over time he has “developed less faith” in Oliver’s supervision as county administrator.
“You’ve shown great leadership and has helped the county in many ways,” Young wrote on her evaluation form. “It is my desire that your tenure will for many opportunities to help grow Escambia County and improve the quality of life for our citizens.” Young gave Oliver straight “outstanding” marks in all evaluation categories.
Robertson expressed concerns with Oliver’s performance in the areas economic development, county council relations, planning and administrative duties.
Oliver was hired as county administrator in September 2010.
Pictured top: (L-R) Pensacola Chamber President Jim Hizer, Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver, Century Mayor Freddie McCall and Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Kevin White discuss economic development during a tour of Century in 2011. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Undefeated: Ernest Ward Beats Summerdale (With Photo Gallery)
October 12, 2012
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles continued their perfect season with a 30-0 win over Summerdale (Ala.) Thursday night in Walnut Hill. The Eagles (6-0) will wrap up their season next Thursday night at 6:00 at Elberta, Ala.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles defeated Summerdale Thursday night at home. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Gators Defeat Chiefs (With Gallery)
October 12, 2012
Baker’s Lady Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs in varsity and junior varsity volleyball action Thursday in Bratt.
In junior varsity action, E’Layzha Bates had five aces and McKenzie Nasser had four aces and one kill for the JV Lady Chiefs as Baker downed Northview 25-11, 22-25, 15-17.
In varsity play, it was Baker over Northview in four, 8-25, 26-24, 20-25, 14-17. Lily Townson had one kill and 17 assists for the Lady Chiefs. Misty Doran had one ace, seven kills and four blocks, and Morgan Payne added 15 kills, one block an an assist for Northview.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Lady Chiefs will be at Tate next Tuesday with junior varsity playing their final game of the season at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity playing at 5:30 p.m. Northview’s varsity will wrap up the regular season on Thursday, October 18 with Senior Night beginning at 5:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Poll: Florida Presidential Race Close; Nelson Way Ahead
October 12, 2012
The presidential race in Florida is too close to call, but Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson holds a commanding lead in his re-election race against Republican Connie Mack, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll.
Among likely voters, President Obama leads Republican Mitt Romney by a margin of 48 to 47 percent, which is within the margin of error.
The poll was conducted Sunday to Tuesday, after a nationally televised debate that Romney is widely believed to have won. A poll released before the debate showed Obama ahead 47 percent to 46 percent.
With the November 6 election less than four weeks away, the new poll shows a more clearly-defined Senate race in Florida. Nelson leads Mack, a southwest Florida congressman, by a margin of 52 percent to 39 percent, the poll said.
By The News Service of Florida
Driver Charged With DUI After Hitting Deputy’s Patrol Car
October 11, 2012
An alleged drunk driver ran into an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy overnight.
The Florida Highway Patrol said deputy Jack Holland was in an unmarked patrol car with his emergency lights flashing as he assisted another deputy with a traffic stop on Highway 29 near Hanna Street about 2:54 a.m.
Tanya Mcateer, age 39 of Pensacola, failed to stop or move over for the deputies. Holland attempted unsuccessfully to move his patrol car out of the roadway, but Mcateer’s 2006 Infinity hit the deputy’s car, troopers said.
Mcateer was charged with DUI with property damage and careless driving.
Neither driver was injured.
Gilmores Named Escambia County Farm Family Of The Year
October 11, 2012
Jacob and Carla Gilmore of Molino, along with their twin daughters, have been named as the Escambia County Farm Family of the Year.
They are part owners of Gizmo Angus Farm, a purebred Angus cattle operation in Molino. The farms takes pride in using the latest technologies in the industry to raise the highest quality beef.
Jacob grew up in agriculture participating in 4-H and FFA while attending Tate High School. He was honored by receiving the Star Green Hand, Star Farmer, Outstanding Agriculture Technology student, Who’s Who Among American High School Students and was a state finalist in beef production entrepreneurship.
Jacob participated in the Escambia County Interstate Fair Livestock Show andSale from the age of 8 until he was 19. In two different years, he had the Grand Champion Steer. He also won awards for showmanship. Additionally he had the Grand Champion laying hens when he showed in the poultry division.
Carla married into the farming life seven years ago, and has become a strong advocate of agriculture. She supports Jacob’s work and is already planning for their daughters to be involved in the farm.
Jacob and Carla have become very active in the Young Farmers and Ranchers program, helping promote agriculture in Escambia County and across the state.
Gilmore twins Syndey and Ella and already curious about the Angus cattle, own their own cowboy boots and love joining their dad on the farm.
Pictured top: The Escambia County Farm Family of the Year: Jacob and Carla Gilmore along with twin daughters Syndey and Ella. Pictured and below: Syndey and Ella at the Gizmo Angus Farm. Photos courtesy Abbie Seales Rolph for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Injured In Single Vehicle Crash Near Bratt
October 11, 2012
One person was injured in a single vehicle crash near Bratt Wednesday night.
The 23-year old female driver of a Lincoln Navigator lost control on Breastworks Road at intersection of Pine Barren Road about 10:15 p.m. The vehicle left the roadway, ran into a brushy area and hit a tree.
The driver was transported by Escambia County EMS to Jay Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
Pictured: One person was injured in this single vehicle accident on Breastworks Road at Pine Barren Road Wednesday night.