Florida House Passes Bill That Could Breathe Life Into Area’s Old Oil Wells
February 16, 2012
The Florida House passed legislation Wednesday that could breathe life into old oil wells in the North Escambia area.
Sponsor Matt Hudson, R-Naples, said his seeks to “rejuvenate” oil fields that were discovered decades ago but have been abandoned. At least in some cases, he said active wells are operating near the abandoned sites.
“If producers decide to tap into those abandoned wells, without question it will create jobs,” Hudson said recently.
The bill puts as low as a 1 percent severance tax on oil from the abandoned wells, instead of the current 8 percent severance tax rate. It applies to old oil fields in the western Panhandle and in the Big Cypress Reserve in southwest Florida. The measure passed the House 80-36, with most Democrats opposing it.
One of the dissenters, Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, said he had questions about where the abandoned wells are located and the potential environmental effects of tapping them.
Though drawing relatively little attention, Florida has long had oil production in the northwest Panhandle, and in parts of Southwest Florida. Most of the oil wells are in the Jay area, but many are in extreme northeastern Escambia County east of Century and north of Highway 4.
A House staff analysis said the Panhandle fields produced about 1 million barrels of oil in 2010, while the Southwest Florida fields produced about 775,000 barrels. The Jay Field, including some Escambia County wells, produced 993,841 barrels in 2010.
The House bill targets fields that were discovered before 1981 and that would begin producing oil after July 1, 2012.
It would not lead to offshore oil drilling, a highly controversial issue in Florida. Earlier this year, Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann drew criticism when she raised the prospect of opening up the Everglades to oil drilling, though backers of the idea noted that it wasn’t that far from some of the drilling already going on in Southwest Florida.
The House analysis says 16 oil fields were discovered in Florida before 1981, with seven of them plugged and abandoned. Nine of those abandoned wells are in Northwest Florida, most in the North Escambia area.
Pictured top: This map shows the wells in the Jay Oil Field. Pictured inset: The oil and gas from the Jay Field is processed by Quantum Resources in Jay. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Corp Income Tax Break, Sales Tax Holiday Pass House
February 16, 2012
The Florida House on Wednesday approved a series of tax breaks, hoping to free thousands of businesses from corporate-income taxes and put extra money in the pockets of back-to-school shoppers.
The House voted unanimously to hold a “sales tax holiday” from Aug. 3 through Aug. 5 that would be geared to back-to-school shoppers.
The plan (HB 737) would allow shoppers to avoid paying sales taxes on items such as clothing, shoes and bags that cost $75 or less. Also, they would receive a sales-tax exemption for school supplies valued at $15 or less.
House members also went along with Gov. Rick Scott’s proposal to increase the corporate-income tax exemption from $25,000 to $50,000, passing it as part of a broader economic-development bill.
Scott, in a statement, said it was “a huge victory” for Floridians, and would help businesses create more jobs.
The issue sparked a partisan fight Tuesday, as Democrats tried to tack conditions onto the additional exemption — and Republicans fired back by limiting the tax break to businesses that do not employ union workers.
Some Democrats continued to criticize the income-tax proposal Wednesday, contending that it would primarily help large corporations and do little for small businesses.
“This bill does nothing to sweeten the pot for the middle class or the working families in this state,” said Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach.
But Finance and Tax Chairman Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, said lawmakers need to put aside procedural disputes and “partisan rhetoric.” He said the higher exemption would allow nearly 4,000 businesses to avoid paying corporate-income taxes altogether.
“This is not about the big guys, the big corporations, the fat cats,” said Majority Leader Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami. “This is about jobs.”
The House voted 92-22 to approve the economic-development package, which also includes new or expanded tax breaks related to agricultural packing houses, aircraft repairs and industrial machinery and equipment.
A House analysis said the package eventually would eliminate about $121 million a year in tax revenues for state and local governments.
“By allowing more than 3,500 businesses to stop paying income taxes and instead put that money into jobs, and maximizing incentives to make Florida more attractive to quality manufacturing jobs, the Florida House has demonstrated it knows what it takes to help grow private-sector jobs,” Scott said in a statemet after the vote.
By The News Service Florida
EREC Washington Youth Tour Winners Named
February 16, 2012
Two Central High School students have won the Escambia River Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington contest.
Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell will represent EREC on the Washington Youth Tour in June. While in Washington, Griswold and Rowell will see the sights, learn about the nation’s capital and rural electrification while making new friends from across the country.
Students from across the EREC service area interviewed with an independent panel of judges. Contestants were judged on their knowledge of EREC and the history of rural electrification. Personal attributes of each candidate such as character, academic ability, personality and leadership abilities were also considered.
Pictured: Central High students Lauren Griswold and Logan Rowell, winners of the EREC Youth Tour to Washington contest. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Drug Bills Face Different Fates
February 16, 2012
Fresh off a successful but contested effort last year to require welfare applicants to pass drug tests to collect benefits, Rep. Jimmie Smith brought a pair of related bills to the House Appropriations Committee Wednesday and came away 1 for 2.
Following concerns from members including fellow Republicans, the committee rejected a measure (SB 1205) that would have allowed state agencies to randomly drug test employees. On a close vote, the panel rejected the proposal that critics from both parties say was facially unconstitutional.
Smith, R-Inverness, had better luck with another measure (HB 813) that would require felony drug offenders to show proof that they have undergone substance abuse treatment before collecting temporary federal aid. On a party-line vote, the panel approved the measure over the concerns of critics who say it also is unconstitutional.
Smith, who last year sponsored a measure requiring applications for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to pay for and pass a drug screen that was thrown out by the courts, dismissed concerns, and said the new bill sends a strong message that taxpayer funds won’t be used for drug use.
“This is the perfect way for the state of Florida to show that we help those people who help themselves,” Smith said.
The bill would prohibit the receipt of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program money to convicted felons unless they provide proof that they have completed or are undergoing drug or alcohol treatment. Details on how felons would prove their participation are still being worked out, Smith told members of the budget committee.
Democrats argued that there was no evidence to show that felony drug offenders have higher rates of drug abuse and the courts can already require such treatment programs as a condition of release. They also said the bill singles out low-income residents while ignoring possible drug use among others who receive state and federal assistance.
“If we’re going to check people, let’s take away some pensions if we think it’s going to be used for drugs,” said Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg.
Smith’s bill from last year requiring TANF applicants to undergo drug tests to obtain benefits is now tied up in federal court following a lawsuit arguing it is unconstitutional.
While the measure seeking to require former felons to go to rehab to get benefits squeaked through the committee, the bill allowing state agencies to randomly drug test employees did not.
After the panel voted to reject that measure, it was brought up again on a motion for reconsideration, but immediately tabled, and paced in legislative limbo. Committee chairwoman Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, said the issue is dead for the session.
By The News Service of Florida
Funeral Services Set For Joe Huff, Beulah VFD Assistant Chief
February 16, 2012
Joe Huff, the assistant chief of the Beulah Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, passed away Wednesday.
During his long tenure at the Beulah VFD, Huff also served as the department’s chief and spent countless hours working on the department’s Beulah Sausage Festival, later renamed Beulahfest. He was a retired security officer with International Paper and worked the pit entrance gate for many years at Five Flags Speedway.
Huff is survived by his wife, Charlotte, and four daughters.
He was diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks ago, according to close family friends.
Visitation for Joe Huff will be held from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Marcus Point Baptist Church. Graveside service to follow at Eastern Gate Cemetery on Nine Mile Road.
Century Care Center Names Valentine’s King, Queen
February 16, 2012
Century Care Center celebrated Valentine’s Day in grand style with sparkling juice, good food, good music and lots of great fellowship. During the event, Louise Jackson and Paul Louviere were named Century Care Center’s Valentine’s king and queen. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Details Released On Century Drug Search Arrests
February 15, 2012
More details have been released about what the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit found inside a Century mobile home last week as they executed a search warrant.
The search warrant was executed about 7:30 p.m. last Thursday at a mobile home in the 100 block of West Highway 4 near the Century Care Center nursing home.
Karen Louise Quinley, 43, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and destruction of evidence. She was released from Escambia County Jail on a $26,000 bond. Cortez Rasheen Davison, 18, was charged with cocaine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, while Nakeetric Devonte Davison, 19, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both men were released from jail on $10,500 bond each.
After gaining entry to the mobile home, deputies reported finding Quinley in her bedroom. Quinley told deputies that she had tried to throw crack cocaine out of her bedroom window when she heard them at the door, but she was unable to get a window to open.
Nakeetric Davison told deputies that everything in his bedroom belonged to him, including the marijuana located by deputies. When asked by deputies if he sells marijuana, Nakeetric Davison reportedly replied “Yeah, I don’t have a job”.
Cortez Davison, according to his arrest report, identified his bedroom but refused to answer further questions, instead asking for an attorney.
During a search of Karen Quinley’s room, deputies reported finding:
- two small bags of cocaine in Quinley’s pocket
- one small bag with cocaine residue in Quinley’s pocket
- crack cocaine on the floor and dresser
- small digital scales
- about $265 in currency
- pill bottle with unknown pills and pre-packaged cocaine
In Cortez Davison’s bedroom, deputies reported finding:
- powder cocaine in box on floor
- digital scales that field tested positive for cocaine residue
- about $130 in cash on his person
During a search of Nakeetric Davison’s bedroom, deputies reported finding:
- plastic baggie with marijuana on table top
- box of sandwich bags on table top
- plastic baggie with marijuana on bed headboard
- plastic container with pre-packaged marijuana under bed
- Pringles can with pre-packaged marijuana under bed
- cookie container with pre-packaged marijuana under bed
- “Owe Sheets” on floor
- about $165 in cash on his person.
- The total weight of marijuana reported to be found in Nakeetric Davison’s bedroom was 417.6 grams.
During a search of the kitchen and living room areas of the mobile home, deputies reported finding:
- straw and baggie field tested positive for cocaine in kitchen sink
- metal measuring cup field tested positive for cocaine in kitchen cabinet
- crack cocaine on kitchen table
- plastic baggie with cocaine residue and straw field test positive for cocaine on kitchen table
- about $7 in currency
Portion Of Highway 29 To Close Nightly In Cantonment
February 15, 2012
A portion of Highway 29 near International Paper will be closed nightly for the next several weeks.
Southbound Highway in Cantonment from Muscogee Road to the Alabama Gulf Coast rail line will be reduced to one lane from Wednesday, February 15 to Friday, March 9 for road construction activities. The nightly lane closure will remain in effect from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.
Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling through the construction area, and to use caution, especially at night when driving in work zones, according to Tanya Branton, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation.
Century Mayor, Pensacola Councilman Attend Regional Cities Meeting
February 15, 2012
Century’s mayor and a Pensacola city councilman attended the recent Northwest Florida League of Cities and Suwannee River League of Cities first annual Joint Board of Directors Meeting and Fellowship Dinner.
Mayor Freddie McCall of Century and Councilman P.C. Wu of Pensacola were among representatives in attendance from 70 member towns and cities from a 27 county area in the Northwest Florida and Suwannee River region. McCall and Wu serve on the board of directors from the Northwest Florida League of Cities.
Elected officials and municipal staff members were urged to strive for excellence through education.
Pictured: Pensacola Councilman P.C. Wu (near center holding white folder) and Century Mayor Freddie McCall (just to the left behind Wu) attended a joint board of directors meeting for the Northwest Florida League of Cities and Suwannee River League of Cities. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dogs Seized After Authorities Find 90 Animals In Poor Conditions
February 15, 2012
Escambia County Animal Control officers seized about 20 dogs from a North Escambia property Tuesday after finding about 90 animals living in poor conditions.
Animal control responded to the property in the 2800 block of Lawson Lane off Jacks Branch Road in response to a dog bite complaint. When they arrived, they discovered 50 or more dogs, 20 hogs and about 17 goats, according to Kelly Cooke, spokesperson for Escambia County.
Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies stood by as county animal control officers seized about 20 of the dogs. “They were the ones that were in really, really bad health or bad shape,” Cooke said.
About a half dozen of the dogs were improperly tethered, while most of the 50 dogs had improper shelter or pens, according to Escambia County Animal Control.
Cooke said that the Escambia County Animal Shelter would head to court seeking custody of the animals, and criminal charges may be filed against the property owner.
Escambia County Animal Control officials believe the animals may have been involved in some type of hunting activity where the dogs were released to hunt the hogs. Cooke said most of the dogs were some sort of hound breed, while about 10 were possibly a bulldog breed. She said that animals did not appear to have been involved in any dog fighting activities.
The incident remains under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.