Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: You Gotta Know When To Fold ‘Em
February 5, 2012
When the 2012 legislative session underway, it would have been safe to predict that redistricting would be the most-difficult — and politically divisive — issue to resolve.
But with House votes Friday, the Republican-dominated Legislature is close to finalizing its redistricting plans. The maps likely will face court challenges from Democrats and other critics, but Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, praised what he described as a “careful, thoughtful and deliberative process.”
Supporters of resort casinos and prison privatization can only wish their proposals had moved so smoothly.
The controversial casino idea appears dead this session, after House sponsor Erik Fresen, R-Miami, decided Friday against taking his chances with a vote in the Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos, meanwhile, had to put off a vote this week on privatizing prisons across the southern half of the state after running into bipartisan opposition.
DISTRICTS COMING INTO FOCUS: House members voted along party lines Friday to pass legislative and congressional maps and send them back to the Senate for final approval next week.
Republican leaders said the maps follow constitutional requirements, including complying with a 2010 ballot initiative aimed at eliminating gerrymandering. They said, for example, the maps will lump some incumbent Republicans into the same districts and also split fewer cities and counties than in the past.
“At the end of the day, this decision is bigger than us, this map is bigger than us, the Constitution is bigger than any one of us,” said House Redistricting Chairman Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.
But Democrats blasted the maps, saying they were designed to help elect Republicans and violate the 2010 ballot initiative, which was known as the Fair Districts amendment. The Democratic arguments also set the stage for a legal fight in the coming months.
“This vote by the GOP is nothing less than a slap-in-the face to the 63 percent of Florida voters who approved Fair Districts — the maps passed today by the Florida House are unconstitutional, pure and simple,” state Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux said in a statement Friday. “They represent just the type of partisan gerrymandering and incumbent protection voters rejected in 2010.”
CASINOS BILL GOES OUT WITH A WHIMPER
For weeks, swarms of lobbyists and public-relations people waged a battle in Tallahassee about “destination” resort casinos. Meanwhile, folks at home turned on their TVs and saw ads touting – or criticizing — the proposed move into a new realm of gambling.
But after all of that, the issue appeared to die Friday without House members taking a vote.
House sponsor Fresen decided against having the Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee vote on the bill (HB 487), after it looked like the panel would reject it. Barring a miracle, that dooms the issue for the 2012 session.
The bill’s opponents, such as Florida Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wilson, praised the move.
“For all intents and purposes, today’s decision to postpone consideration of the gambling legislation is a decision to let what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas and frees up the Florida Legislature to address critical issues facing our state,” Wilson said in a prepared statement.
But supporters signaled they would keep working on the issue, which could come back next year.
“Private investment is critical to the health of our industry and our state’s economy, and we firmly believe that this great opportunity should not be put to the wayside,” said Carol Bowen, a vice president of Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter. “It’s important that the conversation continues on this issue and the job-creating efforts in Florida never rest.”
PRISON PRIVATIZATION SHACKLED
Haridopolos and Budget Chairman JD Alexander have pushed since last year’s session to privatize prisons across the southern part of the state, arguing it would save money that could be used for other needs such as education.
But when Haridopolos brought the issue to the Senate floor this week, he ran into opposition from a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. That forced Haridopolos to twice postpone moving forward with the privatization bill, as he tried to gather enough votes to pass it.
The standoff intensified Wednesday, when Haridopolos stripped Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, of his role as chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee. Fasano has been perhaps the most-outspoken critic of the privatization plan.
Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said he didn’t think Fasano was committed to making needed budget cuts, which includes the prison-privatization plan.
“I’m asking other budget chairmen to make difficult cuts,” Haridopolos said. “It became clear to me that Sen. Fasano was not willing to make those difficult cuts.”
But Fasano harshly criticized the decision and said he was standing up for the “little guy and gal.”
“No matter how big the bully in the schoolyard may be, if the loss of a chairmanship is the result of taking a stand for what is right, I wear that loss as a badge of honor,” Fasano said.
Haridopolos acknowledged this week what was obvious when the vote was postponed – the votes may not be there to pass it.
“It’s super-close,” he said. “There’s a good chance we could bring it up and not win.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: The proposal to allow up to three mega-resort casinos in Florida appeared to die, when the House sponsor pulled it from consideration in a House subcommittee. The subcommittee chairman and House Rules chairman both indicated the bill will not come up again this session in the House.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It’s also a comfort today as I hear testimony and debate that I’m not the only one moving. I hope it will help the housing market in Florida, what we’re doing here today.”–Rep. Dennis Baxley, an Ocala Republican whose home was drawn into a district with another incumbent.
By The News Service of Florida
Great For The Kids: Turtle Point Science Center Open House
February 5, 2012
There was an open house held Saturday at the Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton. If you missed it, there is another chance to see the facility next month.
The next open house at Turtle Point is scheduled for March 31 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Admission is free.
For more photos from Saturday’s open house, click here.
The 3,000 square foot facility offers a touch tank for children and other hands-on exhibits. It boasts an extensive collection of wildlife specimens including many Alabama birds, nests, and eggs; a butterfly and living bee exhibit; live alligators, turtles, snakes, amphibians, and fish of the East Gulf Coastal Plain geophysical region. Also, plant lovers will find six teaching gardens and a wetland nature trail.
Bird watchers are encouraged to hike the nature trail boardwalk and enjoy the red-tailed hawk, great blue heron, great egret, pileated woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker, yellow-shafted flicker, yellow bellied sap sucker, eastern bluebird, wren, killdeer, green heron, barred owl, screech owl, and many other native birds and wildlife.
Turtle Point’s goal is to provide hands-on environmental education to students and adults in the South Alabama and Northwest Florida. Turtle Point is located at 20959 Highway 31 in Flomaton, near Hurricane Park and Flomaton High School. For more information, call (251) 296-3401.
Pictured top: The Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton. Pictured inset: A golden eagle on display at Turtle Point. Pictured below: A view of the Big Escambia Creek as seen from the nature trail at Turtle Point. Photos by Marcella Wilson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Locals Run The Double Bridges (With Results)
February 5, 2012
The 15th annual Pensacola Double Bridge Run was held Saturday with a 15K run, a 5K run and a 5K walk.
Rusty Branch of Cantonment wast the top North Escambia finisher at number 16 overall in the 15K run with a time of 57:09. Jessica Nesmith of Atmore was top local finisher at number three overall in the 5K walk with a time of 33:36.
Numerous North Escambia area residents took part. They were as follows:
Pensacola Double Bridge 15K Run
16. Rusty Branch Cantonment, 57:09
77. James Dillard Cantonment, 1:05:24
114. Matt Dobson, Jay, 1:08:19
136. Hank Colburn Cantonment, 1:08:19
149. Cory Phelps Cantonment, 1:08:41
202. Steve Black Cantonment, 1:11:12
273. James Stinson Cantonment, 1:14:17
277. Ryan Conner Cantonment, 1:11:29
329. Thomas Pierce Cantonment, 1:14:35
361. Thomas Rollins Cantonment, 1:15:28
428. Gayla Rowland Cantonment, 1:17:08
515. Beth Hammond Cantonment, 1:19:33
528. Brad Collins Cantonment, 1:19:42
560. Andrew Kim Cantonment, 1:20:30
591. Stacey Lowe, Jay, 1:21:23
600. Amy Stachowicz Cantonment, 1:21:35
656. Amanda Jensen Cantonment, 1:22:49
661. Timothy Montgome Cantonment, 1:23:17
696. Jeb Hunt Cantonment, 1:23:25
745. Brooke Rowell Cantonment, 1:23:08
817. Terry Goen Cantonment, 1:26:09
819. Roger Dobson, Jay, 1:26:38
854. Jason Weber Atmore, 1:24:26
882. Chad Hetheringto Cantonment, 1:25:49
890. Geoff Cook Cantonment, 1:28:06
1013. Jason Beck Cantonment, 1:26:49
1014. Matt Powell Cantonment, 1:26:49
1016. Joshua Moralita Cantonment, 1:31:46
1045. Christopher Raws Cantonment, 1:28:41
1046. Bill Buck Cantonment, 1:26:07
1066. Beth Anne Whitfield, Jay, 1:30.08
1140. Joshua Tucker Cantonment, 1:33:14
1146. Ashley McCormick Cantonment, 1:31:05
1174. Mark Gibson Cantonment, 1:32:50
1185. Ashley Brewster Cantonment, 1:32:44
1192. Corrie Lenn Cantonment, 1:32:33
1226. Ruth Grissom Cantonment, 1:35:28
1241. Darcy Conner Cantonment, 1:33:38
1264. Lace Raney, Jay, 1:34.28
1273. Brian Moore Cantonment, 1:35:05
1325. Gary Summitt Cantonment, 1:32:26
1392. Shirley Raney, Jay, 1:37:41
1441. Donna Hassebrock Molino, 1:36:43
1493. Dana Stumfall Cantonment, 1:34:37
1521. Melanie Jacobi Molino, 1:38:21
1602. Dominick Mondell Cantonment, 1:39:50
1609. Johnny Mondello Cantonment, 1:40:05
1652. Jennifer Little Cantonment, 1:43:12
1880. Janie Cobb Cantonment, 1:54:39
1899. Lindsey Milam Cantonment, 2:00:18
1907. Michelle Chan Cantonment, 1:54:02
1908. Nicholas Chan Cantonment, 1:54:06
1928. Brittny Abrahams Cantonment, 1:55:38
1940. Julie Spurlock Cantonment, 1:56:59
1946. Cinda Skaggs Molino, 1:55:55
1947. Scotty Skaggs Molino, 1:55:56
1986. Jennifer Collins Cantonment, 1:59:56
2018. Rebecca Corneliu Cantonment, 2:05:20
2020. Kency Summitt Cantonment, 2:07:03
Pensacola Double Bridge 5K Run
42. Randall Kelley, Jay, 24:13:00
71. Teresa Hendricks, Jay, 25:25:00
121. Haley Malone, Cantonment, 26:55:00
148. Alex McCrory, Cantonment, 27:45:00
209. Todd Stachowicz, Cantonment, 28:52:00
233. Jeffrey Bretana, Cantonment, 29:23:00
242. Brad Faulk, Century, 29:31:00
244. Adrian King, Century, 29:32:00
261. Sherry Glover, Cantonment, 29:52:00
263. Michael Leblanc, Cantonment, 29:55:00
269. Kendall McCrory, Cantonment, 29:57:00
273. Courtney Clarke, Cantonment, 29:58:00
326. Gene King, Century, 30:52:00
335. Glen Weber, McDavid, 31:03:00
389. Allison McCrory, Cantonment, 32:17:00
391. Kim Brown, Cantonment, 32:18:00
392. Susan Stromberg, Cantonment, 32:18:00
404. Patrick Wilkcs, Cantonment, 32:27:00
405. Kathy Stinson, Cantonment, 32:27:00
427. Allison Miller, Cantonment, 32:49:00
432. Waleed Kader, Cantonment, 32:56:00
438. Chris Reiter, Cantonment, 33:02:00
454. Clif Strickland, Cantonment, 33:18:00
482. Kelly Gary, Molino, 33:57:00
485. Bridgette Clancy, Cantonment, 33:59:00
534. Stephanie Godfrey, Cantonment, 34:49:00
538. Madison Whitfield, Jay, 34:54:00
550. Bruce Pope, Cantonment, 35:15:00
572. Judy King, Century, 35:37:00
588. Franklin Alexander, Cantonment, 35:53:00
648. Louis Lanier, Cantonment, 37:06:00
660. Dawn Thomas, Cantonment, 37:30:00
679. Kim Golden, Cantonment, 38:09:00
686. Robyn Hoffman, Cantonment, 38:22:00
733. Debi Luke, Cantonment, 39:56:00
768. Whitney Bretana, Cantonment, 41:14:00
793. Jeremy Evans, Cantonment, 42:16:00
802. Amber Wise, Cantonment, 42:41:00
805. Sharon Colburn, Cantonment, 42:49:00
814. Sandra Long, Cantonment, 43:40:00
846. Debbie Stewart, Cantonment, 45:19:00
847. Anna Gilg, Cantonment, 45:20:00
881. Mrs. Wilkcs, Cantonment, 49:05:00
898. Kimberly Kelly, Atmore, 52:02:00
899. Lori Eddins, Cantonment, 52:32:00
Pensacola Double Bridge 5K Walk
3. Jessica Nesmith, Atmore, 33:36:00
7. Sonny Manning, Cantonment, 36:14:00
17. Kim McLean, Cantonment, 38:50:00
19. Candace Gibson, Cantonment, 39:24:00
22. Wiley Tramble, Cantonment, 39:42:00
45. Darline Jones, Cantonment, 43:11:00
47. Catherine Griffin, Cantonment, 43:14:00
53. Lisa Taylor, Cantonment, 43:39:00
54. Mike Taylor, Cantonment, 43:39:00
135. Michael Clouse, Cantonment, 49:32:00
151. Joan Martin, Jay, 50:58:00
160. Donna Lancaster, Cantonment, 51:20:00
168. Chrystal Pedicord, Cantonment, 51:53:00
169. Carly Haskins, Cantonment, 51:53:00
170. Cindy Walker, Cantonment, 52:00:00
190. Fielding Stephens, Cantonment, 52:50:00
213. Mary Virgini Mills, Cantonment, 54:58:00
229. Jodi Livingston, Cantonment, 57:18:00
140. Haley Murph, Century, 49:58:00
99. Taunia Williams, Molino, 47:31:00
100. Lynda Mabire, Molino, 47:32:00
186. Tracy Yuhasz, Molino, 52:31:00
188. Wesley Partrick, Molino, 52:49:00
226. Robynn Maloney, Molino, 57:16:00
227. Lakota Maloney, Molino, 57:16:00
Birth: Freddie W. McCall IV
February 5, 2012
Freddie W. McCall III and Ashley L. McCall are proud to announce the birth of Freddie W. McCall IV. Freddie was born January 27, 2012.
Freddie weighed 7-pounds, 12-ounces and was 18.5 inches long.
He was welcomed by grandparents Freddie McCall, Jr. of Brewton and Sheri McCall of McKenzie, and Katie and Donnie Gibson from Atmore. Great-grandparents are Bo and Dot Brantley of Flomaton; Freddie McCall, Sr. and Margie McCall of Century; and Linda Giles of Atmore and Boby Gibson of Atmore. His great-great grandmother is Lois Gibson of Walnut Hill.
Escambia Double Murder Under Investigation
February 4, 2012
A double murder early Saturday morning is under investigation.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies remained on the scene in the 2300 block of North Spring Street throughout the morning Saturday investigating the murders.
Investigators are saying two victims were found, but they are releasing few other details at this point. Identities and causes of death have not yet been released.
Saturday, the Sheriff’s Office said they were looking for two possible witnesses to the crime. By Sunday afternoon, investigators said the witnesses had been located and other leads in the case were being followed.
Anyone with information about the double murders is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at 850 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Convicted Molino Federal Drug Offender Sentenced On State Charges
February 4, 2012
A Molino man already sentenced to federal prison on drug charges has been sentenced to eight years prison time on state charges.
Matthew Micheal Ramsey, age 39 of Duxbury Avenue was sentenced last year to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring to obtain pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine, obtaining pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiring to manufacture the methamphetamine itself. He was among a dozen people indicted in a federal undercover operation dubbed “Operation Blister Pack”.
Ramsey was back in court this week on state drug charges where he received an eight year prison sentence from Judge Michael Allen. The sentence will run concurrent to Ramsey’s federal prison time, according to court records.
Ramsey was one of three people arrested on state charges after deputies discovered a meth lab at a home in Cantonment back in February 2011.
Deputies found Ramsey with an active methamphetamine lab inside a residence at 1115 Muscogee Road. He was charged with possession of methamphetamines with intent to sell, trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of listed chemicals with the intent to manufacture a control substance.
Ramsey is currently in the Escambia County Jail awaiting transfer to a federal facility.
Mobile Officer Fatally Stabbed; Suspect Killed, Second Officer Wounded
February 4, 2012
A Mobile police officer was fatally wounded and another officer was shot Friday afternoon in an incident that began at the Mobile Metro Jail. The suspect was later shot and killed by police after a standoff.
Officer Steven Green, 36, was stabbed by 24-year old robbery suspect Lawrence Wallace, Jr. in the sally port of the Mobile Metro Jail. Wallace then took Green’s patrol car and crashed through a sally port door before abandoning the car on Dauphin Island Parkway and hiding under a house.
Green, a husband and father of three small children, was transported to the USA Medical Center where he later died. He had been an officer with the Mobile Police Department since May 2010.
“It is a sad day for the Mobile Police Force and for law enforcement. Our sympathy certainly goes to Officer Green’s wife and family,” Mobile Police Chief Michael Williams said Friday night.
A second officer was wounded in the standoff with Wallace on Daytona Drive. He was treated and released from the hospital Friday.
Wallace was shot and killed Friday evening on Daytona Drive after refusing to surrender to police. He had been arrested earlier in the day after attempting to rob a Dollar General store. He approached the store’s checkout counter, demanded money and cigarettes, then lit the counter on fire after spraying it with lighter fluid. He was tackled by an off duty officer shopping in the store.
Enter Now: Northview DCT Sponsoring Coed Softball Tournament
February 4, 2012
The Northview High School DCT will sponsor a coed softball tournament in March.
The DCT Coed Softball Tournament will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on March 3 at Northwest Escambia’s Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill. Fee is $100 per 9-12 member team. Team members must be 14-years of age or older, and there must be three females on the field at all times.
For more information, call (850) 327-6681 or (251) 294-1947.
The concession stand will be open the day of the event.
Finalists Announced For Escambia County Teacher Of The Year
February 4, 2012
Escambia County Teacher of the Year finalists have been announced.
The finalists are:
- Fran Cook, Hellen Caro Elementary
- Terri Pernia, N.B. Cook Elementary
- Jeffrey Pribble, Escambia High School
- Catherine Rudd, Scenic Heights Elementary
- Marjie Stradley, West Florida High School
The Escambia County Teacher of the Year will be announced February 23 at the Golden Apple Awards in Pensacola.
Semifinalists for the award were:
- Jim Allen Elementary – Laura Jackson
- Alternative Education – Debra Haynes
- AMI Kids – Angelica Brooks
- Judy Andrews Center – Jesse Wolfe
- Bailey Middle – Ruth Lynn
- Bellview Elementary – Alicia Dougan
- Bellview Middle – Barbara Jacobs
- Beulah Academy of Science – Betty Flemate-Yanez
- Beulah Elementary – Kimberly Aiken
- Blue Angels Elementary – Jennifer Butts 1
- Bratt Elementary – Pamela Trice
- Brentwood Elementary – Angie Harris
- Brown Barge Middle – Leah Smith
- Byrneville Elementary – Stephanie Gilmore
- Hellen Caro Elementary – Fran Cook
- Cook Elem. School of the Arts – Terri Pernia
- Cordova Park Elementary – Mandy Stevens
- Ensley Elementary – Anne Getty
- Ernest Ward Middle – Chett Truett
- Escambia High – Jeff Pribble
- Escambia Westgate – Susann Fehl
- Ferry Pass Elementary – Mary Witty
- Ferry Pass Middle – Deborah Richmond
- Global Learning Academy – Eugenia Pope
- Holm Elementary – Mary Wright
- Lakeview School – Sherry King
- Lincoln Park Elementary – Debra Smart
- Lipscomb Elementary – Carolyn Kinne
- Longleaf Elementary – Qwaytisha Hendricks
- McArthur Elementary – Nelda Sanders
- McMillan Pre-K – Soi Tran (Ms.)
- Molino Park Elementary – Twinette McDonald
- Montclair Elementary – Kathryn Lovely
- Myrtle Grove Elementary – Laurie Myers
- Navy Point Elementary – Benita Gooden
- Northview High – Sammy Day
- Oakcrest Elementary – Peggie Bosso
- PATS Center – Barbara Martin
- Pensacola High – Michael Mincy
- Pine Forest High – Scott MacMurray
- Pine Meadow Elementary – Patricia Crosby
- Pleasant Grove Elementary – Carrie Wood
- Ransom Middle – Karen McRae
- Scenic Heights Elementary – Catherine Rudd
- Semmes Elementary – Angie Esco
- Sherwood Elementary – Candyce Cooper
- George Stone Technical Center – Annie Gilmore
- Suter Elementary – Cynthia Thoede
- Tate High – Alan Culp
- Title 1 – Ed Seitz
- Warrington Elementary – Carrie Young
- Warrington Middle – Nicole Owens-Wilson
- Washington High – Marcus Wells
- Weis Elementary – Janie Hayes
- West Florida High – Marjorie Stradley
- West Pensacola Elementary – Lisa Deale
- Woodham Middle – Stephanie Elliot
- Workman Middle – Brittany Mraz
Locals Learn How To Share In $50 Million Of Gulf Restoration Funds
February 4, 2012
A meeting was held Friday in Walnut Hill for landowners and producers in the area to learn about how they can share in $50 million in funding from a Gulf Coast restoration effort.
The $50 million will be spent over three years in conservation assistance to farmers and ranchers in priority areas along seven major rivers in five states that drain into the Gulf.
In Escambia counties in both Florida and Alabama, funds will be focused on the Canoe Creek watershed and the Sandy Hollow-Pine Barren Creek watershed in the Escambia River basin. Also, in North Escambia, funds will provide conservation assistance in the Little Pine Barren Creek Watershed in the Escambia River Basin. (Click map to enlarge.)
“This locally-led effort to improve the health of the Gulf Coast region will benefit Florida citizens by producing cleaner water, more abundant wildlife, and healthier fisheries,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Carlos Suarez.
Financial assistance is available to help producers apply sustainable agricultural and wildlife habitat management systems that will focus on reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and improving wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland, and forestland.
Practices may include:
- Installing grade control structures to stabilize eroding gullies
- Implementing precision agriculture to reduce chemical application overlap and protect sensitive environmental areas
- Increasing adoption of residue and tillage management, cover crops, and conservation crop rotations to reduce sheet and rill erosion and improve soil organic matter, which will result in cleaner runoff and improved water quality
- Planting grass and trees to stabilize eroding areas
- Installing cross-fences and watering facilities to facilitate grazing distribution
- Controlling cattle access to streams to improve water quality and stream bank stability
- Planting and managing native plant species to improve wildlife habitat and to assist with restoration of a multitude of declining species
- Promoting energy conservation by eliminating the need for annual mechanical removal of sediment from split ditches
- Implementing grazing management
- Installing heavy-use area protection pads
The $50 million Gulf Coast restoration initiative was announced by the Obama administration.
For information on how to apply for the funding, contact the NRCS Molino Service Center at (850) 587-5345 or the Brewton NRCS Service Center at (251) 867-3185. Application cutoff date for GoMI 2012 funds is March 1, 2012.
Pictured: This map shows the areas eligible for a portion of $50 million in Gulf Coast restoration funding, click to enlarge.