Judge Again Blocks Prison Privatization
November 7, 2011
A Leon County circuit judge has ordered the state to “cease and desist” from taking further steps toward accepting bids for a prison-privatization plan that she found unconstitutional.
In an order dated Friday and made public Saturday, Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford sided with the Florida Police Benevolent Association in halting the procurement process during the state’s appeal of her earlier ruling.
The Department of Corrections had argued that filing the appeal led to an automatic stay of Fulford’s Sept. 30 ruling — effectively allowing the bidding process to go forward. Fulford’s latest order vacated, or rejected, that stay.
“This court finds that the evidence in the record establishes the likelihood of irreparable injury to the plaintiffs (the PBA and members) if the stay is not vacated and further that the defendants are not likely to succeed on the merits on appeal,” Fulford wrote.
The privatization plan calls for the state to contract out the operation of 29 prison facilities across the southern part of the state. Jim Baiardi, the president of PBA’s chapter for correctional officers, issued a statement Saturday praising Fulford’s latest ruling.
“The PBA is pleased that Judge Fulford has stopped this action,” said Baiardi, who testified during a hearing Friday about “panic” among officers. “State correctional officers can breathe a sigh of relief today.”
The dispute stemmed from a Thursday announcement that the Department of Corrections was reopening the bidding process for the privatization plan. PBA attorneys argued during the hearing Friday there was no reason to move forward with bidding, unless the department was trying to gain some type of advantage in the legal challenge or in the legislative session that starts in January.
But the Department of Corrections said Thursday it would not sign a privatization contract while the legal challenge is pending — a point reiterated during Friday’s hearing by Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Glogau.
In her ruling on the stay, however, Fulford noted the testimony of Baiardi, who also is a captain at the South Florida Reception Center.
“Specifically, Captain Baiardi identified such factors as the disruption of families, the threatened separation of families, loss of jobs, change of schools, lack of sleep, loss of homes and displacement of experienced officers to institutions away from their families as concerns which are overwhelming the correctional officers of the affected facilities,” she wrote.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Monday that she would appeal Fulford’s Sept. 30 ruling on the constitutionality of the privatization plan. Bondi made the decision at the request of the Legislature, after Gov. Rick Scott declined to file the appeal.
The PBA challenged the way lawmakers approved the privatization plan, which was included in budget fine print — known as proviso language — instead of in a typical bill.
Fulford found that the constitution required lawmakers to change state law or use an already-existing department review process before privatizing the prisons. She did not say privatization is unconstitutional, just that the way lawmakers approved the plan was unconstitutional.
The proviso language offered a road map to privatize prisons, work camps and other types of correctional facilities in 18 counties.
It called for the Department of Corrections to solicit proposals from private companies and then submit a plan to the Legislative Budget Commission by Dec. 1.
After Bondi announced she would appeal Fulford’s earlier ruling, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, issued a statement expressing confidence that the state will win and that privatization will help save tax dollars.
“Not only is the privatization of our state’s prisons good policy, but it ensures that our state can dedicate more money to education, health care or economic development programs that would otherwise be spent on prisons,” Haridopolos said.
The 1st District Court of Appeal has not scheduled a hearing in the case, according to an online docket.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Walnut Hill Fire Honors Firemen, Community Members During Fish Fry
November 6, 2011
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department honored members of the community and the department during their 42nd annual fish fry Saturday.
District Chief Chris Brown said the Walnut Hill Station had responded to 357 calls during the past year in their 200 square mile district with 16 active members.
Chester Jantz received the department’s community service award for hosting the annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo at his catfish pond on South Highway 99. The fishing rodeo is provided to the disabled for free as a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization. [Click here for a May story about this year's fishing rodeo.]
Jeffrey Huber was recognized as firefighter of the year, an award chosen by his peers. Kevin Mininger was named officer of the year. Arthur Levins was also recognized for 30 years of service to the department on Saturday, his 50th birthday, with a gift, cake and a letter from Gov. Rick Scott.
The department also recognized Robbie Whitfield for providing over 7,200 training hours for station members.
A blood drive during the fish fry collected 25 units of blood, according to Sarah Noel of Northwest Florida Blood Services. She said 110 units of blood were collected during drives at the Walnut Hill fire department during the year, up from last year. The next blood drive at the Walnut Hill Fire Station will be 8 a.m. until noon on January 12.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Pictured top: Kevin Mininger (left) was honored as officer of the year Saturday by the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Pictured inset and below: Hundreds enjoyed the department’s annual fish fry. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
20 Homeless After Two Escambia County Fires
November 6, 2011
Twenty people were left homeless after a fire Saturday afternoon in Cantonment and an early Saturday morning fire in Pensacola.
The after fire in the 2300 block of Welcome Road, just off Quintette Road, was reported just before 3 p.m. as the resident reported that a bedroom was on fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s office. The American Red Cross was called to provide temporary assistance to eight children — from toddler age to 14 years old — and one adult.
In a fire about 4 a.m. Saturday, 10 adults and one child were left homeless when fire ripped through an apartment building at the Courtyard Apartments of Cordova on North Ninth Avenue in Pensacola. The were no injuries. The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Red Cross also assisted those displaced by the fire.
Photo Gallery: Northview High 2011 Homecoming Court
November 6, 2011
Lauren McCall was named the 2011 Northview High School Homecoming Queen Friday night. Also named Friday night were:
- First Runner-up: Mallory Turner
- Second Runner-up: Savanna Singleton
- Junior Maid: Shaquanna Jones
- Sophomore Maid: Lindsey Francis
- Freshman Maid: Kamryn Brock
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Sophomore Maid Lindsey Francis, Junior Maid Shaquanna Jones, Second Runner-up Savanna Singleton, Homecoming Queen Lauren McCall, First Runner-up Mallory Turner, and Freshman Maid Kamryn Brock. Pictured inset: 2010 Homecoming Queen Brooke Tullis crowns 2011 Northview High School Homecoming Queen Lauren McCall. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Video: Northview Chiefs Beat Baker For District Championship
November 6, 2011
Here are video highlights by Keith Garrison for NorthEscambia.com from Northview’s win Friday night over Baker for the District 1-1A championship.
For game details and a photo gallery from the game, click here.
(If you do not see the YouTube video above, it is because your work, school or home firewall is blocking external videos.)
Child Molestation Suspect Nabbed At Airport
November 6, 2011
The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Pensacola Police arrested a Bay County man wanted on numerous charges of child molestation as he walked off a plane at Pensacola Airport.
John Claude Chambers, 39, was arrested by task force members from the FDLE, State Attorney’s Office and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office without incident and was escorted from the rear stairs of the jet way by Pensacola Police and placed into a patrol car. Chambers is wanted by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly molesting two girls, one 11 years old the other 12, reportedly over the past year. Chambers is being charged with five counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child less than 12, lewd and lascivious molestation and sexual battery on a child.
According to investigators from Bay County, Chambers has been molesting the girls for the past year. Allegedly, Chambers was recently confronted by the mother of the two girls and admitted to the allegations. However, Chambers supposedly blamed the children and then moved to Michigan to live with his mother.
Two days ago the Bay County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force, Panama City Division who then contacted the Task Force in Pensacola. The investigation revealed that Chambers was supposed to fly into Pensacola Airport from Flint, MI, Friday night.Chambers was then due to rent a car and drive to his National Guard base in Dothan, AL. Chambers was taken to the Escambia County Jail where he was held without bond.
Gulf Power Drops Rates
November 6, 2011
It’s won’t be much, but Gulf Power Company customers will see a decrease in their electric bill in January due to lower coal and natural gas prices.
Currently, the electricity bill for an average home buying 1,000 kilowatt-hours is $127.16. At the beginning of 2012, the same amount of electricity will cost $125.80, a decrease of $1.36.
“The FPSC adjusts our prices each year based on the cost of the fuel used to make electricity, power bought from other utilities and providers, environmental compliance expenses and the cost of energy efficiency programs for customers,” said Jeff Rogers, Gulf Power Corporate Communications supervisor.
Gulf Power monitors its fuel mix to use the most cost-effective generation available at any time during the day. That has helped the company take advantage of some lower fuel prices for coal and natural gas – the two major fuels Gulf Power uses to make electricity.
“We are pleased with this decrease because it will partially offset the base rate increase request we have before the FPSC,” said Rogers. “If the PSC grants the full amount of the request — the total cost for 1,000 kilowatt-hours was expected to be $134.82. Now, with this decrease, the total will be $133.46. We understand that’s a small decrease, but hopefully fuel costs will continue to decline and we can continue to pass along those savings to our customers.”
Lady Royals Take District Cross Country Meet
November 6, 2011
The Jay High Lady Royals won the District 1-1A Cross Country meet Saturday in Pace, with several runners moving forward to regionals.
Six of the Lady Royals placed in the top 13 runners that advanced to regionals:
- Jessica Thornton 3rd
- Jorja Agrait 4th
- Allison Blair 6th
- Savannah Brown 8th
- Jenna Thornton 10th
- Ally Settle 11th
The Lady Royals will run at the regional meet next weekend in Lake City. It has been nearly a decade since the Lady Royals won the district championship.
For the boys. Jay’s Micah Kemp advanced individually with a third place finish.
For complete male and female results, click here.
Pictured: Jorja Agrait runs for the Jay Lady Royals. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Three Vehicle Hwy 29 Crash (With Photo Gallery)
November 5, 2011
Two people were injured in a three vehicle crash on Highway 29 Saturday morning.
The accident happened about 11:15 a.m. on Highway 29 at Stout Road, near the Homestead Lounge. Reports indicate that a truck with box trailer slowed to turn while a car struck a second car that had slowed to avoid the trailer. The impact pushed the second car into the trailer.
Two people from the car in the middle of the pileup were transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details were not available. The Cantonment and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Firefighters work to remove a patient from a wrecked vehicle Saturday morning at Highway 29 and Stout Road near Cantonment. Pictured below: One of three vehicles involved in the crash. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Baker To Claim District Championship (With Photo Gallery)
November 5, 2011
The Northview Chiefs won the District 1-1A championship Friday night, knocking off the Baker Gators 34-0.
“It was awesome tonight; they really came ready to play,” Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley said. “The first quarter was kind of a defensive struggle back and forth, and then we really go rolling.”
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
The Northview Chiefs took an early lead with 10:51 to go in the first on a 70-yard touchdown run from LaMikal Kyles and a good kick from Kevin Vaughan. Then, with 8:46 in the first, Montaio Mitchell was in on a 56-yard run to to increase Northview’s advantage to 14-0.
LaMikal Banks intercepted a Baker pass at their 10 and raced down to the five to setup a Mitchell touchdown and a 21-0 lead. But the Chiefs were to add to the scoreboard once more in the half; this time on a 10-yard run on a quarterback keeper from senior Brandon Sheets to make it 28-0.
In the third quarter, Austin Albritton scored on a 10-yard pass from Sheets. With a missed kick, that ended the night’s scoring at 34-0.
The Northview Chiefs (6-2, 3-0) will travel south next Thursday night to take on the West Florida Jaguars.
Then it’s time for round one of the state playoffs with Northview set to play at home in Bratt.
For a photo gallery from the game, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
