Diane Kyser Named Bratt Elementary Teacher Of The Year
February 8, 2011
Diane Kyser has been named the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year at Bratt Elementary School. The kindergarten teacher will be honored along with Escambia County’s other Teachers of the Year during the Golden Apple Awards in Pensacola on February 24. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputies Seek Robbery Suspect (With Surveillance Photos)
February 7, 2011
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to help identify a robbery suspect.
The robbery happened January 30 at 12:39 a.m. at the Circle K at 1112 North Navy Boulevard. The suspect is describe as a white male in his 20’s, five-foot eleven-inches tall, 170 pounds wearing a black jacket and a white or tan beanie on his head. he was armed with knife.
If you have any information about the robbery or the man pictured, contact Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Callers can remain anonymous and collect up to a $1,000 reward.
Scott Unveils Budget (With Full Speech, Complete Budget PDF)
February 7, 2011
Florida’s first “Jobs Budget” was unveiled Monday by Gov. Rick Scott.
Scott rolled out the proposed budget that he likened to a cleaned out attic. There were things in the state budget that were priceless and need to be protected, Scott said. But there were also ” a lot of odd things someone once thought we needed. I’ve spent a lot of time in that attic, and we’re cleaning it out.”
To view the complete budget in pdf format, click here.
The following is Gov. Rick Scott’s remarks on the state budget, as prepared for delivery.
Today, I’m proud to present Florida’s first “jobs budget.” A budget that is designed to reduce state spending, lower taxes and hold your government accountable.
When I ran for Governor, I offered Floridians a specific, detailed plan – 7 steps to 700,000 jobs in 7 years.
This budget puts that 7-7-7 plan into action. As I promised to do during the campaign, this budget reduces state spending by over $5 billion while returning $2 billion directly to the taxpayers.
After 35 years in business, I know the importance of focusing on clear goals. This “jobs budget” is focused on the goal of shrinking government, reducing your taxes, creating private sector jobs and holding government accountable.
It’s not a budget that dabbles. It doesn’t offer a little something for every special interest or sweeteners for certain people.
It’s a two year budget that faces realities NOW, rather than putting them off for later.
It makes the hard decisions. But it makes the right decisions for Florida’s future.
The fact is that government has to get back to its core functions. Only its core functions! And we must hold our government accountable when it fails to do so.
As long as 1.1 million Floridians are out of work, we can’t afford a government that runs wild with taxes, regulations and excessive spending.
Reviewing a governmental budget is much like going through the attic in an old home.
You come across some priceless things you need to protect. But there are a lot of odd things someone once thought we needed.
Much of it we’ve outgrown. And it just doesn’t fit anymore.
Over the last month, I’ve spent a lot of time in that attic.
And I’m cleaning it out.
There are things we need to dust off, repair and protect. And there are things we need to throw away.
And all of it needs to be regularly re-examined.
Let’s start with the obvious. We can’t spend more than we take in. And we take-in enough from hardworking Floridians.
Over the last few years, Florida accepted one time hand-outs from the federal government.
Those temporary resources allowed state and local governments to spend beyond their means.
That’s like someone who wins the lottery expecting to receive that same windfall year after year.
It just doesn’t make sense. There was never any reason to think that Florida taxpayers could afford to continue that higher level of spending once the federal hand-outs were gone.
The false expectations created by the federal hand-outs are the reason we hear about a multi-billion dollar deficit.
Some have become accustomed to the artificially high level of state spending made possible by the money the federal government borrowed from our grandchildren.
That level of spending was never wise and simply cannot be sustained.
To those who suggest that we meet those new unsustainable expectations with higher taxes, I want to send a clear signal.
That is NOT the answer. We will not increase taxes.
For the last four years, most Florida families have had to learn to live with less at home.
Even those who continued to find work have been forced to make sacrifices. There are places where several generations are crowded into tight quarters. They’ve given up all the extras because it’s what they had to do.
Floridians shouldn’t have to send more of their MONEY to Tallahassee to pay for non-essential government programs or solely fund the retirement programs of government employees.
Let’s never forget that government has no resources of its own. Government can only give to us what it has previously taken from us – minus a huge cut for the government middleman.
Now this “jobs budget” reduces taxes for Florida taxpayers to energize the economy and help Floridians can get back to work.
This “jobs budget” will reduce the business tax from 5.5 percent to 3 percent, completely phasing it out by 2018. And we will cut property taxes by $1.4 billion over the two year term. Together we will cut taxes by over $4 billion over two years.
Critics have said we can’t afford to cut taxes now. They repeat the same misguided claims we hear in Washington. I say they are wrong. I say we must cut taxes now.
Things cannot improve until we have more private sector jobs.
We will capture more jobs if other states have a business tax that Florida does not have. We are competing with 49 other states and many countries for entrepreneurs who start, grow and move companies based on where they can get the best return.
Cutting taxes is essential to economic prosperity. We will be the best place in the world to live, work and play.
This “jobs budget” devotes significant resources, $800 million over two years, for economic development projects and incentives that develop private sector jobs and particularly promising ventures.
Let me be clear. The decision to spend these dollars will be subject to clear-eyed, rigorous calculations.
In my years in business, I was known as someone who knew how to get a significant return for shareholders. We will not give incentives without getting a VERY good return for the state’s shareholders, you the taxpayers.
Since we have resolved not to raise taxes, balancing our budget means reducing the size and cost of government.
In creating this “jobs budget,” we have looked at every activity and asked whether it’s the taxpayers’ responsibility to pay for it. If it seems appropriate for government to fund, we’ve asked whether the way we’re doing it is the smartest and most cost-effective approach.
When making budget decisions, we are doing what smart families do. We decide what’s essential and protect it.
Then, if there are resources left over, we invest in things that yield the best returns.
When I ran for office, I said I didn’t think taxpayers ought to pay for private jets to ferry public officials. So, during my first week as governor, I ordered those planes to be sold.
When Florida families travel, they drive or fly commercial. Public officials will do the same.
The same thinking compels me to offer a plan to stabilize and secure government employee pensions by bringing them in line with the private sector and nearly every other state in the country by requiring government employees to contribute five percent towards their own retirement. We cannot ask Florida taxpayers, most of whom have no pension at all, to bear ALL the costs of pensions for government employees. By modernizing the Florida Retirement System, we will save taxpayers $2.8 billion over two years.
Other cost savings will be realized in the “jobs budget” by changing the way government does business. State government buys a lot of things, enters into a lot of contracts, and negotiates a lot of leases. By taking a fresh look at these purchases and by renegotiating contracts and leases, along with prioritizing and eliminating wasteful spending we can save the taxpayers more than $660 million over two years.
We will save money by streamlining state agencies and consolidating overlapping functions. State agencies are not permanent fiefdoms. They are simply a means to serve the interest of the taxpayers. By consolidating functions, reorganizing, privatizing and sharing certain services, we will save taxpayers over $120 million over two years. And, by eliminating programs that are not core government functions, we will save over $150 million over two years.
Many of the savings in this budget come from reforms that are long over due. This budget constrains the growth of entitlements, offering better ways to serve Floridians receiving Medicaid, the health care safety net for the poor. We will save nearly $4 billion over two years by creating a patient-directed system. This will reduce utilization of this health care safety net for the poor, provide freedom of choice for patients and significantly reduce expenditures over the long run.
This budget also saves $500 million by innovating the management of juvenile offenders and the management of our state prisons.
This is a lean budget that reduces state spending, cuts taxes for Floridians and reforms a regulatory framework that has stunted economic growth. But this is also a budget that will hold government accountable.
For the first time, this “jobs budget” provides a measurable goal for every single line item so that we can track and assess whether it is cost-effective and achieving its mission.
At this moment, you can go online to www.letsgettowork.net and view the “jobs budget” in its entirety. There will be many special interests that will decry cuts to their favorite programs.
But we must remember that for the sake of our grandchildren’s futures, we must get spending under control today. I said I would present a balanced budget that reduced spending and taxes during the campaign, and I am making good on that promise today.
We will reduce state spending by over $5 billion while returning $2 billion directly to the taxpayers.
So join me today as we set an example for the nation that you can in fact shrink government, return tax dollars to their rightful owners and create an atmosphere that creates new and better paying jobs.
Let’s Get to Work.
Florida Senate Panels Approve Child Seats Until Age 7; Left Lane Bill
February 7, 2011
Monday, Florida Senate panels approved a bill that would restrict driving in the left lane of a mult-lane highway to passing only, and approved a bill that would require children up to age seven to be in an approved ca set
Left Lane Bill
With the type of speed its backers would like to see drivers in the far left lanes of Florida highways move, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a so-called “road rage” bill Monday on a 5-0 vote.
The bill (SB 244), sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, would limit the left lane to a passing lane, making it a moving violation to fail to move to the right if traffic is behind you. Bennett and House Sponsor Rep. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, have argued that the measure would reduce road rage and traffic congestion.
Similar bills have been adopted in Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine and Massachusetts. The Florida legislation has still has a long road to go, however, with hearings scheduled next in the Senate Health Regulation and Budget committees.
Car Seat Bill
A measure requiring a child car restraint for children up to age seven or until they’re four-feet nine-inches, cleared a Senate committee on Monday. Currently, child seats are only required through age three, and after that a seat belt may be used.
The bill (SB 238), sponsored by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera, was approved with a 4-1 vote Monday in the Senate Transportation Committee. It still needs approval from the Senate Criminal Justice and the full Budget Committee. A House version of the measure (HB 11) has four committee stops and is yet to get a hearing.
By The News Service Florida
New Target For Copper Thieves? Farm Irrigation Systems
February 7, 2011
Copper thieves have apparently found a new target in North Escambia — farm irrigation systems.
A local farmer reported last week that 600 feet of electrical control cable was stolen from his Reinke irrigation system at Highway 97 and Meadows Road in Davisville. According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect stopped two sections of irrigation pipe short of stealing the entire cable because one end was very close to Meadows Road. The total damage to the irrigation system was estimated at $5,000.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, another irrigation system in the area of Greenland and Dortch Roads was found to be missing an 800 foot section of electrical cable. Several other irrigation systems in the area were not tampered with.
According to the farmer, two other irrigation systems he owns in Alabama had also been the target of vandals and thieves.
The suspect in the case will face felony grand theft and felony criminal mischief charges once arrested.
Anyone with information on the crime can contact the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured above and below: An operating irrigation system in Walnut Hill creates a rainbow in this NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Lady Chiefs Announce Softball Schedule
February 7, 2011
The 2011 Northview Lady Chiefs softball schedule has been announced for both the junior varsity and varsity programs. The Lady Chiefs will open the season on the road against Pine Forest on February 15. The first home game will be February 18 against Pensacola Catholic.
Northview’s varsity team is the defending district champions, with pitcher Misty Doran returning to the mound as a sophomore. She led the area in strikeouts last year with 141 batters sent back to the box.
Capt. Charlie Code Named NHS Teacher Of The Year
February 7, 2011
Captain Charlie C. Code, Jr. has been named the 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year at Northview Hgh School. The Senior Naval Science Instructor will be honored along with Escambia County’s other Teachers of the Year during the Golden Apple Awards in Pensacola on February 24.
Code retired after 29 years of service in the Navy and immediately went to work with Northview’s NJROTC program.
He was born in Macon, GA and attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL graduating in June, 1977. He completed Aviation Officer Candidate School at Naval Aviation Schools Command at Naval Air Station in Pensacola, and was commissioned in August 1978. He was designated an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO) in July 1979.
Code’s operational assignments while on active duty included Fighter Squadron 142, NAS Oceana and deployed on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), Norfolk, VA; HS-12, Atsugi, Japan and deployed on USS Midway (CV-41); USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) Sasebo, Japan; and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), Norfolk, VA.
His shore assignments included Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), NAS Key West FL.; AIMD, NAS Lemoore, CA; AMDO assignment officer (detailer), NAF Millington TN; Aviation Training System Assistant Program Manager, Washington, DC; Program Manager, PMA-225, Patuxent River, MD, and his final tour was Executive Director and Commanding Officer, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Center at NAS Pensacola.
His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with two gold stars).
He is married to the former Miriam A. Richardson of Baltimore, Md., and they have one daughter, Arnita.
Forum To Address Stronger, Healthier Communities
February 7, 2011
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Volunteer Florida is hosting a community forum in Jay Tuesday night to get answers from residents and businesses to the following questions:
- What are the most important factors in creating strong, healthy communities in Santa Rosa County?
- What are the most pressing needs in Santa Rosa County that have to be addressed in order to strengthen families and communities?
- How can residents, businesses, public agencies and non-profit organizations address these needs with focused action and resources?
The results from the forum will be used by ACES (AmeriCorps Escambia-Santa Rosa), a collaborative of service organizations, to prepare a grant that will be submitted in April to request funding for AmeriCorps volunteers who can provide services to residents in both counties. The results will also be shared with Santa Rosa County, Jay, Milton and Gulf Breeze government officials so they can work with applicable staff to also address community needs identified in the forum.
Everyone in Santa Rosa County is encouraged to participate so they can make a positive impact towards stronger, healthier communities. The forum will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Jay Community Center, 5929 Booker Street. Space is limited; RSVP to Taye Warfield at tayewarfield@bellsouth.net.
Driver Flips In Hwy 97 Crash
February 6, 2011
The driver of a SUV was not seriously injured when he lost control and overturned Sunday morning on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
While northbound at Highway 164, he failed to negotiate a curve, lost control and overturned his Chevrolet Tahoe about 6:30 a.m.. The SUV came to rest on its side.
The Tahoe’s driver was transported by Atmore Ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Crime And Punishment: One On One With Escambia’s Top Prosecutors
February 6, 2011
Daily, it seems the headlines in Escambia County are about crime. After the crime is committed and after law enforcement finishes their investigation, the State Attorney’s Office stands between the defendant and his freedom.
There are 20 judicial districts in Florida, each with its own individually elected State Attorney. State Attorney Bill Eddins and Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille represent Florida’s First Judicial Circuit for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
NorthEscambia.com sat down with Eddins and Marcille recently to discuss crime and punishment in Escambia County.
Violent Crime, Drugs And Gangs
“It is a misconception that overall violent crime is increasing,” Eddins said. “Violent crime is decreasing. It’s the very visible violent crime that is increasing — the drive by shootings, armed robberies and the crimes that make the news.”
“There are a number of factors to blame,” Eddins said about crime in the area. “Drugs, the availability of drugs, the availability of guns and economic issues.”
“The groups that do consider themselves gangs that do constitute legal gangs are increasing,” Marcille said, “with much of their violent behavior between drug dealers or robberies.” He said that, under the law, a loose-knit organization that commits crimes together can meet the legal definition of a gang.
But the law is fighting back on the increasing gang problem in Escambia County, Eddins said, with both the State Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office allocating resources to focus on the gang problem.
Tougher Prosecution,
Once a suspect is arrested, Eddins said his office is taking a harder stance on criminals.
“We are taking a stronger position and plea bargaining less,” Eddins said. “We are rearranging how our office operates, designating more special prosecutors with more time to prosecute these violent crimes. The reorganization has helped us be more effective.”
The State Attorney believes his office is the most aggressive in Florida as far as the number of cases tried overall.
Reorganization to meet the case load that passes his desk are nothing new for Eddins. The most recent major reorganization came with the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings and multiple suspects.
As the Billings trials come to a close in the coming months, Eddins said prosecutors will become available to handle defendants headed to trial in 2011 from some of Escambia County’s 30 plus murders last year.
Fear Is A Problem
Drug-related crimes are increasing in the public eye, and drug cases are among the hardest to prosecute, according to Marcille.
“Fear is common among witnesses,” Marcille said. “People fear that testifying may be a threat to them, and they are reluctant to become involved.”
Animal Cruelty
A growing focus for Eddins’ office is animal cruelty, with many of those cases from the North Escambia area.
“We are focusing more on animal cruelty cases,” he said. That focus includes a training session later this week for prosecutors and law enforcement alike to learn more about groups like Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment. The State Attorney’s Office is working to receive animal cruelty cases directly from PER for prosecution.
Pictured top: Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille and State Attorney Bill Eddins. NorthEscambia.com photo/graphic, click to enlarge.