Miller: Congressional Democrats Deaf To Voice Of People
December 24, 2010
In his latest newsletter, U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller discusses the 111th Congress.
The following was submitted by Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla for NorthEscambia.com:
On November 2, the American people spoke loud and clear. Their voices were heard from coast to coast, and the message was an overwhelming repudiation for Democrats’ big spending policies in the 111th Congress. Now as Christmas nears, the Democrat majority is, yet again, proving they are deaf to the voice of the people.
Throughout the 111th Congress, the majority has delayed and has failed to address many of the most pressing concerns of citizens, so much so, that in the final days of the legislative calendar—and in an effort to push through legislation at the buzzer—Democrats adopted a rule that allows for the consideration of legislation, at any time, with little notice. This rule exemplifies the way that the Democratic Party has chosen to do its business.
Circumventing the legislative process to push through unpopular legislation is no way to run Congress. The Founding Fathers created our system to ensure that Congress could not enact unmerited legislation. They intended for all legislation to be subject to a meaningful review process in both chambers; however, in this lame duck session we have been forced to vote on numerous bills that were rushed through the oversight process, leaving Members of Congress without the opportunity to offer amendments or remove unpopular provisions.
Allowing vital legislative business to languish for months without action is worrying. Waiting until the lame duck session to address these concerns is downright irresponsible. We have congressional elections every two years for a very good reason: so that Members of Congress will be held accountable for their voting records. Now, however, we have a large group of outgoing members voting on important pieces of legislation that were put off until the last minute. These outgoing members are no longer accountable for their actions, and yet, thanks to legislative irresponsibility, they are allowed to vote on the future path of our country.
The Democrat majority needed to get their priorities straight well before the close of the 111th Congress. Much like a college freshman, the majority leadership has put off their assigned work until the last minute. Now they are faced with the prospect of failure, and they seek to employ legislative maneuvering to ensure that important measures do not receive a complete evaluation by all Members of Congress, while the American people shoulder the burden. America and its people deserve better, and I look forward to the new Congress ahead of us. The days of the Democrat majority controlling both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue are soon to be over.
Christmas Recipes: Apples, Sweet Potatoes And A Quick Breakfast Brunch
December 24, 2010
We are continuing our Christmas recipe series today with a couple of desserts and a quick breakfast.
Today’s recipes feature an Apple Caramel Pudding and a Sweet Tater Cheesecake. We also have a Farmer’s Omelet Casserole that’s easy to cook and would provide a hearty Christmas morning breakfast or brunch for everyone.
To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Farmer’s Omelet Casserole
by Terri Brown
- 3 cups frozen cubed hash brown potatoes
- 1 cup chopped green pepper, divided
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 18 large eggs, beaten
- 2 1/3 cups chopped cooked ham
- 1 1/4 cups chopped tomato, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (coarse grind is best)
- 1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Cook potato, 3/4 cup green pepper and onion in oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, stirring constantly, 8 min. or until tender. Cool potatoes if preparing the night before. Combine potato mixture, eggs, ham, 1 cup tomato, salt and black pepper in a large bowl; stir well. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 325 for 40 minutes or until golden. Top with remaining 1/4 cup green pepper and 1/4 cup tomato. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake 5 more minutes until cheese melts.
Apple Caramel Pudding
by Janet Smith
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled apples
Combine first five ingredients; then add apples and milk. Blend thoroughly and pour into 8″ square pan.
Combine:
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup boiling water
Mix sugar, boiling water and butter and pour over the batter already in pan. Bake
at 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. Seeve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Very simple but rich dessert. Serves 4 to 6
Sweet Tater Cheesecake
- 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 cup whipping cream (cool whip will work if no cream handy)
- 1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed (NOT CANNED)
Graham Cracker-Pecan Crust
- 2 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
- Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 425°.
Crust:
Combine crust ingredients thoroughly; press into a 10-inch springform pan.
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and eggs until smooth; beat in flour, cinnamon, and ginger. Beat cream and well-mashed sweet potatoes in on medium speed of a hand held mixer just until well-combined. Pour the batter into the prepared crust. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes; lower heat to 275° and bake 1 hour longer. Turn heat off and leave in the oven to cool for several hours, or cool on a wire rack. Serve with sweetened whipped cream or caramel sauce.
Family Searching For Their Giant Candy Canes
December 24, 2010
A Jay family is hoping someone will return a couple of giant candy canes that were taken from their home. The two homemade plywood candy canes were noticed missing Wednesday from the family’s fence. If you know where to find the giant candy canes, call Vicki and (850) 675-6194. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Serious Injuries In Hwy 29 Crash
December 23, 2010
There were no serious injuries in a two vehicle accident Thursday night in Molino.
One person, a pregnant woman, was transported to a Pensacola hospital by ambulance with minor injuries following the 5:20 p.m. crash on Highway 29 at Barrineau Park Road. There were no other injuries.
The Molino Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol responded to the crash. Further details were not available.
Pictured above: One person was injured in this crash Thursday night in Molino. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Holiday Closings, Trash Schedules
December 23, 2010
The following will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday:
- Town of Century and City of Pensacola offices will be closed Friday.
- Town of Jay offices will be closed Friday.
- Escambia County’s Clerk of the Circuit Court, Tax Collector and Community Corrections will be closed Friday but open Monday.
- Other Escambia County offices — included the Property Appraiser, Board of County Commissioners, Century Office Complex, Extension Service, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety and the Animal Shelter — will be closed Friday and Monday. The Animal Shelter will also be closed on Saturday.
- Santa Rosa County offices will be closed Friday.
- Alabama state offices will be closed Friday.
- All Florida state offices will be closed Friday.
- West Florida Public Libraries, including the Century Branch, will be closed Friday.
- All Santa Rosa County libraries, including Jay, will be closed Friday.
- There will be no ECAT bus service on Friday.
- U.S. Postal retail windows will be closed from noon Friday through Sunday. Regular mail will not be collected or delivered on Saturday. Express Mail will be delivered Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Trash Collection
No change for ECUA resident customers. ECUA’s Saturday commercial routes will be picked up on Friday. All other routes will remain as normal.
Another Escambia Fire Means 13th Red Bulb In Safety Campaign
December 23, 2010
There are now 13 bulbs representing residential fires in Escambia County in the “Keep the Wreath Green’ fire safety campaign. None of the fires have been in North Escambia.
At 10:04 p.m. Wednesday, a fire was reported in the 1100 block of Vega Court. Firefighters arrived at 10:10 p.m. and found heavy fire in the kitchen which had extended to the attic. The cause of the fire, which was declared out at 10:29 p.m., was determined to be from something left on the stove.
The fire caused major damage to the kitchen and attic and moderate damage throughout the rest of the home. The American Red Cross was called to assist the two adults and two children that lived in the home. Firefighters from Osceola, Myrtle Grove, West Pensacola, Warrington and the Navy responded to the fire.
Escambia County Fire Rescue offers the following safety tips involving cooking:
- The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
- Stay alert! To prevent cooking fires, you have to be alert. You won’t be if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.
- Keep anything that can catch fire – potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, or curtains – away from your stovetop.
- Keep the stovetop, burners, and oven clean.
- Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.
- Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire if it comes into contact with a gas flame or electric burner.
Malnourished Horses, Dogs Seized From Century Home
December 23, 2010
Several malnourished dogs and horses were seized from a Century home Wednesday.
Escambia County Animal Control, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized at least six dogs and four horses from the home at 6420 North Century Boulevard, just south of Tedder Road.
“All of them were malnourished,” according to Chris Welborn, spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. “They were all removed from the property, and they will all receive veterinary care.”
The Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the malnourished animals by a representative of Panhandle Equine Rescue, Welborn said.
One of the dogs, a pit bull, was found chained to a piece of post, according to the Sheriff’s Office incident report. Another, also a pit bull, was found in a cage by itself with open sores on its body. A female pit bull was found with three puppies. The puppies were playful and appeared to be of reasonable health, according to the reporting deputy, but the mother’s ribs and hips were clearly visible.
Eight other dogs — four pit bulls and four beagles — were kenneled in a different area and did not have any visible signs of unhealthiness.
One of the horses was stabled by himself in what deputies described as “an old dilapidated building”.
“The horse was standing on a thick layer of manure that coated the entire floor of the stall,” according to the Sheriff’s Office report. There was no food or water for the horse.
A man that lives on the property told deputies that he had fed and watered the horses Wednesday morning, but it was the last of the food. He said the owner was due to purchase more food and hay for the horses Wednesday.
Deputies found another horse in small enclosure standing in a pile of manure that was several inches thick. None of the horses on the property had food or hay, and several lacked adequate water.
No charges were filed against anyone Wednesday, according to the Sheriff’s Office, but the situation remains under investigation.
“The living conditions were poor for all the animals. We have been working with the owner for almost four months and the conditions have deteriorated,” said Diane Lowery, president of Panhandle Equine Rescue. “After finding no feed on the premises today and finding a horse living in filth in a dark barn, the decision was made to seize four of the horses.
“We would like to thank animal control and the sheriff’s department for taking action today to help these animals. The animal control officer on the scene was very compassionate. We are also grateful to our new livestock officer, Josh Weekly,” Lowery added.
Pictured above and below: Two of the dogs and horses seized from a Century home Wednesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Police Seek Daycare Photo Info To Help Endangered Child
December 23, 2010
Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a daycare in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties that was attended by a child considered to be endangered.
The photographs are believed to have been taken between 2005 and 2010 at a daycare facility in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties. Pensacola Police Department investigators have said the facility may or may not still be in operation.
Detective Chris Wilkinson said the child is believed to have been three to four years of age when photographed at the facility. The reason why investigators are searching for the child is not being released.
Wilkinson said employees of the daycare facility are not believed to be involved in criminal activity.
“The goal of releasing the photographs is to try and help identify the female child who attended or attends the facility,” Wilkinson said. “We are hoping that by identifying the facility, we can show employees the child’s photograph and possibly learn the child’s identity.”
Anyone who believes they can identify the daycare facility from the photographs is asked to contact Detective Chris Wilkinson at (850) 432-3140, ext. 1103, or the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.
Pictured top: The Pensacola Police Department seeks to identify the daycare seen in these photos. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Nominate North Escambia Persons Of The Year
December 23, 2010
NorthEscambia.com will honor several North Escambia residents as North Escambia Persons of the Year as 2010 comes to a close, and we need your help.
We are asking our readers to nominate individuals that they believe made a difference in North Escambia during 2010. We will choose several of them to be named as a 2010 North Escambia. Person of the Year. The awards are our way of saying thanks to those that have worked to improve our lives in the North Escambia area during the past year.
We are not necessarily looking for a person with a long list of accomplishments. We are looking for people that have given of themselves to help others and the communities of North Escambia during 2010.
To nominate someone, please email their name, contact information (if known), and the reason why you believe they should be a Person of the Year. The person must either be a resident of North Escambia, work in North Escambia or otherwise have significantly impacted North Escambia in some way. For the purposes of this award, we define North Escambia as being Cantonment north to the Alabama line.
Entries should be emailed to news@northescambia.com by noon on Friday, December 24 (we extended the deadline a few days). We need your email and phone number just in case we have questions, but your name and contact information will not be published.
The 2010 North Escambia Persons of the Year will be named after Christmas.
Last year, the following were named 2009 North Escambia Persons of the Year:
(These persons are not eligible for the 2010 Persons of the Year, so please don’t submit their names again this year.)
- Jerry Fischer [Read more...]
- Sonja Luker [Read more...]
- Rev. Willie H. Carter [Read more...]
- Charles Williams [Read more...]
Pictured top: The 2009 Persons of the Year (L-R) Charles Williams, Jerry Fischer, Sonja Luker and Rev. Willie H. Carter. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Homemakers Turn Egg Cartons Into Ornaments
December 23, 2010
The ladies of the Molino Homemakers Club recently learned how to make Christmas ornaments out of egg cartons from member Frances Cheney.
The patterns were cut from egg cartons, and colorful green and red beads were place on straight pins and inserted into the egg carton pattern that was attached to a Styrofoam ball. Once the ball was covered, a hanger was placed on top.
Completed ornaments were taken home by members.
Submitted photos by Terri Brown for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.