Florida Taxwatch Joins Scott In Calling For Prison Cost Cuts
December 9, 2010
Scaling-back spending in the state’s prison system was one of the top recommendations as Florida TaxWatch rolled out its annual roster of potential state cost-savings Wednesday – listing 124 proposals which could trim more than $4 billion from the recession-battered treasury.
With Florida facing a budget shortfall likely to exceed $3 billion, TaxWatch officials said their ideas will gain more loft as Scott and lawmakers seek to shrink state spending.
When Governor-elect Rick Scott unveiled his economic plan on the campaign trail this summer, there was a portion that caught law enforcement and corrections professionals by surprise, a proposed $1 billion cut to the state’s corrections’ budget.
Scott’s plan for the corrections system is setting up a potentially heated political fight between his new administration, coming in looking to make drastic cuts in what Scott believes is a bloated budget and on the other side law enforcement officials who say his plan is unrealistic and lawmakers who don’t want to be soft on crime.
Florida Taxwatch is recommending a commission to do a top-to-bottom review of the corrections system to identify savings. The group is calling for an expansion of faith- and character-based prisons, an expansion in work release programs, requiring justification for individuals with low sentencing scores, decreased state incarceration of local inmates and even changes in Florida’s marijuana and cocaine possession laws to reduce prison sentences.
Florida Tax Watch is also recommending revamping Florida’s public pension plan and steering more Medicaid patients into managed care, recommendations which generally match those advanced either by leading legislators or Gov.-elect Rick Scott.
Other TaxWatch measures clearly face longer odds. Efforts to extend the state’s sales tax to Internet sales has been proposed, and rejected, by lawmakers for several years. But with Florida facing a budget shortfall likely to exceed $3 billion, TaxWatch officials said their ideas will gain more loft as Scott and lawmakers seek to shrink state spending.
In unveiling the money-saving list, TaxWatch’s David Smith, pointed to the pension plan as a rich ground for state savings. Eliminating the state’s traditional, defined benefit plan and putting all Florida Retirement System employees into a defined contribution plan and requiring FRS members to contribute to their retirement are just some of the cost-savings.
“It’s unsustainable. It’s broken. But it’s not, not fixable,” Smith said.
Pictured: A guard tower rises above Century Correctional Institution. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (With Photo Gallery)
December 8, 2010
(Updated 12:30 p.m.) Snow flurries were reported across the North Escambia area this morning, incluing Atmore, Walnut Hill, Bratt, Flomaton, Byrneville, Century, Brewton, Lambeth, Little River, Poarch and Huxford.
“I have field of flurries!” a reader on Carver Avenue in Atmore wrote.
Students at many area schools were allowed to go outside and experience the snow, including some students at Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary and Northview High School.
There was no significant accumulation from the flurries; however a very, very small amount to snow accumulated briefly on vehicles, decks and even livestock (see the photo below).
If you have snow photos, email them to — news@northescambia.com and we’ll add them to our photo gallery.
For a photo gallery of reader photos from across the area, click here.
Pictured top: A snow flurry at Northview High School (from Vicki Cook). Pictured inset: Bratt Elementary Pre-K student Eli Stephens attempts to catch a snowflake with his tongue. Pictured below: Snow accumulates on “Sherlock” the horse near Byrneville (Robin Borelli). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Former Helicopter Tech Building Listed For Sale; Town Gets Energy Grant
December 8, 2010
The Town of Century is putting the former Helicopter Technology building back on the market, and the town has received a quarter million grant to improve energy efficiency at the building and two others facilities.
The Town of Century purchased the 40,000 square foot building at public auction for less than $1 out of pocket back in August, 2009, following the town’s foreclosure judgment against the now defunct Helicopter Technology.
After attempting to lease or sell the building independently for over year, Century will now list the building on the open real estate market with DeeDee Ritchie of the commercial real estate firm NAI Halford.
“I told her we wanted jobs whatever we do,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said.
The building will list for $850,000 — the amount McCall said the town had been been previously offered for the property. That deal collapsed along with the Air Force tanker contract for Mobile, he said. The town will also consider leasing the building at a rate yet to be determined.
The real estate company will receive a 6-percent fee for the sale or lease of the building.
Energy Efficiency Grant
The Town of Century has received a $250,000 energy efficiency grant that will be used to upgrade the climate control systems at the former Helicopter Technology building, the Century Town Hall and the Century Ag Building (community center) on West Highway 4.
The grant will also fund the installation of energy efficient lighting at all three buildings.
Wedding Ring Lost In Christmas Trees Is Found
December 8, 2010
Unlikely little Christmas wishes do sometimes come true. Just ask Kari Doyle and her husband Greg of Cantonment.
Sunday, we first brought you the story of Kari Doyle’s lost wedding rings. She and her two children, Emma 4, and Olivia, 2, were shopping for a family Christmas tree Saturday at the Home Depot on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. After picking up several trees, she realized that her wedding rings had fallen off. She searched and searched — but no rings.
Today, we can report that Kari Doyle’s diamon wedding ring is back on her finger. The band is still missing.
“We got a phone call earlier from a man that just bought his Christmas tree from Home Depot and his granddaughter found the ring in the tree,” she said.
The man would not leave his name and did not want to accept an offered cash reward. The Doyle’s gave the cash to the man’s five-year old granddaughter.
“I can’t say thank you enough,” Kari Doyle said. “This reaffirms my faith in people.”
And perhaps there was a bit of Christmas magic involved. It’s worth noting this post that Kari made on her Facebook page a few hours before the ring was found:
“(Emma) is having Santa visit her school today and she said ‘Mommy I’m gonna ask Santa for your rings’.”
Half Million Earned: Century Signs Off On $28 Million Bond Issue
December 8, 2010
The Town of Century has voted to approve the issuance of up to $28 million in revenue bonds for an apartment complex for the elderly and Goodwill Industries, bringing the town’s earnings over a half million dollars from a partnership with Gulf Breeze.
The approval was granted by Century and Gulf Breeze as members of the Capital Trust Agency, an independent public body for the purpose of financing or otherwise accomplishing development programs. Century entered into the Capital Trust Agency with Gulf Breeze in 1999 with Century essentially serving as the “second signature” for CTA.
With the issuance of the most recent round of bonds, Century will have received over a half million dollars in fees since the inception of CTA.
Century and Gulf Breeze Attorney Matt Dannheisser said that the CTA is structured in such a way to indemnify Century from any financial risk, whether it be from a company that defaults on repayment or any other legal liabilities.
The first bond issue will be to Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida for up to $20 million for the acquisition and renovation of donation and distribution centers and educational, job training, career development and mentoring facilities at several locations in the Ft. Myers and Naples areas. Dannheisser said he expects the actual bond issuance to be about $12.8 million. With $20 million in bonds, Century would be paid $7,000, while at $12.8 million Century would receive a $4,480 fee.
The second bond issue will be for up to $8 million for the 68-unit Cypress Cathedral Apartments for the elderly in Winter Haven, Florida. Dannheisser said he expects the actual bond issuance to be about $5.4 million. The Town of Century will receive a fee of $2,500 to $2,800 for their second signature.
For serving as the second signature for CTA, Century is paid $350 per $1 million financed with a$2,500 minimum fee.
“Century is blessed to be part of this to receive these funds for nothing, so to speak,” Century Councilman Gary Riley said.
Memorial Service Held For Murdered Former Molino Resident
December 8, 2010
A memorial service was held Wednesday in Pensacola for Winter Delane Wingard, the former Molino resident murdered last week in South Carolina.
Wingard is survived by her mother, Beverly Patrick of Gaffney, South Carolina; sister Summer Dawn Wingard of Pensacola; her grandmother, Mary Ann Patrick of Pensacola; and numerous other relatives and friends.
Cherokee County (SC) Coroner Dennis Fowler said Winter Delane Windguard’s body was found on the side of a rural road last Thursday. Fowler said Monday that Wingard, 26, died as the result of hemorrhages caused by blunt force injury to her head. Fowler said the victim was severely beaten in the head and neck and strangled. In addition, the coroner said Wingard sustained multiple stab wounds to the neck.
Monday, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office charged Joey L. Clark of Mooresboro N.C. with Wingard’s death. He is being held without bond.
Wingard’s mother reported the 26-year old missing Thursday night, saying that she was last seen about 1:30 that morning as she left her home in Gaffney, SC., in her mother’s vehicle to go to a store.
Winter Wingard’s sister Summer Wingard said the sisters formerly lived on Molino Road. Winter Wingard attended Molino Elementary, Ransom Middle and Tate High before completing her education online.
Gaffney is a town of about 13,000 people about 20 miles northeast of Spartanburg, South Carolina.
FFA Students Place In Sub-District Career Event
December 8, 2010
Northview High, Ernest Ward Middle, Tate High and Jay High were among schools from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties that participated in the FFA Sub-District Career Development Events Tuesday at the Jay Community Center.
Ernest Ward Middle placed second in parliamentary procedure. Team members were: Austin Cunningham, Miranda Vidak, Madison McGhee, Mitchell Singleton, Aden Davis, Andrea Miles and alternate Kendall Cobb.
Ernest Ward Middle also participated in the Opening and Closing Ceremony Event. Team members: Tiffani Cruce, Jaylen Parker, Haylee Weaver, Bethany Reynolds, Haley Brown, Allison Woodfin, and Addy Lee.
Northview participated and earned awards in the following areas:
- Second in Parliamentary Procedure, with team members being Lydia Weaver, Allie Vidak, Allyson Bullard, Lane Purvis, Devin Bell, Stephanie Solari and alternate Dillon Crutchhfield.
- Second place in Prepared Public Speaking went to Jessica Baldwin.
- Second place in Extemporaneous Public Speaking went to Allie Vidak.
- First place in FFA Creed speaking went to Courtney Solari.
- Forth place in Safe Tractor Operation went to Brandon Chambless.
Tate High School placed as follows:
- Third place in Prepared Public Speaking - Emily Higdon
- First place in Extemporaneous Public Speaking – Megan Gibbs
- Second place in Creed Speaking - Victoria Beson
- First place in Tractor Driving Operations – Jeff Hansford
- First place in Parliamentary Procedure - Laura William, Megan Gibbs, Destiny Miller, Victoria Bell, Cierra Mitchell, Austin Pfeiffer, Chelsea Ward (alternate).
Jay High School placed as follows:
- First place in Parliamentary Procedure — Olivia Moore, Makenzie Bray, Paige Smith, Alicia Roberts, Sarah Adkinson, Satchel Starling
- First place — Opening and Closing Ceremony Team — Olivia Moore, Makenzie Bray, Paige Smith, Alicia Roberts, Sarah Adkinson, Satchel Starling, Colby Odom
Pictured top: Members of the Northview High School FFA. Pictured below: Members of the Ernest Ward Middle School FFA. Pictured bottom: The Jay High FFA members. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Arrested: DNA Links Man To One Of Two Bodies Found In Woods
December 8, 2010
A Pensacola man was arrested Tuesday night in connection with the death of one of two women found dead in a wooded area off Nine Mile Road on November 29.
Joshua Wayne Douglas, 22, of Indian Oak Hills Place, is charged with the murder and sexual assault of Jamie Broxson, 25, of Pensacola. Forensic testing found DNA that linked Douglas to Broxson, according to Chris Welborn, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Douglas has not yet been charged in connection with the death of Debra Jones, 19, whose badly decomposed body was also found in the wooded area.
Both bodies were found near a Gulf Power substation on Jernigan Road, just south of Nine Mile Road. Douglas’ home address, according to jail records, is directly across from the power substation.
Douglas is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond. He was taken into custody without incident at about 6:30 p.m Tuesday at a Tom Thumb on East Nine Mile Road, not far from his home and the location where the bodies were found.
Northview’s School Grade Jumps From “D” To “B”
December 8, 2010
There was excitement in the air Tuesday at Northview High School Tuesday as state school grades were released showing a jump from a D to a B.
“We are very excited; we are very proud that we are a B,” said Northview Principal Gayle Weaver.”"We knew we are a good school and we always wanted people to see beyond the school grade.”
In addition to FCAT results as in years past, school grades at the high school level this year included other factors such as graduation rates, accelerated courses and college readiness. That formula worried Weaver because, as a smaller school, Northview does not offer accelerated programs like Advance Placement or International Baccalaureate.
“No one had said what would happen to the small schools without the advanced academics,” she said. “Now we will look at exactly how we did it. We are anxious to find out the formula was that was used.”
For results from other schools in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, click here.
After Northview was graded as a D school last year, the school went to work to implement a variety of plans to help students improve their FCAT scores and overall school performance. FCAT efforts were focused on achieving learning gains for ninth and tenth grade students and increase the number of the lowest performing students that achieve success.
The primary strategy implemented was the Adviser-Mentoring Program, pairing a faculty member with a students from the lower 30 percent of ninth and tenth grade students, and the implementation of an In-School Suspension (ISS) program.
In the mentoring program, advisers meet with students periodically, review academic and discipline, connect with parents, and monitor any activities associated with the student. The mentoring program is still in place this school year.
The letter grades are based upon a new high school grading system designed to grade schools based not only on student performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), but also on their ability to graduate students, increase student participation and performance in advanced coursework, and better prepare students for college and career. Under the new requirements, 50 percent of a high school’s grade is based on the performance of their students on the FCAT, and the remaining 50 percent is based on factors that include the following:
- The school’s graduation rate.
- The performance and participation of students in Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment, Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and industry certification.
- The postsecondary readiness of the students as measured by the SAT, ACT, or College Placement Test (CPT).
- The high school graduation rate of at-risk students.
- Growth or decline in these data components from year to year.
“Under the new high school grading formula, Florida has raised the bar of what our students are expected to achieve, and our schools have proven they can and will surpass those expectations,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith.
Water Standards: Another Florida Versus The Feds Lawsuit In Pensacola
December 8, 2010
Florida will go to court to challenge tougher federal water standards slated to kick in next year, the state’s top legal and agricultural officials said Tuesday as they filed suit in federal court in Pensacola to block a controversial set of clean water standards they contend are inflexible and unworkable.
In the same court that is considering the state’s challenge to the federal health care reform, Florida’s Attorney General Bill McCollum, Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson and their successors filed the lawsuit over federal water pollution standards that set specific numeric caps on pollutant levels for Florida lakes and rivers. The standards were announced last month by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Incoming Attorney General Pam Bondi and Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam have joined the challenge of the EPA’s water standards in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida in Pensacola, a sign they intend to continue the fight against the federal standards that have been uniformly criticized by state leaders from both sides of the political aisle.
“We all want clean water for Florida, and we all believe that scientifically sound and responsible numeric nutrient criteria will improve efforts to achieve this goal,” McCollum said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. “…The EPA numeric nutrient rule and its proposed criteria are not based on scientifically sound methodology, and were adopted in an arbitrary and capricious manner just to settle a lawsuit.”
An attorney for the group that filed the lawsuit prompting the federal standards, said Tuesday’s the state’s challenge was not unexpected and marks the next step in a case that will be decided in a higher court.
Florida environmental officials want to maintain existing state standards that base acceptable pollutant levels in Florida inland waters on a case-by-case basis based on a slate of factors including historical conditions, comparisons to similar areas or site-specific numeric limits know as total maximum daily load (TMDL).
The federal water pollutions standards, enacted in November, followed a lengthy back and forth between the EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which questioned the science behind the EPA proposals and proposed its own nutrient standards. They also argued that the standards would be too expensive to comply with and unfair because they singled out Florida from the other states.
Bronson agreed with McCollum that there were questions about the legality of the water regulations, scheduled to take effect in 2013 over the objection of Florida environmental officials, businesses, farmers and a host of recently-elected state government leaders.
“I have been concerned from the beginning that EPA’s actions related to numeric nutrient criteria in Florida waters were not based on factual, verifiable science,” said Bronson, who is a separately named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit. “Florida has always been a leader in taking steps necessary to improve water quality and I was disappointed that EPA did not incorporate many of the state’s suggestions on the proposed rule.”
McCollum and Bronson lauded Bondi and Putnam for both pledging to continuing to wage the lawsuit when they take office Jan. 4. Both newly-elected Cabinet members said Tuesday they agreed with their predecessors’ take on the water regulations. All four are Republicans.
“Our communities cannot afford these new regulations which may not, in the long run, result in any meaningful improvements to our water quality beyond what our state has already implemented,” Bondi said in a statement. “As Florida’s next Attorney General, I will continue this lawsuit and will stand up on behalf of our citizens and our taxpayers.”
Saying it would be a “top priority” of his administration Putnam said the new regulations would cost consumers and localities billions of dollars and, in some cases, require technology not yet developed or too expensive to use.
“While we all would have preferred to avoid this litigation, this is but one strategy we will pursue to see that sound science prevails,” Putnam said. “I am hopeful the end result of today’s action will be the continued protection and improvement of Florida waters in a way that makes both scientific and economic sense.”
EarthJustice attorney David Guest, who filed the originally lawsuit that led to the EPA standards, noted the irony of the lawsuit being filed in the same court that is hearing the health care lawsuit, which has sided with state officials on key elements its challenge to federal law.
“In every complaint I have seen in my embarrassingly long career, which is well over 30 years now, this is the first one I’ve ever seen that did not include an explanation why a venue was (chosen),” Guest told the News Service of Florida Tuesday. “That’s a very revealing omission.”
Guest said that normally lawsuits are filed where either the plaintiffs or defendants live or where the contested issue took place. In this case, that would seem to favor the state’s capitol, Tallahassee, or Washington, D.C., the nation’s capitol, Guest said.
“There isn’t even a red-faced argument that there’s venue in Pensacola. And that’s why there’s nothing there,” he said. “If you tried to make allegations about why it was Pensacola, you wouldn’t be telling the truth and no self-respecting lawyer is going to do that because they wouldn’t want to face sanctions.”
McCollum said that the Pensacola court was chosen because the attorney general’s office had gotten complaints about the regulations from the area and because the health care lawsuit showed the court moved quickly to resolve controversial issues.
“I picked the one out in Pensacola because we discovered in the health care litigation they have a lighter load as a federal district court,” McCollum said during a news conference. “This is the region of North Florida, which is where we normally see the state challenges when we initiate them. We initiate them here unless there’s some reason to initiate them somewhere else.”
By Keith Laing
The News Service Florida