Century To Consider Charter Amendment To Change Elections
November 16, 2010
The Town of Century will explore amending the town’s charter to change election days to coincide with the regularly scheduled county elections.
Under the current charter, Century’s general election is held on the second Tuesday of the month. That meant this year, for example, taxpayers footed the bill for the county and statewide general election on November 2 and then paid to hold another election a week later in Century with just two candidates in a runoff for town council.
“I felt it was a waste of our tax payer money to have this last election we had just a week after the county election,” Ann Brooks, Century Town Council president, said Monday night.
But the council can’t just amend the charter — that requires a referendum, according to Brooks who cited an email from the town’s attorney. But rather than hold an additional, special election on a referendum to reduce the number of elections in Century, Brooks suggested that the town target a charter-changing referendum for the next general election.
Brooks also recommended that the council review the town charter to determine if any other changes are needed that could be included in the referendum.
Lame duck Councilman Henry Hawkins suggested that the council consider charter changes after two new members take office in January. Brooks said the charter changes would be considered in January.
Century’s elections are managed by Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford through an interlocal agreement.
Pictured top: Ballots are counted for a Century town council election by Escambia County elections officials. Pictured inset: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and members of the Century Canvassing Board tabulate votes. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Molino Pharmacy Robbery Suspect Back Behind Bars
November 16, 2010
The Molino man charged in connection with the September armed robbery of a Molino Pharmacy is behind bars again, over a week after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Joseph Daniel Flowers, 56, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Monday night where he was being held without bond.
According to Escambia County Circuit Court records, Judge Ronald Swanson revoked bond for Flowers and issued a failure to appear warrant for his arrest on October 4. He was originally charged with robbery with a firearm, grand theft, possession of a firearm in pharmacy, aggravated battery and wearing a mask while committing a felony.
The grand theft and wearing a mask while committing a felony charges were dropped, while multiple drug possession charges were filed against Flowers.
Flowers was charged with robbing Scott’s Pharmacy on September 20 while wearing a bathrobe, slippers, yellow kitchen gloves and underwear on his head.
Flowers is also facing charges for the alleged battery of his accomplice — Krystal Lynn Collins — with a two liter bottle of Coke. Collins, 24, was also charged in connection with the robbery; deputies believe she was the getaway car driver. On Monday, his attorney entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf to the battery charges.
For more about the robbery and Flowers’ arrest, click here. For more about Collins’ arrest for allegedly driving the getaway car, click here. And for more about the battery arrest, click here.
Escambia’s New ‘Green’ Central Office Complex Opens
November 16, 2010
Escambia County’s new green office building opened Monday of Fairfield Drive.
The new 79,000 square foot Escambia County Central Office Complex (ECCOC) located at 3363 West Park Place houses members of the Escambia County Building Inspections, Environmental Enforcement, Fire Safety, Community and Environmental Services, Geographic Information System, Animal Control, Engineering, Development Services and Transportation offices. The consolidation of these services that were once housed in three separate buildings provides a “one stop” complex that meets the public’s needs. Now residents and business owners can have their plans reviewed by the necessary entities and pull a permit all under one roof.
The complex, Escambia County’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified building, has one of the largest green roof systems in the State of Florida. In addition, the building boasts pervious concrete paving, energy-efficient construction and natural light that, according to studies, improves employee productivity. It is estimated that the building will use 22 percent less energy and 38 percent less water than current building codes allow.
The building also has bicycle racks to encourage residents and employees to ride their bikes instead of driving a car, special parking for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles and native vegetation that require no irrigation. Thirty-four percent of materials used to construct the building were purchased from regional vendors and 43 percent of the total value of materials installed were manufactured from recycled content.
The construction of the new ECCOC was funded through grants from Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Department of Environmental Protection at a cost of approximately $11 million.
Miss Jay Beauties Named
November 16, 2010
Miss Jay Elementary, Little Miss Jay and Tiny Miss Jay were named recently. The event was sponsored by the Jay High School FCCLA to support chapter projects and attend a February educational program.
There were three divisions — Tiny Miss for K to first grade, Little Miss for second to fourth grade, and Miss Jay Elementary for fifth and sixth grade.
Winners and their photos are below.
Miss Jay Elementary: (L-R) Meghan Mayo, 3rd runner-up; Haley Holland, 2nd runner-up; Morgan Floyd, Queen; Hope Miller, 1st runner-up and Lauren Gavin, Miss Cooperative.
Little Miss Jay: (L-R) Carly Willis, Miss Cooperative; Mallory Floyd, 1st runner-up; Jillian Thornton, Queen; Carsyn Seib, 2nd runner-up; and Sierra Hutto, 3rd runner-up.
Tiny Miss Jay: (L-R) Carlyn Watson, 1st runner-up; Kinsley Cook, 2nd runner-up; Emma Barrow, Queen and Miss Cooperative; and Bailey Scott, 3rd runner up.
Photos courtesy Junia Fischer, Photo by Fischer for NorthEscambia,com, click to enlarge.
NWE Honors Players, Cheerleaders, Coaches And Volunteers
November 16, 2010
Nearly 100 football players, cheerleaders, coaches and volunteers were honored recently during the annual Northwest Escambia Football banquet held at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Pictured below are the NWE Mini Mites, Mites and Midgets.
Pictured above: Northwest Escambia Mini Mites.
Pictured above: Northwest Escambia Midgets.
Pictured above: Northwest Escambia Mites.
Submitted photos by Tina Segers for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Power Gets New President
November 16, 2010
Susan Story, who has served as Gulf Power president and CEO since 2003, has been named president and CEO of Southern Company Services in Atlanta. She will be succeeded by Mark A. Crosswhite who is currently executive vice president, external affairs, for Southern Company’s Alabama Power subsidiary.
“Both Susan and Mark are representative of what makes our company so strong,” said Tom Fanning, Southern Company president. “Talented, experienced, versatile leaders who understand our business and bring an enthusiasm and vision to meeting the challenges ahead.”
Crosswhite, who becomes Gulf Power’s 15th president, joined Southern Company in 2004 as senior vice president and general counsel for the company’s generation organization. He later was named senior vice president and general counsel for Alabama Power before moving into his current executive role in external affairs. Prior to joining Southern Company, Crosswhite was a partner with the Balch & Bingham law firm in Birmingham, Ala.
Crosswhite serves on the board of directors for Baptist Health Foundation, the University of Alabama School of Law Foundation and the Birmingham Business Alliance, as well as the board of the Laps for CF Foundation. He also is vice-chair of the Electricity Committee of the Public Utility, Communications and Transportation section of the American Bar Association. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Huntsville and earned his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.
In her new role, Story will oversee numerous areas, including human resources, information technology, procurement, marketing services and the company’s wireless subsidiary, SouthernLINC. Story also will be responsible for Southern Company’s evolving strategy around the development and deployment of “smart” technologies. She will take on a leadership role in the company’s multiple efforts to deploy new and emerging technologies as it seeks to transform traditional generation sources, develop new renewable sources and enhance energy efficiency programs.
Since Story joined Southern Company in 1982 as a nuclear power plant engineer, she has served in numerous capacities with increasing responsibilities, including executive vice president, engineering and construction services, and vice president, supply chain management, at Southern Company, and vice president, real estate and corporate services at Alabama Power.
Story currently is on the Florida Board of Education, chairs the Florida Council of 100 and is immediate past chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, as well as past vice-chair of Enterprise Florida and chair of Enterprise Florida Strategic Council. She serves on the boards of Raymond James Financial, Inc., James Madison Institute, the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and the Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission.
She has an industrial engineering degree from Auburn University and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She also has completed executive education programs at Duke University and Oxford University, along with international business studies at Cambridge University and leadership studies at Harvard University.
The leadership transition will become effective on January 1.
Evers, Gaetz Named To Committee Chair Posts
November 16, 2010
Northwest Florida’s senators were tapped to chair committees Monday by Senate President Mike Haridopolos as the chambers organize themselves for the 2011 Legislative Session.
Republican Greg Evers of Baker, who is moving over from the House to the Senate District 2, was named chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee. District 4 Senator Don Gaetz was name chairman of the Reapportionment committee.
The Republican from Niceville was also named chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development.
“Selecting committee chairs has been a member driven process,” Haridopolos said in a statement. “I took great strides in placing senators on committees they wanted to serve on.”
Chairmanships announced Monday included:
- Agriculture: Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando.
- Communications, Energy and Public Utilities: Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Wellington
- Community Affairs: Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton
- Environmental Preservation and Conservation: Sen. Charles Dean, R-Inverness
- Banking and Insurance: Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples
- Commerce and Tourism: Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice
- Regulated Industries: Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole
- Transportation: Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Tampa
- Children, Families and Elder Affairs, Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Brandon
- Criminal Justice: Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker
- Education K-12: Sen Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville
- Health Regulation: Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Miami
- Higher Education: Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Gainesville
- Judiciary: Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami
- Subcommittee on Ethics and Elections: Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami
- Government Oversight and Accountability: Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate
- Military Affairs, Space and Domestic Security, Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera
- Reapportionment: Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville
- Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations: Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey
- Subcommittee on Finance and Tax, Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale
- Subcommittee on General Government Appropriations Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla
- Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriation: Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart
- Subcommittee on PreK-12 Appropriations: Sen, David Simmons, R-Orlando
- Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development: Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville.
- Rules Committee: Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine
- Budget Committee: Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales.
Joint Committees: Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa.
Driver Cited After Highway 99 Crash With Injuries
November 15, 2010
Two people were injured in a two vehicle wreck Friday night in Molino, including the driver of a vehicle charged in connection with the accident.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Richard Daniel Brown, Jr., 52, of McDavid was northbound on Highway 99 near Crabtree Church Road about 8:30 p.m. when he lost control of his 2001 Chevrolet pickup. Brown crossed into path of a northbound 2007 Pontiac driven by Samantha Elizabeth Luker, 22, of Molino. After the initial collision, Brown’s pickup overturned onto its left side.
Luker was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. Her passenger, Holly Lynn Digmon, 24, of McDavid, received minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital. Brown received minor injuries and was transported to West Florida Hospital.
Brown was charged with careless driving, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. According to the FHP, everyone involved in the accident was wearing a seat belt, and alcohol was not a factor in the accident.
The Molino and Walnut Hill Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the crash, along with Escambia County EMS.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputy’s Condition Upgraded To ‘Good’
November 15, 2010
There condition of Escambia County Deputy Jeremy Cassady has been upgraded to good as he continues to improved following being shot October 29.
Cassady, 36, remains at Sacred Heart Hospital in good condition after being shot by Phillip Monier, 47. Monier remains in the Escambia County Jail on $2 million bond. He is charged with three counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and home invasion robbery.
Cassady was shot by Monier at the Bayview Circle home of his ex-girlfriend Jackie Rosenbloom on October 29. Cassady was struck in the side. Deputy Sam Parker was hit in the chest, and Deputy Chad Brown was hit in the arm. Parker and Brown were treated and released.
Rosenbloom, who was shot in the legs and pelvis, has been released from Sacred Heart Hospital.
Court documents show the incident begain when Monier forced his way into the home and demanded that a ring be returned.
Sales Tax Funds Paving North Escambia Dirt Roads
November 15, 2010
Work is underway to pave two dirt roads in Walnut Hill, and engineering work is progressing to pave another dirt road in Molino.
Pelt and Seals Roads
The $310,457.25 project to pave Pelt and Seals road was awarded to Roads Inc. Of NWF. The next lowest bid was $388,178 from Panhandle Grading and Paving.
Pelt Road is about a mile in length between Highway 97 and Pine Forest Road in Walnut Hill. Seals Road is a dead end dirt road that runs about a half mile north off Pelt Road. The project includes paving the existing dirt road, removing and replacing existing culverts, driveway replacements and signage.
The project is being funded with Local Option Sales Tax funds.
Brickyard Road
Engineering is currently underway to pave a portion of Brickyard Road in Molino. Escambia County awarded the $65,903.27 project to Metric Engineering rather than use the county’s engineers due to reduced county staffing in the engineering department.
The Brickyward Road project is also being funded with Local Option Sales Tax funds.
Pictured top: Work is underway to pave Pelt Road in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.