Century Approves $111 Million Financing For Airport Projects
October 5, 2010
The Town of Century voted Monday night to approve the issuance of over $100 million in revenue bonds for airport projects in Florida, Texas and Mississippi.
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.
At their respective council meetings Monday night, Century and Gulf Breeze approved two finance ordinances. The first, for up to $35 million, refinances a prior project for Miami FX, LLC. The bond issue being refinanced at a fixed rate was originally loaned to Aero Miami FX, LLC and used to finance the cost of acquiring, constructing and equipping an air cargo warehouse and distribution facility located at the Miami International Airport.
The second bond issue approval was for up to $76 million to Million Air Interlink, Inc. of Texas. The funds will be used at the Tallahassee Regional Airport to construct a maintenance and repair facility to be subleased to Honda Jet Center; at the William P. Hobby International Airport in Houston for the upgrading, reconditioning, improving and beautification of existing facilities; and at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport for the improvement, remodeling and equipping of existing facilities.
The up to $111 million in funding does not come from the Town of Century or the City of Gulf Breeze. It comes from funds belonging to CTA, which has funded projects with Century’s approval ranging from a Seminole Indian resort and a health care facility in Kansas.
For serving as the second signature for CTA, Century is paid $350 per $1 million financed. The Town of Century will earn up to $38,850 for the two finance project approved Monday night. Both projects were passed by the council 3-1, with Councilman Henry Hawkins voting no and Councilwoman Sharon Scott absent.
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.
Since the inception of the CTA partnership between Century and Gulf Breeze in 1999, Century has received nearly a half million dollars in fees from about 20 projects.
Jay Mayor, Council Members Sworn In
October 5, 2010
A mayor elected by just one vote, an incumbent and a political newcomer were sworn into office Monday night in Jay.
In August, Kurvin Qualls was re-elected mayor by a single vote over Ben Hudson. Qualls has served as Jay’s mayor for the past four years, and he had previously served for four years on the town council.
“There are great things going on in Jay, and we are going to keep it going,” Qualls said after his re-election. “There are exciting things about to happen in the near future, and there are great opportunities in front of us.”
Shon O. Owens and Charles “Chubby” Haveard were also sworn in Monday night to the Jay Town Council. Owens is a newcomer to politics in Jay, while Haveard was an incumbent.
Chiefs Are Only Undefeated District 1-A Team
October 5, 2010
The Northview Chiefs are on top of District 1-A halfway through the football season. The Chiefs and the Freeport Bulldogs are the only teams undefeated in District 1-A football. The Chiefs also have a perfect record overall, while Freeport has one non-district loss.
The Chiefs will celebrate homecoming Friday night against Holmes County (3-1, 3-1). Holmes County’s only loss was to Vernon two weeks ago. Freeport will put their perfect district record on the line against South Walton (3-2, 2-2).
The Jay Royals, the other North Escambia area team in District 1-A, are winless this season.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs remained undefeated with a win over Baker last Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Big Escambia, Flomaton Oilfield Interests Sold for $4.2 Million
October 5, 2010
Eagle Rock Energy announced Monday that the company has purchased oilfield interests for $4.2 million in the Flomaton area.
Eagle Rock Energy Partners, L.P. acquired certain additional interests in the Big Escambia Creek Field and the nearby Flomaton and Fanny Church Fields from Indigo Minerals, LLC, for $4.2 million, with an effective date of August 1, 2010.
These interests are in wells in which the Eagle Rock partnership currently owns a significant interest and are nearly 100 percent operated by the partnership.
The Big Escambia Creek Field, along with the Flomaton and Fanny Church Fields, are currently producing 130 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
‘Proximity’ Standard Dropped For Oil Spill Claims
October 5, 2010
Amid mounting pressure from Florida officials, the administrator of the fund settling BP spill claims said Monday that geographic proximity to oil-fouled beaches is no longer a factor for businesses or individuals seeking compensation — allowing loses to be claimed in further inland areas such as North Escambia.
Ken Feinberg, head of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility which oversees the $20 billion BP account, called “unwarranted” the standard that had drawn heat from Florida officials and organizations who warned it would force many claimants into court. Feinberg acknowledged the pressure from Gov. Charlie Crist, Attorney General Bill McCollum and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink over “how, regardless of distance, there has been economic impact beyond the areas closest to the spill.
“After listening to these concerns, I have concluded that a geographic test to determine eligibility regarding economic harm due to the oil spill is unwarranted,” Feinberg said.
McCollum was the only state official immediately weighing in on the decision. He spoke with Feinberg last month, again pressing the state’s case to relax the geographic standard.
Feinberg also met with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, which claims its members lost millions of dollars in business even though many are located miles from Gulf beaches affected by the spill.
“While we are happy that Mr. Feinberg has finally seen the light on this issue, we continue to have concerns about many other aspects of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility,” McCollum said. “We will continue to monitor the claims process…to ensure that all claims are processed in a timely manner.”
Longtime Newspaper Columnist, Radio Host Passes Away
October 5, 2010
Longtime Escambia County (Ala.) newspaper columnist and radio station commentator Mary Elizabeth “Mary Beth” White passed away Sunday.
White, a homemaker and resident of Pollard, Ala. for most of her life, wrote a column named “Mary-Go-Round” for nearly 50 years in The Atmore Advance, The Brewton Standard and The Tri-City Ledger. For many years, she also hosted a radio program on WTCB in Flomaton with Pollard news and safety information.
For the complete obituary, click here.
FCAT Retake Test To Be Given At Northview
October 4, 2010
FCAT retake tests will be administered next week at Northview High School.
The following information was released by the school:
FCAT Retake Test will be administered on the following dates;
- October 11th, 2010 (Reading)
- October 12th, 2010 (Math)
This test is mainly for students in the 11th or 12th grade and post high school graduates who have not passed the required 10th grade Reading and Math FCAT. Students must be at the school no later than 8:45 am to take the required test. No student will be allowed to enter the testing area late.
All post high school graduates, please contact Ms. Boyce at (850) 327-6681 ext. 233 at Northview to register. Anyone needing additional information may also call Ms. Boyce.
What Does A Vote In Century Cost? Candidates File Finance Reports
October 4, 2010
Candidates for three council seats in Century have raised a total of almost $3 for each registered voter in Century’s primary election scheduled for Tuesday.
As of late last week, the six candidates had received a total of $3,183.25 in cash and in-kind contributions. There are 1,081 voters registered for Tuesday’s election.
Click a candidate’s name below to read their complete campaign finance reports for the entire campaign.
Century Council Seat 3
Henry Hawkins
Jacke Johnston
Robert Lasher
During the most recent reporting period, Robert Lasher reported one $50 cash contribution from Don Ripley and a $250 in-kind donation from Terri Sanders for signage. During the entire campaign, he reported just three expenditures — $300 to the Tri-City Ledger for advertising, $219.24 for signs and $48 for the office qualifying fee. Lasher received a total of $580 in cash and spent $567.24, leaving a $12.76 balance headed into election week.
Challenger Jacke Johnston reported a $30 in-kind contribution of business cards and pamphlets from John B. Johnston and expenses during the reporting period. Johnston spend $374.50 on signs, with $424.50 in total expenses out of $452 in contributions during her campaign. Her campaign fund balance as of September 30 was $27.50.
Incumbent Henry Hawkins reported no contributions and no expenditures during the most recent period. Overall, Hawkins reported $200 in contributions, all from Julie Booth-Moran. He spend $48 on qualifying and $129 on labels for signs, leaving him with a $13 balance.
Century Council Seat 4
Gary Riley was re-elected to his seat 4 post on the council with no challenger. He contributed the $48 qualifying fee to his own campaign.
Century Council Seat 5
Annie Carter Savage
Sandra McMurray-Jackson
The largest campaign war chest belonged to Annie Carter Savage, with $1,097.85 in contributions as of end of the most recent reporting period last Thursday. During the September 11-30 reporting period, Savage reported one contribution — $2.85 in cash from the Southern Pit Stop gas station. Her campaign expenditures included $129 in gas, $38.14 for printer ink and copy paper, and her $48 qualifying fee. She did not report purchasing any signs or advertisements as of September 30. Savage reported a balance of $829.84.
Sandra McMurray-Jackson reported total contributions of $460.40 as of September 30 and total expenditures of $433.40. During the last reporting period, she reported a $385.40 contribution from her Jackson-McMurray Funeral Service and an equal expenditure to Xtreme Graphix in Jay for campaign signs. Other than her funeral home, there were no other outside contributors to McMurray-Jackson’s campaign.
Pictured top: A group of political signs near Showalter Park in Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
$2.5 Million Appropriated For North Escambia Paratransit Services
October 4, 2010
Nearly $2.5 million is being appropriated for fiscal year 2010-2011 to provide transportation services for American with Disabilities Act paratransit riders in North Escambia.
Funding includes $2,412.843 to provide transportation services for other human services organizations through services coordinated by the CTC in the Century, McDavid, Bratt, and Molino areas, plus a portion of cantonment and Beulah.
Funding the North Escambia area is provided by: $267,000 from CTC, $1,680,000 from Medicaid, $36,000 from Escambia County, $185,600 from rider fares and $244,2423 from miscellaneous state and federal funding sources.
Escambia County, by providing mass transit services through ECAT, is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide complimentary paratransit service within a certain distance of existing bus routes. The service has been provided since 1991.
In accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 427, ECAT contracts with the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) designated by the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO)
for the provision of this service.
Escambia County’s total contribution to the countywide program will be an estimated $1,106,990 during the next fiscal year.
Search Continues For Tate Student Missing For Nine Years
October 4, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is once again seeking information about the disappearance of a Tate High student last seen nine years ago in North Escambia.
Danielle Arion Bell, 14, was last seen at a party in September of 2001, near Cantonment. The teenager is believed to be an endangered runaway, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Danielle has a scar on her right forearm and blue eyes. She had brown hair at the time of her disappearance. She would now be 22 years old.
Danielle attended Tate High School where she was a member of the Aggies cheerleading squad. The popular teen enjoyed dancing and drawing.
She was seen at a party on Cedar Tree Lane in Cantonment. Witnesses told authorities that she left the party that night shortly after a man that was in his mid-twenties at the time. Escambia County deputies later questioned that man and searched his home, but he was never charged in connection with the case.
During the summer of 2007, Alfredo Gomez Sanchez, Jr. was charged with providing law enforcement with false information about his whereabouts at the time Bell disappeared. He was not implicated in her disappearance.
Anyone with information about Bell is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (850) 436-9580 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.