Sink Sets Sights On Scott
August 25, 2010
Having easily claimed the Democratic gubernatorial nomination Tuesday, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink wasted little time turning her attention to Naples businessman Rick Scott, who claimed victory Tuesday evening in a close race with Attorney General Bill McCollum.
In a video emailed to supporters , Sink said Scott, who only referred to Sink in his remarks Tuesday as “my Democratic opponent,” would run a harshly negative campaign against him similar to the bruising GOP primary. The video is at the bottom of this page.
“The election has barely been called, but Rick Scott is picking up right where he left off in his negative campaign against Bill McCollum, as though a negative campaign of personal attacks is the only kind of campaign Rick Scott knows how to run,” Sink said in the video. “But you and I know we need a governor who attacks Florida’s challenges, not someone who just attacks other people.”
But just as quickly, she raised similar questions as McCollum about Scott’s past as CEO of Columbia/HCA Healthcare, which paid $1.7 million in fines and civil settlements after Scott left due to allegations of fraud.
“We know there are many troubling and unanswered questions about Rick Scott’s background and business practices, things he clearly doesn’t want to talk about,” she said. “And let’s not forget only moved to Florida seven years ago.”
In his victory speech Tuesday, Scott predicted that some of the independent business groups that backed McCollum would support Sink, a former bank with strong ties to the Florida business community. “They like my Democratic opponent,” Scott said of the independent groups that funneled money to McCollum as the primary grew expensive. “She plays by their rules. So we know what’s next. One group (of political committees) spent millions attacking me. Tomorrow a new gang starts.”
Florida Awarded $700 Million In Education ‘Race To The Top’
August 25, 2010
Florida is set to collect $700 million for its schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday, naming the Sunshine State one of 10 winners in the second round of its $4.35 billion Race to the Top competition.
The funds will help shore up education spending in a down economy and set the stage for lawmakers and the state Department of Education to push for reforms in public schools that could include instituting a merit pay system for teachers, which was the subject of a nasty political fight this past spring.
“We are very, very thrilled to be one of those that will receive an award in round two,”said state Education Commissioner Eric Smith. “I think that this round is a true example of what can happen when a state collaborates, works together, pulls together.”
Race to the Top is part of President Barack Obama’s $800-billion stimulus plan that passed in 2009. Money is doled out through a competitive two-round grant application process. Florida was widely rumored to be a frontrunner in the first round, but finished fourth and out of contention for federal dollars. Only Delaware and Tennessee took home money when the first round winners were announced in late March.
Federal school officials cited problems with the state’s initial application for the money, mainly the lack of support from teacher unions across the state. The Florida Education Association, the statewide lobbying arm for the individual unions, said they hadn’t been included or listened to during many initial conversations about the state’s grant application and voiced concerns about the proposals, particularly ones enforcing a merit pay system for teachers based on student test scores.
The revamped application, which did win union approval, still focuses on merit pay for teachers. But it would not be imposed on districts where an agreement could not be reached via the local collective bargaining process.
Smith, Gov. Charlie Crist and a delegation of Florida educators pitched the state’s overhauled proposal to federal education officials earlier this month. It also presented the overall goals of doubling the number of students who graduate high school and take college credits, narrowing the achievement gap in reading and math and increasing the number of students who read above the proficiency level.
“We’re heartened that Florida became a recipient of the Race to the Top grant in the second phase of the federal program,” FEA President Andy Ford said in a statement. “Our state was unsuccessful in the first phase because the scope of Florida’s application was imposed by the state. When the governor appointed a working group that included superintendents, school boards, teachers, parents, FEA and other groups, differences were quickly worked out.”
The other states that will receive federal funds are the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Rhode Island. And the U.S. Department of Education has asked Congress for another $1.35 billion to continue the program so more states can receive funding.
In both rounds combined, 46 states and the District of Columbia applied for the grant money.
The next step is for local school boards to develop a plan of how they will implement reforms and use the federal money. The local boards have 90 days, starting today, to develop those plans, but they will not include full blown contract negotiations, Smith said. Schools who do not participate in the reforms will not receive any money.
Smith also said he does not anticipate that the department will need any legislative action to implement reforms.
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service Florida
Qualls Re-elected Jay Mayor; One Incumbent, One Newcomer Elected To Council
August 25, 2010
(Updated) It now appears that Jay’s mayor has been re-elected — by just one vote — and there is one new member on the town council.
Mayor
Complete, but unofficial, election results show incumbent Mayor Kurvin Qualls (pictured) received 72 votes while political newcomer Ben Hudson received 71 votes.
Tuesday night, election results reported as being complete by the Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections showed Hudson with one more vote than Qualls, but those results were later updated to show Qualls as the winner.
The vote totals must be certified by the Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections Office prior to becoming official.
Qualls has served as Jay’s mayor for the past four years, and he had previously served for four years on the town council.
Town Council
Newcomer Shon O. Owens received 85 votes and incumbent Charles “Chubby” Haveard received 77 votes to be elected to two seats on the town council. Incumbent Jackie Stewart-Ard received 67 votes and lost her council seat.
Town Clerk
With no opposition on the ballot, Town Clerk Linda Carden was automatically re-elected to her post.
By The Numbers: First Day Enrollment At Area Schools
August 24, 2010
Over 65,000 students headed back to class in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on Monday.
About 25,000 were in class in Santa Rosa County, while reports show 40,702 enrolled in Escambia County.
Bratt Elementary School had 460 in class for the first day. There were 156 students at Byrneville Elementary, 630 at Jim Allen Elementary, and 422 at Molino Park Elementary.
At Ernest Ward Middle School, there were 491 enrolled Monday. There were 1,319 at Ransom Middle School. Northview High School had an enrollment of 549 Monday, and there were 2,020 at Tate High.
Tate is the largest high school in the county, while Northview is the smallest, according to enrollment figures. Ernest Ward is the county’s smallest middle school.
There were 1,352 home school students counted by the Escambia School District on Monday. Fourteen students started the school year in the Escambia County Jail, including six at the middle school level.
Pictured top: This graphic shows the number of students enrolled Monday at each North Escambia area school in Escambia County.
Smooth First Day Of School (But Hot At Northview)
August 24, 2010
The first day of school in North Escambia went well, according to students and administrators alike.
“It was the best first day we have ever had,” Ernest Ward Middle School Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said. “It went really well.”
There were problems reported with the air conditioning system at Northview High School. Otherwise, there were no major problems reported. There were the usual class schedule problems and transportation delays that come with the first day.
Pictured above: Students wait for the their schedules Monday morning at Ernest Ward Middle School. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man, 60, Arrested For Flashing; Deputies Seek Witnesses
August 24, 2010
An 60-year old Pensacola man was arrested after exposing himself in the parking lot of a Nine Mile Road shopping center, and deputies are looking for additional witnesses.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Target parking lot after receiving complaints of an older male in an older model blue Lincoln exposing himself. An arriving deputy located Jerry W. Dunlop in a blue Lincoln circling the parking lot, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Bowman told deputies that he had recently been released from prison for rape.
“The suspect also stated his pants were low but when asked by Deputy Bowman if he exposed himself, Dunlop stated he couldn’t remember,” according to Sgt. Ted Roy, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. “Deputy Bowman observed the suspects pants unzipped and unbuttoned. He also observed binoculars, a sex toy and lubricant in the vehicle. A witness approached Deputy Bowman and stated he had observed the suspect circling the parking lot with his pants down…”
Dunlop was booked into the Escambia County Jail on $100,000 bond on one count of misdemeanor indecent exposure.
A witness told the Sheriff’s Office that several adults and juveniles were also witness to the alleged lewd and indecent behavior. Any other witnesses are asked to call Investigator Shorette at (850) 436-9560.
Almost 12,000 Cast Early Ballots
August 24, 2010
Almost 12,000 people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties took advantage of early voting to cast their ballots in advance of Tuesday’s primaries.
There were 6,784 people voting early in Escambia County and 4,932 in Santa Rosa County. Early voting was offered August 9 through this past Saturday at half a dozen locations in the two counties. Nearly 2,000 people cast an early vote in Escambia County during the final two days.
The numbers do not include those that voted by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are due back in the local supervisor of elections office by 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Photo Gallery: Back To School
August 24, 2010
Monday was the first day of school in Escambia County. We invited readers to submit their back to school photos.
To see the photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The Northview High School cheerleaders prepare for a back to school routine Monday morning. Pictured left: Cole Crichton prepares for his first day at Jim Allen Elementary in Cantonment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Don’t Forget To Send All That Paperwork Back To School
August 24, 2010
Every child in Escambia County should have received an assortment of paperwork during the first day of school Monday. School administrators stress the importance of filling out that paperwork and returning it as soon as possible.
“It’s very important that we get all of the paperwork back tomorrow”, Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said. “We gave the folder of paperwork to the students during the last five minutes of school; so it should all make it home.”
If you have questions about any of the blue cards, white cards or other forms, call your child’s school tomorrow.
Molino Dollar General Opens
August 24, 2010
The new Dollar General Store on Highway 29 in Molino quietly opened for business Monday. A grand opening celebration is planned in the coming weeks, but no date has been announced.
The store was constructed, stocked and ready for opening in less than three months — the building permit was issued on May 25.
Molino’s Dollar General is just over 12,000 square feet; the company’s average store is about 7,000 square feet.
“We will be able to offer a full selection of brand name and private label products, including food, home decor, household items, basic clothing, seasonal items and more,” Emily Weiss, Dollar General spokesperson, said.
The Molino store location was chosen by the Dollar General corporation based upon demographic trends, traffic patterns and customer needs, Weiss added.
In the North Escambia area, there are also Dollar General stores in Century, Cantonment, Flomaton, Jay,and Atmore.
Pictured above: The new Dollar General Store in Molino Saturday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.