Meek And McCollum Lead Gubernatorial Poll
August 19, 2010
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill McCollum and Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Kendrick Meek, two longtime Florida politicians, could be on their way to surviving tougher-than-expected primaries with opponents who have spent millions of dollars burnishing their own, outsider images, a poll released Wednesday shows.
The Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday showed both men surging to leads over their largely self-financed opponents. McCollum led former Columbia Healthcare/HCA CEO Rick Scott by a 44 percent to 35 percent margin, after having trailed Scott by nine points just three weeks ago. Meek, who trailed real estate mogul Jeff Greene by 10 points at the end of July, is now leading by 35 percent to 28 percent.
Quinnipiac’s findings were the latest in a series of public polls showing momentum shifting back to establishment-backed candidates as the Aug. 24 primary closes in. It shows that despite the national trend, being an outsider may not be enough to get either upstart candidate over the finish line next week, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute assistant director Peter Brown said.
“Essentially, the establishment still lives in Florida politics,” he said.
McCollum and Meek have both leaned heavily on endorsements from popular members of their parties in the final weeks of the primaries, with the attorney general campaigning with former Gov. Jeb Bush and Meek stumping with former President Bill Clinton. That has played a big role in their turnarounds, Brown said.
“What’s happened is that the party elders on both sides have weighed in and they obviously have clout with members of their own parties,” he said.
McCollum and Meek have also begun countering the ubiquitous television commercials from Scott and Greene, who have each spent millions of their own money since entering the race, with tough ads of their own. Brown said McCollum and Meek’s attempts to raise doubts about Scott and Greene’s past appears to have worked.
“McCollum has been able to convince voters that not just that he’s the better candidate, but that experience matters,” Brown said. “Meek has been very good at pounding home two messages: number one, the guy used to be a Republican – he ran for office as one. That’s not very helpful in a Democratic primary. Number two, he became a billionaire betting that you would default on your mortgage. Those are very salient messages.”
In the face of McCollum’s advertising, Scott’s unfavorability ratings climbed from 26 percent in a July 29 Quinnipiac survey to 33 percent this week. Meek’s tough-edged advertising against Greene helped drive his opponent’s negative rating from 18 percent to 36 percent among voters.
Also looming as a problem for Scott with the primary less than a week away are signs that not as many voters say they want a first-time candidate as governor as Quinnipiac’s earlier survey showed. Then, 54 percent opted for an outsider. Now, 42 percent do. A similar trouble spot for Greene is that twice as many voters who say they support him acknowledge they might change their mind compared with Meek backers. While 52 percent of Greene voters say they could switch – only 26 percent of Meek supporters said they could be persuaded to turn.
The Quinnipiac poll was conducted from Aug. 11-16. Among Republicans, 807 likely primary voters were surveyed with the findings containing a margin-of-error of plus-or-minus 3.5 percentage points. Among Democrats, 814 likely primary voters were contacted – with the poll’s error margin 3.4 percentage points.
While McCollum and Meek may be benefitting from momentum swinging their way, Brown said the race remains volatile. Early voting in Florida began Aug. 9, so a portion of the primary tally is already in – and will be unaffected by any last advertising blitz.
Pushing back against signs his lead was withering, the Scott campaign, which has spent close to $40 million on TV advertising, said a separate Sunshine State News poll released Wednesday that showed him still holding a narrow edge on McCollum. The campaign suggested polls like the Quinnipiac survey were undersampling the amount of Tea Party voters who may turn out next week, though spokeswoman Jen Baker acknowledged “the race is tightening.”
“Just like the GOP establishment in states like Kentucky and Colorado underestimated the power of the conservative outsider, much of the Florida establishment is also underestimating voter turnout,” she said in a statement.
McCollum spokeswoman Kristy Campbell disagreed, saying the poll and a recent Mason-Dixon survey showing McCollum ahead mirrored the campaign’s own numbers.
“The polling we’re seeing now…reflects our internal polling and what we’re hearing in ground from Floridians who have early voted or who are getting ready to vote on Aug. 24,” she told the News Service. “We’re seeing a surge in momentum for Bill McCollum’s candidacy because he has laid out a positive agenda for our state…”
On the Democratic side, Meek called the poll “an encouraging sign for my campaign,” saying in a statement “all across the state, Floridians are standing up in support of the Real Democrat in this race.”
Greene’s campaign downplayed Wednesday’s findings.
“We’ve seen polls come out almost on a daily basis,” said Greene spokesman Luiz Vizcaino. “Some have us up, some have us in a statistical tie and some have us trailing the other candidate. What it does show is that it is a very tight race…that every vote is going to count and…it’s about getting our voters to the polls.”
By Keith Laing
The News Service Florida
Plans Changed For Dedication Of Century’s Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex
August 19, 2010
Plans now call for the Town of Century to dedicate the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex next spring rather than this fall.
Pleasant was hired this year as the defensive line coach for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, making him unavailable during the football season.
The 22 acre park was named after Century native Anthony Pleasant (pictured), a former pro football player selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 year NFL career, Pleasant played for the Browns, the Baltimore Ravens, the Atlanta Falcons, the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots. He played a total of 202 NFL games and racked up 58 sacks and two interceptions and a defensive end.
Pictured top: Action between the Century Blackcats and the Flomaton Hurricanes last fall at the Anthony Pleasant Sports Complex. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Caught On Tape: Reward Offered In Copper Theft Case (With Video)
August 19, 2010
A $1,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of a man caught on tape stealing copper from two Atmore businesses.
Surveillance video (see bottom of page) shows the thefts Sunday at both Alto Products Corp. and Audio Plus in Atmore. At both businesses, the thief made his getaway with copper wiring. The white male is believed to be in his mid-20’s to early 30’s. He fled in a white Oldsmobile Alero or a similar vehicle.
“I want to see this guy off the streets,” said James Helton, owner of Audio Plus.
Audio Plus and Alto Products have teamed up to offer a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the copper thief. Anyone with information about either theft is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Pictured: Surveillance video from a copper theft at Audio Plus in Atmore. Submitted for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Assistant Principal Named For Northview High
August 18, 2010
Northview High School has a new assistant principal, and she is looking forward to leading the Chiefs into a successful school year.
“The welcome has been very warm so far, and I’m excited about the school year,” Assistant Principal Deborah D. Ray said.
Ray’s experience includes schools in Texas and Virginia — her husband serves in the Air Force. Her education includes work at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds a Masters of Educational Administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Her husband has about four years remaining before retirement from the Air Force, and she said that means she is done with the moving process.
She currently lives in the Pensacola area, but is considering a move to the North Escambia area in the future.
Her activities include reading and spending time outdoors. But her true passion, she said, is education.
Ray says she loves to get involved with and interact with the kids. She said at a recent cheerleader practice, she told the girls that she would even consider “getting thrown up the air”.
“I like to get to know them on their level,” she said.
Ray replaces Michael Sherrill who transferred to an assistant principal position at Pine Forest High School.
Pictured: New Northview High School Assistant Principal Deborah D. Ray. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Woman Arrested For Walmart Hit And Run
August 18, 2010
A Molino woman was arrested following a hit and run crash at a Pensacola Walmart.
Elizabeth Ann Santos, 39, of Molino was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a traffic crash with injuries. She was also ticketed for violation of right of way and careless driving. Santos was released from jail on a $1,000 bond.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Santos pulled out of the Highway 29 Walmart parking lot onto Hood Drive into the path of a 2005 Chevrolet van driven by Angela D. Culbertson, 36, of Cantonment. After the Monday morning collision, Santos left the scene in her 1998 Ford, according to the FHP.
Culbertson followed, attempting to gt a tag number. Santos continued down Detroit Boulevard and lost control while attempting to turn on Bowman Avenue. Santos left the roadway and collided with several small trees.
Both Culbertson and Santos received minor injuries.
Pictured: Elizabeth Ann Santos.
Ernest Ward Football Season Begins Next Week
August 18, 2010
Football season begins next week for the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles — the only middle school football team in Escambia County, Fla.
The Eagles will travel for their first two games — to Excel on August 24 and Perdido on September 2. The first home game for EWMS will be September 7 against Excel
Here is the 2010 schedule for the Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles:
- August 24 – Away – Excel
- September 2 — Away — Perdido
- September 7 — Home — Excel
- September 14 — OPEN
- September 21 — Away — Uriah
- September 28 — Away — Escambia Academy
- October 5 — Home — Uriah
- October 12 — OPEN
- October 19 — Home — Escambia Academy
All games begin at 6 p.m.
Photo: Double Parked?
August 18, 2010
This cellphone photo shows a parking mishap recently at Grocery Advantage in Cantonment. There were no injuries report. Submitted photo by Brandie Ratcliff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have an interesting news photo to share? Email your photos to news@northescambia.com
Century Fighting Alcohol At Community Center, Postpones Meeting, Buys Newspaper Ad
August 18, 2010
The Town of Century will fight alcohol at a community center, purchase a $325 newspaper ad and postpone their next regular meeting.
Alcohol At The Ag Building
Council member Sharon Scott addressed what she said was an alcohol problem at the Century Ag Building on West Highway 4 near the nursing home. There have been several complaints about loud music and alcohol at parties at the facility over recent months.
“We are going to have to be more proactive about the Ag Building with alcohol,” Scott said at Monday night’s council meeting.
“We are,” Mayor Freddie McCall responded.
Newspaper Ad
Also at Monday night’s meeting, the council voted to a purchase a $325 ad in an upcoming football section in the Tri-City Ledger.
“It’s to support our football team,” McCall said.
Postponed Meeting
The Century Town Council’s next regular meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, September 13 at 7 p.m. The meeting was rescheduled from September 6, which is the Labor Day holiday.
Escambia To Benefit From Ag In The Classroom Grant
August 18, 2010
Students in Escambia County will benefit from a recently announced Florida Agriculture in the Classroom grant.
Elementary and middle school students in Escambia County will learn about local agriculture and healthy eating choices by observing fruits, vegetables and herbs grown in raised bed gardens and participating in Florida Agriculture in the Classroom lessons. The project is one of 19 volunteer grant projects funded statewide by the Florida Agriculture in the Classroom program.
The Gainesville-based, non-profit association funded by sales of the agriculture specialty license plate known as the ‘Ag Tag’ will spend nearly $25,000 on projects carried out primarily by University of Florida IFAS extension and 4-H agents, agri-science teachers and other educators who are working to educate students about Florida agriculture. The projects will reach more than 9,000 students.
“Our volunteer grants program is just one way we fund projects carried out by our grassroots network of volunteers around the state,” said Florida Agriculture in the Classroom Chairman and Florida Beef Council representative Vina Jean Banks. “Without them, we wouldn’t reach nearly as many students as we do each year.”
Escambia County’s grant will be funded through the Escambia County Extension agency.
Century Hires Gonzalez As New Town Clerk
August 17, 2010
Monday night, the Century Town Council voted to hire Century native Leslie Gonzalez as the new town clerk.
Gonzalez recently returned to Century from South Florida where she was employed by Equity Residential, The Cove at Boynton Beach. In the position, she leased apartments to prospects. She was previously employed as a teacher and lunchroom aid in Palm Beach County, and as a bookkeeper for a Jacksonville law firm.
Mayor Freddie McCall said Gonzalez’s starting salary will be $12.02 per hour or $25,000 per year. Over the next year and a half, she will attend programs offered by the Florida League of Cities to obtain her city clerk certification. At that point, McCall said, her salary will be raised to $14.48 per hour, or about $30,000 per year.
Tuesday will be the first day on the job for Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was one of the top four candidates when Century accepted applications for the town clerk job following the Apil retirement of Dorothy Sims, McCall said. In June, the council hired Darlene Peters of Pensacola as the town clerk.
But by August, the town learned that Peters’ husband had accepted an out of state job. On August 3, council members were told that Peters would remain on a part-time basis temporarily as she worked to complete a degree at an area college while the town works to hire another clerk. Monday night, McCall said Peters had already left the town in order to join her husband.
The town will also hire current consultant Debbie Nickles to work two days per week on a tempory contract basis at $20 per hour to work on grant applications and perform other tasks while Gonzalez is trained.
The motions to hire Gonzalez and Nickles both passed 3-1, with Henry Hawkins against and Gary Riley absent.
Pictured top: Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.