Commissioner Wants Escambia Waters Tested
May 20, 2010
One Escambia County Commissioner wants to make sure that the water quality off Escambia’s beaches is safe following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. He is calling for weekly water testing to monitor any changes.
Commissioner Grover Robinson issued the following statement Wednesday:
Recently it has come to our attention the public concern with water quality on the Gulf of Mexico. Prior to the end of April and first of May we quickly took water samples for clinical testing of both our Gulf and inland waters to determine the baseline for the existing waterways. With this baseline we are able to know what is a clean and acceptable level for people who participate in water activities.
We must and will do all we can to ensure the environmental protection of our citizens and our tourists. Towards that end, I am working through staff to submit a request to e-Constellation (Unified Command) to perform weekly testing on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. This water sampling would be tested and the results compared against the baseline. If there is no detectable difference between the test and the baseline then the water will be deemed safe.
If the water is significantly in variation from the baseline we will work with the State Health Department and notify our citizens and visitors. The plan is to take one sample on Pensacola Beach and the following week take a sample from Perdido Key and return to Pensacola Beach the following week and so forth as we proceed through the summer and fall season. We believe the cost of this testing will be around $25,000 but would seem the right allocation of resources from BP and e-Constellation to ensure the public’s safety and wellbeing.
I believe it is Escambia County’s responsibility to ensure the citizen’s wellbeing; however, if there is no detectable variation, then it is equally our responsibility to promote our economic entities. At this point there are many details of the testing plan yet to be resolved; however, I do hope that it will be made available on a weekly basis to the public and to the media for publication.
If you have any questions or comments you are welcome to contact myself or Larry Newsom to discuss.
Sincerely,
Grover C. Robinson, IV
Chairman,
Escambia Board of County Commissioners
Walking Trail Featured In State Guide
May 20, 2010
Looking for a good place to walk? A trip around Flomaton’s Hurricane Park is one of the best walks in Alabama.
The “Alabama’s Passport to Fitness” walking trail guide from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs lists the walk around the park as one of the 85 best Passport Trails in the state.
Welcome centers across Alabama, as well as each community with a trail, will provide the official Passport Guide that contains maps of the trails and points of interest. In addition, the “Passport Stamp Page” allows walkers to collect an official passport stamp for each trail walked.
An online GIS interactive web page provides a virtual map that contains street maps and aerial imagery for each trail.
Flomaton’s Hurricane Park is an easy walk around a playground on a paved track. The walk passes the Turtle Point Environmental Science Center (pictured), a hands-on experience located on twenty acres of wetlands on Big Escambia Creek. The center features an interpretive wildlife center; wetland trail and boardwalk; gardens; butterfly and honeybee exhibits; and touch tank; live reptile, fish, and amphibian exhibits and a gift shop. The park is located on Highway 31 across from Flomaton High School.
To learn more about the Alabama Passport To Fitness guide and to view the interactive map, click here.
Courtesy photos and graphics for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fire, Chemical Spill At Masland Carpets
May 19, 2010
A Wednesday night fire at Masland Carpets in Atmore and a chemical spill were quickly contained.
The fire was reported about 9:30 p.m and was quickly extinguished by the Atmore Fire Department. A potential hazardous materials situation was turned over to Masland for cleanup.
Authorities said a mishap caused powdered bleach and a dioxide to be mixed, and the combination spontaneously combusted.
The entire facility was evacuated during the incident. Workers were able to return to the building in about 45 minutes, and the overnight shift reported to work as normal.
There were no injuries reported.
The Atmore Fire Department, Poarch Creek Fire Department and the Atmore Police Department responded to the incident.
Pictured above: Firefighters on scene at Masland Carpets in Atmore Wednesday night. NorthEsambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Snapshot: Big Increase In Construction In Escambia County
May 19, 2010
A snapshot of activity last month in Escambia County’s Building Inspections Division shows a big increase over a year ago in construction and renovations.
In April 2010, there were 57 new single family home plans submitted for approval, up from 31 in April 2009. Permits were issued for 64 new single family homes in April 2010; there were 37 in 2009.
The total valuation of construction in Escambia County increased from $15,748,000 in April 2009 to $91,540,255 in April 2010.
Jay Tee Ball Angels Named Champs With Perfect Record
May 19, 2010
The Angels are Jay Recreation Tee Ball champions with a perfect 14-0 record. Pictured are: (front, L-R) Allie Odom, Makenleigh Bledsoe, Trent Roberson, Carson Walters, Kaden Roberson, (second row) Leslie McCall, Bryson McCullough, Devin Sauls, Grant Barrow, Tylen Sorrells, Payton Jackson, Bailey Odom, (third row) coaches Reggie Odom, Phillipp Sorrells, Stephen Jackson and Jason Roberson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have photos from your team? Email them to news@northescambia.com
Century Reviews Preliminary List Of Streets For Resurfacing Project
May 19, 2010
Century is moving forward on plans to resurface some streets, with the town’s street superintendent developing a list of streets that most need attention.
“The list is food for thought right now,” Mayor Freddie McCall said. The town council will review and refine the list well before any work begins. McCall said that obtaining proper right of way will be an issue on several streets before any resurfacing.
The preliminary street resurfacing list includes:
- Freedom Road — heavy traffic
- Old Flomaton Road – north end from curve to railroad, heavy traffic
- Hecker Road — heavy traffic
- Elm Street — school bus traffic
- Hilltop Road — moderate traffic
Short streets or dead ends
- West Cottage Street
- Academy Street
- Pleasant Hill Road
- Ramar Street
- Curve on Lake Street
Dirt Roads
(all need drainage system before paving)
- Bonwell Lane
- Gifford Lane
- Barnwell Lane
- Field Road
- Sellers Road
- East Pond Street
Repairs Finished On Sandy Hollow Road Bridge
May 19, 2010
Emergency repairs to the bridge over Sandy Hollow Creek in Davisville are now complete, and Sandy Hollow Road has been reopened.
The bridge on Sandy Hollow Road was closed April 7 after Volkert, Inc., the Florida Department of Transportation’s bridge inspection contractor, found advanced deterioration of timber pilings.
To expedite the repair work and minimize the impact to residents in the area, the county issued an emergency purchase order to DKE Marine Service, Inc. for $88,830.
The repairs included the replacement of eight pilings, the backwall and headwall of the bridge and new guardrails on both sides of the bridge.
Pictured above: Work underway on a Sandy Hollow Road bridge the week of May 3 . NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Road Construction Headaches
May 19, 2010
Road construction in the Walnut Hill area created headaches for many drivers Tuesday afternoon.
Most of the stretch from south of Highway 164 to North Highway 99 was reduced to one lane that was open intermittent as paving operations continue. Drivers were delayed up to 15 minutes.
Ernest Ward Middle School, which dismissed at 3:45 was in the construction area, further complicating traffic problems when school buses hit the highway.
Lane closures — and delays — are expected again each day this week.
The 22 mile, $5.7 million Highway 97 resurfacing project is due to be complete by the fall.
Pictured above: Crews work to resurface Highway 97 in Walnut Hill Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
22 Local Candidates Qualify By Petition
May 19, 2010
The deadline to qualify by petition to run for office in Escambia County passed at noon Monday.
Candidates that did not qualify by petition by the deadline can still qualify for office by paying a qualifying fee.
All submitted petitions have been processed and the list of candidates that have successfully met the petition requirements is as follows:
County Commissioner, District 2
- Dave Murzin
- Paul Redman
- Karen Sindel
- George Touart
- Gene M. Valentino
County Commissioner, District 4
- Dennis D. Green Jr.
- Grover C. Robinson IV
School Board, District 1
- Jeff Bergosh
School Board, District 2
- Gerald Boone
School Board, District 3
- Linda Moultrie
- Charlie Nichols
ECUA, District 4
- Stuart Brown
- Ryan M. Fendt
- Dale Perkins
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 4
- Lynn Laird
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 5
- Dan Cain
- Dillon Powell
City of Pensacola Mayor
- Ashton Hayward
- Diane Mack
- Mike Wiggins
Pensacola City Council, District 1
- Steve Fulford
Pensacola City Council, District 2
- Courtney B. Peterson
NWE Football Meets Sunday
May 19, 2010
There will be a Northwest Escambia Football meeting this Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Ernest Ward Middle School gym.
The public is welcome to attend and learn how the football league works. NWE is also looking for a coach for their Midget team.