Escambia County Commission Conducting Citizen Survey
December 6, 2008
If you would like the Escambia County Commissioners to know how you feel about programs and services in Escambia County, this is your opportunity to be heard. The Listener Group is conducting the second annual county-wide telephone survey for the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners. The survey begins this week and will continue over the next several weeks.
“The Escambia County community survey is a constructive way for citizens to put in their ‘two-cents’ regarding issues of services received and quality of life in Escambia County. They only need to be willing to take the survey,” said Jeff Williams, product development and support manager of The Listener Group.
To ensure data is collected from a cross section of each commission district, The Listener Group will randomize the five districts’ telephone lists which each average 18,525 records each. The marketing company will systematically call the list until they have gathered 100 completed surveys in each commission district. Due to the large number of records in each district, the 500 necessary surveys will most likely be collected without having to dial a citizen’s number more than once.
“If you receive a call from The Listener Group, please make every effort to complete the survey at that time. It takes approximately ten minutes and may be your only opportunity,” added Williams.
Once the surveys are complete and data analyzed, The Listener Group will provide the results to the county. The county will publish the results and begin developing action plans in the areas needing improvement. Last year’s survey scores will be used as a baseline for comparison with this year’s results and are available online at www.myescambia.com.
A Fun SEC Championship Weekend: Local Husband Is Florida Gator Fan; His Wife Is Alabama Fan
December 5, 2008
Saturday’s SEC Championship Game will pit the Crimson Tide against the Gators, and Amy against Wayne.
Around the Holland household in Bratt, football is a big deal. Wife Amy Holland is a die hard Alabama fan, and husband Wayne Holland is a Florida Gator fan through and through.
And that, as you might guess, has made thing interesting around the Holland home this week.
“You know the Gators are going win,” Wayne said. “They are going to spank ‘em. Florida has the total package.”
“Bama will win,” Amy said, “and get another coach fired. We’ve got three coaches fire so far this year, and we are going to get another one.”
“That coach thing isn’t going to happen,” he said.
An Alabama flag is flying outside their home this year. That’s because Alabama is the only undefeated Southeastern Conference team, she said.
Wayne admits that he OK with Amy’s loyalty to the Crimson Tide. They attend a few Alabama games during the year simply because they are closer. “I support them as long as they don’t play Florida,” he said.
There is a friendly little bet on Saturday’s game.
“Whoever wins, the other one has to take them out to eat,” she said. “It’s a win, win situation for both of us.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I haven’t decided where I want to eat yet.”
They will start watching the game together on TV. But then Amy will head to Atmore to ride in the truck pulling the Ernest Ward Middle School cheerleaders’ float in the Christmas parade. She’ll listen to the end of the game on a headphone radio.
“I’ll be the crazy woman in the truck screaming things out the window about ‘Roll Tide’,” she said.
Pictured above: Wayne “The Florida Fan” Holland and his wife Amy “Alabama” Holland.
Jingle Bells: Bratt Elementary Second Grade Presents Christmas Play
December 5, 2008
Bratt Elementary School’s second graders presented their Christmas play “A Place in the Christmas Choir” Thursday.
From a barked version of Jingle Bells to a swinging cat dance, the play told the story of a Christmas choir made up of elves, cats and dogs.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the play, click here.
The play was directed by music teacher Emily Pollard and featured the second grade classes of Genia Bashore, Tracy Foster and Ericka Nelson. Volunteers Jennifer Lehmann, Ashley Long, Stephanie Booth and Stephanie Berry also assisted with the production.
Students in the play were:
Elves: Gabbrielle Peebles, Delaney Reynolds, Kaitlin Berry, Radley Belanger, Titianna Williams, Janie Kite, Brandon Dean, Christian Heritage, Isaiah Thigpen, Aurora McCann, Madison Rainwater, Bailey Hayles, Catherine Casey, Gabrielle Kline, Allison Rice, Noah Moore, Jared Gibbs, Cody Comalander, Roger Dockens, Michael Ward
Dogs: Cameron Long, Larry Philyaw, Jordan Capps, Tanner Deese, Matthew Windham, Justin Powell, Dalton Brown, Jessey Reaves, Anthony Harrelson, Cameron White, Logan Chavers, Brandon Berry, Hadden Barlow, Isaak Armstrong, Justin Cruce
Cats: Shelby Bashore, Madison Sherouse, Reini Bodiker, Leia Godwin, Madison Nassar, Gia Singleton, Kayla Baggett, Danielle Stuckey, Samantha Roux, Meggan Brown, Ann-Margaret Boothe, Susannah Amerson, Lexxi Baggett, Aaliyah Tucker, Memory Peebles
Santa Claus: Zachary Hilton; Mrs. Claus: Lydia Smith; Happy: Henry Wiggins.
Pictured above and below: Scenes from the Bratt Elementary School second grade Christmas play Thursday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola’s Winterfest Celebration Stars Ernest Ward Student; Win Tickets From NorthEscambia.com
December 5, 2008
Winterfest is Pensacola’s favorite holiday celebration, and this year’s performance includes an Ernest Ward Middle School student in a starring role.
Angel Mitchell, 12, portrays the “hero girl” from the book “The Polar Express” in this year’s elaborate production. The Polar Express scene includes a large scale fiberglass train engine, accented by fog, steam and sound effects.
The Winterfest tours and performances light up downtown Pensacola from Historic Seville to the Palafox Business District. This year, there are six different exciting tours for the whole family, including a special Santa’s Express Tour that’s great for young children, and the flagship Performance Tour featuring 14 fun stops over 45 minutes with your favorite holiday characters.
All of the tours begin in Plaza Wonderland, a lovely historic park we fill with holiday cheer with photos with Santa Claus, tasty treats at the Gingerbread House, and rides on Santa’s Little Choo Choo.
NorthEscambia.com has joined in the promotion of Pensacola’s Winterfest, and we will have lots of tickets to give away. We will also have continuing coverage of Winterfest. To register to win tickets, click here.
For more information about Winterfest, visit pensacolawinterfest.org.
Pictured above: Santa Claus, gives a bell as a gift to Joe Minshew as “the boy” from the book The Polar Express at Pensacola’s Winterfest. Looking on are Bill Whalen as the conductor and Ernest Ward Middle School student Angel Mitchell as “hero girl”. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Finalist Tony Ellis Misses State Award
December 5, 2008
Flomaton’s Tony Ellis was a finalist to be Alabama’s 2A back of the year, but the award went to the quarterback from Leroy High School.
The Alabama Sportswriters Association named Leroy quarterback Clint Mosley as the 2A back of the year. Mosley passed for more than 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns during the Bears’ perfect 14-0 season.
Ellis was named a finalist for the award, thanks to at least 1,500 rushing yards per year for each of the last three years at Flomaton. Ellis, who is 5-fo-9, had over 5,000 rushing yards in his high school career with the Canes. The other 2A finalist for the back of the year was wide receiver Madrecas Hood of Pickens County High School.
The sportswriters group will still pick one of the players from their statewide list as Mr. Football on December 18.
Photos courtesy Mike Newton Photography.
Fire Departments Dispatched To Backwoods Road Century
December 4, 2008
Fire Departments from across the area were dispatched to the 300 block of Backwoods Road at 5:25 this morning.
The caller told dispatchers that they “smelled something funny”. Fire units arriving on scene were unable to locate a fire.
The Century, Walnut Hill, McDavid and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were dispatched, along with the Flomaton Fire Department. Most units were canceled prior to their arrival.
Morgan Says No To Building $22 Million Training Facility On 684 Acres Near Molino
December 4, 2008
Sheriff-elect David Morgan is putting a stop on a $22 million deal to purchase 684 acres north of Molino near the Camp O’ the Pines for a regional police, fire and EMS training facility.
Morgan said he is not convinced that the facility is needed.
Pensacola Junior College, The PJC Foundation, Escambia County and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department entered into an interlocal agreement in 2006 to purchase the land from RMS Timberlands, LLC for $3,278,400. That sale was to be closed by December 18 on the Highway 29 property.
$11 million of the total $22 million price tag for the facility was to be contributed by the sheriff’s department via the county from local option sales tax money. The other $11 million was to come from a state grant obtained by PJC.
Because Morgan wants out of the agreement, the Escambia County Commission voted 3-1 to cancel the agreement at a Wednesday meeting. Commissioner Grover Robinson cast the dissenting vote, and Chairman Marie Young was absent. The final vote to cancel the agreement will come from the commission on December 11. If the county does back out, they will pay a $200,000 penalty.
Morgan plans to meet with County Administrator Bob McLaughlin and Ed Meadows, PJC president, to discuss the project. Commissioner Gene Valentino said he hopes Morgan will change his decision so the county is not out the $200,000.
The attorney representing PJC in the deal, Tom Gilliam, said all three parties — the sheriff, the county and PJC — must be in agreement for the deal to proceed.
Plans called for the facility to being as a state-of-the-art firing range for PJC students and area law enforcement. It was to expand into a fire and emergency medical service training facility.
Morgan will take office as then new Escambia sheriff in January.
Pictured above: Sheriff-elect David Morgan. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Now That’s a Porta-Potty
December 4, 2008
Pictured above: These porta-potties on rails were spotted recently in Century. CSX Transportation is in the midst of a project to replace crossings from Century to Molino, and these portable toilets on a small railroad car are used for the workers. Here, the porta-potties were on the tracks alongside Zion Street near the Cottage Street crossing in Century. The crossing in the northernmost crossing in the state of Florida. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Molino Christmas Parade Has New Route, North Pole Visitor; Will Raise Money For Needy Kids
December 4, 2008
The 6th Annual Molino Christmas Parade has a new route this year, a special guest from the North Pole, and a major goal.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 13.
The parade will begin this year on Crabtree Church Road at Sunshine Hill Road and end 1.8 miles away at the Molino Ballpark. At the ballpark a quick meal and visits with the jolly old elf himself will be available.
The meal includes an Alabama Wing House barbecue sandwich, chips and a drink for $5. Bake sale goodes will also be available. And, for all the good little boys and girls, Santa Claus himself will be on hand at the ballpark for a visit and Christmas gift wish lists.
All funds raised from parade entry fees, the bake sale and the barbecue meals will benefit needy children in the Molino community, according to Sonja Luker, one of the parade organizers. The guidance counselor at Molino Park Elementary School will assist in choosing Molino area children in need of Christmas gifts.
If you or your organization would like to be in the parade, you can pre-register at Fran’s Diner, or register the day of the parade. Fees are $15 for a float or vehicle and $5 for each motorcyle, golf cart or horse. Four-wheelers and go-carts will not be allowed.
For more information, contact Sonja Luker at 232-4973 or Fran’s Diner at 587-2803.
Donations such as toys and non-perishable foods can be dropped off at Fran’s Diner.
Pictured above: Santa Claus in last year’s Molino Christmas Parade. Pictured below: The Molino Ball Park’s float in last year’s parade. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Council Makes Gas Reading Changes, Names Ballpark
December 4, 2008
The Century Town Council will be changing the date gas meters in the town are read.
Months ago, the meters were read on the 15th of each month. That was changed to the 25th of the month at a meeting several months ago.
But that has not allowed sufficient time for the information to be entered into the billing system, Mayor Freddie McCall said. On a recommendation by council member Gary Riley, the meter reading date will be changed to the 18th of the month.
In other business, the Century Town Council:
- voted to name the little league ballpark on Church Street the “Lloyd Barrow Ballpark”. Barrow was instrumental in building the park, even contributing his own money for construction. He is also a long-time little league coach. He is currently suffering from medical problems that no longer allow him to coach.
- voted to allow the Century Branch Library to use the council chamber at town hall for a story time on December 18. Over 160 children attended the library’s Christmas story time last year, according to council member and library employee Nadine McCaw. The children were not able to safely or comfortably fit into the library for the story time portion of the event.