Century Considers Code Enforcement Again
August 29, 2008
The Century Town Council talked code enforcement Thursday, with some members admitting that it was going to be a touchy political subject.
The town severed an agreement with Escambia County to provide code enforcement in Century. Under that agreement, the county’s code enforcement officers worked Century and wrote citations that were turned over to the town for abatement. The services were provided by the county at no charge to Century.
The arrangement came under fire, with allegations that the county’s officers provided selective enforcement, citing some people but no others. That prompted the council to sever the relationship with Escambia Code Enforcement. Now, there is no code enforcement at all in the town.
But now, council members are ready to look at returning code enforcement to the town.
“I see a real need for something to be done to clean up the town, particularly dilapidated building,” Council President Ann Brooks said. She suggested one of two options: the town could return to the code enforcement business with its own code enforcement officer, or the town could once again rely on Escambia County to enforce the town’s code book.
Mayor Freddie McCall told the council that he wants to see the town use the county’s code officers and that the county has offered to return one to Century at no cost to the town.
“I plead with y’all to lets sit down with the county and work out the details,” McCall said. “We can’t afford a code enforcement officer.”
But money was not McCall’s only concern about the town having its own code enforcement officer. He said he was afraid the town doing its own code enforcement could become too political.
“This is going to be a hot bed. This is going to be political. There’s going to be some picking and choosing,” McCall said of the town having its own code officer. “I don’t think we should put ourselves in this position.”
Council member Nadine McCaw expressed her concern about small town politics coming into play if the town were to act on its own with enforcement.
“We might be more lenient to your momma or Gary’s sister,” McCaw said to Brooks. “I want somebody that doesn’t know anybody here.”
“I believe that I am as capable of voting against my mother as I am anyone else,” Brooks said later in the meeting.
The town has a clear code in place that defines violations and outlines the steps to require a property owner to bring their property into compliance.
The code outlaws any property or structure that is a nuisance due to rats, vermin, flies or other things that cause disease; a lot that has an accumulation of rubbish, trash or garbage; a building that is dilapidated or an unsafe menace; a lot with an accumulation of one or more inoperable vehicles, excluding businesses such as auto repair shops and junkyards; and overgrown vegetation except for a lot with no building in or returning to a natural state, or property that is zoned as agricultural.
Residents are to be notified of the violation and have 20 days to begin to rectify the situation or contest the citation, per the code. If the property owner does nothing, the town would have the right to clean up the property or demolish the dilapidated building and file a lien against the property. If an alleged violator wanted to appeal their citation, they would face the town council in a code hearing.
“I can’t do it; I don’t agree with it,” McCaw said about the council acting hearing code enforcement appeals.
“You don’t have to be a building inspector to look down Highway 29 at those buildings falling down,” council member Henry Hawkins said.
“If we could just enforce what we have on our books, we could be in much better shape, council member Gary Riley said.
McCaw expressed concern that a code officer hired by the Town of Century might hold a physically dangerous position.
“Their life might be at stake,” she said. “People will kill over something like that.”
The council voted to hold another public hearing at a date to be announced with officials with the county’s code enforcement division to discuss how the two might could work together.
Pictured above: A dilapidated home on Freedom Road in Century. Pictured below: An abandoned building on North Century Boulevard in the southern part of Century. Building such as these could become the target of code enforcement in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos.
NHS Football Team, Cheerleaders Prep For Season Opener
August 29, 2008
The garnet and gold has hit the green football field at Northview High School as the Chiefs prepare for the September 5 season opener on the road against Pensacola Catholic.
The first home game for the Chiefs will be September 19 against Walton County.
Pictured above and below: The Northview football team and cheerleaders practice in preparation for a September 5 battle against Pensacola Catholic. Submitted photos by Heather Leonard for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Beats Flomaton And McCall In Volleyball
August 29, 2008
The Ernest Ward Middle School volleyball team’s season is off to a good start after they defeated both Flomaton Middle School and McCall Middle School.
The Eagles beat the Flomaton Hurricanes 25-23 in the first game and 25 to 20 in the second game.
Ernest Ward downed McCall Middle School in a double header Thursday night. They Eagles won the first game 25 to 12, lost the second 25-24 and won the third 15 to 0.
Submitted cellphone photos by Wayne Holland for NorthEscambia.com.
Lost Your Dog In Walnut Hill?
August 28, 2008
A medium sized tan female dog, with just some white on her, was picked up by animal control at Ernest Ward Middle School Thursday.
The folks at Ernest Ward say she appeared to be well cared for. She was wearing a multi-color cloth collar, but no tags. She had previously had puppies, but not too recently.
If this sounds like your missing dog, contact Escambia Animal Control at 595-3075.
Bratt Pastor Reacts To ACLU Lawsuit Over Prayer At School Events
August 28, 2008
A Bratt pastor is speaking out about the ACLU’s lawsuit against the Santa Rosa County Schools for holding prayer at school events, including baccalaureate ceremonies.
The ACLU has also requested records of all prayers at graduation and baccalaureate ceremonies in Escambia County, including Northview High School.
The Northview Class of 2008 voted on the speaker for their baccalaureate service last May. They chose Gary Wieborg, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
Here is what Pastor Wieborg had to say Wednesday night about the ACLU lawsuit:
“The ACLU may attempt and even be successful at ending the freedom Christian parents and students in Escambia and Santa Rosa County Florida, currently have to hold and attend Baccalaureate services at our local high schools.
“The ACLU may be successful at ending the freedom students currently possess to lead Christian prayers at school-sponsored events. The truth is that no man nor power, on the earth, under the earth or above the earth can stop true Christian parents and their children from praying and worshiping Jesus Christ in their homes.
“My greatest concern is not whether the ACLU is successful in stopping baccalaureate services from being held voluntarily in the public schools. My greatest concern is whether Christian parents and children will voluntarily give up the practice of prayer and worship of Jesus Christ in their homes.
“The history of Christianity teaches us that when parents and children pray and worship Jesus Christ first and foremost in their homes, those parents and children influence their schools, their communities and even the world for Christ regardless of what action(s) the local, state or national government may take to stop Christians from accomplishing their mission of living for the glory of God in all they say and do.”
ACLU Sues Santa Rosa Over Prayer; Seeks Records From Escambia Schools
August 28, 2008
The ACLU and two students have filed suit against the Santa Rosa County Schools over prayer, and NorthEscambia.com has learned that the ACLU has requested documents concerning prayer from Escambia County Schools.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in federal court Wednesday against the school district, Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and Santa Rosa Superintendent John Rogers. The suit alleges that Santa Rosa County Schools “persistently and persuasively promote their personal religious beliefs in the public schools and at school events”.
Events specifically mentioned in the lawsuit, which was brought on behalf of two students at Pace High, include baccalaureate services, prayers at graduations and other school events. The suit seeks a specific end to baccalaureate services.
The lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in federal court in Pensacola, names specific events at several Santa Rosa schools, including Jay. The suit states that Jay High School held an invocation and benediction prayer each year from 2004-2008 led by students from groups such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The ACLU also complains in the suit that Jay High School has held baccalaureate services that were religious in nature.
“Religion is best served when parents — not the public schools — are responsible for directing their children’s religious education,” said Benjamin Stevenson, staff attorney with the ACLU of Florida’s Northwest Region office. “Religious freedom is eroded when the government endorses any particular religious viewpoint.”
The ACLU has also requested documents from the Escambia County School District that might relate to religion or prayer. Specifically, the ACLA requested records from Escambia Schools about graduations and baccalaureate services. The ACLU public records requests also asked for the notes of all speakers at the event as well as any audio or video recordings of the events. The ACLU request extends to all schools in Escambia County, including Northview High School.
The Santa Rosa suit alleges that the school district violated students’ rights by “endorsing and promoting religion”. The ACLU seeks a “permanent injunction forbidding the School Board, the Superintendent, Pace High School Principal and other School District from sponsoring, facilitating or promoting prayer at school events, including graduation; organizing, promoting, or otherwise supporting religious baccalaureate services; holding school-sponsored activities at places of worship when appropriate secular venues are available…”
Click here to read the ACLU’s lawsuit against Santa Rosa County.
Click here to read the ACLU’s public records request in Escambia County.
Pictured above: The Class of 2008 Baccalaureate Service at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Blog: Prayer In School And The ACLU
August 28, 2008
The ACLU filed suit Wednesday in federal court over prayer in Santa Rosa County Schools. The group has requested records concerning graduation and baccalaureate services at schools in Escambia County. You can read that story here.
The debate on prayer in school has raged on for years, and I suppose it will continue for some time to come. The courts have upheld a moment of silence in our public schools; the Escambia School District calls it a “moment of quiet reflection” in the Student’s Rights And Responsibilities Handbook (you did read that cover to cover when your child brought it home last week, right?).
I won’t get started on prayer in school per se. I’ll save that for another blog. But I will point out a few things in the ACLU lawsuit…
The ACLU complains that baccalaureate services were religious. Duh. That’s what a baccalaureate service is. The tradition started at Oxford University in 1432, according to the Wikipedia. Legally, the whole separation of church and state thing prevents the school from becoming overly involved in the service. At our Northview High School, the graduating seniors vote for the pastor or speaker they wish to have at their service.
If a student or parent does not like a pastor or a Christian message at a baccalaureate service, they have every right not to attend.
If a student or parent does not like a prayer at a graduation service, they have every right not to attend. The diploma is just as good picked up in the school office the following day as it is picked up at a graduation service.
If a student or parent does not like a school holding school events at a church building, they have every right not to attend.
The ACLU says it pushes for rights for the citizens of this country. They should understand that students have the right not to take part in events like baccalaureate and perhaps exercise their right to sit out those events..
If my child, or your child, or your grandchild wants to pray at school the ACLU wants them to be told no. Your child has fewer rights than Muslim prisoners of war.
Let’s jump to Camp Delta, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. There are arrows painted across floors, pointing to the Muslim holy city of Mecca. There’s a call to prayer that sounds in this federal detention facility, so that prisoners can pray to Allah.
Those prisoners have more religious rights than our children.
Our children get a “moment of quiet reflection” each morning at our North Escambia Schools. The ACLU does not want them to offer a prayer at school, at school events or at graduation as they begin a new phase of their lives.
Terrorists. Threats to our national security. Murderers. The worst of the worst in federal custody at a detention camp gets organized prayer time, and they get the direction to face painted on the floor of their prison cell.
(See the arrows for yourself by clicking here. Notice when you get there that you are on the US Department of Defense Official website.)
If we can have arrows pointing toward Mecca in a federal prison, why can’t a teacher at our local elementary school hang a cross on her wall?
The American Civil Liberties Union. That’s why.
I leave you with this little story that was emailed to me last week:
After being interviewed by the school administration, the teaching
prospect said, “Let me see if I’ve got this right: You want me to go
into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior,
observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor
their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning. You
want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and
sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem
and personal pride.You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship,
sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a
checkbook, and apply for a job. You want me to check their heads for
lice, recognize signs of antisocial be behavior, and make sure that
they all pass the state exams.You want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of
their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents by
letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a
bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that
qualifies me for food stamps.You want me to do all this, and then you tell me……………..I CAN’T PRAY?
Walker Returning To ECUA District 5
August 27, 2008
At the end of the night Tuesday, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority incumbent Larry Walker had the most votes in his race, and perhaps the most pies of any other candidate.
Walker defeated challenger Barry Tweedie to return to his District 4 seat on the ECUA, 7,445 votes (76.1%) to 2,337 (23.9%).
“I am very pleased, very proud of the vote” Walker said.
Walker had nothing but good words for his opponent. “Barry Tweedie did it right, the way every race should be done. We ran a clean race. I wish they all could be that way.”
As for the pie thing…Walker and his 92 supporters celebrated with a campaign gathering at the Village Inn on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. Those 92 supporters down a total of 21 Village Inn pies during the night, Walker said.
Pictured above: Larry Walker was reelected to the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Tuesday.
Close Race: Barnett Beats Hartman; Not So Close Race: White Wins Republican Nod For Commission District 5
August 27, 2008
In Escambia County’s closest race Tuesday, Jim Barnett won the Democratic nod for the Escambia County Commission District 5 seat by just 96 votes over his opponent John Hartman. Barnett will face Republican incumbent Kevin White in November.
White defeated Republican challengers Packy Mitchell, Chris Washler and Randall E. McCrackin. White received 3,654 votes (57.5%), Mitchell 1,668 (26.3%), Washler 541 (8.5%) and McCrackin 491 (7.7%).
But the race was much, much closer for the Democrats. Barnett received 1,668 votes (51.5%), while Hartman was close behind with 1,593 votes (48.5%).
“It was close,” Barnett said Tuesday night, admitting that stopped watching the results for a little bit toward the end before checking NorthEscambia.com. At one point, just six votes separated the two Democratic candidates.
“We’ll just go on from here and see happens next,” Barnett said of the November race against White. “A lot of people are dissatisfied with Kevin (White). The Democratic vote will increase in November, and we will see a change.”
Barnett, who spent nearly the entire day greeting voters at the Molino precinct at Barrieneau Park School, said that Hartman was a formidable opponent that ran a good race.
“I was outspent 10 to one in this race,” Barnett said. “But the voters spoke. I still consider him (Hartman) my friend.”
On the Republican side, incumbent White said of his win simply “I am humbled”.
“The voters in District 5 gave me another chance. That just humbles me,” he said. “I want to thank the voters, and ask that they give me another chance in District 5 with their vote in November.”
NorthEscambia.com was unable to reach Hartman for comment late Tuesday night.
Pictured above: Kevin White (left) and Jim Barnett.
Gindl Out; Harrell To Face Slayton In November For School Board
August 27, 2008
After 24 years on the Escambia County School Board, Pete Gindl, Sr. will not be returning to that office. Gindl finished third in the District 5 School Board race Tuesday, behind Bill Slayton and Tom Harrell. Slayton and Harrell will face each other on the November ballot.
Slayton received 3,682 votes (35.2%), Harrell 3,225 (30.8%), Gindl 2,486 (23.8%) and Robert Tegenkamp 1,063 (10.2%). Because neither candidate received 50 percent or more of the vote, Slayton and Harrell will be back on the ballot November 4.
“We are pleased with the results,” Slayton told NorthEscambia.com Tuesday night. “We expect a larger turnout in November. It will be a totally different race.”
“I want to serve the people,” Harrell said Tuesday night. “Naturally, I would like to have won tonight, but I’m happy to be in the runoff.”
Both Slayton and Harrell took the time to applaud Gindl for his years of service to the Escambia County School District, both an a board member and as long time educator.
“What a great job he did as a school board member,” Slayton said of Gindl and his legacy. “He was great to me in the seventies as a teacher, and great to me as a band director at Tate High School. But the voters have decided that it is time to move on to new leadership.”
“I commend him for his many years of service,” Harrell said. “I just called him and left him a message thanking him for what he has done. He has had a remarkable level of service.”
“I got defeated,” Gindl told NorthEscambia.com late Tuesday night. “I hope the one that wins is able to do the job that needs to be done on the school board for the children. It’s about the children.”
Pictured above: Pete Gindl at last week’s meeting of the Escambia County School Board. NorthEscambia.com file photo.