No Sale: Helicopter Technologies Building Buyer Backs Out
July 10, 2008
The sale of the Helicopter Technologies building in Century will not take place this week, NorthEscambia.com has learned.
“I will not be purchasing the building,” John O’Neill III told NorthEscambia.com late Wednesday.
O’Neill’s company, Shellco of Pensacola, Inc., was negotiating the purchase of the Helicopter Technologies building the Century Industrial Park. At Monday night’s meeting of the Century Town Council, Mayor Freddie McCall said that Shellco was expected to close the deal by Friday. He told the council that Shellco was an investment company that was working on a deal with an electric car manufacturing company.
“Basically, the fellow that owned the company told us that he owned all the property around the building, when in fact he does not,” O’Neill said. “Right now, this deal is just not going to happen.”
McCall said that a clause in Helicopter Technologies’ contract with the town gave the town the option to “take back” three lots around the building. That would, if effect, lower the acreage with the building from about 20 acres to just five, he said.
O’Neill also express concerns that the legal agreements surrounding the building would essentially give Century too much control over any business in the building.
“As a potential investor, I had no idea that the city of Century would become my partner,” O’Neill said.
The Town of Century currrently holds the mortage on the building. McCall requested and was granted council approval Monday night to allow the town’s attorney to begin “emergency foreclosure” proceedings against Helicopter Technologies in the event the building sale did not take place this week.
When NorthEscambia.com contacted Mayor McCall late Wednesday, he had not been informed that building deal had fallen through.
“I was in hopes that we (the town) would have our money by Tuesday. I’m disappointed” McCall said. “I don’t know about the future. I looks like we may have to foreclose.”
It appears that many of the contents of the Helicopter Technologies building are also for sale. Listings on pensacola.craiglist.com that were posted Monday morning indicate that the company is having a “Office Equipment and Furniture Sale” and a “Huge Tool and Equipment Sale” this week. (Click the blue links to see the Craigslist listings.)
The building was sold to Georges Van Nevel and Helicopter Technologies in 2001.
In September of 2007, a FH1100 helicopter refurbished by Helicopter Technologies crashed near Hosston, Louisiana. The helicopter had been picked up by its new owners at Helicopter Technologies in Century shortly before the crash.
Then on the morning of January 9, federal officials raided the Helicopter Technologies building in Century, seizing records. Van Nevel was kept off the property during the raid by sheriff’s deputies. In the photo to the left, Van Nevel is being stopped from entering the property by sheriff deputies. (NorthEscambia.com exclusive file photo, click to enlarge.)
“Van Nevel is suspected of improperly refurbishing helicopters and helicopter parts, selling unapproved aircraft parts, performing improper repairs on helicopters and misleading the aviation community by false advertisements,” 
said federal documents obtained by NorthEscambia.com on the day of the raid. Click the photos at the left to read portions of the federal search warrants. (NorthEscambia.com exclusive file photos, click to enlarge.)
Van Nevel lost most of his employees at that time, and also lost his Federal Aviation Administration certificates that allowed him to continue to refurbish helicopters.
But during an exclusive interview inside the Helicopter Technologies building, Van Nevel told NorthEscambia.com in February that “I will recover…I am not leaving Century.”
During that factory tour, he showed us a small model of a military helicopter that he says would save the government a lot of money, being cheap and easy to produce. It was an impressive looking model, ominous in appearance like an Apache helicopter. He said he was working toward a military contract to produce the helicopter.
But now Van Nevel is in France, at least according to what McCall told the Century council Monday night. Attempts by NorthEscambia.com to reach Van Nevel by email this week have been unsuccessful.
At a May meeting of the Century Town Council, council member Henry Hawkins expressed outrage that Van Nevel was trying to sell the building “out from under our noses”. At the council’s next meeting in June, Van Nevel addressed the council, asking for a retraction on that statement, and he claimed that he held a “clear title” on the building.
Van Nevel told the council in June (pictured left) that he had been trying to sell the building since 2003. NorthEscambia.com discovered that a Pensacola MLS real estate listing for the building was placed by the real estate agent on February 5, just a few months prior.
Hawkins and Van Nevel ended up in a verbal altercation before that June 2 council meeting was over.
“It sounds crooked to me,” Hawkins said of the building sale.
“You are trying to damage my business,” Van Nevel said to Hawkins. “You are trying to boot me out of town.” Van Nevel accused Hawkins of going to the fire department in an attempt to get the fire marshal to fine or close the business. Hawkins denied the allegation.
“The thing that was most damaging was…when you said the asking price was too high,” Van Nevel said of a Hawkins interview with a television station.
“I think you are adding to what I said,” Hawkins said. “Do you want me to get the tape?”
“I said it looked crooked, and it is crooked,” Hawkins said, escalating the argument between the two men.
“You are corrupt. I will prove it. You have an ulterior motive to boot me,” Van Nevel said. “There will be an investigation.”
“Bring it on,” Hawkins said.
In February, NorthEscambia.com ran a three part investigative series looking at Van Nevel, Helicopter Technologies, the federal raid, the Louisiana helicopter crash and more. Click here to read part one, click here to read part two, and click here to read part three.
You can read our story about the federal raid by clicking here.
Pictured top of page: Inside the Helicopter Technologies building in Century. NorthEscambia.com exclusive file photo, click to enlarge.
FHP Plans Checkpoint On Highway 97
July 10, 2008
The Florida Highway Patrols says that it is planning a driver’s license and vehicle safety checkpoint somewhere on Highway 97 between Friday of this week and Thursday of next week.
Recognizing the danger presented to the public by defective vehicle equipment, troopers will concentrate their efforts on vehicles being operated with defects such as bad brakes, worn tires and defective lighting equipment. In addition, attention will be directed to drivers who would violate the driver license laws of Florida.
The patrol has found these checkpoints to be an effective means of enforcing the equipment and driver license laws of Florida while ensuring the protection of all motorists.
School Grades Released; Good News For Most Area Schools
July 9, 2008
The Florida Department of Education has released its annual school grade reports, and it is good news for most area schools.
The biggest gain came from Carver/Century K-8 School, with a jump from being an “F” rated school to a “B” rated school.
Northview High School improved as well, moving from being a “C” rated school last year to a “B” rated school this year.
Byrneville Elementary School improved from a “B” school last year to an “A” rating this year.
Bratt Elementary School, Molino Park Elementary School and Ernest Ward Middle School all remained “A” rated schools for another year.
In the Cantonment area, Tate High School remained at a “C”, and Jim Allen Elementary and Ransom Middle School held steady at an “A” rating.
Over in north Santa Rosa County, Jay Elementary remained an “A” school, while Jay High School improved from a “B” to and “A”.
All Area Schools But One Fail To Make Adequate Yearly Progress
July 9, 2008
Of the schools in North Escambia and in the immediately surrounding area, only one school made “adequate yearly progress”.
According to statistics released Tuesday by the Florida Department of Education, Bratt Elementary School was the only area school that made adequate yearly progress (AYP). AYP is a set of benchmarks from the federal goverment related to the national No Child Left Behind Act.
AYP measurements target the performance and participation of various student subgroups on statewide assessments based on race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability and English proficiency.
The most improved school in the area, Carver-Century K-8 School, still failed to make AYP according to the federal standards despite their letter grade soaring from an “F” to an “B”.
Byrneville Elementary, Molino Park Elementary, Jim Allen Elementary, Jay Elementary, Ernest Ward Middle School, Ransom Middle School, Northview High School, Jay High School and Tate High School all failed to make AYP, despite several of the schools receiving “A” ratings.
Bratt Elementary Ranked As The Number One School In Escambia County
July 9, 2008
Bratt Elementary school was the highest scoring school in Escambia County in the Florida Department of Education School Grades released Tuesday.
Schools must achieve 525 points with the state to achieve “A” status. Bratt’s score was 637 — essentially and A+ on the school grade scale — beating out each and every other school in the county.
In fact, no other school in the county broke the 600 mark. West Florida High School was the next highest scoring school in the county at 589 points.
The scores are based on student achievements on the FCAT tests and Sunshine State Standards. The standards and grades are meant to show how well a particular school is performing to education department standards.
The Mouse, Too Much Noise And Other Stories At The Library
July 9, 2008
Florida storyteller Windell Campbell brought talks of a loud mouse, a noisy house and more to the Century Branch Library Tuesday.
The appearance was part of the library’s ongoing summer reading program.
Campbell is a special education teacher at Cork Elementary School near Plant City, FL. He tours the state during summer break telling stories with the help of several puppets.
The library’s summer reading program will continue at noon next Tuesday when pirates will invade the libary. The program is at noon, and it is free for children of all ages.
Click here for a photo gallery from the library program.
Pictured above: Storyteller Windell Campbell tells the story of a “Loud Mouse” Tuesday at the Century Branch Library. Pictured below: An audience member helps with a donkey puppet in the story of “Too Much Noise”. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Barrineau Park’s Musical Fourth
July 9, 2008
The Aubie Fillingim Auditorium was rocking to the music of Chapel Strings and Rolling Tide Friday night. After a day of celebrating our independence, folks came out to the Barrineau Park Community Center for an evening of entertainment.
They were not disappointed as Chapel strings kicked off the show with “The Star Spangled Banner”, followed up with Emily Frank singing “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “Uncle Bill” Fillingim playing “Last Date” on the keyboard, and Al Frank with his rendition of “Five Pound Possum”.
Then, Rolling Tide came on stage with George Brewer playing “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Down Yonder” on the electric guitar. The audience responded with whoops, whistles and clapping to show their appreciation.
Music Night in Barrineau Park is held on the first Friday night of each month at the Barrineau Park Community Center. It is a family atmosphere with free admission.
Submitted story and photos by Steve Jogan.
Pictured above (L-R): Chapel Strings with Bob Commings, Lynn Fillingim, Clint Fillingim, Tommy Fillingim, Al Frank, Emily Frank, Kathy Commings (hidden), Uncle Bill. Pictured below: Rolling Tide with (L-R standing): Beth Ryals, Jack Helms, Billy Burleson, John Decker, George Brewer; and (kneeling) Larry Ryals, Jim Butler. Pictured bottom: The audience at the Barrineau Park Community Center. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
VBS Going On This Week At Ray’s Chapel
July 9, 2008
Vacation Bible School is continuing each evening this week at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in Bogia.
This year’s theme is Veggie Tales “Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything–Calling All Heroes”.
All kids 5-12 are still welcome to join in with crafts, science lab, snacks, games, fun and learning from the Bible.
The VBS continues each evening from 6:30 until 8:30. There will be a special program for parents on Friday, July 11 at 7:00.
Click here for more photos from Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School.
Submitted photos by Ramona Preston.
Giant Hummingbirds?
July 8, 2008
We’ve had some larger than normal visitors to our hummingbird feeders here at NorthEscambia.com, and we thought we would share the photos.
The bird pictured and several of his friends have been visiting our hummingbird feeders on a regular basis. A little online research told us that there are over dozen other species of bird in Florida that will drink from a hummingbird feeder.
Our nectar is a sugar water mix…one part sugar to three parts water. It is not a commercial nectar.
If you know what type bird this is, fill in the comment form at the bottom of the page or email news@northescambia.com and let us know.
Pictured above and below: Our hummingbird feeder visitor. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Backwoods Water Problems Continue To Plague Century
July 8, 2008
Water problems on Backwoods Road continued to plague the Century Town Council Monday night as the council debated the future of a nearly $1.5 million project.
Many of the 27 households on Backwoods Road have complained to the town for nearly a decade about poor water pressure, muddy water and sometimes the lack of water. The homes are served by 1.7 miles of pipe just two inches in diameter.
Back on May 22, the town received a symbolic $1,755,000 check for a USDA Rural Development Loan to improve water service in the area of Backwoods Road, but the council never voted to finalize the loan.
Since that time, about $300,000 was shaved from the project by decreasing the size of a new elevated storage tank near the intersection of Henry Street and Academy Street. The project was to also include generators for water wells and a new six inch water main from Shady Lane and State Line Road, west along State Line Road to Highway 4A, and then south on Highway 4A past Backwoods Road.
“We are not solving the Backwoods problem with this project. We are making a step toward it,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said, adding that the increased water pressure along Highway 4A would serve to increase the water pressure in the Backwoods Road two inch pipe. “But it is not going to be the solution to the Backwoods problem.”
Some resident expressed concern that increasing the pressure in the aging pipe under Backwoods Road will lead to more problems in pipe that already leaks.
“There is some concern about adding more pressure,” Dale Long of Fabre Engineering said of the pipe on Backwoods Road. “You have crappy pipe.”
The council planned to “buy down the loan” by about $300,000, mostly from funds to be received from the state from back billing for gas service at the Century Correctional Institute. With that $300,000, the monthly loan payment would be about $64,000…with that money coming from increased payments of around $90,000 a month from the prison.
Council member Henry Hawkins questioned whether the town could not do the project under the USDA loan and just use the $300,000 to increase the size of the water pipe under Backwoods Road.
After lengthy discussion, the council voted to authorize Long to find out if the USDA project loan could be updated to include improvements on Backwoods road. He will report back to the council on his findings.