Accidental Fire Rages Through Oak Grove Wheat Field Friday Afternoon
June 7, 2008
Smoke could be seen from miles away Friday afternoon as an accidental fire raged through a harvested wheat field on Highway 164 near Oak Grove.
Three area fire departments responded to the fire about 6:15 Friday afternoon between Highway 164 and Gobbler Road, just west of J.D. Rigby Road. The fire was reported under control just after 7:00.
The fire reportedly began when a resident on Highway 164 was burning trash in a barrel near the field. It quickly raced about a half mile north and northwest across the field toward Gobbler Road.
The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Molino volunteer fire departments responded to the call. They worked not only to extinguish the blaze, but also to protect houses located around the field.
There were no reported injuries or structural damage.
For more photos from the wheat field fire, click here.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
It’s Now Easier To Recycle In Century
June 6, 2008
The Century area can live a little greener now. The Escambia County Department of Solid Waste has added a new recycling drop-off recycling site in the parking lot of the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century.
Items eligible for recycling are aluminum cans, steel cans, glass food and beverage containers go on one side of the container (you can mix the items). The other end of the container is for plastics, cardboard, junk mail, paper, magazines and newspapers. The recycling containers at the drop-off sites are checked daily, Monday-Saturday.
For more information on recycling in Escambia County, escambiarecycles.com
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Read Kevin White’s Complete Statement Calling For Whitehead’s Removal As Commission Chair
June 6, 2008
When the Escambia County Commission meeting began Thursday night, District 5 Commissioner Kevin White had planned to call for the removal of Commissioner Mike Whitehead as the board’s chairman at the end of the meeting. He had a prepared statement in his pocket, but never got the chance to read it because Whitehead resigned as commission chair when the meeting opened.
(Read the complete story by clicking here.)
The following is the complete text of White’s handwritten prepared statement:
“Recently we replaced the county administrator, not because he broke law but because he lost our trust. Mr. Whitehead has disregarded the public and and their confidence and trust in him.
“No commissioner should accept campaign contributions directly or indirectly from an event sponsored by people who are in an active lawsuit against the county.
“What is troublesome, he will not not even suggest he made a grave legal mistake after our county attorney advised all 5 commissioners not to carry on with parties that are suing us. While recent news stories and phone calls speak to the…events which Mr. Whitehead was inappropriately involved with dating back 10 years it is today’s issue that takes me over the top. It’s not that he made a mistake for a mistake can be forgiven. What bothers me is his attitude and arrogance suggesting that he made no mistake at all.
“To add insult to injury, he arrogantly chastises anyone who thinks he did. This attitude that he is somehow about scrutiny is troublesome to say the least. This conduct is a reflection on the entire board of commissioners and is not acceptable.
“Vital principals and standards have been violated and do not represent the people who elected each of us. At this point Mr. Chairman I honestly can’t distinguish if it is arrogance or ignorance but I know one thing and one thing only. I cannot and will not be painted with your brush of arrogance, bad behavior and indifference.
“To stand by idly and do nothing in my opinion reflects poorly on 4 other commissioners. It is our duty to continue working to restore the public trust in county government. Therefore I move that we replace Comm. Whitehead as chairman.”
Whitehead Resigns As Commission Chairman
June 6, 2008
Mike Whitehead stepped down as chairman of the Escambia County Commission Thursday night before District 5 Commissioner Kevin White had the chance to call for his removal because of his “arrogance”.
White had planned to call for Whitehead’s removal from the commission chair at the end of the meeting. He told NorthEscambia.com that he had only told to relatives about his plan prior to the meeting, but “he must have found out somehow”. He had mentioned at an agenda review meeting earlier in the day that he would have an item at the end of the meeting, but he did not specify what that item was to be.
Whitehead (pictured above) opened Thursday night’s meeting by announcing that he was turning the chairman’s seat over to District 2 Commissioner Gene Valentino, the board’s vice chairman. He spoke briefly, saying that he thought when he accepted the position last year that he might not have the time for the chairman’s duties. He mentioned that he owns three businesses, had grandchildren and is running for re-election.
White was prepared, with a handwritten written statement in his pocket, to ask his fellow commissioners to remove Whitehead as chair. Read White’s complete statement by clicking here.
“It was time for him to go. I was tired of his arrogance,” White told NorthEscambia.com after the meeting.
“He did the right thing and kept me from having to do it,” he added.
After Whitehead’s resignation as commission chair, White left the commission chambers for a short time. “I just had to get out of there for a little while,” he said.
One of White’s biggest contentions with Whitehead has been Whitehead attending a political fund-raiser hosted for him by a contractor that has a lawsuit pending against the county, and his refusal to apologize or concede any wrongdoing in attending that event.
“It’s not that he made a mistake for a mistake can be forgiven. What bothers me is his attitude and arrogance suggesting he made no mistake at all,” White’s letter that he never had the chance to read publicly at the meeting said.”To add insult to injury he arrogantly chastises anyone who thinks he did.”
“I’m tired of being painted with his brush of arrogance, bad behavior and indifference,” White told NorthEscambia.com. “He has no regard for the public scrutiny. It’s time we have trust again in local government.”
Valentino was named the new commission chair because he represents District 2, and Marie Young was named vice-chairman because she represents District 3. The commission chairman position, which is mostly ceremonial with a few administrative powers, rotates in numerical order between the five districts. White, who is also up for re-election this year, represents District 5 which includes the entire North Escambia area.
Republican Whitehead remains the District 1 commissioner. Two people have announced the are running against him for that seat this year. One is Democrat Stephen M. Davidson. The other is Republican Wilson Robertson, a former District 5 commissioner that has since moved to Pensacola.
Blog: White Versus Whitehead
June 6, 2008
Mike Whitehead stepped down as chairman of the Escambia County Commission Thursday night, perhaps staying just one step ahead of Commissioner Kevin White. White had prepped a handwritten statement as prelude to a motion to remove White as chair at the end of the meeting.
But Whitehead had perhaps seen the writing on the wall and resigned as chairman at the beginning of the meeting. White told me Thursday night after the meeting that he had told only his wife and mother of his plans, and he was sure that neither of them had told anyone.
White used the words “arrogance” and “arrogant” repeatedly to describe Whitehead’s attitude toward the commission and toward the citizens of this county. And he blasted Whitehead for attending a campaign fund-raiser on Whitehead’s behalf hosted by a contractor that is currently involved in a lawsuit with the county .The county attorney had even told commissioners to steer clear of the contractor or anyone else suing the county and to run everything dealing with them through her office. Whitehead chose not to do so, and has yet to admit he made a mistake or even apologize.
It is an election year for both White and Whitehead. It took political guts for White to plan to remove Whitehead. For that, we applaud him. He could have made the motion to remove Whitehead, and it could have failed. Talk about egg on your face, especially in an election year.
I do want to make it very clear that NorthEscambia.com does not plan to endorse candidates in local races that directly affect District 5 this year. We just believe White deserves credit were credit is due.
But since Whitehead’s District 1 is not in NorthEscambia.com’s coverage area (it’s primarily the western part of Pensacola), let’s talk about that race.
You have Whitehead as the incumbent in that district.
Let’s look at some of his accomplishments so far this year, besides raising campaign money from the contractor suing the county.
The Myrtle Grove Volunteer Fire Department recently celebrated its 55th anniversary of dedicated service to that community. They invited Whitehead to be their guest speaker. After all, the Myrtle Grove VFD is in Whitehead’s district. He declined, telling the fire department that he would be out of town. But he was not out of town. In fact, he admitted to the Pensacola press that he was playing golf instead.
He said it was just a misunderstanding with his schedule; he thought the fire department event was Friday. But he admits he was not out of town Friday either. “I don’t think anybody was that upset about not having another speaker there,” he told the Pensacola News Journal. “I’m not that worried about it.”
Whitehead skipped the fire department event. One of his opponents in this year’s election, Wilson Robertson, attended the VFD event.
That was not the last time the golf course has cast a bad light over Whitehead.
The Sons of Italy held a golf tournament a month ago at Marcus Point Golf Club. According to the Pensacola Independent News, lots of people ponied up 75 bucks to play and more money to sponsor holes and put up their signs. Whitehead, the Independent News says, paid to play. But then he put up campaign signs and refused to pay the sponsor fee. (You can read more, and see pictures by clicking here.)
Wilson Robertson was at the golf tournament too. He paid to place his signs, as did new Commission Chairman Gene Valentino.
The Escambia County Farm Tour recently loaded up agriculture and political leaders in Pensacola and headed north to the North Escambia area. The purpose of the tour was to introduce the “south end” to the life and agriculture in our “north end”. Commissioners Valentino, White and Grover Robinson were on the tour. Wilson Robertson was also on the tour.
Whitehead? We are not sure where he was. Was he at the golf course again? We are not sure. But we do know he was not on the farm tour in North Escambia.
We stopped in at a recent meeting of the Escambia County Dirt Road Paving Committee. While their members are not the faces you see on the evening news every night, they are charged with the important task of deciding which dirt roads in the county will be paved next. Paving dirts roads is a big deal to a lot of people in North Escambia. White was at the meeting. To our surprise, Wilson Robertson was at the meeting.
It’s our understanding that there are no unpaved dirt roads in District 1 where Robertson is running against Whitehead. But he told us he was there because he still cares about District 5 where he used to serve, and he cares about the county as a whole. Imagine that…the potential to have a former District 5 North Escambia commissioner serving on the commission in another district. Two commissioners in Escambia County that understand the “north end”. That certainly seems as if it would create a better advantage for North Escambia in county government that we have not had in some time.
If you have friends or relatives in Escambia’s District 1, you might pass along a link to NorthEscambia.com.
We must add that Democrat Stephen M. Davidson is also in that race. I must admit, I don’t know much about Mr. Davidson, so not much about him will we say.
As for Mr. Whitehead, we predict that he might just have a lot more time on the golf course after November.
Comments? Let me know what you think at news@northescambia.com
Grammy Nominated Band Red In Concert Tonight In Atmore
June 6, 2008
Grammy nominated Christian rock band Red will be in concert Friday night in Atmore, and tickets are still available.
Red’s debut album “End of Silence” was released in 2006 and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album” category at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. The first single from the album, “Breathe Into Me” hit number 15 on the mainstream rock charts and was named the “Rock Recorded Song of the Year” at the 2007 Dove Awards.
“You never know what people are dealing with in their everyday lives, but I am willing to bet that at some point, we all have experienced the same feelings of anger, sadness, and confusion. Our music addresses a lot of those experiences; those feelings, and the situations that caused them. I hope our music inspires people and let’s them know that they are not alone,” said bass guitarist Randy Armstrong, identical twin brother of Red guitarist Anthony Armstrong.
The band has over 144,000 MySpace.com friends, and “Breathe Into Me” has had over 2.2 million plays on MySpace. To visit the band’s MySpace, click here.
Red has toured with Christian rockers Kutless, Disciple, and Flyleaf as well as with mainstream alternative metal artists, including Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, Seether, Puddle of Mudd, and Sevendust.
Red will be in concert at 6:30 Friday night at the Escambia County Middle School Auditorium on Highway 21 in Atmore. Tickets are $16-17 in advance at itickets.com or at (800) 965-9324, or $19 at the door.
The concert is sponsored by the First Assembly of God Church in Atmore and their Powerhouse Student Ministries. Opening band will be Providence.
Funeral Services Held For Molino Park Teacher Sharon Smith
June 6, 2008
Funeral services for Molino Park Elementary School teacher Sharon Smith were held Thursday morning in Pensacola.
Thursday was to have been the faculty retirement party at Molino Park for Mrs. Smith, 57. But moments after waving goodbye to her final class last Friday, the fourth grade teacher died. She had taught at Molino Elementary School and Molino Park for 36 years, and she was honored three times as “Teacher of the Year”.
Funeral services for Sharon Smith were Thursday morning at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Pensacola with burial following at Holy Cross Cemetery.
To read NorthEscambia’s coverage about the death of Mrs. Smith, click here.
The following is Sharon Smith’s complete obituary:
Sharon Dawson Smith was born to the late James W. and Myrtle Lee Dawson on September 10, 1950 in Red Bay, FL. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church. She attended Tivoli High School in DeFuniak Springs, FL and was a graduate in the class of 1968. She was also a graduate of Okaloosa-Walton Junior College. In later years, she moved to Pensacola, FL to attend the University of West Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees and united with Sixth Avenue Baptist Church. Sharon was director of the Children’s Church Ministry for many years, a member of the Pastor’s Aid Ministry, Liberaletts Scholarship Organization, and a Deaconess. She taught Vacation Bible School after-school tutorials, and was the church’s web page technician. Sharon was a quiet unassuming Christian, who was always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. She met and married the love of her life, President Smith, Jr. and to this union a son, Reginald L. Smith, was born. Sharon will be missed by her loved ones, friends, Church family, and her Molino Park Elementary School family. She was employed by the Escambia County School District for 36 years, three of which she was honored as “Teacher of the Year”. She had a special love for all children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon President Smith, Jr. and her son, Reginald L. Smith. She leaves to cherish her memories, four sisters, Rev. Mary (Collins) Myrick, Marianna, FL, Celestine (Ernest) Malley, Panama City, FL, Debbie (Michael) Bedgood, and Dorothy Turner, both of DeFuniak Springs, FL; two brothers, Lewis (Yun) Dawson, Fayetteville, NC and Charles (Mary) Dawson, San Antonio, TX; two stepsons, Michael (Eva) Smith, Columbus, GA and Kelvin (Maketa) Smith, Phenix City, AL; a loving mother-in-law, Georgia Smith, Columbus, GA; three grandchildren, Se’maj, Ke’von, and Marc Anthony Smith; a host of loving nieces and nephews who she dearly loved; a very special niece, Doreatha Jackson, who came to live with her after the homegoing of her husband and son; a very special honorary sister, Barbara Edmonson; two God-daughters, Kimberly Dennis and Keisha Jones and a God-son, Bennie Edmonson, Jr.; a very special and devoted daughter, Rashena McWhite; many relatives, friends, and a loving church family.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Michael J. Johnson, Sr., officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Work Underway For New $300 Million ECUA Wastewater Facility
June 5, 2008
Work is underway to clear land for the Escambia County’s new sewage treatment plant off Chemstrand Road near Solutia.
The plant, more officially known as the Central Water Reclamation Facility, is scheduled to be complete in just two years at a cost of about $300 million. $134 million will come from the Federal Emergency Management agency, $19.5 million from the Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency and the rest from ECUA customers’ monthly bills.
The project will replace the aging Main Street Street sewage treatment plant in downtown Pensacola. That plant flooded during Hurricane Ivan, sending raw sewage throughout downtown.
The project will include the construction of about 25 miles of pipeline and the pumping of wastewater to the new facility near Cantonment. The treated water will be used by Gulf Power Company’s generating plant a few miles away and by International Paper in Cantonment.
The plant will be located at the highest point on the 2,300 acre parcel owned by ECUA.
“With the plant located at the highest point, ECUA can use gravity flow of effluent from the plant, at a savings of about $500,000 a year in energy costs,” Larry Walker, ECUA District 5 board member said.
Pictured above: ECUA District 5 board member Larry Walker (left) talks with Scott Jernigan, an employee of Baskerville-Donovan, Inc., the primary engineering firm in the plant construction, and Bob Adams, the subcontractor who is doing the land-clearing work at the site of the new Central Water Reclamation Facility. Pictured below: The plant will be located up this hill near the small stand of trees. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bergosh Pens Handwritten Letter To Student On Carver/Century Closing
June 5, 2008
Escambia County School Board Member Jeff Bergosh received a handwritten letter from a Carver/Century K-8 School student opposed to closing the school, and he responded with a handwritten letter of his own.
In the letter to Bergosh, who has repeatedly advocated closing Carver/Century to save about $680,000 this year, the student expressed their concerns about an 18 mile trip from Century to Ernest Ward Middle School or 25 miles to Ransom Middle School.
“That would be a really long bus ride. Plus if I were hurt or got sick at school my mom would not be able to pick me up and take me home. I like to participate in sports and other after school activities. If I go to another school, I probably would not get to do those things,” the student wrote.
“These concerns are valid and they are real. But, I can assure you that if the decision is made to close Carver/Century, the district will bend over backwards to help you and your classmates adjust to the change. I guarantee you that,” Bergosh wrote in his response.
In his letter, Bergosh did not deny that he was the driving force on the school board for closing the school.
“I will not attempt to assign blame to others as I have been the one member of the board who has continued to advocate the closure of underutilized facilities to save money. Unfortunately this includes Carver/Century,” he wrote.
But he said he believes the closure and consolidation of the school would be a positive move for the students.
“In my heart I believe that the closure of Carver/Century, if this occurs, will lead to a positive outcome for the students who currently attend your school,” Bergosh wrote.
Below is the complete text of the student’s letter, followed by the complete text of Bergosh’s handwritten response.
Mr. Bergosh,
I am a 7th grade student at Carver/Century K-8 School. I’ve read articles in the newspapers or on the television that my school may be closing. I am proud to be a Carver/Century blackcat. I want to know where I will be going to middle school if this school is closed. Ernest Ward Middle School is 18 miles from here. I would have to wake up earlier than I do now to get to school on the bus. My mom would not be able to drive me there if I were late getting ready. Another school might be Ransom Middle School. It is about 25 miles from Century. That would be a really long bus ride. Plus if I were hurt or got sick at school my mom would not be able to pick me up and take me home. I like to participate in sports and other after school activities. If I go to another school, I probably would not get to do those things. Thanks for taking time to read my letter.
Sincerely,
A Student at Carver/Century.
June 3, 2008
Student at Carver/Century,
Thank you for taking the time to write. I understand your concerns regarding the potential closure of your school. I do not take lightly any decisions that affect students, and I understand that if Carver/Century school is closed, this will be difficult for you and your classmates. I will not attempt to assign blame to others as I have been the one member of the board who has continued to advocate the closure of underutilized facilities to save money. Unfortunately this includes Carver/Century.
If the decision to close Carver/Century is made, the district will save roughly $600,000.00. This is a large amount of money, and will help us out of our current financial crisis. At the heart of the reasoning for the closure and consolidation of schools is the necessity operate more efficiently to save money while at the same time allowing every student the opportunity to attend a safe and effective public school. In my heart I believe that the closure of Carver/Century, if this occurs, will lead to a positive outcome for the students who currently attend your school. The plan for the middle school students would be to have them attend Ernest Ward Middle School. Ernest Ward is a fantastic school with excellent students and faculty. Ernest Ward Middle is also ranked as an “A” School by the state and has been an “A” school for a number of years.
Your classmates at the elementary level would most likely attend Molino Park Elementary or Bratt Elementary. Both of which are “A” rated schools by the state.
As far as your concerns about participation in extracurricular activities, I understand that this will be a challenge. I also understand your other concern about an earlier bus departure and also the fear that if you are sick at school this will make it difficult on your parents. These concerns are valid and they are real. But, I can assure you that if the decision is made to close Carver/Century, the district will bend over backwards to help you and your classmates adjust to the change. I guarantee you that.
Most importantly, I want to make sure that I re-iterate to you that no decisions have been finalized on closing Carver/Century. I cannot tell you with 100% certainty what will happen. I can only say that decisons on this budget have been very difficult, and I appreciate your input. I will take your concerns into account as I wrestle with the idea of closing this school.
Regardless of what happens, I feel confident that you will continue your education, you will do well in school, and you will end up being a valuable member of your community. You will also learn a lot about yourself and your classmates if the decision to close your school is made. The important point to note is that you have distinguished yourself by taking the time to write me a hand written letter and express your concerns. Thanks for being a part of this process!
Sincerely,
Jeff Bergosh
Escambia County School Board, Dist. 1
Abused Horse Miracle Man Has Recovered, Now Up For Adoption
June 5, 2008
Miracle Man, the colt that was rescued from the brink of death hanging from a sling back in January, has recovered and is now up for adoption.
The colt’s owner suspended Miracle Man from the rafters of her barn with a sling in an attempt to get him off an injured leg. He was rescued by Panhandle Equine Rescue in Molino.
He is totally rehabilitated,” said PER President Diane Lowery. ” He is eight months old and will tie, load, clip, bathe and stand for the farrier. He is very quiet and easy to handle.”
The colt, which is half Arabian and half Quarter Horse, has a $300 adoption fee. For more information, visit PER’s web site by clicking here.
Iris Rose Fortner, 51, of De Soto Road, Cantonment, was charged with felony animal cruelty in connection with the case. She plead not guilty in March according to court records and is scheduled for trial in July.
To read NorthEscambia.com’s earlier coverage of Miracle man, click here.