Resident Raises Big Stink Over $3,000 Sewer Bill At Council Meeting
May 6, 2008
The president of the Century Town Council was forced to repeatedly strike her gavel and raise her voice to maintain order at Monday night’s meeting of the council.
The arguments from the floor erupted over an unpaid $3,000 sewage bill that the property owner says she does not owe. The bill includes amounts billed over several years.
The discussion began during the council comments portion of the meeting when council member Henry Hawkins question what the council could do about a lady that has a $3,000 bill for sewage service but does not receive service from the town.
“They were suppose to connect to the sewer system when the mobile home was placed,” Town Clerk Dorothy Sims said. She was referring to a mobile home owned by Leola Robinson in the 7500 block of Williams Street, just north of County Road 4.
While in the Town of Century, the mobile home sits with one end in the Century Water District, and the other end in the Central Water Works district.
When Robertson received her permit to place the mobile home on the lot, Sims said she agreed in writing to obtain water and sewer service from the town. But she never has; instead, she receives her water from Central Water Works and uses a septic tank.
“I could not see, and I trusted her,” Robertson said, adding that she did not know the she signed a permit agreeing to obtain water and sewer from Century.
“This has come up for years,” Sims said. “Every time there is a new council she comes in here and tries to get out of the bill.”
“Mrs. Sims,” Robertson responded, “You are telling the wrong thing.”
Council President Anne Brooks banged her gavel and raised her voice in an attempt to gain order and stop the argument between Robertson and Brooks, one of many times during the meeting.
Hawkins proposed that the town just forgive the past due sewer bill.
But Mayor Freddie McCall said that everyone in the town is required to have sewer service, not a septic tank, under town ordinances.
“The fact is that even if they have a septic tank, they need to pay for sewer,” Council President Anne Brooks said. Both the mayor and Sims agreed that there are other residents in the town that have septic tanks, but they pay a monthly minimum for sewer service they do not actually have in order to comply with the law.
“The only thing you can make do,” Robertson told the council, “is you can put me in jail. I’m ready. I’m not going to pay one penny.”
Robertson told the council she had tried to get sewer service, but there was no sewer line in front of the mobile home.
Mayor McCall proposed that the town install a sewer line on Williams Road to the front of Robertson’s property if she agreed to connect to the service and fill-in the septic tank.
“We will go the extra mile on this, and it won’t cost us that much,” McCall said. As for the past due bill, what happens will be dictated by the law, he said.
“That’s exactly what we’ve been asking to do, begging, to do,” Robertson said of the mayor’s proposal.
Action on the situation and mayor’s proposal was postponed until the next council meeting on May 19.
Pictured above: Mayor Freddie McCall shows council members Nadine McCaw and Anne Brooks (right) how the trailer is split by two water districts. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Superintendent Jim Paul Changes DUI Plea, Sentence Imposed
May 5, 2008
Escambia County School Superintendent Jim Paul won’t be driving to work anytime soon because his driver’s license has been suspended. Paul changed his not guilty plea to one of no-contest in connection with his January arrest in Pinellas County, Florida, on a charge of DUI.
Paul’s attorney entered the no-contest plea though his attorney last week, and was sentenced by the judge.
His driver’s license was immediately suspended for six months, and he was fined $645.50. He was sentenced to 50 hours of community service and given the option of paying off those hours at $10 each. He must also attend a state approved DUI school within 10 months.
Paul was scheduled to appear at a hearing on the charge Tuesday.
In an exclusive interview with NorthEscambia.com hours after his arrest, Paul said was at a technology conference funded by Apple Computer. He said he was unable to sleep Wednesday night and decided to play the slot machines at the Hard Rock Casino. He said he had two glasses of wine about 10:30, and then went to his car about 12:30.
“You know, you’ve had a couple of drinks,” he said he told himself at his car. “You don’t need to be driving. That’s the last thing I’ll need for goodness sakes is to be pulled over…so I just sat there…and just read some emails on my Blackberry. And tried to doze for a couple of hours and I would drive back.”
He said a drunk rapped on his car window about 1:30 or 2:00 that morning. “It was kind of a drunk; then I felt silly,” he said. “What I a doing here for goodness sake?”
That’s when he started driving back, and was eventually stopped by Pinellas County deputies.
“I didn’t feel in anyway that I was unable to drive,” he told NorthEscambia.com. “But I’m sure everybody says that who’s had drinks and gets behind the wheel of a car.”
According to a Pinellas County report obtained by NorthEscambia.com, Pinellas County deputies say the incident began when they observed a rented white 2007 Chevrolet Impala speeding and weaving dramatically on the Courtney Campbell Causeway in Clearwater. A sergeant assigned to the DUI Enforcement Unit stopped the vehicle and while speaking with the driver, 60-year-old James Roy Paul of Pensacola, became concerned that he was impaired.
A DUI investigation was initiated and after it was determined that Paul was impaired, he was arrested on one count of misdemeanor driving under the influence. Following his arrest, Paul was transported to the Pinellas County Jail where he was booked at 4:45 a.m. Eastern time. He was allowed to post a $500 bond at 2:34 Eastern time, after spending more than nine hours behind bars.
He submitted to a breath test which measured his breath alcohol level at 0.128. The legal limit in Florida is 0.08. During the investigation Paul was cooperative and identified himself as the Superintendent of the Escambia County School District.
Click here to see the officer’s charge report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
Paul was in the Tampa area with Paul Fetsko, an assistant superintendent, and Don Maderson, the district’s technology director, for a technology conference. Paul was alone in the car at the time of his arrest.
The 60 year old Paul was first elected superintendent in 2000 and and re-elected in 2004. His office is up for re-election this year. He qualified as Republican candidate in that election on July 19 of last year, but later withdrew from the race.
Pictured above: Jim Paul’s Pinellas County Jail booking photo.
Northview Principal Gayle Weaver To Receive Florida’s Top FFA Award
May 5, 2008
Gayle Weaver, Northview High School principal, will receive the Florida FFA Honorary Degree in June during the the 80th State FFA Convention in Orlando.
Weaver is one of just seven adults in the state slated to receive the Honorary Degree for their support of FFA.
The FFA Honorary Degree is given to administrators who are advancing agricultural education and FFA through outstanding personal commitment. The award also recognizes school administrators making valuable contributions and long-term differences in the lives of students. This is the highest award given to adults who support FFA programs of the local, state, and national associations.
“Accepting this honorary degree will be the highlight of my professional career, and I can not think of any recognition which could eclipse this symbolic compliment to not only myself, but also to Northview,” Weaver told NorthEscambia.com. “The honorary degree award would not have been possible without the wonderful Northview FFA Program, which has brought, and continues to bring, recognition to Northview High School.”
She said a great example is the FFA Food for America Program. Once again, Northview is in the top ten for the state in the program. The winners will be announced at the state convention. During the Food for America Program in March, about 900 elementary school students from nine schools visited the Northview campus the to learn about agriculture firsthand as they got up close and personal with farm animals, farm equipment and more.
“She supports our program in every way,” Perry Byars, Northview FFA teacher said. “She allows me as a teacher to do what I need to do for FFA. She is just a wonderful supporter of FFA.”
The feeling of respect is mutual between Byars and Weaver.
“Mr. Perry Byars is an exemplary teacher and FFA sponsor. Not only has he spent a career instilling the wholesome values and virtues of FFA to our students, but also he has traveled the state, through various leadership positions, expounding those values and virtues of the FFA organization,” Weaver said. “Remember, ‘Values are caught, not taught’, and American values are caught through FFA programs, projects, and activities.”
Weaver said she is excited about the FFA Honorary Degree. She said she thought she had reached the top when she was awarded “Life Member” recognition from the FFA Alumni Association back in May of 2003.
She said she is looking forward to the state convention in June.
“To see thousands of FFA members at the FFA National Convention, all with their FFA jackets on with their schools’ names on the back, is to see the best of America and the hope of America,” she said.
North Escambia Runners In Fiesta 5K
May 5, 2008
Several North Escambia runners competed over the weekend in the Fiesta Run in Pensacola, with one Walnut Hill runner placing first in her age division.
Katelyn Mann, 15, of Walnut Hill placed first in the Fiesta 5K Female 14-15 group with a time of 30:15. She finished 172 overall in the 5K.
Robert Bath, 57, of Molino placed 75 overall in the Fiesta 5K with a time of 25:17.
Shelly Brown, 35, of Molino placed 179 overall in the Fiesta 5K with a time of 30:38.
Lee Wright, 62, of Molino placed 231 overall in the Fiesta 10K with a time of 56:17.
Kim Chambless, 39, of Walnut Hill placed 262 overall in the Fiesta 10K with a time of 58:10.
Vance Wildt, 37, of Molino placed 413 overall in the Fiesta 10K with a time of1:09:13.
A Troy State University Professor, 31 year old Michael Green, won the 10K with a time of 30:39. The overall 5K winner, 16 year old Dallas Khamiss of Pensacola, finished with a time of 17:42.
Walnut Hill Graduating Senior Honored By Local Church
May 4, 2008
Kate Sherrill of Walnut Hill is a graduating senior of the Christian Institute of Arts and Sciences. She was honored at the monthly First Sunday Lunch at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church.
Kate will graduate at 6:00 Friday evening, May 16, 2008 at the Charity Chapel in Pensacola. She is the daugther of Kent and Anne Sherrill of Walnut Hill.
Fishing Rodeo For The Disabled Held In Walnut Hill
May 4, 2008
As the storm clouds approached Saturday morning, dozens of disabled people fished around Chester Jantz’s Walnut Hill catfish pond.
“That thing floating there in the water…it will move when the fish gets it, right?”, questioned one elderly lady as she sat by the pond in her wheelchair. “I’ve never fished before, so I am not sure what will happen. But I remember seeing that thing floating in the water move when the fish got it on this TV program I watched.”
“I’m just so excited,” she said. “I’ve never fished before.”
That’s what the Pen Wheels Fiesta of Five Flags 34th Annual Fishing Rodeo held Saturday was all about.
“It was organized to give disabled people a chance to get out,” Pen Wheels Vice President Pearline McLendon told NorthEscambia.com. “Many of these people have never fished before. This is just one way to get them out of their houses and the nursing homes into the community.”
As the rain got closer, Pearline had only caught one small fish “but it broke the hook and got away”. She had, however, hooked at least one volunteer that was helping out.
Over the 34 year history of the fishing rodeo, it has been held at locations ranging from Ft. Pickens to the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola. Since 2001, it has been held at Jantz’s catfish pond on South Highway 99, just off Highway 97.
“Jantz just does us right,” Pauline said. “I can’t say enough nice things about him. We never want to leave!”
Dozens of volunteers stood ready to help the disabled fish. They baited hooks, tossed a line and offered words of friendly encouragement. Many of the volunteers were from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
“There are some real Christian people here helping,” Pen Wheels President Warren Jernigan said. “They really show us Christian love.”
“I like seeing the joy of the people who catch something. I even enjoy the excitement of the people who don’t catch anything but get excited from those that do catch something.”
About 50 disabled people were registered in Saturday’s fishing rodeo. They were from around the area, including Pensacola and Century. Several residents from the Century Care Center participated.
Everything, including lunch, in Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo is provided to the disabled for free as a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization.
For a complete photo gallery from the event, click here.
Pictured above and below: The Pen Wheel Fishing Rodeo for the disabled Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Leaning Post Ranch in Molino Dedicated Saturday
May 4, 2008
A dedication ceremony was held Saturday afternoon for the Leaning Post Ranch in Molino, a state-licensed facility and prevention program for developmentally disabled and at-risk young people.
The facility was established in1992 by Fran and Newman Gersin. They started with one horse, and a dream to use that horse to encourage kids and keep them off drugs.
Now the Leaning Post Ranch has 40 acres, a barn, a new open-air arena, a mulipurpose facility, a house, 16 horses and a pony…thanks to generosity of several local organizations and God.
“Above all to God by the glory,” Fran Gersin (pictured left) told the crowd at the ranch Saturday. “This place has always been by faith.”
“There is no way two people could do all of this. Only God could do this,” she said.
The grooming and multipurpose building was dedicated as the “Connie J. Greenhut Horses and Hope Center” for Connie Greenhut. She is the wife of Greenhut Construction owner Bill Greenhut. Greenhut constructed the building with the help of, and donations from, over two dozen other construction related businesses.
Also dedicated Saturday was the “Impact 100 Arena”, named in honor of Pensacola’s Impact 100 group that made a $113,000 donation to the ranch in 2006 to construct the arena.
The day’s events included a meal made possible by donations from Grocery Advantage in Cantonment, tours and entertainment.
There were horse drill demonstrations by two teams, including on comprised of four autistic youth (pictured top of page). Nona Freeman (pictured left), a popular 91 year old Pentecostal writer and speaker from Texas, addressed those in attendance.
The Leaning Post Ranch is located at 4150 Cedar Springs Road in Molino. For more information, visit http://www.theleaningpostranch.com.
For a complete photo gallery from the Leaning Post Ranch in Molino, click here.
Pictured below: The silhouette of a horse a disabled child in a wheelchair decorates the entrance to the Leaning Post Ranch.
Mayor Gives Key To The Town Of Century To God At Prayer Service For Town
May 4, 2008
Over 100 Century residents came gathered Saturday morning to pray as the mayor turned the key to the town over to God.
“It is time to take the key away from man and give it to the King of Righteousness,” event organizer Laura Nelson told the crowd gathered at Carver/Century K-8 School.
Mayor Freddie McCall stood before the crown with a key to the town, which he presented to the Lord.
“This may be symbolic, but we are doing it from the heart,” McCall said. “Continue to pray for me; that He will give me His wisdom to do what is right for Century. I beg each and every one of you to open up your heart and back this man. The power is in prayer.”
Much of the prayer Saturday morning centered around saving Carver/Century School, and on saving the town. Pastor Jeff Dwenger from Abundant Life Assembly of God stood and prayed over the mayor and Carver/Century K-8 School Principal Jeff Garthwaite.
“This could be a crown jewel in our county school system,” the mayor said. “Pray for the parents and grandparents, that they would bring the kids back that have gone to greener grass (to another school).”
“We are getting ready in one accord to lock up some things in this town, and unlock some things in the town,” Nelson said. “We decree the righteousness of God over Century. We plead the blood of Jesus over Century.”
“The people walking in darkness have seen the light, a new dawning in Century,” she continued as a chorus of amens echoed through the Carver/Century cafeteria. “We decree that our businesses and schools are the head and not the tail.”
For many years, Century enjoyed the economic prosperity brought by a thriving sawmill and timber businesses. But in the last few years, Century has declined, the Rev. Willie Carter of the 130 year old Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church said. But he said now is the time for change with God in control.
“I am calling on Century; it is time for us to come together,” Carter said. “It is time for us to realize that we have one God.”
“If we’d just do like the football player, we could do a whole lot better,” he said. “It does not matter who is going to be blocking, tackling or carrying the ball. They just want to get the job done.”
“We are on the fourth down,” Carter continued. “It is time for to come together. I plead with you…let’s do the best we can to keep our community together.”
Don Sales from the Alger-Sullivan Historical Society outlined a plan underway to improve Century’s economic plight. He said that plan were underway to potentially build a park at the site of the old Alger-Sullivan mill where the group’s Old 100 steam engine would once again run on a circular track for tourists.
That would lead to jobs, and increased property values, he said. “But for that to happen, we need this school to stay right here,” he added.
“It is because of the kids; that is what we are all about,” Carver/Century Principal Jeff Garthwaite said.
“I am here because I believe that this is where God wants me,” Garthwaite said of Carver/Century, a school rated as an “F” school by the state.
“I have every reason to believe that we will come out of being an “F” school,” he said, “with the help of the parents and grandparents.”
“We can praise God, and we can invite God into our classrooms. The future of the school, our future, is good. But it needs to be better.”
Pastor Irvin Stallworth from New Life Baptist Church led the group of young and old to hold hands and sing “Reach and touch someboy’s hand. Make this world a better place, if you can.”
“Out best is not behind us; our best is yet to come,” Stallworth said before leading the group in fervent prayer for Century.
Nelson organized the event after hearing of a similar event in Montgomery, Alabama.
“I went to the mayor’s office and told him of my idea to give the key to the city to the King of Righteousness,” she said. “He began to weep as he said ‘yes’.”
“There is no one like God,” Nelson said. “That is why we are here.”
For more photos from the prayer service Saturday in Century, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Holds Mother-Daughter Banquet
May 4, 2008
Rays Chapel Baptist Church held a mother-daughter banquet over the weekend.
Ladies from the church brought their favorite dinner ware to decorate the tables. Themes consisted of frogs, teapots, butterflies, patriotic themes and more.
Ladies who attended the banquet were asked to vote on their favorite table, and the winner was awarded a prize.
There were also prizes awarded to the mothers who had the oldest and the youngest daughters with them.
The speaker, Jeanna Lankford, talked about how precious a thing to make good memories with our families. A video of favorite family pictures set to music was presented by Lisa Weaver of Memories-N-Motion. Mary Enfinger entertained everyone with song. The overall theme of this years event was Making Memories. Some of the men from church were on hand to help serve fried chicken and the fixins. A wonderful time was had by all.
The event was planned and organized by Teresa and Adrea Watford.
Click here for a complete photo gallery from the Ray’s Chapel Mother-Daughter Lunch.
Story and photos submitted by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com. Click to enlarge.
Pat Still, Local Ambulance Company Owner, Laid To Rest Sunday
May 4, 2008
Patricia Still of Atmore passed away Friday morning following a brief illness. Still owned Atmore Appliances, formerly Western Auto, and Atmore Ambulance. Atmore Ambulance provides ambulance service for the Walnut Hill, Bratt, Oak Grove, Davisville and nearby areas in the 327 phone exchange in North Escambia.
Still’s husband Merrill passed away in early January of this year.
A black wreath hung on the door of the businesses in Atmore Friday afternoon.
Visitation was held Saturday night at the McCullough Christian Center north of Atmore. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the McCullough Christian Center, the Rev. Cornelius Phillips officiating.
Pictured above: Pat and Merrill Still. Photos courtesy AtmoreNews.com.