Commission Approves Land Swap For New Bratt Park
April 4, 2008
The Escambia County Commission voted to approve a land swap that will bring a new community park to Bratt at their Thursday evening meeting.
District 5 Commissioner Kevin White said that the new park had been a “long time coming”, with plans having been in the works for about 10 years.
The county will trade 57 acres of mostly wetlands that county owns on Hanks Road for 13.19 acres at the corner of West Highway 4 and Bratt Road. The Highway 4 property is currently owened by Kale and Donna Schneider.
“I think this is a great thing,” White recently told NorthEscambia.com. “A park in that area has been needed for a long time. This has been 10 years in the making.”
The land swap will end up costing the county only about $9,000. That will leave about $141,000 currently budgeted in White’s discretionary Local Option Sales Tax funds to develop that park. In the beginning, that money will pay for land improvements, playground equipment and a walking trail. Softball fields are part of the ultimate plan for the park, White said. The county’s current Admendment 1 budget crisis will not effect the funding for the park since funds will come from the local sales tax monies.
“It will be a great asset for the community, and we expect the private sector will get involved and help too,” White said. “It provides another park in the north part of the county that the other board members have supported since I have been here.”
The new park will be located along Highway 4 between Bratt First Baptist Church and Northview High School. The land is currently an open area with just a few very small trees (pictured below). The aerial photo above shows the placement of the property.
The commission was expected to approve the land swap two weeks ago, but the vote was postponed due to a problem with the legal description of the property, White said.
Gary Murph Joins Staff Of Atmore News And AtmoreNews.com
April 4, 2008
Gary Murph has joined the staff of Atmore News as their account executive. He previously worked in sales at the Tri-City Ledger.
“Gary will be responsible for leading our sales effort,” said Sherry Digmon, co-owner of Atmore News. “He brings a maturity and work ethic to the position that we know will benefit our organization. While Ryan, Myrna, and I enjoy getting out and selling ads, it’s not feasible for us to do that long term. Bringing Gary on board will allow us to get out more to cover the community and develop other projects.”
“Sherry and I have worked with Gary before, and we know he’s a good fit for our company,” said Myrna Monroe, co-owner and business manager. “We feel sure Gary is going to take our business to the next level.”
Prior to working at the Tri-City Ledger, Murph was in sales at The Atmore Advance.
Murph’s employment brings the Grace Publishing LLC staff to six full-time employees, three part-time employees, and two friends who volunteer their time.
NorthEscambia.com provides the technical side of atmorenews.com for the Atmore News, and the two sites often share stories. Murph will be able to sell advertisements on both websites.
Commissioner Speaks Out Against Awarding Contract To Firm Suing County
April 4, 2008
District 5 Commissioner Kevin White spoke out against awarding over a quarter million dollars in two contracts to Roads, Inc. Thursday night, saying he had a problem spending money with a firm that is currently suing the county.
Roads, Inc. sued the county after the county rovoked their storm water permit that being used to build a nine acre catfish pond in Cantonment. The county had previously shut down the dig, claiming that it was a “borrow pit” for road construction rather than a pond.
The commission’s agenda Thursday night included a $126,126 bid by Roads, Inc. for “Blue Pit Drainage Improvements” in the Cantonment area. The next lowest bidder was Panhandle Grading and Paving at $135,595.
Roads, Inc. was the lower bidder on a second project, improvements to Ziglar Road near Kingsfiled road, at $136,126. The next low bid was $159,795 by Chadbourne Construction.
“I have a hard time awarding a contract to a vendor that is suing this county over an issue they created themselves,” White said.
“I agree with you in that spirit, Commissioner White, that I have heartburn with people coming in here and continuing to business in this county when in fact they are costing the county money, but the law does not allow them not to,” Commissioner Gene Valentino said. “Even though I have the heartburn that Commissioner White has over their performance on the catfish pond, I definitely cannot deny them the rights to proceeds here.”
The motion to award the contracts to Roads, Inc. passed 3-1 with White voting against and Commissioner Grover Robinson absent.
County Approves Agreements With Walnut Hill Ruritan, Quintette Parks Association
April 4, 2008
The Escambia County Commission approved management agreements with the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club, Inc. and the Quintette Community Park Association, Inc. for management of their respective community centers.
Under the agreements, the entities lease their community centers for $1 per year in exchange for managing the centers during the year.
The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club manages the Walnut Hill Community Center at 7850 Highway 97 in Walnut Hill. The Quintette Community Park Association manages the Quintette Park and Community Center at 2490 Quintette Lane.
Holland Name County Employee Of The Month
April 3, 2008
Allen Holland was named Escambia County’s Employee of the Month for March at the county commission’s meeting Thursday night.
Holland, who lives in the Byrneville community, works for the county’s Fleet Maintenance Division as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic.
According the proclamation approved by the commission, Holland was instrumental in success of the road-widening project along North Highway 99 from Walnut Hill to Bratt. He worked to repair county equipment on-site, eliminating downtime of the paving equipment.
He was also instrumental in organizing the construction of the Tribal Beat Band’s concession stand at Northview High School, and worked to repair several farm tractors used in right of way maintenance, according to the proclamation.
Holland was a man of few words after receiving his proclamation, simply telling commissioners “thanks”. He went to work for the county in May of 1987.
Camp Fire Opening New Childcare Facility In Century
April 3, 2008
A new childcare facility with room for about 70 children will open its doors this weekend in Century.
Camp Fire USA and the Town of Century will show off the new child development center on Industrial Boulevard Saturday, and it will open for business on Monday.
An open house will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the new facility. The public is invited to attend.
IP’s Cantonment Mill Issued Draft Discharge Permit
April 3, 2008
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has released the most recent draft for the Cantonement International Paper Mill’s discharge permit
The project includes a $70 million upgrade to the mill’s wastewater treatment system, removal of the mill’s discharge to Eleven Mile Creek, some restoration of a 1,400 wetlands tract, and conservation of several hundred adjoining acres.
To educate the public on this complex issue, the Pensacola Mill has launched a Web site – www.protectourecosystem.com – explaining the project with maps, diagrams and photos, and outlining information about the mill’s product lines and local economic impact.
“We’re pleased to have reached this milestone,” said Chris Read, Pensacola mill manager. “We’re looking forward to fulfilling the commitment we made nearly a decade ago to improve the water quality of the Perdido Bay system and provide for the restoration of a wetlands habitat.”
For more information about the permit itself, visit the www.dep.state.fl.us/northwest and click on “International Paper Company” on the right-hand side of the page.
Two District 5 Candidates File Finance Reports
April 2, 2008
Two District 5 candidates, Kevin White and Tom Harrell, had filed their first quarter 2008 financial reports by April 1. The reports are due by April 10 and cover the period from January 1 to March 31 of 2008.
Incumbent Escambia County Commission candidate Kevin White reported $2,560 in contributions from January 1 until March 31. He reported $4,768.93 in expenditures during the same period, with most of that money ($4,696.65) going for campaign signs. Other funds were spent by the Republican candidate on bank charges and campaign literature.
Since his campaign began, White has received $36,715 in contributions. He had spent $5,200.63 as of March 31.
Tom Harrell, candidate for the District 5 Escambia County School Board seat held by Pete Gindl, had filed his campaign finance report on April 1.
Harrell reported $2,005.38 in contributions and in-kind services, including a $1,085 in funds and in-kind services that he gave to his own campaign. During the same first quarter of 2008, Harrell spent $2,277.80, mostly on signs. Other funds were spent postage and office supplies.
Since his campaign began, Harrell reports that he has received $3,191.71 in cash and in-kind contributions. He has spent $2,327.80.
As other candidates file their finance reports between now and April 10, NorthEscambia.com will bring you the information. Once the filing period ends, we will bring you complete financial tally on all of the District 5 candidates. We will also publish their campaign finance reports so you can see exactly who contributed how much, and how the candidates have spent their campaign war chests.
Ever Eat Out In Alabama? You Need To Read This
April 1, 2008
Many people from the North Escambia area eat out at restaurants that are located across the state line in Alabama. If you do and you have ever wondered just how safe that restaurant is, now there is a way to easily find out online.
The Alabama Department of Public Health has unveiled a new web site that list scores for more than 23,000 restaurants and food service establishments in the state.
Searching the site will reassure you that every restaurant in Atmore and Flomaton scored in the 90’s on their last health inspections. Some in Atmore, including Chen’s Chinese Buffet, B & T Bar-b-que, Chilly’s, and the Winn Dixie deli, scored near perfect 99’s.
To search Alabama restuarant health ratings, click here.
Softball Clinic Saturday In Molino
April 1, 2008
A softball clinic will be held Saturday in Molino from 10:00 until 1:00. The clinic will include both hitting and defensive drills.
At 2:00, there will be pitching drills.
The cost is $10 for the pitching drills and $20 for the hitting and defensive drills.
For more information, contact Donnie Nicholson at 587-5539 or 207-0663.