Century Votes To Move Forward Toward 290% Tax Increase, Higher Budget
September 20, 2023
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday to move forward toward a nearly 300% property tax increase and an $8 million budget proposed by interim Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr.
Because the tax increase is so high, the state required approval by a unanimous vote of all four council members. The council was unable to take a vote at their last budget meeting on September 5 due to an absent council member.
On a 4-0 vote Tuesday, the council tentatively approved a property tax increase with a millage rate of .9204, which is 290.66% greater than the rolled-back rate of .2356 mills. The rolled back rate is a computed millage rate that would generate the same amount of ad valorem tax dollars as the prior fiscal year, based on the proposed year’s tax roll, excluding new construction. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase and the law says it must be advertised as such. The .9204 millage rate has been constant for several years.
Property values in Century have increased from approximately $49.5 million to $54.5 million over the last year, according to the Escambia County Property Appraiser’s Office. Last year, property taxes generated $45,518 for Century; this year is expected to be $50,307.
The $8 million tentative budget is up more than $2 million (39%) over last year’s $5,8 million, mostly due to grant funds.
A second vote for a final millage rate and budget approval will follow at another meeting on September 26.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
One Shot On Old Chemstrand Road
September 20, 2023
One person is recovering after a shooting Tuesday evening on Old Chemstrand Road.
A male suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, according to Sgt. Melony Peterson with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred in the 2200 block of Old Chemstrand Road, near Longbranch Drive.
Peterson said one person was detained by deputies and was released after questioning. No other suspects were named Tuesday night.
She said details about what led to the shooting were not immediately known. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment following the incident at about 6:20 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Cunningham Appointed Interim Century Council Member
September 20, 2023
Henry Cunningham was sworn in Tuesday night as an interim member of the Century Town Council.
The council was tasked with filling the seat recently vacated by Luis Gomez, Jr. who was appointed interim mayor after the August resignation of Ben Boutwell.
Three people — Cunningham, Calvin Cottrell, Jr., and Eddie Hammond — submitted their names to be considered for the seat.
Council member Sandra Jackson made a motion to appoint Hammond, saying he was the first one to call her. Hammond’s appointment failed on a 2-2 vote — Jackson and Alisha Johnson in favor, Shelisa McCall and Dynette Lewis against.
Jackson then made a motion to appoint Cunningham, saying he was the second one to call her. His appointment passed on a 4-0 vote.
“I’m here to work; I’m ready to work. So let’s go get it,” he said. “Century has been my home. I grew up here; it’s an honor for me to be serving on the town council. I’m proud to be here, and I’m looking forward to working with everybody.”
Cunningham’s time as an interim council member will be brief. An elected council member will take office on November 11 following a special election.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
EEOC Sues Hank’s Furniture For Religious Discrimination In Pensacola After Denied COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption
September 20, 2023
Arkansas-based Hank’s Furniture, Inc., a retail seller of home furniture with stores in four states, violated federal law by refusing to accommodate the sincerely held religious beliefs of an assistant store manager in Pensacola and then firing her, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
According to the EEOC’s suit, in 2021, Hank’s Furniture implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. When Pensacola assistant store manager Kaitlyn M. O’Neal requested an accommodation exempting her from the requirement due to her Christian beliefs, her store manager and immediate supervisor informed her that the company would strip her of her management position if she refused to comply with the policy, no matter the reason. Despite her verbal and written requests for a religious accommodation, which the EEOC says Hank’s Furniture could have honored without undue hardship, the company denied her requests and terminated her employment.
This alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits an employer from failing to accommodate an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs absent undue hardship. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida in Pensacola after its Mobile office completed an investigation and first attempted to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its voluntary conciliation process. The EEOC seeks monetary damages for the terminated employee, including back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and injunctive relief to prevent such unlawful conduct in the future.
“Federal law requires employers to accommodate sincerely held religious beliefs if reasonable accommodation can be made without causing undue burden to the business,” said EEOC Birmingham District Director Bradley Anderson.
Marsha Rucker, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Birmingham District, said, “This suit should remind employers they must communicate with employees requesting accommodation for religious beliefs and try to accommodate those beliefs whenever reasonably possible. The Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Groff v. DeJoy is illustrative of this point.”
Century CI K-9 Team Takes Second In Southeastern States Manhunt Trials
September 20, 2023
The Century Correctional Institution K-9 team placed second in the Multiple Leash Division at the Southeastern State Manhunt Field Trials hosted by the Escambia County Road Prison. Pictured from Century CI are (L-R) Lieutenant J. Booth, Sergeant C. King, Officers D. Patterson and J. deGraaf, Sergeants J. Sanders and D. Walker, Officer M. Wilson, and Warden K. Watkins. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hostetler’s Homers Lift Wahoos To 5-2 Championship Series Opening Win
September 20, 2023
Bennett Hostetler went 3-for-5 with a double and two home runs as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos opened up the Southern League Division Series with a 5-2 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday night.
The Blue Wahoos return to Pensacola needing just one more win to advance to the Southern League Championship Series in their pursuit of back-to-back league titles. The Blue Wahoos will host Game Two on Thursday, and if necessary will host Game Three on Friday.
Every Blue Wahoos run came on home runs in an offensive attack reminiscent of their regular season success. Jake Thompson opened up the scoring with a two-run blast off Montgomery starter Patrick Wicklander (L, 0-1) in the second inning, and Hostetler added a solo shot in the third for an early 3-0 lead.
Luis Palacios (W, 1-0) was his own worst enemy in the bottom of the third, committing a fielding error on the mound that opened the door for a Tanner Murray RBI double. The Pensacola starter then allowed a Kenny Piper solo homer in the fourth, trimming the lead to 3-2.
Hostetler delivered the final jolt of the night in the fifth, launching a two-run homer out to left field to put the momentum back in Pensacola’s favor. It marked the first multi-homer game in Blue Wahoos postseason history.
Palacios pitched into the sixth, handing the ball off to Zach Willeman to strand a runner at second base. Luarbert Arias dazzled with four strikeouts over 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, and Dylan Bice (S, 1) worked a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.
Needing just one more win to advance, the Blue Wahoos will have an off day on Wednesday before the best-of-three series turns back to Pensacola on Thursday.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
ECSO Colonel David Ingram Completes FBI National Academy
September 19, 2023
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Colonel David Ingram has completed the 287th session of the FBI National Academy.
Ingram completed an intensive 10-week program focusing on communication, leadership, and fitness training led by FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees. The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities.
Ingram joins Sheriff Chip W. Simmons, Chief Tommi Lyter, and Chief Andy Hobbs as graduates of this prestigious law enforcement executive program.
“We continuously look for opportunities to improve our service to the community. Training and professionalism are paramount to this mission. We are proud of Colonel Ingram and are certain the training he received will make him an even better public servant,” Simmons said.
Northview Chiefs Beat The Escambia Gators In Three Sets (With Gallery)
September 19, 2023
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Escambia Gators 3-2 in high school volleyball action Tuesday evening.
Northview won the match in Bratt in five sets, 13-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-12, 15-10.
With the win, Northview improves to 6-3.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Students From Tate’s Education Pathways Academy Address School Board
September 19, 2023
Students from Tate High School’s Education Pathways Academy made a presentation to the Escambia County School Board during a workshop session Monday morning.
“These kids in some way, shape or form want to work with kids one day,” academy instructor Nikki Gill told the board.
“There is no more rewarding career than working with our young people,” interim Superintendent Keith Leonard said.
It’s a four-year program that students complete in three years with the opportunity to earn national certification.
The program partners with Kingsfield Elementary School to work in the classrooms there.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bellview Library Celebrates First Year
September 19, 2023
The Bellview Library is now one year old.
A first birthday celebration was held Saturday at the library, along with a Touch-A-Truck event.
A ribbon cutting for the $3.8 million library was held September 16, 2022. At 12,000 square feet, the library is located on about four acres at 6425 Mobile Highway, near Bellview Elementary and Bellview Middle schools. About 2,000 square feet of the structure is a former bank; the remainder is a new addition.
The main portion of the library consists of a large open space that is divided into areas such as a lobby, a story time area, a youth area and an adult reading area. This large open space provides entrances to other support areas such as multiple study rooms, staff rooms, a computer area and a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) room. The development of the building’s façade was inspired by origami, the art of folding paper, which is why there are angles throughout the building.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
