West Florida Libraries Director Reports On Branch Usage, Possible Expanded Hours For Century
April 25, 2023
West Florida Public Libraries Board of Governance members heard a report Tuesday on just how many people are using the library branches and a possibly expanded hours in Century.
Over the last three months, the Downtown Library averaged over 500 people per day, Tryon over 300, Belleview about 300, Southwest about 150, and the Molino Library about 150 people per day, Library Director Todd Humble said during a board meeting Monday afternoon in Century.
The Century Library averages up to 90 people per day, he said.
Currently, the Century Library is open five days a week due to staffing. With the anticipated addition of a STEM educator, Humble said the Century branch could be open six days per week.
Pictured top: West Florida Public Libraries Director Todd Humble during a Board of Governance meeting Monday afternoon at the Century Branch Library. Pictured first below: Board members Robin Reshard (left) and Liza Campbell. Second photo below: Board member Blaine Wall. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Breakfast Honors Molino Park Elementary Volunteers, Partners And Mentors
April 25, 2023
Molino Park Elementary School held a “Breakfast of Champions” to celebrate volunteers, community partners and mentors. Collectively, they have logged over 3,400 hours this school year. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Wind Ensemble Earns Straight Superior Ratings At State
April 25, 2023
The Tate High School Wind Ensemble earned straight superiors at the Florida Bandmasters Association Concert Music Performance Assessment (MPA) in Tallahassee Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Viewpoint: Beulah’s OLF8 Development: A Huge Win for Everyone
April 25, 2023
Viewpoint written by Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.
A recent guest editorial and letter to the editor about OLF 8 contained strident opinions presented as facts and half-truths conflated with misstatements. Therefore, I feel obliged to add clarity to this important issue.
The OLF 8 acquisition, master planning, and marketing effort has been a 25-year evolution.
We’ve recently accepted an all-cash offer for OLF-8, allowing for the construction of restaurants, retail, a town-center, high-wage job areas, and other amenities for all Escambia taxpayers.
The bidder I favored–based upon better initially expressed intentions (Breland)—didn’t show up to the selection meeting held on April 6th. They were aware of the meeting and didn’t attend.
DR Horton, by contrast, attended the meeting, presented their plan, and modified their language indicating substantial compliance with the Board’s Master Plan. They’ll be teaming with Stirling properties for the commercial/light industrial portions of the field, and they upped their offer significantly—to $42 Million Dollars ($7 Million more than Breland’s highest offer).
Also-Horton/Stirling’s plan indicates a piece of the parcel for potential sale to the school board for a Beulah High School if that board wants that. Breland’s rendering had no school site. Horton/Stirling’s plan also has a town center; the Breland “rendering”has no town center.
Breland’s plan indicates miniscule retail portions, a tiny portion for job creation (light industrial) and the entire balance of the land residential. Importantly: Breland’s plan didn’t reflect the master plan conformity they assured the board in their initial purchase offer.
The Horton/Stirling plan remains much more strongly aligned with the agreed upon master plan than does Breland’s—look at initial renderings, side by side, below. Judge for yourself.
From the beginning of this acquisition process- as the county worked on creating high-paying, high tech jobs on OLF-8– I forcefully advocated against ANY residential on that field– a position with which most citizens in Beulah with whom I’ve spoken agree.
Pressure applied on the BCC by some area residents and a few politically connected special interests, however, pushed aside the original plan as solely a regional jobs generator.
That’s how we got here.
Over the next 60 days, we’ll hammer out an agreement that’ll result in between a $20-$27 million dollar “profit” for the taxpayers— proceeds that will be used county-wide to address legacy deficiencies in infrastructure and fund quality of life enhancements.
OLF 8 will also generate significant new property tax revenue for the county and the school board; this added revenue allows us to ensure FIRST RESPONDERS are paid competitive wages-assisting us with staffing challenges without raising property tax (millage) rates.
Therefore, I’d caution readers to always be wary in believing a few voices of discord who want you to believe they represent and speak for everyone.
Remember: these same voices have deftly transitioned and recalibrated their opposition as we’ve responsibly advanced this project. “They’ll never complete this land-swap!” naysayers first howled. “These commissioners are reckless—they’ll NEVER recoup this investment!” came next. Now it’s “Commissioners only care about the MONEY.”
It’s very rich how the goal posts move, the attacks change— but the faces of opposition remain the same.
We’ll never successfully hit the Goldilocks zone for these folks—where the porridge is “just right,” but we’ve tried. We engaged the community, compromised, and listened.
Now it’s time to act.
I’m upbeat, positive, and optimistic about the impending OLF8 sale/development.
With integrity and due consideration, we’ll close this deal to produce a huge win—-for everyone!
Viewpoint written by Escambia County District 1 Commissioner Jeff Bergosh.
Jefferson Homers, Pitches Complete Game As Northview Destroys Milton 17-3
April 25, 2023
With an 11-run fifth inning, the Northview Chiefs beat Milton 17-3 Monday night in Milton.
Jamarkus Jefferson pitched a complete run-ruled five inning game, allowing two hits and three runs while striking out four.
Jefferson had a homer in the fifth for the Chiefs and went 2-4. Josh Landis was also 2-4 on the night. Kaden Odom, Rustin Pope, Tyler Shaw, Ethan Collier, Trent Knighton and Cason Burkett had one hit each.
Northview will host Niceville Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in their final regular season game of the year.
Photos by Brystal Rhodes for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Town Manager? Mayor? Century Council To Begin Deep Dive Into Charter
April 24, 2023
The Century Town Council will begin a deep dive into their charter and needed revisions this week.
The Century Charter Review Committee worked about three years, including pandemic delays, to create a new charter that was submitted to the town council to review and possibly place on an upcoming ballot. The town attorney also completed a differing draft.
In a series of meetings over the next several months, the council will review the old charter line by line, along with the charter review committee’s draft, and perhaps some of the draft presented by the attorney. The lawyer won’t take part at first, in order to save money, but he will review the council’s eventual final draft for legality.
The council has expressed a general consensus against a town manager, instead supporting a strong mayor and council.
A charter review workshop will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Century Town Hall and is open to the public.
The Century town charter is the document that establishes the town, outlines its powers and spells out how it should operate. The charter has not been updated in almost 40 years, and that often creates problems in the operation of the town.
Pictured top: Century council member Shelisa McCall addresses town attorney Matt Dannheisser recently. Pictured inset: Dannheisser explains the charter to the town council. Pictured below: Council member Sandra McMurray-Jackson and council President Luis Gomez, Jr. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reminder: Recycling Is On Hold, But ECUA Still Wants You To Stay In The Separation Habit
April 24, 2023
About 10 days ago, ECUA announced that their recycling facility will not be processing mixed recyclables for several weeks due to a “staff turnover”; instead, the recyclables are going into the landfill.
But ECUA is continuing to ask customers “to separate materials for recycling, as usual, to remain in that practice,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said. “In a similar vein, ECUA will continue to collect recycling cans with a recycling collection vehicle, as it normally does.”
ECUA estimated that recycling center operations will be back to normal by mid-May.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Airport Travelers Advised To Arrive Two Hours Early As TSA Upgrades Begin
April 24, 2023
Pensacola International Airport travelers are encouraged to arrive at least two hours early to go through the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint starting Monday, April 24, when TSA will begin replacing baggage screening equipment.
TSA will take one lane at a time out of service, replacing the current screening equipment with modern CT scanner technology that will improve the accuracy of scans, reduce the number of bags diverted for manual screening, and improve passenger throughput.
Each lane will take about three weeks for the equipment installation, so construction areas are expected to remain in the TSA checkpoint through the summer. This schedule was determined by TSA based on the availability of the equipment and contractor.
TSA will staff the checkpoint to maximize passenger screening during peak hours.
Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
April 24, 2023
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for March. They are Ayden Starr and Shelby Kent, pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Students Vote For Their Favorite Books
April 24, 2023
Students at Jim Allen Elementary School recently had the opportunity to vote for their favorite books from the Sunshine State Readers list.
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections provided official ballots, voting booths, tabulation machines and “Future Voter” stickers.
Voting ended in a tie between Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston and Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz with 10 votes each. The other top vote getter was Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte with eight votes.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
