Town Still Working To Regain Helicopter Technologies Building
September 18, 2008
The Town Of Century’s attorney is still working to get owner Georges Van Nevel to sign Helicopter Technoligies’ building back over to the town to avoid court.
The Town of Century has filed mortgage foreclosure papers against Helicopter Technologies, Inc. in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Mayor Freddie McCall said that Matt Dannheisser, the town’s attorney, has forwarded papers overseas to Van Nevel with instructions on how to sign the papers at a U.S. embassy.
“Mr. Van Nevel has contacted him (Dannheisser) and agreed to send the deeds back to him,” McCall said. There have been issues, McCall said, with getting Van Nevel to sign the papers at a U.S. embassy due to long lines of people seeking embassy services. As a result, McCall said, Dannheisser has forwarded additional instructions to Van Nevel how to proceed with the paperwork using a notary.
The Helicopter Technologies building in the Century Industrial Park was financed by the Town of Century in 1991 for $420,000 according to filed documents. The company currently owes the town about $450,000, Mayor Freddie McCall told the told council at the July meeting at which the council voted to begin emergency foreclosure proceedings.
Dannheisser located Helicopter Technologies owner Georges Van Nevel (pictured left, file photo) in Hong Kong and contacted him by email, McCall said.
“He answered some, but he did not respond to others,” McCall told NorthEscambia.com. In those emails, Dannheisser forwarded legal papers to Van Nevel to sign the building back over to the town, the mayor said, but Van Nevel never signed and returned the papers. The town was prepared to forgive Van Nevel’s entire debt if he signed the building back over to the town.
At the council’s July 7 meeting, the mayor told the council that Van Nevel told him that the building would be sold to a Pensacola buyer by July 11. NorthEscambia.com learned on July 10 that the sale was off and the buyer was backing out.
McCall said that a clause in Helicopter Technologies’ contract with the town gave the town the option to “take back” three lots around the building, and he said the town would take possession of those lots.
Pictured top: The inside of the Helicopter Technologies building in the Century Industrial Park earlier this year. NorthEscambia.com exclusive file photo, click to enlarge.
Chief Robert Stewart Retires To Battle Cancer, Spend Time With ‘Little Man’
September 18, 2008
Robert Stewart has retired after 30 years of service as a volunteer fireman in Bratt and Walnut Hill, the last 15 of those years as chief of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department. He retired to spend more time with his “Little Man” and to fight cancer.
Stewart answered his first fire call in 1967 after the formation of the Bratt Volunteer Fire Department. The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club founded the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department in 1964 and donated a truck to form the Bratt department three years later.
For 10 years, he served the Bratt community as a volunteer fireman until Bratt VFD’s truck finally “wore out”. Walnut Hill and the Atmore Fire Department began answering calls in the Bratt community in 1977.
He was out of a volunteer fire department for about 10 years, until he joined the Walnut Hill VFD in 1987. For 21 straight years, he served the Walnut Hill department. The last 15 of those years, he served as chief.
“1501 enroute”
March 9, 2001, was the beginning of what Stewart said was the most memorable call of his career.
The call was not far from Stewart’s house. It was a single vehicle accident, car versus a tree, on Highway 99 near Oakshade Road. When Stewart arrived, he and the other members of the WHVFD found a small sports car, literally cut in half, two pieces of car on the side of the highway. Inside, the passenger was not seriously injured.
But the driver, a 16 year old local girl, was gravely injured. Her leg was partial severed, a major artery cut. Her situation was worse than serious. In fact, she coded at least twice before arriving at the hospital. “Coded”, as in “code blue”, as in cardiac arrest. But Stewart and the rest of the emergency workers that day worked hard to get this young lady on LifeFlight.
In the end, she lost her leg, but she survived. Today, she’s a healthy 23 year old, recently happily married.
“I’ve been to a lot of bad wrecks,” Stewart said. “Sometime, people die. It’s always a good call when you can help someone that doesn’t die.”
But two words made this wreck different than many for the chief.
“Thank you.”
From death’s door, the young girl was able to return to tell Stewart and the rest of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department “thank you”.
“Sometimes they come back to tell you ‘thank you’,” he said. “It makes you feel good, and you know your department has accomplished something, when they came back to thank you.”
There have been others to return to thank the department over the years. But Valerie Baker’s accident just sticks out in Stewart’s memory.
“The ‘thank you’ means a lot, especially when they came to the department and thank everyone,” he said. “It just means a lot.”
On Friday morning, NorthEscambia.com will introduce you to Valerie and take you back to the day that nearly claimed her life, and you’ll learn what she has to say about Robert Stewart and the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
“Not a Hero”
Chief Stewart doesn’t consider himself a hero. The Walnut Hill volunteers are team, he said, with everyone working together to help the community.
He was labeled a hero at least once. It was another wreck, this one on State Line Road. A car was upside down in a water-filled ditch with three children inside. Stewart was the first on the scene, responding from his nearby home.
“I managed to get the door open and got the three children out of the ditch,” he said. “Their mom called me a hero. I was just doing my job.”
Cat In Tree? Been there, done that. Twice.
It’s a scene that’s usually in a children’s program…the fireman rescues the cute little kitty cat from a tree. But in real life, it’s not exactly so pretty.
One cat-in-a-tree call was on Highway 97 several years ago. 1501 and his wife, Diann Stewart (a.k.a. 1503) responded to the call.
“She ran the ladder up the tree,” he said. “I knew what I was in for. I put on a bunker coat, and gloves before going up to the cat.”
“The ole cat just froze on the tree,” Stewart said with a chuckle. “I needed both hands to peel it off the tree. It stuck like Velcro on that tree. I had to keep peeling that ole cat off the tree.”
The second time Stewart responded to a cat-in-a-tree call, he was perhaps a bit smarter. He sent his son Sam Stewart, also a volunteer fireman, up the tree. This call was at the home of a local pastor. The pastor told them to drop the cat, and drop it Sam did. The can landed on a lower limb of the tree, uninjured.
Scary Stuff
“When my youngins were in school, I did not like it when you’d get a call in the direction they were suppose to be coming from,” he said. “You were always it afraid it was going to be one of yours.”
“When you live up here, you are kin to somebody,” he said. “You always care about who it is.”
A Time To Work, A Time To Play
Stewart was quick to thank all of those that have volunteered with the Walnut Hill VFD over the years. And he expressed his thanks to the other volunteer fire departments in the area the assisted Walnut Hill, as well the county deputies, state troopers and others he worked with for years.
The biggest thanks went to those Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department members, a group he said he always enjoyed being around.
“I had the best bunch of firemen in the county he said, “and when they were done working and got ready to play, I had the biggest bunch of youngins in the county.”
Time For Little Man
Stewart said his health and his “Little Man” led to his decision to retire. Little Man is his grandson, 14 month old Drew Kennedy, the son of Kelly and Jeff Kennedy.
When NorthEscambia.com sat down with Stewart for this interview, Little Man was in the floor with Nana (Diann), playing with a toy John Deere tractor. He was wearing fire truck pajamas.
“Do you want Papa’s chair” Stewart asked him. Over to the chair he ran, grinning ear to ear at his Papa.
“He loves fire trucks,” Stewart said. It runs in the family.
“It was just time for me to spend more time with Little Man,” he said.
Battling Cancer
“Little Man is good medicine for me,” Stewart says as he talks about battling cancer. “It’s a nice blessing to have him at all. He goes to Pensacola with me for my treatments.”
The cancer was another factor in his choice to retire.
“It you are going to be in charge, you have to keep up with what was going on,” he said. But the cancer treatments were making him very, very tired.
He started chemotherapy in 2006. “It just had me wore out,” he said. He thought he had been cured. But the cancer returned.
Daily IV treatments began again in 2007 and continued everyday until March of 2008. But it was necessary to being treatments again in July of this year.
“I just had a bad feeling about this knot on my head this time,” he said. Turns out it was malignant, and the battle is proving to be hard.
“1501 Completed Assignment”
“It’s hard not to answer a call,” he said. The fire department pager still goes off in the Stewart home, alerting them of emergency calls. Diann remains with the Walnut Hill VFD as an EMT. “After 20 years, it’s hard not to go help someone.”
“I just always tried to help.”
Pictured top: Retired Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department Chief Robert Stewart and his grandson Drew (“Little Man”) Kennedy watch from the sidelines at a recent accident on Pine Barren Road. Pictured above: Stewart at last year’s Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department fish fry. Pictured below: Stewart makes a call as “Little Man” watches an ambulance crew work. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Area Schools Awarded Cash For Good Grades
September 18, 2008
Thousands of dollars have been awarded to North Escambia Schools for their academic achievement and improvement during last school year.
Based on the state’s school grading system, schools that either receive an “A” grade or improve at least one grade from the previous year are eligible to receive the recognition funds.
Bratt Elementary received $33,492. Carver/Century K-8 School received $17,319. Molino Park Elementary was awarded $36,436. Charter school Byrneville Elementary got $13,830.
Ernest Ward Middle School received $38,973, and Northview High School was awarded $46,887.
“Florida’s students, teachers and administrators are to be commended for their continued achievements in increasing school performance and student learning,” Governor Charlie Crist said. “Education is the foundation for every student’s future success, and we remain diligent in ensuring the best learning environment possible for Florida’s children.”
“I’m honored to recognize these outstanding schools for their unwavering commitment to the success of our students,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “Through the collaborative efforts of teachers, parents, and school administrators, we can continue to inspire our children to achieve to their highest potential.”
Schools that qualify for the recognition funds are awarded $85 dollars for each student at the school. The funds are then allocated based on a joint decision by the school’s staff and school advisory council. These funds can be for non-recurring faculty bonuses, educational equipment, new technology or hiring temporary personnel to assist in maintaining and improving student performance.
Statewide, the program awarded $147.1 million. A total of about $1.7 million was awarded in Escambia County.
Bratt Elementary Named North Escambia’s Only Five Star School
September 18, 2008
One elementary school in North Escambia has been awarded the Five Star School Award from the Florida Department of Education.
Bratt Elementary School was one of 14 Escambia County elementary schools to receive the honor.
The award was established to recognize outstanding community involvement in schools across the state. In order to qualify, schools must demonstrate high levels of participation in business partnerships, family involvement, volunteers, student community service and school advisory councils.
In addition to Bratt, the other elementary schools to receive the honor were: Jim Allen, Beulah, Hellen Caro, NB Cook, Cordova Park, Ensley, Lipscomb, McArthur, Pleasant Grove, Scenic Heights, Sherwood, AK Suter, and Warrington.
The schools were official recognized at the last meeting of the Escambia County School Board.
Nearly 1,000 Sign Petition To Keep Carver/Century Open
September 18, 2008
The Century Blue Ribbon Committee has hand delivered a petition to the Escambia School District asking the district to keep the doors open next year at Carver/Century K-8 School.
The town’s mayor, Freddie McCall, delivered the petitions containing just a few names shy of 1,000 signatures to the school board.
“I hope they’ll listen and keep our school open,” McCall said.
The closure of Carver/Century K-8 School by next year, if approved by the board, would save the district $680,000. Many of the town’s residents have strongly been against the closure, and the town formed the Century Blue Ribbon Committee to fight the closure.
The signatures were collected over the past few weeks at businesses, churches and other public locations in and around Century.
So What If You Are An AIG Customer?
September 18, 2008
Florida’s insurance commissioner say’s don’t panic if you are an AIG customer, regardless of all the news about the company you might read or watch.
“I have been monitoring the AIG situation very closely; and I have been in contact with my fellow regulators in New York and Pennsylvania – the two states with primary regulatory control over the AIG companies involved,” said Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty. ““The news we are continuing to hear is that the primary financial problem is with the AIG holding companies, not the insurance companies, and that the holding company issue is being resolved by the $85 billion loan from the federal government.”
The Federal Reserve has made an $85 million loan to keep AIG afloat and out of bankruptcy.
“We have been told that the insurance companies are solvent and will be able to pay claims. It is important that policyholders continue to pay their premiums to ensure that their coverage does not lapse.
There are 46 AIG subsidiary companies that operate in Florida. Of those, 34 sell property and casualty insurance and 12 sell life and health insurance. Only one, American General Property Insurance Co. of Florida, is headquartered in the state.
“I assure you that, if it should become necessary, we will immediately intervene if we feel that any one of the AIG companies operating in Florida will be unable to pay its claims and fulfill the promises made to its policyholders,” McCarty said.
In the event AIG had failed, there’s a fail safe in Florida. The Florida Insurance Guarantee Association. The state group backs up insurance companies with the ability to levy surcharges on policy holders of other insurance companies.
AIG released the following statement:
“The AIG Board has approved this transaction based on its determination that this is the best alternative for all of AIG’s constituencies, including policyholders, customers, creditors, counterparties, employees and shareholders. AIG is a solid company with over $1 trillion in assets and substantial equity, but it has been recently experiencing serious liquidity issues. We believe the loan, which is backed by profitable, well-capitalized operating subsidiaries with substantial value, will protect all AIG policyholders, address rating agency concerns and give AIG the time necessary to conduct asset sales on an orderly basis. We expect that the proceeds of these sales will be sufficient to repay the loan in full and enable AIG’s businesses to continue as substantial participants in their respective markets. In return for providing this essential support, American taxpayers will receive a substantial majority ownership interest in AIG.
“We commend the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department for taking this decisive action to address AIG’s liquidity needs and broader financial market concerns. We thank them for their leadership during this critical time for the global financial markets. We also thank Governor Paterson, Commissioner Dinallo, Commissioner Ario, the other state Commissioners, and the Office of Thrift Supervision for their willingness to assist AIG.
“Policyholders of AIG companies around the world can rest assured that AIG’s commitments will continue to be honored.”
Several Fire Departments Respond To Bratt Elementary School
September 18, 2008
Several area fire departments responded to Bratt Elementary School early Wednesday afternoon.
When firefighters arrived, they found the smell of smoke in a building at the rear of the school known as the “third grade building” that contains several classrooms and the school’s art and music programs.
Firefighters were unable to locate a fire after a thorough search of the building using a thermal imaging camera. It is believed the source of the smoke was dust burning inside a heating unit that had been remotely started for testing from a school district office in Pensacola.
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Department, Century Volunteer Fire Department, McDavid Volunteer Fire Department, Molino Volunteer Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department all responded to the call.
State Shuts Down Popular Molino Restaurant For A Day; Owner Says Everything Is OK
September 17, 2008
The discovery of rodent droppings, slime in the ice machine, food at an improper temperature and other violations led to the temporary closure of a popular Molino restaurant by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, but the restaurant’s owner said the inspector’s report was not as bad as it sounds.
During a Monday inspection at Fran’s Country Grill on Highway 29 in Molino, inspectors found 21 critical and 16 non-critical violations of the state’s health codes and ordered the establishment temporarily closed. Fran’s passed a re-inspection Tuesday morning with just one violation and was allowed to reopen.
One critical violation cited was the discovery of rodent activity as evidenced by 28 old droppings on the lid of cracker meal in the kitchen, 50 to 75 fresh and 25 to 50 old rodent droppings on top of a long hamburger press on a kitchen shelf. Inspectors also noted 50 to 100 rodent droppings on the floor of the kitchen, 15 fresh and 25 old rodent droppings underneath a bread rack and along a wall by and surrounding the hot water heater in back food prep room.
“We don’t use that hamburger press for food,” Fran’s Country Grill owner Fran Hampton told NorthEscambia.com. “It’s actually an old one, about two or three feet long, that came with some old stuff I bought. We use it most of the time for a door stop. We have three smaller hamburger presses on the grill.”
A live roach was found crawling on the kitchen counter near the restaurant’s toaster, and two to three live flies were found in the kitchen and back food preparation room, according to the state’s report.
Other critical violations found during Monday’s inspection include slime building up in the ice machine, food stored on the floor and potatoes on the floor in the back food preparation room, a walk-in cooler at 48-49 degrees, milk at 46 degrees and rice pudding at 52 degrees.
Hampton said the rodent dropping problems were located away from the food preparation area in the restaurant, a building that is at least 60 years old. She said the droppings were all found near an outside area where rodents might have managed to get into the old structure. The droppings, she said, were mostly in an area behind a hot water heater.
She said she hired a professional exterminator to eliminate the problem, and 100 percent of the rodents are gone.
“I assure you our kitchen is clean,” Hampton said. “Anybody can come look. I’ve been in the restaurant business almost 50 years; I could not stay in business that long with a dirty kitchen.”
School Board Makes Personnel Changes In North Escambia
September 17, 2008
The Escambia County School Board made several personnel changes at North Escambia Schools during their Tuesday night meeting.
The board made the following appointments and reappointments at North Escambia schools:
- Robert Cassevah, Ernest Ward Middle
- Alison Collier, Molino Park Elementary
- Mark Forsman, Ernest Ward Middle
- Michael Gay, Ernest Ward Middle
- Keith Griffin, Ernest Ward Middle
- Chad Hetherington, Molino Park Elementary
- Sharon Kite, Molino Park Elementary
- Tadd Corder, Carver/Century K-8
- Farron Simpson (part time), Ernest Ward Middle
- Brandy White, Ernest Ward Middle
- Barbara Luker, Northview High
The board made the following transfers:
- Sharon Kite, from Molino Park to Bratt Elementary
- Courtney Reaves, from Carver/Century to McMillan
- Jesse Wolfe from Ernest Ward to Ransom
The board approved a leave of absence without pay for Detria Harris, teacher, at Carver/Century and Shelley Prince, counselor, at Molino Park.
Alisa Chancery was promoted to School Data Specialist II at Northview High. Jo Ellen Gunn was named a teacher’s assistant at Ernest Ward Middle.
The board approved the resignation of Judi McElhaney, a teacher’s assistant at Ernest Ward; and Bonnie Reaves, a teacher’s assistant at Carver/Century.
Northview Downs Neal In V-ball
September 17, 2008
The Northview Chiefs downed W.S. Neal High School in varsity and junior varsity volleyball action Tuesday afternoon.
The varsity Lady Chiefs downed the Lady Eagles 26-24, 25-20, 24-26, 25-19.
Sophomore Ashley Digmon had four digs. Shawna Montgomery had three digs, three blocks, three kills and 11 aces.
Senior Britney Thompson had two blocks, six kills, two digs and 10 aces for Northview. Angela Rodriguez and a single dig and five kills. Catilin Hall, a junior, and a block and 19 assists.
The JV Chiefs beat W.S. Neal 25-17, 25-27, 15-11.
Shaniqua Jones had four kills and four aces. Freshman Raylin Spence and two kills and three aces. Miranda Burkett and one ace and three digs.
Tori Searcy and six aces for the Chiefs, and Kayla Mills had five aces.
Both the JV and Varsity will be on the road Thursday against Walton in district play. The JV plays at 4:30 and the varsity plays at 6:00.
Click here for more photos from one of the JV games.
Pictured above and below: Northview JV Lady Chiefs against W.S. Neal Tuesday afternoon in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos.
