Miller Offers His Version Of Energy Debate Facts
June 22, 2008
Submitted by Congressman Jeff Miller
This week I’d like to debunk some of the myths brought up in the energy debate across the nation and leave you with the facts.
Fact #1- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) administers the 700 million acres of federally owned sub-surface mineral estate, only 6 percent of which has been leased for oil & gas exploration and development.
Fact #2- Only 3 percent of the United States ’ 1.76 billion acre outer continental shelf (OCS) is leased for oil and gas exploration and development.
Fact #3- Of the more than 7 billion barrels of oil pumped offshore in the past 25 years, 0.001 percent – that is one-thousandth of 1 percent – has been spilled.
Fact #4- The mean estimate of technically recoverable oil in ANWR is 10.4 billion barrels – all of which is now economically recoverable. That’s more than twice the proven oil reserves in all of Texas . That’s almost half of the total U.S. proven reserve of 21 billion barrels. That represents a possible 50 percent increase in total U.S. proven reserves.
Fact #5- Drilling of oil and natural gas exploratory wells increased by 98 percent from 2000 to 2007. Yet, crude oil production decreased 12.4 percent.
Fact #6- One million barrels of oil produce 27 million gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel.
Fact #7- United States expanded its dependence on foreign members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) by a full seven percent in 2007 alone.
Fact #8- Total American Energy Resources Off-Limits: (Leasing Prohibited) Natural Gas: 175.28 Trillion Cubic Feet Oil: 1.127 Trillion Barrels. Federal Revenue Generated if Congress Unlocked Off-limits Energy Resources: $60 TRILLION
Fact #9- Wind-generated electricity increased by 45 percent between 2005 and 2006 and by 21 percent between 2006 and 2007, more than any other renewable source of generation in both years.
Fact #10- The Democrats are blocking domestic energy exploration legislation from being voted upon in the House.
Ernest Ward High School Class of 1967 Holds Reunion
June 22, 2008
The Ernest Ward High School class of 1967 held their 41st reunion Saturday at the old Davisville School.
When the class was in seventh grade, 19 students from Davisville joined the class of 35 students. In tenth grade, another 26 students were transferred into the class from Bratt School for a total of 80 students. By the time the class reached its senior year at Ernest Ward, only 44 students remained in the graduating class.
Twenty of those were present at the Saturday reunion, some from places like Colorado, South Dakota, the Carolinas and Michigan. Members of the class include a Pensacola pastor, a Miami area judge, firefighters, homemakers and more.
Pictured below, front row (L-R): Sylvia Barlow Elkins, Katie Norris Darby, Kay Beasley Mooney, June Dortch Valenzuela, Brenda Priest Ekstrom, Suzanne Milstead Rigby, Melba Hollingsworth Cook, Gloria Beasley Gilman, Betty Smith Singleton and Marjorie Gillman Criswell. Back row (L-R): Roy Ward, Terry Harris, Floyd Mooney, John Stacey, Duane Dortch, Leroy Smith, Harold McGhee, Robert Stewart, Thomas A Gibbs and Tony Andress. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Pictured bottom of page: Class member Robert Stewart (right) and his wife Diann enjoy the reunion. Pictured above: Members of the Ernest Ward Class of 67 reminisce while looking at old yearbook photos. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Three, Including Two Teens, Injured In Jay Escambia Avenue Crash
June 22, 2008
Three Jay residents were injured in a two vehicle accident at Highway 89 and Escambia Avenue in Jay Saturday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Seth Raught, 18 and Jeremy Raught, 18, of Jay attempted to make a U-turn from the shoulder of Highway 89 when the 1999 Dodge driven by Seth Raught pulled into the path of an oncoming vehicle. That vehicle, a 2000 Dodge SUV, was driven by Dwayne Reaves, 45, of Jay. Reaves was unable to avoid hitting Raught’s vehicle in the driver’s side, the FHP says.
Seth Raught was taken by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he was listed in critical condition.
Seth Raught was not wearing his seat belt according to the FHP report. The other two parties were. Jeremy Raught received minor injuries in the incident and was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital. The FHP report does not specify the extent of the injuries to Reaves, but it does state that he was transported to Jay Hospital. Alcohol was not believed to have been a factor in the accident.
Five, Including Two Children, Injured In Sunday Highway 97 Wreck
June 22, 2008
Five people were injured, including two young children, in a two vehicle wreck just before 10:00 Sunday morning in Davisville.
The two children and two adults were in a small pickup truck that collided with another small pickup in front of the Family Dollar on Highway 97, just south of the Alabama state line. The second pickup overturned on its side. One person was trapped in that truck for about 15 minutes while firemen used the Jaws of Life to free her.
None of the injuries were believed to be life threatening, according to emergency personnel on the scene.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. They have not yet released the names of those involved, but they were believed to have been from the Walnut Hill area.
The Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department, the Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, the Atmore Police Department and the FHP all responded to the crash.
Click here for a complete photo gallery, including the complete extrication process on one vehicle.
Pictured above: The accident scene Sunday morning in Davisville. Pictured below: Firemen work to extricate one person from this pickup truck Sunday morning on Highway 97. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
The Ballot Is Set: Qualifying Ended Friday
June 21, 2008
The list of candidates became complete for the fall elections in Escambia County when qualifying official ended at noon Friday.
The race for Escambia County Commission District 5 is crowded, with Republicans Randall E. McCrackin, Packy Mitchell and Chris Washer; and Democrats Jim Barnett and John F. Hartman looking to unseat incumbent Republican Kevin White.
Four candidates are qualified for the Escambia County District 5 School Board race. Incumbent Pete Gindl Sr. will be facing Tom Harrell, Bill Slayton and Robert Tegenkamp on August 26.
There are two Republican candidates seeking the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority District 5 seat. They are incumbent Larry Walker and Barry B. Tweedie.
The final list qualifying for Escambia County School Superintendent includes Malcolm Thomas as the lone Republican facing off against Democrats Claudia Brown-Curry, Myra L. Simmons and Cary Stidham.
There are four candidates seeing the Escambia County Sheriff job. They are incumbent Republican Ron McNesby, Republican David Morgan, Democrat Samuel L. Lucas, Sr. and Democrat Larry Scapecchi.
Four candidates will return to office without being on the ballot because no one qualified to run against them. They are:
- Cris Jones, property appraiser
- Ernie Lee Magaha, clerk of the court
- Janet Holley, tax collector
- Patty Hightower, school board District 4
- David Stafford, supervisor of elections
- Anne Bennett, Escambia Soil and Water Conservation, Group 1
- Richard Pope, Escambia Soil and Water Conservation, Group 2
- Richard Freisinger, Escambia Soil and Water Conservation, Group3
The general election is August 26 in Escambia County.
Tax Watch Group Takes A Look At Escambia Spending
June 21, 2008
The Florida TaxWatch Center for Local Government Studies released the results of its analysis of Escambia County government, Improving Transparency and Accountability in Escambia County government, at a press conference in Pensacola Friday morning.
The study, which was requested and funded by a group of Escambia County citizens who were concerned about escalating property taxes and the need for fiscal responsibility and integrity, finds that revenue and spending increases since 2000 are “unsustainable.”
“As Florida taxpayers, we are facing the perfect storm – the unfortunate convergence of social, economic, and political factors that will capsize our economy with catastrophic results unless we do everything in our power to change course,” warned Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the nonpartisan, non-profit research institute and watchdog based in Tallahassee that conducted the study.
“This report focuses on the things that Escambia County government can change to avoid calamitous economic troubles in the future. Specifically, the report identifies five areas of government operation, over which the elected officials of Escambia County collectively have control, which should be improved.”
The report recommended that:
- The County should make a greater effort to control the growth of property taxes because recent revenue increases are unsustainable.
- The County should work to control costs because expenditures have grown significantly over the past five years, and in the current economic situation, Escambia County cannot expect to tax its way to prosperity.
- The County should maximize the use of resources by streamlining and being more careful about setting proper budget priorities. Specifically, the Board of County Commissioners and Constitutional Officers and/or their representatives need to establish a strategic and operational work plan for the County that can reduce duplication of effort and enhance the overall performance and effectiveness of County government.
- Better information is needed to support budget decision-making so the County should institute a system of performance measures to assist in setting and funding budget priorities that efficiently further the critical functions of government.
- The county should enhance communication with citizens by clearly stating the goals and accomplishments of the government in order to improve citizen understanding and trust.
This analysis was based upon (1) Escambia County’s historical spending practices and (2) a comparison of three comparable counties and the 67-county average for the State of Florida.
Among the specific factual findings of the report were that:
- Taxable property values doubled between fiscal years 2000 and 2007 with no decrease in millage rate. During this period the County’s property tax collections grew 92%, nearly five times greater than the combined growth in County population and inflation rates.
- Property tax revenues increased 27% in a single fiscal year (FY 2006 to FY 2007).
- The growth in expenditures per resident in Escambia County slightly exceeded the average for Florida’s 67 counties. Expenditures increased an average of 6.6% each year from FY 2001 – FY 2006, compared to 6.1% average annual increase for all counties.
- The total General Fund expenditures in FY 2007 (this past fiscal year) were nearly $25 million more than in FY2006, an increase of 18% in a single fiscal year.
- The County’s millage rate was higher than the “all county” average (i.e., the average (mean) of all of Florida’s 67 counties) and the three comparable counties.
- • Over 60 percent of the General Fund expenditures are made by the five Constitutional Officers (as opposed to the Board of County Commissioners).
To read the entire Florida TaxWatch report on Escambia County, click here (pdf format, 2 Mb)
Pictured above: A graphical look at how the tax revenue per person is spent in Escambia County.
Three McDavid Boys On The Road To Disney In 14U Baseball
June 21, 2008
The Pensacola Tigers 14U AAA baseball team won The ASP Super NIT Road To Disney tournament this past weekend in East Milton.
The team finished the weekend with a 7 to 0 victory over the Ascension Braves from Gonzales, Lousiana, to win the championship game on Sunday afternoon.
Three of the players — Brandon Harigel, Dak Sims and Dabney Langhorne are from McDavid.
Pictured below are the team members (front, L-R) Brandon Harigel (McDavid ), L.D. Black, J.B. Bennett, Keylon Smith, Richard Gionnatti, Taylor Nunnelle. L-R back row: Jimmy Threat, Robert Bass, Tyler Brown, Dabney Langhorne (McDavid) and Dak Sims (McDavid ). Coaches (back L-R) were Mike Bennett , Sean Harigel and Greg Sims. Not pictured Blake Norwood , Tanner Black and Coach Daniel Norwood. Submitted photo.
School District Updates Ernest Ward School Times; Other Schools Changing
June 20, 2008
Ernest Ward Middle School’s start and release times will not drastically change as first announced Wednesday by the Escambia County School District.
For the next school year, Ernest Ward will start at 8:30 a.m. and dismiss at 3:10 p.m., according to Shawn Dennis, assistant superintendent for operations.
“That’s just 10 minutes later to start and five minutes later to get out,” Principal Nancy Gindl-Perry said.
The school district had announced late Wednesday, and NorthEscambia.com reported on Thursday, that Ernest Ward’s day would be 9:30 to 4:30 like most other middle schools in the district. After the news release was issued by the school district, NorthEscambia.com confirmed the times with Ronnie Arnold, district spokesperson.
But Dennis said the schedule has since been updated to reflect the correct 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. school day for Ernest Ward.
Gindl-Perry said she would be placing automated phone calls to Ernest Ward parents informing them of the change, but those phone calls would not go to parents of incoming sixth graders unless they had another child in the school.
New school start and dismissal times will also apply for Bratt Elementary School, Carver/Century K-8 School and Molino Park Elementary School.
Bratt and Molino Park will start at 7:30 a.m. and release at 2:00 p.m. The earliest drop off time for both schools will be 7:05.
At Carver/Century, the only combined middle and elementary school in the county, the start time will be 9:00 with dismissal at 3:30. The earliest drop off time at Carver/Century will be 8:35.
Northview High School will not follow the 8:30-3:45 schedule of the other high schools in the county. Northview’s day will begin at 7:40 with release at 2:45. The earliest drop off time for Northview students will be 7:25.
The district expects changes in bus routes to accommodate the new school times to save about $1 million and take 30 buses off the roads. The change also adds 30 more minutes of instructional time at the elementary level.
For the rest of the county:
- Elementary schools will start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m.
- High schools will start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:35 p.m.
- Middle schools will start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 4:35 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Deputy Involved In Two Vehicle Crash In Bratt
June 20, 2008
An Escambia County deputy was involved in a two vehicle accident about noon Thursday in Bratt.
Deputy David Ingram, 36, was responding to a call at Wiggins Lake in Walnut Hill where two children where reported to be missing or possibly drowned. Witnesses say he was westbound on Highway 4 near the intersection of North Highway 99 with his emergency lights activated at what witnesses described as a high rate of speed. He attempted to pass a 1986 Mazada pickup truck driven by Alan Lee, 17 of Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol report on the incident indicated that the patrol car’s emergency lights were activated, but the report does not indicate Ingram’s speed.
Lee told NorthEscambia.com that he was turning into the back parking lot of Cooper’s Store when he was sideswiped by the patrol car. The patrol car then hit a power pole in the store’s parking lot where it sustained major damage.
“He didn’t have his siren on,” Lee said. “If he’d had his siren on, I would would have heard him passing me.”
Ingram was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. He was complaining of injuries from the patrol car’s airbag and from a laptop computer that had come loose from its mount and struck him in the head. The cruiser’s windshield was cracked where it was apparently hit by the laptop. His injuries were not believed to be severe.
Lee was uninjured in the accident and refused medical treatment. Both Ingram and Lee were wearing their seat belts according the FHP report.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative was forced to replace the power pole because the pole split several feet off the ground from the force of the impact.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The FHP says charges are pending. The Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit was also called to the scene.
The two children that were reported to be missing or possibly drowned were located unharmed at a relative’s home before deputies arrived. It had been reported that two girls, ages nine and 10, had left a home on Wiggins Lake wearing their swimsuits and wrapped in towels. When they did not return home, they were reported missing by a relative that had found their towels near the lake.
For more photos from the accident, click here.
Pictures above: Deputy David Ingram’s patrol car. Pictured below: The patrol car and Lee’s pickup. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Grants Will Widen Highway 4, Molino Road, Crabtree Church Road, Jahaza Street and Fairground Road
June 20, 2008
If funding is approved by the state, Highway 4, Molino Road, Crabtree Church Road, Jahaza Street, and Fairground Road will be getting five foot wide paved shoulders.
The Escambia County Commission approved resolutions at their Thursday night meeting to apply for grants totalling $6.1 million from the Florida Department of Transportation for the paved shoulders.
If funding is approved by the state, the paved shoulders, five feet wide on each side, would be added to:
- Crabtree Church Road from Highway 97 to Sunshine Hill Road
- Molino Road, Jahaza Street and Fairground Road from Highway 29 to Molino Fairground Park
- Highway 4 from Highway 29 in Century west to Highway 97 in Davisville
- Highway 4 from Highway 29 in Century east to the Santa Rosa County line
According to the resolutions approved by the commission, the five foot wide shoulders would provide a safety buffer and an area for increased bicycle traffic. Don Sutton Ballpark is located on Crabtree Church Road. Molino Road, Jahaza Street and Fairground Road all lead to the Molino Fairground Park.
“Traffic congestion, traffic crashes and pollution of the environment all stand to be reduced through a decrease in the dependence on motor vehicles,” the resolutions read. “Escambia County is attempting to alleviate the burgeoning demand created by motor vehicles on the roadway system.”
If the grants are awarded, the funds would be paid to Escambia County to begin the projects in the first quarter of 2009.
The Highway 4 portion of the project is about 15 miles total, and it would receive $4.4 million. The Crabtree Church Road portion of the project is about 2.5 miles and would receive $750,000. The Molino Road to Fairground Park portion of the project is about three miles and would receive $950,000.
Pictured above: Highway 4 west of Byrneville. NorthEscambia.com photo.