Blog: White Versus Whitehead
June 6, 2008
Mike Whitehead stepped down as chairman of the Escambia County Commission Thursday night, perhaps staying just one step ahead of Commissioner Kevin White. White had prepped a handwritten statement as prelude to a motion to remove White as chair at the end of the meeting.
But Whitehead had perhaps seen the writing on the wall and resigned as chairman at the beginning of the meeting. White told me Thursday night after the meeting that he had told only his wife and mother of his plans, and he was sure that neither of them had told anyone.
White used the words “arrogance” and “arrogant” repeatedly to describe Whitehead’s attitude toward the commission and toward the citizens of this county. And he blasted Whitehead for attending a campaign fund-raiser on Whitehead’s behalf hosted by a contractor that is currently involved in a lawsuit with the county .The county attorney had even told commissioners to steer clear of the contractor or anyone else suing the county and to run everything dealing with them through her office. Whitehead chose not to do so, and has yet to admit he made a mistake or even apologize.
It is an election year for both White and Whitehead. It took political guts for White to plan to remove Whitehead. For that, we applaud him. He could have made the motion to remove Whitehead, and it could have failed. Talk about egg on your face, especially in an election year.
I do want to make it very clear that NorthEscambia.com does not plan to endorse candidates in local races that directly affect District 5 this year. We just believe White deserves credit were credit is due.
But since Whitehead’s District 1 is not in NorthEscambia.com’s coverage area (it’s primarily the western part of Pensacola), let’s talk about that race.
You have Whitehead as the incumbent in that district.
Let’s look at some of his accomplishments so far this year, besides raising campaign money from the contractor suing the county.
The Myrtle Grove Volunteer Fire Department recently celebrated its 55th anniversary of dedicated service to that community. They invited Whitehead to be their guest speaker. After all, the Myrtle Grove VFD is in Whitehead’s district. He declined, telling the fire department that he would be out of town. But he was not out of town. In fact, he admitted to the Pensacola press that he was playing golf instead.
He said it was just a misunderstanding with his schedule; he thought the fire department event was Friday. But he admits he was not out of town Friday either. “I don’t think anybody was that upset about not having another speaker there,” he told the Pensacola News Journal. “I’m not that worried about it.”
Whitehead skipped the fire department event. One of his opponents in this year’s election, Wilson Robertson, attended the VFD event.
That was not the last time the golf course has cast a bad light over Whitehead.
The Sons of Italy held a golf tournament a month ago at Marcus Point Golf Club. According to the Pensacola Independent News, lots of people ponied up 75 bucks to play and more money to sponsor holes and put up their signs. Whitehead, the Independent News says, paid to play. But then he put up campaign signs and refused to pay the sponsor fee. (You can read more, and see pictures by clicking here.)
Wilson Robertson was at the golf tournament too. He paid to place his signs, as did new Commission Chairman Gene Valentino.
The Escambia County Farm Tour recently loaded up agriculture and political leaders in Pensacola and headed north to the North Escambia area. The purpose of the tour was to introduce the “south end” to the life and agriculture in our “north end”. Commissioners Valentino, White and Grover Robinson were on the tour. Wilson Robertson was also on the tour.
Whitehead? We are not sure where he was. Was he at the golf course again? We are not sure. But we do know he was not on the farm tour in North Escambia.
We stopped in at a recent meeting of the Escambia County Dirt Road Paving Committee. While their members are not the faces you see on the evening news every night, they are charged with the important task of deciding which dirt roads in the county will be paved next. Paving dirts roads is a big deal to a lot of people in North Escambia. White was at the meeting. To our surprise, Wilson Robertson was at the meeting.
It’s our understanding that there are no unpaved dirt roads in District 1 where Robertson is running against Whitehead. But he told us he was there because he still cares about District 5 where he used to serve, and he cares about the county as a whole. Imagine that…the potential to have a former District 5 North Escambia commissioner serving on the commission in another district. Two commissioners in Escambia County that understand the “north end”. That certainly seems as if it would create a better advantage for North Escambia in county government that we have not had in some time.
If you have friends or relatives in Escambia’s District 1, you might pass along a link to NorthEscambia.com.
We must add that Democrat Stephen M. Davidson is also in that race. I must admit, I don’t know much about Mr. Davidson, so not much about him will we say.
As for Mr. Whitehead, we predict that he might just have a lot more time on the golf course after November.
Comments? Let me know what you think at news@northescambia.com
Grammy Nominated Band Red In Concert Tonight In Atmore
June 6, 2008
Grammy nominated Christian rock band Red will be in concert Friday night in Atmore, and tickets are still available.
Red’s debut album “End of Silence” was released in 2006 and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the “Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album” category at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. The first single from the album, “Breathe Into Me” hit number 15 on the mainstream rock charts and was named the “Rock Recorded Song of the Year” at the 2007 Dove Awards.
“You never know what people are dealing with in their everyday lives, but I am willing to bet that at some point, we all have experienced the same feelings of anger, sadness, and confusion. Our music addresses a lot of those experiences; those feelings, and the situations that caused them. I hope our music inspires people and let’s them know that they are not alone,” said bass guitarist Randy Armstrong, identical twin brother of Red guitarist Anthony Armstrong.
The band has over 144,000 MySpace.com friends, and “Breathe Into Me” has had over 2.2 million plays on MySpace. To visit the band’s MySpace, click here.
Red has toured with Christian rockers Kutless, Disciple, and Flyleaf as well as with mainstream alternative metal artists, including Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, Seether, Puddle of Mudd, and Sevendust.
Red will be in concert at 6:30 Friday night at the Escambia County Middle School Auditorium on Highway 21 in Atmore. Tickets are $16-17 in advance at itickets.com or at (800) 965-9324, or $19 at the door.
The concert is sponsored by the First Assembly of God Church in Atmore and their Powerhouse Student Ministries. Opening band will be Providence.
Funeral Services Held For Molino Park Teacher Sharon Smith
June 6, 2008
Funeral services for Molino Park Elementary School teacher Sharon Smith were held Thursday morning in Pensacola.
Thursday was to have been the faculty retirement party at Molino Park for Mrs. Smith, 57. But moments after waving goodbye to her final class last Friday, the fourth grade teacher died. She had taught at Molino Elementary School and Molino Park for 36 years, and she was honored three times as “Teacher of the Year”.
Funeral services for Sharon Smith were Thursday morning at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Pensacola with burial following at Holy Cross Cemetery.
To read NorthEscambia’s coverage about the death of Mrs. Smith, click here.
The following is Sharon Smith’s complete obituary:
Sharon Dawson Smith was born to the late James W. and Myrtle Lee Dawson on September 10, 1950 in Red Bay, FL. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church. She attended Tivoli High School in DeFuniak Springs, FL and was a graduate in the class of 1968. She was also a graduate of Okaloosa-Walton Junior College. In later years, she moved to Pensacola, FL to attend the University of West Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees and united with Sixth Avenue Baptist Church. Sharon was director of the Children’s Church Ministry for many years, a member of the Pastor’s Aid Ministry, Liberaletts Scholarship Organization, and a Deaconess. She taught Vacation Bible School after-school tutorials, and was the church’s web page technician. Sharon was a quiet unassuming Christian, who was always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. She met and married the love of her life, President Smith, Jr. and to this union a son, Reginald L. Smith, was born. Sharon will be missed by her loved ones, friends, Church family, and her Molino Park Elementary School family. She was employed by the Escambia County School District for 36 years, three of which she was honored as “Teacher of the Year”. She had a special love for all children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon President Smith, Jr. and her son, Reginald L. Smith. She leaves to cherish her memories, four sisters, Rev. Mary (Collins) Myrick, Marianna, FL, Celestine (Ernest) Malley, Panama City, FL, Debbie (Michael) Bedgood, and Dorothy Turner, both of DeFuniak Springs, FL; two brothers, Lewis (Yun) Dawson, Fayetteville, NC and Charles (Mary) Dawson, San Antonio, TX; two stepsons, Michael (Eva) Smith, Columbus, GA and Kelvin (Maketa) Smith, Phenix City, AL; a loving mother-in-law, Georgia Smith, Columbus, GA; three grandchildren, Se’maj, Ke’von, and Marc Anthony Smith; a host of loving nieces and nephews who she dearly loved; a very special niece, Doreatha Jackson, who came to live with her after the homegoing of her husband and son; a very special honorary sister, Barbara Edmonson; two God-daughters, Kimberly Dennis and Keisha Jones and a God-son, Bennie Edmonson, Jr.; a very special and devoted daughter, Rashena McWhite; many relatives, friends, and a loving church family.
Funeral services will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Michael J. Johnson, Sr., officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Whitehead Out As Commission Chair
June 5, 2008
Mike Whitehead stepped down as chairman of the Escambia County Commission tonight. District 5 Commissioner Kevin White was prepared to call for Whitehead’s removal at the commission’s meeting, but Whitehead stepped aside before White had a chance. Whitehead remains on the commission as the District 1 representative.
Gene Valentino was named the new commission chair.
We will have the complete story Friday morning here on NorthEscambia.com.
Work Underway For New $300 Million ECUA Wastewater Facility
June 5, 2008
Work is underway to clear land for the Escambia County’s new sewage treatment plant off Chemstrand Road near Solutia.
The plant, more officially known as the Central Water Reclamation Facility, is scheduled to be complete in just two years at a cost of about $300 million. $134 million will come from the Federal Emergency Management agency, $19.5 million from the Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency and the rest from ECUA customers’ monthly bills.
The project will replace the aging Main Street Street sewage treatment plant in downtown Pensacola. That plant flooded during Hurricane Ivan, sending raw sewage throughout downtown.
The project will include the construction of about 25 miles of pipeline and the pumping of wastewater to the new facility near Cantonment. The treated water will be used by Gulf Power Company’s generating plant a few miles away and by International Paper in Cantonment.
The plant will be located at the highest point on the 2,300 acre parcel owned by ECUA.
“With the plant located at the highest point, ECUA can use gravity flow of effluent from the plant, at a savings of about $500,000 a year in energy costs,” Larry Walker, ECUA District 5 board member said.
Pictured above: ECUA District 5 board member Larry Walker (left) talks with Scott Jernigan, an employee of Baskerville-Donovan, Inc., the primary engineering firm in the plant construction, and Bob Adams, the subcontractor who is doing the land-clearing work at the site of the new Central Water Reclamation Facility. Pictured below: The plant will be located up this hill near the small stand of trees. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bergosh Pens Handwritten Letter To Student On Carver/Century Closing
June 5, 2008
Escambia County School Board Member Jeff Bergosh received a handwritten letter from a Carver/Century K-8 School student opposed to closing the school, and he responded with a handwritten letter of his own.
In the letter to Bergosh, who has repeatedly advocated closing Carver/Century to save about $680,000 this year, the student expressed their concerns about an 18 mile trip from Century to Ernest Ward Middle School or 25 miles to Ransom Middle School.
“That would be a really long bus ride. Plus if I were hurt or got sick at school my mom would not be able to pick me up and take me home. I like to participate in sports and other after school activities. If I go to another school, I probably would not get to do those things,” the student wrote.
“These concerns are valid and they are real. But, I can assure you that if the decision is made to close Carver/Century, the district will bend over backwards to help you and your classmates adjust to the change. I guarantee you that,” Bergosh wrote in his response.
In his letter, Bergosh did not deny that he was the driving force on the school board for closing the school.
“I will not attempt to assign blame to others as I have been the one member of the board who has continued to advocate the closure of underutilized facilities to save money. Unfortunately this includes Carver/Century,” he wrote.
But he said he believes the closure and consolidation of the school would be a positive move for the students.
“In my heart I believe that the closure of Carver/Century, if this occurs, will lead to a positive outcome for the students who currently attend your school,” Bergosh wrote.
Below is the complete text of the student’s letter, followed by the complete text of Bergosh’s handwritten response.
Mr. Bergosh,
I am a 7th grade student at Carver/Century K-8 School. I’ve read articles in the newspapers or on the television that my school may be closing. I am proud to be a Carver/Century blackcat. I want to know where I will be going to middle school if this school is closed. Ernest Ward Middle School is 18 miles from here. I would have to wake up earlier than I do now to get to school on the bus. My mom would not be able to drive me there if I were late getting ready. Another school might be Ransom Middle School. It is about 25 miles from Century. That would be a really long bus ride. Plus if I were hurt or got sick at school my mom would not be able to pick me up and take me home. I like to participate in sports and other after school activities. If I go to another school, I probably would not get to do those things. Thanks for taking time to read my letter.
Sincerely,
A Student at Carver/Century.
June 3, 2008
Student at Carver/Century,
Thank you for taking the time to write. I understand your concerns regarding the potential closure of your school. I do not take lightly any decisions that affect students, and I understand that if Carver/Century school is closed, this will be difficult for you and your classmates. I will not attempt to assign blame to others as I have been the one member of the board who has continued to advocate the closure of underutilized facilities to save money. Unfortunately this includes Carver/Century.
If the decision to close Carver/Century is made, the district will save roughly $600,000.00. This is a large amount of money, and will help us out of our current financial crisis. At the heart of the reasoning for the closure and consolidation of schools is the necessity operate more efficiently to save money while at the same time allowing every student the opportunity to attend a safe and effective public school. In my heart I believe that the closure of Carver/Century, if this occurs, will lead to a positive outcome for the students who currently attend your school. The plan for the middle school students would be to have them attend Ernest Ward Middle School. Ernest Ward is a fantastic school with excellent students and faculty. Ernest Ward Middle is also ranked as an “A” School by the state and has been an “A” school for a number of years.
Your classmates at the elementary level would most likely attend Molino Park Elementary or Bratt Elementary. Both of which are “A” rated schools by the state.
As far as your concerns about participation in extracurricular activities, I understand that this will be a challenge. I also understand your other concern about an earlier bus departure and also the fear that if you are sick at school this will make it difficult on your parents. These concerns are valid and they are real. But, I can assure you that if the decision is made to close Carver/Century, the district will bend over backwards to help you and your classmates adjust to the change. I guarantee you that.
Most importantly, I want to make sure that I re-iterate to you that no decisions have been finalized on closing Carver/Century. I cannot tell you with 100% certainty what will happen. I can only say that decisons on this budget have been very difficult, and I appreciate your input. I will take your concerns into account as I wrestle with the idea of closing this school.
Regardless of what happens, I feel confident that you will continue your education, you will do well in school, and you will end up being a valuable member of your community. You will also learn a lot about yourself and your classmates if the decision to close your school is made. The important point to note is that you have distinguished yourself by taking the time to write me a hand written letter and express your concerns. Thanks for being a part of this process!
Sincerely,
Jeff Bergosh
Escambia County School Board, Dist. 1
Abused Horse Miracle Man Has Recovered, Now Up For Adoption
June 5, 2008
Miracle Man, the colt that was rescued from the brink of death hanging from a sling back in January, has recovered and is now up for adoption.
The colt’s owner suspended Miracle Man from the rafters of her barn with a sling in an attempt to get him off an injured leg. He was rescued by Panhandle Equine Rescue in Molino.
He is totally rehabilitated,” said PER President Diane Lowery. ” He is eight months old and will tie, load, clip, bathe and stand for the farrier. He is very quiet and easy to handle.”
The colt, which is half Arabian and half Quarter Horse, has a $300 adoption fee. For more information, visit PER’s web site by clicking here.
Iris Rose Fortner, 51, of De Soto Road, Cantonment, was charged with felony animal cruelty in connection with the case. She plead not guilty in March according to court records and is scheduled for trial in July.
To read NorthEscambia.com’s earlier coverage of Miracle man, click here.
Byrneville Coach Scores $10,000 For School’s P.E. Program From Governor
June 4, 2008
Byrneville Elementary School has scored an extra ten grand for its P.E. department compliments of the governor.
James “Coach Mac” McDaniel, Byrneville’s physical education teacher, received a $10,000 check from Governor Charlie Crist as part of the Governor’s Fitness Challenge. The money will be used to purchase new P.E. equipment for the charter school.
Coach Mac had 100 percent participation in this year’s fitness challenge at Byrneville, and he was one of just four P.E. teachers in the state to receive the $10,000 award from the governor’s office. A total of about 300 schools, including three in Escambia County, participated in the Governor’s Fitness Challenge.
“We are ecstatic at that thought of getting more equipment to motivate these students to achieve their best physically,” Coach Mac said. “We love them and always want to do what is best for them.”
Byrneville Principal Mrs. Dee Wolfe-Sullivan is a huge supporter of physical fitness. Since becoming principal at Byrneville, she has made P.E. a daily activity for students. She also encourages wellness in students and staff, including offering Jazzercise for school staff. She has even done Jazzercise routines with the students.
Coach Mac, who also is a huge supporter of staying fit and well, encourages students to commit to exercising and tries to motivate them daily.
He received the check from Gov. Crist at the signing ceremony for Senate Bill 610 expanding physical education at the elementary and middle school levels at all Florida schools.
Proposed by Senator Lee Constantine and co-sponsored by Representative Chris Dorworth, Senate Bill 610 requires middle schools to offer students in grades six through eight one class period per day of physical education for one semester, beginning in the 2009-10 school year. Additionally, the bill expands current requirements to include physical education for students in grade six who are enrolled in a school with one or more elementary grades (K-5). These elementary students must participate in at least 30 consecutive minutes of physical activity per day.
“This legislation demonstrates Florida’s commitment to fostering healthy lifestyles in every young Floridian at an early age,” Gov. Crist said. “By emphasizing the importance of physical fitness, we can teach these students how to make smart choices about exercise that will improve their health throughout their lives.”
The Governor’s Fitness Challenge was an eight-week program that provided guidance and incentives to schools in helping boost physical fitness for children.
Pictured above: Byrneville Elementary School’s James “Coach Mac” McDaniel receiving $10,000 check from Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Pictured below: Byrneville Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan and James “Coach Mac” McDaniel with a $10,000 check for P.E. equipment from the governor.
What Is That Grass?
June 4, 2008
From the Escambia County Extension Office
During this time of year, Extension offices throughout Florida get many calls and visits by people wondering what that bright grass is with the pretty seedhead. This non-native and highly invasive plant is COGONGRASS, also called Jap Grass, was introduced to this country back around 1911 as seed in packing material.
From its humble start, it has spread throughout the Southeast and is now considered a noxious weed in both Florida and Alabama. Cogongrass is a species adapted to fire; it thrives where fire is a regular occurrence, will burn hot and can kill seedling and mature trees.
Cogongrass spreads by both wind-blown seeds and underground creeping rhizomes. The rhizomes can form a dense mat in the upper six to eight inches (to a maximum depth of 12 to 24 inches) of soil and may comprise as much as 80 percent of the total plant mass. It is the rhizome system that makes this plant particularly hard to control. Elimination of above ground portions of the plant can be easily accomplished, but if the rhizomes are not killed or removed, rapid re-sprouting and regrowth will occur.
How can you identify cogongrass?
Right now, an easy identification tool is the fluffly white seedheads like the photo to the left (click to enlarge). The plant can flower at other times of the year, especially if the stand has been burnt, mowed, or otherwise disturbed. Each seedhead can contain 3000 seeds that are easily dispersed by the wind.
The leaves are rarely a dark green color. More often, the leaves are more yellow-green. The leaves can turn reddish in the fall. Another identifying characteristic is the offset midrib on the leaf blade (see photo at bottom of page). The midrib is usually a bit off-centered on the leaf. The margin of the leaf is rough feeling due to serrations. This plant is unpalatable to animals because of the rough leaves, low nutrients, and high silica content in the leaves.
How can you control cogongrass?
Mechanical Control
There is no foolproof method to controlling this weed. In young infestations, tillage can sometimes keep cogongrass from an area if continued during the course of a growing season. The initial tillage should begin in the spring (March through May) with an implement that inverts the soil to a depth of at least six inches. Perform additional tillage with a disk harrow or other appropriate implement every six to eight weeks. It is important to clean all equipment on site to prevent the spread by rhizomes.
Dry periods during the summer will aid in the control of cogongrass. The area can be planted to a fall cover crop and then followed the next season with perennial or annual grass or broadleaf crops. Mowing may help reduce cogongrass stands, but areas must be mowed frequently and at a low height. Monitor the site throughout the growing season; spot treat any recurring infestations with appropriate herbicides.
Chemical Control
There are only two chemicals that have some efficacy on this weed: Glyphosate and Imazapyr. Even with high rates and tank mixing, these chemicals RARELY will totally eliminate all the cogongrass in the treated area. Repeat applications are often necessary. Yes, I wrote applications with an “S”. It can often take more than one, two, or three shots to get this weed down.
If you are using glyphosate, the best time to first start treatment is during the Fall. A word of caution: imazapyr has soil residual activity. Many species that you will try to plant in the treated area will be injured if planting within 24 months of treating. It will also cause more problems to trees than glyphosate. ALWAYS read the label before applying either of the herbicides and follow the recommended rates. The label is the LAW.
If you need more information about cogongrass, please contact your local Extension office or refer to the two websites listed below. If you have cogongrass problems in your woods, contact your county forester for recommendations on treatment.
This article was based on information from the University of Florida EDIS publication: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/WG/WG20200.pdf and University of Georgia: http://www.cogongrass.org/cogongrasspub.pdf
For more information:
Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Extension 850.475.5230 libbiej@ufl.edu
Adam Parden, Escambia County Forester 850.587.5123 pardena@doacs.state.fl.us
Article from Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Extension for NorthEscambia.com
Photos by Clyde Smith, Jackson County Extension
Century Talks About Town’s Future
June 4, 2008
Economic development and saving Carver/Century K-8 School were the primary objectives discussed at an open meeting in Century.
The meeting, with consultant Peggy Fowler of Land Design Innovations of Ft. Walton Beach, was the second in a series of public forums to gain input prior to drafting Century’s new comprehensive plan.
“We talked a lot about problems in our previous meeting,” Fowler told the town council and the two citizens present at the begining of the meeting, “but tonight we want to talk about what you like about Century.”
“It’s home. We have a lot of people moving back home from the north,” council member Sharon Scott said. “But some people move to Pensacola because of the housing in Century.”
“We have a great attraction in Stone Lake Campground,” Mayor Freddie McCall said.
“We have plenty of churches,” Scott said. “A church on every corner,” council member Nadine McCaw said.
“Our water,” McCaw said “My girls come home and they take our water back home with them. They love our water.”
As for the types of businesses or services that those attending would like to see in Century, many mentioned expanded health services. Doctors and dentists were mentioned, along with a veterinarian for animals.
“Many of our business people that are local in town are from just outside the town,” McCaw said, adding that many choose to live in Byrneville, McDavid and other surrounding communities.
Others at the meeting mentioned the need, or desire, for a motel, more good restaurants , more retail stores, bowling or a skating rink for the children, a movie theater, another grocery store for competition and other businesses.
“It’s just sad that you don’t have a lot of these things here,” Fowler said. “These things are just basic.”
“But in order for us to have economic development, we’ve got to have a place for people to live,” council member Gary Riley said. “And the school is a big issue.”
“The need for economic development would probably include the school and housing,” Fowler said. She noted that the Escambia County School Board was invited to send a representative to an earlier meeting with various agencies, but no one from the school district attended.
“For economic development, you need a building to put business in,” local businessman Georges Van Nevel said. “And it does not exist.”
“In the industrial park, there is lots of space available,” he said. “I feel kind of lonely…you need to market the industrial park actively.”
“Other towns entice businesses,” McCaw said of economic incentives offered in surrounding towns to new businesses. “They are going to get that enticement from some other town. Century is the ‘gateway to Florida’, but it’s the gateway to Pensacola’s big boom down there.”
“When 113 opens, we are going to be the hub,” McCall said, referring to the four lane widening project currently underway on Alabama Highway 113 from Flomaton to I-65.