Miller Votes Against $700 Billion Bailout
September 30, 2008
U.S. Representative Jeff Miller of Florida cast a vote against the massive $700 billion bailout bill on Monday as it failed by a 228-205 vote.
The bill would have allowed the government to purchase failing mortgages and other financial securities.
Miller submitted the following comments about the bill:
Almost two weeks ago the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Paulson, sent a three page request to the Congress asking for 700 billion dollars of your money for his friends and former colleagues on Wall Street. The former Chairman of the investment bank, Goldman Sachs, also asked the Congress to pass a law ensuring his actions “are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.”
The Founders of this country set up an ingenious system of government to ensure power was not disproportionately given to one individual. The goal was to avoid tyranny at all costs. Secretary Paulson most likely skipped that class in college and was hoping you had as well. Many wonder how such a poorly structured piece of legislation could even come about in the first place. I wonder how the President approved this as well.
By demanding this bailout money, the Administration attempted to circumvent the legislative process. Moreover, the Administration continues to insist that their way is the only way to avoid an imminent crisis.
Perhaps most stunning, is that the Administration officials responsible for protecting American taxpayers and our free market system were asleep at the switch. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Chris Cox recently admitted his culpability in this matter and amazingly, the Secretary of the Treasury recently admitted he had seen this crisis coming for nearly a year and just now came to the Congress.
Such large-scale government interference in our markets ensures the correction process will take much longer than it would have otherwise. What would help toward long-term stability is an injection of private capital into economy. We need to establish and maintain low tax rates on capital gains and corporate income, allowing people to invest more of their money and relieving American companies from one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world.
The Democrats did not care to address the corporate tax rate issue and in fact, their response to the Administration’s bailout plan was just as bad, if not worse. They attempted to allow unions to take over corporate boards of failed companies, let judges rewrite the terms of your mortgage and even set up a slush fund for housing groups that among other things, register Democratic voters. Nowhere did they address one of the fundamental issues that got us into this mess, the implicit government backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac need to be changed into purely private companies, not government sponsored enterprises with special privileges. They need to pay taxes like everyone else and until they are purely private, they must be prohibited from spending taxpayer money on lobbying the government to ensure their continued existence, despite their failed management and banking practices.
An overwhelming majority of constituents have called, emailed, and written into my office stating their outright opposition to any sort of bailout for corporations that were reckless and irresponsible with their management. Moreover, responsible people who live within their means should not be bearing the burden of bailing out corporations. The American taxpayer deserves better. We must not sacrifice long term freedom for short term financial gain.
One Vehicle Accident In Bratt
September 30, 2008
Authorities responded to a one vehicle accident near Bratt Elementary School Monday night.
The accident was reported about 10:10 near the corner of the school’s property at the intersection of North Highway 99 and Godwin Road. The driver of a SUV apparently lost control and struck and culvert and street sign before crossing Highway 99 and stopping just off the road.
The driver of the vehicle had already left the scene by the time the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department and Atmore Ambulance arrived on the scene.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured above: The driver of this SUV had already left the scene when emergency personnel arrived across the road from Bratt Elementary School Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Truth For Youth Bible Publisher Conducting Century Revival
September 29, 2008
Evangelist Tim Todd, president of Revival Fires International, is conducting revival services at Abundant Life Assembly of God in Century.
Services are at 7:00 Monday through Wednesday evenings.
Todd is the publisher/designer of the Truth for Youth New Testament which has been endorsed by Pat Boone, Billy Graham, T.D. Jakes, Art Linkletter, Rod Parsley and many other prominent Christian leaders.
The Truth for Youth will be given to every teenager attending. Abundant Life is located at 8040 North Century Boulevard. For more information, call (850) 256-5227.
Students Of The Month Named At North Escambia Schools
September 29, 2008
The students of the month for Escambia County have been selected. From North Escambia schools, they are:
Bratt Elementary: Lydia G. Smith, second grade; Claudio A. Santander, fifth grade.
Carver/Century K-8: Markayla D. Bradley, fourth grade; Martavious A. Odom, fourth grade.
Molino Park Elementary: Cheyenne R. Gray, fifth grade; Haley D. Brown, fifth grade ; Demarcus J. Dukes, fifth grade; Tasashera L. Granderson, fifth grade.
Ernest Ward Middle School: Charmayne M. Fountain, sixth grade; Courtney A. Weaver, seventh grade.
Northview High School: Luke F. Killam, senior; Jessica M. Mothershed, senior.
The students of the month are awarded certificates from the Escambia Association for Administrators In Education.
Pictured above: Luke Killam (left) and Jessica Mothershed, both seniors at Northview High School, were among the North Escambia students of the month named by the Escambia Association for Administrators in Education. Submitted photo.
Weekend Sports: Northview, Flomaton, Jay, NWE
September 29, 2008
It was a good weekend for most area sports teams, and NorthEscambia.com was there with complete coverage and photos.
For a photo gallery and game wrap from Friday night’s Northview big district win over Holmes County, click here.
For a game story from Flomaton’s huge 57-14 win over Central-Hayneville, click here.
For a game story from Jay’s loss to Port St. Joe, click here.
For a photo gallery and game story from all three NWE football games against East Milton, click here.
Interested in sports? Would you like to join the NorthEscambia.com sports team? Email news@northescambia.com for more information.
Molino’s Panhandle Equine Rescue Seeks Vendors For Horse Adoption Day
September 29, 2008
Panhandle Equine Rescue is looking for vendors and informational groups to participate in a Horse Adoption Day in October.
The event will be held October 25 at the Escambia County Equestrian Center from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Boths can be set up on Friday and Saturday nights from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. to get exposure from the “Barn Bash” crowd that will also be at the facility. Both events will be highly publicized and show draw a lot of people, according to event organizers.
The vendor fee is $43 paid to Escambia County, but anyone that sets up a booth that is not promoting any sales will not be charged a fee. Inside stalls are available, so weather will not be a factor.
If interested, contact Panhandle Equine Rescue at 587-2754.
During Horse Adoption Day on October 25, horses rescued by Panhandle Equine Rescue will be available for adoption, plus there will be many equine related demonstrations and exhibits.
Century Man Dies In Pensacola Area Wreck Early Sunday Morning
September 28, 2008
A Century man died in a early Sunday morning accident near Beulah.
Grover Barnes, Jr., 65, of Century died in the accident at 4:35 Sunday morning on Highway 99 at Frank Reeder Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say Barnes was southbound on Highway 99 (Beulah Road) when his 2004 Ford pickup left the roadway on the west shoulder of the intersection. He then struck two mailboxes and crossed both lanes of Highway 99 before entering the north shoulder and striking a tree.
Barnes was pronouced dead at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Barnes was known around the area for his usual attire of a cowboy hats and boots. He was a retired Texas cattleman that often sang country music.
He was a former employee of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, having worked in the garage. He had also worked as a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and a FDOT, Florida Department of Transporation, officer.
The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Highway 99 and Frank Reeder Road intersection is between Interstate 10 and West Nine Mile Road.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Last Day To Register To Vote Approaching Fast
September 28, 2008
The last day to register to vote for the November 4 general election is fast approaching; the deadline is Monday, October 6.
Florida law mandates that registration books close 29 days before an election. New registrations nd party changes must be completed on or before October 6th in order for them to be effective or the November 4 election. Updates to a voter’s address, name, and signature are permitted after the book closing deadline.
Escambia County citizens have several ways to register or update their record:
Online/By Mail: Visit www.EscambiaVotes.com and complete, print, and sign the online application. Be sure to include a valid Florida Driver’s License number, a valid Florida ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in the appropriate space. Mail the ompleted application no later than October 6th to: Escambia County Supervisor of Elections, PO Box 12601, Pensacola, FL 32591-2601. Or, take the completed application to the Elections ffice at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in downtown Pensacola. Or, call (595-3900) or e-mail the Elections Office (soe@escambiavotes.com) to have a form mailed to you.
In Person: You can register at the Elections Office at 213 Palafox Place, 2nd Floor, in owntown Pensacola, at any Florida Driver’s License Office, and several other governmental ffices and public assistance centers. Registration forms are also available to pick up at many locations countywide. For a complete list of locations throughout Escambia County, visit ww.EscambiaVotes.com or call or e-mail the Elections Office.
NWE Eagles Beat East Milton…Three Times
September 28, 2008
It was three games and three wins for Northwest Escambia Football Saturday against East Milton.
The NWE Mini-mite Eagles beat East Milton 19-6. The Eagles Mites shutout the Jaguars 32-0; and the Eagle midgets got past the Jags 31-26.
For a complete photo gallery from all three games, click here.
Mini-mites: NWE 19 East Milton 6
It was the first win of the season Saturday for the Eagle’s mini-mite team. Hunter Edwards scored two touchdowns with an extra point.
The East Milton Jaguars did not get on the board until 2:03 left in the game on a 60-plus yard run. Their extra point attempt was good, 12-7 with 2:03 to go.
The last Eagle touchdown of the game came on a Chase Gifford dive into the end zone with 1.4 seconds to go in the game to give the Eagles a 19-7 win.
Mites: NWE 32 East Milton 0
The Eagle Mites hit the end zone just under two minutes into their game against the East Milton Jaguars. Luke Ward scored with 6:14 in the first. A missed kick, and the Eagles were up 6-0.
About four minutes later, still in the first, Andrew Edwards had a touchdown run. The kick was good, giving NWE at 14-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
A Devon Stabler touchdown with 4:40 on the clock in the second increased the NWE Eagle lead to 20-0.
Chasen Freeman added another TD for Northwest Escambia with 3:19 in the second when he picked up a Jag fumble about 35 yards for another six, 26-0.
Zachary Payne added another touchdown for the NWE Eagles, for a 32-0 win over East Milton.
Midgets: NWE 31 East Milton 26
The NWE Midgets beat East Milton 32-16 for a hard fought victory Saturday in Walnut Hill.
The Eagles were up 23-6 at the half.
A Dalton Daniels touchdown and a good kick increased the Eagle lead to 31-6 with 4:12 to go in the third.
But East Milton would attempt a comeback in the fourth. Just 22 seconds into the quarter, East Milton scored and added an extra point to make the score 31-13.
The Eagles held their ground, until the Jaguars scored twice in the last minute of the matchup.
With 59.3 seconds on the clock, East Milton closed the gap with a TD and extra point to make the score 31-20.
Then, with no time on the clock, a 37 yard pass and run got in another half dozen points for the Jags for the final score of 31 to 26.
Next week, the Eagles travel to meet the Bellview Gold team in district action in Pensacola. The mini-mites lead off at 9:30. The mites play at 12:30, and the midgets take the field at 3:30.
Special thanks to Wendy Aliff who contributed to this article.
Pictured above: Chase Gifford dives for a touchdown for the NWE Mini-Mite Eagles with 1.2 seconds to go in their game against East Milton Saturday. Pictured below: Andrew Edward scores for the NWE Eagles in Mite action against East Milton. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sunday Was World Rabies Day
September 28, 2008
Sunday was World Rabies Day, and the Escambia County Health Department has prevention tips for you.
Many wild animals such as raccoons, foxes, bats, and skunks can carry the rabies virus. It is important this time of year to take precautions to prevent rabies to protect yourself, your family and your pets, according to the health department.
The Escambia County Health Department offers the following tips:
- Make sure your pets get and stay vaccinated
- Don’t allow your pets to run free
- Make sure your garbage is securely covered
- Don’t feed pets outside
- Enjoy wild animals from a distance
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals
- Show children how to stand still like a tree, “BE a TREE”, if they are approached by wild or stray animals
For more information about rabies in our area, visit the Florida Department Health’s rabies information page by clicking here.