Scenes From A Storm
August 25, 2008
Here are some scenes from North Escambia Saturday and Sunday as Tropical Storm Fay crossed the area. Scroll down in the story to see all of the pictures. NorthEscambia photos.
Pictured above: Sandbags were placed at Cooper’s Grocery in Bratt Saturday afternoon in anticipation of heavy rains to come and water running off Highway 4.
Pictured above: Dirt remained at the old Molino Elementary School Sunday, one of the sandbag distribution sites in Escambia County on Saturday.
Pictured above: Highway 29 in Century appeared almost abandoned Saturday afternoon as most people stayed home waiting for the storm to arrive.
Pictured above: It was a wet afternoon for the Century Volunteer Fire Department on Salter’s Lake Road were two trailers were destroyed by a falling tree Saturday afternoon. Read that story and see a photo by clicking here.
Pictured above: The Escambia River near Molino Sunday afternoon. As Fay approached, the river was forecast to have flood, but it did not because the storm never dumped the projected foot or more of rain in the area.
Pictured above: He’s ready for the rain. This duck, presumably from nearby Stone Lake, was walking in a quiet Highway 4 Saturday afternoon.
Pictured above: The flag blows in a light wind Saturday afternoon at the Billy G. Ward Courthouse.
Pictured above: This flag at a home on Highway 97 in Dogwood Park did not fare well in the wind.
Pictured above: Sunday afternoon was peaceful and sometimes sunny on the Escambia River, a great improvement over the original weather forecast for the day.
NorthEscambia.com Questions Escambia School Board District 5 Candidates
August 25, 2008
Three of four candidate for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County School Board responded to a NorthEscambia.com questionnaire that was emailed to each candidate last week.
The questions were emailed Thursday afternoon to the email addresses we had for each candidate. Robert Tegenkamp did not respond to the questions we emailed to the email address he listed with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
To read a candidate’s detailed responses to questions about the Escambia School District, the new bus and walk policies, North Escambia Schools and the closure of Carver/Century K-8 School, click the candidate’s name below.
Century To Hold Two Public Meetings Monday
August 25, 2008
The Century Town Council will hold two public meetings back to back Monday morning.
The Century Town Council will hold a public hearing Monday 8:50 a.m. at Century Town Hall. The council will be discussing a Community Development Block Grant application workshop to be held in Tallahassee on August 26 and 27.
Afterwards, the Century Town Council will hold a budget workshop at 9:00 Monday morning at Century Tow Hall. The council members and the department supervisors will be meeting with Robert Hudson, the town’s accountant, to discuss the budget for each of their departments.
Both meetings will be open to the public.
District 5 Commission, Republican: Kevin White
August 25, 2008
NAME: Kevin White
PARTY: Republican
OCCUPATION: County Commissioner/Auto Repair Shop Owner
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSION SEAT YOU ARE SEEKING:
I have had 4 years experience as a commissioner. I have completed commissioner certification, served as chair of the FLA/AL TPO, chaired on the Escambia BOCC, and I am current chair of the Value Adjustment Board. I have been able to bring an additional 18 million dollars to District 5 in my first term.
WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING ESCAMBIA COUNTY (THE ENTIRE COUNTY) IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS:
The three most important issues facing the entire county is economic development, transportation, and maintaining a quality level of service for the citizen. We need to get our state leaders to realize that tourism is not going to pay the bills. Our state leaders need to provide local government with the tools to recruit businesses. Companies want cash incentives to locate in your area. Mobile gave Northrup Gruman 70 million dollars up front in cash and incentives to locate there. We also need the state to start taking care of the state roadways instead of trying to put it on the backs of local government with no funding. With shrinking revenues, we are going to have to get very creative to maintain a quality level of service for the service that we provide.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING NORTH ESCAMBIA (MOLINO NORTH), AND HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES?
The biggest issues facing North Escambia County is going to be provide the infrastructure needed for the growth that will eventually be coming our way. We need to have the infrastructure in place to handle it before it comes so we won’t have to deal with correcting the problem that we now have on the south end because there was a lack of planning. We as a board have already taken many steps to do this. We have the Sector Plan going on right now which takes an area that is undeveloped then put in the infrastructure, roads, schools, fire stations and then develop it out. Only five of these have been done on the state. If ours is successful then we will use it as a template and carry it further north. And the best thing about the sector plan is that the developers pay the majority of all costs associated with the new infrastructures.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD NORTH ESCAMBIA VOTERS KNOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PLANS FOR DISTRICT 5?
I would like the citizens of District 5 to know that I have worked very hard for them. When I took office four years ago, there was only 6 million dollars allocated to District 5 projects. That number today is 23 million. I am still committed to lowering the cost of government so in turn that puts more money back in the taxpayers’ pockets. In 2004 when I took office, the total county budget was 540 million dollars. If we approve the current budget it will be 402 million. That is almost a 140 million dollar reduction in four years.
Also, I am a husband, father, and small business owner. I deal with the same issues as every citizen does. Just because I am an elected official I still deal with the same issues that you do. Have I got it right every time since I have been in office? No I haven’t, but no one except the Lord will get it right every time. But I have worked hard and I did bring back honesty and integrity to the District 5 office. There have been no grand jury investigations or indictments during my term in office, and I feel that is great progress considering what happened in the four years previous to my term. I would appreciate a chance for a second term to continue to make progress in our district and the county as a whole.
YOUR WEB ADDRESS: www.VoteKevinWhite.com
PHONE NUMBER(S): (850) 587-4095 (home)
EMAIL: kevinwhitefor2008@yahoo.com
District 5 Commission, Republican: Packy Mitchell
August 25, 2008
NAME: Packy Mitchell
PARTY: Republican
OCCUPATION: Project Engineer/ Layne Central
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSION SEAT YOU ARE SEEKING:
I have lived here since 1969. Self employed contractor for about 15 years and worked in corporate America for 3 years. This gives me the experience to plan, enact and execute multi million dollar contracts and deal with budget requirements. Strong community ties for 40 years, helping in ballparks, church groups, and any other situations where children needed assistance. The most rewarding is being a founding member as well as a current Director of Facilities for the Miracle League of Pensacola, an organization allowing children with any type of challenge to be able to play baseball.
WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING ESCAMBIA COUNTY (THE ENTIRE COUNTY) IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS:
I feel like most , that continuing to reduce our budget and still furnishing the quality of service that our people expect. Locating, finding and convincing new high paying business and clean industry to our community. Work with our state agencies to pursue grants and other tax savings for this plan to happen. And finally I have really become aware, after waving on the road sides near our schools, that we must utilize an existing grant setup to install sidewalks to our public schools. This will become a top priority under my time in office.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING NORTH ESCAMBIA (MOLINO NORTH), AND HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES?
The same holds true for our north end, particularly in the plans of new business and industry. We must also take a close look at the zoning issues, and work with homeowners and landowners, so they can see the most benefits from their property. I promise to find out where the dirt road paving plans have seemingly been lost , and will re-start a major push to restore this as a major priority. Also, I will find out why the few roads that have been repaved lately have NOT been striped. This is so UNSAFE and will be corrected.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD NORTH ESCAMBIA VOTERS KNOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PLANS FOR DISTRICT 5?
My platform is built on Availability, Believability, and Credibility. I will be available to each and every one of my constituents 24/7. You will have my cell phone number and my office number. I will call you and set up a meeting if necessary. I WILL WORK FOR YOU !!! Also in a recent meeting a question came up about people in Molino and to the north can not get information about on going events and projects. I will set up MONTHLY MEETINGS ( not quarterly) at the North end office on hwy. 97 and will have printed reports of items you deem important. You will not be left in the dark. You feel assured to know that when we discuss an issue, and I tell you how I plan to vote, this decision will NOT change at the last minute and I will NOT walk out of the boardroom when an important issue is brought to vote. I promise to bring credibility to our office, something very lacking for many years. I PROMISE if given the opportunity by you, the GOOD PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 5, that I will start working immediately, and will work for YOU for 4 years, Not 4 months prior to election. IT is YOUR CHOICE for YOUR VOICE. Please vote for Packy Mitchell for County Commissioner District 5.. Thank You and God Bless…
YOUR WEB ADDRESS: www.votepacky.com
PHONE NUMBER(S): Home 968-1007 Work 777-7190
EMAIL: pacmit@msn.com (I do work out of town some and can not check every night. Do update as soon as possible.)
District 5 Commission, Republican: Chris Washler
August 25, 2008
NAME: Chris Washler
PARTY: Republican
OCCUPATION: President of Infinity Tech Solutions, Inc.
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSION SEAT YOU ARE SEEKING:
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Drake University. I am a successful business owner who has had to meet tight budget requirements and create an efficient organization that does more for less. Additionally, I have been very active in the community. My community activities have included:
Rotary Club of Cantonment since 2003
Board of Directors for Chain Reaction
Leadership Pensacola Class of 2005
Trustee for Cokesbury United Methodist Church
Cokesbury Children’s Center Board
Junior Achievement classroom volunteer at R.C. Lipscomb Elementary
National Rifle Association Life Member
Escambia County Republican Executive Committee Member
Past President of Fox Hollow Homeowners’ Association – 2002
WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING ESCAMBIA COUNTY (THE ENTIRE COUNTY) IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS:
The three most important issues facing Escambia County in the next four years are going to be economic development, infrastructure development and county spending. The first two issues are very closely tied together. Escambia County is one of the poorest counties of our size in the state of Florida. If we hope to change this, we must start bringing in businesses that provide high paying jobs for our citizens. The reason that infrastructure development is so closely tied to to economic development is that one of the key components that Escambia County is missing for most major industry is adequate road infrastructure. With regard to county spending, the county government has gotten out of control with their spending habits. While progress was made this year after the passage of Amendment 1, further cuts and greater efficiencies can be put in place to further reduce the size of county government.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING NORTH ESCAMBIA (MOLINO NORTH), AND HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES?
Some of the issues facing North Escambia are the same as they are for the rest of Escambia County. Economic development will be critical in North Escambia. In order to address this adequately for the northern part of the county, we need to have an independent economic development agency that will look at the entire county and stop ignoring the needs of the north end when it comes to bringing in new business. Another major issue for North Escambia will be zoning and planning. For too many years, Escambia County has taken a very haphazard, short-sighted approach to zoning and planning issues. If elected, I will push for more long term, comprehensive review of the future zoning needs in the north end. Finally, as with the rest of the county, property taxes are a major issue – county government must find a way to reduce their spending so that we can roll back the property tax rates to provide land owners with greater relief.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD NORTH ESCAMBIA VOTERS KNOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PLANS FOR DISTRICT 5?
I am a 36 year old husband, father of two beautiful girls and successful business owner. My wife, Tammy, and I live in Cantonment with our girls. We have lived in District 5 since we moved to Escambia County ten years ago. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Drake University prior to moving to Washington, D.C. to work on Capitol Hill. I opened Infinity Tech Solutions in 2001, after working for Covenant Hospice.
I am running for office because of my children. I want my kids to go to school, graduate and come back to Escambia County to raise their families. I am concerned that they will not have that chance. My goal is to ensure the future for my children and all of the children in Escambia County by providing strong leadership on the County Commission.
What separates me from my opponents is experience. I have experience not only as a successful business owner, but I have also seen other parts of the country and seen how a county the size of Escambia County can flourish. My opponents have only ever seen how it is done in Escambia County…it is time to break the mold.
YOUR WEB ADDRESS: www.votewashler.com
PHONE NUMBER(S): (850) 937-0458 (home) (850) 380-1329 (cell)
EMAIL: cwashler@gmail.com
District 5 School Board: Bill Slayton
August 25, 2008
NAME: Bill Slayton
OCCUPATION: Retired educator (teacher and administrator)
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE SCHOOL BOARD POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING:
I have worked diligently over the last 36 years to provide the students for whom I was responsible the best education possible. The successes we achieved together indicate my leadership ability and willingness to work as hard as necessary. Guiding the Tate High School Band to national recognition, leading Woodham High School to designation as a New Millennium High School, and obtaining over two million dollars in grants for school advancement are a few of the indications of my leadership and willingness to work. Because of my past experiences, not only school based but also working with board members and superintendents, I will be an effective school board member immediately.
WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING THE ESCAMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS:
The top issue in education is furnishing students with the best education possible. A part of this includes securing the most outstanding personnel possible to lead the education of those students. This would include providing top salaries, benefits, and working conditions. It is important not only to secure the best personnel but also to keep them. Before funds
are spent on anything else, we should be sure that services to students are not affected adversely. The priority must be providing a curriculum that benefits all students.
Realigning the school district budget to meet the needs of students and schools should be our first priority. Presently we protect the district office first and the schools’ budgets get the leftovers. I will always put students and schools first.
A five-year plan must be adopted for closing of schools, redistricting, and new school construction. We have to stop surprising students, parents, and teachers with last minute announcements. We will adopt a plan that addresses the shifts in populations and closing some of our oldest facilities.
WHAT CHANGES DO YOU SEE, OR DO WE NEED, IN NORTH ESCAMBIA SCHOOLS?
We have to address the overcrowding in some of our schools and the need to replace some of our oldest facilities. How old are some of our oldest northern schools? We need to stop trying to fix old problems and look at a new facility at Ernest Ward.
WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO CARVER/CENTURY K-8 SCHOOL, AND WHEN?
Once again we try to fix a budget problem without considering students. I am not in favor of closing Carver/Century but the present school board has already approved the closing. I would begin working with the community on a plan to show the school district and the school board that the community and students from Century are as deserving as any other students in the district.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WALK LIMITS FOR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN A RURAL SETTING LIKE NORTH ESCAMBIA?
Once again we fail to put students first and completely ignore safety. Students have no business walking to school on Kingsfield Road, Hwy 97, 297A, or Hwy 29.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD NORTH ESCAMBIA VOTERS KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I am a native of Pensacola and a product of the Escambia County School System graduating from Pensacola High School in 1966. I attended the University of Southern Mississippi where I received my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Music Education. I also received certification in Administration and Supervision from the University of West Florida. I was band director at Tate High School from 1971 until 1987. While at Tate I was elected Teacher of the Year. I then became Music Supervisor at the county level until 1991 when I moved to Woodham High School as Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. In 1996 I became the Principal of Woodham where I stayed until 2005. While at Woodham I was Escambia County’s High School Principal of the Year. I finished my 36-year career as the Principal of George Stone Technical Center.
My wife Judy was a Business Technology teacher for 35 years in the Escambia County School District, retiring in 2006.
Our children (daughter Melissa and son Charles) attended schools in Escambia County, District 5, and both are graduates of Tate High School. Melissa taught at Woodham for three years after receiving her degree from the University of West Florida and is now married to Lt. Cmdr. Jay Armstrong, USCG. They are the parents of our two granddaughters, Caroline (age 2½) and Lauren (11 months). Charles received his degree from Florida State University and is a manager at Guy Harvey’s Island Grill in Orange Beach, Alabama.
District 5 School Board: Pete Gindl
August 25, 2008
NAME: Peter R. (Pete) Gindl Sr.
OCCUPATION: Retired Farmer and Teacher and presently serving as District 5 School Board Member
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE SCHOOL BOARD POSITION YOU ARE SEEKING: I have 24 years experience on the School Board -16 years as Chairman, served 1 ½ terms as president of the Florida School Board Association. I have served on many and various local and state committees concerning education. I served on the Board during the implementation of integration in our school system and during the “teacher walk-out.” I was a part in developing a successful plan/compromise in both of these situations that was acceptable and workable to all concerned parties. I was a classroom teacher for 18 years. This allowed me to see and understand both sides of the spectrum.
WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING THE ESCAMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS:
- Funding: With the reduction in funding from the state it is going to be challenging to furnish our children with a good education and opportunities they deserve to become successful citizens.
- Transportation: The School Board and state must offer safe transportation to school for all children. The state funds transportation for elementary students and students who live more than 2 miles from the school.
- Facilities: Good safe facilities for all students. Due to the change in populations, it will be necessary to close, build new, build onto existing schools, and keep all facilities in good repair. The School Board and District Staff must use the money provided by the state and local revenue appropriately to ensure we have a top quality educational system in all of Escambia County
WHAT CHANGES DO YOU SEE, OR DO WE NEED, IN NORTH ESCAMBIA SCHOOLS?
We need to see that the children of North Escambia County are offered the same opportunities as all other students in our schools. We need to be sure that all students have the right tools/education to pursue their career choices. Not all students need or want to go to college. We need to help these students prepare for their careers through vocational and technical training. Because North Escambia County Schools are rural schools, transportation is always an issue that needs addressing. It is not feasible or logical for students to be walking to school in isolated uninhabited areas, inclement weather conditions; busy highways. Rural areas are not provided with sidewalks and safe crossovers like many other areas in Escambia County
WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO CARVER/CENTURY K-8 SCHOOL, AND WHEN?
There are several options. It could become a charter school. It could be used for an alternative school, adult education programs, or a career technical/vocational center. It could be used for other types of educational facilities or government programs. This needs to be a community effort and must have cooperation and understanding. We need our future generation to learn compromise, understanding, and compassion for others. We want all our people, adults and children, to be united.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WALK LIMITS FOR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN A RURAL SETTING LIKE NORTH ESCAMBIA?
I think all students should be transported to and from school. In rural areas we do not have the luxury of paved sidewalks, designated and guarded crossovers, traffic lights, etc. We have heavily traveled narrow roads with houses spaced miles apart. In this present day it is not safe for children to be walking to and from school. In bad weather, the children would arrive at school wet, muddy, tardy, and in many cases would not got to school at all. This is not to mention the horrible lightning we have in Florida. I am in favor of transporting all students to and from school.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD NORTH ESCAMBIA VOTERS KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I was born and raised in Escambia County Florida. I attended the Escambia County Schools, PJC, graduated from Auburn University, and UWF with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. Until my retirement, I was a successful farmer in Barrineau Park for 50 years. I have been married to Sue (Wilson) Gindl for 50 years and we have five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grand child all of whom attended Escambia County Schools. We are very proud of our family and the successes they have enjoyed largely due to the education they received in public school.
My most rewarding and enjoyable experience was the 18 years spent teaching students. I loved all my students and I am very proud of all their accomplishments and successes. I have always made decisions based on what I thought was best for the children and citizens of Escambia County. As senior citizen myself, I am aware and concerned about the needs of our “senior” communities. I will always listen to your concerns. You can reach me at 587-5524 day or night. I will return your calls and do everything in my power to help solve your problem. I will continue to work for safe and quality education for all children of Escambia County. Pete Gindl
District 5 Commission, Republican: Randall McCrackin
August 25, 2008
NAME: Randall E. McCrackin
PARTY: Republican
OCCUPATION: Investor and Business Owner (McCrackin Trucking)
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSION SEAT YOU ARE SEEKING:
I Have built not one, but two successful businesses from the ground and I can do it again and again. I attended one of the best business schools in the country, The University of South Carolina. My education is based on economics, the other three republican candidates education is based on the history of politics or less. Our county’s resolve will come through math not words. I am a master at the art of negotiator.
WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING ESCAMBIA COUNTY (THE ENTIRE COUNTY) IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS:
Government Waste: Under our government’s current “tax and spend” policy and poor decision making, our Government will never have enough money to operate. Poor decision-making has consequences. I am very hands on. If elected, I would commit to reviewing every departments’ budget and operation myself to ensure that the taxpayers of District 5 are getting the biggest bang for their buck. We must consolidate and restructure the county’s operation and eliminate all the redundancies that contribute to the county’s waste. It is an absolute necessity because our current economic base can not support the size of our government and we will maintain a more efficient and higher level of service through the long forgotten practice of Accountability.
The Economic Development I’m very interested in attracting new industry to the area. Alabama, prior to 1997, did not produce a single vehicle in that state, but now it boasts a vehicle production capacity of 760,000 per year, the third largest car producing southern state in the U.S in a time frame of about 10 years. That resulted in about 30,000 jobs. Alabama has developed a formula that has attracted these manufacturing factories which included Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai Motors and many other companies. I know and understand the formula for their success. Are we as tax payers content with just getting a pot hole repaired by our commissioners? Alabama County Commissioners played a big role in its successful bid for these companies. We can compete with Alabama and these companies that can provide good paying jobs with benefits, something that I know is of great concern to the citizens of Escambia County. Our economy really needs this type of “New Money” that industry can provide. This will be a top priority of mine and it shall be pursued aggressively. It all starts with the voters choosing the right man for the job and it will end in Tallahassee, Florida. All of our other major problems are really just by-products of the lack of Economic Development in the entire county.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING NORTH ESCAMBIA (MOLINO NORTH), AND HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES?
Lack of Economic Development. The easiest part of this very complex matter is to elect me. The next step becomes more difficult. Florida is the 5th worst state in the country from a tax stand point for a company to call home. Couple that with Florida’s enormous fuel tax rate, you have a receipt for failure. My challengers feel that there is nothing that we can do about that and that Tallahassee “controls all that“. Well, They are half right. Tallahassee does control all that, but Tallahassee works for me. You just have to remind them of that and through constant pressure, change is inevitable. There are to many more complex steps to this question that can not explained in 200 words or less. I assure you that if I am elected, I have a good understanding of what I need to do. I will not give excuses for my failures.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD NORTH ESCAMBIA VOTERS KNOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PLANS FOR DISTRICT 5?I have excellent leadership, communication and analytical skills. My standards are high and my pursuits are aggressive. I am hard working, dedicated and willing to work hard for the people of Escambia County. I grew up in a performance based environment were excuses were not given nor were they accepted. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t have all of the answers right now, but my ability to listen, learn, operate efficiently, and stay flexible has served me very well in the past and will continue to do so in the future as I set out to improve the future of Escambia County. Special interest groups play a huge role in the way things are done in this county. For this reason, I have not and will not accept any help or money from any special interest groups. I have paid for my campaign with my own funds. It has been a financially painful decision to do so, but it represents my dedication to represent the constituents of District #5 to ensure that District #5 receives the necessary tools so vital to its success. Let it be known to that I owe no one or any organization. “I AM 100% FREE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT #5 WITHOUT CONFLICT.”
YOUR WEB ADDRESS: (none)
PHONE NUMBER(S): Home 937-6539 Cell 572-6466
EMAIL: Mccrackin2008@aol.com
ECUA District 5: Barry Tweedie
August 25, 2008
Name: Barry B. Tweedie
Occupation: Retired Naval Flight Officer, 100 % disabled and Service-Connected. Although I am physically disabled I don’t believe that my disability precludes further service to the citizens of Escambia County if elected.
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE DISTRICT 5 ECUA SEAT YOU ARE SEEKING:
I have run for this office twice before, in 2000 and 2004. I was appointed to the Administrative Advisory Committee (at ECUA) in April 2000, by Dr. Walker, Ph.D. Served on the Finance Committee for almost 2 years before being appointed to the ECUA Citizen Advisory Committee. Not currently on any ECUA committee. I continue to attend all committee and board meetings.
WHAT ARE THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING ECUA (IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY) IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS:
- The soon to be built Central Water Reclamation Plant in central Escambia County. That plant is estimated (originally $165 million) now to cost $302 million dollars! It will have a capacity of just 20 million gallons a day (MGD) the same as the downtown plant! Not a single gallon of additional capacity for the future, which is here now. That’s foolish, short sighted, and irresponsible!
- Another issue effecting growth and our economy is to make sure that the next water well is drilled where it will do the most good and where the development is going to occur.
- The poor sanitation service provided to the North end of district 5, by Allied Waste. The ECUA is poised to cancel their franchise.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING NORTH ESCAMBIA (MOLINO NORTH), RELATED TO ECUA, AND HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES?
The biggest issue facing the north end of Escambia county is the poor service so many citizens have received from Allied Waste. The incumbent has documented over 200 complaints, which he has shared with the 4 other board members. If elected, I will follow up on the complaints. The ECUA is making plans to not renew Allied Waste’s Franchise Agreement. As far as I know the citizens in the north-end of the county are happy with their water companies. If not please let me know.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD NORTH ESCAMBIA VOTERS KNOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PLANS FOR ECUA DISTRICT 5?
Joined the Army 1969 at 17 years of age. Served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Div., Served with the 101st Airborne Division, and 1st Air Cavalry in Viet-Nam (1971-72). Worked as a mobile home service technician part time while attending PJC. Worked for Doty Construction Company as a laborer, cement truck driver, cylinder finisher operator, loader operator, while building the Aircraft Reconstruction facility at Pensacola NAS. Drove trailer truck over the road (75-76). Served in the 361st Civil Affairs Brigade while attending college from 1976-1980. I worked as a security guard for NYCO and Wackenhut while attending college. Held a Federal Firearms License for retail sales of firearms (1985-1994) D/B/A Phantom Farms in Maine and Florida. Graduated from UWF in 1980 and joined the navy 1980. Commissioned an Ensign (O-1) after AOCS. Attained rank of Lieutenant (O-3), I was a “Tactical Coordinator” (TACCO) on the P-3 “Orion” an anti-submarine platform. Served with Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44) at Brunswick, Maine 1983-1986. I was the Department Head at S.E.R.E. (survival school) 1986-1987. Retired from the Navy and placed on the Permanent Disabled Retired List (PDRL) November 1988. I’m a life member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). I will be a fierce advocate for the rate-payers and work hard to keep rates low. Multiple rate increases in the same fiscal year must stop!
YOUR WEBSITE ADDRESS: (none)
PHONE NUMBER(S): 478-7388 (home)
EMAIL: BBTweedie@prodigy.net