Sheriff Fires Back Over Taxpayer’s Association News Journal Story
September 18, 2009
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan fired back Thursday night over a published report in the Pensacola News Journal.
The report said, the Escambia County Taxpayers’ Association, led by attorney Bob Kerrigan, was “blasting” Morgan for a union contract “that contains pay raises no longer available to county employees”.
Morgan’s comments came during an Escambia County Commission budget hearing Thursday night. The commission has already approved a $74 million budget for the Sheriff’s Office, a decrease of just over $4 million from last year. The commission turned down another $2 million to provide a three percent employee raise.
The News Journal report claimed that commission was unaware that employees would receive a raise anyway in the form of longevity pay that increases from two percent at five years up to 10 percent at 25 years. In the PNJ report, Kerrigan spoke out against the sheriff and his budget.
“One of the things I will not tolerate is being misled,” Morgan said Thursday night about Kerrigan and Tax Watch. He said he sat down with Tax Watch and came to an agreement as to how much the sheriff’s office could reasonably cut from their budget.
That report published in the Pensacola News Journal, the sheriff said, was “completely contrary” to his Tax Watch meetings. That report, he said, stated that his department could cut $12 to $27 million in additional cuts. Morgan filed a response which “was sadly not printed in the Pensacola News Journal”. NorthEscambia.com did publish an article about the sheriff’s disagreement with Tax Watch, and we also provided a the full text of Morgan’s response to Tax Watch. Read that story from August 13 by clicking here.
Morgan told commissioners that Tax Watch had agreed to support his budget request, less a three percent requested raise for deputies.
“Then imagine my surprise…when once again we get a full spread in the Pensacola News Journal that bore no resemblance, no resemblance to the meetings that we had held with Tax Watch,” Morgan said. “To tell you that I am angry about that, is an understatement.”
“Tonight I thought I would come in blazing with both guns at the county commission. But something I learned during my military career is target identification,” the sheriff said. “The right target is an unelected self appointed board that is determined that they can run the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office better than I.”
Morgan said that for the county commission to consider any Tax Watch recommendation would be a “disservice to the citizens of Escambia County”.
“When you attack the men and women of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, you attack me,” he said. “And I take personal offense at the statement made by Mr. Kerrigan about the fine men and women of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.”
Commissioner Gene Valentino praised Morgan’s efforts to cut $4 million from his budget, but he said the question asked by some is how much more could have been cut.
“We’ve cut all that we can,” Morgan replied.
Pictured: Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan expresses his anger Thursday night over a story in the Pensacola News Journal.
Monroe County Defeats Ernest Ward 30-16
September 18, 2009
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles fell to the Monroe County Tigers 30-16 Thursday night in Monroeville.
Dalton Daniels put the Ernest Ward on the board with an Eagle touchdown in the first half. Layne Purvis caught an Eagle pass for two point conversion.
Jaron “Run Run” Myles made the second touchdown for EWMS during the last two minutes of the fourth. Another two point pass was good for the Eagles, this time to Jaylen Parker.
Ernest Ward picked up two conversions during the night, recovering Tiger fumbles.
The Ernest Ward Eagles will be home on October 1 against W.S. Neal.
Open Houses Scheduled For Northview, Ernest Ward
September 18, 2009
Open house events will be held next week at both Northview High School and Ernest Ward Middle School.
Open House at Northview will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. Activities will begin with refreshments in the cafeteria; parents and visitors will then have an opportunity to visit the school’s campus and classrooms. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.
Open House at Ernest Ward will be held Thursday from 6 until 7 p.m. Parents will begin the evening in their student’s homeroom where they will receive a copy of their student’s schedule. If parents attend without the student, they should ask the student the name of the homeroom teacher. The homeroom with largest percent of parents who sign the homeroom sheet will win an ice cream party.
Parents will then follow their child’s schedule to each class where they will have the opportunity to ask general questions about school activities and curriculum. This is not a time for a conference with any faculty member about an individual student. The staff and facility look forward to meeting all parents, school officials said.
Sheriff’s Office Looking For Livestock Officer
September 18, 2009
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is accepting bids for its livestock control officer position.
The livestock officer is responsible for “controlling and apprehending all livestock and strays on the public rights-of-way within Escambia County, Florida, and those found or reported roaming at large within said county,” according to bid documents. The officer will also provide food, board and veterinary care for impounded livestock. The livestock officer is also responsible for removing all dead livestock and large animals from the public rights-of-way.
The person selected will be required to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They must respond to calls or pages within 15 minutes and respond to the actually animal incident within 30 minutes. The sheriff’s office provides truck and livestock trailer for the officer’s use.
For more information, click here.
Coy Otis Rhea
September 17, 2009
On September 15, 2009, to our great sadness after an accident at home, Coy went home to be with our Lord. All that knew him, especially his wife of 27 years, will miss him. A very devoted husband, father and “Pawpaw” who loved the Lord with his whole heart. Coy never met a stranger and loved children of all ages. He loved woodworking with his buddy, Bobby Hall and he really enjoyed spending time with all of his grandchildren.
Mr. Rhea is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Pauline Rhea and brother Cecil Rhea.
Survivors include his wife, Estherline B. Rhea, his children Tarri Lynn Crockett, Rhonda Rhea Marchand, Micahel David Rhea, Tywona Crockett, Kathy Brady, Rhonda Pollits; siblings Christine Rhea Cambell, DaLee Rhea McMahn, and Ronald Reha; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 18, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel, and funeral services will be held Sunday, September 20, at Howard’s View Church in Sevierville, Tennessee at 2:00 pm with visitation beginning at noon and continuing until service time with interment in Howard’s View Cemetary in Sevierville.
Coy and Estherline were blessed to have a wonderful church family and friends at Ray’s Chapel in McDavid, FL as well as at Howard’s View Church in Sevierville.
Flomaton Funeral Home directing.
Lay, Freeman Not Guilty In School Prayer Case
September 17, 2009
Frank Lay and Robert Freeman have both been found not guilty on criminal charges that they prayed in violation of a federal court order.
The order was issued this evening from U.S. Judge Casey Rogers. The judge did make it clear that her order stands — no prayer or pushing religion in school.
“I want to thank my (Pace High School) Patriot family, but above all, I want to thank the chief counsel, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit,” Lay said after exiting the federal courthouse Thursday evening.
Both men could have faced up to six months in jail and fines of $5,000 each if they had been found in contempt of court.
Lay told the judge that the
Pace High School Principal Frank Lay asked the school’s athletic director, Robert Freeman, to bless a meal where sports boosters had gathered to celebrate the completion of a new field house.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in federal court almost a year ago against the Santa Rosa School District, Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and then-Santa Rosa Superintendent John Rogers. The suit alleged that Santa Rosa County Schools “persistently and persuasively promote their personal religious beliefs in the public schools and at school events”.
The federal court order issued earlier this year by Rogers prohibited, among other things, any prayer in schools, “reading from a sacred text”, “calling upon a deity to offer guidance, assistance or a blessing” and religious services such as baccalaureate services. There are circumstances were student-led prayers are permissible, but school employees are prohibited to participate in the prayer, even prohibited from “a posture or manner that is likely to be perceived as an endorsement of prayer, e.g. bowing their heads, kneeling or folding their hands”.
River Annex Road Washed Out
September 17, 2009
A portion of River Annex Road has washed out and is closed, according to Escambia County Spokesperson Sonya Daniel.
The Escambia County Road Department is working to repair the road. An updated will be posted when the road is reopened.
River Annex Road runs from Jacks Branch Road to Muscogee Road.
Educators In Federal Court Today On Criminal Contempt Charges For School Prayer
September 17, 2009
Two Santa Rosa educators will be in federal court in Pensacola today, facing criminal charges for praying in violation of a federal court order. A criminal defense fund established to help with with their legal expenses has almost $70,000 to pay for that defense.
Pace High School Principal Frank Lay asked the school’s athletic director, Robert Freeman, to bless a meal where sports boosters had gathered to celebrate the completion of a new field house.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit in federal court almost a year ago against the Santa Rosa School District, Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and then-Santa Rosa Superintendent John Rogers. The suit alleged that Santa Rosa County Schools “persistently and persuasively promote their personal religious beliefs in the public schools and at school events”.
A federal court order earlier this year prohibited, among other things, any prayer in schools, “reading from a sacred text”, “calling upon a deity to offer guidance, assistance or a blessing” and religious services such as baccalaureate services. There are circumstances were student-led prayers are permissible, but school employees are prohibited to participate in the prayer, even prohibited from “a posture or manner that is likely to be perceived as an endorsement of prayer, e.g. bowing their heads, kneeling or folding their hands”.
Lay and Freeman were ordered to appear today before a federal judge on criminal contempt charges for allegedly violating the court order. They could, depending on the judge’s ruling, be forced to pay fines or serve time in jail.
Several supporters, including Milton insurance agent Robert Smith have formed a legal defense fund to help the two men pay their legal expenses. That fund has $69,670.99.
The lawsuit filed last year names specific events at several Santa Rosa schools, including Jay. The suit states that Jay High School held an invocation and benediction prayer each year from 2004-2008 led by students from groups such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The ACLU also complains in the suit that Jay High School has held baccalaureate services that were religious in nature.
The ACLU also requested documents from the Escambia County School District that might relate to religion or prayer. Specifically, the ACLU requested records from Escambia Schools about graduations and baccalaureate services. The ACLU public records requests also asked for the notes of all speakers at the event as well as any audio or video recordings of the events. The ACLU request extended to all schools in Escambia County, including Northview High School.
Read the complete criminal contempt order against Lay and Freeman by clicking here (pdf).
Change Of Plans: Army Airborne’s Delivery Of Northview Game Ball
September 17, 2009
The game ball for one of this year’s Northview High School football games will still be delivered from above, but there’s been a slight change of plans.
The United States Army’s parachute demonstration team the Silver Wings from Ft. Benning, Georgia, will deliver the game ball to Northview’s Senior Night on October 30. But instead of Blackhawk helicopters as first announced, plans now call for the parachutists to jump from a fixed wing aircraft.
SFC Bobby Ewing, an Army recruiter in Pensacola, said that two to four members of the Silver Wings are scheduled to jump from a fixed wing aircraft at least 5,000 feet over the Northview stadium. They will bring down a United States flag, a POW/MIA flag, an Army flag and the official game ball. One jumper will land on the 50-yard line to deliver the game ball for the game against Sneads.
“It will be exciting, and a great way to begin Senior Night,” Northview Principal Gayle Weaver said.
A ground crew will drive the Silver Wings jumpers back to Ft. Benning. But before they leave, they will be available to meet with fans, and they will be happy to talk about joining the Army, Ewing said.
“Their mission will to be to deliver the game ball, get their gear and move out of the way for the game and Senior Night,” he said.
The Silver Wings’ mission is to perform live aerial demonstrations in support of the United States Army, and Ft. Benning public relations and recruiting.
The Silver Wings is comprised of Soldiers from throughout the Fort Benning airborne community. They have diverse backgrounds and various military specialties. The average age is 33 years old and the average number of free fall jumps range between 200-2500 per team member. The team represents the professionalism and dedication of the specially trained Soldiers that are products of the United States Army Infantry Center and Schools, to include Airborne, Pathfinders, and the Army elite Rangers.
Photos courtesy U.S. Army for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FHP Checkpoints Planned, Including One On Highway 97
September 17, 2009
The Florida Highway Patrol says they may be conducting drivers license and vehicle safety checkpoints this week on Highway 97 in North Escambia.
The FHP says troopers will concentrate on vehicles being operated with defects such as bad brakes, worn tires and defective lighting. Troopers will also be looking for drivers in violation of the state’s drivers license laws.
Other checkpoints planned this week in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties include:
Massachusetts Avenue west of Hollywood Blvd.
Tonawanda Drive east of 61st Avenue
Border Street at SR10A overpass
Avery Street west of “W” Street
Hancock Road east of Old Palafox Highway
Pipeline Road south of Rambler Drive
Jernigan Road south of 9 Mile Road
Patricia Drive north of Fairfield Drive
Guidy Lane north of Nine Mile Road
Nicholes Lake Road east of State Road 87
West Spencerfield north of U.S. 90
Ward Basin Road at the Fire Department
Berryhill Road east of Chumuckla Highway
State Road 87 in Holley-Navarre