Blog: Pensacola’s Population Down; Government Spending Up $20 Million, Pensions Up $10 Million
October 14, 2009
The City of Pensacola will vote in November on establishing a new city charter that supporters believe will give residents more control over city government.
“Under the present charter, Pensacola voters have very little power. A voter can not impact the direction, programs or initiatives of Pensacola government, without the consent of the city manager and his staff,” Pensacola Independent News Publisher Rick Outzen explained on his “Rick’s Blog”. “The power is with an unelected staff.”
Under Pensacola’s proposed charter, government would be a mayor-council form of government, removing the city manager and his staff from power.
On his Rick’s Blog, Outzen has compiled some interesting statistics about Pensacola under a city manager form of government.
- Personnel costs are up $17.3 million — 37 percent — despite a reduction in staff
- Pensions costs have jumped in just seven years from $3 million to $13 million
- Population is down; Pensacola is smaller now that it was in 1960. Escambia County’s population increased 35 percent in the same time period.
Oh, and by the way, Pensacola is about to issue $45.6 million in bonds for a maritime park. If you want in on the action, you can purchase municipal bonds in $5,000 increments. Your money is guaranteed and will earn a few percentage points in interest — if the city has money to make payments in the future.Why are we reporting this on NorthEscambia.com? If the currently seated Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission drafts a plan to consolidate Pensacola, Century and Escambia County into one government, it will be presented to voters next year. If it should be approved, everyone in Escambia County, including all of us in North Escambia and Century, would suddenly live in Pensacola.
Over the coming weeks, we will work to bring you stories and insight into Pensacola government since North Escambia could soon be in Pensacola. It could be your future city of residence, so we thought you would like to know.
Your comments are welcome below.
Read more Pensacola charter coverage on Rick’s Blog.
Good Chance Of Rain Today
October 14, 2009
There’s a good chance of showers and maybe even a thunderstorm for your Wednesday, with rain chances continuing through Thursday night.
A strong cold front will clear the rain out Thursday night, and a dry north wind will usher in cooler temperatures by Friday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 81. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 71. North wind between 10 and 15 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 72. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 48. North wind around 10 mph.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
- Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 50.
- Monday: Sunny, with a high near 76.
Child Found Dead In Trash; Two Other Children Hospitalized After Being Home Alone For Two Days
October 13, 2009
(Updated) An Escambia County woman is charged with leaving her three young children home alone for two days with nothing to eat except six cups of Jello. One child, an 18-month old girl, was found dead in a trashcan at the woman’s home.
Christian Rochelle Woods, 21, is jailed for manslaughter and two counts of child abuse in connection with the incident that authorities said started when she left the children alone Saturday morning as she went to work in Mobile. When she returned about 48 hours later, she fabricated a story that the children were missing.
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan said Woods was in jail 12 hours before admitting that Myleahya Woods (pictured left) was dead in a trashcan at her home.
Myleahya ’s twin sister, Mykayhala (pictured right) and Jaterius Woods, 2, are recovering in an area hospital from pneumonia and malnutrition. The children showed obvious signs of abuse, according to Morgan.
According to deputies, Woods called the sheriff’s office from a Winn Dixie on Mobile Highway about 2:30 Monday afternoon to reported Mykayhala as missing. As investigators followed up on leads, they contacted one of Woods’ relatives who stated that he has just retrieved another of Woods’ childre, two-year old Jaterius. When deputies saw the little boy, they observed a bump on his head and other signs of abuse, according to arrest reports.
“The home did not have any power or running water, and there was no food in the home,” ESCO Investigator Troy Brown wrote in the arrest report. “The home was filthy and there were several roaches throughout the home. The victim’s diaper was completely full of urine and waste and the victim had a very large bruise on his forehead”
The discovery of Jaterious alone in the filthy home lead to Wood’s arrest on aggravated child abuse charges.
When Woods told deputies about the other two children being at the home twelve hours after her arrest, they immediately responded. That’s where they found Mykayhala severely malnourished.
“Mykayla was discovered under a bed in the home. Initially investigators believed this child was also deceased but investigators observed the child’s eyes flutter and immediately recovered the child,” ESCO Sgt. Ted Roy said.
According to ESCO arrest reports, Woods admitted in a sworn statement that “she did leave all three of her children in her home with no supervison for approximately three days..(and that) they were left without adequate food and basic utilities”.
“Obviously shocked” is how Morgan described his reaction to the case.
Christian Woods is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Click here to read Wood’s arrest reports (pdf).
Pictured top: Myleahya Woods (left) was found dead in trashcan Monday. Her twin sister Mykayhala is in critical condition in a Pensacola hospital after being found comatose. Pictured bottom inset: Christian Rochelle Woods is in jail charged with the crime. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Visit The Pumpkin Patch
October 13, 2009
Fall is in the air in Cantonment — the Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch is now open at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available, with some priced as low as $1.
For more photos from the pumpkin patch, click here.
Pictured and below: The Allen Memorial Pumpkin Patch in Cantonment. Submitted photos by Deni Deron for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JV Chiefs Fall To West Florida
October 13, 2009
The JV Northview Chiefs lost to the West Florida High Jaguars Monday night.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
The Jags were the first on the board on a rainy night in Bratt. With a 10 yard run up the middle and good two point conversion, West Florida Tech held an 8-0 lead with 1:50 to go in the first quarter.
With 6:35 to go in the second quarter, the Chiefs began a scoring drive. A two-yard run from freshman Reid Bell put the Chiefs at third and a long two. Add in a 13-yard run from Harold Harrison, and the Chiefs were first and goal from the one with 6:01 to go in the half.
Chance Jackson, a sophomore tried to head up the middle to the end zone, but fell short. A movement call against the Chiefs backed them up to the Jags’ six. Jamie Gafford sweep to the right side picked up about two for the Chiefs.
Harrison drove up the middle again, to put NHS back on the one-yard line. On third and one, sophomore Hunter Black was in for the first Chiefs’ TD of the night. On the point after attempt, Harrison was up and over a pile of Jags for two. That tied the game at 8-8 with 3:57 remaining in the half.
But with just 3.8 seconds to go in the half, West Florida Tech scored again with an 11-yard run. A missed point after, and West Florida was up 14-8 headed into halftime.
In the third quarter, Gafford picked up about 40 yards to put the Chiefs back in scoring range at first and 10 on the Jags’ 33. On the next down, Harrison picked up a Chiefs TD with an impressive 33-yard run. The Chief went for two and failed, putting the game back into a tie at 14-14 with 6:31 on the clock in the third.
The Jags struck again with 3:15 to go in the fourth with a touchdown and a successful two point conversion, giving West Florida Tech a 22-14 lead.
The Chiefs recovered a Jags fumble at the West Florida 27 with 1:39 to go in the game. On the Chiefs first down, quarterback Jacob Gibson was caught deep in the backfield. He attempted to throw the ball away, but it was intercepted by the Jags on the Chiefs 48 with 49.4 seconds in the game. The Jags ran out the clock by taking a knee, ending the game with a 22-14 West Florida JV win over Northview.
The JV Chiefs have one game remaining on their regular season schedule. They will travel to J.U. Blacksher next Monday night at 6:00.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Pictured top: The Chiefs’ Reid Bell picks up yardage against West Florida Tech Monday night in Bratt. Pictured top inset: Harold Harrison sprintsf on a 33-yard touchdown run for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom inset: Jamie Gafford on the run for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom: Harrison dives in for a touchdown (just as a referee runs into the photo). NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Local Hope For The Homeless: Stimulus Money Available Now
October 13, 2009
Local residents that are homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless can apply for help thanks to federal stimulus dollars that are now available.
Escambia County residents, including those in Century, can take part in a telephone pre-screening on Tuesdays and Wednesdays by calling Catholic Charities at 436-6425 between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Residents in north Santa Rosa County, including those in Jay, can apply for the stimulus dollars through Families County at 983-5586 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays.
The funding, provided through the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program to provide financial assistance and services to prevent individuals or families from becoming homeless or to rapidly re-house persons who are currently homeless.
The program offers case management, rental assistance, rent and utility deposits, moving costs and certain motel vouchers. The program does not assist homeowners with mortgage or foreclosure costs.
For more program details, click here (pdf).
George Touart Wants Gene Valentino’s Commission Seat
October 13, 2009
Former Escambia County Administrator George Touart wants back into county government, and if he reaches his goal it won’t been good news for current Commissioner Gene Valentino.
Touart prefiled Monday for the District 2 seat that is currently held by Valentino. Valentino has also announced he wants to return to his commission seat; he prefiled last Tuesday.
Touart resigned his county administrator job in September 2007 after an ethics complaint was filed against him by Preston Soloman of Walnut Hill and Michael Coonon of Pensacola. The complaint, which alleged he conducted personal business with companies doing business with the county, was dismissed without merit by Florida’s ethics commission.
The commission voted in March to pay the $3,629.60 Touart spent defending himself against the ethics complain. Marie Young and Kevin White voted against paying the bills, while Valentino, Grover Robinson and Wilson Robinson in favor.
Valentino pleaded no contest to non-criminal charges that he failed to turn over emails in a timely manner in response to a public records request. He was fined $500 over the emails about a proposed bingo establishment on Perdido Key.
There are three other men currently running for the District 2 seat, which represents the southwestern part of the county and Perdido Key. They are Robert Kelly, Andy Kolwalski and Scott Gauvin.
State To Seek Death Penalty For Four Billings Murder Suspects
October 13, 2009
Patrick Gonzalez Jr, 35; Donnie Ray Stallworth, Jr., 28; Wayne Thomas Coldiron, 41; and Frederick Lee Thornton Jr., 19, all face the death penalty for the deaths of Byrd and Melanie Billings.
The four men entered the Billings’ home the night of July 9 home invasion and robbery that left the Beulah couple dead. State Attorney Bill Eddins filed a “Notice of Intent to Seek Death Penalty” on each of the four Monday in Escambia County Circuit Court.
Three others — Leonard Gonzalez Sr., Gary Sumner and Rakeem Florence — also face first degree murder charges, but the State Attorney has announced that he will not seek the death penalty. Gonzalez, Sr. and Sumner were the alleged getaway drivers, and Florence cannot get the death penalty as a 16-year old juvenile.
All of the defendants remain in the Escambia County Jail.
81-Year Old Man Kills Home Invader
October 13, 2009
An 81-year old Escambia County (Ala.) homeowner shot and killed an apparent home invasion suspect early Monday morning.
The Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call on Highway 31 north of Brewton about 3 a.m. Monday. The caller told dispatchers that someone had broken into his house and that he had shot the suspect.
When they arrived, they found suspect Jeremy Paul McCall, 33 of Brewton, dead inside the home from a single gunshot wound.. He was dressed in dark clothing and a ski mask. McCall had been released from a Nebraska jail only about 48 hours at the time of his death. He had been jailed in Washington County, Nebraska, on drug charges.
The elderly man’s wife was reportedly sitting with a shotgun in her lap when deputies arrived.
“Deputies were in the immediate vicinity of the residence and responded. Once on scene, they found a subject lying on the floor, unresponsive, inside the residence with a gunshot wound to his person,” the sheriff’s department said in a press release. “The owner of the residence and his wife stated that they were awakened by noises of someone forcing their way into the home. As they began to get up, a subject burst into their bedroom and pointed a gun at them. The owner of the residence was also armed with a handgun and fired one round at the subject. ”
Sheriff Grover Smith and his department’s investigators, and a K-9 unit from Fountain Prison responded to the scene. McCall’s body was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Mobile for an autopsy.
Smith said the incident will be presented to a grand jury, as is require by law, but he said he does not expect charges to be filed against the homeowner.
The incident is still under investigation by the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Department.
The Final Bill Is In: $1 Million For Modular Classrooms At Bratt And Ernest Ward
October 13, 2009
The final bills are in for the addition of modular classrooms at Bratt Elementary and Ernest Ward Middle schools — $1,026,214. That bottom line is almost $43,000 over the school district’s original budget.
The modular units were installed at the two schools to handle growth, including an influx of students from the closure of Carver/Century K-8 School.
Bratt Elementary’s modular buildings included five classrooms with restrooms, five sinks and two closets at a total cost of $473,760. The modular buildings at Bratt were $33,753.69 more than originally budgeted due to several changes and additions approved during the summer, including: $13,992.97 for an additional covered sidewalk to the main building; permit fees for required inspections, $1,496.45; sod for erosion control, $2,130.87; additional concrete decking for building access, $2,333.10; engineering for required fire hydrants, $1,961.93; and $11,838.36 for fire hydrants required by the fire marshal.
Ernest Ward Middle received five classrooms, two closets, and one 24 by 36 foot restroom facility at a total cost of $552,454. That was $9,062 over the original budget. Additional costs at Ernest Ward included $13,362.31 for a covered canopy to the building; $1,749.83 for a sidewalk; $2,574.58 for sod; $1,484.70 for sitework for drainage; $1,961.93 for fire hydrant engineering; and $11,838.36 for fire hydrants required by the fire marshal. The costs were offset by a $25,286.36 credit for concrete, awnings and rails that were not installed.
The Escambia County School Board is expected to approve the final $1,026,214. payment to Williams-Scotsman, Inc. at their next meeting on October 20. The architect, school principals, project manager and project director have already signed off on the payments.