Attorney Explains Why Public Records Request Not Fulfilled Nine Months Ago
September 23, 2009
A Century Town Council member says that he never received public records formally requested nine months ago, but the town’s lawyer says he thought the issue was actually settled a few days after the request.
Attorney Explains Why Public Records Request Not Fulfilled Nine Months Ago
In his December letter addressed to Mayor Freddie McCall, Councilman Henry Hawkins requested a certified copy of all documents related to Georges Van Nevel, Helicopter Technologies, Inc., and Van Nevel Helicopters, including financial journals; all correspondence and documents between the parties, including emails; and copies of all legal pleadings and briefs between the town and its legal counsel. Hawkins asked that the information be provided to him within 14 days.
The 14 days has been over…months ago,” Hawkins told his fellow council members at a September 8 meeting. “Y’all can do what you want to do, and I am going to do what I have to do.”
The town’s attorney, Matt Dannheisser, said the certified mail letter dated December 10, 2008, was not actually received by the town until December 24. Dannheisser said the letter was faxed to his office on December 30.
According to a September 11 letter to the Century council, McCall then called Danneheisser’s office to determine if the town could charge Hawkins for the records due to the “large number of documents” that “would require staff of the Town a significant amount of time to locate and prepare copies”.
“I suggested to Mayor McCall that the simplest and least expensive approach would be to have Mr. Hawkins review my files and identify what portions he desired copies,” said Dannheisser, adding that his records as the town’s attorney contain most, if not all, of the information requested by the council member.
Dannheisser wrote that he contacted Hawkins on December 30 and advised that he could produce the requested records in a matter of minutes for Hawkin’s inspection. He said that the files are “approximately nine to ten inches thick” could be copied in the range of $100 to $150.
“Mr. Hawkins agreed that my proposal would be far more expedient for all concerned and indicated that he would get back in touch with me to arrange a time to review my files,” Dannheisser wrote in his letter to the council. “I was under the impression that Mr. Hawkins was going to discuss this matter with someone else and perhaps bring another person with him to review the files.”
After his December 30 conversation with Hawkins, Dannheisser said he called the mayor and relayed what was said.
“I had understood, perhaps mistakenly, that it was not necessary for Town staff to locate and copy the requested records from Mr. Hawkins, rather he would first inspect my files before deciding whether such efforts would be necessary,” the attorney wrote. “I relayed that understanding to Mayor McCall, which I suspect explains why no further efforts were undertaken by Town staff to fill Mr. Hawkins’ public records request.”
Click here to read the September 11 letter from Town Attorney Matt Dannheisser (pdf).
Ernest Ward Eagles Beat Pollard-McCall – Again
September 23, 2009
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles beat Pollard-McCall on the volleyball court in Pollard Tuesday, making it two days in a row the Eagles defeated Pollard.
Tuesday, the EWMS White team won 25-21, 25-18. The EWMS Blue defeated Pollard-McCall 24-26, 25-17, 15-9. EWMS Blue and White were victorious over Pollard-McCall Monday in Walnut Hill.
EWMS White team members are: Raven Weaver, Madison Arrington, Brianna Parker, Lily Townson, Chloe Leonard, Kyndall Hall, Leah Fischer and Tiffani Pritchett.
EWMS Blue team members are: Mallory Wiggins, Mallory Ryan, Rebecca Grim, Shelby Nielson, Danielle Steadham, Saige Garrett, Lorri Harrell, Kaitlyn Abbott and Reagan Bell.
Northview Holds Open House
September 23, 2009
Parents and community members had the opportunity to visit Northview High School during their annual open house Tuesday night.
Participant had the opportunity to learn more about the school and visit classrooms.
It was the last open house for Northview instructor Senior Chief Lee Coleman who has organized the event for several years. Senior Chief Coleman will retire at the end of this school year.
Pictured top: Parents and students at Northview High School’s open house Tuesday evening. Pictured left: Deputy Superintendent Norm Ross (left) visits with Senior Chief Lee Coleman. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Volleyball: Baldwin County Defeats Northview
September 23, 2009
The Northview varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams both fell to Baldwin County High School Tuesday evening.
BCHS def. Northview – Varsity
16-25 11-25 18-25
- Shawna Montgomery 11 M Kills-8, Aces-1
- Caitlin Hall 12 Setter Assists– 9, Aces-1, Block-1, Kills-1
- Angela Rodriguez 12 LS/Middle Kills-4
- Shaniqua Jones 11 Middle Kills – 3, Digs – 1, Blocks -2
Record – Overall – 3 -5; District 1 -2
BCHS def. Northview – JV
25-17 17-25 10-15
- Trestine Dean 11 Setter/Left Aces – 1, Assists – 1
- Morgan Payne 09 Middle/Setter Kills– 1, Aces – 1
- Josie Doucette 10 Middle Kills – 2
- Cheyanne Garnett 09 Setter/LS Assists– 1, Aces – 6
Exclusive: Cell Phone Photos Show Acid Spill Smoking In Parking Lot
September 23, 2009
NorthEscambia.com has obtained cell phone photographs taken shortly after a hazardous materials incident began at an Atmore gas station Saturday night. The photographs appear to show smoke rising from the unknown acid as the first emergency responders arrive.
The photos were taken by one of the persons at the store at the time of the incident. She was decontaminated and treated for inhalation injuries by emergency personnel.
The incident began about 11:00 Saturday night at a BP gas station at I-65 and Highway 21 in Atmore when, according to witnesses, a man poured a liquid substance out of a gallon plastic jug onto the concrete. The substance was described as “smoking” and “eating” concrete just outside the entrance to the store. After pouring out the liquid, the subject fled the area.
A hazardous materials team from the Poarch Creek Fire Department responded to the scene, along with the Atmore Fire Department and the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire-Rescue. Since officials did not know what material they were dealing with at the time, the suited up in full Hazmat gear in order to clean up the substance.
Click here for the complete story and exclusive NorthEscambia.com photos from the scene.
Pictured above and below: These cell phone photographs appear to show the acid spill and resulting smoke at an Atmore gas station late Saturday night. Submitted photos exclusively for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Thrift Store To Benefit People And Animals
September 23, 2009
A group of pet-minded volunteers have found a way to help the animals and people all at the same time.
The Junior Humane Society has opened its own Thrift Store in Cantonment at the corner of Highway 29 North and Neal Road. Proceeds will benefit JHS activities, such as finding homes for homeless cats and dogs, while also providing unbelievable bargains for area residents battling tough economic times.
The store features a variety of clothing for all ages, shoes, office furniture, kitchen supplies, books, toys, pet supplies and other items with new merchandise arriving daily. It will be open four days a week, but days and times could change in the months ahead.
The store is a dream come true for Frankie Van Horn Harris, director of the Junior Humane Society.
“It’s something I didn’t think I would ever see in my lifetime, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do as a fundraiser,” said Harris. She said a volunteer, Amanda Gifford, heard about the property being available.
A deal was made, and soon, Gifford, along and two other volunteers, Kristi Kirby and Crystal Clanton, were busy preparing the store for customers.
The store also features a wall featuring photos of dogs and cats looking for new homes through JHS.
“We are all excited about the thrift store. We hope to hold pet adoptions, bathing parties, and other events here,” she said.
JHS welcomes donations — just leave items on the front porch if the store is closed.
The JHS Thrift Store is open Wednesday – Friday from noon until 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Grand Opening will be Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pictured top: JHS Volunteers (L-R) Kristi Kirby, Amanda Gifford, Crystal Clanton, Mary Foster, Director Frankie Van Horn Harris, Christa Pettijohn, Elizabeth Irby and Janet Lewis outside the new JHS Thrift Store in Cantonment. Pictured inset: Frankie Van Horn Harris, director of the Junior Humane Society. Pictured below: Map showing the store location.
Hospital Lab Earns Excellence Award
September 23, 2009
Atmore Community Hospital’s laboratory department has been presented with the highest commendation from COLA, a national physician-directed lab accrediting organization. The Laboratory Excellence Award recognizes the lab for outstanding performance in quality patient testing and overall exemplary application of the principles of laboratory practices.
The 13-member laboratory staff is comprised of medical technologists, lab technicians and phlebotomists. Disciplines used by lab professionals to perform patient testing include microbiology, hematology, immunohematology, serology and chemistry.
COLA promotes excellence in laboratory medicine and patient care through a program of voluntary education, consultation, and accreditation to prepare labs to meet regulatory requirements. It is recognized by The Joint Commission and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services as an accrediting organization.
Pictured: ACH Lab members (L-R): Stacy Thomas, Whitney Prime, Kharina Gorme, Demetra Daily, Libby Rabago, Melanie Styles and Lulu Besa. Not pictured: Kathy McKinley, Gary Judah, Chat Eleago, Lois Chambless, Tammy Wright, Kim Bartley and Nicole Wright. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Urban Legend? Standing An Egg On Its End As Fall Begins
September 22, 2009
Fall officially began at 4:18 Tuesday afternoon — the fall equinox. Urban legend says that you can stand an egg on its end on the spring and fall equinox, but we found many websites that say there’s nothing special about the two times of the year.
But in the interest of science, and with risk of having scrambled eggs, we tried it anyway here NorthEscambia.com. We were able to stand several eggs on end with little effort and no accidents.
Urban legend? We are not sure if we are able to stand eggs on end at other times of the year. No one here has ever tried.
Pictured above: A couple of raw eggs standing on end on a floor at NorthEscambia.com about 4:20 Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Who Was That Man Walking By Fran’s?
September 22, 2009
There was a man walking past Fran’s Country Grill in Molino Tuesday morning — just a few of his steps on a One Million Step journey.
Lawton “Bud” Chiles’ journey of One Million Steps retraces the steps of his father, former Florida Governor Lawton Mainor Chiles, Jr. to raise awareness of children’s health, education and safety issues in the state.
Read more in an earlier NorthEscambia.com story by clicking here.
Pictured: Lawton “Bud” Chiles walks past Scott’s Pharmacy (top) and Fran’s Country Grill (left) Tuesday morning in Molino on his One Million Step journey. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
JV Chiefs Fall To W.S. Neal
September 22, 2009
Turnovers plagued the Northview High School JV Chiefs Monday night in a 22-0 loss to W.S. Neal.
The Chiefs’ defense held the W.S. Neal Eagles at Bay during the first quarter. Then a Tanner Brooks interception fired up the Chiefs who gained a first down on a Jacob Gibson carry. Northview then fumbled the ball, but recovered. A flag on Neal brought the Chiefs within scoring range, but the Chiefs fumbled the ball away to Neal.
Neal was headed toward pay dirt when Brooks intercepted another Neal pass in the second. Neither team made the goal line in the first half, making it 0-0 heading into the locker room.
Jamie Gafford gained some ground with a kick return in the second, followed by a first down run from Reid Bell, but Northview was unable to continue the drive.
Then it was a game of flip-flop, with Northview recovering a Neal fumble. Then Neal recovered a Northview fumble.On a Neal drive, a NHS face mask penalty for 15 yards allowed Neal to gain a good scoring position. A touchdown with 6:46 to go in the third followed by two point conversion put Neal ahead 8-0.
NHS answered with a good drive , but Neal intercepted a pass. Neal scored again with 3:05 remaining in the game , making the score 16-0. A Chiefs’ pass was intercepted once more with just 1:54 on the clock, allowing the final Neal TD for the 22-0 final.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Fan submitted info for NorthEscambia.com.
Pictured above: Northview’s Jamie Gafford (#36) and Andrew Farrow (#6) and a couple of Neal players all try to recover a fumble Monday night in Bratt as Neal downed Northview 22-0. Pictured inset: Jacob Gibson (#18) and Reid Bell (#14) work to gain ground for the Chiefs. Pictured below: A Sam Spence (#8) pass to Jacob Gibson (#18). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
