Rep Evers: About Consolidation, Newspaper Editorial
February 26, 2010
The following opinion piece was submitted by Rep. Greg Evers in response to a recent editorial in the daily printed newspaper.
Much has been said in the print media about my position on consolidation of Escambia County government. The Pensacola News Journal, in particular, has been on the attack against me in response to my vote against moving forward with the consolidation plan. Instead of attacking me for my lack of support for a fundamentally-flawed plan – which has the impact of further diluting our northern county representation in Escambia government while at the same time expanding our tax exposure, the PNJ went so far as to characterize these criticisms and arguments of the plan as “babbling” in an attack on me that now accuses me of wanting to deprive citizens of their voting rights.
I thought some of my friends, constituents and colleagues in the North who don’t read the PNJ might be interested in my response to a recent PNJ editorial berating me for depriving citizens of their right to vote by refusing to move forward on consolidation in the absence of further study that guarantees the input and participation of members of our community outside of the City Limits of Pensacola.
As an elected representative to the Florida Legislature, it’s my duty to make decisions on issues that reflect the very best our representative form of government has to offer.
The issue of consolidation is one that requires a great deal of consideration and, far more importantly, deserves the people’s input prior to any consideration of whether to move forward on a public referendum.
We required the study commission to conduct comprehensive public hearings throughout our county, and unfortunately, more than 98 percent of the meetings were held in or near downtown Pensacola.
This effectively excluded the taxpayers of unincorporated areas, in particular in north Escambia, and the Town of Century from real, meaningful input.
The “babbling” to which the editorial in Wednesday’s Pensacola News Journal referred was my line of questions concerning the “taxation without representation” scheme that the consolidation plan was destined to establish.
While talking about taxpayer rights and the wisdom of our Founding Fathers may sound like a foreign language to the editorial board of the PNJ, from my calls, e-mails and letters, it is plain to me that the taxpayers I represent comprehend the message clearly. And they are relying on me to carry that message on their behalf.
Supporters of the plan claim that consolidated government is more efficient, but the current plan will increase taxes, not cut them. I believe with more time we can come up with a plan that creates efficiencies and reduces taxes. This plan doesn’t do either.
I offered what I had hoped was a reasonable compromise that would have postponed the vote on any plan to allow for more public comment and input. That was voted down.
While others have chosen to play politics with this issue, I have supported the citizen’s right to vote on a plan that is fully vetted in our community. This plan, rushed onto us, does more harm than good. And it is anything but vetted.
Instead of taking a plan to the public for review and input, the consolidation proponents set forth a plan with major flaws, disbanded six months early in an apparent attempt to avoid further responsiveness to public concerns and then drew a “take-it-or-leave-it” line in the sand daring the people’s representatives to step across.
No compromise. No input. No deference to peoples’ desires for participation.
That is, in my opinion, an unacceptable and flawed process with an unacceptable and flawed result. I oppose both.
More unresponsive, big government is not what we need in Northwest Florida, in Escambia County or anywhere else. The Escambia County consolidation plan in its current form is fatally flawed.
Any vote that will change our community by establishing a new, bigger government with unprecedented power and vast taxing authority must be called on high moral and legal grounds. Not on grounds that no one can or wants to explain.
We have had enough change for the sake of change.
State Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, represents House District 1 in the Florida Legislature.
Woman Dies In Hwy. 29 Crash
February 26, 2010
One person was killed in a two vehicle accident on Highway 29 Thursday afternoon.
The accident at the intersection of Highway 29 and 9 1/2 Mile Road claimed the life of Eloise Hall, 76, of Pensacola. Hall was a passenger in a 2006 Scion driven by Charles Gandy, 64, of Lenox, Alabama.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Gandy was northbound on Highway 29 at 12:22 p.m. Thursday when he turned into the median to cross onto 9 1/2 Mile Road. His view of southbound traffic was obstructed by a large truck. The FHP says he pulled into the path of a 1997 Saturn driven by Shawn P. O’Neal, 26 of Pensacola. At that point, neither driver was able to avoid the other, according to the FHP.
Another passenger in Gandy’s vehicle, Karen Gandy, 68, of Lenox, Alabama, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with critical injuries. Charles Gandy was also transported to Sacred Heart with minor injuries. O’Neal was not injured.
Everyone in the accident was wearing seat belts, according to the FHP.
The Florida Highway Patrol says charges are pending in the accident.
Northview Minority Culture Club Celebrates Black History Month
February 26, 2010
The Minority Culture Club at Northview High School celebrated Black History Month during a Thursday program “Striving to Help Those In Need”.
The students reflected upon the devastation from the recent earthquake in Haiti, and encouraged Northview students to donate toward the relief effort.
“One of the lessons that black history can lend to everyone is education,” said guest speaker Aylia McGee (pictured left), a federal defender from Montgomery. “Education will determine where you end up.”
The program also paid tribute to singer Michael Jackson with montages to “Beat It”, “Scream” and “I Want You Back”. The Northview Tribal Beat Jazz Ensemble also performed.
For more photos from the event, click here.
Northview High School Minority Culture Club members are: Kassandra Lett, president; Darwin Robinson, vice president; Laneicia Gomez, secretary; Andrea Jackson, treasurer; Angela Rodriguez, parliamentarian; Kassey Redmond, historian; Brandi Boggan, reporter. Seniors: Ashley Muse, Brittany Pete, Sara Kyles, Jeremy Jackson, Marquitta Marshall, La’Ashia Mixon, Sam Cooler, Shakel Holmes, and Brian Knight. Juniors: T’Kieya Amos, Dominique Nettles, Ashia Brown, Shemere Cohen, Atidze Johnson, Shaniqua Jones, Naomia Cooler, Senetria Brown. Sophomores: Jasmine Marshall and Destiny Showers. Freshman: Taiqueisha Mitchell, Nysha Dunn and Denisha Showers.
Pictured top: Minority Culture Club members perform the human video “Lean On Me” during a Black History Month program at the school Thursday morning. Pictured below: Brandi Boggan and Jordyn Dunsford were Northview High School winners in the Cox Communications “Making A Difference: A Tribute to An African American in History” essay contest. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NHS Students Celebrate “Teach Ag Day”
February 26, 2010
Students in the Agriscience at Northview High School celebrated National Teach Ag Day Thursday by treating their agriculture teacher Perry Byars as a guest speaker and asking questions of him as if they knew little of his career choice.
Th students were able to ask questions of him concerning what agriculture teachers do to prepare for a career in agriculture education, lesson preparation, and daily school duties and after school activities.
“Celebrating Teach Ag Day is important because it allows students to understand the importance of teaching agriculture education as a possible career choice that is fulfilling to the teacher and needed by youth today,” Byars said .”There are many opportunities for students who prepare themselves due to the high demand for qualified teachers in the United States today.”
Agriculture teachers prepare students for high-demand careers in cutting edge industries like biotechnology, renewable energies, engineering, food production, and more. They also teach students how to be leaders and prepare them to take on the challenges of the next generation, he said.
National Teach Ag Day is a day set aside to celebrate agricultural education, and for teachers to share with their students the possibilities of a career in the profession. There is a national shortage of agricultural educators in the United States, and National Teach Ag Day is part of a campaign to raise awareness of the career.
National Teach Ag Day is a part of the National Teach Ag Campaign, an initiative of the National Council for Agricultural Education, led by the National Association of Agricultural Educators. For more information about teaching agriculture, visit www.naae.org/teachag. The National Teach Ag Campaign is sponsored by Campbell Soup and Landmark Nurseries as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Pictured: Northview ag teacher Perry Byars. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambi.a.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward FFA Holds Breakfast
February 26, 2010
FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School did their part to celebrate National FFA Week with a Thursday morning breakfast for faculty and staff.
This year’s theme was “Lead Out Loud” the theme this year as members pledge to show off what makes them premier leaders in their school and communities.
Students cooked a breakfast of eggs, grits, biscuits, bacon, sausage and more for the EWMS faculty and staff.
Click here for a photo gallery from the breakfast.
Pictured: FFA students at Ernest Ward Middle School provide breakfast for the school’s faculty and staff Thursday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Deputy Found Not Guilty Of Aggravated Assault
February 26, 2010
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been found not guilty on two counts of aggravated assault for allegedly pointed a gun at two people in Pensacola in August, 2009. Deputy Joseph Dejoie, a 15 year veteran with the Escambia Sheriff’s Office, was accused of threatening two brothers with a pistol in an alleged road rage incident on Cervantes Street.
The incident began around 3:15 p.m. August 3 in the 800 block of Scenic Highway after Dejoie, who was driving an Infiniti G35, stopped suddenly in the middle of the road, causing the driver of a Jeep Cherokee to slam on its brakes, according to Pensacola Police.The driver of the other vehicle – Dylan Johnson, 21, of Pensacola – honked his horn at Dejoie. This resulted in an exchange of profanities and insults between occupants of both vehicles, which continued westbound on Cervantes Street, according to police reports. Dejoie is accused of pointing a handgun at Johnson and his 15-year-old brother, a passenger in Johnson’s vehicle.
The brothers told police they turned north on 19th Avenue to escape, and called 911 to report the incident. Dejoie also called 911 at about the same time to report that he believed the brothers were armed.
Deputy Dejoie was on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
Arts Council To Present “12 Angry Jurors” Production This Weekend
February 26, 2010
The Greater Escambia Council for the Arts will present 12 Angry Jurors this weekend.
Based on the Emmy-winning 1954 teleplay “Twelve Angry Men” by Reginald Rose, the play follows a diverse group of strangers who must decide the fate of an inner-city teen on trial for the murder of his abusive father.
It looks like an open and shut case until one juror begins questioning the real facts of the case, hoping to create reasonable doubt in the minds of his fellow jurors. Tempers flare as prejudices and personal agendas become evident when the group attempts to reach consensus.
The U.S. judicial system is as much on trial as the defendant when these 12 jurors dramatically wrestle with their civic duty.
12 Angry Jurors will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Greater Escambia Center for the Arts located corner of Trammell Street and Nashville Avenue in Atmore. All seats are $8.
The play is not recommended for children. There is no vulgarity or profanity, but the acting and emotions are intense. Tickets are available at The Barn Owl at 102 West Church Street in Atmore or online at gecarts.com.
Who Has Northview’s Dirtiest Truck?
February 26, 2010
There’s dirty, and then there’s really dirty. And really dirty barely begins to describe several of the pickup trucks at Northview High School Thursday.
As part of FFA week activities at the school, the group held a school-wide “Dirty Truck Contest”. The Dirtiest Truck Award went to Gavin Hinote.
An entry fee was charged, with all proceeds going toward the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.
For more dirty truck photos, click here.
Pictured top: A dirty truck. Pictured below: (L-R) Allie Vidak, Dirty Truck winner Gavin Hinote, Brandon Chambless and Ryan Busbee. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Friday Fish Fry To Benefit Flomaton Accident Victim
February 26, 2010
A fish fry benefit for Jason McFadden will be held today at the Flomaton Flower Shop on Highway 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
McFadden was severely injured in a recent tree cutting accident and remains in serious condition at Sacred Heart Hospital with a head injury.
Plates are $6 and include two fish fillets, baked beans, potato salad and dessert. The sides for the plates are being prepared by the ladies of the Little Escambia Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Flomaton.
Donations will also be accepted. Deliveries are available for large orders, call (251) 238-0799 or (251) 254-1715.
Fire Weather Warning Today; Freezing Cold Tonight
February 25, 2010
We are in for a dry day — complete with a fire weather warning — and overnight lows back in the bottom half of the 20’s.
Low humidity today will mean an increased fire risk; so outdoor burning is discouraged.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today…Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.
- Tonight…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s. North winds around 5 mph in the evening becoming light.
- Friday…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. Northeast winds around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.
- Friday Night…Partly cloudy in the evening becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 30s. Southeast winds around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of showers 40 percent.
- Saturday…Mostly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain showers in the morning. Highs around 60. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Saturday Night…Mostly clear. Lows 29 to 34.
- Sunday…Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.
- Sunday Night…Partly cloudy in the evening becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.
- Monday…Partly sunny. Chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 60s. Chance of showers 40 percent.
- Monday Night…Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers. Lows 30 to 35. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Tuesday…Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.
- Tuesday Night…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.
- Wednesday…Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.