TyAnthony Dwayne McGhee-Freeman
July 20, 2010
Infant TyAnthony Dwayne McGhee-Freeman Died Wednesday July 15, 2010 in Birmingham, Ala.
TyAnthony is survived by his parents Paula McGhee and Nathaniel Freeman, grandparents Shirley and Eldnar McGhee, one special cousin Courtney McGhee, numerous aunts and cousins.
A graveside service was held Monday July 19, 2010 at 10 a.m. in Judson Indian Cemetery with Pastor Steve Ward officiating. Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc in charge of all arrangements.
Florida House Adjourns With No Vote On Drilling Amendment
July 20, 2010
The House gaveled in for a special session just after 11 a.m. central time, but will adjourn sine die without taking up Gov. Charlie Crist’s proposed constitutional amendment on drilling, House Speaker Larry Cretul says.
He called Crist’s special session call “a terrible way to propose constitutional changes.” Cretul said he was setting up working groups to look at the effects of the spill and come up with solutions. “We were called here today because of politics,” Cretul said. He said lawmakers could consider next year a proposal to put the drilling ban before voters in the 2012 election. “We are instituting a serious approach,” Cretul said.
“We have fulfilled our constitutional obligation.”
from The News Service Florida
Truck Crashes Into Tom Thumb, Propane Tanks
July 20, 2010
A pickup truck crashed into a Highway 29 Tom Thumb Tuesday morning, leaving the truck resting on the store’s case of propane tanks.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Mamie Gregg, 67, of Cantonment, was attempting to park her 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck in the parking lot of the Tom Thumb at West Roberts Road. At about 9:35 a.m., she hit a concrete post and storage box containing propane tanks outside the store. The truck came to rest on top of the propane tank storage box. There was no fire or explosion. The store’s building sustained only minor damage.
The store and the immediate area were evacuated while emergency crews worked to ensure the truck was safely removed.
Gregg was not injured. She was charged with careless driving, according to the FHP.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Rep. Greg Evers Files Arizona-Like Immigration Bill
July 20, 2010
Rep Greg Evers today filed legislation Monday for this week’s special session that mirrors the Arizona law on immigration
While the Governor’s call of the special session is solely for consideration of a proposed constitutional amendment banning offshore drilling, Evers filed this legislation should the call of the Special Session be expanded.
Evers said he believes that immigration, job growth and job preservation are intertwined in Florida, and especially in Northwest Florida where many workers are searching for employment as a result of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy. He said protecting and creating Northwest Florida jobs for Northwest Floridians is of the utmost importance and is of the utmost urgency.
“Our area has taken an unprecedented economic hit because of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, and I believe that we need to make recovery and economic revival a number one priority. The Arizona law, which I have followed directly in drafting this Florida legislation, accomplishes not only a crackdown on illegal immigration but also stimulation of the economy by making sure that American jobs go to American workers,” said Evers. “While this Special Session may not be expanded to other issues, I am committed to making sure that this critical issue remains our high priority and is addressed at the earliest opportunity possible. I will keep filing this legislation until we can pass it. It’s just that important to me personally and to the future of all Floridians.”
The 33-page bill, among other things, creates Chapter 820 in Florida Statutes entitled “Illegal Immigration,” prohibits state or local government policies that limit or restrict the enforcement of federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by federal law; requires that when lawful contact is made with a person by a law enforcement officer and reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made to determine the person’s immigration status; requires transfer of unlawfully present persons convicted of offenses to custody of the United States upon discharge from imprisonment or assessment of fine; and permits warrantless arrests of certain aliens.
$30 Million Biofuel Plant Could Locate In Jay
July 20, 2010
An Orlando company wants to build a $30 million bio-fuels plant near Jay, but the Santa Rosa County Commission wants more information before revenue bonds are issued in their name.
The Integrated Energy Partners, Inc. facility near Jay would use agricultural products to create biodiesel fuel, kerosene, propane and electricity. The plant would provide about 30 jobs and eventually employee about 50 people in five years.
Santa Rosa County would not be financially responsible for the bonds, but would issue them on behalf of the energy company. Since the county’s name would be used obtain financing for the company. Commissioner Chairman Gordon Goodwin he wanted more information before making a decision about a project using the county’s name. A principal in Integrated Energy Partners, Rodney Higgins, said he should be able to provide that information to the commission by a workshop meeting on August 9.
According to documentation provided by Integrated Energy Partners, the company would use seeds from the Camelina plant in the winter and other traditional year-round crops, including cotton seed, to produce their biofuels. In addition, municipal and other waste products would be used as fuel.
The company said it has secured purchase agreements with farmers involving about 10,000 acres in the Florida Panhandle and has an “in principle” agreement with a municipality for their waste.
At startup, the company plans to have a 5-12 megawatt electricity generation capacity. They would be able to produce, according to documents provided to the commission, a yearly output of 3 million gallons of biodiesel, 9 million gallons of kerosene, 353 thousand gallons of cellulosic alcohol, 437 thousand gallons of propane and 47.8 MWH of electricity.
Sen. Durrell Peaden Suffers Mild Stroke, Will Miss Special Session
July 20, 2010
Florida District 2 Sen. Durrell Peaden will miss this special session on oil drilling this week. Peaden has suffered a minor stroke and is expected to recover, according to a Senate spokeswoman..
“He’s going to be OK,” said spokeswoman Jaryn Emhof.
Further details were not available.
Peaden’s District 2 includes all but the southernmost portions of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The News Service Florida contributed to this report.
Mayor Forgets That Deputy Clerk Quit, Takes Issue With Councilman’s Actions
July 20, 2010
Century’s mayor “forgot” to tell the town council that the deputy town clerk quit, and he’s upset that a council member called an employee meeting in his office apparently about the new town clerk.
Mayor Freddie McCall said Monday night that Deputy Clerk Karen Hughes had resigned her position prior to the July 5 town council meeting. He told the town council that he meant to tell them because he “had it on his list”, but he failed to mention it.
“You didn’t feel that it was important enough to tell us as a council?” council member Henry Hawkins asked at Monday night’s council meeting, at least two weeks after McCall said he knew of Hughes’ resignation.
“I was going to inform y’all at the last meeting, but we got into an exciting meeting and I forgot about it,” McCall said Monday night.
Also during Monday night’s meeting, McCall expressed displeasure over finding that “a council member” had called a meeting of some town employees in the mayor’s office. He did not name the council member.
“That’s stepping on my toes,” the mayor said. “I want it open where they (council members) can talk to them, but I kneed to know about it.” McCall said he wanted council members to set an appointment to talk to talk employees so that he could work employee schedules around the meetings to ensure various jobs were covered. He accused the council member of ordering some employees to cover for the ones called into the meeting.
“I was the one that was talking to the employees because they asked me to come in,” Hawkins said, denying that he ordered any employee to take any action for another.
Hawkins proceeded to question what hours town employees are scheduled to to work.
McCall interrupted, saying he knew Hawkins was referring to newly hired Town Clerk Darlene Peters. He said that while most town employees work 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an hour for lunch, Peters works 8-4 and does not take a lunch because she lives in Pensacola.
“I heard before it’s been 9:30 and 10,” Hawkins said of Peters’ arrival time.
McCall did not disagree. Instead, he pointed out that Peters is allowed comp time for hours worked outside the regular business day. He also said she was late one day because she represented the town in a meeting with Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford.
“It all comes under my direction,” McCall said of Peters’ work hours.
School Board To Approve Personnel Changes At North Escambia Schools
July 20, 2010
At their regular meeting this evening, the Escambia County School Board is set to approve numerous North Escambia teacher and staff transfers, resignations, and rehires.
The following changes below will be made this month:
Reappointments
Ball, Brian J., teacher, Tate High
Burt, Rebecca , teacher, Tate High
Caldwell, Brian D., teacher, Tate High
Cassevah, Robert A., teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Clements, Patricia B., teacher, Jim Allen Elementary
Collier, Alison N., teacher, Molino Park Elementary
Forehand, Patricia A., teacher, Ernest Ward Middle/Northview High
Gilbert, Melissa B., teacher, Tate High
Gindl, Jr., Francis R., teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Gordon, Amy, teacher, Tate High
Greenwell, Rhoda C., teacher, Jim Allen Elementary
Hendrix, Leslee F. Tate High
Hoffman, Robyn N., teacher, Jim Allen Elementary
Kite, Sharon M., teacher, Bratt Elementary
Luciano, Brittellen A., teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
McCord, Larry S., teacher, Northview High
Pritchett, Erin M., teacher, Bratt Elementary
Sapp, Kate O., teacher, Molino Park Elementary
Thomas, Michelle M., teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Thortis, Carolyn A. Child Care Site Dir Bratt Elementary
Truett, Chet T., teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Truett, Jessica L., teacher, Tate High
Venable, Rachel D., teacher, Molino Park Elementary
Williams, Bettie W., teacher, Tate High
Wise, Ty A., teacher, Northview High
Professional
Albritton, Lisa , teacher, Bratt Elementary
Atallah, Raja , teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Blackburn, Candice R., teacher, Molino Park Elementary
Carroll, Megan B., teacher, Northview High
Castor, Jennifer G., teacher, Northview High
Chavers, Laura , teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Code, Jr., Charlie C., teacher, Northview High
Golson, Cheryl F., teacher, Bratt Elementary
Gray, Caroline A., teacher, Tate High
Griffin, Keith , teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Inman, Dawn M., teacher, Ransom Middle
Kriner, Douglas D., teacher, Ransom Middle
Laseter, Lois A., teacher, Tate High
McKinnon, Perri R., teacher, Ransom Middle
Otto, Danielle R., teacher, Jim Allen Elementary
Perritt, Stephani G., teacher, Bratt Elementary
Phenix, Cynthia A., teacher, Ransom Middle
Philley, Michael P., teacher, Tate High
Rembert, Cheryl W., teacher, Tate High
Spence, Mary A., teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Thorpe, Mary L., teacher, Bratt Elementary
Ward, Katie N., teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Webb, Rachael A., teacher, Ransom Middle
Welch, Billy K., OJT Coordinator, Northview High
White, Brandy M., teacher, Ernest Ward Middle
Wilson, Cynthia M., teacher, Bratt Elementary
Transfers
Gibbs, Melissa M., West Florida High to Tate High
Smith, Mary S., Bratt Elementary to Cook Elementary
Williamson, Frank W., Washington High to Tate High
Retirements, Resignations, Other
Adams, Stefanie E., teacher, Tate High
Britt, William J., teacher, Northview High
Evans, S. Quinn, Beulah Elementaryentary to Molino Park Elementary
Griffin, Kevin J., Custodial Worker I, Tate High
Smith, Karl A., teacher, Northview High
Wright, Jr., Garvin H., Assistant Principal, Ransom Middle (retired)
Editor’s note: The preceding personnel changes to be considered Tuesday night by the Escambia County School Board do not include changes made at prior board meetings or that might be made in August. The list only includes personnel changes to be made at the July board meeting.
Our View: Century Provided Inadequate Public Meeting Notice
July 20, 2010
Letter-sized public notices posted on the door of the Century Town Hall and at the town’s Piggly Wiggly were the only prominent notices given of a public forum held Monday night by the Century Town Council.
The council held the one hour public forum at 6 p.m. to discuss qualification criteria for the town’s eligible citizens to apply for their fair share of a housing assistance grant.
NorthEscambia.com did not attend the public forum in order to report the events that transpired because we were not notified of the meeting. No other media attended the meeting. We learned of the meeting from a notice posted on the front door of the Town Hall as our reporter arrived for the council’s regular 7 p.m. meeting. We asked at the close of the public forum where public notice had been given that the meeting would take place.
“It was posted at the Piggly Wiggly and around town,” Mayor Freddie McCall responded.
The town typically places paid legal advertisements in the Tri-City Ledger announcing public meetings. The Century Town Council voted over a year ago to also run those announcements with NorthEscambia.com. NorthEscambia.com runs most meeting notices at no charge to the town as a public service.
McCall apologized for not notifying the media about the meeting.
One person attended the 6 p.m. public forum, saying he was informed by Council President Ann Brooks that the meeting would take place.
During the council’s regular 7 p.m. meeting, two resolutions regarding the housing assistance grant were approved — 0ne to authorize the town’s applications and one setting criteria by which citizens could apply for the grant money.
“This resolution has amendments that we discussed tonight to be added to the applications and the policies,” Council President Ann Brooks said as she during the regular meeting as read the resolution setting forth the citizen qualifying criteria. The amendments were not discussed whatsoever during the regular council meeting.
It is not known if the two resolutions appeared on the council’s agenda Monday night; copies of the agenda were not made available to the public.
While it does not appear the Town of Century broke any laws, the Town of Century provided inadequate public notice of the meeting in our opinion.
Florida’s Sunshine Law is fairly clear that posting a notice on the front door of the Town Hall (and perhaps even at the Piggly Wiggly), probably meets the law’s public notice requirements. But it is also obvious and clearly spelled out in the Sunshine Law that better public notice could and should be given.
“In some instances, posting of the notice in an area set aside for that purpose may be sufficient; in others, publication in a local newspaper may be necessary. In each case, however, an agency must give notice at such time and in such a manner as will enable the media and the general public to attend the meeting,” Florida’s Sunshine Law states.
An Attorney General opinion included on the state’s Sunshine Law website states “the use of press releases and/or phone calls to the wire services and other media is highly effective. On matters of critical public concern such as rezoning, budgeting, taxation, appointment of public officers, etc., advertising in the local newspapers of general circulation would be appropriate.”
If Monday night’s public forum had dealt with an ordinary event that did not directly impact the town’s citizens, we would have taken less issue with the blunder.
However, Monday’s housing grant meeting dealt with setting criteria to provide assistance directly to Century’s neediest residents. They deserved the opportunity to attend the meeting and learn more about what criteria they must meet to repair their homes under the program. We are sure that the citizens who deal with rain falling into their living rooms, for instance, could provide great insight into how they could be best served with roofing assistance.
For the council to then approve two resolutions immediately after the almost non-pubic forum was also irresponsible. Perhaps the council was attempting to meet some deadline, but that was not mentioned during the regular council meeting. Again, we and the public can only guess what the council discussed during the public forum.
In the interest of fairness, we should point out that council member Henry Hawkins did not attend the 6 p.m. ill-advertised public forum, but he did attend the regular council meeting and vote for both resolutions.
We also find it inexcusable that no agenda was provided at the meeting to the public or the media.
We were told that new Town Clerk Darlene Peters (pictured) was unaware of the public notices that should be provided to the media and unaware that she should provide agenda copies to the public.
The town’s advertisement for a town clerk stated: “The applicant will also be required to have working knowledge of state statutes and bylaws relating to the duties and responsibilities of the town clerk, local government procedures and office procedure requirements, as well as other office and financial record keeping experience.”
We do not mean to suggest that Century always pay for a public notice in the Tri-City Ledger or the Pensacola News Journal unless it is required by law. Finances are important. But why would the town not post a FREE ad, as they voted to do, on NorthEscambia.com to notify the public of a meeting? Why would they not request the Tri-City Ledger or the Pensacola News Journal run a simple, free announcement of an important public forum? Perhaps the Tri-City Ledger’s deadline for weekly publication had passed at the time the meeting was scheduled. But NorthEscambia.com and the Pensacola News-Journal both update web sites 24/7, and the PNJ prints a daily paper.
And why, especially in light of the Attorney General’s opinion stated above, would the town not call or email the press about a meeting?
We sincerely believe, and hope, that the Town of Century will take note of this blunder and prevent it from happening again. It’s not about providing a piece of paper taped to the front door of Town Hall just to satisfy the law. It’s about providing the citizens of Century as much notice as possible about what their government is doing.
Atmore All-Stars Out Of State Tourney
July 20, 2010
The Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars are out of the 2010 Babe Ruth 13U Alabama State Tournament..
Atmore lost to the Theodore All-Starts 15-1 Monday afternoon.
Huntsville was leading Atmore 1-0 on Saturday when a rain delay forced the completion of the game on Sunday in Demopolis. Atmore came back for a 6-2 win. Also on Sunday, Atmore beat the West Alabama All-Stars 4-1.
The Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars team is comprised of players from both Atmore and the North Escambia areas: Tanner Smith, Coby Smith, Gage White, Brodie Amos, Billy Powell, Devontae Stephens, Trey Weeks, Tristan McAnally, Aaron McDonald, Dalton Daniel, Nate Smith, Trey McGhee, Coach Jody Dortch, Coach Tommy Smith and Manager Tim McAnally.
Pictured: Members of the 13-year old Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars are: (front L-R) Tanner Smith, Coby Smith, Gage White, Brodie Amos, Billy Powell, Devontae Stephens, (middle) Trey Weeks, Tristan McAnally, Aaron McDonald, Dalton Daniel, Nate Smith, Trey McGhee (back) Coach Jody Dortch, Coach Tommy Smith and Manager Tim McAnally. Submitted photo for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.