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.
Sheriff’s Office Wins New Harley Davidson For Traffic Enforcement Efforts
July 20, 2010
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a 2010 Harley Davidson Road King patrol motorcycle for traffic enforcement enforcement.
Sheriff David Morgan made traffic enforcement a top priority after taking office, and the program was named as one of the state’s top programs. Under the Motor Unit Challenge from the Florida Department of Transportation, Escambia County was the random grand prize winner of the fully equipped $30,000 Harley.
To be Florida’s best in traffic enforcement is not just about writing tickets, according to Panhandle Region Law Enforcement Liason Andrew Johnson. A scoring system rates each participating department using FDOT data on citations, decreases in traffic crashes, increased seat belt usage, education and training.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Officers from each of the six recognized programs had the opportunity in Orlando to try their lucky key to start and win the Harley for their department. The fifth officer to try, Lt. Bart Fryer from Escambia County, had the right key and drove the Harley home.
The new Harley has been assigned to Deputy Donny White of the ECSO Traffic Division.
Could A Tsunami Crash Into Our Coast As A Result Of The Oil Spill?
July 20, 2010
The Florida Department of Environmental Management is trying to dispel rumors that the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill could send a tsunami crashing into the Gulf Coast.
The myth’s scenario involves a large release of methane from the Macondo Discovery, the petroleum reservoir into which the Deepwater Horizon production well was drilled. The DEP says the situation is unlikely to produce a tsunami.
“Science does not support the notion of a methane-induced tsunami resulting from Deepwater Horizon activities. However, while the possibility of an induced tsunami is extremely remote, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) continues to take all concerns seriously and is consulting with experts in all related scientific fields,” the DEP said in a news release.
To read the complete release from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, click here.
Flomaton Woman Injured in Florida Wreck
July 20, 2010
A 5o-year old Flomaton woman received minor injuries in a Pensacola wreck Monday after another driver ran a red light.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Jimmy Adams, 53, of Pensacola, ran a red light at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Langley Avenue about 10:35 Monday morning. His 2005 Toyota SUV collided with a 2003 Ford pickup driven by Rene Hullett, 50, of Flomaton.
Hullett and her passengers, Tamara Williams , 51, of Pensacola, received minor injuries that did not require transport to the hospital. Another passenger in the vehicle, a properly restrained two-year old, was not injured.
Adams was charged with failing to stop at the red signal.
Small Rain Chance, Lots Of Heat
July 20, 2010
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming east.
- Wednesday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95.
- Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95.
Pelicans Winning Streak Ends At 15
July 20, 2010
A 15-game winning streak came to an end Monday for the Pensacola Pelicans.
The Pelicans made history in the American Association as they won their past 15 straight contests. However, Captains pitcher Ryan DiPietro tossed a complete game and had just enough offense to top the Pelicans 6-1 and end their record-setting win streak.
With the score tied 1-1 in the top of the third inning, the Captains put runners on first and third with one out. Jorge Alvarez followed with a sacrifice fly to center to score Jovanny Rosario giving Shreveport-Bossier a 2-1 lead.
Shreveport-Bossier opened up the lead in the top of the fifth inning. The Captains put runners on first and third with one out when Andres Rodriguez hit a towering double off the left field wall scoring Brian Peterson extending the lead to 3-1. Uriak Marquez followed with a well hit ball over the right field fence for his third homerun of the year giving the Captains a 5-1 lead.
Ryan DiPietro (6-1) goes all nine innings for the Captains and gives up only one run off five hits while striking out four on the night. It was DiPietro’s first complete game of the season.
Escambia Voting Season Getting Into Gear
July 19, 2010
The world of Escambia politics will begin to get into gear over the coming week, with a voter deadline approaching, political rallies on tap and a look at dollars and cents.
Candidate financial reports are due by Friday, showing who is giving, and who is receiving, those all important political donations for campaign war chests.
On Tuesday, there will a political forum at New World Landing in Pensacola for Escambia County Commission candidates from District 2 and District 4. The District 2 race will draw countywide interest, with incumbent Gene Valentino, state Rep. Dave Murzin, former embattled County Administrator George Touart and former Planning Board member Karen Sindell.
A meet and greet begins at 5 p.m., and the debate begins at 5:30. For those unable to attend, NewsRadio 1620 AM will broadcast the forum tape-delayed at 7 p.m. on-air and on their web site at newsradio1620.com.
The Jay Historical Society will host an Old Time Political Stump Rally & Fish Fry beginning at 4:30 Saturday at the Jay City Park Pavilion. The group expects a wide variety of local, state and county candidates. Plus, they will be offering fish dinners for $7 to benefit a Living History Museum project.
Escambia County voters that wish to cast their ballots in the August 24 primary election must register by next Monday, July 26.
Monday the 26th is also an important date for Century’s elections — it marks the beginning of the official qualifying period for the October 5 primary election for three council seats.
The following candidates will be on the ballot for local elections in Escambia County. Those listed without opposition will be elected to the office in which they
qualified.
County Commissioner, District 2
Dave Murzin (Qualified 6/16/10)
Paul Redman (Qualified 6/18/10)
Myra L. Simmons (Qualified 6/17/10)
Karen Sindel (Qualified 6/17/10)
George Touart (Qualified 6/17/10)
Gene M. Valentino (Qualified 6/15/10)
County Commissioner, District 4
Dennis Green (Qualified 6/14/10)
Danny Lewis (Qualified 6/14/10)
Grover C. Robinson (Qualified 6/17/10)
School Board, District 1
Jeff Bergosh (Qualified 6/14/10)
Luke Keller (Qualified 6/16/10)
D. Hosea Pittman (Qualified 6/14/10)
School Board, District 2
Gerald W. Boone (Qualified 6/14/10)
Virginia R. White (Qualified 6/16/10)
School Board, District 3
Linda F. Moultrie (Qualified 6/14/10)
Charlie Nichols (Qualified 6/14/10)
ECUA, District 2
Lois Benson (Qualified 6/16/10)
Stephen Burand (Qualified 6/14/10)
Dave Carlson (Qualified 6/18/10)
James Kirkland (Qualified 6/17/10)
ECUA, District 4
Stuart H. Brown (Qualified 6/18/10)
Ryan M. Fendt (Qualified 6/17/10)
Dale Perkins (Qualified 6/16/10)
Scott Schroeder (Qualified 6/18/10)
Ronald Ward (Qualified 6/14/10)
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 2
(none to date)
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 4
Lynn L. Laird (Qualified 6/14/10)
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District, Group 5
Dan Cain (Qualified 6/18/10)
Dillon Mason Powell (Qualified 6/17/10)
Santa Rosa Island Authority
Thomas Campanella (Qualified 6/14/10)
J.J. Waters (Qualified 6/18/10)
City of Pensacola
Mayor
Charles Bare (Qualified 6/17/10)
Ashton Hayward (Qualified 6/14/10)
Diane Mack (Qualified 6/14/10)
Mike Wiggins (Qualified 6/14/10)
City Council At-Large A
Megan Benson Pratt (Qualified 6/16/10)
City Council At-Large B
Sam Hall (Qualified 6/16/10)
City Council, District 1
Steve Fulford (Qualified 6/16/10)
P.C. Wu (Qualified 6/14/10)
City Council, District 2
Sherri Myers (Qualified 6/14/10)
Courtney B. Peterson (Qualified 6/14/10)
City Council, District 3
Maren Laycock DeWeese (Qualified 6/15/10)
City Council, District 4
Larry B. Johnson (Qualified 6/16/10)
City Council, District 5
John Jerralds (Qualified 6/17/10)
City Council, District 6
Jewel Cannada-Wynn (Qualified 6/15/10)
Brian Spencer (Qualified 6/17/10)
City Council, District 7
Ronald P. Townsend (Qualified 6/18/10)