Mary “Maggie” Wilson
February 22, 2010
Ms. Mary “Maggie” Wilson, 75, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2010 in Century, FL.
Ms. Wilson was a native of Greenville, NC, a former resident of Houston, TX, and a resident of McDavid, FL, since 1996.
Survivors include: a Brother-in-law, Jerry Ard of Davisville, FL.; and a Sister-in-law, Myhala Ard of Davisville, FL.
Memorial services will he held Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. at the home of Dano and Karen Stokes in Milton, FL.
Lady Chiefs Beat The Lady Royals
February 22, 2010
Northview 12 Jay 8
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated Jay Royals Friday night by the score of 12-8.
Offensive leaders were Candice Greenwell 3-5, Amber McMillan 3-5, Misty Doran 3-5 Shawna Montgomery 2-5, and Emily Vickery 2-4, Winning pitcher was Misty Doran.
Northview plays at Central Monday afternoon and at home against Atmore on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Northview 9 Jay 6 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs JV softball team defeated Jay Friday night by a score of 9-6.
Leading offensive players for Northview were Lauren McCall with a double; Tori Reid with one hit and a run scored; Samantha Johnson with a double and three runs scored; two runs from Taylor Byrd; Ashley Mooney with a hit and a run scored; Shaquanna Jones and Ashton Gibbs with hits.
Shaquanna Jones picked up the victory on the mound pitching five innings, allowing only one hit and striking out four.
Four Northview errors and five walks led to the six runs scored by Jay. The Northview JV softball team is now 2-0.
The Lady Chiefs will be at home on Tuesday against Atmore at 4:00 p.m.
Our View: Consolidation Vote Should Be Delayed At Least Two Years
February 22, 2010
Tonight, Escambia County’s legislative delegation will likely decide whether or not to send a plan created by the Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission to the Legislature and ultimately to the voters in November of this year.
The vote that should be made by the five members of the legislative delegation is very clear. The plan should be delayed at least two years before being presented to the voters — if it is not killed. Period.
The City of Pensacola recently enacted a new charter form of government; their Charter commissioner took a full 19 months to draft a final proposal. The Escambia consolidation plan was rushed through in just a few months amid allegations that the committee’s chair and others were conducting business and make decisions via email and out of the sunshine.
Committee Chairman Ken Bell argues in a published viewpoint that his body followed the mandate of the Legislature in forming their final draft. To a lawyer, perhaps. To an Escambia County citizen with walking around sense, no way.
Bell argues that the proposal was presented to the Town of Century, the City of Pensacola and Escambia County by their January 15 deadline. He is correct. But he fails, repeatedly, to mention that it was presented to three governing bodies hours before the deadline. The elected leaders of our county had zero time to review the proposal, question the proposal or provide input into a plan that each of the three bodies has publicly opposed as presented.
The spirit of the legislative mandate creating the consolidation study commission was for a group of citizens representing a cross-section of Escambia County to develop a plan and allow the three governmental entities the chance to offer input on the final draft. That did not happen. Century, Pensacola and Escambia County had no opportunity to offer any input whatsoever after the final draft was created.
Century backed out of any support for the plan prior to the consolidation committee’s first meeting. The consolidation committee did present a cursory November status update to the council as required by the Legislature — via the Escambia County Farm Bureau’s member on the committee. The Town of Century’s committee member was unable to update the body that appointed him due to health issues. No Ken Bell, no heavy hitters from Escambia All for One, none of the show that consolidation committee made for Escambia County and Pensacola. Just the Farm Bureau’s representative reading a set of talking points created by someone else. Sorry Century, that was the best you could get from the committee.
The City of Pensacola failed to endorse the plan. Escambia County, acting wisely on a recommendation of Commissioner Wilson Robertson, who asked for the process to be delayed two years. We concur.
The entire process was rushed faster than a kid’s science project the day before it was due. Business appears to have been conducted behind through private emails.
There was zero opportunity for Century, Pensacola or Escambia County to have any input into the plan. There was not the first public meeting after the final draft was approved for public input. The total number of Escambia County’s 300,000 residents that were able to debate the final plan? Zero. That’s not good business.
And the commission failed to follow the legislative mandate that meetings be held throughout Escambia County. Bell applauds his committee and subcommittee for hold 85 public meetings throughout Escambia County. How many were held north of Ten Mile Road, Mr. Bell? One. That’s right. One meeting out of 85 was held north of 10 Mile Road. Look at the map. There were 84 of 85 meetings held south of the red line, and one in Century represented by the red rectangle. How is that holding meetings throughout Escambia County as mandated by the Legislature?
The committee, with almost every member living or working in the City of Pensacola, apparently forgot that this consolidation plan was about ALL of Escambia County, not just Pensacola.
It is clear that Chairman Ken Bell and the Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission did not follow the clear instructions of the Legislature. Therefore, it is clear that the members of the legislative delegation — Clay Ford, Greg Evers, Dave Murzin, Durrell Peaden and Don Gaetz — should fail to present the plan presented. The delegation has only two options — kill the consolidation issue altogether, or send it back for two years of work THROUGHOUT Escambia County where the people have input into the final plan.
Today’s issue is not about your support for or against consolidation. Regardless of your viewpoint or ours about consolidation, today’s issue is about a plan being shoved down the throats of 300,000 by 30 people that are not representative of our population. Even consolidation supporters are against the methodology used to create the plan.
How can five members of a legislative delegation and a 25 member committee that did not play by the rules create a new government for 300,000 people? To allow it would be a travesty of the American democratic system.
Report: Code Enforcement And Building Inspections Had Busy Year
February 22, 2010
Escambia County Code Enforcement worked nearly 9,000 complaints last year and Building Inspections issued nearly 10,000 permits, according to a recently released report.
Report: Code Enforcement And Building Inspections Had Busy Year
Escambia County Environmental Code Enforcement had the following activity during the last fiscal year, according to the report:
- Generated 8,816 complaints
- Conducted 42 sweeps which generated 1,257 proactive cases
- Completed 220 demolition and cleanup abatements
- Issued 170 citations resulting in $35,715 in fines
- Cleaned 224.2 miles of rights-of-way with the assistance of the Road Prison
- Collected 464.38 tons of trash
- Cleaned up 519 dump sites and 304 separate litter locations
- Spent approximately 529 hours on litter patrol
Escambia County’s Building Inspections and Permitting Department reported the following activity during the last fiscal year:
- Issued 9,809 permits for building, electrical, gas, plumbing and mechanical purposes
- Performed 27,089 inspections for building, electrical, gas, plumbing and mechanical purposes
- 73 percent of permits were issued on the same day they were requested
- Implemented a cross-training program for building inspectors
Convicted Felon From Century Arrested For Loaded Gun After Molino Traffic Stop
February 22, 2010
A convicted felon from Century remains in the Escambia County Jail after a traffic stop in Molino in which he was found to be in possession of weapon.
Antonia Maurice Hayes, 33, of Gilford Avenue, Century was charged with driving while license suspended habitual offender and second degree felony charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
After a possible drunk driver was reported on south Highway 97, Deputy Ricky Barefield responded to the area and stopped a vehicle matching the description given of the drunk driver in the parking lot of Cross Faith Church in Molino.
Hayes was identified as the driver, and a records check showed that his drivers license had been suspended since 1999. He also admitted that a loaded .22 caliber automatic handgun was in the glove compartment of the truck.
Hayes is being held in the Escambia County Jail on $17,500 bond as he awaits a March 11 arraignment hearing.
A passenger in the vehicle, Timothy Calhoun, was ticketed for possessing an open container of alcohol.
NHS Chiefs Take Eagle Classic With Wins Over Neal, Escambia County, Flomaton
February 22, 2010
The Northview Chiefs claimed the Eagle Classic Championship over the weekend with strong wins over Flomaton, Escambia County and W.S. Neal. Northview outscored their opponents by a combined 34-8 in claiming the Eagle Classic Championship.
Northview 7 W.S. Neal 5
Northview defeated W. S. Neal 7-5 on Saturday evening to claim the Eagle Classic Championship. Each team entered the championship game 2-0 in the tournament.
Northview 11 Escambia County 1
The Chiefs beat Escambia County High School of Atmore 11-1 on Saturday at W.S. Neal. The Chiefs scored two in the first, six in the third, and three in the fifth.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Brad Lowery, who had three hits, including two doubles, and three RBI’s. Austin Reid went 2 for 3, with a double and one RBI. Austin Arrington and Aaron Chancery had one hit each. Dabney Langhorne and Taylor Martin had doubles for Northview. Brandon Sheets had one single and two RBI’s. Josh Scott also singled for Northview.
Heath Burkett picked up the win on the mound. He pitched five innings, giving up one run, on four hits. He walked one batter and struck out six. His record is 1-0 on the season.
Northview 16 Flomaton 2
Northview beat Flomaton 16-2 in five innings Friday night during the first game of the tournament.
Rainy Start To Week
February 22, 2010
The last week of February was off to a wet start earlier this morning, but we are in for a little sunny weather.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 69. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind around 5 mph.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 61. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. North wind around 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 56. North wind between 5 and 15 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34.
- Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 61.
Escambia Democrats Elect New Chair
February 22, 2010
The Escambia Democratic Party has elected local attorney, James F. Turner, Jr., 29, as chairman. In his role as chairman, Turner will lead the party through the 2010 election cycle.
“As we work to move Escambia County and this state forward in 2010, we also look forward to expanding our membership to help us bring more voters to the polls. Its my hope that we can work to build on the momentum that has been sweeping the state and that we can seize on this unprecedented opportunity to change Tallahassee by electing Alex Sink as our next Governor, electing a strong Democrat to serve with Sen. Bill Nelson in the U.S. Senate, electing strong Democrats to serve as our next Attorney General and Agriculture Commissioner and electing more Democrats to Congress and the Florida Legislature,” said Turner.
Turner is a Pensacola native who has practiced law in the area since 2004. He currently works with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program representing the best interests of children in Florida’s court system who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. Turner has been active in both local and state politics having previously been elected by the Escambia County Democratic Party to represent the county at the state level. Subsequently, he was elected as chairman of the First Congressional District Committee of the Florida Democratic Party, covering Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Washington and Holmes counties.
For more information on the Escambia County Democratic Party visit www.escambiademocrats.org.
Northview, Ransom Students Winners In Black History Essay Contest
February 22, 2010
Three North Escambia students were among the winners in Black History Month essay contest sponsored by Cox Communications.
Jordyn Dunsford and Brandi Boggan from Northview High School and Breanna Fowler from Ransom Middle School were named winners.
The students will be featured during the month of February on Cox Channel 2 in public service announcements about the African American they chose to write about in their essay.
As part of the celebration of Black History Month, Cox offered students the opportunity to enter two contests, an art contest that celebrates African American heritage, and “Making A Difference: A Tribute to An African American in History” essay contest.
Elementary, middle and high school students throughout Escambia County submitted original art entries which were judged by area artists and educators.
The Making A Difference essay contest was offered to kindergarten through 12th grade students in Escambia County whose works were critiqued in their respective schools with the top four being submitted for final judging.
Phyllis Harms Unruh Justus
February 21, 2010
Phyllis Jean was born to Harry and Gladys Caldwell Harms on July 20, 1929 at Ithaca, Michigan. She enjoyed good health until the last months of her life. She peacefully departed this life on February 17, 2010 in Huntsville, Alabama reaching the age of 80 years.
She grew up in the Ithaca, Michigan area. At the age of 12 she was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite by Min Reuben Koehn. To these vows she remained faithful. Her Christian life was meaningful to her. In Michigan she met our father Roy Kenneth Unruh and they were married on September 25, 1949. Together they shared the joys and sorrows of life for over 43 years. To this union were born two sons and two daughters.
The first years were spent farming and working in Michigan. They relocated to Walnut Hill, Florida in 1954 to continue farming. Those early years were sometimes difficult, with clearing the land to get it ready for crops. She helped by taking in ironing for others. In her quiet way she loved and served her family and friends, also making special memories with many youth girls who spent time in her home.
On November 28, 1992 she met with the disappointment of losing her husband suddenly. This brought many lonely times. When her daughter suddenly lost her husband, she found usefulness in helping her with her family. This continued for a number of years, when a sudden blessing came along in the form of Min Edmund Justus. On November 13, 2005 she was united in marriage to Eddie Justus, moving to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. With this union came many blessings as two families blended together beautifully. This union was blessed with three short years after which Father was again taken away leaving her alone again.
Those left to cherish memories are their children: Roger and Jane Unruh, Honey Grove, Texas; Gale and June Unruh, Fountain Run, Kentucky; Diane and Stan Redger, Lakin, Kansas; Denise and Wayne Faircloth, Guntersville, Alabama; Carol Isaac, Millersburg, Ohio, Richard and Sandra Justus, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Beth and Walt Giesbrecht, Charlie and Karen Justus, Barb and John Unruh, all of Othello, Washington; David Justus of Wasilla, Alaska; Marj Seaman Justus, Dumas, Arkansas; Those left also of the families are many, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Also left to cherish fond memories are her brothers, Lowell and Janis Harms, Dale Harms, Don and Doris Harms, and her sisters, Dorothy Benner Johnson, Ruth, and David Benner, Thelma, and Gerald Boeckner.
Her husbands, parents, one brother, and one son-in-law preceded her in death.
The funeral service was held at the Walnut Hill Congregation at Walnut Hill, Florida on February 22, 2010. Officiating ministers were Carlos Koehn, Brent Haynes, Doug Benner, and Brian Decker. The internment was in the Walnut Hill Memorial Gardens, Walnut Hill, Florida with Wilbert Peters in charge.