AARP: 40% Over 50 Have Problems Paying Utility Bills; Concerns Over Phone Deregulation
March 15, 2011
AARP says 40 percent of Florida’s over 50 population finds it difficult to pay their electric bill each month, and the organization is raising concerns about a proposed deregulation of telephone rates, which supporters say would simply bring the state’s telecommunications rules into the 21ist century.
Jeff Johnson, interim state director for the organization in Florida, said AARP is still studying the measure. But he said the prospect of completely deregulating the phone rates in the state alarmed the organization.
“It looks to us like one that’s going to be bad for consumers, and it’s going to be a real challenge for us this session,” Johnson said.
The organization mentioned its concerns at a press conference called to unveil a survey of Floridians age 50 or older, including their concerns about utility costs.
That survey showed about 40 percent said it was difficult to pay their electricity bill and 78 percent were at least “somewhat concerned” about potential increases in the price of electricity.
Johnson said the organization didn’t know about the bill when it commissioned the survey and didn’t ask specifically about phone bills. Still, he said the survey indicated the challenges faced by older Floridians, including seniors on a fixed income.
“When you talk to folks who are 50 and over…. raising those fixed costs for no good reason is something that they’re not going to put up with,” said Johnson.
The bill – sponsored in the Senate by Sen. David Simmons, R-Maitland, and in the House by Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee – would add land-line telephone services to the list of utilities exempt from regulation by the Public Service Commission.
Simmons said his bill is simply an acknowledgment of the changing industry landscape, where cell phones play a larger role and landlines are beginning to decline. Cell phone rates are not regulated by the PSC.
“The telecommunications industry has seen dramatic changes over the last 10 years, and the technology has increased exponentially so that the prior concepts of the telecommunications industry as a monopoly are truly archaic,” he said.
Particularly with wireless and other technologies unregulated, the old-line services “should be opened up to free enterprise just like any other part of the telecommunications industry,” he said.
Utility companies are stepping behind the bill, offering the same reasons as Simmons.
“Florida’s telecommunications laws should reflect the reality of the current competitive marketplace and encourage jobs and investment,” said Stephanie Smith, a spokeswoman for AT&T Florida. “We are operating under rotary dial regulation in an iPhone world, and if this bill passes, consumers will benefit from a competitive marketplace that continues to ensure consumer protection.”
While it’s not clear how hard telecom interests will push the measure, AT&T showed a willingness to spend to advance its agenda last year, shelling out $1.7 million in compensation for lobbyists.
By Brandon Larrabee
The News Service of Florida
Your Weather: Sunny Days
March 15, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecastL
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. North wind around 5 mph becoming south.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 52. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
- Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
- Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
- Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78.
Constance Marie Ard
March 15, 2011
Constance Marie Ard, age 49, of Molino passed away Sunday, March 13, 2010. She was born on September 28, 1961 to Ellen and Ernest Settle. She was of the Catholic faith and was a very compassionate person and loved children. Constance enjoyed life.
Preceding her in death was her father; Ernest Settle and her brother; Spencer Settle.
Survivors include her mother; Ellen Settle, her son; Ruben Ard, three grandchildren; Cooper, Corbin and Caden Ard, two brothers; Charles (Denise) Settle and Joey (Jeanene) Settle and one sister; Vickie Settle and numerous nieces, nephews and family friends.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2010, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church with Father George Thekkummattahil officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 15, 2010, from 5 until 7 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Edward Earl “Red” Wall
March 15, 2011
Edward Earl “Red” Wall, 68 of McCullough, AL, died Sunday March 13, 2011, at his residence. He worked in construction as an iron worker. He was born in Atmore on October 1, 1942, to the late William Allen and Nola Lassitter Wall. Mr. “Red” was an avid fisherman.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Helen Wall of McCullough; one daughter, Donna Byrd and husband, David of Monroeville; two sons, Chris Emmons and wife Donna, Allen Wall and wife Stacey all of McCullough; three sisters, Totsie Dannelley, Georgia Driskell both of McCullough, Ruth Ann Tullis of Nokomis, FL; four brothers, Tom Wall, Coot Wall, Pender Wall all of McCullough, Raymond Wall of Nokomis, AL; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at noon from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jesse woods officiating. Interment will follow in McCullough Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Tommy Morrow, Joe Lalack, Terry Boyett, Craig Sullivan, Tom Frazier and Eddie Giddeons.
Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until service time.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. in Atmore is in charge of all arrangements.
James William “J.W.” Condrey
March 15, 2011
Mr. James William “J.W.” Condrey, 24, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2011, at a Pensacola hospital.
Mr. Condrey was a native of Atmore and a resident of Walnut Hill for most of his life. He attended the Dry Springs Community Church. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elvin and Lois Garrett.
Survivors include his wife, Flora Condrey of Atmore; his parents, Larry and Susan Condrey of Walnut Hill; a son, James Noah Condrey of Atmore; two stepsons, Justin Powell and Andrew Powell, both of Atmore; his grandparents, Earl and Juanita Gunn of Huxford; two sisters, Ashley Condrey of Walnut Hill, and Amanda Condrey of Bay Minette; two aunts, Janet Gunn of Atmore and June and Vernon Phillips of Walnut Hill; an uncle, Jeff and Susan Gunn of Atmore; two nieces, Haley Cooper and Alexis Condrey; and a nephew, Nicholas Condrey.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. J.T. Timothy officiating.
Burial will follow at Pine Barren Cemetery.
Visitation was held Monday, March 14, 2011, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
O’Neal Rutherford
March 15, 2011
Mr. O’Neal Rutherford, 89, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2011, in Atmore.
Mr. Rutherford was a native of Little Rock, AL and a resident of Atmore for most of his life. He retired from Bell Ford after 33 years, was an avid gardener, hunter and fisherman and attended the Brook’s Memorial Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Oma Lee Rutherford of Atmore; his son, David Rutherford of Atmore; three grandchildren, Kyna Bonner, Denise Rutherford, and Ashley Rutherford, all of Atmore; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Ralph Rutherford of Brewton; and a sister, Emma Patterson of Ensley, AL.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at 4:30 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with the Rev. Freddy Stallworth officiating.
Burial will follow at Miller Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 14, 2011, from 3:00 p.m. until funeral time at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
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Molino Man Injured In Motorcyle Vs. Deer Crash
March 14, 2011
A Molino man was injured Monday night when he struck a deer with his motorcycle.
Marc Eugene Cayson, 42, was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital following the crash about 7:30 on Jacks Branch Road near Barrineau Lane. The Florida Highway Patrol said Cayson was thrown from his motorcycle after coming into contact with the deer. An independent witness verified seeing the deer, which had fled the area by the time emergency workers arrived.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Losing Saturday Post Office Retail Service
March 14, 2011
Saturday lobby service at the U.S. Post Office in Walnut Hill is coming to an end.
The post office retail lobby will be closed beginning April 4. However, mail will still be placed in post office boxes by no later than 9:30 each Saturday. The retail lobby will continue to be open from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
The U.S. Post Office in Walnut Hill is a contract facility operated by Escambia River Electric Cooperative.
Pictured: The U.S. Post Office in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Rain Tonight, Week Gets Better
March 14, 2011
It looks like a great weather week — near perfect for Santa Rosa County students out on spring break.
There is a chance of rain tonight and early Tuesday, otherwise the week looks sunny and warm. The best chance of rain will be overnight Monday.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Isolated thunderstorms until early morning. Chance of rain showers through the night. Lows in the upper 50s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 50
percent. - Tuesday: Mostly cloudy in the morning becoming mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain showers in the morning. Highs in the mid 70s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of showers 20 percent.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Calm wind.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Calm wind.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Fox 10 Back On Dish Network
March 14, 2011
Some good news today for Dish Network satellite television subscribers — American Idol, Glee, NASCAR and the Simpsons are back.
LIN Media, owner of WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, and Dish reached a new retransmission agreement, restoring WALA to the Dish lineup. Dish customers lost WALA on March 4 when the two companies failed to reach a retransmission agreement as Dish blasted LIN for being “greedy”.
But a new deal was reached over the weekend, the terms of which were not disclosed.
“We are pleased that our negotiations with Dish Network resulted in fair resolution and a news retransmission consent agreement,” LIN CEO Vince Sadusky said in an issued statement. “We thank our viewers and our advertisers for their tremendous support.”
“We appreciate your tremendous support throughout these negotiations. This fair resolution ensures that we can continue to provide top quality news, sports, entertainment, and other local programming that is most important to you,” said a statement posted Sunday morning by WALA on their website.