Man Says He Did Not ‘Steal’ Century Church
June 21, 2011
A Pensacola man accused of “stealing” a Century church says he’s not guilty.
John D. Young, 72, was arrested last month for grand theft for allegedly signing a Century church property over to a Flomaton woman when he was not authorized to do so. During an arraignment hearing before Judge Terry Terrell, Young pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. He is scheduled to be back in court in late September.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, Young signed the property over to Taryn Wright with a quit-claim deed on the small, 1,500 square foot church located at 401 Hecker Road in Century. Young signed the documents while acting as the bishop of the Northwest Florida Jurisdiction Church of God In Christ, Inc., but investigators said Young knew he was no longer the organization’s bishop and could not act on their behalf.
Young was appointed bishop of the Northwest Florida Jurisdiction of Church of God in Christ, Inc,. in 1996 and resigned in 2008, according to the arrest report. In February 2009, a letter was sent to Young confirming the unanimous acceptance of his resignation by the church board. In July 2009, Young was removed from the corporations records with the Florida Department of State. He signed the property over to Wright as “Bishop Young of Northwest Florida Jurisdiction of God In Christ, Inc.” in May 2010.
Willie Green, the current bishop of the church, told Sheriff’s investigators that he tried unsuccessfully to resolve the issue with Young. Green said he then tried to rent the church to Wright but failed and then asked her to vacate the property.
According to Escambia County Property Appraiser records, the church property is valued at $14,253.
Summer Weather: Three Month Outlook
June 21, 2011
Today is the first day of summer. The long term temperature forecast for the summer calls for above normal temperatures and normal precipitation. Overall, forecasters are calling for some improvement from our extreme drought over the next three months, but dry conditions will continue.
Century Council Meeting Canceled; Next Meeting 3 Weeks Away
June 21, 2011
Century’s regular council meeting was canceled Monday night.
Without a quorum — at least three members present — the council was unable to conduct business. According to Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez, two council members were out of town and one was ill.
The next regular Century town council meeting will be July 11 — postponed a week from the usual first Monday night due to the Fourth of July.
The Century town council normally meets the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
Free Meals Possible For Byrneville Residents Over 60
June 21, 2011
The Byrneville community has the opportunity to have free, fresh cooked meals provided daily — if enough qualified residents are interested.
The meals, provided through a state-sponsored program, would be for residents age 60 or older. In order for the program to begin, at least 25 people must express their interest in participating in the program at least some of the time. Meals will be picked up at the Byrneville Community Center.
If interested, email vicki@baggettsolutions.com with the name, phone number and age of each interested person.
FSA Committee Nominations Now Open
June 21, 2011
Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers have until August 1 to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local Farm Service Agency county committees, according to Tim Manning, of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).
“County committees play a vital role in the administration of federal farm programs and the positive effect they have on rural communities,” said Manning.
FSA county committees make decisions on commodity price support loans, conservation programs, disaster programs, employing county executive directors and other significant agricultural issues.
To hold office as a county committee member, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area (LAA) in which the person is a candidate. A complete list of eligibility requirements is posted online http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/fsa_ccelections_2011.pdf.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Additionally, organizations representing minorities and women may nominate candidates. All nominees must sign nomination form FSA-669A, which includes a statement that the nominee agrees to serve if elected. Form FSA-669A is available at USDA Service Centers and online at http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eFormsAdmin/FSA0669A 110331V01.pdf.
All nomination forms for the 2011 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on August 1, 2011.
The county committee nomination period began June 15. Voting takes place in the fall. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by November 4. The final day to return voted ballots to the local USDA Service Center is December 5. Newly elected county committee members take office January 2, 2012.
Gulf Power Offers Hot Weather Energy Savings Tips
June 21, 2011
Gulf Power company is offering some tips for the summer heat — tips that can save you money whether you are a customer of Gulf Power, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Alabama Power or Southern Pine Electric Cooperative.
Set your thermostat and leave it
During the summer, your air conditioner is the biggest user of electricity. For many homes, it accounts for more than half of the summer electricity bill.
- Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and leave it there. For every degree below that setting, you’ll use 10 percent more electricity.
- Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher.
- Change or clean your air conditioner filter regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.
- Use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Only turn it on when you’re in the room. Ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms.
- Clear outside AC units of plants or brush so they can run more efficiently.
Energy Select
Energy Select is an advanced energy management and efficiency program that can help you save money and energy.
You get
- A thermostat you program for comfort and savings
- Online Programming- You can now program your Energy Select thermostat from any computer with internet access.
- A special rate that features four different prices based upon the time of day, day of week and season. And, because the price you pay is lower than the normal rate 87 percent of the time, you can choose to buy electricity during lower priced periods which saves you money and energy.
- A meter that talks to Gulf Power
- FREE installation
Insulate
- Increase attic insulation, which can save up to 30 percent on cooling and heating costs.
- Insulation is measured in R-value, which is a measure of resistance to heat flow. So the higher the R-value, the better the insulation value.
- Experts recommend you use an R-value of R-38 in ceiling areas.
- Check your windows and doors for air leaks. Install weather stripping or caulking if needed.
Kitchen
- Whenever possible, cook a lot of meals at the same time. This uses less energy than when you cook each meal separately.
- If you’re baking, avoid opening the oven door. This lets out 20 percent of the heat. Use a cooking timer instead.
- Use pots and pans that match the size of the burners on your stove. This allows more heat to the pan and less heat will be lost to surrounding air.
- Try to use the range instead of the oven. Better yet, turn on the microwave or use a pressure cooker. Both use less power than a standard electric range.
Refrigerator
- Choose the right size refrigerator for your needs. Larger models use more energy. Open and close the refrigerator door quickly. Know what you want before opening the door.
- Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Check it by closing a piece of paper in the door, half in and half out. If you can pull the paper out easily, you may need to make some adjustments or replace the seal.
- Keep your food covered. Moisture buildup in the refrigerator makes the air inside harder to cool.
Dishwasher
- Run the dishwasher, dryer and the stove after the sun goes down to avoid adding heat to your house.
- When using the dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle if you don’t need dishes right away.
- Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it. Partial loads can use just as much water and power as a full load.
- Scrape dishes before loading them into the dishwasher so you don’t have to rinse them. If they need rinsing, use cold water.
Lighting
One of the best ways to save energy is to turn off lights that aren’t in use.
- Use fluorescent lighting or CFLs when possible. They last about 10 times longer than incandescent lamps. And they can produce four times more light than standard incandescent lamps, for the same amount of energy.
- Use one large bulb instead of several small ones in areas where bright light is needed.
- Use smaller lamps in work areas, like sewing areas and computer desks, so you don’t light the entire room.
- Lighter-colored walls, drapes, blinds and upholstery reflect light. Dark colors absorb heat and require more artificial light.
Customers can call 1-877-655-4001 or visit www.gulfpower.com for summer money-saving tips. Customers can also do their own Energy Check Up online — a 5-minute EZ Check Up or more detailed 20-minute Full Check Up is available to help identify low cost and no cost ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Escambia River Electric Cooperative also offers many other money saving energy tips at www.erec.net.
Evelyn Phene Dobson
June 21, 2011
Evelyn Phene Dobson, age 85, the daughter of Benjamin and Miley Johnson, died at the Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Inpatient Residence in Pensacola on Saturday June 18, 2011.
Evelyn was a lifelong resident of Pensacola, she graduated from Tate High School in 1944 and Florida State University in 1950. She was a registered dietitian for over 40 years and retired from Monsanto. Her hobbies included swimming, cake decorating and she was a sustaining member of TOPS for 40 years.
Evelyn was predeceased by her brothers Irvin J. Johnson, Wilbur Johnson and her husband of 41 years CAPT. Lawrence J. Dobson (USN ret.). She is survived by her late husband’s children, Mary Ellen (Bill) Davis, Lawrence M. (Sundee) Dobson, and Joseph E. Dobson. Evelyn is also survived by her nieces Carolyn Duncan, Marilyn Tuttle, Jane Hubbard and her nephew Daryl (Cheryl) Johnson. .
The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m.Thursday, June 23, 2011, until the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Chaplain Wayne Butts officiating.
Evelyn’s ashes along with those of her late husband are to be scattered at sea by the U.S. Navy.
The family is especially grateful to the all the staff, employees and volunteers of the Joyce Goldberg Hospice Inpatient Residence for their care, kindness and compassion for Evelyn. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Evelyn Dobson can be made to: Joyce Goldberg Hospice Inpatient Residence, 10075 Hillview Road, Pensacola, FL 32514.
Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Century Council Meeting To Be Canceled; Workshop Still On
June 20, 2011
Tonight’s 7:00 Century Town Council meeting is expected to be canceled, but a public workshop will still take place at 5:30.
According to Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez, two council members are out of town and one is ill, leaving the town without a quorum to hold a legal meeting. The next regular Century town council meeting will be July 11 — postponed a week from the usual first Monday night due to the Fourth of July.
The available town council members, Century Chamber of Commerce members, and a Gulf Power representative will meet with residents to solicit input on how the town can save money through energy saving ideas and measures during at workshop at 5:30.
Florida Educators Union Sues Over 3 Percent State Pension Requirement
June 20, 2011
Likening the change to an income tax, the Florida Education Association on Monday challenged the constitutionality of a new law that will force government workers to pay into the state pension system.
The FEA, backed by other labor groups, said the Legislature’s decision last month to require workers to chip in 3 percent of their pay violates contractual and collective-bargaining rights.
The case, filed in Leon County Circuit Court, is a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of 556,296 people, including state employees, teachers and police officers. The Florida Police Benevolent Association, which represents police and correctional officers, quickly sought to formally intervene in the case.
FEA President Andy Ford said the state “should abide by the promises it makes” to employees, who have not been required to contribute to the retirement system since the 1970s. The case has 11 named plaintiffs from across the state.
“It is essentially an income tax levied only on the workers belonging to the Florida Retirement System,” Ford said during a conference call with reporters.
But Gov. Rick Scott, who signed the changes into law May 26, issued a statement saying he is “confident this law is good for the people of Florida and will stand up in court.”
“Asking state employees to pay a small percentage into their pensions is common sense,” Scott said. “Floridians who don’t work in government are required to pay into their own retirement. This is about fairness for those who don’t have government jobs. Plus, we are ensuring a pension will be there for state employees when they retire.”
State Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, also contrasted Florida with other states that already require employee contributions.
“I think it’s legal, I think it’s practical and, frankly, I think it’s realistic given the times we live in today,” said Weatherford, who is expected to become House speaker after the 2012 elections. Gaetz is expected to become Senate president.
The contribution requirement is slated to take effect July 1. FEA attorney Ron Meyer said the lawsuit seeks to require the state to set aside the money collected and return it with interest to workers if the challenge is successful.
That means, however, employees will see at least temporary reductions in their paychecks in the coming weeks.
In a letter released when he signed the changes into law (SB 2100), Scott said the 3 percent contributions would save public employers $769 million a year. The lawsuit also challenges another part of the law that eliminates automatic 3 percent cost-of-living increases for retirees, a change Scott said would save $775 million a year.
If the constitutional challenge is successful, Ford said lawmakers could find other ways to make up the money, such as closing tax loopholes and more fully collecting taxes on goods sold over the Internet. But lawmakers have flatly rejected such ideas in the past.
Proposals to change the pension system touched off a political fight during the legislative session, with workers contending they should not face additional costs when many have gone years without raises. Supporters of the changes, however, said the state system should more closely resemble private-sector retirement plans.
FEA officials made clear during a call with reporters they also expect to challenge other measures passed by the Republican-dominated Legislature. That likely will include a lawsuit against SB 736, which ties teacher pay to student test scores.
The pension lawsuit centers, in part, on a 1974 law that halted employee contributions to the retirement system. That law says the rights of retirement system members are “contractual in nature” and “shall not be abridged in any way.”
Meyer said lawmakers could make changes to the retirement system for future employees. But he said requiring contributions and changing the cost-of-living adjustments for people already enrolled in the system violates their rights.
The lawsuit alleges that the changes are an unconstitutional “impairment of contract” and an unconstitutional “taking” of property. It also alleges the changes violate the state constitution’s collective bargaining requirements.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
More Details Released In Jay Murder By Morphine Overdose
June 20, 2011
More details have been released in the manslaughter arrest of a Jay man in connection with the Christmas Day 2010 death of a woman that was reportedly injected repeatedly with morphine.
Michael Sanford, 45, was charged late last week with manslaughter for the death of Patsy Jean Wright, 55, who died December 25, 2010. Sanford remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail with bond set at a half million dollars.
The incident leading up to Wright’s death began Christmas Eve at Sanford’s home on Bullard Road outside Jay.
An autopsy was conducted and showed several needle marks present on Wright’s body. The cause of her death was listed as the combined effects of acute morphine intoxication, acute pneumonia and morbid obesity. The manner of death was listed as homicide.
Wright’s son, 32-year old Kevin Michael Thompson, told investigators that he went with his mother on her doctor’s appointment at Jay Hospital and accompanied her to Jay Pharmacy to have her prescription for 100 mg morphine tablets filled. They then drove to Sanford’s residence on Bullard Road so that Wright could get “shot up” with her morphine.
Thompson said Sanford retrieved a black tackle box with duct tape on top of it. It contained spoons, syringes and what was described as other drug paraphernalia. Sanford used the spoons and a liquid substance to dissolve the morphine into a liquid and place it into a syringe. Wright’s arms were tied to the legs of the chair with white cloth strips, as Thompson said he watched as Sanford injected the morphine into the veins on his mother’s hand. Wright immediately fell asleep about 2:30 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m., Wright was still asleep and unable to talk as Thompson watched Sanford prepare another morphine injection. Micheal Sanford’s father — Rufas Sanford — told Thompson that he had witnessed Sanford inject Wright three time prior to the 5:30 injection. Thompson told deputies that he begged someone to call 911 for his mother, but they had no phone and they were unable to find Wright’s phone.
Thompson said he left his mother as he went to town with Rufus Sanford to get something to eat about 4 a.m. the following day. He said Wright was still breathing at the time, but when he returned to the Bullard Road home he found that EMS had transported to his mother to Jay Hospital where Wright had already died.
Thompson said Sanford pulled his aside and told him “don’t tell anyone how I cook the pills, or shoot them up”.
At the hospital, Rufus Sanford told deputies about the morphine injections given by her son and Wright was unconscious at the time.
Another witness in the residence at the time of the injections, Rachel Crawley, described to investigators how Wright was passed out during the injections. She told deputies that Sanford burned all of the syringes, spoons, pill bottles and related paraphernalia in a burn barrel in his back yard.
Witness Jeremy Weeks told sheriff’s investigators that he went to the home on Christmas Eve to visit with Crawley. He said he observed Wright tied to a kitchen chair and that he moved her to a recliner. He said he told Thompson to take all of Wright’s medications and lock them in the trunk of his car. Weeks said Sanford was passed out during the time of his visit.
Sanford first denied that he ever injected Wright, but then admitted to Santa Rosa Sheriff’s investigators that he remembered injecting her twice after cooking down the morphine. He said Wright was awake and requested the injections each time. During a later interview, he admitted that he was also injecting himself during the incident, and that it was possible that he had injected her additional times.
Sanford told deputies, “As far as I know, I’m telling you the truth. I was was messed up too”, according to the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office report.