Despite Crying Foul, Defeated Century Mayoral Candidate Skips Challenge
November 28, 2011
The outspoken loser in Century’s recent mayoral elections did not file any official challenges over his loss, despite crying foul and throwing out multiple allegations.
Following the October general election, Henry Hawkins said he planned to protest his loss to incumbent Freddie McCall. According to Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and Florida Secretary of State Communications Director Chris Cate, no local or state challenge was received from Hawkins. The Florida Secretary of State’s Office oversees the Florida Division of Elections.
According to Cate and Stafford, Hawkins missed the final deadline by which a complaint should have been received.
Final unofficial totals showed McCall was reelected with 61 percent of the vote — 293 votes to Hawkins’ 186 votes. McCall received 150 absentee votes, while Hawkins received 30. It’s the absentee votes where Hawkins said the election was flawed, he told NorthEscambia.com shortly after the final totals were announced.
“I know there’s been problems with absentee ballots,” Hawkins said on election night. “That’s what I’m questioning, I’m challenging…is that election process. If it’s not fair, it’s not fair.”
He claimed three people attempted to vote in person Tuesday at Century City Hall, but they were told they had already voted absentee when, in fact, that had not.
“I don’t mind losing; I’m not a sore loser,” he said. “But I like to be beat fair and square. And this was not fair at all. I can’t compete against a man that has everything from the city at his disposal, so he’s paving streets, putting up speed breakers as special favors and also letting people’s water bills slide.”
McCall will be officially sworn in for his second four year term as mayor in early January 2012.
Pictured: Defeated Century mayoral candidate Henry Hawkins writes down vote totals as they are announced during the October general election for mayor and two Century council seats. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Photos: Heating System Upgrades At Northview High
November 28, 2011
Repairs are underway on a heating water piping system for the gym at Northview High School. The project was awarded to low bidder Comfort Systems USA Southeast for $58,253. Officials said the old piping between the main school building and the gym had deteriorated. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weather: Cold Monday
November 28, 2011
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- This Afternoon: A 30 percent chance of rain or drizzle. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. West wind around 10 mph.
- Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Wind chill values between 25 and 35 early. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 28. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. East wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 37.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Northview Prepares For State Semifinal Game With Chipley
November 28, 2011
It’s only the second trip ever to the Class 1A state semifinal as the Northview Chiefs will be looking for a little redemption Friday night against Chipley.
The Chipley Tigers beat the Chiefs 34-27 in the second game of the regular season, knocking Northview out of No. 1 spot in the state poll for Class 1A. In the final regular season poll of the year, Chipley finished at No. 4, while the Chiefs were No. 5.
That loss to Chipley was a dose of reality for the Chiefs, according to coach Sid Wheatley.
“We have been through some battles now, and I think we are ready for that (another chance at Chipley),” Wheatley said.
The Chiefs (8-3) will have the home field advantage Friday night at 7:30 in Bratt as they host Chipley (10-2). Admission is $9 with no passes.
The winner of the Northview vs. Chipley semifinal match will face the winner of Friday night’s Jefferson County (7-5) vs. Union County (11-0) game in the state championship game on December 9 in Orlando’s Citrus Bowl.
For details and photos from last Friday night’s Northview defeat of Freeport, click here.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs defeated Freeport for the regional crown Friday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Weekend In Photos
November 28, 2011
If you missed NorthEscambia.com over the weekend, you missed over 200 photos from several events. Click an item below to view the corresponding story and/or photo gallery.
Escambia Man Gets 20 Years For Robbing Cab Driver
November 28, 2011
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the robbery of a cab driver in 2010.
Terrence Scott, 20, was sentenced by Circuit Judge Nicholas Geeker to 20 years in state prison for his November 9th conviction by an Escambia County jury for robbery armed with a firearm. The sentence carries a 10 year mandatory minimum under Florida’s 10-20-Life law.
On August 2, 2010, the carjacking victim had been unpacking his rental car at the Howard Johnson motel on Pensacola Boulevard, when Scott approached him and asked to borrow his cell phone. Scott next asked for a cigarette, and the victim handed him one. Moments later, Scott pulled out a silver handgun and instructed the victim to empty his pockets. The victim told Scott he did not have anything in his pockets.
Scott replied, “I will shoot you, man.” Scott struck the victim’s head with the gun, then told him to start the car and open the car trunk. The victim complied. When Scott ordered the victim to get inside the trunk, the victim refused, fearing he would be killed. Scott jumped into the car and drove away. A little more than 24 hours later, on Wednesday, August 4, Scott crashed the stolen car and abandoned it in a back yard in a residential area, while being pursued by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies.
Scott fled the car on foot and was captured by the deputies within minutes of the crash. The handgun Scott had used in the carjacking was found behind the driver’s seat of the rental car.
BBB Warns Of Phishing Emails
November 28, 2011
Better Business Bureau Serving Northwest Florida is warning of an email phishing scam that is using the BBB’s name.
The scam, reported across the country, including in northwest Florida, uses a false BBB e-mail address to entice recipients to access potentially damaging hyperlinks and attachments, according to Karen Szulczewski of the local BBB.
None of the BBB’s computer or e-mail systems is involved in this hoax and the attack has not affected the computer system of the BBB or compromised any BBB-held data, she said.
The latest round of emails appear to come from risk, alert or service at bbb.org, along with other spoofed email addresses.
The BBB is warning recipients of such emails not to click any included links or open any attachments.
Appeals Court Rules Against State’s Effort To Stop School Funding Lawsuit
November 28, 2011
A divided appeals court last week ruled against the state’s effort to stop a lawsuit over school funding.
The case now may head to the Florida Supreme Court, which could then decide whether a trial court can hear the case. In an 8-7 opinion, the First District Court of Appeals said trial courts do have the ability to decide whether the state has violated a constitutional provision guaranteeing a high-quality public school system.
The state had argued that the lawsuit was too political and broad for a trial court to decide, and it was more appropriate for the Legislature to determine issues of funding and education policies.
The lawsuit, Haridopolos v. Citizens for Strong Schools, was filed two years ago in Leon County. Two education non-profit groups and several parents of public school students said the Legislature and state failed to uphold their constitutional obligation to properly fund and operate high-quality and safe schools.
Neil Chonin, the litigation director for Gainesville-based Southern Legal Counsel, which represents the non-profits and parents, said the case is about more than adequate school funding, focusing on graduation and retention rates, test scores, teacher salaries and safety as well as whether schools are properly funded.
“It’s not just a funding question, that’s just part of the puzzle,” Chonin said.
But the ensuing legal battle has focused not on the merits of that question, but on whether courts should be able to hear the case at all. The state filed a “writ of prohibition” designed to prevent the trial courts from considering the case because of its broad focus on school funding and other policies set by the Legislature.
The eight justices in the majority said though they disagree with the state, “we do so with utmost respect for a coequal branch of government; and do so even though we are well aware that the constitutional duty to ensure that adequate provision is made for public education is the Legislature’s in the first instance.”
Jon Mills, an attorney who is also representing Citizens for Strong Schools, said it is likely the Florida Supreme Court will hear the case, given that the appeals court certified it as a “question of great public importance,” a key step in getting the high court to take a case. Mills said it is the first time the Florida Supreme Court would weigh in on the new provision regarding education in the Florida Constitution since it was included in 1998, and could have widespread implications for future lawsuits over the quality schools requirement.
“This is potentially one of the highest-impact cases you can have,” Mills said.
Jennifer Meale, a spokeswoman for Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, said “we are reviewing the opinion and will discuss it with our clients.” It could be heard by the Supreme Court even if the state doesn’t appeal. Listed as defendants in the lawsuit are current Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, former Education Commissioner Eric Smith, and the State Board of Education.
Even though the legal squabbling is focusing on the court’s ability to hear the case, Chonin said the hope is that eventually the Legislature, through court action, will be required to “comply with the constitution.”
“But that remedy stage is down the road,” Chonin said.
By Lilly Rockwell
The News Service of Florida
Updated: Woman, 77, Dies After Drag Racing Wreck
November 27, 2011
[UPDATED] Charges are pending against an Escambia County man that was allegedly racing when he crashed into an elderly couple’s vehicle in Gulf Breeze, leaving one of them dead.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, several witnesses said 21-year old Logan B. Drinkard was racing another vehicle at a high rate of speed in his 1997 Ford Mustang when he hit a 2006 Toyota Camry driven by 73-year old Victor P. Bindi of Gulf Breeze. The accident at 6:15 Saturday night sent Bindi’s passenger, 77-year old Germaine L. Bindi, to Baptist Hospital where she later died.
Troopers are looking for a second vehicle involved in the race — a two door Pontiac GTO that was burnt orange or bronze in color. Anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Roper at (850) 484-5000 ext. 326.
Weather: Turning Colder
November 27, 2011
A cold front will bring showers and possibly a thunderstorm to the North Escambia area today. By Monday, it will be unseasonably cool, with daytime highs only in the low 50’s.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: Rain likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 51. West wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
- Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 59. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. North wind around 5 mph.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 62.
- Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
- Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 64.
- Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
- Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.