Supreme Court Doesn’t Like New Evers, Gaetz Districts

March 11, 2012

The Florida Supreme Court has ruled against a redistricting map drawn by the Senate, declaring that 8 of the Senate’s 40 re-drawn districts are in violation of the Fair Districts standards.

Two of the districts in question include Escambia and Santa Rosa counties — a northern district across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties held by Greg Evers and the southern portion of the counties making up a district held by Don Gaetz. Both are Okaloosa County residents; Gaetz lives in Niceville, while Evers resides in Baker.

The court did not like how the counties were split because it said lawmakers could not justify dividing the Panhandle into two districts that ran east-to-west, dividing a number of counties, instead of a north-south alignment.

Opponents of the plan have  pushed for a district that includes all of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

If Escambia and Santa Rosa make up a new district, leaving Gaetz and Evers in another district — pitting the two against each other if they should both run in the next election — unless one of them should move.

Gov. Rick Scott has called a 15-day extraordinary session beginning Wednesday to give the Senate another shot at creating constitutionally valid districts.

The court tossed districts in practically every major region of the state, but Senate leaders said the damage was limited.

“We’re not starting with a clean sheet of paper, as some of our critics wanted us to,” said Senate Reapportionment Chairman Gaetz. “We’re starting I think with a roadmap that will help us get where we need to go.”

Comments

13 Responses to “Supreme Court Doesn’t Like New Evers, Gaetz Districts”

  1. Charles on March 13th, 2012 12:39 pm

    Constant increases in taxes (vehicles and licenses to name a few), gifts to Gulf Power and slimey tactics during the campaign have solidified my vote for whoever is running against Evers. Too long in Tallahassee and too many lobbyist friends. Time for a changing of the guard.

    Just one opinion.

  2. Greg Evers on March 12th, 2012 8:11 pm

    If you have a problem and need me. I’ll be waiting. Please call me at 850-240-0646. Thanks, Greg

  3. hawghead on March 12th, 2012 9:15 am

    Miss Hayes I have tried to call him and I get an email everyweek from Sen. Evers..As a matter of fact his emails say to call or email me and I will get back to you..As an elected official that works me a taxpayer it should not matter how I contact him he should contact me back…I have left my number in the emails and he has never called me back…Who works for who here? I like everyother taxpayer is his district is his boss…..If I didn’t return my boss’s calls or email at my job, I’d soon be looking for another one…There’s no excuse for not getting back to citizen..If he can send out a weekly email then he can answer one……Give me a break here….No excuses..

  4. 429SCJ on March 12th, 2012 8:28 am

    If Mr Evers and NWFlorida is such a thorn in the side of the Florida Supreme Court, they should just all vote to cut us loose. The US Supreme Court as well.

  5. bob hill on March 12th, 2012 7:15 am

    He voted against the septic bill on the floor of the house .

  6. Jane Hayes on March 12th, 2012 6:46 am

    @ Hawghead- have you ever tried calling him?? everyone knows Greg is not and email man.. If you “Really” want to talk to him call him on his cell phone.. its published everywhere.. he even tells people to call him.. I am nothing special.. but he answers 90 percent of the time.. and if he doesn’t I leave a message and he calls back. I am not going to post his number here, but you can get it off his website, you can get it from his aide in the Milton office, you can get it from his campaign office.. of hey.. Since I don’t know you because your using an alias.. If you know me, call me and I will give it to you.

  7. molino jim on March 11th, 2012 9:32 pm

    ?? Does anyone else remember how Evers vote on the “septic tank” bill the first time? Years ago “Good Old Grady” was know as “pot hole Grady” or “graded road Grady”. I guess Evers will be know as “septic tank Evers”. He will do enough to stay in office — but never rock the boat to the deep pocket folks. Once the politician has feed at the public trough it’s hard to get them away from it.

  8. Sharon on March 11th, 2012 8:59 pm

    Knowing where our elected officials interest is has to be influenced by who donates and what they want. That can take a good bit of effort to uncover. I’m uncomfortable when most of the money comes from out of the district they represent. Being an elected official that gets or keeps their seat and gains some power doesn’t come easy or cheap. I don’t know a better form of government than the one we have. It simply requires citizens and leaders who are honest and moral or it will not last. Pray for those who are in authority to have wisdom and represent the concerns of their constituents honestly and well.

  9. hawghead on March 11th, 2012 6:46 pm

    Well Sen. Evers must be a busy man…Because he never has time to answer any Emails from the people he represents……I just wish we could elect some state reps and sens that acually looked out for the average man not some corporate interest…

  10. Kathy on March 11th, 2012 10:23 am

    Mr. Evers represents himself and his cronies, no one else matters to him.
    Make no mistake, this is not the best man for any political job.

  11. c.w. on March 11th, 2012 8:45 am

    Its makes very little difference which district either one is in. Neither one will get a vote from me. Evers supported salter and his sign mess and gaetz voted for the septic tank mess.
    New blood is needed. Not the ones that have supported their good buddies and not the voters in their district.

    Vote both out!

  12. David Huie Green on March 11th, 2012 8:38 am

    good

  13. Dudley Herrington on March 11th, 2012 6:34 am

    I really appreciate Senator Evers !!!!! WE have a Man who Represents ALL.
    He has time for everybody, not like past who only had time for his special interest!!!!
    We do not want to lose Senator Evers in Our District.
    Thanks,
    Dudley Herrington

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News