Citizens Insurance Looking At Wind Incentives, Higher Rates
May 22, 2012
Following up on calls to raise premiums to match risk, Florida’s state-backed property insurer is taking a second look at wind mitigation incentives put in place a decade ago.
For many of its customers, that means higher rates.
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. plans to take a look at 209,000 residential policies by the end of the year to see if granted wind mitigation credits are warranted.
The incentives, which include such things as tie downs, shutters and other upgrades, were offered beginning in 2002 in an attempt to lower risk for the state-backed pool, which now handles nearly 1.5 million policies.
As of April 30, the last date for which detailed information is available, Citizens inspectors have completed 180,503 residential inspections, finding that in some cases hurricane hardening measures weren’t in place, resulting in premium increases totaling $107 million. Nearly 71 percent of homes inspected have seen premiums rise.
The program has also resulted in premium decreases on 7.5 percent of policies, for a total reduction of $4.4 million.
For those homeowners seeing higher rates, premiums have jumped an average of $600 a year, or 23 percent.
The wind mitigation program has increasingly come under fire from industry groups and Office of Insurance Regulation officials, who have said the program has eroded the company’s premium base while not significantly reducing its exposure, especially after credits were dramatically increased in 2007.
Private insurers have also given mitigation credits. A 2010 study by the Department of Financial Services found that despite good intentions, the programs were costing companies in terms of lost premiums while having only a modest decrease in potential losses.
“At present, the wind mitigation credits not operating as intended, and according to (Risk Management Solutions) analysis, are a significant contributing factor to the reported premium degradation,” the study said.
Among its chief criticisms, the report noted that some homeowners were receiving double credits for fixtures that were already incorporated into the underlying premium. Insurers were also restricted from adjusting base rates to reflect structural issues, which the report said hobbled the industry.
“If the (credit) system continues in the absence of a base rate offset, the average premium reductions could ultimately reach 35 percent, which would clearly have an impact on insurance revenues,” the report concluded.
Lawmakers responded months later by passing SB 2044, which was vetoed by Gov. Charlie Crist.
Last year, lawmakers passed and Gov. Rick Scott signed SB 408, which struck some language relating to mitigation credits and gave insurers more flexibility in establishing rates and applying discounts.
Citizens officials have ordered re-inspections of homes that have claimed more than $650 in credits.
Robin Westcott, Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate, said she understands Citizens’ objective to get accurate information on proper wind mitigation credits, but is worried homeowners may not always be ready with proper documentation on their mitigation efforts and may unnecessarily lose out on benefits.
She said Citizens could do a better job of letting homeowners know what inspectors are looking for.
“In some cases, you are looking at pretty hefty increases,” Westcott said. “That is really a big part of our concern.”
By The News Service of Florida
Frances Juanita Watford
May 22, 2012
Frances Juanita Watford (Miss Juanita), 86 of Atmore, departed this life Monday on May 21, 2012, in Atmore. She was employed with Graham Oil Co., the Wildlife Federation, and many years with Masland Carpets. She was born in Lottie, AL, on October 14, 1925, to the late Ben Davis and Ellen Whitney Watford.
She is preceded in death by two brothers, Ben Davis Watford, Jr. and Grady Watford.
She is survived by four nieces, Brenda Yeatman of Gastonia, NC, Tina Mirkheshti of Canton, GA, Debbie Patridge of Castle Rock, CO, and Tammy Watford of Littleton, CO; and many friends.
Services will be Thursday May 24, 2012, at 2 p.m. from hte Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Jim Thorpe officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Michael Phillips, Terry Jones, Theotis Williams, Johnny Gibbs, Ray Coon and Bill Staff.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Wahoos Top Suns 4-1 To Win Series
May 22, 2012
Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Tim Crabbe gave up just two hits in six scoreless innings, while left fielder Yordanys Perez blasted a three-run home run in the eighth to give Pensacola a 4-1 victory over the Jacksonville Suns to win the series on Monday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The win gives the Blue Wahoos their first road series victory of the season and improves their record to 22-23, while the loss dropped the Suns’ mark to 21-24 on the year.
Crabbe (6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 SO) turned in his third solid outing in a row, yielding just two hits and two walks while fanning six in six scoreless frames to earn his second win of the year. In his past three outings, Crabbe has given up only a lone earned run on ten hits in his 18.0 innings pitched in that span.
Four Blue Wahoos relievers, including Curtis Partch (1.0 IP), Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) and Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO), combined to hold the Suns to just one score in the final three frames, with Joseph notching his Southern League leading tenth save of the year. Jacksonville starter Omar Poveda (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO) suffered the tough loss despite allowing only one earned run on just three hits in six frames.
Both offenses were quiet until the sixth, when Pensacola broke the scoreless draw to take a 1-0 lead. CF Ryan LaMarre drew a lead-off free pass and advance to second on a throwing error, before his was sent home on SS Didi Gregorius’ RBI single up the middle.
Pensacola however, extend the margin to four in the eighth thanks to Perez’s second roundtripper of the season. 2B Brodie Greene and 1B Joel Guzman each reached with base knocks, before they crossed home on Perez’s blast to right. The Blue Wahoos have now hit 15 homers in 20 games in the month of May after mashing 11 in 25 games in April.
The Suns would narrow their deficit to three in their half of the eighth with a longball of their own. 2B Jeff Dominguez led off the frame with a homer to right for his second roundtripper of the year, but that would be all the Jacksonville offense could muster on the scoreboard.
Perez (3-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI) was the lone hitter for either team to record a multi-hit effort and tied single-game highs in his professional career for hits and RBI in the contest.
Pensacola has an off-day Tuesday before returning home to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Wednesday for a five-game series with the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The first pitch of the series is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening, with RHP Zeke Spruill expected to take the hill for the Braves, while the Blue Wahoos have yet to announce their starter.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: The Wahoo’s Tim Crabbe allowed just two hits in six scoreless frames to earn the win Monday in Jacksonville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
James Vinson Nix
May 22, 2012
Mr. James Vinson Nix, age 43, passed away Friday, May 18, 2012, in Mobile. Mr. Nix was born in Evergreen and had lived in Flomaton for a number of years. He worked in the lawn care maintenance field. He was of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his father, Mr. James A. Nix of Flomaton; one son, Allen Nix of Century; three daughters, Ashley Nix, Lindsey Nix, and Britney Nix, all of Century; one sister, Sunji Hunter of Century.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Rev. William Stuckey officiating. Interment will follow in Beulah Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Tuesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Maggie Case Myers
May 22, 2012
Mrs. Maggie Case Myers, age 95 of Pensacola, passed away on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at a Milton health care facility.
Mrs. Myers was a native of Franklin County, MS, and had been a member of the Century community since 1957 and a resident of Pensacola for the last eight years. She was a member of the Flomaton Senior Citizens Group and the Century First Baptist Church. Mrs. Myers was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Thomas Leroy Myers and their son, Richard William Myers, and grandson, Kenneth Myers, Jr.
She is survived by her sons, Fred (Judith) Myers, and Ken (Priscilla) Myers, both of Pensacola; brother, Prentiss William Case, Jr. of Ridgeland, MS; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday morning, May 23, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. until service time at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Jesse Woods officiating. Interment will be in Flomaton Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Edsel Smith, Lloyd Barrow, Joe Gunter, Delmar Tew, Lee Gunter and Steve Drain.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Century First Baptist Church or to the Hospice of Santa Rosa County in Milton.
Authorities Receive Report Of Possible Tornado in Walnut Hill
May 21, 2012
There was no sign of any damage after a possible tornado was reported to Escambia Fire Rescue Monday afternoon in Walnut Hill.
Residents reported a possible tornado in the area of Eubanks Road off North Highway 99, and a member of a local fire department reported seeing a possible rotation trailing from the clouds (pictured above).
There was a severe thunderstorm warning in effect at the time of the report.
Pictured above: This trailing rotation from a thunderstorm prompted reports of a possible tornado near Walnut Hill Monday afternoon. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Escambia, Santa Rosa
May 21, 2012
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
northeastern Escambia County in northwest Florida…
Santa Rosa County in northwest Florida…
* until 615 PM CDT
* at 519 PM CDT…a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing
quarter size hail and damaging winds over 60 mph were located along
a line extending from 7 miles southeast of Flomaton to 2 miles
northeast of century…and moving southeast at 15 mph.
* Locations impacted include…
Whiting Field… Whitfield… Wallace…
Skyline… Point Baker… Pea Ridge…
Mount Carmel… Floridatown… Fidelis…
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
This is a dangerous storm. Prepare for damaging winds. People outside
should move inside a strong building but away from windows.
Ernest Ward, Tate, WFHS Top Escambia County Writing FCAT Scores
May 21, 2012
Despite the negative news last week about the ramped up FCAT 2.0 scores, the news was actually pretty good at Ernest Ward Middle, Tate High and West Florida High.
With this year’s tests, the state upped the standards for passing the writing portion of the FCAT in fourth, eighth and tenth grades, with students need needing a 4.0 or better on a 6-point grading scale, up from 3.0 last year. Also, the state made other changes, including placing more emphasis on writing basics such as punctuation, capitalization and grammar.
But the test results showed a huge drop in the number of students across the board meeting the standards. With FCAT scores affecting such sensitive issues as school grades, the state Board of Education moved quickly to call an emergency meeting. Board members agreed to dial back the passing score to 3.0 this year, despite some reluctance.
When the dust settled, there was cause for celebration at Ernest Ward, Tate and West Florida as they took the top scoring spots in the Escambia County School District.
Ernest Ward Middle School eighth graders tied with the Beulah Academy of Science with the highest average score in Escambia County — with a mean FCAT writing score of 3.4. Ernest Ward also had the only eighth grader in Escambia County to score a perfect 6.0 on the test, and one of three in the county to score a 5.5.
Ernest Ward also had the highest percentage of eighth grade students in the county scoring a 4.0 or above — the original grade level score before it was lowered by the State Board of Education. A total of 80 percent of EWMS eighth graders made the adjusted grade level score of 3.0 or higher, second only to the Beulah Academy of Science at 86 percent.
“Considering the state change the rules in the middle of the game, I think we did great,” Ernest Ward Principal Nancy Perry said. “The teachers, students, and parents did an awesome job; keep up the good work.”
At the high school level, West Florida was tops in the district with 48 percent of students scoring a 4.0 or more, while Tate was second with 47 percent. At West Florida High, 93 percent of tenth graders were at the readjusted grade level of 3.0, and Tate had 88 percent at the level.
The highest average score among tenth graders in the district was at West Florida High with 3.7, and Tate was second at 3.6.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Storm Brings Hail To Bratt And McDavid
May 21, 2012
A thunderstorm brought reports of small hail from the area of Northview High School in Bratt south through McDavid Monday afternoon.
Pictured above and below: Small hail this afternoon in the McDavid area. Pictured inset: Hail at Northview High School. Submitted photos by Ashley Jacobi and Kiani Okahashi for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Old Stinky Is ECUA Environmental Success Story
May 21, 2012
“Old Stinky” is coming down at significant savings to the Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, thanks to low-bidding demolition company with an eye for recycling.
The former downtown ECUA Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant, dubbed “Old Stinky”, has emerged as an environmental success story. The plant was originally designed and constructed in 1937.
Now replaced by the Central Water Reclamation Facility in Cantonment, the former Main Street plant continues its transformation from a community eyesore into an environmental lesson on construction and demolition (C&D) material recovery, a recycling process that achieves lower costs than disposal at a landfill, resulting in significant cost-savings and the elimination of associated environmental impacts.
The 19 acre downtown site underwent numerous expansions in the 1970s and mid-1990s before it was officially taken off-line in April 2011.
Sustainable reuse of the MSWWTP property includes a defined effort to reduce the environmental impact by reusing and recycling materials recovered during the present demolition process.
Chuck Gray, Cross Environment Services (CES) demolition general manager said, “In just a few short months, the site will be leveled with sod and grass, and will be a welcomed addition to the Pensacola landscape.”
To successfully dismantle the former MSWWTP facility, brick-by-brick, cement block-by-cement block, piece-by-piece of steel and aluminum, CES of Crystal Springs was chosen to skipper the project. The “eco-friendly” contractor was the lowest project bidder, posting a winning bid of $734,617 –considerably less than the projected 3 million dollar demolition price tag.
According to Jeff Hester, CES demolition supervisor, “The lower pricing will be offset by revenue generated from recyclables. Typical recyclable materials such as; aluminum, steel, copper, ductile iron pipe, are currently being sold to buyers locally, domestically, and internationally.” Hester added, “The boiler was sold to a company in North Carolina, the air tanks went to Seattle, the switch gears found a home in Oklahoma, and the pumps were shipped to Chattanooga, Tennessee.”
Gray added, “The project has come in above average on the amount of salvage we estimated for the job.”
As of May 4, 2012, 545 pieces of material have been recovered, totaling 8,283,455 pounds of recyclables. Items recycled include 8,006,336 pounds of ferrous matrials, 145,119 pounds of aluminum, 1,929 pounds of brass, 55,671 pounds of copper and 277,119 pounds of stainless steel.