Candidate Responds To Claim That He Failed To Pay Property Taxes
August 14, 2012
A District 5 Escambia County Commission candidate says that claims he has not paid his property taxes from last year are true, but the non-payment was just an oversight.
In a published newspaper ad on Sunday, District 5 Commission candidate Jim Taylor claimed that one of his opponents, candidate Sam Archer, did not pay his property taxes.
The Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office confirmed Monday that Archer has not paid 2011 taxes on seven properties, including his primary residence, and has not paid a 2011 tangible personal property tax bill. The taxes, fees and interest total $8,128.46.
“I did not realize that until today,” Archer said Monday evening. ” I have a CPA that takes care of that, or my wife takes care of that. Evidently in the hustle and bustle of campaigning every day, I overlooked that they had not been paid. I’ve been out there all day, every day on the campaign.”
“I probably have not written a check for taxes in over a decade; someone else like the CPA takes care of that. But the taxes will be paid.”
Archer said that he has refrained from attacking other candidates in the District 5 commission race, avoiding “mud slinging”. He said he was happy to respond to the claims about his taxes.
Tax certificates were sold on seven properties owned by Archer, according to the Escambia County Tax Collector Office.
“An investor or bidder buys the tax certificate so the county gets paid,” Tax Collector Janet Holly said. “A tax certificate in Florida is a vehicle that allows the taxing authority to get their money.” Additional fees and interest are added to the late tax account to be paid by the property owner when their property tax is paid, allowing the certificate owner to make a small profit. The property owner has a period of two years from the date the tax became delinquent to redeem the tax certificate.
Alabama Man Arrested For Shooting Outside Cantonment Grocery Store
August 13, 2012
A Robertsdale man has been arrested in connection with a shooting in the parking lot of the Grocery Advantage on Highway 29 in Cantonment Sunday evening.
Coy Carter, 33, remains jailed without bond. Deputies say he met his estranged wife in the parking lot to return his children to their mother. During the exchange, a fight broke out between Carter and victim Robert Slay. Slay is currently dating Carter’s estranged wife, according to Deputy Matt Baxter, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Carter was also transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the fight. Deputies said he was not shot.
After being released from the hospital, Carter was arrested and charged with battery, aggravated battery, discharge firearm in public, and child abuse without great harm (domestic violence).
Pictured: One man was shot in the parking lot of the Grocery Advantage in Cantonment just before 6 p.m. Sunday. The photo at top and immediately below were taken just minutes after the shooting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Faces Sexual Battery Charge After Massage Session In A Barn
August 13, 2012
A Century man has been charged with sexual assault for alleged improper conduct while performing a massage on a female in his barn.
William Haynes Gandy, age 68 of Gandyville Road, was charged with sexual battery 12 years of age or older with special conditions, according to an arrest report. The victim was a legal age adult at the time of the alleged incident, according to Deputy Matt Baxter, spokesman for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Gandy was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
The victim told deputies that she met Gandy about a year ago because “he is a well known certified massage therapist”, and she had gone through massage therapy school and was told Gandy might be able to help her find a job. The victim later stopped pursuing a job, but Gandy did give her a few free massages associated with her pregnancy, the arrest report states.
After giving birth to her child, the victim told deputies that she began to ignore Gandy’s phone calls until he told her to come over, bring her resume and get a free massage and “see what he could do about getting her a job”, the report states.
The victim said Gandy took her to a barn outside his home where he keeps his massage table and equipment. She was partially unclothed and covered by a sheet, the report states, when Gandy began to touch her inappropriately and against her will.
The victim told deputies that when she tried to leave the barn, Gandy held the door shut with his hands and would not let her exit until she accepted his apology.
Gandy told deputies that he is a registered massage therapist and tries to help out friends by giving them free massages to relieve stress. Gandy, according to the arrest report, stated that he did invite the victim over to give her a free massage to relieve stress and possibly help her find a job. He told deputies that the victim did ask him to stop when he was appropriately massaging her inner thigh, and she left. Gandy stated that he did not know exactly why she was upset.
Gandy told deputies that at no time did he inappropriately touch the victim.
Work Week Forecast
August 13, 2012
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Southwest winds around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny in the morning becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent.
- Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph becoming around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 70s.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Thursday Night: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s. Chance of precipitation 40 percent.
- Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Over 11,000 Vote Early In Escambia, Santa Rosa Counties
August 13, 2012
Primary election day may not be until Tuesday, but over 11,000 Escambia and Santa Rosa County voters have already cast their ballot.
During the eight-day early voting period that ended Saturday, 6,685 voters cast their ballots in Escambia County, while over 5,000 took advantage of early voting in Santa Rosa County.
The busiest early voting day in Escambia County was Saturday, when 1,313 headed to one of four early voting locations.
Here’s a breakdown of early votes cast in Escambia County:
Tips To Prepare For Election Day
August 13, 2012
The primary election is Tuesday in Escambia County. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Supervisor of Elections David H. Stafford is offering these tips to prepare for Election Day:
- Confirm the location of your polling place: check your sample ballot, voter information card, EscambiaVotes.com, or call 595-3900.
- Several precincts and polling places have changed due to redistricting and precinct consolidation, so be sure to know where to vote on Election Day.
- If you are unsure of your registration status, check EscambiaVotes.com, or call 595-3900.
- If you need to update your address, contact us prior to Election Day so you can be directed to your proper polling location.
- Photo and signature ID is required for all voters – if you do not present an approved form of ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.
- All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, are eligible to vote in certain contests on the ballot, while other contests are restricted to voters in a specific political party or district — check your sample ballot to view the contests in which you can vote.
- Registration books closed on July 16 – new registrations and party changes for this election may not be made at the polls.
- You may not return your voted absentee ballot to your precinct on Election Day – it must be returned to the Elections Office by 7 p.m.
- If you requested an absentee ballot but chose not to return it and wish to vote at your polling place instead, please bring your unvoted ballot with you so it can be cancelled.
- Early voting ended Saturday – if you have not yet voted, you must go to your precinct on Election Day.
- Busiest times at the polls tend to be 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. until the polls close at 7:00 p.m.
For further information, please contact the elections office by phone at (850) 595-3900, e-mail at soe@escambiavotes.com or visit EscambiaVotes.com.
Record Breaking Olympic Games For Team USA
August 13, 2012
The London 2012 Olympic Games marked a record-breaking campaign for the United States, which collected more gold medals than ever before on foreign soil. With 104 total medals won – including 46 golds, 29 silvers and 29 bronzes – the U.S. led the medal count for the fifth straight Games, dating back to 1996. The 46 golds were the most for the U.S. in a non-boycotted Games since 1904 and put the Americans atop the gold-medal chart for the first time since Athens.
“We are immensely proud of the success that our athletes had in London,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “The medals are a part of that, but we are also proud of the athletes who didn’t reach the podium, athletes like Sarah Groff and Margaux Isaksen, who fell just short but inspired us with their determination. Just as importantly, all of our athletes were good ambassadors, and we have no doubt that they left a positive impression both in London and with the hundreds of millions of Americans who were watching back home.”
China closed the games with 87 medals (38 golds), while Great Britain closed in on the top-three spots in the final days of competition, concluding the Games with 64 medals (29 golds). It was a fitting end to a remarkable showing by the host nation.
“It really couldn’t have been a more positive experience for us,” said USOC Chairman Larry Probst of the London Organizing Committee’s efforts. “The volunteers were friendly, cheerful and did a fantastic job. The venues were obviously spectacular. The athletes have had a great time, and the performances have been absolutely stunning.”
Overall, 255 U.S. athletes contributed to the medal count at the 2012 Games, including 27 who won more than one medal and 13 who won multiple gold medals.
Led by strong performances from veterans and newcomers alike, the U.S. swimming team medaled in 27 of a possible 34 events. In his farewell Games, Michael Phelps cemented his name in Olympic lore by becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals, including 18 golds. The winningest athlete across all sports at the 2012 Games, Phelps capped his illustrious career with four golds and two silvers. Fellow U.S. swimmers Missy Franklin, Ryan Lochte and Allison Schmitt all tied for second.
Team USA carried its momentum from the Aquatics Centre to the Olympic Stadium as the U.S. track & field athletes captured 29 medals, marking its biggest Olympic medal collection since the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. The London Games was of historic significance for the U.S. team, which topped all nations in medals (9 golds, 13 silvers, 7 bronzes) and points scoring (304) ahead of Russia and Jamaica, which filled out the top-three spots in both measures. Americans set one world record (women’s 4×100-meter) and two American records (men’s 4×100, women’s 4×100), while the 2012 squad turned in the best performance ever at the Games in no fewer than 18 events.
Overall, U.S. women stole the spotlight, winning 58 medals while gracing the top of the podium 29 times. U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas became the first American to claim gold in the women’s team and individual all-around competitions. Also making Olympic history in the debut of women’s boxing, Claressa Shields became the first middleweight to win gold, while judoka Kayla Harrison captured the first-ever Olympic gold medal for the U.S. in judo.
“I’ve had an amazing experience,” said Harrison. “USA Judo had its best showing yet at the Olympic Games. We’ve had so much fun, the ExCeL venue was beautiful and this entire journey has been something I will never forget. London will always have a place close to my heart.”
Four team sports also won gold medals at the Games, including men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer and women’s water polo.
“One of our primary objectives is to get as many American athletes on the podium as we can,” Blackmun said. “When you include team sports, we put over 250 athletes on the podium, which makes us extremely proud.”
Florida Voter Purge Legal Battle Could Last For Months
August 13, 2012
A legal battle over Florida’s controversial attempt to purge ineligible voters might not be resolved until next year — after this fall’s elections, according to a document filed last week.
The federal government filed a lawsuit in June, arguing that Florida was violating election laws in the way it was conducting the purge. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle signed an order Wednesday that indicated a scheduling conference could be held in January to set a trial date.
Hinkle also ordered the state to meet an Aug. 17 deadline to turn over a variety of records to the federal government, including a 180,000-name list that has been at the center of the controversy.
In a document filed last week, the federal government said a settlement of the case is possible, though it would hinge on “prompt disclosure” by the state of the list, the name of voters removed from the election rolls and the reasons. The document also said that the federal government issued subpoenas July 30 to nine elections supervisors, seeking information about the lists and voters removed from the rolls. It does not name the nine supervisors.
The state countered in the document that there is no need for a lengthy “discovery” period in the case. It said the state is receiving access to a federal Department of Homeland Security database that will allow it to better verify voter eligibility.
“Since the state of Florida wants to verify that properly registered voters were not removed from the rolls, the secretary (of state) will promptly use the … database to check whether any of the voters removed from the rolls pursuant to the process challenged in this case were, in fact, citizens,” the state said in the document.
“In the event that any eligible voters were wrongfully removed, the secretary will ensure that they are immediately restored to the rolls and notified that any prior notice of ineligibility was in error.”
By The News Service of Florida
Big Bucks In Race For District 5 Commission Seat
August 13, 2012
Republican candidates for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County Commission received more than $200,000 into their campaigns….including one candidate that loaned his campaign more than the job pays in a year’s time.
Sam Archer, who outspent other candidates by a 2 to 1 margin, loaned his campaign $86,500, according to elections documents. The commission job pays about $73,500 per year. Archer has sent repaid about $6,400 to himself and his wife. Those loan repayments to Archer’s wife were the subject of a State Attorney Office review and a complaint filed with the Florida Elections Commission. The State Attorney’s Office found no criminal wrongdoing by Archer. Read more…
The second biggest campaign war chest in the District 5 commission race belonged to Steven Barry. He had $55,121.00 to spend, including $14,500 in money and in-kind services from his own pocket.
Sam Archer
- Monetary contributions: $100,595.00
- In-kind contributions: $167.52
- Expenditures: $91,503.17
Archer loaned his own campaign $86,500, repaying about $6,397. He recorded about 90 total contributions. His largest expenses were billboards for $58,393 and $17,409 for signs.
Glenn Austin
- Monetary contributions: $4,152.68
- In-kind contributions: $0
- Expenditures: $3,392.87
Austin loaned his campaign $868. His largest expenses were $1,729 for signs and $1,313 for flyers, handouts and postage.
Steven Barry
- Monetary contributions: $55,121.00
- In-kind contributions: $3,565.06
- Expenditures: $53,081.73
Barry contributed about $14,500 in money and in-kind items to his own campaign, making no loans to himself.
He had over 300 contributors. His largest expenses were $15,717 for signs and $15,712 for printing, postage and magnets.
Pat Burkett
- Monetary contributions: $5,902.29
- In-kind contributions: $1,770.58
- Expenditures: $530.00
Burkett loaned $5,152 to her campaign and contributed about $2,080 in money and in-kind items. She listed 25 total contributions. Her largest expenditure was for billboards for about $3,710.
Jim Taylor
- Monetary contributions: $24,360
- In-kind contributions: $1,490
- Expenditures: $23,246.45
Taylor loaned $4,100 to his own campaign and recorded about 125 individual contributions.
His largest expenditure was $18,496 to marketing company Open Market Research, Inc. for advertising services that included signs, phone calls, website, direct mail and more. He also spent $1,321 for gasoline for campaign related travel in the district.
Incumbent Kevin White raised about $9,625 for his re-election before later dropping out of the race. White refunded his campaign contributions.
New Airport Hyatt Taking Shape; Joint Project With Poarch Creeks
August 13, 2012
A “topping out” was held recently for a new Hyatt Place Hotel at the Pensacola International Airport, a partnership between the Poarch Creek Indians of Atmore and Innisfree Hotels.
Construction on the $24 million development started back in January. During the topping out ceremony — held when the hotel reached its highest point — the crew hoisted a beam signed by everyone that has worked on the project to the top of six story building.
The 127-room hotel is still on track to open in March 2013.
The hotel development is projected to generate over $420,000 annually in non-airline revenue for the airport through lease fees, and $100,000 in local option sales taxes for the City of Pensacola. It will also create over $4 million in payroll revenues through the addition of about 235 new jobs to the local economy.
The land for the development is being leased from the City of Pensacola and will be connected to the main airport terminal via a covered walkway.
Innisfree currently owns and operates six full service hotels and resorts in the Gulf Coast region of Florida and Alabama as well as four focused service properties in the southeast United States. In addition to the Windcreek Casino in Atmore, the Poarch Creek Indians operate several other properties, including the Pensacola Dog Track and Poker Room.
Pictured top: Progress on a new Hyatt Place Hotel at the Pensacola International Airport. Pictured below: An artist conception of the hotel (from a different angle than the photo). NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
