Scott: State “Working On” Response to DOJ On Voter Purge
June 6, 2012
Florida is “working on a response” to the U.S. Department of Justice’s questions about its efforts to remove ineligible voters from the rolls and hopes to be able to respond by today’s deadline, Gov. Rick Scott said Wednesday morning.
Federal officials have asked the state to tell Washington by today whether it intends to continue notifying some voters that they have been flagged as potentially ineligible because their names match names on a separate state database of possible non-citizens.
The effort has come in for criticism, including from local elected elections supervisors, because a number of the people flagged for possible removal have been able to prove their right to vote, showing they either are natural-born or naturalized citizens.
Scott also said Wednesday that no one who is eligible to vote has been removed from the rolls, because letters have gone out first warning people before they are removed. People who don’t respond are supposed to be removed, but many supervisors have balked at that, fearing the prospect that they may actually be eligible.
“Not a single eligible voter as far, as I know, has been removed from the voter rolls,” Scott said in an interview with WNDB radio in Daytona Beach, where Scott was Wednesday. “Not one. And we’re working to keep it that way.”
Scott again defended the process as necessary to protect the impact of legitimate voters’ choices.
“Their vote should not be diluted by people who don’t have the right to vote,” Scott said. “We need to be reviewing our voter rolls and making sure only those individuals who have the right to vote … are voting.”
WNDB also asked Scott about a concern raised by Volusia County Elections Supervisor Ann McFall, who questioned recently why Scott didn’t order the check and purge of voter rolls last year, rather than waiting until less than 90 days before the August primary election. That’s one of the major concerns of the Department of Justice – federal standards generally require that regular, systematic cleaning of voter rolls, which generally occur in an ongoing fashion, stop 90 days before an election and resume after the vote.
Scott didn’t directly answer why the state was doing the purge now, saying that he would have liked it to happen sooner, and that state officials had hoped to get access to a federal Homeland Security database to better check the names, but hadn’t been granted that access. Why state officials decided to go forward with the purge while still waiting on Homeland Security, Scott hasn’t said.
“We don’t want people that don’t have a right to participate in elections,” Scott said. As to the Justice Department’s request for information on what the state plans to do now, Scott said it’s in the works.
“We’re working on a response. Hopefully we’ll be able to respond today,” Scott said before changing the subject. “But you know the most important thing? It’s jobs.”
The Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections has suggested to local supervisors of elections – who don’t officially answer to Scott because they’re independently elected – that they hold off on actually removing voters they can’t contact because of the Justice Department’s concerns, and those of several supervisors.
In addition to the 90-day issue, the federal government also is concerned that major changes in election law are supposed to be approved by Washington before being made in five Florida counties with a history of discrimination. No such federal approval for voter purges was sought for the current effort, though that may be less of an issue because supervisors routinely cull people from voter rolls when they’re found to be ineligible, such as when they’ve died, or moved out of state.
By The News Service of Florida
Child Advocates Blast Meeting Delay On Youth Detention Standards
June 6, 2012
Child advocates on Tuesday blasted the last-minute postponement of a meeting that had been scheduled to take up proposed revisions to the standards by which underage offenders are detained in Florida’s county jails.
The scheduled meeting of the Florida Model Jail Standards Committee, a subcommittee of the Florida Sheriffs Association, was canceled at the urging of Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, whose top lawyer linked the proposed revisions to a Southern Poverty Law Center lawsuit claiming that Judd’s agency “abuse[s] children in his care.”
“Many of the proposed changes that SPLC is requesting are at the heart of our contested litigation,” wrote Anne Gibson, director of legal affairs for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, to the standards subcommittee on May 30. “As such, we respectfully request that the Subcommittee continue consideration of the proposed amendment until after the federal court has had an opportunity to at least rule on the injunction component of the lawsuit, which should occur in July.”
Judd’s legal office argued that the agency would “be in the impossible position of either prematurely revealing our litigation strategy through our expert witnesses prior to the federal court hearing or not providing the Subcommittee the necessary expert testimony it needs.”
The standards review panel responded by moving the two-day meeting to August 1-2, drawing a sharp rebuke from the SPLC.
“The plaintiff-minors and their guardians…allege a systemic pattern and practice of Polk County’s unconstitutional use of pepper spray and unconstitutional failure to protect children from harm due to inadequate staffing, training and supervision,” wrote SPLC’s policy director, David Utter, to Marion County Sheriff Ed Dean, chair of the model standards subcommittee.
The Florida Sheriff’s Association declined to intervene.
“That’s not the FSA’s place,” said spokeswoman Nanette Schimpf. “That’s up to the Florida Model Jail Standards Committee…Even if we had been asked to weigh in, we would not have. It’s not under our jurisdiction.”
Schimpf said each sheriff’s office in Florida has the right to decide what method of restraint to use.
The debate over model standards is based on a measure (SB 2112) passed by the 2011 Legislature allowing counties to place youth charged as juveniles in adult jails governed by the Florida Model Jail Standards – rather than by the state Department of Juvenile Justice standards, which were designed to address the unique needs of children and youth, such as schooling.
Child advocates throughout Florida have asked the Florida Sheriffs Association to adopt revised standards to better protect juvenile offenders and ensure better outcomes. These include:
-Prohibiting restraints with handcuffs and shackles when children and youth are confined within the jail’s secure area, including when going to and from school within a jail.
-Prohibiting the use of force except under the policies and practices established for children by DJJ.
-Prohibiting the use of chemical restraints such as pepper spray and mace by staff except in rare circumstances and under no circumstances allowing electronic restraints (tasers) to be used on children.
In February, the standards review subcommittee invited the public to present testimony on these and other issues on Tuesday. Now the SPLC is urging the subcommittee to reschedule the meeting as soon as possible.
“With children in some counties already being held in adult jails and other counties considering moving to this model, it is of the utmost importance that this group meet and act as soon as possible,” Tania Galloni, managing attorney for the SPLC’s Florida office, said in a statement.
“The lawsuit against Sheriff Grady Judd is based on systemic violations of the United States Constitution – not the model jail standards,” Galloni said. “It’s ridiculous that any sheriff facing allegations of wrong-doing would try to delay a statewide effort to improve the treatment of children in county jails.”
By The News Service of Florida
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Top Suns 9-2 To Even Series
June 6, 2012
Blue Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran struck out ten batters in and gave up just two earned runs, while Pensacola scored nine runs on 14 hits to defeat the Jacksonville Suns 9-2 and even the series at 2-2 on Tuesday night in Pensacola’s Bayfront Stadium.
With the win, the Fish now own a 27-32 record in 2012, while the Suns dropped to 27-32 this season.
For the second straight night, Pensacola struck first with two tallies in the first frame. OF Ryan LaMarre began the frame with a home run to left, his second longball of the season, while SS Didi Gregorius doubled before he came home on 2B Brodie Greene’s RBI base knock to center.
The Blue Wahoos would then plate four scores in the fourth frame to add to the margin. 1B Joel Guzman and 3B David Vidal started the inning with back-to-back hits prior to a run-scoring base knock from RF Andrew Means brought home Guzman, while Vidal scored on a fielding miscue on the play. Means got to third thanks to a single from C Chris Berset and got home on a safety squeeze from starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran, while Berset came home on CF Ryan LaMarre’s run-scoring base knock to move the lead to 6-0.
Pensacola added two additional insurance runs in the subsequent frame courtesy of an RBI triple by Greene and a sacrifice fly to center off the bat of Vidal, in addition to a final tally in the eighth. The Suns struck for their two runs in the seventh with RBI doubles by LF Ryan Patterson and CF Donnie Webb.
Sulbaran (6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO) earned his fourth victory of the year after yielding just two earned runs on seven hits while recording his ten punchouts, while Suns LHP Graham Taylor (4.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 3-5. Pensacola relievers Wilkin De La Rosa (1.2 IP, 1 H, 4 SO) and Clayton Tanner (1.0 IP) teamed up for the final 2.2 frames, allowing just one hit over that span.
Vidal (3-3, 2 R, 1 RBI) and Means (3-4, 1 R, 1 RBI) led the club with three base hits, while LaMarre (2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI), Gregorius (2-4, 2 R, 1 2B) and Greene (2-4, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI) also collected multiple knocks in the contest. Webb (2-4, 1 RBI) and Dominguez (2-4) each tallied multi-hit efforts. Gregorius extended his hit streak to eight consecutive games, and has now compiled a .419 average (13-31) dating back to May 27.
Pensacola and Jacksonville will square off Wednesday night for the rubber match in the series, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. RHP Daniel Corcino is slated to take the mound for the Blue Wahoos , while the Suns are expected to give the ball to RHP Matthew Neil.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: J.C. Sulbaran struck out ten & earned his fourth win in the Wahoo’s 9-2 win Tuesday night in Pensacola. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Holland, Levins To Wed
June 6, 2012
Miss Amber Renae Holland and Mr. Jody Wade Levins announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at noon at Bratt First Baptist Church.
Amber is the daughter of Marcie Andrews of Pensacola and David Wayne Holland of Pace. She is the granddaughter of Leila Parker of Cantonment and the late Joyce Ann Benefield.
Jody is the son of Dale and Marie Levins of Byrneville. He is the grandson of Robert A. Cawthon of Byrneville and Cecilia Morris of Jay. He is also the grandson of the late Vera Levins Presley and Wilson H. Levins.
Amber is a 2009 graduate of Northview High School in Bratt. She is currently employed by United Bank in Atmore in the accounting department. Amber is also attending Jefferson Davis Community College for an Associate degree in business.
Jody is a 2009 graduate of Northview High School in Bratt. He is currently employed by TBH Construction, Inc. in Flomaton as an I&E Technician. Jody is also attending the air conditioning and refrigeration course at Jefferson Davis Community College.
A reception will be held in the Family Life Center at the church following the ceremony.
All friends and family are invited to attend.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning — North Escambia, West Central Santa Rosa
June 5, 2012
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Statement as of 4:08 PM CDT on June 05, 2012
The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
northern Escambia County in northwest Florida…
west central Santa Rosa County in northwest Florida…
east central Baldwin County in southwest Alabama…
* until 515 PM CDT
* at 408 PM CDT…a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter
size hail and damaging winds over 60 mph was located 7 miles
northwest of Molino…or 11 miles west of Chumuckla…and moving
southeast at 25 mph.
* Locations impacted include…
Wallace… Skyline… Point Baker…
Jay… Chumuckla… Allentown…
Molino… Brownsdale…
This includes Interstate 10 in Alabama between mile markers 49 and
55.
Photos: Funnel Cloud In Walnut Hill?
June 5, 2012
NorthEscambia.com took this series of shots about 3:30 Tuesday afternoon in Walnut Hill. A forecaster at the National Weather Service in Mobile says what is in the photos could be a weak funnel cloud, but there was not enough wind shear at the time to have supported an actual tornado.
The rotating funnel shaped cloud in the photos twisted and lifted up and down a few times over about a 30 second period. Small pea size hail was also reported in the area at the time.
The photos were taken in the area of Ernest Ward Middle School on Highway 97.
NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge
Century To Try Device To ‘Recycle Electricity’
June 5, 2012
The Town of Century voted Monday night to purchase an energy savings box that a salesperson promised would save the town money on electric bills by “recycling and reusing” electricity.
Don Statam of Peak Energy Technology told the council that the device, a “Peak Energy Saver” would save the town about $300 per month if installed at a water tower that serves the Century Correctional Institution.
The “power factor correction unit” works by storing electricity in capacitors until it is needed for the excess starting load created by electric motors.
The town will pay $750 up front for the device for a 90 day trial period. If the town is satisfied that the Peak Energy Saver actually saves money, the town will pay an additional $750 to complete the $1,500 purchase price. In the event the town is not happy within the 90 day period, Statam said the company will provide a full refund, minus installation costs.
“That electricity just goes back out the wire,” Statam said as he demonstrated a Peak Energy Saver. “They (the power company) just sells it to you over and over again….Gulf Power themselves capture it to use again.”
When asked by NorthEscambia.com what would happen if the device damaged the town’s property, Statam replied, “We’ve never had that happen”.
When questioned about the company’s references Statam could immediately provide the names of just two previous customers that had purchased the device from the company., including a small Texas town that was featured in television news segment.
“We can’t lose,” Mayor Freddie McCall said, recommending the purchase to the town council.
Picture top: Don Statam of Peak Energy Technology demonstrates a “Peak Energy Saver 200″ for the Century Town Council Monday night. Pictured inset: A closeup of the device. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Indecent Exposure
June 5, 2012
A Century man was charged with indecent exposure after a disturbance Sunday afternoon in Bluff Springs.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Century Boulevard and Bluff Springs Road about 5:30 p.m. to a reported disturbance. Along way, another motorist flagged down a deputy and reported that someone in a white SUV was attempting to run another vehicle off the road near that intersection.
When deputies arrived, two females reported that a white male in a Ford Explorer ran them off the road, stopped and shouted obscenities at them. Both victims then said the suspect brandished a pocket knife and threatened to cut them. Then he allegedly exposed himself to the women.
A deputy was able to locate the suspect, Shawn Barrow, a short time later at the intersection of Tedder Road and Century Boulevard. Barrow, according to an arrest report, told the deputy he had a verbal confrontation with the victims and that he pulled out his pocket knife because they threatened to beat him up. He denied exposing himself.
Barrow was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $500 bond. He was also issued a traffic citation for an open container in his vehicle.
Election Watch: Several Candidates Officially Qualify On Monday
June 5, 2012
Monday marked the first day of qualifying week for candidates seeking local office.
Those qualified as of close of business Monday for offices included the candidates listed below. Additional candidates have pre-qualified for the positions listed but did not officially qualify as of Monday. Friday is the last day to qualify for the offices listed.
Sheriff
- David Morgan
- John Russell Powell
Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Pam Childers
- Ernie Lee Magaha
Tax Collector
- Mike Whitehead
- Janet Holley
Superintendent of Schools
- Malcolm Thomas
Property Appraiser
- Chris Jones
Supervisor of Elections
- David H. Stafford
County Commission, District 1
- Jesse Casey
- Wilson Robertson
- Bobby Spencer
County Commission, District 3
- Tiffany Washington
- John R. Johnson
County Commission, District 5
- Steven Barry
School Board, District 4
- Patty Hightower
School Board, District 5
- Bill Blayton
ECUA, District 3
- Calvin Avant
ECUA, District 5
- none
State Senator District 2
- Greg Evers
- Joshua W. Hartigan
State Representative, District 1
- Clay Ingram
State Representative, District 2
- Jeremy M. Bosso
- C.V. (Clay) Ford)
Strong Storms Possible Today
June 5, 2012
Scattered to numerous thunderstorms will develop ahead of a cold front today bringing the threat of a few severe storms, according to the National Weather Service.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely after a high around 93. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
- Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
- Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
- Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91.