Public Hearing Set On Gulf Power Rate Increase Proposal
September 1, 2013
The Florida Public Service Commission has scheduled a customer service hearing in Pensacola to hear about a Gulf Power Company rate increase.
Gulf Power is asking the Florida PSC to approve a two-step price increase to help pay for the largest power grid construction program in the history of the company. The first increase would not take effect until April 2014, and it would increase the total bill for a residential customer buying 1,000-kilowatt hours by $8.94 per month or 7.5 percent — from the current price of $118.88 to $127.82.
The second step of the increase — related to the new environmental requirements — would not occur until 2015 and would raise the monthly bill an additional $1.99.
Anyone wishing to speak for, or against, the rate increase is welcome at the PSC meeting on Tuesday, September 3 at 4 p.m. in the Hagler Auditorium at Pensacola State College. The hearing will continue until everyone wishing to speak is heard.
Gulf Power said over the next three years the company is building and replacing power lines and infrastructure — some more than 70 years old — to keep electricity flowing to its 430,000 customers. In addition, new lines and equipment are needed to comply with new mandatory federal environmental regulations.
Part of the new transmission line construction is to help the company comply with new federal environmental regulations that will change the way the company operates its plants and will require plants to be shut down at regular intervals. The new lines and equipment will be used to ensure voltage stability and reliable power flow while the plants are offline.
Pictured inset: Gulf Power crews making upgrades to a distribution line. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott Pitches $500 Million In Tax Cuts, GOP Embraces Proposal
September 1, 2013
Gov. Rick Scott will ask the Legislature to slice taxes and fees by $500 million, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks Friday to a gathering of conservative activists in Orlando.
Scott said that an influx of new revenue for the state was a call for more tax cuts, even though the governor didn’t specify which taxes and fees he wanted to reduce.
“This year, we are committed to returning even more money to the hard-working Florida families who earn it,” Scott said. “I look forward to working with our friends in the Florida Legislature to make these tax cuts a reality.”
Scott spoke at the “Defending the American Dream Summit” held in Orlando by Americans for Prosperity, a group often associated with the tea party.
House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, joined other Republicans in hailing the proposal. “When you announce a tax cut, you can count on a hearty cheer from the Florida House of Representatives,” Weatherford said. “We are supportive of the governor’s bold announcement today, and look forward to working with him next session.”
But House Minority Leader Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, was lukewarm on the idea.
“I am sure that many Floridians may cautiously welcome the relief from Republican-proposed tax hikes. … But it is imperative that before promising tax cuts we have assurances our state can adequately fund education, health care, public safety and other priorities of working families and small businesses.”
During the Orlando speech, Scott also took some swipes at former Gov. Charlie Crist, a onetime Republican who appears to be laying the groundwork to run as a Democrat against Scott next year. Scott slammed Crist for taking emergency federal funding to help balance the state budget in the wake of the economic recession.
“My predecessor had made a name for himself by hugging President Obama’s non-stop spending — and even hugging the president,” Scott said in a reference to an embrace between Crist and President Barack Obama during an event pushing the program. “When asked about taking all the stimulus, he said he ‘needed the money.’ … D.C.’s spending addiction had spread to Florida.”
by The News Service of Florida
Photos: NHS Mini-Dance Team, Band, Cheerleaders
September 1, 2013
For a photo gallery with the Northview mini-dance Team, dance team, Tribal Beat Band, NJROTC and cheerleaders from Friday night’s game against Bozeman, click here.
For a game summary and action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
By The Numbers: 665 Helped By Century Event
September 1, 2013
The numbers are in from last weekend’s first annual Back to School Bash/Farm Share event in Century.
In total, 240 families, 15 vendors and 33 volunteers took part in the event, according to organizers. The 240 families represented 665 individuals family members.
Volunteer Florida’s ACES team (AmeriCorps Coalition of Escambia and Santa Rosa) is an AmeriCorps program through the Florida Department of Children and Families that places 10 AmeriCorps members in nonprofits to provide educational support, financial stability, healthy lifestyles and school readiness. The Century event was created by the ACES members and spearheaded by member Dominique “Nikki” Maywald.
AmeriCorps members wanted to ensure that families would have fresh, nutritious food and clothes for the new school year. Leading up to the event, members organized clothing drives and ensured that all children at the event were able to receive clothes for school.
AmeriCorps members also reached out to the town of Century, Catholic Charities, and Farm Share for donations. Families participating in the back to school event were provided with fresh produce from Farm Share, a nonprofit that utilizes volunteers to re-sort and package fresh surplus foods to distribute to individuals, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, churches and other organizations feeding the hungry in Florida, free of charge.
Pictured: The first annual Back to School Bash/Farm Share event in Century on August 24. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Youth Show Their Spirit
September 1, 2013
Youth from Ray’s Chapel and the Walnut Hill Baptist churches came together Saturday night to show their school and team spirit during Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church’s third annual “Spirit Night”. The youth enjoyed worship, a message from youth leader Seth Leonard, food, prizes and games. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
BayBears Stun Wahoos With Three-Run Ninth
September 1, 2013
Nick Ahmed capped a three-run ninth with a two-out, two-run walk-off single against Trevor Bell, giving the Mobile BayBears a 4-3 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Saturday night at Hank Aaron Stadium. It was the fourth loss in a row for Pensacola.
Mobile entered the last of the ninth trailing 3-1, but put a couple runners on base thanks to walks from Jamie Walczak. Bell (L, 0-1) came on with two on and one out and gave up a pinch-hit RBI double to Garrett Weber to make it 3-2. After Justin Greene struck out, Ahmed laced a first pitch fastball into the gap in left center to score two runs and give the BayBears the win.
Pensacola had rallied in the eighth against reliever Matt Gorgen. Devin Lohman started the rally with a walk before Corey Wimberly singled up the middle to put two on with just one out. Yorman Rodriguez then came through with a two-run double to the right-center field gap to give Pensacola a 2-1 lead. Rodriguez would later score on a single from Brandon Short to make it 3-1.
Both starting pitchers were dominant in the contest with Andrew Chafin and Jon Moscot tossing five scoreless innings apiece. In his final start of the 2013 season, Moscot allowed four base hits but struck out five for Pensacola. Chafin answered by allowing just two base hits with a pair of punchouts.
Mobile’s lone run prior to the ninth came on a Raywilly Gomez RBI double in the sixth inning against Michael Lorenzen. Blake Cooper (W, 5-2) picked up the win for the BayBears with a scoreless 1.1 innings.
The Wahoos will look to snap their four-game losing streak on Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. Josh Smith (10-9, 3.41) gets the ball for Pensacola in search of his franchise-record 11th win of the year while Mobile will go with southpaw David Holmberg (5-7, 2.66)
Sandra Howard Elliott
September 1, 2013
She was preceded in death by her mother, Florence J. Simmons; father, Amos Howard; husband, Aubrey G. Elliott; great-grandson, David Blake Hupp; brothers, Franklin Delanor “Sonny” Howard and Harley J. “Jimbo” Wilds and sister, Sylvia J. Wilds.
She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Ann Glover (Robert Allan) and Barbara Lynn Horne (Norman G.); son, Steven Cecil Bodiford; grandkids, Janelle L. Kitts (Matthew), Josh Glover, Amanda Hupp, Blake Bodiford, Sylvia Golden (Scott) and Carol Howard (Justin); brothers, Amos J. “Boogie” Howard (Rose Marie), George B. Howard, Ronnie Johnson and Douglas E. “Eddie” Fludd; numerous nieces, nephews and great-grandkids.
Memorial services will be at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, September 7, 2013, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Reverend James Burnham officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Delano Nunn
September 1, 2013
Delano Nunn, 76 of Milton, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2013, in Pace. He was a supervisor with a furniture manufacturer, born in Escambia County (Fla.) on June 1,1937, to the late Marshall and Emma Morgan Nunn.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Woodrow Nunn.
Survivors include two sons, Mark Nunn of Pensacola and Christopher (Etelka) Nunn of Holland, MI; one daughter, Gayleen (Ed) Prieto of Riverside, CA; one sister, Annie Kathryn Jenkins of Mississippi; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two aunts, Ardiel Morgan and Maurine Gulsby.
Graveside services will be Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at 2 p.m. in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Bro. Mike Grindle officiating.
Interment will follow in Walnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Rodney Siewert
September 1, 2013
Mr. Rodney Siewert, 63, a native of Charleston, SC, and longtime resident of Pensacola, passed away August 30, 2013.
Mr. Siewert was employed as a plant mechanic at Baptist Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine.
A graveside service will be held Monday, September 2, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Elizabeth Chapel Cemetery in Pace.
Faith Chapel North has been entrusted with arrangements.