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Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup

At this rate, Gov. Rick Scott might start commissioning weekly surveys by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Consider: In June, the last time that Connecticut-based school did a poll in Florida, Scott had sliced his deficit against former Gov. Charlie Crist from 16 points to 10. The following Friday, the state’s unemployment rate fell from 7.2 percent to 7.1 percent.

This week’s Quinnipiac release had more good news for the Republican governor: The gap between Scott and Crist is now down to seven points. And figures released Friday showed the unemployment rate slipping yet again, from 6.8 percent in September to 6.7 percent in October.

It might not quite be time for Scott to start singing “Happy Days Are Here Again.” But if the governor’s bid for re-election is compared to the movie that song first appeared in — “Chasing Rainbows” — it looks like Scott might be gaining on them.

BOUNCING BACK?

The bottom line for the Quinnipiac poll was still not a great number for Scott. Crist, a former Republican who became a Democrat last year, leads his successor, 47-40, and Scott’s job approval rating is still underwater (47-42). Things might be looking slightly brighter for the incumbent, but his numbers would almost have to improve — or Crist’s worsen — for Scott to claim a second term.

“In other words, for Scott to win, he’s going to have to convince voters that Charlie was not a good governor and that he (Crist) is a political opportunist,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac institute. “And we all expect that he will spend tens of millions of dollars to make that argument. We’ll see whether it works or not.”

Democratic consultant Steve Schale brushed off the results as an inevitable tightening of the governor’s race.

“The idea that this was ever a 15-point race is foolish,” said Schale, who is advising Crist but made clear he wasn’t speaking for the campaign.

Meanwhile, Crist was making the rounds at the Florida Press Center — an opportunity to schmooze with the journalists who will be covering his race — and perhaps watching nervously the actions of a certain former spaceman.

Confirming reports that have circulated for months, Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson told Politico — a D.C.-based news organization — that he might jump into the race for governor if Crist “gets into trouble.”

When asked to elaborate on what trouble might mean, Nelson said, “That’s in the eye of the beholder,” according to Politico.

Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin said in an email he “had nothing to add” to the report, and Schale tried to downplay it.

“It doesn’t change anything. Charlie Crist is still running for governor. He’s still building a campaign. He’s still out there every day doing the kinds of things you do when you want to get elected governor. There’s nothing about this that’s changing any of that except that Bill Nelson’s not doing that,” he said.

Nelson, for the record, was not included in any of the scenarios that Quinnipiac ran in its November poll; Brown said they would put the senator back in the mix if he showed any interest in actually running.

‘AN OPPORTUNITY ECONOMY’

The new unemployment figures, meanwhile, marked Florida’s lowest unemployment rate in more than five years, according to the state. The new seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.7 percent still represents an estimated 625,000 people who are out of work.

The October number also represents 31,000 fewer people being out of work than in August, the last monthly jobless figures available before Friday’s release. The September numbers were delayed because the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics suspended all data collection during the federal-government shutdown.

The drop in the overall number of unemployed outpaced the number of people who simply left Florida’s workforce between September and October — 9,000.

Scott used the numbers to tout his progress and also to test some themes for when he faces voters next year.

“We don’t just want a state where job creation reaches a certain number, or unemployment falls to a certain number,” Scott said in a prepared statement. “We want to create an opportunity economy. We want a state with dynamic, growing industries that will create jobs and careers for generations to come.”

Another central plank of Scott’s re-election effort will almost certainly be his pledge to lower taxes and fees by $500 million during the legislative session that opens in March. State economists met Wednesday to try to attach a price-tag to some of the items on the menu.

For example, slashing the communications-services tax, which affects things like cell phone services, by 2 percent would drain $255 million out of state revenue. Slicing a percentage point off a commercial rental tax would reduce state revenue by about $235.6 million, and local revenue by $20.2 million — with the price tag going up in future years.

Repeating the three-day back-to-school sales tax holiday would cost the state $35.9 million, while a similar measure for hurricane gear would likely reduce income by just $3.3 million.

One idea that is relatively unlikely to go far is Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s proposal to trim the sales tax on energy used by businesses.

Putnam said Monday he remains behind the proposal to cut in half the 7 percent tax and to redirect the remaining revenue for school construction and maintenance — but it probably won’t go anywhere as lawmakers offer their own proposals for how to reach Scott’s half-billion dollar goal.

“I’ve been in their shoes, I know they’ve got a lot of ideas,” Putnam, a former lawmaker, told reporters during a pen and pad session in his Capitol conference room. “They’ve got a budget they need to balance, and concerns about a surplus that hopefully will continue to be as robust as they’ve projected. But given the uncertainty of the national economy, we may not know until March just what type of budget outlook we have and how much there is to make the type of investments this might cost.”

THE CHANCELLOR’S CORONATION

In one of the least surprising developments of the week, the Florida Board of Governors reached out and touched their next choice for chancellor: Marshall Criser, currently the president of AT&T in Florida.

The board voted unanimously to name Criser to the position Wednesday afternoon, putting a fixture of Florida’s business and political establishment atop the network of 12 universities.

Criser, the son of a former president of the University of Florida and member of the UF board of trustees, has long been the front-runner for the position. Criser has headed up the telecom’s presence in Florida since 2005 and has had a role in government relations in Florida for AT&T or its state predecessor, BellSouth, off and on since 1989.

He is also a former chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as chairman of the Florida Council of 100.

“I believe that our state has laid the foundation to be the leader in academic quality, access for Florida’s students, and accountability to ensure the value of investing in Florida’s future,” Criser said in a statement following the vote.

STORY OF THE WEEK: Florida’s unemployment rate hit 6.7 percent, its lowest level in more than five years.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’ve hit a bottom and I realize I need help.”–Southwest Florida Congressman Trey Radel to Judge Robert S. Tignor after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine, as quoted by The Washington Post.

by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida

BBB: 8 Holiday Travel Tips That Will Help You Save Money

Shirley Ann Hughes Cobb

Mrs. Shirley Ann Hughes Cobb, 53, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013, in Atmore.

Mrs. Cobb was a native of Atmore, former resident of Warner Robbins, Georgia and had resided in Atmore most of her life.

She is survived by her two sons, Thomas B. (Mandy) Davis of Davisville, and James Darell McNeil Jr. of Warner Robbins, GA; four daughters, Shauna (Mikey) Harrelson of Atmore, Amy (Maurico) Alvearda of Warner Robbins, GA, Stephanie McNeil of Warner Robbins, GA and Natasha “Joy” McNeil of Tony, AL; three brothers, Danny Ray (Deborah) Hughes of Atmore, Wesley Lee (Wanda) Hughes of Atmore and Richard Anthony (Deneen) Hughes of Perdido; two sisters, Joyce Marie (Roger) Harrelson of Brewton and Cheryl Jane Harris of Atmore; and 17 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Friday, November 22, 2013 at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Malcolm Harrelson officiating.

Burial was in at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Shawn M. Boutwell, Brandon L. McNeil, Cody E. McNeil, Jessie L. Sanks, Dillon Hall and Ricky Harrelson.

Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.

Agonizing Loss: Northview Chiefs Fall In Regional Final

The defending 1A state champ Northview Chiefs suffered an agonizing 34-28 loss on the road to Cottondale Friday night in the Region 1-1A title game.

“It’s tough,” senior quarterback Dalton Tullis said following the game. “We worked hard, but we could have done more stuff than we did. I feel bad right now.”

The Chiefs suffered numerous controversial calls by the officials, including a game changer with 1:36 to go. The Chiefs were up 28-26 when Northview’s Brannon Freeman picked off a Hornet pass. The officials called pass interference, setting up a Hornet drive and the go ahead run for Cottondale.

“I saw things differently,” Northview head coach Sid Wheatley said. “It’s big. It’s big. If a couple of calls had gone the other way it would have been a different outcome in this game.”

And as the clock rolled down to zero and the Chiefs down to the Hornet’s 30 on the final play, Northview fans and coaches saw what should have been a holding call, but no flags were thrown.

But excuses and blame don’t earn — or lose — a trip to the state championship game in Orlando.

“We needed to move the ball a little bit better in the second half. We needed to stop them a little bit better,” Wheatley said. “We’ve got to come back real hungry with these guys that are going to return (next season). We need to remember this feeling and be motivated by it. We need to win.”

And in the end, the Chiefs came up short, and the tears flowed.

“I’m feeling pretty bad right now. It’s heartbreaking to lose like this,” senior Neino Robinson said after the loss. “I think we played the best we could; we made some big plays. My team’s great; I have a great team. We just gave up some big plays in the end, and it come back to hurt us.”

The Chiefs were the first on the board Friday night in Cottondale with 8:40 to go in the first.  Tullis was up the middle for a couple of yards and the Chiefs’ first touchdown. A missed extra point attempt, and Northview held a 6-0 lead.

On their next possession, the Chiefs fumbled the ball away with Cottondale recovering on the 10-yard line to set up a touchdown and a 6-6 tie.

In the second, Cottondale answered with a 15 yard touchdown pass  to go ahead 12-6.  With 7:54 to go in the half, Freeman was in from a couple of yards out and Tullis added the two point conversion run, 14-12 Chiefs.  With just over a minute and a half before half time, the Chiefs expanded their lead to 20-12 on a 3-yard TD run from Freeman. On the extra point attempt, Robinson was into the end zone, 22-12 Chiefs.

In the third quarter, the Hornets stung with 8:30 on the clock to close in 22-18 with a 23-yard touchdown pass.

Cottondale scored with 6:01 in the fourth before the Chiefs retook the lead on 2-yard run from Keondrae Lett with 4:22. But Cottondale would come back with 41 seconds remaining to go ahead on a 4-yard run, 34-28.

Pictured top: Northview’s Keondrae Lett reacts emotionally after the Chief’s regional final loss Friday night in Cottondale. Pictured top inset: A missed Northview pass at the Hornet’s 3-yard line with 3.7 seconds remaining in the game. Pictured middle inset: Northview’s Neino Robinson and Coach Sid Wheatley following the loss. Pictured bottom inset: Junior Cameron Newsome gains yardage for the Chiefs. Pictured below: Ladarius Thomas fights off a Hornets defender. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Driver Charged With DUI Manslaughter In Fatal Cantonment Crash

A Cantonment driver has been charged with DUI manslaughter following a Thursday night traffic crash that claimed the life of his 54-year old passenger.

Melvin Pryear, 48, was released for from Sacred Heart Hospital Friday night, less than 24 hours after the crash. He was immediately taken into custody and charged with the death of Albertina McCarty of Pensacola. The Florida Highway Patrol said Pryear was driving under the influence when he pulled into the path of a 18-wheeler near International Paper.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Pryear was traveling north on Highway 29  in a 2004 Chrysler Sebring about 10:45 p.m. when he turned into the path of a southbound 2000 Volvo 18-wheeler driven by 60-year old Standford Britts of Medina, OH.  The FHP said that according to multiple witnesses,  both north and southbound Highway 29 had a green light as he approached Muscogee Road, but there was no green turn arrow for Pryear.

The front of the 18-wheeler struck the Chrysler, causing it to rotate onto the southbound shoulder at the Raceway gas station. McCarty, Pryear’s passenger in the Chrysler,  was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.  Britts not injured.

Pryear remained in the Escambia County Jail early Saturday morning where he was being held without bond.

Pictured: A 54-year old Pensacola woman was killed in this crash Thursday night in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.

Turning Colder Tonight; Sunny Sunday

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

• Tonight: A 20 percent chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind around 15 mph.
• Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 54. North wind around 15 mph.
• Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Monday: A 40 percent chance of rain, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 10 mph.
• Monday Night: Rain. Low around 51. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
• Tuesday: Rain. High near 59. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
• Tuesday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 42. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
• Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 32. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
• Thanksgiving Day: Sunny, with a high near 54.
• Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 60.
• Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65.

Escambia Shooting Victims’ Names Released

Escambia Sheriff’s investigators have released the names of  two shooting victims from an incident which occurred on November 19. The victims are identified as 32-year old Willie Maurice Floyd and 27-year old Courtney Germaine Floyd.

According to the victims, they were walking near the 3200 block of West Gadsden Street when they were approached by two black males. An argument ensued at which time one of the black males pulled a gun and fired several shots. Deputies responded and discovered the victims with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries

Investigators are seeking any information regarding this crime. Anyone with information about this or any other crime is asked to call Gulf Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-7867.

Friday Night Playoff Finals

Here are final scores from tonight’s playoff action:

Cottondale 34, Northview 28 [Read more...]
Blountstown 34, Port St Joe 0
Catholic 26, West Florida 20
Niceville 38, Lincoln 17
Leeds 24, T.R. Miller 20

Satsumas Available From Davisville Man’s Orchard

A local man is selling the fruits of his labor — satsumas from his orchard.

Jimmie Davis has nearly 180 satsuma trees in his orchard in the Davisville community.  The satsumas, which are said to be better than an orange and peel like a tangerine, are available while supplies last.

To purchase the satsumas, stop by 9941 Highway 97 (south of Highway 4, near Pine Forest Road).

Pictured above: Jimmie Davis of Davisville with one of his satsuma trees. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Operation Christmas Child Central Continues At FBC Bratt

Volunteers are busy at the First Baptist Church of Bratt during “National Collection Week” for Operation Christmas Child. For the 20th year, the simple, gift-filled shoe boxes will bring Christmas joy and evangelistic materials to children in over 130 countries across the world.

National Collection Week for OCC  continues through November 25. The First Baptist  Church of Bratt will be the official OCC Relay Center for the north end of Escambia County, Florida. The FBC Bratt will also accept boxes from individuals, groups or churches in  and Escambia County, Alabama, again this year.3

“This is not about the FBC of Bratt”, says Student Pastor Tim Hawsey, Relay Center coordinator. “This is about being a blessing and bringing God’s love and hope to children in poverty around the world that would not  receive it otherwise. We have gone through the intense process of been approved as a church to be a Relay Center to collect the boxes from individuals, families, and churches of our area, document and pack them into special cartons and take them to the next level for Samaritan’s Purse, and we are blessed to do it.”

Collection hours at the First Baptist Church of Bratt will be:

• Saturday, Nov. 23: 8 a.m. – noon
• Sunday, Nov. 24: 8 a.m. – noon, 4-6 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 25: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

The boxes collected this year at FBC Bratt will go through the Atlanta Processing Center then will be shipped to the countries of Belize, Botswana, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Haiti, Macedonia, Madagascar, Niger, Seychelles, Suriname, Trinidad, Tobago, and the Ukraine.

Operation Christmas Child boxes should be packed in a specific manner, and there are changes this year. For more information, call Hawsey at the First Baptist Church of Bratt at (850) 327-6529, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call (800) 353-5949. Resources are available for churches that wish to participate.

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