Legislation Aimed At Expanding Private Flood Coverage In Florida
December 18, 2013
Two lawmakers released a proposal Tuesday intended to make it easier for private insurers to offer flood coverage in Florida and to potentially make coverage more affordable for homeowners.
The measure (SB 542) by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, is designed to increase competition by expanding the number of insurers offering flood insurance coverage in the Florida market.
The proposal comes as up to 13 percent of Florida’s property owners now covered through the National Flood Insurance Program are in line for rate hikes of up to 25 percent a year. Some properties have been projected to face increases that reach 900 percent, and efforts to hold back the rising costs have floundered in Congress. The increases stem from a measure known as the 2012 Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act.
“Floridians deserve an alternative to the drastic rate increases of Biggert-Waters,” Brandes said in a prepared statement. “This legislation builds a framework for a Florida-based solution that gives flexibility to homeowners. This will put Florida at the forefront of addressing this issue nationwide.”
Rep. Larry Ahern, R-Seminole, is expected to file the House companion bill in a couple of weeks.
The two held a press conference Tuesday at the Pinellas Realtor Organization in Clearwater to announce the legislation.
John Sebree, senior vice president of public policy for Florida Realtors, supported the proposal, saying the state can’t wait for Congress to act on requests to delay the increase.
“First of all, we can’t wait around for Congress to act — they didn’t in 2013 and what if we wait and wait and they don’t do anything in 2014,” Sebree said in an email. “Even if Congress were to delay implementation of Biggert-Waters there would be uncertainty about premium increases and it is a win-win to promote the private sector jumping into this business in a big way.”
Sebree added that getting more insurers in Florida would both reduce the size of the federal program and expand the private market.
Sam Miller, executive vice president of the Florida Insurance Council, was supportive of the effort but said he was still reviewing Brandes’ proposal.
“We know there is some appetite on the part of private insurers, but just how much remains to be seen,” Miller said in an email. “Whether the private market — which has been unable to write this peril in the past can suddenly do it in a significant manner is an unanswered question.”
Brandes has been working with the state Office of Insurance Regulation, bankers and insurers on the legislation since early November, as a bipartisan group in Congress has struggled in efforts to delay the implementation of the Biggert-Waters act.
The 2012 act requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies to make a number of changes to the way the National Flood Insurance Program is run, including raising rates to reflect true flood risk and to make the program more financially stable.
The federal program was created by Congress in 1968 to provide coverage where it was unavailable from the private market and to reduce the amount of financial aid the federal government would have to pay after a flood-related disaster.
In September, Florida Realtors outlined nightmare scenarios in which some properties in Pinellas County could see a jump in premiums from $3,000 a year to more than $30,000, eventually impacting “Florida’s economic rebound.” The Florida Bankers Association has warned that the higher costs could eventually impact lending.
The proposal by Brandes and Ahern would require adding projected flood losses to the factors that must be considered by OIR when reviewing rate filings.
A key part of the proposed legislation would allow policyholders the choice of covering the outstanding balances of their mortgages, the replacement costs of their properties or the actual cash values of their properties.
Brandes’ proposal declares that because Biggert-Waters will prevent many property owners from obtaining affordable coverage the state “has a compelling public purpose and interest” to protect the economy by “promoting the availability of flood insurance from private market insurers at potentially lower premium rates.”
Brandes’ proposal is expected to first be heard by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee in January.
The legislation comes as Tampa-based Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Inc., was approved Dec. 5 by OIR to offer flood insurance coverage to its Florida policyholders.
The company announced last Thursday the coverage is expected to be priced similarly to what Florida residents were paying before the Biggert-Waters Act.
“We will enter the market cautiously and focus on our strict underwriting guidelines and calculated risk management,” Scott Wallace, Homeowners Choice’s president said in a release.
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Escambia Search And Rescue Fundraiser Underway
December 18, 2013
Escambia Search and Rescue wants Escambia County residents to know that the group is currently soliciting funds door-to-door.
Several months ago, the group said they received reports of someone fraudulently going door-to-door for the group. But Skip Bollens, ESAR director, said this week that their annual door-to-door fundraiser is now underway.
“ESAR is supported by these donations,” Bollens said. “We are non-profit, all volunteer organization…serving the community since 1961.”
Escambia Search and Rescue trains for and responds to many different types of incidents, including lost children, missing hunters, drowning victims, overdue boats, natural disasters, and missing persons with Alzheimer’s, autism or other forms of dementia.
Donations can be made on the group’s website, www.EscambiaSearchAndRescue.com.
Pictured: ESAR begins a successful search for a missing 8-year old boy lost in a wooded area near Century. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Deputy Ticketed After Crash
December 18, 2013
A Escambia County deputy was ticketed after a two vehicle accident on Lillian Highway.
The Florida Patrol said 24-year old Danna Sirouis slowed her 1997 Nissan Altima to a stop on Lillian Highway due to an approaching emergency vehicle. Deputy Ken Holyfield, 31, failed to stop his marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Crown Victoria and hit the rear of the Altima.
Sirois was taken to West Florida Hospital win minor injuries.
Holeyfield, the FHP said, was cited for careless driving.
Your Christmas Photos: Molino Lights
December 18, 2013
This house on Highway 29 near Cross Faith Church is decorated for Christmas. Submitted photo by Charles Crumpton for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Share your Christmas lights or other Christmas photos. Email the photos to news@northescambia.com.
Robert “Bobby” Nolen
December 18, 2013
Mr. Robert “Bobby” Nolen, 71, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2013, in Jay.
Mr. Nolen was a native and lifelong resident of Bluff Springs. Mr. Nolen rode for Toys for Tots and was an oil field work superintendent. He attended the Faith Bible Baptist Church. His father, Ray Nolen and his mother and dad, Birdie Mae and Allen Peterson, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jeane Nolen of Bluff Springs; three sons, Jeff Nolen of Century, Greg (Denise) Nolen of Jay and Tony (Sue) Nolen of Byrneville; two brothers, Roy Nolen, Jr. of Fairhope and Donnie Peterson of Pensacola; and three grandchildren, Olivia Nolen, Seth Nolen and Ryder Nolen.
Funeral services will be Friday, December 20, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Barrow officiating.
Burial will follow at the Crary Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, December 19, 2013, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Joe Daniel, Marcus Godwin, Jerry Davis, Bobby Chancery, Gene Chancery and Chuck Baldwin. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gene Driskell and Jimmy Johnson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Donations Make For Merry Christmas At Century Care Center
December 18, 2013
Residents at the Century Care Center recently held their annual Christmas party. The event included gifts for the residents that were made possible by donations from local groups, families and staff.
“Thanks to all,” said Mae Hildreth, the facility’s activities director. “You help make Christmas wonderful, magical for our residents.”
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Boys, Girls Beat Baker
December 18, 2013
The Northview varsity boys and girls beat Baker Tuesday night.
Northview 45, Baker 25 (Girls)
Northview Varsity Girls beat Baker, 45-25. It was 14-13 at the half, Northview leading. The Chiefs outscored Baker 31-12 in the 2nd half. E’Layzha Bates lead the Lady Chiefs with 16 points. Danielle Steadham had 11 points, Angel Lathan had 9 points, Lana Clayton had 5 and De’Asia Fountain had 4. Northview plays Thursday in the Jay Christmas Tournament.
Northview 59, Baker 51 (Boys)
The Northview Varsity Boys beat Baker 59-51. . The boys play next this Friday in the Alabama Southern Christmas Tournament.
Cora Annette Cobb
December 18, 2013
Miss Cora Annette Cobb, 80, formally of Cobbtown, passed away on December 16, 2013.
Miss Annette was attending Cora Baptist Church. She retired from Monsanto in 1988. She enjoyed reading, fishing, and all kinds of crafts from crocheting to quilting and was very good at everything she did. She also had a love for music. Miss Annette was the family’s rock and was a loving sister and mother to all of her family. She will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Flora Cobb; sisters, Nellie Valentine and Pauline Smith and brother, Richard Cobb.
She is survived by her sister, Hazel Simmons; brother, Gerald (Shirley) Cobb; brother-in-law, Dawson Smith; sister-in-law, Janell Cobb and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Brother LaDon Hall officiating services.
Burial will follow at Cobbtown Holiness Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be her nephews.
The family would like to thank Covenant Hospice of West Florida, all doctors and concerned friends that showed their love, support, and care during our time of need.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Reindeer Games: US Marshals, Escambia Deputies Bust 93 Wanted Felons
December 17, 2013
In a joint effort, the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office hit the streets of Escambia County the past week in the second phase of an earlier round-up initiated two weeks ago, capturing some of Escambia’s more elusive and violent fugitives.
Deputy Marshals from Tallahassee, Panama City, Tampa and Pensacola worked with Sheriff’s deputies from the ECSO TAC Team and arrested 93 wanted felons in a street-level sweep dubbed as Operation Reindeer Games.
The Task Force identified approximately 120 of Escambia’s more dangerous fugitives who were wanted on various charges including murder, attempted murder, sexual battery, assault, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, strangulation, possession of firearms and other weapon offenses as well as numerous narcotics violations.
At the end of the week, the population of Escambia County Jail swelled as a result of the multi-agency fugitive round-up and others found themselves in local jails in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties; as well as other parts of Florida and Alabama. Of the 93 criminals who went to jail, 12 fugitives surrendered to jails after learning they were being sought on warrants.
Although the operation’s aim was to find fugitives, others were arrested on probable cause arrests of which several included harboring a fugitive or obstruction of justice when trying to conceal the fugitives’ locations. In just four days over 120 warrants were served, three firearms seized, over 1000 grams of various drugs and $240 in counterfeit bills were confiscated, a stolen car was recovered and three active meth labs were shutdown.
This sweep is the latest but not the last one as a part of Sheriff David Morgan’s objective to crackdown on violent offenders with the help of the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force. The shared goal is to try and help make the people in the community feel safer.
Highlighted cases from Operation Reindeer Games:
Eddie McGee – Charged with 1st Degree Homicide. McGee was wanted out of Atlanta, GA and was believed to be hiding out in Pensacola. The US Marshals in Atlanta identified possible locations and asked the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force for assistance. McGee was wanted in association with a homicide that took place June 14th, 2013, that occurred at Hidden Cove Circle, Gwinnett County, Norcross, Georgia. On that day, officers arrived on a scene of a reported shots fired call. Gwinnett Officers found the victim dead of a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Gwinnett Homicide investigators determined during their investigation that McGee was a suspect along with Norman Griffith who is also in custody relating to the murder. According to police reports they had arranged to purchase cocaine from the victim.
Douglas White – Charged with Child Cruelty and Abuse. When Marshals and officers attempted to arrest White inside of a trailer, White then took a two-year old whom White stuffed in a plastic tub and covered with clothing and blankets to hide the child to keep it quiet. White then secreted himself in a larger plastic tub beside the child and covered himself under a blanket. White and the child were located and White was subsequently tased by FRFTF members as he attempted to avoid arrest. The child is also the victim of the original crime in which the child was admitted to an Emergency Room for stitches due to injuries reportedly inflicted by White. White also had an active child abuse case with Department of Children and Family services for an assault on a 5 year old child. White was charged additionally with Child Cruelty and Resisting Arrest.
Jermaine Beasley – Charged with Attempted Homicide, Armed Robbery. Beasley is a suspect in a random street robbery and shooting that occurred at Gadsden and “Y” Streets in Pensacola on November 19 of this year.
Latasha Griggs – Charged with Possession of Cocaine and Marijuana. Griggs arrest resulted in the seizure of 126 grams of cocaine and marijuana which also led to the arrest of:
Tequilla Stallworth – Was arrested and charged with Grand Theft Auto, Possession of Counterfeit US Currency.
Casey Blackmon – Charged with Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon and Felony Battery by Strangulation. Escambia County Sheriff’s reports state that Blackmon was involved in an argument with his reported girlfriend that resulted in him allegedly choking her, punching and smacking her in the face, then held her down kneeing her in the stomach (police report reflects that she stated she is pregnant and Blackmon was aware of that) and then attempted to tase her with some type of taser device.
Keith Rogers – Charged with Armed Robbery with a Firearm and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. Rogers was wanted in connection with a home invasion robber that took place on October 10th of this year at the Oakwood Terrace Apartment complex. According to victim and witness statements, Rogers and another man approached the victim and Rogers pistol whipped the man and then the two suspects dragged him into his apartment and robbed him before fleeing. Rogers has 6 prior firearm related arrests.
The sweep was by in large successful because of the assistance of Special Deputy Marshal Task Force Officers from Escambia, Bay, Leon, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton County Sheriff’s Offices, Panama City and Tallahassee Police Departments, Florida Department of Corrections and Special Agents from the ATF and FBI.
Fire Destroys Pickup Truck, Camper On Jacks Branch
December 17, 2013
There were no injuries when fire destroyed pickup truck and pop-up camper Monday night near Molino.
The pickup and camper caught fire on Jacks Branch Road, just north of Schifko Road about 7:15 p.m.. The driver of the truck was able to escape without injury.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze, which shut down Jacks Branch Road for about an hour. The exact cause the fire was not immediately known.
Pictured: Fire destroyed a pickup truck and pop-up camper Monday night on Jacks Branch Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
