ECAT Plans To ‘X-Out’ Buses Over Gas Tax Increase Use
February 11, 2013
The local transit union plans to X-out ECAT buses this week to protest reported plans by the City of Pensacola to keep a four cent gas tax hike rather than passing it along to the county for mass transit.
Late last year, the Escambia County Commission approved a four cent gas tax increase beginning in 2014 to fund ECAT public transportation. The Town of Century balked, and now it appears the City of Pensacola may use the funds in an effort to new jobs to town.
On Thursday, the ATU Local 1395 will show the public, bus riders and elected officials one possible result to cutting $700,000 or more out of the transit service. About seven to 10 bus routes will be tagged with an “X” to show how many people would be without bus service with the funding reduction.
The union said the action is a direct response to an announce by Escambia County Commission Chairman Gene Valentino last week. Valentino said Pensacola proposes to use proceeds from the recently passed gas tax for economic development. Pensacola may use the funds as incentives for Project Stallion, a Singapore aerospace company with 500 jobs that is considering a location at the Pensacola International Airport.
“The Union has supported a dedicated gas tax for mass transit (ECAT) since 2007 and is encouraging the members of the city council to not only support the bus system by approving the gas tax for ECAT but allow the city to have a joint effort in how the system run with the county, a union press releases stated.
Valentino said last week that Pensacola needs to head “back to the drawing board” an find another way to finance their portion of a bond issue for Project Stallion.
The Town of Century has also refused to agree to remit their portion of the tax to the county, claiming it would potentially force the three gas stations in Century to close as drivers cross the state line and purchase cheaper gas in Flomaton.
Century asked the Escambia County State Legislative Delegation to support a bill exempting Century from the tax, but that idea failed because Florida law won’t allow the exemption. Century is now considered a push for a constitutional amendment to nix the tax in Century.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Monday Is Deadline To Apply For Library Board Of Governance
February 11, 2013
Monday is the deadline for residents to apply to serve on a newly formed Public Library Board of Governance for the West Florida Public Library System. Interested applicants should have a passion for libraries and the services they provide the community, as well as the ability to effectively advocate for the West Florida Public Library System.
Appointees chosen to serve on the Board of Governance will do so in a strictly voluntary capacity, with selected applicants beginning their service at 2 p.m. on March 4. After that, it is expected that the Board will meet at 2 p.m. on the first Monday of each month. Additional meetings may be required during the transitional period.
Individuals interested in serving on Escambia County’s behalf should send or email a resume, as well as the completed questionnaire, on or before close of business on Monday, February 11. Forward all information to:
Attn: Library Board of Governance Member Search
Escambia County Human Resources Department
221 Palafox Place, Suite 200
Pensacola, FL 32502
Email: TGTurner@myescambia.com
Bill: Drivers Texting In Fatal Crashes Would Be Guilty Of Homicide
February 11, 2013
Drivers whose texting leads to an accident and death would be guilty of homicide under a bill filed last week in the Senate and expected to soon show up in the House.
Drivers whose texting led to death could be charged with vehicular homicide, a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in jail under a proposal (SB 708) filed this week by Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando.
Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, is expected to file a companion measure in the House.
The bills are among a handful of efforts to reduce the use of wireless communications by motorists. Florida is one of a few states that have not adopted restrictions against texting while driving – even when death occurs as a result.
By The News Service of Florida
School News: Book Fair At Ernest Ward; Orientations At Northview, EWMS
February 11, 2013
Orientation sessions are planned at Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle schools, and Ernest Ward is holding a book fair this week. Details:
Northview High Orientation
Northview High School will host an orientation for all eighth grade students entering the ninth grade at Northview for the 2013-2014 school year. The orientation agenda will include a variety of useful topics that will help parents and students become more familiar with the registration process, student academic progression, and other requirements. The orientation will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, February 25th in the Northview theater.
Ernest Ward Book Fair
Ernest Ward Middle School Spring Scholastic Book Fair will be held this week, February 11-15. Students will be allowed to shop during scheduled hours and during their lunches. The Fair will also be available during the Valentine’s Dance Friday evening. Cash only sales. The Book Fairs is also online, click here.
Ernest Ward Middle Orientation
Ernest Ward Middle School will hold an orientation and registration for all students who plan to attend EWMS next school year. The event will be held Thursday, February 21 from 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. in the school gym.
Invitations have already been sent home with sixth and seventh grade EWMS students, along with students from Byrneville, Bratt and Molino Park elementary schools.
The invitation includes a free meal catered by Archie’s Catering Smokehouse for the immediate family of each student who returns the completed form to their homeroom teacher, guidance counselor or the school office by Tuesday, February 12.
During the program, EWMS and staff will be available to answer questions and explain middle school programs, extracurricular activities, and middle school academies. Parents are encouraged to attend the event to complete their child’s registration process for the next school year
Effort To Abolish Florida’s Death Penalty Fails On Committee Vote
February 11, 2013
An effort to abolish the death penalty in Florida finally got a hearing last week in a House committee after a three-year effort, but then quickly went down to defeat.
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted 9-4 against a bill (HB 4005) that would have statutorily abolished the death penalty in the state.
But the rare vote to kill a bill in committee, rather than just bottling it up never to be heard, gave death penalty opponents their first chance to extensively argue for a repeal, following several years in which the measure’s sponsor, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, has been unable to persuade Republican leaders to put the bill before a committee.
Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, offered extensive praise for committee chairman Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, for being willing to allow the debate on the often divisive and emotional issue. Gaetz also had the committee take testimony from a number of death penalty opponents, including a rabbi, a university criminology professor and a woman whose daughter and grandson were murdered but who has advocated against the death penalty.
The debate and vote on the bill preceded another discussion on potential flaws in application of the death penalty, the beginning of a discussion that may result in legislation later this year.
But Gaetz said that before debating whether to make the death penalty law better, it only made sense to take up the “threshold question … of whether Florida should even have the death penalty.”
Rehwinkel Vasilinda said she was passionate about the notion that it should not, citing the too high chance of executing someone who is innocent – considering that 24 death row inmates have been exonerated. She also cited her own personal beliefs that arise out of her Catholic faith. She also said the United States is increasingly out of step with other modern democracies, most of which have banned capital punishment.
Most of those who spoke in favor of abolishing the death penalty said it was because it was unfairly applied, and the state’s track record on wrongful convictions doesn’t seem to be very good.
Rep. Kionne McGhee, a former prosecutor who also experienced the justice system from the perspective of someone whose father and brother were murdered, said regardless of whether it’s right, the system doesn’t work.
“One innocent life taken on death row is enough to question the system,” said McGhee, D-Miami.
Rehwinkel and others also told the committee that there’s a growing sense that even if it were the right thing to do philosophically, that the expense of carrying out the death penalty is depriving communities of money that could go for other criminal justice needs.
Gaetz said he, too, was passionate about the issue, but on the other side, and believes above all else, that it serves as a deterrent in particular situations, if not more broadly.
“I like knowing today that in Florida everybody knows that if you kill a cop you will be executed,” Gaetz said. “I want everybody in prison to know that if a corrections officer is killed by your hand, you will die.”
The committee also heard a plea in favor of keeping the death penalty from another perspective. State Attorney Brad King, a central Florida prosecutor, laid out gruesome details of some of the state’s most notorious murders of children, arguing that some crimes are simply so atrocious that death for the murderer is the only option that makes any sense.
He reminded the panel about the case of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, for example, and how after being abducted and raped, she was buried alive, and investigators noted the marks on her finger nails from trying to claw her way out of a plastic bag.
Murderers chose to end those lives without due process, he said.
“By their choice, by their decision, they should be judged,” King said.
And King asked the panel what he should say to the families of the children he mentioned, who may wonder why their loved ones died but a brutal killer might be allowed to live.
“It is right to say their life is not more valuable than the little lives that they took,” King said.
Gaetz said the committee will continue to listen to death penalty opponents as it takes a broader look at fairness issues with the application of capital punishment.
By The News Service of Florida
Rain Tonight With Flash Flood Watch; Also Flood Warning For Escambia River
February 11, 2013
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
A flash flood watch is in effect for the entire area through tonight.
A flood warning is in effect for the Escambia River near Century. Minor flooding is forecast as the river reaches 17.9 feet by Thursday. Flood stage is 17.0 feet.
- Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 53. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
- Tuesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 64. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers likely. Low around 59. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
- Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 64. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Friday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.
- Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
- Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 56.
- Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36.
- Washington’s Birthday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 6
Mary Jane (Wolfe) Blackford
February 11, 2013
Mary Jane (Wolfe) Blackford, age 90, passed away at her home in Molino.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her only brother, John (Jack) Charles Wolfe; and her husband, William Allen Blackford.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Tonya (Larry) Moore; son, George (Yvonne) Wolfe, both of Molino; daughter, Mary Ellen (Ray) Meek of Port Charlotte, FL; granddaughter, Jenny (Mark) Mace of Ozark, AL; nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Blackford was surrounded by Tonya, George, Larry and Jenny up until her death.
She was a former member of Southeastern Ohio Eastern Star. Friends and family will celebrate Mary’s life on February 24, 2013 at 2 p.m. at her home.
FHSAA Approves New Age Limit Rule
February 11, 2013
The Florida High School Athletic Association Representative Assembly has adopted a proposal that will change the age limit for student athletes. The FHSAA voted to change the age restriction from 19 years and 9 months to 19 years.
Previously, the rule stated that a student may participate at the high school level until reaching the age limit of 19 years and 9 months old if the student had not exceeded their four-year limit of eligibility. The new limitation states that a “student who reaches the age of 19 on or after September 1st, and who has not exceeded his/her four-year limit of eligibility, may participate in interscholastic athletics during that school year”.
The amended bylaw will go into effect on July 1, 2014, for the 2014-15 school year, with 2013-14 serving as a notice period. Florida was the only state, before this week, to have an age limit that exceeded 19 years of age. Student athletes will still have the opportunity to appeal if there are extenuating circumstances.
Northview High School linebacker Roderick Woods aged out this past football season, hitting 19 years and 9 months in October. That left him sitting out the last three regular season games, plus the Chief’s entire state championship run. Under the new rule, Woods would not have been eligible for any games last season.
Proponents also said the rule will stop athletes who age out in their home state, such as Alabama, and transfer to Florida where they were eligible to play for another nine months.
Jenell S. Williams
February 11, 2013
Jenell S. Williams, 79, passed away peacefully in her home on February 9, 2013. She was born in Castleberry, Ala., on May 10, 1933. Heaven welcomed Jenell and reunited her with her first and only true love.
Jenell is preceded in death by her parents, Travis Kendall and Birtie Blue Sessions and by her loving husband of 50 years, Roy (Buddy) Williams.
Jenell is survived by her two sons, Terry (Beverly) Williams and Danny Williams; and two grandchildren, Jereme (Danielle) Williams and Taylor (Brett) Cowan.
Jenell devoted her life to her family and the church. She was also a proud member of the Daughters of the Nile and was the Queen in 1984. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment.
Visitation will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12, 2013.
Services will be held at St. Monica’s Episcopal Church in Cantonment at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Jenell will be laid to rest at Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Johnnie Odel Thompson
February 11, 2013
Johnnie Odell Thompson,76, of Walnut Hill, passed away Saturday, February 9, 2013, at his residence. He was a mechanic with the ship yards, born on September 13, 1937, to the late Johnnie Thomas and Etta Bell Harrison Thompson. He served in the U.S. Navy.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Georgia Thompson.
Survivors include two brothers, Rufus (Linda) Thompson of Bay Minette and Donald (Mazie) Thompson of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Stella Mae (Phil) Mace of Perdido and Ruth Byrant of Atlanta and numerous nieces & nephews.
Graveside services will be Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at 10 a.m. in Sardis Baptist Cemetery with Rev.William “Bubba” Rolin officiating.
Visitation will be Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.