Speak Out Today About Possible Cutbacks Or Closure At McDavid Post Office
January 16, 2014
A public meeting this afternoon will address the future of the McDavid Post office, which has been targeted by the U.S. Postal Service for cutbacks or possibly even closure.
As NorthEscambia.com first reported in December, residents and businesses in the 32568 zip code were notified that the Postal Service will take future action regarding the McDavid Post Office. Possibilities include:
- Keep the office open, with window hours cut from 8 hours per day to six hours with those weekday hours realigned to match workload.
- Look at closing the office, providing only roadside mailbox delivery. Retail and delivery service would be provided through a rural carrier, with customers able to purchase most postal services from their carrier or alternative access points.
- Close the office and find a contract post office location, usually a local business. This contract location would provide post office boxes and most retail services.
- Close the office and relocate post office box service to a nearby post office.
The Postal Service will hold a public meeting concerning the McDavid Post Office this afternoon at 5:00 at the McDavid United Methodist Church at 2 Main Street in McDavid. No decision concerning the McDavid post office will be made until after the public meeting.
The McDavid Post Office is the only local office in Escambia or Santa Rosa counties on the current closure or cutback list.
Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Giveaway Planned For Molino
January 16, 2014
Escambia County Extension will host an Arbor Day celebration and tree giveaway event on Friday, January 24, from 10 a.m until noon at the Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A North.
To obtain a free tree, residents must participate in a 10 minute tree-based educational session that will include site selection, proper planting, watering and general care and maintenance. Two tree species will be offered, mayhaw and willow oak, in one gallon containers. The giveaway is limited to one tree per client.
Pictured: Leaves of the willow oak tree. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Unemployment Website Problems May Spur Creation Of State IT Department
January 16, 2014
State lawmakers will again be asked to create a state information-technology department as focus builds on the troubles that plague Florida’s $63 million unemployment assistance website.
Legislation continues to be drafted as state Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio appeared Wednesday before the Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee to provide an update about the much-criticized “Connect” system.
The problems with the state’s unemployment website will next be scrutinized by a technology consultant and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, said Wednesday he has been discussing the IT department proposal with Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and hopes to have legislation ready in the next week or two.
“We’re a $70 billion business without a chief information officer, we have no IT abilities whatsoever in this state, we can’t be surprised that this is the case,” said Ring, a former Yahoo.com executive. “We need to have experts if we’re going to release projects of this size.”
A similar measure to create a Department of State Technology during the 2013 legislative session was unanimously supported by the Senate but died in the budget conference process.
The 2013 effort called for 24 full-time workers at a cost of $5 million in the first year of operation, according to a staff analysis.
Ring’s pending legislation comes as the Department of Economic Opportunity continues to impose fines of $15,000 per business day against Minnesota-based Deloitte Consulting and withhold a $3 million payment to the company for failing to deliver a “fully functioning” system.
The state also has started to hire what could be 330 workers to help process unemployment-assistance applications over the next couple of months, at an estimated $164,700 a week. The money will come from federal administrative funds and money expected to be recouped from Deloitte, Panuccio said.
On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., announced that the U.S. Department of Labor, at his request, will send staff to Florida by the end of the week to monitor the problems with the Connect system. The federal agency has indicated there has been a 20 percent drop in claims since the system went live Oct. 15.
While Gov. Rick Scott’s office criticized Nelson over the request, Panuccio maintained on Wednesday that his department’s focus is getting the system operational.
“What we’re doing right now, the most important thing we’re focused on, is every possible way to get things fixed and getting claims paid,” Panuccio told the Senate panel. “Down the road we’ll continue to discuss ways we can continue to recoup costs.”
Panuccio’s comments were markedly different from his Nov. 4 appearance before the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee when he said that “glitches” with the new system should be smoothed over by the end of the year.
Instead, the per-business-day fines were imposed Dec. 20 on Deloitte as the problems continued.
On Wednesday, the department completed a contract with the Paris-based consulting firm Capgemini for $365,000 to examine the system, Panuccio said.
“Deloitte’s stabilization of the adjudication function and other systems did not occur as we had expected,” Panuccio said.
Deloitte has said that the company completed the work outlined in its contract and that the Connect system has surpassed the performance of the unsustainable systems it replaced.
Panuccio maintains a separate view.
“Deloitte does not dispute the list of defects we’ve given them, they don’t dispute that those things are broken, what they will dispute is how we characterize it under the contract,” Panuccio said after the meeting. “The point is those pieces of functionality still aren’t working.”
Prior to the meeting, Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando, and Rep. Lori Berman, D-Lantana, called for Deloitte to refund money to taxpayers.
Thompson said people have spent more than nine weeks trying to get the needed assistance to qualify for the $275 a week reemployment checks. She also referenced more than $20 million in denied benefits due to the new system, an estimate by the non-profit National Employment Law Project.
“For someone who is unemployed, who has no means of income, this is the difference between hanging on to a lifeline and actually being pushed into the ranks of those who are impoverished,” Thompson said.
Berman said she asked Panuccio on Oct. 23 about when the problems with the system would be improved and got a reply dated Nov. 1 stating the system was operational and improving.
“Today is Jan. 15 and there continues to be problems and issues with the system,” Berman said. “The time for discussion has passed, action is needed right now.”
Thompson added that the state should have been aware of the problems before the new system was introduced in October.
She noted that Deloitte had been fined $4.5 million for delays to the state system in 2012 and has come under fire over unrelated problems involving the rollout of multimillion-dollar government websites in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and California.
Deloitte also agreed to pay $1.5 million in November as repairs continued and the Department of Economic Opportunity wasn’t ready to certify the system.
Connect had been in the works since 2009 to replace a 30-year-old system out-of-work Floridians used to claim their weekly benefits, monitor accounts and request information.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Black Caucus Cancels Meeting With Scott
January 16, 2014
The Florida Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday abruptly canceled its annual meeting with Gov. Rick Scott, a move the group said was meant to underscore its frustration with the governor.
The incident highlighted Scott’s at-times complicated interactions with African-Americans less than 10 months before he faces voters in the November election, though the leader of the black caucus insisted the cancellation was not politically motivated.
“We’ve got the whole summer and fall to focus on politics,” Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, said in an interview. “The governor’s had the past three years to focus on priorities.”
Williams said the caucus respected Scott’s role as governor.
“It’s not meant to be disrespectful,” he said. “It’s meant to show our frustration.”
After the caucus agreed Tuesday to cancel, Williams sent a letter to Scott on Wednesday telling him the meeting was off. As late as Wednesday morning, Scott’s schedule still included the noon get-together, though it didn’t give a location for the meeting.
“Based on your lack of action on matters of importance to this caucus that we have brought to your attention at prior meetings, we believe another meeting at this time would be fruitless,” Williams wrote.
The letter specifically mentioned, among other complaints, Scott’s stance on the restoration of civil rights for former felons, a sweeping effort to remove suspected non-citizens from the voting rolls, Scott’s appointments and the governor’s budget vetoes.
Scott’s press secretary, Jackie Schutz, said in a written statement that Scott was “disappointed” to hear that the meeting had been canceled. He offered to meet one-on-one with black lawmakers during the hour he was scheduled to speak with the caucus, though it wasn’t clear if any legislators took him up on it.
“Governor Scott believes the best way to serve Floridians is for the Legislature and the governor’s office to work together to find solutions,” Schutz said.
The black caucus meets annually with the governor, though Scott’s tenure got off to a rocky start when, in his first meeting with the group, he suggested that he could sympathize with black lawmakers because he lived in public housing as a child. Some members of the group later said they were offended by the remark.
Scott also faced protests from Florida A&M University students after he pressured the board of the historically black school to temporarily suspend President James Ammons in the wake of a hazing death. Ammons eventually resigned after months of scrutiny that grew to include other management issues at FAMU.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Carlos J. Morris
January 16, 2014
Carlos J. Morris, age 70, of Jay passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2014. He was a lifelong resident of Jay. Carlos was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed arranging flowers. He also loved his two dogs, Tooey and Bear. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emory and Irene Morris.
Carlos is survived by his loving wife, Marie Stacey Morris; sisters, Mae (Melvin) Lowery, and Margie (Orrell) Spears; in-laws, Mrs. Evelyn Simmons, and Mr. and Mrs. Holice Stacey; sisters-in-law, Louise (Bennie) Godwin and Shirley (Wayne) Allen; brother-in-law, Holice (Karen) Stacey; special nieces, Nelda Rogers and Sandy Cox; special nephews, Ricky Lowery, Gregory Spears, and Jeremy Word; two special cousins, Melvin (Bobby Jean) Langham and Leon (Barbara) Carnley; two special dogs, Tooey and Bear and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
A visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2014, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014, at 11 a.m. at Jay Funeral Home with Brother Bobby Carnley officiating services.
Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Greg Spears, Tommy Cox, Wayne Allen, Mike Rogers, Greg Brown, and Pedro Hopkins.
Honorary pallbearers are William Lowery, Milton Lowery, Ricky Lowery, Curtis Wiggins, and Gene Wiggins.
The family would like to thank Dr. El-Sayeh and LeeAnn for all their care and support.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Glenda Harigel Gulsby
January 16, 2014
On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, Glenda Harigel Gulsby, died at home, surrounded by family. Born in Pensacola on April 23, 1942, Glenda lived in Molino her entire life. She graduated from J. M. Tate High School in 1960. She was a very talented pianist who began playing before the age of 12; loved to teach music and throughout the years was the pianist for Highland Baptist Church, Pugh’s Chapel Assembly of God Church and Bay Springs Full Gospel Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Clarence Bill Gulsby, Sr.; her parents, Vincent and Ethel (Hanks) Harigel; brothers, Fred Harigel., Richard and V.J.; granddaughter, Shana Marie Sanders.
Glenda is survived by her daughter, Sue (Dennis) Garrett; sons, Bill (Debbie) Gulsby; Wayne (Abbie) Gulsby; grandchildren, Susan Wyse-Wright; Cassey Gulsby (Steve) Surles; Dellaina Gulsby (Sean O’Donovan) Jordan and Aaron (Meighan) Gulsby; great-grandchildren, Lyndzi Wright; Aubree Jordan; Jase O’Donovan; Lane Surles and Gabe Rhea. She is also survived by seven step-grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; her sister, Judy Harigel Herring; her aunt, Marnelle (Wesley) Weekley; her uncle, J.D. (Lettie) Hanks; and many nieces and nephews.
She loved and adored her family as much as life itself, enjoyed playing the piano and organ and loved reading.
The family wishes to thank Covenant Hospice, and especially Glenda’s nurses, Patti, Trish, Amanda and Sunday; Dr. Thomas Messe, M.D.; Dr. Henry W. Langhorne, III, Cardiologist; and Dr. Thabet Alsheikh, Cardiologist; Baptist Home Health Care, and especially Brandon and Sara.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 1000 Hwy 29, Cantonment, with Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Oliver Pugh Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jason Herring, Sean Harigel, Shane Harigel, Jerry Gulsby, Alan Gulsby and Frank Gulsby. Honorary pallbearers will be Wendell Hall, Dennis Rigby, Harold Holder, Gene Valentino, Wilson Robertson, Jonnie Gibson and Kevin Biggs.
The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel North from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 17.
Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Hospice, 6479 Caroline St., Milton, FL 32570.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 1000 Hwy 29 S, Cantonment, is in charge of arrangements.
Tampa Bay Bucs Tackle Akeem Spence Busted On Local Drug Charges
January 15, 2014
FIRST ON NORTHESCAMBIA.COM — Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Akeem Spence of Navarre was arrested Tuesday afternoon on drug charges following a traffic stop in Flomaton, Ala.
According to reports, Spence was stopped by an Alabama State Trooper who clocked him in excess of 100 mph at 11:35 a.m. at the 2-mile marker of Highway 113. A search of his 2014 Chevrolet Malibu by a law enforcement K-9 located an unspecified amount of marijuana in his vehicle, according to authorities.
The 22-year old Spence was booked into the Escambia County (Ala.) Detention Center on charges of unlawful possession of marijuana second degree and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. He was released shortly after his arrest on a $3,000 bond. He’s due in court on March 3.
“We have been informed of the situation involving Akeem Spence and are working with local authorities to get additional information,” new Bucs coach Lovie Smith said in a statement.
“We will wait to get all the facts, but the initial reports are concerning and disappointing. I have spoken with Akeem and expressed my dissatisfaction with his involvement in this situation. As a member of the Buccaneers, he will be held to the high standards we have set for all members of this organization.”
Spence was picked by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year deal worth $2,644,424. He netted a $484,424 signing bonus. After graduating from Fort Walton Beach High School, he played football on a scholarship for the University of Illinois for three years, forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.
Century Reschedules Council Meeting
January 15, 2014
The next regular meeting of the Century Town Council has been rescheduled.
The third Monday of the month meeting was to be held on Monday, January 20, but was rescheduled to Thursday, January 23 at 7 p.m. due to the Martin Luther King Day holiday.
For more information, contact the Century Town Hall at (850) 256-3208.
Woman Grazed By Homeowner’s Gunfire Sentenced For Walnut Hill Burglary
January 15, 2014
A woman has been sentenced to five years in state prison for burglary in which she and her alleged accomplice were shot by the Walnut Hill homeowner.
Teresa Sunday, age 35 0f Century, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and grand theft of a dwelling. She was sentenced by Judge Michael Allen.
On May 17, 2013, Teresa Sunday, having been acquainted with the victim, contacted and invited him to meet her a local pool hall. After the victim left his home on Rockaway Creek Road in Walnut Hill , she and her co-defendant, 33-year old Ricky Dewayne Taylor, broke into the victim’s house and began removing items. The victim unexpectedly returned about 4 p.m. and caught Sunday and Taylor in the act.
The victim held them at gunpoint with a .38 caliber revolver and contacted the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. As the victim was speaking with dispatchers, Taylor lunged toward him. The homeowner fired a .38 caliber revolver, striking Taylor in the leg and grazing Sunday on the left cheek. Taylor was alert and conscious when he was transferred to LifeFlight to be airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
Taylor’s jury trial is set to begin later this month.
Pictured: The scene on May17, 2013, at a burglary victim’s home on Rockaway Creek Road in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Scott Takes Worker Drug Testing To Supreme Court
January 15, 2014
Arguing that Florida has an “overriding interest in a drug-free workforce,” Gov. Rick Scott has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of a drug-testing policy for tens of thousands of state employees.
Lawyers for Scott filed a petition Monday asking the Supreme Court to hear the case, after the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year ruled against across-the-board drug testing.
In the petition, the Scott administration pointed to the use of drug testing by private employers and said illegal drug use “increases financial costs, creates safety hazards, and impairs productivity.”
“The constitutionality of Florida’s drug testing policy is not only unsettled —it is an important issue the court should decide now,” said the petition seeking Supreme Court review. “The Eleventh Circuit has intruded upon Florida’s sovereign right to ensure the general welfare of its citizens and regulate its workforce.”
But the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which challenged the constitutionality of the policy, blasted the Scott administration for continuing to pursue the drug tests. They pointed to repeated past rulings against such drug testing.
“We are prepared to demonstrate to the U.S. Supreme Court, as it has found before, that the state has no authority to require people to submit their bodily fluids for government inspection and approval without reason or suspicion.” ACLU of Florida attorney Shalini Goel Agarwal said in a prepared statement Tuesday.
Since taking office in 2011, Scott has made a high-profile issue of requiring drug tests for state employees and welfare recipients. But federal courts have ruled against him on both issues, as opponents have argued that government drug tests violate the Fourth Amendment ban on unreasonable searches and seizures.
A federal district judge in 2012 ruled that the state-worker drug testing was unconstitutional and blocked the Scott administration from carrying out the policy. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling last year was more nuanced, saying that drug tests could be justified for some employees whose duties raise safety concerns.
But the appeals court also indicated that drug tests could not be justified constitutionally for many of the 85,000 workers who could be subject to Scott’s policy. The appeals court sent the case back to a lower court, with directions to sort through job categories to determine which workers could be tested.
In recent months, the state and opponents “have been engaged in the arduous process of dividing state employees into job categories so that they can later, absent this court’s intervention, litigate over each job category,” the administration said in the petition to the Supreme Court.
It remains unclear whether justices will even decide to hear the case. But in the petition, Scott’s lawyers argued that Florida’s “important interests outweigh public employees’ limited expectation of privacy in this setting.”
“Requiring government employees and job applicants to consent to drug testing is not an unconstitutional condition because there is a rational connection between the requirement and the important state interest in a drug-free workplace,” the petition said.
But Jeanette Wynn, president of AFSCME Council 79, which represents state workers, said Scott “appears to want to continue the attack on hard working men and women of this state.”
“Once again, Governor Scott is wasting taxpayer dollars on an issue that has already been decided and goes against common sense,” she said in a prepared statement.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida