Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Countdown To Election Day
October 26, 2014
The costliest, most intriguing and — many would argue — nastiest gubernatorial campaign in Florida’s history inched closer to the finish line this week, but not before costing more money, creating more suspense and exposing Floridians to more mud.
With Republicans in the Cabinet expected to ease into re-election, the Legislature expected to maintain a heavy GOP tilt and the battle for the U.S. Senate being waged elsewhere, almost all of the oxygen in Florida has been sucked up by the bare-knuckles brawl between Republican Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist, Scott’s Democratic challenger.
And while the candidates had already gotten testy and personal in previous exchanges, the debate Tuesday was the most contentious yet. The two threw haymaker after haymaker during the hour-long rumble in Jacksonville. Within hours came word that Scott would once again open his personal checkbook to help out his campaign, potentially putting his investment in getting elected and re-elected at close to $100 million over two cycles.
The tough debate might very well have thrilled the late Tom Slade, a hard-charging partisan who died the day before at the age of 78. Slade, a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, helped build a party that has given the GOP much of its advantage in the elections coming up Nov. 4. A memorial service will be held the day after the ballots are counted.
Another former chairman of the party, Sen. John Thrasher of St. Augustine, saw his proposed contract to become the president of Florida State University approved by the school’s board of trustees. The state university system’s Board of Governors will also take a look at the pact — shortly after the election. First things first.
FISTICUFFS ON THE FIRST COAST
There were no arguments over fans and no awkward attempts to speak Spanish, but the third and final debate between Scott and Crist amplified at least one of the things that characterized the first two head-to-head events: constant reminders that the other guy was worse.
Scott and Crist spent the better part of the hour ripping each other to shreds, with Scott (net worth: $132.7 million) trying to cast Crist as a plutocrat who had it easy growing up, and Crist (former Republican) savaging the GOP for harboring racists and Scott for delaying an execution.
“I watched a parent that lost the only family car,” Scott said. “I watched a father struggle to buy Christmas presents. I went through that as a child. Charlie never went through that. Charlie grew up with plenty of money. He’s never had to worry about money. … But what I’m going to fight for every day is what I’ve done the last three years and nine months, I’m going to fight for families like mine growing up.”
Crist, who listed his net worth at $1.25 million last year — about 1 percent of Scott’s — portrayed himself as an advocate for middle-class Floridians and said his family had humble beginnings.
“Listen, when I was a little kid, we lived in a small apartment in Atlanta when my dad was going to medical school and he used to delivered newspapers to make ends meet,” Crist said. “So you don’t know me and you can’t tell my story. And I’m not going to tell yours.”
Beyond discussing whose life would make a better movie on the Hallmark Channel, the two traded shots on a variety of other issues.
Crist elaborated on his previous accusations that GOP leaders were hostile toward President Barack Obama because of his race.
Crist noted that he drew flak from GOP officials because of his now-infamous embrace of Obama as governor and for taking federal stimulus money in the midst of an economic meltdown.
“And it was pretty clear to me. It wasn’t just because I was willing to work across the aisle with a Democrat to get the recovery funds to come to Florida,” Crist said. “It was also pretty apparent to me because it was the first African-American president.”
That brought a sharp response from Scott.
“You’re a divider. You’re a mudslinger,” said the governor, who along with Crist has spent tens of millions of dollars blanketing the state with negative ads.
Another exchange focused on Scott’s decision to delay an execution that was scheduled on the same day that Attorney General Pam Bondi had a fundraiser.
“Did you know it was for a political fundraiser?” Crist asked Scott at one point.
“Charlie, she apologized. She apologized. What would you like her to do?” Scott responded.
Scott didn’t answer Crist’s question during the debate, but had earlier said he didn’t know that the reason for the postponement was a fundraiser.
One potential reason for the sharp tone: The race remains incredibly close. According to a Quinnipiac University poll released this week, Scott and Crist each have the support of 42 percent of likely voters. Libertarian Adrian Wyllie is at 7 percent.
“This election will be won by the candidate whose organization is the best at turnout,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the poll. “They’re dead even.”
Meanwhile, Scott’s campaign reported that the candidate who painted himself as the hero of a Horatio Alger novel would put some of his own money into the effort. It didn’t confirm early claims by the Crowley Political Report that Republican Party sources said Scott would put about $20 million into the campaign. If so, that would bring Scott’s total spending on winning the Governor’s Mansion to about $93 million since 2010.
FAREWELL TO SLADE
In the middle of the kind of campaign season that helped him win his place in Florida history, Tom Slade — a hard-drinking, seafaring tactician who steered Republicans to political dominance in Florida — died Monday in Orange Park from complications associated with heart failure.
The colorful Slade, a mix of Southern charm and tough-talking, hard-nosed strategist, took over as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida in 1993, when Democrats controlled the Cabinet, the governor’s mansion and the Florida House, and the state Senate was evenly divided.
By the end of his tenure after the 1998 elections, Republicans had taken over both the legislative and executive branches and secured a GOP-heavy congressional delegation as well.
“Tom Slade was one of the best of a class of old-school intuitive politicians, the mold for which has long since been broken,” said J.M. “Mac” Stipanovich, a GOP consultant who was among a handful of insiders who strategized with Slade in Tallahassee in the 1990s. “He was a Southern gentleman. He was a ruthless fighter. He was a charming victor. He did not take defeat kindly.”
Slade’s footprint on Florida politics can still be felt today, said former Republican Party of Florida executive director David Johnson, who worked for the former chairman.
“The main thing I remember about Tom was, he could be the ultimate in political bosses when he needed to be, but he had the kindest heart and was so nice and fun to deal with and fun to work for,” Johnson said. “There’s people in politics that you work for and you respect but there are other people that are fun. Tom was always fun. He stepped out of a novel of politics of an older time.”
THRASHER INCHES ALONG
The long-anticipated naming of Thrasher as head of FSU, meanwhile, inched along. University trustees on Monday unanimously approved a proposed five-year contract with a base value of as much as $2.15 million.
University officials said Monday that Thrasher wasn’t difficult to work with in approving the deal, which would keep him below the top pay level among the state’s university leaders but would exceed the base pay of former Florida State President Eric Barron.
“I think the compensation package is probably on the low end of what a university president would expect nowadays,” said trustee Gary Tyson, a professor of computer science.
“Low end” is, obviously, a comparative figure. The five-year contract would include a $430,000-a-year base salary. Also, Thrasher would be required to reside in the fully staffed, university-owned President’s House; would receive $900 a month for car costs or an automobile fitted with an FSU license plate for his official use; would get a 15 percent annual contribution into a retirement plan; would get his annual dues covered for The Governors Club and University Center Club in Tallahassee; and would be eligible for an annual performance bonus of $100,000 for meeting goals.
The trustees also intend to grant Thrasher, who received his undergraduate and law degrees from the Tallahassee school, a tenured faculty appointment as a professor in the College of Law.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist hold their harshest debate yet, two weeks before voters go to the polls to pick one of them to lead the state for the next four years.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The family recognizes Tom would request all Republicans to return their absentee ballots, vote early, or make their plan to arrive promptly at the polls and cast their vote on November 4th.”—The obituary for Tom Slade, a former Republican Party of Florida chairman who died Monday at the age of 78.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Wendy Susan McCall
October 26, 2014
Mrs. Wendy Susan McCall, 70, passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2014, in Mobile.
Mrs. McCall was a native of Stroud, England and a resident of Atmore for the past 22 years.
Survivors include her husband, Bobby McCall of Atmore; one son, Dachary McGowan of Atmore; one step-son, Roberto McCall of Atmore; two daughters, Brandi Snell of Saraland and Jennifer Marie Weaver of Mustang, OK; one step-daughter, Cynthia Michelle Jay of Atmore; three sisters, Pat Biderman of Marion, Iowa, Maggie Speidel of Panama City, FL and Carol Boudreaux of Birmingham; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Mary N. Walther
October 26, 2014
Mary N. Walther, age 83 of Berrydale, passed away on October 25, 2014. She was born on June 25, 1931, in Phil Campbell, AL to John and Audrey Moore. She was a charter member of True Worship Assembly of God Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Luke Walther; sister, Betty Flagg; and brother, J.B. Moore.
She is survived by her children, Richard (Cindy) Walther, Brenda Walther, and Charlene (Glen) Coleman. She is also survived by sisters, Helen Williams and Margie Stanford; brothers, Lonnie Moore, Jerry (Sandra) Moore, and Ed (Kathy) Moore; grandchildren, Whitney Walther, Courtney Walther, and Charity Taylor. Brothers-in-law, Robert and Lavon Walther.
Funeral services were held at the Jay Funeral Home chapel on Monday, October 27, 2014, with Reverend Adam Peterson officiating.
Burial was at Whitfield Cemetery.
The family would like to give special thanks to Amy Callahan for the care she provided Mrs. Walther.
Mary Ellen (Busalacki) Gandy
October 26, 2014
Mary Ellen (Busalacki) Gandy passed away peacefully at her residence in Molino on Tuesday, October 21, 2014. She was born in St. Louis, MO. Mary Ellen recently moved to Molino to be near her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Margaret (Roach) Busalacki; brother, Joseph Busalacki; sister, Virginia Busalacki; son, Philip Eugene Gandy; and grandsons, Scott Wayne Gandy and Matthew Francis Gandy.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Francis Lee Gandy; children, David (Carol) Gandy of Brighton, MI, Donald Gandy of Milton, Nancy (Andy) Aguinaldo of Murrieta, CA, Joseph (Linda) Gandy of Marthasville, MO, Thomas (Jamie) Gandy of Molino, Norma (Parker) Lanham of Pacific, MO, and Lisa Gandy of Pacific, MO; 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
For the past 30 years, Mary Ellen resided in Lonedell, MO, where she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Luebbering, MO, and an active member of St. Ann’s Ladies Sodality. Mary Ellen served on the picnic committee and enjoyed crocheting and crafting with friends in the Piecemakers Quilt Club at the church each week. She loved her family and enjoyed genealogy research and traveling with her children.
A kind, devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great aunt, cousin, and treasured friend, who will be sadly missed and most lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services were held Monday, October 27, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Interment was in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Marie Ray Condon
October 26, 2014
Betty Marie Ray Condon, 85 of Cantonment, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2014, surrounded by her family. Betty was born on October 21, 1929, in Casper, Wyoming to the late William and Myrtle Ray.
Betty worked as a floor nurse for many years in local hospitals along with managing several liquor stores. She loved to dance and had many, many friends. She never met a stranger. Betty met the “love of her life” Archie in 1955 while he was stationed in Denver, CO. Not long after they decided to marry in Raton, New Mexico on April 21, 1955. They spent 59 years of their lives together enjoying each other’s company. In recent years, Betty and Archie have been cared for by their loving daughter, Georgette who was the other light of Mrs. Betty Condon’s life.
She was preceded in death by her children, Ethel M. Carmichael and Floyd M. Condon; parents; two brothers, Col. Donald J. Ray and Bill D. Ray; one sister, Juanita Ray Browne.
Betty is survived by her husband of 59 years, Archie M. Condon; two daughters, Georgette (Dean) Harris of Cantonment and Carolyn M. Hensley of Oak Hills, CA; one son, Donald (Maureen) Condon of Shelburne, VT; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Betty will never be replaced or forgotten by any person who had the blessed chance to know her. There will forever be an empty spot in all of our hearts. Of all the things missed most it will be her “impatient attitude” and her will to never give up.
Graveside services were held Thursday, October, 23, 2014, at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Dean Harris, Brandon Harris, Mike Kight, Toby Hobbs, Jason Bonifay and Ben Cartwright.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in charge of arrangements.
James Calvin Dannelley
October 26, 2014
Mr. James Calvin Dannelley, 83, passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2014, in Atmore.
Mr. Dannelley was a native of McCullough and a resident of Atmore for most of his life. Mr. Dannelley was an avid turkey hunter, loved Bluegrass music, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. He loved his family very much. His parents, John and Minnie Dannelley; his wife of 25 years, Mary B. Dannelley; two brothers, Johnny Dannelley and Earl Dannelley; one sister, Yvonne Resperess; and granddaughter, Kimberly Wall Lofton, precede him in death.
He is survived by his four sons, John Calvin (Sandra) Dannelley of Poarch, Carl (Susan) Bowen of Atmore, Mike Bowen of Frisco City and Wayne (Maxine) Bowen of Bay Minette; two daughters, Rosmary Wall of Frisco City and Diane (Raymond) Lilley of Goodway; one brother, Pete Dannelley of Pensacola; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Sunday, October 26, 2014, at the Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Grindle officiating.
Pallbearers were Brian Wall, Blake Bowen, Kameron Bowen, Rusty Lilley, Logen Lilley and Vince Wall.
Honorary pallbearers were Terry Bowen, Dylan Wall, Fred Pruett, Donnie Lilley, James Roley, Nicholas Bowen and Rod Johnson.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Walnut Hill Road Being Paved Under ‘DIY’ County Cost Saving Program
October 25, 2014
One Walnut Hill road is being resurfaced under a cost-saving “do-it-yourself” Escambia County program.
About 3.1 miles of Rockaway Creek Road will be resurfaced from Pine Forest Road to Nokomis Road as part of Escambia County’s “Open Graded Cold Mix” maintenance program.
About 10-13 years ago, Escambia County used the “Open Grade Cold Mix” to pave then existing dirt roads. The process combined rocks with a liquid asphalt mix and applied it with a cold mix paving machine. The mix would undergo a chemical process which caused the mixture to set and harden.
“This program was very successful and greatly improved the quality of life for citizens in the rural areas of the county, while at the same time greatly reducing the County’s routine maintenance demands,” according to the county.
Now, the roads are swept of the loose rock and a “think hot mix overlay” is added to seal and surface the roadway. The work is performed by county maintenance crews at a significant savings versus contracting the work out.
The Rockaway Creek Road project is expected to be complete in the next few weeks at a cost of about $185,000.
Pictured: A portion of Rockaway Creek Road has already been resurfaced near Pine Forest Road. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Attorney General Bondi Asks Judge To Continue Blocking Gay Marriage
October 25, 2014
Same-sex couples should continue to be prevented from getting married in Florida until a legal battle plays out about the constitutionality of the state’s gay-marriage ban, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a federal-court filing Friday.
The filing came after supporters of same-sex marriage this month requested that U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle lift a stay that has at least temporarily blocked gay marriages from going forward. Bondi argued that the stay should remain in place until the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals can rule on the constitutionality of the voter-approved ban.
“There is a great public interest in stability of the law. If Florida’s law is going to change in the substantial manner plaintiffs seek, it should be only after the plaintiffs’ legal claims undergo appellate review,” the filing said.
Siding with same-sex couples in two combined cases, Hinkle ruled in August that the gay-marriage ban was unconstitutional, but he also placed the stay on the decision. The state subsequently filed an appeal that remains pending at the Atlanta-based appellate court.
Since Hinkle’s ruling, however, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up similar cases from other states — effectively clearing the way for same-sex marriages in those states. That spurred the request to Hinkle to lift the stay in Florida.
After Friday’s filing, American Civil Liberties Union of Florida attorney Daniel Tilley issued a statement saying the group hopes Hinkle will reject Bondi’s request to keep the stay in place.
“It’s disappointing that Attorney General Bondi and Gov. Rick Scott have chosen to continue to swim against the tide of inevitable history and block Florida families from having the protections that come with being married,” said Tilley, who represents same-sex couples who live in Florida but were married in other states. Florida does not recognize those marriages.
State circuit-court judges in South Florida have joined Hinkle in ruling that the ban, approved by voters in 2008, is unconstitutional. Bondi last week filed a document in a state appellate court arguing the Florida Supreme Court should decide the constitutional question — an issue she also raised in Friday’s federal court filing.
“The United States Supreme Court having passed on an opportunity to provide a decision with national effect, the state has now moved to have the issue resolved in the Florida Supreme Court with statewide effect,” Bondi’s filing said. “It is in the public interest to at least allow Florida’s highest court an opportunity to review the issue before ordering changes to Florida’s law.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
1A Northview Chiefs Battle To 35-28 Win Over 4A Walton
October 25, 2014
The 1A Northview Chiefs battled to a 35-28 win over the 4A Walton Braves of Defuniak Springs Friday night in Bratt – a battle between two teams headed into the playoffs in their respective classes.
“That was a great football game. That was two very good football teams competing at a high level with big plays back and forth,” Northview Coach Sid Wheatley said. “Their offense is explosive, and they’ve got a heck of a running back that is just so physical and hard to get on the ground.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleading and dance team photos are coming Sunday or Monday.)
The Braves jumped out to an early 7-0 lead just 40 seconds into the game. The Chiefs evened it out at 7-7 with 7:03 in the first with a 10-yard run from Keondrae Lett and a good kick from Chasen Freeman. Still in the first, with 1:54 on the board, Cameron Newsome added another Chiefs TD, 13-7.
With 6:48 in the second, Walton took a 14-13 lead, with Northview popping back on top 21-14 and carrying a lead into the half.
At 7:10 in the third, Lett added another Northview TD for a 28-14 lead over the Walton Braves , who answered with another touchdown two minutes later, 28-20 Northview on top.
After Walton tied it up 28-28, Northview took the lead at 35-28 with 55 seconds in third quarter on a Jacob Dunsford pass to Nick Lambert for a 77-yard touchdown. The Chiefs held on for the win with a scoreless fourth quarter.
“It’s a huge win, and hopefully it’s going to carry us over into next week,” Wheatley said.
Next Friday is shaping up to be the game of the regular season for the Chiefs as they travel Highway 4 take on the Baker Gators for the district championship. The Gators are rolling on an 18 game regular season winning streak, while Northview is 6-1 with their single loss against much larger 6A Choctawhatchee. Both NHS and BHS are 2-0 on the district.
“It’s going to be fun; it’s going to be exiting. Our kids are anxious,” Wheatley said. “I think our kids know exactly what is at stake. Some of these guys were here last year when Baker came over and beat us and won the district championship. What we’ve got to do is execute and not have turnovers. We need to just play clean football, but I believe we’ll be ready.”
For a photo gallery, click here. (Band, cheerleading and dance team photos are coming next week.)
It’s a Tradition: Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
October 25, 2014
Looking for a pumpkin? The Allen Memorial United Methodist Church Men’s Pumpkin Patch is open once again this year under the tent at the corner of Highway 29 and Neal Road. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are available, with some priced as low as $1. The pumpkin patch is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
