Carl Hubbell Lee
July 31, 2014
Mr. Carl Hubbell Lee, age 77 of Century, passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 30, 2014.
Mr. Lee was a native of Georgiana, AL, and a resident of Century for 30 years coming from McDavid. Mr. Lee was a veteran of the United States Navy and was retired from the Escambia County Florida School Board system. He was a member of Ray’s Chapel and was preceded in death by his parents, Early Ernest and Mittie Bass Lee, Sr.; brother, Early Lee, Jr; and son, Christopher Lee.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Shelia Seals Lee of Century; daughters, Elizabeth Lee of Brewton, Stephanie Lee of Flomaton, Tammy (Burt)Williams of Auburn, and Renee Hullet of Flomaton; brother, Bobby Joe Lee of Flomaton; sister, Catherine Lewis of North Carolina; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and special family friend, Lisa Nicholls.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 1, 2014, at Flomaton Funeral Home Chapel beginning at 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. with Rev. Nathan Brown officiating.
Interment will follow in Ray’s Chapel Cemetery in Bogia.
Pallbearers will be Zack Carter, Trey Weeks, Kenny Coleman, Woody Daw, Robby Lee and Cody Williams.
Flomaton Funeral Home is directing.
Lynn Driver
July 31, 2014
Lynn Driver, age 48, a native of Walnut Hill and resident of Loxley, passed away Monday, July 28, 2014. Mrs. Driver was a member of the Walnut Hill Baptist Church. She loved the beach, was an Auburn fan, coached little league baseball and was a licensed real estate agent. She loved her boys. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lisa Ann Littles.
She is survived by her husband, Stephen Smith; children, Reid Carrillo, A J Sappenfield, J D Sappenfield, and Justice Smith all of Loxley; parents, Jimmy and Carol Ann Driver of Loxley; two sisters, Lana Elizabeth Pulido of Loxley and Dr. Lucinda Lea Parmer of Cincinnati, OH; and brother, Lloyd Driver of Dania Beach, FL.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 2, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the Walnut Hill Baptist Church. The family will begin receiving friends at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Walnut Hill Baptist Church Building Fund, 5741 Arthur Brown Rd, McDavid, FL 32568.
Arrangements are by Mack Funeral Home & Crematory in Robertsdale and Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Abbie Gail Reader
July 31, 2014
Abbie Gail Reader, 92, of Pensacola, died on Wednesday, July 30, 2014. She was born on August 6, 1921, in Molino to the late Clyde and Elizabeth Hardy Harris. She lived in Panama City Beach for most of her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Edward “Sonny” Reader, Jr.; parents; two sisters, Mildred Fillingim and Vonnie Morgan; two brothers, Bill and Luther Harris; and one stepson, Richard Reader.
Abbie is survived by two step-children, Cathy (John) Scott and William (Suzanne) Reader; sister-in-law, Wren (Donald) Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Grandview Assisted Living for all their care and love to Abbie.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, August 4, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North with Pastor Pam Avery officiating.
Inurnment will be held at a later date in Panama City next to her late husband, Sonny, at Kent Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Reverend Thomas “Ed” Barnes
July 31, 2014
One of God’s finest, Rev. Thomas “Ed” Barnes, 82, of Pensacola, took his final steps to meet the Lord Jesus Christ on Monday evening.
Known as the “Boy Preacher” in his early teenage years traveling a five county area in NW Florida to spread the word, this Man of God went on to become a minister for the past 65 years. Starting with Reedy Assembly of God in Westville, FL, 1948-1951; Alford Assembly of God in Alford, FL, 1951-1953; he attended Southeastern Bible College, 1953-1955; Alford Assembly of God, 1955-1960; Bratt Assembly of God in Bratt, 1960-1970; Jordan Street Assembly of God in Pensacola, 1977 and Faith Temple Assembly of God in Pensacola, 1978-1988. But one of his proudest accomplishments was done later on in life when he kept spreading the word on a weekly basis to the elderly and shut-ins around the area in elderly facilities and homes who were not able to attend church and helped with the homeless. He preached his last sermon on May 4, 2014 at Brentwood Assembly of God.
He was a lifelong carpenter who also went on to retire from New York Life Insurance and Whitney Bank.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Berniece Yon Barnes; parents, Troy and Janie Barnes; and his brothers, Lester and Azell Barnes.
Survivors include his sons, Richard Barnes (Ann), Randall Barnes (Deborah) and David Barnes (Vicki) all of Pensacola; his siblings, Gerethea Wise of Pensacola, Betty Bildner of Osseo, MI, and Frankie Barnes (Meryl) of Kynesville, FL; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; as well as in-laws and many nieces, nephews and his beloved pet and buddy, Charlie.
Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, August 1, 2014, at Brentwood Assembly of God in Pensacola. Funeral services will be held 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2014, at Brentwood Assembly of God with Pastors Kenneth Martin, Ron Carnley and James Vickery officiating. Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be Roger Barnes, Jason Barnes, Billy Latham, Robert Stuck, Darryl Bildner, Eric Wise, Mark Mills, Clay Mills, Steve Finch and James Kristie.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bill McLeod and the Brentwood Men’s Fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brentwood Men’s Fellowship, Brentwood Breakfast Fund, 4901 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32505.
The family would like to thank special friend, Dr. Fleischhauer, the staff at Baptist Hospital 4-West, ICU Unit, PCU Unit and very special thanks to Laurie.
Tax Watch: North Escambia’s New $1.1 Million Bridge To (Almost) Nowhere
July 30, 2014
Traffic on Pineville Road in North Escambia was transitioned to a temporary roadway and bridge Wednesday so crews could begin demolishing and replacing the existing bridge over Brushy Creek.
Don’t know where that is? You are not alone. The $1.1 million bridge project funded by the Florida Department of Transportation is on one of the most remote and least traveled dirt roads in Escambia County.
The existing bridge, which inspections have shown is in need of replacement, was constructed in 1967. It’s about two miles off County Road 97A in Enon, a tiny quiet community where most residents take pride in living in the “middle of nowhere”. The bridge, however, does not serve most Enon residents on their normal commute. It’s not a hurricane evacuation route, truck route, or any kind of route. It is (almost) a bridge to nowhere.
The southern end of Pineville Road is a sandy road that winds through literally thousands of acres of timber, mostly owned by La Floresta Perdida, Inc. It’s peaceful, quiet and scenic. The sound of Brushy Creek flowing around white sandy banks is broken only by the wind and birds. There are no power lines out here, and cell service is spotty at best on most carriers.
On the distant side of the bridge, there are maybe a half dozen homes where residents can leave home and either go south on Pineville Road and cross the bridge to reach Highway 97A or go north to Occie Phillips Road to reach 97A. The maximum detour length around the new bridge is 1.9 miles, per FDOT.
“I don’t see why they don’t just close the road instead of spending money on the bridge,” one resident said, not wanting us to use his name because he did not want to upset his few neighbors. “It’s not like it goes anywhere.”
The traffic count on Pineville Road, according to FDOT data, is 40 vehicles per day. That’s less than two vehicles per hour, on average, all day. Many of those, the resident acknowledged, are likely forestry workers, hunters or “kids going to the creek”. But those 40 drivers per day won’t be inconvenienced by a detour on Pineville Road with the construction of a temporary steel bridge opening Wednesday that includes guardrails and paved approaches on the lonely dirt road.
However, when looking toward the future, FDOT estimates traffic on the bridge will increase from 40 vehicles per day to 44 per day by the year 2032.
On the other side of Escambia County, just outside Century, FDOT is replacing a bridge on Fannie Road. The average daily traffic count on that bridge, for comparison, was 1,104 vehicles per day. No temporary bridge was constructed; area residents must take a lengthy detour through Century and Flomaton, Ala., to reach their destination.
The $1,116,299.22 bid to replace the Pineville Road bridge over Brushy Creek and build the temporary detour bridge, was awarded to Murphree Bridge Corporation of Troy, AL. Other bids on the project were from Gulf Group, Inc. for $1.17 million, Scott Bridge Company for $1.48 million and Anderson Columbia for $1.60 million.
The project is expected to be complete sometime this fall.
Pictured: A temporary bridge is now in place next to the soon to be demolished and replaced Brushy Creek Bridge on Pineville Road. The area averages just 40 vehicles per day. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Great Weather Continues
July 30, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Calm wind.
- Friday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
- Saturday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
- Sunday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
- Monday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
- Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
- Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
- Tuesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
- Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Many Retailers Counting On School Sales Tax Holiday For Bump In Sales
July 30, 2014
The Florida Retail Federation fully supports the upcoming three-day sales tax “holiday” on back-to-school items, with stores expecting to see a 30 percent increase in sales for the weekend.
However, the retail-industry lobbying group would have preferred the holiday period to be, as Gov. Rick Scott requested, at least a week longer. The three-day period begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday.
“Not everybody gets paid on the same schedule,” said John Fleming, a spokesman for the group. “The people who get paid at the end of the month, they’ll be fine. But there are people on that two-week cycle of paychecks. And we have always thought if you extend it to two weekends in a row you’d get more people to take advantage.”
Still, even at one weekend — the same length lawmakers set the previous four years — retailers should see an increase in shoppers from 2013 because of a couple of changes, according to state economists.
The first change raises the tax-free bar on clothing, bags and backpacks from a maximum of $75 per item to $100.
The second waives the collection of sales taxes on the first $750 of computers and related gear, regardless of the overall price of the electronics. Last year, when computer equipment was first introduced into the discount period, items had to cost less than $750.
“I do think it’s going to allow (electronics retailers) to sell more of their product line,” Fleming said. “This expands the ability for people to buy what they need.”
During the discount period, the collection of sales taxes will also be eliminated on certain school supplies costing less than $15 each, such as notebooks, pens and lunch boxes.
Florida economists have projected the “holiday” period will reduce state revenue by $32.3 million and local revenue to the tune of $7.3 million.
The projections are a jump from 2013, when a similar three-day “holiday” hit state revenue by $28.3 million and local government income by $6.4 million.
The projected increase this year is in part due to a higher demand for electronics.
The changes were included as part of the wide-ranging “patchwork of awesomeness” tax package approved by state lawmakers this spring. When combined with a rollback in vehicle-registration fees, the package gave Scott his election-year request for $500 million in cuts to taxes and fees.
The patchwork (HB 5601), so named by one of its chief architects House Finance & Tax Chairman Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, offered a wide array of tax cuts. They included two other sales-tax holidays: discounts from May 31 to June 8 on hurricane supplies and another tax-free period that will run from Sept. 19 to Sept. 21 on the first $1,500 of the sales price of new Energy Star and WaterSense products.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
How Much Money Are Your Lawmakers Worth?
July 30, 2014
For most state lawmakers, 2013 was another good year financially, regardless of party.
Still, those with an “R” affixed to their names are doing better, in general, when it comes to the bottom line thanks mostly to stronger housing and stock markets.
Updated financial-disclosure reports for 2013 were due July 1. And from the reports posted online, the average net worth in the Senate is just under $3.77 million, while the average net-worth figure is a little more than $1.4 million in the House.
Among local members of the legislature:
- Greg Evers, R-Baker listed a net worth of $1,219,469. He reported income from his senate job and his farm in Okaloosa County. His assets include mostly real estate related to his residence and farm, and farm related equipment, while most of his liabilities were payable on bank loans.
- Clay Ingram, R-Pensacola listed a net worth of $18,807. His only listed income was his legislative job. His assets included a home in Pensacola, while his primary liability was his mortgage.
- Mike Hill, R-Pensacola listed a net worth of $1,273,991. His primary income was from his State Farm insurance agency and his legislative post. His primary assets listed included his home, rental properties, insurancy agency property and investments. His primary liabilities were bank notes.
The totals run from a high of $26 million for outgoing Senate President Don Gaetz to a negative $127,138 for Rep. Darryl Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat who remains underwater on a pair of home loans.
Gaetz, a Niceville Republican with two years remaining in the Senate, was a co-founder of VITAS Healthcare Corp. He actually saw his net worth slip slightly in 2013, by about $140,000, from the prior year.
“The decline in my net worth is forcing me to make economies,” Gaetz quipped in an email response. “I’m afraid I will have to cancel some newspaper subscriptions.”
Of the 156 lawmakers who served during both the 2012 and 2013 sessions and whose reports were available, 119 recorded increases in net worth, 35 went down and two posted no change.
The reports represent an individual’s net worth on Dec. 31, 2013. While the reports were due July 1, lawmakers have until Sept. 2 to file them before facing fines.
As of Dec. 31, 2012, the average for all 40 senators stood at $3.34 million. The average for the 120 House members was $1.27 million.
A little more than $30,000 in income for each legislator comes from their state salaries.
Senate Republicans on average are worth $4.3 million per the latest reports, while their House GOP counterparts chime in at an average of $1.7 million. Democrats in the Senate averaged $2.77 million, while in the House the average stands at $865,224.
Of the 40 Senators, 18 are millionaires, one more than during the prior year. In the House, 35 of the 120 members are members of the millionaires club, the same number as the previous year though the list of millionaires does not include all the same representatives.
In the House, 12 members — two fewer than a year earlier — owe more than they’re worth, mostly due to outstanding home, student and auto loans.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Seniors Can Earn Income As Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions
July 30, 2014
The Council on Aging of West Florida is seeking individuals 55 and older in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties who are interested in earning a tax-free stipend and additional benefits while sharing their wisdom, time and talents as a participant in its Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs.
Benefits include: a monthly stipend set by federal guidelines at $2.65 per hour; an annual physical; transportation provided or reimbursed at .445 cents per mile; insurance coverage for on-the-job injuries, and on-going training.
Opportunities are available to both men and women. To qualify for participation, individuals must: be age 55 or older; earn an annual income of no more than 200% above federal poverty guidelines; possess a sincere ability to work with others; be physically capable of working a minimum of 20 hours per week, and pass required background screenings. Bilingual participants are encouraged to enroll in both programs.
Foster grandparents work with children in schools, HeadStart programs and child care centers. Activities may include helping with classwork, reinforcing values and caring for children with disabilities. Foster grandparents generally work four hours per day, Monday through Friday.
Senior companions help their less mobile peers live independently in their own homes by providing friendship and assistance. Activities may include helping with meals, socialization and providing respite to family caregivers.
The Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs are national programs of Senior Corps, funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The programs are sponsored in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties by Council on Aging of West Florida. For more information, please call Robin Stevens at (850) 432-1475 ext. 605 or visit www.coawfla.org.
Scott Visits Escambia Tech Company With 120 New Jobs
July 30, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott visited an Escambia County technology company Tuesday that plans to bring about 120 new jobs to the area.
Scott talked about his plans to create more jobs for Florida at Global Business Solutions, an internet and technology training company on Michagan Avenue.
“In order for Florida to remain a global hub for business, we have to make sure advanced industries are able to thrive and continue to create jobs and diversify our economy. That means developing a well-educated workforce, eliminating roadblocks for job creators and investing in our research institutions. Florida has come a long way, but we have a long way to go – and focusing on jobs for the next generation will ensure that we continue to create long-lasting, high-wage, more resilient careers,” Scott said.
The stop was part of Scott’s “Jobs for the Next Generation” tour, with Scott highlighting new proposals to permanently end sales tax on manufacturing equipment and reward the state’s best STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) teachers with summer residencies at private sector companies.
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott speaks Tuesday afternoon at Global Business Solutions in Escambia County. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.