Alabama Recycling Facility Shuts Down, ECUA Searching For Solution
October 6, 2015
The Montgomery, AL, recycling facility that processes recycled materials for ECUA has temporarily shut down.
A majority of the recyclables collected by ECUA are trucked to the Advanced Mixed Materials Recovery Facility operated by Infinitus Energy. It’s an arrangement that was profitable for ECUA.
But the plant temporarily ceased operations last week because of falling prices for their recycled products.
“One key element of a successful materials recycling program is the ability to sell recovered material at a price that will support the recycling process,” said Kyle Mowitz, Infinitus CEO. “While our customers have been satisfied with the material we have reclaimed, unfortunately the market price for these materials has dropped dramatically.”
Now, ECUA is looking at other options, and Infinitus is looking to the city of Montgomery for help. The company also processes recyclables for Montgomery.
“The proposed plans will require cooperative efforts on all fronts, to deal with current market pricing issues. However, it is possible to minimize the impact these temporary conditions will have on the City’s long term goals of recycling and diversion, by keeping the facility in operation and working together until the markets improve,” the Infinitus said in a prepared statement.
Pictured: Infinitus Energy in Montgomery, AL. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Partly Cloudy, Mid 60’s Tonight
October 6, 2015
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Columbus Day: Sunny, with a high near 84.
State Awards Century $50K for New Showalter Park Splash Pad
October 6, 2015
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has officially announced funding for a new splash pad in Century.
The $50,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant to install a splash pad at Showalter Park was announced Monday. That amount will fund the installation of the watery playland, but not associated costs such was water and sewer.
At a July council meeting, Mayor Freddie McCall expressed concerns that the splash pad might cost the town too much to operate.
The splash pad that Century can afford won’t recycle water — that feature would cost the town another $50,000 plus, McCall said. The splash pad that Century can purchase with grant money will use hundreds of gallons of water in just minutes. At an August council meeting, McCall said the cost to operate the splash pad could reach an affordable average of $184 per week — calculating water and sewer expenses at the town’s cost since they operate their own water and sewer system. The splash pad will not be operational during the colder months of the year.
In August, council voted to move forward, accepting the splash pad grand and agreeing to pay the water and sewer costs.
McCall said the town will also install a restroom near the splash pad at Showalter Park, next to new playground equipment recently installed with a previous state grant.
More than $5.4 million was announced Monday for 110 recreational development projects in local communities across the state. Century’s splash pad project was the only grant recipient in Escambia County. The competitive grant program provides state funds to develop lands for public outdoor recreational use, such as building or renovating sports facilities or playgrounds.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is committed to funding projects that directly benefit natural resources and local communities,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “This grant funding will support projects such as athletic fields, picnic facilities, fishing piers and playgrounds – projects that provide taxpayers additional recreational opportunities.”
Pictured: The Town of Century has been awarded a state grant to purchase this model splash pad. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Royals Name Homecoming Court, Set Activities
October 6, 2015
It’s homecoming week for the Jay High School Royals.
Named to the homecoming court were: (L-R) Hannah Vaughn, junior; Kennedy Salter, senior; Alaina Smith, senior; Savannah Dubose, senior; Jenna Thornton, senior; Anna-Grace Smith, sophomore; and Maci Holt, freshman.
The schedule of events for the week includes:
- Lion’s Roar – Thursday, 9:30 a.m., auditorium. Queen will be crowned at this event.
- Pep Rally – Thursday, 1 p.m., Merle V. North Stadium.
- Parade – Friday, 2 p.m., Downtown Jay
- Pre-Game Festivities – Friday, 6 p.m., stadium
- Game – Friday, 7 p.m., Theme: “Wipe Out the Hornets!”
- Dance – Saturday, 8-11 p.m., Jay Community Center
- Powder Puff Football Game – Monday, October 12, 7 p.m., stadium
Photo courtesy Junia Fischer, Photos by Fischer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Park Community Helpers Day (With Photo Gallery)
October 6, 2015
Molino Park Elementary School held a “Community Helpers Day” recently for students to learn about some of people that are hard at work, often behind the scenes, in the Molino area.
The event includes personnel and equipment from Escambia County EMS, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, the Pensacola Police Department, the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, LifeFlight, and J. Miller Construction Company.
Pictured top: Escambia County Deputy Jason Land and his K-9 Edo answer questions during Community Helpers Day at Molino Park Elementary. Pictured: An Escambia Fire Rescue firefighter from Molino’s Station 18 answers questions and give a truck tour. Photos by Kayla Bedell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
October 6, 2015
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending October 1 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Manning and Cushing were on patrol over the weekend on the FinCat. They conducted 12 fisheries inspections in both state and federal waters. Three federal boarding’s revealed violations for possession of red snapper during a closed season. Prior to boarding one of the vessels in federal waters, one of the fishermen asked if gray triggerfish was in season before admitting to having some in the cooler. During the inspection, Officer Manning discovered gray triggerfish, undersized greater amberjack and red snapper. The violations were documented and turned over to National Marine Fisheries Service.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Lieutenant Hahr was patrolling at Keyser Landing in the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area when he observed a truck heading towards the landing. This area has been vandalized several times recently, so Lieutenant Hahr followed the vehicle. The truck was being driven erratically and the driver spun the tires unnecessarily on the roadway. When Lieutenant Hahr stopped the truck, he observed two open containers of beer and the driver showed signs of impairment. The driver performed very poorly on field sobriety tasks and was arrested for DUI. The man later provided a breath sample of .162g/210L. The driver and a passenger were also cited for open container.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Ida Williamson Bell
October 6, 2015
Ida Williamson Bell, 79 of Flomaton, passed away Monday, October 5, 2015, in Jay. She was retired from Monsanto as a Draw Twist Operator. She was born in Bratt, on May 24, 1936, to the late E.T. and Lillie Mae Black Williamson. She was a constant prayer warrior for most of us.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank Bell; son, Daniel Frank Bell; and two sisters, Mary Duffy and Louise Brantley.
She is survived by two daughters, Virian Bell (James) Mathis of Century and Brenda Bell (Billy) Cox of McDavid; two brothers, George Williamson and Pete Williamson; one sister, Gracie Mae Gunn; loving brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ray and Anice Bell; five grandchildren, Becky (Darrell) Lambeth, Rachael (Ben) Flores, Autumn (Shawn) Fleming, Summer (Ricky) Payne, and Michael (Amber) Cox; five great-grandchildren, Olivia, McKenna, Ava, Noah, Jackson, and Baby Cox…on the way; numerous nieces and nephews that were as close as children.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 8, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bo Bell and Bro. Jim Moore officiating.
Interment will follow in Sardis Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Ronnie Ward, David Moore, Brian Conway, Jason Jackson, Randy Jackson, Rodney Jackson, Eddie Conway and Frederick “Freddy” Townshend.
Family will receive friends, Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Public Meeting Tonight To Discuss Bristol Park Flood Plan
October 5, 2015
A public meeting will be held tonight for residents in the Bristol Park area to discuss drainage ponds that will help eliminate flooding issues.
In April 2014, the area flooded…even those it’s not in a high risk flood zone….with waters overtaking many homes. There are four retention ponds in the neighborhood, but they are mostly overgrown and nearly filled in. The neighborhood developer was obligated to maintain the ponds, but there’s been nothing done in years. The ponds actually were taken over by the county because the developer did not pay property taxes.
It’s estimated that it will cost $594,000, including fees, to fix the four ponds. There’s a proposal on the table for the county to pick up two-thirds of the cost, $396,028, while assessing the rest, $198,019, to Bristol Creek homeowners over the next 10 years.
Divided among the 138 lot owners, it would cost $572 per year for each for 10 years, but under the count’s proposal, the cost per lot would be $219 per year for 10 years. After the $219 per lot payments are made for 10 years, residents will pay an assessment of $42.13 per lot perpetually for the county to maintain the ponds.
Before moving ahead, District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry wants 75 percent of the impacted residents to agree with the proposal for the Board of County Commissions takes a a final vote.
Barry will host a Bristol Park Neighborhood meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Langley Bell 4-H Center at 3730 Stefani Road to discuss the plan. Residents are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting which will include several key County staffers.
Pictured: The map above shows the four ponds the county may maintain in the future. Click to enlarge.
Court Reverses Course, Rules Against Slot Machines At Poarch Creek Track
October 5, 2015
In an unusual legal move that sent ripples throughout the state’s pari-mutuel industry, an appellate court reversed itself and decided that a Northwest Florida racetrack operated by the Poarch Creek Indians of Atmore` cannot have slot machines without the authorization of the Legislature.
The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal sided with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Gov. Rick Scott’s administration, which sought a rehearing after a 2-1 ruling this spring in favor of Gretna Racing in Gadsden County.
As they did in the earlier opinion, the judges Friday asked the Florida Supreme Court to weigh in on the issue of whether pari-mutuels can have slot machines if local voters approve, or if the games require the express say-so of the Legislature.
Rehearings are commonly sought by lawyers on the losing sides of issues but are rarely granted.
The Gretna case is even more unusual because Judge Nikki Ann Clark, who joined Judge Robert T. Benton in May’s majority opinion, retired while the request for rehearing was pending. The May ruling would have given the small Northwest Florida facility permission to add slot machines after Gadsden County voters approved them.
The court decided against granting Bondi’s request for an “en banc,” or hearing before the full appeals court, in favor of a rehearing before a three-judge panel with a new member. Judge Ross L. Bilbrey on Friday joined the 32-page majority opinion authored by Judge Scott Makar, who wrote a scathing dissent in May.
The case hinges on a semantic analysis of a 2009 law establishing eligibility for slot machines at pari-mutuels. The 2009 law, which went into effect the following year, was an expansion of a 2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment that authorized slot machines at seven existing horse and dog tracks and jai-alai frontons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
The 2009 change allowed a Hialeah track, which wasn’t operating at the time the amendment was approved, to also operate the lucrative slots. The law in question consists of three clauses, including one that deals with counties outside of Broward and Miami-Dade.
State regulators last year denied the Gretna racetrack a slots license, arguing the Department of Business and Professional Regulation was “not authorized to issue a slot machine license to a pari-mutuel facility in a county which … holds a countywide referendum to approve such machines, absent a statutory or constitutional provision enacted after July 1, 2010, authorizing such a referendum.” The agency justified its decision with a non-binding opinion by Bondi.
Lawyers for Gretna argued that the statute does not include the word “enacted,” and other counties do not need prior authorization from the Legislature to get the requisite voter approval for slots.
But, in Friday’s ruling, Makar wrote that Bondi’s interpretation of the law was “spot on.”
“The alternative view, which would restructure the statute and change its meaning to allow slot machines to be deployed on a statewide basis without any clear authority to do so, is inconsistent with principles of statutory and constitutional construction, legislative intent, and the history of laws prohibiting slot machines in the State of Florida,” he wrote.
Makar also raised the question of whether the Legislature has the authority to approve slot machines outside of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, based on a previous Florida Supreme Court ruling in a case known as “Greater Loretta.” That opinion, which dealt with an interpretation of Florida’s 1968 Constitution, found that “all other lotteries — including bolito, cuba, slot machines, etc., are prohibited.” Makar asked the Supreme Court for guidance.
“So which is it? Are slot machines a form of lottery that only the people may approve via constitutional amendment? Or are slot machines not prohibited as lotteries under (the state Constitution’s) article X, section 7, which may be legislatively authorized statewide without constitutional authority?” Makar wrote.
Makar also asked the court to settle the issue of the 2009 law. Voters in five other counties — Brevard, Lee, Hamilton, Palm Beach, and Washington — have also approved referendums authorizing slots at local pari-mutuels. State regulators have denied applications for slots in four counties, and the Palm Beach Kennel Club has an appeal pending. Tracks in Lee and Brevard counties are likely to appeal as well.
In an opinion concurring in part with Makar, Bilbrey wrote that he ended up on the three-judge panel thanks to “the luck of the draw.” The former Pensacola circuit judge joined the appeals court in January after being appointed by Scott.
Addressing the circumstances surrounding the rehearing, Bilbrey acknowledged that “the judgment of a retired colleague is entitled to some deference.” But, he wrote, “a successor judge is not required to always vote identically to the predecessor on rehearing.”
The Gretna facility, owned by the Poarch Creek Indians and a handful of investors, has been mired in controversy since its inception. Florida officials granted the track the country’s first pari-mutuel license for rodeo-style barrel racing, but a court later decided that gambling regulators erred when they awarded the license.
“We are disappointed with this reversal, and we look forward to a review from the Florida Supreme Court where we feel this issue will be resolved in our favor,” the tribe said in a statement following Friday’s ruling.
In his dissent Friday, Benton argued that gambling regulators’ interpretation of the law “would render superfluous the entire third clause” of the statute that deals with “any licensed pari-mutuel facility in any other county.”
The agency’s interpretation would mean that a referendum authorizing slots could only be held if the Legislature passed another law, Benton pointed out.
“But that was the status quo” before the 2009 law was enacted, Benton wrote. “There was no need or purpose in enacting a statutory provision to state the obvious,” he wrote.
David Romanik, a lawyer who represents Gretna and is a part owner of the facility, said he was disappointed in the court’s decision to “overrule its own very well-reasoned original opinion, but grateful that the Supreme Court will have the opportunity to review this issue of great statewide importance.”
But an association that represents horse breeders and trainers lauded the ruling.
“Justice has been served today in Florida. Simply, the 2012 Gadsden County slot referendum never should have been approved, inasmuch as it was based upon the pretext of ‘pari-mutuel barrel racing’ — the licensing of which was ultimately ruled in 2013 to be an overstep of regulatory authority,” Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association President Bill White said in a statement.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida, with contribution by NorthEscambia.com
Grand Opening Tuesday For Ernest Ward Middle School
October 5, 2015
An official grand opening ceremony for Ernest Ward Middle School will be held on Tuesday, October 6 at 10 a.m. The even will include remarks from school district officials, the architect and construction company. NorthEscambia.com photo.