Century’s Mayor: ‘I Violated The Law’ With Work On Private Road
July 19, 2016
Century Mayor Freddie McCall told his town council Monday night that he may have broken the law with work he had performed on a private road in the town. But questions remain as to the actual status of the road and if the mayor really broke the law.
McCall said that about six to eight months ago, he had a load of dirt dumped into washed out areas on Ashford Alley, a dirt roadway off Jefferson Avenue.
“I made a mistake and dumped a load of dirt,” McCall said. “I violated the law before.”
Recently, a resident approached McCall and requested additional maintenance on the road. He said recent research found that Century does not have a deeded right-of-way or easement on Ashford Alley according to Escambia County Property Appraiser records.
Monday night he asked the town council to consider acquiring an easement and making repairs to Ashford Alley, a process that he said will cost about $1,000.
The mayor said the town may already have a valid claim to an easement because the town had previously maintained the road for several years, and the town has been paying for a street light for 15 or more years on Ashford Alley. Florida law allows a city to assert ownership of certain rights-0f-way under Florida law if the city has maintained the road for more than seven years.
The Century Town Council agreed to have their attorney research the issue and report back.
McCall said two families live on Ashford Alley.
Pictured above: Ashford Alley. Pictured below: Century Mayor Freddie McCall addresses the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
July 19, 2016
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending July 14 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Manning and Allgood arrested a subject on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a recent fisheries case. Earlier this summer, Officer Allgood arrested the subject for interfering with an FWC officer. The individual threw red snapper out of the boat when Officer Allgood attempted to check his catch. This was the second time the individual was charged with the same violation this year.
Lieutenant Hahr was working enhanced patrol in the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he observed a truck drive off of the road and enter a muddy area. The driver intentionally spun the vehicle’s tires and created deep ruts in the mud. The driver was charged with damaging state lands with a motor vehicle.
Officers Manning and Allgood patrolled federal waters this week. Together they documented 21 federal violations. Some of the cases included possession of red snapper and triggerfish during closed season, failure to land king mackerel in whole condition, and possession of undersized and over-the-bag limit of vermillion snapper.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Lewis was on patrol in the Blackwater River WMA at a primitive campsite when he observed 11 juveniles on a sandbar. He approached the group and could smell cannabis amongst the group. He observed that one of the subjects in the group appeared to have recently smoked cannabis. The subject admitted to smoking cannabis and removed a glass smoking pipe containing cannabis residue and a clear plastic baggy containing cannabis. Officer Lewis cited the juvenile with possession of cannabis not more than 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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.
Teens: Enjoy Free Pizza And Books At The Molino Library Tonight
July 19, 2016
A “Pizza and Books” program will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Molino Branch Library.
Teens 13-17 are invited to join this book club designed to focus on their favorite reads. The library will provide the free pizza, and the teens will pick the books.
The Molino Branch Library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A in the Molino Community Complex.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Frustrated Police, Black Leaders Seek Answers After Shootings
July 19, 2016
In the aftermath of fatal attacks on police in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., black leaders say Florida — which has a long and ugly history of racism — has reached a race-relations crossroads.
Meanwhile, one sheriff says the African-American community needs to “mature” as law enforcement officials seek to keep a lid on the violence that has erupted in other states.
Race relations in Florida, where lynchings of black men were once almost commonplace, have reached a low point as a result of a growing distrust — and outright fear — of law enforcement officers, black leaders told The News Service of Florida in a series of telephone interviews Monday.
The tension is fed by videos documenting black men sitting in their cars or crossing the street — some of them unarmed — being shot dead by police across the country.
“I have not seen the kind of anger and agitation and unrest and paranoia and frustration across the board that I see now,” the Rev. R.B. Holmes, pastor of Tallahassee’s Bethel Missionary Baptist Church said.
Florida sheriffs are reaching out to leaders in the black community while also taking additional measures to beef up protection for their own.
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder, a former state representative who was a Miami-Dade County police officer during race riots that engulfed urban Miami in 1980, said he is exploring the purchase of “tactical rifles” for all of his deputies and holding training sessions with local businesses and schools, if requested.
Snyder met recently with a dozen black leaders, will hold a town hall meeting later in the week in a largely African-American neighborhood and is taking to social media to address concerns, he said.
But he also blamed black activists for contributing to the tension.
“I could be politically correct and say yes, we have to continue the dialogue, which we do, which I’m doing. But the African-American community must mature and deal with the reality that they have too many young black males that are aggressive and hateful and racist themselves who are consistently making the lives of the average deputy or police officer untenable. And that’s a fact,” Snyder said.
Snyder echoed the frustration of other law enforcement officers who feel they’ve been painted with the same brush as a handful of rogue cops caught on camera but who don’t represent the actions of the vast majority of nearly 1 million men and women policing the streets around the nation.
While much of the focus has been on the growing dissatisfaction of people being policed, Snyder’s comments represent what may also be a tipping point for those on the other side of the thin blue line.
“If they continue shoving cameras into our faces and calling us names and agitating and trying to create anarchy in their neighborhoods, they may end up winning the day, but the people are not going to be happy with what they get,” he said.
Many law enforcement officials, including Snyder, are looking to spiritual leaders like Holmes to help keep the situation in Florida from exploding.
“I’ve talked with many spiritual leaders across the country, in the state and city about a need to continue to call for strategic ways to strengthen police and community relations,” Holmes said.
Black pastors are organizing a “Solidarity Sunday” to show support for law enforcement and to “encourage the community to not turn on police officers but to turn to them with a spirit of love, unity and respect,” Holmes said.
But Dale Landry, vice president of the Florida branch of the NAACP, said black leaders are tired of being called upon by white officials to quell possible unrest.
“It starts to get ugly when that’s the only time you’re invited to the party, when they flash the ‘black man’ light,” Landry said, using the Batman superhero phone as an analogy.
Landry said there is “a malignancy of fear spreading among black people” about the police. He speaks about calls from mothers concerned about what might happen to their adult sons — some with sons of their own — when they travel to work or to the store.
“People have no faith anymore,” Landry, a retired law enforcement officer, said. “Right now, no lives matter in police hands.”
Landry is pushing a local referendum to create a citizens’ review board to oversee policing in Leon County and is urging other communities to pass similar initiatives.
Holmes advocates for broad-based advances — including better schools, doing away with predatory lending and making it easier for ex-felons to get jobs — to counter the despair in some urban communities.
“There is a feeling of hopeless, and when a person feels hopeless, they will ambush anyone, police, politicians, parents principals, whatever,” the pastor said.
Florida was ranked number one in police killings of unarmed individuals last year, according to Umi Selah, the mission director for the Dream Defenders, a black rights organization that pre-dates the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
“So if you’re looking for a place where this is to happen, you can, with a reasonable amount of certainty, think that Florida will be amongst those places like something like that occurs and people don’t react in a calm peaceful way to it,” said Selah, whose group coalesced after the death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teenager shot by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman near Orlando in 2012.
While his group does not advocate violence, Selah said the country’s foundation is rooted in violence.
“The chickens are coming home to roost,” he said. “With the amount of video evidence that we have, the amount of information that has been released that was redacted, you see very clearly the level of violence instigated by this country. So there should be no confusion about the fact that now people find the only solution in violence.”
But Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said he does not believe the state is at a tipping point.
“There’s a saying that perception’s reality. Whether people are actually being treated in a certain way is different than whether they are, but if there is a perception on their part, then that’s a problem. That needs to be dealt with,” he said. “Law enforcement needs to do the best job we can, and in some cases a better job, about being transparent and about helping people to understand what we do, how we do it, why we do it.”
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, who serves as the head of the Florida Sheriffs Association, said the Black Lives Matter movement — which some blame for violence against police — is “not going away.”
At the same time, Demings, who is black, said the majority of African Americans support law enforcement in their communities.
He urged both sides to “tone down the rhetoric” and strengthen the relationships between law enforcement and other members of the community, including clergy.
“We’ll get through this time just like we always have,” Demings said. “A respect for honest differences is a healthy sign of process. …When we get to know each other, we can break down some of those stereotypes. I believe the overwhelming majority of people want to resolve the conflicts, if they care about their community.”
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
After News Article, Contractor Mows Century Sidewalks
July 19, 2016
Last Thursday, NorthEscambia.com published an article about weeds along the North Century Boulevard sidewalks in Century reaching several feet high in several places after not being mowed this season. By Friday, an small army of mowers descended on Century, and that mowing continued Monday.
The Florida Department of Transportation contracts with Broadspectrum (formerly known as Transfield Services) to mow along the rights of way of the state highway within the town limits. In most of the town, the right of way has been mowed by individual home or business owners. But in other locations, some weeds were over five-feet high as of last week.
Mayor Freddie McCall reported Monday that Broadspectrum has eight zero turn mowers in Century Friday, with additional mowing on Monday. He said the company will continue to work Tuesday or Wednesday, cleaning sidewalks and trimming tree limbs.
McCall said he is scheduled to meet with a company representative from Tallahassee on Wednesday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge
Trump Adds Flair To GOP Convention’s Dramatic First Day
July 19, 2016
With a dollop of the pizzazz that turned him into one of the most famous businessmen and celebrities in the world, presidential candidate Donald Trump made a dramatic entrance to the Republican National Convention on its first day.
The appearance, which was already a departure from tradition for a presumptive party nominee, took on a surreal air when Trump entered a darkened Cleveland convention hall, silhouetted by a bright backlight, as the audience roared. The podium for his speech rose from the floor as Trump strode across the stage.
“We’re going to win so big,” Trump told the crowd. “Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen; we’re going to win so big.”
Trump became known during the primary elections for his stream-of-consciousness addresses, but after that simple statement to the crowd Monday he introduced his wife, Melania, and stepped aside as “We Are the Champions” blared through the hall.
He said about 50 words his entire time on the stage.
It was perhaps the most electric moment on the opening day of the 2016 GOP convention, which follows a topsy-turvy primary race that exposed a deep rift between Republican voters and the party’s establishment.
That Trump even appeared was a sign the outspoken billionaire will continue to run the campaign his way as he turns to a general election race against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who will accept the Democratic Party’s nomination next week in Philadelphia.
Presumptive nominees generally do not appear at the convention on the first day and do not speak at length and in person until the final day, which is capped off with the acceptance speech.
But it was in some ways a fitting end for a day that featured a speech by the star of the reality show “Duck Dynasty” and a floor fight over the party’s rules. The official theme for the first night was “Make America Safe Again,” with a focus on Trump’s pledge to crack down on illegal immigration and wage a more ruthless war on terrorist groups like the self-proclaimed Islamic State.
“What I did for New York, Donald Trump will do for America,” said former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, famous for steering his city through the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The night also zeroed in on the attack on a diplomatic outpost in Libya while Clinton was secretary of state. Her campaign was quick to respond that Trump would be a hazard to the nation.
“Donald Trump’s ideas on foreign policy aren’t just different — they are dangerously incoherent. … The choice in this election is clear, and we deserve better leadership for our nation — and the world — than Donald Trump,” Florida Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch said in a statement issued by the Clinton campaign.
The focus in Cleveland, though, inevitably kept returning to Trump and his attempts to unite a party trying to win a presidential election for the first time in 12 years.
Trump spoke hours after the floor had erupted into pandemonium following a decision to push through the party’s rules on a voice vote. Some delegates — many of whom had supported candidates other than Trump in state primaries earlier this year — wanted a roll call vote on the rules to try to force consideration of changes to the primary process.
The rules’ critics said they had gained the support of a majority of at least nine state delegations — more than the seven required to request a roll call vote.
When Arkansas Congressman Steve Womack called for a voice vote, opponents of the rules protested loudly. The roar continued after Womack said delegates had approved the rules, and the convention essentially entered suspended animation for about 10 minutes.
Womack eventually took the stage again and carried out another voice vote as opponents chanted “Roll call vote!” After the second vote, Trump supporters began chanting “We want Trump!” in response. Womack then explained that three states had withdrawn their support for a roll call vote — reducing to six the number of delegations that supported the move.
But some opponents of the rules, including U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, said they had support from as many as 11 states. Speaking on CNN, Lee said the Republican National Committee had created a “toxic environment” with its handling of the rules challenge, including lobbying some delegates to change their positions on a roll call vote.
“Why did they have to do that?” asked Lee, who supported U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas during the primaries. “Why not just allow for the vote? What are they afraid of?
Opponents of the rules tried to make it clear that the uprising was not necessarily part of the “Never Trump” movement that has opposed the businessman’s blend of populism and nationalism as a betrayal of conservative principles. Ed Buchanan, a Wyoming delegate who supported the effort and chaired Cruz’s campaign in his state, brushed off the idea that the raucous scene indicated the party was split.
“Today what you saw was what makes America great, which is we have a democracy, you can dissent, you can voice your opposition and you saw that today,” Buchanan said. “This isn’t chaos. This is American democracy in action. This is what makes this country great.”
Regardless, the proceedings shattered the idea that Trump and the GOP had completely vanquished opponents and that the Cleveland gathering would be another one of the sedate conventions that have become the rule in recent years. For months during the primary elections, there was widespread speculation that delegates might arrive at the convention without any candidate having won a decisive victory.
Earlier Monday, Republican Party of Florida Chairman Blaise Ingoglia told reporters that he thought the Never Trump movement had already fizzled out.
“I think it was dead before it got here,” he said after a breakfast for the state’s delegation at a hotel in the nearby city of Independence.
Ingoglia, who doubles as a state representative from Spring Hill, also pointed out that many of the Never Trump supporters are lifelong Republicans who would have a lot to lose if the party’s nominee lost.
“All the hard work they’ve been doing for 20, 30, possibly 40 years, could be wiped away in one election if Hillary Clinton was elected president,” he said.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Wahoos Fall To Jacksonville
July 19, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos pulled within one run, 3-2, in the sixth inning but that was as close as they could come to the Jacksonville Suns on Monday at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville starting pitcher Jake Esch and relievers Tyler Bremer and Sean Donatello combined to shutout Pensacola over the last three innings, allowing one hit and retiring the last seven Blue Wahoos hitters in row.
Esch improved to 10-6 with a 3.72 ERA, becoming the first pitcher to reach 10 wins in the Southern League. In 6.2 innings of work he allowed seven hits, one walk and two earned runs, while striking out seven.
Despite Monday’s loss, Pensacola won the series, 3-2, but are still below .500 on the road at 23-26. They are 12-13 in the second half, one game back of Jacksonville, which improved to 13-12 to take first place in the Southern League South Division.
Jacksonville scored first when first baseman Chris Curley hit a two-run homer off of Pensacola starter Nick Travieso in the bottom of the second inning to give the Suns a 2-0 lead.
Travieso took the loss and is 4-6 with a 4.16 ERA this season.
In the top of the third inning, Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde singled to the opposite field on a ground ball to left field drive in shortstop Alex Blandino, who doubled, pulling the Blue Wahoos within, 2-1.
Suns left fielder Austin Dean put Jacksonville up by two runs again, 3-1, on a single on a fly ball to left field that scored pitcher Jake Esch, who led off the fifth inning with a single back up the middle.
Pensacola’s Elizalde doubled to start the sixth inning and crossed home plate on a ground out by third baseman Taylor Sparks to third base to bring the Blue Wahoos, within, 3-2. But that is as close as they would get.
Pensacola was 1-6 with runners in scoring position and left six runners on base.
Leading the Blue Wahoos at the plate were Elizalde, who was 3-4 with a double, run scored and RBI, and Blandino, who was 2-4 with a double and a run scored.
Robert Lee Lambeth
July 19, 2016
Robert Lee “Bob” Lambeth, age 76 of Hwy 31 in Flomaton, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2016, in a Pensacola hospice facility after a brief illness. He was a native and lifelong resident of Flomaton. Mr. Lambeth was a member of the Abundant Life Assembly of God Church, a 1959 graduate of Flomaton High School, and was a retired pulp mill tech from Container Corporation of America with 39 years of service. He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Elaine Hudson Lambeth of Flomaton; one son, Darrell (Elaine) Lambeth of Deltona, FL; one daughter, Sonya (Mirza) Beg of Tuscaloosa, AL; two brothers, James (Mildred) Lambeth of Flomaton and Millard Lambeth of Brewton; two sisters, Teresa Smith and Codie (Dan) Wedgeworth, all of Flomaton; six grandchildren, Amber Beg, Adam Beg, Cameron Beg, Taylor Lambeth, Tyler Lambeth, and Tiffany Lambeth.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2016, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at 1 p.m. at Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Donis Bowman and Speaker Mirza Beg officiating.
Interment will follow in Pollard Cemetery in Pollard.
Williams Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Brewton directing.
Harold Quinton Wilson
July 19, 2016
Dr. Harold Quinton Wilson, 88, of Atmore, passed away July 16, 2016, in Bay Minette. He was born in Brantley, Alabama on January 28, 1928, to Otis and Elizabeth Wilson.
He served in the United States Navy. He graduated from Kinston High School on May 24, 1946, and was inducted into the National Beta Club of the Kinston High School on April 7, 1944. Registry of Medical Technologist of American Society of Clinical Pathologists-Medical Technologist 1953. PhiBetaPi- Harold Wilson of Samson Alabama has been initiate by the Sigma Chapter of medical College of Alabama February 17, 1954. The University of Alabama conferred on Harold Quinton Wilson the degree of Bachelor of Science August 24, 1954. The University of Alabama, The Medical College of Alabama has conferred on Harold Quinton Wilson the degree of Doctor of Medicine June 2, 1957. The State Licensing Board for the Healing Arts April 1, 1960, The Governor of the State of Alabama presented Harold Wilson Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Aide-de-Camp in the Alabama State Militia January 14, 1972. Saint Vincent Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama Harold Quinton Wilson Intern from July 1, 1957-1958. College of American Pathologist Greenlawn Hospital H.Q. Wilson is recognized for participation in one of the College of American Pathologists Programs of Excellence 1978 Survey Programs, State Licensing Board of the Healing Arts Certificate of Registration Dr. Harold Quinton Wilson Opp, Alabama was issued to Practice Medicine in the State of Alabama April 1, 1960. The Medical Association of the State of Alabama-Physicians Recognition Award December 1983. The State of Alabama-Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators Harold Q. Wilson January 12, 1983.
He is survived by Phillip (Sandra) Wilson of Atmore, Greg (Marcella) Wilson of Bratt, Jon Wilson of Lillian, AL; Lori (Richard) Monroe of Silver Hill, AL; Patrick (Kristy) Wilson of Silver Hill; and one sister, Arlette Holly of Hartford, AL; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Delbert Riddick officiating.
Graveside services will follow at 2:30 p.m. from the Ino Baptist Church Cemetery in Ino, AL. with military honors.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 20, 2016, from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Luke 5:31
31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Francis deGraaf, Sr.
July 19, 2016
Robert Francis deGraaf, Sr. passed away on Monday, July 18, 2016, at the age of 78. Robert was born on May 25, 1938, in Robertsdale. He graduated from McGill High School in Mobile and he attended Southern Mississippi University for three years. He was a Quality Control Technician with Monsanto Company for 34 years before retiring in 1993.
His hobbies were hunting, fishing, “tinkering” around the house and enjoying time with family. He was a member at Little Flower Catholic Church in Pensacola.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Helen deGraaf; and his son, Robert “Bobby” deGraaf, Jr.
Robert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth deGraaf; his daughter, Kim Nelson and Helen Leary; his son, David deGraaf; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Ann Necaise; and brother, Michael deGraaf.
Funeral services will be held at Little Flower Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, with a reception to follow in Marian Hall.
The burial will be held at Fairhope Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Fairhope at 3 p.m.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.