Senators Block Records Exemption For Hunters
February 18, 2016
A proposal that would have prevented the release of names of hunters in Florida was shot down Wednesday in a Senate committee.
The Rules Committee voted 5-4 to reject a measure (SB 1364) that would have created a public-records exemption for personal information — such as names, dates of birth, addresses and telephone numbers — of people getting hunting licenses from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Sen. Alan Hays, a Umatilla Republican who sponsored the bill, said the proposal was designed to protect gun owners who could be targeted by people who use the state’s public-records law as a way to track down and burglarize the homes of gun owners.
“My hope is that nobody goes and steals any of the guns,” Hays said. “I hope that the next time you have murder on the street that it’s not from a stolen weapon.”
Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican who voted against the measure, said during the meeting that Hays’ reasoning for the bill was “a reach.”
Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation, welcomed the defeat of the bill, which she labeled “the Ted Nugent Act” because of publicity surrounding a bear hunt last year. The state issued 3,778 permits for the controversial bear hunt, the first such hunt in Florida in more than two decades.
Among the people buying permits were rock star Ted Nugent, House members Frank Artiles of Miami, Jay Trumbull of Panama City and Tom Goodson of Titusville, and Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Aliese Priddy.
Nugent, who didn’t participate in the hunt, was contacted by the Orlando Sentinel when the commission released the names and information of the permit holders.
Petersen said the names of people applying for permits should remain public, but acknowledged that the Fish and Wildlife commission could reconsider the information it collects, which for the bear hunt in October included telephone numbers and emails.
“I think Fish & Wildlife needs to look at what information they’re collecting and decide what they need for regulatory purposes,” Petersen said.
(Disclosure: The News Service of Florida is a member of the First Amendment Foundation.)
Hays’ proposal had cleared two prior committees without opposition.
A similar House bill (HB 1153) was unanimously supported by the Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee last month and has not been scheduled for its next stop before the State Affairs Committee.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Government Aid Not Likely For Century Tornado Victims (With Gallery)
February 17, 2016
Century residents were allowed late Tuesday to return on foot to their tornado-ravaged homes. Many residents in the hardest hit areas found notices posted by the county building inspector informing them that their homes are no longer habitable.
A large number of the residents have no insurance…that’s a luxury they can’t afford in a town that is the poorest in Florida and where over half the residents live in poverty. Several told NorthEscambia.com that there next step is to begin cleaning up and wait for financial help they believe will come as it did after Hurricane Ivan.
But the chance of Century and its residents receiving federal funds are slim to none as the rebuilding process from Monday’s EF-3 tornado begins.
Escambia County Emergency Management Director John Dosh said a federal disaster declaration from the White House would require documented losses of over $25 million in the county. He said it is extremely unlikely for the tornado damage to totals to be anywhere near $25 million.
Without the federal disaster declaration, FEMA funds will not flow.
However, the Town of Century and the county ares working with state and federal agencies to see what other options and other funding pools just might be available.
In the meantime, Century is turning with open arms to charitable organizations such as the Red Cross and local churches that are lending a helping hand.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Murder Remains Under Investigation
February 17, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation into a murder Monday night.
About 11:20 p.m. deputies responded to the 7100 block of Windsor Oak Drive to a domestic violence incident. When deputies first arrived, they found 35-year old Robert Edward Parizo dead from a gunshot wound.
Investigators questioned Parizo’s father in connection to the incident, but no arrests were made.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
NWS Report: Century Tornado Was EF-3 With 152 MPH Winds (With Gallery)
February 17, 2016
The tornado that struck Century and McDavid on Monday was an EF-3 with winds estimated as high at 152 miles per hour, according to a National Weather Service report.
The tornado followed a path 16.5 miles long and up to 300 yards wide through the North Escambia area. In total, three people were injured in the strong tornado.
The tornado first touched down southwest of Lambert Bridge Road, 3.4 miles west of McDavid at 3:32 p.m. and gradually increased in strength and width as it continued northeast toward Century. The first EF-2 intensity damage was found on Holland Road in McDavid were a workshop was completely destroyed.
The tornado reached peak intensity (widespread EF-2 damage with isolated EF-3 damage) as it moved into Century.
The damage track continued northeast where EF-2 damage was found on Old Fannie Road in Alabama. Damage continued northeast toward Pollard, AL, where the tornado weakened and lifted.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Another Sunny Day
February 17, 2016
Here is your official NorthEscambia area forecast:
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 38. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 42. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 69. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 70.
Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 48.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.
Railroad Crossing Closures Begin In Century
February 17, 2016
A dozen North Escambia railroad crossings are set to be closed for repairs during the next week, including crossings today within the area impacted by Monday’s tornado.
CSX will close the crossings as part of its network-wide crossing maintenance program beginning today. The latest schedule is as follows:
- Cottage Street — Wednesday 2/17
- McCurdy Street — Wednesday 2/17
- Front Street — Wednesday 2/17
- West Pond Street — Wednesday 2/17
- Salters Lake Road — Thursday 2/18
- Private Crossing (south of Salters Lake) — Thursday 2/18
- Bluff Springs Road — Thursday 2/18
- Courtney Road — Friday 2/19
- Private Crossing (4 miles north of Mystic Springs) — Friday 2/19
- Mystic Springs Road – Saturday 2/20
- East Bogia Road — Sunday 2/21
- Cotton Lake Road — Monday 2/22
NorthEscambia.com is working with the contractor to provide updates as soon as possible if there are any schedule changes.
CSX engineering crews will be laying new rail ties, resurfacing crossings and repaving them with asphalt. CSX has worked closely with local officials to coordinate the crossing closures to minimize disruption to the community and is communicating directly with residents where there are dead-end roads or no-outlet situations.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Motorists are reminded to travel with care through the work zone and to watch for construction equipment and workers entering and exiting the roadway.
Pictured top: The East Highway 4 railroad crossing was closed earlier this month. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High FBLA Members Raise Funds For Gulf Coast Kids House
February 17, 2016
A special group of Future Business Leaders of America from Tate High School in Cantonment recently presented a check to Gulf Coast Kid’s House for funds raised during a Christmas event.
The students wanted to bring some holiday cheer to child abuse victims in Escambia County. Over the holidays they made small paper trees and asked for donations to sponsor a tree and write a special note to a client at the Gulf Coast Kid’s House.
“Feliz Navidad” and “We love you!” were some of the messages written by parents, students, and other sponsors. The campaign produced over $400 and a check was presented by the students to GCKH staff members at their February monthly member meeting.
The students will soon be on their way to state competitions in Orlando compete against other members of FBLA from all over the Florida. Each student has a project to present and take first place in their regions before moving on to state.
“One student designed an entire video game as her project,” shares Erika Cooper, one of the teacher sponsors of FBLA, “some of the schools we are up against have whole departments dedicated to gaming technology.”
Pension Changes Headed To House Floor
February 17, 2016
Less than a week after it was introduced, a bill that could shift more public employees into a 401(k)-style retirement plan is headed to the House floor.
The legislation (HB 7107) was approved Tuesday by the House Appropriations Committee on a 16-9 vote, clearing the way for the full chamber to take up the measure. The initiative has already caused friction with the Senate, which wants a different set of changes to the Florida Retirement System also included in the House proposal.
Under the House bill, employees who don’t choose between the state’s traditional pension plan and a 401(k)-style investment plan would “default” into the investment plan. Currently, workers are automatically placed in the pension plan if they don’t make a selection.
Most of the roughly 1 million working and retired members of the system are in the traditional pension plan.
Supporters of the legislation say it better fits the current workforce, where employees are more likely to change jobs. Rep. Matt Caldwell, the North Fort Myers Republican handling the bill, said younger workers in particular could end up in a plan that doesn’t mesh with their career paths.
“If they don’t make a choice … and they default today into the pension and leave before vesting, they leave with nothing,” Caldwell said.
House Republicans have for years pushed bills aimed at encouraging or even requiring new employees to enter the investment plan, arguing that it’s more stable and more closely resembles the retirement plans in private industry.
But unions, Democrats and some Senate Republicans have fought those efforts, arguing the traditional pension plan is sturdy and offsets the fact that state workers make less money than their private counterparts.
They also note that the vast majority of workers currently pick the pension plan.
“Clearly there is a desire when people make a choice to go into the defined benefit plan,” said Rep. David Richardson, D-Miami Beach. ” … Why would we say that we’re going to change the choice and default people into a plan that only one out of four would choose when they don’t make a choice?”
In an effort to make the House changes more appealing, the bill approved Tuesday includes pension legislation favored by the Senate. It incorporates some provisions dealing with death benefits the Senate is seeking, as well as a fix to unintended consequences of legislation passed several years ago meant to cut down on “double dipping” by members of the retirement system.
The Senate has particularly focused on increasing death benefits for families of first responders killed in the line of duty and making changes for those in the investment plan. The House would make changes to the death benefits for all workers in the investment plan.
Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, pointed to the two Senate provisions in explaining why he voted for the bill Tuesday. But he sounded hesitant about the default switch.
“Unless we’re saying we really cannot afford our FRS (Florida Retirement) system going forward, I don’t necessarily see a need to make this change,” he said.
But other Republicans defended the change, and have highlighted the fact that the legislation would extend the amount of time workers have to choose between the two plans before defaulting.
“I think if you give someone eight months to make a decision, that that should be ample time to do all the bit of research that any human might necessarily need to be able to make a decision,” said Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples.
Should it pass the House, the odds are still long in the Senate. That chamber voted unanimously last week to approve the death-benefits bill in what the sponsor described as a show of resolve on the issue.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Chamber Honors Business, Community Leaders
February 17, 2016
Tuesday night, the Greater Pensacola Chamber announced its 56th Annual PACE Award recipients during a special one-night event at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front. Each year, the PACE Awards are presented to outstanding individuals in the community who have made significant contributions to Greater Pensacola’s overall economic progress.
“We are privileged to have an abundance of leaders devoted to moving the Greater Pensacola region forward with their talents, enthusiasm and spirit,” said Clay Ingram, Greater Pensacola Chamber President & CEO. “We are honored to pay tribute to these individuals who continue to positively impact our community.”
President of Elebash’s Jewelers, Patrick Elebash, was named Emerging Business Leader of the Year for his efforts to make Pensacola a vibrant and progressive city. Elebash, a Leadership Pensacola graduate, has served on multiple boards of directors and continues to lead both personally and professionally. Stacey Kostevicki, executive director of Gulf Coast Kid’s House, was named Emerging Advocate Leader of the Year for bringing services with lasting improvements to children and families in crisis. Kostevicki was recently elected president of the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy and continues to expand children’s advancement along the Gulf Coast.
Sacred Heart Health System’s chief executive officer Susan Davis Ed.D, RN was named Professional Leader of the Year for directing a top health care system. Her efforts continue to transform our community into a truly regional healthcare center, promoting Pensacola as a national player in the healthcare industry. Sue Martin was named Community Leader of the Year for her dedication to improving the lives of numerous children over the years. Martin is the founder of Mall Ball, which is the largest fundraising ball in Pensacola, collecting over $4 million in 21 years for Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.
Chef Joe Abston, owner of Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom, The Tin Cow, and Edible Invaders, and overseer of culinary direction at Pot Roast & Pinot, was named Business Leader of the Year. Chef Abston was pivotal on the growth of the downtown area and continues to further the downtown scene, advocating for Gallery Night and chairing Palafox Wine Walk. Mort O’Sullivan, III, CPA was awarded the Pioneer Award for his professional career with Warren Averett and his many contributions to Northwest Florida. O’Sullivan has over 38 years of experience in public accounting and is a past chairman and current board member for the Greater Pensacola Chamber.
Finally, Molly McGuire Martin was awarded the Spirit of Pensacola Award for her many accomplishments as a successful businesswoman and entertainer. She passed away in 2014, but her spirit lives on through the restaurants she built with her husband McGuire – McGuire’s Irish Pub (Pensacola and Destin), Flounders (Pensacola Beach), Crabs (Pensacola Beach) and Vinny McGuire’s Pizza (Destin).
Pictured top: Pioneer Award winner Mort O’Sullivan III. Pictured inset: Joe Abston, Business Leader of the Year. Pictured below: Community Leader of the Year Sue Martin. Pictured bottom: Emerging Advocate Leader of the Year Stacey Kostevicki. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
House, Senate Move Closer On Incentives Plan
February 17, 2016
The House has moved closer to the Senate on a new process for approving economic incentives as requested by Gov. Rick Scott.
But the two chambers remain apart over how much money to set aside to lure businesses to Florida. Scott met individually Tuesday with incoming Senate President Joe Negron, Senate Appropriations Chairman Tom Lee and House Appropriations Chairman Richard Corcoran in discussions that touched on the governor’s request for $250 million in economic-incentives money and $1 billion in tax cuts.
When asked if Scott appeared willing to accept lower numbers as the two chambers work on a compromise, Negron and Corcoran said the talks with Scott were more about the “big picture” of the funding yet to be finalized.
“We’ve got to start sitting down with the Senate and you’ve got to look at the numbers,” Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, said. “I think the House is committed to doing as much as we can in tax cuts and that’s what we’ve rolled out in our budget.”
Rep. Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican who is sponsoring the economic incentive proposal (HB 1325), said the differences with the Senate will have to be worked out in upcoming budget negotiations.
“There a lot of moving parts around the big numbers that we’ve got to kind of wrestle down before we can come up with what exactly we’re going to do,” Boyd said after the House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee approved the bill Tuesday.
The Senate has gone along with Scott’s request for $250 million in incentives money, though it has not backed his call for $1 billion in tax cuts.
The House, where questions have arisen over the effectiveness of business incentives, so far has offered $80 million for the programs — but has put on the table a nearly $1 billion tax-cut package.
The House economic-incentives total would still be an increase from the $43 million that lawmakers gave the public-private agency Enterprise Florida for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.
Under Boyd’s bill, both the House and Senate are now proposing that any incentive deals through what is known as the Florida Enterprise Fund would have at least a 20 percent local financial match. Projects would be intended to create at least 10 jobs, and no payments would be made until performance conditions are met.
The Senate incentive policy proposal (SB 1646) also would require projected economic benefits to provide a 2.5-to-1 return on investment. The House measure, which initially stood at 5-to-1, has been moved down to a 3-to-1 return on investment.
Boyd said the lower House ratio is more realistic, pointing to recent deals in which Merritt Island Boat Works intends to open a new manufacturing facility and Hertz has moved its corporate headquarters from New Jersey to Estero. They were in the 3-to-1 range.
“It’s still a pretty hefty return on investment in terms of the big picture,” Boyd said.
The House and Senate also have lined up on what is known as the high-impact performance incentive program.
Under the proposed rules, the governor would be able to approve grants under $2 million and only have to provide legislative leadership with a written description of those projects. The House speaker and Senate president would have two weeks to file objections to projects in line to get $2 million or more.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida