Century Council Feuds Over New Hire, Mayor’s Authority
August 22, 2018
Century Town Council members had a heated discussion over an employee at their most recent meeting – debating if the employee should be hired or terminated and if the mayor overstepped his authority.
Mayor Henry Hawkins told the council that he had hired a new clerk at $9 per hour to work in the office at town hall.
But council President Ann Brooks said the mayor had no authority to hire the employee; she said new employees must first be approved by the council as required by the town charter.
“This is not the first time this year that he (the mayor) has done the same thing, and I have told him that you can’t do this,” Brooks said. “You have to bring it to the council for approval before you hire someone. We approve the hiring.”
Brooks pushed for a motion that was made by council member Ben Boutwell to terminate the employee and offer her temporary employment until another employee returns from maternity leave. She said there are currently too many employees in town hall, especially considering the town’s current budget crunch. That motion failed 2-3, with Luis Gomez, Sandra McMurray-Jackson and Gary Riley voting against.
“He needs to do it the right way, because it is in the charter,” Boutwell said forcefully.
A second motion to hire the new employee passed 3-2, with Brooks and Boutwell dissenting.
“A house divided against itself, it ain’t going to stand” council member Jackson said after the vote. “How do we think people are going to come and live in Century when those of us here don’t want to live here. This has got to stop. This right here (pointed to Riley), said we the best council we ever had. Look at us now. Bickering, bickering. This has got to stop. We have got to get with one accord.”
“This has got to stop. We are trying to do better here in Century. Nobody wants to come to Century for nothing but to talk about us, to be made a mockery of on NorthEscambia…and any other publication.”
“We need to change the things that are not right,” Brooks said. ” I don’t think we have a council that is willing.”
“All this arguing and bickering here at this table,” Jackson replied. “My God, it has got to stop.”
“It sounds a little bit like you are arguing and bickering” Brooks interjected.
Jackson replied, “I am not arguing and bickering. I am making a point.”
After the discussion, the council did vote unanimously to hire two employees for the street department, each starting at $13.50 per hour to do dual duties as mechanics and street laborers.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
One Injured At Cantonment Intersection Undergoing $1 Million Safety Upgrade
August 22, 2018
One person was injured in a two vehicle accident Tuesday evening at a Cantonment intersection that is undergoing a $1 million safety improvements project.
The accident happened shortly before 7 p.m. at the intersection of West Kingsfield Road and Highway 297A.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 31-year old Megan Kristine Kocikowski of Brookhaven, GA, failed to stop her 2001 Toyota 4Runner at the stop sign at the intersection and collided with a 2017 Nissan Rogue drien by 65-year old Dixie Joann Herman of Cantonment. Herman was transported to Baptist Hospital with minor injuries.
Kocikowski was cited for running a stop sign.
Upgrades at the intersection include the addition of left and right turn lanes on each approach, a traffic signal, signage and pavement markings, pedestrian safety enhancements, drainage modifications and storm water management.
The $1,010,138 contract was awarded to low bidder Roads, Inc. of Northwest Florida for the work. Other bidders were Midsouth Paving, Inc. at $1,398,721 and Gulf Atlantic Constructors, Inc. at $1,432,224
Pictured: A Tuesday evening crash at West Kingsfield Road and Highway 297A in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Early Voting At Record Pace; Last Day To Request Mailed Ballot
August 22, 2018
The number of early votes cast by Tuesday in Escambia County exceeded the total number of early votes cast in the 2014 primary election — and there are still four more days of early voting to come. And voters who wish to be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot for the August 28 Primary Election to request their ballot no later than Wednesday, August 22.
Early Vote, Total Ballots Cast So Far
There were 1,432 early votes cast Tuesday, bringing the total number of early votes in this election to 4,606. Another 13,882 votes have been cast by mail, for a total of 18,488 votes cast before the August 28 primary.
Vote By Mail
Voters can make their request by using the online form at EscambiaVotes.com or by contacting the Supervisor of Elections by mail, phone (850) 595-3900, fax (850) 595-3914, or e-mail. Requests must include the voter’s date of birth and address. Voters may track the status of their ballot by clicking Track My Ballot at EscambiaVotes.com.
The Postal Service recommends voters mail ballots at least one week before the due date. Voted vote-by-mail ballots must be received in the Elections Office (not at a polling location) no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, August 28.
After Wednesday, a voter may still pick up a vote-by-mail ballot in person from the Elections Office through Monday, August 27.
Home Run: Blue Wahoos Rehab Fields At Century’s Showalter Park
August 22, 2018
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos teamed with area businesses and organizations Tuesday to renovate the little league fields at Showalter Park in Century.
They worked to overhaul the infield clay, weed, mow and bring the fields into game-ready shape for the youth of the Century area. The were joined by several community members and young Century Little League players.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Amazing For August: A Little North Wind, Low In The 60’s, No Rain, No Humidity
August 22, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
oday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Calm wind.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Calm wind.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Escambia County Sets Budget Hearings, Sets Millage Rate
August 22, 2018
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners will hold two budget hearings to discuss approving the proposed Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budget. The first meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 5:31 p.m. and the second Monday, Sept. 17 at 5:31 p.m. Both meetings will take place in the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, Board Chambers found on the first floor of 221 Palafox Place. Two public hearings are required to adopt the millage rate for property taxation and the budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19.
On July 19, the board certified the millage rate for publication purposes at 6.6165 for the county-wide millage rate, .3590 for the Library Municipal Services Taxing Unit and .6850 for the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit. All proposed rates represent no change in the millage levies from the prior year.
One Injured In Highway 297A Wreck
August 22, 2018
One person was injured in a single pickup wreck Wednesday morning on Highway 297A at Sherrilane Drive in Cantonment. The vehicle left the roadway, traveled through a ditch and became airborne when it struck a culvert. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Lose 2-1 To Biloxi
August 22, 2018
Corey Ray and Trent Grisham belted solo home runs as the Wahoos fell to the Shuckers 2-1 Tuesday afternoon at MGM Park.
Ray delivered his league-leading 26th homer on Tony Santillan’s (L, 4-2) first pitch of the game to make it 1-0 Shuckers. Grisham led off the second inning and took Santillan deep to the opposite field to double Biloxi’s advantage.
After that, Santillan was exceptional. He allowed one hit over his final five innings and left the game in the eighth after retiring 11 consecutive Shuckers. Santillan is the tough-luck loser for the Wahoos and has now suffered defeats in back-to-back starts.
The Wahoos had no answer for Trey Supak (W, 4-6). The Texas-native held the Wahoos to three hits over six shutout innings and did not allow a runner to reach scoring position. Pensacola’s best chance for a comeback was in the eighth inning. Gavin LaValley led off with a home run off Jeff Ames to cut the deficit to one. Cassidy Brown doubled before Narciso Crook earned a pinch-hit walk to setup first and second with nobody out. Unfortunately, the Shuckers bullpen retired the next three Wahoos in order and Pensacola stranded the tying run at second.
Nate Griep (S, 32) for the second-consecutive night closed out the game in scoreless fashion. After a leadoff walk, he retired the side in order to earn his league-best 32nd save of the year. Pensacola has now lost nine of their past 11 games, and their lead in the second-half standings have shrunk to a half game.
The Wahoos will get right back to work for the penultimate game of the series tomorrow night. RHP Daniel Wright (6-9, 4.19) hopes to give the Wahoos a win in Wednesday’s contest. The Shuckers have not yet announced who will take the bump for them.
IP Donates For School Supplies At Jim Allen Elementary
August 22, 2018
International Paper employees that work in the administration building in Cantonment raised $260 to use for school supplies for Jim Allen Elementary. Pictured: Jim Allen Principal Rachel Watts accepts a $260 gift card donation for school supplies from Brian Till and Mark Kyle of IP. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Possible Lightning Strike At Cantonment Post Office
August 21, 2018
Firefighters responded to a possible lightning strike at the Cantonment Post Office on Highway 29 Tuesday afternoon. There was no fire and no immediate reports of any damage. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
