Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Turning The Page
November 25, 2018
Florida’s political world is built around two-year cycles.
And the latest acrimonious, head-scratching cycle finally ended Tuesday when the state Elections Canvassing Commission certified the results of the Nov. 6 elections.
The acrimony, of course, did not end with the usual campaign attack ads and nastiness. It lasted nearly two additional weeks as ballots continued to be counted and recounted and legal fights raged.
As for the head scratching, a simple question: How, 18 years after the presidential recount, can Florida keep being the butt of election jokes? Yes, this year’s elections and recounts went smoothly in most of the state. But the images beamed across the country were all about the messes in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Nevertheless, the end of the two-year cycle also signaled the start of something new. Shortly after the state canvassing commission certified the election results, the Florida House and Senate gathered to swear in new leaders and newly elected members.
And, at least for a day, new House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, and new Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, emphasized a need for civility.
ONE FOR THE BOOKS
Florida Democrats spent the past eight years criticizing Gov. Rick Scott and itching to win the governor’s mansion for the first time since the 1990s.
But when the recounts were finished and the vote totals submitted, Scott and his Republican allies got the last laugh. Just like Scott got the last laugh when he came out of political nowhere in 2010 to win the governor’s mansion and in 2014 when he defended it.
By 10,033 votes out of nearly 8.2 million cast, Scott unseated three-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and will head to Washington in January. That became official when manual recounts ended Sunday, three days after a machine recount showed Republican Ron DeSantis locking up the governor’s race against Democrat Andrew Gillum.
Scott, who said Nelson “graciously conceded” in a phone call, thanked Nelson “for his years of public service.”
While the recount process drew harsh accusations of fraud and political chicanery, numerous lawsuits and counter-lawsuits, Scott’s victory statement called for unity.
“My focus will not be on looking backward, but on doing exactly what I ran on: making Washington work,” Scott said. “I know change is never popular in Washington and that I’m just one person — but we have to start somewhere.”
Nelson’s defeat marked the end of the 76-year-old Democrat’s lengthy political career, which includes 18 years in the U.S. Senate, a dozen years in the U.S. House, six years on the state Cabinet and six years in the Florida Legislature.
“Well, things worked out a little differently than Grace and I had hoped. But let me say, I by no measure feel defeated,” Nelson said, referring to his wife, Grace, in a statement Sunday afternoon. “And that’s because I have had the privilege of serving the people of Florida and our country for most of my life.”
Three statewide races — for U.S. senator, governor and agriculture commissioner — went to manual or machine recounts.
Democrats got a victory Sunday when Nikki Fried emerged from a manual recount with a 6,753-vote win over Republican Matt Caldwell in the race for agriculture commissioner. In winning the Cabinet seat, Fried became the first woman to be elected agriculture commissioner and will be the only statewide elected Democrat during the next two years.
Fried, a 40-year-old lawyer from Fort Lauderdale, said she intends to represent all Floridians.
“You chose a new vision, one that reflects the priorities of the people,” Fried said in a statement Sunday. “To everyone who didn’t vote for me, I will be your voice in Tallahassee too.”
Caldwell, a former state House member from North Fort Myers, formally conceded Monday, though he appeared to still be smarting from the recount process.
“All I have ever expected since Election Day is a full and fair accounting of all legal votes cast, and then respecting the will of the voters,” Caldwell said. “Unfortunately, as a result of the abject failures in Broward and Palm Beach, it has become clear that we may never gain an understanding of what transpired in the hours and days after polls closed, despite the exhaustive efforts of my legal team to get to the truth. To continue this legal challenge would likely require millions of dollars and months to complete without providing any more clarity.”
A NEW CHAPTER
Democrats made some gains in the Legislature during the Nov. 6 elections, though the House and Senate will continue to be controlled by Republicans.
And in the House, where the GOP now holds a 73-47 advantage, new Speaker Oliva made clear that he wants to pursue a conservative, small-government agenda.
In a speech during Tuesday’s organization session, Oliva briefly outlined goals for the House that include continuing to pursue school choice for families, protecting natural resources such as water and wildlife and reducing state and local regulations, which he said will help raise wages and lower housing costs.
“If affordable housing is important in your part of the state, speak out against costly planning and zoning decisions and the arbitrary use of impact fees for revenue,” Oliva said. “If we are truly committed to raising wages, we must challenge the endless taking of hard-earned wages through taxes, fees, surcharges, assessments and the like. If you want people to have more, begin by taking less.”
It was also clear new House Minority Leader Kionne McGhee, D-Miami, didn’t exactly share those priorities. McGhee said, in part, lawmakers should push to expand Medicaid for about 800,000 people in Florida; teacher salaries should be “at least be $50,000 per year;” and the state needs a workforce act that protects members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
At the other end of the Capitol’s fourth floor, Galvano gave an organization-session speech that largely stayed away from detailed policy issues, though he said the Senate over the next two years will “build on our past decisions to keep taxes low, regulations reasonable and to set aside ample reserves, while making smart investments in essential government services.”
Both leaders also signaled they want to restore some calm after the elections.
Galvano told the Senate, where Republicans hold a 23-17 edge, there is little he can do “to stem the tide of modern-day incivility that has become so pervasive in an era of social media and the 24-hour news cycle.”
“But I can tell you that while I am serving as Senate president, the Florida Senate will have civility, transparency, candor and opportunity, including an opportunity for the people of Florida to be heard,” Galvano said.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The results of the 2018 elections were finalized, with Republican Gov. Rick Scott unseating longtime Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I stand before you as a Hispanic speaker of the Florida House. I know what our party represents, and during my entire time in the Florida House I have not abided by the type of partisanship that sets one person against the other because of what jersey they are wearing. I decide if I’m with someone based on their ideas and ideology.” — new House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Sarah Doris Riley Ard
November 25, 2018
Sarah Doris Riley Ard, resident of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on Friday, November 23, 2018, at the age of 89. She was born in Columbia, Mississippi on August 12, 1929, to the late William Nathan Riley and Lucille Spears Riley. Sarah was a member of Pensacola Baptist Temple for almost seventy years. She loved her family, her friends, cooking for all, and caring for the love of her life, Buck Ard.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Buck Ard; parents; daughter, Carol Ard Brown; and her 11 siblings.
Sarah is survived by her four children, Glenn (Carol) Ard, Nancy Ard, Douglas (Elaine), and Jimmy Wayne (Anita) Ard; six grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Nathan (Bert) Riley and Grace Rolfs.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at Pensacola Baptist Temple with Pastors Glen Anderson and Steve Bruce officiating.
Burial will follow in Pensacola Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South.
Pallbearers will be Benji Clary, Will Clary, Zack Clary, Jody Elrod, William Bailey, and Bray Krause.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home South is entrusted with arrangements.
Terry Grant Hall
November 25, 2018
Terry Grant Hall, 78 of Young Harris, GA passed away Thursday, November 22, 2018, in Gainesville, GA. He retired from farming in 1998 and then worked for a few years with the Escambia County Road Department. He was born in Bratt, FL on December 8, 1939, to Ulysses Grant and Mildred Evelyn Langford Hall.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Sarah Ann Dortch Hall.
Survivors include his wife, Connie Ann Davis Hall of Young Harris, GA; one son, Darryl Grant Hall of Charlotte, NC; two daughters, Sheila Ann (Ron) O’Farrell of Lake Mary, FL and Pamela Hall (Ron) Wilson of Charlotte, NC; one stepdaughter, Kaitlyn Marie Lewis (Gerry) Steege of Bratt, FL; six grandchildren, Sarah Beth O’Farrell of Lake Mary, FL, Zachary Lamar O’Farrell of Cocoa, FL, Ethan Langford and Greyson Rawls Wilson of Charlotte, NC, Addisyn Rylee and Wyatt Reed Steege of Bratt, FL.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 26, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gene King officiating.
Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Barbara Ann Ging Wass
November 25, 2018
Barbara Ann Ging Wass, age 76, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, November 16, 2018. She was born February 17, 1942, in Pensacola, FL.
Forever cherished by her husband, Ed Wass, whom she married on April 24, 1981, and gained five wonderful children, Mark (Dee) Wass, Donna (Jack) Walters, Scott (Beth) Wass, Edie (Malcolm) Nelson, and Davie (Robert) Wass; grandchildren, Tyler, Wade, Lindsey, Daniel, Smokey, Madisen and Stormie; brother, Richard Ging; nieces, Jan (Mark) Thomley, Kristi (Phillip) Muldoon; and great-grandchildren, Tenley and Quinn.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Mary Hensel-Ging; and grandson, John Wass.
Barbara retired from Hiles-McLeod Insurance Agency as an agent. Barbara had a passion for and loved traveling, camping and taking cruises with dear friends. Barbara was very active in her grandchildren’s lives and enjoyed watching them grow up playing sports. She was their biggest fan in the stands. She was one ruthless card player and gave the best hugs in the world. Barbara will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorial services will be held at noon on Friday, November 30, 2018, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Entombment will follow services in Pensacola Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Valerie Davidson Mason
November 25, 2018
Valerie Davidson Mason, age 90, a native of Frisco City, Alabama, and a resident of Molino, Florida, passed away, Tuesday, November 20, 2018.
Valerie was a former cashier at the Cantonment Winn Dixie Market Place. She started that career prior to turning 70 years of age and was so proud when she was featured in the local news journal portraying the older worker in the workplace. She loved her job, which enabled her to see old friends and acquaintances from over the years. Valerie loved having her family for holidays and Sunday dinners; which often turned into a competition between her and Howard, her faithful sous-chef. Those of you that were fortunate to grace her table know that she was an excellent cook. Her talents weren’t just in the kitchen either. Those caring and nurturing ways were extended to being the ultimate green-thumb lady. She would organize and plant flower gardens for her many friends or help them nurse neglected plants back to life. She especially enjoyed gardening with her special friend and neighbor, Norma Rush.
Valerie is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Howard Allen; her parents, Homer and Edna Thompson Davidson; and her beloved daughter, Roxanne Griffith.
She is survived by her two sons, Bobby (Eddiemae), and Roger (Susie); grandchildren, Rob Mason (Phoebe), Greg Mason (Chris), Julie Swank (Sean), Amy Currey (Michael), Matt Lee, and Mandie Presley; great-grandchildren, Austin (Randi), Kylie, Tori, Matthew, Ryan, Brooklyn, Brittany, Cortney, Shane, Janey, Haley, Mallory, Mason and Jackson; brother, Liston Davidson (Betty).
One of Valerie’s greatest joys was the pending birth of her first great-great-grandchild.
Memorial services were held Saturday, November 24, 2018, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Officiating was Chaplin Jason Adams.
Burial was at Walnut Hill Baptist Church in Walnut Hill, Florida.
Pallbearers were grandsons.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Robert Irvin Skipper
November 25, 2018
Robert Irvin Skipper, 72 of Atmore, AL, passed away Sunday, November 25, 2018, in Atmore, AL. He was retired from law enforcement, Army National Guard and he served in the U.S. Air Force. He was born in Repton, AL, on September 3, 1946, to the late John Leslie and Aurelia Boutwell Skipper.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Shirley Ann Skipper.
Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Nicholson Skipper, of Atmore, AL; two sons, John (Dawn) Skipper of Atmore, AL and Matthew (Christie) Skipper of Richmond, VA; one daughter, Kimberly Davis of Montgomery, AL; one brother, Roger (Katherine) Skipper of Mobile, AL; and five grandchildren, Brett, Kristin, Katie, Whitney and Ashley.
Services will be Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at 11 a.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will follow in Green Acres Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Tuesday November 27, 2018, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Paul Ray Digmon
November 25, 2018
Paul Ray Digmon, 80 of Atmore, AL, passed away November 27, 2018, in Atmore, AL. He was born on March 19, 1938, in Atmore, AL, to the late Jimmy and Maude Bowman Digmon. He was a retired cabinet instructor at Jeff Davis Community College in Atmore, AL. He served in the United States Army.
He is survived by his wife, Laverne Byrd Digmon of Atmore, AL; daughter, Teena (George) Peavy of Lake City, FL; stepson, Butch (Sandy) Lee of Flomaton, AL, and stepdaughter, Pam White of Atmore, AL; grandchildren, Daniel White, Ryan Gambel, Kyle Gambel, and Dustin Lee; six great-grandchildren and many family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at 11 a.m. from the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Butch Lee officiating.
Burial will follow in Serenity Gardens Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Daniel White, Ryan Gambel, Kyle Gambel, Luke Brown, Ricky White and Caleb Fullerton.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2018, from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hurricane Michael Insurance Claims Continue To Grow
November 24, 2018
More than a month after Hurricane Michael barreled through parts of Northwest Florida, insurance claims have topped 125,000, according to numbers posted online by the state Office of Insurance Regulation.
As of Friday, insurers had reported 125,356 claims, with estimated insured losses of $3.43 billion. The bulk of the claims, 85,017, involved damage to residential property.
Overall, 55.3 percent of claims had been closed.
The largest number of claims was in Bay County, which had 75,412 as of Friday. Bay was followed by Jackson County, with 12,605 claims; Leon County, with 8,661 claims; Gulf County, with 7,231 claims; Gadsden County, with 5,255 claims; and Calhoun County, with 3,754 claims.
Hurricane Michael made landfall Oct. 10 as a Category 4 storm in Mexico Beach in southeastern Bay County and then continued north into Georgia.
by The News Service of Florida
Dental Services Cut From Molino, Ensley Health Department Locations
November 24, 2018
Dental services are being cut from the health department locations in Molino and Ensley.
Effective December 22, dental services at the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County are being discontinued at the Molino Service Center on North Highway 29 and the Northside Service Center on Palafox Street. The services were contracted through Pro Med Healthcare Services.
Community Health of Northwest Florida provides dental care for children and adults at three locations:
- Cantonment Pediatrics: 470 South Highway 29, Cantonment
- Century: 501 Church Street, Century
- Fairfield: 1295 West Fairfield Drive, Pensacola
Community Health Northwest Florida accepts DentaQuest, Medicaid, and many dental insurance plans. A sliding fee scale program is available for individuals who do not have insurance. Eligibility for the sliding fee scale program is based on household income. Payment plans are available.
For more information about Community Health Northwest Florida’s dental program, please call 850-760-0679, or visit healthcarewithinreach.org.
Patients of the closing dental centers in Molino and Ensley can request dental records at the Fairfield Service Center or by calling (850) 595-6500 ext. 1075.
FWC Law Enforcement Report
November 24, 2018
Here is the latest report from the Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Allgood was working the Escambia River and saw a fire at a campsite. He approached the campsite and saw two subjects fishing. As he approached the subjects, he saw an alligator snapping turtle tied off to a tree on the bank. One subject admitted to catching and tying the rope around the turtle’s head. After removing the rope from its head and ensuring the turtle was safe, Officer Allgood seized the turtle to take to the fish hatchery. Officer Allgood issued both subjects citations for no camping permits and the male subject was issued a citation for possession of an alligator snapping turtle.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Lewis and Hoomes investigated a complaint of a vessel that was dumped in Blackwater River State Forest. After trying to locate the vessel’s origin, the officers utilized Google satellite imagery to locate the vessel at a residence near where it was later dumped. The officers interviewed a subject at the residence. The subject was cooperative and admitted to dumping the vessel. Charges were filed for misdemeanor littering, and the subject removed the vessel from the forest.
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.
NorthEscambia.com photo.