Apartment Developer Files Lawsuit Against Century Over Water, Sewer Fees
October 16, 2018
The developers of a new 50-unit apartment complex have filed suit against Century over the amount they were charged to connect water and sewer service.
The Paces Foundation and Century Park Apartments filed the lawsuit in Escambia County Circuit Court against the Town of Century.
In February, Paces submitted a $165,180 check to the town for waster and wastewater tap fees along with a protest letter from attorney William J. Dunaway of the Clark Partington law firm in Pensacola. The letter informed the town that the payment was made in full, but the amount remained in dispute.
In the lawsuit, Paces contends they only owed the town $63,750 for full payment. Calling the over-payment “unlawful”, Paces is seeking a $101,430 refund, legal costs and “such relief that is just and proper”.
The lower fee of $63,750, according to Paces, was decided upon during a 2015 meeting with then-Mayor Freddie McCall and Town Planner Debbie Nickles. The only written agreement to come out of that meeting was a handwritten page showing calculations that Paces said were based upon the 2015 rates as published online in the town’s municipal code. The handwritten document also included a proposed fee for natural gas; however, the developer later opted to go all-electric.
In 2017, the town council passed two resolutions increasing the water and sewer tap fees and charged Paces based upon 50 connections. The apartment complex, according to the lawsuit, has only one master meter that serves all 50 units.
Paces contends they relied upon the lower payment quote in determining their financial options with the apartment development. They contend they were forced to submit the higher fee in order to obtain utility services and obtain a certificate of occupancy for the apartments.
McCall and Nickles did not deny the meeting, nor do they deny the agreement or the approximate $63,000 tap fee. “The town made a commitment to them. To me, they should do the right thing and honor that commitment,” Nickles said during a March town council meeting also attended by McCall.
“Paces responded to the Town of Century’s request that they come in and invest in the Community with an affordable housing plan. Paces relied on the word of Mayor Freddie McCall and the Town Planner, Debbie Nickles, when they negotiated the impact fee for water and sewer for the $10 Million dollar apartment complex. It was wrong for the new Mayor not to honor the deal made with Mayor McCall and Paces believes that the Court will agree,” Dunaway, the attorney for Paces, said Tuesday morning.
Monday night, Century Mayor Henry Hawkins said subpoenas were incorrectly served on Town Clerk Kim Godwin but still listed a former town clerk’s name. Hawkins said that he should have been served as the “highest ranking person” in town government, and “if they are going to serve anybody else, they have to serve them between 11 a.m. and noon.”
“So we are getting them on technicalities,” the mayor said.
Pictured top: Century Park Apartments. Pictured top inset: A check submitted under protest to the town by the Paces Foundation. Pictured bottom inset: The handwritten document Paces contends demonstrated a lower water and sewer tap fee as authorized by town code. Pictured below: Century’s justification for the $165,180 tap fee charged to the developer. NorthEscambia.com photo and images, click to enlarge.
Tate, Northview, Ernest Ward Collecting Supplies For Hurricane Victims
October 16, 2018
Tate High, Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle schools are collecting supplies for victims of Hurricane Michael.
Tate High Supply Drive
Tate High School, the Tate FFA chapter and the Tate Student Council are collecting hurricane relief supplies for delivery on Saturday by the Tate FFA Alumni Foundation. Supplies can be dropped off 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday at the Tate Ag Department or at the main gate of the football stadium Friday night from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. For information on items being collected, click the graphic above or click here.
Northview Football Supply Drive
The Northview High School Chiefs are collecting supplies for Blountstown. They need water, canned goods, non-refrigerated baked goods, baby formula, diapers, wipes, pet food, toiletries and clothes with tags on them. All donations can be dropped off in the front office through Friday. The Northview Chiefs will delivery the items on Sunday.
Ernest Ward Supply Drive
The Ernest Ward Middle School SGA is hosting a drive for Hurricane Michael victims. Donations can be made in EWMS front office, or sent with students through October 26. Click here for a list of items being accepted.
Other Supply Drives
Is your North Escambia area school, church or non-profit working to help Hurricane Michael victims? Let us know by email at news@northescambia.com. While they are appreciated, we are unable to list supply drives and collections by individuals. For a list of other ways to donate, click here.
FDOT Halting Local Road Work To Focus On Hurricane Recovery
October 16, 2018
The Florida Department of transportation is temporarily halting construction projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties following Hurricane Michael. The DOT will still maintain traffic control devices and provide erosion control as FDOT redirects resources to hurricane recovery efforts. File photo.
More Scattered Showers Today
October 16, 2018
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Friday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.
Trump Surveys Hurricane Michael Damage
October 16, 2018
Monday, President Donald Trump visited several areas in Northwest Florida that were damaged by Hurricane Michael.
“The job they’ve done in Florida has been incredible,” Trump said, speaking alongside Scott.
“You’re a great Governor. You really have been. He steps up in the biggest emergencies, the biggest problems, and he gets it done.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Accompanied by his wife Melania, Trump’s trip Monday comes as search and rescue crews continue to look for people still missing after the storm.
The President said that electric companies have been “really incredible and responsive” in getting power back to homes that survived last week’s devastating hurricane, but noted that many homes were destroyed by the storm.
At least 19 deaths have been blamed on the storm along its path from Florida to Virginia.
Among the hardest hit areas was Mexico Beach, a Florida Panhandle town that Governor Scott said now resembles a war zone. [See NorthEscambia.com photos from Mexico Beach...]
Ahead of the Trumps’ visit, Scott toured some of the devastation with Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Brock Long, who said the damage in Mexico Beach is some of the worst he has ever seen.
Mexico Beach police chief Anthony Kelly said, “When you come here and see the devastation, it’s hard, it’s emotionally hard.”
“Looking in the debris, seeing photos of grandkids, people that we know that have come back here year after year, that’s the emotional side,” he said. “I’ve got officers that this is their first catastrophic event, and it’s hard to explain to them, you know, it’s going to get better, because they’re seeing reality.”
The town’s medical manager, Patricia Cantwell, said, “It’s extremely sad that the devastation has been so rampant throughout the Panhandle” of the state.
“Having lived through Hurricane Andrew in south Florida [in 1992], it’s going to take a while,” she said. “It’s one day at a time. It looks overwhelming to start, but, you know, one day at a time. It’s going to take years to get things back up and running.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Fire Destroys Vehicle Near Bratt
October 16, 2018
Fire destroyed a vehicle near Bratt Monday afternoon after driver of a Toyota Highlander pulled the vehicle off the roadway along Highway 168 near North Pine Barren Road.
The fire was extinguished by the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
There were no injuries reported.
Pictured above and below: A vehicle fire Monday afternoon in Bratt before it is extinguished by firefighters (bottom). NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Thousands Of Florida Prison Inmates Evacuated After Michael
October 16, 2018
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) has announced evacuations of inmates following structural damage to facilities caused by Hurricane Michael.
The following facilities were evacuated:
- Bay Correctional Facility*; 959
- Gulf Correctional Institution and Annex; 2,618 inmates
- Portion of Calhoun Correctional Institution; 595 inmates
Gulf Correctional Institution and Annex, Gulf Forestry Camp (evacuated prior to the storm) and Panama City Work Release Center (evacuated prior to the storm) are closed until further damage assessment can be completed.
The evacuated facilities sustained significant damage to roofs and security infrastructure. Staff and inmates at these facilities were not injured during the storm. All inmates were secure and had access to food and drinking water through the duration of the storm.
Evacuations took place as soon as the roads leading to the facilities were passable and safe for inmate transport.
Inmate locations are updated on www.dc.state.fl.us within 24 hours of relocation.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Wraps Up Undefeated Season With Win Over Atmore
October 16, 2018
The Ernest Ward Middle School Eagles wrapped up an undefeated season Monday night with a 22-0 win over the Eagles of Escambia County Middle School (Atmore).
The EWMS Eagles outscored opponents 176-12 in five games. Only Saraland scored against Ernest Ward, the only middle school football team in Escambia County, FL.
Ernest Ward was scheduled to meet Saraland again Thursday night, but that game has been canceled.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward SGA Accepting Donations For Hurricane Michael Victims
October 16, 2018
The Ernest Ward Middle School SGA is hosting a drive for Hurricane Michael victims.
Donations can be made in EWMS front office, or sent with students through October 26. Items accepted include:
Cleaning:
- Mr. Clean Magic Erasers
- Clorox
- Windex
- Pledge
- Dawn Dish Soap
- Detergent
- Clorox Wipes
Food:
(nonperishable, most victims are without a microwave/heat source)
- Canned Food
- Can Openers
- Gallons and bottles of water
- Crackers
- Trail Mix
- Bread/Tortillas
- Instant Grits
- Peanut Butter & Jelly
- Canned Nuts
- Canned Meat and fish
- Powdered Milk/Shelf Milk
- Granola bars
- Gatorade/Powerade
- Instant Oatmeal
- Instant Rice
- Cereal
Entertainment:
- Coloring Books
- Crayons/Colored Pencils
- Reading Books (all age
- levels)
- Board Games
- Card Games
- Dominos
- Word Search/Crossword
- Puzzles
- Sudoku Books
Hygiene:
- Deodorant
- Toilet paper
- Soap
- Floss
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Face Wash
- Lotion
- Hand Sanitizer
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Ponytail Holders, Bobby Pins
- Hair Brushes/Combs
- Baby Wipes
- Mosquito Repellent
Joseph Warren “Joey” Huss, Jr.
October 16, 2018
Mr. Joseph Warren “Joey” Huss, Jr., age 55 of Wolf Log Road in Flomaton, passed away Saturday, October 13, 2018 in Junction Texas.
Mr. Huss was born in Odessa, TX and was a long-time resident of Flomaton. He worked as a welding inspector for a number of years. He was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Huss was preceded in death by his step-father, Charlie Kilgore; and a step-brother, Ryan Shultz.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene Huss of Flomaton, AL; his mother, Daphne Kilgore of Perdido Key, FL; his father and step-mother, Joe and Bert Huss of Franklin, AL; a son, Josh (Kristen) Huss of Flomaton, AL; one brother, Todd (Janet) Schultz of Brewton, AL; and a sister, Sandy Jones of Perdido Key, FL.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. from the chapel of Craver’s Funeral Home with Rev. Dorsey McDonald officiating. Interment will follow in Catawba Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Craver’s Funeral Home on Thursday from 6 P.M. until 9 P.M.
Pallbearers will be: Chris Hoomes, Chris Griffin, Steve Turner, Gary Maher, Gary Lawson, Donnie Lasko.