Century’s Water, Wastewater Boss Resigns; Council And Mayor Disagree Again Over Hiring Process
March 19, 2019
Century’s mayor and council once again disagreed over their hiring process during a Monday night meeting.
Water and Wastewater Superintendent Alicia Jernigan has resigned her position effective March 22. Mayor Henry Hawkins recommend that assistant Heath Burkett, who holds state certifications, be promoted into the position. He also recommended that a new desk clerk be hired from a recent pool of applicants for a billing clerk position.
But Council President Ann Brooks told the mayor he could not hire anyone without advertising the positions, and the council took no action of the recommendation for Burkett.
The council and mayor were an impasse for several weeks earlier this year over the hiring of a billing clerk. Hawkins wanted to promote from within for the position, but the council deadlocked over the promotion.
The town attorney said the council essentially has veto power to disapprove of the mayor’ choice, but the council could not direct the hiring of a person not recommended by the mayor. The council eventually interviewed the mayor’s choice and hired her as clerk.
Escambia County Selected For New Workforce Initiative
March 19, 2019
FloridaWest today announced that Escambia County is one of five communities joining the Inclusive Development Network (IDN), an ambitious new initiative designed to advance inclusive workforce development within the selected regions through a focus on reaching underserved populations. Cleveland, Ohio; Corpus Christi, Texas; Coweta, Oklahoma; Spokane, Washington; and Pensacola, Florida, were selected from more than 35 applications for the Network’s first cohort of communities.
“Escambia County and Greater Pensacola are looking forward to a great future and we need that prosperity to include all of our citizens, “ said FloridaWest CEO, Scott Luth, “By participating in this innovative network, we can build a greater future for all of us.”
An initiative of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), the Inclusive Development Network will work to identify and implement strategies that reduce equity gaps in local workforce development. Participating communities were selected based on their geography and size, as well as their existing and proposed reach with underserved populations.
FloridaWest EDA will assemble a leadership team in partnership with Achieve Escambia and Careersource Escarosa that includes representatives from business and industry, education, government, and the community. Through a specialized planning process facilitated by CAEL, the leadership teams from the selected communities will hone inclusive workforce development strategies to create education, job and career opportunities for residents of all demographics.
Backed by grants from ECMC Foundation and JPMorgan Chase & Co., the Inclusive Development Network will be supported by partnerships with national experts.
Cleveland, OH; Corpus Christi, TX; Coweta, OK; and Spokane, WA were selected along with Pensacola from more than 35 applications for the Network’s first cohort of communities.
Harding George Fillmore, Jr.
March 19, 2019
Harding George Fillmore, Jr., 65 of Atmore, AL, passed away Monday, March 18, 2019, in Mobile, AL. He was retired tow boat captain for many years with Inland Marine. he was born in Baton Rouge, LA, on July 7, 1953, to the late Harding George and Connie Tennant Fillmore, Sr.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Carney Fillmore.
Survivors are his wife, of 42½ years, Paula Halford Fillmore of Atmore, AL; two sons Harding George “Cody” Fillmore III of Atmore, AL, and Heath (Shane) Fillmore of Bratt, FL; two daughters Heather Fillmore of Atmore, AL, and Hayley (Adam) Dortch of Bratt, FL; borther Alfred “Buddy” Wolfe of Atmore, AL; two sisters Karen Mincher of Covington, LA, Edna (Buddy) Tolbert of Huxford, AL; seven grandchildren, Darren, Brooke, Sydney, Ali, Trey, Peighton and Carsyn and seven great-grandchildren.
Services will be Thursday March 21, 2019, at 3 p.m. from Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Doug Odom officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Barren Baptist Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Cody Fillmore, Heath Fillmore, Adam Dortch, Darren McGhee, Trey McGhee, and Michael Purvis. Honorary pallbearers areTyler Respress, Josh Lott, Marshell Rolin, Jimmy Brunson, Joey Huggins Ricky Hill, Reuben Thompson and Larry Barnes.
Family will receive friends, Thursday March 21, 2019, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, from 1:30 p.m. until service time at 3 p.m.
Dorothy Ward Bell
March 19, 2019
Dorothy Ward Bell, 91 of Atmore, Al passed away Monday March 18, 2019 in Century. She was a Homemaker, born in Harlingen, TX on April 28, 1927 to the late Otis Merritt and Lizzie Petty Ward. She was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by Her Parents, Step-Mother, Nellie B. Ward, Husband, Lewis Dewitt Bell,Sr. Son, Lewis Dewitt Bell,Jr Brother, Ray Ward, Sister Carmeleita Baldwin McDavid.
Survivors are: Two Sons: James (Marsha) Bell of Atmore, AL Craig (Regina) Bell of Eupora, MS One Daughter: Cathy (Ricky) Weaver of Atmore, AL. Eight Grandchildren, Six Great-Grandchildren and One Great-Great-Grandchild.
Graveside services will be Wednesday March 20, 2019 at 1PM from Oak Hill Cemetery with Rev. Joseph Simpson officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Active Pallbearers are, James Bell, Craig Bell, Ricky Weaver, Brian Bell, Matthew Bell and Christopher Bell.
Family will receive friends, Wednesday March 20, 2019 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home from 11:30AM to 12:30PM.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gideons International.
Dorothy Juliana Haupert McDonald
March 19, 2019
Dorothy Juliana Haupert McDonald, 84, of Cantonment, Florida passed away peacefully on March 18, 2019 surrounded by her family. Born December 8, 1934, she is preceded in death by her two infant sons; her parents, George and Magdalena May Haupert; one sister, Gert Castleberry; one brother, Jerry Haupert; and one great-grandson, Kolby Sconiers.
Dorothy is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, John Herman McDonald; two sisters, Mildred Schwartz and Catherine Goff; one brother, George Haupert, Jr.; one son, Franklin (Martha) McDonald; three daughters, Jeannie (James) Murphy, Tammy (Allen) Register, and Sheryl McDonald. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
Dorothy was immensely proud of her family, and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories. She attended church for several years at Cottage Hill Assembly of God. Her favorite song to sing was “I’ll Fly Away”.
She worked for the Escambia County School Board for approximately 15 years driving Bus #93B. After retiring, she stayed home taking care of her husband and family. She loved growing flowers and spent numerous hours a day in her flower house. She also loved watching birds, collecting birdhouses, crocheting, making magnets, and collecting salt and pepper shakers form all over the world. She especially enjoyed sunning by the pool.
A special thanks to Emerald Coast Hospice and Nursespring/Sunshine Caregivers who helped to take care of Dorothy over the past few years with her struggle with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Please join us in celebrating her life. Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 12:00 p.m. Pastor Larry Murphy will be officiating and Dan Kirkland with be singing.
Burial will take place immediately following services in Pensacola Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida.
Pallbearers include Jason Asaro, Darryl Crooke, Bubba Register, Aaron Crooke, Caleb Murphy, Thomas Crooke, and Joshua Hoffman.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Hwy. 29 South, Cantonment, FL entrusted with arrangements.
Flames Seen At Highway 95A Propane Facility Are Normal
March 18, 2019
If you see flames coming from a propane facility on Highway 95A just north of West Roberts Road, it’s not a problem. Officials said the company is “flaring” propane from the tank in a controlled environment.
“We are performing required maintenance to our bulk tank to remain compliant to our safety and regulatory standards,” said Samantha Nelson, spokesperson for Blossman Gas. “We are removing the gas from the tank and burning out the vapor.”
Nelson said the process should be completed on Monday.
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to at least one call reporting the fire on Sunday, and the flare continued to burn Monday afternoon.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Fire Heavily Damages Cantonment Mobile Home
March 18, 2019
Fire heavily damaged a mobile home in Cantonment Monday afternoon.
The double-wide mobile home fire was reported about 12:20 p.m. in the 900 block of Booker Street.
The cause of the fire was under investigation, and there were no injuries reported.
The Cantonment, Molino, Ensley and Beulah stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS were among the responding units.
Photos by Kristi Barbour for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Years After Tornado, Damaged Sawmill Still Looms Over Century Neighborhood
March 18, 2019
Century has mostly recovered from the EF-3 tornado that ripped through the town just over three years ago. But there’s still on giant problem looming over the town.
The destruction of the Alger Sullivan Lumber Mill is easy to spot behind the neat row of houses that have been repaired on the historic Front Street.
It appears the property is owned by a company that ceased to exist a decade ago. Escambia County has piled fines and fees onto the company, with new fines added with each passing day.
The 38-acre abandoned industrial property was heavily damaged and has sat mostly untouched since 150 mph tornado winds the afternoon of February 15, 2016.
The property owner — listed in county records as DMT Holdings LLC in Navarre –was cited years ago by Escambia County Code Enforcement. The limited liability company was dissolved in 2008.
With no response from the owners. a special magistrate for Escambia County issued an order against the property at One Lumber Road on October 4, 2016, giving the owners until November 1, 2016, to clean up the property. The county provides code enforcement services under an interlocal agreement within the town limits of Century.
Failing to comply, the property owners were assessed costs of $1,100, and fines of $50 per day have been accruing ever since. To date, the property owners, if they exist, owe fines of about $45,000.
Escambia County crews entered the property in 2018 and performed some cutting and trimming, cleaned around a concrete ditch, removed four 30-yard dumpsters of debris and replaced 80-feet of chain link fence that was down. The Mosquito Control Division was also on site to inspect and treat any areas that were favorable for mosquito breeding. The cleanup area was concentrated on the portion of the property behind residences on Front Street.
The cleanup cost assessed by the county was $5,450 — $2,589.29 for 150 hours of labor, $2,613.75 in equipment costs and $246.96 in material costs. Certified mail from the county to the listed owners was returned by the post office as invalid with no forwarding address.
Escambia County received three bids for the demolition and cleanup of the mill last year, but the low bid was $800,000 — far in excess of the county’s entire cleanup budget of about $463,425. Property records show entire value of the property was $802,189 before the tornado, but the most recent assessment show what remains is worth $226,535.
Seizing the property under legal channels has also been problematic due to an outstanding mortgage and back taxes. A current tax bill of $19,520.84 is outstanding. Tax certificates have been sold on outstanding taxes for several other years.
The property is located within a Community Development Area established by the Town of Century. Discussions have been held around the Century council table about the sawmill, but no actions have been taken. The town has been powerless with no apparent legal standing to do cleanup or seize the property.
NorthEscambia.com and courtesy file photos, click to enlarge.
Dash And Dot Robot Fun At The Molino Library Tuesday
March 18, 2019
Dash and Dot with STEAM at the Molino Branch Library will be held Tuesday.
Dash and Dot are robots. Children will have the opportunity to learn about coding through hands-on activities and puzzles using Dash and Dot.
The program will be held at 6 p.m.
New ‘Blessing Box’ Offers Food To Those In Need In Flomaton, Century
March 18, 2019
A new community project is lending a help hand to anyone in need of food in the Century and Flomaton area.
A “Blessing Box” filled with non-perishable food was installed Saturday in downtown Flomaton.
“We wanted to do something to help people in our community who need a little extra help putting food on the table. This box is also a way that those same people can give back when they are able,” said Pastor Ricky Hart of Vision Church in Flomaton.
Anyone that needs a little extra help can take food from the box, and anyone is welcome to restock it.
“Jesus commands us to be His hands and feet and this is a small way we can do just that,” Hart said.
The Blessing Box is located near Church Street in Flomaton. It’s located behind the community stage (the public library side of the stage), just west of the Church and Palafox intersection.
Pictured: A new “Blessing Box” was installed Saturday to serve the Flomaton and Century areas. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
