Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: DeSantis Flexing Some Executive Muscle
January 13, 2019
There’s a new sheriff in town, both literally and figuratively.
Gov. Ron DeSantis came in as Florida’s chief executive with both guns blazing during a week of pomp, pageantry and policy-making.
After being sworn in Tuesday, DeSantis appointed the state’s first Cuban-American female Supreme Court justice, handed pink slips to a water-management board (or at least tried to), and suspended two elected county officials, including beleaguered Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who was replaced by veteran cop Gregory Tony.
DeSantis, a former congressman, also issued a sweeping executive order targeting the state’s water woes. The order created an “Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency,” an “Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection,” and the post of “Chief Science Officer” to deal with toxic algae blooms and other issues that have plagued Florida rivers and coastlines.
The newly minted governor was asked before his first Cabinet meeting Friday about “climate change” — a phrase that purportedly was verboten during the reign of his predecessor, now-U.S. Sen. Rick Scott.
When asked whether he believes in climate change, DeSantis avoided a direct answer.
“We put in that executive order that, as climate changes and our environment changes, water rises in places in South Florida and there’s increased flooding, we want to make sure that we’re taking steps that we can to combat that. We’re going to create an Office of Resiliency to try to combat effects,” DeSantis said. “Look, to me, I’m not even concerned about, is it this sole cause, that sole cause, when you have water in the streets you have to find a way to combat that.”
The governor said his office intends to coordinate “a thoughtful response” to the issue but didn’t bite when asked if he agrees with scientists that humans contribute to climate change.
“Next, next question,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis also flexed his executive muscle in other ways, including targeting appointments that Scott made in his final days in office. The new governor said he intends to yank some of the “effectively lame-duck appointments,” or those that have not been confirmed by the Senate.
“Now, some of the people in that batch were people that I know and respect. You may see me reappoint some of them back. But we’re pulling all of them back. We’re going to take a fresh look at it, and we’ll move forward from there,” DeSantis said.
‘ESSENCE OF WHAT A JUDGE SHOULD BE’
Hitting the ground running Wednesday morning, DeSantis appointed appellate judge Barbara Lagoa to the Florida Supreme Court.
The governor’s selection of Lagoa, the daughter of Cuban émigrés, was the first of three Supreme Court appointments DeSantis will make, following the mandatory retirement of three justices who comprised what had been the court’s more liberal-leaning bloc.
Lagoa’s addition will cement a conservative majority that will include Chief Justice Charles Canady and justices Alan Lawson and Ricky Polston, all of whom Lagoa cited as references in her application for the post. It also will keep DeSantis’ pledge to purge the Supreme Court of “activist” jurists.
DeSantis, a Harvard Law School graduate who served as a judge advocate in the Navy, hailed Lagoa as “the essence of what a judge should be.”
Lagoa, 51, grew up in Miami and attended New York’s Columbia Law School, where she edited the prestigious law review. A onetime federal prosecutor in Florida’s Southern District, Lagoa had experience in criminal and civil litigation before former Gov. Jeb Bush appointed her to the 3rd District Court of Appeal in 2006, where she has served for more than 12 years.
In her remarks, Lagoa, accompanied by her parents, husband and three daughters, left little doubt that she will fulfill DeSantis’ expectations.
The Florida Supreme Court is “tasked with the protections of the people’s liberties under law,” Lagoa said.
“And in that regard, I am particularly mindful of the fact that, under our constitutional system, it is for the Legislature and not the courts to make the law. It is the role of judges to apply, not to alter, the work of the people’s representatives. And it is the role of judges to interpret our Constitution and statutes as they are written,” she said.
WIPING UP WATER WOES
The following day, DeSantis laid out an aggressive agenda to expand efforts to improve Florida’s troubled waters.
Appearing in areas hit hard by outbreaks of toxic algae and red tide, DeSantis said he was fulfilling a campaign pledge to “take action” to address the issue.
DeSantis’ executive order calls for $2.5 billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration and water resource protection, a $1 billion increase over what was spent the prior four years.
The governor also instructed the South Florida Water Management District to “immediately” start the next phase of a reservoir project south of Lake Okeechobee and to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep the project on schedule.
He didn’t stop there.
DeSantis also demanded the resignations of each of the eight members — one seat is vacant — of the water district’s governing board, all of whom were appointed by Scott.
The board has been under fire since voting in late November to grant sugar behemoth Florida Crystals a lease extension for land eyed for a reservoir.
‘VILIFIED’ AND TRAMPLED ON
Pointing to a denial of due process, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ordered DeSantis to give former Broward County elections chief Brenda Snipes the opportunity to tell her side of the story after Scott stripped her of the job.
Snipes, a Democrat appointed by former Gov. Jeb Bush and subsequently re-elected four times, announced Nov. 18 she would step down as supervisor, effective Jan. 4, after a turbulent election.
But on Nov. 30, Scott issued an executive order suspending Snipes and replacing her with his longtime ally, Pete Antonacci. The order cited widespread problems during the 2018 elections and accused Snipes of demonstrating “misfeasance, incompetence and neglect of duty.”
The day after the executive order, Snipes held a news conference and rescinded her resignation. Seeking to regain her job, Snipes later filed a federal lawsuit against Scott and Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton.
Writing in a 12-page ruling Wednesday, Walker, who heard arguments in the case Monday, found that Snipes could not withdraw her resignation after her replacement had been appointed and sworn in because it was “an unconditional resignation.”
“But rather than accept the resignation quietly and avoid trampling on Snipes’ due process rights, Scott suspended Snipes and vilified her without giving her a meaningful opportunity to be heard,” Walker scolded.
Walker gave DeSantis until Jan. 31 to provide Snipes notice, and until March 31 to give Snipes “meaningful opportunity to be heard,” either in writing or orally.
The federal judge delivered a stinging rebuke to Scott, whose administration he frequently excoriated in rulings in other cases. DeSantis became a party in the case after Scott left office.
“The law can be unclear at times. Statutes can be ambiguous; case law can meander, diverge or swerve from common sense. Judges face murky legal issues every day. Today is not one of those days. Procedural due process is not ambiguous. Flagrantly disregarding plaintiff’s constitutional rights fits into an unfortunate rhythm for Scott. But the ease and comfort Scott has in overlooking plaintiff’s due process rights does (not) make it legally permissible,” Walker wrote.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Gov. Ron DeSantis, sworn into office Tuesday, appointed a new Florida Supreme Court justice, released an aggressive plan to address the state’s troubled waters and suspended two elected officials.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I believe the rule of law is society’s sacred bond. When it is trampled, we all suffer. For the Groveland Four, the truth was buried. The perpetrators celebrated. But justice has cried out from that day until this.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis, after pardoning Ernest Thomas, Samuel Shepherd, Walter Irvin and Charles Greenlee, who were known as the Groveland Four.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Tate High Aggie Family Mourns Loss Of Student Sean Banks
January 12, 2019
The Tate High School Aggie family is mourning the loss of sophomore Sean Banks and his older sister Antoinette Marie McCoy in a tragic car crash early Saturday morning. Their vehicle was hit by an alleged DUI driver.
Banks, 15, was a varsity basketball player and also played baseball and varsity football for the Aggies.
He was a member of the Academic Team and had a 3.91 GPA. He was named the October Student of the Month at Tate High School.
“Sean was a very gentle and kindhearted young man, who enjoyed helping others,” the Tate Aggies Basketball program said in a statement. “Antoinette McCoy was Sean’s older sister and one of his biggest supporters. Antoinette was a very kind and generous young woman with a great love for her family. She spent many nights in the stands along with her mother cheering on her brother and our Aggies.”
“The Tate Aggie Basketball Family loved them both and they will truly be missed.”
For more on the wreck, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two Killed In East Kingsfield Crash; Cantonment Man Charged With DUI Manslaughter
January 12, 2019
Two people were killed in a crash early Saturday morning on East Kingsfield Road, and a Cantonment man has been charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 24-year old Hunter Russell Black was traveling west on Kingsfield Road near Kingslake Drive in a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu when he crossed the centerline and into the path of a 2001 Mitsubishi driven by 22-year old Antoinette Marie McCoy of Pensacola. McCoy attempted to avoid the collision but was hit head-on.
It took firefighters about 30 minutes of extensive extrication to free McCoy and her passenger, 15-year old Sean Alexander Banks of Pensacola, from their overturned vehicle. McCoy was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Baptist Hospital and Banks was transported to Baptist Hospital by Escambia County EMS. Both were later pronounced deceased from their injuries.
Black was charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter and booked into the Escambia County Jail. He was released early Sunday morning on a $25,000 bond.
Banks was a sophomore at Tate High School. Read more…
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Behind Bars: ECSO Nabs Man On The Run Since November Molino Manhunt
January 12, 2019
A man Cantonment man that was the focus of a manhunt two months ago in Molino is now behind bars.
Colby Chase Myrick, 27, was taken into custody in the area of Massachusetts Avenue Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours after he was featured in a NorthEscambia.com story about his outstanding warrants.
Myrick is charged with two counts of possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon, vehicle theft, damage to property, larceny and a probation violation. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
On November 12, an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant got behind a white pickup truck pulling a utility trailer with no tag. Before the deputy initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle pulled into the yard of a residence on Molino Road just east of Nicholson Drive. A few minutes later, the resident called the Sheriff’s Office to report that a male had ran from the truck toward a wooded area.
Deputies responded and a female that was in the vehicle identified the male as Myrick.
Escambia County deputies and a K-9 team from the Century Correctional Institution searched the area south of Molino Road and east of Highway 95A for several hours. Their search continued well into the afternoon and progressed at least as far south as Meharg Road.
During the search, deputies located a gun in the woods that they believe Myrick left behind, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Heath Jackson Sworn In As First Republican Sheriff In Escambia County, AL
January 12, 2019
Heath Jackson was sworn in Friday afternoon as the first-ever Republican sheriff in Escambia County, AL.
Immediately after taking the oath of office, he swore in the deputies of Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“This is a path we chose years and years ago. When we chose that path, we knew it was something we wanted to do one day. We didn’t know if we would ever get there, but we were going to fight as hard as we could to make that happen,” Jackson told a standing room only audience in the main courtroom at the Escambia County Courthouse in Brewton as he thanked numerous supporters and mentors.
A visibly emotional Jackson spoke about his family. A family, he said, that worked “to make sure that the last name that we carried meant something. I appreciate that from them.”
“The guys and gals of the Sheriff’s Office are hard workers,” Jackson said. “And they have done more in the past 30 days to help me than they will ever know that they have done.”
Jackson also thanked outgoing Sheriff Grover Smith for his service.
Before his election, Jackson was a sergeant at the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office and served as the team leader of agency’s Hostage Negotiations Team.
The T.R. Miller High School graduate’s nearly two decades of law enforcement experience includes service with the Brewton Police Department, the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Alabama. At the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, he also worked in the Narcotics Division, the Robbery/Homicide Division and the Public Information Office.
He is a native of Brewton.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Early Morning Mobile Home Fire
January 12, 2019
Firefighters responded to a Saturday morning kitchen fire on old Atmore Road about three miles west of Flomaton.
The fire was contained to the kitchen area of the mobile home. There were no injuries reported in the fire about 7 a.m.
The Flomaton Fire Department, Wawbeek Volunteer Fire Department, Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, MedStar EMS, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office and others responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In Nine Mile At Highway 29 Rollover Crash
January 12, 2019
There were no injuries reported in a two vehicle rollover crash Friday afternoon about 4:15 p.m. on Nine Mile Road at the southbound ramp from Highway 29. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
High School Hoops Scores
January 12, 2019
Friday night high school basketball scores:
BOYS
Baker 54 Northview 46
– For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate 67, Niceville 36
– Caleb Young and J. Qualls led Tate with 18 points. Love Bettis was also in the double digits with 13.
Pine Forest 77, Escambia 73
Washington 69, Pensacola High 41
Escambia County (AL) 69, Baldwin County 54
Baker 32 Northview 27 JV
GIRLS
Northview 44 Baker 40
Escambia County (AL) 40, Baldwin County 32
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Fracking Ban Proposed In Florida House
January 12, 2019
With the idea getting support from Gov. Ron DeSantis, a House Republican has filed a proposal to ban the oil- and gas-drilling process known as “fracking” in Florida. Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, filed the bill on Thursday, the same day DeSantis released a series of environmental proposals that included opposition to fracking.
Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, filed a similar proposal (SB 146) last month to try to ban fracking.
The bills are filed for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 5. Environmental groups and some lawmakers have long wanted to block potential fracking in Florida, but legislation has not passed.
During the 2018 session, a Senate version was approved by two committees, while a House version was never heard.
Fracking, in part, involves injecting water, sand and chemicals underground to create fractures in rock formations, allowing natural gas and oil to be released. While supporters say fracking increases production and holds down energy costs, opponents argue it threatens water supplies and can cause environmental damage.
Escambia Planning Board Approves New General Retail Store Fronting Muscogee Road
January 11, 2019
The Escambia County Planning Board has approved rezoning for a new general retail store for Cantonment.
The rezoning proposal will now go before the Escambia County Commission on February 7. It must be approved before any permits are issued.
Terramore Development, as agent for owners Steven and Carrin Buttrick, are seeking to rezone a portion of the property at 149 Highway 97 South from low density residential to a commercial district. The parcel is at the intersection of Highway 97 and Muscogee Road, with most of the frontage on Muscogee Road.
Cantonment resident Josh Womack told the Planning Board that he does not want the business to be another “big box” store like the Dollar General on Highway 29 at Neal Road in Cantonment. Instead, he said, he wants something more attractive as the surrounding community seeks to recover from its blighted status.
“I want it to be a beautiful area, because Cantonment is my home,” Womack said. “I want it attractive, and a really would like to make sure that we have it on the record that somebody is concerned about the look of this area.”
The rezoning application does not reveal what business might be opened at the location. But according to their website, Terramore Development of Thomasville, GA, is “a preferred developer for Dollar General along with developing for other national tenants such as Publix Supermarkets, Vitamin Shoppe, Dunkin Donuts, Chipotle and AT&T” in the southeastern United States.
Pictured top: Looking from Muscogee Road toward the property. Pictured below: The red outline indicates an area developer wants rezoned for a new retail development. Pictured below: The development was approved by the Escambia County Planning Board.
