Escambia Firefighter’s Union President Says Department Needs More Funding
January 11, 2019
Thursday, the president of the Escambia County Professional Firefighters union told the Escambia County Commission that there are Escambia County Fire Rescue funding issues that need to be addressed.
“What are we going to do about the financial problems of the fire department? How are we going to maintain funding and stop eating ourselves from within and continue to grow? We are we going to do to empower the fire chief that we brought in from outside the area to fix this place, so to speak, and help us grow and become the department of the 21st century that we’ve all boasted that we want it to be,” Nick Gradia asked commissioners during a public forum meeting.
“It seems like until it is an emergency, it’s a crisis, until four kids die in a house fire….then we will decide to fix a problem. We are sick and tired of it. Sick and tire of it. So I’d like an answer.”
Gradia said he sent letter to each commissioner about two week ago outlining the problems, but he says the commission has not responded.
He said there is a definite problem with firefighter recruitment and retention due to pay constraints.
Due to ongoing collective bargaining talks between the firefighters and the county, commissioners were limited in the responses they could provide to Gradia in reference to salaries. Commissioners held an executive session Thursday morning to discuss firefighter pay.
Alison Rogers, county attorney, reminded commissioners during Thursday’s public forum meeting that were not allowed to negotiate in any manner outside the bargaining process.
“Speaking for myself, we are very concerned about all of our public safety employees, and so those issues will be addressed,” BOCC Chairman Lumon May said.
“I brought 30 guys here today,” Gradia said. “These folks are worried about their jobs. They are worried about their futures.
Pictured: Escambia County Professional Firefighters President Nick Gradia addresses the Escambia County Commission during a public forum Thursday with about 30 firefighters in the audience. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Cancels Personnel Policy Workshop
January 11, 2019
The Town of Century canceled a personnel policy workshop that had been planned for Thursday afternoon. No reason for he cancellation was provided in an email sent Thursday afternoon to council members and the media. There was no date provided for a rescheduled meeting.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Council On Aging Needs Heaters For Elder Adults
January 11, 2019
As temperatures drop, elder adults without dependable sources of adequate heating are vulnerable to extreme discomfort and health complications. Each year, Council on Aging of West Florida provides brand-new space heaters to these individuals to keep them warm during the colder Florida months of December, January and February. This year, Council on Aging has distributed more space heaters than ever before, but the agency still receives several calls a day desperate for relief from the cold.
“We don’t often think of Florida being bitterly cold during the winter, but temperatures can often drop below freezing,” said John Clark, president/CEO of Council on Aging of West Florida. “It is not unusual for homes with poor insulation to reach 50 degrees at night. This can constrict blood supply, impede cognitive function and slow metabolism, not to mention how uncomfortable it is. Our seniors deserve better.”
Those interested in helping these senior adults should purchase new space heaters of any size from area stores or donate online at http://www.coawfla.org/donate-to-council-on-aging/. The Council on Aging cannot accept donations of used heaters, because the agency cannot verify the safety of used appliances. Safety information is distributed with each space heater.
Individuals age 60 and over that are suffering in the cold should call (850) 432-1475 to request a space heater and verify heaters in stock before picking one up from 875 Royce Street in Pensacola. They are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and based on need.
Hill Files ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ Abortion Bill In Florida House
January 11, 2019
Rep. Mike Hill, R-Pensacola filed a proposal Thursday that would block physicians from performing abortions if fetal heartbeats have been detected.
Hill filed the measure for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 5.
The proposal would lead to third-degree felony charges for any “person who knowingly or purposefully performs or induces an abortion on a pregnant woman with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of the unborn human being whose fetal heartbeat has been detected,” though it would include limited exceptions in situations such as when a woman’s life is in danger.
So-called “fetal heartbeat” legislation has drawn heavy debate in other states and, in some cases, has led to legal battles about whether it violates abortion rights. For example, Iowa lawmakers last spring passed a fetal-heartbeat bill, and a judge heard arguments in December about its constitutionality, according to numerous news reports.
No Injuries In Crash That Shut Down Highway 97 Thursday Afternoon
January 10, 2019
There were no injuries in a two vehicle crash about 4:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon on Highway 97 at Howell Road in Walnut Hill. The wreck did shut down Highway 97 for a brief period of time.
Troopers are investigating.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century’s Mayor Says Escambia Commissioner Is ‘A Lie’
January 10, 2019
Century’s mayor called Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry “a lie” over the purchase of airline tickets for about $1,600 that Hawkins claimed was to be reimbursed using county economic development funds.
Mayor Henry Hawkins said the tickets were purchased for “economic development” and to bring “some folks” to Century to discuss a potential business in the town.
Hawkins said he received permission from Commissioner Steven Barry to buy the airline tickets for reimbursement by the county. Escambia County committed $105,000 for economic development in the Century area this fiscal year. Proposals for the money are presented to Barry who in turn seeks approval of the entire commission at a regular meeting. So far, the commission has approved only $24,500 to the University of West Florida Haas Center for a market analysis.
“I spoke with Mr. Barry, and he told me it was good,” the mayor said of the ticket purchase at the most recent town council meeting.
Last month, NorthEscambia.com published a story in which Barry said he never even spoke to the mayor about the purchase of airline tickets.
“Unfortunately, I have not had any conversation with anyone related to the use of the Escambia County dollars allocated for economic development in the Town of Century, other than the formal request the town submitted and the county approved for the implementation of the first phase of the Haas Center study,” Barry said in a statement to NorthEscambia.com. “Based on my commitment to our board, I need to bring any additional expenditures of those dollars to one of our board meetings for approval.”
This week, Barry said he was sticking by his statement.
“I read what he said,” Hawkins said of the NorthEscambia.com article, and he provided an affirmative “yes” to a question from Brooks asking again if Barry gave prior approval for the expenditures. “That’s why I did it.”
She replied, “So you are saying that Mr. Barry is not telling the truth?”
“Just like he called me a lie, I’ll call him a lie,” Hawkins responded.
Brooks said that since the mayor’s spending authority is limited to $200 under the town charter, the council should have approved the expenditures.
“We are the ones that are supposed to approve the spending, not Mr. Barry,” she said.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to follow this story.
Pictured: Century Mayor Henry Hawkins listens to Century Council President Ann Brooks. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Two Seriously Injured In Bratt Wreck
January 10, 2019
Two people were seriously injured in a head-on crash Wednesday night on North Highway 99 in front of Bratt Elementary School.
Both were trapped in their vehicles following the wreck about 7:45 p.m.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 19-year old Justin Elliot of Atmore was traveling north in a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe when he crossed the center lane into the path of a southbound 2017 Jeep Cherokee driven by 28-year old Patricia Griener of Brewton.
Elliot was airlifted to Baptist Hospital, and Griener was airlifted in a second helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Elliot was cited by the FHP for failing to maintain a single lane.
For additional photos, click here.
The Walnut Hill and Century Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and MedStar EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Hill Seeks Repeal Of Gun Laws Imposed After Parkland Shooting
January 10, 2019
Rep. Mike Hill has filed a bill in the Florida House that would remove some of the gun restrictions put into place after the shootings at last year at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
The bill would lower the age to purchase a firearm in Florida from 21 to 18, remove a three-day waiting period to purchase shotguns and rifles, and remove restrictions on bump stocks.
The provisions were signed into law by then-Governor Rick Scott in March 2018.
The bill must navigate through a long process of committee assignments and be approved by the full House and Senate before making it to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Postal Worker Receives Minor Injuries In Crash
January 10, 2019
A postal worker for Cantonment suffered minor injuries when his delivery vehicle was struck on Scenic Highway Wednesday.
receives
Robert Holderman IV, age 18 of Navarre, was traveling north on Scenic Highway as postal worker Eric Weatherford, 35, was stopped partially of the road delivering mail. An unknown vehicle in front of Holderman swerved to avoid the postal service vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Holderman saw the postal vehicle at the last minute and did not have time to avoid a collision. His Ford F-150 struck the rear of the postal vehicle.
Weatherford was transported to West Florida Hospital.
Holderman was not injured. He was cited with careless driving by the FHP.
Escambia County Releases Annual Report
January 10, 2019
The Escambia County Board of Commissioners’ Fiscal Year 2017-18 Annual Report is now available online. The report highlights significant accomplishments, projects, programs and services that took place during the previous fiscal year, which began October 1, 2017 and ended September 30, 2018.
In addition to highlighting Escambia County government’s ongoing efforts to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance the community’s quality of life, the annual report also allows residents to easily access statistics, review the county’s organizational chart and learn more about the Escambia County Board of Commissioners and its departments. The budget pages include data about grant funding, local option sales tax spending and more.