Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: First, Do No Harm
April 22, 2018
Debates can’t usually help, but they can kill.
That’s according to Florida Atlantic University political-science professor Kevin Wagner, who’s made a study of presidential debates.
The Florida Democratic Party’s top contenders to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Rick Scott faced off this week in their first debate of the campaign season.
There were a few gaffes, but nothing that would rise to the level of past candidacy-killing flubs by statewide and presidential wannabes.
And Wagner said that’s probably a good thing for the four Dems: former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and Winter Park entrepreneur Chris King.
“Especially early on, you can’t win an election on a debate. It’s very rare you have a moment in a debate that puts you over the top. But you can make a mistake in a debate that might cost you,” Wagner said. “You don’t win elections in debates, but you do lose them from time to time.”
Wagner pointed out a blunder by Democrat Bill McBride during a debate against Republican Gov. Jeb Bush in 2002.
McBride was unable to say how he would pay for enhancements to public education, prompting Bush to label his foe as a “tax and spend” Democrat.
“It made him (McBride) look like he didn’t think through budget matters or how the budget works, and that really hurt him,” Wagner said, pointing out that McBride was polling close to Bush until the debate.
McBride’s mistake also brings to mind former Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s “oops” moment, when he forgot one of the three federal agencies he said he wanted to do away with during a 2011 debate between the Republican presidential candidates.
“I will tell you, it is three agencies of government when I get there that are gone. Commerce, Education, and the — What’s the third one there? Let’s see,” Perry said.
After much prompting, Perry wound up with: “The third one, I can’t. Sorry. Oops.”
While Perry’s bungle may have cost him on the presidential stage, it didn’t leave a permanent stain.
He’s now secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, the third agency the then-candidate wanted to eliminate but couldn’t recall.
Also on the presidential level, Wagner noted that former Vice President Dan Quayle was defined by one fatal line during a 1988 debate.
Dan Quayle likened himself to Jack Kennedy, aka former President John F. Kennedy, drawing a rebuke from Democratic vice-presidential contender Lloyd Bentsen.
“Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you’re no Jack Kennedy,” Bentsen said. That last line may have eclipsed Bentsen’s political legacy and has stuck with Quayle ever since.
In general, early debates serve as helpful dress rehearsals for candidates to hone their skills before voters really start to tune into elections.
But in a modern age where every breath is documented, stored and shared, even the slightest slip-up is saved for posterity, and potentially could come back to haunt the candidates.
“In some cases, like Dan Quayle, it will live with you for the rest of your career,” Wagner said.
SHOW UP EARLY
Whichever Democrat gets the nomination will be on a lengthy ballot in November.
The state Constitution Revision Commission, which meets every two decades, finished its work this week after approving eight proposed constitutional amendments for the general-election ballot.
Those eight proposals, covering 20 different issues, will join five other measures — three from the Legislature, and two from petition drives — already on the ballot, to bring the total to 13.
The constitutional revisions proposed by the Legislature include an expansion of the homestead property-tax exemption and a requirement for two-thirds votes by future legislatures when raising taxes or fees. The petition-drive measures would allow voters to decide on future expansions of casino gambling and would restore voting rights to felons who have served their sentences.
The 13 measures on the November ballot will be the most voters have faced since 1998, the last time the Constitution Revision Commission met and put nine amendments on the ballot. Voters approved eight of the nine amendments as well as four constitutional changes sought by the Legislature.
But this year will be the first time that ballot measures from the commission will have to be approved by at least 60 percent of voters; the increase in the margin of approval from a majority vote to 60 percent came in 2006.
Critics of the current commission’s process are blasting the way it combined issues in ballot proposals, a move some opponents describe as “logrolling.”
David Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council, called it “surreal” and “bizarre” to watch the commission this week overwhelmingly approve a proposed constitutional amendment that would combine a ban on nearshore oil and gas drilling with a ban on vaping and electronic cigarettes in workplaces.
“It just doesn’t make sense that they should be linked together,” Mica said. “You should be able to make decisions about your public health and your economic viability separately.”
Commissioner Brecht Heuchan, chairman of the panel’s Style and Drafting Committee, defended the grouping, saying the sponsors of the drilling and vaping proposals worked together with a moniker of “clean air, clean water.”
GOTTA KNOW WHEN TO FOLD ‘EM
One of the proposed constitutional amendments that landed on the ballot through a petition drive could make it harder to expand gambling in the future.
As they ponder that possibility, legislative leaders have been scurrying to craft a potentially sweeping gambling deal before voters weigh in on Amendment 3 in November.
But while the legislative talks went on behind the scenes this week, Scott announced that he had reached a new agreement with the Seminole Tribe to keep cash from tribal casinos flowing into state coffers for another year.
The tribe agreed to continue making about $300 million a year in payments through the 2019 legislative session. In exchange for the payments, which are rooted in a 2010 gambling “compact,” the tribe would continue to have exclusive rights to offer games such as blackjack at its casinos and would continue to be the state’s only slot-machine operator outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Under the 13-month agreement, the Seminoles would keep up the payments “provided the state does not enact legislation to expand gaming subject to exclusivity under the compact during the forbearance period.”
Insiders are wondering if that could signal a veto from the governor, should the Legislature convene a special session and pass legislation that would grant approval for slot machines in eight counties — Brevard, Duval, Gadsden, Hamilton, Lee, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Washington — where local voters have signed off on the lucrative machines.
Even so, Wednesday’s announcement did little to scuttle talks between House and Senate leaders.
Rep. Jose Oliva and Sen. Bill Galvano, who will take over as House speaker and Senate president after the fall elections, have been in talks for weeks — without the Seminoles at the table — about a possible special session on the gambling issue.
The two leaders are reportedly near agreement but have not closed out a deal that likely would encompass slot machines, controversial “designated player” card games and myriad other gambling-related issues. Efforts by lawmakers to reach agreement on major gambling issues have repeatedly failed over the years.
“It’s a positive development but does not rule out a special. There are still many questions regarding the statewide framework of gaming,” Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, said in a text message, referring to the agreement that Scott announced Wednesday with the tribe.
STORY OF THE WEEK: The Florida Constitution Revision Commission wrapped up its work, adding eight proposals to the November ballot, bringing to 13 the total number of potential constitutional changes facing voters this fall.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “It’s Gwen and the men.” — Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, a Democrat running for governor, during a debate with primary opponents Andrew Gillum, Philip Levine, and Chris King.
by Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida
Barons Beat The Wahoos
April 22, 2018
Daniel Wright continued his recent string of dominance to open the season turning his one of his best career starts. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough as the Barons claimed the series opener over the Blue Wahoos 2-1 Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Wright flirted with perfection early in the game by retiring the first 12 Barons that came to the plate in the series opener. It felt like fortune may have been on Wright’s side when Aristides Aquino made a pair of catches to rob the Barons of base hits. However, Seby Zavala crashed the party with a home run on the first pitch he saw in the fifth inning to give the Barons a 1-0 lead.
Wright maintained his poise and immediately retired the side in order after the home run. He was finished after seven innings give up just the one hit on Zaval’s homer.
Matt Tomshaw, while not as spotless as Wright, turned in an equally fine performance for the Barons. The southpaw scattered seven hits throughout his six innings of work for his second quality start in as many outings. His only real blemish on the night came in the fifth inning, when the Wahoos rallied for one run on three hits. Taylor Sparks and Garrett Boulware led off the inning with back-to-back singles, and Sparks scored on Shed Long’s second hit of the night. The threat was quickly neutralized when the Barons doubled up Boulware on a lineout to centerfield by Luis Gonzalez.
Birmingham dealt the final blow in the top of the ninth when Danny Mendick homered off Rafael De Paula to give Birmingham a 2-1 lead. It was both Mendick’s first home run of the season, and the second home run De Paula had surrendered in as many outings.
The Wahoos had a flicker of hope in the ninth when Gabriel Guerrero led off the inning with a single and eventually landed on second after Zavala’s first passed ball of the season. Despite the tying run in scoring position, Barons closer Ian Hamilton remained unphased and retired the next three Wahoos in order for his third save of the season. Birmingham snapped their six-game losing streak with a two-hit, two home run performance to steal the series opener.
White Sox top prospect Eloy Jimenez finished the game 0-for-3 with a walk. He attempted to tag and score the go-ahead run on Matt Rose’s fly ball in the seventh inning but was thrown out at the plate by Aquino’s wonderful throw for an inning-ending double play.
The series will continue tomorrow afternoon when Reds #22 prospect Keury Mella (2-0, 1.06) toes the rubber for the Wahoos against one of the White Sox top pitching prospects in RHP Spencer Adams (1-0, 4.05). Adams entered 2018 as the White Sox #12 prospect in the organization, according to Baseball America.
Search Underway For Escaped State Prison Inmate
April 22, 2018
Authorities are searching for a state prison inmate that escaped Saturday night.
At 9:21 p.m., Christopher Darnell Powers escaped from the Pensacola Community Release Center on “L” Street. He is described at a black male with black hair and brown eyes that is 6- feet tall and weighs 180 pounds.
In 2011, Darnell was sentenced to 10 years in state prison on multiple burglary and grand theft charges.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620, the Florida Department of Corrections at (850) 922-6867 or 911.
Pictured: Two undated photos for Christopher Darnell Powers.
Congressman Matt Gaetz Spends Day Meeting With Groups In The North Escambia Area
April 21, 2018
Congressman Matt Gaetz spent his Friday at events across the North Escambia area.
Gaetz started his day at Tate High School, speaking to Thomas Maher’s Gaming Academy and taking over Dana Gilmore’s government class for some tough questions — including one about gun control.
“In Northwest Florida, gun control means you’ve got a steady aim, most of the time,” Gaetz said. “I don’t believe that taking guns away from people that don’t break the law makes anyone safer. I think that we can get a lot smarter with how we use technology to be able to red flag people who would do a tremendous amount of harm. The FBI today does not have a system today where they can use artificial intelligence and machine learning to just scrape social media for any warning signs. That’s crazy. We know that tech exits, right? Like when we go on Amazon or when we go on Netflix, it can tell us what television shows or music we would like because they are able to use artificial intelligence and machine learning, but yet government hasn’t caught up with that.
“My assessment is we need to do a better job of identifying the people that can do great harm and a making sure they have all the services they need. Not that they just don’t have access to their firearm, but that we get them mental health counseling and all that other stuff. I do not believe that blanket restrictions of rights for people that have done nothing wrong is appropriate,” Gaetz said.
He then toured Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment and held mobile office hours at PenAir on Nine Mile Road.
Then, he headed north to meet with Walnut Hill Ruritan Club — believed to be the first time a sitting U.S. congressman attended a public function in Walnut Hill. Gaetz then held a round table meeting with the Cantonment Improvement Committee (CIC).
As Gaetz listened to the CIC’s mission to help the community, he promised to reach out to various federal agencies for assistance to help the group and perhaps even an additional building.
The congressman wrapped up his day at a town hall meeting Friday night at Navy Federal Credit Union.
Pictured top: Congressman Matt Gaetz Friday in North Escambia. Pictured inset: Gaetz tours Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment. Pictured below: Gaetz meets with the Cantonment Improvement Committee at Carver Park, visits with a student in Gaming Academy at Tate High School, visits with the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club and holds a town hall at Navy Federal. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Airman Surprises Sisters After Two Years Overseas
April 21, 2018
Three North Escambia students received a big surprise Friday as their older brother in the Air Force returned home on leave after two years in Okinawa Japan.
Noah Coker, a 2016 graduate of Northview High School, surprised his sisters at Bratt Elementary School, Ernest Ward Middle School and Northview High School.
At Ernest Ward Middle, the surprise occurred in front of a crowded lunchroom. Principal Nancy Perry called seventh grader Britney Kimbler front and center, turned her away from a door as Noah walked in. Britney turned and sprinted to Noah for a big hug.
Pictured above: Ernest Ward seventh grader Britney Kimbler welcomes her brother Noah Coker home Friday afternoon. Pictured below: Noah Coker with his parents Lawanda Coker and David Coker, and sisters Britney Kimler and Abby Coker. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Judge Backs Florida Dept. Of Corrections On Substance Abuse Contracts
April 21, 2018
An administrative law judge Friday rejected a challenge to decisions by the Florida Department of Corrections to award two contracts for substance-abuse treatment services in state prisons.
Judge Darren Schwartz, in a 41-page recommended order, said a protest by GEO Reentry Services, LLC should be dismissed.
The department in January said it planned to award the contracts, totaling about $59 million over five years, to Gateway Foundation, Inc., and The Unlimited Path, Inc. Gateway would provide services at prisons in the central and southern parts of the state, while The Unlimited Path would provide services across North Florida. GEO raised numerous issues in the protest, but Schwartz rejected the arguments, pointing, for example, to higher costs proposed by GEO.
He wrote that the department’s “proposed action in awarding the contracts to Gateway and UPI, and not to GEO, is not contrary to the ITN (invitation to negotiate) specifications, clearly erroneous, contrary to competition, arbitrary or capricious.”
Under administrative law, the recommended order will go back to the Department of Corrections for final action.
Three Vehicle Crash In Cantonment Injures At Least One
April 21, 2018
At least one person was injured in a three vehicle collision Friday night in Cantonment.
The crash occurred about 7:30 p.m. on West Roberts Road and Tate Road. Two vehicles came to rest in the roadway, and a third left the roadway and struck a ditch.
The wreck is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Found Not Guilty In Toddler’s Death
April 21, 2018
An Escambia County man has been found not guilty for the beating death of Cornelius Savage, his girlfriends two-year old son.
The jury deliberated for about 18 hours total before acquitting 28-year-old Alonzo Thompkins.
Thompkins was on trial for abusing 2-year-old Cornelius Savage, who was found unresponsive by his mother in August 2016. The child was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Doctors said the boy was covered in fist-shaped bruises and had been bleeding from the brain.
Investigators said the toddler was severely beaten and called his death an act of “malicious punishment.”
At the time of his arrest, Thompkins listed an address on Batson Lane in Cantonment.
Rusty Nail Named New Escambia County Fire Chief
April 21, 2018
Russell “Rusty” Nail has been selected as the new Escambia County Fire Chief, responsible for supervising all Escambia County Fire Rescue staff. Nail’s target start date is Monday, May 7.
Nail joins Escambia County with over 26 years of experience as an accomplished chief fire officer including more than 12 years of supervisory and nine years of command-level experience, mostly in a fast-paced, large metropolitan fire department of 17 stations, with over 500 personnel and a budget of up to $100 million.
Nail will join Escambia County from Palm Bay, FL, where he currently serves as the City of Palm Bay Fire Rescue fire chief and emergency manager and previously served as a battalion chief. Nail graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in fire and emergency services management and from Brevard Community College with an Associate of Arts in general studies and Associate of Science in fire science technology.
Prior to his tenure at Palm Bay, Nail worked for the City of Orlando Fire Department for more than 20 years, serving as assistant fire chief, assistant chief of planning, district chief and retiring as the deputy chief. Nail’s experience also includes working as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician.
His certifications include being a State of Florida Certified Firefighter, Chief Fire Officer with the Centers for Public Safety Excellence and a University of Florida Executive Fire Officer, among others. Nail is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Florida Fire Chiefs Association, Space Coast Fire Chiefs Association, Palm Bay Hospital Advisory Board and Eastern Florida State College Technical Advisory Committee.
Nail was selected from a pool of 77 applicants for the Escambia County Fire Chief position after a thorough selection process. The selection committee narrowed the list down to seven candidates and then to three finalists, ranking Nail as the top candidate. The selection process included several interviews with the selection committee, along with a tour of Escambia County Public Safety and a meet and greet with staff.
As the Escambia County fire chief, Nail’s duties will include supervising fire rescue staff, providing oversight and directing implementation of internal operations, managing expenditures to the approved annual budget, developing goals and objectives and ensuring compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations.
Tate Tops Escambia; Northview Takes Chipley
April 21, 2018
Tate 7, Escambia 2
The Tate Aggies beat the Escambia Gators 7-2 Friday night.
Gabe Castro pitched the win for the Aggies in five innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out four. Cole Fryman opened thee game for the Aggies. He allowed one hit and one run over one inning, striking out one. Jace Dunsford earned the last three outs, throwing on inning in relief.
For Tate: Blake Anderson 1-4, R, RBI; Reid Halfacre 1-3, 2 RBI; Trent Jeffcoat 1-3, R; Kaden King 1-2; Raymond Lafleur 2-3, R, RBI; Mason Land 3-4, 2R, RBI; Hunter McLean 3-4, 2 R, RBI; Darrien McDowell R; Jesse Sherrill 1-4, R.
Northview 12, Chipley 2
The Northview Chiefs took home a 12-2 victory over Chipley in five innings Friday night.
Seth Killam earned the win for the Chiefs allowing two runs on five hits and striking out five.
For Northview: Billy Rolin 1-3, R, RBI; Tanner Levins 1-2, R, 3RBI; John Chivington 2-3, 3R; Trevor Singleton 1-3, 2R; Trevor Singleton 1-3, 2R; Jackson Moore 2-4, 2B, 2R, 3 RB; Adam Aliff R; Logan English 1-2, R; Seth Killam 2-4, R, 2RBI.