Century Holds First Budget Meeting
August 10, 2017
The Century Town Council held the first of two workshops Wednesday afternoon to work on setting the town’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Another meeting is scheduled for August 24 at 4 p.m. in the council chambers at the Century Town Hall at 7995 North Century Boulevard.
In previous years, the town council has held budget workshop meetings much earlier. During the past couple of years, the town has held two budget workshops in June, followed by one or two meetings to complete the process in July.
The fiscal year 2016-2017 budget in Century was $4.26 million.
Molino Park PTA Holds ‘Welcome Back’ Lunch For School Staffers
August 10, 2017
The Molino Park Elementary School PTA showed their appreciation to the school’s teacher’s faculty and staff with a catered back to school luncheon on Wednesday. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Higher Pay Sought For FHP Troopers
August 10, 2017
Short about 200 troopers and seeking higher salaries to be more competitive with other law-enforcement agencies, the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is backing Gov. Rick Scott’s call to boost pay as part of an election-year budget plan.
The department, which includes the Florida Highway Patrol, is proposing a more-than 10 percent increase in starting pay for troopers as part of a legislative budget request.
Susan Carey, the department’s chief financial officer, told state Cabinet aides on Wednesday that recruitment and retention has been an issue for years. State law-enforcement officers received a 5 percent pay raise in the budget that took effect July 1, and the new proposal would provide an additional increase in the fiscal year that starts in July 2018.
“With the Legislature, Cabinet and governor’s support we were fortunate to have a salary increase for our law enforcement officers in the current fiscal year,” Carey said. “We would like to go further with the new fiscal year.”
Under the proposal, which doesn’t have an overall total amount attached, the annual starting pay would go from about $38,000 to $42,000.
Under the plan, a trooper would earn $60,000, based on an “experienced-based incremental pay plan,” after 20 years.
The department is budgeted for 1,974 full time troopers, but lost 203 troopers in 2016.
Part of the failure to retain officers has been linked to other law-enforcement agencies offering higher pay.
“The FHP continues to have difficulty hiring and retaining qualified candidates due to the inability to pay a comparable rate with local and federal law-enforcement agencies,” said the department’s budget request, which goes before Scott and the Cabinet next Wednesday. “Consequently, all trained and experienced staff will look for competitive salaries elsewhere. Funds invested in training, uniforms, physicals, and other costs associated with these positions is lost.”
Scott, who is expected to run for U.S. Senate next year, said last month he will ask for $30 million to cover pay raises for state law-enforcement officers for the fiscal year that begins July 2018. Law-enforcement officers are spread across different state agencies.
The raise that took effect last month came as Florida’s rookie trooper pay had been deemed the lowest among the 49 states with patrols.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average police officer pay in Florida is $55,050 a year, with the low end of starting salaries at $36,000.
Entry level pay with the Miami-Dade police is $45,074. Jupiter police offer a $49,268 starting salary to officers who are state certified. In Tallahassee, pay starts at $45,192. For Jacksonville Beach, pay starts at $39,395.
The proposal by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which has a $472.2 million budget for the current fiscal year, was included with $35.5 million in additional requests the agency intends to put before lawmakers during the 2018 legislative session. The session starts in January.
Among the other requests:
— FHP Academy dorm renovation: $3.4 million.
— FHP active shooter training building: $2.9 million.
— DUI centralized database: $1.75 million.
— FHP dispatch relocation in Orlando: $1.32 million.
— Hand-held narcotic analyzers: $885,272.
— Security in driver’s license offices: $740,000.
— Increased operating costs for driver’s license offices: $675,910.
— FHP safety equipment, electric flares: $450,000.
National FFA Board Announces Five Local Students To Receive American FFA Degrees
August 10, 2017
The National FFA Board of Directors announced Wednesday that five local students will receive the coveted American FFA Degree.
They are: Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Bethany Reynolds, Haylee Weaver and Courtney Weekley, Northview High School graduates; and Miranda Vidak, West Florida High graduate. The degree is presented after the FFA member graduates from high school.
The American FFA Degree is the highest honor bestowed upon any regular member of the National FFA Organization. The degree is presented to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experiences.
The American FFA Degree is awarded at the National FFA Convention & Expo each year to less than one percent of FFA members. Requirements to earn the honor are lengthy. In addition to their degree certificate, each recipient receives a gold American FFA Degree key.
The American FFA degrees will be presented to the students in October at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN.
Pictured above: American FFA Degree recipients Haylee Weaver, Courtney Weekley, Bethany Reynolds and Kaitlyn Kleinatland, Northview High School graduates; Miranda Vidak, West Florida High School graduate. NorthEscambia.com and courtesy photos, click to enlarge.
Greg Evers A Finalist For Public Service Commission
August 10, 2017
Former State Sen. Greg Evers is on the short list of 14 candidates — including a state representative and three other former lawmakers — who will be interviewed next week for openings on Florida’s utility-regulatory board.
The Public Service Commission Nominating Council on Wednesday trimmed the number of candidates from 26. Among those cut without comment was former state Comptroller Bob Milligan, who failed to receive a single vote of support.
The Public Service Commission Nominating Council on Wednesday trimmed the number of candidates from 26. Among those cut without comment was former state Comptroller Bob Milligan, who failed to receive a single vote of support.
The council is required to nominate at least six candidates for the seats held by Brise and Graham. The council must submit a minimum of three names to Scott to replace Patronis.
Along with State Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Rockledge, other candidates besides Evers seeking the Patronis seat include former Rep. Rich Glorioso of Plant City; former Rep. Ken Littlefield of Wesley Chapel; and former Rep. Ritch Workman of Melbourne. All are Republicans.
Not every former lawmaker who applied made the scaled-back list. Former Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola, received only a single vote of support from the council.
Others who will be interviewed include:
— Gary Clark, the Department of Environmental Protection’s deputy secretary of land and recreation who oversees the state’s 174 parks.
— William Conrad, a former mayor of Newberry who owns Conrad Construction Company and serves as chairman of the Florida Municipal Power Agency’s board of directors.
— Clayton Lindstrom, director of the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority.
— Anibal Taboas an appointee to the Governors State University Board of Trustees from Woodridge, Ill.
— Ted Schrader, president of the Winter Haven Citrus Growers Association.
— Jody Newman, a former assistant director with the Orange County School District.
— Erik Sayler, a former senior attorney with the Public Service Commission who now works for the state Office of Public Counsel.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida with contribution from NorthEscambia.com
School Bus Safety And Traffic Laws
August 10, 2017
It’s the first day of school in Escambia County, with more than 40,000 students making their way to and from school. About 25,000 of them will be on board 300 school buses across the county.
Parents are reminded to instruct their children to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before scheduled bus arrival time, stay off of the roadway, observe and stay clear of traffic, stay out of the bus blind spots, don’t chase after the bus once it leaves the bus stop, and buckle seat belts as soon as they board.
Motorists are reminded to give themselves plenty of time to get where they’re going and to be patient in traffic. They should watch out for school buses, comply with bus-passing laws, and stay off of those cell phones.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, drivers must follow these school and school bus safety rules:
- Adhere to the posted speed limit in designated school zones.
- When approaching an intersection where a crossing guard is present in the crosswalk with the stop sign raised, do not cross – or turn – into the crosswalk until the guard has completely left the crosswalk.
- Never stop a vehicle in a manner that blocks a crosswalk.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from behind) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you must stop.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from front) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you also must stop, unless:
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by an unpaved space at least five feet in width, or
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by a physical barrier.
- You are required to stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
- You must not resume driving until the school bus turns its lights off and withdraws its stop sign.
- Be certain all exiting children have reached a safe place before proceeding.
All Students At Many Escambia Schools To Receive Free Lunch, Breakfast
August 10, 2017
On this first day of school, here’s a reminder that all students at many North Escambia schools will receive free breakfast and lunch this year, thanks to the expansion of a two-year old Escambia County School District program.
Bratt, Byrneville, Molino Park, Ernest Ward and Northview are among the 17 new schools added through the district’s participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Free breakfast and lunch will begin on the first day of school at the following locations in Escambia County (new schools are in bold):
Elementary Schools: Bellview Elementary, Bratt Elementary, Brentwood Elementary, C.A. Weis Elementary, Ensley Elementary, Ferry Pass Elementary, Global Learning Academy, Holm Elementary, Jim Allen Elementary, Lincoln Park Elementary, Lipscomb Elementary, Longleaf Elementary, McArthur Elementary, Molino Park Elementary, Montclair Elementary, Myrtle Grove Elementary, Navy Point Elementary, Oakcrest Elementary, Pine Meadow Elementary, Pleasant Grove Elementary, Scenic Heights Elementary, O.J. Semmes Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Warrington Elementary, and West Pensacola Elementary
Middle Schools: Bellview Middle, Ernest Ward Middle, Ferry Pass Middle, Jim Bailey Middle, Warrington Middle, Woodham Middle, and Workman Middle
High Schools: Escambia High School, Northview High School, Pensacola High School, Pine Forest High School, Booker T. Washington High School
Special Centers: Camelot, Lakeview Center, Judy Andrews, McMillian PreK Center, and Escambia Westgate Center
Alternative Education/Charters: Byrneville Charter, Capstone, Escambia Charter, and Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy
Vocational School: George Stone Technical (Phoenix Initiative Program)
Parents of the students at these schools are not required to submit an application for the free and reduced Lunch program at that school — all meals are free.
Families with students attending other ECSD schools are encouraged to apply for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. Applications will be sent home or parents and guardians to complete and return to their student’s school.
Pictured top: Sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables and crackers on the lunch menu at Jim Allen Elementary School. Pictured below: Lunch at Bratt Elementary and Ransom Middle School. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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Suspicious White Powder Found Inside Escambia Business
August 9, 2017
Emergency personnel responded to a report of a suspicious white powder inside an Escambia County business this afternoon, but they have since given the all-clear.
The white powder was reportedly found inside CHCS Services Inc. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response Team, Escambia County EMS and Escambia County Fire Rescue responded and evaluated the substance.
They determined there was no threat from the white powder. Officials have not said exactly what the substance was.
The company was evacuated as a precaution.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mayor: There’s A Buyer For The Former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company Property, New Jobs Promised
August 9, 2017
The sale of the former Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company property in Century is in the works, with the buyer set to bring new jobs to town, according to Mayor Henry Hawkins.
The property includes 330,200 square feet in eight buildings on 38 acres that is zoned industrial. The largest building is 128,000 square feet, the smallest 10,400. It has been listed in recent years for as much as $2.75 million, but is currently listed on real estate websites for $1.5 million. Property records show it is currently owned by a holding company in Navarre.
The property was heavily damaged in Century’s February 2016 EF-3, including a collapse of the rear portion of the largest building. Portions of the buildings blew into, and in some cases through, houses along Front Street. Since the tornado, residents have pushed the town and Escambia County to clean up the property. Estimates for a cleanup have topped three-quarters of a million dollars.
But the new buyer, according to the mayor, will look to repair some of facility for their business. As negotiations are ongoing, Hawkins has declined to name the potential purchaser.
Hawkins said there are numerous county liens against the property that will reduce the selling price, and he plans to work with the county attorney’s office to determine the exact amount owed to Escambia County.
“It’s a pretty significant lien,” County Attorney Alison Rogers said Tuesday. “We are willing to work with the Town of Century…if they were to present a request in writing to reduce or forgive some of those liens for economic development, the board (Board of County Commissioners) would certainly consider that request.”
Hawkins said the sale of the property could close as early as next week.
Pictured top: A ground level view of the back of the main building at the former Alger Sullivan Lumber Company in Century in February 2016. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
New Adult Health Care Practice Opens In Century
August 9, 2017
A new adult health care practice is now open in Century.
Wednesday was opening day as Escambia Community Clinics opens its ECC Century Adult Primary Care medical practice to serve the health care needs of adults from Century and surrounding areas. The new office is located at 6021 Industrial Boulevard inside the Century Clinic of Lakeview Center. The new medical office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Family nurse practitioner Mamie “Paula” Kennedy, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C, is the provider for this new office, which serves adults ages 18 and up. ECC Century Adult Primary Care offers a wide range of heath care services for adults, including annual well visits, screenings, treatment of minor illnesses and injuries and management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma. Patients may also access a network of support services that are offered at ECC’s other 12 locations, such as pharmacy assistance and healthcare for the homeless.
The office is now accepting calls for appointments Monday through Friday during business hours at (850) 724-4064. Same day appointments may be available. This is ECC’s second location in Century. ECC opened their Century Pediatrics and Pediatric Dental Clinic at 501 Church Street in Century earlier this year.
“We are excited to be able to bring adult primary health care services to our neighbors in Northern Escambia County. Locating this new practice in Lakeview Center’s Century clinic is a great partnership designed to improve the health and quality of life of the residents of the communities we serve,” said Chandra Smiley, executive director of Escambia Community Clinics.
ECC is a Florida Medicaid, Humana and Molina managed care provider, and accepts Alabama Medicaid and many private health insurances. ECC offers a sliding fee scale program for those individuals who do not have insurance coverage.
Payment plans are available for those persons who do not qualify or choose not to qualify for the sliding fee program. Payment plans are designed to meet each individual’s income level.