Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Relationship Problems
June 24, 2017
Relationships are hard to sustain in life, and nowhere is that more true than in politics. All of the usual building, maintenance and occasional rebuilding happen under the glare of public scrutiny.
And there were plenty of relationships in the spotlight this week. Gov. Rick Scott spent part of the week trying to build relationships with companies in Connecticut, even as one of the state’s newspapers not so politely told him to get lost.
The chairman of the Florida Democratic Party faced some rebuilding work with African-American lawmakers who are a key constituency — something necessitated by his remark that legislators were acting “childish” at the party’s annual fundraising soiree. That news came shortly before one of the Democrats running for governor revealed that he had been forced into an unwanted relationship with the FBI.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Richard Corcoran seemed to be patching up his strained ties to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism-marketing agency. Even in public, some relationships can still blossom.
FLORIDA GOV IN A CONNECTICUT YANKEE’S COURT
Armed with a “Florida Job Growth Grant Fund” that he technically hadn’t signed into law, Scott journeyed north early this week to try to convince Connecticut businesses that they should move to the Sunshine State.
The $85 million fund, created in a special session this month, is meant to help boost economic development. It has more restrictions than the direct incentives that Scott prefers, but it’s something he could take to Connecticut.
“My pitch is you should give up, capitulate, come to Florida and make it easier on yourselves,” Scott told a group of businesspeople and Republican state legislators at a Norwalk hotel Monday morning. “If you want to live in a place that has lower taxes, less regulations, has good universities, is less expensive, where there’s a greater chance your kids and grandkids are going to get a job, you’re going to be in Florida.”
Ahead of the trip, the job-growth fund was prominently featured in separate news releases announcing Florida’s unemployment numbers and the trip to Connecticut.
To say that Scott’s sojourn into the Nutmeg State was unwelcome would be underselling things.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy’s office sought to dismiss Scott’s trip by pointing to the Northern state’s quality of life and educated workforce.
“The truth is, no amount of money or effort will make up for the fact that Gov. Scott is leading his state in the wrong direction,” a release from Malloy’s office said. “We are happy to host Mr. Scott to show him a better way to serve his state, but if he’s expecting anyone in Connecticut to buy what he’s selling, he’s better off saving his taxpayers the cost of the trip and staying home.”
The Hartford Courant was, if possible, even more cutting.
“Here’s some advice for Florida Gov. Rick Scott: Go back to Florida and stay there,” a Courant editorial said. The paper said Florida had other numbers that were higher than Connecticut’s: “more poverty, more violent crime and more disconnected youth.”
Well, then.
DEMS IN DISARRAY, TAKE 97
At the beginning of the week, it looked like Florida Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Bittel might be the most-endangered member of his party in the state. But a week in politics is a long time.
Bittel started the week under fire for reportedly lashing out at African-American lawmakers when they and others complained about his decision to scrap a portion of the party’s annual fundraising dinner program featuring Democratic legislators. Some of those lawmakers saw his use of the word “childish” as racially charged.
So on Monday, Bittel met with Senate Minority Leader Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, and Rep. Kionne McGhee, a Miami Democrat set to take over as leader of the party’s House caucus after the 2018 elections. The two had been harshly critical of Bittel’s remarks at the Saturday evening event.
For now, at least, it looks like Bittel will ride out the storm.
“Our meeting was productive and we are moving forward together to secure victory in 2018,” he said in a statement following the Monday meeting. “Together we are focused on electing Democrats who will stand up for working families and bring change and economic progress to Florida.”
Before Bittel’s troubles get too advanced, though, another member of his party was facing problems in the form of a federal investigation into the city of Tallahassee. Andrew Gillum, the city’s mayor, took pains to point out that he was not a target of the investigation, or even specifically named in subpoenas linked to the probe, but the uproar still threatened to be a distraction to his gubernatorial campaign.
“Last week the FBI approached me about several people and businesses here in Tallahassee,” Gillum said Friday in a statement issued by his city office. “I spoke with them, and told them they could expect both the city and my personal cooperation with their investigation. They assured me I was not the focus of an investigation, and that they would be moving quickly with their work.”
That was one day after disclosures that the city had been hit with subpoenas in an investigation that seems to focus, at least in part, on The Edison, a pricey restaurant near the heart of the city’s new Cascades Park.
The subpoenas, issued to the city and its Community Redevelopment Agency, ask for records related to about two-dozen individuals and companies, most of them involved in construction or other contracting areas. The Edison is specifically listed as one of those subjects.
So far, Gillum’s two primary opponents — former Congresswoman Gwen Graham and Winter Park businessman Chris King — have held their fire. So far.
LET’S BE FRIENDS
After spending much of this spring’s regular legislative session burning just about every bridge he had outside the House of Representatives, Corcoran has made efforts during the past month to patch things up with at least some of those caught in his crosshairs.
First, he mended fences with Scott, to the point that the governor signed an education bill favored by Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, while vetoing a higher education measure pushed by Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart.
And now, Corcoran says Visit Florida is getting back on the right track.
“It’s clear that Visit Florida has heard us loud and clear and are beginning the process of cleaning up their act and ceasing the waste of taxpayer money,” Corcoran said in a statement Thursday.
The change of heart came after the tourism marketer took steps to reshape some of its sports deals.
The agency has given a 30-day cancellation notice to the team racing the “Visit Florida car.”
The $2.875 million contract — about $1 million has yet to be paid — is tied to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season that concludes in October with the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans in Braselton, Ga.
Visit Florida continues to negotiate for what could be a third year sponsoring the London-based Fulham Football Club, owned by Shahid “Shad” Khan.
“We are in negotiations to receive more deliverables at a lower cost,” Visit Florida spokesman Stephen Lawson said in an email about the talks with Fulham. “We are focused on deliverables, how those deliverables integrate into our larger marketing plan, and a strong return on investment.”
Corcoran’s feud with the agency was part of what sparked a budget showdown that led to an extension of the regular session and then a special session to boot.
Lawmakers during the regular session moved to cut Visit Florida’s budget. But the funding was bumped up to $76 million — nearly matching the money in the current year — during the special session.
The bill (HB 1A) providing the money also will require Visit Florida contracts valued at $500,000 to be posted online. Contracts over $750,000 will have to go before the Joint Legislative Budget Commission and could be voided within 14 days by the House speaker or Senate president. The plan also caps salaries and imposes travel restrictions on Visit Florida employees.
“We are confident with the new oversight provisions that require House and Senate approval and complete transparency, we will be able to protect taxpayers,” Corcoran said in the statement.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Federal subpoenas revealed the existence of an FBI investigation into redevelopment in the city of Tallahassee, shaking the gubernatorial campaign of Mayor Andrew Gillum.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “With all due respect, Mr. Scott, no thanks. Promises of a better climate and pictures of palm trees are nice, but there’s more to a state than its shrubbery.”—The Hartford Courant, blasting Gov. Rick Scott’s call for Connecticut businesses to relocate to Florida.
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Escambia County Participates In FEMA Cybersecurity Exercise
June 24, 2017
Escambia County staff and local stakeholders participated in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Cybersecurity Incident response for IT Personnel course this past weekat the Escambia County Public Safety building, continuing the county’s dedication to being at the forefront of cybersecurity.
The three-day course for IT professionals was designed to address the specific technical skills needed for an effective response to a cyber attack, and it was only the second time the class has been offered anywhere. Staff from county, state, federal and critical infrastructure entities attended the course, which was sponsored by FEMA.
The course utilized the Metova Virtualized Cyber Classroom Environment for hands-on incident simulation, which provides many features that resemble or imitate actual cyber incidents. Topics included types of cyber incidents and threats, impacts of cyber incidents, cyber incident management, detection and analysis, recovery, cybersecurity incident response exercises and advanced cyber incident response operations.
“This is a very new kind of course in that it’s not geared towards the people that are in cyber,” District 2 Commissioner and Chairman Doug Underhill said. “This is making IT professionals more aware of what an attack looks like and how to respond to an attack. It starts to build us as a collaborative group of IT professionals having resources that you can reach back to.”
Underhill said courses like these are also important in promoting collaboration and a proactive approach to cybersecurity.
“Once you start collaborating, you start seeing the world differently,” Underhill said. “Once you start collaborating – you start putting all of your resources in, somebody else puts their resources in – barriers start dropping. We start to get ahead of the problem. Instead of responding to the hacker, responding to threats, we’re defending and building a network and community that is more resilient against those threats.”
Agencies that attended the event included Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, the City of Pensacola, First Judicial Circuit Court of Escambia County, Escambia County Clerk of Courts Office, State Attorney’s Office, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, University of West Florida, Escambia County School District and Baptist Healthcare.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Man Gets Life For Abusing Child In Church Pantry
June 24, 2017
A Santa Rosa County man will spend the rest of his life in prison for molesting a child in a church pantry.
John Thomas Kelley, Sr., age 71 of Milton, was found guilty by a Santa Rosa County jury of lewd or lascivious molestation upon a child less than 12 years of age. Immediately following the trial, Judge David Rimmer designated Kelley as a sexual predator and sentenced him to life in prison.
In June 2016, Kelley invited the 7-year old child into a church pantry where he fondled the child.
In 1987, Kelley was convicted of three counts of lewd or lascivious assault and three counts of attempted sexual battery for crimes he committed upon two children. Due to the law in effect at the time, Kelley was not designated as a sexual pffender or sexual predator or required to register as such.
Wahoos Drop First Game Of Second Half To Chattanooga
June 24, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos first baseman Gavin LaValley crushed his first Double-A home run Friday against Chattanooga Lookouts pitcher Stephen Gonsalves.
LaValley, who was called up from the High-A Daytona Tortugas, led Pensacola’s offense, going 2-4 with a double, as well.
The 23-year-old, who batted fifth in Pensacola’s batting order, was the one bright spot in the Blue Wahoos’, 6-1, loss to Chattanooga in the first game of the second half in the Southern League.
LaValley’s homer on a line drive to left center field was the only run given up by the big lefty Gonsalves at AT&T Field. Before being promoted to Pensacola, LaValley was second in homers with 15 and second in RBIs with 45 in the Florida State League.
Chattanooga’s Gonsalves worked seven innings, giving up three hits, a walk and striking out nine. Gonsalves improved his record to 3-3 in seven starts for the Lookouts and dropped his ERA to 2.85.
Meanwhile, Pensacola starter Keury Mella lasted five innings, giving up five runs on three hits, two walks and four strikeouts. Mella is now 2-5 this season with a 4.70 ERA. Both relievers Alex Powers and Brennan Bernardino struck out the side in the one inning that they both pitched.
Chattanooga went up 5-0 before LaValley’s fifth inning homer. The Lookouts first two runs came in the first inning when shortstop Nick Gordon and right fielder Edgar Corcino both scored on a throwing error to first by Pensacola second baseman Josh VanMeter on a grounder by left fielder LaMonte Wade.
Lookouts center fielder Levi Michael then smacked a three-run homer to right field in the fourth inning for a 5-0 lead.
Pensacola right fielder Aristides Aquino knocked his fifth triple, which is tied for second in the Southern League, for his only hit in four at bats. VanMeter was 1-4 with his 15th double of the year.
One Stabbing Suspect Arrested
June 24, 2017
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has arrested one of two people wanted in connection with two stabbings last week.
Jerald Jenkins is now jailed for premeditated attempted murder, while Monika Jenkins is wanted for principal to attempted murder.
On June 22, Jerald Jenkins stabbed a victim in the 4500 block of Guerlain Way. Later in the day, he attempted to stab another victim near Fennel Street and Clio Drive, according to investigators.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Monika Jenkins is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620.
Century Man Charged With Attacking Several People
June 23, 2017
A Century man as been charged with battery against several people at a local residence.
Jimmie Jett Moore, 51, was charged with two counts of first degree battery, first degree battery domestic violence and burglary with assault and battery. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $28,500.
Deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance in the 9400 block of Ivey Street in Century. A victim told deputies that he was inside his RV when Moore punched him, causing him to fall through the doorway. Moore then punched the victim repeatedly, he claimed.
A witness corroborated the victim’s story. Moore’s mother told deputies she stuck him several times with a broomstick to get him to stop beating the other two men.
Moore also allegedly attacked his live-in girlfriend at a nearby residence on Cottage Street.
No reason for the attacks was given in Moore’s arrest reports.
Moore made several statements while being transported to the Escambia County Jail that he would “take care of the problem” when he is released.
UWF Ranks In Top Three Florida Board of Governors Performance Funding Model
June 23, 2017
The Florida Board of Governors announced Thursday the University of West Florida ranks in the top three top-performing public universities in the state and will secure more than $20 million in new funding for the 2017-18 academic year.
UWF earned 82 points out of 100 on the Board’s performance-based funding model results from the 2015-16 academic year, earning a top spot in the rankings alongside the University of Florida and the University of South Florida.
This is a significant improvement from 2014, the year the performance metrics were first introduced, when UWF was ranked No. 11, receiving 21 points out of the then-50-point scale.
“In the past four years, we’ve seen steady improvements at the System level and for individual universities,” said Tom Kuntz, Board of Governors’ chair. “Especially exciting is that we’ve seen universities in the bottom three soar to the top of the pack as they’ve renewed their focus on student success.”
UWF President Martha Saunders said the University’s success can be attributed to a campuswide effort to invest in long-term strategies that would not only increase the institution’s performance in the selected metrics, but also enhance the overall quality of the education and experience provided.
“This is great news for UWF and a testimony to the hard work of the entire campus over the past few years,” said UWF President Martha Saunders. “The additional funding will go a long way toward supporting the success of our students.”
Among the most successful initiatives developed by the University is an online graduation dashboard that empowers students, faculty and staff to closely monitor degree progression. Designed for undergraduate students, the dashboard features a color-coded “Time to Degree” progress bar, as well as excess hours, financial aid and academic status indicators that note when students need to seek assistance from an advisor. The graduation dashboard also celebrates the accomplishment when the degree is awarded.
Additionally, the University implemented several student completion strategies to enhance academic progress toward four-year graduation rates, including: creating University College to serve as a comprehensive, centralized unit dedicated to student support services and high-impact learning; allocating funding toward student grants and programs to support retention and graduation efforts; developing tools that empower students, faculty and staff to monitor degree progression; and more.
“UWF’s success this year reflects the fact that our faculty and staff have been and are committed to excellence—quality of programs, quality of the student experience and quality of the work each of us does every day,” said Dr. George Ellenberg, interim provost.
Under the performance funding model, the Board of Governors scores each of Florida’s 12 public universities based on 10 metrics designed to incentivize university excellence and improvement. These metrics establish a minimum acceptable level of performance on issues such as graduation and retention rates. The Board, with influence from the governor and Florida State Legislature, selects nine of the metrics, with the last one chosen by each institution’s Board of Trustees.
Each university must reach a benchmark number set by the Board of Governors and not score in the bottom three of all State University System institutions in order not to lose their base funding and to be eligible for new state funding.
The highlights of UWF’s metrics scores for 2015-2016 include:
- The percent of bachelor’s graduates enrolled in postgraduate school or employed and earning $25,000 or more increased by 6.5 percent, from 61 percent to 67.6 percent.
- The academic progress rate increased by 5.2 percent, reaching 70.1 percent overall.
- The number of students earning bachelor’s degrees without excess hours increased by 4.7 percent, from 75.8 percent to 80.5 percent.
All funds will be allocated in fiscal year 2017-2018, which begins July 1.
Health Department Urges Precaution Around Flood Areas
June 23, 2017
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County is recommending residents take some basic precautions around flood waters.
Although skin contact with flood waters does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, health hazards are a concern when waters become contaminated. Flood waters may contain waste material with associated bacteria and viruses. The health department is recommending the following precautions to prevent possible illness from flood waters:
Basic hygiene is critical. Wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after participating in flood cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything that has been contaminated with flood waters.
- Do not wade through standing water. If you do, bathe and put on clean clothes as soon as possible.
- Avoid contact with flood waters if you have open cuts or sores. If you have any open cuts or sores and cannot avoid contact with flood waters, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention. People who sustain lacerations and/or puncture wounds and have not had a tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years require a tetanus booster.
- If there is a backup of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup. Remove and discard absorbent household materials, such as wall coverings, cloth, rugs, and dry wall. Clean walls and hard-surfaced floors with soap and water and disinfect with a solution of 1/4 cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Thoroughly disinfect food contact surfaces (counter-tops, refrigerators, tables) and areas where small children play. Wash all linens and clothing in hot water. Air dry larger items in the sun and spray them with a disinfectant. Steam-clean all carpeting.
If your plumbing is operating slowly or sluggishly, you should:
- Save water as much as possible; the less water used the less sewage the septic tank must process or a sewer line needs to handle. Minimize use of your washing machine. Rental of a portable toilet for a temporary period may be another option.
- Do not have the septic tank pumped. Very high water tables might crush a septic tank that was pumped dry. If the basic problem is high ground water, pumping the tank does nothing to solve that problem.
- If you cannot use your plumbing without creating a sanitary nuisance, i.e., without sewage being exposed, consider moving to a new location until conditions improve.
- Do not have the septic tank and drain field repaired until the ground has dried. Often systems will work when dry conditions return. Any repair must be permitted and inspected by your county health department.
For more information, contact the DOH-Escambia’s Environmental Health division at 850-595-6700 or visit www.escambiahealth.com or www.FloridaDisaster.org.
Florida Consumer Sentiment Continues Downward Slide
June 23, 2017
Consumer sentiment among Floridians dropped in May for the second month in a row, falling 2.4 points to 93.3 from a revised April reading of 95.7.
Among the five components that make up the index, one increased and four decreased.
“Most of the pessimism in May stems from perceptions about the current economic conditions,” said Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
Perceptions of one’s personal financial situation now compared with a year ago showed the biggest drop, falling 5.9 points from 91 to 85.1. May’s less-positive outlook was shared by all Floridians across age, gender and income groups.
Opinions as to whether now is a good time to buy a major household item such as an appliance declined two points, from 101.7 to 99.7. However, there were increases among those 60 and older and those with income under $50,000.
Expectations of personal finances a year from now dropped 5.2 points from 105.1 to 99.9. Expectations for the U.S. economy were mixed: Anticipated conditions over the next year decreased one-tenth of a point, from 92.8 to 92.7 while expectations of U.S. economic conditions over the next five years increased nine-tenths of a point, from 88.1 to 89.
These three components represent expectations about what lies ahead economically speaking.
“Readings about future economic conditions have shown important signs of deterioration for the past two months. However, in contrast to April, this month’s unfavorable expectations are accompanied by a significant decline in perceptions of present conditions. It seems unlikely that consumers are delaying the purchase of big household items, as they hold unfavorable future expectations as well,” Sandoval said.
According to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Florida’s gross domestic product growth rate ranked fifth of all states in 2016, with an annual growth rate of 3 percent. The sector contributing the most to the Florida economy in 2016 was the professional, scientific and technical services sector, followed by the construction and information sectors.
Florida’s unemployment rate declined again in April by three-tenths of a percentage point to 4.5 percent. Compared with April of last year, the number of jobs added statewide was 215,400, a 2.6 percent increase. The industries gaining the most jobs were professional and business services, followed by trade, transportation and utilities.
Escambia Neighborhood Renewal Initiative Grant Program Deadline Extended
June 23, 2017
The Escambia County Neighborhood & Human Services Department has extended the spring cycle for its Neighborhood Renewal Initiative Program, funded through the county’s Community Development Block Grant Program. Applications are due Friday, June 30.
Neighborhood organizations located within the boundaries of one of the county’s Community Redevelopment Areas are eligible to apply for up to $500 for projects that promote community and volunteer-based redevelopment efforts in a targeted neighborhood. Past applicants have completed neighborhood beautification projects, neighborhood signs and house numbering projects.
Applications can be submitted to the Neighborhood & Human Services Department at cra@myescambia.com, dropped off or mailed to 221 Palafox Place, Suite 305, Attn: Lily Blackburn. Click here for an application.
To determine if your property is located within a CRA District, click here and search your address from the drop down menu at the top of the screen. For more information, please contact Lily Blackburn with the Community Redevelopment Agency at 850-595-3585 or cra@myescambia.com.