Escambia EMS Ranked Tops In Customer Satisfaction
March 5, 2017
The Baldrige Group has announced that Escambia County Emergency Medical Services is one of the top three EMS agencies to achieve excellence in customer engagement and satisfaction in 2016, with Escambia County EMS earning an overall satisfaction score of 98 percent.
The Baldrige Group is a performance excellence consulting firm that conducts the surveys on behalf of Escambia County EMS and provides customer engagement and satisfaction results for government agencies throughout the United States. In addition to Escambia County EMS, Nature Coast EMS in Florida and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority in Indiana were also recognized for excellence.
“As an emergency service provider, it is critical to know that we are having both a clinical impact and an overall satisfaction in service,” Escambia County EMS Chief Steve White said. “This honor really shows our citizens that we have exemplary public servants here in EMS who are dedicated to the community through service and excellence each and every day”.
The findings measure metrics from the initial 911 call, timeliness, treatment provided, concern, ability to relieve pain, respect for cultural background and satisfaction with the billing process. Chief White said that it takes a team effort across communications, business affairs, logistics and emergency response personnel to achieve these positive results in customer satisfaction.
Escambia Tax Collector Now Offering Payment Plans
March 5, 2017
Scott Lunsford, Escambia County Tax Collector Scott Lunsford is encouraging taxpayers to take advantage of the Tax Payment Installment Plan. By utilizing this plan, taxpayers make four quarterly payments instead of one lump sum payment.
Each quarterly bill will receive a different discount for early payment as prescribed by Florida Statutes. The quarterly payments are due by the last day of June, September, December and March. The Installment Payment Plan application deadline for 2017 property taxes is April 30, 2017.
Online enrollment is easy. Property owners can access BillExpress, search for their property tax record, hit the “Apply for the 2017 Installment Payment Plan” button, and follow the rest of the application instructions. Property owners also can download a application here and mail it in, or pick up a printed application at any office location.
Lunsford said, “The installment program not only helps ease the financial burden on taxpayers by allowing them to spread out the payments, it also provides a discount for making payments on time.”
Find more information on the installment plan here.
In addition, help is available for those taxpayers who have not yet paid their 2016 taxes. Partial payments are now being accepted for current year taxes. If a property owner decides to make partial payments, the following information applies:
· Property owner must submit an application (found on the back of the tax bill or available at the tax collector’s office) with initial partial payment.
· Partial payments are accepted for current year taxes only between November 1 and March 31.
· No discount allowed for partial payments.
· A $10 processing fee deducted from each partial payment.
· Partial payments are not accepted after March 31, and any remaining balance as of April 1 is delinquent and subject to all applicable penalties and fees.
To check the status of your taxes or to pay online, visit our web site at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. Taxpayers are encouraged to contact the tax collector’s office by phone at (850) 438-6500, ext. 3252 or email ectc@EscambiaTaxCollector.com with any questions.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
March 5, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
· Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90) Underground Utility Work at Scenic Hills Drive- Westbound outside lane closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Mar. 6 and Tuesday, Mar. 7 as crews perform underground utility work.
· New Warrington Spur Routine Maintenance between New Warrington Road and Mobile Highway- East and westbound lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Mar. 6 through Wednesday, Mar. 8 as crews seal cracks in the pavement.
· Interstate 10 (I-10) Routine Lighting and Sign Maintenance between U.S. 29 and Davis Highway- East and westbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Mar. 6 through Friday, March 10 as crews repair overhead signs and lighting.
· I-10/ U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I- Paving operations will require the following lane and ramp closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Mar. 6:
o Alternating lane closures on I-10 westbound near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) and the I-10 westbound ramp to U.S. 29 north.
o The U.S. 29 north to I-10 westbound ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured to make a U-turn at Broad Street to access I-10 westbound.
· I-10 Widening from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge – Alternating lane closures on Scenic Highway (U.S. 90), south of the I-10 ramps, 8:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. the week of Monday, Mar. 6 to allow crews to install a drainage pipe beneath the roadway. One lane will remain open at all times.
· Perdido Key Drive (S.R. 292) Resurfacing from the Alabama State line to the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge) – Lane closures will be in effect 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Mar. 6 and Tuesday, Mar. 7 as crews place the final layer of asphalt on center turn lanes and median areas between the Alabama State line and the ICWW (Theo Baars Bridge). Drivers can expect delays.
· Fairfield Drive (State Road (S.R.) 727/295) Resurfacing from Mobile Highway (S.R. 10A) to North Pace Boulevard (S.R. 292) – Intermittent and alternating lane closures continue between Mobile Highway and North Pace Boulevard from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. as crews perform paving operations.
· New Warrington Road Traffic Operations Work north of U.S. 98- Southbound outside, right lane closed from 8 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Mar. 8 as crews install pavement symbols on the roadway.
· U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Alternating lane closures continue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road and on 9 Mile Road near the U.S. 29/9 Mile Road overpass as crews perform drainage operations.
· Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R.297) to U.S. 29- A new detour configuration has been implemented on Nine Mile Road between Stefani and Waring roads as crews construct a box culvert under Nine Mile Road. Alternating lane closures continue on Untreiner Avenue as crews perform jack and bore operations. The speed limit throughout the construction zone has been reduced to 35 MPH.
Santa Rosa County:
· I-10 Resurfacing from east of S.R. 87 to the Okaloosa County Line- Intermittent and alternating inside lane closures between the S.R. 87 interchange and the Okaloosa County line from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Mar. 5 through Thursday, Mar. 9 as crews perform construction activities. Motorists are reminded the speed limit is reduced to 60 MPH within the lane closure.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Tate Softball Goes Two And Two In Panama City Beach Tourney
March 5, 2017
The Tate High School Lady Aggies went two and two this weekend in the USA Softball Challenge in Panama City Beach.
Tate 4, Gulliver Prep (Miami) 3
With seventh inning home runs from Hannah Brown and Hayden Lindsay, the Tate Lady Aggies beat Gulliver Prep of Miami 4-3 Saturday in Panama City Beach.
Belle Wolfenden had an RBI and a double for Tate; Leslee Scruggs had a double; and Hannah Brown, Hayden Lindsay and Sydni Solliday recorded RBIs for the Aggies.
Avery earned the win for the Lady Aggies, pitching three innings with two hits, no runs, no errors, two strikeouts and two walks. Solliday pitched four inning for Tate, allowing give hits, three runs, striking out one and walking three.
Tate 4, Wewa 2
The Tate Lady Aggie defeated Wewa 4-2 on Saturday.
Leslee Scruggs had a double and two RBI’s to lead the Aggies. Belle Wolfenden also recorded a RBI.
Hannah Brown pitched the win in five, allowing three hits, one run, two walks and striking out five. Deazia Nickerson went two innings on the mound for Tate, allowing two hits, one run, one error, a home run and striking out one.
Chiles (Tallahassee) 11, Tate 9
A two run homer in the top of the seventh propelled Tallahassee Chiles to a 11-9 win over the Tate Lady Aggies Friday.
Hayden Lindsay homered in the first inning, scoring two runs for Tate. The Aggies scored six runs in the second inning, only to see Chiles score six in the fourth. Hannah Brown and Leslee Scruggs had doubles for Tate. Hannah Brown, Belle Wolfenden, Hayden Lindsay, and Shelby Ullrich earned two RBIs each.
Avery took the loss for Tate, pitching three innings allowing three hits, six runs, four errors, two walks and striking out four. Sydni Solliday started the game for the Tate Aggies. She pitched three innings, allowing five runs, five hits, and striking out one.
Wakulla 10, Tate 0
The Tate Lady Aggies fell to Wakulla 10-0 on Friday.
Wakulla took and early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, added three runs in the third, four runs in the fourth and an additional run in the sixth.
Hannah Brown took the loss for Tate. She pitched six innings, allowing ten runs, nine hits, striking out four, and walking one.
Photo courtesy Tate Lady Aggie Softball for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Strange Days Indeed
March 5, 2017
A strange legislative off-season came to a close this week, as Gov. Rick Scott continued turning up the heat on fellow Republicans while the political jockeying to succeed him started fitfully moving out of the abstract.
Some of the developments — particularly when it came to Scott’s stumping for economic-development incentives — added to a surreal feeling as the legislative session prepares to start Tuesday, with more than one observer noting that it seemed more like the middle of the annual gathering of lawmakers than the lead-up.
Tensions between Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Senate President Joe Negron — all three Republicans, and all three believed to be looking at higher office — are traditionally supposed to get worse as the session wears on. But how could things get more tense after Scott has slammed Corcoran as a “career politician” while the speaker has blasted Scott’s push for “corporate welfare?”
Other parts of state government and politics seemed at least a bit more normal. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum erased any hopes of a long respite from campaign coverage when he announced that he would run for the Democratic nomination to replace Scott, who will leave office in a little less than two years because of term limits.
And Scott tabbed an outspoken and wealthy former U.S. Senate candidate to lead the state Constitution Revision Commission, which is responsible for recommending proposed constitutional amendments to voters ahead of the 2018 elections. With luck, the intraparty Republican scuffles might be over by then.
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD
There is no downtime in politics anymore, and the brief break from open campaigning in Florida came to a halt Wednesday, when Gillum made himself the first high-profile candidate in the race to succeed Scott.
“I can’t wait to be able to move forward a vision in this state that puts people to work at every rung on the income level,” Gillum said in a short video released by his campaign. “That’s what I want to do for the state of Florida.”
Gillum also mentioned infrastructure and education in the largely autobiographical video, which runs nearly six minutes.
For the record, the Democratic primary is 17 months away.
If elected, Gillum would be the first black governor in Florida history. But even before he has a chance to try to break Democrats’ lengthy losing streak in gubernatorial races, the 37-year-old mayor could have to navigate a primary featuring higher-profile candidates like trial lawyer John Morgan and former Congresswoman Gwen Graham.
“He’s a great, really strong young leader,” said Alison Morano, a Jacksonville-based Democratic strategist, before emphasizing the flip side of that: “He’s also young.”
Gillum, who was elected mayor in 2014, might have needed to jump out of the gates early to get name recognition and raise money. He comes from the state’s isolated capital city, nestled in a sparsely populated media market.
“He’s very well-known in his metropolitan area, but not very well-known throughout the rest of the state,” said Aubrey Jewett, a political-science professor at the University of Central Florida.
The Republican Governors Association was quick to pounce, pointing out that Gillum had already been forced to apologize for using city-bought software to send out political emails for a Hillary Clinton campaign event. The GOP group also highlighted questions raised by Politico Florida about whether Gillum’s launch video was produced before he filed for governor — a potential violation of campaign-finance laws.
“Florida’s next governor should be someone who will uphold the rule of law and uphold the public’s trust in its elected leaders,” the association said. “Andrew Gillum has already failed that test.”
Gillum also quickly drew a primary opponent when Orlando businessman Chris King announced Thursday that he will seek the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. King is CEO of Elevation Financial Group, a real-estate company he founded with his brother that focuses on affordable housing.
“We’re going to run a campaign driven by a spirit of innovation and can-do optimism,” King said in a statement issued by his campaign. “We’re going to give voice to millions of Floridians who are struggling to make it and haven’t given up the hope that we can do better. We are going to answer the call of every Floridian who wants a governor with the strength, vision and integrity to tackle important problems and provide innovative solutions. And we are going to invite every Floridian who wants to rise up and be part of something big, bold, and better, to join this campaign.”
COME TOGETHER (OR MAYBE NOT)
After weeks of back-and-forth between Scott and Corcoran over spending on business incentives and tourism marketing, there was a sign of slight movement on the part of the House. But only slight.
On Monday, House leaders filed a stand-alone bill that seeks changes at Visit Florida — the state’s tourism marketing arm — but splits Visit Florida from another proposal that would abolish the economic-development agency Enterprise Florida. The move came after several members of the House Appropriations Committee expressed concerns about lumping the two proposals together.
“Dividing the issues into separate bills allows for more engaged and meaningful debate while putting Visit Florida on a path to real reform,” House Commerce Chairman Jose Felix Diaz, R-Miami, said in a letter announcing the move.
Diaz’s letter said funding for Visit Florida would be addressed in the state budget rather than in the stand-alone bill (HB 9). Scott has requested $76 million for the tourism-marketing agency in the upcoming budget, but Corcoran has vehemently objected to sending tax dollars to Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida.
But the House move didn’t change the proposal to end Enterprise Florida, along with the Office of Film & Entertainment, the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, Florida’s international offices and several other programs. Those ideas remain in the initial bill (HB 7005).
Meanwhile, Scott kept up his road trip in support of Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida. After returning from a visit to meet with fellow governors and federal officials in Washington, D.C., Scott got back to trying to crank up the pressure on House members.
Appearing at a “roundtable” discussion Wednesday in a crowded room at Link Staffing Services in Orange Park, Scott maintained his focus on securing the $76 million for Visit Florida and his suggested $85 million for Enterprise Florida as a way to continue creating jobs.
Scott didn’t talk about the House’s decision to split the initiatives but said the rumble over the funding is being watched nationally.
“They all know what we’re doing,” said Scott, who attended President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress on Tuesday. “Last night, one of the individuals that sat next to me was the speaker of the House of another state. And he knew what was going on here, because they’re excited. They know if we don’t compete, they’re going to get jobs.”
As he’s done at prior stops, Scott called out local state representatives who have backed Corcoran in the battle about the agencies.
In the Orange Park appearance, it was Rep. Paul Renner, a Palm Coast Republican who is sponsoring the bills, and Rep. Travis Cummings, an Orange Park Republican who is part of Corcoran’s leadership team. Renner does not represent Orange Park, but his district includes part of nearby St. Johns County.
“We have got to let our House members and our Senate members know how we think,” Scott said.
YOU SAY GOODBYE, AND I SAY HELLO
Leaving open the potential for taking another dip in elective politics, University of North Florida President John Delaney said this week that he will leave the Jacksonville university in May 2018, after a 15-year run as head of the institution. Delaney is the longest-serving president of UNF.
“There’s not one reason,” Delaney, a 60-year-old lawyer, said about his decision. “It just sort of feels like it’s probably time. We’ve had a great run.”
The former two-term Jacksonville mayor’s name has bubbled up from time to time in discussions about elected or appointed office, and Delaney didn’t exactly knock down the idea. Next year’s elections could be particularly appealing for the Republican, with Scott’s office and all three state Cabinet seats open.
“I’ve ruled out running for governor, but I may run for some other office,” Delaney said. “You never say never in politics.”
In the meantime, Delaney could remain at UNF and head a public-policy center, but he said there is a “better chance it will be in the private sector somewhere.”
Delaney served eight years as the Jacksonville mayor and was responsible for the Better Jacksonville Plan, a $2.2 billion improvement initiative that created new public facilities and other amenities. He also led a major conservation land program.
In another noteworthy personnel move, Scott turned to Bradenton home builder Carlos Beruff to chair the Constitution Revision Commission. Beruff is best known for a bombastic run for U.S. Senate in 2016, during which he tried to assume the mantle of a Donald Trump-esque candidate for the seat. But his plans were undermined when incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio, who had run for president, got back in the Republican primary and trounced Beruff.
Announcing the appointment Wednesday, Scott praised Beruff — a wealthy businessman born in Miami to Cuban emigres — for living “the American dream in our great state.”
“My goal for the CRC (the commission) is to fight for policies that will ensure a strong future for Florida, and I know Carlos also shares this vision. As we undertake this historic review, I am hopeful that this commission will propose policies that build a legacy upon which the families and businesses in our great state will thrive for generations to come,” Scott said in a statement.
Beruff, 59, will be the first chairman who is not a lawyer and the first Republican to head the panel. Scott policy director Jeff Woodburn, a lawyer who has worked in various capacities for Scott since shortly after the governor took office in 2011, will take over as the commission’s executive director.
Scott also appointed other members of the panel Friday, including state Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and Public Service Commission member Jimmy Patronis.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a Democrat, became the first high-profile candidate in the race to succeed Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican who cannot run again in 2018 because of term limits.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Cleaning out the garage is not the sexiest thing to do. It is much sexier to build a bridge or name a road or do something. But I can tell you cleaning out the garage is the most necessary function. Government grows, and if the only thing you add to it is further growth, even in a macro sense, you’re part of an ongoing problem.”—Rep. Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, on House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s approach to the legislative session
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
Molino Woman Kills Dog To Stop Attack
March 4, 2017
A Molino woman won’t be charged with a crime after she shot and killed her neighbor’s dog Friday morning.
The incident occurred about 9 a.m. in the 5700 block of Cedartown road.
The woman tried to stop a dog from attacking one of her puppies. The dog turned an the woman and she shot and killed it, according to county officials. The dog did not bite her.
The owner of the dog had previously been cited numerous times by Escambia County Animal Control, officials said.
Century Vote Certified
March 4, 2017
It’s now official…Luis Gomez, Jr. has been elected to the Century Town Council.
The Century Canvassing Board met Friday morning with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office to certify the results of Tuesday’s special election for Seat 2 on the council.
The board certified that a hand count of the vote by mail and election day ballots matched preliminary totals that were announced Tuesday night. Gomez received 119 votes, while Kevin Stead received 86.
One additional ballot was determined to be an “undervote” with the voting machine unable to read which candidate was selected. The voter marked the ballot with an “X” that did not cross into either circle for a candidate. In the event the ballot would have made a difference in the election outcome, the canvassing board would have considered which candidate the voter intended to select.
There were 205 total votes cast from among Century’s 986 registered voters….a 20.8% turnout. During last fall’s general election for mayor, Century saw a 57.6% turnout.
Bill Would Increase Pay For Jury Service
March 4, 2017
A Senate Democrat filed a proposal Friday that would increase the amounts of money that Floridians get paid to serve on juries.
The bill (SB 1606), filed by Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami, would raise the basic rate from $15 a day to $64.80 a day. Jurors who serve more than 10 days would be paid $97.20 a day, under the bill. Currently, jurors who serve more than three days get paid $30 a day.
The payments are made to jurors who are not regularly employed or who do not continue receiving their regular wages while serving on juries. Also, under the bill, payment rates would be ad
justed annually based on the inflation rate. The bill is filed for the legislative session that starts Tuesday.
by The News Service of Florida
Nine Mile Widening Project Update
March 4, 2017
Work on the Nine Mile Road widening project, between Beulah Road and Pine Forest Road, is focused on relocating utilities and clearing stormwater pond sites.
A new 16-inch water main extends the full length of the work zone, between Beulah Road and Surrey Lane (pictured top).
Work to construct one of eight stormwater retention ponds is underway. Pictured left, heavy equipment is used to clear trees and other vegetation.
The retention ponds are designed to collect storm water runoff. This reduces the potential for lowland flooding by stemming the flow of storm water to downstream areas. It also allows for natural filtration that helps remove potentially damaging contents like sediment, petroleum residue from the roadway, and pesticides from adjacent areas.
Pictured below, crews are working to install a new 16-inch water main along the south side of Nine Mile Road, adjacent to the Nature Trail subdivision. The new water main must be installed and the existing water main must be taken out of service so the new eastbound roadway can be constructed.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Extension Service: Wait Until April For Lawn Fertilizer
March 4, 2017
Most North Escambia residents want an attractive lawn this season and recent warm has weather encourages people to act now.
But, the Escambia County Extension service says to be cautious not to act too quickly with your fertilizer application. Despite warmer temperatures, it is still the recommendation to wait until April for applying nitrogen fertilizer. UF studies show that nitrogen applied before April 15 easily leaches through soil and that can lead to potential water pollution.
Escambia Extension says go ahead and use a pre-emergent herbicide in March but wait until Tax Day for fertilizer.
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.