Florida Gov’t Weekly Roundup: Out Of The Shadows
October 30, 2016
At times, as Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have fought each other in the presidential race, the battle between incumbent U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Republican, and Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy has seemed like a quiet undercard.
It hasn’t helped that national Democrats have been withdrawing their advertising support for Murphy to funnel money to Senate races in other states that seem more promising. Or that Florida plays just as important a role in the race for the White House as it does in the jockeying for control of the Senate — if not more so.
With the presidential candidates and their surrogates still zipping around Florida this week, it wasn’t possible for the Senate race to emerge completely from the shadows. But it got some air time thanks to a debate on Wednesday that was broadcast statewide — one that probably had more than a few Florida voters scratching their heads and wondering what a “peshmerga” was.
As for the shadow of the presidential race: Attorney General Pam Bondi found herself pondering the suitability of Trump as a role model despite crude comments about women captured on a 2005 videotape and allegations that the businessman-turned-politician sexually assaulted multiple women.
Meanwhile, state regulators pondered a proposed increase in electric rates that could cost consumers more than $800 million over three years. With the presidential and Senate races consuming so much oxygen, though, little attention was paid to that.
YOU SAY ‘PESHMERGA’ …
Every candidate comes to a debate with a message he or she wants to drive. For Murphy at Wednesday’s showdown with Rubio, that message was all about one man: Trump. It got to the point that Rubio called out Murphy’s focus on the unpopular GOP candidate, whom Rubio has warily endorsed.
“Basically, the answer to every question tonight by Congressman Murphy is ‘Donald Trump,’ ” Rubio quipped after Murphy pivoted from a question about police brutality to invoke the GOP presidential candidate.
Murphy, a congressman from Jupiter, gave as good as he got in parts of the debate, held at Bailey Hall on the campus of Broward College.
“If you voted as much as you lied, you might actually be a decent senator,” Murphy said in one exchange.
But he might have made a misstep on foreign policy, when he suggested that Kurdish militiamen known as peshmerga were active in the Syrian civil war, which helped breathe new life into the self-proclaimed Islamic State, a terrorist organization that the United States is attacking. Murphy also suggested that Trump didn’t know much about the conflict.
Rubio, sensing an opening, pounced.
“Can I just say, because he criticized someone for not knowing the facts about the region: Congressman, there are no peshmerga in Syria,” Rubio responded “The peshmerga are Iraqi.”
“And they are helping us fight,” Murphy said.
“In Iraq, not in Syria,” Rubio shot back.
Some of Murphy’s surrogates came to his defense after the debate, but for those who were watching it live, the damage might have already been done. In any case, it was hard to see evidence of a knockout blow for Murphy, who entered the showdown as an underdog.
Rubio was up four points in a poll released by Florida Atlantic University on the day of the debate. That put the senator a few points ahead of Trump, who was losing to Clinton in the battle for the state’s 29 electoral votes. Murphy’s strongest shot at winning now might be to grab Clinton’s coattails and hold on.
BATTLEGROUND FLORIDA
With it probably a must-win for Trump, Florida is a key battleground state in the Nov. 8 presidential election. After all, if Clinton can claim the state, it would likely be the death knell for Trump’s unlikely campaign.
That has led to both sides waging an all-out war for Florida, which means visiting even those corners of the state that might seem unlikely spots. And so Trump headed to Tallahassee on Tuesday, to campaign in a Democratic stronghold in the middle of solidly Republican North Florida.
There was no lack of people at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, though, and the businessman urged his supporters to get out and cast their ballots so that his administration could “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C.
“Our country is rigged, it’s crooked and it’s broken. … The criminal conduct of Hillary Clinton threatens the foundations of our democracy; it really does,” Trump said. “But we’re going to turn it around. A new day begins for America and it starts on Nov. 8. Get out and vote.”
House before the rally, Bondi found herself facing questions about whether Trump was a good role model. The attorney general was the first statewide official to support Trump during his campaign, and reporters talked to her Tuesday about the continuing revelations about Trump’s treatment of women.
Although Bondi has condemned Trump’s lewd remarks about women recorded by an “Access Hollywood” TV crew in 2005, Bondi said she believes Trump will be a good role model for the nation.
“I know Donald Trump. I have seen him evolve in the last 14 months,” Bondi said. “I think he will be an excellent role model. I know he has raised wonderful kids.”
The Clinton campaign made its presence felt in the Florida capital as well. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Clinton’s running mate, swung by Florida State University on Friday.
Kaine said a Clinton administration needs a Congress it can work with. He also decried Trump as running an “insult driven campaign,” acting as an apparent “defense attorney” for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and disparaging women, veterans, people with disabilities, parents of a dead service member, immigrants and Muslims.
“You want to have somebody who knows that Trumpism is something we should reject,” Kaine said.
AARP TAKES ON FPL
Away from the spotlight of the presidential campaign, Florida Power & Light was fighting off a challenge from the senior-advocacy group AARP, as the utility attempts to get the Public Service Commission to approve $811 million in rate increases over three years.
AARP said the hike in base electric rates would be a boon to stockholders, though the increases would be lower than what the utility originally sought. FPL argued that the proposal — included in a settlement with a state consumer advocate and two groups that challenged the original request — would provide customers with predictable rates and would help expand the company’s use of solar energy.
The settlement would allow FPL to annually receive up to an 11.6 return on equity, a measure of profit. Michael Brosch, who is president of the consulting firm Utilitech, Inc. and who spoke on behalf of AARP, said FPL hasn’t made financial forecasts for the years after 2018 to back the need for increases. Instead, he said FPL customers should get a single rate reduction in 2017, with the company having to come back in subsequent years for any further rate changes as costs become more certain.
“There is simply no way to accurately determine the company’s actual financial needs for four years into the future,” Brosch said.
FPL initially requested that base rates increase $1.3 billion over three years, before agreeing to the lower amount. The state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues, the Florida Retail Federation and the South Florida Hospital & Health Association agreed to the rate settlement. The retail and health-care groups often are involved in utility cases.
“The proposed agreement would allow us to build on our track record and support investments that would further improve service reliability, allow us to restore power even faster, and make our system cleaner and more efficient,” FPL spokeswoman Alys Daly said.
The Public Service Commission would have to approve the settlement, and a decision is expected by December.
STORY OF THE WEEK: Sen. Marco Rubio and Congressman Patrick Murphy held a high-stakes debate in the battle to decide whether Rubio will be re-elected for a second six-year term.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I’d love that. I’d love that. Mr. Tough Guy. He’s Mr. Tough Guy. You know when he’s Mr. Tough Guy? When he’s standing behind a microphone by himself. … Some things in life you could really love doing.”—Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, responding to Vice President Joe Biden’s recent remarks that he would like to take Trump “behind the gym.”
by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida
UWF Drops Home Game To West Alabama, 45-21
October 30, 2016
The UWF Football team dropped a 45-21 decision to a very strong West Alabama squad at Blue Wahoos Stadium Saturday.
UWF (5-4, 3-3 Gulf South Conference) finished with 349 yards of total offense and quarterbacks Kaleb Nobles and Grey Jackson combined to throw for 248 yards on 31-of-59 with two touchdowns.
The loss before another impressive crowd was the first in four home games during the inaugural 2016 season. Saturday’s attendance was 6,088, giving UWF an average of 6,388 with one home date remaining.
UWA (6-3, 6-1) scored 38 unanswered points to break a 7-7 tie and grab a 45-7 lead on its way to a fifth-consecutive victory. The Tigers outgained the Argonauts 536-to-349 and had 490 through the air. Austin Grammer was 41-of-56 for 493 yards and three touchdowns.
UWA got out to a 7-0 lead five minutes into the game when Grammer connected with Barnard McGhee from 20 yards. UWF knotted it up 2:29 later on a Nobles-to-Antoine Griffin strike from 32 yards.
The teams then failed to score on the next seven possessions before the Tigers grabbed the lead for good when Lakendric Thomas scored from three yards to cap a 12-play, 87-yard drive. Grammer found McGhee two more times for scores before the half to send the visitors in the locker room with a 28-7 advantage.
UWA scored 17 points in the third quarter while putting up 181 yards of offense in the frame.
UWF scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, with Jackson leading both drives. He scampered 22 yards up the middle on the second play of the quarter before hooking up with Ishmel Morrow on a 14-yard pass to complete the scoring.
Griffin and Tate Lehtio led the Argo receiving corps with six catches for 59 yards apiece. Morrow caught four balls for 50 yards and Anas Hasic recorded five catches for 33 yards. Jackson was the team’s leading rusher, piling up 73 yards on five carries.
On defense, Leroy Taylor had a game-high eight tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass break up.
UWF will return to action next Saturday when it travels to Florence, Ala. to take on No. 7 North Alabama (6-1, 5-0) in its final road game of the year.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Missing Senior Citizen Found Near Century
October 29, 2016
An elderly Beulah woman missing for a week was found Saturday afternoon near Century.
Shirley Cooey, 83, had been missing since last Saturday night from the 8700 block of Rebel Road.
Family members said she was severely dehydrated, both otherwise in good condition. She was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
Crash And Burn: One Injured In Highway 97 Wreck
October 29, 2016
One person was injured in a crash and burn accident late Friday night south of Walnut Hill.
The accident happened about 11 p.m. on Highway 97 just north of Tungoil Road. The driver of a SUV lost control, ran off the roadway and overturned in ditch. The adult male driver was able to escape the vehicle before it burst into flames. The driver suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Atmore Community Hospital by ambulance.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Teen Driver Uninjured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash
October 29, 2016
There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident early Saturday morning near Walnut Hill.
The 17-year old driver of a Nissan Maxima was northbound on Highway 97 just north of Gobbler Road about 3:20 a.m. when she lost control, left the roadway and became airborne after hitting a concrete culvert. The vehicle came to rest upside down in a culvert. The driver refused medical treatment.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further details have not been released.
The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Heading To Playoffs After Win Over Pine Forest
October 29, 2016
The Tate Aggies defeated the Pine Forest Eagles 28-23 Friday night to give the Aggies a second place finish in District 1-6A.
The Aggies first points came on a Jack Henry to Raymond Freeman touchdown pass.
By the fourth quarter, the game was tied at 21 when a pass from Henry was deflected into the hands of Corey Young who ran it in from 45 yards out and the go-ahead score.
Tate (8-2, 3-1) has an open date next week for the final game of the regular season before heading into the playoff series on November 11 at the Gulf Breeze Dolphins.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
73-Year Old Sex Offender Arrested On Child Porn Charges
October 29, 2016
A registered sex offender in Escambia County was arrested Friday for child pornography.
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with assistance from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Homeland Security arrested Hobart Arthur Simpson, 73, of 6763 Rickwood Drive on one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transmission of child pornography.
FDLE agents executed a search warrant at Simpson’s residence Friday morning and several items of digital evidence were recovered for forensic examination.
Simpson was booked into the Escambia County Jail.
Baker Beats Northview; Chiefs Still In Playoffs
October 29, 2016
The Baker Gators beat the Northview Chiefs 38-0 Friday night in Baker. With the win, the Baker Gators claimed the 1-1A title, dropping the Chiefs into the runner-up spot.
The Chiefs earned consecutive district titles in 2012 with a 40-6 blowout over Baker, but the Gators have now claimed four straight titles from the Chiefs.
Friday night’s loss was not even a close one, with the Gators dominating the Chiefs in every aspect.
“It was not a good game in any phase of it,” Northview Head Coach Derek Marshman said. “We didn’t play good enough to win. We didn’t coach good enough, we didn’t execute good enough…there’s no excuses for it. They were the better team tonight in every facet of the game.
Next Friday night, the Chiefs have an open date for the final week of the regular season as they prepare for their shot at the road to Orlando.
“We have two weeks to go back and focus on us,” he said. “That’s the beauty of having a bye week right before the playoffs. We don’t have to worry about an opponent next week. It’s like having a faceless opponent that will allow us to focus on getting better at what we do.
In the first round of the playoffs on November 11, the Chiefs (6-4, 1-1) will travel to Graceville (6-3, 4-1) while Baker will host Cottondale. The two winners will face off on November 15, setting up a possible rematch between Northview and Baker.
Look for additional photos by Monday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Groundbreaking Held For Beulah Middle School
October 29, 2016
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday for the new Beulah Middle School on West Nine Mile Road, setting into motion a much larger plan that will see major changes for West Florida High, Ransom Middle and Woodham Middle schools.
Beulah Middle School, home of the Beulah Bears, will be constructed at 6001 West Nine Mile Road on the former Coastal Airport property. The $45 to $48 million dollar school will have a capacity 1,100 to 1,300 students.
Students will be relocated to the new school from Woodham Midde, while hundreds will be rezoned from the overcrowded Ransom Middle.
A new $25 million, 800 student elementary school will be constructed adjacent to Ransom Middle School on property already owned by the district. It will help alleviate overcrowding at Beulah and Pine Meadow elementary schools. The Ransom property currently being used by Tate High School for agriculture and by the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center will not be affected.
Both schools will be funded with Local Option Sales Tax dollars and should be ready for classes by the 2018-2019 school year.
The current Woodham Middle facility will be renovated for $3 to $5 million to house West Florida High School, providing the school with improved athletic facilities including a stadium and field house. Brown Barge Middle School and PATS Center students will be relocated to the current West Florida High campus adjacent to Pine Forest High School.
Photos by Kim Stefansson, ECSD, for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Football Star Trent Richardson Spotted At Girls Softball In Walnut Hill
October 29, 2016
Football star Trent Richardson was in Walnut Hill Friday night, enjoying girls softball action at Northwest Escambia’s Bradberry Park as the Diamond Divas hosted Perdido Key. Richardson was there cheering on his daughter who is playing her first year of softball for Perdido Key.
Richardson is pictured with Diamond Divas player Jamison Gilman.
Richardson, an Escambia High School grad, played college ball at Alabama where he was an All-American and member of two BCS National Championship teams. He went on to play for the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and signed with the Oakland Raiders before being released in August 2015. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens in April 2016 but was waived in August 2016. He is currently a free agent.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.