Century Council Member White Resigns Hours Before Tax Increase Vote
September 28, 2022
A Century council member resigned from office Tuesday hours before the council tentatively approved a property tax increase.
Council member Leonard White resigned early Tuesday afternoon, citing time constraints due to his job as correctional officer at the Century Correctional Institution.
“In this current working climate that so many employers are facing, my job has taken an unexpected toll on me with shift changes, short staff, and other matters I do not have control over,” White’s resignation letter stated. “Today, I realized with sadness that, to benefit of the Town, I must tender my resignation from Council Seat No. 3 effective immediately.” (To read White’s complete resignation letter, click here.)
“Century is my home; the place I want to help grow and be better,” he wrote.
White was elected as a political newcomer in 2020 to a term that ends the first Monday of January 2023. No one qualified to seek the seat on this year’s ballot.
Earlier this month, the council was unable to tentatively approve a budget and property tax increase after White was unable to attend a meeting due to a conflict with his job. Over the past year, he has been forced to miss numerous meetings due to his DOC job. That even led the council to move meetings from Monday to Tuesday in order to accomodate White.
With White officially off the council, that left four members present Tuesday evening for the unanimous vote needed to approve a property tax increase.
The council tentatively approved a .9204 millage rate, a 151.68% increase over the rolled back rate of 0.3657 mills. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the State of Florida as a tax increase.
The tax increase is so great that the state required a unanimous vote of the body for approval, or a special referendum at the ballot box.
The tax increase and a new budget will become official after a final hearing and affirmative vote on October 3.
Pictured: Century council member Leonard White, who resigned Tuesday, at a July 2022 meeting. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Here Are The Library Books That Teacher, School Board Member Want Reviewed
September 28, 2022
As we first reported Monday, the Language Arts Department chair at Northview High School and the chairman of the Escambia County School Board are calling for the immediate removal of about 115 books from school libraries until they can be reviewed.
Vicki Baggett has taught for over 30 years, with the last two decades at Northview. She’s compiled a growing list of over 115 books that she says are inappropriate in schools, mostly due to sexual language and graphic drawings that she believes actually violate Florida’s obscenity laws.
School Board Chairman Kevin Adams has called for the removal of the books until they can go before a review committee. They are not calling for the books to be banned, unless they violate state or federal obscenity laws. They do, however, want parental permission for students to read any of the books that pass a committee.
Baggett provided us with a 14-page list of the books, detailing exactly what she believes is wrong. The list was emailed to Escambia School District officials in four parts, beginning August 5 and ending September 14.
Due to the explicit descriptions on her list, we have chosen to make the book list available in two versions. The first is an edited list that details only the name of each book, the author and an indication if is available in elementary, middle or high school libraries in Escambia County. We are also making an unedited version available, exactly as Baggett presented to the school district.
For the edited list, without graphic descriptions, click or tap here.
The following link will load the complete, unedited list. It contains vulgarities, numerous graphic sexual references, references to bestiality and other material that some readers may find disturbing. It is not appropriate for all ages. Clicking the link signifies that you are 18 or older. For the unedited list, click or tap here.
Both lists are information as provided by Baggett to the school district. The accuracy of the information in both documents has not been independently verified by us. It is being presented as a copy of public records.
For an earlier story with more details, click or tap here.
ECUA Approves Water, Sewer And Sanitation Rate Increase, Plus Extra Sanitation Fee
September 28, 2022
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) on Tuesday formally approved rate increase for sanitation, water and wastewater services, plus an additional sanitation fee that will all go into effect on October 1.
Sanitation Rate Increase And Fee
ECUA approved a sanitation (garbage) rate increase of 6% plus the addition of a $1 per month fee to fund the construction of a new sanitation transfer station on Pine Forest Road. Customers will continue to pay the $1 per month until the transfer station is paid off, which is currently projected to be in 2043.
ECUA Executive Director Bruce Woody said Tuesday that ECUA customers may not be completely on the hook for the cost of the transfer station. He said ECUA will ask the local state legislative delegation to seek a $3 million appropriation toward the total cost that would eliminate several years of the $1 per month fee payment for customers. Exact calculations on the cost are not yet complete.
The rate increase applies to the collection fee. For the average family with one 90-gallon container, the monthly rate will increase from $26.39 to $27.67, plus the $1 fee for the transfer station. The transfer station location is the current ECUA complex at Godwin Lane and Pine Forest Road.
The motion approving the sanitation rate increase and the $1 fee passed 4-0 with board member Louis Benson absent.
Proposed Water And Wastewater Rate Increase
The ECUA board also approved a 5% rate increase for water and wastewater. For an average customer using 6,000 gallons, the increase will be less than $1 per month for water and about $2 for wastewater.
The rate increase for water and wastewater passed 4-0 with board member Louis Benson absent.
Formal Felony Fraud Charge Filed Against Contractor Matthew Banks
September 28, 2022
A felony fraud charge has been formally filed against contractor Matthew Banks.
Banks was arrested back in August in Okaloosa County on a larceny charge from the Pensacola Police Department for failing to provide a refund. Now, the State Attorney’s Office has formally charged Banks with felony fraud.
A Pensacola resident paid Banks $6,740 by check for a renovation on North G Street in Pensacola. Banks, according to police, never started work and would not provide a refund despite the homeowner’s demand.
It is the only known formal criminal charge against Banks. However, the contractor oversight boards in both Escambia and Santa Rosa counties have taken multiple actions against him and ordered him to pay well over $1 million in restitution.
State officials have said they expect additional criminal charges will be filed against Banks as an investigation continues.
Blue Wahoos Still Alive In Championship Series After 7-1 Win Over Smokies
September 28, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos forced a winner-take-all Game Three of the Southern League Championship Series on Tuesday night, defeating the Tennessee Smokies by a score of 7-1.
Trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning with two outs, the Blue Wahoos exploded for seven runs against the Tennessee bullpen. The win sets up a decisive game in Tennessee on Wednesday with the Southern League Championship on the line.
Patrick Monteverde (W, 1-0) was sharp for Pensacola, delivering 5.0 solid innings, though he surrendered an RBI double to Yonathan Perlaza in the third to give the Smokies a 1-0 lead.
Tennessee starter Riley Thompson was even better, tossing 5.0 scoreless frames for the Smokies, but was failed by his bullpen. Will Banfield led off the sixth with a double against Dalton Stambaugh, and Cobie Fletcher-Vance tied the game with a two-out RBI single against Michael McAvene (L, 0-1). Things snowballed on McAvene in his Double-A debut, as Davis Bradshaw and Marcus Chiu singled to load the bases before Thomas Jones drew a walk to force in the go-ahead run.
Demetrius Sims followed with a chopper to deep third that was thrown into foul territory, scoring two more runs to extend the lead to 4-1. RBI singles from Banfield and Norel González capped the seven-run outburst, putting the Blue Wahoos ahead for good.
Cody Mincey and Andrew McInvale worked the final four innings in relief of Monteverde to close out the win.
Game three of the Southern League Championship Series from Smokies Stadium takes place Wednesday evening.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
FHP Seeks Driver After Fatal Motorcycle Hit And Run In Santa Rosa County
September 27, 2022
The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a hit and run driver that killed a motorcyclist Monday night in Santa Rosa County.
About 9:40 p.m. a red Ford Focus turned left from Oakleaf Drive onto Hamilton Bridge Road, directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle operated by a 29-year old Utica, Mississippi, man. The motorcyclist was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where he later died.
FHP said the driver of the Ford Focus fled the scene on foot. He was described as a white male, about 6-feet tall, with a large build and blondish hair.
Anyone with information is asked to contact troopers by calling *FHP or Crime Stoppers.
Northview Teacher, School Board Chair Call For Review Of Over 100 ‘Obscene’ Books; School Board To Address Book Policy
September 27, 2022
The Language Arts Department chair at Northview High School and the chairman of the Escambia County School Board are calling for the immediate removal of over 115 books from school libraries until they can be reviewed.
Both are clear they are not out to randomly ban books.
Vicki Baggett has taught for over 30 years, with the last two decades at Northview. She’s compiled a growing list of 116 books that she says are inappropriate in schools, mostly due to sexual language and graphic drawings that she believes actually violate Florida’s obscenity laws.
She provided NorthEscambia.com with 14 pages listing the books available in Escambia County middle and high school libraries and cited hundreds of graphic and sexually explicit references. To see the book list, click or tap here.
Editor’s note: The remainder of this story includes content that some readers may find offensive or may not be appropriate for all ages.
Many of the books books on her list contain graphic and descriptive sexual language, include pedophilia and bestiality. One book uses the F-word 116 times. The are numerous books containing underage sex, what she termed “alternate sexualties”, “explicit violent content”, self-mutilation, suicide, rape, racism, and graphic drawings.
“I have asked the superintendent to quarantine or remove from circulation the challenged books until a review consistent with state statute is conducted,” School Board Chairman Kevin Adams said of Baggett’s list.
So far, that has not happened.
“The School Board has the authority to remove books from its libraries; however, it cannot do so simply because it disagrees with the message of a book or it offends the personal morals of an individual,” School Board General Counsel Ellen Odom said in an emailed statement on Monday. “Through the review process, if the School Board determines that a particular book is pornographic or obscene, is not suited to student needs and their ability to comprehend the material presented, is inappropriate for the grade level and age group for which the material is used, or is factually inaccurate or misleading, it can direct the removal of such book.”
Adams and Baggett both said it’s not a matter of banning books based upon their personal beliefs; rather, it’s a matter of using tax money to purchase obscene material and taking away parental choice. Both said parents have the right to allow their children access to the books through the public library or bookstores.
Several of the books are winners of major literary awards and accolades, but both said the books need to be reviewed to determine if they are age-appropriate for middle or high school readers.
“The biggest thing is we have to ensure children cannot access age inappropriate material without parental approval,” Adams said. “We have to respect parental rights.”
Adams pointed out that every Escambia County school student receives a library card for the West Florida Public Libraries, and some of the books can be accessed at those public libraries. “Would I advocate that? No. But they can,” he said.
“We have a rating system for everything. We have a rating system for movies. We have a rating system for music. Why don’t we have a rating system for books? We can even do that in the library,” Baggett.
The Escambia County School Board has scheduled a special workshop for 8 a.m. on October 10 to discuss a revised school library collection development policy and educational media review policy to ensure consistency with a recently passed state law, HB 1467, which requires school districts to be transparent in the selection of instructional materials, including library and reading materials.
To see the book list, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com will continue to follow this story.
Escambia County Mounted Posse Holds Demonstration For Molino Neighborhood Watch Group
September 27, 2022
The Escambia County Mounted Posse held a demonstration Monday evening for the Molino Mid-County Neighborhood Watch. The group will meet next at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 24 at the Molino Community Center on Highway 95A. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver’s License Services, Vehicle Registration Available In Century On October 4
September 27, 2022
The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office will return to Century next month.
FLOW is a standalone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.
Vehicle registrations can be renewed up to three months and driver licenses up to 18 months in advance of expiration.
The FLOW mobile office will be at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 North Century Boulevard on Tuesday, October 4 from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Citizens using the FLOW services are encouraged to visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com and click the “What Do I Bring” button for information on what is needed for these services. Staff from the tax collector’s office will be on hand to answer all FLOW service questions and questions concerning all other tax collector services such as property tax, business tax receipts, concealed weapons licensing, etc.
Pictured: The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office at the courthouse in Century in June 2022. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wendy Meredith Named Escambia Extension Expanded Food & Nutrition Manager
September 27, 2022
Wendy Meredith is the new program manager for the Escambia Extension Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
Meredith is no stranger to Extension or EFNEP as she has served as a nutrition educator for 13 years teaching adult clientele across Escambia County. In her new role, she will supervise and train youth and adult nutrition educators as well as work directly with sites who will benefit from EFNEP programming.