‘Blessing To Be Away From Those Conditions’ – Century Water, Wastewater Supervisor Resigns
March 28, 2024
Century’s water and wastewater superintendent has submitted his resignation following a warning letter from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Heath Burkett signed a six-page irrevocable resignation agreement on March 7. The agreement was retroactively approved by the town council, Burkett’s resignation will be final on May 9, the agreement states.
The town received warning letters last year raising numerous deficiencies with the water and wastewater operations, and later DEP issued a warning letter specifically to Burkett, alleging numerous possible violations of Florida statutes and code by Burkett.
DEP Allegations
DEP conducted an “office file” investigation in “regard to Mr. Burkett’s drinking water and wastewater operations at the Town of Century”, a February 21 letter from the state agency stated.
DEP asserted the following against Burkett:
Drinking Water License
- Failure to perform responsible and effective on-site management of the operation, supervision, and maintenance of water treatment plants.
- Failure to submit all required reports in the manner required by the Department rules.
- Failure to maintain a separate operation and maintenance (O&M) log for each water treatment plant that is accessible and protected from weather damage.
- Knowingly submitting misleading, false, or inaccurate information in daily logbook.
- Knowingly clearing a plant for service without an operational flowmeter.
- Failure to complete required site visits and/or maintain log for site visits.
Wastewater License
- Failure to report to the Department of unauthorized domestic wastewater discharges.
- Missing site time entries in operator logbook.
- Failure to submit all required reports in the manner required by the Department rules.
- Failure to document calibration records for the dissolved oxygen meter.
Many of the allegations were included a DEP warning letter to the town, and town responded. [Details...]
Burkett Responds, Makes Allegations Against Town
In his written response to DEP, Burkett said he has been the town’s sole certified operator since 2019.
“It is a blessing to be away from those conditions,” he wrote.
“It required me to stretch my time to all those tasks that normally would not be handled by an operator on a day to day basis,” he wrote. Burkett said he trusted mayors and town councils to follow through on promises to improve staff and conditions. He stated that at one time the town had a dedicated water operator and three full time distribution and maintenance personnel.
“Even though I need a job, because my family is important to me, it is a blessing to be away from those conditions. Whomever tries to operate that system will have most of these issues due to decisions that continue to be made by the Mayor and council,” he wrote.
Burkett termed the water and wastewater operations as “ridiculous conditions”, but said his decisions were made under “severe constraints” and nothing was malicious or causing any detriment to water or wastewater quality.
“I was never the manager of any department, therefore I had no control over finances, personnel, or expenditure planning. Even though I was the supervisor of the Water Department, I was not given authority to exercise supervisor duties. The town Mayor had sole authority over all departments” he alleged.
What’s next for the town?
Century council member Alicia Johnson has taken over acting supervisor duties, according to documents filed with DEP. She is both a certified water and wastewater operator that worked for the town in those positions until her March 2019 resignation. The mayor stated that she is now volunteering her time as water and wastewater supervisor. She is compensated as a council member and continues to sit on the council.
The town council voted in February to allow the mayor to hire U.S. Water Services Corp. in New Port Richey, Florida, for up to $33,630 to address FDEP water warning letters from 2023 and a wastewater treatment plant consent order. The company will not address the most recent January 30 warning letter’s 35 items; the town’s request for proposals was issued prior to that date.
Instead, the town hired the law firm of Sundstrom and Mindlin of Tallahassee as recommended by the town attorney Matt Dannheisser to respond to the latest allegations. The second attorney will charge up to $350 per hour.
The law firm has worked to facilitate a meeting between DEP and town officials.
In the meantime, Century has reported additional sewage spills, including one due to employee negligence after a valve was not opened as required, and the well serving the Century Correctional Institution remains out of service awaiting repairs.
Hiring Process Underway
The town has posted three positions in the water department with annual salaries totaling in excess of $218,000 plus benefits.
The town is hiring a water and wastewater treatment plant superintendent with a salary up to $85,000; a water treatment plant lead operator up to $66,650; and a wastewater treatment plant operator at up to $32/hour ($66,650 per year).
No closing date for applications was posted.
Tate Army JROTC Wins Regional Drill Meet
March 28, 2024
Submitted by Cadet 1LT Jayce Latzer
The Tate Army JROTC Aggie Battalion recently traveled to Chipley to compete in the regional drill meet.
This competition is to determine what teams are allowed to go to the state drill meet in Lakeland on April 6. Out of the 12 teams, 10 of the teams are qualified for state.
Results were as follows:
-Tate Male Color Guard-1st
CMD c/MAJ Yasurek, J
-Tate Female Unarmed PLT-1st
CMD c/2Lt Elnahrawy, J
-Tate Male Armed PLT-1st
CMD c/CPT Stegall, B
-Tate Female Armed PLT-1st
CMD c/CSM Allgyer, O
-Individual Exhibition-1st
CMD c/SSG Wells, T
-Tate Unarmed Squad Male-2nd
CMD c/SFC Colston, Z
-Tate Unarmed Squad Female-2nd
CMD-c/SGT Wiggins K
-Tate Unarmed PLT-Male-2nd
CMD-c/LTC Sappington K
-Tate Armed Squad Female-2nd
CMD c/1LT Williams, K
-Dual Exhibition-2nd
c/1LT Stringer, B and c/SFC Colston, Z
-Tate Female Color Guard-3rd
CMD c/1SG Vickers, D
-Tate Armed Squad Male-3rd
CMD c/CPT Davis, B
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Falls 3-0 To Merritt Island
March 28, 2024
The Tate Aggies fell 3-0 to Merritt Island Wednesday night in Niceville.
Neal Croom struck out 10 while surrendering one hit and three runs in five and third innings on the mound for the Aggies.
Hayden St. Amant pitched for two-thirds of an inning, recording no hits and no runs while striking out one and walking two.
Maddox Land went 2-4 to lead the Aggies at bat. Conner Hassell, Ketch King and Kaleb Posta each added one hit.
The Aggies will enjoy the remainder of Spring Break before hosting the South Warren Spartans of Bowling Green, Kentucky on April 2.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Escambia County, Century Offices Closed On Good Friday; ECUA Trash Collection Unchanged
March 28, 2024
Most Escambia County and Century offices will be closed on Friday, March 29 due to the Good Friday holiday. ECUA trash collection will be unchanged.
Escambia County
In observance of Good Friday, the following Escambia County offices will be closed Friday, March 29:
- Escambia County Board of County Commissioners – all departments including:
- West Florida Public Libraries (all locations)
- Escambia County Property Appraiser
- Escambia County Tax Collector
- Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare
- Escambia County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller
- Escambia County Extension Office
- Waste Services Administration
- Escambia County Area Transit Administration
Escambia County Notes
- The Animal Welfare and Adoption Center will resume regular hours Saturday, March 30.
- The Perdido Landfill will be open Friday, March 29.
- West Florida Public Libraries will be closed Saturday, March 30. Regular hours will resume Monday, April 1.
- ECAT will operate regular service Friday, March 29, and Saturday, March 30. Bus service, including UWF trolleys, will not run Sunday, March 31. Regular service will resume Monday, April 1.
ECUA
The ECUA Customer Service office will be closed on Friday, March 29, in observance of Good Friday. However, the drive-thru payment area and all ECUA business offices will be open. All ECUA residential and commercial sanitation collections will be unaffected by the holiday and will be carried out as usual. ECUA customer service will re-open on Monday, April 1 at 8:30 am.
Town of Century
Century Town Hall will be closed on Friday, March 19 for the Good Friday holiday.
Kevin Randel Returns To Lead 2024 Blue Wahoos Coaching Staff
March 28, 2024
The Miami Marlins and Pensacola Blue Wahoos announced Wednesday that reigning Southern League Manager of the Year Kevin Randel will return for a fourth season as Pensacola’s manager in 2024 after leading the team to their best regular season winning percentage in team history in 2023. Randel’s coaching staff will include returning defensive coach Danny Black (secondnd season) and video coordinator Clay Metzger (thirrd season), as well as new pitching coach Jerad Eickhoff, hitting coach Jason Krizan, strength and conditioning coach Brandon Remalia, athletic trainer Shelby Perry, player development analyst fellow Shbieb Dabaja and coaching fellow Renny Tolentino.
“It’s great to be back in Pensacola for a fourth season,” Randel said. “The connections I’ve built with the staff, fans and community make this a great place to play, and I’m proud of the winning culture we have developed these past few years.”
Randel previously led the Blue Wahoos to a winning 57-54 record in 2021, his first year with the team, before guiding Pensacola to a Southern League championship in 2022. With Randel at the helm in 2023, the Blue Wahoos went 79-57 and returned to the Southern League Championship Series. 18 Pensacola players managed by Randel have made their Major League debuts, and his 204 managerial wins trail only Pat Kelly (218 wins from 2015-17) for the most in franchise history.
Following an eight-season playing career as an infielder in the Marlins system, Randel began his managerial career in the Marlins organization in 2015, leading the Class-A Greensboro Grasshoppers for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Randel went on to lead the High-A Jupiter Hammerheads for two years before making the move to Double-A Jacksonville in 2019.
Eickhoff joins the Blue Wahoos for his first season after a seven-year MLB career that included time with the Philadelphia Phillies (2015-19), New York Mets (2021) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2022). Selected in the 15th round of the 2011 Draft by the Texas Rangers out of Olney Central College (IL), Eickhoff was traded to the Phillies in 2015. He also spent time in the Padres and Guardians organizations, finishing his career with Triple-A Columbus in 2023.
Krizan joins the Blue Wahoos for his first season after spending 2023 as the hitting coach for High-A Winston-Salem in the Chicago White Sox organization. He was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 8th round of the 2011 Draft out of Dallas Baptist University, where he was a First-Team All-American in his senior season. After an 11-year minor league career in the Tigers, Mets and Giants organizations, he made his MLB debut for San Francisco in 2022.
Black, returning to the Blue Wahoos for his second season, played six seasons in the Marlins minor league system from 2010 to 2015, including parts of four seasons for Double-A Jacksonville in the Southern League and parts of two seasons with Triple-A New Orleans. He began his coaching career in 2018 and has served in various roles since, including as an assistant coach for Advanced-A Jupiter from 2018-2019 and as a defensive coach for Triple-A Jacksonville in 2021 and the FCL Marlins in 2022.
Perry joins the Blue Wahoos as athletic trainer after serving in the same role for High-A Beloit in 2023 and the FCL Marlins in 2022. Remalia is in his fourth season as a strength and conditioning coach in the Marlins organization after working for Class-A Jupiter in 2021 and 2022, followed by High-A Beloit in 2023. Metzger is in his third season with the Marlins and Blue Wahoos after spending the 2021 season in a video and information role with the Atlanta Braves.
The Blue Wahoos will host the Mexican League’s Sultanes de Monterrey in an exhibition series April 2 and 3, with Opening Day of the 2024 Southern League season coming Friday, April 5 at home against the Mississippi Braves.
Body Found In Wooded Area On Ascend Property: Foul Play Not Suspected
March 27, 2024
A body was located on Ascend Performance Materials property in Gonzalez Wednesday afternoon.
“Two contractors noticed what appeared to be a body in a wooded area located on Ascend Performance Materials property, but outside our facility fence line,” Ascend said in a statement released to NorthEscambia.com. “They informed our site safety team around 2:30. The sheriff’s department is currently investigating.”
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Morgan Lewis said the body was located in a wooded area off the intersection of Chemstrand Road and Junction Drive.
The death appeared to be a suicide, Lewis said.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Medical Examiner’s Office will continue their investigation and make a final determination.
Pictured: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and other resources enter gated Ascend property about 5 p.m. Wednesday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Welfare Fraud Over $11K In Food Assistance
March 27, 2024
A Cantonment woman is accused of fraudulently obtaining over $11,000 in food assistance from the state.
Arlene Jill Smith, 57, was charged with welfare fraud failure to disclose. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
The charge was brought directly by the office of State Attorney Ginger Maden against Smith, alleging that she obtained $11,359 in food stamps between November 20, 2019, and October 31, 2022, by failing to disclose or report employment and submitting false applications.
Cantonment Man Stole Vodka And A Chicken Sandwich From Walmart, Kicked Deputy, Report States
March 27, 2024
A Cantonment man was accused of stealing a chicken sandwich and a can of vodka from Walmart before kicking a deputy.
John Lynn Brinkley, 57, was charged with felony battery on a law enforcement officer and felony retail petit theft, second or subsequent offense.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Walmart at 4600 Mobile Highway where a loss prevention officer told deputies that Brinkley had taken a chicken sandwich earlier in the day. The loss prevention office said he was able to “recover” the sandwich and told Brinkley not to return to the store. Loss prevention said Brinkley returned and exited the store without paying for $4.48 can of High Noon vodka at which time he was escorted to an office, the report continues. The Walmart officer said he took a knife off Brinkley after he said something about “shanking”.
The deputy noted in the report that Brinkley appeared intoxicated as he cursed at the deputy and Walmart employee. According to the ECSO, Brinkley kicked the deputy in the leg, at which time the deputy “leg swept” Brinley, causing him to fall to the ground. EMS was called because Brinkley was bleeding profusely, and he was transported to Baptist Hospital where he was hospitalized and remote booked on charges.
Brinkley was not charged in connection with the alleged chicken sandwich theft.
New Airline To Fly From Pensacola To Tampa, Norfolk
March 27, 2024
Pensacola International Airport (PNS) is welcoming Breeze Airways with nonstop flights to Tampa (TPA) and one stop/no change of plane service to Norfolk (ORF). The two destinations will have twice-weekly service on Mondays and Fridays starting June 28. Travelers will have the opportunity to enjoy convenient and affordable flights between Pensacola, Norfolk and Tampa. This is the eighth airline to offer flights at PNS.
Flights will be offered from Pensacola to
- Tampa, Florida: Monday and Friday, starting June 28.
- Norfolk, Virginia: One stop/no change of plane “BreezeThru” service, Monday and Friday, starting June 28.
“We are excited to welcome Breeze Airways to Pensacola,” Airport Director Matt Coughlin said. “This expanded service brings additional travel choices to our customers across the area, while being their gateway to the Gulf Coast.”
Tate Aggies Falls To Milton Panthers
March 27, 2024
The Tate Aggies fell to the Milton Panthers 7-4 Tuesday night.
Zane Warrington started and took the loss for Tate, giving up four hits and six runs in three and one-third innings, striking out seven and walking two. Nate Conners went for three and two-thirds innings in relief, surrendering one hit and one run while striking out four.
Bray Touchstone was 1-4 at the plate for the Aggies with three RBIs.
Up next, the Aggies will travel to Niceville on Wednesday to take on Merritt Island at 7 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.