Morgan sworn in
Posted in: Escambia County | Comments (2)
David Morgan is now officially the sheriff of Escambia County. He received his commission from Gov. Charlie Crist, via Chief Deputy Clerk of Courts Lisa Bernau, and was sworn in by Chief Judge Kim A. Skievaski before a standing room only crowd in the Escambia County Commission chambers.
Morgan told the citizens, public officials and law enforcement officers in attendance that he will lead the ECSO department and will return the department to being a service organization.
“I will never dishonor this office either by acts of omission or commission,” Morgan said in his remarks to the audience.
Rick Outzen @ January 6, 2009
Gulf Breeze Loan Pool blasted in Century
Posted in: Escambia County | Comments (0)
Someone is circulating flyers in Century blasting the Gulf Breeze Loan Pool. It claims the City of Gulf Breeze and its loan program are under investigation by the Department of Justice.
Matt Dannheisser, Gulf Breeze’s attorney, has responded, “Although there is currently an ongoing nationwide Department of Justice investigation of various major players in the public finance industry (e.g., underwriters, insurers, financial advisers, derivative providers, etc.), neither the Town of Century nor the City of Gulf Breeze nor Capital Trust Agency are involved in the investigation and there has not been the slightest assertion of wrongdoing on their parts.”
See the flyer and read more on NorthEscambia.com.
Rick Outzen @ January 6, 2009
Owens talk of Judicial Center
Posted in: Escambia Co. Politics | Comments (4)
Newly-elected Public Defender James Owens had the Blanchard Judicial Center buzzing yesterday. Long-time employees were dismissed and told to pack their things and not return to work today. There is a persistent rumor that more will happen today. We hear that the locks on the PD offices have been changed and several employees will find that they have been locked out of their old offices.
The PNJ is doing a good job of covering this. Let’s see what unfolds today.
Rick Outzen @ January 6, 2009
Boone Report: Pate is back
Posted in: Pensacola | Comments (0)
News: Pate Goes Back To Council On Thursday
by Sean Boone
Last month City Council voted down a staff recommended lease amendment for the Pate Stevedore Company on port property.
But with a few number adjustments presented on Monday to the Committee of the Whole, Pate might now get another shot at its original goal.
In a vote of 7-2, Council committee members approved a motion to review a new lease for Pate after it agreed to make changes to its initial proposal.
The changes would not affect the five-year renewal requirement that was originally proposed or a 50 percent entity ownership that company would possess as a member of the port, but would change the size of its proposed expansion on the property.
A spokeswoman for Pate told members the company was willing to downgrade its initial expansion goal of 30,000 sq. feet to 25,000 sq. feet. She said the company would be losing 10,000 sq. feet of storage and freezer space, but was willing to make adjustments to get a lease agreement passed.
The expansion is expected to create 46 new jobs all above $12 per hour, according to the company’s initial assessment.
The new figures are to be reviewed by City staff to see if they are financially appropriate for the port and will be given to City Council before its regular meeting on Thursday.
Rick Outzen @ January 6, 2009
Sansom resigns from college
Posted in: Florida | Comments (2)
Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom has resigned from his vice president position at Northwest Florida State College. This is the statement that he read to the House:
” Members, before we get started I’d like to make a brief, personal announcement.
Together with my family, I have decided to resign from my position as a vice president at Northwest Florida State College.
This has not been an easy decision for me to make. I accepted my position at the college with pure intentions and for good reasons. I have long had a passion for education, and I have spent decades working to expand the opportunities available to the people of northwest Florida. Given my interests and my professional experience, serving at the college was a natural next step, and it took me back to an institution that I love and without which I could not have gotten a college degree. God willing, I had hoped to still be working at the college long after my service in elected office was over.
Unfortunately, some have disagreed with my decision to work at the college. While I do not question their motives, I strongly object to their conclusions. In all my years in public service, I have sought to act in a manner worthy of the trust that the people have placed in me.
When I became Speaker of the House, I made a commitment to you and to the people of Florida that I would put this office and this institution above any personal interests of my own. I will not, and cannot, allow any controversy over my position at the college to divert our focus from serving the needs of the people we represent.
In the weeks since I became Speaker, many of you-Republicans and Democrats alike-have offered my family and me words of support and encouragement, and we sincerely thank you for that.
I appreciate your indulgence in allowing me to make these personal remarks. Now let’s get down to the business of this special session.”
Rick Outzen @ January 5, 2009
Craig will join ECSO
Posted in: Escambia County | Comments (18)
David Craig, the producer and founder of the Reality News Network, will a part of the Morgan administration in the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Craig will be in charge of the ECSO’s community relations.
Craig served as Morgan’s press adviser during the campaign.
Note: Sheriff Morgan called to say that David Craig will be in charge of the ECSO community relations, but will not be a commissioned officer. He will not be a colonel as earlier reported.
Rick Outzen @ January 5, 2009
Open letter to Pensacola City Council
Posted in: Pensacola | Comments (7)
January 2, 2009
Dear Council Members:
At its meeting on December 11th the City Council failed to approve the Pate Stevedore Company (”PATE”) Lease Amendment #1. I attended that Council meeting and made some comments regarding Lease Amendment #1 (the “Amendment”). I also submitted a written outline of my comments to the council. After the meeting, Mr. Pate’s wife, on his behalf, asked me for a copy of my remarks as did Amy Miller, Port Administrator, and I gave them both a copy. In addition, since the meeting, in order to address issues raised by council members and to address issues I raised at the meeting, I met with the city attorney, Rusty Wells, and I met again with the Port Administrator. (I had previously met with Ms Miller and Clyde Mathis, the Port Director, regarding the Amendment.) From these discussions, I learned that, in order to assure that city council members approve a lease amendment, the negotiating parties are willing to address certain issues and renegotiate certain terms of the lease.
Rick Outzen @ January 5, 2009
Pratt joins blogosphere
Posted in: Pensacola, Pensacola Politics | Comments (0)
From Pensacola City Council-elect Megan Pratt:
I mulled creating a website vs creating a blog for a while. Finally bit the bullet and started a blog since it was faster than creating a website. It is located at http://meganprattd9.blogspot.com/. I have just put my first legitimate content up, on recycling. Thought you might like to know about it, and perhaps you could share the address with your blog readers.
Rick Outzen @ January 5, 2009
Bigger ECSO presence on the beach
Posted in: Escambia County Sheriff's Office | Comments (2)
Sheriff-elect David Morgan plans to reactivate the law enforcement reserve program. These volunteers will be used to give the ECSO a stronger presence on Pensacola Beach and other parts of Escambia County.
“I don’t know why the prior administration let this program lapse,” says Morgan. “These are fully certified law enforcement officers that want to help.”
Morgan also plans to walk the neighborhoods in Montclair, Brownsville, Century and other crime-ridden areas to let the criminals know the ECSO is taking back those neighborhoods.
“This will be more than a one-time sweep of the area. We will maintain a constant presence. We will walk through the neighborhoods and let the community know we will be back. It may be in two months, two weeks or two hours. The criminals will never know.”
Morgan plans to meet with area ministers, Movement for Change and the ACLU and give them unfettered access to the Escambia County Jail.
“They will be able to walk into the jail at any hour of the day, talk with the corrections and visit with prisoners.”
Morgan hopes this will help rebuild trust with the community and confidence in the operations of the Escambia County Jail.
BTW: December 31 was Ron McNesby’s last day in the office. He signed over his authority and turned in his keys. Morgan is sworn in Tuesday, January 6, 9 a.m.
Rick Outzen @ January 5, 2009
Salamander halts 98 Bypass
Posted in: Transportation | Comments (0)
The goal of the Hwy 98 Bypass it to reduce the driving time from Pensacola to Panama City to one hour and 45 minutes. The price tag is $3 billion for the toll road. The cost for the environmental impact study is $20 million - $3-$4 million extra for the salamander study.
Read more.
Rick Outzen @ January 5, 2009
Ticket sports host convicted
Posted in: Media | Comments (0)
Scott McKinney, co-host of “Southern Sports Tonight” and “Morning Wrap” on 98.1 FM The Ticket, pleaded guilty Jan. 2 to nine counts of theft and one count each of organized fraud, money laundering and racketeering.
The Daily News reports: “Eight of the theft charges involved money taken from investors in McKinney’s Southern Sports Tonight radio program. The ninth involved McKinney using his ex-fiancé’s credit card to steal about $10,000 from her.”
McKinney will serve a minimum of 1 year and a day in prison, but will (amazingly?) stay on the air until his sentencing.
Read more.
Rick Outzen @ January 5, 2009
Walker Holmes: Chapter 6
Posted in: Walker Holmes | Comments (0)
The Walker Holmes mystery “Deadline” continues.
Remember the events depicted in this novella are fictitious. Any similarity to any person living or dead is merely coincidental. I have used some real places, but the characters are unique.
And as always with my writing, please forgive the typos.
DEADLINE
Chapter Six - Coffee with Frost chapter-6a
Chapter Five - Grinding Out the Issue chapter-5a
Chapter Four - Chili Dog Surprise chapter-4
Chapter Three - Frost Beckons: chapter-3-a
Chapter Two - Dare’s Request: chapter-2-a
Chapter One - Another Pensacola Day: chapter-1a
Rick Outzen @ January 3, 2009
News Channel ratings
Posted in: Media | Comments (0)
LA Times reports: “Fox News racked up its seventh straight year as the most-watched cable news channel, delivering an average prime-time viewership of 2.1 million, 40% more than 2007, according to data released Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research. CNN placed second with 1.3 million, up 69%, while MSNBC drew 920,000, a boost of 82%.”
Rick Outzen @ January 2, 2009
Studer Group offers scholarships
Posted in: Escambia County | Comments (0)
Press Release
Studer Group will be hosting an institute on Pensacola Beach that will teach attendees skills needed to produce better bottom line results during tough economic times. Best practices in staff accountability, selection, development and customer service will be some of the topics covered during this session. Studer Group CEO, Quint Studer, and National Speaker, Bob Murphy, will be presenting. In addition a surprise guest will be participating in this year’s conference.
Dave DeBlander, owner of Pro Clean Fine Rug, Carpet & Tile Care, Clean Ducks Air Duct Cleaning Specialists and Marblelife of NW Florida, attended the January of 2008 TYYO, and had this to say about his participation, “Last year’s TYYO changed my life. The ideas that were presented enabled my business to go turn-key, thus increasing the quality of my life and the profitability of my business. If there was one seminar that I would suggest a business owner attend this would have to be it. Since my participation in this seminar the change that has taken place in my business in getting my employees to be the best that they can be has been amazing.”
Mr. DeBlanders business was also recognized in October of 2008 as Small Business of the Month by the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce and as the Affiliate of the Year by the Pensacola Association of Realtors.
The registration fee of $1,200 per person will be waived for local attendees who register in advance for a free scholarship to attend. Local attendees will be joined by hundreds of business leaders from twenty three states and Canada for the seminar.
According to Debbie Ritchie, Senior Operations Leader at Studer Group, “We always try to schedule our January session in Pensacola to give the local economy a boost during the off-season. We also feel that the local attendees who receive the local scholarships will take away new tools and tactics that will help them to build stronger local companies and organizations, which also should benefit the local economy.”
To apply for a free registration scholarship for the two day session, please email Judy Harrison at Judy@studergroup.com .
Rick Outzen @ January 2, 2009
Staff delays CMP to Jan. 28
Posted in: COMMUNITY MARITIME PARK | Comments (14)
The Pensacola City Council received a memo from interim City Manager Al Coby informing them that a City Council Workshop on the master developer agreement has been set for Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. As I feared, the city staff is slowing down the CMP process to a crawl.
Citizens approved the CMP in September 2006. The CMPA board of trustees approved the Land Capital as the master developer in August 2008. Nothing happens quickly in the City of Pensacola unless its a hotel lease at the airport or a lease agreement at the Port of Pensacola.
Rick Outzen @ January 2, 2009
Special Session has limits
Posted in: Florida | Comments (2)
Next week, the Florida Legislature will hold a special session to deal with the state budget crisis. There are some limits placed on the session by Senate president Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Ray Sansom.
The lawmakers can not consider any changes to the alcohol or tobacco taxes. They can however:
*Redirect trust revenues and balances to the General Revenue Fund,
*Streamline (cut?) educational programs,
*Make adjustments to fees and fines relating to traffic enforcement and to civil and criminal fees, fines, and penalties,
*Authorize a pilot program to provide up to $10 million in small business loans,
*Authorize intergovemmental transfers
Read the Call to Session: specialsession
Rick Outzen @ January 2, 2009
IN website have a strong December
Posted in: Independent News | Comments (0)
Our page views and visitors jumped 61 percent in December 2008 for both this blog and inweekly.net. Our page views totaled 591,372. Just when I think it will taper off, we jump to a new level.
Rick Outzen @ January 1, 2009
Is Baptist/West Florida deal off?
Posted in: Uncategorized, healthcare | Comments (1)
Nearly a month ago, I reported on this blog that Baptist Healthcare’s purchase of West Florida Hospital had fallen through…a victim of the tight bond market (Buzz: Baptist/West Florida deal off). At that time, both parties denied the rumor.
Today Carlton Proctor reports the deal has been canceled and “Baptist’s efforts to secure some $515 million in financing had hit a stone wall.”
Rick Outzen @ January 1, 2009
Morgan - 2008 Person of Year
Posted in: Uncategorized | Comments (2)
Sheriff-elect David Morgan won the IN poll for 2008 Person of the Year. Bob Kerrigan and Lumpy DeWeese placed second and third respectively. Total votes cast: 15,573
Rick Outzen @ January 1, 2009
Walker Holmes: Chapter 5
Posted in: Walker Holmes | Comments (0)
The Walker Holmes mystery “Deadline” continues.
Remember the events depicted in this novella are fictitious. Any similarity to any person living or dead is merely coincidental. I have used some real places, but the characters are unique
And as always with my writing, please forgive the typos.
DEADLINE
Chapter Five - Grinding Out the Issue chapter-51
Chapter Four - Chili Dog Surprise chapter-4
Chapter Three - Frost Beckons: chapter-3-a
Chapter Two - Dare’s Request: chapter-2-a
Chapter One - Another Pensacola Day: chapter-1a
Rick Outzen @ January 1, 2009
Three 2008 developments never happened
Posted in: Escambia County | Comments (0)
Jan. 1, 2008, Carlton Proctor wrote in the daily newspaper about six commercial and residential projects under way in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties should “pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy and help keep the jobless rate near all-time lows.”
A year later, only Seashells Collections in Gulf Breeze is open and another as broken ground - $27 million expansion of the Pall Corporation at Ellyson.
Three are delayed or have fallen apart completely are:
* Jubilee - 2700+ acre residential community in Pace area.
* Hawkshaw Village - near Gulf Power off Bayfront Parkway.
* Gulfview Marina on Bayou Chico (old Runyan Shipyard)
One more - Indigo Hotel on Pensacola Beach - is still being discussed. It’s slated to open in mid-2010.
Rick Outzen @ January 1, 2009
Year in Review 2007
Posted in: Uncategorized | Comments (0)
In 2007 we covered volunteer firefighters, human trafficking, Pensacola’s lynchings and government salaries among other issues.
1. “Burning Down the House,” April 5
2. “Shauna’s Story of Slavery,” June 7
3. “Lillie & Leander: A Legacy of Violence,” April 19
4. “ChaChing!” Aug. 9
5. “The Ultimate Challenge,” Aug. 30
6. “Who’s The Man?” June 14
7. “Are You Immune to Arrest?” May 24
8. “The War on Gangs?” Oct. 25
9. “Outzen for President,” Dec. 6
10. “Charter Schools in the Red,” May 3
Rick Outzen @ December 31, 2008
He’s BAAAAAAAAACK
Posted in: COMMUNITY MARITIME PARK | Comments (8)
Save Our City founder Charles Fairchild is back and is appears to be once again out to derail the Community Maritime Park. His new group is called Citizens for Constitutional Integrity, Inc. They are sponsoring a seminar in January.
Citizens for Constitutional Integrity, Inc.
P.O. Box 464
Pensacola, FL 32591
Email: thechair@cox.net
Ring: 850-221-3839
Press Release
The public is invited to attend an open meeting:
Agenda:
1. Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law: Florida attorney, Sharon Barnett will discuss the history of Florida’s Sunshine Law, how it works, and why it is important.
2. The Government-in-the-Sunshine lawsuit against the CMPA Board: CCI Chairman, Charles Fairchild will discuss the history of development of the Trillium Property, The CMPA, the current lawsuit and why the lawsuit is significant for everyone.
Location: Meeting Room 1 @ the Red Vickery Community Center, 2331 Summit Blvd, Pensacola, FL
Time and Date: Monday, January 12, 2009 at 6:30 P.M..
Rick Outzen @ December 31, 2008
Year in Review 2006
Posted in: Pensacola | Comments (0)
In 2006, these were our top stories:
1. Left Behind series. Part 1: Healthcare, Aug. 3; Part 2: Housing, Aug. 10; Part 3: Education, Aug. 17
2. Healthcare Behind Bars, Jan. 19
3. Jesus Camp, Sept. 21
4. According to Doyle, Sept. 28
5. Inside the Sex Trade, April 6
6. Exiles, May 11
7. Pensacola’s Most Historic Vote, Nov. 9
8. Loan Shark Predator, July 20
9. Red, White & Screwed, Aug. 31
10. Little Rock and Back Again, June 22
Rick Outzen @ December 31, 2008
City cuts back on fire
Posted in: Pensacola | Comments (6)
In the Winners & Losers of the current issue, we have a quiz that states the City of Pensacola hasn’t had any employee layoffs. Our sources inside the Pensacola Fire Department say that’s not entirely true.
According to them, “the Fire department lost 8 jobs in the past year. One rescue truck in off duty permanently and another rescue truck is off duty most of the time. R-36 on Summit is off duty and R-32 on Davis is off duty most of the time and possibly off duty permenantly soon. All this is happening at the same time that the city is working on a mutual aid agreement for City trucks to run as first due trucks in the county. This includes rescue calls.”
Rick Outzen @ December 31, 2008
Hawkshaw East dies
Posted in: Pensacola | Comments (2)
The Pensacola City Council has been notified that the developers of Hawkshaw East will not close on their purchase of the city property located adjacent Gulf Power’s headquarters on Bayfront Parkway.
The project, which at one time was called Hawkshaw Village, was a much touted $20 million-plus joint venture by Hawkshaw Eastside Inc. (Jim Reeves, Jim Cronley, Bill Whitesell and Paul Snider) and Moulton Properties. The proposed first phase of the new four-acre development was to have:
· Thirty units of affordable housing with a price range of $125,000 to $250,000.
· Some 110,000 square feet of mixed-use space for offices, retail shops and restaurants.
· Construction of a $1 million retention pond/lake on a portion of Admiral Mason Park.
The CRA/City Council awarded the purchase of the land to Hawkshaw Eastside in August 2006. Later Hawkshaw Eastside joined forces with the Moultons (who had bid on the original land) to increase the size of the development. The CRA/City Council approved the project plans in October 2007. However, the city and the developers never executed the sales agreement.
So nearly two and half years after the council votes to sell the land, the project fails through. The City needs to have a tighter timetables for executing its agreements.
Rick Outzen @ December 31, 2008
Buzz: New copiers at ECSO
Posted in: Escambia County | Comments (8)
The word I’m getting is that outgoing Escambia County Sheriff Ron McNesby has decided the jail and his entire office needs new copiers - $350,000 worth. The goal appears to be empty out any special funds under the sheriff’s control and reward campaign supporters.
If the rumor is true, then it’s legal, but definitely another slap in the face of the Escambia County citizens.
Rick Outzen @ December 30, 2008
First Pub Crawl Huge Success
Posted in: Entertainment, Uncategorized | Comments (3)
If you haven’t heard about it yet, the Pub Crawl was a HUGE success! The Independent News partnered with PensacolasHappening.com. We had about 430 people attend. Suite, Jack & Ron’s, 600 South, Intermission and Seville Quarter had one of their busiest weekends of the year.
We have over 300 photos of the event. The pictures are posted on the website www.PensacolasHappening.com.
Rick Outzen @ December 30, 2008
IN Year in Review 2005
Posted in: Uncategorized | Comments (0)
The 2005 issues were some of our most controversial issues (read more).
TOP 10 Cover Stories In 2005
1. Why? Robert Boggon’s death in Escambia
County Jail raising questions, Oct. 13
2. Gotcha! Crimefighters’ New Toy, Feb. 3
3. SWF, April 7
4. Rebuild’s Story, Oct. 6
5. Air America, Jan. 20
6. RonnieMacAbusesPower.com, Aug. 11
7. Firestarter, July 7
8. Blood Sport, May 12
9. Okaloosa Power, April 14
10. Field of Dreams, Nov. 10
Rick Outzen @ December 30, 2008
Council breaks own rules
Posted in: Pensacola City Council | Comments (4)
The Pensacola City Council may have broken its own rules and procedures when it tried to reconsider the amendment to the Pate Cold Storage lease. Remember the amendment failed to get approval of the Enterprise Operations Committee. The vote was a tie 2-2 - Jack Nobles and Marty Donovan voted “yes.” Mike Wiggins and P.C. Wu voted “no.”
Three days later Nobles, who chairs the EOC, brought the amendment before the entire council where it failed after Sam Hall ducked out of the meeting. Nobles and Donovan voted against the amendment so that they could later bring back for reconsideration.
However, the council’s own rules don’t allow Nobles to bring the amendment to the entire council unless his committee gives approves it.
According Section 9 (c): “All motions adopted to hold in committee or lay on the table, and all motions not reported out of committee with a majority vote of Committee members present, shall remain in Committee. A two-thirds vote of the City Council (7 votes) shall be required to remove an item from Committee.”
The Pate Amendment is dead unless seven members of the City Council vote to remove it from the Enterprise Operations Committee.
Here are the Rules & Procedures
Rick Outzen @ December 30, 2008
