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IMMIGRATION Independent News | November 1, 2012 | Volume 13 | Number 42 | inweekly.net
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photo by Ryan Eaton
publisher & editor Rick Outzen production manager Joani Delezen art director Samantha Crooke administration/ staff writer Jennie McKeon staff writer Jeremy Morrison contributing writers Bradley “B.J.” Davis, Jr., Joani Delezen, Hana Frenette, James Hagen, Brett Hutchins, Chelsa Jillard, Sarah McCartan, Kate Peterson, Chuck Shepherd, T.S. Strickland intern Shelby Smithey
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winners & losers
You Have A Clear Choice My commitment to you and this community can be measured by accomplishments:
Wall South Memorial
winners TEAM SANTA ROSA A Santa Rosa County Grand Jury has completed its review of numerous allegations involving TEAM Santa Rosa, which handled the county's economic development efforts until this year. The grand jury returned a No True Bill, meaning it found insufficient evidence for filing any criminal charges. According to State Attorney Bill Eddins, the grand jury had more than 16 hours of testimony and deliberations over a two-day period. REV. JOHN HENRY POWELL, JR. The Florida Education Association recently presented Rev. Powell its Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for community service work on the Florida panhandle through his nonprofit organization, Truth For Youth, Inc. The criteria for his nomination was displaying a positive, widespread and significant social educational, economical, or political impact while establishing an ongoing program for the improvement of human relations and civil rights, exemplifying the nonviolent philosophy of Dr. King. STUDER GROUP Great Place to Work named Studer Group as one of the best small and medium workplaces in the United States on their annual 2012 Best Small & Medium Workplaces list. Ranked #4, the list recognizes companies that have exceptional workplace cultures. Rankings are based on five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.
• Returned over $4,000,000 budget dollars to county taxpayers since 2007
• Opened office on Saturday mornings for homestead filing
• Over $600,000 taxpayer dollars returned annually due to better homestead fraud enforcement
• Opened full service Molino branch office • Improved military exemption benefits
• Reduced budget over 30%
losers
• Reduced personnel by 20%
• Ensured military personnel retain their homestead exemption
• Implemented year-round homestead exemption filing
• Increased exemption for senior citizens
PENSACOLA VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK FOUNDATION The non-profit
took money that was raised to build and maintain the Wall South Memorial and spent it to buy a lodge for a VFW post. The post only pays on average $500 a month to rent the 6,000-plus square ft. building. Tax returns show the foundation no longer has the funds to maintain the park on Bayfront Parkway. This looks like another mess the City of Pensacola will have to clean up.
ASHTON HAYWARD Locked into union
contract negotiations with the Pensacola Police, the Mayor of Pensacola has found himself under public scrutiny and a possible city council investigation over how he confronted a police officer trying to reopen Palafox Street at the end of Gallery Night. No one knows what the council can do when it finishes its investigation. Put him in timeout?
Conservative. Effective. Proven. www.keepchrisjones.com •
Paid by Chris Jones, Democrat, for Escambia County Property Appraiser.
FLORIDA INFRASTRUCTURE A new report from the American Society of Civil Engineers Florida Section shows that Florida’s infrastructure has not improved over the last four years. Its 2012 Report Card for Florida’s Infrastructure revealed Coastal Areas dropped from a C+ to a D-. The other category grades include: Aviation (B-), Bridges (B), Energy (D), Flood Control (D+), Ports (C), Roads (C), Schools (D+), Stormwater (C+), and Transit (C).
MODERN BUDDHISM 2 public events:
Free Public Talk: Modern Buddhism Friday Nov 9 | 7:30-8:30pm
Breathe Yoga | 505 Adams St., Pensacola
Workshop: Learn to Meditate in Half a Day Saturday Nov 10 | 10am–1pm
1010 North 12th Ave, Suite 221, Pensacola $20 - registration online Both events with American Buddhist nun, Kelsang Chenma. Everyone is welcome!
For more info: 850-450-1878 or online:
meditationinpensacola.org November 1, 2012
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Four years ago, companies were banned from telling their employees how to vote. Today they can, thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in 2010. Citizens United, a non-profit corporation, wanted to advertise a film critical of Hillary Clinton during television broadcasts, which the Federal Elections Commission blocked because the McCain–Feingold Act outlawed corporations and unions from electioneering. By a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court ruled in 2010 the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions. The ruling also overturned laws banning employers from discussing political opinions with their employees—something of which the GOP and Mitt Romney have taken full advantage. Last June, the Republican presidential candidate told employers, at the National Federation of Independent Business, over a conference call to talk with their employers about which candidate is best for their business. U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched its Vote for Jobs 2012 campaign encouraging businesses to distribute political ads in the payroll envelopes of their employees. The inserts, which cost 20-cents apiece and are available in Spanish, have images of pick up trucks, little league baseball teams and work belts. David Siegel, the founder and chief executive of Florida-based Westgate Resorts,
the largest privately owned timeshare company in the world, got the message. He sent a memo to his 7,000 employees that told them that another four years under President Obama would put their jobs at risk. Pensacola is not exempt. Our newspaper received a call from an employee of the Taco Bell in Warrington who said she had gotten an insert with her paycheck that told her that her hours might possibly be reduced if the Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act isn’t repealed, one of Romney’s top campaign promises. The owner, Southeast QSR, LLC, which owns 58 Taco Bell franchises in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina, said that the new healthcare law would cost $2,000 per employee that worked 30 hours or more. It directed the employee to the website restaurants-vote.com. Imagine the pressure on these employees to conform to their bosses’ wishes. I wonder how many Romney bumper stickers got added to cars in the company parking lots to curry favor and bonuses. Our political system was built on secret ballots and voting without threats and intimidation. These payroll inserts and memos from bosses are not-so-veiled threats and clearly intended to coerce employees to vote in step with their employers. This needs to stop to prevent further erosion of our democracy. {in} rick@inweekly.net
This needs to stop to prevent further erosion of our democracy.
O BA M A Yard Signs • Bumper Stickers Buttons • T-Shirts (contributions requested) Other candidates materials also available
Democratic Party Office 105 Plaza Building Town & Country Plaza Inside The 4 Story Building 1720 West Fairfield (850) 607-6070 inweekly.net
BET TER PENSACOL A Congratulations to the players, coaches, cheerleaders, parents, and fans who made the 23rd Annual Soul Bowl a tremendous success. Â
Southern Youth Sports Association Pensacola Tigers East Pensacola Rattlers Jay Royals These teams played hard, showed great sportsmanship, and made us all proud to be a part of the Soul Bowl. Thanks to our sponsors and supporters who made the event such a success:
McDonalds
Sacred Heart
Pensacola Energy
Blue Wahoos
Jones Soda
The Appleyard Agency
City of Pensacola
The Andrews Institute
With your help, Soul Bowl 2012 was a tremendous success, and we look forward to Soul Bowl 2013!
Sponsored by Quint and Rishy Studer November 1, 2012
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THE MAN VS. THE MAN Police Union Requests Investigation of Hayward by Jeremy Morrison
At the request of the local police union, the Pensacola City Council will consider this month if it should conduct an investigation of Mayor Ashton Hayward. Claiming that the mayor “misused the power of his office to intimidate” officers, the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 71, has asked the council to look into an alleged Oct. 19 Gallery Night incident it characterizes as “shocking and inexcusable.” The union has asked that council use its investigative and subpoena powers granted by the city charter to address concerns stemming from an encounter with Hayward as police were attempting to reopen the streets to vehicular traffic during the downtown event. Expressing a desire to “hear both sides of the story,” council will decide during its Nov. 13 Committee of the Whole meeting if it will conduct an investigation.
“I assume once they find the facts out they will call for an official investigation,” FOP District One Director Robert Bell said after the union made its request. Several rows worth of police union members attended a late October city council meeting to voice their concerns. Bell read a letter to council members that relayed Gallery Night accounts from two unidentified officers, one who encountered the mayor and one that was approached by John Peacock, who Hayward recently appointed to the Downtown Improvement Board. “The officer said that Mayor Hayward appeared to be disheveled, not as neat and proper as he has seen him in the past,” Bell read from the letter. “The officer said that Mayor Hayward asked him, ‘Who’s in charge of this?’ Mayor Hayward was using
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a highly agitated voice, sometimes to the point of almost yelling.” According to the FOP, Hayward and Peacock took issue with the officers reopening the streets at 9 p.m. On previous occasions, the streets stayed closed until midnight, but were reopening earlier Oct. 19 due to funding issues. Hayward and Peacock were also apparently upset about the tactics—sirens, lights and loudspeakers—officers were using to move crowds off the street. The unnamed officers allege that Peacock compared the police to “terrorists,” and that Hayward compared the scene to “Beirut.” “Mayor Hayward then ordered the officer to get on his police radio and tell the supervisor to relax and to tell everyone else to relax as well, because this is not ‘Beirut,’” the letter reads. “The officer told Mayor Hayward that he was relaxed. Mayor Hayward then said, ‘Get on that mic and tell him to relax. You want me to do it?’” Bell said he felt the incident described in the FOP letter was indicative of a larger trend, and said the “lack of respect” would continue if they didn’t call attention to the matter. The local FOP president, Erik Goss, had also spoken about the issue of respect earlier in the council meeting. “It’s just a pattern of disrespect we’ve felt for a while,” he told the council. “It’s just kind of boiling over.” When the FOP addressed its concerns with city council, members repeatedly stressed that they “believe” and “trust” the officers—Councilman P.C. Wu apologized
November 1, 2012
to them—but that they also needed to hear from the mayor before considering an investigation. “You cannot make judgment until you hear from both sides of the story,” said Councilman John Jerralds. The council voted 8-1 to gather pertinent information—to include a statement from Hayward—and then consider an investigation Nov. 13. The lone dissenting vote was cast by Councilman Brian Spencer, who said he was sure the mayor would respond to the FOP’s concerns and also framed the issue as highlighting logistical questions surrounding the operation of Gallery Night—“it’s a collision, it’s a juxtaposition of two different uses of the same swath of pavement.” Following the union’s appearance before council, Peacock disputed the version of events relayed in the officers’ accounts. He said he hadn’t called the police “terrorists,” but rather compared the scene on Palafox Street to the aftermath of a terrorist attack. Peacock also said that he and the mayor were under the impression that the streets were to remain closed until midnight, and that “sometimes you have to get
involved to stop something that’s getting out of control.” The new appointee to the DIB, which oversees Gallery Night, said that he had learned in an email from the city’s Neighborhood Services Department that the funds needed to keep the streets closed until midnight—about $3,000 to pay for off-duty officers and insurance—had been obtained from World of Beer. Peacock later found out that was not the case. Sandra Ward, interim executive director of the DIB, said that the decision to reopen the streets at 9 p.m. was made when no businesses stepped up to foot the extendedhours bill. She said World of Beer did make a late offer, but it was too late. “They said, ‘Hey, we’ll do it,’ but they didn’t have time to get all the details worked out for Gallery Night,” Ward said. City Spokesman Derek Cosson confirmed that the mayor had been unaware of the time change—“we had a little breakdown of communication”—and also said that Hayward would not be issuing a statement regarding the matter and that the issue would most likely be handled internally. “This is an issue that any other organization would handle internally,” Cosson
“It’s just a pattern of disrespect we’ve felt for a while. It’s just kind of boiling over.” Erik Goss
said. “I think that’s the way the mayor would like to handle this.” Councilman Larry Johnson said he would “like to hear the mayor’s side of the story.” Insofar as opening an investigation, which would entail subpoenas and underoath testimony, the councilman said the board would be heading into “uncharted territory, uncharted waters, if you will.” “What happens if we find some kind of issue? I would have to consult with our attorney,” Johnson said. “Where we go from here, I’m just not sure.” Earlier this year, the FOP took a “no confidence” vote in Hayward’s chief of staff, John Asmar. The administration issued a statement at the time painting the move as related to the city’s ongoing contract negotiations with the police union. After relaying the Gallery Night account to council, Bell said that the accusations of intimidation were not related to the negotiations. “No, this isn’t retaliation,” he said, noting that the city had declared an impasse. “Impasse means they have taken negotiations out of our hands.” Johnson said he had considered if the negotiations were at the root of this most recent concern from the FOP. He said he thought there might be “a little sprinkle, a hint” of overlap, but that the friction between the mayor’s office and the police predated the contract issue. “I think it’s a real easy spin to put on this, to say, ‘This is all about union negotiations,’” Johnson said. “But I’m not buying it.” {in}
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JANET
P E E
K
Your Escambia County Tax Collector This race is not about political party. It’s about hiring the right person for the job. DRA-PSC-034244
As your Tax Collector for the past fourteen years, Janet Holley has built
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Linéature : Safety : XXX Infographiste : Robert
Final n curtali cal
a reputation for responsible, conservative leadership. After a lifetime of public service and professional experience, she has become an effective and responsible manager who has developed a trained, professional staff who provides the very best customer service. Escambia County citizens value her proven record of achievement and commitment and appreciate her innovative thinking to keep the cost of government down.
Date de Création
034244
The best choice is Janet Holley.
sans corr. sans corr. avec corr. sans corr. avec corr.
média
created a call center, giving customers a choice to speak to an agent or access automated services.
sans corr.
034244_SAL_PSC_Nov1 Independent News 4.79” x 11.56”
took over all driver license services from the state in 2012, adding 100,000 transactions annually.
avec corr.
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Directeur artistique
Demandeur
To learn more about Janet’s community service, experience, and innovations, visit janetholley2012.com
avec corr.
Janet has Y not contributed to AN other candidate. N annonce : Publication : Format Fini :
official sponsors
expanded payment options by being the first tax collector in the state to accept credit and debit cards and electronic checks.
O
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improved efficiency and productivity by cross-training staff.
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distributed over $6 million in unspent budget revenue and over $5 million in interest earned.
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Date de Livraison : October 24, 2012 Date de Parution : November 1, 2012 Couleur : CMYK
accounted for every penny; there are no discrepancies on annual independent audits.
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Linguistique
A Certified Florida Collector, Janet Holley is responsible for a $600 million cash flow, four offices and 100 employees. She has...
Janet Holley, Escambia County Tax Collector
Political advertisement paid for and approved by Janet Holley, Democrat, for Tax Collector.
MS1273 Janet Holley IN.indd 1
10/26/12 3:56 PM
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November 1, 2012
IN ELECTION GUIDE free press is a cornerstone of our American democracy—a press that can analyze and critique government officials, political parties and candidates without fear of arrest or imprisonment. Without our Bill of Rights, there would be no Independent News. It’s with that understanding we have published our Election Guide. We have studied the national, statewide and local candidates on the November 6 ballot. We watched the debates, attended rallies and read press releases, news accounts and the candidates’ websites. Our prism through which we have analyzed the races is what is best for our nation and our community—not just businesses, but also men, women, children, elderly, rich, poor, middle class, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Christian, non-Christian and all aspects of our community. In this guide, we compare President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney. We look at the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Bill Nelson and Rep. Connie Mack, and we publish the answers of the local candidates that responded to our candidate survey. And in our tradition of straightforward, no-sacred cows, we offer our endorsements on all the races and amendments with our reasons for each. Please take time to read them, but feel free to disagree. However, whether you agree or disagree with us, vote on November 6. Your voice needs to be heard and it appears every vote will matter.
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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SIDE-BY-SIDE
Barack Obama (I) D
Age & Birthplace: 51; Honolulu, Hawaii Alma Mater: Occidental College, Columbia University (B.A.), Harvard Law School (J.D.) Occupation: 44th President of the United States, community organizer, lawyer, Constitutional law professor, author Religion: Christian
Willard (Mitt) Romney R
Age & Birthplace: 65; Detroit, Mich. Alma Mater: Stanford University, Brigham Young University (B.A.), Harvard Business School (M.B.A.), Harvard Law School (J.D.) Occupation: Former Governor of Massachusetts, businessman, author Religion: Mormon
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November 1, 2012
Where They Stand The IN compiled this fact sheet based on data gathered from barackobama.com, mittromney.com and knowmycandidate.org—a non-partisan website that compiles "bios, policy information, and multimedia files about each candidate."
Obama:
Signed the Affordable Care Act into law—which calls for patient protections like coverage for pre-existing conditions, not letting insurers cancel policies when patients get sick, and by 2014 will require individuals to buy health insurance or pay a fine
Romney: Vows to repeal Affordable Care Act on day one if elected;
helped create similar legislation while Governor of Massachusetts that many experts say was a model for Obama's plan
Obama: Supports Roe v. Wade Romney: Currently opposes Roe v. Wade; but in 1994 he supported abortion rights, but personally opposed; believes states should decide abortion laws, not the Supreme Court; supports the Hyde Amendment which broadly bans the use of federal funds for abortions, vowed to end federal funding to Planned Parenthood
Obama: Appointed two justices during his first term—both women Romney: Will "nominate judges in the mold of Chief Justice Roberts
Obama:
Supports the DREAM Act—which says that "young people, who were brought here through no fault of their own, should be able to earn citizenship through military service or the pursuit of a higher education"; has failed to produce a comprehensive plan for immigration reform even though it was a promise from his first campaign
Romney:
Opposes amnesty because he believes that it acts as a "magnet" encouraging illegal immigration; as governor he vetoed in-state tuition benefits and opposed driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants
and Justices Scalia, Thomas, and Alito"; believes the right next step is for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade
Obama: 31 consecutive months of job growth translating to 5.2 million Obama: Launched "Race to the Top" which encourages states to raise
their standards for college and career readiness; capped repayments on federal student loans at 10 percent of income; established the American Opportunity Tax Credit; doubled funding for Pell Grants and voted in favor of shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education
Romney: Supported No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
new private sector jobs during his first term, plans to eliminate tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and create incentives for businesses who bring those jobs back home
Romney: Will reduce the corporate income tax rate to 25 percent; fa-
cilitate negotiation of new trade agreements; initiate leasing in all federal areas currently approved for exploration; consolidate federal retraining programs and return funding and responsibility for these programs to the states
Obama: Opposes Keystone XL pipeline, opposes domestic drilling
offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; supports a mandatory cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions; wants to create a 5-year, $50 billion project for energy and climate change to finance research
Romney: Opposes cap-and-trade legislation, supports Keystone XL pipeline, has proposed a $20 billion package for energy research & new car technology; believes that increasing our own production and partnering with our allies Canada and Mexico to achieve energy independence on this continent by 2020
Obama:
He won’t accept reform that slashes benefits for future generations or turns Social Security over to Wall Street but has no plan listed for how to do this; his Affordable Care Act eliminated $716 billion in wasteful spending relating to Medicare including subsidies to insurance companies; on track to close the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap commonly referred to as the "doughnut hole"
Romney: Believes that "the retirement age should be slowly increased to
account for increases in longevity"; also "believes that benefits should continue to grow but that the growth rate should be lower for those with higher incomes"
Obama: The first sitting president to publicly announce his support for
same-sex marriage; repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" allowing gay service members to serve openly in all branches of our military; endorsed the Respect for Marriage Act; signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act; extended hospital visitation and medical decision-making rights to LGBT couples
Romney: Will appoint an Attorney General who will defend the Defense of Marriage Act, vowed to champion a Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman
Obama:
Will let the Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000 expire; supports lowered rates for the manufacturing industry
Romney:
Will make the Bush tax cuts permanent, vowed to lower corporate tax rate across the board to 25 percent; will maintain current tax rates on interest, dividends, and capital gains; eliminate the Death Tax; repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
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NELSON VS. MACK says, ‘When I flew in space I looked back at the Earth and I did not see any political divisions, I did not see any religious divisions, I did not see any ethnic divisions. What I saw is that we’re all in this together.” At Mack’s event, the congressman talked about Nelson’s cows, balancing the budget, as well as repealing “Obamacare” and Dodd-Frank. “Let me add one more: as a United States senator, I will vote for defunding of the U.N,” Mack said, adding that the United Nations had recently stated its intention to monitor the U.S. election. “The only ones that are going to observe elections in the U.S. is Americans.” {in}
“When I flew in space I looked back at the Earth and I did not see any political divisions, I did not see any religious divisions, I did not see any ethnic divisions.”
Florida’s Senate Race
Sen. Bill Nelson Sen. Bill Nelson / photo by Jeremy Morrison
by Jeremy Morrison Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is defending his U.S. Senate seat this year against Rep. Connie Mack, IV (R-Fla.). The two have been hustled onto a stage together just once this election season for a debate. By the time it was over it seemed like even that was too much for either candidate to endure. “You talk about loopholes?” Mack balked, a few minutes into the debate. “Senator, you put some cows on your farm to avoid paying taxes.” “There have been cows on that property for 60 years, since 1952,” Nelson responded. While the evening was full of personal snipes—a “I’m not gonna let you get away with this” here and a “you know better” there—it also allowed voters a chance to hear the candidates’ positions and visions for the state and the country. Sen. Nelson has served Florida in the senate since 2000. Prior to that he was a congressman, as well as a state representative. Rep. Mack was elected to congress in 2004. For the three years before
that, he served as a state legislator. The representative is also the son of former U.S. Senator Connie Mack and is married to Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.). Nelson considers himself an environmental champion. He has pushed for restoration in the Everglades and continues to fight against oil drilling off of Florida’s coasts. The senator was also one of the sponsors of the RESTORE Act, which dictates that 80 percent of the money collected from BP’s Clean Water Act fines stemming from the 2010 oil spill be directed to the Gulf Coast. Mack stresses his fiscal conservancy— via his Penny Plan—vowing to cut spending and taxes. He opposes the new Affordable Health Care Act and “other liberal experiments,” such as the federal bailouts in response to the economic crisis. The representative is a major proponent of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport oil from Canadian tar sands to a Texas port. In the final weeks leading up to the election, both Nelson and Mack ventured into Northwest Florida. The senator touted his record to a crowd at Dharma Blue, while the congressman brought along Sen. John McCain (RAriz.) and Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) to a campaign stop at Seville Quarter. During Nelson’s visit, the senator relayed a campaign ad that won’t be aired in the Panhandle market: “It’s me, talking straight to the camera. It
“As a United States senator, I will vote for defunding of the U.N.” Rep. Connie Mack
Rep. Connie Mack / photo by Jeremy Morrison
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November 1, 2012
SURVEYING THE FIELD In an effort to help readers better familiarize themselves with local candidates on the November ballot, the IN sent surveys to the political hopefuls. The candidates were asked about issues pertaining to their specific races. It’s a free shot, with a 50-wordper-answer limit. Some candidates chose to respond to the survey, while others opted out.
What are the challenges that you see ahead for the office of tax collector? Holley: How to balance the level of service we provide with the cost of providing that service. The Florida Legislature transferred all driver license services to tax collectors. We are providing better service than the state, yet we have increased our volume of work by an additional 100,000 transactions annually. Your opponent has criticized you for holding the tax collector and also receiving a pension from the Florida Retirement System. What is your response to this criticism? Holley: The tax collector’s salary is set by the Legislature and is paid to anyone holding this position. My pension was earned entering the FRS DROP program after 25 years as a staff member and six years as tax collector. The law allows elected officials to serve and collect a pension.
Enjoy, then vote.
Tax Collector
JANET HOLLEY (I), D MIKE WHITEHEAD, R Janet Holley, age 61, Escambia County Tax Collector
What has been your biggest accomplishment as the tax collector? Holley: Developing a trained, professional staff to provide the very best customer service to our citizens. Using technology and innovations to enable the public to choose how they want to conduct their tax collector business whether it be over the phone, online, in person, or through the mail
Mike Whitehead, age 57, medical uniforms (retail and wholesale), early childhood education/ childcare
You served three terms as county commissioner. What was your biggest accomplishment? Whitehead: The thousands of good paying jobs brought to Escambia County during my tenure. Most recently, Navy Federal Credit Union. Maintaining the lowest property tax rate in Escambia County history through tightly controlled budgeting. Working with ECUA to relocate Main Street Sewer Plant. What are the challenges that you see ahead for the office of tax collector? Whitehead: Implementing technology to allow taxpayers to do business electronically. Working with Florida legislature to remedy the driver license debacle, which will cost taxpayers $1 million this year. Working with the commissioners to eliminate the costly ($400,000) leases on W Street and Navy Boulevard. When you lost your seat in 2008, you were criticized for your heavy-handed approach to your job. Were the criticisms fair and have you changed your leadership style? Whitehead: 2008 was a difficult year for local government due to the economy. Demands for government resources were at an all time high. It took strong leadership to maintain tax rates and meet budget needs. It's easy during good times but tough times require leadership to stand and do what's right.
Escambia County Property Appraiser
CHRIS JONES, (I), D CHARLES M. GREEN IV, R Chris Jones, age 54,
Escambia County Property Appraiser
What has been the most difficult challenge as property appraiser? Jones: Our community suffered three devastating hurricanes, the B.P. Oil Spill, and the most volatile real estate market in my lifetime. We were able to meet each of these challenges for our citizens through experience, knowledge, and proven leadership. What are the challenges that you see ahead for the office of property appraiser? Jones: Hundreds of years experience will be lost due to staff retirement; therefore, training and mentoring younger staff members will be a priority. Citizens expect a high level of competence from their property appraiser and staff. Experience has become extremely evident with the recent down turn in our real estate market. What can we expect from your office if you are elected to another term? Jones: We have cut the budget over 30 percent and will continue to find ways to be prudent with taxpayer dollars. I will continue to use my expertise to keep assessments as low as possible. The delivery of the best possible customer service citizens have come to expect and deserve.
Charles M. Green IV, age 33, program manager
Why do you believe Escambia County needs a new property appraiser? Green: Short answer: budget What experience do you have that you believe will make you a good property appraiser? Green: Making changes from day one without a full understanding of the operation is not the most efficient way to affect positive changes. I will spend most of my time in the first few months talking to homeowners, groups, and commercial property managers to find out what is creating roadblocks to progress. What are the challenges that you see ahead for the office of property appraiser? Green: The largest issue I see facing this office over the next few years is the voluntary retirement of many of the current employees, which hold hundreds of years of appraisal and county specific information between them.
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Escambia County Sheriff
DAVID MORGAN, (I), R MINDY LYNN PARE, write-in, no response David Morgan, age 59, Escambia County Sheriff
What has been the most difficult challenge as sheriff? Morgan: Managing public safety in an era of diminishing budgets (our current budget is at 2006 levels), while providing a safe and secure environment for our families and businesses. What happened to your gang task force? Morgan: It is still in place, although the numbers have diminished. We initially formed the task force with six full time officers, four ECSO employees and two from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Due to budget constraints both FDLE agents have been reassigned. What can we expect from the sheriff's office if you are elected to a second term? Morgan: A continued emphasis on: professionalizing the ECSO through continuing education; forming additional Neighborhood Watch programs (we now have approximately 100); joint operations with our federal agencies (gun violence, drugs).
Escambia County Superintendent of Schools
MALCOLM THOMAS, (I), R, NO RESPONSE CLAUDIA BROWNCURRY, D Claudia Brown-Curry, age 56, educator
Why do you believe Escambia County needs a new school superintendent? Brown-Curry: It’s time for us to move beyond the injustice, intimidation, exclusion and arrogance that has paralyzed our school district as reflected in the ratings. The superintendent of schools must lead with diversity that reflects the needs as well as the potential of all students. Minorities make up half of the student population. Yet eight out of 10 teachers and principals are white. How do you plan to hire more minorities? BrownCurry: There are many qualified minority teachers in the district and/or the region. My suspicions tell me that I will not have to look much further than the applications that are currently on file. Should I need to craft an outreach plan, I will do so at that time. What you are the challenges that you see ahead for the school district? Brown-Curry: Regaining the trust and commitment of current employees. Second, coming to the table as a black female and connecting with the business community in a new way that is fair, honest, unbiased, productive and amenable to the education and economic growth of Escambia County.
Wilson Robertson, age 72, Escambia County Commissioner, District 1
You have been elected to the county commission in three different decades. Why should you serve a fourth term? Robertson: I served eight years in District 5 in the ‘80s and ‘90s. I need a second term in District 1 to complete some of the projects we have underway. What do you believe will be the best use of the RESTORE funds? Robertson: The county commissioners are going to appoint a sevenmember panel to help us rank the projects. The Board will have the final approval. The projects need to stimulate the economy and create jobs. What you are the challenges that you see ahead for the county? Robertson: Balancing the budget without cutting the level of services. The county is going to continue receiving less revenue due to lower property values.
Turn to page 16 for the IN's candidate endorsements.
Escambia County Commissioner, District 1
WILSON ROBERTSON, (I), R BOBBY SPENCER, NPA
Bobby Spencer, age 57, historian/construction worker
Why would you be a good county commissioner? Spencer: The job is full time and that is how I plan to work it. I have no side interests so the office will get my undivided attention. I will not be abstaining from votes so the people I represent will get 100 percent representation. What do you believe will be the best use of the RESTORE funds? Spencer: Most of the restore funds have defined ways the money has to be spent, but those that can be spent at the county's discretion should be used to promote manufacturing. We need to diversify our economy to better serve our citizens that do not benefit from our robust tourist trade.
What you are the challenges that you see ahead for the county? Spencer: The biggest challenge is to move this county from the bottom of the economic ladder. It has to be done in order to improve poverty, drop out, and crime rates that are inherent in communities that suffer from depressed economic conditions.
Escambia County Commissioner, District 3 TIFFANY WASHINGTON, R LUMON MAY, D JOHN R. JOHNSON, NPA, no response HUGH G. KING SR., NPA, no response DEREK L. STROMAS, write-in, no response Lumon May, Age 42, certified general contractor, co-owner of Mays Construction
Why would you be a good county commissioner? May: I have lived my entire life in District 3. My parents taught me that we could change the world, if we could change our neighborhood. I’ve devoted the past 25 years to helping our youth though the Southern Youth Sports Association. I know this district and want to improve it. What do you believe will be the best use of the RESTORE funds? May: We need to improve our infrastructure—streets, bridges and drainage—that will improve our neighborhoods and our environment. Creating jobs is also vital. In our urban core, we have to improve schools, insure city and county services are equitable and attract retail, such as grocery stores, and jobs those areas.
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What you are the challenges that you see ahead for the county? May: Finding the funds to provide the core services of public safety, mass transit and libraries while also funding economic development that will grow our economy and create jobs. All our neighborhoods needed to be safe and our resources applied fairly throughout the county.
Tiffany Washington, age 41, certified mediator
Why would you be a good county commissioner? Washington: I am passionate about improving conditions within my district. I know the issues that present as "challenges," and I recognize the sources of pride. I am prepared to represent constituents and protect their interests. I have the "head" (business acumen and integrity) and the "heart" (compassion and ability to relate to constituents) to serve effectively in this capacity. What do you believe will be the best use of the RESTORE funds? Washington: The county's infrastructure must be improved. Specifically, upgrades in the areas of: education, law enforcement, public works and the environment are needed. I would also like to increase, or improve existing, programs intended to assist the un(under)employed, the elderly and the "working-poor." What you are the challenges that you see ahead for the county? Washington: Attracting and retaining entities that will be able to provide jobs that will pay a meaningful living wage. Revitalizing areas of deficit without further disenfranchising or displacing residents. Crime prevention and reporting. Finding creative and viable solutions to deal with child offenders. Ensuring that education is geared toward employment.
Escambia County Commissioner, District 5 STEVEN BARRY, R PACKY MITCHELL, NPA, no response
Steven Barry, age 37, certified financial planner
Why would you be a good county commissioner? Barry: I aspire to be the most effective commissioner to ever serve the taxpayers of Escambia County. Being a CFP®, I possess the financial knowledge and the experience to serve our citizens well. Also, I understand and I embrace the fiduciary relationship between a BCC member and the taxpayer’s dollars. What do you believe will be the best use of the RESTORE funds? Barry: The RESTORE funds are a once in a lifetime opportunity to impact the future generations of taxpayers in Escambia County. I prefer capitalintensive projects, ideally tied to future stream of county revenue from the projects. The funds should not be used to cover normal operating budget shortfalls. What you are the challenges that you see ahead for the county? Barry: The greatest upcoming challenge we face is a fiscal one. Dollars from the state and federal governments will continue to be reduced annually. Therefore, stimulating the growth of our economic base by quality job creation is the only way to increase county revenue—without raising taxes or fees.
ECUA, District 1
ELIZABETH SUSAN CAMPBELL, (I), NPA VICKI H. CAMPBELL, R Elizabeth Susan Campbell, age 55, occupational therapist, certified teacher (ESE and middle school science)
Why would you be a good ECUA board member? Elizabeth Campbell: My four years on the board. I have a broad base of life experience, the ability to look at issues from different perspectives and to consider not only the short term, but long
term impacts. I am representative of most of the middle class voters that live in District One. ECUA has implemented eight rate hikes over the last 12 years. What is your position on further rate hikes? Elizabeth Campbell: That’s not completely true. Sanitation rates have gone down five percent since I took office. No matter who gets elected, water/ wastewater rate hikes will happen due to the EPA consent decree. Anybody who tells you different is pulling the wool over your eyes. What are the challenges that you see ahead for ECUA? Elizabeth Campbell: Lowering operating costs to reduce the size of rate hikes as opposed to cutting back on upgrading our water/wastewater systems. Waste-to-Energy partnerships with private firms can accomplish that goal. The challenge will be to convince the BOCC that they can find a revenue stream to replace the landfill.
Vicki H. Campbell, age 54, Vice President, Perdido Title & Abstract, Inc., Agency Consultant, Westcor Land Title Insurance Company
Why would you be a good ECUA board member? Vicki Campbell: I will work toward: Trimming fat within ECUA before putting hands out to ratepayers again; solutions to perception of our water quality; expanding recycling; maintaining safe levels of fluoride; making smart economic decisions on ECUA owned lands like the downtown treatment plant site; quality of services; transparency of issues. ECUA has implemented eight rate hikes over the last 12 years. What is your position on further rate hikes? Vicki Campbell: The most important ECUA issue is rates: In a tough economy families struggle. Water, sewer and sanitation are not discretionary services. We have an obligation to keep them as low as possible. Utility rates impact our ability to attract jobs and industry, and economic development is vital to Escambia County. What are the challenges that you see ahead for ECUA? Vicki Campbell: Ironically, the second most important issue makes the first issue more difficult to achieve. Our aged infrastructure is in need of repair and DEP has mandated repair. Given these
two competing goals, it's imperative to get ECUA's own house in order by trimming the fat, revisiting benefits and streamlining operations.
Pensacola City Council, District 5, non-partisan
JOHN JERRALDS, (I), no response GERALD C. WINGATE Gerald Wingate, age 66, realtor
How can the city council work more effectively with the Mayor? Wingate: Our city government should have a vision for Pensacola and goals that support the achievement of the vision. The city council and mayor should be working together to achieve the goals. There should be better communications, and planning jointly to move Pensacola forward is necessary. What can the city council do to help create more jobs, particularly for the African-American community? Wingate: The city council should support efforts to get more businesses to locate in Pensacola. There are incentives that can be provided to attract businesses. Tax incentives, surplus land and support of training programs provided by local educational institutions. The council should support the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor's office. What are the challenges that you see ahead for the city? Wingate: The first challenge is economic development. The people of Escambia County need jobs. Escambia County is one of the poorest counties in the state. The leadership in the city and county owe it to citizens to work hard to improve this situation. Safe communities are desired by our citizens. Community Watches and law enforcement with new strategies of engagement with the community will help. {in}
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IN’S ENDORSEMENTS House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Miller played a key role in the passage of the RESTORE Act. Recommendation: Jeff Miller
Greg Evers (I), Rep We can always count on him filing another pro-gun bill next session and providing all sorts of entertainment.
This job requires integrity. It’s about numbers and fairness. Green is the Director of Business Development for a Virginia-based technology firm and commutes via the web and travels to his job. We have no reason to believe that he isn’t as trustworthy as the incumbent, but we believe knowledge of real estate and appraisals is critical for this constitutional office. Chris Jones has been willing to take on the taxability of the Pensacola Beach leases. He has worked to gain more equity in property valuations under a current system that limits his efforts. We see no reason to change and the political party of the candidates shouldn’t be a factor in this race. Recommendation: Chris Jones
State Senator, District 3
Tax Collector
State Senator, District 1
Doug Broxson (I), Rep Broxson spoke out for this area during the BP oil disaster and has worked hard to help citizens get their claims paid.
State Senator, District 2
State/ Regional
C.V. (Clay) Ford (I), Rep His seniority in the House is a boon to our area.
U.S. Senator
Chris Borgia, NPA Bill Gaylor, NPA Connie Mack, Rep Bill Nelson (I), Dem The sad truth is that the Republican U.S. senators have shown little love for Northwest Florida, even though our region is solidly Republican. Sen. Marco Rubio voted against the RESTORE Act, the legislation that dedicates 80 percent of BP fines to the area most impacted by the 2010 oil disaster. We have little reason to believe Mack will be any different. Bill Nelson fought hard for RESTORE. He came to our area’s rescue after Hurricane Ivan and helped our community recover. There is no better friend for our area on the national level on the Democratic side of the aisle than Nelson. Recommendation: Bill Nelson
Representative in Congress, District 1
Jim Bryan, Dem Calen Fretts, Lbt Jeff Miller (I), Rep While this paper has not always agreed politically with Congressman Miller, we respect his efforts on the behalf of military and veterans. He has been a “good soldier” for the GOP and was rewarded in 2010 with the chair of the
Escambia County Sheriff
David Morgan (I), Rep Mindy Lynn Pare, Write-in The good ol’ boys made another attempt to take back county government with the John Powell campaign in the GOP primary. Morgan trounced him. Next up is Mindy Pare who has nothing in her background that shows she has any leadership ability. Morgan is honest, straight-laced and a no-nonsense leader. He came into the sheriff’s office as an outsider and that has made a tremendous difference. Favors are no longer granted to campaign supporters and deputies are allowed to do their jobs without political interference. Four years ago, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was seen as a liability to this community recruiting businesses. Today, it’s a source of pride. Morgan is the difference. Recommendation: David Morgan
Property Appraiser Charles M. Green IV, Rep Chris Jones (I), Dem
Janet Holley (I), Dem Mike Whitehead, Rep The third leg of the unholy political trio—that included former County Administrator George Touart and Sheriff Ron McNesby—is back. Whitehead claims to have a change of heart and is a kinder, gentler version of his 2008 self that got his butt kicked by Wilson Robertson in his effort to be re-elected to the county commission. However, his campaign has been anything but gentle. He has blasted incumbent Janet Holley for double-dipping by taking her retirement and staying on the job; for no community involvement; and for being a Democrat. He hits all the Tea Party buzzwords—NRA, Pro-Life, Lower Taxes, Supports Military—none of which have anything to do with the tax collector’s office. Holley grew up in the tax collector’s office. She took retirement in 2008 because the Florida law allowed her to do so. It had no impact on Escambia County taxpayers. She has been involved in the community serving on the board of the Council on Aging and is a member of Pensacola Five Flags Rotary and Impact 100. We wanted to believe Whitehead had changed but his campaign shows there isn’t much difference between the 2012 and 2008 versions. Recommendation: Janet Holley
Superintendent of Schools
Malcolm Thomas (I), Rep Claudia Brown Curry, Dem There has been no bigger disappointment in this year’s crop of incumbents seeking re-election than School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, who has proven to be one of the most narrow-minded and political superintendents in the past 30 years. He ran on a platform of being a consensus builder. He hasn’t done it. His decisions appear to be made in a vacuum with little input from the community and with no chance for different opinions to be heard. As a result, the school district is falling further and further behind. The African-American community has unfortunately had to bear the brunt of his hubris and ego. Three schools in the black neighborhoods have been closed. His much-ballyhooed effort to make Warrington Middle School the top middle school in the state has been a dismal failure. Instead of building a new school on the west side of Escambia County where the demand is, Thomas is building schools in the two districts of school board members that were up for re-election this year, one of which has less than 200 kids in its attendance zone. Thomas spent much of last year trying to kill the A.A. Dixon charter school. When businesses offered to buy the school buses, he tried to sell them used buses that needed repairs that were more costly than the price of the buses. When the school asked for 20 tables, he would only give them 15, even though he had dozens in his closed schools. Despite the Thomas-imposed obstacles, Dixon showed last year the most improvement of any school in the county and had better grades than two of Thomas’ schools. Those trying to recruit businesses to this area will tell you, off the record, that our public school system is our biggest weakest. Sadly, we don’t believe that will get any better over the next four years if Thomas is re-elected. Claudia Brown Curry is the complete opposite of Thomas. She was a caring, open school board member. She doesn’t pretend that she knows all the answers and is willing to seek out expert advice.
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THE CASE FOR RE-ELECTION 2008 the Independent News endorsed Barack Obama for president. The weight of two wars, escalating healthcare costs, senseless inequality and economic uncertainty were on our minds when we made this decision. Based on what he's done with his first term, we think we made the right call—so much so that we're willing to bet on Obama again. When you really think about what he's done in just four years, it's pretty impressive: Passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell; reforming student loans; ending the war in Iraq; killing Osama Bin Laden and finally making some real progress on the health care front with the Affordable Care Act. (And those are just some of the highlights.)
But when you think about him doing all of that while navigating his way through the worst economic climate since the Depression, it's even more impressive. Everyone who thought a president couldn't or shouldn't tackle social issues during such dire economic times has been proven wrong. He didn't take on health care reform because it was an easy campaign promise he could cross off the list. He took it on because in the long run health care reform will help our economy. Obama is a multi-tasker, a long-term thinker who sees the big picture and he has governed that way—even when some people didn't understand or get why he cared. And America is better off because of him. We all know the economy looms large over this election. But blaming Obama for all of our economic woes is a pretty weak argument. The reality is that our economy was a sinking ship when
Obama took office in January 2009. He took the wheel of that ship and began steering us in the direction of recovery. Sure, his progress has been slower and smaller than everyone would like, but it's still progress. Thirty-one straight months of private sector job growth, translating to 5.2 million jobs. Nearly 500,000 of those jobs added are manufacturing jobs—the most growth since 1997. If you're debating voting for his opponent, Mitt Romney, based on economic issues, you're not alone. But believing that the economy is better off under Republicans is a dated generalization. Just compare the numbers from Bill Clinton’s terms versus George W. Bush's—that should be all the evidence you need to retire that theory. None of Romney's proposed economic policies can guarantee more jobs or overall growth than what Obama has accomplished. His "5 Point Plan" is good on paper; but a lot of economists and experts who have studied it have questions about how the math adds up. You can't guarantee that your vote for Romney will be good for the economy. But you can guarantee that it will be
bad in terms of women's issues and the ongoing fight for LGBT equality. Romney has vowed to overturn Roe v. Wade and take away a woman's right to choose and turn it into a state's rights issue. He has also promised to champion a Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Those are things you can guarantee will be on the agenda of Romney's first term. Taking away rights from women and same sex couples in exchange for possible economic growth? That's not a risk we're willing to take. We bet you aren't either. There's a lot at stake in this election. Don't be lame and buy into the "elections don't matter" mentality. Elections matter. Your vote matters. In presidential elections, your vote really matters, since we live a swing state. Less than 1,000 votes from the state of Florida put George Bush and Dick Cheney into the White House. We all know there are more than 1,000 Floridians that wish they had cast their ballot 12 years ago. Don't let that be you this time around. We hope you vote and we hope you vote for Barack Obama. {in}
When Thomas was elected in 2008, he essentially kept everybody that worked under his predecessor Jim Paul. Brown-Curry can do the same initially while she does a national search for the leadership team that can truly turnaround the system. Brown-Curry is not perfect, but she has a caring heart and can provide a vision to the school district that appears to have lost its way over the last four years. Recommendation: Claudia Brown-Curry
had three county administrators, several ethics investigations and appears ready to splinter at any moment. While we have not agreed with all Robertson’s actions, we do believe that he has the best interest of the county at heart. Spencer is too big of an unknown to risk the change. Recommendation: Wilson Robertson
stretch from Escambia County to Tallahassee and even as far as the White House. He will get District 3 the resources that it needs to improve. May isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, but also knows how to build the consensus necessary to get things done. Hugh King was an ineffective Pensacola councilman and never got the Contractors Academy off the ground when he served on the Community Maritime Park Associates board. When he was arrested for cocaine possession (the case was later thrown out) and was fired as pastor of Greater Union Baptist Church, the white business community loaned him money to save his home from foreclosure-loans that haven’t been repaid. Yet King has run a negative campaign attacking May for accepting campaign contributions from the white community. It’s that type of double-talk the commission and District 3 don’t need. Tiffany Washington shows promise, but is too young and inexperienced to
hold such an important office. Johnson and Stromas simply aren’t serious contenders for the position. Recommendation: Lumon May
County Commission, District 1
Wilson Robertson (I), Rep Bobby Spencer, NPA We supported Robertson in 2008 because Escambia County had the chance to have the most cohesive and progressive board in years. There have been some successes, especially in how it handled the BP oil spill, but the board has
County Commission, District 3
John R. Johnson, NPA Hugh G. King, Sr., NPA Lumon May, Dem Derek L. Stromas, NPA Tiffany Washington, Rep Lumon May is the only one in this race with the leadership skills and the hands-on experience working in District 3 to be this district’s county commissioner. Thousands of children have benefited from the youth sports programs that he was organized in the inner city. His connections
County Commission, District 5
Steven Barry, Rep Packy Mitchell, NPA Both candidates have run for this post before. Steve Barry lost to current officeholder, Kevin White, in the 2004 Republican primary by only 102 votes in a five-man race. Packy Mitchell came in second to White in the 2008 Republican primary, losing by nearly 2,000 votes. This year, White dropped out of the race and Barry won the Republican nomination in another crowded field. Mitchell chose to avoid the primary and is running with no party affiliation. No county commission candidate has won election without a party nomination.
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Barry is a financial planner who has a broad base of support outside of District 5. His tenure on the county planning board will help him get acclimated to the commission quickly and prepare him for the tough battles of the RESTORE funds. Recommendation: Steven Barry
ECUA, District 1
Tom Brame, NPA Elizabeth Susan Campbell (I), NPA Vicki Campbell, Rep James Kirkland, NPA Elizabeth Campbell ran as a Republican in 2008 and beat incumbent Logan Fink by 207 votes. This year Campbell chose not to run in the GOP primary and newcomer Vicki Campbell beat Fink 492 votes on August 14. After four years in office, Elizabeth Campbell is still unknown to many of the voters. She wants to get fluoride out the ECUA water system and has run an aggressive email campaign against Vicki attacking her for owning a more expensive home. Vicki Campbell has stronger ties in the community and is not an unknown. She is a small business owner and has been active with the PACE Center for Girls and the Perdido Key Chamber. She graduated from the Leadership Pensacola program in 2010. Recommendation: Vicki Campbell
Pensacola City Council, District 5 (Nonpartisan)
John Jerralds (I) Gerald C. Wingate John Jerralds was first appointed to the city council in 2000 to replace Rita Jones, who resigned to run for the Escambia County Commission. He tried unsuccessfully four times earlier to get elected to council. The appointment launched his long career on the council. He served as deputy mayor from 2007–2009 and has served as chair and vice chair of the Pensacola Escambia Development Commission. While he has been vocal on race issues, Jerralds has had few successes. In 2004, Jerralds tried to organize a black caucus composed of local African-American elected officials, but that effort failed. He tried to get the city and council to adopt a curfew for teens, but he failed to garner support for that, too. Thanks to Mayor Hayward, Jerralds can show the disparity study and planned community center for his district as recent successes. However, he hasn’t been able to influence the mayor to hire African-
Americans at the senior level, and there has been grumbling in District 5 over the lack of input in the design of the new center. Gerald Wingate offers a fresh approach. The real estate agent with Main Street Properties has made safer neighbors a priority and is more receptive to other parts of the black community. Jerralds’ approach to re-election has been “if something isn’t broken, you don’t fix it.” Our analysis is that it’s been Mayor Hayward, whom Jerralds did not support in the 2010 election, that has done more to fix District 5 than the councilman. After 12 years, it is time for more open and progressive leadership. Recommendation: Gerald Wingate
City Referendum Question On Renewal Of Authority To Grant Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions
Shall the City Council of the City of Pensacola be authorized to grant, pursuant to Section 3, Article VII of the State Constitution, property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses that are expected to create new, full-time jobs in the city?
This is another tool to help the City recruit businesses and jobs to the area. County voters overwhelmingly approved this earlier in the year for county government. Recommendation: YES - For authority to grant exemptions.
Other Retention of Supreme Court Justices
Justice R. Fred Lewis: Yes Justice Barbara J. Pariente: Yes Justice Peggy A. Quince: Yes
Retention of First District Court of Appeal Judge Simone Marstiller: Yes Judge Stephanie Ray: Yes Judge Ron Swanson: Yes Judge Brad Thomas: Yes
Santa Rosa County Recommendations
Sheriff: Wendell Hall (I), Rep School Board Member, District 4 (Non-partisan): Jenny Granse {in}
THE SKINNY ON THE AMENDMENTS Just Vote ‘No’ to Whole Batch by Rick Outzen On The Florida Legislature has placed 11 constitutional amendments on the ballot this November, which may be a
record for the lawmakers. For any to become law, 60 percent of the voters must vote in favor of the amendment. Three amendments (1, 6 and 9) reflect the conservative politics of the Republican majority in Tallahassee. Amendment 1, Health Care Services, is an anti-Obamacare bill that has little impact, but should please the Tea Party crowd. Amendment 6 takes the right of privacy from pregnant teens and sets stage for laws giving parents more say in a girl’s right to choose. Amendment 9 is titled “Religious Freedom,” but it is about how to funnel money to faith-based schools and organizations. Five amendments (2, 4, 9, 10, 11) will reduce property tax revenues for counties, school boards and cities by offering exemptions and discounts to military veterans, certain widows, businesses and low-income seniors. The League of Women Voters has
estimated that if all these amendments pass, local governments will lose over $1 billion over the next three years. The remaining three amendments are an odd assortment. Amendment 3 would supposedly limit the size of state government, using a formula that economist say was disastrous for Colorado during the last recession. Amendment 5 would put the Florida Supreme Court under control of the legislature. Amendment 12 spanks the Florida Student Association for opposing college tuition hikes and takes away its seat on the Board of Governors.
Amendment 1: Health Care Services
This amendment attempts to prohibit the government from requiring individuals to purchase health insurance,
known as the “individual mandate” in the federal Affordable Care Act. The “individual mandate” has been declared constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, which makes the passage or defeat of Amendment 1 nearly meaningless other than to send a message that a majority of Florida’s voters are either for or against the individual mandate.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber supports this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
We shouldn’t clutter the state constitution with such political tripe.
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Amendment 2:
Veteran’s Property Tax Discount
This amendment allows certain disabled veterans, who were not Florida residents prior to entering military service, to qualify for a discount on their property taxes. This expands the eligibility for discounts that are already available under the law. Supporters say the property tax discount can help with medical bills and may allow veterans to stay in their homes longer as they age. It might also stimulate the housing market by persuading veterans to move to Florida. The state estimates that the school districts and local governments would lose about $15 million combined over the first three years, if it passes. Opponents say the loss would further hurt local governments dealing with budget shortfalls.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber takes no position on this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
Our counties and cities are having trouble funding libraries, law enforcement, mass transit and road construction. We don’t need to further handcuff them.
Amendment 3: State Revenue Limitation
This amendment would set a state revenue limit each year based on a formula that considers population growth and inflation instead of using the current method of calculating the revenue limit based on personal income. Since 1995, Florida has set a cap for the amount of revenue from taxes and fees that it can spend every year. The cap, which is based on changes in Florida personal income, is a self-imposed restraint on government growth. Amendment supporters believe the cap needs to be more restrictive to prevent too much government growth that they believe drains the economy. Opponents look to what such an amendment did to Colorado that found itself having difficulty paying for education and other key services during the recession.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber supports this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
The current formula works fine.
Amendment 4:
IN Recommends: NO
Our counties and cities are having trouble funding libraries, law enforcement, mass transit and road construction. We don’t need to further handcuff them.
Amendment 5: State Courts
This measure would provide for Senate confirmation of Supreme Court Property tax limitations; justices; give lawmakers control over changes to the rules governing the court property value decline; system; and direct the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which investigates reduction for nonjudicial misconduct complaints, to make homesteaded assessits files available to the Speaker of the ment increases; delay of Florida House of Representatives. The Republican-controlled legscheduled repeal islature is tired of the judiciary Reduce the maximum anblocking its initiatives. While nual increase in taxable the GOP can’t control value of non-homethe office of governor, stead properties it’s highly unlikely from 10 percent that the party will to five percent; Our counties and lose control of the provide an excities are having state house and tra homestead trouble funding librarsenate any time exemption ies, law enforcement, soon. for first-time mass transit and road Currently, home buyers; the governor construction. We don’t allow lawmakfills openings ers to prohibit need to further handon the court assessment cuff them. by appointing a increases for nominee from a list properties with presented by a judicial decreasing market nominating commission. values. If passed, this amendment The amendment of fers would allow the Senate to reject or a cornucopia of ta x breaks for approve nominees. commercial real estate and homeownIt would also give members of the ers. Proponents say the ta x breaks will state House of Representatives access stimulate the housing and commercial to confidential files involving judges real estate markets. They also say it accused of misconduct, and would give will help property owners in a down lawmakers the right to repeal procedural economy. Critics say the proposal will court rules with a simple majority vote hurt cash-strapped school districts, rather than a two-thirds majority vote, as cities and counties already forced to currently required. cut ser vices. Total ta x revenue losses Supporters say the measure would over a three-year period have been make the appellate court system run estimated by the state at nearly $1 more efficiently and add a layer of acbillion. countability before Supreme Court justices are appointed. Opponents say the Who supports or measure is a dangerous attempt to exert opposes this: political influence over the judicial branch The Florida Chamber supports this by giving legislators more authority. amendment. The Florida League of Cities and Who supports or Florida Association of Counties do not opposes this: support this amendment. The Florida Chamber supports this The League of Women Voters of amendment. Florida opposes this amendment.
The Florida Bar opposes this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
We need to keep politics out of the selection of judges.
Amendment 6: Prohibition on Public Funding of Abortions; Construction of Abortion Rights
This amendment would make the existing federal ban on public funding for most abortions part of the state constitution. It would narrow the scope of a state privacy law that is sometimes used in Florida to challenge abortion laws. Having the state constitution reflect the existing federal prohibitions on the public funding of abortions has no impact on current abortion funding practices in Florida. However, this amendment would eliminate the state’s privacy right with respect to a woman’s right to choose.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber takes no position on this amendment. Florida Baptist State Board and Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops support this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
The right to choose needs to stay with women.
Amendment 8: Religious Freedom
This amendment would remove the prohibition in Florida’s Constitution that prevents religious institutions from receiving taxpayer funding. Supporters say the amendment would allow the state to fund programs that provide a valuable public service but are currently denied that funding because they are affiliated with religious organizations. They also argue that it offers support to groups with religious affiliations that provide services like prison ministries or church-run after-school programs. >>>
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Opponents say the amendment would eliminate a long-established component of the separation of church and state that prevents the government from funding groups that espouse religious beliefs. The amendment, they argue, would open the door to school vouchers that could be used to fund religious schools.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber supports this amendment. Florida Baptist State Board and Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops support this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
This is a slippery slope that could have state funds promoting one religion over another.
Amendment 9:
Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder
This would grant a full property tax exemption to the surviving spouses of military veterans who die while on active duty and to the surviving spouses of first responders who die in the line of duty. For a spouse to be eligible, the deceased veteran or first responder must have been a permanent resident of Florida as of Jan. 1 of the year they died. First responders are defined as law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The proposed amendment covers full-time, part-time and volunteer first responders. The state estimates that this amendment, if passed, would reduce local school and government tax revenues by about $600,000 statewide in the first year it is in effect.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber takes no position on this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
Our counties and cities are having trouble funding libraries, law enforcement, mass transit and road construction. We don’t need to further handcuff them.
Amendment 10:
Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption
This amendment would give an additional property tax exemption to low-income seniors who have lived in their home for more than 25 years. Counties and municipalities to grant an additional homestead tax exemption equal to the assessed value of homestead property if the property has a just value less than $250,000 to an owner who has maintained permanent residency on the property for not less than 25 years, who has attained age 65, and who has a low household income as defined by general law. If every city and county in the state were to approve the exemption, there would be a combined $18.5 million over the first two years it was offered. Supporters say this amendment will benefit elderly residents on fixed incomes. Opponents say it further erodes the tax base as county and cities try to meet budget shortfalls.
This amendment would double the tangible personal property tax exemption and allow local governments to increase the exemption. Supporters say this amendment will give tax relief to small businesses and help stimulate the economy. They say it provides a way for local governments to offer further reductions in the business tax. Statewide, the additional exemption (from $25,000 to $50,000) proposed would reduce property tax collections across the state by a combined $61 milWho supports or lion over its first three years. Opponents say this opposes this: amendment is part of a The Florida Chamtrickle-down economber takes no position ic theory that does on this amendment. not work. They say This is a slippery The League of it will strip millions Women Voters of slope that could in tax revenue Florida opposes have state funds from local governthis amendment. promoting one ments struggling religion over to provide basic IN Recomservices. another.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber supports this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
Our counties and cities are having trouble funding libraries, law enforcement, mass transit and road construction. We don’t need to further handcuff them.
Amendment 11:
Additional Homestead Exemption; Low-Income Seniors Who Maintain Long-Term Residency on Property; Equal to Assessed Value
Student body presidents from the state’s 12 universities comprise the FSA. Over the years, several universities chose not to pay the dues and participate in the FSA, which meant they could not be the student representative on the Board of Governors. This amendment bypasses FSA. Supporters say this amendment guarantees every university has a chance to have their student body president be named as a representative of the Board of Governors. Opponents say this amendment is unnecessary.
Who supports or opposes this:
The Florida Chamber takes no position on this amendment. The League of Women Voters of Florida opposes this amendment.
IN Recommends: NO
The Florida Legislature needs to stop meddling with education. {in}
mends: NO
Our counties and cities are having trouble funding libraries, law enforcement, mass transit and road construction. We don’t need to further handcuff them.
Amendment 12:
Appointment of Student Body President to Board of Governors of the State University System
This amendment would change the way the state selects the student representative on the state university system’s Board of Governors by replacing the president of the Florida Student Association with the chair of the council of state university student body presidents as the student member. Such a council does not exist and will have to be created by the Board of Governors.
RESOURCES: Collins Center for Public Policy: collinscenter.org
League of Women Voters of Florida: thefloridavoter.org Florida Chamber of Commerce: flchamber.com Amendment 4:
Florida League of Cities: floridaleagueofcities.com
Amendment 5:
Florida Bar: floridabar.org
Amendments 6 & 8:
Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops: flaccb.org
21
November 1, 2012
IN VOTING GUIDE ▶STATE LEVEL
These are our recommendations for the Nov. 6 election. Please cut out and take this with you to the polls.
▶FEDERAL LEVEL
President and Vice President of the United States: Barack Obama and Joe Biden United States Senator: Bill Nelson Representative in Congress, District 1: Jeff Miller
t
in
State Senator, District 2: Greg Evers State Representative, District 2: C.V. (Clay) Ford State Representative, District 3: Doug Broxson Retention: Justice of Supreme Court Justice R. Fred Lewis: Yes Justice Barbara J. Pariente: Yes Justice Peggy A. Quince: Yes Retention – First District Court of Appeal Judge Simone Marstiller: Yes Judge Stephanie Ray: Yes Judge Ron Swanson: Yes Judge Brad Thomas: Yes
▶ESCAMBIA COUNTY Sheriff: David Morgan Property Appraiser: Chris Jones Tax Collector: Janet Holley
Superintendent of Schools: Claudia Brown-Curry County Commissioner, District 1: Wilson Robertson County Commissioner, District 3: Lumon May County Commissioner, District 5: Steven Barry ECUA, District 1: Vicki H. Campbell
▶SANTA ROSA COUNTY Sheriff: Wendell Hall School Board Member, District 4: Jenny Granse
▶CITY OF PENSACOLA
City Council, District 5: Gerald C. Wingate City Referendum Question On Renewal Of Authority To Grant Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions: Yes
▶AMENDMENTS
No. 1 Health Care Services: No No. 2 Veterans Disabled Due to Combat Injury; Homestead Property Tax Discount: No No. 3 State Government Revenue Limitation: No No. 4 Property Tax Limitations; Property Value Decline; Reduction for Nonhomestead Assessment Increase; Delay of Scheduled Repeal: No No. 5 State Courts: No No. 6 Prohibition on Public Funding of Abortions; Construction of Abortion Rights: No No. 8 Religious Freedom: No No. 9 Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder: No No. 10 Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption: No
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LUMON MAY:
A True Community Leader
Lots of politicians talk about taking care of the next generation, but Lumon May has spent his life actually doing it. As a long-time coach and youth sports coordinator, Lumon May has helped thousands of children learn the values of hard work, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Lumon has been making a difference in the lives of our young people, and that’s what he’ll do as our County Commissioner: H Work with citizens to clean up neighborhoods across our community. H Support efforts to keep our community safe and to keep young people out of trouble. H Work together with other business leaders to create jobs for our citizens.
Lumon with Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina, the thirdranking Democrat in the U.S. Congress, on a visit to the Soul Bowl in Pensacola.
New LeAdership for a New direcTiON
H www.LumonMay.com H Political advertisement paid for and approved by Lumon May, Democrat, for Escambia County Commission District 3
23
November 1, 2012
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1 - 8
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inweekly.net
by James Hagan
Ice Flyers’ Season Tips Off The Ice Flyers earned 64 points and finished second in the nine-team league last before ultimately losing the best-of-three series against the Cottonmouths. Minority owner Greg Harris expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season and promised fans an exciting style of hockey. “We made a lot of changes, but we have a lot of skill and size. We addressed some issues from last year. Even though we made the finals we were in the middle of the pack during the regular season. This season we want to be in the front of the pack all year long. We’re going to be a high-paced, high-scoring, hard-hitting
While the National Hockey League nears the cancellation of another season due to a player lockout, the Pensacola Ice Flyers are set to tip-off another great season in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) on October 26 on the road against the Columbus Cottonmouths. Coming off a successful 2011 season that saw them make a run to the SPHL championship series, the Ice Flyers hope to build on last year’s momentum with a new coach, new logo, and a revamped line-up. New Coach Gary Graham, beginning his first year as a head coach after four years as an assistant with the championship-winning Fort Wayne Komets in what is now known as the East Coast Hockey League, discussed how the team has had a competitive training camp to prepare for the upcoming season right after making the first cuts of the camp. “It’s been a very competitive camp and tough decisions had to be made,” Graham said. “The five players I released all had skill and competed hard.”
The main camp roster is now down to 13 forwards, eight defensemen and three goalies, including seven returning players from last year’s finalist team. Graham seemed pleased with how training camp has progressed thus far. “I see a lot of hungry men. We talked about setting a tone in camp, and we have a lot of great leaders out here. Conditioning is a big thing I’m looking for. If a guy worked hard in the off-season like he should have, that usually stands out right away.” Graham expressed how difficult it is to get the rooster set before the team’s opener. “More difficult decisions lie ahead in the next few days,” Graham added. “We have a great deal of talent and a high compete level in camp this year. As tough as these choices will be, in the end, we still need to get down to 18 players for the season opener.” The team is welcoming back standout goalie Steve Christie, who spurred the team’s late-season playoff run with an 11-2 record with a 2.08 goals against average.
“It’s great to support national charities, but we want to be sure that this year money that is raised in Pensacola stays in Pensacola,” he said. To that end, Harris announced that Gulf Coast Kid’s House would be one of the charities money would be raised for this season, as well as the fact that the Ice Flyers’ home opening weekend November 2 would function as a food drive for Manna Food Bank. Because of last season’s success, expectations are high among season ticket-holders as they anticipate a championship to complement the atmosphere and experience of an Ice Flyers’ game. “I am super excited about the upcoming hockey season,” said Nicole Ransom. “The smell of hockey always brings a smile to my face. The fights are so much fun. I love it when the gloves come off.” Raven Stone added that she is “looking forward to seeing the chemistry of the new team and the fast pace, aggressive style of play they bring to the ice.” Harris also announced the continuation of several popular theme events, including Military Appreciation Night, Fan Appreciation Night, Mardi Gras Night, the teddy bear toss, and the four Sunday home games being centered on a familyfriendly theme. {in}
“The smell of hockey always brings a smile to my face. The fights are so much fun.” Nicole Ransom
team this year. It’s going to be a completely different style of game from what our fans have seen in the past.” Harris also commented about the Ice Flyers’ commitment in bringing in guys who will represent the organization both on the ice and in the community. “These guys are in the public eye. Even before we hired Coach Graham, he was in agreement with us about bringing in character guys that will lead by example on the ice and off the WHEN: 7:05 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 ice. Those are the type of guys he’s WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. recruited. I can already see the differGregory St. ence,” he said. COST: Varies Harris announced that this season DETAILS: pensacolaiceflyers.com will see more of a focus on fundraising for local charities.
PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS HOME OPENER VS. MISSISSIPPI SURGE
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by Shelby Smithey
Cirque du Soleil Creates Vibrant World
Cirque du Soleil has been dazzling its audiences since the ‘80s with colorful characters, gravity- defying stunts and acrobatics. Take advantage of what will be the last tour of Cirque du Soleil’s longest-running show, “Saltimbanco” at the Pensacola Bay Center for its first and final performance in Pensacola. Recently, The IN spoke with Maxime Charbonneau, who is the publicist of “Saltimbanco.” He has worked with Cirque du Soleil for five years on six different productions in over 35 countries. IN: “Saltimbanco” is Cirque du Soleil’s longest running touring shows, being performed since 1992. Why do you think it gets such a positive response from people? CHARBONNEAU: Over the years “Saltimbanco” has become a classic. It is a beautiful, colorful and full-of-energy production. It is successful because it touches audiences in so many ways. It shows that the human body expresses different things. “Saltimbanco” is quite traditional in that it is a fairly simple show. It conveys what the human body is capable of doing and I think that is something everyone can understand. Simplicity is one of the show’s main attributes.
IN: How is “Saltimbanco” different from other Cirque du Soleil shows? CHARBONNEAU: “Saltimbanco” is used to introduce people to Cirque du Soleil. We’ve toured in arenas for the past five years and people are always amazed and touched. We have 21 shows all over the world on this current tour. Even though the show is 20 years old, “Saltimbanco” is still touching people. For example, last week we played in Portland, Maine. It was the first time we had ever played there and we established records for most tickets sold in that building.
CHARBONNEAU: There are dozens of acts that are a part of the show. There are acrobatic acts, clowning or character parts, contortion, juggling, trapeze, an aerial ballet number and some specialized acts. The Russian swing is where the performers are catapulted 30 feet in the air. There are also a lot of group acts. The show contains 50 artists, and the main core of 30 artists is called the house troupe. The house troupe performs the Chinese poles, where the artists jump from one pole to the other. The bungee act is the final act of the show.
IN: “Saltimbanco” is supposed to represent a bustling city metropolis. How is this representation conveyed in the show? CHARBONNEAU: In the first act of the show, the artists play characters we call “worms.” They don’t really have their own
IN: What act surprises or impresses people the most, or gets the most audience reaction? CHARBONNEAU: I would say—surprisingly—it is one of the clown acts. In “Saltimbanco” there is a lot of audience interaction. We like to involve our audience members in the show so some will be asked to participate. Putting a random guest on stage always brings surprises and fun. It’s not always “this one jumps so high.” Sometimes we will think about the person who went on the stage and played with the performers as the most memorable and exciting thing about “Saltimbanco.”
“You see this final evolution of the characters and how they learn to work together in this imaginary world.” Charbonneau personality or identity. Then in the second act, all the characters evolve and learn to interact with each other and demonstrate their own personalities. They all work together in the creation of this new world. In the end you see this final evolution of the characters and how they learn to work together in this imaginary world. IN: What kind of acts will be performed in the show?
Mike Whitehead Handling Public Money?
NOW THAT’S
SCARY!
IN: Since Cirque du Soleil has never been to Pensacola before, what can people expect who have never been to a show? CHARBONNEAU: They should expect to be amazed from what they see. All the people will have a good time watching the show. It’s a good show for the entire family. It’s full of life and fun. The characters are silly. I’m sure people will really enjoy it. “Saltimbanco” is the best introduction if you’ve never been to a Cirque du Soleil show before.
IN: Can you tell me a little bit about the typical day of a performer? What kind of training do the artists have to do to be able to do these stunts? CHARBONNEAU: We have artists from all different backgrounds. We have 50 artists from 20 different cultures. They all have some sort of athletic background whether it is gymnastics, swimming or diving. Some performers have circus backgrounds as well. They all have their own ways of training and they all have a specific training schedule. The artists usually have two to three training sessions plus six to eight shows a week. It can be a lot to manage, but we carry everything we need with us on tour. We have a physical therapist and we bring our own gym equipment with us. The artists do mostly cardio and weightlifting but each artist has a different way of staying fit for the show. IN: This is the last tour of “Saltimbanco.” Are you sad to see it end? CHARBONNEAU: We are in the last stretch. The last show of “Saltimbanco” will be in December. We are closing the show in Quebec, the headquarters of Cirque du Soleil. The beauty of Cirque du Soleil is that we try to never bring the same show to the same city. Hopefully when we come back, it will be a completely new show. {in}
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S ‘SALTIMBANCO’ WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7 and Thursday, Nov. 8 WHERE: Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. COST: Adults, $40- $70; Children, $32-$57; Military, Seniors & Students, $36- $58.50 DETAILS: cirquedusoleil.com/saltimbanco; 800-745-3000
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November 1, 2012
music
by Sarah McCartan
Tears, Sweat, and the Sea The lyrics of “Saltwater” reference a famous quote by Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen). “The cure for anything is salt water—tears, sweat, or the sea,” proclaims Dinesen. “This pretty much is Timberhawk,” said Nichols. Over the course of the past decade, and in multiple forms, members of Timberhawk have been recognized for putting their stamp on a blend of old classics and newer favorites of some of their greatest influences for their routine gigs, while introducing more of their own songs over time. These gigs are undoubtedly sighted as memorable, as they include parade weekends, historical weddings and even post-festival
photo by Ryan Eaton After months of eager anticipation it is time—Timberhawk’s time. After a month of tracking, a week of mixing, and another week of mastering, Timberhawk has completed their first full-length album to date, “Tears, Sweat and the Sea.” The four-piece band sat down together and mapped out their ideas, picked up every instrument they owned, then played, collaborated and created—recording in the unconfined freedom and comfort of their own living room. “Our whole plan was to spend time on it. The thing about doing it in our living room was having no time limit,” said bassist and vocalist Aubrey Nichols. “We had about four or five songs concrete going into it. The rest we just got real creative with.” Working through their ideas and bringing in the influence of engineer Sean Peterson, Timberhawk spent up to 12 hours a day fleshing out the intricacies of the album. This recording process allowed the group to hone their “rock-n-soul” sound and arrive at a collection of tracks that each seem to maintain
its own character. Close your eyes while listening and you may find yourself taken on a journey to the past, to the old South, and even down the banks of the Mississippi. Soulful down to its very core, “Tears, Sweat and the Sea” claps, hums, shakes, crashes, stirs, echoes and resonates. Throughout the album you will find bluesy rhythms, overdriven guitar, soothing harmonica and even more lightweight synth sounds peppered into the mix. Opening track “Down the River” carries with it a billowing energy that erupts into heartfelt vocals. Each song in the series that follows flows gracefully into the next, all the way to finish. While Nichols and guitarist and vocalist Jordan Richards split writing the majority of the tracks on the album, “Saltwater,” was co-written by Nichols and guitarist Nathan Dillaha. This closing track was brought to life solely during the period of time spent recording and even gave way to the title of the album. “The album name was actually the final hang up after it was mastered,” Nichols explained.
“It’s not easy to just say ‘no more cover gigs’.” Aubrey Nichols after parties. Not only has this lent Timberhawk to be widely recognized by weekend regulars and beach-going tourists, they have become highly esteemed by the local music community as well their peers as talented musicians, rightly earning their place as “Best Local Band” in this year’s Best of the Coast. Timberhawk’s hard work and dedication have paved the way for the band to shift their energy to build upon what they have created, and move full steam ahead in the next leg of their journey. “It’s not easy to just say ‘no more cover gigs’ but we are heavily focusing our efforts on touring and festival circuits. We hope to get a stronghold
on the Southeast region and go from there,” said Nichols. Not only do they have an upcoming showcase booked up North, Nichols hints at Timberhawk having other opportunities on the horizon, including potential deals in the making. Still, first thing’s first—their CD release party. They promise for not only a show, but an engaging spectacle. “We appreciate everyone for sticking with us for so long—we want to give everyone a gift,” said Nichols. “We’ve never prepared for any show like this one. We sat down and had a meeting on how to make this show special— something to be remembered. And mark my words—it will be.” “Tears, Sweat and the Sea” is available online Nov. 2 on iTunes, Amazon and most any other online music vehicle you can possibly imagine. Hardcopies of the album will also be sold locally at Revolver Records. The album’s artwork was designed by Dillaha, who utilized photographs of textures of elements such as wood and metal as the foundation for this art. He then incorporated one of the intricate layers of his design into Timberhawk t-shirts that will also be sold at the show along with the album. {in}
TIMBERHAWK CD RELEASE AT VINYL
WHAT: Timberhawk with Colonel Gentleman and the Intangible Fancies WHERE: Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 COST: $5 at the door, $5 for a CD DETAILS: timberhawk.bandcamp.com; facebook.com/timberhawk.time
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UWF Downtown: A LECTURE SERIES HONORING THE ARTS &HUMANITIES Dr. Jocelyn evans, University of West Florida associate Professor of Political science Virtually Representative?: Security, Transparency, & Social Identity in the Digital Age Thursday, November 8, 2012 Artel Gallery, 223 Palafox Place 5:30 p.m. refreshments 6 p.m. lecture
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happenings
Giving a Good Impression by Jennie McKeon
“Any time the Children’s Chorus sings After Beethoven and Brahms, the it is a special event, but this time is truly Pensacola Symphony Orchestra has unique,” Rubardt said. “The sound of pure a French lesson to impress upon its young voices is perfect for Faure’s lush audience. harmonies and melodies.” “All of the pieces on this concert In the 17 years that Riegle has been a have the theme of youthfulness,” said part of the symphony, she has worked with Peter Rubardt, music director and the the children’s chorus before, yet she always night’s conductor. enjoys the chance to see Pensacola’s The night’s music will be comprised of young choral talent. “Mother Goose Suite,” by Ravel, “Re“They are always thoroughly prepared quiem,” by Faure and “Symphony in C,” and enchanting to hear. We are fortunate by Bizet. to have a children’s chorus of this caliber in “French music is unique because it Pensacola,” she said. uses harmonic color as well as interpretive The concert also gives the young freedom to create a rich orchestral sound,” singers the chance to work with professaid Principal Flutist Stephanie Riegle. sional musicians. Katie Ott, a harpist who has been with “What I love most about music is that the symphony for 10 years, also said how there is always more to learn and somevibrant French music can be. thing more challenging,” said Ott. “It’s ex“Anyone who attends the French Imciting to see children perform because the pressions concert is in for a real treat,” she world of music is right at their fingertips. said. “It’s like the world going from black They will have so much to gain and learn in and white into full color.” their lifetime.” The three symphonies are not only Even after her 40 years of playing the pleasing to the ear, but fit the youthfulness flute and almost two decades with Pentheme in one way or another. sacola Symphony Orchestra, Riegle is not “Mother Goose Suite” was originally jaded by stage performances and still gets written as a ballet and has been re-orexcited for each event. chestrated as a standalone piece. “I have the privilege of working with “Ravel wrote his ‘Mother Goose Suite’ very talented musicians and an inspiras a piano duet for the children of his close ing conductor,” she said. “Together we friends, and each movement is based on have the unique experience of connecting a character or story from the beloved with the audience through live music.” nursery rhymes,” Rubardt said. For Ott, rehearsals are just a tease un“Symphony in C” was actually written til she can finally perform for an audience. by a 17-year-old as a student assignment, “There is a certain tempo and moand has been regarded as genius for somementum that occurs starting at our first one his age. rehearsal—the climax comes at the con“I guess nobody told him how hard it is cert,” she said. “I feel the audience gives to write a symphony, because he tossed it the musicians the final spark that lights the off effortlessly, as only a kid can,” Rubardt fire in our performance.” {in} said of Bizet. “The result is so charming and brilliant that I can only sigh, and muse about what I was doing when I was seventeen.” Joining the symphony will WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 be the Pensacola Children’s WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Chorus for Faure’s “Requiem.” COST: $20-$82 Rubardt describes the piece DETAILS: pensacolasymphony.com or 435as “one of the most hauntingly 2533 beautiful and beloved of all
FRENCH IMPRESSIONS
SEGWAYS • BIKES PUB TOURS
choral works.”
Why Buy New? Blue Moon Is The Place To Shop With The Best Prices In Town!
THURSDAY 11.1
Open Tues-Sat 10-5 | Sun 12-5
3721 W. Navy Blvd. 455-7377
417-9292 • 701 S. Palafox St. www.emeraldcoasttours.net
‘PENSACOLA STATE ART FACULTY EXHIBITION’ 7 a.m. through Dec 14. Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Bldg. 15, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. 484-2550 or pensacolastate.edu. ‘THE GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL POSTER EXHIBITION’ 8 a.m. The Wright Place, 6 E. Wright St. 432-1434 or fumcpensacola.com. ‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050,
ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/darc.php. ‘INTEGRATE. REPLICATE. GENERATE’ 10 a.m. through Dec 22. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org. ‘YONDERLY: AN EXHIBITION OF THE WORK OF JULIE HUGHES’ 10 a.m. University of West Florida Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 11000 University Blvd, Bldg. 82. 474-3247 or uwf.edu. ‘COLLABORATING WITH NATURE’ 10 a.m. through Nov 10. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com.
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We DON’T NeeD AN
‘Julia Kay’s Portrait Party Roadshow’ ‘JULIA KAY’S PORTRAIT PARTY ROADSHOW’ 10 a.m. through Nov 10. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox, 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. ‘CINCO BANDERAS’ 10 a.m. through Nov 30. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox, 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com. ‘EXPERIMENTAL ARTISTS BOOK ARTS GUILD RECEPTION’ 5 p.m. Gallery 88, 11000 University Pkwy, Bldg. 88. 474-2787 or uwf.edu. JOE OCCHIPINTI JAZZ WINE TASTING 5 p.m. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. Ninth Ave. 433-9463 or aragonwinemarket.com. WINE TASTING AT AWM 5 p.m. Aragon Wine Market, 27 S. Ninth Ave. 433-9463 or aragonwinemarket.com. ‘STEPPING OUT IN STYLE FASHION SHOW’ 5:30 p.m. New World Landing, 600 S. Palafox. 469-2305. VEGAN DINNER AT EOTL 6 p.m. End of the Line Café, 610 E. Wright St. 429-0336 or eotlcafe.com. AFRICAN DRUMMING CLASSES 6:30 p.m. $2$5. Gull Point Community Center, 7000 Spanish Trail. For more information contact, 291-2718, 324-4928 or hurreyupstageandfilmworks.com BRAD BARNES OPEN COLLEGE JAM 7:30 p.m. Goat Lips Beer Garden, 2811 Copter Rd. 474-1919.
live music
TROY BRANNON 3 p.m. Florabama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. 492-0611 or florabama.com BO ROBERTS, RHONDA HART & MARK SHERRILL, ELAINE PETTY 5 p.m. Florabama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. 492-0611 or florabama.com. THE DAVENPORTS 6 p.m. The Leisure Club, 126 S. Palafox. 912-4229 or tlcdowntown.com. LUCAS CRUTCHFIELD 6 p.m. The Deck at The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or fishhouse.goodgrits.com. JOE FINGERS 7 p.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com. MY LOUISIANA LOVE 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com. KARAOKE WITH BECKY 7:30 p.m. Sabine Sandbar, 715 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 934-3141 or dalesbigdeck.com. DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O’Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. SWERVE 8 p.m. World of Beer, 200 S. Palafox. 332-7952 or wobusa.com/palafox. DJ MR LAO 8 p.m. Phineas Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. COLLEGE DANCE NIGHT 9 p.m. Phineas
Phogg’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. SCHOFIELD 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. EXTREME KARAOKE WITH G.C.P.C 10 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or gulfcoastpartycrew.com. NEWBURY SYNDICATE TRIO 9:30 p.m. Florabama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. 492-0611 or florabama.com. LUCKY DOGGS 10 p.m. Florabama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. 492-0611 or florabama.com
FRIDAY 11.2
‘PENSACOLA STATE ART FACULTY EXHIBITION’ 8 a.m. through Dec 14. Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Bldg. 15, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. 484-2550 or pensacolastate.edu. BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING SHOW 8 a.m. National Naval Aviation Museum Viewing Area, 1750 Radford Blvd. 452-3604 or naspairshow.com. GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL 9 a.m. Seville Square, Alcaniz and Government Streets. 434-1234 or ggaf.org. ‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 5950050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/darc. php. ‘INTEGRATE. REPLICATE. GENERATE’ 10 a.m. through Dec 22. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org. ‘COLLABORATING WITH NATURE’ 10 a.m. through Nov 10. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com. ‘JULIA KAY’S PORTRAIT PARTY ROADSHOW RECEPTION’ 10:30 a.m. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox, 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. ‘JULIA KAY’S PORTRAIT PARTY ROADSHOW’ 10 a.m. through Nov 10. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox, 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. ‘CINCO BANDERAS’ 10 a.m. through Nov 30. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox, 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING SHOW FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE 1:30 p.m. Reservations required. Pensacola Lighthouse, 2081 Shell Rd. 393-1561 or pensacolalighthouse.org. EHCS FALL FESTIVAL 3 p.m. $12 wristband for unlimited games. East Hill Christian School, 1301 E. Gonzales St. 438-7746; For more information, email ptf@ehcseagles.com or visit ehcs.org HOMECOMING NIGHT SHOW FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE 4 p.m. Reservations required. Pensacola Lighthouse, 2081 Shell Rd. 393-1561 or pensacolalighthouse.org. PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox,
APOlOGIzer-IN-ChIef President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apologized to rioting Pakistanis recently in a TV ad paid for with taxpayer dollars. The Obama Administration apologized because our God given right of freedom of speech had offended radical Muslims who were murdering innocent people in the streets. No American president should ever apologize for the free speech and freedom of religion that are a part of our Judeo-Christian heritage and guaranteed in our Constitution. We don’t want an Apologizer-in-Chief in the White House who bows to Islam and is defensive about America’s Constitution and our Bill of Rights. We need a President who will defend our Constitution – not be ashamed of it. Barack Hussein Obama has never apologized to Christians or Jews for the hate speech against them, which is printed in Islamic publications. Did Obama apologize to Catholics for the offensive display depicting Christ in urine currently being shown at the Edward Tyler Nahem gallery in New York City? Why is Obama only concerned about offending rioting, looting, and radical Muslims who become outraged at the slightest offense?
We don’t need an Apologizer-In-Chief or an Appeaser-In-Chief in the White house.
Say NO to Barack Obama and his continued apologies for America on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 For more information visit
www.GINGPAC.org
Paid for by the Government Is Not God – PAC (WWW.GINGPAC.ORG) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee
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happenings
Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com. WINE TASTING AT DK 4:30 p.m. Distinctive Kitchens, 29 S. Palafox. 438-4688 or dk4u.com. WINE TASTING AT SEVILLE QUARTER 5 p.m. Palace Café at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. ‘LIMITED DINNER AND HAPPY HOUR AT GREGORY STREET’ 5 p.m. $16-$20. Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Baked Lemon Pepper Grouper, Chicken Cordon Blue. Gregory Street Assembly Hall, 501 E. Gregory St. 607-8633. WINE TASTING AT CITY GROCERY 5:15 p.m. City Grocery, 2050 N. 12th Ave. 469-8100. WINE AND GLIDE SEGWAY TOUR 5:30 p.m. $45. Emerald Coast Tours, 701 S. Palafox. 4179292 or emeraldcoasttours.net. WINE TASTING AT EAST HILL MARKET 5:30 p.m. 1216 N. Ninth Ave. JOE OCCHIPINTI BIG BAND 6:30 p.m. Gregory Street Assembly Hall, 501 E. Gregory St. 307-8633. ICE FLYERS VS. SURGE 7 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolaiceflyers.com. SWING DANCING 8:30 p.m. American Legion, 1401 Intendencia St. $5. 437-5465 or pensacolaswing.com
SATURDAY 11.3
live music
MICHAEL VINCENT BAND 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 9165087 or paradisebar-grill.com. KARAOKE WITH BECKY 7:30 p.m. Sabine Sandbar, 715 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 934-3141 or dalesbigdeck.com. MIKE BOCCIA 7:45 p.m. Goat Lips Beer Garden, 2811 Copter Rd. 474-1919. REDDOG 8 p.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com. HOLLY SHELTON AND DAVID SHELANDER
Diesel and Dixie / photo by Rachel Brady Photography 8 p.m. Ragtyme Grille, 201 S. Jefferson St. 4299655 or ragtyme.net. COMMON THREAD 8 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com. DIESEL AND DIXIE, THE F’N A-HOLES, CARPE DIEM 9 p.m. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 434-9060 or pensacolahandlebar.com.
Upscale Chinese Dining
THE REZ 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. MO JILES 9 p.m. World of Beer, 200 S. Palafox. 332-7952 or wobusa.com/palafox. JAMES ADKINS 9:30 p.m. Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom, 10 S. Palafox. 497-6073 or hopjacks.com.
BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING SHOW 8 a.m. National Naval Aviation Museum Viewing Area, 1750 Radford Blvd. 452-3604 or naspairshow.com. PALAFOX MARKET 8 a.m. Martin Luther King Plaza on North Palafox Street between Chase and Garden streets. palafoxmarket.com. LOBLOLLY THEATRE THRIFT SALE 8 a.m. 1010 N. 12th Ave. Suite 211. For more information, contact Yolanda Reed, 479-4530. GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL 9 a.m. Seville Square, Alcaniz and Government Streets. 434-1234 or ggaf.org. ‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/darc.php. ‘COLLABORATING WITH NATURE’ 10 a.m. through Nov 10. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com. ‘JULIA KAY’S PORTRAIT PARTY ROADSHOW’ 10 a.m. through Nov 10. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox, 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. ‘CINCO BANDERAS’ 10 a.m. through Nov 30. Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox, 432-3080 or artelgallery.org. ‘THE SWINGING BOYS OF KINGRY’S ROPE’ 10 a.m. Bagdad Village Museum, 4512 Church St., Bagdad. 293-5349 or bagdadvillage.org. ‘MEGAN SMOLENYAK GENEALOGICAL SEMINAR’ 8 a.m. $45. Washington High School, 6000 College Pkwy. 432-7072. ‘INTEGRATE. REPLICATE. GENERATE’ 12 p.m. through Dec 22. Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. 432-6247 or pensacolamuseumofart.org. PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.
—Creative Organic Vegan Cuisine, Coffee & Catering—
Vegan Cooking Classes twice a month — Sunday Brunch with champagne specials Thursday 3 Course Gourmet Dinner—Menu changes weekly. Plus Daily Specials
610 E. Wright St. | 429-0336 | eotlcafe.com $3 Cocktails Tuesday & Wednesday $2 Well Drinks Wednesday 5-close
Best Chinese Cuisine & Runner Up Best Restaurant–Cordova Area
Live Music at Shark Fin every Tuesday Night with Jones & Company
Ste C, 5912 North Davis Highway (behind Rooms to Go) * (850) 912-8669 Monday-Thursday: 11am - 10pm | Friday-Saturday: 11am - 11pm | Sunday: 11am - 9pm
11 East Romana Street w w w. a t t o r n e y g e n e m i t c h e l l . c o m
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happenings
Broadway on Palafox by Jennie McKeon
Since 1981 the Pensacola Saenger Theatre has brought Broadway shows to downtown Pensacola, adding to the community’s theatre culture. “We partner with Jam Theatricals to bring the best in touring Broadway shows to the Gulf Coast,” said Kathy Summerlin, marketing director at Saenger Theatre. Most of the performers you’ll see in
these productions have performed on the Great White Way. Seeing them on the Saenger stage is exciting and more walletfriendly. “Broadway in Pensacola gives locals an opportunity to see performances that they could see in New York City at a fraction of the cost of a NYC Broadway show,” Summerlin said. Starting the season on October 7 was “Rock of the Ages,” the predecessor to the summer musical starring Tom Cruise. The next show will be “Shrek the Musical.” Whether you want to take the kids to a family-friendly show or finally see a classic on stage, the Broadway in Pensacola 20122013 Season is filled with crowd pleasers. “Each season we try to get a mix of the classic touring Broadway shows like ‘West
Side Story’ and ‘Hair,’ and the newer shows like ‘Shrek the Musical’ and ‘The Addams Family,’” Summerlin said. There are still season subscriptions available. The subscriptions allow you to buy tickets to the next five shows at a discounted rate and guarantee you the same seat for each show. Individual tickets are available as well, but don’t wait until the last minute to see your favorite shows. Summerlin already has her favorites. “‘West Side Story’ is a classic and one of my favorites,” Summerlin said. “I’ve not seen the actual show, only the movie. ‘The Midtown Men’ is going to be a fantastic performance. It’s comprised of the four original cast members of ‘Jersey Boys’ and I just love the music that they’ll be performing.” {in}
BROADWAY IN PENSACOLA 20122013 SEASON
“Shrek the Musical”- Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. “West Side Story”- Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. “Hair”- Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. “The Midtown Men”- Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. “The Adams Family”- Wednesday, April 24 , 2013 at 7:30 p.m.
‘SHREK THE MUSICAL’
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 20 WHERE: Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox COST: $48-$65 for individual tickets DETAILS: pensacolasaenger.com or 5953880
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8TH ANNUAL GLASS JAM 6 p.m. First City Art Center, 401 N. Reus St. 429-1222 or belmontartscenter.com. ICE FLYERS VS. ICEGATORS 7 p.m. Pensacola Civic Center, 201 E. Gregory St. 432-0800 or pensacolaiceflyers.com. PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 8 p.m. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox. 595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com ‘PERFORMERS, BLESSINGS & JAZZ’ 8 p.m. Belmont Building, 401 N. Reus St. 745-4367 or truthforyouth.org.
live music
JOE OCCHIPINTI SMALL GROUP JAZZ 10 a.m. The Drowsy Poet Coffee Company, 86 Brent Lane. 434-7638. PAUL KILLOUGH 6 p.m. Crabs We Got ‘Em, 6 Casino Beach. 932-0700 or crabswegotem.com. JOSH GARRETT & THE BOTTOMLINE 7 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com. DUELING PIANOS 8 p.m. Rosie O’Grady’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. THE ENGLISH BEAT, THE PINSTRIPES 8 p.m. $18-$20. Vinyl Music Hall, 5 E. Garden St. 6076758 or vinylmusichall.com. BOUKOU GROOVE 8 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com. THE BLENDERS 8 p.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com. JACOMO KARAOKE 9 p.m. Hub Stacey’s Downtown, 312 E. Government St. 469-1001 or hubstaceys.com. NICK WING KARAOKE 9 p.m. Hub Stacey’s at the Point, 5851 Galvez Rd. 497-0071 or hubstaceys.com.
FLOCK OF SEA MONKEYS 9 p.m. World of Beer, 200 S. Palafox. 332-7952 or wobusa.com/palafox. THE REZ 9 p.m. Apple Annie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. KNEE DEEP 9:30 p.m. Hopjacks Pizza Kitchen & Taproom, 10 S. Palafox. 497-6073 or hopjacks.com. THE BLUE RIBBON HEATERS AND MORE 12 a.m. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 4349060 or pensacolahandlebar.com.
SUNDAY 11.4
WORSHIP ON THE WATER 11 a.m. Tent Stage, Florabama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. 492-0611 or florabama.com. ‘COLLABORATING WITH NATURE’ 12:30 p.m. through Nov 10. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com. PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.
live music
CLARENCE BELL 11 a.m. Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St. 912-4856 or fivesistersbluescafe.com. MASON JAR 3 p.m. The Grand Marlin, 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 677-9153 or thegrandmarlin.com. BUD SMITH & THE BUDZ 3 p.m. Paradise Bar & Grill, 21 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach. 916-5087 or paradisebar-grill.com. RON WILLIAMSON OPEN MIC JAM 6 p.m. Goat Lips Beer Garden, 2811 Copter Rd. 474-1919. MAGGIE KOERNER 8 p.m. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. JEALOUSY MOUNTAIN DUO, HU G. WHALES, PHANTOM HOWL 12 a.m. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 434-9060 or pensacolahandlebar.com.
MONDAY 11.5
‘PENSACOLA STATE ART FACULTY EXHIBITION’ 7 a.m. through Dec 14. Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Bldg. 15, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. 484-2550 or pensacolastate.edu. ‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/darc.php. ‘COLLABORATING WITH NATURE’ 10 a.m. through Nov 10. Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox. 429-9100 or bluemorninggallery.com. THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 3 p.m. Gulf Power Company Auditorium, 1 Energy Place. PLAY HAPPY HOUR 4 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com. OYSTER NIGHT AT ATLAS 5 p.m. First dozen are 25 cents apiece and $2 Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra drafts until close. Atlas, 600 S. Barracks St. 470-0003 or atlas.goodgrits.com. BURGERS & BEER NIGHT AT SURF BURGER 6 p.m. Surf Burger, 500 Quietwater Beach Rd., Pensacola Beach. 932-1417 or thesurfburger.com. ‘BEJEWELED & BEDAZZLED PREVIEW’ 6 p.m. $60. Presented by the Pensacola Museum of Art Guild, meet jewelry and interior designer Hutton Wilkinson. 1901 Seville Dr. 479-3632. TEXAS HOLD’EM 4 FUN 7 p.m. Sandshaker Lounge, 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach. 932-2211 or sandshaker.com. GAMER’S NIGHT 8 p.m. Fast Eddie’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. EXTREME TRIVIA 9 p.m. Play, 16 S. Palafox, Suite 100. 466-3080 or iplaypensacola.com.
live music
OPEN MIC WITH CATHY PACE 5 p.m. Florabama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. 492-0611 or florabama.com. PAUL KILLOUGH 6 p.m. Crabs We Got ‘Em, 6 Casino Beach. 932-0700 or crabswegotem.com. ‘JAZZ JAM @ UNIQUE CAFÉ’ 6:30 p.m. $5-$10. The Unique Café, 51 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. 433-8382 or jazzpensacola.com. RYAN CABRERA, ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, LAKEVIEW DRIVE 7:30 p.m. $10. Vinyl Music Hall, 5 E. Garden St. 607-6758 or vinylmusichall.com. MUSICIANS ALLIANCE 9 p.m. LiliMarlene’s at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. LIVIN’ THE DREAM 9 p.m. End O’ the Alley at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. 434-6211 or sevillequarter.com. FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES, MOONGUYS, TROMPOWSKY 12 a.m. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. 434-9060 or pensacolahandlebar.com.
TUESDAY 11.6
‘PENSACOLA STATE ART FACULTY EXHIBITION’ 7 a.m. through Dec 14. Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Bldg. 15, Pensacola State College, 1000 College Blvd. 484-2550 or pensacolastate.edu. ‘A ROADTRIP THROUGH FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY’ 10 a.m. DARC, 207 E. Main St. 595-0050, ext. 107 or flpublicarchaeology.org/darc.php.
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Our Gift Shop is Now Open! T-SHIRTS, HOT SAUCE, COOKBOOKS — ALL YOUR FAVORITE FISH HOUSE GEAR! inCludeS Jim’S world-FamouS reCiPe For gritS À ya ya
good grits! By
Jim Shirley executive Chef, Fish house Pensacola, Florida
Just in time for holiday shopping! We’ve stocked the Tackle Shop with some of your favorite Fish House gear and some new items that we’re sure you’ll love.
Tackle Shop
Fish House
Gifts & Souvenirs
FI SH HOUSE: (850) 470-0003, O PE N DA ILY AT 11 A.M. · AT LA S OY S TE R H O U S E: (850) 437-1961, O P E N M O N.– S AT. 5 P.M., S U N. 11 A.M. · 600 S. B A RRAC K S S T. · C REDIT CARDS OK · WWW.GOODGRITS.COM
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November 1, 2012
PYP CAPTIVATED BY MATT ALTIER OF UWF
On October 11, PYP held a member-wide Quarterly Meeting to revisit the all-important topic of “why.” At this meeting, PYP shared its newly-revised mission statement with our members, who responded enthusiastically to the new language that better captures what PYP is all about. The new mission statement reads as follows: The mission of the Pensacola Young Professionals is to share our passion for and belief in the Pensacola Bay Area, and to act as a catalyst for positive change in our community. During and after the meeting, PYP members wholeheartedly embraced this new statement as a true reflection of both our group’s ideals and their own personal goals. Each one of us in PYP has a genuine love for Pensacola and a desire to help lead our city into the bright future it deserves! In that spirit of leading Pensacola forward, the keynote speaker at our Quarterly Meeting was Mr. Matt Altier, CEO of UWF’s Business Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Altier shared with our members his proposal for developing Pensacola into one of the South’s premier destinations for cultural heritage tourism. Mr. Altier pointed out that our city has a remarkable historical and cultural heritage, and yet we are primarily perceived as a beach-tourist destination. For decades, Pensacola has recognized its potential to tap in to the lucrative cultural heritage tourism market, yet we have done little to aggressively pursue that goal. Mr. Altier’s plan is an ambitious attempt to finally establish the infrastructure, property development, and nationwide marketing effort that our city needs to successfully entice tourists who can appreciate our history and our heritage as well as our beautiful beaches. In the wake of Mr. Altier’s presentation, PYP surveyed its members and found that they were very excited and intrigued by the Cultural Heritage Tourism plan, and PYP plans to research the plan in greater depth in order to determine if this initiative is one that PYP would like to publicly support. No formal endorsement of the plan has yet been made; however, most PYP members are in agreement that Mr. Altier’s ambitious, far-sighted plan represents the kind of innovative thinking and community self-confidence that the Pensacola Bay Area needs.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT What’s up, Pensacola! As we head into the last few months of the year, I’d like to recap some of the awesome events and successes our teams and members have been involved with throughout 2012.
Our members have been extremely busy and have dedicated hundreds of hours on events this year. Our Government Affairs and Economic Development Teams did a great job hosting two political forums featuring City and County candidates, and they also released the Quality of Life Survey results from BPF. Thank you Stephanie Terek, Alan Gray, and Courtney Peterson! We had a very successful 3rd Annual Golf Tournament, at which we were able to raise funds for Gulf Coast Kids House. Tom Coady did a great job in his first year as chair for the tournament. Also, thank you to Nikki and Neal Nash at Marcus Point! Aaron Jones and his Quality of Life Team have put in tons of volunteer hours on nonprofit work helping such causes as Ronald McDonald House, Bridges to Circles, City Parks & Recreation, Junior Achievement, and Manna, just to name a few. Awesome job, Aaron! Melanie Moffett and her team chairs have had an outstanding year with their Pub Clubs, Quarterly Meetings, sports teams, and membership drives. PYP currently has about 260 Members, and our year-end goal is 300. PYP is currently offering a deal whereby new members who join now will receive the rest of this year and all of next year for just $100. Thank you Leia Brune and Lea McLaughlin for arranging this deal! Jonathan Thompson’s Programs Council also had a big year with Internship Pensacola and PPDI. Congrats to JT and “Papa Bear” Dave Brandeberry! Awesome job to all of the members; ya’ll are the Foundation of PYP, and you’re the reason we are gaining momentum and making Pensacola the place where we all love to live, work, and play!
work and her cheerful willingness to help whenever her aid and expertise are needed. Deb is a model of both service and leadership, and PYP is proud to recognize her as our November “Member of the Month.”
BOD MEMBER OF MONTH: BRIAN HOOPER, MEMBER ATLARGE Brian is the At-Large Board Member in charge of Sponsorships. But recently, Brian has been instrumental in helping the Board and PYP become more involved with this year’s political campaigns. Brian has acted as an advisor to the President of PYP in deciding what kind of role PYP would play in the local campaigns. Through his relationships and experience in the legal and political fields, Brian helped PYP host two City and County candidate forums, and he helped us become more involved and better represented on various city boards and committees. PYP thanks Brian for his hard work and support!
For more information on Pensacola Young Professionals or to join please see our website Pensacolayp.com or contact Director Rachael Gillette Pensacola Young Professionals 41 N. Jefferson St. Ste 108 Pensacola FL 32502 (850) 332-7820
EVENT CALENDAR NOVEMBER 1
PYP Charity Ball Meeting Panera Bread, Cordova 5:45 PM
NOVEMBER 9
Pick a Bowl for MANNA PSC, Anna Lamar Switzer Center 5:30 PM
NOVEMBER 13
Econ Dev Team Meeting Warren Averett, 2nd Floor 5:45 PM
NOVEMBER 14
Board Meeting Rodney Rich & Co. 5:15 PM
NOVEMBER 15
Networking Lunch PLT, Courtroom 12:00 PM
NOVEMBER 28
QOL Team Meeting Fish House 5:15 PM
CONTACT US AT
WWW.PENSACOLAYP.COM
War Eagle Chad Stacy President- Pensacola Young Professionals
MEMBER OF MONTH: DEBORAH BROUSSEAU, CO-CHAIR OF PPDI In only the last few months, as the new co-chair of PPDI, Deb has created their new blog, helped design and market this fall’s Emerging Professionals workshops, and worked to update the user interface on the PYP website. Deb’s passion for PYP is reflected in her long hours of volunteer
PYP and Marcus Pointe donate to Gulf Coast Kids House from Golf Tournament
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DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH news of the weird TO RETIRE ON? CAUGHT ON VIDEO: CHRIST’S RETURN “Coming Up Next! The Resurrection! Live!”: “If the Messiah descends from the Mount of Olives as foretold in the Bible,” wrote the Los Angeles Times in an October dispatch from Jerusalem, the two largest Christian television networks in the U.S. promise to cover the arrival live from a hilltop in the city. Daystar Television has already been beaming a 24/7 webcam view, and Trinity Broadcasting Network bought the building next door to Daystar’s in September and has already begun staging live and prerecorded programs using the broad expanse of the Holy Land city as background.
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CAN’T POSSIBLY BE TRUE Once again, in September, the upscale Standard Hotel, in New York City’s lower Manhattan, made headlines for the views it provides to amazed pedestrians. In 2009, it was the hotel’s floor-toceiling windows showcasing amorous couples at play (unless the guests knew to draw the curtains), especially delighting out-of-towners seeking inexpensive entertainment. Now, a September 2012 report in the New York Daily News revealed that the restrooms at the hotel’s Boom-Boom Room restaurant posed a bigger problem: no curtains at all. One restroom user, from Australia, said, “Sitting on the royal throne, you don’t expect a public viewing.” On the other hand, the Daily News noted one gentleman relieving himself and waving merrily at the gawking crowd below. • Valerie Spruill, 60, of Doylestown, Ohio, disclosed publicly in September that she had unknowingly married her own father following the dissolution of her first marriage, which had produced three children. Percy Spruill, a “nice man,” she said, died in 1998, and Valerie told the Akron Beacon Journal that she had heard family rumors after that but only confirmed the parentage in 2004 (with DNA from an old hairbrush). After eight years of silence, from embarrassment, she went public, she said, as an example to help other women who come from tumultuous childhoods in which many men are in their mothers’ lives. • Earlier this year, the National Football League suspended some New Orleans Saints players and the head coach for having a reward system that paid players for purposely injuring opponents. In September, coach Darren Crawford of the Tustin (Calif.) Pee Wee Red Cobras team was suspended when former players reported that the coach ran an apparently similar scheme among his 10- and 11-year-olds, using a cash reward of up to $50 for the “hit of the game” (with last year’s top prize going to the boy who left an opposing running back with a mild concussion). At press time, the investigation was ongoing, and no charges had been filed. UNCLEAR ON THE CONCEPT Punishment Must Fit the Crime: (1) In September, Britain’s Leeds Crown Court meted out “punishment” to a 25-year-old man convicted of sneaking into the changing room of China’s female swimmers during the Olympics: He was banned—for five years—from entering any
by Chuck Shepherd
female toilet or changing room. (2) In September, the city of Simi Valley, Calif., adopted Halloween restrictions on the residences of its 119 registered sex offenders, forbidding enticing displays and requiring signs reading “No candy or treats at this residence.” Shortly after that, several of the sex offenders sued the city for violating their rights, in that none of the offenders’ convictions were for molestations that occurred during Halloween. (The lawsuit is pending.) • In October, Britain’s Gravesham Borough Council, weary of neighbors’ complaints about the noise and smell from Roy Day’s brood of 20 birds, ordered him to remove them and find them a new home. Day, a member of the National Pigeon Racing Association, told reporters of the futility of the order: “They are homing pigeons.” Said a friend, wherever Day sends them, “(T)hey will just fly straight back to him. ... He has never lost one.” SCHOOL OF SOFT KNOCKS (1) Richard Parker Jr., 36, was arrested in New London, Conn., in September after allegedly hitting a man several times with a pillow, then taking his car keys and driving off. (2) An 18-year-old college student who had moved to New York City only three weeks earlier was knocked briefly unconscious in September when a mattress fell 30 stories to the sidewalk from a building on Broad Street in Manhattan. REDNECK CHRONICLES (1) James Davis, 73, has been ordered by the town of Stevenson, Ala., to disinter his wife’s body from his front yard and re-bury it in a cemetery. The front yard is where she wanted to be, said Davis, and this way he can visit her every time he walks out the front door. Davis, who is challenging the order at the Court of Appeals, said he feels singled out, since people in Stevenson “have raised pigs in their yard,” have “horses in the road here” and “gravesites here all over the place.” (2) In October, eight units in the Clear View Apartments in Holland Township, Mich., were destroyed, with two dozen people displaced, when one resident, preparing a meal of squirrel, had a propane torch accident as he was attempting to burn off the rodent’s fur. THE WEIRDO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY Recurring Theme: Eric Carrier, 24, was charged once again in September, in Hampton, N.H., with attempting to commit indecent exposure by his scheme of faking a brain injury so that he could hire an in-home nurse to change his diaper regularly. He was similarly charged in July 2011 in Hooksett, N.H., after soliciting five women on Craigslist, and convicted in July 2012. (Though not explicit in news reports, the nature of the charges suggests that Carrier can very well control his bowel movements.) {in} From Universal Press Syndicate Chuck Shepherd’s News Of The Weird © 2012 Chuck Shepherd
Send your weird news to Chuck Shepherd, P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, Fla., 33679 or weirdnews@earthlink.net, or go to newsoftheweird.com.
November 1, 2012
my pensacola Ellis W. Bullock IV Day Job: Outerspaces LLC Pensacola Resident Since: 1982
Retail Therapy:
I am a “Mr. Mom.” I do the cooking, grocery shopping, etc. If I am not at Target or Publix, I am burning up the aisles of Academy Sports.
Watering Holes:
Wherever the wind blows me. I love cold beer and good whiskey! The Bridge Bar is a short paddle from my house, but I’ve yet to attempt it via the kayak.
Nightlife:
My two little girls: Coley Isabel, 2, Lilla Way, 3 months; golf cart rides; and an occasional evening out with some friends. I read when time permits.
Outdoors:
Hunting and fishing. I hate being inside, unless there is a NASCAR race on. I am out the door within 5 minuets of my alarm sounding! Coley Isabel & Lilla Way
Good Eats:
Groovin Noovin’s—best BLT in Pensacola. Dog House Deli—foot long chili and slaw. If I weren’t a landscaper, I would own my own restaurant. It would be called “Catch, Grow, and Kill.” A harvest-it-yourself, ever changing menu. The food might not be very plentiful, but it would taste great—off a paper plate because I hate doing dishes.
Arts & Culture:
My job is my art. I love to create green spaces, outdoor rooms and beautiful landscapes. I also enjoy walking the local festivals Pensacola has to offer.
Never Miss Events/Festivals:
Tough question. I never miss any opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors. I love the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, the Blue Angels, Gallery Night, the fair, fishing weigh-ins, and whatever the day has to offer. {in}
Do you want to tell us how you see our city? Email Joani at joani@inweekly.net for all of the details.
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Independent News | November 1, 2012 | inweekly.net