| ACLU
sues to remove amendments 7 and 9 from Florida’s November
ballot
A
group of concerned organizations, including The American Civil Liberties
Union (ACLU) and the ACLU of Florida, filed a lawsuit today in the
Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Court in and for Leon County
on behalf of a group of Floridians.
Stop
trashing the climate: zero waste recycling could reduce warming
Legislators in Washington
have another tool to confront the climate crisis, according to a
new report released June 5 on United Nations World Environment Day.
Resident
demands TEAM accountability
Santa Rosa Commissioners
found themselves dodging questions about TEAM Santa Rosa accountability
and transparency standards at last week’s county commission
meeting.
Although no
official agreement, ordinance or contract exists between the agency
and Santa Rosa County government, officials often describe TEAM
as the county’s ‘economic development’ arm. TEAM
is tasked with attracting industry and jobs to the area.
State
thrashes Escambia on Perdido building cap increases
In a sharply worded May
13 letter (click
here), Florida’s Department of Community Affairs
told Escambia commissioners their rationale for wanting to remove
Peridido Key building caps is not supported by facts.
Viewpoint:
Proposed voucher amendments threaten public schools
I know. As with you,
my eyes tend to glaze over when the subject turns to constitutional
amendments.
The phrase
“school voucher” evokes the same response. But hold
on, for we need to pay attention to at least two proposed amendments
on Florida’s November ballot.
Beach
titles could spur development ‘like in the rest of the state’
Despite
opposition from some officials and residents…and the Chairman
of the agency designated with administering beach land in the public
interest, Escambia and Santa Rosa officials are moving forward with
efforts to gain beach land title authority from the Federal government.
Cuts
could leave mentally disabled jobless, homeless
State funding cuts could
force mentally disabled people to choose between homes, jobs and
community participation; and end up costing the government more
in the long run, say local advocates for the developmentally disabled.
Potential
jobs deal sparks Commission fuss
Despite contentions
it could bring 50 new jobs, Santa Rosa Commissioners recently denied
an Industrial Park property’s 180-day mortgage extension request
– saying the $1 million balloon payment is needed now for
land and infrastructure recommended by a TEAM Santa Rosa economic
development Master Plan.
Coyote
gets new dig permit over neighborhood objections
Over neighborhood objections,
Santa Rosa Commissioners voted last month to allow the Coyote landfill
company to excavate dirt from a nearby property.
McCain
in Pensacola: increase military numbers
Presumptive
Republican Presidential nominee John McCain called for an expansion
in military troop levels during a Wednesday, April 2 visit to Pensacola
Junior College.
Port
of Pensacola looks to diversify
When a long-term tenant’s
lease runs out this summer, the Port of Pensacola is poised to oversee
a newly-vacant swath of land to redevelop. Officials say they’ll
likely use the opportunity to begin diversifying Port commerce and
industry, and tying it into the Downtown Pensacola area.
Preserving
Perdido watershed could bolster tourism
A newly-formed advocacy
group is hoping grassroots efforts to preserve Perdido area wetlands,
waterways and trails will bolster tourism in the process.
The Perdido
Watershed Ecotourism Project, headed up by Escambia County Soil
and Water Conservation District Board member Anne Bennett, is guiding
efforts to preserve and connect area trails and recreation attractions,
and encourage low-impact ecotourism.
Dragonfly
Gallery growing along with Santa Rosa
Three years after opening
its doors, Milton’s Dragonfly Gallery showcases a vibrant
mélange of painting, pottery, fabric and other objets d’art;
and as the county grows, an expanding pool of local talent is continually
adding to the display.
‘Sunrise
through Pines’ acrylic painting
by Eleanor Williams, currently on display at
Milton’s Dragonfly Gallery
Santa
Rosa ‘wish list’ includes Aviation Park, shelters
Santa
Rosa officials presented a ‘wish list’ of funding priorities
to state legislative delegates during last week’s annual Legislative
Delegation visit. The list, pared down from recent years, includes
three direct funding requests and three general statements of support.
More
Santa Rosa revenue cuts looming
As local taxing authorities like Santa Rosa County move into this
year’s budget season, lawmakers must decide how far to allow
Florida’s recent Tax Reform Amendment to impact incoming revenues.
What’s
the matter with East Milton?
“They
keep finding excuses why it shouldn’t be in East Milton.”
That’s
Pam Williams’ take on the question of where to build a proposed
new county Judicial Center.
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