Gulf Power rate hike hearing set for Dec. 12-16

The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a final hearing on Gulf Power's request for the remainder of a 10 percent, or $95 million, annual rate hike from Dec. 12-16.

The PSC will make its final decision on March 12 of next year, and an order authorizing all, a percentage of or none of the $95 million rate hike will be issued April 2.
Gulf Power will then have 30 days from that date to implement the new rates.

If the entire increase is approved, the average residential rate for 1,000 kilowatt hours usage will climb from $122 to $134. If the entire increase is denied, Gulf Power will have to refund customers the revenues received from September's interim 4 percent hike.

The public may attend the PSC hearings in Tallahassee in December, but no testimony will be allowed, and only written comments submitted prior to the hearing will be accepted.

The email addresses of the public commissioners are as follows:

chairman.Graham@psc.state.fl.us; commissioner.Balbis@psc.state.fl.us; commissioner.brise@psc.state.fl.us; commissioner.Edgar@psc.state.fl.us; commissioner.Brown@psc.state.fl.us

A FEW POINTS ABOUT PENSACOLA-BASED GULF POWER AND ITS PARENT, SOUTHERN COMPANY, WHICH IS PUBLICLY TRADED ON WALL STREET.

(1) 2010 Southern Company reserves were over $55 Billion.
2009 Southern Company reserves were over $53 Billion.
Pretty good to increase your reserves over 2 billion in a bad economy in one year.

(2) Look at this site on prices for power across the country by state.
http://www.electricchoice.com/electricity-prices-by-state.php
Most states are cheaper this year than last -- NOT MORE...!!!

(3) Thomas A. Fanning
Chairman President and Chief Executive Officer
SOUTHERN CO (SO)
Headquarters: ATLANTA, GA
Electric Gas And Sanitary Services
In 2010, Thomas A. Fanning received $6,019,151 in total compensation.
By comparison, the median worker made $33,190 in 2010.
Thomas A. Fanning made 181 times the median worker's pay.

Don't you really want to take a minute and tell the PSC not to give Gulf Power that 10% increase on the bills of the 99% in Pensacola? We have more than 3,000 people who have liked our page so far. If even a third of them wrote the PSC members, maybe we could budge them.

Anyone going to Tallahassee for the hearing Dec 12-16? Maybe we could form a car pool.

Thanks for reading this!

Ann Hill
sfnewsgal at yahoo dot com

MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 5, 2011 MEETING OF THE BELMONT-DEVILLIERS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

The meeting was opened at 5:40 p.m. by President Dolores Curry. Attending were: Dolores Curry, Dottie Dubuisson, Vivian Lamont, Rev. Carl Reeves, Ann Hill, Rose George, Eddie Todd, Dr. Gloria Horning, Danny Lewis, Neil Richards, Rev. John Powell, Diane Mack, Jim Myatt, Geraldine Vaurigaud, Eleanor Johnson. Guests included Councilwoman Sherri Myers, Councilman Brian Spencer, Barbara Mayall, Burnett Williamson, Sandra Wilson, Stephen Embry and Dicky Hartley. Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Rev. Carl Reeves noted that more police cruisers are covering the neighborhood. Copper thieves are on the increase, targeting commercial AC units from about midnight until 4 am. He urges citizens to call the police if they see anything suspicious.

Councilwoman Sherri Myers described how she won her council seat with about $400 in contributions and less than $2,000 of her own funds, with no campaign literature and only a few signs with her slogan “Change YES, short-changed NO” at strategic locations. She won by doing a lot of door-to-door walks despite her “broken feet.” She urges folks not to let big money intimidate them. Although she supported the new charter, she is not happy with the way it is being interpreted and the way City Council is being “beaten into the ground.” She encourages residents to read the charter and study it to learn that it gives power to citizens through the mechanism of a referendum petition. Such a referendum petition could be filed to repeal the recent ESP gas rate hikes, for example. The charter link can be found at www.cityofpensacola.com/pages/?pageID=19752 .

To exercise the petition option, Ann Hill explained that Article VII (p13ff) outlines the procedure:

(1) A notarized committee list of 10 Pensacola-only electors must be presented to the city clerk (Ericka Burnett) within 60 days of passage of the ordinance in question.

(2) Once the committee is approved, the clerk will give the group an “official” form on which the proposed ordinance/amendment must be written. The form will contain a place for the voter’s official voting name and address, and the person collecting the petitions must vouch for these signatures.

(3) Each signature must be on a separate sheet of paper, and a copy of the ordinance must be attached to each sheet.

(4) At present, 3,790 valid signatures (10% of the number of votes cast in the last general election) must be presented to the clerk during business hours and within 60 days of the receipt of the official form.

(5) Once the names are verified by the supervisor of elections (within 10 days), the City Council must pass the initiative or repeal the original ordinance, and if the ordinance is not passed, it will go before the voters in not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days.

Councilwoman Myers also noted that the City Code including all new ordinances that have passed is also online. The gas rate hike (Ordinance 28-11) at the bottom of the page: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientID=11418&stateID=9&statename=Florida

Vivian Lamont announced that the Belmont Youth Band is now incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit and that Councilman Brian Spencer and Danny Lewis are on the board of directors. The band is selling $5 tickets to Belk’s 4-hour Charity Sale from 6 to 10 am on Nov. 5 at Cordova Mall. The entire purchase price of the tickets is donated to the band, plus the ticket price will be refunded to customers on their first purchase. Also, the first 300 shoppers in the door that morning receive a free gift card valued up to $1,000. The as-much-as-70% off sale includes rarely discounted brands. Purchase tickets from 10 am to 12 noon on Saturdays at the Belmont Bldg. at

401 N. Reus St.

and from 1 to 8 pm on Saturday Oct. 15 and 22 at the Belmont Youth Band table inside the Mall just outside Belk’s store. Call Ms. Lamont to arrange other purchases: 850-458-6744.

Ms. Lamont and Neil Richards reported that the Belmont Youth Band will be playing at the Belmont Arts Center’s 5th annual Pumpkin Patch sale from 10 am to 2 pm this Saturday, Oct. 8. The glass guild will offer more than 500 hand-blown glass pumpkins in a profusion of colors, sizes and styles.

On Nov. 5 from 6 to 10 pm, you can watch live demos by some of the best glassblowers in the country and bid on their creations during the Glass Jam at the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival. New art class schedule at http://www.belmontartscenter.com .

Mr. Richards also noted that Goombay is being reorganized and will take place this spring.

The Rev. John Powell said his Truth for Youth organization has been working on plans for a 3-day “PENSACOLA BLACK HISTORY EXPO 2012: Celebrating Images in Black” Feb. 10-12.

Sonja Griffin Evans of Gumbo Gallery sent a reminder about the Estevanico Arts & Gospel Festival Oct. 14-16, running 10 am to 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 on Sunday. Read all about it at www.downtownpensacola.com/estevanico/ or call the DeVilliers Heritage Museum at 850-602-5205. Word has it that Pensacola native and author Walter H. Richardson will be on hand during the festival to sign his book “How Great Thou Art: A Black Boy's Depression Era Success Story." For details call Gumbo Gallery at 850-912-6806.

Walter Wallace thanked the association for its contribution to fixing up the Sickle Cell Anemia quarters. He noted the group’s recent banquet and bike-a-thon were successful. He reported, however, that his organization is having difficulty getting into schools and talking with coaches about the sickle-cell trait, which can bring on a crisis during sports activities. He also said that some doctors are turning away sickle-cell patients.

Mr. Wallace was pleased to report that the Woodland Heights community center will be located at Highland Park as his neighborhood association had requested. They are selecting an architect at present to draw up their new creative design. He invited our members to attend the Woodland Heights association meeting on the 4^th Monday of the month at 7 pm at Bethel A.M.E. Church,

511 Woodland Drive

. Next meeting is Oct. 24.

The group congratulated Dr. Gloria Horning on joining the Human Relations Commission and her new position with Habitat for Humanity. Several members expressed their eagerness to work with her in finding a housing design that would blend into the historic nature of Belmont-DeVilliers. Dr. Horning was invited to address the association at November’s meeting.

Diane Mack discussed the “Who, Me? - Yes, You! Encouraging Women to Run for Political Office” FREE seminar (also known as “Don’t Get Mad – Get Elected”) set for at 5:30 pm on Monday, Oct 10 at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition,

40 S. Alcaniz St., Pensacola

. Guest lecturer is Sandra B. Mortham. RSVP to 850-438-0207 or dianepmack@gmail.com.  Ms. Mack noted that the U.S. ranks 87^th in number of women in elected office, lower than 86 other countries in the survey.  This event is sponsored by Women’s Civic Forum; Delta Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Pensacola Chapter; and Pensacola Women’s Alliance.

Councilman Brian Spencer reported that he is also working with Habitat for Humanity on its design concept. He said rebuilding a neighborhood must go beyond repairing and move toward restoring. He shared an inspirational message he had received that morning from a friend who remains optimistic during some very challenging days. His friend reminded him that a stereotype may contain some truth but is never the complete picture. Councilman Spencer said that diversity must move beyond words and be put into action and he encouraged the association to continue doing this.

Danny Lewis also said he is working with Habitat for Humanity to measure its footprint in the community.

Rose George gave a library report for Dr. Alexa Canady-Davis. (1) The Sept. 20 benefit at the Fish House raised $250,000. (2) The contract for the Molino library will be awarded this week. (3) The West Side library on Cervantes will be moved into larger quarters that will house other resources. (4) 2 fundraisers coming up, one in which memorial brick pavers will be sold for $100 each, and the other a dinner Friday, Oct. 14 sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Special guest is Alex Kava, New York Times best-selling author of psychological suspense novels. Time: 5:30 to 6 p.m. hors d'oeuvres and cash bar; 6:00 p.m. dinner and program; Seville Quarter’s Heritage Hall,

148 E. Government Street

. Cost $30. RSVP deadline was Oct. 3, but call Bette at 850-969-0001 to see if they can add you. Ms. Rose said Dr. Canady-Davis would be happy to clarify any part of the report: 850-477-7091. The new library will be open by September 2012.

Ms. George also said that Delta Make a Difference Day on Oct. 22 will include a quality sale of “Everything’s a $1” at 601 W. Belmont. Funds raised from the sale will be used to help restock Manna Food Bank and to help meet the group’s pledge for the Mall to Mall Walk for the Cancer Foundation. Email her for donation details: rgeorge9592@yahoo.com .

Regarding the move of the West Side Library to a new resource center, Mr. Wallace questioned whether students living in Attucks and Morris courts would be able to commute to a new location without difficulty. He thought the building would cost more than the $1.5 million allocated, and Councilman Spencer said that the commitment is $3 million. Mr. Wallace suggested several city-owned properties on

J St.

and Jackson that might make a good location for the new library.

Dottie Dubuisson gave an update on the disparity studies regarding measuring minority hiring and contracting for the Maritime Park project. She noted that George Hawthorne, Audra Carter and Tony McCray are involved in this work. Mr. McCray is also extending the work of the Regional Equity to Achieve Prosperity (REAP) Summit.

Ms. Dubuisson also reported that a Spanish sister-city delegation from Macharaviaya, including Mayor Antonio Campos and Councilman Jose Luis Garcia, will join a wreath-laying ceremony at Fort George on

Palafox St.

at 9 a.m. on Oct. 8 and a Family Cultural Immersion program introduction at the Perry Mansion at 1:30 p.m. that same day. The Galvez Celebration Committee organized the visit to help celebrate the legacy of Spanish Gen. Bernardo de Galvez, who helped recapture Pensacola from the British in 1781 at the storied Battle of Pensacola at Fort George. PNJ article at http://www.pnj.com/article/20110926/NEWS01/109260310/Delegation-visit-Pensacola-from-Spanish-sister-city?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

Ms. Dubuisson plans to attend a DIB Redistricting Meeting on Oct. 22. She reminded everyone of the 14,000 pound food giveaway at Oakcrest Elementary School, 1820 Hollywood Ave., Pensacola, on Saturday, October 22 from 10 am to 3 pm. Details: Cathy Harris, president/founder, Streets and Lanes Ministry, SM, P.O. Box 42, Cantonment, FL 32533, 850-324-1951 www.streetsandlanesministry.com . This group also hosts a weekly feeding and prayer from 1 to 2 pm at Corrine Jones Park at W Intendencia and S Coyle in Pensacola.

Ms. Dubuisson praised the recent live taping session of the Pensacola reading from the book “When Black Folks Was Colored.”  The event was sponsored by the Pensacola State College Black History-Multicultural Committee and the African American Heritage Society.

Ms. Dubuisson said that a number of red leaf maple and oak trees, as well as about 100 four o’clock flowering bushes are available free for planting. Contact her for details.

Members were invited to attend a FREE presentation at 10 am this Saturday Oct. 8 by attorney Gerald McKenzie to discuss winning fundraising strategies for nonprofit organizations in difficult times. Attorney McKenzie holds an MBA in finance from Wharton, University of Pennsylvania; a BA in economics from Swarthmore College and his juris doctorate from Widener University Law School. His meeting at

301 N. Barcelona St.

is sponsored by the Gathering Awareness and Book Center and by the Grover and Sara McKenzie Family Foundation. RSVP: 850-438-7285.

Geraldine Vaurigaud reminded everyone about the all-day 18^th annual Big Community Cookout at the Fricker Resource Center, 900 North "F" St., on Saturday, Oct. 8, beginning at noon. Enjoy a day of free food and great entertainment by local recording artist, groups, soloists along with some contests, and fun events!

Eleanor Johnson said that Art in the Park will be extended down

Palafox St.

along Chase, Gregory and Belmont during the next Downtown Gallery Night on Oct. 21. Artists interested in displaying their work can contact Ms. Johnson at 678.754.5743 or dansart9@cox.net or Pam Turner, 850-434.2525. Cost for a table or tent is $10.

Ms. Curry adjourned the meeting at 6:30 pm.