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Vol. 37, No. 41: Section 01
Tallahassee, Florida
www.capitaloutlook.com
Oct. 13 - Oct. 19, 2011
Health cash fight looms, Medicaid costs expected higher By Jim Saunders
President’s Gala
Mayor Barber committed to community service Person of the Week
Ella Barber By Ashley Hogans Outlook Staff Writer
Ella Barber is known for serving the community, but at the age of 82, Barber decided to take a different route and is currently holding a prominent position as the new mayor of Midway. “Some people say, ‘You should’ve been mayor a long time ago,’ ” said Barber. “But, I feel like the Lord wasn’t ready for me to take that spot then.” Prior to Barber serving as mayor, she devoted her time to meeting the needs of the people, especially those who are underprivileged, which she is familiar with herself.
Health-budget officials from the House and the governor’s office also have made clear during the past week that they expect more cuts when the legislative session starts in January 2012. they describe as “soft services.’’ As an example, Negron said he would be willing to cut spending on adult mental-health and substance-abuse treatment programs to help pay for services for developmentally disabled people. “We’re in a situation now where we’ve got to make some
hard calls,’’ Gaetz said Oct. 7 during a meeting of the Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee. But Sen. Eleanor Sobel, DHollywood, said problems such as high unemployment are driving additional demands on the Medicaid program.
“It’s not growing in a vacuum,’’ Sobel said. “It’s growing because of the economic times we’re in.’’ Health-budget officials from the House and the governor’s office also have made clear during the past week that they expect more cuts when the legislative See MEDICAID, Page 2
Romney gets local business leaders opinions on election By Terrika Mitchell Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney visited Tallahassee supporters, media and business owners during an Oct. 5 appearance at Seminole Wind restaurant. “I don’t want to cause indigestion,” Romney said before the public lunchtime crowd. “But I do want to tell you, it’s time we get a new president of the United States.” “He has not done what the middle class needs to have a prosperous and bright future,” the former Massachusetts governor said of President Barack Obama. “In fact, everything he’s done has hurt the middle class.” Romney, a former businessman, continued his speech identifying economic faults such as “the value of homes gone down and chronic unemployment.” His primary focus seemed to be the relationship between corporations and government – one he said makes it less appealing for businesses to expand in the United States. I will make America once again the most attractive place in the world for enterprise, innovation, technology and hiring of American workers,” Romney promised as he closed his speech
Inside Local/State / 3 OPINION / 4 EDUCATION / 5 RELIGION / 6 COMMUNITY NEWS/ 8
Outlook Staff Writer
Briefs
Bank of America offers up to $20,000 short sale incentive to homeowners
Windell Paige (right) represented minority businesses during an Oct. 5 discussion with Mitt Romney (left). – but not before adding another plug for Seminole Wind’s fried chicken. “Let’s have some great chicken together and let’s take back America.” Romney has gained much popularity in the 2012 Republican presidential-nominee campaign by convicting opponent Gov. Rick Perry of Texas for his social security as a “Ponzi scheme” statement. However, when asked about social security during his stroll through the “Christian establishment,” Romney refrained from attacking Perry. “I want to save social security. I don’t want to kill it,” he said, shaking an elderly woman’s hand, not giving any insight to his specific plan to make the program
more efficient. Romney supporters stumbled over reporters and one another to greet the politician as he toured the dining, kitchen and buffet areas of the restaurant. “We’re counting on you,” one supporter asserted. “Herman Cain vice president. You and him,” said another. The commotion subsided as the candidate settled in a secluded room for a “round table discussion” with a dozen local business owners and entrepreneurs, including Seminole Wind owner Thomas Bryant – affectionately known as Tommy. Romney was introduced to the group by Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, who noted that Florida’s See ROMNEY, Page 2
See POW, Page 2
The history of Veteran’s Day Recognition Service at 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to recognize those who have and are still serving and protecting our nation.
By Anthony Reaves Outlook Contributor
Veteran’s Day gives Americans in Tallahassee and across the nation the opportunity to celebrate the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans. However, most Americans confuse this holiday with Memorial Day, reports from the Department of Veterans Affairs. What’s more, some Americans don’t know why we commemorate our veterans on Nov.11. It’s imperative that all Americans know the history of Veteran’s Day in order to honor former service members properly. On Nov. 13, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church will be having a Veteran’s and Military Families
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Get ready for another fight about cutting spending on Florida’s health and human services programs. Stuart Republican Joe Negron, who is the Senate’s top health budget writer, said on Oct. 6 that Medicaid could cost roughly $300 million more than expected this year and will need an infusion of nearly $1 billion next year to meet growing expenses. With the struggling economy limiting new tax dollars, that likely means the House and Senate in 2012 will replay a divisive debate from this spring’s legislative session about balancing the health and human services budget. Negron and another influential senator, Niceville Republican Don Gaetz, have already said they want to scrutinize what
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The News Service of Florida Special to the Outlook
On Nov. 13, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church will be having a Veteran’s and Military Families Recognition Service at 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
A Brief History of Veteran’s Day Veteran’s Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918. In 1938 the legislature passed the bill that said that November 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.’” As such, the new legal holiday honored World War I veterans. See VETERANS, Page 2
The nation’s largest lender and home loan servicer announced it is offering a limited time incentive of between $5,000 and $20,000 to Florida homeowners willing to work with it on a short sale. The limited time offer has received little promotion from the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank, which sent emails to select Florida Realtors outlining basic details of the plan. Only homeowners whose short sales are submitted for approval to Bank of America before Nov. 30 will qualify. The homes must have no offers on them already and the closing must occur before Aug. 31, 2012. Bank of America’s motive is unknown, but Realtors speculate that with it taking so long to foreclose on a home in Florida that banks are turning to short sales as the solution. Also, Realtors say it’s an incentive for homeowners not to trash a home or steal all the appliances before leaving.
Pumpkins may cost a little more and run low later this year
Pumpkins are arriving at church charity patches and grocery store shelves but the wet weather up north may just turn the holiday staples into a late-year, well, pumpkin. Between the wet summer, Hurricane Irene’s soggy and windy path through traditional pumpkin-growing areas and a pest called whiting, the supply has been impacted
This Week’s Word “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9 (KJV)