The County Record

Governor Scott Signs Legislation to Begin Securing State and Local Government Pensions
Modernizes Florida Retirement System and protects Florida taxpayers

Keeping his promise to make sure Florida is no longer the only state in America that does not require government employees to contribute to their pensions, Governor Rick Scott has signed Senate Bill 2100, pension reform legislation that will save taxpayers and participating employers $2 billion next year. The reform ensures that retirees can continue to depend on the Florida Retirement System for decades to come.

Beginning July 1, 2011, state workers and other participants in the Florida Retirement System will contribute three percent of their salaries toward their pensions. The required contribution applies to all active members of the Florida Retirement System or one of the optional retirement programs sponsored by the state universities and colleges. The bill signed today achieves the following savings by employer groups:

School Boards $819.4 million
Counties $597.7 million
State $356.8 million
Others $108.8 million
Universities $ 66.2 million
Colleges $ 56.4 million
Total $2,005.3 million (over $2 billion)

Governor Scott was joined by representatives of the Florida League of Cities and Floridians for Sustainable Pensions, a diverse group of citizens, civic and business organizations concerned with Florida’s unsustainable government sector pension plans.

In addition to aligning pension contributions with those in other states, Governor Scott also signed Senate Bill 1128 that protects the retirement benefits for local governments by preventing surplus cash from being used for other purposes. Local governments must also disclose the present value of defined-benefit retirement plans and make the information available on the Florida Department of Management Services’ website.

“Without reform, Florida’s government pensions and retirement system put a heavy burden on our state’s taxpayers. As a result, dedicated public servants were forced to face the uncertainty of future retirement benefits,” said Governor Scott. “The steps we are taking this year move us closer to modernizing the system and ensuring it will be around decades down the road for future retirees. As we work to strengthen our retirement system even more, I look forward to working with the Legislature and all Floridians to make sure the retirement system is fair to both retirees and taxpayers.”

In March, Governor Scott launched the website FloridaHasARightToKnow.com that shed light on state pensions with annual benefits of $100,000 or more.

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Mr. Dennis Earl Ring, 53, of Youngstown, FL, passed away Friday, June 24, 2011, at his home in Youngstown.

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DIANNE M. CHAPMAN
Mrs. Dianne M. Chapman, age 58, of Blountstown, FL passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2011 in Tallahassee, FL.
Dianne was born on August 5, 1952 in Lake City, FL and had lived in Blountstown for most of her life. She was caregiver and a member of the Holiness Faith.

Survivors include her husband, Gary Chapman, of Blountstown; one son, Zachary Chapman, of Blountstown; two brothers, Johnny Sellers and his wife, Johnnie, of Bristol, Jerry Sellers and his wife, Shirley, of Dothan; five sisters, Barbara Alford of Quincy, Margaret Sellers of Quincy, Frances Fant and her husband, Gene, of Clarksville, Debbie Rose and her husband, Gordan, of Louisiana, Connie Bivin and her husband, Larry, of Mobile; one grandson, Justin Chapman; several nieces and nephews; a special sister-in-law, Phyllis Chapman Clinton; and special friends, Brenda and Greg Varnes.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 27, at 11 am (CT) at Peavy Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Coy Collins and Reverend Larry Rogers officiating. Interment will follow in the Lake Mystic Cemetery in Bristol.

All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown, FL.

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HAZEL M. QUATTLEBAUM
Mrs. Hazel M. Quattlebaum, age 79, of Altha, FL, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2011, in Marianna, FL.
Hazel was born on May 8, 1932, in Altha and had lived here most of her life. She was a homemaker and a member of the protestant faith.
Survivors include two sons, Wesley Quattlebaum and his wife, Heather, and Will Quattlebaum, all of Altha; two brothers, Vester McCormick and his wife, Elizabeth, of Altha, and J C McCormick of Panama City; two sisters, Sue Rogers and her husband, Frankie, and Brenda Alday and her husband, Curtis, all of Altha; and eight grandchildren.

Memorial services were held Saturday, June 25, at 12:00 o’clock noon at Hillcrest Baptist Church near Altha, with Reverend Forrest Parker officiating. Memorialization was by cremation.

All arrangements were under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown.

Authorities tracked down a Blountstown man Thursday who allegedly held a woman against her will and beat her earlier this month.
Timothy "T.C." Copeland, Jr., 22, has been charged with felony domestic battery, false imprisonment, and petit theft.
According to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Sgt. Jared Nichols responded to the complaint June 14. A woman advised she shares a child with Copeland and he asked to meet with her. He picked her up at her home and, as they drove away, she said he began punching her in the back of her head. She told authorities Copeland was angry about a guy she had accepted as a friend on the social media site known as Facebook.
The woman alleged Copeland hit her throughout the drive, then proceeded into Bristol where the battery continued as she pleaded for him to stop. At one point, she tried to escape the vehicle and he allegedly drug her back inside. She threatened to call 911 and he reportedly took her phone. He eventually drove back to Blountstown and stopped in the parking lot of the Sheriff's Office where she jumped out and fled.
Sgt. Nichols noted in his report that the back and top of the woman's head had numerous swollen areas. She reported being in severe pain and said she almost fainted during the altercation.
A warrant was issued for Copeland's arrest.