First Opportunity:
1. Article title: DIB Looking for a new Home
2. Article link: http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/pensacola/downtown/2016/01/23/dib-looking-new-home/79000154/
3. Story description: The organization that hosts "Gallery Night" in Pensacola, FL needs a new office because its lease at the current office ends in October of this year. The chairman of the organization in interested in moving the office location to City Hall because it is more accessible to the public.
4. Problem Description: There is no option to renew the current lease, so John Peacock, chairman of the board, is interested in relocating to city hall
5. Who?: John Peacock and those affiliated with the production of "Gallery Night"
Second Opportunity:
1. Article title: Researchers to Give Long Hollow Tower Presentation
2. Article link: http://www.pnj.com/story/news/2016/01/23/researchers-give-long-hollow-tower-presentation/79188900/
3. Story description: The Long Hollow Radio Tower was claimed by researchers to have been constructed illegally in a conservation district. Melanie Nichols and her team at the North Hill Preservation Association are presenting their findings at a public forum this coming week and discussing how the creation of the tower affects the public and how the functions at city hall can improve.
4. Problem Description: The city has not taken appropriate measures to enforce laws and support the conservation district
5. Who?: North Hill Preservation Association of the conservation district
Third Opportunity:
1. Article title: Local Charter Schools Worth Taxpayer Money?
2. Article link: http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/education/2016/01/23/charter-schools-cost-taxpayers-produce-mixed-results/79070036/
3. Story description: Newpoint Academy is considered the worst of the charter schools in the Escambia County School District due to allegations of grade tampering at both the middle school and high school locations. According to Escambia Superintendent, Malcolm Thomas, "Almost every [charter school] that had a business that was running the school ended in failure...because the business wanted to siphon money for profit, and there is no profit." The failed charter schools that closed in 30 districts collectively received $70 million (reported by the Associated Press) from state taxpayers' pockets and only $133,000 was able to be recovered from the Florida Department of Education in the past 3 years.
4. Problem Description: Many argue that funding for charter schools takes away money from public schools that are deserving of funds. The charter schools get more money per capita because there are far fewer of them than public schools. Senator Don Gaetz argues that there is a great need for infrastructure in Northwest Florida.
5. Who?: taxpayers, charter schools wanting funding, public schools wanting funding
Fourth Opportunity:
1. Article title: Studers Weigh Potentials of ECUA Land
2. Article link: http://www.pnj.com/story/money/business/2016/01/22/studers-weigh-potentials-ecua-land/79203064/
3. Story description: 19 acres of land previously occupied ECUA's treatment facility of waste water, and now Quint and Rishy Studer haven't decided what they will do with this vacant land that they own. They are planning to spend $150,000 to study potential business opportunities. UWF officials contacted the Studers in hopes to build the UWF Center for Entrepreneurship, but Quint and Rishy decided to sublease 50,000 square feet to the Community Maritime Park.
4. Problem Description: There are a number of potential uses for the open land. The Studers have considered using it for a movie theater, an assisted living facility, a health-care office, and a residential property. First, a study must be implemented to uncover what is still underneath the land such as rubble and concrete foundations and discover potential drainage issues and the like which may impact what kind of new facilities can be built. As mentioned before, this study will cost the Studers $150,000.
5. Who?: Quint and Rishy Studer and community.
Fifth Opportunity:
1. Article title: United Way: Escambia County has 'Pockets of Wonderful'
2. Article link: http://www.pnj.com/story/news/local/escambia-county/2016/01/23/united-way-escambia-county-has-pockets-wonderful/79194918/
3. Story description: Escambia County community leaders and public citizens met and discussed ways to improve the community.
4. Problem Description: Cynthia and one-year-old daughter moved from Washington State to Pensacola and became homeless after faced with economic hardship. The local food pantry, church, and child advocacy center helped this family with temporary food and shelter.
5. Who?: Cynthia and her daughter
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