Tallahassee Democrat from Tallahassee, Florida • Page 4

Democrat Tuesday, October 28, 2008 LOCAL www.TALLAHASSEE.cOm Rockaway proposal Families gather at the Capitol to withdrawn before remember Florida's missing children commission vote By Bruce Ritchie DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER The controversial proposed Rockaway development project will be withdrawn before a final Leon County Commission vote tonight, a project representative said Monday. The project would have allowed one home 1 per acre on 509 acres at Mahan Drive and Wadesboro Road. That's 10 times as many homes as are allowed now. But the project faced opposition from some resi-, dents, the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department and the Florida Department of Community Affairs. DCA found that the proposal conflicted with state rules that discourage urban sprawl, encourage greenhouse-gas reductions and require public facilities and GUARD From Page 3A tially hazardous intersections.

Marks advised Pons to look to volunteers to fill the positions. Pons, for his part, points to Florida statute 318.21, which indicates that certain percentages from traffic-ticket revenue can be allocated to crossing guard programs. But Officer David McCranie, spokesman for the Tallahassee Police Department, said that money is not enough. The city currently employs about 30 crossing guards, said John Hunkiar, director of safety and security for Leon County Schools. "That program costs services for new developments.

The developer plans to reduce the proposed number of homes to make it more acceptable in a future proposal, said former County Commissioner Gary Yordon, who represented Rockaway LLP on the project. "I think the developer has heard both government and the neighbors pretty clearly density is the issue," Yordon said. The Tallahassee City Commission and Leon County Commission hold a joint public hearing tonight on proposed changes to land-use maps in the Comprehensive Plan. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. in the County Commission chambers on the fifth floor of the Leon County Courthouse, 301.

S. Monroe St. "That program costs us a quarter of a million dollars so it doesn't even come close." Officer David McCranie TPD spokesman us a quarter of a million dollars so it doesn't even' come close," said 'McCranie. "The bit from ticket revenue only covers a small portion of that." And while county commissioners voted 7-0 on Oct. 14 in favor of providing $56,000 to hire crossing guards, the larger question is how long they will foot the bill.

They plan to revisit the decision in six months and claim they have no plan on paying indefinitely. By Anthony Anamelechi DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER Tracy Bridges of Homestead was given the 2008 Citizen of the Year award at the Florida Missing Children's Day on Monday at the Capitol. Bridges pulled a 9-year-old girl out of the truck of a possible abductor in February. Bridges was six-monthspregnant at the time. "(I helped the girl) because I have kids, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to my kids," Bridges said.

The event was sponsored by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Advisory Board. It's the 10th year for the event. Gov. Charlie Crist signed the Jennifer Kesse and Tiffany Sessions Missing Jennifer Kesse AL LEA DoN DEES 008 Missing piece STEVE to the Democrat Drew and Joyce Keese place flowers at Jennifer Keese's placard during Missing Children's Day at the Capitol on Monday. Persons Act during the The bill requires law event.

The bill was named enforcement to send out after Jennifer Kesse, who alerts within two hours for was reported missing Jan. any missing person under 24, 2006. the age of 25. "We're here to remember The cut-off used to be 18, the children who have not and as a result, it did not yet returned home," Crist apply when Jennifer was said. reported missing.

Drew and Joyce Kesse attended the event and received the 2008 John and Reve Walsh Award for their diligence in searching for their daughter. Also Monday, the Thomas Law Enforcement Academy in conjunction with the Jimmy Ryce Foundation, began its Bloodhound Scent Tracking Seminar, which focuses on the use of bloodhounds in missing persons cases. Monday's event was to include the dedication of a bloodhound scent-tracking trail in memory of Jimmy Ryce, a 9-year-old boy who was kidnapped at gunpoint from his school-bus stop, sodomized and shot to death. Kay Freeman, activist for the homeless, dies By Gerald Ensley DEMOCRAT SENIOR WRITER Kay Freeman, a tiny woman who fought big on behalf of the homeless, died Sunday. Freeman, 60, died of a brain aneurysm two weeks after undergoing back surgery.

Freeman was executive director of the Big Bend Homeless Coalition, an association of 42 agencies in eight counties. Freeman joined the organization in 2002 and helped found Hope Community, a residential program that helps the homeless make the transition to jobs and their own homes. Freeman spent 30 years working for non- Wednesday, October 29th Thursday, October 30th SALE these off categories ENTIRE STOCK Halloween Home Bay Watches Jewelry Halloween Apparel Mini Bags from Reg. 9.99-49.99. Bay Intimates Frames Candles Excludes Yankee Dress Shirts Neckwear for Men Boca Sportshirts, Shorts Tees for Men a Gourmet Food Candy Gifts Emma Sag Apparel for Misses Petite Plus Liz Tees Polos for Misses Boots for Juniors Ladies save up to savings example on original prices of original price 24.99 storewide color-slashed clearance off savings 17.49 clearance price 7.50 Wednesday, October 29th extra off 3.75 Thursday, October 30th Clearance while supplies last final $3.75 available on offer valid BeallsFlorida.com at all Bealls stores listed below.

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from the Capitol. profit and community service agencies in Tallahassee. She was previously executive director of the Brehon Institute of Family Services and worked for the Florida Children's Forum and the Leon County Health Department. Weighing only 89 pounds, Freeman was renowned as a fierce fighter for the homeless and at-risk women and children. She won many awards, including Leadership Tallahassee's 2005 Leader of the Year.

"Kay was affectionately referred to as a firecracker," said Kelly Otte, executive director of the United Partners for Human Services. "She MORE INFO For more, contact the Big Bend Homeless Coalition at (850) 576-5566 or visit www.bigbendhc. org. was very forthright. She stood up for what she believed.

She was very clear on seeing things the way they should be and focusing on getting everyone there." The centerpiece of Freeman's efforts was the Hope Community residential complex, which opened at 2729 W. Pensacola in March 2005. 5. The center provides a six-month program of shelter, counseling and jobs to help the homeless regain their independence. Nearly 120 men, women and children are currently residents.

"It's been an incredible success story that has gotten national attention," said Chuck Mitchell, a member of the community's advisory board. "Kay's vision drove it. She was one of those proverbial people who could see things others couldn't." Freeman is survived by her husband, Jim Akin, executive director of Lutheran Social Services, two adult children and two adult stepchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Maclay Gardens.

If you are an uninsured small business that: has been in business for at least one year and has less than 25 employees is located in Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla or Jefferson counties has not offered health benefits (insurance or HMO coverage) for at least the last 12 months, and whose employees make on average $12 or less an hour You may be eligible for a premium subsidy through the Capital Health Partnership applied toward coverage with Capital Health Plan. Learn more. Find out if your small business qualifies by calling 523-7333 or go to: WW www.capitalhealthpartnership.com Capital Health Partnership 850-523-7333 www.capitalhealthpartnership.com TALLAHASSEE.COM.