Pensacola News Journal from Pensacola, Florida • 25

SECTION CLASSIFIED INSIDE News Journal ABANDONED MALL FITS THE BILL Santa Rosa commissioners negotiate to buy 9 acres of land on U.S. 90 for county offices3C GOLF, FAMILY A SOURCE OF JOY Patrick Jefferson Pate Jr. will be buried today, but his family says he leaves many memories2C ANOTHER FIRST FOR WHITING FIELD A female training squadron commander takes over at today's change of command3C TO REPORT A LOCAL STORY 435-8535 Pensacola, Florida Friday, July 26, 1996 Dpitpwri marihai project floats with 9-1 vote ELECTION 96 portant natural asset that has lain dormant for 400 years," said Nathan Kahn, president of Or don's store on Palafox Place. Bill McLellan, promoter of the Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club, said the new marina could boost tourism. "If we had a big marina or big docking facility, people would stay here and they would bring their friends," he said.

"We have one of the hottest spots in the world for saltwater fishing." Russenberger, whose yacht is moored at Port Royal, submitted the only development project. "Fm a boater and I've traveled up and down the coast of Florida and seen many marinas," he said. "I wanted this to be something the city could be proud of and I could be proud of." Many business leaders and residents also expressed their approval Thursday. "It's the beginning of the develop-' ment of the area's single most im- cerned about not being able to utilize that back portion of the auditorium not just for fishing, but for walking and driving and just looking." The next step is to negotiate the lease and the items to be financed with Russenberger, which could take another four to six weeks, said Jennifer Fleming, director of the Community Redevelopment Agency. The financing and lease agree- ment then will be submitted to the City Council for approval.

By Winnie Hu News Journal staff writer Boats ahoy there's a new marina on the horizon. The Pensacola City Council voted 9-1 Thursday to approve a 122-slip marina with restaurants, shops and offices around Bayfront Auditorium. The $13-million project, which is expected to be finished in 2000, will be undertaken jointly by Pensacola businessman Ray Russenberger and the Community Redevelop- ment Agency. "I see a new renaissance taking place downtown," said Councilman Jimmie Perkins. "It's something that will bring liveliness downtown and that's something we need i Rita Jones voted against the project because she has questions, such as whether residents would continue to have access to the area.

"I voted against it temporarily," she said. "Citizens are real con HAVING A FORUM? If your group is planning a political forum, or will be interviewing or talking with candidates during the fall campaigns, please notify the News Journal if the public is welcome. Include the time, date, place, format and the races you expect to include. Also include a phone number for more information. We will be publishing a list of forum dates and public speeches throughout the campaign season.

Send your information to: Campaign forums, Pensacola News Journal, P.O. Box 12710, Pensacola, Fla. 32574. Font Gimt 'I fetal Mm A Briefs- sit 'J Naval Air J. Statlonr A1 Tfitf OH Pensacola Mite tort Bay -j News Journal graphic Scott FisherNews Journal photographer Marion Susino, mother of murder victim Donna Callahan, is comforted Thursday by Assistant State Attorney Jim Murray after the sentencing of William Alex Wells.

Wells gets 2 life sentences Victim's parents finally get justice Santa Rosa Commission to keep lid on taxes MILTON Santa Rosa County commissioners are not planning to raise taxes this year. "This is the seventh year with no increase in the millage. I think that's very noteworthy," Commissioner Lydia Ezell said Thursday. The current millage is 6.972, which will provide a $90 million budget for the county. Two public hearings on the budget have been set for 6 p.m.

Sept. 5 and 6 p.m. Sept. 24. The only tax increase is a slight one proposed by the county school district, from 8.999 to 9.050 mills.

That gives the board an annual budget of about $113 million. Liggett taking leave to run for appraiser Howard Liggett said he will begin a leave of absence Aug. 2 from his job as tax administrator for the Escambia County Tax Collector's office to run for Escambia County property appraiser. Liggett, 47, a Republican, is challenging Democrat Chris Jones, who was appointed property appraiser in October when his father, John R. Jones retired after 34 years.

Give blood Saturday at University Mall The Northwest Florida Blood Center will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the University Mall Center Court. Details: 434-2535. Sen.

McCain to speak at Dole fund-raiser Sen. John McCain, will speak at a campaign fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole at 7 p.m. today at the Executive Club in downtown Pensacola. McCain, who is considered a leading running mate for Dole, has served two terms in the Senate. To make reservations, call 435-7355 before noon today.

Dinner is $50 per person, and the reception and dinner is $100 per By Scott Schonauer News Journal staff writer Archaeologists have found what they believe is the Spanish fort of Pensacola's earliest permanent settlement, ending years of frustration and hopeful searching. The University of West Florida Archaeology Institute unearthed pieces of wooden poles from the fort at Pensacola Naval Air Station about two weeks ago. Judy Bense, director of the institute, confirmed the artifacts were from the fort Thursday. They have since found jewelry, a brick fire pit and metal spikes used to hold the fort together. "It has been exciting," she said.

"When you find something like this it's very I would describe it as one of the more significant finds in Pensacola." THE RELICS are believed to be a part of the stockade fort built by the Spanish in 1698, making it the oldest fort found on the Gulf Coast, Bense said. Fort Conde in Mobile was built by the French in 1711. Pensacola's Fort San Carlos de Austria was part of the city's earliest permanent settlement, known as Santa Maria de Galve, located on a bluff overlooking Pensacola Bay. The settlement, or presidio, consisted of a fort, church and village. The area is now occupied by a baseball field.

In 1986, utility workers unearthed relics from the village. The location of the settlement was uncertain because the French had burned down the area in 1722. COLLEGE STUDENTS from the institute and local high school students have been exploring the site since last year as part of a five-year project with the Navy. They nave tested more than 100 spots in a by 600-foot area. The cost of the project so far is about $90,000, Bense said.

Now that archaeologists have found the wooden poles that ran along the north and west wall of the fort, where they are hoping to locate the fort's powder magazine, church and gun battery buildings. "We take these pieces of history for granted because they're right in our back yard," Bense said. We're sitting on one of the few places in the country that we can study early American history." BEFORE THE Spanish established the fort, Diego Maldanado, a captain under Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, landed his supply ship in the bay between 1539 and 1540. Tristan de Luna later founded the first European settlement in the United States near Fort Pickens in 1559. But a hurricane two years later destroyed it.

The Spaniards, who actually were from a Mexican settlement, returned to establish the Santa Maria de Galve settlement, which anchored European civilization permanently in Pensacola. Leadership of the area changed several times between Spain, France and Great Britain before the United States took over Florida in 1821. THE FORT was built to protect the settlement and was manned with more than 200 soldiers until 1719. In addition to the colony, many American Indians are believed to inhabited the area at Pensacola Naval Air Station. Construction workers discovered human remains, some of which were of American Indians, last December.

Two weeks ago, a group of about 25 members of several Creek tribes held a ceremony at Pensacola Naval Air Station to rebury the remains. But even Thursday before the sentence was handed down, defense attorney Kevin Beck tried to convince Bell that Wells' half-brother, not Wells, killed Callahan. Before the judge's decision, Wells stood, half turned to Callahan's parents, and spoke one sentence in a shaky voice: "I would like to say Fm sorry to the Susino family, and that Fm sorry I couldn't do this seven years ago." His mother, his family's minister and his former Bible school teacher all pleaded with the judge for mercy. But Jim Murray, assistant state attorney, was firm. v3 -i "The mercy the defendant is asking for has already been received," he said, referring to an agreement not to seek the death penalty in exchange for Wells' no contest plea to the murder charge and his cooperation in locating Callahan's remains.

The Susinos went to the Milton Funeral Home immediately after the 90-minute sentencing hearing to arrange the service for their daughter. For the murder and kidnapping, Wells was sentenced to two life sentences that will run consecutively, and to a 30-year sentence he is already serving for armed robbery. By Brad Barnes News Journal staff writer MILTON William Alex Wells will serve consecutive life sentences for kidnapping and murdering Donna Callahan, eliminating fears that he might walk the streets again in only 25 years. On Aug. 8, the same date Callahan disappeared seven years ago, her remains exhumed only two weeks ago will be cremated and re-buried.

"It's over, it's over, it's over," Bob Susino, father of Callahan, said after Thursday's sentencing, glaring into the courtroom where Wells was still being fingerprinted. "This man is responsible for Donna being gone." Susino and. his wife, Marion, who moved here from New York to seek justice for their daughter, watched the sentencing with an air of patience. At one point Marion Susino approached Santa Rosa County Circuit Judge Ken Bell and asked him in muted, but emotional tones to show Wells no mercy. The judge thanked her.

"I can't imagine the agony y'all Scott FisherNews Journal William Alex Wells was given two life sentences in the kidnapping and murder of Donna Callahan. have gone through," Bell told the couple. "This case has finally come to some closure, and I wish you God's blessings." Callahan was 29 when she was abducted from a Midway convenience store in 1989. Investigators fingered Wells early on. But they were unable to find the body on three separate occasions over the years.

But two weeks ago Wells, now 28, led them to the grave in a wooded patch near a dry creek in a desolate stretch of Walton County, just across the Wells family's property line. What issues do you want state legislators to address? -trM Vnii'rn the? hnss jf Now's the time to voice your concerns about What issues do you want your superintendent and school board members to address? ui nidi i iieai i uio iiiusi iu yuu. vo wain your comments to help us develop questions for candidates in the Sept 3 primary. We'll ask them your questions, then report back to you with their answers. What Issues do you want your sheriff to address? Name.

ii Address ZIP City. What Issues do you want your county commissioners to address? Nighttime phone Daytime phone We will be meeting with candidates in the next few weeks to discuss issues. Would you like to be part of the group that forms the questions andor meets with the candidates? Check yes no. If you could ask a candidate any question, what would it be? If you could get any local problem solved, what would it be? Or E-mail it to us at: newsjrnlgulfsurf.lnfi.net Or fax it to us at: 1-904-435-8633 Please mail your coupon to: Election Issues Pensacola News Journal P.O. Box 12710 Pensacola; 32574 all l.li4i8 mill i iii.

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