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Marti Coley assumes late husband's house seat

By Times Staff
Published June 29, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - In an emotional ceremony, state Rep. Marti Coley was sworn in Tuesday to replace her husband, David, who died in March.

Marti Coley, R-Marianna, won a special election to fill the remainder of her husband's term. She will represent a rural district that stretches from west of Tallahassee to Panama City.

Fighting back tears, Mrs. Coley said: "I do miss David more than I could ever explain. But having the opportunity to serve in his seat and finish his term and continue his legacy and honor him is something that is very important to me and to my children."

She stood on the House speaker's rostrum with her children as Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Pariente administered the oath of office.

Her desk, the same one occupied by her late husband, was covered with pink flowers. Dozens of friends, supporters and House staff members watched the 20-minute ceremony in the House chamber. Seven House members attended.

The ceremony was emotional for House Speaker Allan Bense, R-Panama City. David Coley was Bense's chief legislative aide before running for the House in 2004. He died of liver cancer at 43.

"I lost a great friend that I loved and admired," Bense told the crowd, "But Marti, it's your turn." Bense announced he would give Coley a much-coveted seat on the House K-12 education committee.

TALLAHASSEE - Florida A&M University associate band director Charles S. Bing, who tutored generations of members of the famed Marching 100, died Sunday of complications from a stroke suffered in March. He was 67.

"Florida A&M, the band program and Tallahassee have lost a giant in the field of music," said the Marching 100's current director, Julian White.

Bing, an Orlando native, earned a degree in music education from Florida A&M in 1960. He later earned a master's degree from Indiana University.

During 42 years at historically black FAMU, Bing directed not only the famous marching band, but the symphony, the ROTC band and the pep band.

Students remembered him for his attention to detail and perfectionism, but also for making himself available to talk to students about subjects other than band.

"He was just a really, really smart person," said Antonio C. Drayton, this year's band president and head drum major.

Bing is survived by his wife, Betty, and two children, Harmon and Melody.

SARASOTA -Two Sarasota teenagers accused of burning six American flags have been charged with arson, manufacturing a firebomb and criminal mischief.

Scott A. Baber and Brian A. Richard III, both 18, told deputies they burned the flags because they are anarchists and disagree with the war in Iraq and other U.S. government policies.

Baber and Richard burned five flags at homes in the Bent Tree subdivision, where they live with Baber's parents, set fire to a flag at its clubhouse and tried to firebomb a car, said a spokesman for the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

The arrest of his son surprised Brian Richard II. "His grandfather was a decorated military man. The whole thing really stunned me. I was really sad that they made that choice," the elder Richard said.

[Last modified June 29, 2005, 01:18:19]