Political season in Clay

ex-oficio

The deputies I've talked to in my district love the changes in the department and have said to me voters need to return the sheriff to office.

Having said that, I'll be watching all of them through the campaign season listening to their ideas for the department. This is one race that will provide some food for thought.

EX

I must be getting the same emails you are.

"Return to the past PROFESSIONALISM of the office"? What a campaign slogan! Amusing, indeed! This candidate must be getting some bad advice from somewhere.

Perhaps the reason we don't hear negativity on the street is because our current sheriff is a professional, competent, and honest sheriff, unlike the evidence showed to be the case with former Sheriff Lancaster.

Unrest in the department? Hit the Road, Jack, Jake or whoever . Maybe the Lancaster brothers will get you a job at SJRJC. It's a sweet deal for Scott, arranged by Brother Larry. Scott HEADS the police academy that teaches POLICE ETHICS along with how to be a competent police officer! (Try reading that last sentence without laughing!) After spending money for 10 years on the county credit card (purchasing booze, underwear, items for his girlfriend) with no intention of returning any of it, Scott Lancaster is now in charge of training future police deputies!

"Return to the department to the past professionalism of the office? NOT.

Have to agree here that the previous Sheriff left with alot of baggage following him - most of it unresolved.  The current office holder seems to be doing a competent job especially with regard to his budget since I always seem to read that he's returning unspent money from his budget to the county coffers.  I have a few CCSO deputies that are neighbors adn maybe I should ask them what they think of his performance.  I'll let you know what I get.  Until then, "the devil you know" seems to apply.

Before I step into the voter's booth next year, ex officio, how about telling me which candidate for sheriff yearns for a return to the standards of professionalism exhibited by the previous administration?

Michael S. Mann

I assure you if you don't know now you will soon. Gee pioneer??? even you figured it out.. If I was to vote the sheriff out it sure wouldn't be to go backwards. It would be nice tho' to have one who kept his campaign promises, but not that one

Clay County needs a clean sweep of every elected office that is up for elections in 2008. 

The only way to rid ourself of the good ole boys of Clay County is to elect all new faces in every position.

This weeding them out slowly tends to corrupt the new ones that come in with all the best intentions.

Counties that have elected officials in office for 12 years plus get what they asked for. That has been the single biggest downfall in Clay County.

I think lily says it best, after 5 years they should all leave since they run in a term of 4 years that should make them leave in the prime of their political career. Good for us. 

Just like the Sheriff said when he took office you need a new set of eyes looking at things. I think it is time we get a new set of eyes looking at every things. That is the best way to prevent problems. Tell him and all the others, Thank You for your service, but it's time to move on.

Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely

Your answer to my direct question was reminiscent of a politician, ex.

It was a simple question that could have been answered with the combination of a first and last name.  Heck, even the last name would do.  Despite the fact that you obviously have knowledge of the name (since you originated the blog) you tease around the answer like you were still in office.

Geez, I hate that kind of crap.

Amen, OneMann. I hate that kind of crap, too. Either tell us what you know or don't mention anything. It's kinder in the long run.

OneMann, I still haven't seen your name on the Clay Elections website. Did you file today? Normally, the folks at the elections office are Johnny on it.

I take exception, again, with Angela's position. Where in her throw-everybody-out strategy does that take into consideration someone who has authentic leadership capabilities?

It seems to me that sometime ago, we developed a list of leadership qualities we'd like to see in a Chairman (or every commissioner for that matter).

What happened to applying common sense and taking each person (incumbent OR candidate) as individuals with ideas and solutions to our problems.

Hey, I'm for leaving the past where it needs to be. In the rearview mirror, except to take the lessons and move forward with greater information. We don't have to rehash them a million times in order for the lessons to be powerful teachers. We simply acknowledge their importance and move on, acting with those lessons in mind.

Let each candidate and incumbent stand on his or her own merit, regardless of their bank account or lack of bank account.

Is this the answer  http://www.miketaylorforclaysheriff.com/

Maybe he is talking about the professionalism of the Officers who seem to be very unhappy with the current status quo.

Officers that are so unhappy they vote in the union it does make you think.

If I have a problem the Sheriff will not be the one who shows up at my home but the Deputy. I think those are the first responders and the front line of our security in the County. It is important to me how they feel about the moral of the Sheriff's Office.

I'm with Angela, no surprise there. The best thing for Clay County, and the country, is constant change of office holders. I am reasonably confident that many who seek public office start off with the concerns of their neighbors close to the top of the list. Somehow these same righteous folk end up corrupted by the power (no matter how much or little) and they mutate into something unrecognizable. Term limits were a nice start but look how many term limited office holders would love to repeal those reins on them. It's very reminiscent of Hugo Chavez.

The next best thing is to just have a constant revolving door of those interested in doing the county's business for the benefit of the citizenry, not those who would seek financial advantage at the expense of the citizenry. To that end, full disclosure of the candidates is extremely important. It doesn't matter to me how rich or poor individual candidates are but I do want to know who is contributing to them. If developers are involved it can bring no good at all to the outcome. This isn't a disparagement on developers. I'm sure they are just like the rest of us in wanting to make a living to raise and provide for their families but there is such a thing as the appearance of impropriety a concept disdained by the likes of John Thrasher and his ilk. The kowtowing of the majority of the BCC that carried his water on the garbage tax are just as guilty and should be excoriated then fired from public office by the public.

That being said, I still want to organize a group to buy a full page ad to enlighten the public not only regarding the garbage tax and the appearance of impropriety behind it but publish a list of who is donating to the individual campaigns. Let's face it, the public does not follow these events with the same interest as we do. We can't force them to care but we can provide that information for better or worse. It would also be of interest to highlight exactly who will pledge to repeal the tax and who supports the status quo.

When all is said and done, if I see that the "new" crop of candidates is no better than what we have, I will abstain in the next election. Those that would say I have no right to complain would only be partially right. I will still complain because the actions may be the same, only the faces would be different.

To sum up (and I probably should have made this a new thread) I will be seeking candidates who will stand up and fight the FDOT on the Outer Beltway, saving the Shands Bridge from foreign carpetbaggers and repealing the garbage tax. It's not that long till election day. Let's see who will rise to the challenge.

Lily's Lore "No matter how tragic the loss
No matter how heavy the cost
To this very day
I can stand tall & say
I fought for Paradise
And Paradise lost..." Jim Steinman

There are many differences between Clay County & Jacksonville - crime being one of the biggest.  I will vote for Sheriff Beeseler (sp?) to be re-elected because I think he's doing a very good job keeping control on crime.  No sheriff will ever eliminate all crime.  Yes, officers are first to respond, but they get their direction from their leadership.  The main man is Rick Beeseler.  I notice a lot more cop cars, and a lot more blue lights around Clay County.  I personally like it.  But the sheriff is only a part of dealing with crime.

Lily - we've blogged about voting and complaining before and though I think everyone should vote, you still have a right to complain if you opt not to vote.  I just would encourage you to take your frustration to the ballot box.  I understand being frustrated at the situation, and as anemic as it may seem, voting - and complaining - are our only options.  Well, there are other options, but then the Sheriff would have to get involved.

Philosophically, I hate the idea of term limits.  I feel I should be able to vote for who I want to as long as they are on the ballot.  But practically speaking, I am a convert to the idea.  New folks every 4 years is too much turnover.  Like it or not, there is a learning curve to being an elected official.  I would prefer 3 - 4 year terms, but 8 years gives someone time to get the hang of it, do some good, then get on down the road.  If voters would - we get a say every 4 years.  But most people, me included, tend to re-elect those people we know.  How else do you explain federal Congressmen serving for 3 or 4 or 5 DECADES.  Airline pilots have a mandatory retirement age.  People voting on Billion dollar budgets, war, etc. should also.  All of our political angst seems to never make it above the state level.

The Sheriff’s race always proves to be an interesting one in this county.  You really need to be an employee of the agency to experience the stress.  There are no fence riders you are either for the Sheriff or you are against him.  This allegiance is usually tested by the Sheriff’s folks or the opponents.  Remaining silent will mean you are willing to endure being snubbed by your co-workers for months and maybe for years.  Remaining silent gets you labeled as a spy for one camp or the other, and you are dubbed a double agent.  Most of the time the Sheriff has no idea what some of his upper and lower staffers are saying to co-workers.  Threats are made from supporters that if the Sheriff gets re-elected you will be riding the midnight shift in Timbuktu or you will be demoted to janitor if you don’t get on the train and ride.  The supporters on the opponent’s side make the same threats.  I have served four Sheriff’s and I have never been demoted or had to ride the midnight shift in Timbuktu.  I have had my share of the midnight shift in all ends of the county but it was not over politics.  My rule of thumb has been if I can’t say anything nice about the Sheriff who has allowed me to represent him and serve the public then I will keep my opinions to myself and deal with it on Election Day.  All of them have been good Sheriff’s and they have had their faults.  I have mine and I am sure if I was elected the Sheriff there would be disgruntled employees and citizens not happy with my leadership style and vision.  It’s hard to make everyone happy.   It doesn’t matter if the employee’s like the Sheriff.  He is our boss not our pal.  The question voters should ask themselves is the Sheriff doing what he said he was going to do when he got elected and how he has performed since elected?  So when you see a Deputy Sheriff just smile and say hello and leave us out of the Sheriff’s politics.  We have enough internal stress from politics.  We are COPS not politicians.  That’s the way a majority of us want it.

Thank you,

Callahan

One of the brightest, fairest, most reasonable things I've ever read here.  Thanks for stepping up and telling it like it is.

I remember when a good friend of mine was severely demoted after Dalton Bray was elected sheriff.  He ended up moving to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office - Clay County's loss.

Wouldn't a civil service type of system help eliminate some of this political gamesmanship?  I seem to remember some talk about that and wonder if you (Magnum) would comment on it.  Thanks.

BAX

Glad you're a term limits convert. Glad to have you among us.

I had to chuckle about your comment about the "learning curve". It reminded me of what Jennifer Carroll said at one of her Town Hall meetings a couple of years ago. She was trying to explain "the evils of term limits". She actually indicated that once elected, it took them one term to "learn how to find the bathroom" in Tallahassee.

Well, Ms. Carroll, the tax payers should not have to pay for "slow learners"!!

In all fairness to JC, she's not the only politico to denounce term limits. After multiple decades in office ( Can you say school board members, superintendent, and local constitutional officers?), they all seem to think it's their birth right to live well off the backs of the tax payers, continue in office, and retire with continued perks (insurance for life). As you know, we adopt our elected officials for life, once vested.

Baxley,

 I know the former employee you are referencing.  He was my supervisor and I was his subordinate. We finished the shift one evening and went home.  When we reported back to work the next day he had been demoted two ranks over night to a deputy and assigned to my squad.  He asked that he be assigned to work for me because he knew I would be fair to him and treat him with respect. You’re correct we lost one fine man because of Sheriff’s politics. I see him around occasionally and we talk about old times, and he has done well at JSO.  He is a survivor and knows how to make lemonade out of lemons.  He should have been given a chance to prove himself.

Yes, we have a career service ordinance that gives some protection from these types of blood baths like the 1988 election.  The ordinance allows a new Sheriff to retain or terminate command staff at the rank of Captain, Major, and Under-Sheriff.  A new Sheriff can appoint whoever he wishes to those positions and positions he creates under the umbrella of his command staff. Ranks below Captain can only be demoted, terminated, or suspended for disciplinary reasons.  Demotions, terminations and suspensions without pay for more than five days can be appealed before a career service board.  The board consists of Sheriff’s Office employees.  They can decide to up hold the Sheriff’s decision or recommend a lesser discipline or exonerate the employee.  The board’s decision is not binding on the Sheriff.  In 1993 that was Sheriff’s Lancaster’s first order of business with the BCC.  He had that part of the ordinance changed so that he had compete control.   The disciplined employee then can appeal the decision to the Circuit Court for a judge’s opinion.  I am sure if a Circuit Judge ruled in favor of an employee the Sheriff would appeal to the District Court of Appeals for relief.  To date no employee has challenged a demotion, suspension or termination in Circuit Court.  It could become very expensive in legal fees.   

Internal Stress and the politics of the Sheriff's Office.

With that said Magnumforce, things at the Sheriff's office should be smooth sailing for the deputies during this political season.

Because I will quote Beseler, "It's not about the department's deputies, but rather about the office of the sheriff." Bradford County Line Dec 2004

Who else is better to gauge that stress than the deputies themself.

As a campaign promise Beseler stated, "protect and defend, not tax and spend,".

When Commissioner Conkey went to Tallahassee and appeared before a committee he stated, the sheriffs budget grew from '99-05 (the years they are looking at), the sheriffs budget grew 63% and the county's only 20%. 

Sheriff Besler's budget is up to 60 million now. You should check those increases from the 06/07 and the 07/08 budgets. Tax and Spend, or just spend spend spend because all of it is taxes.

In April 2006, his vehicle summary was 347 vehicles. He estimated 1.5 million for replacement.

In Marion County they have 555 vehicles with a budget of 1.3 million for replacement. Marion county has a population of over 300K. Clay County 1.5 million and a population of 180K. Somewhere these numbers are not adding up.

In the 2007 stats just released for Jan-June of 07 it shows a 8% increase in crimes it shows an increase in murders, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and larceny with a less than a 40% clearance rate. That means 60% are unsolved.

He has asked for in the last 2 budgets cycles 50 new employees.

The return of the money to the taxpayers.

The first time he returned 1 million he was given additional money back for vehicles. We saw the article for the return of the money but when he was given back the money no articles for the citizens to see. This was in a meeting that I have blogged about before between the Sheriff and the Commissioner. As a matter of fact when this came up at a BCC meeting even the County Manager asked did anybody know about this. Well if it just slide passed the comptroller of our money. It's no wonder the citizens missed it too. I say the meeting was a misuse of a public office, violation of the public trust, and at a minimum it had the appearance of impropriety. As Beseler stated, "public perception is reality." 

This last time he showed up to return 1.1 million but turned around and asked for the money back to buy land. When he turned in his wish list for the 07/08 budget he asked for a firing range, driving course and other things. Well let's see what he said in 04 right after he was elected and discussed some changes. "These are changes that may mean losing a pet project or program that is using some of the finite resources available to the sheriff," said Beseler.

Beseler said, it'll be his job to restore public trust to the office of the sheriff because perception is more important than reality - perception is reality. "'When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself public property."  "I hold it in public trust because you allow me to. If I violate that trust, you will take it away.

Well I would say there are some appearance of impropriety here, and as it has been said in the blog the devil is in the details.

All of the above information is available in public records.

...is spin.

Sheriff Beseler has served admirably. How dare you second guess a man who has shown more courage and commitment in the last four years to this County than you can generate in a pinky finger over a lifetime.

Angela, you are so far off base that you can't even play in the ballpark.

Spin, spin, spin.

Shame on you.

Key2life were you the trained reporter that wrote the article for the Changes coming for CCSO
By:Karen Lake, Editor, Lake Region MonitorDecember 16, 2004

If so then maybe you provided the spin. As a trained reporter I am sure you are familiar with the public records laws.

All information can be obtained from public records. When in doubt check it out.

Angela,

I hope that it is a stress free year.  I am going to do my part in keeping it that way for me.  I am just another grunt in the fox hole trying to weather the storm and serve the public.  It's not my first time in rough sea's.  I am, wise, seasoned, intelligent, educated, and informed.  

Callahan

And my 2 best friends are Smith & Wesson, so you stay safe out there. 

Bax, don't take this as an attack. I have to seriously take issue with you on this "learning curve" statement. I know, theoretically, as one repeats daily performance in a job, one usually improves that performance. For heaven's sake, could you name me one position outside of political office where it could possibly be tolerated that someone needs 8 years to be good at a job? Who would be kept on any job if they showed no talent for a job or even geting the hang of it within 6 months? No job I have ver encountered.

I realize our differences on this subject are not terribly earth shatttering but I still think anyone doing the same public office job more than 4 years is not going to be a better performer. People get set in their ways very easily and quickly and usually to the detriment of the job and those they serve. Once they are comfortable with how they adapt to certain performance levels they are very reluctant to improve, change or admit potential errors in the way they do things.

Regarding voting. How would voting for someone new (which is the only way I vote) be worth my while when we don't get any improvement in the new office holder. If I have to whistle one more refrain of "Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss" after another pointless election, my patience will have completely evaporated.  This is why I have posted the criteria above of what I want in a candidate. If no one steps up and embraces the points I have enumerated, then what is the difference between say Harold Rutledge and whoever wants the District 5 seat? This is why I embrace ending campaigns as we know them and pulling names randomly out of the voter registration rolls to post and vote on. There really is very little consequence of having a random citizen making decisions over a career politician. Exept for the lack of corruptibility, what would we be missing?

Lily's Lore "No matter how tragic the loss
No matter how heavy the cost
To this very day
I can stand tall & say
I fought for Paradise
And Paradise lost..." Jim Steinman

Angela - I'm with you in spirit and usually lean towards always replacing whomever is in office.  I'm sure it's a disappointing state of affairs in our political system but I rarely have any trust any political official after their initial term.  And if they are so lacking in their ability to get past a "learning curve" without being reelected, then they shouldn't be reelected.

Great discussion. I know little about sheriff's office of late (a good thing I hope' This was what I was hoping for. I assumed this elite group would have already known about a candidate, espicially one about to enter politics. You skin appears a little thin OneMan. I wasn't playing any games.

Yes. I love public record laws. And I admire your ability to access public records, Angela. You have an uncanny ability for pulling information. It's amazing.

I, too, was not a fan for term limits but have since recognized the health in a rotation of leadership. Question for pioneer: When term limits passed here in Clay County, why didn't the new charter provision apply to all elected officials? And a follow up question, what has to happen to for term limits to apply to the rest of the elected positions?

No offense, ever.  I believe we have established we may disagree but will always share mutual respect (cool how that works isn't it.)

My learning curve comment is based on my own experience trying to learn how government operates.  The more I am around it, and make an effort to learn how it works, the easier it is to understand the processes that go on while the sausage is being ground.  Big picture stuff is easy to follow and comment on, but the daily details that have to go on to get things done are more complicated.

I believe a legislator who understands this detail stuff will do a better job.  I think if you watch the new Commissioners you will notice a "newbie" reluctance to get too far out on a limb.  But Comm. Bradley, who is a veteran of government by virtue of being City Attorney for OP & KH is much more at ease discussing the issues at hand.

To me, there is a fine line between being experienced and wearing out your welcome.  I guess to me, bottom line, legislators with a year or two under their belt should be more effective.

Thanks Bax, I see a bit clearer now what you mean and you do make sense. My guess is that I would swear off sausage altogether if I had to watch much government up close. :>) I still think an 8 year learning curve for anyone is a bit much but I can see taking more time on some things would be necessary. You're right. I am a big picture type. I will also admit to not being very Christian. I have very little tolerance for many things but it's a character flaw I have learned to live with ;>)

Enjoy your day. 

Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman

Lily I think you made an excellent point on the blogs before about this matter, and worth repeating.

If we trust a select number of people as jurors to decide our fate in a court room where they are given the power as citizens to put someone to death. Then why would we not trust someone to make policies for the county in the same way.

These jurors get no formal training prior to sitting on the jury.

They are all subjected to the learning curve theory because they are not professionals but a jury of your peers.

These decisions are bound by law.

The jurors have no formal training but rely on the experts to present information to them as the basis for their decisions.

The Commissioners are policy makers, they rely on the county manager to relay information to them and sometimes request to speak to the staff that are experts in their field. They are suppose to make those decisions based off that information.

If you would put my LIFE in the hands of these people, then I see it no different to put the policies of the County in the hands of the Commissioners who do not need formal training.

They just need a sincere desire to want to serve for the greater good of the public. It is their responsiblity to become engaged in the future of the county.

Commissioner Bradley is an attorney even he stated he has never been on the policy side of the government, and he has to learn too. This is the opposite of telling your client what you can and cannot do by laws.

If we have a professional county manager to run the county. I think the experiece tends to hold you back. If you are making decisions to make sure you get re-elected for the next 4 years then those are not always in the best interest of the public.

Come with no baggage, leave with no baggage. Do your duty to the jury and the laws of the land and you have fulfilled your obligations. Do you duty to the county and move on. We all benefit from that in the most productive way. 

KEY

Although I was not involved in Citizens for Term Limits and Accountability (CTLAC) in 2000 when term limits was passed overwhelmingly by Clay voters, my research shows that in order for the elected officials to be given term limits, they first must be brought under the Charter, making them Charter Officers. ANY citizen can do this if they are ready for a lot of hard work getting enough petitions signed, have thick skin, and are ready to withstand vicious attacks from politicos and County Godfathers who control the political happenings in Clay. For example, CTLAC  (Volunteers with nothing to gain) has been maligned (even on the blogs by a couple of bloggers) more than elected officials who are spending public funds.

This can be done as a Charter amendment, as you know, Key, since you spent 10 months on the last CRC Commission. The CRC could have easily brought about this change. It did not have to be someone else's job to do it. The CRC or the BCC could have done it much more easily than citizens, and it did not have to wait until the next CRC meets in 2010.

The diverse group of ordinary Clay County citizens who met for 10 months and studied the charter indeed recognized the validity of undertaking the ardous task of researching the viability of bringing the Constitutionals under the charter - so much so, that the concensus of the entire group (recognizing I am not speaking for them but my perception of the sentiment at that time) was that, rather than do a less than thorough job and rushing through this investigation, the County would be better served for another Charter Review Commission to take on this enormous task, giving it the time and attention it deserves and making an informed decision.

(This is well documented in our final report to the Board of County Commissioners.)

I believe it was a good decision then and it still is a good decision. Engaging in a subject of this importance needs the expert testimony of many professionals and a great deal of public input over a long period of time. That way, the decision can be tested among many members of the community to determine if it is sound public policy. A new Charter Commission could undertake this task and decide that it is not sound public policy - that possibility exists too.

I guess my real question was, "Why, when it was so important to CTLAC to pass term limits on Commissioners, didn't they also pursue term limits for the School Board members?"

And you've answered that. Thanks, pioneer.

KEY

I believe other counties (Duval) do have term limits for their school board members. As for that to be the case in Clay's future, research will have to continue as to the process and if School Board members can be term limited. Had you been elected to the school board in 2006, would you have been in favor of term limits?

As for the 2006 Charter Revision Commission and it's decision to not pursue the important subject of term limits for other elected official, it is stunning that you did not. The CRC was not limited by time, had limitless resources, legal advice from attorneys, experts available for workshops, experts available for testimony, etc., to help you with your task.

Yet what you did accomplish was placing an amendment on the ballot that mirrored what Lobbyist John Thrasher said he wanted, according to an interview in the T-U: Two more commissioners, serving at-large and one being chair. And what Lobbyist Thrasher (Godfather of Clay County) wanted, is what you did.

As a matter of fact, yes, if I had won in '06 I'd would still have been/still am in favor of term limits. Rotation of leadership is a good thing. (And Pi, I would have been present in the county the entire term representing Clay citizens while being paid those hard earned tax dollars.) I've seen term limits work in a number of different settings and while I agree with Bax about having the freedom to elect who I want for how long I want, I too, see the danger of incumbents growing entitled to their positions. Until someone has a better idea, term limits work for me.

Pi, it suits you to believe in this conspiracy theory. I'm not going to be able to change your mind - even though it's not true - and I won't waste time, energy and blog space doing it. If you want to believe that we put something on the ballot because John Thrasher said he wanted it, more power to you. It just didn't happen that way. Thrasher's a smart man and has a forward-thinking vision about government but he never shared it with me during the charter session.

I really think I'm going to like the 5-2. I can see eight years down the road tweaking the format again doing more with the 5-2 or even a 6-1. Government is a laboratory experiment...

Nice chattin' with you, Pi.

KEY

Nice chattin' with you, Key. Sittin' by the fire warming our toes is fine, as long as we keep our feet out of the embers.

Your comment, "I can see eight years down the road tweaking the 5-2 format..." Key, voters passed the 5 single member district format in Nov. 2004, less than a year before the CRC started meeting. Why did the CRC see the need to change so quickly what the voters had mandated? (I know, I know...the CRC had a "vision" of how to "enhance" what citizens had done in the previous election...Seems like the phrase "Citizens didn't know what they were doing" was used by the CRC to describe what happened when single member districts passed.) The CRC certainly did not wait for even a 4 year election cycle to pass, let alone 8 years, to allow single member elections to work.

The thought of government being a laboratory experiment is a scary one. I know what often happens to lab rats.

John Thrasher "a smart man and has a FORWARD-THINKING VISION about government"? On that, we will not agree, but it's still been nice...

Chattin' with ya, Key.

Strongly recommend everyone take a look at the above before deciding who to support.  You will find local candidate reports at www.clayelections.com, from left menu click on Candidates & Committee Information, then Active Candidates & Committees and on List all Contributions & Expenses.

After reviewing all of them, I must say Sheriff Beseler's was most interesting.  Since the Poker Room is located in the Town of Orange Park and not under the jurisdiction of the sheriff, why would he receive so many contributions from that industry?  His report shows $2500.00 total of $500.00 each from five racing entities.

Is there something going on that Clay County citizens do not yet know about?

I already know for sure that there are things going on in Clay County that I don't know yet. That's one of the reasons I'm reading the blogs and the papers. I'm trying to get up to speed so I can make intelligent choices when I mark my ballot.

I'm assuming from your blog that you are against any more gambling in Clay County. That is fine. That's your right. I just don't happen to agree with you on that one.

I did look at the list and do you know what I found? We better be very vigilant. I think there may be a Firehouse Subs conspiracy going on with the Sherriff. He has $2500.00 in $500.00 increments from 5 Firehouse Sub entities.

The only one that really scared me though was the $500.00 he got from John Thrasher. But then, I figure Thrasher contributes to nearly every candidate.

Finder

We and I mean we' ya'll and me' need some clearification on just who is and isn't a constitutional officer. I am somewhat sure but could be wrong that the Sheriff, Supervisor of elections and schoolboard are NOT constitutional afficers. I also remember many years back that there was a big court case in Orange county over a charter change that had sheriff appointed and was over-turned, but I can't remember why. I know it is still elected position there. but school supt is appointed. Yet I recall reading abount sheriff in some other counties being appointed, Seminole or Escambia seems to ring a bell.   Can some one clear this a little.

According to the official Clay County website, the following are the Constitutional Officers:  Sherriff, Clerk of the Court, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections and Tax Collector.  Not sure that sounds right but they're listed under that heading.

Sheriff

Clerk of the Courts

Property Appraiser

Tax Collector

Supervisor of Electioins

I believe the Super. of Schools is NOT a Constitutional

Pi,

I can appreciate that members of the CTLAC felt a decision to change what voters approved in '04 was a slap in the face of voters (and ultimately CTLAC because you worked to put it on the ballot). Speaking for myself, there was never a day where I said publicly or privately that I thought "voters didn't know what they're doing." I am of the opinion, voters have a strong tendency to pass whatever amendment ends up on the ballot - which is different.

The single-district concept was kept and incorporated in the 5-2. Why change it in '06? So that the '08 election would reflect the new format. Your single-member districts are still there. Going strong. You kept what you wanted in place and we added what we wanted: countywide representation that adds another layer of accountability to the voter.

It really is a compromise of two structures of government. Thankfully, 54% of voters agreed.

Hey, aren't our toes staying toasty warm?

Finder, why are you concerned about Mr. Thrasher's contributions?  Who did he makes contributions to beside Sheriff Beseler? 

alabayea,

Thanks for the link, 

I looked up Cummings,

Thrasher and his "wife" contributed $500. each for $1000.00 Orien Pass's "daughter" contributed $500. Rob Bradleys's "wife" contributed $500.00

Follow the money Look it up you will see some very familiar names Do they think we are stupid ?

JonBoy 

alabayea

Went back to the link to  look up Bradley, many of the same names as Cummings including Thrasher

Hopefully the electors will see a pattern that reflects past actions and elect independents not more of the same influence for sale stuff of the past

Having  seen all I dare to, I m out of here

Alabayea;

Specifically I'm not really worried about the Thrasher contributions. I just don't like Thrasher. 

Finder

Frankly, he is such a worm I will not even think about voting for anyone Thrasher donates money to.   At the rate things are progressing, there really won't be a need to vote as all the candidates will flunk the "appearance of impropriety" test. Finder, thanks for your input. It's nice to know I am not a voice in the wilderness. Is there any other reason to go to the polls in November 08? (I'm already shut out of the primaries.)

Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman

You're right on the mark.  Contributions to political candidates are made for a reason.  We just have to figure out what that reason is.  Glad the website helps.

KEY

You asked, "Aren't our toes toasty and warm?"

Key! If we keep this up our blogging family will think we're weird! There goes my reputation!

I think the fire's out of this conversation, Key. If we do this again, you bring the fixins' for smores, I'll bring cocoa. (Hey! NO ONE will believe I've practically invited Key to dinner. This could turn into a reality show, come to think of it.)

I'm off and running... Getting more HTD signatures on petitions. Things won't change sittin' and chattin' by the fire or bloggin'.

Kum-ba-ya....kum-ba-yah...

www.claysheerif.com

Pi,

I'm surprised. It sounds like you're driven by popular sentiment, caring more about your reputation than an honest conversation.

I've never been one who cared too much if it was politically correct to do or say anything. I follow my heart. And while it's aging me, I'll admit one of my favorite artists is Bonnie Raitt. In the words of Bonnie, "Let's give them something to talk about..."

Kum-ba-ya, Pi.

Thanks alabayeafor the web site......VERY, VERY INTERESTING!  I shall review it more in depth when time allows as there are several observations that aroused my curosity. 

Stryker