There is a very serious competition going on for the office of Sheriff in Jacksonville and the candidates all come with excellent qualifications. This is going to be an interesting race to watch and the fundraising for the candidates has been brisk and mostly in the six digit range. The Candidates for Sheriff are:
Tony Cummings ( Active- Qualified) DEM
Jay Farhat ( Active- Qualified) REP
Jimmy Holderfield ( Active- Qualified) REP
Ken Jefferson ( Active- Qualified) DEM
Lonnie McDonald ( Active- Qualified)
Rob Schoonover ( Active- Qualified)
Mike Williams ( Active- Qualified)
SOE bio statement for Tony Cummings:
Dr. Tony Cummings is a native of Jacksonville with 25 years of law enforcement experience, who has called the First Coast his home for over 40-years. He has a wife, Dr. Andrea Cummings, two daughters Kyra and Eleana, and a sharp-eyed K-9 named Rusty.
Dr. Cummings grew up in a low-income, single parent, household on Jacksonville's northwest side of town with his sister, Denise, and two brothers, Morris and Derrick. His mother, the late Eleanor Cummings, worked multiple jobs at a local nursing home and janitorial service to put food on the table for him and his siblings. His mother instilled in him the importance of God and family in his life. She also insisted that he focus on his education and becoming a productive member of society. Her drive and commitment to her children's future helped to keep them away from the drugs and gang activity that seemingly had a stranglehold on their neighborhood at the time.
In 2005, Dr. Cummings earned his Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He also holds a graduate degree in Organizational Management and undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Criminal Justice. In addition, Dr. Cummings holds a Professional Certification in Education Leadership (All Levels).
Dr. Cummings, then ranked private Cummings, joined the United States Army Military Police in 1989, where his duty assignments included a tour in Russian occupied Berlin, Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall, an assignment with the U.S. State Department (top secret clearance), and a highly prestigious tour in Washington D.C. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1994 at the supervisory rank of sergeant, and continued his law enforcement career in 1995, as a civilian, by joining the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO).
In his career with the JSO, Dr. Cummings has worked in both the patrol and detective divisions of the agency. His assignments included working as a Field Training Officer, Burglary Investigator, Undercover Narcotics Agent, and Missing Persons Investigator; an extension of JSO's Homicide Unit. He also provided ethics training to the Community Service Officers formerly employed with the agency.
In 2012, Dr. Cummings was awarded the Six Pillars of Character, JSO Employee of the Year, for his work in helping to save Jacksonville's youth from the streets one child at a time. He was recognized for his efforts in the September 2011 edition of the Justice Coalition's Victim Advocate. In addition, Dr. Cummings was awarded Officer of the Month honors for his work as a Missing Person's Investigator in helping to positively identify the remains of three (3) missing person victims reported missing in the late 80's and 90's. His direct involvement in securing DNA from family members of the deceased and coordinating his investigative efforts with personnel from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, helped to bring much needed closure to each of the victim's families.
In addition to his investigative duties and responsibilities with the JSO, Dr. Cummings worked as an adjunct professor in 2007 with Keiser University in their Crime Scene Technology (CST) program. He taught the following CST courses to young aspiring Criminal Justice majors: Legal Aspects of Crime Scene Careers, Hazardous and Unusual Crime Scenes, Introduction to Forensic Science, Fingerprint ID and Development, Crime Scene Safety, Crime Scene and Evidence Photography, and Crime Scene Procedures.
Learn more about the candidacy of Dr. Tony Cummings at www.tonycummingsforsheriff.com.
Tony T. Cummings, Ed.D.
Note: The candidate's photograph and s
SOE bio Jay Farhat:
Jay Farhat for Sheriff
Jay@FarhatForSheriff.com
www.FarhatForSheriff.com
An Experienced, Dedicated Law Enforcement Professional
Jay Farhat is a Jacksonville native with more than 22 years of diverse
professional law enforcement experience covering a wide variety of specialty
areas from patrol officer to senior leadership positions at the Jacksonville
Sheriff's Office.
Jay worked his way through the ranks to serve as a supervisor in some of the
department's most prestigious, demanding units. He was appointed to the
State Attorney's Office as a Special Investigator and led investigations in the
Major Crimes Unit, Repeat Offender Court, Special Prosecution and Juvenile.
He now supervises Homicide detectives in JSO's pinnacle investigative unit.
Jay is also a devoted husband, father, small business owner and an active
community leader. He is thoroughly prepared and committed to providing
public safety and justice for all Duval County citizens as our next sheriff.
Extensive Professional Law
Enforcement Experience
• Wolfson High School Graduate, Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with Criminology Minor from Florida State University
• More than 22 years of meritorious service with JSO and the State Attorney's Office
• Responsible for supervision of JSO homicide detectives who conduct complex investigations and control major crime scenes
• Supervised State Attorney's Office Youth Mediation Program, served as a special SAO Investigator and the liaison between a SAO and JSO
• Served as a supervisor in Family Violence, Aggravated Child Abuse and Traffic/Special Events among many other positions
Distinguished Service to Our Community
• School Advisory Council for Hendricks Avenue Elementary School
• Jacksonville Youth Sanctuary Board of Directors
• San Marco Preservation Society
• University Club of Jacksonville Board of Directors
Catholic Charities Board of Directors
• Lakewood Presbyterian Day School Board of Directors
• Youth Sports Coach and Duval County Public Schools "Reading with the Stars" Volunteer
• Rotary Club of San Marco (Paul Harris Fellow)
• Executive Board of Directors, Trustee for Fraternal Order of Police
Dedicated Husband, Father, Youth Advocate
Jay has been dedicated and engaged in making Jacksonville a better place to live and raise families. Aside from his work at JSO, he has served our community in numerous nonprofit leadership positions, many of them focused on helping local youth. He and his wife Renee have two sons who attend public schools. They are active members of Assumption Catholic Church.
www.FarhatForSheriff.com ~
Facebook.com/FarhatForSheriff
SOE bio for Jimmy Holderfield:
Candidate's Statement
Jimmy A. Holderfield
Jimmy Holderfield's vast experience, combined with his extensive community involvement, makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. His vision for the JSO is to connect, protect and serve to better safeguard our quality of life. A police presence is important not just when there is something is going on in your neighborhood.
In September 2013, JIMMY retired from JSO with 35 years of experience and public service. His most recent post was as Director for JSO's Department of Corrections, a position Jimmy earned in 2010. As Director, Jimmy oversaw the jails, prison and Division of Health Services along with an approximately $83 million budget. Jimmy was also responsible for upwards of 1,000 correctional and civilian employees in addition to the inmates or other persons under the care, custody and control of the JSO.
Having risen through the ranks, Jimmy has an extensive background and invaluable experience that garners him respect. He has worked in every facet of the JSO starting as a corrections officer in 1978, then a police officer, a motorcycle officer, President of the Fraternal Order of Police, a Sergeant, the Chief Investigator for the Office of General Counsel, Police Assistant Chief for the Community Corrections Division, Police Chief for the Prisons Division, Police Assistant Division Chief followed by Police Chief for the Human Resources Division.
In regard to his commitment to our community, there is an excellent chance you will see Jimmy around town. Jimmy's public service and special interests range from having served as Past Chairman of the Jacksonville Ethics Commission, to the 2010 CEO of the Morocco Shriners, to President of the Board of Directors for the City and Police Federal Credit Union, to Board Member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northeast Florida, to 2012 Leadership Jacksonville, to Rotary to name a few.
On a personal note, Jimmy grew up in Jacksonville. His father was a mechanic with trucking company and his mother a homemaker. Jimmy is the oldest of three children.
Jimmy graduated from Paxon High School in 1977. His advanced education and training includes an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has attended numerous professional training seminars along with certification courses.
Jimmy is happily married to Pam, his wife of 34 years as of 2013. They have two sons, James and Kenny. James (wife Kristen and daughter Olivia) is a patrol officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and assigned to Zone 5. Kenny is a student at UNF.
Thank you for your time. Please visit www.saferjax.com to learn more about Jimmy's campaign to become our next Sheriff.
SOE bio for Ken Jefferson:
Ken Jefferson for Sheriff
www.ken4sheriff.com
For twenty-four years, Ken Jefferson served his community as a law enforcement officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. During his illustrious career, he experienced and was exposed to all aspects of the department. After being hired by JSO in 1986, Ken patrolled our streets vigorously, responding to calls for service from the public, building relationships with members of the community, and routinely implementing problem-solving methods to combat recurring crime trends. He went on to serve as a detective in the Inspections and Accreditation Unit, helping to ensure that the Sheriff's Office maintained the rigorous standards set forth by the various accrediting agencies. As both a Field Training Officer and a Certified Academy Instructor, Ken mentored and educated police officers, both new and veteran. He worked as an investigative detective in both the Burglary and Sex Crimes Units, often developing relationships with victims and their families as he relentlessly pursued justice for them. After becoming a recruiter for the agency, Ken fostered relationships with prospective employees and those citizens who had an interest in the field of law enforcement. As a Federal Program Coordinator in charge of the Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) Program, he taught and mentored the most vulnerable and at-risk youth in the community. The varied and diverse experiences Ken had during his career prepared him well for his final role, JSO's Public Information Officer, in which he became the face of the department for five years. It was during those final years that Ken had the opportunity to speak with a wide array of Jacksonville's current residents, learning about their daily lives and discussing the issues that are of greatest concern to them.
Ken has been recognized by numerous agencies for his stellar work as a member of the Sheriff's Office. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida praised him for his outstanding display of leadership, commitment and coordination of the DEFY Program. The Federal Bureau of Investigation presented Ken with the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award for his selfless dedication and outstanding leadership to the nation's communities. Ken became the only person to be named Florida's Public Information Officer of the Year two years in a row by the Florida Law Enforcement Public Information Officers' Association; he was given the award for professionally representing the public image of his agency, successfully managing crucial information during ongoing crises, and effectively delivering routine information to the public. Ken was also presented with a lifesaving award after rescuing three young girls who had become trapped in a sinking vehicle.
After his career with JSO, Ken served as the Expert Crime Analyst for a local news station, appearing daily to offer commentary on breaking news, current crime trends, and crime prevention tips. Currently, Ken runs the organization he founded, Jefferson Consulting Group, which has allowed him to conduct workshops and seminars on self-empowerment all across the nation. As a motivational speaker, he has been invited to speak at many local and national conferences to discuss safety concerns for children and senior adults, ways to enhance communication between government agencies and the public, principles of corporate risk management, and the best plan of action for building an effective coalition. Ken also serves on the boards for many organizations, including the Justice Coalition, Operation Save Our Sons, Project SOS, Keiser University, Girls Inc., Johnson Family YMCA, Clara White Mission, and Prisoners of Christ Ministry. Ken earned his master's degree in theology and holds an honorary doctorate from St. Thomas Christian University. He is also a graduate of Lifework Leadership and Leadership Jacksonville. He is married and the father of five children—one a teenager—and faithfully serves as a member of Impact Church.
Ken believes our community needs a Sheriff who is not only richly experienced in the field of law enforcement, but is also deeply rooted in the community and is ready to work tirelessly to address the concerns of each citizen who lives and works in our great city and county. Ken is that man and he is ready to serve as your next Sheriff.
SOE bio for Lonnie McDonald:
Lonnie McDonald is an American Patriot. He has served our city and our great nation as a Law Enforcement Professional for the past 33 years. During his decorated tenure with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Lonnie served as an Assistant Chief and Commanding Officer for multiple units, and collaborated with the FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) on the largest cash robbery in the history of the United States.
Career Highlights:
• Commanding Officer for Violent Crimes; Organized Crime; Special Events; SWAT; and First Responders
• Co-wrote operational plans to implement the K-9 Unit and served as a K-9 Officer
• Developed Violent Crimes Program with Organized Crime Unit to identify repeat violent offenders
• Implemented Crime Analysis Program to identify habitual offenders and reduce violent crime
• Implemented Crime Free Housing Program to reduce crime in apartment communities
Global Experience
Lonnie McDonald is a born leader. He recently returned from his second tour in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor assigned to Task Force Patriot in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As a Law Enforcement Professional (LEP), Lonnie worked directly with senior Afghan police officers, Afghan military personnel and command staff to directly support antiterrorism efforts against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
Education and Training
• Secret Service Dignitary Protection Seminar, 2010
• FBI National Academy, Quantico 2009
• DEA Drug Unit Commander Training, Quantico 2003
• FBI Executive Fellowship Training, FBI HQ Washington D.C., 1999
• Gun Enforcement and Prosecution, Department of Justice
• Incident Response to Terrorist Bombing, New Mexico Tech
• NFL Security Seminar, Chicago
• Florida State University, 1980 B.A. Criminology
• Bishop Kenny High School, 1975
Lonnie grew up on the northside of Jacksonville. He has three children, and attends Christ's Church of Mandarin.
To learn more, please visit the campaign website at www.yourjaxsheriff.com.
Contact Information
Lonnie McDonald for Sheriff Campaign
7707 Merrill Rd., P.O. Box 8043
Jacksonville, FL 32239
Kelly Harrison, Campaign Manager
904-759-7081
info@yourjaxsheriff.com
SOE candidate bio for Rob Schoonover
Rob has been a member of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for 33 years. Rob began his career as a Correctional Officer in 1981. In 1984 Rob continued his career as a police officer. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1994 and then promoted to his present position of Lieutenant in 2006. Rob has served in a variety of positions throughout his career, having an extensive background with wide-ranging experience.
Rob originally served in Patrol, following with positions in Traffic/Motorcycle, the Detective Division, and Polygraph Examiner.
When promoted to Sergeant, Rob worked in Patrol, Community Oriented Policing Unit, Field Training Unit, and was assigned the Assistant Director of the Police Training Academy.
As Lieutenant, Rob worked in Patrol, Community Affairs; Special Events/Secondary Employment, Lieutenant in charge of the school resource officers within the Duval County school system, and the Police Athletic League as Executive Director. Rob was offered the position of Unit Commander of the Sex Crimes/Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Unit and continued his career as the Unit Commander of Homicide/Cold Case/Missing Persons Unit.
Rob is presently serving as Lieutenant Patrol Watch Commander of Zone 6.
Throughout Rob's career he has been involved in Special Events; providing escorts to dignitaries, working the Command Center for Special Events such as the Super Bowl, the Annual FL-GA Football Game, Gator Bowl Game, Gate River Run, and the 26.2 Donna Deegan Marathon. Rob is the Director of Security for the Suns Baseball organization and has held that position for the past 10 years.
Rob is a member of the International Homicide Investigations Association, the Florida Homicide Investigations Association and the Child Abduction Response Team. Rob participated in the Bank of America Leadership Development Institute in 2009 traveling alongside leaders from other communities comparing ideas and issues. Rob has also served on various Boards, such as the Sexual Assault Advisory Council, Sexual Assault Interagency Council, the Northeast Florida Task Force Against Domestic Violence, the Child Abuse Prevention and Permanency Task Force, and was a Past Board Chairman of the Child Protection Team, the Community Alliance of Northeast Florida, and the National A.A.U. Basketball Tournament. Rob served 8 years on the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Board of Directors and is a past member of the East Arlington Rotary Club. Rob volunteers with the Gator Bowl Association and the Golden Retriever Rescue, to name a few.
Rob is a member of Christ's Church in Mandarin. He has been married to his wife, Jeannie Schoonover for 23 years. They have a daughter Stacy Schoonover who is presently studying at Boston University.
Thank you for your time, interest and support in getting to know me a little better. My motto is Fresh Start, Fresh Ideas - Experience for a SAFER Jacksonville! I look forward to letting you know how I plan to put these goals into place! I am looking forward to working with you and for you in the upcoming campaign and as your next Sheriff!
SOE candidate statement for Mike Williams:
Born and raised in Jacksonville, married, and raising a family of three sons here, Mike served in the Air National Guard, and began his successful career at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in 1991.
As a young patrol officer, he worked "the beat" in downtown Jacksonville. Mike began early on to develop relationships with citizens and business leaders. He quickly earned a reputation as a police officer who cares about people and likes to help them solve problems.
Mike earned his way to the appointed position of Director of Investigations and Homeland Security, where he led the effort to bring the Jacksonville community and North Florida Region as much Homeland Security funding as possible. With more than $10 million in grants awarded locally, JSO deploys some of the most advanced technology available today in its battle against domestic terrorism, the drug trade, and organized crime. As a result, JSO is saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
Mike has accomplished a lot during more than 22 years with the JSO. Throughout his ascent to the department's top tier of executive management, Mike Williams has never forgotten that the agency's success depends on all officers listening to the community they serve. He is constantly in search of how to best address criminal activity that threatens our quality of life.
Mike Williams demonstrated his readiness to lead the JSO when he:
- Led a nationally recognized SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Team
identified and implemented programs to better fight sexual predators and offenders
- Developed narcotics and gun crime fighting units considered by state and federal agencies to be among the best law enforcement "partners" on complicated cases
- Worked closely with government agencies to secure our Seaports and their enterprises
- Advanced JSO's commitment to training for the bomb squad and dive team, resulting in both specialities now nationally recognized for their training expertise.
Most recently, Mike Williams served as the appointed Director of Patrol and Enforcement, where his commitment to reducing and preventing crime involved managing a budget of more than $100 million and the 1000-plus sworn patrol officers who protect our great city. Mike retired from JSO in August 2014 - celebrating a decorated and impressive career of service and leadership.
"I am humbled and grateful for the support of my candidacy that is growing every day. Now is the right time to make this transition as I share my vision for the future of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. I am working to win the election and return to the agency as its elected leader in 2015."
Started asking some questions of our candidates for Sheriff. The first one I asked was posed to candidate Mike Williams because I know a friend of his. The question was would he support personal video camera's on officers. His response was that he had no problem with that and would engage a conversation with the public about it. :) I will ask the other candidates the same and also inquire as to whether or not they feel the force adequately reflects the ethnic makeup of our city. Will share what I find out and remind all reading that you can ask questions of those looking for your vote as well or research to see if the topic has already been discussed by them publicly. It is your right and responsibility as a voter. :)
Thanks for getting these threads started. They're great.
You are welcome Cat. Plan to do something for the Council races as well. :)
The following is the response to my questions from candidate Ken Jefferson. Along with inquiring about body camera's I am asking each candidate whether or not the feel the JSO force as it stands is representative of the community it serves, questions asked in that order. He said:
- I am not opposed to body cameras on Officers
- I do not think currently the police department adequately reflects the community that it serves. It needs more work
It is worth noting that Ken Jefferson enjoys a fair amount of name recognition after serving as the crime analyst for News 4. This can only be helpful to him in a race with a number of good candidates.
There is a debate between the candidates for Sheriff scheduled for Tuesday March 3, 2015 at the IBEW hall located at 966 N. Liberty Street. The debate begins at 6PM.
I received this response from Jay Farhat candidate for Sheriff. I had asked him if he thought the current JSO force adequately reflected the community it serves and if he supported personal body cameras on officers. He gave some very good replies. Here is his answer:
Quote
Body Cameras & Make Up of JSO
Jay Farhat (ejfarhat@gmail.com) Add to contacts 1:25 PM Keep this message at the top of your inbox
Cc: Sam Shiver, Renee Farhat
ejfarhat@gmail.com
Hello Diane,
Thank you for taking the time to ask two very valid questions. I hope my response adequately answers your question or concerns.
1. The make up of JSO should be a mirror image of the community we serve. I would encourage our recruiters to market JSO to any qualified candidate in any demographic base that was under represented.
2. Body cameras are a much more in-depth response. I would prefer a weapon based camera system to record use of force incidents over body cameras the would be recording all day long. The vast majority of police contact with the community is non criminal. ALL video footage would immediately become public record and open to the public records request, even the non criminal video.
Anytime the police would be called to your home or business, regardless of the reason; that video would be subject to release by anyone that requested it. Noise neighbors could literally have you on YouTude the next day. Witnesses that wish to remain anonymous would not approach officers if they had a camera on. Additionally there would be a huge cost for storing such data and I would have to create an entire production unit that did nothing but burn copies of video footage from any police contact that peeks public or medias interest.
I see body cameras doing more harm to the community than good.
I'm willing to discuss this matter in much greater detail.
Best regard,
Jay
There will be a debate featuring the Republican candidates for Sheriff on February 9, 2015. For location contact: arcgop@gmail.com
Candidates Mike Williams, Jimmy Holderfield, Rob Schoonover and Lonnie McDonald are confirmed participants.
I hope that you can join us on the 9th!
Alexander Pantinakis
President, Greater Arlington Republican Club
Diane, Thanks again for providing this information all in one place. personally, Ken Jefferson would be the only candidate I feel i would vote for. Anyone still with JSO or working under John Rutherford the past ten years, should not be a consideration because of the troubling actions of JSO last 10 years. I don't want more of the same for Sheriff, Mayor, or State Attorney. My thoughts only, guys.
You are welcome Jax Native.
Here is the response I received from the Lonnie McDonald campaign on body cameras and make up of the force.
Dear Ms. Melendez,
Thank you for contacting the campaign. We appreciate your interest in the upcoming election. Within the next few weeks, The Florida Times-Union will be publishing answers to an Editorial Board Questionnaire from each of the candidates running for Jacksonville Sheriff.
In regard to your questions, Lonnie supports the use of body cameras for officers. Having the best trained and best equipped officers means having a modern police force that keeps up with technology. Body cameras are the future of law enforcement and provide a win-win situation for everyone. They help build public trust by providing transparency and can be used to document criminal complaints. Lonnie also believes that our police force should reflect our community.
We hope that you will review Lonnie's detailed responses to the questionnaire in the newspaper, and research each of the candidates and their qualifications. To learn more about Lonnie's campaign and his extensive experience in law enforcement at home and abroad, please visit the campaign website at www.yourjaxsheriff.com.
Best regards,
Cathleen Murphy
Communications Director
904.254.9902
The Northeast Florida builders have weighed in with their endorsement for sheriff which is candidate Mike Williams. Of course endorsements are always something a candidate looks for but in this race I do believe it will take the endorsement via the voters actual votes to win this race. Mike is a great candidate for Sheriff but there are some others that are equally qualified who have solid bases and funding behind them. There is a single candidate to my view that can be dismissed because of lack of experience and that is Tony Cummings with a minimum of time on the force. Cummings seems to have decided to campaign against the other Democrat in the race in spite of it being a "unitary" election. That candidate is Ken Jefferson whose experience and name recognition exceeds any that Cumming might have. The candidates to watch are Mike Williams,Jay Farhat, Jimmy Holderfield and Ken Jefferson who are running extremely effective campaigns. Schooner and Lonnie McDonald are also qualified candidates who have not yet seemed to get traction with a broad group of voters. Cummings just does not have the needed background to take this office. In the end I am totally sure that the City of Jacksonville will end up with a very good and qualified Sheriff considering the candidates on the ballot. (http://i.imgur.com/C5YzMGq.jpg)
This is the detailed response I received from Mike Williams regarding personal video cameras on officers and whether or not he though the current JSO was reflective of the community it represents.
Quote
Good afternoon Diane.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of such important issues facing law enforcement agencies today.
Question #1 - BODY CAMERA FOR POLICE
There are issues to be addressed in a substantive discussion about law enforcement officers outfitted with body cams, especially as we enter into the legislative session with this on the agenda.
Logistics/Cost: There is a tremendous cost involved in outfitting every officer on the street with a body camera.
Implementation: Rule writing and training. Will the policy allow for the officer to turn it off? What about during his or her breaks? What about storage of the tapes and access for review and release of that record?
Privacy: We must explore the "chilling effect" of people who will no longer want to report crime or call an officer into their home at their most vulnerable and volatile times, because that information would become public. Florida law does not protect witnesses now.
Effectiveness: The scope of the lens will not capture those exchanges or actions outside its range – anything the officer isn't looking at or outside the lens coverage is not captured on film.
Logistics, cost, implementation, saving videos, privacy for victims and witnesses... I believe this is a conversation we should have with our community to determine how they perceive the technology, and if desired, how they propose it be paid for, and how it may possibly affect their privacy rights. It should be noted that fewer than 1% of the interaction caught on camera is actual use of force according to force science experts.
QUESTION #2 - RACIAL MAKE UP OF THE AGENCY
The agency, overall, while ABOVE the national average of minority representation in almost all races and ethnicities can always do better. As Sheriff, I will continue to strive for recruiting in a laser-targeted manner, so we are attracting those from all races who represent the best and brightest.
The election is March 24th and every voter matters in the effort to put the most qualified leaders in office. I would appreciate your support and your vote.
Sincerely,
Mike
Mike Williams for Sheriff
(904) 235-9863
mikewilliamsforsheriff.com
Jay Farhat has my vote. Not part of the brass, and still getting a ton of support. Great with urban core issues as well.
Diane, (or others reading this)
I am valuing your opinions on the candidates for city council, mayor, and city council because of my previous knowledge & research, I agree with almost all of your endorsements......Can you tell me which candidate for sheriff is willing to let go of the John Rutherford regime and take sheriffs office into a new phase of transparency, cameras. and up to 2015 standards....Not Ferguson, MO standards but standards so citizens feel safe with JSO. Many citizens, with very good reasons are scared of what JSO does and has done to them. Many people are uncomfortable with the John Rutherford style of military policing neighborhoods.
Thanks in advance.
Quote from: Jax native on February 13, 2015, 02:51:06 PM
Diane, (or others reading this)
I am valuing your opinions on the candidates for city council, mayor, and city council because of my previous knowledge & research, I agree with almost all of your endorsements......Can you tell me which candidate for sheriff is willing to let go of the John Rutherford regime and take sheriffs office into a new phase of transparency, cameras. and up to 2015 standards....Not Ferguson, MO standards but standards so citizens feel safe with JSO. Many citizens, with very good reasons are scared of what JSO does and has done to them. Many people are uncomfortable with the John Rutherford style of military policing neighborhoods.
Thanks in advance.
Jax Native, thank you for your candid words and question. The race for Sheriff in Jacksonville is turning out to be one of the most positively aggressively fought races in Jacksonville history. There are several well qualified candidates running all of whom I believe will be of great service to Jacksonville. The candidates to watch which I mentioned in a previous post all have solid campaign funding as well as dedicated supporters. In full disclosure I should tell you that Sheriff Rutherford is a friend of mine who I respect and who appointed me to a criminal justice committee he sponsored. I have personally found him to be a man of integrity and a no nonsense type of leader. I fully appreciate that others may see him differently based upon their own views. What may help you with your decision is that the candidate that Sheriff Rutherford has endorsed is Mike Williams who describes himself as a "cops cop" and a "budget hawk". I would imagine that the Sheriffs endorsement means he agrees with Mike Williams ideas about JSO leadership. Mike is certainly a man of character and one bringing solid capabilities along with his bid for the office of Sheriff. He is liked and supported by folks in and out of the JSO many of whom I respect. He is not the only one however that is well equipped to do a fine job in the office of Sheriff and who has the support of other very fine folks also in and out of the JSO. I do know that there was a bit of a fluff up at the FOP when Williams was announced as the candidate they supported. Some claimed that there was not a series of proper hearings or votes taken before that happened. I also know Ken Jefferson from some time back and feel that he is a sincere individual who understands the department and would serve the people justly. Then your have Jay Farhat, well liked and supported and the same can be said for Jimmy Holderfield both running solid campaigns. The other candidates are also with their strengths and I don't want to slight them with my words. The only one I don't see as ready being Tony Cummings. He just does not have the needed experience for the position and showed a weakness with an attack on Ken Jefferson over campaign signs which was silly. imo If you were to ask me who is my choice for Sheriff at this juncture, I could not give you a definitive answer as I am truly torn in my decision at this point and continue to review the ideas and platforms of several. I will say that I do feel that whomever our next Sheriff is will serve us well as there is not a single leading candidate that I am not comfortable with. :)
Thank you Diane for your candid and open thoughts. While John Rutherford may in fact be a pleasant and respected man, I have seen JSO turn into a militia type of group that is close-minded, racist, misogynist, uninformed and careless with individuals Constitutional Rights. personally, i'm looking for someone who does not have his endorsement, someone who would take a fresh look at the entire department and make changes. JSO is very heavy on the top level, while patrol seems apathetic and unethical. People like Bobby Deal are still sitting in offices making big bucks while crying for more officers on the street.
I want someone new to look at JSO and bring new and positive energy to this very important role.
Thanks for the feedback. I would love for Ken Jefferson to be that person, but unsure if he has the momentum from the community after being away for so long.
I've worked with, for or around all the individuals running for sheriff. There are no truly new people running. I don't think it would be a good idea in most cases to elect someone who doesn't at least have some knowledge about how an agency of this size operates, and the history and sklls of the personnel they will all have to use to keep it operating. Clean sweeps usually end up in a year or two of chaos and cost as the leader from the outside tries to figure out who can really do what function well. One of the reasons I believe term limits are not always the best way to go.
I won't delve into the negative aspects of who has done what, or who may can accomplish what they promise, but there's always room for positive change. Transparency is important, and from what I've heard, all of them are promising more of that.
It's hard to paint the current department leadership as misognyist when the majority of his command staff at the director level are female; Rutherford has appointed more women to administrative command roles than any former sheriff.
I encourage everyone to attend any scheduled debates, and make up their own mind who is best for our community. I do know, however, who I plan to vote for, and it's Mike Williams. Despite his endorsements, he is man enough to make up his own mind and will encourage positivity and transparency as well as being a good steward of the taxpayer's money.
Whoever wins, they will have to draw together the division that has been created by so many people within the agency running. There are good people supporting each candidate; some for their own dreams of promotion and others because of past relationships and inside knowledge of the personality and commitment of the candidates. Research and look objectively at the qualifications and who you think would serve Jacksonville best. Whatever you do, vote!
Thank you Scarlett, for your honest thoughts. I do understand there are many woman in top levels and at two i know are Directors, Wildes and Smith. Both of these woman are professional and everything a JSO needs to be. But, when you have Sgt.s, officers, directors and other older males call a woman; "sweetie" "hun" "honey" when they are talking about a serious situation and do NOT know the woman on the phone, or in person, I am deeply insulted. It's seems to be the go phrase for males in JSO to a woman, which is highly inappropriate. I could give you some names and you would know them....but i won't.
I didn't phrase my statement correctly as I don't want a brand new person with no law enforcement or management experience. I guess I am waiting for someone to just say...."JSO needs to do better..JSO need camara vests, JSO needs more transparency, and JSO will not be Angela Corey's lap dog or her bull dog for her personal vendettas.
I know...when hell freezes over.
Quote from: Scarlettjax on February 13, 2015, 08:26:17 PM
I've worked with, for or around all the individuals running for sheriff. There are no truly new people running. I don't think it would be a good idea in most cases to elect someone who doesn't at least have some knowledge about how an agency of this size operates, and the history and sklls of the personnel they will all have to use to keep it operating. Clean sweeps usually end up in a year or two of chaos and cost as the leader from the outside tries to figure out who can really do what function well. One of the reasons I believe term limits are not always the best way to go.
I won't delve into the negative aspects of who has done what, or who may can accomplish what they promise, but there's always room for positive change. Transparency is important, and from what I've heard, all of them are promising more of that.
It's hard to paint the current department leadership as misognyist when the majority of his command staff at the director level are female; Rutherford has appointed more women to administrative command roles than any former sheriff.
I encourage everyone to attend any scheduled debates, and make up their own mind who is best for our community. I do know, however, who I plan to vote for, and it's Mike Williams. Despite his endorsements, he is man enough to make up his own mind and will encourage positivity and transparency as well as being a good steward of the taxpayer's money.
Whoever wins, they will have to draw together the division that has been created by so many people within the agency running. There are good people supporting each candidate; some for their own dreams of promotion and others because of past relationships and inside knowledge of the personality and commitment of the candidates. Research and look objectively at the qualifications and who you think would serve Jacksonville best. Whatever you do, vote!
Scarlett, thanks. You just helped me decide. :)
Jax native - we agree on what you said. I hate that condescending tone from men in authority when I'm talking with them. It does NOT make me feel any better about what's happening; especially when I wouldn't even BE talking with them unless there was something really important going on.
Some of it is cultural, a lot of men in the south just say that stuff without realizing how annoying it is to the woman. However, there are those who do it on purpose. Those guys I have no respect for and I just move on to someone who will listen without all the perjoritives. Like their supervisor, hopefully.
We also agree on the other issues you mentioned. And I do believe there may be a least a breeze blowing through hell these days.
Scarlett, Thanks again for your intimate look inside the JSO. I can truly appreciate you have seen much more good and worked w/ many great people during your time. Thanks for your insight and chatting w/ me.
Wait a minute. That sounded like a real answer. Doesn't he know that if he's going to be a successful politician, he's got to learn to either a.) coyly refuse to enter the debate to start with, or b.) provide a much more voluminous answer and say absolutely nothing. THAT'S how you get elected to office.
Good luck with your strategy of being forthright, brief, and honest.
Who knows, it might actually catch on with the mayoral candidates.
Nah.
Corrine Brown has announced her support of Ken Jefferson for Sheriff. (http://i.imgur.com/cUgY0Ud.jpg)
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on February 22, 2015, 11:01:51 PM
Corrine Brown has announced her support of Ken Jefferson for Sheriff.
for better or worse, that should minimize the candidacy of Tony Cummings
The choices for the Sheriff's race are certainly encouraging and with many great candidates it will be an exciting race. I just saw a Jay Farhat commercial today, March 1. So get ready to get blasted with weeks of info from all canididates.
first off i want to say hello!! I've been troling around the site for about a year or so now ( i know i should have joined sooner :-X ) but i'm not sure what qualifications are even right for the jso with it being a dual role of politico and police chief. the only city elections ive voted in here in jax was the last and the whole process confused me
One thing I noticed in reading the bios... only Mike Williams mentioned any real budget experience. Considering how much of the job is managing a force of 3200 officers and a multi-million dollar budget, I was hoping for more. During Rutherford's tenure is seemed to always be about more, more, more. I think a better solution would have been how much more can I get with what I have. Better police work doesn't always come from having more cops. Better police work comes from making sure the officers you have are thinking out-of-the-box and finding new an d better ways to manage our crimes problems. Five great officers who get involved with their community and listen to the people they serve and gain the trust of those same people will always trump seven average/uninspired officers who drive around the neighborhood in their cars all day.
That is the kind of leadership I would like to see from my sheriff.
Quote from: exnewsman on March 02, 2015, 11:24:30 AM
One thing I noticed in reading the bios... only Mike Williams mentioned any real budget experience. Considering how much of the job is managing a force of 3200 officers and a multi-million dollar budget, I was hoping for more. During Rutherford's tenure is seemed to always be about more, more, more. I think a better solution would have been how much more can I get with what I have. Better police work doesn't always come from having more cops. Better police work comes from making sure the officers you have are thinking out-of-the-box and finding new an d better ways to manage our crimes problems. Five great officers who get involved with their community and listen to the people they serve and gain the trust of those same people will always trump seven average/uninspired officers who drive around the neighborhood in their cars all day.
That is the kind of leadership I would like to see from my sheriff.
Agree, and you stated it more articulate than I could. Although it has been years and not much talk, but Sheriff rutherford started some very high paying positions in his office w/ out law enforcement experience. Positions never needed in the past and certainly not at the pay rate. i personally feel it's childish and unprofessional for the Sheriff to respond to EVERY piece of crime news w/ " We lost 137 officers". As if that is the only reason JSO is under performing.
Has anyone heard anything about the Clay County Sheriff's race in 2016? Candidates are already registered and running hard. An officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (and a 20+ year resident of Clay) is one of the candidates. Sheriff's races are always interesting. Apparently current Clay Sheriff Rick Beseler will not run in 2016. If he did, he would be nearly impossible to defeat. But with him out it is going to be a real interesting race too.
(http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g374/sheclown2/sheriff%20debate.jpg) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/sheclown2/media/sheriff%20debate.jpg.html)
sheclown, thanks for the heads up on this. Does anyone know if it will be televised? Or if there WILL be a sheriff debate on TV?
On the Clay county race, take a good look at candidate Darryl Daniels. Here's his website: http://danielsforsheriff.com/
A good man with good experience to work with what Clay has to offer. Wide range of jobs held at JSO, FBI academy, former military - all important qualifications. Plus, he has been involved in the community in Clay county for years and is the current chair of the Leadership Clay class.
Thanks Scarlett. I found out today incumbent Beseler has not made a final decision (supposedly), and if does decide not to run, there will be a strong candidate coming out of the CCSO office.
And - they're off! One thing about local politics. Never a dull moment.
I think that the popular mantra "More police always equals less crime" is a canard for the most part. Bad people are gonna do what bad people want to do, and the police cannot be everywhere. There are some rare exceptions like NYC, which has uber resources within an extreme urban landscape; NYC has very tough gun laws, and unfortunately the controversial 'stop and frisk' factors in also. The only thing that I've noticed from the JSO police cuts is that traffic speed traps are now very rare, which I can't say is a bad thing; They are still rolling undercover though. :(
QuoteAgree, and you stated it more articulate than I could. Although it has been years and not much talk, but Sheriff rutherford started some very high paying positions in his office w/ out law enforcement experience. Positions never needed in the past and certainly not at the pay rate. i personally feel it's childish and unprofessional for the Sheriff to respond to EVERY piece of crime news w/ " We lost 137 officers". As if that is the only reason JSO is under performing.
When Rutherford started he never had the access to military equipment or joint FBI, Marshals, as well as other federal resources, that he has now. So what Rutherford has done, with a shrinking budget has been short of amazing. You get less and less each year from the mayor and you know that most 70-80% of the crime is drug related, you start shifting resources to take care of the items that are most concerning. What has been most concerning is what Rutherford could have done with the extra resources back on the street.
There are also newer white collar crimes and expansion of criminal activity over what he found when he started. The new Sheriff is going to inherit a better run office than what Rutherford inherited. Morale is low because of the pension issues and no pay increases, which point back to the mayor. I doubt Brown gets any support from any police or fire this spring.
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 04, 2015, 06:18:36 AM
When Rutherford started he never had the access to military equipment or joint FBI, Marshals, as well as other federal resources, that he has now.
NO police department should EVER have access to military equipment against it's citizens. Military items are used in war and should not be used against fellow citizens.
Then and now:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-FLdAcCcAExmXT.jpg:medium)
Have any candidates spoken about red light cameras?
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 04, 2015, 06:18:36 AM
You get less and less each year from the mayor and you know that most 70-80% of the crime is drug related, you start shifting resources to take care of the items that are most concerning.
Define drug related crime? Those percentages may be true, but the kid that gets pulled over for rolling through a stopsign on a Sunday evening with a joint in his cigarette pack still gets chalked up as a 'drug related crime'.
Now, instead of ending with a traffic ticket, this routine stop has occupied probably 2-4 officers for an hour or two, however many detention people to run him through the system, occupies a cell for at least a day, requires a judge the next morning, etc... Because he didn't come to a complete stop.
That's just for the arrest. After this comes the a prosecutor, public defender, judge and all the clerks required to find this person innocent or guilty which will tie up the court system until his case is resolved.
After he pleads no contest to having pot, the court tosses the original traffic ticket (don't want any further record of that to link the two), fines him the $300+ in just court costs and sentences him to time served and 6 months probation, for rolling through a stop sign.
Now we tie up another system, the Salvation Army and their merry band of POs (yet another group that needs a substantial budget to operate) and they get to keep track of this kid for the next 6 months, for rolling through a stop sign.
So don't feed me the company line of 'drug related crime' without something relevant.
Edit:
And Sheriff Rutherford needs MORE cops to crack down on the crime? Right. Stop basing how good a job he does by the amount of criminals he locks up and then we can have an honest discussion regarding what is needed to fund his department.
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on March 06, 2015, 10:58:30 AM
Edit:
And Sheriff Rutherford needs MORE cops to crack down on the crime? Right. Stop basing how good a job he does by the amount of criminals he locks up and then we can have an honest discussion regarding what is needed to fund his department.
Westsider gets it, spot on!
And now that we have the unconstitutional red light cameras, can we free up some traffic cops to work on bigger things, like unsolved homicides?
I for one will be very happy when Rutherford is gone, he's done no good for this city. He sure can ask for money though!
QuoteNO police department should EVER have access to military equipment against it's citizens. Military items are used in war and should not be used against fellow citizens.
Do you live in the real world? 9/11 ring any bells? Oklahoma City Bombing? Americans are at war with Americans and terrorists are everywhere. You should check out the news and read the statements from law enforcement about the greatest possibilities for the next decade. They won't be coming from abroad, but from within. To that end, I am all for giving law enforcement EVERYTHING necessary to help law biding Americans feel safe.
Without safety, the entire American way of life grounds to a halt. 9/11 proved just that. We will always be at war in our own homeland, they day we become passive is the day of another 9/11 type event.
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 06, 2015, 12:08:33 PM
QuoteNO police department should EVER have access to military equipment against it's citizens. Military items are used in war and should not be used against fellow citizens.
Do you live in the real world? 9/11 ring any bells? Oklahoma City Bombing? Americans are at war with Americans and terrorists are everywhere. You should check out the news and read the statements from law enforcement about the greatest possibilities for the next decade. They won't be coming from abroad, but from within. To that end, I am all for giving law enforcement EVERYTHING necessary to help law biding Americans feel safe.
Without safety, the entire American way of life grounds to a halt. 9/11 proved just that. We will always be at war in our own homeland, they day we become passive is the day of another 9/11 type event.
I do live in the real world. Have you ever read the constitution? I believe Benjamin Franklin said it best:
"Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither."
You know how many terrorists have been caught by the TSA: 0. You know how many TSA agents have been arrested for violating American Citizens rights (theft, etc): Over 100.
Live in fear all you want, but the police need to serve and protect, and they can do that without military equipment.
BTW, I think most officers are good and want to help citizens. I'm glad we have them, I just think they shouldn't be a full on military.
This race continues to be engaging and one to watch. At last nights Hob Nob it was clear that Holderfield has a pretty solid ground game going in his campaign. Supporters turned out in a big way which impacted the end poll that evening. Mike Williams campaign table was kind of tucked into a corner by accident or design. Not sure which. He also has a solid group of dedicated supporters. Farhat is also rocking with his campaign and is not a force to ignore in this contest. Ken Jefferson will most certainly get a runoff spot as the Dem in this race with name recognition. In spite of this being a "unitary" election we will likely see a Republican and a Dem in the runoff. Tony Cummings can't catch Jefferson but it remains to be seen if he can pull off enough voters from him to knock him below not one but two Republican candidates. Right now I am sure the Republican candidates for Sheriff all are fighting for that runoff position. I expect the last few weeks to be intense.
DEBATE DEBATE DEBATE for Sheriff
There will be a debate between the candidates vying for Sheriff on Thursday March 19 at 8:00 PM. It will be live on television and streaming as well. This is being held in conjunction with JU!
(http://i.imgur.com/zhnUg0u.jpg)
The times Union has endorsed Jimmy Holder as Jacksonville's next Sheriff!
QuoteHolderfield tops a crowded field for sheriff
By Times-Union Editorial Fri, Mar 6, 2015 @ 6:38 pm
There are seven candidates seeking to succeed longtime Sheriff John Rutherford. Each is credible. Each has substance.
Voters should be pleased to have such a wealth of options for sheriff.
But one key question should guide voters: Which candidate is most capable from Day One to lead the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, a massive $400 million organization with more than 3,000 employees?
The best candidate to meet that high standard is Jimmy Holderfield.
Voters should choose him in the March 24 election.
TOUGH CHALLENGES AWAIT
The next sheriff must attack numerous tasks, quickly and directly. They include:
■ Filling the huge shadow of Rutherford, who was popular, effective but also polarizing during his 12 years as sheriff.
■ Handling a department budget that has limited flexibility; nearly 86 percent of it is devoted to employee salaries and benefits.
■ Boosting low morale among JSO employees who have withstood layoffs and budget cuts in recent years — and are now leery about the city's efforts to reform pension benefits.
■ Addressing a perception that violent crime, gang activity and other forms of lawlessness are on the rise across Jacksonville.
■ Establishing better relationships between the JSO and residents, the media and other community stakeholders — and sharply departing from Rutherford's often-adversarial "You don't need to know anything" approach to transparency.
These are tough challenges. Holderfield is well-equipped to handle them.
He certainly has the proper experience for the job.
Holderfield retired from the JSO in 2013 as director of its corrections department, his final position in a 35-year career that included stints as a corrections officer, patrolman, sergeant, chief investigator for the city's General Counsel Office, police assistant division chief, police chief for the human resources division and president of the Fraternal Order of Police.
But, equally important, Holderfield has the proper sense of perspective for this complex job.
BREADTH OF EXPERIENCE
For full article click this link: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2015-03-06/story/holderfield-tops-crowded-field-sheriff
Shouldn't media outlets, such as the newspaper be unbiased on things like this? Or at least pretend.
Quote from: stephendare on March 06, 2015, 03:16:18 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on March 06, 2015, 03:11:42 PM
This race continues to be engaging and one to watch. At last nights Hob Nob it was clear that Holderfield has a pretty solid ground game going in his campaign. Supporters turned out in a big way which impacted the end poll that evening. Mike Williams campaign table was kind of tucked into a corner by accident or design. Not sure which. He also has a solid group of dedicated supporters. Farhat is also rocking with his campaign and is not a force to ignore in this contest. Ken Jefferson will most certainly get a runoff spot as the Dem in this race with name recognition. In spite of this being a "unitary" election we will likely see a Republican and a Dem in the runoff. Tony Cummings can't catch Jefferson but it remains to be seen if he can pull off enough voters from him to knock him below not one but two Republican candidates. Right now I am sure the Republican candidates for Sheriff all are fighting for that runoff position. I expect the last few weeks to be intense.
Im not passionate about anyone in this race, but I tend to like what I am hearing from Mike Williams.
He was trained to be the homeland security liaison for the sheriff's office (which anyone knows would be a major factor against him in my normal considerations) but I was impressed with his hard defense of privacy and civil liberty when a plan to install security cameras throughout downtown and in residential neighborhoods in the north side was being considered.
He was one of the few adults in the conversation who really checked to see whether or not surveillance cameras are effective crime deterrents in the first place (hint: they are not) and he presented a lot of objections based on the right to privacy.
Kindof like that kind of thinking from a guy running for sheriff who got experience at department of homeland defense.
Sadly I agree with big red, though hopefully without the excessive verbiage, arrogance and condescension. Although this means he has no chance because Clifford is batting .000 because he is an ideologue and I do poorly as I tend to back normal people that have no business in politics. Hopefully he gets elected.
Quote from: coredumped on March 06, 2015, 10:01:56 PM
Shouldn't media outlets, such as the newspaper be unbiased on things like this? Or at least pretend.
This is an endorsement not just an opinion piece, so it is meant to be biased. Times Union endorses candidates in major races every election cycle.
I wonder if Holderfield strong-armed the paper....he comes across as old school mafia-like to me
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 07, 2015, 02:45:06 PM
I wonder if Holderfield strong-armed the paper....he comes across as old school mafia-like to me
They weren't strong armed, that much is sure. If strong arming worked, they would have endorsed Curry. lol
Quotepresident of the Fraternal Order of Police
How is it Holderfield was able to escape the whole FOP issue with Cuba going down?
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 11, 2015, 01:14:29 AM
Quotepresident of the Fraternal Order of Police
How is it Holderfield was able to escape the whole FOP issue with Cuba going down?
There was apparently no evidence that he participated in any of what Cuba did. You can't do guilt by association even if you want to. lol
Oops
For those who are interested, after much research and soul searching I decided my vote would go to Mike Williams for Sheriff. :)
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on March 11, 2015, 06:05:47 PM
For those who are interested, after much research and soul searching I decided my vote would go to Mike Williams for Sheriff. :)
The status quo candidate? No thanks.
For me it wasn't about the status quo but rather in spite of it. lol In the end considering the numerous qualified individuals in this race I believe we will end up with a good Sheriff. On all issues like the department reflecting the people it serves to transparency and budget all candidates were pretty much on the same page. I am not worried about the outcome of this race. :)
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on March 11, 2015, 08:33:05 PM
For me it wasn't about the status quo but rather in spite of it. lol In the end considering the numerous qualified individuals in this race I believe we will end up with a good Sheriff. On all issues like the department reflecting the people it serves to transparency and budget all candidates were pretty much on the same page. I am not worried about the outcome of this race. :)
As you know I have so appreciated the ALL information, and threads you have started but it seems as if our pick for sheriff will be 180 degrees different. This position is very personal to me and the Rutherford Regime has lasted too long. There is NO transparency, no accountability, and sincere lack of competent personnel that JSO has evolved to a horribly sick joke among many. Rutherford cries about loss of 147 police at every bend,but does nothing about his very top heavy administration and directors. The fact I watched a Curry ad tonight w/ Rutherford endorsement further my utter disrespect for Curry & Rutherford. Rutherford blames Mayor Brown on the loss od 147 and the rise of crime!!! In what reality can the Sheriff of a large city blame crime rate on the Mayor? He still lives in a delusional state of arrogance and ignorance about Jacksonville's needs, concerns and lack of community involvement.
I know you previously said the sheriff was a personal friend of yours so I assumed his hand picked guy would be your choice, but I believe I have found much more research in talking to the candidates that has confirmed my previous queries. I spoke w/ many JSO who said Williams & Holderfield were the two lowest competent people to take over in 2015 with the needs of this city. I'm not willing for the status quo in sheriff, state attorney, public defender, or mayor. Much more change is needed.
We are together on the need for Bill Bishop as the next mayor. Thank you for all your wonderful and brilliant insight to all things politics here and look forward to reading more.
Quote from: Jax native on March 11, 2015, 10:15:17 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on March 11, 2015, 08:33:05 PM
For me it wasn't about the status quo but rather in spite of it. lol In the end considering the numerous qualified individuals in this race I believe we will end up with a good Sheriff. On all issues like the department reflecting the people it serves to transparency and budget all candidates were pretty much on the same page. I am not worried about the outcome of this race. :)
As you know I have so appreciated the ALL information, and threads you have started but it seems as if our pick for sheriff will be 180 degrees different. This position is very personal to me and the Rutherford Regime has lasted too long. There is NO transparency, no accountability, and sincere lack of competent personnel that JSO has evolved to a horribly sick joke among many. Rutherford cries about loss of 147 police at every bend,but does nothing about his very top heavy administration and directors. The fact I watched a Curry ad tonight w/ Rutherford endorsement further my utter disrespect for Curry & Rutherford. Rutherford blames Mayor Brown on the loss od 147 and the rise of crime!!! In what reality can the Sheriff of a large city blame crime rate on the Mayor? He still lives in a delusional state of arrogance and ignorance about Jacksonville's needs, concerns and lack of community involvement.
I know you previously said the sheriff was a personal friend of yours so I assumed his hand picked guy would be your choice, but I believe I have found much more research in talking to the candidates that has confirmed my previous queries. I spoke w/ many JSO who said Williams & Holderfield were the two lowest competent people to take over in 2015 with the needs of this city. I'm not willing for the status quo in sheriff, state attorney, public defender, or mayor. Much more change is needed.
We are together on the need for Bill Bishop as the next mayor. Thank you for all your wonderful and brilliant insight to all things politics here and look forward to reading more.
I fully respect your right to your own choice and the fact that you have investigated the candidates and done your research. That is what it is all about. I am confident we will have a good leader in the office of Sheriff when all is said and done. I expect to see Ken Jefferson in a run off with one other candidate even though this is a unitary election. :) An interesting race to watch.
QuoteThere was apparently no evidence that he participated in any of what Cuba did. You can't do guilt by association even if you want to. lol
I am not buying that, after all, you are the President of the FOP and you have NO IDEA of all that going on inside of the FOP?
I agree it will be Jefferson and someone else in a runoff.
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 12, 2015, 12:41:43 AM
QuoteThere was apparently no evidence that he participated in any of what Cuba did. You can't do guilt by association even if you want to. lol
I am not buying that, after all, you are the President of the FOP and you have NO IDEA of all that going on inside of the FOP?
I agree it will be Jefferson and someone else in a runoff.
Nothing to buy here. If they took down Mathis who was well respected and connected because of evidence, had there been a connection to Holderfield, he would have gone down too. He was not implicated in any way. Cuba was the President of the FOP all that time I believe, regardless he was the captain of the FOP ship for a very long time. Holderfield also got the endorsement of the TU which is an organization that would have known in advance if there was any connection. Apparently there was none.
This is the kind of thing a campaign doesn't need. Holderfield campaign worker arrested for stealing competitors signs.
http://www.news4jax.com/politics/sheriff-campaign-supporter-arrested/31878218
Thanks Cheshire Cat for your synopsis and updates on the candidates.
After long research, I decided to support Mike Williams as well. Williams and Holderfield are only candidates who achieved rank of Director. For a position like this, we really need department experience and seniority, probably more than mayoral candidates do in my opinion. I'm open with experimenting with new ideas to improve safety and cohesiveness of the community, but we need someone who actually knows consequences and has patience to work slowly and carefully to improve the efficiency of the organization, instead of a firebrand who will fall on his face.
I was initially leaning towards Holderfield (who has more experience than Mike) but for someone reason I don't like the way he communicates. Williams seems sharper, he's noticeably in better shape (I'm sorry, but I think top officer should lead by example in fitness), has more endorsement from business community (which I think is important to Jacksonville) whereas Holderfield has more police union and NRA endorsements. I thought William's new ad was sharp and direct to point. Holderfield comes across a bit too folksy and old school in his presentation, although I don't doubt his qualifications. I'd be ok with Holderfield he makes it to second round though. I think we need a sheriff who is direct to point.
On other candidates: (in addition to lack of title)
I don't watch local news, so I didn't know about Jefferson. Apparently after 24 years, he hasn't made it past rank of detective. I didn't like his answer about wanting to meet with gang leaders during debate, huge turn-off.
I agree Cummings doesn't have experience, although he seems most educated one on stage and perhaps most thoughtful. I didn't like his obsession about hiring more minority candidates (I say that as a minority) during debates. I agree he seems like he's just trying to gather Democratic votes and make it to round 2 of the primary.
McDonald is trying to push his international experience, but I don't think its really relevant to Jacksonville, yet. I want someone who's thinking within our city borders. I also don't like way he speaks, I found him annoying during debate.
Schoonover has good campaign site and relevant experience...and he has progressed in rank to LT. I removed him from consideration since he was admonished by some committee for not putting out an Amber Alert for missing girl who was murdered year or two ago. He responded to charge that '99% of missing persons reports are false' and that was his reason for not getting out of bed that night. It may not have made a difference in the girl's life, but it was poor response. The charge is probably politically motivated (Rutherford made comments to criticize Schoonover), but its not worth the risk in selecting him.
Farhat seems like a thoughtful, well-meaning candidate. He's made it to position of supervisor. He's good candidate on paper I suppose, but nothing outstanding in face of other candidates on stage.
So I'm going with Williams. I look forward to see which 2 candidates will make it to round 2.
QuoteMcDonald is trying to push his international experience, but I don't think its really relevant to Jacksonville, yet. I want someone who's thinking within our city borders.
Because the drugs and gang members are all coming from inside Jacksonville. Realize you have two major interstates and pipelines that use our ports for major narcotics. Thinking we need to bury our head in the county and look inward is just not good for the next Sheriff.
Fair enough points, but I also don't want our next sheriff out and about visiting other areas to broadly study international criminal enterprises.
Drug and illicit trafficking is important component to fight on crime, but focus should be on policing and having presence within our communities to boost safety, confidence, communication. Gang members come from all parts of globe, but many are born and raised here, and I want our officers to keep tabs on them.
As the numbers roll in during todays election there is only one conclusion that can be got at this point. Ken Jefferson will be in the runoff with the sizable Dem turnout. The republican side is one that can't be called by the numbers at this stage.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on March 24, 2015, 12:37:59 PM
As the numbers roll in during todays election there is only one conclusion that can be got at this point. Ken Jefferson will be in the runoff with the sizable Dem turnout. The republican side is one that can't be called by the numbers at this stage.
I don't understand why you automatically assume Democrats are voting for Jefferson (or Cummings). I am a progressive Democrat who voted for more Republicans in this election than Democrats....and that includes the Sheriff's race.
That said, yes, Jefferson will be in the runoff.
I think I read poll that Jefferson was at near 25%, followed by Mike Williams with 16%, then Holderfield with 10%, everyone else single digits. Not every Democrat will vote Jefferson, but enough will vote party line to secure his position in run-off (given that 1 alternative Dem isn't any more qualified or established). Republican race will be nail biter amongst 5 candidates.
Thanks to everyone who voted for Mike Williams. There's still a race going into May, though. I hope all listen well to both candidates left in the race in the coming days, and vote again in May for your choice.
Regardless of your party affiliation, look at the qualifications and experience of the two candidates. Mike chose not to go negative despite some quite solid reasons he could have, and I expect that will stay the same in the next round. It was our hope that character, devotion to duty and true service to the public would be enough to shine through the political rhetoric. Now, there is time to repair some of the relationships within the agency and look for the best and brightest to move us and our city forward.
He is the right man to lead JSO not only based on his experience, but his personal integrity.
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 24, 2015, 04:48:14 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on March 24, 2015, 12:37:59 PM
As the numbers roll in during todays election there is only one conclusion that can be got at this point. Ken Jefferson will be in the runoff with the sizable Dem turnout. The republican side is one that can't be called by the numbers at this stage.
I don't understand why you automatically assume Democrats are voting for Jefferson (or Cummings). I am a progressive Democrat who voted for more Republicans in this election than Democrats....and that includes the Sheriff's race.
That said, yes, Jefferson will be in the runoff.
While I personally appreciate and enjoy all CC's, Diane's information and views, I can't understand why some of these peeps would want to put Diane under & in the microscope for her comments. This is a comment forum, not lie detector test. If you disagree with anyone's comment, just disagree without the calling out someone's views. You do know you are NOT stating facts when you hound Diane? Don't you? it's just your opinion and should be treated with respect as Diane's deserves. Personally, I'm a little(maybe more) bias in Diane's "opinion" as being well thought out instead off the cuff comment. Her previous posts have demonstrated her discipline in finding correct information. And that my friend, is my opinion! Also a very important fact is that I do NOT know Diane. Never met her, or ever have contact with her outside this forum.....so I'm not just sticking up for a friend, I'm sticking up for a knowledgeable commenter.
QuoteDiane's information and views, I can't understand why some of these peeps would want to put Diane under & in the microscope for her comments.
Nothing personal against anyone out here on MJ, Jacksonville is a better place because of MJ. Its Yellow Journalism that people attack, so when someone posts something that has no credibility in the form of a link or verified source, its no better than a TMZ channel. MJ has worked hard and built a brand of a place where people can learn facts, history and build a better Jacksonville.
I challenge us all to report the facts on the races, the candidates and the city over the next few months. The MJ site will grow and expand as a result of it. Or, people can post wild hypothesis and turn it into a myspace group. Its up to the people.
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 28, 2015, 06:47:14 AM
QuoteDiane's information and views, I can't understand why some of these peeps would want to put Diane under & in the microscope for her comments.
Nothing personal against anyone out here on MJ, Jacksonville is a better place because of MJ. Its Yellow Journalism that people attack, so when someone posts something that has no credibility in the form of a link or verified source, its no better than a TMZ channel. MJ has worked hard and built a brand of a place where people can learn facts, history and build a better Jacksonville.
I challenge us all to report the facts on the races, the candidates and the city over the next few months. The MJ site will grow and expand as a result of it. Or, people can post wild hypothesis and turn it into a myspace group. Its up to the people.
Without calling out personally, I think this is the most ridiculous absurd comment. why would anyone come to MJ, who has a following and input from so many different people and different thoughts, opinion, and comment and turn it into a basic Jacksonville 'Google'???
If you want links to "facts" about the races, goggle it. I'm not interested in reading a blog absent of different comments and thoughts. Some i agree with, some I disagree with, and most get me thinking about it and researching more about the subject. As someone who only started participating this year, the reason I read this frequently is for others comments.
Seriously, you want everybody on here, to have a "fact link" about every thing they think??? How about just using one's mind to learn information and comment what your thoughts are on it. If you had your way, MJ would be nothing but a bunch of links I have no desire to open because if I was interested, I'd find my own "Links" on the subject.
The idea of "I challenge us all to report the facts on the races, the candidates and the city over the next few months. The MJ site will grow and expand as a result of it. Or, people can post wild hypothesis and turn it into a myspace group. Its up to the people." sounds like you desire to turn off individual's thoughts on a subject and just regurgitate crap from a computer site. I will tell you very sincerely, that statement or desire is a reason, you should not be reading Metro Jacksonville! The absurdity of the comment just blows my mind.
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 12, 2015, 12:41:43 AM
QuoteThere was apparently no evidence that he participated in any of what Cuba did. You can't do guilt by association even if you want to. lol
I am not buying that, after all, you are the President of the FOP and you have NO IDEA of all that going on inside of the FOP?
I agree it will be Jefferson and someone else in a runoff.
Mtrain, I am just re-reading this post to see if i missed something....especially about what you has seemed factual "All democrats lie' and find this post above............
Someone wrote a "fact" "There was apparently no evidence that he participated in any of what Cuba did. You can't do guilt by association even if you want to" .............Which was clearly written because there was NO evidence he particiipated in ..Cuba... The fact is there IS NOT EVIDENCE HE PARTICIPATED".....that is the fact. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE'
YOu then shoot back....."I am not buying that, after all, you are the President of the FOP and you have NO IDEA of all that going on inside of the FOP? ".............So, because you're not buying that....makes his statement not a fact. and you disputing his statement, means that "your personal thought" about the matter is the "fact'!!!
It doesn't add up. You have constantly made some very ugly words of accusing people, democrats of things that clearly are NOT facts. But, today you want up all to agree to your 'personal" idea, we should just write facts with links???? Do you see the irony?? Do you see how hypocritical this makes you look??? Is any this getting through to you? I think we should continue the way MJ has always been (I assume), just the way God planned it.
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 22, 2015, 11:18:58 PM
QuoteMcDonald is trying to push his international experience, but I don't think its really relevant to Jacksonville, yet. I want someone who's thinking within our city borders.
Because the drugs and gang members are all coming from inside Jacksonville. Realize you have two major interstates and pipelines that use our ports for major narcotics. Thinking we need to bury our head in the county and look inward is just not good for the next Sheriff.
Can you send me links to what you wrote? .....?
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 04, 2015, 06:18:36 AM
QuoteAgree, and you stated it more articulate than I could. Although it has been years and not much talk, but Sheriff rutherford started some very high paying positions in his office w/ out law enforcement experience. Positions never needed in the past and certainly not at the pay rate. i personally feel it's childish and unprofessional for the Sheriff to respond to EVERY piece of crime news w/ " We lost 137 officers". As if that is the only reason JSO is under performing.
When Rutherford started he never had the access to military equipment or joint FBI, Marshals, as well as other federal resources, that he has now. So what Rutherford has done, with a shrinking budget has been short of amazing. You get less and less each year from the mayor and you know that most 70-80% of the crime is drug related, you start shifting resources to take care of the items that are most concerning. What has been most concerning is what Rutherford could have done with the extra resources back on the street.
There are also newer white collar crimes and expansion of criminal activity over what he found when he started. The new Sheriff is going to inherit a better run office than what Rutherford inherited. Morale is low because of the pension issues and no pay increases, which point back to the mayor. I doubt Brown gets any support from any police or fire this spring.
Link, please?
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 06, 2015, 12:08:33 PM
QuoteNO police department should EVER have access to military equipment against it's citizens. Military items are used in war and should not be used against fellow citizens.
Do you live in the real world? 9/11 ring any bells? Oklahoma City Bombing? Americans are at war with Americans and terrorists are everywhere. You should check out the news and read the statements from law enforcement about the greatest possibilities for the next decade. They won't be coming from abroad, but from within. To that end, I am all for giving law enforcement EVERYTHING necessary to help law biding Americans feel safe.
Without safety, the entire American way of life grounds to a halt. 9/11 proved just that. We will always be at war in our own homeland, they day we become passive is the day of another 9/11 type event.
With what you call "safety" is the most extremist way to deny citizens of constitutional rights! I feel better with the Constitution than your rants.
Quote from: Jax native on March 25, 2015, 12:08:30 AM
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 24, 2015, 04:48:14 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on March 24, 2015, 12:37:59 PM
As the numbers roll in during todays election there is only one conclusion that can be got at this point. Ken Jefferson will be in the runoff with the sizable Dem turnout. The republican side is one that can't be called by the numbers at this stage.
I don't understand why you automatically assume Democrats are voting for Jefferson (or Cummings). I am a progressive Democrat who voted for more Republicans in this election than Democrats....and that includes the Sheriff's race.
That said, yes, Jefferson will be in the runoff.
While I personally appreciate and enjoy all CC's, Diane's information and views, I can't understand why some of these peeps would want to put Diane under & in the microscope for her comments. This is a comment forum, not lie detector test. If you disagree with anyone's comment, just disagree without the calling out someone's views. You do know you are NOT stating facts when you hound Diane? Don't you? it's just your opinion and should be treated with respect as Diane's deserves. Personally, I'm a little(maybe more) bias in Diane's "opinion" as being well thought out instead off the cuff comment. Her previous posts have demonstrated her discipline in finding correct information. And that my friend, is my opinion! Also a very important fact is that I do NOT know Diane. Never met her, or ever have contact with her outside this forum.....so I'm not just sticking up for a friend, I'm sticking up for a knowledgeable commenter.
I cannot begin to say how much your words and opinion mean. Thank you ever so much.
Quote from: stephendare on March 25, 2015, 12:10:27 AM
Quote from: Jax native on March 25, 2015, 12:08:30 AM
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 24, 2015, 04:48:14 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on March 24, 2015, 12:37:59 PM
As the numbers roll in during todays election there is only one conclusion that can be got at this point. Ken Jefferson will be in the runoff with the sizable Dem turnout. The republican side is one that can't be called by the numbers at this stage.
I don't understand why you automatically assume Democrats are voting for Jefferson (or Cummings). I am a progressive Democrat who voted for more Republicans in this election than Democrats....and that includes the Sheriff's race.
That said, yes, Jefferson will be in the runoff.
While I personally appreciate and enjoy all CC's, Diane's information and views, I can't understand why some of these peeps would want to put Diane under & in the microscope for her comments. This is a comment forum, not lie detector test. If you disagree with anyone's comment, just disagree without the calling out someone's views. You do know you are NOT stating facts when you hound Diane? Don't you? it's just your opinion and should be treated with respect as Diane's deserves. Personally, I'm a little(maybe more) bias in Diane's "opinion" as being well thought out instead off the cuff comment. Her previous posts have demonstrated her discipline in finding correct information. And that my friend, is my opinion! Also a very important fact is that I do NOT know Diane. Never met her, or ever have contact with her outside this forum.....so I'm not just sticking up for a friend, I'm sticking up for a knowledgeable commenter.
and thank you for saying so, Jax Native.
+1
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 28, 2015, 06:47:14 AM
QuoteDiane's information and views, I can't understand why some of these peeps would want to put Diane under & in the microscope for her comments.
Nothing personal against anyone out here on MJ, Jacksonville is a better place because of MJ. Its Yellow Journalism that people attack, so when someone posts something that has no credibility in the form of a link or verified source, its no better than a TMZ channel. MJ has worked hard and built a brand of a place where people can learn facts, history and build a better Jacksonville.
I challenge us all to report the facts on the races, the candidates and the city over the next few months. The MJ site will grow and expand as a result of it. Or, people can post wild hypothesis and turn it into a myspace group. Its up to the people.
For all those reading and in the interest of clarification, my comment was in fact in response to one you made with the intention of disparaging Jimmy Holderfield. A comment in which you intimated that he should have known about the doings of the FOP's Nelson Cuba with the internet vets scandal. All intimated by you without a lick of proof. What's even more sad is that you claimed he should have known because he was the president of the FOP, which he was "not" at the time, he was not even the vice president. Nelson Cuba was. You did in fact engage in the type of foolish and unfounded posting which you are now attempting to talk down. You do understand that the attempt is an attack on your own credibility I hope. This is a forum on a news outlet populated by individuals of differing views and interests. People get that. If anything downgrades a forum it is name calling, posturing. vulgarity in comments and personal attacks. The errors in the original post were yours and I gently pointed them out, that is what bothered you and is the impetus for all your recent commentary. I stand by my statements with the understanding that I always look to due diligence with facts as well as the knowledge that my contacts in and out of politics, local business and media are really very good and far reaching which is the basis of some other commentary. Simply put let me suggest that you practice what you preach and if for some reason my direct style of information sharing is not to your liking, simply don't read it. Problem solved.
For anyone who didn't understand my aggravation and rants last night, you have the option to op out of my opinion. I do not have the ability to write very clear and no where near as well & elegant as Stephen, Diane, Jimmy and many others. I do have opinions, and yesterday I felt very strongly, they were being silence on this site which didn't go over well (with me). I'm a long time reader, but recent commenters, I read this site daily now. Sometimes I look at the name and ignore the post, other times I look at the name (Diane) and get paper ready to take notes or names. Jimmy, Stephen Diane, so many others, whose names I can't pull out immediately, have made an extremely long, at times hateful, disparaging, exciting, recent election period the past 6 months somewhat interesting. For me. I'm unsure what others get out of Metro Jacksonville and frankly didn't even think about it until last night. Perusing through the threads, I found the above one, & started to rant. While I hope it wasn't too intolerable, I do think it's a strong opinion and I own it. I very much enjoy the discussions on MJ and the people who are involved make it so. The more the merrier, I feel. Different voices, thoughts, thinking other than our own is needed and continues our growth as society. I'd be bored if everyone I knew, agreed with me on everything I said (although I'd probably love it at first). It's the people on here who make MJ what it is. The people's voices. I can't say enough about how it wasn't personal against one person, but it was that one person who took it over the level for me.
I looked forward to *talking & conversations with you all and am inspired by the wealth of knowledge of both facts and opinions MJ has. I'm not involved in the inner workings of Metro Jax. so I'll just said to all, thank you for putting this on.. Thank you for an option to the TU, FB, Twitter, campaign quotes and other media I read. Thanks for putting out a brilliant blog together that is so accessible to everyone and every thought. Thanks.