Matt Shirk for Public Defender

[gopman369]

I am very excited that I am helping this candidate, the first Republican to ever run for Public Defender.  The following is a recent press release from the Shirk campaign.  For those of you conservatives/republicans, this is a unique opportunity to take this seat from the dems:

Shirk Qualifies for Ballot in Public Defender Race
Private attorney in Jacksonville first Republican ever on ballot for 4th Circuit position

Jacksonville, FL â€" Making history in the 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Matt Shirk has become the first Republican ever to qualify for a ballot position in the 2008 General Election race for the office of Public Defender.  The 4th Circuit includes Duval, Clay and Nassau Counties.  No other Republicans filed paperwork to campaign for the office of Public Defender, leaving only a General Election contest between Shirk and the Democrat incumbent.

“We were thrilled to avoid a Primary in this race,” said Shirk.  “While it is a healthy exercise for our democracy, it does put a strain on resources needed for the November election.  We have a lot of work to do to unseat the incumbent who has been part of the Public Defender’s office for a long time.  Prior to his holding the office, he served as an assistant under the old administration for more than 20 years.  It is time that we get some new blood in the Public Defender’s office!”

Republicans in the three counties of the 4th Circuit are excited to put forth a young, energetic, experienced and knowledgeable candidate for Public Defender â€" something they have never before done.  Party leaders say it ‘speaks to the strength of the GOP’ in Northeast Florida.

"As the first Republican to ever qualify for the Duval County Public Defender’s race, Matt Shirk joins an impressive field of candidates from our Party that will be representing our core conservative values in this year’s upcoming elections,” said John Falconetti, Republican Executive Committee Chairman of Duval County.  “The Republican Party's values resonate with the citizens of Duval County, and we are proud to have Matt competing for this seat."

Presently a sole practitioner in Jacksonville with a concentration in criminal law, Matt Shirk has maintained his own law practice since November 2006.  Throughout his legal career, he has tried more than 60 criminal trials.  Prior to opening his own law practice, Shirk spent five years gaining public service and legal experience working in the Public Defender’s office as an Assistant Public Defender and later spent nearly two years in the Jacksonville law firm of Tassone & Eler.  Early in 2007, Shirk launched his candidacy as a Republican for Public Defender in the 4th Circuit where will bring fiscal responsibility to the office and protect your tax dollars. 

[Squid Shark]

You would think that we Republicans could have reached deep down into our coffers and found someone actually qualified to lick Bill Whites boots instead of Matt Shirk.

Respectfully,
The Squid

[gopman369]

You would think that we Republicans could have reached deep down into our coffers and found someone actually qualified to lick Bill Whites boots instead of Matt Shirk.

Respectfully,
The Squid

I think any Republican can lick Bill White's boots.  Bill White is a flamin' liberal.  He doesn't believe in God or Jesus Christ.  I'd support a Democrat runnin' against Bill White for that reason alone. 

Matt Shirk is conservative.  He's a God fearing man.  He has a vision to change our criminal justice system.  He's not about the status quo.  Our system is broke.  It's time to fix it.  Bill White has not been truthful about things in his campaign (not surprisingly since he doesn't believe in the ten commandments).  He said that he didn't give anymore than a $1000 bonus in 2007.  That's a bold face lie.  He gave almost half a million in bonuses.  over 300k before June 30 in 2007 and almost 200k after June 30 2007.  He says now that he's for the death penalty because he's in an election year.  For the last 30 years he has said many times, publicly and privately, that he is vehemently opposed to the death penalty.  I could go on and on.  I'm not going to mention the fact that he's paying 13 people more than 96k a year and half of those make over 100k.  I'm not going to mention that last year he had 3 employees working part time and payed those 3 employees at or above 92k.  I'm not going to mention that he sought to change the bond schedule that would allow people charged with third degree felonies to get a standard bond of $2500 without seeing a judge.  Third degree felonies include crimes such as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, auto burglaries, violations of injunctions for protections, etc., etc.  Thank the Lord the Chief Judge rejected that idea. 
So, excuse me for supporting someone other than Bill White. 

[Squid Shark]

I think any Republican can lick Bill White's boots.

Oh do tell...I couldn't, I haven't been to law school.

Bill White is a flamin' liberal.

Ok, good for him, he is also an outstanding attorney. Dont you kind of want a true believer defending people?

He doesn't believe in God or Jesus Christ.

Failing to see what that has to do with defending the indigent. It sounds more like a religious test for Public Office. We are not in Saudi Arabia here.

I would bet you are one of those guys who continues to keep people from pointing out Obamas real flaws by accusing him of being a Muslim.

Matt Shirk is conservative.

He sure is, he is so conservative he refuses to pay his property taxes, way to stick it to the man.
True Conservatives meet their financial obligations, whatever they may be, particularly if they are running on a "fiscally conservative platform"

He's a God fearing man.

I am sure he is a lovely person at Church meetings, I am still not seeing what this has to do with defending the indigent.

He has a vision to change our criminal justice system. 

He has a vision for some hazy "community outreach" all the while he will roll over for his best friend and mentor Angela Corey (who he is also not qualified to lick the boots of) and the outstanding defense of the accused in this town will go into the pit.

He's not about the status quo.

Neither is Obama

Bill White has not been truthful about things in his campaign (not surprisingly since he doesn't believe in the ten commandments). 

A cheap shot, but not unsurprising from you. I am Jewish and I don't "believe" in the Golden Rule. It does not stop me from treating others as I would like to be treated.

He said that he didn't give anymore than a $1000 bonus in 2007. That's a bold face lie.  He gave almost half a million in bonuses.  over 300k before June 30 in 2007 and almost 200k after June 30 2007.

That was per-person smart guy, listening is fundamental. That bonus was given by the state in lieu of a cost of living increase.

He says now that he's for the death penalty because he's in an election year.  For the last 30 years he has said many times, publicly and privately, that he is vehemently opposed to the death penalty.

I have never heard him say either of those things, links please. Of course his personal feelings on the deathe penalty would seem to be less relevant to his office than, say, the state attorney. Since he does not seek or decide on the death penalty only defend people in capital cases. BTW, Matt Shirk is not qualified to defend Capital Cases, I guess he didn't think it would be a priority even though the P.D.'s office defends the lions share of death penalty clients.

I could go on and on.  I'm not going to mention the fact that he's paying 13 people more than 96k a year and half of those make over 100k.

You get what you pay for. Have you ever wondered why most govt agencies are full of worthless schlubs? Because the good professionals are making money in the private sector. Mr White has managed to keep a very high level of competence and a core of senior attorneys who could all be a making a ton more on the outside.

I'm not going to mention that he sought to change the bond schedule that would allow people charged with third degree felonies to get a standard bond of $2500 without seeing a judge.  Third degree felonies include crimes such as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, auto burglaries, violations of injunctions for protections, etc., etc.  Thank the Lord the Chief Judge rejected that idea.

Mr Shirk signed on to lower bonds and mandates at the Perkins Law Forum. Either he is a liar or you need to find a new selling point. Also The plan was for non-violent offenders to get the lower bonds, clearly aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft and auto burglaries don't fall into that category.

So, excuse me for supporting someone other than Bill White.

Your excused.


Respectfully,
The Squid

[Squid Shark]

I'm not going to mention that he sought to change the bond schedule that would allow people charged with third degree felonies to get a standard bond of $2500 without seeing a judge.  Third degree felonies include crimes such as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, auto burglaries, violations of injunctions for protections, etc., etc.  Thank the Lord the Chief Judge rejected that idea.

Also, it appears that although you are down with the Ten Commandments, your knowledge of the Florida Statues is lacking:

Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a second degree felony not a third.

Violations of injunctions are 1st degree misdemeanors, not felonies.

Oh and there are 613 Commandments in the Torah, not Ten. Just because Peter and Paul told you to selectively ignore them, does not make them non-existent.

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[gopman369]

I'm not going to mention that he sought to change the bond schedule that would allow people charged with third degree felonies to get a standard bond of $2500 without seeing a judge.  Third degree felonies include crimes such as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, auto burglaries, violations of injunctions for protections, etc., etc.  Thank the Lord the Chief Judge rejected that idea.

Also, it appears that although you are down with the Ten Commandments, your knowledge of the Florida Statues is lacking:

Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a second degree felony not a third.

Violations of injunctions are 1st degree misdemeanors, not felonies.

Oh and there are 613 Commandments in the Torah, not Ten. Just because Peter and Paul told you to selectively ignore them, does not make them non-existent.


No, Agg Assault with a deadly weapon IS a THIRD degree felony (FL Stat 784.021(1)(B)).  Agg Batt with a deadly weapon is second degree felony (FL Stat 784.045(1)(A)2).  You may want to actually look at the statutes rather than just go on what someone has told you.  And, violation of injunction can be 1st degree misd or third degree felony, it depends on certain facts.  AND you may want to also consult Bill White's proposed recommended bond schedule.  Burglary and Auto Theft are NOT violent offenses.  Don't forget possession of cocaine WITH the intent to sell, another third degree felony that our community would like to have a Judge look at his record before setting a bond so that we aren't letting a drug dealer post a low bond.  There are many many other third degree felonies that we ought not have being released on a bond without first seeing a Judge to have their record looked at and to have the facts of the case looked at to be sure they don't need other conditions of their bond.  It's reckless and I'm grateful that the Chief Judge rejected it.  Our community is safer without it.   

And, for the record, I don't want a true believing bleeding heart doing anything with my Government.  I'm a conservative and I will vote to elect Republicans to every seat on my ballot.

[Squid Shark]

And, for the record, I don't want a true believing bleeding heart doing anything with my Government.  I'm a conservative and I will vote to elect Republicans to every seat on my ballot.

Im a conservative too, I also believe that everyone deserves the best defense possible. I believe that the arbitrary nature of the bond schedule (based on the whims of different judges) causes over-crowding and re-offense and wastes gobs of the state's and the city's money.  I believe in competence and qualification for Public Office. Matt Shirk does not meet that standard.

You still have not commented on Mr Shirks endorsement of this horrible alteration of the bond schedule...

Or his inability to pay his own property taxes (which I "wont mention" of course).

As I said, real conservatives meet their financial obligations and within their means. If Mr Shirk can not meet his own personal financial responsibilities, how can he be a steward of the peoples money?

Shalom
The Squid

[gopman369]

I believe in the best defense possible too.  Matt Shirk is a fine attorney.  But being PD is not about being a fine attorney.  It's about having ideas to make our government office more efficient.  Matt Shirk HAS ideas to make the office more efficient.  Bill White has said on the record that HE WON'T CHANGE A THING.  In times like this, that will not be good enough.  We need a vision for change, or at the very least, some ideas on how to make improvements.  You keep referring to this property tax thing and I'm not sure what you are talking about.  My search of the tax collector's office website and the property appraiser's website does not reveal any unpaid property taxes.  It shows that he co-owns two properties and both have paid taxes. 

Matt Shirk has never endorsed Bill White's bond schedule.  He said that he is an advocate for lower bonds and would reach out to the Judges to lower the bond schedule on certain crimes.  And he said he would reach out to the bondsmen to work out a plan to allow client's to post bonds with a lower amount of money down.  But he NEVER said he supported or endorsed Bill White's proposed bond schedule.  period. 

Bottomline, I can't support someone that thinks it's right to give more than 318k in discretionary bonuses in the year 2007 (Bill White claims it wasn't last year but his response to public record requests suggests otherwise).  The excuse that the bonuses were used to keep employees in place is hogwash.  You don't need to give an employee making more than 130k that has worked in the office for 25 years a $9,900.00 bonus, yeah that's what I said, $9,900.00, to keep that employee.  If that's not mismanagement of the peoples money, than I don't know what is.  Yes, bonuses are an effective way to keep employees from jumping ship.  But you don't need to give the kind of bonus described about to half a dozen people that have spent their entire career in the office.   

Bill White claims that these bonuses only amounted to 3.5% of his budget so it wasn't that much.  I bet he wished he had that 3.5% now.  He felt the need to go on channel 4 news last month and complain how he didn't think his budget could absorb a 4% cut over this next year.  I guess 4% is a huge hit, but 3.5% is not a very big deal.  I guess he needs to keep better track of what he tells the media.

[tufsu1]

as already stated, many of the bonuses being given in state and local govt. right now are in lieu of raises....as such, a 3% bonus seems very reasonable to me

[gopman369]

as already stated, many of the bonuses being given in state and local govt. right now are in lieu of raises....as such, a 3% bonus seems very reasonable to me

that was in addition to the 10% raises that were given.  Bill White gave more than 20% in pay raises in the first 2 1/2 years on the job.  it wasn't a bonus in lieu of anything.  it was on top of raises.  You don't see that as a problem?  I see it as a huge problem.  Even if raises were not given, when our state court system (which includes PD and SAO) is being cut for the 3rd year in a row, we should not be giving any bonuses or raises.  On the flip side, Harry Shorestein has said he hasn't given a raise in 3 years.  because the that's the prudent thing to do in tough economic times. 

[Squid Shark]

I believe in the best defense possible too.  Matt Shirk is a fine attorney.  

Not nearly as good or as qualified as Mr. White

But being PD is not about being a fine attorney.

Your right, it is about managing an office, something matt Shirk has only done (on a very small scale) for a year or so.

It's about having ideas to make our government office more efficient.  Matt Shirk HAS ideas to make the office more efficient.

What are those ideas? He has said he will not fire or lower the salaries of any of the senior attorneys. He has claimed that he would hire an MBA or Senior JD to run the office (since he cant do it). He has claimed he would hire more attorneys. All while working with the same budget. Oh, and he is going to push "community outreach". Maybe he should spend some time getting death qualified instead.

The only Idea that may have some merit is the reorganization of the Special Defense and Homocide divisions. But even then, I have heard nothing but a negative reaction from those who I know in that office.

Sounds like alot of Obama-esqur smoke and mirrors to me, gopman.

Bill White has said on the record that HE WON'T CHANGE A THING.  In times like this, that will not be good enough.

Why is it not good enough? He runs an outstanding office with top notch attorneys. Change may be needed in the confused and incompitent state attorneys office, but along with Pinellas, Broward and Miami-Dade, our PD office is tops in the state.

You keep referring to this property tax thing and I'm not sure what you are talking about.  My search of the tax collector's office website and the property appraiser's website does not reveal any unpaid property taxes.  It shows that he co-owns two properties and both have paid taxes.  

Well I am glad he finally got around to paying his taxes, he still has a lein against him for 1200 dollars in association fees. Same complaint, then.

Bottomline, I can't support someone that thinks it's right to give more than 318k in discretionary bonuses in the year 2007 (Bill White claims it wasn't last year but his response to public record requests suggests otherwise).  The excuse that the bonuses were used to keep employees in place is hogwash.  You don't need to give an employee making more than 130k that has worked in the office for 25 years a $9,900.00 bonus, yeah that's what I said, $9,900.00, to keep that employee.

I am assuming that you are not an attorney. What was he going to do with that money, he used it because he knew that the cuts were coming and wanted to take care of his employees before that cut came. It was a retention thing because he could not use that money to hire a ew attorney that he would have to train up and then fire when the money went away.

If that's not mismanagement of the peoples money, than I don't know what is.  Yes, bonuses are an effective way to keep employees from jumping ship.  But you don't need to give the kind of bonus described about to half a dozen people that have spent their entire career in the office.  

Senior attorneys have left the office after 20+ years, some come back too, like Mr Chipperfield.

Shalom,
The Squid

[Squid Shark]

On the flip side, Harry Shorestein has said he hasn't given a raise in 3 years.  because the that's the prudent thing to do in tough economic times. 

And that is why the rats are jumping off the SAO Ship. There are attorneys who passed the bar 6 months ago that are prosecuting felony cases.

Harry Shorestein is an example of what not to do.

ShaloM
The Squid

[Squid Shark]

You keep referring to this property tax thing and I'm not sure what you are talking about.  My search of the tax collector's office website and the property appraiser's website does not reveal any unpaid property taxes.  It shows that he co-owns two properties and both have paid taxes. 

Looks like he finally got around to paying his taxes, yesterday

http://fl-duval-taxcollector.governmax.com/collectmax/tab_collect_payhistV5.4.asp?wait=done&t_nm=collect%5Fmvppay&sid=61E4DED076E44804BD4E3EC6818CA954.

Funny how they get paid once they start becoming a campaign issue. I make about a third of what he does and have just as much debt (even though he hides his debt on his wife on his FDS). I still pay my property taxes (which are slightly more) and I pay them on time.

Maybe next he can pay his association fees and clear the lein against him.

http://www.duvalclerk.com/OnCoreWeb/showdetails.aspx?id=9334324&rn=6&pi=0&ref=search

Maybe he could use some of that $4500 he found laying around to loan himself.

http://election.dos.state.fl.us/cgi-bin/TreSel.exe

Shalom
SS

[RiversideGator]

How much does he make?  Inquiring minds want to know...

[Squid Shark]

Mr Shirk makes about 112K a year.

Mr. White makes about 130K a year, I think.

Both figures are derived from their Financial Disclosure Statements.


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