Jacksonville Sheriff's race 2015

[Cheshire Cat]

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. 

[Jax native]

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. 

[Cheshire Cat]

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. 

[mtraininjax]

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

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.

[Cheshire Cat]

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

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. 

[Cheshire Cat]

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

[JaxObserver]

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.

[mtraininjax]

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.

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.

[JaxObserver]

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.

[Cheshire Cat]

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. 

[tufsu1]

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.

[JaxObserver]

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.

[Scarlettjax]

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. 

[Jax native]

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. 

[mtraininjax]

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.

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.