Knock Out the Drug Problem in Citrus County
During the 2008 election campaign I addressed the growing drug problem in Citrus County. I wanted further evidence of this problem so I attended a Citrus County Drug Coalition Forum. The Coalition along with The Board claimed the drug situation in Citrus County was HUGE.
However, at my very mention of the drug problem at the election forums the Sheriff told the crowd that Citrus County has no drug problem, and I was only trying to scare the people. A convenient excuse spoken from the Sheriff who is supposed to have it under control.
It seems that most of the drug arrests made in Citrus County are always around election time, and absolutely no "king pins" are ever arrested.
Recently there was a major drug bust in Pine Ridge with FOUR large grow houses. However there have only been two arrests of low-level individuals of the operation (the small fish). The Sheriff's Department was said to have known of this operation of the grow houses for OVER A YEAR. My question is why did the Sheriff take so long to act? Why were the (big fish) of the operation not known of or arrested, after an investigation that went on for over a year?
Well I as your Sheriff will ensure that this issue will be promptly and effectively addressed in a timely manner, with the best interest in mind for you the citizens, the taxpayers of Citrus County. As your Sheriff I will constantly have your safety in my ambitions and my thoughts.
Term Limits
Currently anyone elected Sheriff in Citrus County, has the potential to remain in the position indefinitely. While some would argue that an official is re-elected by the voters, and therefore an educated electorate is itself a term limit, there are other factors to consider, especially for the office of the sheriff.The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution implemented a term limit for the office of president. The rationale was a concern that without limits, the presidential position could become too similar to that of a dictatorial regime lasting not just four years but a lifetime, and that the position could become too powerful and upset the balance of power.
In Citrus County, the balance of power between the office of the Sheriff and the five member Board of County Commissioners is vital. The system of checks and balances must remain intact in order to preserve the integrity of the political structure of our community. When one individual becomes more powerful than any group tasked to keep that individual in check, the danger of an abuse of power exists.
Term limits have been successfully implemented in many localities across the United States. One major benefit of these term limits is that it encourages new candidates to run for office, and helps keep these offices populated with term-limited, patriotic public servants who put the interests of the community ahead of their own personal careers.
As your elected Sheriff, I will protect the community through effective law enforcement, while at the same time protecting the democratic process. I will lobby to implement term limits for the office of Sheriff.
Budget
Personal Cars and Gas Cards
In defending reckless spending, it is always interesting to hear the justification for expenditures.
At a candidate form in 2008, Mr. Dawsy claimed that personal cars and 24/7 gas cards were a valuable perk in the recruitment of deputies. He stated that the CCSO has to compete with other law enforcement agencies for qualified officers and that this one perk is essential to luring these candidates to our county. Consequently, he stated flatly that he would not eliminate this “perk” for that reason. Ironically, in that very same forum, Mr. Dawsy stated (in defense of his rising budget) that “Fuel expenditures for the department have increased $1 million dollars due to the increase in gas prices.”
What he did not mention, is how the recruitment of deputies is in any way connected to the fact that upper management and non-responders also receive this perk. It is implied in his argument, that if anyone in the administrative ranks were to lose this perk, then recruitment of deputies is going to suffer.
Let me be clear on my position regarding this issue. Only those who meet the criteria of emergency response personnel and first responders, will be assigned take-home vehicles and fuel cards. Civilian employees, all non-responders, and non-emergency personnel will be responsible for providing their own transportation and fuel—it’s that simple.
Two Positions at the EOC Worth Over $250,000 Per Year
According to the Citrus County Emergency Management website, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) exists to prepare residents for natural disasters such as hurricanes or flooding, as well as terrorist attacks within our county. Typically, an EOC is designed to outline plans, structures and arrangements, that when implemented, maintain continuity of government. Additionally, the organization coordinates volunteer and private agencies in an effort to provide a broad spectrum of response services to the community during a disaster. The typical county level EOC is staffed with civilian employees, up to and including senior management.
While most Florida counties staff their EOC with civilian employees, the Citrus County Sheriff has assigned senior law enforcement officers to the two top spots within the EOC. The Director position has been filled with a Captain from the CCSO, and a Lieutenant serves as Deputy Director. At a time when leaner government is of great importance, the current Sheriff continues to maintain his staffing levels at the expense of the taxpayer.
The combined salaries, benefits, pensions and perks of just these two officers exceeds $250,000 annually—which is an exorbitant level of compensation for these two positions. In addition, considering the lack of disclosure by the sheriff regarding his department’s expenditures, this is yet another taxpayer-funded expense that is well protected from the scrutiny of the County Commissioners and taxpayers.
Citrus County Fire Department
As of October 2011 the Sheriff assumed control of the Citrus County Fire Department. So far during the course of my campaign I have met NO ONE who supported this union of fire fighters with police. As a matter of fact I was told that messages, and calls from the people to the BOCC were 95% against the merger. One of the first questions I am constantly asked is what am I going to do with the Fire Department? My Response ,"The Fire Department will be given back to the County Administration where it belongs."
I support returning all law enforcement personnel to their assigned duties at the sheriff’s office. The fact is, the current arrangement is diverting resources away from the protection of our citizens. Law enforcement officers from deputy to captain should be focused on immediately protecting citizens through the enforcement of law, rather than assuming the role of coordinating for continuity of government in the event of a catastrophe—It is not the duty of the sheriff to dictate to our elected County Commissioners how government should be run during a catastrophic event—in reality, it is the other way around.
