Life's a Beach

That's right! My sources tell me that our present cooking sheriff will be at the next BCC metting this Monday Sept. 15th down here in sowal to request another $400,000 from the commissioners. From what I understand, he's been moving money from different pots inside the S.O. just to make payroll. He's really screwing up the SO more and more each day. What I can't understand is where did the money come from when he just purchased 23 brand new crown vics from Georgia in the last two weeks. Then come October after he recieves his new budget, rumor has it he's going to purchase another 20 more cars from Georgia, again. If he's having problems making payroll, then why is he buying more cars.
Has anyone heard about the IRS giving the SO another two more fines?? They did but it's hush, hush right now. I really don't know how much the fines were, but they were fined once again!!!!

I just sure hope that this Monday at the BCC meeting, he'll be there instead of sending the last fool he sent Eddie Ferris. Maybe there won't be a cooking class scheduled for that evening.

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sunspotbaby

...he's been moving money from different pots inside the S.O...


He's probably moving some into his pockets
Wow! Incredible lack of professionalism in our S.O.

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Don't confuse having less with being less, having more with being more, or what you have with who you are. Noah benShea

wrobert

All I ever heard about this was that after he lost the election, he know longer can move money around within his budget, which is pretty common in the last month of a budget. So now the BCC has to approve those intra transfers between line items.

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John R

Wouldn't out tax monies be better spent in state on vehicle's? Surely there are cop car outfitters in Fla.

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scooterbug44

$400k on new cars when they had a $35k shortfall from not writing enough tickets and the taxpayers keep shelling out for fines because they can't do basic math?

IMO cars should be replaced on a case by case basis and any that aren't okay for regular duty can become the "private security" cars.

Request denied!

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

rheffron

Let's get some Hybrids or better yet some naturals Gas cars!

Life's a Beach

Rumor has it that RJ has been getting a kick back from the dealership in Georgia, that's why he's buying the cars from them. It's unproven right now but that is the scuttlebutt, huh? I also understand that RJ has put a hold on all department spending till the new sheriff takes over in January, he want's it to be his problem. They have deputies in the department that have different things wrong with their vehicles that can't even get them fixed. Such as emergency lights, sirens that don't work, etc. The department is about to stop doing oil changes...that is when the filters on the shelves have run out, then they'll stop because he won't spend anymore $$$$. Sounds like someone is pissed he lost the election. I just hate that people's life might be in jeopardy because of this stuff he's doing.

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scooterbug44

WTF!?!

Please explain to a non-law enforcement person how you arrest someone w/o emergency lights or a siren?

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

wrobert

This is September. It is pretty typical for all spending to start winding down since the new budget does not come into play until Oct 1st. I imagine a lot of things will get pushed back. That is the way it has worked in the past throughout the county. Those that did not spend their budgets act like it is Christmas, those that did, have to suffer until 10/1.

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ShallowsFuzz

Your last comment, calling Eddie Farris a fool, tells me you don't know Eddie Farris. I have known him for many years and he is a good friend and far from being a fool. You should get to know him and you'll know what I am talking about.

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"Americans always try to do the right thing - -
after they've tried everything else."
Sir Winston Churchill

30ABandMan

There are mandatory guidlines that have to be followed when replacing emergency vehicles. Mileage, age and other details are factored in. Just because a police cruiser looks great and runs great doesnt determine if it can still be used. There is a maximum mileage allowed for the vehicle. I believe at one time it was 5 years but that may not be totally accurate anymore.

scooterbug44

That certainly makes sense, though the purported 43 cars purchased out of state within several months still seems excessive.

How much of the mileage/wear and tear on the current cars do you think comes from using them as private security or them being driven "off duty" to and from work?

Can the old ones w/ too much mileage be the "road sign" cop cars that just sit there w/ their lights on for days, etc?

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

WCcitizens

I heard on the radio this morning, that the Sheriff is going to have to lay off 8 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees, because he wasn't given any extra money.
I'm so glad the voters decided to lay him off this year. He's been nothing but an embarrassment to this county.

.

scooterbug44

He's firing 10 people and spending $400k on new cars? WTF?!?

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

seagrovegirl

I wonder how many women will get the axe?

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"The only thing worse than being stood up is dating." NoHall

"If you are going to be stupid, you better be tough".
Sunspotbaby

Zebraspots

Is there some way to get factual info on what is going on at the WCSO?

Does he have to report hiring/firing decisions or expenditures anywhere so we can verify or refute some of the statements made here?

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Basically, I'm just passing through on my way to Australia.

scooterbug44

How many are pregnant?

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

beachmouse

I can understand buying vehicles while laying off employees. Sometimes you can be dealing with grants that don't allow you to use them for salaries but are supposed to be used to purchase physical items.

But Georgia? I know we've got some sort of ploicy where we're supposed to give local vendors (defined as from a small number of FL Panhandle counties and definitely not Georgia) preference and first opportunity for a whole bunch of different types of contracts, and I assumed it was the case for other state-funded entities as well.

wrobert

Mandatory guidelines to comply with what?

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seagrovegirl

Or potential to become pregnant

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"The only thing worse than being stood up is dating." NoHall

"If you are going to be stupid, you better be tough".
Sunspotbaby

waltonco lover

ShallowsFuzz,

I def. agree with you. I have also known Mr. Farris almost my entire life. He can not be blamed for what his boss tells him to do or what to attend on his behalf.

tidefan517

I found out today from a very reliable source that some of themoney will be generated from charging the deputies 100 dollars a month to take their vehicles home. What if they cant afford to pay 100 dollars a month to be able to provide a public service, in which they are already underpaid to do, what then? Are they supposed to quit? Sounds like a railroading job to me, I am sure he wishes he hadnt bit the hand that fed him, no wonder he is taking cooking classes....

scooterbug44

$1200 a year for a late model, well maintained, and gassed up car?

I'd certainly be willing to pay that!

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

ShallowsNole

I'm going to get in big trouble for this, but I've been waiting since about 3:00 yesterday afternoon to say something...

$1200 a year for a late-model, oil-can-now-be-changed-no-sooner-than-every-4000-miles (per the second memo that came out yesterday), gassed up vehicle that you can only drive on official business, during your shift, or if you get called out, but is otherwise parked.

Parking it at the admin or sub and driving your POV to and from won't work either, from what I understand. If you are assigned a vehicle, you WILL get $100.00 deducted from your pay. Ain't pre-tax, either.

At the risk of my spouse being one of the eight that gets booted, I suggest that what has really happened is that all sworn personnel that have been assigned a vehicle have effectively been docked $100 per month - *hopefully* so that payroll can be made and nobody gets let go after all. (I don't know if that is the purpose.) Right before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and property tax time. My family can absorb it better than many of the young(er) men and women with babies at the low end of the pay scale. but still.

Time for ShallowsFuzz to sign up for a couple of sig 15's so we can file a Schedule C and deduct it as a business expense

p.s. should a copy of this get turned into my supervisor, please note that I took today off

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scooterbug44

That's a whole different kettle of fish!

I thought it was just a good idea to encourage people to drive their personal vehicles TO and FROM work and cut down on wear and tear.

How soon until the new sheriff takes over and can reverse/fix this stuff?

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

Smiling JOe

I thought the tax accountant who spoke for Sheriff Johnson at the latest WalCo Budget Mtg, said it was 8 part-time employees and 2 full-time employees, but I may be mistaken. I still cannot believe that Sheriff Johnson won't speak for himself. I don't think the other County Officers hire CPAs to create budgets, and this particular CPA didn't come on board the Sheriff's train until during the recent $300,000 oops that Sheriff Johnson had.

Who is to blame? Good question. BCC Chairman Larry Jones states that the Commissioners gave the Sheriff a year's notice that ALL County Departments would be working with a zero-increase budget for 2009. The only way Sheriff Johnson can keep a zero-increase budget is by cutting 8 part-time and 2 full-time employees? According to the Sheriff's CPA, that sounds like the only option they gave. Doesn't sound like they explored any other alternatives, such as decreased patrols, sell a drug-targeting helicopter, streamlining job tasks, etc. Sure, you could blame the increased cost of gasoline as taking money out of the paychecks of the deputies, but we've been close to $4/gal gas for a while, and there is such a thing as companies buying gas in large quantities at set prices, with deliveries to be in the future. Personally, I think that Sheriff Johnson should be working with deputies and employees, asking them ways in which they think they could cut money, without decreasing pay, or services. I think that the people doing the jobs will know best how to make their jobs more efficient.

On a side note, most deputies live north of the Bay just to be able to afford housing. The commute to and from work does burn much gas, I'm sure, but I don't know that I agree with the thought that parking a Patrol car at a deputies house, has been shown to decrease crime in rural areas, where they are living.

It is rather crazy that the sitting sheriff is the only person within the Sheriff's Office who has a say in a budget for a term in which he will not be a part. Republican Sheriff's candidate, Mike Adkinson was in attendance at the latest budget meeting, but he nor the Dem candidate will have no say in the matter.

Comm. Cindy Meadows didn't agree with the zero-increase budget for the Sheriff's Dept, noting that we shouldn't decrease the number of safety patrols, just to save a buck. She also noted that gas prices have increased, and that she thinks the money is somewhere in the budget (in the way of unspent, yet allocated money), to cover the $400,000 increase for which the Sheriff, via his CPA, was asking.

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The Watcher

This whole thing makes me ill. Ralph has screwed up this department in so many ways, it is really going to take a group effort to right his wrongs.

Thank God he is out come next year. He and his mismangement team can pack up and get out, the sooner the better.

We all need to pull together and prepare for the long road ahead. With a new leader at the S.O. we should be able to repair and rebuild. This will be a group effort if it is to succeed.

w

sweetgal

Like most people on here stated. Maybe you dont know Eddie Farris, but I do, and sir he is no fool. He is likely doing what he is told in fear of his job. Please dont judge someone you know, because if you truly knew him, you wouldnt call him a fool. He is one of the most kind persons I have known.

Life's a Beach

Sweetgal..... I know alot more about Ferris than you think I do. He's a "Yes Man" and of course he's going to do whatever RJ tells him to do, but please... he needs to have a little back bone and start standing up for the deputies when RJ tells him to type out memos and quit focusing so much on the detail schedules. He's one of RJ's boys in the Johnson Administration, and has been caught in several lies. But this forum is not about "bashing Ferris" so let's stay on track & keep focused on the real issue.

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sweetgal

Life, If you truly knew him, then you would know his name is spelled FARRIS not Ferris..... and how can anyone have a back bone in that place when someone who has a hilter like showing is running the place. He doesnt care about the people working there. I hear he goes into fits of rage if things dont go his way, but you expect someone to stand their ground against him, and lose their jobs, and retirement, when they are 3 months away from a new boss taking over. I am sure that MR. FARRIS is doing like all the others, and riding with their heads hanging low, and doing what they are told even if they dont like it, including paying the sheriffs department bills.

Loyal

It's common to put a hold on department spending right before the budget comes out in October, election year or not. Also, it seems to me that if Sheriff Johnson wanted to cause problems for the new sheriff, then he wouldn't care about how much money he spent, and would just let the new sheriff deal with it.
Also, I have not seen a single patrol car with lights or sirens that don't work. If that's the case, there are spare cars that work just fine, and the deputy with that car needs to contact his SGT. I know for a fact that the department constantly does vehicle inspections, and a patrol car in that condition would NEVER pass.
Sheriff Johnson has enough years in his career to retire and live a comfortable life. Perhaps he ran again this year out of a sense of obligation for his people. I, for one, would not fight tooth and nail for my employees and the citizens of this county only to have them turn and spit on me. I hope he enjoys his time off, and when a new sheriff takes office, a lot of you will miss Sheriff Ralph Johnson.

beachmouse

This could be the case for a lot of vehicles involved. My employer has to follow those kinds of guidelines as well, and we're not talking performance cars, just company cars that people can take out if they have to go to Tallahassee or Orlando and don't want to put the miles on their own cars.

We've sold cars at the annual surplus sale for cheap that were in basically perfect condition for that age vehicle, and had complete and thorough maitenance records available. But because they'd hit those age and mileage restrictions, our rules said we were not allowed to put another dollar into them for anything other than fuel; not even as much as a new windshield wiper blade.

I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case here to some degree- RJ is technically following the letter of the law, but is really screwing up the execution in following it.

Smiling JOe

Loyal, how can we miss a man who never seems to be present when it counts?

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John R

I think you overestimate the loyalty, other than yours, to outgoing sheriff johnson. he won't be missed by many.

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The Watcher

Loyal,

Your post is very, very funny. You forget that Ralph started spitting on people about four years ago. Unfortunately, it has taken an election with several qualified candidates to bring his ignorance to light. Many of the deputies live job scared and could not/would not, blow the whistle on many issues.

He spit on two pregnant officers, he spit on the public by abusing his power and his misuse of funds. The list goes on.

As for the vehicles, look at who used to inspect vehicles at the shop. The guy(is he related to Ralph?) was arrested on narcotics and theft charges. Spare cars, ha. The Fords he purchased still have the problem with the gas tanks. This is a known defect, ask Charlie Morris why he no longer buys them (Fords).

Sense of obligation? The only sense he has is to fulfill his own needs, not that of his employees or the citizens. He has failed as a leader and as a sheriff.

No one will miss Ralph Johnson or his administration. Thank God for Change.