David not being serious
or trying to help Reynolds sell foil

Sweet of you. Why would anyone pretend to be me? Where’s the benefit?
It’s bad enough simply being me.

Regarding repeated lies becoming truth:

I always thought it was Hitler in his 1925 autobiography Mein Kampf: “in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; – - – since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods. It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously.” (A fascinating book in which he shows he was nuts.)

Not that it matters since Nazis were Socialists too.

But then you remember: A lie never becomes true since it is false even if we all believe it. The simplest way to deal with lies is to point out they are lies. And that goes on here.

(I see Goebbels gets some credit too: Stolen from WikiAnswers: “What Goebbels said was that if you repeat a lie often enough people believe it, not that ‘it becomes the truth’.”)

David for truth
spoken in such a way it is heard

No, you merely point out the danger and difficulty in communications, especially over this medium. The most innocent and innocuous reply will be construed by some as “flip or arrogant,” when that was not the intention.

Also, it is difficult to address the anonymous. Those that will not own up to or sign their names. I will give your the benefit of the doubt that you, in fact, are David Huie Green (vs. Mr. Disheartened).

Take Mr. Disheartened as an example. Yes, that is my secretaries phone number. She does all of the things a secretary does. So, taking this email in the strictest sense, he (?) is implying that I should answer every call that comes in? (Not understanding the volume of calls we get everyday.)

And now, he (?) floats the rumor that I do not answer/return calls. Is this true According to Mr. Disheartened it is. Yet I can tell you that just recently I spoke for 45 minutes with a lady convinced that her neighbor was “shooting her in the stomach with an electric gun everytime she steps outside to get the paper or her mail, and he is observing her with microwaves through here bathroom wall as she showers and uses the toilet.”

No, Mr. Green and Mr. Disheartened, I just caution you and all others that “blogs and blogging” CAN BECOME a page right out of a Scoialist Manifesto; “A lie repeated often enough becomes truth.”

David Morgan, Sheriff
Escambia County Sheriffs Office
436-9512 (My Secretaries Number)

The problem is that you are looking at something you do not know how to appropriately read or interpret. So allow me to assist you.
- – -
As always, your oversight, interest and concern in the management of the ECSO is appreciated.

David Morgan, Sheriff”

And yet, somehow we don’t FEEL appreciated. The information was good and appreciated. I just suspect there might be a better way of getting it across without pointing out our extreme ignorance as you enlighten us.

For example “You are misrepresenting” gets across the idea we are liars, not misinformed or misinterpreting. Was that intentional?

Oh, well, I didn’t make any of the “misrepresentations” so I wasn’t personally called a liar. Still I wonder if this improves cooperation–(I assume that is still a goal?).

The statement “You (as with most) exemplify the danger of ‘blogs/blogging.’ They are filled with a lot of opinions devoid of any facts.” strikes me as a misrepresentation–excuse me, a misinterpretation. I agree the danger exists and statements are often made without knowledge, but the mere fact you are able to provide facts shows the service is not “devoid of any facts”–just that it gets a bit foggy at times.

But surely you know freedom of speech includes the freedom to speak without knowing everything and saying things some consider unacceptable. When people honestly give their opinions, that should be worthy of some respect even as you try to change them.

David for opportunities to improve

The problem is that you are looking at something you do not know how to appropriately read or interpret. So allow me to assist you.

The numbers you are refering to includes EVERYTHING, i.e., their salary plus benefits (required) such as FL Retirement System, Health Care, etc. As for the amounts, the ECSO is one of the lowest paid salary rates in the State. A starting deputy (everything included) comes in at around $52,000. per year.

When I took office their was 10 Divsions, each with a Director (lowest base salary of $75,000 NOT INCLUDING BENEFITS). We now have 3 Divisions. The money we saved from trimming all of those executive salaries went into correcting a long standing pay compression issue. We did this in conjunction with the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) representatives.

We cancelled the health care services contract (at the jail) which was $6.3 Million and now (the reason for all of the contract nurse practitioners, physicians, mental health services, etc.) we provide the same services for approximately $4 Million. Their pay is set at what is referred to as an “industry standard” based upon their education, background and experience. In other words, you get what you pay for.

As you recall, last year we submitted a budget with a $4 Million DECREASE, from the 2008 budget. The last time an ECSO Sheriffs budget was that low (total of $74 Million) was 2006. And even with this State mandated increase, we ARE STILL BELOW the 2006 budget of approximately $80 Million.

You are misrepresenting the “new contractors.” I hired 4 people (personally) since my administration began. The others are all health care providers that we must have for the ECSO correctional facility as mandated by State and Federal requirements.

Contrary to your misrepresentations Mr. Citizen, I would stand before anyone and defend this budget. Even though we are still approximately $3 Million below the last sheriff’s LOWEST budget, we have managed to place 32 additional deputies on the road (12 from existing budget reallocations and 20 from the Fed Grant).

We also ceased all helicopter operations except for mandatory FAA training and extreme emergencies, for an additional savings of approximately $1 Million dollars per year.

You (as with most) exemplify the danger of ‘blogs/blogging.’ They are filled with a lot of opinons devoid of any facts.

There obviously is not enough space here to answer or allay all of your ‘concerns.’ But I assure you we are being good stewards of the taxpayers money. I would encourage you and anyone interested to get the historical perspective on the ECSO budget as well as the overall county budget. This information can be obtained on line via the EsCo Clerk of the Court website.

As always, your oversight, interest and concern in the management of the ECSO is appreciated.

David Morgan, Sheriff
Escambia County, FL
436-9512