Comments on: Sheriff David Morgan Files Budget Appeal With Gov. Rick Scott

By: John

John — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 19:43:38 +0000

You do not need an 8 cylinder gas monster SUV to patrol a neighborhood. The Tahoe is w waste of gas and money.

By: Reality

Reality — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 06:28:59 +0000

In theory, if taxes had to be raised, how much money would it cost the median household per year? The sheriff has made it no secret that he will appeal to the governor if his employees (ESPECIALLY high risk deputies) pay were not increased and the pay compression issues were not fixed. With our newer generation of workers coming in (aka millenials), they want higher paying jobs and their focus is based on that paycheck every two weeks and no offense to the millennial generation, but many of them want the highest paying jobs now now now and don’t plan for retirement. The ECSO hires them, invests money in them to get trained and then they leave when they get a higher offer. This cripples the agency for manpower, puts the community at risk with officer shortages on the road and also has a negative impact on the county as well because they cut unfilled positions (corrections officers) to attempt to give money to the sheriff in hopes he won’t take it to the governor. Their rationale is if they are vacant, they are not needed. I retired from the jail two years ago because the EBOCC’ s inexperience in law enforcement and corrections, the stress it was causing me doing the workload of 3 people and it is not safe for the staff or public safety. I lost out on money I could have gotten if I would have stayed and went in the DROP, but I wasn’t willing to take part in another “calculated risk”. Certainly not saying the BOCC doesn’t have important local government functions they do, but law enforcement and corrections belong under the sheriff. The sheriff isn’t bullying or threatening the BOCC. Public safety should be top priority and I dont believe it was a sneak attack or threat. He made it very clear as to the consequences of ignoring his needs of additional funding. Crystal clear. Whether one likes him or not, he has leadership and integrity.

By: Fishing fool

Fishing fool — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 13:43:41 +0000

So the Chevy Tahoes were purchased because Ford stop making the Crown Victoria? Or dare say Obama bail out of GM and stipulation giving law enforcement agencies huge discounts had anything to do with it.For d made expiditions and explorers also. Maybe the Sheriff brokered that deal with GM.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 04:41:10 +0000

REGARDING:

” He’s also spending money on billboards that could have gone to fund pay raises.”

Probably not, but even if it could be spent that way, you wouldn’t have the inclusive image of two cheerful men standing close together telling you “water safety begins with you.” They look so happy. This will bring in more Memorial Day tourists for sure, raising tax funds available.

David for money well spent

By: Fishing fool

Fishing fool — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 12:11:37 +0000

Great service requires sacrifice. Raise the salaries and them darm taxes. Compare the millage rates in the counties also. Cost of living also. Air Force Sheriff how many good supervisors need more supervision?

By: DFC

DFC — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 11:22:15 +0000

@Kate. If you understood the law you would know that he CANT use LET funds for raises.

@just lil ole me. 2 deputies in a cruiser does not benefit. This is half the “uniform presence” out there doing patrols. Call volume is very high and there are many calls that don’t require 2 calls. Maybe if people would use the Sheriff’s online reporting option for minor cases, it could happen. While Deputies are still getting called for the neighbor’s barking dog…or a wallet that you dropped the night before while getting plastered. They will not be able to ride 2 to a car.

The Sheriff is fighting for those of us that can’t fight this battle. We are grossly underpaid for the work done. We are expected to put out lives on the line every day for the citizens and then when we say “we need more” people are up in arms over it. YES it is as choice to do this job. I made that choice and I will make it again. It wouldn’t hurt to be able to be at home with my family a little bit more instead of working 20 extra duty jobs a week to make ends meet. Pay increase would equate to higher morale (we would feel appreciated by the community) and better quality officers (we would retain officers that have received extensive advanced training).

This isn’t a peeing for distance contest. The Sheriff is doing what needs to be done to keep his county safe. If we don’t get the money, more will leave. The quality of coverage is already threatened. It will get worse.

Thank you.

By: Rick

Rick — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 00:51:55 +0000

The money for deputy pay and retention shouldve already been there awhile ago. The commissioners continued kicking the can down the road til who would want to do law enforcement for that pay they get. Especially with the lunacy on the streets around here. Im not a david morgan fan but i do agree on deputy pay. I will say that the amount of crime around here is amazing compared to when Mcnesby was in charge. The bad guys feared what would happen because the deputies knew who they were and how to find them. Unfortunatly that fear doesnt exist under this administration. But we need to pay the deputies a better salary than what they get now . If not the exodous will continue.

By: Esc co leo

Esc co leo — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 15:21:56 +0000

@ bobs brother

We switched from sedans because ford stopped making the crown Victoria. The choices available were the Impala (too small) chargers (we tested them but had too many issues at the time) or caprice (too expensive). That Tahoe’s were actually a pretty good balance.

As for being too heavy, I do have to agree with that.

By: Bob's Brother

Bob's Brother — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 12:33:18 +0000

I’m not writing to rail against the Sheriff. He has a tough job. But couple of years back, he, instead of purchasing sedans for cruisers, he bought much more expensive SUVs. He’s also spending money on billboards that could have gone to fund pay raises. Another writer says the department is “top heavy”… if that’s true, the sheriff should evaluate the positions and make necessary changes.

By: billy

billy — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 08:27:52 +0000

man these dudes need a raise………they earn it