Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: What should be the Sheriff's Office's approach to consolidating with municipal police departments? Bob Gualtieri answers: There are three certainties about the Sheriff's Office contracting with a city to be its law enforcement provider: 1) the city and its citizens will save a significant amount of money, if for no other reason than economies of scale; 2) the city will receive as good or better law enforcement …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: What should be the Sheriff's Office's approach to consolidating with municipal police departments? Greg Pound answers: CONSOLIDATION IS POLITICAL POSTURING. It’s about more money for the boys at the top and a tighter grip on our liberties. Once again we do not have a money problem we have government corruption problem with elected leader in Florida. Please watch this on the consolidation of Okaloosa County, FL law …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: What should be the Sheriff's Office's approach to consolidating with municipal police departments? Everett Rice answers: The sheriff’s approach when a city is considering to consolidate its police department with the sheriff’s office is one in which I have unique and extensive experience. When I previously served as your sheriff I merged six city police departments into the sheriff’s office. This was unprecedented, …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: What should be the Sheriff's Office's approach to consolidating with municipal police departments? Scott Swope answers: I believe that many of the smaller municipalities in Pinellas County could benefit from contracting with the Sheriff’s Office. The amounts paid by a municipality to have the Sheriff’s Office provide law enforcement service in the city are generally less than what the municipality pays to maintain …

Welcome to the Patch Podium, where candidates weigh in on the issues each week.  This week, we asked candidates for Pinellas County Sheriff: What should be the Sheriff's Office's approach to consolidating with municipal police departments? Click on each candidate's name to read his response: Bob Gualtieri Greg Pound Everett Rice Scott Swope The sheriff's candidates will debate at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, July 17) at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater Octagon Arts Center, 2470 Nursery Rd.  The debate is free to attend, or you can watch Patch's live streaming coverage. It is sponsored …

Welcome to the Patch Podium, where candidates weigh in on the issues each week.  This week, we asked candidates for Pinellas County Sheriff: What role should the Sheriff's Office have in shaping legislation related to prescription medication abuse and "legal highs" such as herbal incenses (i.e., K2, Spice and bath salts)? Click on each candidate's name to read their response: Bob Gualtieri Greg Pound Everett Rice Scott Swope We're asking one more question before the sheriff's candidate debate on July 17 at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater Octagon Center, 2470 Nursery Road (6:30 p.m…

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: What role should the Sheriff's Office have in shaping legislation related to prescription medication abuse and "legal highs" such as herbal incenses (i.e., K2, Spice and bath salts)? Scott Swope answers: The duty of the Sheriff’s Office is to protect its citizens, even if that means taking the lead on shaping county ordinances to accomplish its goals. As the highest law enforcement agency in the county, the Sheriff’…

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: What role should the Sheriff's Office have in shaping legislation related to prescription medication abuse and "legal highs" such as herbal incenses (i.e., K2, Spice and bath salts)? Everett Rice answers: The sheriff has a duty to inform the legislature of the facts known to him or her regarding prescription abuse and the dangers of such substances as herbal incenses, spices, bath salts, etc. As the elected chief …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: What role should the Sheriff's Office have in shaping legislation related to prescription medication abuse and "legal highs" such as herbal incenses (i.e., K2, Spice and bath salts)? Greg Pound answers: Editor's Note: Greg Pound did not submit a response in time for publication. We're asking one more question before the sheriff's candidate debate on July 17 at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater Octagon Center…

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: What role should the Sheriff's Office have in shaping legislation related to prescription medication abuse and "legal highs" such as herbal incenses (i.e., K2, Spice and bath salts)? Bob Gualtieri answers: The Sheriff’s Office should, and we do have a major leadership role in partnership with the Pinellas Legislative Delegation, the Florida Sheriff’s Association, the Attorney General and all other interested parties…

Welcome to the Patch Podium, where we are asking the Pinellas County sheriff candidates questions important to you, the voters.  We hope this weekly Q&A will help you get to know your candidates so you can feel confident in your choice come ballot time. This week, we asked: If budget were not an issue, how would you improve the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office? Click on each candidate's name to read his response: Bob Gualtieri Greg Pound Everett Rice Scott Swope Just jumping in? Find out what the candidates said last week about their experience. We'll keep this podium going until the …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time.  This week, we asked: If budget were not an issue, how would you improve the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office? Bob Gualtieri answers: "With the currently projected Pinellas County General Fund budget deficit of $19 million for next year, and an overall deficit projection of $35 million between now and 2022, the budget challenges are real and the most significant issue facing the Sheriff. "I cannot answer this hypothetical question …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time.  This week, we asked: If budget were not an issue, how would you improve the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office? Everett Rice answers: "Whether budget was an issue or not, the first thing I would do is analyze each and every expenditure being made by the sheriff’s office to make sure that public funds are being spent on effective public safety programs. Following that I would give raises to all those sheriff’s office employees who have …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time.  This week, we asked: If budget were not an issue, how would you improve the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office? Greg Pound answers: "Many people believe that the problems in the Sheriff’s Office can be solved with adequate funding. If budget were not an issue, the problems would solve themselves. I see the major problem in the Sheriff’s Office not in funding, but in corruption through lack of character. You read it in the paper daily, …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time.  This week, we asked: If budget were not an issue, how would you improve the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office? Scott Swope answers: "This question may have had merit during the Rice/Coats era, however, the budget is a significant problem for the Sheriff’s Office now. During the Rice/Coats era, the budget increased nearly 90 percent over a 10-year period. This was largely due to increases in property values, which resulted in increases …

Let's call this a warm-up.  Last week, we introduced you to the qualifying Pinellas County sheriff candidates. And this week, we are kicking off a weekly invitation to the Patch Podium for a little Q&A. We're asking the candidates a question important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. Consider it our campaign promise that we'll keep this podium going until the candidates' debate at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater on July 17 (sponsored by Patch, the National Armed Services & Law Enforcement Memorial Museum and Bay News 9). This week, we asked: If elected, …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: If elected, how will your past work and life experience contribute to your role as sheriff? Scott Swope answers: "My work and life history make me uniquely qualified to lead the Sheriff’s Office. "I worked as a Pinellas County Deputy for six years, which is long enough to appreciate and understand the law enforcement culture.  However, I’ve been away from the Sheriff’s Office long enough to view law enforcement from…

We're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question each week that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: If elected, how will your past work and life experience contribute to your role as sheriff? Everett Rice answers: "In the years I was at the sheriffs office I was promoted to and served in every supervisors position; sergeant, lieutenant, captain and chief of detectives. No other candidate received any promotion nor did they attend the FBI Academy as I did. As your sheriff I held every leadership position in the …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: If elected, how will your past work and life experience contribute to your role as sheriff? Bob Gualtieri answers: "My experience, past and current, will contribute significantly to my successful leadership of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. I began my law enforcement career 30 years ago and have worked at the Jail as a detention deputy, a city police officer for the Dunedin Police Department and throughout …

Each week, we're asking each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates a question that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked: If elected, how will your past work and life experience contribute to your role as sheriff? Greg Pound answers: "America has been built with the blood of our forefathers, people before us from all over the world who fought for rule of law, to keep government small, and to defend individual liberty, coming to America to be free. It was called the American dream as Martin L. King stated. I pledge allegiance to the …