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The relatively quiet campaign season on the local front can be attributed, in large part, to Republican Sheriff Bob White. It is the first time in decades an incumbent Pasco sheriff hasn't been perceived as politically vulnerable because of his performance in office.
White, elected in 2000, has kept the agency on even keel by avoiding the personal and political controversies that helped sink his three immediate predecessors. White assembled a competent management team that annually presents county commissioners with realistic budget requests, mindful of the historically adversarial relationships between Pasco's commissions and sheriffs. Yet White also had the political courage to seek additional patrol deputies and larger raises for his department in an election year.
The agency is more efficient, White says, noting there are more deputies on the road who respond to increased calls for service in a faster manner, clear more cases and make more arrests. As proof, he notes the jail is now at capacity and plans are being formulated to expand it.
White's tenure hasn't been without a few bumps. After assuming office, White disbanded the specialized domestic violence unit and required all deputies to receive more extensive training in responding to and handling domestic violence cases. It was a risky tactic, one that is still criticized by his Democratic opponent and by leaders of the Pasco chapter of the National Organization for Women. But social service workers and advocates for domestic violence victims have retreated from their initial concerns and acknowledge the additional training has been beneficial. To back up his contention that the strategy has been successful, White quotes statistics indicating domestic violence calls are up 4 percent, but arrests are up 19 percent,
White wisely reversed a previous purchasing plan that severely curtailed accountability. For a year, the department's policy, developed by White and his administrators, did not require written bids for items costing less than $50,000. That has since been changed and three documented quotes are needed on all items costing more than $250.
We think the sheriff should rethink another notion as well. White still doesn't think it was wrong to have allowed off-duty deputies to appear in a 2002 campaign commercial for an attorney general candidate, even though the department's general orders prohibit it. In hindsight, the sheriff said, he wouldn't have allowed it simply to avoid criticism, most of which came from this newspaper. Never mind our critiques, the sheriff should be wary of allowing his department to be perceived as partisan.
His opponent is Democrat Darlene Greene, a highly regarded former sheriff's major who retired in 2000 after White's election. Greene offers an impressive resume and list of qualifications. She spent 31 years at the agency, working under five sheriffs. She was Pasco's first female deputy and climbed the ranks to major where her assignments included overseeing the jail, then criminal investigations and finally uniform operations. She holds a bachelor's degree in public administration and graduated from the FBI National Academy.
Her integrity is unquestioned even though the same can't be said for some of her former bosses. A case in point: Sheriff Jim Gillum reassigned Greene from the personnel office in order to ease oversight there during a hiring frenzy of jail guards in anticipation of the Land O'Lakes jail opening in the early 1990s. The sloppy background checks and backdated records that ensued brought a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.
Her platform includes restoration of the domestic violence unit, beefed up traffic patrols, and enforcement of county codes. Greene has the knowledge and experience to head the Sheriff's Office. Unfortunately, she does not present a compelling case for change.
We are most disappointed Greene began a recent interview by contending the agency is understaffed and lacks adequate resources. It's the familiar refrain from her former boss. Pressed for substantiation, she acknowledged she had no documentation to back up the claim. She also contends deputies lack necessary equipment, but can only point to cameras as a potential missing tool.
Under White, the department used grant money to fully deploy deputies with laptop computers and Taser stun guns, and the additional sales tax revenue from Penny for Pasco will allow the department to replace its cruisers at a more timely pace.
After four years in office, White can no longer be considered too inexperienced to handle the job, a legitimate criticism of his candidacy in 2000. White and his top aides have demonstrated an ability to administer the Sheriff's Office in a satisfactory manner. The Times recommends voters re-elect Bob White as Pasco sheriff.
OPPORTUNITY TO REPLYThe Times offers candidates not recommended by its editorial board an opportunity to reply. Replies should be sent no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday to: C.T. Bowen, Pasco editor of editorials, St. Petersburg Times, 11321 U.S. 19, Port Richey, FL 34668. Fax: 727 869-6233. It can be e-mailed to Bowen@sptimes.com or sent through our Web site at www.sptimes.com/letters/ Replies are limited to 250 words.