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Letter to the editor

Brother's case may affect ranch manager's contract

By WILL VAN SANT, Times Staff Writer
Published October 2, 2007

A $2.7-million contract to manage Pinellas County's Cross-Bar Ranch faces questions today because the property continues to see a visitor who county officials say is not welcome.

The visitor is Ralph Roller, the brother of the ranch's longtime manager and a man accused of molesting a teenager on the property.

Pinellas officials began paying Albert Roller in 1992 to manage the Al-Bar and Cross-Bar ranches, home to pine forests, wildlife and drinking-water well fields.

His brother, Ralph, was living on the 12,500-acre Cross-Bar when he was arrested in January 2006 and accused of having unlawful sexual activity with a minor at the ranch. Shortly after, Pinellas County utilities director Pick Talley spoke to Albert Roller.

"I just told him we couldn't have Ralph out there at all," Talley said. "And I'm certain that he has abided by that."

But on Monday, Albert, 52, told a reporter his brother moved off the Pasco County property but still visited for occasional family meals. That news bothered some county commissioners, who are scheduled to vote today on extending Albert Roller's $2.7-million contract for another five years.

Ralph Roller, now 44, was accused in 2006 of molesting a 17-year-old boy. Roller is awaiting trial.

Albert Roller said Talley told him his younger brother could no longer live on the property but never said he couldn't set foot on it. He pointed out his brother has not been convicted of a crime. But he said he's willing to bar Ralph from the property if necessary.

Will Van Sant can be reached at vansant@sptimes.com or 727 445-4166.

[Last modified October 2, 2007, 01:13:54]