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Letter to the editor

Debate centers on police

The city department's continued existence is an issue during forum.

By LORRI HELFAND, Times Staff Writer
Published October 17, 2007

LARGO - City Commission candidates are defining themselves in a series of public forums this week, perhaps none so boldly as newcomer John Mandujano.

Mandujano, 52, set himself apart at a debate hosted by the Republican Club of Greater Largo Monday night with his idea to save Largo "a ton of money."

"I think we should seriously consider getting rid of the Largo Police Department and using the services of the Sheriff's Office," Mandujano said.

Mandujano, who said he has talked with Sheriff Jim Coats, didn't provide estimates of how much the city could save, but he said contracting with the Sheriff's Office would eliminate duplication of service.

Not surprisingly, police Chief Lester Aradi was cool to the idea.

"Community policing means being able to tailor your law enforcement services to meet the specific needs of your city," Aradi said Tuesday. "While the Sheriff's Office is extremely good, I still maintain that local control is best."

Mandujano's opponent for Seat 5, Vice Mayor Harriet Crozier, said she opposed the idea.

Crozier, 63, who emphasized her long experience as a city commissioner and involvement in various groups and boards, pointed out that the City Charter requires a referendum to abolish the Police Department.

And after the Monday night forum, former Mayor Bob Jackson, who was holding a couple of Crozier signs, speculated that Mandujano's comments would be "the kiss of death" for his campaign.

Law enforcement also played a role in the debate in Seat 6, where chiropractor Woody Brown, 37, faces insurance agent and local activist Curtis Holmes, 58.

Holmes presented himself as someone who understands the city "backward and forward."

"I could sit down right now with any department in the city of Largo and I will carry on a detailed conversation with that department head," he said.

And Holmes said, "if you don't understand city politics, the bureaucracy will eat you alive."

Crime in Largo increased 9 percent last year, prompting Aradi to ask city leaders recently for support to seek grants for more officers.

Holmes said he would support such a move only if the numbers were calculated correctly. He told the group he called Aradi to ask him if crimes were up because trends were calculated differently than they used to be.

Aradi said he clearly explained to Holmes that was not the case.

"We have not changed the way we tabulate anything and we do it according to strict FDLE and FBI guidelines and we always have," Aradi said.

Brown said he would support seeking money for more officers. And he framed himself as a hardworking, honest, upbeat guy who is knowledgeable about the city and active in the community.

"I'm known in this community because of my involvement," Brown said, rattling off a list of activities, including teaching kids how to play sports at camp, handing out candy at the Halloween Spooktacular, ringing the Salvation Army bell during holidays and performing free physicals for kids in need.

"I will work to be a good steward of your tax money, I will listen to your concerns and I bring with me no personal agenda," Brown said.

But Holmes said that may not be good.

"If anybody goes into a political office and you don't have a personal agenda, (the bureaucracy's) agenda is going to become yours," Holmes said.

Lorri Helfand can be reached at lorri@sptimes.com or 445-4155.

Fst facts

If you go

The Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce will host a forum from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. tonight in the City Commission chambers, 201 Highland Ave. The forum will also be televised live on LTV Ch. 15 and repeated several times before Election Day on Nov. 6.

[Last modified October 16, 2007, 22:02:19]