Hot Off the Presses/Folio

Well, isn't that just special!

So what do you think? Maybe the fair haired child Plotkin needs to go away? I'm sure good old Harry has taught him well. I don't think we need a Harry clone.

Angela is looking better all the time. 

Mike Heemer

 I have been to the Folio Weekly racks near my home and could not find a hard copy anywhere. Think the Taylor supporters have taken them to attempt to stop them from getting in the hands of voters? No, they would not stoop that low would they?

"If a man can’t control his own son, how can he control hundreds of men?”

Perfectly stated.

I've not finished reading the entire story. But as a public records person myself. I would love to know how they got those juvenille records. Has anybody been fired or charged with a crime? Did those records come from the Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Courts Office? The release of those records could be a violation of his constitutional rights and should be considered a crime. I'm still digesting the she said he said parts.

I have read the entire story and am sick.  I am going to find a copy of Folio and show it to everyone who has told me they were voting for Taylor!

I can not believe that this election has come to this level of childishness.   I just read the whole story and though the allegations may be true against his son I to wonder where all this juvenile information came from.  That really needs to be looked into and someone needs to lose their job if they are leaking information.  Looks like Gary Newman needs to step up his campaign and push his positive points because im sure im not the only one fed up with them slinging mudd at each other.....

Has anyone else had problems opening the link that Marsha posted on the Folio? I can get to Folio’s home page just can’t open the PDF file.???????

Once you get to the site, click on the girl's face.

It is the M.O. (as we say) for the Sheriff and little Suzy to go this route.

 I find it funny that the Sheriff would ask FDLE to investigate the SHERIFF's OFFICE. If they had found something Beseler looks like an idiot in charge of bad investigators. Now he looks like a scared politician who is grasping at straws at the expense of some teenagers regardless as to whether the allegations are true or not.

What happened to protecting the abused from another traumatic experience.

Politics as usual, I'll be glad when it's over. Marsha glad you were quick to act.

Susan is back in the game.

Taylor probably won't need any money once the lawsuits against the paper are settled (remember Buddy Griffin vs Clay Today?)

It is the intent for eveyone to change thier minds regarding Taylor, that is the point.

Looks like it may all be over for Mr. Taylor....

As for the Folio's dissapearing from the stands...the y have been doing so for several weeks now in anticipation of this article...

Where are the Taylor supporters on the BLOGS now?

I can agree with the slinging mud statement. I'm highly upset about the leaking of information. This was just an issue in the Deputy Barber case of leaking information too. Maybe Mr. Crist needs to investigate our law enforcement agencies because leaking informaion and releasing records, and covering up information are all crimes. That's just what we need law enforcement agencies that are criminals.

Mr. Newman you need to step up your game and get the computer site up and running.

I am not sure as to who I am supporting as of yet because im so upset over this smear campaign the 2 of them are leading right now.  I am not crazy about Mr. Newmans ideas for the Sheriffs Office.  But I can say that the article did not influence my decision on who to or who to not vote for.  I am still a fan of Mike Taylor just not sure who my vote is going for yet.  I do know that everyone is human and we all make mistakes but you can't hold it against Mr.  Taylor for his sons actions whether they are true or not.  Adam is his own person that is like saying all serial killer and rapists parents are bad people and I have never known that to be true.  I just think that this is just a big waste of time and MONEY.....Oh yea and everyone is talking about people putting out Beseler lies signs....what about the patrol deputies passing out beseler flyers on the clock...............I thought the rule was no politics at work????

C'mon Clay readers.  Proudmama is right.  No one denies that these young women deserve justice, but ask yourself who is the author, why is she writing this story, why now, and who gave her the info?  Which is worse, a state attorney who won't prosecute for lack of evidence, or a sheriff who calls reporters out to a scene? 

 This reporter has a history of playing a dangerous game of extrapolation with the facts.  She's likely to face the consequences one of these days.  Unfortunately, it may be too late for this election.

The story is eight pages in length and there are graphics (pictures, ads) so it may take awhile to load depending on your computer.  The paper copies are disappearing in stacks to try and keep it away from people. 

Too much smoke for there to be no fire even with the realization that a troubled offspring is not necessarily a character flaw in the parent.  It appears to me that there is sufficient evidence that Daddy has done alot to protect his own personal reputation   at the expense of a troubled son. 

It's my understanding that although the boy was underage when the allegations took place, he is now an adult and some or one (don't know how many) parent/parents are still pursuing this so it is all now a matter of public record. 

One thing I do feel strongly about, Adam Taylor is not the victim here and a technicality about who got what where and when is beside the point for me personally. 

If I was not already convinced that Mike Taylor is not what's best for the county there is enough in the article to do just that.

Like so many things, each person has to decide based upon their own criteria what to make of this.  Rather then debate the fine points of what is true and what isn't, this is just a case of there being too much smoke for there to be no fire.

One thing is for sure.......I can't wait for Harry Shorstein to be gone.

If Folio weekly is being snapped up by forces wanting to keep this story quiet, then they should be informed the story is on the internet and won't go away. After reading Marsha's post, I went down to the Fleming Island library where there is a stack and a half of papers just sitting there awaiting readers. But out of curiosity I will drop in tomorrow to see if there was a large withdrawal.

Talk about life imitating art. This was the exact theme of last night's The Closer episode. A bad teenager getting protection from his policeman father. I had no idea Hollywood followed Clay County news.

Next up, let's expose the Elmer Polite travesty. I wonder if Kyra Sedgwick's writers know about that one.

Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman

Coming from a family with many sibilings can attest. That 2 very excellent loving parents can have a rebellious child. That doesn't reflect on the parents or the other children who generally get overshadowed by the one acting out.

But some of this activity in our law enforcement agencies is something that needs investigations.

Where can I find the information/laws that juvenille records can be released?

this link will take you directly to the story..

Make copies and pass them around

http://www.folioweekly.com/documents/coverstory.pdf

Victims are entitled to access to pursue legal action. However, they may not reveal to any outside party any confidential information obtained regarding a case involving a juvenile offense, except as is reasonably necessary to pursue legal remedies.

I think the letter from an attorney would have been a big red flag. Now the investigations into how those records were released and by who should be started.

Marsha,

Thank you so much for the link. I have never been into politics nor do I want to be. I was still debating on which man I think would be best for the county and as of now and after reading the Folio, I really think my support will stay with Beseler. If the allegations are true, maybe Taylor should be concentrating on helping is son rather than running for sheriff.

I really haven't heard anything that would make me want to vote for Taylor. I haven't seen anything that has turned me against Beseler yet.  I am sure that if Taylor happens to win, we will be hearing how bad he is and people will be wanting him out also. You can't please everyone and not everyone is going to like whoever the sheriff is at the time.

I just wanted to thank you for the info.  

If none of this ever went before a judge how would they get 'sealed'? Are they not just reports etc that would be open to the public?

I'm not a lawyer but that sounds feasible to me.

Mike Heemer

Proudmamma,

What mud slinging are you referring to? Neither the Folio article, nor the article in the T-U that appeared in Sunday's paper mentioned any mud slinging by Rick Beseler's campaign. The T-U found a squeaky clean file on Sheriff Beseler, and evidence of Taylor's not so clean record of parenting skills, a story of abuse detailed further in the Folio.

What mamma could possibly be proud of some other mother's pain of her child being raped? What mamma could possibly be proud if she knew her husband had beaten her son, shaved his head as punishment, and left her son bruised? 

I cry for the victims: The brave girls and boys that came forward with their stories...The ones afraid to come forward out of fear of retaliation... And, yes, I cry for the children of Candidate Taylor. Children learn by examples set in their homes. I do not condone their behavior chronicled in the Times-Union and Folio, but perhaps they are victims of their environment. 

A person I would want as my sheriff would not abuse his own family members, and would not condone the behavior exhibited and documented by his children. A man running for Top Cop upholds the law and expects the same of others.

Bless all the victims of violence in this story. I pray that their physical and emotional wounds will not last a lifetime. Statistics probably show that these wounds and trauma will not go away, but I will pray for their healing just the same.

Juvy records are exempted by Fl law. No need to seal a record that is exempted by law.

I very much understand the repulsion of getting involved in politics, the more I learn the more I see the seedy side of it all but they got into power by good people not paying attention and not being involved.  They count on and thrive on a lack of participation by the average citizen.

You don't have to give up your entire life, but collectively the citizens must get involved before we take a turn down a path from which there is no coming back. 

I hope you will change your mind on getting involved, just with your own circle of life, talk to people, get them to talk to others.  Ignoring it won't make it go away, it must be confronted and dealt with.  Doing the right thing is rarely easy, and sometimes the only benefit of doing the right thing is the self satisfaction of knowing you did it. 

That's enough for me....I hope it will be enough for you as well.  You are very welcome, hope to see you participating more in the blogs and in your goverment, together we can make a difference.

Pioneer,

My handle/screen name whatever you want to call it has nothing to do with this article I was not saying that anyone was proud of the situation.  I was just stating the fact that this election is just getting down right dirty and out of hand.  I agree whole heartdly that these girls did not deserve it neither does any rape victim no matter the situation.  I think its a shame that these girls parents aired ALL of the details that they did about their childrens lives.  These girls are distraught enough as it is now they will have to deal with he said she saids, looks in the hallways and just the down right meaness of teenagers these days.  The article should not have been so indepth im sure the one victim did not want the world knowing she tried to committ suicide.  Its enough that they were having issues dealing with it before.  BUT all that being said I do think that part of it is MOST definetly political slandering and mudd slinging.  They are all trying to dig out dirt to out do one another.....But once again my heart and prayers do go out to those girls. Also it goes out to the Taylor family because you can not always blame the parents for a violent child.  Yes you say that Mike is violent but there is no proof to that one the story was recanted.    I do not think that Mr. Taylor would have as much support in this county if he was this awful person he is being portrayed to be......

I agree with your statements about all of this being aired in public. If those girls were not victims enough before they will be now. I may be wrong but I can see some serious legal ramification coming from this article. The girls my be victims again and the young man even more victorious.

What this article says to me is law enforcement is leaking information, releasing records, and covering up information. If this story is to have any substance at all we have some corrupt law enforcement in our county and surrounding areas.

I think I detest corruption in law enforcement more than in the general public. The general public has not taken an oath to uphold the laws. They did.

When I said I have seen people carrying the sum total of what was in the rack I didn't mean today, or over this story and should have been more clear.  I have to drive over to 220 & College to get the Folio and on one particular occassion over another story when I drove up to the First Wok I saw a man carrying out the entire supply of papers.

I think this is standard operating procedure when a scandal breaks, those that wish to keep it out of the public eye just try to take them all away.

I believe that is why Folio was clever this time to put the entire story in the online site, and that is why I posted it in the blogs....so it could be seen if the paper versions all disappeared. 

These girls have to live with this the rest of their lives.  In coming forward and allowing it to go to press they are not being victimized again, they're fighting back and I for one am proud of them.  In doing this they are taking back the control and are saying they will not go quietly into the night.  To me this says they're refusing to be victimized yet more by keeping it all quiet.  How many have suffered from silence that effected them for the rest of their lives.  Their courage could keep this from happening to yet another girl.

I have three girls, two of them still at home, and in the same situation I would want them to do the same.  You can't sit around and wait for someone else to fight your battles.  You don't make a decision to fight based upon your odds of winning, you fight because it's the right thing to do.  It may be embarrassing in the short term but I believe it will empower them in the long run. 

These girls have my complete respect. They have taken a step in the right direction. They are doing the right thing no matter the cost to them. Perhaps knowing that the vast majority of the folks support them and hope their exposing these wrongs will help them along the path to healing.

They've stepped into the light with tales of darkness that may help prevent others from suffering these same injustices. To give of themselves that others may be saved. 

Do you have any concept of what kind of courage that takes? Do you think they didn't know what this would be like? The snide and petty remarks? The accusations? Just look at some of these posts. And these are coming from supposedly intelligent adults.

This is the type of thing that protects these abusers. They know the consequences of telling the truth will nearly always keep the victim silent. They feed on the fear and the guilt. It is their armor against exposure.

There is only one way to stop a person like this. That is to expose them to the light of day so that others can see what lurks behind that door. I salute these young women.

Mike Heemer

If these allegations are true and they can get this further investigated. Then anyone responsible for any harm should held accountable. I hope they get justice for any crimes committed against them.

I'm certain Mr. Taylor and his son will pursue the avenues to protect their rights as well. I believe that will see the courts in a more timely fashion. I just hope the family wasn't the one releasing records. As of the writing of that article no charges have been placed against the young man.

My next question is if they didn't then who released the information that is protected by law. Someone had to leak the information and then released those records and that is a crime too. Then if they have covered up information then that's a crime too. All should be held accountable. All of it should be investigated.

I think all of us should start a letter writing campaign to asked the Governor to investigate this entire matter. Because if law enforcement covers up crimes, leaks information, and releases records then no one will ever get justice. Corrupt law enforcement is a cancer to the system of justice. If it's not removed it has the potential to kill the system.

If the state investigated everything that "Angela" Martin wanted them to they would never get anything else done.  Stop asking for investigations.  You are a conspiracy theorist and you have problems with local government because of personal reasons.  How can anyone put this on Rick Besler?  Would Susan Armstrong put herself at risk of being sued just because Rick wants to win an election.  These conspiracy theories are crazy.  It is well known that Susan Armstrong doesnt like Scott and she ties taylor to scott at the end of the article.  The only reason Mike Taylor was brought into the article is because he worked to cover up the allegations, and he is running for an office.  Noone can blame Mike Taylor for having a rebelious son but they can blame him for reacting to the situation in the way that he did.  He should have done something to stop his son.  That was my immediate reaction.

I have followed the incompetent Harry Shorstein for years. I have always thought he was an egotist and a hack. Anything to get attention. I have also, like Alfred Hitchcock, never been comfortable around the police. I know they have a rough job to do and 99.9% of the time they excel at it. Unfortunately, when one of their own cross the line it seems like the result has to be "The Public Be Damned".

Sadly, nothing will come of this and I am certain, along with Marhsa, (I think it was Marsha) that this psychopath will be making news again and again. And this alleged "detective" Sharman should hang his lying head in shame but I have never seen shameful people capable of doing so.  Someone should "squeeze the Sharman" to get some honest answers. I also echo the feeling in happily bidding Shorstein Good Bye.

Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman

Susan will do anything to stay in power. She has been at Beseler's doorstep for 7 years, them feeding on each other. 

Oh, what a terrible thought. Gomer and the wicked witch. Yuck.

Anybody with any comon sense can see that this article is totally one sided, with one agenda.  Susan Armstrong is buddies with Beseler and would do anything to help him when the election.  Just look at Susan Armstrong's track recorded and you can see she has always slanted her articles to reflect her agenda.  That is why she can't get a job a a REAL newspaper and why she has no respect among people in her profession.  Detective Sharman is the best investigator that the CCSO has and you can asked just about any Deputy or Detective in the CCSO and they will tell you that.  Not only has Susan Armstrong went after the Taylor family, she has also gone after the reputation of Detective Sharman.  Personally, I hope the Taylor family and Detective Sharman SUE Susan Armstrong and the TRASHY paper she works for.  Also, don't you think that Beseler had his hands all over this invesigation and if there was any posibility of charging Mr. Taylor's son that he would have done it.  That tells me that Detective Sharman did the best posible investigation that could have been done and that State Attorney's Office made the only decision that they could make based on the evidence and facts of this case.  If anybody makes their decision on how they are going to vote for Sheriff based on the Folio article, then they are not being fair to themselves.

How could anybody read that article and think anything good about Beseler and the CCSO. That was his investigator that did the investigation. That was the rude individual that wouldn't even call the family back. Is that the professionalism he is telling me about at the Sheriff's Office. Please another botched investigation by the Sheriff Beseler under his leadership. Well the list is getting longer.

You must of missed the part about the man that stated if the Detective had done his job this could have been avoided.

Isn't the guy Wagner a State Attorney Investigator. Shorstein decides to place charges based off the information he reviews. If the Detective wrote his list of things on why no charges should be filed then why would Shorstein file any charges.

I will be the first one to be glad to see Shorstein leave. It's past his time. Crime is out of control in Jacksonville and moving to Clay County. We need some leadership in both places!

Then these agencies releasing records. Can the CCSO not even follow a simple directive such as public records request. We are putting these people in charge of our public safety. This is records concerning juvenilles which is exempted by law. Don't they work for Beseler too. More professionalism. They contain information about a sexual assault on a juvenille. Maybe you should go read the information about releasing that type information. Is this more professsionalism by the Sheriff.

You know you might be right we may need to have the FBI investigate this matter. Because cover ups, leaking information, and releasing information are all crimes. I think several agencies need to give an answer to what has happened here. Then maybe that young lady can have some justice.

You know you really should be careful naming people's names. Especially when you don't know what you're talking about. It is also a violation of the MCS terms of service.

If any of that article is true then they all need to be booted out of our county.

How can Taylor cover this up when he doesn't work for the CCSO.  Sheriff Beseler is responible for all investigations that happen under his watch.  Again, if there was something there then Beseler would have made sure the investigation was completed to his satisfaction and charges would have been pursued.  This didn't happen, so Beseler must have thought Detective Sharman had done a complete and unbiased investigaton. 

Oh, but what about ALL of the employees in the SO that don't support the Sheriff? Would it be that difficult to imagine that they wouldn't be supporting him when their boy Taylor's son is in a bind?

Come on people, wake up! You can't have it both ways. It is humorous how you flipflop back and forth though. You really aren't helping your cause, you just look ridiculous. Angela, yes, do contact the FBI and have them do an investigation. They are probably waiting for your call. In the meantime, try to research a clue. Maybe in reading comprehension.

This is from the article in Folio:

“If Officer Sharman had just done his job,” he adds, referring to the Brooke Jones investigation, “this terrible tragedy would not have happened to another girl.”

Isn't Officer Sharman a CCSO employee under Beseler.

isnt the clerks office in charge of public records? what does that have to do with the sheriff's office.  Is the sheriff supposed to review every single investigation that goes on in the county?  He would never sleep and he would be years behind in his review beause there are too many.  you cant hold him accountable.  also, the points that angela and truth made show that the sheriff must not have been behind this....they say it is really his problem because he didnt investigate right.

In the story it states in several place records received from the Clay County Sheriff's Office. They have a records dept. They release records everyday of the week. They fulfill public request for records. It is the responsiblity of the record keeper to review those record. They are to redact any information exempted by law. They should know what can and cannot be released. They work for the Sheriff.

He is also responsible for all action by his deputies per Fl Law.

30.07  Deputy sheriffs.--Sheriffs may appoint deputies to act under them who shall have the same power as the sheriff appointing them, and for the neglect and default of whom in the execution of their office the sheriff shall be responsible.

You don't know that CCSO had anything to do with releasing ANY information! The victims parents had access to those records. There you go again, with your ridiculous accusations and theories. Learn how to type a complete sentence, to start with. Better yet, just forget how to type.

Here's an idea for you. I addressed that above I guess you failed to read that post. It is stated in the article the records they recieved from the CCSO. It also state after contacted by an attorney they would not release anymore records.

Posted above:

Victims are entitled to access to pursue legal action. However, they may not reveal to any outside party any confidential information obtained regarding a case involving a juvenile offense, except as is reasonably necessary to pursue legal remedies.

I think the letter from an attorney would have been a big red flag. Now the investigations into how those records were released and by who should be started.

No I don't think the victim's have access to all the information, because I believe juvenile infomation is kept confidential.  So before you say something, you need to make sure it is a fact first.  I would think the CCSO Records Department could answer this question.

If you don't think that an individual with the connections that Taylor has could not possibly persuade have favors done then you are a fool.

There is no doubt that the CCSO officers that are Taylor supporters are going defend him. 

Another thing is I can assure you that this article has had no input from Sheriff Beseler. 

This article was done on behalf of the families seeking justice for thier daughters.

I applaud Susan Armstrong for the work she put into this as well as the chances she has taken to help assist these families in their fight.

Regardless of who you vote for the truth needs to be known!

I hope any of you that have daughters or grandaughters never have to endure what the victims and families have been through and will continue to have to live with.

I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE COURAGE THESE GIRLS ARE SHOWING!! 

YES, the victims do have access to information. So, before YOU say something, you should check yourself.

By the way, your screen name is the best joke I have heard all day. Get real.

How can you assure me that Beseler had nothing to do with this article?????  Answer that one!!!!

The article stated that after the Detective failed to return calls. They contacted the internal affairs investigator Wagner. He works directly under the Sheriff.

Are you saying Sharman and Wagner are Taylor supporters and have supressed evidence?

For all of you that are conspiracy theorists, there is help for you. Act now and you can be part of a special program designed especially for you. You get all of you medications supplied free of charge. You finish the story as it applies to you.

Some of you folks need to get up off it. My gosh! Defend your points all you want but the article has already been published… so get over it. I am going to buy stock in tissue. The tissue would be for all the crying here. Better yet, I’ll buy some stock in the cheese industry because of all the whining.Looks like voters have something else to weigh their vote on. Let the voters decide. You probably are not going to sway their vote now. Ouch!

Candidate supporters are you shouting because it hurts your candidate? The last time Armstrong did an article that had something with ousting a political figure, I never heard of the author or the paper having a lawsuit filed against them. Did you? Is it because there is/was truth in the article? So if you say this article has no truth time to file your claim in circuit court. I would assume the damages would be in excess of 15K. Good luck, because you know if it’s true, you can’t sue (and collect).  

This is not a paid political advertisement for Beseler, but you can vote for him if you want. You can also vote for Newman if you want. I don’t know about Taylor. This is going to be a hard one to explain (my guess). Good luck! The public is watching.

How in the world would Beseler have let Mr. Taylor influence the investigation.  Beseler had a lot to gain if the investigation would have turned up enough evidence to pursue charges.  The Sheriff is responsible for everthing that goes on under his command, therefore, any reasonable person knows that Mr. Taylor couldn't have influenced the investigation, the Sheriff wouldn't have let that happen!!!!

I believe who ever released those records will answer to someone. There are records that contained more information than just one case (victim) and some dating back several years. I'm certain if a lawyer had already been retained they had every intention of seeking a legal remedy. As a matter of fact, Mr. Crist is the public records guru of the State of Florida. I don't think those records were the ones he had in mind when he opened that office. We shall see!

You are assuming the influence was within the CCSO. I have not stated where the influence could have been directed. I also have not said whether it could have been done directly or indirectly. You seem to be completely focused on this being a bash by Beseler instead of what it really is. You seem to be losing sight of the fact that these girls were victims and are seeking justice. There fight in the legal system is not over.  Just because there have not been charges filed yet does not mean the person is innocent.