A Sheriff Who Just Does The Right Thing: How Refreshing.I recently replied to "Proudmama" who wondered if Clay County Sheriff Rick Beseler actually arrested his own step-son, or if somebody else did it for him. Sheriff Beseler enforces the law without playing favorites. He would, and did, have his own family member arrested. Please don't get hung up on who made the physical arrest. The sheriff approved of it and didn't make any special provisions for his family member after the fact. When I go about my daily activities, I'm careful not to break the law, whether it is driving over the speed limit or something more serious. I know that I will not be able to go to Sheriff Beseler and get it thrown out as a favor, or any other special treatment for that matter. It may be hard for you to believe, but I truly just want an honest, capable sheriff. I don't have anything against Gary Newman. He is experienced and honest, and probably very capable. I just don't have a reason to fire Sheriff Beseler. A few months ago I really didn't have anything against Mike Taylor either. However, since he started misleading the public through half-truths, I realized that he shouldn't be sheriff, because nobody who is deceptive should be sheriff. Here are some examples: 1. Mike Taylor's has indicated that the crime rate is up, so Sheriff Beseler should be fired. The other half of the truth is that the "per capita" crime rate is down. In other words, the population went up and the crime rate followed, but when you divide the amount of crime by the number of people, the crime rate is actually down. More importantly, the percentage of crimes solved in Clay County is twice that of the statewide average, and the percentage of crimes solved in Clay County far exceeds that of the percentage of crimes solved in every county bordering Clay County. 2. When I went to the first sheriff's debate held at Ridgeview High School, I heard Mike Taylor indicate that Sheriff Beseler's deputies had ticketed people unjustly for traffic violations. He indicated that people had received tickets for going one to three miles per hour over the speed limit, and that they had been ticketed for not changing lanes when approaching stopped emergency vehicles, even though they were just driving 45 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone. Sheriff Beseler then asked Mr. Taylor to give just one example of anyone who had been ticketed for driving just a few miles per hour over the speed limit. Mr. Taylor responded indicating that he could not, but that people should take a look at what happened to "Gracie" who runs a business just north of Green Cove Springs. Sheriff Beseler replied that he had heard that rumor about Gracie, so he looked up her tickets, and found that she was ticketed for driving 29 miles per hour over the limit. Sheriff Beseler also pointed out that for two years there has been a state law requiring people who do not move over (change lanes) when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle, to reduce speed to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed. Now this is a tough one, folks. Let's face it, we all drive a little over the speed limit once in a while, and some of us have caught ourselves going over the speed limit considerably from time to time. But, all you have to do is drive just a little bit and you know that it's pretty much a demolition derby out there. The problem is that about 40,000 people are killed in traffic accidents in the United States every year. Whoaaa, you say. How many? Go on, go out and google traffic deaths in the U.S. every year. About 40,000 of you and me's and our loved ones are killed every year. Sheriff Beseler said that considering that traffic fatalities are down in Clay County, he does not apologize for enforcing traffic laws. And that's just my point. He is a fair, firm law enforcement officer. Don't break the law, and you're okay. 3. Mike Taylor has a message on his web site pointing out that that the sheriff's office is not nationally accredited, and then says something like "Would you send your loved one to a school or hospital that isn't accredited?" That leaves the average person thinking "Wow, the sheriff's office isn't accredited." What Mike Taylor knew, though, is that the sheriff's office is accredited by the State of Florida, and that Sheriff Beseler actually ran for office the first time promising to do away we the cost of being accredited by two agencies with nearly identical standards. Sheriff Beseler did just that, along with other fiscally conservative policies, and then sent about two million dollars back to the taxpayers. To rub more half-truth salt into the wound, Mike Taylor then labeled Sheriff Beseler's tax savings as a political stunt, accusing Sheriff Beseler of inflating the budget just so he could return the money to the taxpayers. 4. Mike Taylor has talked about all of the good people who have left the sheriff's office since Sheriff Beseler took office, indicating that it is because of Sheriff Beseler's poor management. How is that a half-truth? Well, Mr. Taylor's numbers included the previous sheriff himself, as well as everyone who has retired or died. Wow, I knew that a sheriff is powerful, but I didn't know that he had control over that dying thing. Sure, not that many employees have died, but the fact is that Mr. Taylor just counted everybody, and then blames them all on the sheriff's management. The fact is that most employees are staying with Sheriff Beseler because they like things the way they are. 5. Mike Taylor has proudly proclaimed himself to be the best candidate for sheriff because he is endorsed by the labor unions. How is that a half-truth? Well, quite frankly, these are the very same unions that worked against your recent property tax decreases. Remember the newspaper and television ads by the unions telling us not to vote for those tax decreases, because of all the damage it would cause to the police, fire and education causes? The voters saw through that and decided that government needs to live within its means, just like the rest of us. And that is exactly what Sheriff Beseler has done. He has cut out the frills. The unions wanted that two million dollars for the union members. They curse the day that Sheriff Beseler gave it back to us. I have more reasons, folks, but the fact is that I'm getting tired of typing and you're probably ready to read what somebody else has to say for a while. Will talk with you later. Thanks for reading. Related: OldTimer's blog | login or register to post comments | printer friendly version | Tags: beseler | Clay | Newman | Sheriff | taylor
Submitted by Observer on Mon, 08/04/2008 - 5:36pm.
You do just just the same thing with you rants about goverment being corrupt. This forum is not yours. If you don't like it then don't read it.
Submitted by Angela on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 12:39pm.
Old timer if you will check I've never written a blog on MCS. I have responded in many. I have been blogging on this site for over a year. In a week's time you have written 7 blogs all about the same subject and common theme. One was the same comments in a blog as a response and you then made into its own blog. Its generally a common courtesy to keep you comment in the same blog so that others can enjoy the free flow of information on the front page. Since you are new I thought is was a polite way to make that point. With all the numerous Sheriff's Blogs it was beginning to be information over load in my opinion. You know there are many good things happening that people may want to talk about other than the Sheriff's Race in our county and country. Contantly starting a new blog about the same subject can get redundant.
Submitted by PrincessLeia on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 1:02pm.
We all have the right to write blogs, and respond to them, just as you do Angela.
Submitted by PrincessLeia on Tue, 08/05/2008 - 1:04pm.
Oldtimer, I appreciate you doing the research that you stated in this blog. I was unable to attend that debate, and appreciate the information. As prolific as Angela is in copying/cutting/pasting facts, you can bet that these that you posted would not be included. Submitted by OldTimer on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 9:25am.
Well hello Angela. I expected to hear from you on this topic again (Yes, you already said it once, so even you, my dear, are repeating yourself.) I thanked Observer for his reply to you the first time. Here it is again: Isn't that calling the kettle blackSubmitted by Observer You do just just the same thing with you rants about goverment being corrupt. This forum is not yours. If you don't like it then don't read it.
Sorry Angela, but when a new twist on a subject surfaces, it deserves its own blog. Perhaps you should apply for Jonathan's job at MCS. If you get it, then you can just keep hitting the "unpublish" button all you want. That is, until you get fired for doing the wrong thing. Then you can add that to your list of things you want the FBI to investigate. Submitted by Angela on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 9:55am.
I understand how valuable you feel your opinions are on these blogs. I understand that you feel they are so valuable to these blogs and the Beseler campaign that you have to post them twice. The same thoughts no less and call it a new twist. I understand that you cannot grasp the concept that blogging in an exsiting blog is different than continually starting a new blog (7 in one week) about the same subject. I understand that you cannot grasp the concept that it is a common courtesy that people stay in the same blog with the same thoughts. I do see that arrogance and disrespect for the fellow bloggers in your statements. I have noticed that same arrogance from the other Beseler supporters on here too. But that okay, I think the people are smarter than you give them credit for and can see the game being played. You know they are some double dippers in the agency that have a lot to lose in this election. Money and power always make the man! Submitted by OldTimer on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 11:19am.
The world is full of retired folks who have worked and saved all of their lives, only to find that they have to, or want to, go back to work. Today's Americans, as a whole, don't save very much or plan well enough for the future, but some of them do. Some of them made a choice early in life to start retirement accounts, and some made a choice early in life to give up high-paying opportunities so that they might one day, with persistence, reap the benefits of a pension. Those who stick it out should be applauded for taking on the task of providing for their own future. Those who don't are sometimes jealous of those who have. I submit that one of the problems with so many Americans today is that when they find that they have not planned well enough they are, well, jealous of those who have. There are those of a socialist leaning who want to take from the haves and give to the have-nots. One example is when someone has managed to stick with their plan to earn a pension, and they then find that others want them to give up their right to keep working. What next? Perhaps the Social Security Administration will start asking people how well they saved for retirement. Perhaps they will say "never mind how much sacrifice you made, you now have more saved up than the average American, so you don't really need the social security benefits that you paid into all of your life." As scary as that sounds, that's what many want. It's enough to make someone think "Well heck, why should I plan for my future. The have-nots will simply say I have enough and try to get it for themselves." To please the have-nots, perhaps we should start polling the old folks who retired and then went to work for Wal-Mart or Home Depot. Sure, some of those old folks have to work to make ends meet, but what about the ones who are doing it simply because they want to work around people or to have a little extra spending money. "Heaven forbid, we can't have that", some will say. They will demand to know just how much savings those old folks have, and if they have enough, well then let's tell them they have to go home and open up those jobs for the have-nots. Heaven forbid that they worked all of their lives for a pension, and now they want to get paid to keep working. No, not in America. We're not totally socialist. Yet. Some people actually get up, go to work, do a good job, and make contributions to society even though they don't have to. Wow, that's such a noble idea that they should be paid double. Well, what do you know, they are paid double. Thanks for bringing up this new twist on things, Angela. It's such a great topic for debate that I am acutally going to post it as a new blog so that nobody misses it, instead of leaving it buried back here. And, P.S., this one isn't just about keeping our capable, fiscally conservative, all-American sheriff, but that would be a good thing to do. Submitted by MrPike on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 12:34pm.
Oldtimer, I agree with you. I have made posts in the past stating that I have no problem with the double dipping. It is a fact of life in today's world. Angela, I can see where you are coming from about double dippers, but I still disagree. The worst looking case I can think of is a person that retires then returns to the same exact position they retired from. I would potentially see a problem with it. However, that pension is earned and they are entitled to that money so one can't blame them for taking what is owed. It is my understanding that no persons at the sheriff's office retired from the position they currently hold at the sheriff's office and therefore there is no real reason for concern (in my opinion). Actually, most (if not all) retired from different agencies (such as the SAO). Someone at the sheriff's office may be able to help with that one. Also, the way these pensions are funded is through agency contributions. Each agency such as the sheriff contributes to an estimated amount based on the age, length of service, etc. of its employees. The only direct expense that that state usually incurs is the contribution in the current year, not the actual amount paid out to retirees. These pension funds are invested and gain interest. This means that the retirement check that these people receive isn't solely comprised of tax dollars, and revenues from the agency, as well as interest. I am not trying to attack you Angela, so please don't take this as an insult. Wasn't there an entire blog on this subject alone? I recall you posting on that blog. You have blasted Sun Tzu and others for writing the same things on different blogs, but isn't that pretty much what you are doing? I just want you to practice what you preach. Submitted by Angela on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 12:44pm.
I said starting new blogs 7 to be exact. Not posting in a blog. Those are two separate things. I don't care how many times old timer shares his opinion. I think starting several blogs about the same subject in a week's time is equivalent to what the animal control people were doing. It was getting annoying. I think we know his opinion and he don't like Taylor and loves Beseler. But is it necessary to continually start a new blog just to tell us. People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
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A blog about something else beside the Sheriff's race now that would be refreshing. Isn't this the same information you just posted. Are you bored? Go outside and get some fresh air that's refreshing too.