Politics & Government
Everett Rice on the Patch Podium: Experience
Each of the Pinellas County sheriff candidates took a moment on the Patch Podium to explain — in his own words — how his life experience will contribute to the job if he is elected sheriff.
We're asking each of the Pinellas County Sheriff candidates a question each week that's important to you, the voter, so you can be informed come ballot time. This week, we asked:
If elected, how will your past work and life experience contribute to your role as sheriff?
answers:
Find out what's happening in St. Petewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"In the years I was at the sheriffs office I was promoted to and served in every supervisors position; sergeant, lieutenant, captain and chief of detectives. No other candidate received any promotion nor did they attend the FBI Academy as I did. As your sheriff I held every leadership position in the State Sheriffs Association, including president. As a leader in the state association we passed many laws resulting in the reduction of crime. I authored the 85 percent law (stop bill) requiring convicts to serve 85 percent of their sentenced time.
"As your state legislator, I co-authored the Jessica Lunsford Act, making Florida the toughest state on sexual predators.
Find out what's happening in St. Petewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"As your sheriff, I cleaned up the office and made it a recognized agency for advances in technology and professionalism.
"As your sheriff, I merged six police agencies, including Dunedin, into the sheriffs office, saving tens of millions of dollars in local tax dollars.
"These are only a few of the things in my experience that I will bring to the job.
"The voters trusted me time and time again and they can trust me now. I am the only politician to make and keep a term limits promise and I am the only politician to pledge their earned pension to charity."
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.