Nov 2007: Deputy Orlando Torres was removed from office for a list of unfounded issues. The Hendry County Attorney in conjunction with Sheriff Lee terminated Deputy Torres. What is interesting is that another Deputy from within the HCSO also had the same issue but only worse, not only keep his job but got promoted.
Orlando, is a victim of supporting the Fernandez for Sheriff campaign. Please keep Orlando and his loving family in your prayers.
Team Fernandez 08 " Trusting in God"
18 comments:
And your point is what? There are other deputies who are being singled out for supporting any candidates not just you Raul. Quit making it all about you, it's about the current Sheriff being scared of not getting re-elected.
Mr. or Ms. Concerned,
Your right their are other Deputy's getting singled out. However This Deputy was singled out for being a friend of Mr. Fernandez. Recently a another outstanding Investigator was also terminated for what everyone know's was due to being friends with Whidden. Is that the vicous cycle that Hendry County Sheriffs Office want.
My point exactly, the current Sheriff is threatened by the other candidates and therefore is using their friends against them. My point is why didn't Raul mention the other person forced out in addition to Torres, because it does not do anything for him and doesn't play the "racial" card that Raul likes to throw out there. There are more than a few people who have been singled out, not just Torres and Favara.
Concerned,
Maybe Mr. Fernandez didn't know about Favara. I was sadden, when I heard Admin let Torres go. I liked the kid and I never had a problem with him. He always did what he was told and got the job done. Favara as well. I could always count on Favara making my days into good days, he always had a way to make me lough. They both will be missed greatly.
Mr. Concern and deputy 4 change:
First let me start by thanking you both for visiting my site and bring up some great points and I firmly believe that debates are a great way to get the truth out.
I for one am very upset to hear that deputies such as Mr. Torres and Mr. Favara are being let go just because they want to support another candidate. I believe that part of being an American is having the right to vote and support who ever you choose!! Perhaps I think this way because I’m a cop and not a politician. Mr. Concern I can assure that I had no knowledge of other deputies losing their jobs over politics if so please help them by speaking out and getting the word out there!!!!
I can assure the men and women of the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens that they serve, that WHEN I GET ELECTED as the next Sheriff, no deputy will lose their jobs simply because of politics. It’s the Sheriff’s job to keep the politics and operations separate and I will do that. I will never interfere with what a deputy does off duty unless that deputy commits a violation of Law or policy.
As far as the “Racial Card” I not clear on what you mean? No one has ever heard me say anything about any race. I’m an American and part of one race the Human race.
Yes, I was upset and very disturbed that my team and I were removed from the Cabbage Festival for one simple reason; no other candidate was removed except for me and after carefully examining the incident and hearing one of the Festival Committee members yell at Team Fernandez “you people need to get out” this was repeated several times. The logical reason that my advisors and I came up with was that it was racially motivated and we were not welcomed there.
In closing, I am an American and proud of it, but I have heard from so many to include one of the candidates that I don’t stand a chance with a name like Fernandez. I hope that the citizens are focusing on experience and leadership ability of all the candidates and not a last name. Race is not a factor for me and will never be I only stand behind my experience not my ethnicity.
God Bless,
Raul Fernandez
I WILL DEFINATELY BE VOTING FOR SHERIFF FERNANDEZ ALONG WITH MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS,WE NEED A CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.I DID LIKE RONNIE LEE AS OUR SHERIFF BUT WHEN HE BROUGHT IN PEOPLE WITH A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INTO OUR POLICE DEPT. THAT MADE ME DOUBT HIS JUDGEMENT.I DON'T SEE HOW THIS INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SUPPOSE TO BE THERE TO SERVE AND PROTECT GOT REHIRED INTO THE DEPARTMENT AFTER BEING LET GO WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED A FEW YEARS AGO FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT WE ALSO HAVE OFFICERS (NO MATTER WHAT THEIR RANK I WILL REFER TO THEM AS ONLY OFFICERS)ARE USING DRUGS WHY DON'T WE HEAR ABOUT THEM GETTING RANDOM DRUG TESTS INSTEAD OF THEM BEING NOTIFIED OF WHEN THEY WILL BE GETTING A DRUG TEST DONE.WE NEED SHERIFF FERNANDEZ IN OUR SHERIFFS DEPT AS OUR SHERIFF SO HE CAN CLEAN UP THAT OFFICE YEAH RONNIE LEE HAD TO DIG INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE BARRELL TO GET OFFICERS IN THERE SINCE ALOT OF THEM QUIT. I SAY BRING IN OFFICERS FROM OTHER AREAS SINCE ALOT OF THESE HAVE ALREADY BECOME TO COMFORTABLE WHERE THEY ARE. THANK YOU SHERIFF FERNANDEZ FOR EVEN BEING INTERESTED IN CLEANING UP THIS SMALL COMMUNITY..
While I agree that Raul has some interesting ideas for the changes he would like to make in Hendry County there are issues with how they can be accomplished considering the current tax cuts and the lack of funds that already exist in the Sheriff's Office. All of the candidates have some interesting ideas and I think some of them are a lot more feasible than Raul's.
Concerned,
How is this for feasible? Whidden wants to add more Agricultural Units. Thats saying he cares about the live stock more then he cares about the citizens of Hendry County. We all know around here that it's just good old boys watching over good old boy's. I work for a idoit now. why would I work for another. Law Enforcement is about serving and protecting. I see that having a Deputy assigned to Agg. is a must. But to take more Deputy's from the citizens to patrol the farms is something else. Sounds like a security job to me, and if they can't handle the problem then thats when a Deputy just like everybody else should be dispatched. On a PRIORTY BASES ONLY not because such and such is friends with such and such. I have tried to make things better around here but, I keep getting shoved to the corner. We need Raul somebody different. So that there is no good old boy's looking out for good old boy's.
Concern,
Who do you think can do the Job of Sheriff? I have been looking hard at this years election and so far Mr.Fernandez does seem the best one for the Job.
I looking for change not just for our president but also for our local officials.
I dont see why you feel that the ideas listed on his web site can not happen!
I have nieghbors who are in Law Enforcement and they said that the other canidates are not as experience as Mr.Fernandez do you know if this is true.
I for one would like some change and atleast Mr.Fernandez seems to want to try. Its scary because politics are made of lies but we need to try!!!
Concern who would you vote for to keep us safe? I have only found one other website and that is Rick Hornsby but he is running on the Rep ballot so who else is running on the democratic ballot for Sheriff besides Mr.Fernandez can some one advise.
Thanks
Sue
Dear Mr. Concern you have expressed bewilderment over the issue of the HCSO budget and how I can produce. Although, I agree that my plans for the agency is much more extensive than just hiring 6 more deputies, I will share with you the principles of Law Enforcement Management.
Reallocation of staff. Reallocation of the budget. Ensuring State revenue of the Criminal Justice Division. Reducing cost of Jail operations, accreditation for the obtaining of grants. Mutual Understating Agreements with other agencies. Obtaining maximum benefit of the, Sisters of Florida State, Cities and Counties program. Reducing law suits with new general order provisions. Reducing of fuel cost. Working with the greatest resource, the people of Hendry, County.
With that said this would be created with knowledge, ability, aptitude, skill and willingness all qualities that thank God I contain.
My God continue to bless you Mr. Concern for your interest in Hendry County.
Raul Fernandez
www.fernandezforsheriff.com
Copyright © 2008 Fernandez for Sheriff Paid for and authorized by Raul Fernandez Democrat, candidate for Hendry County Sheriff. All rights reserved
There are two other Democratic candidates for Sheriff of Hendry County, Fred Dyess, Jr. and Steve Whidden. I was unable to find a website for Dyess but here is Whidden's www.WeWantWhidden.com. Both have family roots in Hendry County and Whidden has worked for the HCSO and now works for the Clewiston Police Department. There are other candidates out there with experience and ideas for the future. I have not decided who I am voting for yet but I too am concerned about the direction that county has taken under "Buddy" and look for change and progressive yet realistic ideas. Amendment 1 has changed a lot when it comes to available money and budgets and there are just some things that are financially not feasible as they have been presented by Raul. And the actual impact Amendment 1 will have has not been determined yet and won't be for many months to come so the financial situation the HCSO is in may get a lot worse.
Raul,
My bewilderment comes from the knowledge of the financial situation that the HCSO faces and will face in the future with the passing of Amendment 1 and the ramifications it will cause.
I understand the reallocation of personnel and reducing of costs but there are some costs such as fuel that are difficult to reduce. What is your plan for accomplishing reducing fuel costs? The deputies must patrol the county and as we all know Hendry County is a wide and vast county and fuel will have to be used to patrol even the remote sections. Adding more deputies will only increase the fuel cost but it is a necessary cost as more deputies are desperately needed in areas such as Montura and Felda.
Deputy 4 A Change,
You are right you do work for an idiot but I believe you are wrong in assuming that Whidden cowtows to the Good 'Ol Boy club. I have been listening to all the candidates and there are a lot of people in this county that have agricultural issues that are also law enforcement issues. I'm not saying to add four deputies to the Ag unit but more than one in a county that is agriculturally based may be worth looking at. No one ever said he was going to take away road patrol positions to accomplish this, there's plenty of excess at the top that can be cut to allow for such positions.
I've been in this county a good many years and have seen the crap that goes on and the waste at the Sheriff's office, repainting cars because Worley had painted them, etc. I'm looking for a change as much as anyone but at this point all the candidates are just throwing words around and as we get closer to the primaries we will see what they are really made of and who can do what they suggest they can.
Deputy 4 a Change:
I can see from your comment, that obviously you must be from within the little groups of this agency that has found out that the seats on the gravy train have run out. Too bad huh? As far as Whidden and his Ag Unit idea, I believe, that he isnt talking a grandiose scale, but rather more than the current ONE that is assigned or should I say on paper that he is assigned.
Perhaps you should talk to Whidden instead of running your yap, which is probably why you have been pushed to the side. He may inform you exactly his plan for the unit as well as EQUIPPING a small percentage of patrol officers with vehicles that can go off road as the current Crown Vics cannot. If you like pavement so much why dont you work in a metropolitan area? Of course you may be one of the ones here who come here because you cant get hired anywhere else!
Your writing style and verbage sound very familiar and if you are the one I am thinking of, you whine too much already and probably got your cornflakes rained upon on a daily basis.
Have some cheese.
Mr Fernandez,
I have been sitting back for the past few weeks and perusing the websites that a few of the candidates have posted including yours.
Since I work in the County (not the Sheriff, I own my own business but know several of the County Staff on the NON Sheriff side who have been commenting on your ideas) I was wondering how you are proposing these ideas and how you are going to effectively fund them. According to Chapter 30 of the Fla State Statutes, every Sheriff in the State as well as every other constitutional is given their budget by the Board of County Commissioners according to their justifications.
REGARDLESS of your justification, we are currently experiencing an all time low in the amount of funds that the General Fund collects. Whereas we agree that Public Safety takes priority, what is now given to the Sheriff is what is going to be given REGARDLESS of who is in office.
No increase.
Secondly you speak of grants, grants, grants. Grants as you know come in two forms. Those that are for capital or other equipment funding purchases and are non reoccurring one time expeditures, and those that are matching grants. I know of several that have been applied for but turned down due to the General Fund not having the necessary level in order to fund them after the grant runs out, ( personnel grants etc) So how exactly are you (as well as any other candidate) proposing to fund them?
Additionally you speak of budget reallocation. I suppose you know that certain areas of the budget that are defined by law, cannot be transferred to another, ie: personnel services to capital outlay, operating to corrections, etc. So whats in personnel to begin with is whats in personnel. You can have a huge surplus in the capital services budget but cannot legally transfer it for say salaries.
Your entire campaign is riddled about experience. Well I only see operational experience if that, I do not see administrative experience nor do I see a viable plan as of yet as you sidestep the issues. You state you are going to surround yourself with good people. I dont care how good they are, facts are facts. Ask any constitutional in the State about them and their budgets.
Good luck in your "quest". Also in your endorsements page, how about getting some that are actually IN Hendry County? As well as the some non hispanic pictures and supporters.. Good luck.
Well Deputy 4 a Change, how does it feel to be wrong, wait that happens daily I am sure? I am not a HCSO deputy and never have been. I am a member of the community that knows how the SO used to be and how it is now and am very dissatisfied with it. I also know that the only gravy train at the HCSO is at the top and the rest of the people who work there are getting screwed...public record is a wonderful thing.
Equipping road patrol to handle the calls that require going off the pavement is a good idea, Crown Vic's were not meant to see sugar sand and mud so its hard to respond to those areas in the current cars.
Personal attacks against me because you think I am a deputy are not called for especially since I have nothing against anyone at the SO other than the idiot running it. I know quite a few of the deputies and officer personnel as well and want what is best for them as well as the citizens of Hendry County. Regardless of who else gets elected it needs to be anyone other than "Buddy", and I think on that we can all agree.
Concern,
Thank you for the information. I did check Mr. Whiddens website and yes he is from here but does he really have any the experience? I did not see as much information on his webiste as I see in Mr.Fernandez website.
Again I'm not a police officer just a grandmother that would like the best for my family but no disrespect to you or Mr.Whidden he seems to be a very nice young man but can he handle the position of Sheriff?
I meet Mr.Fernandezand his wife this weekend at his picnic and he seemed very wise and the ideas that he talked about appeared just fine. He talked about kids programs, more police officers on the streets, as a citizen with children that sounds just fine.His ideas he said will be at no addition cost to me a tax payer, trust me that made my husband Jim very happy.
Again Mr.Whidden does not have enough information on his web site to really make a determination. My nieghbors laugh when I ask them and they told me that they call him "peaches" and he does not have the experience to run they called him a rookie.
I have not made my choice yet but I need information on the canidates. I agree with many of you that Mr.Fernandez is not from Hendry County. But is the answer to elect those who are from here or to elect someone that can reallyt make a change. I agree when you are hiring someone to do a job to you care from they are from?
Like Deputy4change wrote on one of his blog comments do we elect a president who is not from Hendry. Yes we do!! I for one want Obama!!
By the way the race thing is out there come on people its 2008 some of the people here in Hendry act like is still the 1960's!!
At the picnic they were a few Whites me being one of them, I also saw a few Blacks, and Hispanics and Mr.Fernadez made us all fell right at home.
I try to teach my kids and now my grandchildren not to look at race so I hope that our future leaders will show that example to our children.
Its funny my sister went to Ronnies Lees gathering in Clewiston and all the people there were white, so is that ok?
Trust me my husband was a Ronnie Lee supporter but he too agrees that its time for a change as he puts it "New Blood".
Does any one know if there is going to be a future debate? That will be great for folks like me!!
Sue (Clewiston, Florida)
My response to Deputy also 4 change. I don't know if it went through but here it is. Check and post please.
Good day to all,
In response to Deputy also for a change. I am not from the group you think I’m from, however I know who you are too. I’m a patrol dog just like you. I do agree with having more then just one agg unit. But I don’t agree to have Deputy’s contracted out to certain ranchers minimizing the unit in it’s self. As far as vehicles “YES” we need off road vehicles out here on patrol. You have had to be towed out just like I have more then just once. Oh and I came to the Hendry County Sheriffs Office, because I wanted too, not because I couldn’t get hired anywhere else. I could have worked for the P.D. but I liked the idea of the open country. It’s so sad that you think of some of your troops as being rejects instead of your partners out there serving and protecting the citizens of Hendry County. If I could talk to Whidden without losing my job. I would since I did have the chance to work with him here at the S.O. But if he was smart he too, would have a Blog. Some of us cherish are family’s to lose are JOB over politics. See Ya on Patrol!
Nice screen name, your welcome!
Deputy 4 a Change
Concerned,
I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but thats why it's called a blog. People speak truth and facts and no one gets fired. If you read my response to Deputy Also 4 a Change. I'm not a member of that gravy train. I'm also happy to hear that you know we the Deputy's are getting screwed. Maybe knowing this, you will make the right choice for the citizens of Hendry County and the Sheriffs Office.
Have a good and blessed day.
Deputy 4 a Change
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