It's Easy

   It’s easy! It’s easy to see that Leon County is one of the best places to live in the America. It’s easy to see that Leon County has some of the best communities, best universities and, best opportunities available to anyone in the world. I am proud of Leon County.  Our county, is the best county in the state of Florida. I am so proud of the city and county that we call home.

   

   Leon County is home of the very best in everything. We are the home of Florida A & M, a Time Magazine and Princeton Review College of the Year Award Winner. We are the first county to have a wonderful university like Florida State, NCAA, National Championship winners, go wire to wire and remain number one in the polls from preseason through bowl season.  We are a “Green City”. We are “Blue Ribbon” award winners.  We were voted as having the best utility service in the entire United States.  We are top notch, and top hat in just about every area you can name.

    But there is another area so vital and important to all of us in which we could do more, be better, and if tasked to me, be the best. I think that it comes as no surprise to any of us that in today’s time when you have anything of value, it must be protected.  Our sons and daughters must be provided with a place where they can thrive and flourish. We must continue to demand only the best for our families, and hold those guardians entrusted with their welfare accountable. When it comes to that we hold most dear, failure is not an option.

  I want to be your Sheriff, because I know that your family wants more, and that your family deserves the very best. Now, I am asking for your help. On August 14^th of 2012 the voters in Leon County made it clear that they wanted a change. You, the voters have spoken. We hear each other loud and clear. I am ready  to work together to tackle our challenges. I have thirty plus years of law enforcement experience. I have obtained a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia College. I have served as a Police Chief and also as a Deputy Police Chief of Florida State University. In a county with three of the nation’s top colleges and universities, I think it is important that I note that I have served as the President of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. I am prepared. I am committed. I expect the best, and I will deliver to the citizens of Leon County only the very best.

  

   I am asking for your help, because the challenges facing Leon will take all of us to conquer. I want your support, help, and involvement. I believe in leadership, transparency, and accountability. The budget for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office is close to $61 million dollars. Day one, I will have a Blue Ribbon panel of auditors open the books, make recommendations, and make those recommendations public. I will create a citizens advisory committee to get input from our schools, trauma informed care professionals, coaches, colleges, advocacy groups, mental health professionals, small businesses, work force development, sustainability communities, home owners associations, early childhood development professionals, our seniors, and our youth. I want all parties at the table.

  I truly believe in the honored charge given to me to “Protect and Serve”. I believe that there should be an equal emphasis of service and protection. I want to serve the voters of Leon County. I want to work for you, put your tax payer dollars to work for you, and implement the use of your ideas for you. That is why I am asking for your vote on November 6^th 2012. Together we can take Leon County to the top in one of the categories that matters most, the service and protection of your family.  

 Your friend,

Lisa gue

 

Paid for by Lisa Sprague, No Party Affiliation, for Leon County Sheriff.

Lisa Sprague

 

Paid for and Approved by Lisa Sprague, No Party Affiliation, for Leon County Sheriff.

For immediate Release                                  Contact: Lisa A. Sprague 850-656-9400

September 18, 2012                                                    Lisa@spragueconsultingsecurity.com

Statement by Lisa Sprague on Receiving the Endorsement from the AFSCME( American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees) 79

Tallahassee – Lynda Lloyd, Region 1 People Chair announced that AFSCME Council 79   has officially announced their endorsement and support of Lisa Sprague in her campaign for Leon County Sheriff. 

 AFSCME is the collective bargaining agent for the professional, human service, administrative/clerical and operational services units in state government. AFSCME Council 79 is the second largest union in Florida with 90 locals representing approximately 110,000 employees of the state, state universities, cities and counties, school boards and private nonprofit hospitals.  Members are served by seven regional offices and a professional staff of 33, including lawyers, staff representatives, lobbyists, contract negotiators, organizers, trainers and political action representatives. Florida AFSCME is able to draw upon the resources and expertise of AFSCME International and its 1.3 million members.
Upon receiving the endorsement, Lisa Sprague stated, “I am pleased and honored to receive the endorsement of AFSCME Council 79.  Their support of my campaign shows that we can bring about a positive change in our Sheriff’s Office and in our community”

Despite recent strides, too few women participate in the processes that determine political power and too many women face a challenging road to powerful public service positions. Of the 3,084 sheriffs in the United States, only 42 are women according to Fred Wilson, director of operations for the National Sheriffs' Association. That number is nearly twice what it was just seven years ago.

Additional facts about AFSCME can be found by visiting http://www.afscmefl.org or by calling

Jeanette Wynn, President (email: Jwynn@afscmefl.org) Address: 3064 Highland Oaks Terrace
Tallahassee, FL 32301 Phone: 850-222-0842

Lisa Sprague Press Conference - Focus on The Issues

Repost From Tallahassee.com

Leon County Sheriff Larry Campbell. / Democrat file photo

Written by

Jeff Burlew

Senior government editor

Lisa Sprague, candidate for Leon County sheriff. / Jeff Burlew/Democrat

Lisa Sprague, who’s running for Leon County sheriff, went on the offensive Monday, accusing Sheriff Larry Campbell of using foul and sexist language on the campaign trail, something he strongly denies.  Sprague, a former deputy police chief at Florida State University, convened a news conference at the Florida Press Center in which several speakers representing women’s organizations spoke out against Campbell.
“For the sake of all women, let’s be respectful, let’s stick to the issues, let’s talk about things that are important to the citizens in the community and let the voters decide what they’re going to do,” Sprague told the Tallahassee Democrat. “There’s no need for name-calling.”


Campbell, who’s running for a fifth term, denied the allegations, saying the Sprague campaign is “going wild” trying to draw him into a public confrontation in a bid for publicity.

“What these people are trying to do is take somebody that the people in this community have known basically my entire life and make me out a villain,” Campbell said. “I’m not a villain. I work for the people.”
Sprague said Campbell used foul language to her face after she greeted him before an Aug. 2 candidate forum at the Dade Street Community Center. Campbell, however, said he merely said, “How you?” to Sprague. Campbell and Sprague agree no one else was close enough to overhear the exchange.
She also produced a letter sent to her Wednesday by Scott Matteo, who ran for County Commission in 2010, saying he attended a luncheon where Campbell, who was in uniform, repeatedly used a derogatory term to refer to her. Matteo said in the letter that the lunch happened several months ago, though he didn’t provide other details, including its location. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

“My feeling at the time was that this was a term that he generally used when referring to you or your campaign,” Matteo wrote.  Campbell said he “totally and unequivocally” denies Matteo’s allegation and attributed it to the political season.

Speakers who lined up to condemn Campbell included Tabitha Frazier, who’s running for Leon Soil & Water Conservation District 3 supervisor and was representing the Women’s Campaign Fund; Agnes Furey, a member of the Florida League of Women Voters; Veronique Tolliver, president of the Capital City Democratic Women’s Club; and Rachel Pienta, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Club of Florida.
Some taking part in the news conference criticized Campbell for referring to Sprague as “that woman” during the forum and another hosted Aug. 7 by County Commissioner Bill Proctor. The speakers said the use of demeaning language only discourages women from running for office.


“It is time to cast our votes based on how well equipped the candidate is for the office that he or she seeks rather than the equipment he or she carries below their belt,” Pienta said.

Repost From Elect Women Website

Florida Sheriff Larry Campbell Displays Vulgarity and Sexism Towards Female Opponent

September 10, 2012 | Politics & Campaign Stories

By Kathy Groob, Founder ElectWomen – National organizations including The Women’s Campaign Fund, National Organization for Women, Florida Women’s Democratic Club, Capital City Women’s Democratic Club and Name It. Change It., are outraged over the actions and remarks of the current Leon County Florida Sheriff Larry Campbell against his challenger Lisa Sprague.

While in uniform and representing citizens of Leon County, Sheriff Larry Campbell has exhibited blatant sexist attacks in candidate forums specifically targeting his female opponent, Lisa Sprague. A former police officer, Sprague is running as an independent in the three-way race for the county sheriff’s position.  Following a candidate forum in August, Sprague extended her hand to the Sherriff and Campbell responded by angrily saying “f…k you!”

Sheriff Larry Campbell

Sheriff Campbell has attacked Lisa Sprague with blatant sexist remarks in recent forums, referring to her as “that woman” rather than by her name. He said “he would take her down to a range and shoot her,” and has said, “She doesn’t know a damn thing she’s talking about.”

“Voters expect professionalism from their elected officials, law enforcement or otherwise,” says Sprague. “It’s a three-way race and my other male opponent has not been subjected to this type of treatment.”
Of the 3,084 sheriffs in the United States, only 42 are women according the National Sheriffs’ Association. There are currently two Sheriffs in the State of Florida that are female. One such Sheriff, Susan Benton is the incoming President of the Florida Sheriff’s Association and the other, Sadie Darnell, is the Chair of the Sheriff’s Foundation.

“We strongly condemn Sheriff Larry Campbell’s sexist attacks against Lisa Sprague,” said Siobhan Bennett, President/CEO of the Women’s Campaign Fund.

“Groundbreaking research from our sister organization, Name It. Change It, shows that sexist attacks like these, either in the media or from an opponent, can drastically damage voters’ perceptions of the woman candidate,” says Bennett.

“Name It. Change It. exists to replace the usual silence that follows an attack,” added Bennett.  Calling it out as sexism is a critical step for women candidates seeking to repair the damage with the voters. WCF applauds Lisa Sprague for taking a stand against the severe misogyny coming from her opponent and call on the voters of Leon County to do the same.”

 Repost from www.electwomen.com

Your Family Is What Matters

Friend,

Now we know our opponent is Sheriff Larry Campbell.

And we know Mr. Campbell is relying on long time supporters and big donors who will spend anything it takes to maintain the status quo, and keep things running business as usual.

Here's one more thing you should know: I'm more committed than ever to fighting for the families of Leon County. But I need your help to do it.

Our general election campaign officially began Wednesday August 15th: Please contribute $50 right now -- so we can send a clear message that the voters of Leon County are ready for fair and effective law enforcement from a department based in community, and built on cooperation.

Let's be clear: This campaign won't be easy. We've seen just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to spending by the other side.

Now that the primary is over, we are working diligently on our general election campaign. We've set a goal of raising $ 75,000 over the next few months to take our campaign to the next level --and get ready for everything our opponents are going to throw at us.

The families Leon County are counting on us -- and we can't afford to fall short.

Please go to the link below and contribute $ 50 right now -- and help us reach our $ 5,000 "General Election Fund" goal before next Friday!

Help us launch our general election campaign by sending a strong message that its time for Leon County to move forward, and into the future.

This is a big moment for our campaign, and I'm grateful to have you here with me.

Thank you,

Lisa Sprague

www.LisaForSheriff.com

Paid for and Approved by Lisa Sprague, No Party Affiliation, for Leon County Sheriff.

Women's Campaign Fund Condems Sheriff Larry Campbell

Women's Campaign Fund Condems Sheriff Larry Campbell

“We strongly condemn Sheriff Larry Campbell’s sexist attacks against Lisa Sprague,” said Siobhan Bennett, President/CEO of the Women's Campaign Fund. “Groundbreaking research from our sister organization, Name It. Change It, shows that sexist attacks like these, either in the media or from an opponent, can drastically damage voters’ perceptions of the woman candidate. Name It. Change It. exists to replace the usual silence that follows an attack. Calling it out as sexism is a critical step for women candidates seeking to repair the damage with the voters. WCF applauds Lisa Sprague for taking a stand against the severe misogyny coming from her opponent and call on the voters of Leon County to do the same.”

Juan Garcia-Thomas
Communications Manager
Women's Campaign Fund
1900 L St NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
202-393-8164

www.WCFonline.org

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Current Status of Leon County Mental Health Court

Leon County Board of County Commissioners Cover Sheet for Agenda #5 September 11, 2012

To:	Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board
From:	Vincent S. Long, County Administrator
Title:	Consideration of Funding a Mental Health Competency Restoration Program

County Administrator Review and Approval:	Vincent S. Long, County Administrator
Department/Division Review and Approval:	Alan Rosenzweig, Deputy County Administrator
Lead Staff/ Project Team:	Wanda Hunter, Director, Office of Intervention and Detention Alternatives

---

Fiscal Impact:

This item could have an initial fiscal impact of $100,000 and could result in a reoccurring $100,000 line item expense.  The current $100,000 is available through uncommitted carry forward funding which has been designated to be returned to fund balance.  However, recurring funding has not been identified.

Staff Recommendation: 

Board direction.            

Report and Discussion

Background:

At the July 9, 2012 Budget Workshop, the Board considered the Public Safety Coordinating Council (PSCC) recommendation to fund both the Leveraging Intervention For Transformations (LIFT) Program and establish a mental health competency restoration program to address a population of defendants not currently served under Florida Statute 916 (Attachment #1).  During the workshop the Board had extensive discussion regarding funding two recurring programs at $100,000 each thereby creating a future recurring expenditure of $200,000.  The Board decided at the workshop that they did not desire to create this future increased recurring expenditure and directed that only $100,000 be included in the budget and that $100,000 be returned to fund balance.  The Board voted and ratified the following actions at its July 10, 2012 regular meeting:

1.      Accepted staff’s report on mental health competency restoration services and the LIFT Program;

2.      Took no further action on the existing $100,000 carryforward available in the jail diversionary account and allowed the appropriation to be returned to fund balance;

3.      Maintained the current $100,000 funding level in the diversionary account for the LIFT Program; 

4.      Directed staff to agenda funding consideration for mental health competency restoration services for the Board’s August meeting (Attachment #2).

Additionally, the Board invited the PSCC to attend a Board meeting and discuss in detail the costs and benefits of establishing a mental competency restoration program.  In the following Analysis section, a summary of the PSCC’s discussion of this issue at their regular monthly meeting held on August 21, 2012, is provided.  The Analysis includes information requested by the Board, detailing the program objectives and funding request.

Analysis:

Summary of PSCC’s Discussion at their August 21, 2012 Meeting

The PSCC was briefed on the Board’s July Budget Workshop discussion of their recommendations and the actions taken.  Subsequently, the PSCC voted to send a representative to the next Board meeting, and address questions raised and restate their recommendation for funding of a mental health competency restoration program.  The PSCC agreed that all future correspondence to the Board, from individual constitutional officers serving on the PSCC who request the use of diversionary funds, would include a statement regarding the PSCC’s support for it. 

Mental Health Competency Restoration Program

Defendants with brain injuries, dementia, or a mental illness or developmental disability, who are charged with a misdemeanor offense, do not qualify for competency restoration services through the Department of Children and Families or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The Mental Health Coordinator has asserted that some defendants in this population are in jail for an extensive period because they do not qualify for services under Florida Statute 916.

Competency restoration training is intended to assist defendants in understanding the court process and the charges against them so that they may participate in their own defense.  There are six primary components in the evaluation that the Court must consider in addressing a defendant’s competency to proceed.  The defendant must:

1.      appreciate the charges or allegations against him;

2.      appreciate the range and nature of possible penalties, if applicable, that may be imposed in the proceedings against him;

3.      understand the adversarial nature of the legal process;

4.      disclose to counsel facts pertinent to the proceedings at issue;

5.      manifest appropriate courtroom behavior; and,

6.    testify relevantly.

In addition to competency training, defendants could be referred for other services; such as, readiness assessment and referral to vocational rehabilitation, assistance with applying for Medicaid, social security, housing, transportation, as well as assistance in establishing medication management and counseling appointments and regular contact with a case manager to address issues as they arise.  If competency restoration services were available, the Courts would, in many cases, be satisfied that defendants could be released and monitored with an assurance of regular updates to the court on their progress and compliance.  These support services increase the defendant’s ability to live lawfully and productively in the community after the court process.

In its May 21, 2012 letter to the Chairman, the PSCC recommended that the Board issue a request for proposals to identify a vendor whose purpose is to support mental health restoration services for people with a persistent mental health issue, as identified by the court.  The PSCC intended to utilize the 2012 allocation from the diversionary fund to support this initiative.  As such, the vendor would be required to produce an itemized budget detailing the funding required to provide the requested services, within the $100,000 allocation (Attachment #3). 

Currently, there are 20 defendants eligible to participate if a program was available.  The number of defendants enrolled, and the time frame for competency restoration, would vary and may not be confined to an identified 12-month cycle.  The Board must consider that funding such a program may require continued funding in order to produce the desired outcome of minimizing the time spent in jail and in the court system.

Budget Considerations

As approved at the budget workshops, next year’s budget includes $100,000 in funding to support the LIFT program.  If the Board supports the competency restoration funding request, this would require an additional $100,000 in funding.  The additional $100,000 in funding could come from the fund balance; this is a result of a prior year $100,000 allocation for the PSCC not being expended.  However, if the Board approved the additional $100,000, then $200,000 would have been allocated to PSCC-related programs; annually, the Board has committed $100,000 in recurring revenue.  During next year’s budget deliberations, the PSCC may recommend the continued funding for both the LIFT and competency restoration programs.  The Board could then be addressing $200,000 in budget requests, when $100,000 is the typical funding for these programs.

Options:

1.      Accept the status update regarding the funding of a mental health competency restoration program and take no further action.

2.      Appropriate $100,000 for a competency restoration program utilizing prior year uncommitted carry forward Public Safety Coordinating Council funding.

3.      Board direction.

Recommendation:

Board direction

Attachments:

1.      July 9, 2012 Budget Discussion Items Consideration of Funding For Mental Health Competency Restoration Services

2.      July 10, 2012 Ratification of the July 9, 2012 Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Workshop

3.       May 21, 2012 Letter from the PSCC to the Board

 

Endorsement from FL NOW PAC

Just Released on the Tallahassee FL NOW (National Organization of Women) Facebook Page

The campaign is happy to announce that Lisa Sprague was one of two candidates endorsed in Leon County by the FL NOW PAC. Consideration was given to answers given in response to a questionnaire as well as an interview.  We would like to thank NOW for its support and endorsement.

Lisa Sprague
Candidate for Leon County Sheriff
www.LisaForSheriff.com
Lisa@LisaforSheriff.com
656-9400

Staying Focused On The Issues

Lisa Sprague For Leon County Sheriff Campaign

Phone 850-656-9400
info@LisaForSheriff.com
1311 Executive Center Drive
Tallahassee, FL. 32301 

Press Release
 

The Lisa Sprague Campaign Will Stay Focused On The Issues

Florida Press Center - 336 West College Avenue, September 10, 2012 5:00PM ~~Women’s Campaign Fund, National Organization for Women, Florida Women’s Democratic Club, Capital City Women’s Democratic Club.

Despite recent strides, too few women participate in the processes that determine political power and too many women face a challenging road to powerful public service positions. Of the 3,084 sheriffs in the United States, only 42 are women according to Fred Wilson, director of operations for the National Sheriffs' Association. There are currently two Sheriffs in the State of Florida that are female. One such Sheriff, Susan Benton is the incoming President of the Florida Sheriff’s Association and the other, Sadie Darnell, is the Chair of the Sheriff’s Foundation.

Lisa Sprague is a candidate for the office of Leon County Sheriff. Lisa Sprague’s Opponent Sheriff Larry Campbell has shown blatant sexist attacks in candidate forums, and most recently has made several over the top remarks addressed solely to Ms. Sprague, in a public setting, while in uniform representing the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Voters expect professionalism from their elected officials, Law Enforcement or otherwise. The other male opponent Mr. Tommy Mills, has not been subjected to this type of treatment or rhetoric.

This is inappropriate, unacceptable behavior to voters, and has nothing to do with Ms. Sprague’s merits, years of career service, or extensive qualifications. The citizens of Leon County expect more, deserve better, and need to be reassured that the public discourse will remain focused on the issues that will impact their families and continue to move Leon County forward in these tough times. Instead of focusing on meritless statements, we should be focusing our attention on reducing the crime rates, reducing costs to tax payers, improving cooperation, and strengthening communication amongst our law enforcement agencies. In short, moving our Sheriff’s Office into the 21st Century.

Sheriff Campbell’s sexist, divisive, and demeaning rhetoric has no place in this election cycle, or the electoral process. The process permits the difference of opinion. Discussion and debate on matters of policy or principal are encouraged and welcomed. But, it is equally as important that our discourse remain focused on the families of the public we wish to serve, and the Office of Sheriff. This kind of harmful sexism damages our political debate, our democracy, and will no longer be tolerated. Ultimately the kind of behavior exhibited by Sheriff Campbell hurts how women and young girls see themselves in our society, and discourages women candidates from participating in future elections.