• Tag Archives Brevard
  • Decade-old disciplinary records become sheriff’s race issue

    Brevard County voters are likely to choose a new sheriff in two weeks as it has become a two-man race between Republican candidates.

    Former Florida Department of Law Enforcement Chief Agent Wayne Ivey wants to stop crime before it starts. Crime prevention is his theme.

    “I don’t want people to become victims. We’ll put in new ways to communicate with citizens and prevent crime,” he said.

    Ivey jumped into the race as the favorite, with the most money and endorsements. Since then, Sheriff’s Lt. Todd Maddox has gained momentum.

    “I can put more deputies on the street for less money,” he said.

    But Maddox’s disciplinary file has become a hot topic with campaign insiders, and the file is spreading on social media.

    Pictures in the 12-year-old file show bruises on Maddox’s girlfriend. Maddox was suspended for leaving his gun in her home when she was suicidal and for driving his patrol car after drinking, although he was not drunk. The file said he could have been prosecuted for battery, but the victim would not cooperate.

    Full article: http://www.msnbc.msn … sheriffs-race-issue/


  • Brevard School Board candidates differ on cost-cutting

    Brevard School Board candidates Keri Lewis and incumbent Karen Henderson both say they want to maintain the quality of Space Coast schools.

    But they differ on how they should go about it.

    Lewis, a self-described fiscal conservative, has come down hard on a proposed half-cent sales tax that will be on the November ballot. If approved, the tax will raise about $32 million annually for Brevard Public Schools for facility repairs, replacements and purchases.

    If elected, Lewis said she wants to dig into the school district’s spending. “There’s a lot of waste going on,” she said, pointing to performing arts centers and stadiums that were built in recent years, while DeLaura Middle’s gym was never air-conditioned.

    If cuts were needed, Lewis said she would look at administration and middle-management costs, and seek savings by contracting out positions.

    Henderson, meanwhile, said Brevard Public Schools has “cut just about everywhere we can.” If more savings are needed, she would suggest reorganizing departments.

    Explaining her vote on the proposed half-cent sales tax, Henderson said she felt “voters should tell us how we need to move forward.”

    The proposed tax increase would help pay for facility repairs, replacements and upgrades that are traditionally paid through the district’s capital funding stream. That has fallen from $117 million in state and local funding in 2007-08 to an expected $43 million this upcoming school year.

    Both candidates grew up on the Space Coast and touted their local roots.

    Full article: http://www.floridato … 807/NEWS13/308070020