Search underway for new Broward sheriff

After receiving Ken Jenne's resignation letter as Broward sheriff, Gov. Charlie Crist says he'll start a search for a successor. Maj. Al Lamberti, 53, a 29-year veteran of the agency, will serve as interim sheriff.

Crist said he would undertake "a thorough process to vet and review qualified candidates" and sounded less inclined to appoint a caretaker, with no intention of seeking to hold the office, than someone who would take control with plans to run for a four-year term in 2008. "This is a huge job," Crist said. "The sheriff of Broward County is a big deal and I want to do what's right by the people of Broward County."

It's a huge source of political power and patronage in the state's most heavily-Democratic county, and Crist's Republican supporters will insist that he appoint a Republican. Some speculation is centering on Scott Israel, police chief of North Bay Village and a Broward resident wh has begun making the rounds as a possible Republican candidate for sheriff in 2008. Crist wouldn't discuss individual names.

Comments

We need a true leader...

Tom Wheeler is our GUY!!

He worked for ATF, Attorney General and now with FDLE.

He is well respected in the community and true leader who get the job done.

We need a leader who is a not a career politician and in trenched in BSO politics!

Broward does not need anymore disgrace!!

Thus, Tom should be our NEW SHERIFF!!

Is he a D or R? Probably a D if a friend of Crist!

Go ask every cop in Broward who they want. The answer is very clear - Scott Israel. I met him once and boy was he impressive !

Scott seems to be the front runner but I wouldn't be surprised if the Governor went with an unknown.

Broward County Is a Democratic County.
Wheeler and Israel Are both nothing more than lame Republican hacks, with zero talent other than kissing A**

Jack Siler, May Kiss Rino A**, but he is a good pal of Charlie's

If Charlie is smart he will select Israel.

[Broward Cop]

Chief Israel is well respected down here in South Florida because he knows the streets and how his fellow officers need to be treated. I will be writing a letter to the Governor in support of Scott.

If the governor desires to appoint someone who can win re-election, he MUST appoint a Democrat. No Republican (not even Charlie Crist) can win in Broward County.

I am certain that the author of those pro Scott Israel posts are all the same solitary person.

Well known in South Florida? Scott Israel, are you kidding. He is the Chief of one of the smallest police departments in the state! The state!

Who would know this guy and how did the Times let this spin crap get into their story?

North Bay Village - at least two patrols cars are on duty at all times!

Lori Parrish for Sheriff! She is the property appraiser and can always find some way to raise taxes.

He is well known because he has worked hard and made his rounds to every speaking engagement from Deerfield Beach to Pembroke Pines. When the guy gives a speech it is very similar to what you would hear out of Rudy Giuliani. For Scott it is all about public safety and protecting his fellow officers.

Wheeler ! are you kidding ! my god, he was fired from ABT and has a do nothing political job at FDLE.

Wheeler uhhhh read the BSO blog, thats all you need to know. Please appoint a professional.

Wheeler would be under investigation by January. Please don't pick this guy !

[Deputy Jackson]

Dear Governor,

Please appoint Chief Scott Israel for this very important job.

Can Bosquet type the word democrat and coruption without breaking down?

SPT is a pinch better than those rats at the PB Post, who wrote a glowing "poor little Ken" story a few weeks back.

Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus for corrupt Democratic Pols, It's the liberal media outlets who go easy on them.

Do you think Governor Crist will appoint someone based on the comments written on this blog? Give me a break!

Scott, if you want to run then do it! You will NOT be appointed and stop having you meager “campaign” write wonderful things about you on this blog!

Two Words: Skip Campbell

Campbell is not a bad choice

Campbell is a horrible choice.

skip Campbell

[Frank]

It's a no-brainer---the Governor should appoint Shaq.

Campbell
that would be right out of the movie "Paint Your Wagon" ya gotta sober em up first

12:54 PM
Your right, there is a liberal bias, it is called REALITY

The logical choice is Bob Butterworth. Butterworth is an able and competent administrator with the integrity to lead the Broward Sheriff's office.

Skip Campbell would be a good choice but he has a very lucrative career in law and why would he give that up.

Sheriff Butterworth makes sense.

Butterwoth, Campbell AND Jim Scott - three drunks to choose from? PLEASE!

1:12 I think the Governor who cancelled his own Inaugural Ball under public criticism and had a global warming summit in Miami because it is popular amd has done a lot of other nonsensical things because of the prevailing winds probably has somebody looking at every blog and counting the pro and con votes for every name that' mentioned.

Butterworth is where a Democrat NEEDS to be: running a tinderbox. That way when it ignites, Charlie and his party are all clean.

Wheeler is bad news, but Charlie picks'em for loyalty to him, not excellence.

[terminator]

Butterworth would be the logical choice but whomever gets the nod is most likely someone who plans on campaigning for the position in 08 and don't know if he has the fire in his belly anymore.
Easier to be a agency head and not have to worry about campaigning. Especially after an embarrassing Senate seat loss to Atwater a few years back.
He would be an excellent choice that would restore the public's confidence.
The other losers mentioned are just amateur hour compared to General Butterworth.
DFC is a broken agency that all of humpty dumpty's men will never be able to put back together again.
Just think how much he could bump his pension up with the Sheriff's salary?

Crist is probably going to pick Wheeler. Tommy worked for Charlie at Education, had another drum-beater job at the AG's office and before that he was with the DBPR. Probably bever had a real job in his life. Oh, that's right, just like his fellow Pike - CC.

Trouble with Crist picking his boy Wheeler is Tom couldn't get himself elected dog catcher. And the inevitable D challenger would have a field day with Tom's past.

Tom Wheler is a decent, honest and hard worker. He has a good reputation in the law enforecement community. The governor should appoint him quickly so he can restore BSO.

Right... And since Charlie Crist is such an avowed risk-taker, he will appoint Tom Wheeler hoping you are right and Tom (an unknown Republican with no real background in professional law enforcement) can run for re-eelction and win next year.

Shaq has requested a press conference on Thur.
Do you think he will announce his retirment?
He is also scheduled for "Live w/ Regis" on Friday.
.... " Shaq Attack '08 "

[terminator]

How much law enforcement experience does Wheeler have?
I suspect none.
Hope you're not counting his stint at the AG's office? That would be laughable.
Charlie could play Andy and Wheeler would be Barney Fife.
Agreed, the guy would get totally destroyed in the election by any number of Dems.
Go ahead BREC, make our day. Offer one of your guys up. Can't wait.
This could be a food fight for the Dems.

Wheeler? the cops would get him before the Dems could.

Wheeler is a total disaster. No way Charlie makes this mistake.

[The Anti-Terminator]

There is a new BREC in town Termy!

Hey Terminator,

WAKE UP!! BREC is not the Governor's Office and does not pick the appointments!!

The BREC has missed your misleading and negative comments! Tom is a hard worker and you have no right to attack him. Unless you are like other BREC members that got fired from the AG's office which I do not think is true! I know that you are afraid of us and think that we would love your head on a platter. Those were your words on a previous post if I remember correctly!

We hope you come to a BREC meeting instead of getting your information from the Lauderdale club and its tremendous leader!

Yes, this race will be a fight and we hope that you join us instead of writing your usually crap!

Attendre avec intérêt le combat !

It's a shame that Clay Shaw did not listen to advice to run for Governor and have Jeb as his Lt. Gov!

Look at him now...at Harvard talking about his years as a FORMER Congressman!! YEAH!

Miriam was a rising star and fell faster than a meteor!

This is Broward...we pick a lot of potential rising stars that continue to disappoint us!

Thanks Ken for keeping in that tradition!

Our County Mayor has a great idea!

Let's make the Sheriff an appointed position chosen by our trustworthy County Commission!

This will stop the Sheriff from being a political position and keep it honest!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

**BREAKING NEWS**

An update from our County Mayor:

We sent a letter to Governor Crist’s office that we have decided to change our charter and make ALL County Commissioners appointed positions by the Governor! We feel that Broward needs real leaders who will not make fake promises, embezzle money and be lobbyists and Commissioners at the same time!

The people of Broward County were stunned and truly happy with this decision!

OH WAIT...This is not a fantasy world and wake up Mr. Mayor and stop trying to control everything and changing OUR CHARTER without including an election by your registered voters!

Tom Wheeler is Crist's best friend from college. He was the Police Chief of tiny Haines City Police Department and then the Director of Law Enforcement for the AG's Office when Crist was the AG, which means he basically did nothing since the AG's investigators do nothing. Tom Wheeler has absolutely no qualifications to run a department the size of BSO.

[terminator]

12:18 am
Is this you George?
Are you denying the fact that Charlie will appoint whomever his buddies in Broward (Pouzzouli/Scott/Day/Jaegar/Williams) tell him to appoint?
Although I don't know Wheeler personally, I do know he has very little to no actual hands-on law enforcement experience. Certainly nowhere near what one would need to head up BSO.
Charlie's appointments haven't measured up so far, so why should this be any different?
Whomever he appoints will get soundly defeated in 08.
The best choice is General Butterworth whom is loved and respected by Broward citizenry and would easily be elected in 08.

11:47
Hopefully it is. I hope it's much different than the incestuous cesspool it was at this time last year.

I still think it's good ol Eddy Pouzuolli and Tripp/Scott pulling the strings for BREC.
Until the influence of the above mentioned individuals is considerably lessened or eliminated it will continue to be the same old BREC.

I know Tom Wheeler, when he was fired from ABT along with 3 other supervisors, his departure was applauded. This Department is way to important to let someone like him or another political shill be put in. So far the Governor has underwhelmed with his appointments. If someone like Wheeler is appointed, it will be chaos. Friends in Tallahassee have said he has been nothing but a snitch for Crist. He has already destroyed some careers in state government.

At FDLE he is a pariah who carries a big stick, he will do nothing but further hurt the BSO. We have plenty of qualified people from within.

[Anti-Terminator]

BH, although Ed is a force in the Broward scene, he is NOT in charge of the BREC. If you are truly an "R", then work towards a common goal and quit sniping at those trying to make a difference.

8:57 obviously you know NOTHING of Broward GOP politics.

12:57 WOW...Do you talk with Sharon and think you know everything!

You think that Ed wanted the first endorsement for Charlie because 24 BREC members that voted for Gallagher told you that! He was against it!

It is all smoke and mirrors because some people do not want to lose their power! You my friend do not KNOW Broward GOP politics...