![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Stephanie-Eller-259x300.jpg\" "\\"Stephanie")
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Written by Stephanie\u00a0Eller: Candidate for Lee County Sheriff<\/p>\n
During my 15 years at the Lee County Sheriff\u2019s Office I witnessed many decisions that were not relevant to serving and protecting the citizens. I realized we had lost focus of our core competency: \u201cTo protect and serve.\u201d I also witnessed reckless and irresponsible spending, but watched the citizens and reporters who questioned these expenditures become easily \u201cpacified\u201d with an alarming response of \u201cWe can\u2019t cut any money from public safety!\u201d\u00a0 Many citizens were comfortable with the response, yet many realized there was something seriously wrong.\u00a0 I was, and remain, one of the latter.<\/p>\n
When I made the decision to run for sheriff, I had an opportunity to speak with a former elected official who wanted to hear what I had to say.\u00a0 Once he realized I had the practical experience as a law enforcement officer, a college education including a Masters in Management, had successfully managed a family business, and had the discipline to become debt-free, he knew I had something special.\u00a0 He told me to get a 5 point plan on paper and to tell everyone about it.<\/p>\n
Here is my 5 point plan:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0Cut the fat at the top.\u00a0 There have been 3 ranks added to this sheriff\u2019s bloated bureaucracy:\u00a0 Colonel, Commander and Executive Staff Officer. These will be eliminated. While these high-salary positions were added, two subordinate ranks were eliminated: Corporal and Master Corporal. A new rank structure and step plan allowing employees to test, train and advance will be implemented.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0Put more boots on the ground.\u00a0 \u201cImmediately reviewing\u00a0Every\u00a0Position in the Sheriff\u2019s Office\u00a0Top to Bottom\u00a0to Address the Bloated Bureaucracy and ensuring the Every Tax Dollar Entrusted to the Sheriff is spent with\u00a0You,\u00a0the Taxpayer in mind.\u201d (Mike Scott Campaign Flyer, 2004 \u2013 punctuation as printed in flyer).\u00a0 Utilize those resources for their intended purpose \u2013 protection and service to Lee County citizens.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0Target high-crime areas –\u00a0With these extra boots on the ground.\u00a0 24\/7 presence in these communities and not working them \u201cin between other calls.\u201d Negotiations with the county for homes\/buildings owned by the county to establish substations in these areas.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0Fiscally responsible spending.\u00a0 Eliminate duplicate and nonessential positions.\u00a0 I plan to revisit and re-establish some part-time positions. District Commanders will participate in community events rather than wasting law enforcement dollars hiring personnel to go to speaking engagements and luncheons. Review purchasing practices when making decisions on costly outsourcing such as the medical and food contracts at the jail.<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0Reduce employee turnover.\u00a0 Establish a wage structure to be competitive with surrounding law enforcement agencies.\u00a0 I will immediately conduct a forensic audit to determine where expenses can be cut and utilize these cuts to boost the standard of living for all employees.<\/p>\n
Although this is my plan, these are not my only areas of concern.\u00a0 I will make improvements in the community policing program and be more transparent with the media.\u00a0 My philosophy is, \u201cThe public has a right to know and government agencies have a responsibility to keep them informed.\u201d\u00a0 We cannot be reckless with information and hamper investigations, but we should never tell the media \u201cno comment\u201d when citizens are quivering in fear. I also plan to address the number of mentally ill inmates filling our jails. Throughout the country there are agencies addressing untreated mental illness.\u00a0 We need to tap into the success stories taking place elsewhere and bring them here. Many of our homeless citizens are mentally ill, commit minor crimes, go to jail, never receive treatment, get released, commit minor crimes, go to jail, never receive treatment, and on and on it goes. We pay plenty to keep these men and women in jail.\u00a0 We need to imagine what it would look like if we used some of that money to duplicate successful programs from elsewhere and use the jails to house criminals \u2013 not the mentally ill.<\/p>\n
I had seen too much waste, complacency and lack of focus on serving and protecting in the sheriff\u2019s office. I knew change was needed. State law required me to \u2018resign to run\u2019 so I sacrificed my job to run for office.\u00a0 I saw there were no viable candidates, and therefore, no hope for change. In the words of past leaders, I asked myself, \u201cIf not me, who?\u00a0 If not now, when?\u201d With the support of friends and family I filed to run for sheriff and am looking forward to once again serving the citizens of Lee County.<\/p>\n
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