Primary election Q&A

Editor’s note: As the Aug. 16 primary election draws near, the Longboat Observer will publish profiles and Q&As from each of the candidates who will represent the area.

In this week’s issue, we profile candidates for the 12th Judicial State Attorney’s post.

In the race for the 12th Judicial District’s State Attorney Office, Republicans Ed Brodsky and Peter Lombardo will compete in the primary for a chance to challenge Democrat John Torraco in November’s general election. Longtime incumbent Earl Moreland is retiring.

Brodsky, who has worked with the state attorney’s office for more than 20 years, began his career prosecuting misdemeanor and juvenile defenses, such as DUIs and domestic disputes. After several promotions, he was named Felony Division Chief, before becoming the chief assistant state attorney in Manatee County. Today, he oversees day-to-day operations of attorneys and staffs at offices in Manatee, Sarasota and Desoto counties.

Lombardo, a former prosecutor who worked up the ranks to felony division chief with the 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, worked for the attorney’s office from 1988 to 1996.

Lombardo has more than 18 years as a local prosecutor and five-and-a-half years as owner of the Law Office of Peter Lombardo.

Ed Brodsky
Age: 47
Family: I’ve been married to my wife, Kim, for 18 years, and we have a 14-year-old son named Evan, and an 11-year-old daughter, Alexa.
Hometown: Bradenton
Education: Associate’s degree in criminal justice from St. Petersburg Jr. College; bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of South Florida; and a law degree from Nova University Law School.
Who is your favorite author: John Grisham
If you could meet anyone dead or live, who would it be: Abraham Lincoln
Website: edbrodsky.net

What would be your top priorities if elected?
My top priorities as state attorney will be multiple. To strengthen our gang prosecution, I’ll continue to partner with the office of the statewide prosecutor’s office. We currently utilize attorneys who work in conjunction with their agency, but we must increase the number of prosecutors who specialize in gang prosecution so that we prosecute gang members to the fullest extent of the law and to eradicate all gang violence and gang-related crimes working in partnership with statewide and in stand-alone fashion without them.

I also believe it’s important we specialize in white-collar crime and exploitation of the elderly cases. These are typically very complex investigations and prosecutions, and it’s important to have highly-skilled prosecutors tackling those cases.

I will also ensure that career criminal, habitual offenders and violent offenders are prosecuted to fullest extent of the law.

We must also be committed to being responsive to the needs of law enforcement and the community to address all quality-of-life crimes that bring down our quality of life, such as battling the prescription pill epidemic and the scourge of metal theft recyclers.

In Sarasota, I believe Newtown must be a priority, as well, for the next administration. I was also a part of a delegation of 12 that traveled to High Point, N.C., to study a model that has been implemented there and has seen a 54% sustained reduction in violent crime over six years. I joined members of the Sarasota Police Department, the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office and other city leaders in reviewing that model. I’ve spoken to Manatee Sheriff (Brad) Steube, Palmetto Police Chief Rick Wells and Bradenton Police Chief Mike Radzdilowski about possibly implementing this program here in Manatee County.

What changes need to be made in the State Attorney’s Office?
In implementing my goals on battling gangs, the office will need to continue to implement and expand the number of prosecutors devoted to prosecuting gang members.

We will also need to implement attorneys that are highly trained and skilled to go after white-collar crime and the exploitation of the elderly. In doing so, we’ll need to partner more closely with law enforcement during the investigative stages of prosecution to ensure better investigations and prosecutions.

We will also not condone any crimes of violence, and we must ensure that violent offenders are put away for the maximum amount of time possible. We must also seek maximum sentences for all career or habitual offenders.

We must also remain committed to going after those who sell, deal or traffic in prescription pills or controlled substances.

What cuts would you make if budgeting requires it?
Our prosecutors battling crime in the courtrooms and working side-by-side with our law-enforcement partners are our greatest asset. So, I believe it’s vital we do everything to protect our number of prosecutors, currently 72, and increase the number and not allow it to diminish.

To achieve that, support services and staff must be examined. We currently operate on 2007 funding levels, and I remain committed to providing maximum benefit to our community and being good stewards of your tax dollars.

What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?
I’m the only candidate endorsed by the law-enforcement community. I’m the only candidate who currently serves as a prosecutor because I’m passionate and committed to protecting and serving our community, and who has hands-on experience prosecuting serious crimes as a courtroom litigator, and who has the administrative experience running an office of 72 prosecutors, with a staff of 150 in four offices covering three counties. I’m the only candidate board certified by the Florida Bar in criminal trial.

I’m also the only candidate in this race who has had administrative responsibilities first overseeing the Manatee County office, and now all four of our offices in our three counties.

My job currently entails the supervision of all of our office, along with budgetary, policy-making decisions and the hiring decisions of the office. One opponent has never served as a prosecutor, while the other has not served in any capacity in six years.

I am also the only candidate endorsed by the three sheriffs of the three counties we serve, as well as the Fraternal Order of Police, as well as many of this community’s retired police chiefs.

I am also the only candidate with hands-on experience working on the implementation of criminal justice policies being implemented in our community by closely collaborating with our sheriffs, our chiefs of police and top officials in court administration. As such, I believe my qualifications and experience set me apart from my opponents.

Peter Lombardo
Age: 52
Family: Wife of 25 years, Maria; sons, Peter, 23, and Ryan, 19
Hometown: Norwalk, Conn. Currently lives in Manatee County
Education: Bachelor’s degree from State Leo College; law degree from St. Thomas University
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be?: Ronald Reagan
Website: peterlombardoforstateattorney.com

What would your top priorities be if elected?
Prosecuting gang members and other violent and habitual felony offenders to the full extent of the law. We also need to start prosecuting white-collar crimes and those who prey on the elderly.

We also need to get drug treatment to those in need. If someone is arrested for a battery with no injuries and is never convicted of any crime, they are forever barred from getting in our drug court. However, if someone has been convicted of numerous felonies, such as burglary or grand theft, they are eligible to get into drug court in the future. That makes no sense and must change.

What changes need to be made in the State Attorney’s Office?
We need to have a local prosecutor handle all prosecutions of gang members under the RICO statute. Right now there are far too few gang members prosecuted under RICO. Assistant statewide prosecutors have tried five cases over the past five years, and two of those cases were reversed. We need an experienced prosecutor handling these cases, not prosecutors learning on the job.

Out of 20 circuits in Florida, our circuit (ranks) No. 18 in felony trial convictions. That is pathetic. However, in DUI trials, the conviction rate over the past two-and-a-half years is only 44%. These prosecutors need proper training in how to win trials.

What cuts would you make if budgeting requires it?
Stop paying secretaries $83,000 or more a year. This is more than most of the attorneys and has created a serious morale problem in that office.

We also need to have all supervisors handle case loads. Many supervisors now make well more than $100,000 a year, and they handle few, if any, cases. This will open the way for prosecutors specializing in white-collar, gang, elder abuse and drug-distribution cases.

What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?
Our current state attorney, Earl Moreland, was both a prosecutor and defense attorney before becoming state attorney.

Having extensive experience on both sides of the criminal justice system has made me a better lawyer and will make me a better state attorney. I have done more than 200 jury trials, and I am the only candidate with experience in running a business, my law firm. I had a 100% trial conviction rate in murders and sex crimes.

I authorized Florida Statute 92.565, which closed a legal loophole which was allowing confessed sexual offenders to escape prosecution. The law passed unanimously in the Florida House and Senate and was signed into law by Gov. Jeb Bush. Because of this law, hundreds of confessed molesters have been successfully prosecuted and gone to prison instead of staying on our streets molesting countless other women and children.

John Torraco
Age: 41
Family: Single
Hometown: Franklin Lakes, N.J.
Education: Graduate of Georgetown University Law Center
If you could meet anyone dead or live, who would it be: Abraham Lincoln
Who is your favorite author: Mark Twain
Party affiliation: Democrat
Website: vote4torraco.com

What would be your top priorities if elected?
First, the State Attorney’s Office must regain the trust and faith of the people of Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties that it serves through transparency and efficiency. We need to increase prosecutorial focus on high-level violent crimes and public safety, while reducing the costly recidivism rate and eliminating the waste of taxpayers’ money. All budgetary expenditures will be transparent and posted online. Starting with my position, all prosecutors and staff will be held to the highest ethical and professional standards. All cases will be properly prosecuted, evidence-driven and well prepared. We will efficiently seek prompt adjudication through enhanced training, mentoring and in court supervision. We will begin a true open-door policy with opposing counsel to facilitate just and expeditious case resolution that would dramatically reduce taxpayers’ expense.

What changes need to be made in the State Attorney’s Office?
The current office has many dedicated and capable prosecutors and staff. However, all taxpayers are owed greater cost efficiency and all crime victims are owed greater prosecution effectiveness. The office will start conducting evaluations for all employees on a semiannual basis that will be transparent and posted online. Further, with offices encompassing the large geographical areas of Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties, it is crucial that the offices be technologically current, connected and integrated.Implementation of inexpensive, modern and readily available technologies will not only be cost-effective and save money, but will eliminate critical errors that have been especially costly to crime victims and have reduced the overall public safety.

What cuts would you make if budgeting requires it?
The office currently has 182 employees. Roughly a dozen employees make up 20% of the $8.5 million salary budget. Further, these dozen employees are not assigned a criminal case load, nor do they regularly appear in court and try criminal cases. This is not an acceptable use of taxpayers’ hard-earned money. If elected, these employees, as well as myself, will be assigned our own case load, will regularly appear and try criminal cases. In addition, the first budget cut will start with my position; I will not accept a full salary my first year in office, and I will eliminate the wasteful current annual state attorney automobile expenditure. Further, the State Attorney’s Office will have the same accountability and efficiency as a private sector law firm. The people, voters and taxpayers of Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties will get the maximum value for their hard-earned money.

What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?
My work ethic, independence and integrity. My allegiance is to the law, the Florida constitution and the U.S. Constitution. I will honor the responsibility of this position, which is to seek true justice, as I am beholden only to the people of Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties that I may have the privilege to represent. I have made the choice to run to end government waste and bring true accountability and efficiency to the State Attorney’s Office.

Any other thoughts or comments?
I am seeking the position of state attorney to more efficiently combat crime in our community and create a safer place for all community members to live. Government agencies frequently need a new perspective to eliminate inefficient practices that develop over time. If elected, I can bring the needed perspective from the private sector to the State Attorney’s Office to both reduce crime and the cost to the taxpayers. I respectfully ask all the voters of Sarasota, Manatee and Desoto counties to review my qualifications at vote4torraco.com and for their vote in the general election Nov. 6.

Manatee County Sheriff

In the race for sheriff, 46-year-old Bill Waldron, of Bradenton, is challenging incumbent Brad Steube, who has served as sheriff since 2007.

Waldron is a retired detective with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. He retired in 2010 to pursue other opportunities and to prepare for the 2012 campaign.

Waldron’s work in law enforcement and public service includes time in the U.S. Army Military Police and the Army National Guard Military Police, as well as time as a firefighter and EMT. He worked in the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for more than 11 years as a patrol deputy and detective.

Steube’s career in law enforcement began in 1976 with the Longboat Key Police Department. He joined the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office in February 1978 and has commanded the special weapons and tactics team and narcotics and vice unit during his tenure, among other accomplishments.

W. Brad Steube
Age: 57
Family: Wife, Debbie; son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Jen; son and daughter-in-law, Grant and Julia; grandson, Ethan.
Hometown: Born in Cincinnati. Has lived in Manatee County since the age of 7.
Education: Graduate of Manatee High School. Graduate of Manatee Community College with an associate’s of science degree in criminal justice. Graduate of the FBI National Academy, University of Virginia
Relevant experience: See question No. 4.
Favorite author: James Patterson
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Gen. Hugh Shelton
Website: bradsteube.com

What would be your top priorities if elected?
A.) Crime. I will continue our aggressive enforcement of the statutes related to illegal drugs and gangs. We will continue to work with the state attorney’s office to identify the career criminals and, once arrested, focus on keeping them in jail. It is also important to work with federal agencies, which allows us to take those criminals who reach established thresholds into the federal system and also leads to longer prison sentences. Last, we will continue to work with our citizens to foster the relationships needed to work toward a safer community.

B.) Retention of personnel/compensation. Since January 2011, we have had 40 resignations and 15 retirements. Of those 40 resignations, four went to the Tampa Police Department and two went to the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office for more money. I have provided the (Manatee) County Commission with information for the last five years that outlines our salaries as compared to 14 other law-enforcement agencies in this area. Our entry-level pay now ranks last. I have deputies who started four years ago making the same money as those who start today.

C.) Staffing. According to our recent staffing study, we are 50 deputies short in the patrol division. We respond to more than 850 calls for service a day, which virtually leaves no time for preventative patrol, because the deputies go from call to call. That same staffing study shows that we are 75 deputies short in the jail. The facility was built in 1995, and the Department of Corrections recommended that there be 219 certified corrections deputies for staffing. Today, we have 218 deputies. Obviously, the daily inmate population has increased since 1995.

Should deputies be getting paid more, and, if so, should the sheriff’s funding be increased for that or should the department find other ways to handle raises?
Yes, our deputies should be paid more. Our deputies deserve a competitive salary. On May 31, I presented my budget to the (Manatee) County Commission. I presented a budget that is $345,993 less than my current operating budget, totaling $92,085,451.

At the conclusion of that presentation, I gave the information on our salaries as it compares with 14 surrounding agencies. This information, related to starting pay and compression issues, is the same that I have presented the last four years. To bring our salaries to a competitive range in 2009 it would have taken $3.6 million, last year $4.8 million and this year $5.5 million.

Eighty-five-and-a-half percent of my budget is associated with personnel expenses, 12.7% is for operating expenses and the remaining 1.8% is for capitol expenses. In 2009 my budget was $97 million. Since 2009 I have continued to cut the budget, proposing $92,085,451 this year. It is the County Commission’s responsibility to provide adequate funding to the sheriff’s office.

Are sheriff’s resources allocated correctly or would you realign them? If so, where?
Our resources are allocated correctly. We are a full-service law-enforcement agency that provides services in the unincorporated area of Manatee County to 256,061 citizens within 720 square miles. The sheriff’s office has the enforcement bureau, investigative bureau, corrections bureau and the administrative bureau. We have 479 certified law-enforcement deputies, 218 certified corrections deputies and 376 civilian employees.

We are responsible for the care and custody of more than 1,000 inmates per day, for the security of the courtrooms and the judicial center and the waterways that border our county. In addition, we provide transportation of those arrested in the county to the jail. We also operate a juvenile booking facility, which processes the youths who are arrested in Manatee and Desoto counties.

The police departments located within Manatee County request our assistance in a variety of ways, from utilizing additional manpower, our aviation unit, our K-9 unit, our mounted unit, our marine unit and our special teams, just to name a few.

What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?
I have worked in law enforcement since 1976. I have been at the Sheriff’s Office since February 1978 and have held the rank of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and colonel. I was appointed sheriff in April 2007 and have served in that capacity for five years. I have an (associate’s of science) degree in criminal justice; more than 2,200 hours of specialized education in studies related to the law-enforcement field, and I am a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute.

I have supervised, mentored, counseled and guided employees for nearly 30 years. I have 17 years of experience as a member and commander of the special weapons and tactical team and eight years of experience as a member and commander of the narcotics and vice unit at the sheriff’s office. I am the Region 6 chair for the Attorney General’s Gang Reduction Task Force and the vice chair of the Region 6 Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) Task Force. I am a member of the FSA training committee and nominating committee. I have experience in creating multi-million-dollar budgets and operating an organization with more than 1,100 employees.

Bill Waldron
Age: 46
Family: I have a son who is 23, and my mother and grandmother also live in Bradenton.
Hometown: South Bend, Ind.
Education: High school graduate of Penn High School, in Mishawaka, Ind. I have some college and have attended three police academies in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. I attended and graduated from the Florida State Fire College in 1988 and have more than 24 hours of continuous law-enforcement training and certifications.

Relevant experience: Twenty years in law enforcement with 11 years, four months with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy to include nine-and-a-half years as homicide and violent crimes detective. Six-and-a-half years with hostage negotiations team and team leader and emergency services disaster responder. Veteran of the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. Domestic violence coordinator for the state attorney’s office in Pasco County. More than four years as a full-time and volunteer firefighter/EMT/911 dispatcher in Florida, Tennessee and Indiana.

Favorite author: Michael Connelly
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Gen. George S. Patton Jr.
Website: http://waldron4sheriff.com

What would be your top priorities if elected?
I would evaluate the operations at the Manatee County Jail and Farm for better efficiency and accountability, (use) community policing initiatives to establish better communications with all citizens, improve morale of employees and implement a structured pay scale for deputies below the rank of sergeant.

Should deputies be getting paid more and, if so, should the sheriff’s funding be increased for that or should the department find other ways to handle raises?
Deputies below the rank of sergeant should have a structured pay scale that would give pay increases through a step plan every two years. Before a funding increase is considered, I would look at ways to cut certain expenditures to fund a pay increase.

Are sheriff’s resources allocated correctly or would you realign them? If so, where?
Current operations need to be aligned for increased service and efficiency. I would realign the patrol division, assigning detectives to the three patrol districts under the supervision of the district captains and create a street-crimes unit comprised of gang investigators and narcotics and criminal investigators to target specific problems and crime trends.

What makes you a better candidate than your opponent?
Having recently worked in the investigative division, I have a better understanding of crimes and proven investigative techniques. I will have a hands-on approach to policing, relying on the experience of personnel and proven methods while understanding the needs of the community through better communication and community policing.