Sheriff candidates: ''Black people support me''
Are the candidates for Broward sheriff soon going to be shouting ''I love black people!!!'' like Tom Cruise's character in the movie Jerry Maguire?
Democratic sheriff candidate Scott Israel's campaign sent a press release today announcing that Congressmen Alcee Hastings and Kendrick Meek have endorsed him. He also announced the ''opening of an additional campaign office in the heart of the black community.''
Israel's campaign is now sharing digs with African-American legislative candidates Chris Smith and Perry Thurston in the northwest section of Fort Lauderdale.
After losing the black vote in the primary to a black candidate, Israel is trying to capitalize on the large Democratic black voter turnout expected for Barack Obama.
Israel, and opponent Republican Sheriff Al Lamberti, are both white. Both candidates have held press conferences at the African-American Library in Fort Lauderdale to introduce their supporters in the black community. More black elected officials -- who share Israel's party affiliation -- have endorsed the Democrat.
Israel hammered Lamberti for appointing an eight member all-white male transition team when Gov. Charlie Crist appointed him as sheriff last year.
It's tough to compare employee statistics between BSO and Israel's former employer North Bay Village because of their vastly different size: BSO has more than 6,000 employees while North Bay Village has about 40.
Here are the hiring statistics at both departments while Lamberti and Israel were at the helm according to both departments:
*About 60 percent of hires at BSO -- or more than 200 -- have been minorities.
* Five of eight individuals hired or sent to the academy by North Bay Village were minorities.
Why is Amy Sherman hiding the truth about Scott Israel? He lies about being Jewish...he won't release his files that show he shoots and black men..and he was caught shoplifting...and this guy is going to enforce laws? Who besides Ms Sherman is going to respect him?
Posted by: Heywood Jablomie | October 25, 2008 at 08:44 AM