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News :: Crime & Police |
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Police Union Criticizes Sheriff's Campaign Ad |
Current rating: -1 |
by NWF PBA
Email: webmaster (nospam) nwfpba.org |
28 Oct 2004
Modified: 06:09:40 PM |
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Pensacola, FL October 26, 2004 – The Northwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association is criticizing Escambia County Sheriff Ron McNesby for his recent campaign ad involving the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan.
“It’s appalling to see the Escambia County Sheriff trying to capitalize on the misery of others”, said Michael Kunert, President of the union that represents the deputies, corrections officers, and employees of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. “Most of us have suffered in one way or another as a result of Hurricane Ivan. Some people lost loved ones during this storm and a month later he is out there staging his concern.”
The campaign ad, which aired this past week, shows the current sheriff getting out of his truck, which he parks on the beach, and walking over to survey a damaged building. The voice-over on the campaign ad suggests that it was McNesby’s ‘calm during the storm’ that got the residence through the trying time. “Officers working eighteen to twenty days straight, anywhere from twelve to twenty hours a day, functioning on very little rest, is what helped get us through this, not one man who sought out the glory of the spotlight”, said Kunert.
Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key are barrier islands for Escambia County which were devastated by Hurricane Ivan’s high winds and storm surge. Residents of the barrier islands were kept from their homes while security assessments on the islands were conducted. Even after the residents were allowed onto the islands, controversy surrounding the limited access surfaced. Added Kunert, “I’m sure it’s disturbing to the residents of Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key to know that while they are having difficulty getting to their homes, the Sheriff was allowing a film crew out there to film his campaign ad”. |
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