Public Defender Race

[chrisv]

I haven't seen or heard much about this race at all (other than some campaign signs) until I read this article in the Pensacola Independent News. It's an office that has been held by one man, Jack Behr, since 1976. He has run unopposed ever since, but is not running again this year. This lack of opposition is best summed up, I think, with the following from the article:

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]"The public defender does not have a whole lot of issues to run on," he says. "What are you going to tell the public? I'm going to get more people off?"[/FONT]

 

[wrobert]

You do read a lot of newspapers. I have met James Owens. He has been to Walton County to speak on more than one occasion. The employees in the local PD office as well as several attorneys that I know that work with the PD office when there is a conflict or too much workload are all endorsing him. But that race will be won or lost in Pensacola due to the sheer number of voters.

 

[chrisv]

You're right about Escambia and Santa Rosa deciding the race, but it's good to know Owens is supported locally.

I pick up the PIN, hard-copy, at the hospitals in P'Cola. This was my first visit to their site.

 

[graytonbeachguy]

Tony Henderson is the best candidate in this race.

I know Tony personally and feel confident he can protect the rights of the most down-trodden while keeping the office efficient and cost-effective.

It is easy to feel like the poor folks who need the public defender are lucky to have anyone to represent them for free, but....

A true conservative recognizes that a government bent on expanding its power first seeks to do so against the most powerless. First the poor, then work up the ladder to those with a bit more means, then it exercises more power over everyone. The PD's office stands as a critical bulwark against government power.

As the saying goes (forgive my accuracy): First they came for the poor, and I said nothing. Then they came for the weak, and again I said nothing. Then they came for those who were different, and again I said nothing. Then, they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me." (Or something like that.)

The expansion of government power is incremental and a war of attrition against its own citizens. Beware of the defenselessness of the weakest. It is the first step in coming for you. I know it sounds conspiratorial, but it is a political fact.

Check out Tony Henderson. In a year of Barack Obama, I think he has a chance! I have contributed money to his campaign and, even though I know James Owens well, I will vote for Tony!

 

[mdd88jd]

I know James Owens personally and he is a great guy who would do a wonderful job as the Public Defender. However, I also am familiar with the remaining two candidates. Thy are also well qualified, honest, hard working public servants dedicated to the Public Defender's office. This is one race where you truly cannot go wrong....

 

[westsidetrash]

The Escambia County Public Defender's office and Jack Behr are endorsing Kelly Richards. She has worked in the office for over 20 years, unlike the other opponents. At the candidate forum, it was evident that Kelly wished to keep working relationships with the employees in the office as well as with the Sheriff's office and the Office of the State Attorney. Owen made it clear that he wanted to make big, expensive changes involving firing winning attorneys that do not support him. Either the employees support him, or they will be fired if he is elected. His speech made him sound arrogant and like he has an insatiable need for control. He is certainly someone who does not need to hold a political office.

 

[Smiling JOe]

James Owens was the only candidate in that race to speak at the Meet the Candidates forum in Freeport. He put me to sleep talking about the historical aspect of this race.

 

[WCcitizens]

westside trash go back to Pensacola

The Escambia County Public Defender's office and Jack Behr are endorsing Kelly Richards. She has worked in the office for over 20 years, unlike the other opponents. At the candidate forum, it was evident that Kelly wished to keep working relationships with the employees in the office as well as with the Sheriff's office and the Office of the State Attorney. Owen made it clear that he wanted to make big, expensive changes involving firing winning attorneys that do not support him. Either the employees support him, or they will be fired if he is elected. His speech made him sound arrogant and like he has an insatiable need for control. He is certainly someone who does not need to hold a political office.

Are you one of the employees of the Pensacola Office?

 

[westsidetrash]

Are you one of the employees of the Pensacola Office?

I work in law enforcement. ECSO

 

[DuneLaker]

Kelly Richards has appeared at several functions I've been at. Glad to see the effort to come to Walton County and campaign from Pensacola.