1) What is the primary role of the County Sheriff?

Larry Ashley: The primary role of a Florida Sheriff is to support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the State of Florida and the Government of the United States of America. This role is fulfilled by ensuring the fair and equal enforcement and administration of the law, safeguarding civil liberties and preserving public safety; Doing so with professionalism and while being good stewards of the public's trust. The Sheriff's must determine the public safety needs and requirements of the county and then allocate the available resources effectively to provide for the safety of our citizens and visitors alike. Ensuring the fair, unbiased * Tony Taylor: My primary role is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic. More specifically stated, to protect the Constitutional rights of every American citizen within my jurisdiction to live as freely as possible as intended by the framers of the Constitution. This responsibility includes ensuring that the citizens are free from criminal assault and protecting individual freedoms from oppressive forces. Sheridan Lowrey: Chief Conservator of Peace and protector of citizens constitutional rights. LPOC Opinion: The Sheriff is the most prominent public example of the rule of law and the first line of defense of individual rights in the county. The Sheriff must be the prime example of law abiding conduct and above reproach. The Sheriff, as an elected official and by being on the cutting edge of events as they happen, is also the first person to ensure that citizens control their government rather than government abusing its citizens.

The Libertarian Voters Guide

3 August 2012
This guide contains questions for candidates for Sheriff of Okaloosa County, Florida. The candidates for Sheriff as of 3 August 2012 are Larry Ashley (incumbent), Sheridan Lowrey, Steve Menchel, and Tony Taylor. The questions proposed in this guide were created by the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County. The answers are exactly as they were presented to the LPOC. They are presented as a public service to the voters. Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 650 characters including spaces. If they submitted an answer greater than 650 characters, only the first 650 were published (indicated by *). LPOC comments on any one question are also limited to 650 characters. The candidates were asked to respond by 1 August. Steven Menchel did respond to our questions, but they were unfortunately received after the deadline and thus are not included.

In pursuit of individual rights, free markets, and limited government, The Executive Committee of the LPOC
Help us in our fight for a better Okaloosa. Send donations to: Pd. Pol. Adv. By The Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County, P.O. Box 483, Shalimar, Florida 32579-0483, www.libertarianpoc.org,

2) What is your first priority upon taking office as Sheriff?

Larry Ashley: Keeping our residents and vistors safe in spite of poor economic conditions will be my top priority. Okaloosa County has spent thousands of dollars conducting surveys regarding government services and priorities. In every instance, our citizens have stated that "Public Safety" is local government's primary responsibility and the one most important to them. I would go one step further in stating that law enforcement helps provide the safe environment necessary for economic growth and prosperity to occur. My first priority will be to continue ensuring that your sheriff's office is fully prepared and capable of responding to the public safety * Tony Taylor: I have three, reorganize the Agency for maximum efficiency, organize a coalition between myself and all other law enforcement executives in Okaloosa County and initiate a multi-jurisdictional major case investigation bureau. Reorganization eliminates unnecessary rank and places the resources where most needed, in the field. Organizing law enforcement executives will facilitate the delivery of public safety services countywide. The major case investigations bureau will be comprised of all Okaloosa County law enforcement agencies, which will facilitate more efficient and effective criminal investigative services to the entire community. Sheridan Lowrey: Ensuring citizens civil liberties are protected & terminating every employee who took unearnedunlawful bonuses from Morris LPOC Opinion: The first priority must be to restore trust in the integrity of the local law enforcement community. This begins by setting a standard of no tolerance for corruption. Handin-hand with this concept, the Sheriff must make it known that the Office of Sheriff is not there to merely enforce every law presented to it, but to be a co-participant in defending individual rights.

must have the ability to respond with speedy and deliberate actions to counter these continued threats. National Security Letters enable that quick and deliberate * Tony Taylor: Absolutely not. The fourth amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantees American citizens the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. It requires the issuance of search warrants based on probable cause approved by a judge. This amendment was ratified due to arbitrary governmental seizure of personal property. The erosion of this fundamental right undermines the fabric of the freedoms upon which this Country was founded. I have a tremendous amount of experience in dealing with fourth amendment searches and seizures. Therefore, I appreciate and treasure this right for all citizens. Sheridan Lowrey: No, they are unconstitutional. LPOC Opinion: No. As Judge Andrew Napolitano said, the National Security Letter is no different than the Writs of Assistance British soldiers wrote for themselves to search American homes without evidence leading to the revolution. A republic cannot survive if searches are legally conducted in secret. A republic cannot survive if a person cannot even say he is being searched without going to jail. It is breeding ground for illicit government behavior, a potent source of corruption, and unconstitutional.

4) Would you be in favor of roadside checkpoints to randomly check persons for driving while intoxicated (DUI), scan all vehicles for contraband using x-ray technology, or search all vehicles for illegal immigrants?
Larry Ashley: Sobriety checkpoints are often used as part of a comprehensive law enforcement strategy aimed at deterring alcohol-impaired driving & they have been proven to be effective towards that end. Impaired drivers kill innocent people and make our roadways unsafe for all citizens. I support these initiatives providing they are fairly administered and the criteria used to conduct checks is truly random and impartial, i.e., every 5th car, versus every red sports car. I do not however support or advocate the use of technologies that circumvent the expectations of privacy guaranteed by our constitution. We typically enjoy an expectation of privacy in our * Tony Taylor: I am in favor of roadside checkpoints to detect individuals driving under the influences of alcohol and/or controlled substances. If done properly and under strict guidelines as established by the judiciary these checkpoints are a valuable tool and deterrent that saves lives and enhances public safety. I do not support arbitrarily scanning vehicles using x-ray technology; nor do I support arbitrary vehicle searches for illegal aliens absent probable cause. Both of these latter types of searches would potentially violate the fourth amendment protections of American citizens against

3) Would you support the execution of a National Security Letter, if presented to you, which allows searches without the review or consent of a judge, or the knowledge of the person being searched?
Larry Ashley: Yes, I will if necessary support the execution of National Security Letters in Okaloosa County. My careful review of Title 18, Chapter 121 of the United States Code leaves me convinced that sufficient restrictions and oversight exist and govern the circumstances under which a National Security Letter can be lawfully executed. The unprecedented threat imposed by radical terrorist elements was clearly demonstrated on 11 September 2001. US intelligence and law enforcement agencies

unreasonable searches and seizures. Sheridan Lowrey: No! LPOC Opinion: No, criminality should be determined by actions, not by potential actions. Any search that is blanket in nature, such as DUI, x-ray or illegal alien checkpoints, leads to government excess, and should be opposed. Checkpoints on roads, not backed by the presentation of evidence beforehand or by probable cause, will spread the use of random searches in general at the expense of liberty. If law enforcement may legally search you simply for using the public roads, what is to stop them from legally doing so when you are at the store, or at home? Eventually, being secure in ones own person will become a meaningless phrase.

6) Are you in favor of the county policy to allow Sheriffs Deputies to moonlight as security guards in the county uniform, responsible to enforce the law as if they were on regular duty, but in the employ of a private company?
Larry Ashley: Absolutely! I support off duty details which provide added security and protections to area businesses and enable deputies to supplement their income. These off duty deputies also act as force multipliers which make more officers available for service at a moment's notice. Based on our current pay scale, the average deputy, with a family of four, falls below the poverty line on the income scale. In addition, this is not just a county policy as Florida State Statute 30.2905 also establishes provisions for private businesses to contract for employment of off-duty law enforcement officers for security services. I have no reason to oppose any * Tony Taylor: I am in favor of maintaining the off duty employment program. My responsibility as the Sheriff is to utilize Agency resources to provide maximum protection and services to the community. The off-duty employment program provides additional deputies in the field at specific locations that require enhanced services beyond routine patrol functions. The merchant requiring these enhanced services directly compensates the deputy at no expense to the taxpayers. A portion of the hourly rate remands to the Sheriffs Department to cover the costs associated with utilization of issued equipment. Sheridan Lowrey: No, I would terminate that policy! LPOC Opinion: No - Deputies are servants of all the public. If in their free time they decide to be a security guard, and employ their law enforcement training to maintain the good order of crowds and traffic, then they should be permitted, but without the support, trappings and law enforcement duties of the County. To do otherwise sets in motion a dynamic where law enforcement is sold to the highest bidder. It is a mild form of favoritism by government to private firms. It corrupts both the government and the free market, and leads to a slow rot in public trust.

5) Do you think illegal immigrants should have the rights of the constitution?
Larry Ashley: Illegal aliens already enjoy the due process protections afforded to all people under our Constitution. Illegal aliens however do not have the right to vote, possess firearms, and other provisions guaranteed our citizens by the constitution. I have talked with legal immigrants who abided by our laws and followed the immigration rules of our country to gain their citizenship. They agree, that illegal immigrants having all the same rights enjoyed by our citizens and legal immigrants, severely diminishes the value of our rights and serves to dissuade others from following the law and seeking citizenship or immigration lawfully. Our rights and * Tony Taylor: I believe that only the most basic human rights should be extended to illegal immigrants, those rights that protect life and liberty. The Constitution of the United States is unique to our country and American citizens. In order to enjoy all the rights and privileges afforded citizens by the Constitution, citizenship should be required. Sheridan Lowrey: No! LPOC Opinion: Yes. The Constitution is based on the inherent rights of men, not the privileges of nationalities. All humans, regardless of nationality, have natural rights that should be respected. In the United States we are increasingly using special laws to give due process to "specially selected" categories of people, such as terrorists [enemy combatants], minorities [hate crimes], and foreigners [illegal immigrants]. This harms all people in America because whenever the law is applied by a standard other than the criminal behavior of the accused, it means the law is being applied for reasons other than determining justice.

7) Do you believe it is better to let 10 guilty men go free than for one innocent man to be in prison?
Larry Ashley: Yes, I believe in this principle without reservation! During my many years as a law enforcement officer this has been one of the guiding principles which have governed my actions. I have never arrested an individual whom I did not believe and have probable cause to believe was guilty of a crime and whose guilt was not supported by the evidence. I have made hundreds of arrests in my career and I take very seriously the enormous responsibility associated with depriving someone of their personal freedoms through arrest. As Sheriff I will ensure that law enforcement arrest

powers are not haphazardly invoked. Tony Taylor: I do agree with the notion at face value. As convoluted as it seems sometimes, the United States has the best system of justice in the history of the world. The Constitution guarantees every citizen inalienable rights against persecution and protection from malicious prosecution. The burden of proof and rules of evidence always err on the side of caution and in favor of a citizens rights. The system is not perfect and from time to time, incarcerates an innocent man. Fortunately, advances in technology have reduced this. Unfortunately, the legal process of freeing an innocent individual after conviction is bureaucratic and lengthy. Sheridan Lowrey: Yes LPOC Opinion Yes. This saying speaks about the power of government. Government does not grant us our rights or our freedom. That is a birthright. Government is to protect our individual rights, and an exacting attention to that will lead to circumstances where the guilty are sometimes let free for the ultimate protection of all the innocent. The thought that there should be acceptable losses (an innocent man suffering the life shattering consequences of false imprisonment) in the justice system is unacceptable on its face. It cannot be otherwise if we are to have a country where government rules with the consent of the governed.

Sheridan Lowrey: Yes! LPOC Opinion: The Second Amendment is clear on its face and says shall not be infringed. The government cannot grant a right it does not first possess and one does not need a permit to exercise a right. Lawful self-defense is an unalienable right that flows from each persons unalienable right to life and therefore Constitutional Carry is the right of all adults in The United States and should be recognized by the State of Florida and its municipalities.

9) An electrician, plumber, accountant, attorney or physician is held to a higher standard in performance of their job than an ordinary citizen who performs the same task, both criminally and civilly. Should law enforcement officers be held to a higher standard of performance, including their decisions to use force, than an ordinary citizen, including possible criminal sanction?
Larry Ashley: The question is based on the faulty premise that law enforcement officers are not already held to higher standards of performance and moral character. The following excerpt from Florida State Statute 943 addresses some of the duties of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, and clearly establishes that law enforcement officers are held to higher professional and ethical standards than are most other professions or vocations: "Upon a finding by the commission that a certified officer has not maintained good moral character, the definition of which has been adopted by rule and is established as a statewide standard, as required * Tony Taylor: Law enforcement officers should adhere to much higher standards than the citizenry should. The ability to seize an individuals freedom must be kept in check to prohibit abuses of this authority. The accreditation of law enforcement agencies is paramount to establish and maintain higher standards for law enforcement. I am the only candidate with accreditation management experience. Strong leadership and agency culture determines individual action accountability and acceptability. Criminal sanctions are in place through federal civil rights laws for malicious abuses of authority under color of law. Sheridan Lowrey: Yes LPOC Opinion A law enforcement officer has the permission of government to use force in the execution of their duties. They receive significant training and are considered professionals in their field. When they commit errors of judgment or use force when other alternatives are available to them and that results in innocent civilians being harmed they must be held to a higher, or at minimum, equal standard of care as that of an ordinary citizen, both civilly and criminally.

8) Do you support and will you make efforts to have enacted in Florida Constitutional Carry, the right of the people to carry weapons either concealed or openly upon their person without a permit, for any lawful purpose including but not limited to selfdefense?
Larry Ashley: I have and will continue to support the rights of "eligible" citizens to exercise their right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the 2nd amendment to our constitution. I have also addressed concerns about what I believe are ambiguous and insufficient training requirements for the proposed open carrying of firearms in the public square. Individuals with little or no experience in handling firearms can currently complete a non defined training course and are considered "trained" based on the current statutory requirements. I believe that training which teaches the principles of target acquisition, weapon retention, cover, concealment and * Tony Taylor: I do not believe that anyone in law enforcement should have the power to influence or enact legislation of any kind. To do so would violate the designing principles of our three-branch system of government, principally to prohibit the corruption inherent with absolute power. The potential for corruption increases exponentially when the powers to legislate and enforce laws are comingled, Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I am in full support of every qualified American citizens second amendment right to keep and bear arms, both concealed and in open carry.

10) The Transportation Security Administration performs acts in this County that are violations of Florida law (lewd and lascivious molestation, battery and sexual battery). Will you use the power of your office to arrest TSA personnel committing these crimes within the State of Florida?
Larry Ashley: The unprecedented threat imposed by radical terrorist elements was clearly demonstrated on 11 September 2001. Accordingly in order to mitigate these real and imminent threats the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are required to impose extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of the traveling public. These measures include the use of x-ray technologies and physical pat downs of passengers to ensure they do not pose a threat to other travelers. I also believe air travel is a choice, not a right, and therefore anyone choosing to travel on public transportation systems must be willing to * Tony Taylor: The Transportation Security Administration operates at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport and within the primary jurisdiction of the Airport Police. The crimes mentioned in this question are serious and physically and emotionally damaging to the victims. As the Sheriff of Okaloosa County, I will ensure that all crimes coming to the attention of the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Department are thoroughly investigated, regardless of the status or employment of the perpetrator. Sheridan Lowrey: Yes. LPOC Opinion: The 4th Amendment recognizes that the people have the right to be secure in their persons and effects and are to be subjected to search only after a warrant, signed by a judge, has issued. Lewd and lascivious molestation, battery and sexual battery do not become legitimate acts when performed by government agents, nor is there an implied consent to search simply because people travel. Air travel, even including 9/11, has a risk of serious injury or death approximately equal to that of being struck by lightning; you are 150 times more likely to die in an auto accident than a plane crash from all causes, including terrorism.

Tony Taylor: As previously stated I intend to initiate a major case investigations bureau. Within this bureau will be a unit specifically trained and tasked with the investigation of white-collar crimes (financial fraud among others) and public corruption. At present local law enforcement is reacting to the inadvertent discovery of these types of crimes. This posture tends to extend tacit approval as long as this criminal activity remains undiscovered. The white collar/corruption unit will proactively focus specifically on detecting, investigating, apprehending and prosecuting these perpetrators. Sheridan Lowrey: As a licensed Real Estate & Mortgage Broker for almost 24 years, I am the only candidate that truly knows the willful and criminal fraud committed upon property owners by financial corporations. I will deputize 10 non-paid-financial expert posse investigators to begin criminal fraud investigations for bogus affidavits filed in foreclosure actions and arrests will be made within 90 days of being sworn in! Unlawful writs of eviction from foreclosure will end. LPOC Opinion: America is in the throes of massive financial fraud. This fraud comes in many forms, including fraudulent foreclosures, perjured documents, fraudulent mortgages and investment swindles of all sorts, from the complex (e.g. Madoff) to the simple. Apprehending financial criminals falls under the responsibility of the Sheriff, and all must be treated as the serious offenses against persons that they are. If the victims are in Okaloosa County and the offense takes place in this county, then they should be investigated, the perpetrator(s) identified and arrested, and the case turned over to the States Attorney for prosecution.

11) The United States is suffering from repeated revelations of massive financial fraud. What actions, if any, will you take upon

being elected Sheriff about financial fraud?

Larry Ashley: One of the first things that I accomplished as Sheriff was the establishment of a "Mortgage Fraud and White Collar Crime Task Force" in partnership with the FBI. That Task Force has produced a number of high profile indictments, arrest, and prosecutions related to mortgage frauds and scams. I can only assume through previous conversations with your group that you reference the re-sale of mortgages and the non-payment of fees and charges associated with recording these transactions. The Okaloosa County Clerk of Courts has joined numerous other counties in the State of Florida in seeking a legal opinion and judicial review as to whether or not *