Well, I Lost

After a year-long campaign, I am coming to terms with the fact that I will not serve as the Public Defender for the 12th Judicial Circuit. I congratulate Larry Eger on his victory and I wish him and the office well. I won't lie, it was a very tough week, and perhaps I will write more about that in the future. At this point I want to thank everyone who played a role in my campaign. As soon as you start naming people you run the risk of forgetting somebody important. But for starters, I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. I received 5,132 votes in DeSoto County, 65,345 votes in Manatee County, and 97,052 votes in Sarasota County. I very much appreciate the trust and confidence that I received from these voters. Several hundred people also made financial contributions to my campaign. Whether you contributed five dollars or five hundred dollars, I really appreciate this tangible show of support.

I would like to thank the Democratic Executive Committees in DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties for all of the assistance you provided. I also want to thank the North Port Democratic Club, the Venice Democratic Club, the Englewood Democratic Club, the Sarasota Democratic Club, the Manatee Sarasota Black Caucus, the Longboat Key Democratic Club, the Island Democratic Club, the Southeast Manatee Democratic Club, the North River Democratic Club, and the Manatee Democratic Women's Club for all of the opportunities, volunteers, financial support and encouragement that you provided. I have many fond memories of all of the wonderful people that I encountered along the campaign trail and I hope to continue to see you all.

In particular, I must thank my treasurer Dottie Markley-Blizman. I don't think she had any idea of what a big job she was in for when she volunteered. Thank you also to Luis Trujillo, my outstanding graphics designer, for all of your patience and talent. And thanks to Colin Boyle, Lowell Gilbertson and Laura Gilkey for your assistance with my web page and internet campaign. Most of all, I must thank my wife, Regina Tebrugge, who gathered petitions, dug post-holes, stuffed envelopes, waved at cars, solicited voters and put up with my mood swings during the campaign.

As for my future the crystal ball is a bit cloudy. I hope to continue writing and perhaps will consolidate all of my blogs, this one, Homeless in Sarasota-Bradenton, and Sarasota Criminal Justice Reform. I will also continue to host my television program, "Law and Sarasota' at least for the near future. Regina and I are frugal and debt free and so I can stay retired from practicing law if I so choose. While I am disappointed at how the last chapter in my life concluded, I look forward to next one, whatever it may be.

Public Defender's Race as of Wednesday Morning

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION NIGHT RETURNS
(may not include absentee or provisional ballots)

Public Defender
Circuit 12

Larry Eger Adam Tebrugge

Desoto 4,228 5,131
Manatee 51,121 43,916
Sarasota 91,658 96,841
Total 147,007 145,888

% Votes 50.2% 49.8%

This November Please Remember

The long campaign is drawing to a close. A little over a year ago, I announced that I was running to be elected Public Defender for the 12th Judicial Circuit. I have traveled from Ellenton to Englewood and from Arcadia to Anna Maria Island. In fact, I was in Arcadia this morning greeting early voters in DeSoto County. My main message has been to describe the historic role of the Public Defender's Office and to request support solely based upon my qualifications for the job. Last week, over 300 people celebrated the legacy of Elliott Metcalfe, our present Public Defender, who has served this area for thirty-two years. Elliott provided leadership in the courtroom and the community. I am the candidate best positioned to continue this legacy.

My opponent, Larry Eger, is a friend of mine, but his message is entirely different. Larry sees the job only as that of an office manager. Although he stresses his administrative experience, during his tenure as assistant public defender, he has made no budgetary or employment decisions; these have all been the sole responsibility of Mr. Metcalfe. Larry, the nominee of the Republican party, successfully enlisted the endorsements of other elected Republicans, including the State Attorney and former sheriff Charlie Wells. He is now using these endorsements to pound a "law and order" message in television ads that ignore the mission of the office. Perhaps he believes that these ads will fool enough voters to propel him to victory, and maybe he is right. But do we really want to elect a Public Defender who is willing to mislead the electorate about the duties and responsibilities of the office he seeks to hold? Our responsibility is to provide high quality, cost effective legal representation to indigent citizens who are in jail or facing jail. What message is Larry sending to our clients?

In addition to the law and order message, Larry is running an e-mail ad that says "Experience Matters." I couldn't agree more, which is why I am asking for your vote. While Larry and I worked together for over twenty years, I was the only one who took the extra steps to become qualified to handle the death penalty cases in this area, and I performed this job with professionalism for over a decade. I am the one who took the extra steps to become board certified as a criminal trial attorney, which means that I can hold myself out as an expert in the field. And I have conducted legal training seminars across the State of Florida. For ten years I helped organize and teach the death penalty seminar that attorneys had to take to become qualified to handle those cases. But I also trained the young attorneys, fresh out of law school, and taught them how to investigate cases, question witnesses and introduce evidence.

As your Public Defender, I will work hard every day to build a world class office with an emphasis on professionalism. So this November, please remember, vote Adam Tebrugge, for Public Defender.

I Am Asking for Your Vote

Yesterday, October 20th, I went to all of the early voting locations in Sarasota County. At several places I witnessed long lines of voters waiting to cast their ballots. After you vote for President and Congress, the next vote you will be faced with in DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties, is for the Office of Public Defender. In Florida, the Public Defender is a constitutional office responsible for providing legal representation to indigent citizens. There are four offices in this circuit; small offices in Arcadia and Venice, and large offices in Bradenton and Sarasota. The attorneys of the Public Defender's Office defend thousands of cases each year.

After serving as an Assistant Public Defender for 23 years, I am now asking for your vote to become your elected Public Defender. In addition to running the office, hiring the staff, and managing the budget, I believe that the elected Public Defender must provide leadership in our local criminal justice system and in the communities that make up the circuit. I have developed relationships with every elected county commissioner throughout the three county area. These relationships mean that I will bring credibility to issues like jail overcrowding, early case resolution, and continued development of alternative sentencing programs like Drug Court and Mental Health Court.

I have also worked extensively with the Manatee and Sarasota branches of the NAACP and I am acutely aware of the problems of our poor areas in each county. Presently I am serving on the Board of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness and we are working on discharge planning from the jails to reduce recidivism. I have conducted my campaign by visiting neighborhood and civic associations throughout the region in order to hear citizen feedback on criminal justice issues. With my extensive experience in the courtroom and the community, I believe that I am uniquely positioned to make a positive contribution to our justice system.

I would respectfully request your vote when you cast your ballot for Public Defender.

Teaching and Training and Professionalism

Courtroom work is exhilarating and intense and requires hours of preparation. There is a unique skill set behind properly questioning witnesses, arguing points of law to the court, or persuading a jury to carefully examine the prosecution’s case. An experienced trial attorney can then mentor a younger attorney and teach them the legal ropes, but must also emphasize the concept of professionalism. In the practice of law we must always strive to emphasize ethical principles while vigorously defending our clients. Mentoring is necessary to teach a young attorney how to achieve this balance. My mentor was Jim Slater, an outstanding attorney and a true gentleman. Nobody worked harder than Jim to prepare a case, and no one was more widely respected for his behavior and his skill inside the courtroom.

Jim got me involved in the training of other attorneys. As a member (and later chair) of the Florida Public Defender’s death penalty steering committee, Jim was responsible for training attorneys to properly handle capital cases. In the early 1990’s, Jim asked me to work with him on the annual conference. I was responsible for kicking of the three-day seminar by presenting a comprehensive overview of Florida law and best practices. I found I had a natural affinity for teaching and I began to take any opportunity that was presented. Over the years, I have presented lectures or taught classes to lawyers, high school and college students, church and civic groups, and television audiences.

One of my favorite experiences was teaching Public Defender College. Law Schools train attorneys how to think about law, not how to conduct a jury trial. Public Defender Offices frequently hire young attorneys fresh out of law school. These attorneys must be trained in courtroom procedures as well as proper courtroom behavior. Popular television programs frequently glamorize flamboyant or outrageous tactics, but these are rarely successful in Florida courtrooms. In my experience, a jury can only be persuaded if they trust the source of the information. I train lawyers to be prepared, polite and to the point. A lawyer who develops a reputation for these skills will also be the most successful courtroom advocate for his or her clients.

Be sure to watch the SNN debate between Larry Eger and myself that will be broadcast this Wednesday, October 15th, at 7:00 p.m. on Comcast channel 6 in Sarasota.

I make my case in the Bradenton Herald

The Bradenton Herald is allowing candidates to publish a 500 word piece on why they should be elected. Here is what I submitted on behalf of my campaign to be elected your Public Defender.

In a Panama City courtroom in 1961, Clarence Gideon asked the judge to appoint him an attorney because he was too poor to hire one. The judge denied his request, Gideon had to represent himself, and he was found guilty and sentenced to prison. From his cell he sent a handwritten letter to the United States Supreme Court that changed the course of history. In 1963, that court unanimously ruled that poor defendants must be provided attorneys in criminal cases.

I discovered Gideon's story while attending New College, and decided I wanted to work at the Public Defender's Office. I excelled at the Florida State University College of Law and could have taken almost any private position in the State of Florida. But for the last 23 years, I have dedicated my career to providing high quality, cost effective representation to our poorest citizens.

This November, you will elect the next Public Defender of the 12th Judicial Circuit (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties). When you cast your vote in this election, please remember:

I am the only candidate who is qualified to prepare, litigate and supervise death penalty cases. These are the most complex and expensive cases in the system. Without a qualified attorney, a case might be overturned on appeal at great cost, or worse yet, result in wrongful conviction or execution.
I am the only candidate who is a board certified criminal trial attorney. This means I have tried enough cases, received recommendations from judges and other attorneys, and passed a difficult examination, qualifying me as a specialist in criminal law.
I am the only candidate with extensive experience training attorneys throughout the State of Florida. I have taught Public Defender College for lawyers fresh out of law school, and have conducted death penalty training for today's most experienced attorneys.
I am the only candidate who received the NAACP Freedom Award for Public Service, and the Jim Slater award for professionalism in the practice of criminal law.

My campaign message is "making justice work." I will do this by accomplishing specific goals during my term in office:

I will improve the quality of legal representation through enhanced training of our attorneys;
I will focus our staff on jail issues and seek early resolution of undisputed cases;
I will work with our Judges and the Clerk of the Courts to improve the administration of justice and ensure representation of only the truly indigent;
I will closely monitor costs to make better use of available funds, and be a voice for common sense on local criminal justice issues.
I believe that our Public Defender must provide leadership in the courtrooms and in the community. I have devoted my entire professional life to the Public Defender's Office and have worked hard to establish a solid record of preparation and professionalism. Now I need your help. "This November, Please Remember, Vote Adam Tebrugge, for Public Defender." For more information, please visit my website at www.Adam4pd.info.

Public Defender Debates

I debated my opponent Larry Eger three times within twenty-fours last week. On Tuesday, September 30, we arrived at the Bradenton Kiwanis expecting to make brief after-lunch remarks. I think we were both surprised to see lights, television cameras, timekeepers and formal questions. I really enjoyed this opportunity and Manatee Educational Television will be rebroadcasting this debate frequently between now and election day. METV can be found on Bright House channel 614 (Manatee County), Verizon channel 31 (Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties), or you can watch the debate on the web at www.metvweb.com where you can also find a schedule. For instance, the debate will be shown this Sunday, October 12 at 9:00 a.m.

The next morning Larry and I met up at the League of Women Voter's where we answered questions in front of about fifty people. As you can see from the photo above, Larry and I remain friendly and the debate was cordial and included a wide ranging discussion of our qualifications and vision for the Public Defender's Office. We then raced over to the SNN studio for our televised debate that will be shown on October 15 at 7:00 p.m on Comcast channel 6. Unfortunately we do not have many joint candidate appearances scheduled between now and election day so if you are interested you will have to try and catch one of the television broadcasts.

During the debates I am stressing my experience handling death penalty cases. These cases are the most complex and expensive and important in our criminal justice system. The Florida Supreme Court has established a list of qualifications that an attorney must meet before they are allowed to handle a death penalty case. Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.112 says: "Counsel in death penalty cases should be required to perform at the level of an attorney reasonably skilled in the specialized practice of capital representation, zealously committed to the capital case, who has had adequate time and resources for preparation." The rule then sets out a variety of standards that an attorney must meet before being allowed to handle a death penalty case. I am the only candidate running for Public Defender who meets these qualifications.

A Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney

In 1999, I became a board certified criminal trial attorney in the Florida Bar. Board certification means that I can hold myself out as an expert or specialist in the field of criminal law. To achieve certification. I had to show that I had handled at least 25 criminal trials, submit references from judges and fellow attorneys, and pass a difficult examination designed to test the breadth and depth of your knowledge of criminal law. Certification is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys in the area of law approved for certification. I took the extra step to be come board certified because I wanted my clients at the Public Defender's Office to have confidence that their attorney was top notch. When choosing your next elected Public Defender, I believe that you should vote for the only candidate who can demonstrate this extra level of competence in the field.

It was another great week of campaigning in Venice, Sarasota and Bradenton. Bob Sweat, Supervisor of Elections in Manatee County, spoke at the Bar Association lunch and gave a detailed overview of his work year. Representative Keith Fitzgerald continues to impress audiences in Sarasota and Venice with his detailed understanding of state government. WSLR held a musical beach picnic on Siesta Key that attracted a big crowd of fans. The Venice Jazz festival drew hundreds of people to Blalock Park on a warm Saturday afternoon. Riverview overpowered my Booker Tornadoes in the fourth quarter before thousands of people on a beautiful Friday night. The residents of Bay Village turned out to hear the Democratic candidates give their vision for the future. Joan Donnelly in Sarasota, and Lucille Burke in Bradenton hosted lovely receptions for my campaign. And I was at all of these places, trying to meet every last voter, especially since absentee ballots have already been mailed.

This week features several debates between myself and my opponent for Public Defender, Larry Eger. We will be at the Bradenton Kiwanis club at lunch on Tuesday, at the League of Women Voters "Food for Thought" on Wednesday morning, and then tape our television debate for local news channel SNN. I also have several receptions and fundraisers planned for the week, and in our spare time Regina and I might put up another sign or two. It is hard to believe that there are just 36 days until the election. Hopefully I will see you soon!

Watch Adam Tebrugge on Voice For Democracy

On Sunday, September 28, channel 21 (Comcast) at 9:00 p.m., Adam Tebrugge, Democratic candidate for Public Defender, will be interviewed on the program " "Voice for Democracy." Adam discusses the history and mission of the Public Defender's Office, his legal career in Sarasota, and his goals for improving our local criminal justice system. Please help get the word out to others to watch "Voice for Democracy" this Sunday night.

Senator Bill Nelson in Sarasota

Senator Bill Nelson has made several trips to Sarasota recently to support local Democratic candidates and address citizens about pending issues. Last Friday, the Senator was here to support Morgan Bentley's campaign for the Florida State Senate. Nelson had just gotten off of a conference call with Treasury Secretary Paulson and members of Congress. He dispensed with the usual pleasantries and immediately began a detailed discussion of the country's financial crisis. In the picture above, you can see Tax Collector Barbara Ford Coates and Morgan Bentley listen intently as Senator Nelson described the circumstances that led the markets into this problem. Later that evening he went into even more detail at the Sarasota County Bar Association's annual dinner, creating a somewhat somber atmosphere in an otherwise festive evening. I could not really blame Senator Nelson for being in a grim mood and I was impressed with his grasp of detail and his willingness to work across the aisle to find solutions.

I also attended the kickoff luncheon for the South County United Way, and was reminded that need is greatest when crisis arrives. It was inspiring to see hundreds of service providers and employers from North Port, Venice, Nokomis and Laurel, joining together to help others. In Sarasota, we had an excellent event at the Bacalao sports bar on Tuttle and 17th where Latin-American voters were targeted. I also had the privilege of addressing the Southeast Manatee Democratic Club about my campaign. Regina and I are still putting up signs, and supporters are hosting meet and greets for me to help get out the word.

Look for another post in a day or so about some of my qualifications that set me apart in this race. As always, thanks for reading.

Public Defender Campaign Update

I hope that you have been following my campaign to be elected Public Defender of the 12th Judicial Circuit (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties). I believe that our Public Defender must provide leadership in the courtrooms and in the community. When you are deciding whom to support, please keep in mind:

--I am the only candidate who is qualified to prepare, litigate and supervise death penalty cases;

--I am the only candidate who is a board certified criminal trial attorney;

--I am the only candidate with experience training attorneys throughout the State of Florida;

--I am the only candidate who has received the Freedom Award for Public Service presented by the Sarasota branch of the NAACP, and the Jim Slater award for professionalism in the practice of criminal law.

I have devoted my entire professional life to the Public Defender's Office and to our community. Now I need your help to get elected. Would you please consider making a contribution to my campaign to help me tell others about my qualifications? You can go to my web-site right now, or mail a check to the Adam Tebrugge campaign, 2337 Ixora Avenue, Sarasota, Florida 34234. You can also forward this e-mail to anyone you think might be interested in my campaign. And finally, please tell your friends and neighbors and relatives:

"This November, Please Remember, Vote Adam Tebrugge, for Public Defender."

I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read this, and for all of your ongoing support.

Adam Tebrugge

Political Advertisement paid for and Approved by Adam Tebrugge, Democratic Candidate for Public Defender, 12th Circuit.

Happy Birthday Lyn Tebrugge

Today, September 8th, is my mother's birthday. Lyn Mary Cox Tebrugge grew up in Ft. Myers, Florida, the oldest daughter of Norman and Mimi Cox. Norman was a cattle rancher and gladiolus grower and a powerhouse personality. Lyn and her two sisters, Nancy and "Boo," have remained close over the years despite making their homes in different states.

Lyn graduated from the University of Florida and as a young woman, was given a column in the Tampa Tribune. While attending an art installation in Tampa, she met an architect by the name of George Tebrugge. They were married on December 31, 1960, and their son Norman Adam Tebrugge, was born on December 7, 1961. Caroline ("Kitty") McCrae entered the world on July 31, 1964. Recently Lyn had some of our old movies from this time transferred to a DVD. The films show a glamorous young mother dressed in sharp outfits from the early 60's tending to two well groomed children.

My mother helped instill in me my love of politics. One of my earliest memories is attending an appearance by the Republican nominee for president, Richard Nixon, when he came to Tampa in 1968. Suitably inspired, Lyn and I went door to door for Hubert Humphrey in that tumultuous year. Later she got me involved with Bob Shevin's campaign for Governor of Florida. Lyn remains well read and interested in her state and nation to this day and has recently been canvassing for Senator Obama.

My mother was also part of the large wave of women who re-entered the workforce in the 1970's. Motherhood was important to her but she also felt a drive to help others, primarily through education. Ultimately she found her perfect job at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she worked primarily with nontraditional students, helping them adjust to university life. When she retired a few years ago, a tree was planted in honor of "Mother U.S.F." in recognition of her many contributions. While at U.S.F., she became familiar with a small liberal arts college in Sarasota that had been taken over by the University after financial struggles. New College was still finding its way in the late 1970's but Lyn thought that the school was a good fit for her son, and so it was.

So Happy Birthday Mom!. Thank you for bringing me into the world, introducing me to politics and books, and getting me to Sarasota where I have spent so many good years. Lyn now lives in Tarpon Springs and volunteers at the spectacular Leepa-Ratna Museum of Art, located on the campus of St. Petersburg Junior College. The campaign has prevented us from seeing much of one another recently, but I wanted to express my love and honor for her on this special day.

My Goals For the Public Defender's Office

I was employed by our Public Defender’s Office for 23 years and had the opportunity to work extensively in our offices in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. I have a good understanding of the challenges of our local court system, and when I am elected, I will be making justice work by implementing the following:

IMPROVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR OUR CLIENTS
---Improve training of attorneys in the office;
--Hire more Spanish speaking attorneys and staff;
--Improve and expedite representation of clients in jail;
--Implement discharge planning for sentenced inmates to reduce recidivism.

COST EFFECTIVE ADMNISTRATION
--Work with Judges and Clerk’s to ensure we only represent the truly indigent;
--Closely monitor costs to make better use of available funds;
--Foster positive employee relations in the office and with the community;
--Be a voice for common sense on local criminal justice issues.

What else would you like to see me focus on? What experiences have you had with the Public Defender's Office? Drop me a line at Adam@Adam4pd.info.

In Wind and Rain and Sun

The Republican primary election was held in the Public Defender race for the 12th Judicial Circuit last Tuesday. Ron Filipkowski won DeSoto County (by two votes) and Sarasota County (by about 300 votes), but Larry Eger won Manatee County (by around 700 votes) and was finally declared the winner on Wednesday with a total margin of 425 votes). I congratulate Larry and I feel for Ron who worked very hard to secure the nomination.

Now that the primary is over I am happy to start getting my signs up and out in the community. This past weekend, friends volunteered to help us post signs in all three counties. Now you might recall that Hurricane Gustave was moving past the coast of Southwest Florida with associated bands of wind and rain. Regina and I were standing in mosquito infested fields, watching lightning streak the sky, digging muddy holes. We would occasionally pull down the sign of a candidate who lost last week and reflect and appreciate the effort that they put into running for office. After a full day on Saturday, we went out on Sunday to check our signs, only to find that the winds had snapped some of our 2 x 4s. We repaired the damaged poles and spent the afternoon in DeSoto county where we worked until twilight through the intermittent showers. I kept telling Regina that at least it wasn't broiling hot. She was a great wife to spend her weekend putting up signs with me and so I would like to say: "Regina I Love and Appreciate You!"

The other big news of the week revolved around the presidential campaign. The Obama team opened an office in Bradenton and a large crowd turned out to help. On Thursday night there were parties throughout the area to watch his acceptance speech and I decided to attend one at the Beach House on Bradenton Beach. About 150 Democrats turned out but wahat was really impressive was when other patrons of the restaurant decided to join the fun. I was able to capitalize on the excitement and meet a lot of new people, all of whom promised me they would vote.

The Manatee County NAACP had postponed their banquet due to Tropical Storm Fay but it still turned out to be a tremendous success. The attendance was great, the food was good, and the speeches and awards were inspirational. I also enjoyed participating in the Englewood Pioneer Day parade and the Palmetto Labor Day picnic. Thank you for your continued support and be sure to keep checking in as I begin to discuss the issues in this race.

My Primary Complaint

Over the past two days, more than a dozen people have asked me whether I dropped out of the Public Defender’s race. The answer is a resounding “NO!” Why are people asking this question? Tomorrow, August 26, is the primary election in the great State of Florida. Among the races that will be determined is the Republican nomination for the Office of Public Defender. Now by reading the local papers recently, it would be understandable if you thought that whoever prevails would have won the entire election. Unfortunately, the combination of headlines, signs, and advertising can leave you with that impression, ignoring the fact that I am the Democratic Party’s nominee. Let me assure you, I am in this race to win, and assuming that Tropical Storm Gustav stays away, we will start getting my signs up this weekend. With my opponent finally determined, I can now take the Public Defender race to the next level. I pledge, however, to run a positive campaign focused on my qualifications for the job.

Last week was a mixed bag thanks to the damper that tropical storm Fay threatened us with early in the week. I had three major events scheduled for Tuesday and they were all canceled. However, Senator Bill Nelson was able to make it to Bradenton on Wednesday and I was glad to hear him speak out forcefully against offshore drilling. My friends Elsa and Lenny Lentz threw a lovely reception for Florida House candidate Richard Jackson and myself that night. On Thursday evening, Manatee Glens invited their employees to meet the candidates, and about 150 of them turned out. Later that night I went to Cerviche to speak to a large and enthusiastic group of Young Democrats. On Friday night we had a great barbecue and rally in Newtown. And on Saturday Regina and I enjoyed celebrating the anniversary of women getting the right to vote at the Equity Day luncheon in Bradenton, before heading to the Venice YMCA to eat and drink at the annual luau.

While I am going to continue writing about some of the fun events we attend, I am also going to focus on the issues and differences between myself and my opponent (whoever that turns out to be). I am looking for help as we get into the final two months, so please keep up with the campaign on my web-page at www.Adam4pd.info, or at my Facebook group, Adam Tebrugge for Public Defender.

An Inspiration to us all

Dr. Kay Glasser continues to demonstrate the positive influence that one person can have upon an entire community. Last week she was one of the honorees at the Community Youth Development breakfast. CYD is a program designed to provide leadership training to our high school students and then allow them to put that training to work. Participating students can ultimately serve on the Board of Directors of area non-profits, providing valuable insights to the other members, while preparing themselves for future service. In her remarks, Dr. Glasser reflected upon her career of social service and volunteer activities. She described a formative experience she had with a mentor when she was a young woman, and how this inspired her to a lifetime of helping others. Her words resonated throughout the gym at the Boys and Girls Club in Sarasota, providing similar inspiration to both young and old in the audience.

Also on the agenda last week were a series of debates and joint candidate appearances in the Public Defender race. I appeared with one or both of my opponents at the West Manatee Rotary Club, Heron Creek Country Club in North Port, the Sarasota County Bar Association, and at Kaiser University at Lakewood Ranch. I fielded a variety of questions about the office and my qualifications that were thoughtful and challenging. Some of the toughest questions were posed at a forum sponsored by the NAACP youth council. The moderator, Ed James, and the rest of the council, had obviously worked hard to identify some of the pressing issues in each race. Unfortunately neither of my opponents joined me for that forum but I was grateful for the opportunity.

Tropical storm Fay may have fizzled but she still managed to cancel some of the events I was looking forward to this week. Today all the candidates were supposed to meet the employees of Sarasota Memorial Hospital and tonight was the Manatee NAACP banquet; both have been postponed. At least I didn't have to worry about my signs being launched by gale force winds as we are not putting them up until next weekend. Maybe this will be our only brush with hurricane season this year or at least I hope so! The campaign will provide enough excitement for the next few weeks as we push on to the finish line.

I Said Goodbye to my Dog Today

Grendel came into my life about ten years ago. She had been adopted from the pound by my step-son's girlfriend. They all moved in around the corner from us, and lived together three or four years. Grendel would roam the neighborhood, visiting different dogs and people from house to house. She was a frequent visitor to our home where her face would suddenly appear at our back door. She got along with our miniature dachshund, Nicki, and tolerated Georgie the cat. When her parents broke up and were not in a position to take care of her any longer, it was only natural that Regina and I would adopt her.

The first challenge was converting her from a street dog to a house dog. I was not about to allow her to roam free, as she was used to, so this meant long walks for us both. For several years we dominated our Indian Beach neighborhood in the early mornings and evenings. Grendel was a great dog to walk. She was purposeful and focused and kept a steady and limitless pace. Putting her on a leash seemed to make her more aggressive towards other dogs. Regina described her as an alpha dog and it was true that Grendel knew she was queen of the neighborhood.

Nicki died last February and not long afterwards Grendel began showing declining interest in longer walks. Soon it was apparent that she was having hip and leg problems. I met Dr. Mauricio Vargas of All Pets Mobile Clinic when I campaigned at Conexion Latina. Dr. Vargas began working with Grendel and she rallied a bit but her overall path was downhill. Folks say that you will know when it is time to put your dog down, and by this past weekend, it had become clear to me. Regina said goodbye before she left for work, stroking her head and promising her she would run free in the sky. I helped Grendel up and out into the sun where she lay for a half hour in a state of doggie contentment.

Later, Dr. Vargas came by and then took her away when she was gone. He was very kind and sympathetic and treated us both well. I now have no dog in the house for the first time in years and Georgie the cat is not much one for walking on a leash. Grendel joins the litany of Nicki and Frieda and Ralph and Crystal and all my other pets who have gone on before her.

I offer the only epitaph that is fitting for her: "She was a good dog."

A Day in DeSoto County

I am running to be the elected Public Defender of a three-county area: Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto. I grew up in Tampa and my grandparents lived in Fort Myers. For some reason we would always travel through Arcadia, the DeSoto County seat, and stop for an orange Fanta in town. Even as a child, the majestic courthouse made quite an impression upon me. Over the course of my career, I have been privileged to handle many cases in that courthouse. Judge Parker, Judge Hall, and the Clerk of the Court Mitzy McGavic have always treated me with courtesy and respect. Jurors in DeSoto are a great mix of ranchers, retirees, working folks, and people of all races, ages and beliefs. I really enjoy practicing law in DeSoto County.

I also like campaigning there. This past Saturday was the big political rally that had been planned for some time. I arrived in town early so that I could have breakfast at Wheeler's cafe which is owned by one of the candidates for Sheriff, Carl Willey. Carl is running against Will Wise and the incumbent Sheriff, Vernon Kean, in the Democratic primary. While this is the hottest race going, all of the candidates have conducted themselves in a civl manner as far as I can tell. There are also a couple of closely contested County Commission races as well.

The rally was scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. and at about 9:45 the skies opened up, the rain fell sideways, and lightning began crashing around the fairgrounds. After about a half hour though, it let up enough for people to start arriving and for the candidates to set up their tables. Ultimately there were nearly 200 people that braved the elements to come talk politics. The crowd responded positively to all the speeches and cheered their favorites with gusto. Afterwards I had lunch at Slim's barbecue and picked up three bottles of sauce for Regina, before heading home.

The rally culminated a busy and productive week. National Night Out Against Crime drew big crowds in North Port and in Sarasota and I was fortunate to attend both events. Jefferson Apartments, a beautiful building for lower income seniors near my house, hosted a great candidate debate for Sarasota County Commission that they graciously allowed me to crash. And I had an interesting debate with my opponents at the Manatee County Commission chambers that will be broadcast on METV over the next couple of weeks. We have several additional debates this week, and I will be at the NAACP youth forum for candidates on Saturday afternoon.

Thank You Beneva Flowers!

Yesterday was a low energy day. My dog is on her last legs, I was tired from campaigning all weekend, and I was paying bills. The phone rang and a very pleasant lady told me that her boss wanted to send me flowers. Turns out the business section of the Sarasota Herald Tribune had noted that I had won the Jim Slater award for professionalism in the practice of criminal law. I had completely missed the blurb when I read the paper in the morning, but Mr. Arthur Conforti had not. A few minutes ago the delivery man showed up with my flowers, and I decided to share them with you.

Thank you Beneva Flowers! You just made my day.

The Promise of Our Youth

Early in the week, I had a conversation with a voter. He asked a common question, “Why would you want to be Public Defender.” One of his points was that the youth of today are disrespectful, if not dangerous, and probably made up a great deal of our clients. He assumed that the work must be frustrating and perhaps counter-productive to our shared goal of creating a safe society.

On the other side of the ledger, I was privileged to experience portions of the “Greatness Beyond Measure” teen summit held in Sarasota this weekend. On Saturday night, I was a judge at a debate contest as ten teenagers addressed racial, gender and age stereotypes head-on. A crowd of over 100 mostly young people sat in the audience, fully engaged in the exchange of ideas on stage. The next day an even larger crowd gathered at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park for Gospel music, performances, and hot dogs. Spending time with these fine young men and women, primarily African-Americans, was just the antidote I needed to combat cynicism.

The rest of the week was inspiring as well. The Sun-House Restaurant on Bradenton Beach hosted a very enjoyable fundraiser to benefit the Manatee Red Cross. I won Chef Darryl’s cooking jacket in the silent auction. Also fun was the Selby Library’s 10th birthday bash on Saturday afternoon. In attendance were numerous families, Mote Marine, the Humane Society, and Marie Selby as portrayed by a wonderful actress. And I even took a day off to go fishing with my stepdaughter and her boyfriend. We hit a small school of jacks and of course had to have a photo memorializing out catch.

As busy as it has been, the next few weeks will be even crazier. You can come out and meet me between August 5-9 at any of the following. On Tuesday, August 5, I will attend the North Port Chamber of Commerce candidate mixer at the Olde World Restaurant, then head over to North Port High School for "National Night Out." On Wednesday, August 6, I will debate the other candidates in my race at the Manatee County Commission chambers at 6:30 p.m. Watch for later broadcasts on Manatee Educational Television. Thursday, August 7, I will attend the League of Women Voter's candidate fair at the Gulf Gate Library in Sarasota from 6-9 pm. Friday, August 8 I'll see you at the Sarasota Slam street party on Lemon Avenue in the evening. And finally, on Saturday, August 9, there will be a rally for all Democratic candidates at the DeSoto County fairgrounds, beginning at 10 a.m.

100 Days: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

If you are paying attention to the political process at all, you are probably aware that there are now less than 100 days to go until the elections of 2008 will be over. Candidates and voters alike will both probably say "Thank Goodness" to this news. Most voters are just now beginning to pay serious attention to local races. Absentee ballots have now been mailed for the primary to be held on August 26. Samples of these ballots may be found at the various Supervisor of Elections websites.

I began my campaign last October, almost 300 days ago. Experienced people, like County Commissioner Paul Mercier, warned me that a political race is a marathon, not a sprint. I have kept up a steady pace of appearances, speeches and events, and I think I have enough energy to make it to the finish line. Last week I attended the candidates reception put on by the Young Professionals Group of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, the Connexion Latina networking at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, "Pizza and Politics" at Primo grill on Friday night, and the quarterly meeting of the Nokomis Area Civic Association. My favorite event, however, was the celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act put on at the Suncoast Center for Independent Living. Several hundred people with all types of abilities turned out on a rainy Friday afternoon. I met many people who had inspiring stories to share with me and I left the Center really feeling like I had learned something important. Events like these are the best part of campaigning.

The worst part of campaigning are negative attacks and misleading claims. Unfortunately, political consultants continue to encourage candidates to engage in these tactics. Recently,m the Pelican Press asked all candidates to pledge to not engage in negative behaviors. The University of South Florida's Institute on Public Policy had candidates sign a similar pledge during a candidate college a few months ago. When I was President of the Sarasota County Civic League, we championed good government and clean campaigns. But really, it comes down to the voter. If you receive a negative "robo-call," or receive an e-mail that makes outrageous claims, it is up to you to reject these tactics. Only when we show them that negative campaigns will not work, will we help put an end to these practices.

Candidate Mixers

Five weeks from today, primary elections will be held throughout the 12th Judicial Circuit. In Sarasota, Republican voters will make decisions in hotly contested races for Property Appraiser, Sheriff, and Florida State Senate. In Manatee, the Republicans will elect some new county commissioners. Democrats in DeSoto will vote in Sheriff and County Commissioner elections. Republicans throughout the circuit will decide their nominee for Public Defender who will face me in November. And all voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote for a new Circuit Court Judge to replace the retiring Durand Adams. Fortunately we have two good candidates for that position with Connie Medros-Jacobs and Gilbert Smith, Jr. facing one another. Monday, July 28 is the last day to register to vote in this primary. Early voting begins at the Supervisor Elections Offices on August 11, or you can call and request a vote by mail absentee ballot if you prefer.

Between now and primary day there will be a lot of opportunities to meet the candidates at "mixers," informal events that are light on speech-making and heavy on one to one interaction. In the picture above I was captured with incumbent property appraiser Jim Todora and his wife Estelle while attending the South County Tiger Bay event at the Venice Yacht Club. This Wednesday, July 23, I will be at the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group event which will be held at the Lakewood Ranch country club. On Tuesday, August 5, the North Port Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate's mixer at the Olde World Restaraunt from 6-8 p.m. The Sarasota League of Women Voters is hosting a candidate fair on Thursday, August 7 at the Gulf Gate Library beginning at 6:30. The Democratic Party of DeSoto County is serving hot dogs and politics at the fairgrounds on Saturday, August 9 at 10 a.m. All of these events are free of charge so come on out and let us know what is on your mind.

The Business of Endorsements

Now is the time when candidates are interviewed for purpose of endorsements. Last week I had to complete a complex questionaire from the Sarasota Herald Tribune, and I was happy to have the opportunity. Unfortunately, many of the groups that do endorsements are not interested in the Public Defender election. I spend a lot of time going to business networking events. These are usually conducted in a relaxed atmosphere where there is time for conversations, not just introductions. Many people have concerns about our local criminal justice system and I think it makes me a better candidate to hear these questions. But while the organized business groups are interested in those running for county commission or state legislature, the Office of Public Defender is not on their radar.

One exception is the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts. This is the largest and most influential union in Sarasota County and I was privileged to be invited to meet their members when their convention met at the Hyatt last weekend. Whenever I go to an event and I see that union member Roy Sorenson is there setting up the sound system, I know that everything is going to work properly. I am proud to be endorsed by the West Central Florida Federation of Labor and all of their members. I am also proud to have the endorsement of Representative Keith Fitzgerald (pictured above) who has truly distinguished himself in the Florida House of Representatives during his first term. Representative Fitzgerald has represented the interests of our area and of the entire state of Florida in a positive manner by emphasizing problem solving, not partisanship. I hope you get the opportunity to meet him or hear him speak during this campaign.

I am also trying to pay attention to the neighborhoods during this campaign. Nobody wants to feel insecure where they live, and street crime continues to plague some of our poorest neighborhoods. On the other hand, we must ensure that all people are treated equally under the law. The Office of the Public Defender can help maintain the delicate balance between citizens and law enforcement. We must be responsive to our clients and their families, we must investigate cases properly, and we must litigate matters in Court when necessary. When neighbors come together in the community they can combat crime and maintain positive relationships with law enforcement, while supporting those who need a second chance. As your Public Defender, I will be there with you when you need me, providing straight forward answers to your questions, and working to provide leadership in our criminal justice system.

A Three County Fourth

With parades, picnics and politicians, the four day long Fourth of July celebration kept us moving. Festivities began on Thursday evening with the boat parade down Main Street in Sarasota. A light rain let up enough that by 7:00 p.m. the sidewalks were filled with families. This is a somewhat unusual parade, made up primarily of decorated tractor trailers and large offshore racing boats and their crew. Sarasota has hosted these boats for many years now and it seems as popular as ever. I walked the parade route, handed out some literature, shook a few hands, and was a walking billboard in my red and white tee-shirt.

The parade we really prepared for was the next morning in Arcadia in connection with the annual Independence day rodeo. The main road through downtown is Oak Street and it is lined with antique stores, restaurants and churches. It seems like the whole town turns out for the parade, either to participate or to spectate. We borrowed a cute red PT Cruiser convertible from our friend Carol Williams. One of Regina's ideas was to fill the back-seat with balloons, to almost make it appear as if I were emerging from a red, white and blue bubble bath. The crowd along the parade route seemed to get a kick out of this and we all waved at one another enthusiastically.

The day was just beginning, however, as we then headed to North Port. We missed the parade there but went to Dallas White park where some picnics were in progress. After grabbing a snow cone and a hot dog, we traveled to Sarasota, dropped off the convertible, and went home for a quick nap. Then it was of to Bradenton for a part at the west end of Manatee avenue with a lot of the volunteers from WSLR community radio. The only fireworks we got to see were in the night sky as we finally headed home.

The final big event of the weekend for me was pizza and politics put on by the Parrish Civic Association. The Florida Railroad Museum allowed a flat-car to be used as a staging area and a large tent was set up in front. A couple of hundred people turned out to hear a debate among the Manatee County commission candidates. Though I wasn't allowed to speak, I did get to greet the audience as they entered, and then passed out my pamphlets and discussed the Public Defender's office at each table. Forums like this are really encouraging as there seems to be more interest in politics, both local and national, then I have seen in some time. No parades for me this week but I do have stops scheduled in Lakewood Ranch, Venice and Bradenton. Let me know what else is going on this month and I will try and join you there.

Manatee United

Regina went on vacation without me last week as there were too many exciting events in the area to miss. I toured a diamond mine in Sarasota, courtesy of Gemesis. This is a company that grows diamonds in a warehouse as opposed to extracting them from the ground. I made it to North Port by 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning to address the early bird Kiwanis meeting at the Family Table restaurant. The Sarasota area Realtors kicked off their "surge of support" for veterans with a nice program about Haley Hospital and the Haley House for families located in Tampa. And the Venice area Chamber of Commerce hosted an excellent networking event at the Ashton Gardens Senior living center.

The best parts of my week were spent in Manatee County. We had a joint candidate appearance in front of the Bar Association where I was well received. The newly formed Lakewood Ranch Democratic Club hosted a picnic on Saturday in Adventure Park. Approximately two hundred people showed up to enthusiastically kick off the campaign. A club like this is very important to a candidate, particularly in a community like Lakewood Ranch that does not allow door to door campaigning or even yard signs. There were also a half dozen or more house parties held in the area to support Senator Obama's campaign. I went to Cortez where 25-30 people gathered to share snacks and stories about what attracted them to the Obama candidacy. To be honest, I have never before seen such excitement and enthusiasm connected with the political process. I am hopeful that the momentum will carry us all into November as citizens unite to retake and reform government.

The 4th of July is a big day for campaigning. Regina and I will begin the day in the Arcadia Rodeo parade, then make our way to Dallas White Park in North Port, head up to Bradenton for a party on the Manatee River, and close the evening with fireworks in Sarasota. Come say hello if you see us out and about.

Photographs, Signs and Weather

There are a lot of decisions for a candidate to make when running for office. For one thing, there is the matter of the photograph to use on your flyers, signs and web-page. I wanted to do something a little different than the standard head-shot. The photo I have been using was taken on the steps of the Manatee County Courthouse, though you couldn't really tell the location by looking at it. I was happy with the shot but I was getting a lot of comments that I was better looking in person than in the photo. Since I am not necessarily all that good looking to begin with, I decided we needed to try something new. To the left is the result and I would like to thank Paul Martin of "Pictures in Paradise" and Lowell Gilbertson for their assistance.

The newly formed South County Tiger Bay held a lovely reception for all candidates at the Venice Yacht Club last Thursday. The best part was that I met a number of voters whom I hadn't met before. From there I went to a reception in Bradenton at the home of Becky and Ed Martin where I was able to speak to about 25 residents of Manatee County. On Friday evening I attended the family fun festival outside Van Wezel where a couple of thousand people were sweltering in the six o'clock sun. One campaign tactic is to print you face and name on fans and distribute them during hot parades and concerts. I had considered doing that but the cost is close to a dollar a fan and I am trying to be frugal.

The combination of being frugal, and the summertime weather, is why I have not yet put up signs. My opponents have begun to blanket Sarasota county with signs, and every day I am asked where mine are. I explain that they have an August primary while I will not be on the ballot until November, but my supporters are a bit anxious. But the weather this past Saturday reinforced my decision. "A Taste of Newtown" was scheduled and heavily promoted, the streets were closed, and a variety of vendors turned out. Then the thunderstorms moved in and remained most of the afternoon and evening. Not only was much of the festival washed out, in the aftermath I saw political signs laying damaged or destroyed along several roads. So be patient my friends, and help me scout out some good locations with permission from the owners, and I will put up some very nice signs in August.

Rally Round the Flag

Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence (SCOPE) held their annual event this past week. My friend Isabel Norton was honored as a "boundary crosser" for her multiple involvements in the community. I first came to know Isabel when we served together on the Scope mental health study group. Recommendations from this group led to improved training of law enforcement when they encounter people in crisis. Isabel also works to prevent blindness, is helping lead the capital campaign at Ringling School of Art, and is a lovely and gracious lady whenever we meet.

I had to leave her celebration early in order to head out to Lakewood Ranch for the organizational meeting of the new Democratic Club there. A lot of new voters have moved to Lakewood Ranch in the past decade and I am interested in meeting them all. A big crowd of 60-80 people turned out for this meeting, We overwhelmed the Country Pancake House who nevertheless provided outstanding food and service. The club has a picnic planned for Saturday, June 28.

Just as exciting was the "Chew and Chat" held on Wednesday night in Newtown. There was a fish fry and a meet the candidates event in connection with the monthly Democratic Executive Committee meeting. We had an inspiring crowd of well over one hundred people and everyone went home happy. It is great to see enthusiasm in the community and to reemphasize our commitment to include all people.

And finally, I was privileged to participate in the Daughters of the American Revolution celebration of Flag Day which was held at the historic Field Club in Sarasota on Saturday. !60 people turned out for a celebration of patriotism and to benefit the Haley House Fund. Tampa is home to the James Haley veteran's hospital where injured troops are treated and undergo rehabilitation. The Haley House fund allows the families of injured veterans who live more than 50 miles away, and who are short on funds, the opportunity to stay near their loved ones. I sat next to 86 year old Harry Stimmel, a member of Veteran's for Common Sense, and a big supporter of Haley House. The best part of campaigning is all of the interesting people you meet. Maybe this week I'll meet you in Manatee County as I turn my attention to the North.

Picking up the Pace

Summer is here and my campaign schedule is heating up. Last week I spoke to the Laurel Civic Association, attended the Indian Beach Sapphire Shores neighborhood association, joined the Young Professional Group for happy hour at the Rustic Grill, went down to Englewood for a picnic, attended World Ocean Day at Mote Marine, and danced the night away at the CYD prom. Those were all great events but the prom was particularly memorable. The CYD students had decorated the gym at the YMCA with streamers and balloons and ruffles and roses. Mattisons served a great dinner and the Rays game was broadcast on a big screen over the dance floor. It was fun to see local politicians cutting a rug, and it was great to have the student chaperones keep all us adults in line.

The big event of last week for me was the Tiger Bay “debate” for the Office of Public Defender. This was the first joint candidate appearance for the three of us. Marge Baldwin, the moderator, asked a few questions and then turned matters over to the audience. All of the exchanges were conducted at a very high level. I tackled a number of the questions first and felt like I had substantive and concise answers. Later I was told that I needed to smile more. That night there was some decent coverage of the race on SNN. All candidates welcome these forums, as we want voters to get a chance to know us, and the issues. The next time we will all be together is June 25th at the Manatee County Bar Association lunch.

We have 20 Democratic candidates running in Sarasota County this year. On Friday afternoon, most of us gathered for a rally in Five Points Park outside the Selby library in downtown Sarasota. A small but enthusiastic crowd turned out to cheer us on in the afternoon sun. When the rally was over, we retired to a downtown condominium for a fund-raiser, narrowly avoiding an afternoon deluge. I must again express my appreciation to all those who are helping local Democratic candidates in Sarasota. Your efforts leave me more time for other endeavors, such as creating a Facebook group called “Adam Tebrugge for Public Defender.” I posted video, photos and a podcast of my recent appearance on WSLR radio’s “Surreal News.” Within just a couple of days, sixty people joined the group. If I don’t see you on Facebook, maybe I’ll see you in Newtown at the “Chew and Chat” on Wednesday night, or at the PDA social at the Rustic Grill on Saturday.

Awards, Debates and Rallies

I was truly honored last week to receive the “Jim Slater Award for Professionalism in the Practice of Criminal Law.” Judge Peter Dubensky made the announcement at a meeting of the Sarasota County Bar Association held to celebrate law day. In his remarks, the Judge discussed a lawyer’s obligation to our constitutional process. While the client we represent may not always be on the right side, if we uphold the integrity of the courtroom and the rule of law, then all can know that justice was served. Jim Slater was a great lawyer who worked both as a prosecutor and public defender. He was a mentor to many young attorneys, including myself, and helped train a generation of capital attorneys throughout the State of Florida. Jim was also a friend of mine and if I never accomplish anything else, I will always have this honor to reflect upon.

On Thursday, June 5th, the Sarasota Tiger Bay will host the first debate of the Public Defender campaign. Tiger Bay is a long-standing political club with hundreds of members in Sarasota and similar clubs throughout the state. Marge Baldwin is the local moderator and she prepares a variety of questions that she peppers the candidates with over lunch. The floor is then opened to Marge’s “Tigers” who are not shy about grilling politicians with questions that are sometimes loaded for maximum impact. I have never been up on the Tiger Bay rostrum before and I am looking forward to the experience.

Finally, I would like to encourage anyone interested in local politics to come to Selby Five Points park this Friday, June 5th at 3:00 pm. There will be a rally to kick-off the summer campaign season that should be fun and interesting. If you come, you will be able to hear from candidates like Christine Jennings for U.S. Congress, Morgan Bentley for Florida State Senate, Keith Fitzgerald for Florida House of Representatives, Barry Sullivan for Supervisor of Elections, Jono Miller for Sarasota County Commissioner, and a number of others. You might also get to meet a certain candidate for Public Defender for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. I hope to see you then and there.

Nominated for Writing

I decided to keep a campaign blog so that I would have something to look back upon at the end of the race. I also hoped to interest some readers in my campaign experiences, and educate them about the issues at the Public Defender's Office. It is very gratifying to learn that people throughout the State of Florida have been reading my accounts. Now I have been nominated as "Best Writer" in a poll being sponsored by the Florida Progressive Coalition.

UPDATE: I did not win but it was fun while it lasted!

Memories on Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, my first thought is always of my father, George Robert Tebrugge. George enlisted in the United States Army in 1942, and served as an infantryman with the Timber-wolf Division in Europe during World War Two. A few years ago I cam across a box of his letters home from the battlefront and I think I will read a few of them today. George was always very proud of my accomplishments. Dad passed away some seven years ago and I miss him and wish he were around to see this campaign.

I attended the dedication of the new Manatee County Courthouse this past week. Listening to Judge Hensley and Judge Silvertooth reminisce reminded me of my very first jury trial which was conducted in the historic Courthouse next door. I was a twenty-two year old legal intern defending a DUI case under the able supervision of my co-counsel, Charles Williams. I lost that trial but the following week I was more successful. Manatee County Court Judge Walter Talley, who also served as the first Public Defender in this judicial circuit, heard both cases. I went on to win and lose a lot cases in the old Courthouse but I am glad to consign it to memory.

I must also remember my friend Jim Slater who passed away three years ago. Jim was a very focused and brilliant lawyer who trained me on handling complex cases. He was also the Chief Assistant Public Defender, in charge of our Manatee County office. His passing left a leadership void that has never been filled. You can read the tributes to Jim at http://jimslater.blogspot.com/.

This weekend we also celebrated another New College graduation. The commencement speaker was Bob Graham who I was fortunate to work with when he was Governor of Florida. Graham has always been a fan of New College and he seemed interested and amused with the unusual dress of the graduates. We also have an alumni reunion during graduation and my old roommate, Dr. Danforth Lincoln, paid a visit to Sarasota. At a brunch on Saturday morning, we toasted the success of John Cranor who is stepping down as President of the New College Foundation.

And finally, I have to remember to wish a very Happy 80th Birthday to my mother-in-law, Virginia Wittekind. I have been very fortunate to marry a wonderful woman and build a relationship with her parents. I wish all of you a Happy Memorial Day and hope you build lasting memories with your loved ones.

Half My Life

Twenty-three years, and sixty pounds ago, I joined the Public Defender's Office of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. I went to law school because I wanted to make sure that poor people received quality legal representation. The reason that America is the greatest country on earth is because our Constitution strikes the delicate and necessary balance between the government and the individual citizen. In our country, it is not enough simply to make an accusation. The government has the responsibility of proving a person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt before taking a person's life or liberty. Attorneys make sure that the government abides by the rule of law, and that clients have the opportunity to present a defense. When I was sworn into the Florida Bar on May 22, 1985, I took an oath to "never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed." Each day that I have practiced law I have attempted to uphold this duty.

The modern system of public defenders was established in the 1960s. In Florida, the Public Defender is a constitutional officer and an elected position. Each of our twenty judicial circuits elects a State Attorney and Public Defender to hire qualified assistants and make sure they are well trained and in the proper courtrooms in order to keep our criminal justice system functioning. The elected Public Defender also works with the Legislature and County Commissioners in order to ensure the efficient operation of the courts. In these times of scarce resources and repeated budget cuts, it will be more important than ever to elect a Public Defender who is familiar with all facets of the job and has experienced every type of criminal case. When I am elected, I will make sure that my Assistant Public Defenders will provide quality legal services in a professional manner so that all citizens in our community can have confidence in the outcome of criminal cases. I will also collaborate with all our elected officials to make sure that we are spending our money wisely, impacting lives in a positive manner, and making our justice system work as intended by our founding fathers.

Campaigning at Pride-Fest

After a one year absence, Pride-Fest returned to Sarasota this past weekend. This celebration of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community had drawn thousands of visitors in previous years when it was held at the fairgrounds. Now considerably toned down, the festival was held inside and outside Van Wezel. A day of beautiful weather helped attract a steady crowd of interested visitors from Sarasota, Bradenton and points beyond. Mayor Lou Ann Palmer showed up to read a proclamation recognizing and celebrating the event. The event was well organized, fun and interesting.

I rented a booth in order to meet voters, and a few other candidates were there as well. Rhyan Rice, college student home for the summer, helped me out. A lot of people stopped to talk throughout the day, sometimes waiting in line to speak to me. These voters were happy that I was there, and they wanted to tell me about some of the legal issues they face. Sadly, many of these issues involved various forms of discrimination or harassment. Really, all I could do was listen, and perhaps add a few words of advice or comfort. I am a strong believer in the equal protection of the laws for all citizens, and I believe we must fight continue to fight discrimination. I am very happy that I had the opportunity to meet a couple of hundred voters last Saturday, and hear their concerns.

A few days before Pride-Fest was the interfaith celebration of love, held at the church of the Trinity-MCC. I left the Florida Association of Women Lawyer's chocolate and champaign party early in order to go to the service, and I was glad I did. Even though I arrived a few minutes early, I got one of the last seats at the church. The Gulf Coast Men's Chorus performed with a group of female singers who perform under the name Harmony. The music and singing were outstanding, as was the preaching. Pastors from a half dozen congregations spoke on the topic of Love, for three minutes apiece. At the end of the service, we all exchanged silk roses that had been provided when we entered. I left church that evening feeling invigorated by the music and the message.

Speaking of love, I will be attending a wedding in Georgia this Saturday and so I will not be campaigning for the first time in a while. However, the Democratic Black caucus is holding their convention in Sarasota for the first time ever, and I plan to go to the welcoming reception on Thursday evening. When I return, I know that things are really going to pick up as we head into Memorial Day weekend and the summer campaign season.

Qualified to Advertise

The last step in getting your name on the ballot is qualifying. In Florida, the qualifying for judicial, state attorney, public defender, and congressional races, was last week. From October through March, my team had worked to gather 4,652 petitions from registered voters in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. We were successful in this effort which also meant that we did not have to pay a filing fee of over $9,000 last week. However, I did have to prepare and file a detailed financial disclosure which even required that I inventory the contents of my home. I also had to sign a loyalty oath, and get the packet to the Secretary of State's office in Tallahassee. I put my trust in the United States Postal Service and started checking the Division of Elections web-site on Wednesday afternoon. The web-site was experiencing problems that day, probably because candidates throughout the State were getting anxious. Late Wednesday night the word "qualified" appeared next to my name and so now it is on to November.

My greatest challenge is how to reach the nearly half-million registered voters in the three counties that make up the 12th Circuit. One of my opponents has begun putting up a lot of signs but I think I will hold off on those for the time being so as not to add to the clutter along our roadsides. Instead, I have begun an ad campaign on the Sarasota Herald Tribune web-site that will hopefully drive traffic to www.Adam4pd.info If that is how you made your way to this blog, please consider dropping me a note at Adam@adam4pd.info I am also trying to build recognition for my logo which appears at the top of this page. Some seasoned political consultants don't like it because they say it is too hard to read. I like the fact that it might require a second look and I am hoping it stands out in a crowded field. I would be interested to know what you think.

Last week I had supper with Sheriff Brad Steube and several hundred citizens of Manatee county . I also had dinner in DeSoto County with about 100 members of the Democratic Party there. I also attended the meeting of the Southwest Alliance in Englewood and the property appraiser debate at Sarasota Tiger Bay. The public defender candidate forum will be held on June 5th and will likely be the first time that the three of us share an appearance together. Maybe this week I will see you at Lakewood Ranch on Wednesday evening, the Teen Court Golf Tournament on Friday, or at Pride-Fest on Saturday,

Veterans, a Lighthouse and a Parade

I had the honor of addressing the Sarasota County Veteran's Commission this past week. Veterans face a variety of problems that can bring them into contact with the criminal justice system. About ten percent of the inmates in our local, state and nation correctional facilities are veterans according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. A recent study by the Rand Corporation estimates that about 20% of the veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan may be facing severe mental illness or suffering from head injuries. The Surgeon General of the Army, and the newly formed Pentagon center on brain injury are sending the message that seeking help is a sign of strength. At risk veterans need services before they come into contact with our courts. Judges and attorneys need information from veterans so that we can give better representation and make better decisions. And law enforcement and other first responders may need training on dealing with those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. I hope to see many more veterans and the rest of our community when the new national cemetery has its groundbreaking on June 1, at 2:00 p.m. The cemetery is located on Clark Road (SR 72) about four miles east of the interstate. The Navy band will perform and it should be an exhilarating ceremony.

This past Saturday I participated in the "Be a Visionary" walk, at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, to benefit the Manasota Lighthouse. The Lighthouse provides services to visually impaired clients. A variety of doctors, staff, patients and benefactors gathered on a lovely morning. I was privileged to walk with Ruth Book, 87 years old, a spunky and intelligent companion, pictured with me above. Ruth educated me on many aspects of the challenges facing the visually impaired. I will say it again--the best part of campaigning is learning of all of the wonderful people and services in our area.

My walking was not complete, though, as I marched the entire length of the Heritage Day parade on Saturday evening. This is the biggest event of the year in Bradenton and an estimated crowd of 200,000 people lined the parade route. The Manatee County Democratic party sponsored a float. About 30 of us handed out 10,000 American flags to the spectators. We received an overwhelmingly positive reception along the way which makes me feel good about our prospects this November. Regina marched with me and we enjoyed a well deserved meal at Demetrios that evening.

I hope to see you this week as I attend the DeSoto Democratic banquet, the Manatee Bar Association beach party, and the performance of the Gulf Coast Community Choir on Sunday at the First United Methodist Church on Pineapple in Sarasota.

Campaigning on Planet Earth

This past weekend I visited a multitude of events focused on our natural environment. It is encouraging to see the business community catching up with consumer interest in reducing our impact upon the planet. On Friday I attended the Sarasota Area Realtors green exposition. Builders, retailers, landscapers and others provided us with education as to products and services that reduce energy consumption or chemical impacts. This was the first year for the Expo and it seemed to be a rousing success with a steady crowd throughout the day.

On Saturday there was a festival in North Port put on by the group "People for Trees." Dallas White park was a perfect place to attract a lot of families, and hundreds of free trees were distributed to those willing to attend a brief seminar. I then headed to the New Gate school which is located near the boundary of the Myakka River State Park. Again there were a variety of vendors with innovative products, musicians performing as the audience munched wholesome foods, and lots of kids enjoying themselves.

Oscar Sherer State Park hosted the big Earth Day celebration on Sunday. We arrived to set up around 9 am, just as a heavy rainstorm passed through the area. While the shower was brief, it left the trees filled with water that dripped on us throughout the day whenever a breeze came through. Our spirits were not damp, however, because the crowd increased throughout the day with people eager to see the exhibits, hear the performers, and talk politics. Now that my petitions are done, I don't need anything but conversation from passing voters. I have found that folks are very interested in our criminal justice system and eager to learn about how we can make justice work better.

Yesterday I attended the jail summit meeting that involved nearly every municipal or county official from Sarasota, North Port, Venice and Longboat Key. The criminal justice commission is proposing a Community Corrections Center be built to alleviate jail overcrowding. This center would focus more on rehabilitation and reintegration into the community for nonviolent offenders. The cost and location of this new facility remain undetermined. Perhaps later I will try and flesh out the issues surrounding this proposal in more detail. Meanwhile, I have my own campaign to attend to. I will address the Sarasota County Veteran's Commission this Thursday, April 24th, at 1:00 p.m., and you can watch my presentation live on Comcast channel 19 if you live in Sarasota.

Public Defenders Help Protect Us All

Last week I was busy giving talks throughout the area. I spoke at my fundraiser on Bird Key, at a televised "debate" with one of my opponents, Ron Filipkowski, at a candidates forum sponsored by the Democratic Executive Committee, to a Rotary club at El Conquistador in south-west Manatee county, to the North River Democratic Club in Parrish, and to a hundred or so people at the Sarasota Democratic Club. What am I usually talking about?

I typically begin by telling the story of Clarence Gideon, as most people are unaware that the right to court appointed counsel in criminal cases is of relatively recent vintage. (To watch me tell this story, go to my main web-page at www.Adam4pd.info ) It is important to remember that our country was founded on the principle that individual rights must always be respected by the government. But it is one thing to have these rights and an entirely different matter to give these rights meaning. If you are charged with a crime, the charging document reads “The State of Florida” versus YOU and that is exactly what it feels like. The government has essentially unlimited investigative resources that it can marshal to build its case, but the individual citizen may have no resources at all. This is where the Public Defender comes in.

The supreme job of the Public Defender is to stand up for the individual client, to represent their interests, and to let others do the judging. The Public Defender must above all be client centered and be willing to stand next to the individual that the rest of the world has already condemned. For if you do not, if the Public Defender judges his or her client, if the Public Defender marches in lockstep with the government, then this is how wrongful convictions happen and this is how the liberties and freedoms of us all are eroded.

In the past decade, we have all become aware of the problem of wrongful convictions. We have seen one big case after another where people have been convicted of the most serious crimes imaginable in our society and served years in prison, only to have it later discovered that they were innocent all along. We feel for the individual and the lost time that can never be given back to them, but these stories also shake our confidence in our very system of justice. For do we truly protect public safety when we have a rush to judgment that results in a wrongful conviction and means that the real perpetrator is never apprehended? Of course not, which is why we as citizens should always be skeptical, and maintain the attitude of “prove it.”

Perhaps the finest quote ever about Public Defenders came from Judge Gersten in a Florida case from 1991. He said:

"Public Defenders stand alone, armed only with their wits, training and dedication. Inspired by their client's hope, faith and trust, they are the warriors and valkyries of those desperately in need of a champion. Public Defenders, by protecting the downtrodden and the poor, shield against the infringement of our protections, and in reality, protect us all."