Sheriff's Office Has $25,000 Cell Phone Budget

[OMG]

I actually thought I was wrong on this, that it would be impossible.

But further investigation revealed that I am correct. The Winn Parish Sheriff's Office has budgeted $25,000 (twenty-five thousand dollars - you read it correctly) for cell phones.

Yet more further investigation shows me that almost every employee up there has an expensive Blackberry. Not just road deputies or investigators.

Now, here is my question, after thinking this over. The previous sheriff had a telephone budget of $5,000 (five thousand dollars).

Why is it that we need this many cell phones at this cost when road deputies and investigators all have not only a fixed radio in their cars, but also portable radios? And I understand from talking to an employee that even some of the non-enforcement personnel have portable radios.

Of course the answer from the sheriff will be, "well, uh, un, we got those on a grant." Standared, patented good old boy Bodie's usual take on all things.

So, let's review..........no, nevermind, let's not review. Enough said. Wasteful, carefree, tax and spend attitude in our sheriff's office. No different that our government in Washington, D. C., let's tax these dumbbells out here and have a good time on their dollar.

Well, I for one am tired of it. I did not agree so much at the time with Buddy Jordan's laid back attitude though I never doubted his integrity. I simply thought he was not forceful enough.

But I know can see a striking difference. Mr. Jordan got the job done, as well if not better than what we're getting now, and did it with much less.

If the figures I saw were correct, and they came from the sheriff's office, our sheriff's current payroll is $17,000+ more a MONTH than Jordan's was, and he's only been in office 13 months.

If the people vote this tax on themselves, shame on them.

If they re-elect this monster, shame on them again.

[good grief]

Is the sheriff's budget available to the public?

[Yep]

everything up there except ongoing investigative files is public record...

[Matt]

So glad citizens are becoming involved in our government and sharing information about abuse of power and wasteful spending. The way Bodie is going he will get the sheriff's office in as big a mess as he left the Assessor's office. Left no money and unpaid bills.
But before the Rotary Club he said there was no reason "to go to hem-hawing and raising cane ". He would rather we be quiet, give him all the tax money he wants and let him alone. Be sure to vote NO on the tax proposal , Oct. 17. Polls open 6:00 AM, close at 800PM

[could be]

Matt thank you. I was opposed to Mr. Little but you have convinced or almost convinced me to up hold Mr. Little. You have put him down so much he has to be doing something right.
Cell phones DUH every crook and some noncrooks have scanners and they know what and where the cops are of are going. Keep up the good work and i will be a Little supporter.

[and another rider]

Not to seem like a broken record but.... another day and another trip to Ruston for another female "prisoner" in a Sheriff Dept cruiser. I bet this one was as legitimate as the last one.

[Concerned Former Resident]

The people that are now dissatisfied with Bodie (and who probably voted for him), should have thought about it before voting. Yes, they may have been upset with Buddy, but they didn't know what the future would bring. However, I can understand giving all the field deputies cell phones for communicatons because many people (including the criminals) do listen in on the scanners. $25,000 seems like way too much for phones, but if it helps to catch the criminals, then it's worth every penny. Most of the time, the crooks are ahead of law enforcement with technology and weapons.

[Matt]

could be wrote:

Matt thank you. I was opposed to Mr. Little but you have convinced or almost convinced me to up hold Mr. Little. You have put him down so much he has to be doing something right.
Cell phones DUH every crook and some noncrooks have scanners and they know what and where the cops are of are going. Keep up the good work and i will be a Little supporter.

No, it was not I who convinced you to make any decision. You chose what you want to believe and it is your privilege to do so in America. Thank God for that freedom!!
Over and over, I have asked Bodie's supporters to give everyone who reads TOPIX a list of the fine things Bodie has done for the parish and the taxpayers, and I still haven't seen a listing. We would welcome you to tell us what, as you say, " he must be doing something right" Tell us, we listen. but if we disagree, we have the same privilege you have to make our own decision! We have the privilege and duty to publish public records and we have the freedom to express our opinion, just as you do.
So, as long as I have something to say, I shall continue, and I'm not convincing you or anyone else of anything

[Winn Parish Resident]

I guess they have those cell phones so they can talk on them while driving and pulling out in front of people at red lights in town!

[hillbilly]

i would like to know how the fine newspaper of winnfield could and did publish a letter that was sent to someone else and not address to the paper buy mr little himself,and on top of that not signed buy anyone for that matter or who is the c.a.w.s it looks like the letter said it all too. what has happened just a mess

[Lucy]

and another rider wrote:

Not to seem like a broken record but.... another day and another trip to Ruston for another female "prisoner" in a Sheriff Dept cruiser. I bet this one was as legitimate as the last one.

My, wonder how many trips our tax paid cars go to Ruston transporting "prisoners" to the Green Clinic? Thanks for reporting what you saw..the citizens need to know this is going on. Please tell us who are footing the bill everytine you see this abuse. All need to be patriotic observers of our tax dollars spending and protest waste and special privilege. That's the ony way we will realize we need no new taxes.

[could be]

The tax payers are paying for trips to doctors. If a doctor in town says they need a specialist, they have to take them at the tax payers expence.Crime doesn"t pay?

[Lucy]

could be wrote:

The tax payers are paying for trips to doctors. If a doctor in town says they need a specialist, they have to take them at the tax payers expence.Crime doesn"t pay?

Notice "prisoner" is in quotes. the first sighting of a sheriff's car at Green Clinic was an elderly female, whom the officer helped to seat in the front seat ( not where prisoners ride) and she buckled her seat belt and they headed for Winn Parish. Truth is Winn Pariah has no elderly females in prison. Suspect it was the officer's mother. Therefore the complaint of taxpayers transporting family menbers to Ruston.

[Get oner it]

Lucy wrote:

<quoted text>
Notice "prisoner" is in quotes. the first sighting of a sheriff's car at Green Clinic was an elderly female, whom the officer helped to seat in the front seat ( not where prisoners ride) and she buckled her seat belt and they headed for Winn Parish. Truth is Winn Pariah has no elderly females in prison. Suspect it was the officer's mother. Therefore the complaint of taxpayers transporting family menbers to Ruston.

Blah blah ,blah blah, Give the man a chance.You act like when he became sheriff that everything was ok in this parish.You all act like you have no vision. He may be crooked, he may be what ever you call him.But he will be excessible, You will be able to talk to him. He will put the sheriff's department where it needs to be.Give him a chance.

[Get over it]

Lucy wrote:

<quoted text>
Notice "prisoner" is in quotes. the first sighting of a sheriff's car at Green Clinic was an elderly female, whom the officer helped to seat in the front seat ( not where prisoners ride) and she buckled her seat belt and they headed for Winn Parish. Truth is Winn Pariah has no elderly females in prison. Suspect it was the officer's mother. Therefore the complaint of taxpayers transporting family menbers to Ruston.

Or it could have been poor ole Miss Higden that leaves alone and had to go to the doctor.She pays taxes to you idiot.Thw wpso HELPED ONE OF THERE CITIZENS.You have no idea what you are talking about.Just call the sheriffs office if you need any help, I assure you they will come a running.

[Rachel]

Just how many times did you see Buddy out in plublic?

[A lot]

He was seen a lot. He just didn't run to the Enterprise with everything he did. He spent more time quietly and efficiently running the office, on the tax money that was available, at substantially less pay than Bodie is drawing.

Plus he didn't have to worry about his own deputies serving him with more lawsuits and judgements for poor financial management and just flat beating people out of money.

[point]

A lot wrote:

He was seen a lot. He just didn't run to the Enterprise with everything he did. He spent more time quietly and efficiently running the office, on the tax money that was available, at substantially less pay than Bodie is drawing.
Plus he didn't have to worry about his own deputies serving him with more lawsuits and judgements for poor financial management and just flat beating people out of money.

That brings up another point. I wonder how many in that office are known for not paying their debts. Start from the top down!

[what you say]

ya'll is mad cause u don't get a car and a phone. Bodie I got yo back. U also don't have to deal with yo drunk disorderly self in the middle of the night cause yo ol'lady been smoochin' wif one my podners.
Ok really if all of the one complaining will put in an application for one of the police academy training centers and then pass the 8 weeks you could then recieve a job with law enforcment and actually make a difference.

[Faith writer]

Rachel wrote:

Just how many times did you see Buddy out in plublic?

I never did. I think he was allergic to the sun or davies or something.