By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Between mounting economic challenges and the very unpopular decision to eliminate the sports programs at NFCC, the process of selecting a new President for college is incurring greater scrutiny and community feedback.  In an effort to allow residents to get to know the four candidates who are to be interviewed in one hour and fifteen minute blocks on May 2 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Extension Office, the following candidate summaries are provided.  These statements were submitted directly from the candidates and have been not been edited in any manner, simply being placed in alphabetical order.

CLYDE CRUCE

   North Florida Community College is a wonderful place to learn and grow, a place steeped in a tradition of academic excellence and service.  I have first hand knowledge of this through my long association with this fine institution.  I attended NFCC on an honors scholarship in 1971 and was editor of “The Sentinel” the following year.  I was chosen Student of the Year and graduated Summa Cum Laude in the spring of 1973.  Several years after graduating from FSU in 1978 with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, I returned to NFCC to deliver the Alumni Address at the inauguration of Dr. Robert Ramsey.  In 2003, I was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus.  I have family members throughout North Florida who have attended or plan to attend NFCC.  I have strong personal and professional ties to NFCC’s past, its present and its future. 
   For the past 33 years I have served as a professional educator, all in the North Florida area.  I have 27 years administrative experience at all levels, including elementary, secondary and district levels.  I have had the privilege of working extensively in three of the six districts that North Florida serves and have strong professional ties in all six districts.  I understand the North Florida Community because I have always worked and lived here.
   My vision for North Florida Community College has at its core the concept that teaching and learning are the two most important events in the life of a college that all decisions that are made should result in increased opportunities for instructors to teach and for students to learn.  The major goals of my administration would stress reaching out to the communities we serve, to actively recruit the brightest and best, to increase minority enrollment and employment, to continue to promote career and vocational programs that meet the needs of the communities we serve and to continue to promote dual enrollment opportunities.  I have proven administrative leadership, leadership that can effectively assist the North Florida Community College faculty and staff as we reach out to the communities we serve.

BRIAN O’CONNELL

   For the past four years I’ve had the pleasure of living in Madison and working on the campus of North Florida Community College as director and professor for Saint Leo University.  I believe my education, experience, and love of this community make me an excellent choice for President of NFCC.
  My doctorate in education from the University of West Florida has prepared me to understand current pedagogical practices and effective curriculum development, and my Master of Public Administration degree from Troy University has given me the financial and organizational management tools necessary to effectively lead a community college in a time of fiscal restraint and diminished resources.   My baccalaureate degree in Speech and English Education from Wayne State University and my years as a speech and debate teacher have enhanced and developed my communication skills, giving me the ability to represent the college with ease and confidence.
   As director of programs at both Troy University and Saint Leo University, I have supervised administrators, faculty, and staff while creating a climate that values openness, integrity, and mutual respect.  As the director of Saint Leo’s Madison and Tallahassee campuses, I have conducted strategic planning, created and managed operating budgets, received advanced leadership training, participated on accreditation committees, and advised over 200 AA to BA transfer students. My role as a professor of education has given me great insight to the teaching and learning realities and responsibilities that college faculty face each day, and an understanding of the educational challenges facing our six-county service area.
   I’m married to Elizabeth Hengstebeck, and I enjoy working on Madison Rotary Club projects and serving as a lector, council member, and a strategic planning and capital campaign chair at my church.  I’m grateful that I have had the opportunity to work, interact, and collaborate with so many dedicated people from NFCC these past four years, and I’m humbled by the many prayers and words of support I have received from faculty, staff, students, my church family, and the community.

HARRY ROTTER

   Harry Rotter, Ph.D., resides in Madison with his wife of 37 years Elizabeth, they have three children. Rotter came to Madison in 1970, attended NFJC and worked for the family business, the Van H. Priest Co., which served its six county area.
   Rotter, a retired CW4 officer in the Army Reserves, served his third deployment in Iraq working with time critical administrative actions for the Commanding Generals LTG Sanchez and Chief of Staff of the Army GEN Casey.
Rotter received his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Georgia State University in 1999.
   Included in his impressive work history he worked 33 years in education, which included working at Southwest Georgia Technical College coordinating Dual Enrollment and Developmental Studies. He was employed 21 years as an adjunct instructor for Gordon College, Barnesville, GA., University Maryland, European Division and Saint Leo University, Madison Satellite Center.
   Rotter currently supervises instructors, counsels students and develops curriculums for Saint Leo’s main campus Psychology programs. He is involved as an advocate for the Madison County Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Coalition serving the community youth. Rotter is the Commander of the American Legion Post 68 and President of the Council for Exceptional Children Big Bend.
“As his transcripts and his exceptional military record highlight, Harry is intellectually gifted and a proven leader,” said COL Shane Deverill, US Army Inspector General. “Harry Rotter is a man for all seasons and my first pick for selection as President of North Florida Community College.”

JESSICA WEBB

   Employed with NFCC since 1996, Jessica Brawner Webb, Ed.D. has had the opportunity to work in various positions including staff, faculty, and administration.  Her current position is Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Research, Planning, and Technology. In this role, Dr. Webb supervises multiple aspects of the college including information management and research, state reporting, strategic planning, and administrative and instructional technology.  She has been active in the Florida Association of Community Colleges serving on the state board of directors and as the NFCC local chapter president.  Through affiliation with the Chief Information Officers Council and the Florida Distance Learning Consortium, Dr. Webb has developed a statewide network of colleagues who often collaborate to share and streamline educational resources. She has also directed the college’s community theater program for many years.
   “Having worked at all levels in the college, I have a deep appreciation of the day to day responsibilities that every member of the NFCC family undertakes. As a former student I’ve experienced first-hand how the caring faculty and staff help NFCC students achieve their goals, and I’m proud to be a part of that continued tradition,” she stated.
   After graduating from NFCC, she continued her education and earned a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from Valdosta State University.  Achievements include “Instructional Technology” student of the year and “Most Outstanding Dissertation” for a two-year study, which explored issues surrounding faculty integration of technology in higher education.
   When not working at the college, she enjoys spending time with husband Johnny, sons Dean and Justin, daughter-in-law Leslie, granddaughter Melana, and future daughter-in-law Molly.
   For more information and to obtain contact information for the NFCC Board of Trustees who will be responsible for interviewing and selecting the new President, call NFCC information at (850) 973-2288. 
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

BOCC Approves Genealogist Spear Request For Funding

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   During the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on April 16, Elmer Spear came before the board to review and request an override to a recommendation by the Tourist Development Council (TDC) to limit Spear’s recent request for $6,500 in funding support for an upcoming conference to $2,000.
   When Spear introduced details of the event, as well as his opposition to the TDC policy limits at last month’s meeting of the BOCC, he was asked to return to the TDC for clarification and formal recommendation.  Commissioner Ricky Henderson, who serves as the BOCC liaison to the TDC, briefly explained the $2,000 limit and why he felt Spear shouldn’t receive more.
   A few month’s ago, the BOCC decided to take a different direction than the TDC recommended when the TDC suggested the BOCC terminate their agreement with Original Florida, a service provided through the Regional Planning Council.  Officially, the TDC officially makes recommendations only.  So although the flavor of the favor was different in this instance, the outcome was the same, which was not to accept the TDC recommendation.  Instead the BOCC dug through both budget and statute en route to 4-1 approval of the full $6,500 request.
   In the end, the BOCC considered the positive present and future economic impact that the October 2008 Genealogy Conference will bring to Madison County justification for the decision.  Before the final vote however, the board asked County Attorney Tom Reeves to review State Statute 125.0104 - Tourist Development Tax (a.k.a. the “bed tax”) to ensure that the request qualified, which Reeves completed during the meeting break.  With Reeves favorable review and a promise to return any unused funds, Spear received his funding.  Spear closed by briefly noting that he had returned money following a previous allocation and that he certainly would again and exited.
   Two additional items from the meeting were the board’s approval of a stricter Sexual Offender and Sexual Predator ordinance regarding residential proximity restrictions and the approval of two new cars for the Sheriff’s Department.  Both issues were discussed briefly with Sheriff Pete Bucher who offered support on each issue.  There was also direction offered to George Blevins regarding the disposition of a truck in possession of the Sirmans Volunteer Fire Department.
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Emergency Management Sponsors Rapid Response Workshop For School District

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Disasters, Strategies and Ideas Group, LLC (DSI) was launched in 2003 with several key emergency management goals.  Among these objectives is to facilitate comprehensive planning for school districts facing modern threats, including school shootings.  The Operation Rapid Response workshop and tabletop exercise is designed to “familiarize County School Administrators, Law Enforcement and other local first responder agencies with the ‘key policy considerations’ for a integrated School Safety Plan.”
   On April 8 at the Madison County Extension Office, CEO Joe Myers introduced the all-day workshop and seasoned providers, which included Senior Consultants Mike McHargue and Gary Yates, as well as DSI President Linda Erdmann.  Following discussion of several broader points pertaining to the implementation and evaluation of the district’s Emergency Operations Plan, the focus turned to the exercise portion of the meeting, “a dynamic school-based ‘active shooter’ workshop.”
   McHargue served as both moderator and facilitator, seamlessly taking the group from familiarization to application, ultimately introducing a hypothetical scenario that’s designed to generate policy discussion.  Policy construction and distribution would naturally follow.  In the end, all parties to potential future incidents, from parents to police, will learn to maximize the effectiveness of his or her response.  As McHargue noted on several occasions throughout the presentation, these events are becoming less rare and must be met with a rapid response that requires extensive planning and preparation. 
   McHargue and Yates bring stellar Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) resumes to the process, while Myers previously served as State Emergency Management Director.  Collaborating with Erdmann, the team has developed a great reputation in a short time for their direction on these timely, albeit unpopular, issues. 
   School District leadership expressed appreciation for the workshop, building on efforts they too had undertaken.  The recent prank at the high school pointed out the importance of periodically updating and improving policy on such issues.  McHargue really drove the point home as well, providing a brief overview of numerous school shootings over the years, each illustrating the need for, or consequence of not having, a rapid, planned response.
   Between historical examples and modern scenarios, one aspect of proposed response policy was made very clear, the number one priority is to neutralize the threat.  Concurrent with this action though, there are a variety of challenges including communication, student and public safety, not to mention the awesome task of simply keeping assignments and responsibilities clear under such duress.  Frankly, it makes football’s two-minute drill look elementary by comparison.
Everyone in attendance agreed that Madison County is fortunate to have leadership in emergency management and the school district dedicated to providing the very best response possible and that calling in the specialist from DSI was an invaluable contribution to that goal. 
   “It’s all about our children, there’s nothing more important,” Emergency Management Director Jim Stanley noted. 
School Superintendent Lou Miller couldn’t agree more.  “This workshop and exercise are so important in the development of the our School Safety Plan.”
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

MCHS Classes Of 1987-1990 Invited To Reunion Roundup Set For April 26

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The Madison County High School Class of 1987 invites the graduating classes 1987-1990 to a Class Reunion Roundup Bash. 
   The celebration will be held on April 26 from 7 p.m. until midnight at Divine Events located on Colin Kelly Hwy.
Tickets are only $35 and are available at the door or can be purchased at the Johnson & Johnson business office on U.S. 90.  Call (850) 973-2277 or (850) 971-5159 for details.
   The gathering will include a DJ, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.  Casual attire is fine.  Organizers urge everyone from these classes to attend the party that is sure to raise the roof and stir the memories.
   Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Owner of Madison County Assisted Living Facility Arrested for Exploiting Elderly Victim, Identity Theft

   Attorney General Bill McCollum announced on Tuesday, April 22, that the owner and operator of a Madison County assisted living facility was arrested and charged with multiple criminal charges, including exploitation of an elderly person, grand theft, forgery and identity theft.
   Authorities with the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office arrested Charles Troy Hendry, 47, who owns and operates Hughey Memorial Care Center in Madison County.
   Investigators with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit began investigating Hendry in March after receiving information from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office about the possible exploitation of an elderly person.
   The investigation revealed that Hendry used his access to at least one resident’s personal identification information in order to make numerous purchases and obtain services for himself or someone other than the victim.
   The victim was a 76-year old resident of Hughey Memorial Care Center located in Madison, Florida. With the information he obtained, Hendry forged the victim’s name on two credit card cash advance checks totaling $5,500 and fraudulently applied for and opened two additional credit cards in the victim’s name, making purchases totaling $6,700. Additionally, Hendry forged at least three personal checks totaling $2,400. The total amount stolen was just under $15,000.
   Hendry was booked into the Madison County Jail and is being charged with one count of exploiting an elderly person, four counts of grand theft, six counts of forgery, six counts of uttering, which is offering a forged instrument for payment of money, and two counts of identity theft.
   If convicted of all charges, Hendry could face up to 95 years in prison and $95,000 in fines. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for the Third Judicial Circuit.