'Resign or drop out of race'
Piccillo fires off letter to Sheriff Nugent
By MICHAEL D. BATES | Hernando Today
Published: May 5, 2010
BROOKSVILLE - Either resign as sheriff or drop out of the Congressional race.
That is the choice Democrat Jim Piccillo is giving Richard Nugent, his newly minted opponent, in a sternly written letter sent to the sheriff Wednesday.
Piccillo wrote Nugent has "unfinished business and promises to fulfill" as sheriff and cannot devote his entire time to his duties while running for Florida's 5th District Congressional seat.
"The people of Hernando County deserve a full-time public servant who is dedicated to the job," wrote Piccillo, who lives in Land O' Lakes.
Nugent, commenting from Washington, D.C., where he was just boarding a plane back to Hernando County, said he has not seen the letter and wouldn't respond to his comments anyway. Nugent said Piccillo doesn't even live in Hernando County.
Since Nugent has been in Washington, there has been a meth lab bust and a homicide in Ridge Manor, major crimes that required the presence of the sheriff, Piccillo said.
Nugent qualified to run for the seat at the qualifying deadline last Friday. He was the hand-picked successor of incumbent Republican Ginny Brown-Waite, who resigned the same day citing health reasons.
"His job is public safety, not being in Washington, D.C., trying to get some of Ginny's special interest money," Piccillo said.
Piccillo said Nugent is compromising the safety of Hernando County by not concentrating his full efforts on trying to work on resolving operational issues pertaining to the Hernando County Jail.
In March, Nugent said he would take charge of the facility's rehabilitation, "which is in desperate need of repair and better management," Piccillo wrote.
"You then had a closer look at the problems facing the Hernando County Jail and decided to back out on your promise to the taxpayers of Hernando County," he wrote.
On April 28, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the private operator of the jail, notified the county it was exercising its 120-day, opt-out clause to end its contract with the county.
"You changed your mind, once again, and said that you would take on this task as a last resort," Piccillo said in the letter. "Sir, last resort or not, you still have that promise to fulfill to the people of Hernando County."
Piccillo also cited Nugent's unresolved budget issues, referencing an October 2009 letter in which the sheriff outlined law enforcement problems facing the county.
"Last year, while crime actually increased by 12 percent, you reduced, or eliminated, 26 paid positions on the force," Piccillo said.
Piccillo said he did away with the DARE drug education program, which could have "dire consequences within the community."
Nugent said he considered resigning but decided against it. He believes he can balance being a full-time sheriff and campaign for office.
While in Washington, Nugent said he met with members of the Republican Party, talked with Congressional leaders and discussed campaign strategy.
Nugent said he hopes to have a campaign staff operating in the next few weeks who will handle day-to-day duties.
He said he will do most of his campaigning on weekends and evenings.
Nugent said he has received plenty of supportive comments from people in the community since announcing his Congressional run.
Nugent also said his campaigning would not detract from his budget duties or discussions with the county about possibly bidding on the jail contract. He said recently he did not intend to leave county commissioners in the lurch since CCA opted out of its contract.
Jason Sager, the only Republican challenging Nugent in the August primary, said it's up to the sheriff to make the decision to step down.
However, Sager does not believe Nugent can juggle running a campaign and performing the duties of a full-time sheriff at the same time.
"I honestly don't see how that is possible," Sager said.
Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.
