rambosk is the man , fair and can do the job, thats would your county needs. a to the point man who will look out for your areas, i will vote for him.

Ortino's form of campaigning? Not impressed.

Ortino seems like a real weasel. Too bad we don't have some qualified candidates to run against Rambosk for Sheriff. Rambosk seems like a pretty decent person. I have met him once at a speech he was giving and he is a bright guy.

So let’s see, inviting deputies to attend his announcement is being forced. Umm, in an underdeveloped mind, maybe.
Several deputies told Ortino they were forced to attend the debate, but he can’t tell you who they are? But they support him?
And the local FOP won’t support him so it’s pressure from Rambosk?
Hey Vic, in the law enforcement world they deal in things called facts and evidence. I guess you don’t need them in the Private Eye world, only speculation and guess work. Don’t sell the business – I think you just dealt yourself a death blow. Kevin’s the man here.

My husband works for the SO & with Rambosk for many years & he is no Don Hunter & the agency is in need of a change & Ortino is the best man for the job. Not only are deputies intimidated into going to these events my husband cannot reveal his identity in fear of retalliation. Deputies are not free to speak within this agency.

Odd that Ortino waited until he was campaigning to file a complaint. This stinks to high heaven. If the voters can't see through this then they would deserve what they would get!

Go rambosk or anyone other than Ortino!

My spouse works for the CCSO and has NOT been intimidated by anyone. The CCSO has been very progressive in many areas and the crime stats continue to show declines in many areas. Ortino is grasping at straws with this complaint. Run a campaign on facts not Inquirer headline grabbers.

I still would like to know what changes Ortino plans on making in Collier County. Tell me flinging allegations is not all you have. Any change you have suggested is followed with the "a disgruntled deputy that can't be named for fear of retaliation" told me.

What are your plans for illegal immigration? traffic enforcement? Do you have anything new that the voters can compare with other candidates? Please don't waste anymore of our time with childish games. Collier residents are smarter than that.

Did someone say death blow? I think that is on target. Grasping at straws? Definitely! Don't sell the business Vic. Hire more cops gone bad. Sleazy politics won't win this time. I was at the Corkscrew meeting. He notified the media that he had some information that would implicate someone. He had nothing. Remember, Ortino will have to reveal his sources and they will have to back him up. That won't happen.

I have to agree with toesmom. I used to work with Rambosk before I went on medical leave. The sheriff's office does good work and crime is down. But being a young, educated, woman it is not easy to speak up espically about something that is going wrong. The SO needs a lot of internal work.

Ethics and the Collier County Sheriffs Office, are two things that should not be mentioned in the same sentence. I'll give you this. There are alot of Deputies, who are up standing indivduals, and then there are some who should be thrown in jail.

I just saw him on the news. He was backtracking about the ethical comment. I think he just choked. Critical mistake dude!

This is just a political tactic used to bring Otino more attention,because he knows he has no shot at being Collier County Sheriff.

By redacting the names on the list of deputies, he destroyed the credibility of his complaint. anyone could make a list and submit a complaint. He should know that there are laws that protect citizens from unfounded accusations (lies). I'll bet this gets better before it is over. Didn't his wife make unproven and unfounded accusations against her opponent too?

Vic's reaching, this makes him really look bad. Rambosk will be a good Sheriff as long as he surrounds himself with people that get things done as he's a great idea guy but a terrible detail guy.

Just read Vic's complaint and saw him on the news. GEEZUS what a dope. So, he has a handful of disgruntled employees backing him - and everyone at the S.O. knows who they are, telling Vic stories to stir the pot. He can not prove one of the allegations - saying it's all because of Kevin's direct orders. Give it up Vic, you have now officially lost.

Isn't this the same guy that was fired from law enforcement for ethics violations?

Maybe Vinnie will need a new driver after the election.

Ref Ortino, not surprising. Many animals in their death throes lash out.
Is this really who we want to administer a 1200 person agency and a 160 million budget?
No this old hoss.

Let's see, on one side you have an ex karate Instructor/P.I. with a pilots license, Who left the FHP after only three years. On the other side, you have a man with what, 24 years law Enforcement experience. A master's Degree in Business Administration, a Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety Administration, as well as An Associate of Art's & Science degree in Police Science, AND Is a Gradute of the F.B.I. national Academy. And Also was the City of Naples Chief of Police and Emergency Services, And Is currently Undersheriff of Collier County. Rambosk Also has numerous other qualification's for the position of Sheriff. I do not know either candidate personally, nor do I work for the S.O. but I know who I plan on voting for Collier County Sheriff.

I Am not bashing Vic Ortino. He run's his own Business, he's probably not a moron. But as far as being qualified to run for the position of Collier County Sheriff, Especially against a candidate like Kevin Rambosk, Forget it dude.

This is like one of those Celebrity Death match show's. On one side of the ring, you have George Foreman. On the other side is David Letterman. In the center is Michael Buffer screaming lets get ready to rumble. Who do you think is going to win.

signalzero, great comments. I went to one of the Citizen's Academies and was quite impressed with Rambosk. The paperwork for Ethics complaints is abundantly clear that any false statement will be held against the complainant.

Estatesdude, I agree with you, If Ortino choked or redacted some of his allegations, he may just have bought himself lots of trouble.

Should be interesting to see this play out.

BTV,
Did you enjoy the Academy? I have thought about attending. That being said, I think the BCC events today are more like the WWE. The press from that will overshadow the Sheriff deal

Let's compare credibility:

Kevin Rambosk; Masters Degree and graduate of the F.B.I. National Leadership Academy, 30 years of respectable Law Enforcement and government service.

Ortino; Private Investigator's License, "Fired" from F.H.P. for improperly recording his on-duty time, makes rediculously false allegations against a respected public servant, made a comprehensive public records request trying to find dirt on Chris Jordan because Jordan did not succumb to Ortino's demands.

Ortino is as petty as his current job, digging hiding in the shadows digging up dirt on miscreant husbands and wives. Vic, I think you've been at the P.I. business a little too long.

Kevin Rambosk is the clear, respectable, qualified choice for Sheriff.

I’m growing increasing wearisome of Victor Ortino’s irrational complaining about Collier Deputies Lodge 14’s democratically exercised endorsement of Kevin Rambosk for Sheriff.

Most troubling, is the fact that Ortino continuously misstates the facts of our endorsement process and of his own professional experience. Our Lodge leadership successfully notified 84 of our 89 members. Significantly greater than the numbers that have participated in past lodge elections, 32 members voted to endorse Kevin Rambosk for Sheriff, while only 1 member voted to endorse Ortino.

Ortino continues to misstate his law enforcement experience, and he now calls himself a legal investigator instead of a private investigator who makes his living taking videos of miscreant husbands and wives to support divorce cases. You can call a dump a land fill, but at the end of the day it's still just a pile of trash. Ortino incorrectly states that he has three years of experience with the Florida Highway Patrol. In reality, for one and a half of those three years he was in a “fired” status and was separated from the F.H.P. Once reinstated at the F.H.P., he resigned within thirty days to continue his private investigator’s business. This is certainly not the action of someone interested in public service.

Ortino does not meet the minimum requirements to be hired as a Patrol Deputy for the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, yet he believes himself qualified to lead and manage the agency.

Kevin Rambosk is the only qualified person for the job of Collier County Sheriff.

Boo Hoo Vic.

Just what we need; a private investigator as sherrif. And a petty sniveling cry baby at that. Grow up. Try to win on your merits. If you have any.

Estatesdude: I would recommend the Citizens' Academy to anyone interested in the why, how and more of the CCSO. The experience was memorable. I will go again when I can. They take repeaters.

I watched the BCC meeting. I really saw it as a clash of personalities. The most concerning part was an off-hand comment by Halas saying that three Commissioners were concerned (about Henning). How would he know there were three? How curious. Could I have "misheard" this comment? I have it on DVR so I can check again.

I hope they just back off. We do not need another dysfunctional Board like the School Board!

botheyesopen:
Could not have said it better!

“With regard with what happened with the FOP, there has to be things happening behind the scenes that I, as a civilian, can’t find out,” Ortino said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

WHAT kind of personal investigator are you ?? Give it up ! waaaaaaa

That there's funny. I don't care who you are. waaaaaaaaaa

voting for either is like voting for clinton or obama, neither are any good.

Jama brings up an excellent point about not even meeting minimum requirements for hire.

"• 18 months or more full time experience as a law enforcement officer or corrections officer OR Bachelors Degree from a regionally accredited college.
• All full time experience must be within the last 8 years"

The above is taken right from the requirements needed to be eligible for road patrol deputy trainee; since Mr. Ortino does not meet these minimum requirements he would have to serve 18 months in corrections prior to becoming Sheriff!

I work in a lawfirm that has in the past employed Ortino to do process service work. After reading what a jerk he is, I will find another company. He sounds absolutely ridiculous. We can't use someone like that.

Only in Collier does following men into rest rooms and peeping in motel windows qualify one to be sheriff!

Rambosk probably learned at Hunter's knee.

Kevin should stay above the petty stuff, let the press reveal all the skeletons in Victors closet if her wishes to start slinging mud, be careful what you wish for Victor

Sounds like we got another Hunter, he use to bring the entire Duputy staff to debates. Victor would be a change that is needed.

Somewhat scary reading some of these board posted comments. Anyone with any brains would not dismiss ANY accusations because of "what they heard". I, for one, would like a response or some sort of debate between the candidates where at least as a voter, I can then make my own informed decision, not on what I heard thru this person or that person.

I have been a martial arts student of Victor Ortino for approximately 10 years. I have always found him to be an honest, straightforward individual with a high degree of integrity and ethics. In no way could he ever be described as a "weasel".

Jeffmlorig,

Before another debate would be necessary, Ortino should disclose and explain his resume, and prove that he has the actual qualifications to be our Sheriff. He has not done this to my satisfaction. He actually came to the Corkscrew debate loaded with incorrect and misleading information. He tried a media smear that didn't work.

Dante,
You pay him to teach you martial arts and what goes along with it. This is a business relationship. If you worked for him, we could take your comment at face value.

I call for Vic to pull out of the election. He is really embarrassing himself.

Estate Dude,

Sorry, forgot to mention that I eventually DID work for Victor as an instructor at his martial arts school. Can my comment now be taken at face value?

Also, under these "rules"...did Hunter ever have the qualifications?

vote for rambosk and micky for pres.

I could be wrong about this, but since the Office of Sheriff is an elected position, I do not believe agency hiring reqirements have to be met.

Does not even have to be a certified LEO.

You are correct factteller. Any registered voter of Collier County can run for sheriff.

That is why I am starting to believe that the office of Sheriff might be better off appointed so that way the community can set standards for education and experience.

The elected sheriffs position time may have come and gone. It's too important of an office to let just anyone hold. Times have changed maybe it's time to look at changing the way we fill the sheriff's position.

Factteller, you are correct, anyone can be elected as Sheriff. Even Ortino! Let’s say that he’s elected, (all the planets align, Hell freezes over, there is no more turmoil in the Middle-East,, well you get the picture) and wants to carry a gun and wear the uniform, he will have to spend about 4 months at the Basic Law Enforcement Academy to learn about being a Deputy Sheriff and how to enforce the law. Let’s face it, he really does not know. So, we taxpayers will be paying his salary to send him off to Cop 101 School that will teach him how to be a cop, but not how to be a leader of a law enforcement agency. (Those are much more advanced schools that Rambosk already has under his belt.)
And Dante, that’s great news he’s a wonderful martial arts instructor. I’m great at what I do as I’m sure you are too. But that doesn’t make us Sheriff Candidates. And as for Hunter? He already worked at the agency, was already a certified LEO, had college degrees, and plenty of inter-agency experience when elected to Sheriff. He did a great job as sheriff. There is really no comparison between Hunter and Ortino. Good for you to stick up for him though.

Ry42,
Thank you for making my point. I would have to take everyone back to the "wild west days" when Doug Hendry was Sheriff. Things are much different now, and in my opinion we need someone who doesn't have all of the questionable baggage to be our Sheriff. If people don't already know this, Rambosk has pretty much been running the CCSO lately under the supervision of Don Hunter. Not that he needs it, he is getting the best kind of on the job training. The Deputies tell me that Kevin is very approachable, and willing to listen. They also say they respect him. Say what you want about Hunter, the CCSO is an award winning respected agency.

Personally I would think that you would want a certified LEO to run the CCSO. Someone who has been on the frontlines of where he/she would be in charge of making decisions. Someone who has survived the academy, cleared an empty building at 3am with his gun drawn, spent the years on the force watching up close and personal exactly what makes an agency tick.
Rambosk is a good guy, but I don't think that it was right to bring him into CCSO the way Hunter did... give him rank the way he did... push him up the ranks like that. So many other deputies who have worked their whole careers to make it to the top were passed over. I know that created some bad blood. I guess it really is about who you know.
It's too bad that someone else from the agency did run for that position. There are a few great CCSO members who deserve the chance more.

Let's just hope that Rambosk can shut down some of the "good ol' boy" network and clear out some excess baggage. Some of their budgeting problems that they are always dealing with the county over could be solved some by giving up one or two of these highly paid captains or commanders positions.

I have had the privilege of meeting Kevin Rambosk on several different occasions over the past 20 years. His dedication to the well being of the county has been proven time and time again. We should all feel lucky to have someone like Rambosk as a neighbor, and more so as the Sheriff. We need someone who is honest, driven, reliable, intelligent, effective and who really cares about the county and its residents. It is evident that Kevin Rambosk is the only choice for Sheriff! GO KEVIN!!! We are behind you 100%

Why doesn't everyone who doesn't like either one of the candidates run for Sheriff? If you don't like the "good ole boy system" and don't trust Ortino, run in the next election. Nobody is perfect, everyone makes mistakes and EVERYONE has skeletons in their closet that they don't want made public (some worse than others).

Personally, I like the job that Don Hunter has done. That doesn't mean I'll automatically vote for Rambosk - instead I'll look at both of their qualifications, history, etc. and make an informed decision. I have to say though that someone who can't keep loyal to his wedding vows, doesn't instill much trust. If his wife can't trust him, who can??? Additionally, to make accusations that (conveniently) can't be proven or disproven, is a poor tactic and can be seen immediately for what it is.

Also - Duh - I've got news for you, most other states also consider auto vandalism/burglary as criminial mischief. Just ask the guy in Indiana who has a bench warrant out for him because of the $3,000 worth of damage he did to my truck on a drunk one night last October.

I have dealt with multiple law enforcement agencies and none of them are without their problems and issues. New blood isn't always a good thing. Existing blood isn't always a good thing. Just read the facts and make an informed, educated decision when voting. And if you don't like the candidates, stop belly-aching like a toddler and run yourself.

Maybe Vic got one of those electronic phone things that Vinnie says calls people from his number to harrass them and those guys said all those bad things about Kevin.

Kevin will not clean house & get rid of the good old boy network. It will get worse. William who will be the new Under Sheriff is a horrible vindictive man. Not only do the people within the agency know this but the general public does too. It will get worse.

Hunter did not have any qualifications to run as Sheriff when he did.

Vote Ortino.

Toesmom, you didn't convince me (or my family) we are voting for Rambosk.

Toesmom - you must be one of the disgruntled FOP Ortino supporters. Must be lonlely.
And, if you read my previous post (#50) you cannot continue to make the claim that Hunter had no qualifications – and Ortino does? Please, come to reality.
And yeah, Williams does hate you.

I was at the press release at the court house the day that Hunter revealed that he would not seek another term. I spoke to several uniformed deputies, none of whom indicated that they were forced to be there and all of whom seemed to like Rambosk.

I really don't think it is much of a contest and that Rambosk doesn't really need to play nasty to soundly win the election. The only people that seem to gravitate toward Ortino are people who have serious issues with Hunter and are looking for any alternative.

Kudos to the local FOP for going against the grain. The state FOP put their foot in it with their ill timed and ill advised endorsement of Ortino. The people voting should know where the local FOP stands.

kerjolo, lighten up...this is a place where we can voice our opinions, isn't it? No, I DON'T trust Ortino, and I DON'T like the "Good ol' boy" network (no one that's got the brunt of it, or any other type of 'nepotism' does); neither am I going to run for Sheriff (wow... interesting solution, there!)! I WILL, however, vote for Kevin Rambosk. I think he's a good guy and the best man for the job. I also don't have anything against Don Hunter as the Sheriff. I think he's done a pretty good job as Sheriff; it's the internal stuff that kind of sticks in my throat. Creating new positions just to give one of your pals a promotion and a raise isn't kosher in my opinion. I'm hoping that Rambosk will not follow in those particular footsteps, that's all. Last time I checked, kerjolo, I AM intitled to an opinion. Next time, however, I'll make sure to clear it with you before I voice one, OK??? :)

Ry42 no I'm not a member of the FOP or of the CCSO. Just a member of the general public. How do you know Williams hates me? Are you one of the tribe members who works closely with him or just one of the wanna-be's who hope to advance yourself through his graces? Kevin Rambosk is very much a mirror image of the current sheriff. Both are capable managers and politicians but neither, despite the impressive resumes are cops. They never have been. Hunter's father got him his job at the CCSO, right out of college, in right away as a major / manager, not as a working cop. Daddy also saw to the election when Aubry left office. Don Hunter was a civilian with no experience when he took office. Ortino now has more experience and knowledge than Hunter did then. Plus he is new blood, has new ideas and perspectives. Just what the CCSO needs. Rambosk is the same tired old same old.

Toesmom,

Is that the extent of your argument? That since Ortino worked for a short time as a trooper, with no supervisory or management responsibilities, that he is more qualified NOW than Hunter was THEN? How much has the agency and the community changed/ evolved since 1989? Should we all take one step forward... or two steps backward?

hint: It's not a trick question. Ortino is not running against 1989's Hunter, although by your own comparison, it would be a tight race.

The fact that 32 out of 33 members voted to endorse Rambosk should show the overwhelming support that Rambosk enjoys amongst the law enforcement professionals of Collier County.

Kevin Rambosk is a true professional law enforcement officer, executive, and leader.