Leavens running in this month's GOP Sheriff primary against Carmine Marceno who was appointed to the office after the last sheriff retired during his term.
Through his campaign manager, Marceno declined to be part of our candidate interviews.
MAIL IN BALLOTS HAVE BEEN CASTFOR THIS ELECTON ...THAN WHATWAS CAST IN THE 2016 PRIMARY.FROM NOW UNTIL PRIMARY DAY INJUST OVER A WEEK, FOX 4 ISSITTING DOWN WITH THE CANDIDATESOF SEVERAL LOCAL RACES...TO TALKABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUESHERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.AS WE MENTIONED DURING OUR 7O’CLOCK HOUR ..
WE EXTENDED ANINVITATION TO BOTH CANDIDATES INTHE G-O-P PRIMARY FOR LEE COUNTYSHERIFF.CARMINE MARCENO DECLINED THROUGHHIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER... BUTRETIRED SHERIFF’S MAJOR JIMLEAVENS DID AGREE TO ANSWER OURQUESTIONS.HE SAYS MARCENO ..
WHO WASAPPOINTED TO FINISH THE TERM OFTHE LAST SHERIFF ..
HAS CREATEDA BLOATED BUREAUCRACY OFADMINISTRATORS.WE INTERVIEWED LEAVENS AT HISFAMILY’S PROPERTY IN NORTH FORTMYERS.
HE TOLD US ..
WITH THESUPPORT OF HIS WIFE ..
WHO ALSOHAS A LAW ENFORCEMENTBACKGROUND..HE’S READY TO LEAD.(15:54:11-15:54:24)[Duration:0:13] <RET.
MAJ.
JIMLEAVENS: We’ve got 4 kids 3grand children.
We support Trump100 percent.
And I’m the onlythe only Republican candidatethat is Pro-Life.(15:47:47--15:48:22)WFTX: What do you think the LeeCounty Sheriff’s Office needs tokeep people safe that you don’tthink is there right now.
RET.MAJ.
JIM LEAVENS/(R) LEE COUNTYSHERIFF CANDIDATE: They needmore contact with the public.Community policing is a greatprogram.
They need to get moreofficers out there doingcommunity policing.
The only wayto do that is by downsizing thetop part of the agency.
We’reway too top heavy.
For everyposition you eliminate upstairs,you can put three people on theroad.
Being proactive is theonly way to combat crime in Leecounty.
Because crime is fluidand so you need the manpower tobe proactive.(15:52;42--15:53:00)WFTX: What do you think is atstake in this election?
RET.MAJ.
JIM LEAVENS/(R) LEE CO.SHERIFF CANDIDATE: It’s justlike the president election.There is a lot at stake.
Thetemporary appointed sheriffthat’s in there now, like Isaid, wasn’t elected.
He’s madeso many mistakes in the lastyear and half that he’s beenthere.
And the thought... ifhe’s gets elected, that’s 4years that we would have to dealwith this many more mistakes.(16;02:48 --16:03:13)RET.
MAJOR JIM LEAVENS/(R) LEE.CO.
SHERIFF CANDIDATE: We’vegone to a number of debates.He’s been set up for 5 or 6debate - no shows.
He eithercancels at the last minutedeclines or doesn’t show.
He’srunning a Biden campaign rightnow from the basement.
And it’sa shame because the publicshould have the right to havehim and I on a stage and see whohas what I takes to be sheriff.And my experience right off thebat tells you I’ve got what ittakes.
His is seriously lacking.
Meet local candidate running for Lee County Sheriff Jim Leavans.
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