If you are looking for a specific answer that's not here, please let me know your question?
I heard that an employee was arrested for Driver's License Fraud - is that true?
It is true and that is a very serious situation. In 2007 the employee renewed 4 driver’s licenses.
She indicated in the State of Florida’s records system that these persons had become US
Citizens when in fact they were not. That is why she was fired.
Why didn't you fire the employee when you learned of the crime?
There was no question that the employee would be fired. However in June when the Florida
Highway patrol notified me of the crime, the trooper told me their investigation was incomplete
and that they hoped to gain additional information. I immediately agreed to cooperate in their
investigation. I and a few key staff worked closely with the Patrol and I want to thank them for
the thorough and professional manner in which they conducted the investigation.
Is there anything you could have done to prevent this from happening?
When issuing a driver's license, my office must follow the guidelines set by the State of Florida
and we must use the state computer system. Every employee is trained in those requirements.
No matter how secure a system, an individual may make a decision to break the law. That's
what happened in this case and that person is paying a severe price as a consequence of her
actions. However, although these are state procedures I am going to conduct a professional
audit of the state system (manual & computer) to determine if there are changes I can suggest
that would make it more difficult for this to happen in any driver's license office across the state.
I heard you are more concerned about the employee than the crime?
As planned, immediately following her arrest the employee was fired. She had been a member
of the staff for 4 years and appeared to be a happy, productive and exemplary employee who
has a wonderful family. I was always taught to hate the sin and love the sinner. I am deeply
saddened for her and her family and I am appalled and angry that she would violate the public
trust by using her position to issue a fraudulent driver’s license.
In my view issuing a fraudulent driver’s license is dangerous for the public we serve. None of us
can forget that Mohamed Atta was here in Sarasota County. 9 -11 forever changed the need for
extra focus on homeland security and proper identification is part of that vigilance.
Our country’s safety is an issue near and dear to my heart. My son-in law returned this summer
from duty in Afghanistan. My nephew has deployed from Alaska to Iraq (I believe he is in the
same unit with Governor Palin’s son). I am proud of the young members of my family who are
making the sacrifices to keep us all safe.
That is why I delayed the firing of my employee and did my part to assist the Highway Patrol in
their investigation. I am sure any patriotic American would do the same.
Why does Barbara have such a long name?
That's a great question and here is the answer.
Can you do anything about the closing of the Venice Driver's License Office?
When the state announced the closing of their office, I immediately requested permission to
provide those services in the Venice office. We are scheduled to have that available by
November 1st.
Why don't you have an office in North Port?
I have been evaluating that possibility for many years. Opening an office means a significant
cost ($500,000) so that decision must be carefully examined. Almost every transaction can be
handled by mail and over the years we have greatly expanded our Internet services. However,
several factors have lead to the decision to open a North Port office by 2010 including: the
increase in the population making North Port the largest City in Sarasota County, the
availability of commercial space at a very reasonable rate and the closing of the state drivers
license office which has led to the transfer of those services to the Tax Collector's Venice office
this October.
Why don't you have web cams so people can see the lines in the office before they
decide which office to visit?
77% of our customers have NO wait. 96% wait 10 minutes or less. However, it's true we
sometimes have longer wait times, but when we do, all staff pitch in to move the line along.
As a result, what a customer might see on a web cam may be completely different than what
they find when they arrive in the office. Also, most customers want to save gas and go to the
closest office.
What are your plans for the Sarasota County Tax Collector's Office?
Although this office has the lowest cost per tax payer in SW Florida, with local and state
governments facing revenue shortfalls, we must continue to look for ways to balance providing
necessary services with limited revenue. I plan to do this by investing in the productivity of my
staff, looking at new cost-saving ways to use the Internet and consolidating services whenever
possible.
Are you involved in shaping legislation that can affect the taxpayer?
There are numerous legislative issues which must be monitored in the Florida legislature and
the U.S. Congress. I will continue to work with the Florida Tax Collectors Association concerning
the state issues and the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance
Officers and the National Association of Counties concerning the federal issues.
I heard that an employee was arrested for Driver's License Fraud - is that true?
It is true and that is a very serious situation. In 2007 the employee renewed 4 driver’s licenses.
She indicated in the State of Florida’s records system that these persons had become US
Citizens when in fact they were not. That is why she was fired.
Why didn't you fire the employee when you learned of the crime?
There was no question that the employee would be fired. However in June when the Florida
Highway patrol notified me of the crime, the trooper told me their investigation was incomplete
and that they hoped to gain additional information. I immediately agreed to cooperate in their
investigation. I and a few key staff worked closely with the Patrol and I want to thank them for
the thorough and professional manner in which they conducted the investigation.
Is there anything you could have done to prevent this from happening?
When issuing a driver's license, my office must follow the guidelines set by the State of Florida
and we must use the state computer system. Every employee is trained in those requirements.
No matter how secure a system, an individual may make a decision to break the law. That's
what happened in this case and that person is paying a severe price as a consequence of her
actions. However, although these are state procedures I am going to conduct a professional
audit of the state system (manual & computer) to determine if there are changes I can suggest
that would make it more difficult for this to happen in any driver's license office across the state.
I heard you are more concerned about the employee than the crime?
As planned, immediately following her arrest the employee was fired. She had been a member
of the staff for 4 years and appeared to be a happy, productive and exemplary employee who
has a wonderful family. I was always taught to hate the sin and love the sinner. I am deeply
saddened for her and her family and I am appalled and angry that she would violate the public
trust by using her position to issue a fraudulent driver’s license.
In my view issuing a fraudulent driver’s license is dangerous for the public we serve. None of us
can forget that Mohamed Atta was here in Sarasota County. 9 -11 forever changed the need for
extra focus on homeland security and proper identification is part of that vigilance.
Our country’s safety is an issue near and dear to my heart. My son-in law returned this summer
from duty in Afghanistan. My nephew has deployed from Alaska to Iraq (I believe he is in the
same unit with Governor Palin’s son). I am proud of the young members of my family who are
making the sacrifices to keep us all safe.
That is why I delayed the firing of my employee and did my part to assist the Highway Patrol in
their investigation. I am sure any patriotic American would do the same.
Why does Barbara have such a long name?
That's a great question and here is the answer.
Can you do anything about the closing of the Venice Driver's License Office?
When the state announced the closing of their office, I immediately requested permission to
provide those services in the Venice office. We are scheduled to have that available by
November 1st.
Why don't you have an office in North Port?
I have been evaluating that possibility for many years. Opening an office means a significant
cost ($500,000) so that decision must be carefully examined. Almost every transaction can be
handled by mail and over the years we have greatly expanded our Internet services. However,
several factors have lead to the decision to open a North Port office by 2010 including: the
increase in the population making North Port the largest City in Sarasota County, the
availability of commercial space at a very reasonable rate and the closing of the state drivers
license office which has led to the transfer of those services to the Tax Collector's Venice office
this October.
Why don't you have web cams so people can see the lines in the office before they
decide which office to visit?
77% of our customers have NO wait. 96% wait 10 minutes or less. However, it's true we
sometimes have longer wait times, but when we do, all staff pitch in to move the line along.
As a result, what a customer might see on a web cam may be completely different than what
they find when they arrive in the office. Also, most customers want to save gas and go to the
closest office.
What are your plans for the Sarasota County Tax Collector's Office?
Although this office has the lowest cost per tax payer in SW Florida, with local and state
governments facing revenue shortfalls, we must continue to look for ways to balance providing
necessary services with limited revenue. I plan to do this by investing in the productivity of my
staff, looking at new cost-saving ways to use the Internet and consolidating services whenever
possible.
Are you involved in shaping legislation that can affect the taxpayer?
There are numerous legislative issues which must be monitored in the Florida legislature and
the U.S. Congress. I will continue to work with the Florida Tax Collectors Association concerning
the state issues and the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance
Officers and the National Association of Counties concerning the federal issues.
| It's more than just a job... it's working to be the best every day! KEEP Barbara FORD-COATES working for you. |
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| KEEP BARBARA FORD-COATES TAX COLLECTOR |
| FordCoatesCampaign@yahoo.com Campaign Co-Chairs: Catherine Ford-Coates and Katherine Schersten 4833 Riverwood Avenue Sarasota, FL 34231 Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Barbara Ford-Coates, Democrat, Campaign for Sarasota County Tax Collector |