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Collier early voters weather the rain to show up on last day
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Bad weather didn’t keep voters away from the polls Saturday during the last day of early voting.
With seven polling stations throughout Collier County, 6,235 people already had placed their early votes before the polls opened Saturday morning. Early voting continued through Saturday evening.
Along with the rain, voters also were greeted by poll workers and volunteers from several of the candidates’ campaigns.
“We’re trying to get people to come out and vote and be out here in strength, just like our competitor,” said Victor Ortino, one of the three candidates for sheriff.
At the Collier Public Library Headquarters on Orange Blossom Drive, Ortino’s volunteers waved at drivers and held signs promoting their candidate.
Next to them were supporters of another candidate for sheriff, Kevin Rambosk.
“Often people don’t know you can vote early so we’re helping to educate them,” said Carolyn Rambosk, who was campaigning for her brother.
While the candidates and their volunteers also were available to inform voters of their qualifications and positions, many early voters already knew who they were marking on their ballot before arriving at the polls.
“I had a sample ballot and I knew who I was voting for before I got here,” Karen Dyer said.
Voting early was helpful for Dyer, who said she works Tuesday but wanted to vote on the School Board races since her daughter is a school librarian in Collier County.
Ginny Skaathun wanted to avoid the wait that some voters may face during regular voting hours on Tuesday.
“I knew it was the last day of early voting,” said Skaathun, who was mainly interested in the sheriff’s race. “I was here last week, but it was so crowded and I didn’t want to wait in line.”
Voting machine changes also may slow down the process slightly this year.
The old touch-screen system has been replaced with new optical-scan voting machines.
“The new system is a bit slower than the touch screen,” said Dave Carpenter, qualifying officer for the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office.
“We expect a 20 percent turnout for the Collier County elections, compared to 80 percent in November, so for the vast majority of voters that (November) will be their first time with the new system,” Carpenter said.
He said the early-voting process was going smoothly despite having to shut down voting for one day in the past week due to Tropical Storm Fay.
Voters who didn’t make it to an early voting site can still place their vote at their precincts on Tuesday. The 93 sites in Collier County will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information on Collier County elections, visit www.colliervotes.com.
Contact Catherine Howden at catherine.howden@gmail.com
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Ortino is the class act running for sheriff. A great leader and intuitive investigator.
Ortino! He is the man for sheriff. GO ORTINO FOR SHERIFF!!!
#1 Posted by longtimecitizen on August 23, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need a change at the Sheriff's office. Twenty years of good old boy's, coverups and politics is just too much. Rambosk will not change a thing, he has been part of the problem.
We need change. Vote Ortino!
#2 Posted by irconcerned on August 23, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did you guys know that Ortino and his opponent had a gentlemans agreement today about how long they would stay at the Orange Blossom location, and that agreement was BROKEN by the incumbent -- the same incumbent who was forced to resign to avoid prosecution for willful violatinos of the Hatch Act.
Ortino is the only smart choice for sheriff. Remember all the chaos and foul-ups and cost increases and deputy resignations and low morale and soo much more negative goings on while the incumbent has been there.
ORTINO. The time is now for ORTINO for sheriff.
#3 Posted by W_Coyote on August 23, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
VOTE ORTINO!
#4 Posted by Toesmom on August 23, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that the majority of the populace feel that the individual deputies are good public servants. However there is the ongoing issue with the CCSO's problems with coverup and denial, which stem from the upper management. None of these problems will be solved if the former undersheriff is elected, you might as well be voting for the incumbent. Twenty years is too long for any regime to stay in power. Mr. Ortino is the best candidate to solve these problems.
#5 Posted by CommonCause on August 23, 2008 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Coyote and Toesman OBVIOUSLY don't know about Ortie's daughter STEALING from her OWN employer....or Ortie's X wifey's endorsement via posting: OMG my daughter will never steal again commentary.
IF MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT.....ORTIE BOY still would not have my vote.
#6 Posted by beetlejuice on August 24, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Neither would Vinnie-tee-hee-harrassment free signs have my vote...he's a dweeb!
#7 Posted by beetlejuice on August 24, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Beetle,
What's wrong with an ex-wife endorsing a candidate? I say it speaks volumes on how the man can keep and forge relationships. Just because a marriage doesn't work out doesn't mean the people cannot remain friends. As for the daughter, I think this statement shows just how low people can get when it comes to elections. Why bring in someone's child, even though she is an adult, into a campaign? She paid her dues and is now serving as an Explorer for a police department that knows about her background probably better than anyone else, but the department realized how much she has grown and matured in recent years. We've all had children who made bad choices, some worse than others, but get real.
#8 Posted by mothernature on August 24, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kudo's to Catherine Howden on a professional, unbiased article. It is refreshing to know that there are still some REAL Journalist at NDN.
#9 Posted by SwampRat on August 24, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The same tribe of seven Ortino supporters jump on their blogging diatribe in attempt to make it look like he has more support than he actually does. Three of the above posters were fired or disciplined by the sheriff's office for misconduct; so, they spread their hate and discontent on the blogs.
Let's compare:
Ortino lies about his law enforcement experience because he was fired after only 17 months with the Florida Highway Patrol.
Kevin Rambosk has 30 years of law enforcement and city government experience.
Ortino has never thought it necessary to prepare himself for management with a college degree. No college degree.
Kevin Rambosk has a bachelor's degree in Public Administration and a Master's of Business Administration.
Ortino has hired deputies that were fired for lying and for viewing child pornography, and he has attempted to trash the reputations of many honorable men and women who serve.
Kevin Rambosk has held deputies accountable for their inappropriate actions and has praised them when they have performed well.
Kevin Rambosk is a man who has spent a lifetime in service and in preparing for leadership. He deserves your vote for Sheriff. VOTE FOR KEVIN RAMBOSK FOR SHERIFF.
#10 Posted by lucky13 on August 24, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The former undersheriff lied in the Naples Daily News, apparently he did not think that the allegation of sexual harrasment by Chris Freeman needed more severe action, which violates CCSO policy.
Attached is a copy of the FDLE Investigative Report. Also copies of Freeman's retirement letter initialed by Hunter, Rambosk (ID # 452, and several other members of the chain of command approving the short-fused retirement are attached. Additionally, Hunter's inter-office memo providing glowing tribute to Freeman on his departure is provided, along with a news statement regarding Freeman made by the CCSO on June 6, 2008.
Remember, Rambosk stated in a July 28 NDN article on the FDLE Investigative Report http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/j... , that "By that time I was no longer in the chain of command or the undersheriff, and had nothing to do with the investigation of the Freeman case," Rambosk said.
All documents preceded the request for FDLE investigation, and occured well after Freeman's lightening quick retirement on May 23, 2008 following allegations by the subordinate. I assume the actions taken by the CCSO administration were contrary to their own Sexual Harrassment policy requiring investigation of any CCSO member accused of improper conduct or sexual harrassment.
#11 Posted by CommonCause on August 24, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Click on beetlejuice and this is what you will see:
User profile: beetlejuice
Joined: May 24, 2006
Comments posted: 1236
Contact beetlejuice (log-in required)
Comments by beetlejuice
Page 1 of 124 | Next
This guy obviously does nothing but spend all day blogging on every article in the newspaper and 90% of what he has to say are inflammatory and insulting remarks (1236 comments posted) attacking every person that any article is about. There are 124(!) pages of comments that this nut has made. Why would anyone even bother reading his drivel about any subject, not just the election?
#12 Posted by CommonCause on August 24, 2008 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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