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Rambosk ready to reapply to Collier Sheriff’s Office before taking over in January
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GREG KAHN
Kevin Rambosk shares a laugh with supporters on election night at the Naples Heritage Golf & Country Club on August 26, 2008. Rambosk celebrated receiving more than 70-percent of the votes to become the next Collier County sheriff. Greg Kahn/Staff
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Lee and Collier County held their primaries today, Tuesday August 26th.
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NAPLES — Two days after winning a bitterly-contested race for Collier County sheriff, Kevin Rambosk has his sights set on the future.
Next up for Rambosk is being officially rehired at the Sheriff’s Office.
At his victory party on Tuesday, Rambosk said he hoped to start back to work by the end of the week. That’s not going to happen.
“It’s probably going to be next week,” Rambosk said. “I forgot this is a three-day holiday weekend.”
Despite resigning only six weeks ago, Rambosk has to reapply to the agency, meet all Florida Department of Law Enforcement requirements, have his background check updated, pass a physical and take a drug test, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Karie Partington said.
“We’re hoping next week,” she said.
In early May, Rambosk stepped down from his role as undersheriff and was reassigned to the position of executive officer with no supervisory duties to ensure he wasn’t in violation of the Hatch Act, a federal election law designed to prevent government employees from using their positions for partisan gain.
In July, Rambosk officially resigned from the Sheriff’s Office when he was informed by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel that he was still in violation. Although Rambosk disagreed with the opinion, he said he chose to resign rather than challenge the finding and face possible fines or punishment.
Rambosk said he believes Sheriff Don Hunter will bring him back as an executive officer, not as undersheriff, responsible primarily for the transition process.
As part of his published transition plan, Rambosk expects to hold a preliminary review, assess programs, complete an internal audit, and review policies and procedures, including the agency’s Taser policy, professional conduct policy, and juvenile warrants policy.
Rambosk said he’ll also look for input from Sheriff’s Office employees and from the public. He plans to create a Web site where residents can monitor the transition process and offer feedback.
“I don’t know that anybody’s ever done this, but I’m going to do it,” Rambosk said.
But before he starts his new role, Rambosk has to wrap up the past, specifically by tying up loose ends with his campaign.
In Tuesday’s primary election, Rambosk won 74 percent of the vote, blowing away his competitors, private investigator Victor Ortino and local businessman Vinny Angiolillo. Because there are no independent or Democratic candidates in the running, Rambosk does not have to compete in the November general election.
With his victory Tuesday, Rambosk, a former Collier undersheriff, Naples police chief and Naples city manager, will become the first new Collier sheriff in 20 years. Hunter’s term officially ends in mid-January.
“I’ve had a little time to relax, but not much,” Rambosk said Thursday. “There is still a lot of paperwork to be closed out, campaign paperwork. ... Fortunately, we have a great accountant who assists with a lot of that, making sure you have all your receipts turned in and recorded.”
Rambosk called his first political campaign “a little tiring,” but added it was also fast-paced, fun and exciting.
“It’s a tremendous amount of work,” Rambosk said. “I didn’t realize all the elements and aspects that went into running a progressive campaign.”
The Sheriff’s Office will run as it has been for the next few months, but after he’s sworn in as sheriff in January, Rambosk said residents can expect new plans and a new direction. However, there will not be any disruptive changes, he said.
“I think that one of my long standing philosophies has been to involve the public as much as possible,” Rambosk said. “Working together with the community, that was really my forte with the city.”
Deputies who campaigned for and supported his opponents have nothing to fear, Rambosk said. However, in a previous interview with the Daily News, Rambosk said his opponents may have broken the law.
“There was a whole variety of rules and procedures that everyone was supposed to have followed, as well as state laws,” Rambosk said Thursday. “We’re going to be looking (to ensure) that everyone followed the law.”
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A true professional.
#1 Posted by shwing on August 28, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Sheriff Rambosk! Your campaign was top notch. Our family loved seeing you in the parades and all over Collier County. Thank you for all you have done and all that you plan on doing to keep us safe in Collier County.
#2 Posted by LindorFamily on August 28, 2008 at 9:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am looking forward to another Rambosk website for the transition. Kevin really knows how to use innovative technology to reach the community.
#3 Posted by iheartnaples on August 28, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need to come together now and support Rambosk. This was an ugly race that didn't really benefit anyone.
#4 Posted by mikemorrow2 on August 28, 2008 at 9:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now this is what the wise Collier County electorate wanted with their next Sheriff--a dedicated smart professional who has excellent plans for our future--Kudos Sheriff-Elect Rambosk!
#5 Posted by Sheepdog on August 28, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations. Now please pull down your annoying pop - ups.
#6 Posted by 12gauge on August 28, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love the pop ups, especially the spinning one- very cool. And the thank you message is so gracious. Congratulations to Sheriff Rambosk!
#7 Posted by sommerheat on August 28, 2008 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A big congrats goes out to Rambosk!!!!!
#8 Posted by zeus on August 28, 2008 at 10:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad you won and glad you will be back with the agency ASAP! Way to go Sheriff-Elect Rambosk. I also liked the pop ups, not annoying at all.
#9 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on August 28, 2008 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Come on Tookie..he did the right thing..no pun intended................by stepping down and applying again.
CONGRATULATIONS RAMBOSK!
U R the best leader for the job!
I feel safer knowing Rambosk is the new leader for CCSO. Although, Sheriff Don did a magnificent job, too!
#10 Posted by beetlejuice on August 28, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. You are correct. There is a hiring freeze. Rambosk can't get rehired for an LE position. His position must have been filled already so he will have to wait until he takes office and can hire himself.
...anything to make an idiotic point eh, Tookie? How does it feel to go to bed knowing less than when you woke up?
#11 Posted by TruthHurtz on August 28, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This guy only follows rules when he's confronted with them by the US Attorney. Got to bet Hunter will give him a job to tide him over, rules or no rules.
#12 Posted by chap914 on August 29, 2008 at 12:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats!
I enjoyed this race more than the American Idol election!
You are a great Public Official.
#13 Posted by R_Popoff on August 29, 2008 at 5:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Make him work in the jail with Mongo.
#14 Posted by bullhalsey on August 29, 2008 at 6:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
#14.....Get over it already.
Congrats Sheriff Rambosk !
#15 Posted by Nplschick on August 29, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Because the Sheriff is a separate constitutional officer, the SO has a separate hiring policy, so yes, he can be rehired.
#16 Posted by drunkenmonkeykungfu on August 29, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You deserve some time off, but knowing you as I do time off is not what you want. When you have a career in law enforcement every day is a great day to be "on the job."
So hurry up and get to work Sheriff-Elect, but maybe do a little time running mid-nights in a radio car...
Congrats again, Kevin, you're the best!
#17 Posted by MarcoRobert on August 29, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is Tookie Williams one of Vinny's kids? I think a DNA test is in order here.
#18 Posted by cit10driver on August 29, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tookie...back in the 60's in was common place spelling for those who hated our country to spell America as ameraKa....
#19 Posted by MarcoRobert on August 29, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tookie,
I am real certain of my interpretation, because the Sheriff's Office has been hiring other positions in the last month or so, such as dispatchers and corrections deputies. As long as they are budgetted positions, they can be filled.
#20 Posted by drunkenmonkeykungfu on August 29, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm happy Rambosk won. I think good things will come with his time in office. But, as one of the many on the applicants on hold because of budgetary constraints, I am silently saying "hey wait a minute!" if he gets rehired immediately. It's like butting in line (a personal pet peeve). I realize there is professional courtesy etc., but it still sucks. But here's to hoping he can move some money around to be able to hire more deputies I guess.
#21 Posted by demo24 on August 29, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
demo, the guy stepped down...and now he wants to step up again to work. He had to do what he had to do to run for the position.
He's not cutting in line. He served 2 long to get back in line again.
Although a hiring freeze is real, Rambosk should be able to serve without a problem, until he is officially the Sheriff.
Have U looked at the Seminole Tribe of FL....there's no hiring freeze there. They welcome new applicants to their force, and I've heard good reports about their hiring practices.
#22 Posted by beetlejuice on August 29, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TookieToker please tell us what "county ordinances" the Sheriff's Office must follow in their hiring policies.
#22 "Even though the sheriff is a constitutionally elected official, the sheriff’s office hiring policies are provided by county ordinance"
#23 Posted by sommerheat on August 30, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sommerheat,
Obviously, there are none. He is talking out of his pants. The issue of Rambosk being re-hired after resigning is a moot point. The executive officer position was not filled. They worked short and subdivided and reassigned those responsibilities to other personnel. The position still exists and is vacant.
It is not a matter of Rambosk "cutting in line" ahead of people applying for patrol or jail positions. That is preposterous.
#24 Posted by TruthHurtz on August 30, 2008 at 1:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah, thats what I thought.
#25 Posted by sommerheat on August 30, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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