2008 LWVOC Voter Guide

Office Profile: Office Title: Orange County Sheriff Term: Salary: $159,021 per year
	Candidate: Bill Armstrong
	Educational Background: I attended Orange County public schools growing up here in Orlando. I have attended courses at Embry Riddle University, Valencia Community College and Seminole Community College. I hold a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice. I am an FAA certified Commercial Helicopter Pilot and Flight Instructor and I am also a graduate of numerous leadership and career development courses sponsored through the State of Florida Law Enforcement Training and Standards Division.
	Age: 54 years old
	Current Occupation: I am a career law enforcement officer with over 34 years of service in the metro Orlando area. I served with the Orange County Sheriff's Office in various leadership roles for 21 years and was later recruited by Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger to develop and command the Special Operations Division. I ultimately retired as a Captain. I am currently an aircraft commander with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Aviation Air Rescue Unit and I commute from Orlando.
	Civic Organizations: League of Women Voters Orange County Police Athletic League Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches American Cancer Society United Way
	How can you make a difference as Orange County Sheriff? I intend to restore fiscal accountability at the Sheriff's office and re-engineer the structure of the agency so that it is more efficient, cost effective and transparent in terms of public scrutiny. I bring a diversity of experience having served with numerous other agencies in Central Florida that the other candidates are not able to offer. I am not a product of the current administration's management philosophies and I have not compromised my campaign with special interest support and endorsements. I will bring objectivity and fresh strategies to the agency that will benefit both the employees of the agency and the citizens of Orange County.
	What are the top three challenges facing the Sheriff's Office? Violent Crime has to be a priority. Murder and felony crime is at historical numbers. Our children need to be safe in their neighborhoods and schools. I will implement a strategic plan that will restore law and order to the streets of Orange County. Shortage of Deputies is at a critical level. We need to be more proactive in our crime prevention efforts and decrease the response times to in progress emergencies and crimes. I will put more deputies on the street and in your neighborhoods to prevent crimes of opportunity. Gangs and Drugs - Violent gangs are roaming our streets and terrorizing our neighborhoods. Drugs are being openly distributed in our neighborhoods and schools. My initial challenge is to protect our children in their schools and the backyards of this community. I intend to do just that.
	How will you work with other agencies to ensure a safer Orange County? In times of rising costs and tighter budgets, it's imperative that all government agencies network and share technology, assets and resources to achieve common goals at the least cost to the tax payer. This not only includes law enforcement agencies within Orange County but I would envision a regionalized law enforcement concept that will facilitate the sharing of information and resources of agencies in the tri county area in an effort to combat crime and provide enhanced customer to service to the citizens of this community. I will also strive to establish a more cohesive working relationship with the Orange County Commission and office of County Mayor, than has existed in recent years.
	Campaign Contact Information:	I can be contacted at email@electbillarmstrong.org or 407- 359-1542 My website is www.electbillarmstrong.org