Page 4 November 13, 2013
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Badges - Continued from page 1
Remembering the Past
are concerned, while I can understand the sentiment behind the request, we d have to look
into it. As you well know, badges are a symbol of authority which could, if lost, stolen or
misplaced, be abused. I suspect that s one reason why presentment of badges is typically
reserved for retirement at the end of a long and distinguished career. My biggest concern
is I wouldn t want a decision to allow the badges to be taken to come back and bite Inglis
someday."
According to an e-mail on September 30, 2013, from town clerk Sally McCranie to Lt.
John Dowd, the request was made to "please return all badges."
According to recent documents obtained from the Town of Inglis, orders for Town
of Inglis Police badges were made on 8/6/2013, 2 orders on 8/29/2013 and 2 wallets on
8/30/2013. Attorney Bettin, on October 14, 2013, made out a formal letter that was mailed
to Lorraine Barber, John Dowd, Brian Hilberer and Timothy J. Bible, Sr.
That letter states as follows: "On July 26,2013, a "purchase order (#66666) was is-
sued to Sun Badge Company for an Inglis Police Department "Retired Lieutenant" badge.
The records maintained by IPD indicate Ms. Barber placed this order and Mr. Dowd was
the intended recipient of this badge." "On July 26, 2013, a purchase order (#88888) was is-
sued to Sun Badge Company for an Inglis Police Department "Sergeant" badge. The records
maintained by IPD indicate Ms. Barber placed this order and Mr. Hilberer was the intended
recipient of this badge." "On August 2, 2013, a "purchase order (#77777) was issued to
Sun Badge Company for an Inglis Police Department "Retired Chief" badge. The records
This picture from the thirties, available at the Coastal Heritage Museum in Crystal River, was
maintained by IPD indicate Ms. Barber placed this order and Timothy J. Bible, Sr. was the
donated by Doc Hudson. According to John Grannan, volunteer at the museum, the larger boat
intended recipient of this badge." After researching other records from the IPD, it shows
is pulling smaller boats that hauled to shore the green turtles that were once plentiful in the
the end date of his employment as 5/29/2008.
Gulf. When Gil Stoney, a returning Marine from the war, and his mother Virginia Mason took
According to this letter from the Town Attorney, "None of these purchase orders were
over the popular Green Tavern on Hwy 19 in Crystal River, Gil's mother invented the famous
authorized through proper channels. Of particular concern, the implicit representation that
turtle burger the tavern was famous for by taking the left over good meat from cutting the
any of the intended recipients "retired" from the Inglis Police Department is false. The Town
turtle steaks and grinding it up like hamburger. Turtle is now on the prohibited catch list here.
Commission s decision to enter into an interlocal agreement with The Levy County Sheriff s
The Green Tavern was located where Race Trac is today. History by Sally Price.
Office beginning FY 2013-2014 does not make former IPD officers "retirees". The Town
In Memoriam
Attorney also makes a statement to "Mr. Hilberer, there is no reason for you to be in posses-
sion of an "active duty" Inglis Department Sergeant s badge. In fact, possession of the same
is directly contrary to the orders given by the Town that all badges be returned at the time
IPD shut down. Please return the same immediately."
On October 28, 2013 in an e-mail from John Dowd to the Town Attorney, in re-
sponse to the attorney s letter for the return of the badges, John Dowd states that "....my
administrative assistant at the time, Lorraine Barber, made these requests through Town Hall
and through the Town Clerk and in fact received these Purchase Orders from Town Hall and
the Town Clerk in fact verifies that these were obtained with proper authorization....prior to
leaving the towns employment I made arrangements with Mrs. McCranie and Ms. Slattery
to contact me when the item came in so I can pick them up and issue a reimbursement check
to the town for the badge." According to Dowd s email Hilberer intended to reimburse the
town for his badge. Both payments to the town by Dowd and Bible for badges were returned
to them.
Town clerk Sally McCranie denied that she had any knowledge of the purchase
orders in an email to the town s attorney dated Oct. 30, 2013 saying "I read the letter from
John Dowd where he stated that Lorraine Barber had cleared this with myself and Darlene
(Slattery). This is untrue. Lorraine did not speak to me about this order.....I am saying once
again that I had no knowledge that the badges had been ordered."
In response to John Dowd s e-mail/letter, Attorney Bettin wrote his opinion on No-
vember 4, 2013, and sent it to the Town Commission and Mayor Kirkland. He stated, "As
you know, badges were ordered for former Sergeant Hilberer, former Lt. Dowd and former
Chief Bible. The record indicates this was done surreptitiously. As it turns out, what "this"
is all about Dowd, Hilberer and Bible believe (a)they have a right to invoke the provisions
of 18USC s. 926C so they can "conceal carry" a personal firearm regardless of the laws of
"GONE FISHING" November 13, 2012, a year ago, Jon Denis "Deni" Price Jr. (at 48 years
whatever jurisdiction in which each of them may find himself at any particular moment and
young) was promoted to Heaven. Deni was a most loving person who had a love and respect
(b) the badges are somehow related to that right." On down the page, under the headline
of family, friends, life and God. Deni was a person of kind words and a love and zest for life
"ISSUE", the Attorney states, "Whether Dowd, Hilberer and/or Bible could qualify under
that many never experience. His belief was "I am not here for a longtime, I am here for a good
18USC s. 926C is irrelevant to our discussion. The only issue is whether the statute gives
time." Called by many "the gentle giant," Deni was as comfortable with older folks as he was
Dowd, Hilberer and/or Bible the RIGHT to an Inglis PD badge ("retired" or otherwise)."
with his many friends who filled much of their lives with fishing. Deni was happy if he had a
Under the title, "SHORT ANSWER", the Attorney states, "18USC s. 926C DOES NOT
fishing pole in his hands. If someone needed help of any kind, he was there to help. He was
GIVE Dowd, Hilberer and/or Bible the RIGHT to an Inglis Police badge."
the most loving son who always had an "I love you" every day. His pride was his son Jon. My
The entire letter is available as a matter of public record at town hall and will
thoughts to my grandson Jon, Deni's "best buds" of many, Richard Steinhorst and almost
be available on The Newscaster website at www.thenewscaster.com homepage, access this
brother Lamar Gay, his sister Lynn Hough and family and his dad Jon Price and Sunny. Loving
story and use the link at the end.
and missing him every day. Sally Price (Mother)
The Pizza JoinT
Carl Roof, Inc.
Brandell Campbell
WOOD FIRE PIES
Quarry Mgr.
Land Clearing - Fill - Septic Installation
Carl Roof, Owner
19371 SE Butler Rd.
St. Catherine Quarry
Inglis, FL 34449
Aggregates Division
Office (352)793-4526
Florida Region
Since 1973
352-447-2733
Fax (352)793-5682
Bushnell, FL. 33513
352-257-8250 cell
Cell (352)427-6664
brcampbell@cemexusa.com