October 20, 2008
Bill White: Responsible,
Fiscal Conservative
Two things have headlined Bill White’s Public Defender’s agenda for 32 years:
Do More and Spend Less.
Accordingly, Bill White has done more than build the second largest public law firm in the state. He has done more than deliver 32 consecutive balanced budgets throughout his tenure. He has returned thousands of dollars to taxpayers every fiscal year since 1976.
“The Office of the Public Defender operates on the smallest share of the state’s justice dollars,” says Bill White. (The lion share goes to law enforcement and prosecution.). “But budget constraints never have and never will prevent me from protecting our constitutional rights.”
Proof positive. Recent budget cuts have caused most Public Defender’s offices in Florida to reduce staff and case loads. Meanwhile, Bill White maintains his staff of 150 professionals; and manages more than 50,000 defense proceedings a year, at a cost averaging less than $300 per case.
How does Bill do it? Bill garners praise during every mandatory State of Florida operational and budget audit for best business practices. His budget-smart innovations now assist all state agencies.
To name a few:
- Re-negotiated a court reporter contract in 2007 that saved taxpayers over $200,000
- Converted the client interview program from paid staff to volunteers from Florida Coastal School of Law, the University of North Florida and FCCJ, saving tens of thousands of dollars.
- Offset state budget cuts with $400,000 in trust fund fees paid by clients.
- Implemented a video conferencing system that allows assistant public defenders “on-line visits” with clients in prison or state mental health facilities, and saved thousands of dollars in out-of-town travel costs.
- Transferred over $100,000 in state budget Information Technology costs to a fee-generated fund that is revenue neutral to the State of Florida.
It takes leadership and administrative skill to accomplish all of this during a time of budget reductions and increasing caseloads.
“In these tough economic times, it’s critical that the Public Defender knows how to do more with less,” says Sheriff Seagraves of Nassau County. “Bill White comes in under budget and returns tax money to the state while keeping experienced and qualified attorneys and staff. This kind of fiscal responsibility is important to all of us.”
October 8, 2008
Bill White: Navy Veteran
Bill White’s family tradition of military service
for nearly 100 years.
- WWI – Bill’s Grandfather enlists; serves as a Corpsman on Navy destroyer.
- WWII – Bill’s Father at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, serves in Pacific, and retires as a Chief Petty Officer at end of war.
- WWII – Bill’s Mother commissioned as a WAVE, rises to the rank of Lieutenant
- Vietnam – Bill’s Uncle already enlisted and serves on river patrol gunboat
- Vietnam – Bill enlists at the height of the Vietnam War.
“I am proud of my family's military tradition and their history of service to country,” says Bill.
Like his Grandfather, his Father, Mother and Uncle, Bill White served in the United States Navy during wartime. It was 1968, the peak of the Vietnam War. Following sea duty aboard the destroyer USS Ingraham DD-694. Bill then served as a Communication Tech (CT). He was selected for special training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey California. He finished first in his class, was cleared for top secret cryptographic security, and served two years in the Naval Security Group (NSG) reporting to the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA).
The experience launched a lifetime of protecting our basic rights. “Since 1968, except for law school, I have dedicated every day of my working life to public service.” says Bill.
Lifelong mission. Bill White’s mission to serve began in the United States Navy and has continued for more than 32 years as a Public Defender. His accomplishments are unparalleled.
- Appointed Chief assistant Public Defender in 1976
- Elected Public Defender of Duval, Clay and Nassau counties in 2004
- Handled cases at every level of court, state and federal
- Participated in selecting and training every public defender in the 4th Circuit since 1976
- Built an internationally recognized Public Defenders Office within the limited resources allocated for public defense
- Administered 32 consecutive, conservative balanced budgets while growing the city’s second largest public law firm
- Returned unused budget dollars to the State
- Finds time to donate to community service
North Florida has the 3rd largest U.S. Naval installation in the United States. No one values Bill’s dedication more than America’s defenders and patriots.
September 28, 2008
More of North Florida’s bravest endorse
Bill White
First, the Sheriffs... Duval, Nassau and Clay counties top law-enforcement ... endorsed Bill White for Public Defender. Now it’s our professional Firefighters.
Jacksonville Firefighters Association, Local 122
Nassau County Fire/Rescue Professionals, Local 3101
Clay County Fire/Rescue Professionals, Local 3362
Vital Office. “Most of the public’s money is spent on aggressive prosecution and law enforcement which makes the Office of Public Defender even more vital to our legal system,” says Larry Osborne, political activist for the Firefighters of North Florida. “For Bill, this is a mission, a true calling that Firefighters identify with. When people need us, they are in some of the worst situations imaginable. When they need a Public Defender they are in those same terrible straits and similarly unable to deal with those situations. If I was being prosecuted, I’d want the most aggressive, dedicated defender I could find. That’s Bill White.”
“Being a firefighter is more than a job. It’s a calling,” says Bill White. “To have the endorsement of these professionals is a real honor. They understand that to be a Public Defender is also a calling, and we stand beside them in their commitment to serve.”
Of course, they wouldn’t have it any other way. “We all applaud Bill’s years of commitment to public service,” says Randy Wyse, President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 122. “We identify with his dedication and integrity, and we proudly endorse him.”
Four words. Bill White stands for the four most powerful words in our justice system: “... and justice for all.” These words are guaranteed by the United States Constitution and reinforced in our Pledge of Allegiance. Bill has spent his career protecting those rights for you, your family and your neighbors. North Florida’s citizens need Bill White’s experience and commitment. The dedicated professionals who serve by his side want his leadership.
Lifelong mission. Bill White’s mission to serve began in the United States Navy and has continued for more than 32 years as a Public Defender. His accomplishments are unparalleled.
- Appointed Chief assistant Public Defender in 1976
- Elected Public Defender of Duval, Clay and Nassau counties in 2004.
- Tried every type of criminal case at every level, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Participated in selecting and training every public defender in the 4th Circuit since 1976
- Built an internationally recognized Public Defenders Office within the limited resources allocated for public defense.
- Administered 32 consecutive, conservative balanced budgets while growing the city’s second largest public law firm.
- Returned unused budget dollars to the State.
- Finds time to donate to community service.
Elect Bill White. November 4. Please send this to your family and friends. Join our first responders, our community, civic, and business leaders. Vote Bill White, Public Defender: Protector of our constitutional rights.
September 19, 2008
Business Leaders Back
Bill White’s Campaign
JaxBiz Inc., a Committee of Continuous Existence affiliated with the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, has announced its endorsement of Bill White, Public Defender of the 4th Judicial Circuit.
“It’s an honor to be receive JaxBiz’s endorsement and support,” White said. “I had hoped that the business leaders we talked with would recognize the challenges we’ve faced keeping the city’s second largest public law firm going through these economically difficult times, and they did.”
“I feel I’ve proven my ability to manage this complex office. I’ve participated in hiring and training every assistant public defender in the 4th Circuit since 1976, while administering 32 consecutive balanced budgets,” White continued. “It’s given me the experience we need right now. The dedicated professionals who have committed their careers upholding the law deserve no less.”
JaxBiz is a nonprofit, nonpartisan political organization with the goal of promoting business-friendly leadership at the local and state government levels. JaxBiz members research and endorse candidates for public office based on issues that affect business and economic development. Edward E. Burr, president & CEO of Landmar Group, chairs the Committee.
The decision to endorse a candidate is based on the candidate’s support of the business community's agenda. This agenda is determined by stakeholders in an ongoing process that involves polling and other research methods. JaxBiz is not connected or affiliated with any political party or specific candidate. The Board members are a diverse cross-section of the business community including representatives from small and large businesses.
September 12, 2008
Area Sheriffs Unanimously Support Bill White
Sheriffs John Rutherford, Rick Beseler and Tommy Seagraves all agree Bill White is the best choice for Public Defender. Working hand in hand with the Public Defender’s office, they know Bill White is a dedicated and efficient professional who has provided 34 years of service to our community.
“One of the glories of the American Constitution is its commitment to protect individual rights and to ensure that every citizen receives the highest caliber legal representation,” explained Duval County Sheriff John Rutherford.
In the 4th Circuit, we’re fortunate to have a man like Bill White filling this critical job. The Constitution doesn’t work unless it applies to all the people. It’s the Public Defender’s job to uphold this constitutional mandate.
Sheriff Beseler of Clay County says he can count on Bill White to respect his Deputy Sheriffs and their role in the process. “It’s tough to be a strong advocate for your client and, at the same time, remember that we’re all working for the same goal….justice. Bill White will work for that goal.”
“I’m a fiscal conservative,” Sheriff Seagraves of Nassau County explained. “I know how important it is to ensure our tax dollars are spent wisely. Especially in these tough economic times, it’s critical that the Public Defender knows how to do more with less.”
As Chief Assistant Public Defender and now as Public Defender, Bill White has administered 32 consecutive balanced budgets. He has even returned money by coming in under budget while keeping experienced and qualified attorneys and staff. This kind of fiscal responsibility is important to all of us.
Bill is proud and honored to have the endorsement, encouragement and support of his colleagues in law enforcement. “I’ve worked with these gentlemen for years. They are as passionate about their jobs as I am about mine. To have their support is an honor. I thank them for their faith in me.”
Please pass this information along to your friends and family. Ask them to join you and these leaders in law enforcement and vote Bill White for Public Defender. It’s his job to protect everyone’s constitutional rights.