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Polk County Manager Offers No Public Accountability For The Disaster That Has Become Polk County Fire Rescue Administration

Carl Fish
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Polk County Manager Offers No Public Accountability For The Disaster That Has Become Polk County Fire Rescue Administration

By Carl Fish

Hezedean Smith, who became Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) Chief in November 2022, resigned effective September 30, 2024. His resignation followed a critical report commissioned by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, which highlighted management issues within PCFR. This report, conducted by Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A., reviewed the work environment at PCFR and prompted the county to seek changes to improve the department’s culture.

County Manager Bill Beasley placed Chief Smith on administrative leave before his resignation. Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, who oversees Public Safety, had been involved in addressing issues within PCFR, including controversies surrounding staffing decisions and disciplinary actions under his supervision.

At the BOCC meeting, Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to approve Shawn Smith as interim Polk County Fire Rescue Chief.

At no time in the commission meeting did county manager, Bill Beasley take any accountability for what occurred with his subordinates. He did not address any accountability for Deputy County Manager, Halman. The investigation into the PCFR was sparked by the handling of a hurricane deployment directed by Deputy County Manager Halman.

Battalion Chief Charlie True of PCFR was terminated in January 2024 following an investigation for insubordination, failure to supervise, and untruthfulness. These charges stemmed from a 2023 deployment to Levy County for hurricane recovery, during which True reportedly failed to follow orders from higher command and mismanaged aspects of the mission. Specifically Deputy County Manager (DCM) Halman made the directive for PCFR personnel to work in 12 hour shifts. Assistant Chief (AC) Ben Cassista specifically brought up how deployments in the past had worked and DCM Halman specifically directed that “no” it was 12 hour shifts. It is also clear that BC True was given these orders verbally, but nothing ever came from upper management in writing to any of the personnel ( no where in the investigation did it show any written documentation to that order). In the investigative report it clearly shows that BC True, specifically took aside Assistant Chief (AC) Parnell and advised that there were issues with the verbal directive and the shift hours per previous deployments. As BC True relays in his investigative interview they had the PCSO base camp to cover and personnel from PCSO who were out in the field to cover. The PCR crew had no ability to leave those two assignments personally and were basically assigned to cover the camp and deployments.

It should be specifically noted that the PCFR has no Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for these deployments. It should also be noted that no supervisor to BC True ever asked specifics during deployment to the amount of hours each staff was working. BC True is documented as having many text conversations and supplying pictures to Chief Smith regarding deployments outside of the base camp. We couldn’t find any questions, related to shift hours being worked, by Chief Smith or negative comments to the job BC True was doing during the deployment. The crew also were out providing medical standby for when the Governor and Senator visited.

It is clear from the documentation provided in the Polk County Fire Rescue Investigative report that it was not BC True who was derelict in his duties, but his commanding officers and the County administration.

After his termination, True appealed the decision and participated in a pre-disciplinary conference. As a result, Chief Smith proposed reinstating him, though with a demotion to Fire Captain and two years probationary period. If True successfully completes the probation, he may reapply for a battalion chief position in the future. This discipline was found to be very excessive and unfair according to the report by Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A. While True was disciplined for not following the 12 hr shift mandate, he and his other personnel were fully paid 24 hour shifts. A federal portal to portal law applies according to Union representatives.

County Manager Beasley made no mention of his role or DCM Halman’s role in managing Chief Smith. It is well documented that many allegations were voiced about Chief Smith. What did Beasley or Halman do to keep Chief Smith accountable?

We have had a multitude of former and current Polk County Fire Rescue personnel that have no confidence that things will change if DCM Halman specifically is over the department. Current personnel spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the fear for reprisals.

Ultimately the entire fiasco with Polk County Fire Rescue rest on County Manager Bill

Lakeland Man Indicted For Alleged Pandemic Fraud Scheme

Carl Fish
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Lakeland Man Indicted For Alleged Pandemic Fraud Scheme

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jeanty Cherilus (54, Lakeland) with five counts of wire fraud. Cherilus faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Cherilus that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $370,000, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.

According to the indictment, Cherilus was an owner of Natransusa Corporation (NATRANS), a business that advertised to provide automobile salvage and transportation services. Cherilus, through NATRANS, submitted applications to obtain federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to which Cherilus and NATRANS were not entitled. The loan applications had materially false and fraudulent representations, including an inflated number of employees and average payroll, and certifications that the loan proceeds would be used for business-related purposes. Cherilus also included fraudulent supporting documentation to induce the Small Business Administration and an approved lender to fund the loans. After receiving the PPP and EIDL funds, Cherilus used them for purposes other than what was approved by the terms of the loans and for his own person enrichment.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Agency for International Development – Office of Inspector General and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Task Force. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit Justice.gov/Coronavirus and Justice.gov/Coronavirus/CombatingFraud. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

Capture Winter Haven Photo Contest

Staff Reporter
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Capture Winter Haven Photo Contest

City of Winter Haven, FL – Have you captured the beauty of Winter Haven? Whether it’s a sunset over the Chain of Lakes or a bustling day at a local park, we want to see your city through your lens!

Submit your photos in categories like nature, landmarks, daily life, or historic moments. Use #CaptureWinterHaven when you post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Enter by October 19 for a chance to win a swag-filled prize package!

McLaughlin Academy Briefly Placed on Heightened Security This Morning

Staff Reporter
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McLaughlin Academy Briefly Placed on Heightened Security This Morning

Earlier this morning, Lake Wales Daily began receiving reports of a heavy police presence at McLaughlin Academy of Excellence in Lake Wales.

The following message was broadcast via email at around 8:17 this morning by the Polk County Public Schools as confirmed by PCPS:

This message is being sent on behalf of McLaughlin Academy of Excellence.

Dear families,

All students and staff are safe.

McLaughlin Academy of Excellence was briefly placed on heightened security this morning.

Law enforcement received an anonymous telephone call that someone heard gunfire on campus.

However, this was a completely false report.

No one on campus heard this noise. The entire campus has been searched. Nothing was found.

Again, all students and staff members are safe. This was a false report.

Law enforcement has determined that the campus is safe and secure. As a result, heightened security has been lifted.

All school operations have returned to normal.

Please be advised that we will have additional security measures in place and extra law enforcement on campus today. This is being done in an abundance of caution, and to ensure a calm school day.

Thank you.

We have contacted local law enforcement for comment; this story will be updated.

Lake Wales Rotary On The Ridge Requests Date For 2024 Annual Christmas Parade

Staff Reporter
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Lake Wales Rotary On The Ridge Requests Date For 2024 Annual Christmas Parade

By James Coulter

Autumn is upon us. You know what that means? More than three more months of Christmas shopping left. And that also means the annual Christmas parade is right around the corner.

At their workshop on Wed. Sept. 11, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed a special event permit application for the annual Christmas parade.

The application, submitted by Rotary on the Ridge, is requesting the “temporary closing of several streets” during the parade, which is scheduled for Sat. Dec. 14, 2024, between 6 PM and 8 PM. The lineup for the parade will begin at 3:30 PM at Polk Avenue Elementary School.

According to the agenda memo item, the proposed route “will begin on S First Street, travel up to Central Avenue, Central Ave to Lakeshore Blvd. north to Orange Ave Avenue where it will end on 5th Street.”

As such, the application is requesting that the streets of the parade route (and those adjacent to it) be closed temporarily between the time of 6 PM to 8 PM.

The following streets have been requested to be closed during the parade:

• S 1st Street, from E. Polk Avenue to Central Avenue;

• Central Avenue from 1st Street to Lakeshore Blvd.

• Lake Shore Blvd. from Central Avenue

• to Park Avenue

• Lake Shore Blvd Central Ave to Orange Ave.

• 5th/Orange to Sessoms Ave.

• 5th Street at Sessoms Ave.

As the memo states, city staff had reviewed the application and found “no issues with the event or road closings.”

As for the overall fiscal impact, the memo states that “the total cost of in-kind services is in the proposed budget for FY24/25 is $2949 with the Rotary on the Ridge being responsible for 25% of the total cost or approximately $737.”

Rotary on the Ridge will be responsible for the parade lineup, along with any “staging and any sanitary facilities.” Meanwhile, the police department will be responsible for handling pedestrian and vehicular traffic, while the streets department will handle street closings and trash cleanup.

For more information about the upcoming parade, visit the Rotary on the Ridge Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/RotaryontheRidge

September 18 Is National Cheeseburger Day; Where to Get a Deal Today

Staff Reporter
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September 18 Is National Cheeseburger Day; Where to Get a Deal Today

Since Wednesday, September 18 is National Cheeseburger Day, it’s a great time to celebrate all things cheeseburger and save money doing it.

According to Wikipedia, the vast grasslands of the Great Plains had been opened up for cattle ranching by the late 19th century. This made it possible for Americans to begin consuming beef almost on a daily basis. The hamburger remains one of the cheapest forms of beef in the United States.

Adding cheese to said hamburgers became popular in the 1920s. There are several competing claims as to who created the first cheeseburger but the most popular claim celebrates its 100 anniversary this year.

While several entities claim to have invented the popular food item, Lionel Sternberger is reputed to have introduced the cheeseburger in 1924 at the age of 16. He was working as a fry cook at his father’s sandwich shop in Pasadena, CA, “The Rite Spot.” As an experiment, young Sternberger is said to have dropped a piece of American cheese onto a sizzling burger. The rest, as they say, is history.

The largest cheeseburger ever made weighed 2,014 pounds (914 kg). It is said to have included “60 pounds (27 kg) of bacon, 50 pounds (23 kg) of lettuce, 50 pounds (23 kg) of sliced onions, 40 pounds (18 kg) of pickles, and 40 pounds (18 kg) of cheese.” This record was set in 2012 by Minnesota’s Black Bear Casino, smashing the previous record of 881 pounds (400 kg).

Are we hungry yet?

A few local restaurants are offering some much-appreciated discounts. McDonald’s is offering 50-cent double cheeseburgers when they’re ordered in its app (when they started selling burgers in 1948, they cost a nickel).

Wendy’s is selling junior bacon cheeseburgers for a penny through September 22; in order to get this price, you must purchase something else from their menu on the app.

Burger King is giving away a free cheeseburger with one dollar purchase through its app.

These deals are subject to local participation. If you’re heading out for a good cheeseburger today, check with other local restaurants and ask if they’re offering any specials.

Happy eating!

City Offers Grant’s To Downtown Businesses Affected By Street Revitalization

Carl Fish
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City Offers Grant’s To Downtown Businesses Affected By Street Revitalization

In response to the significant disruptions caused by the extensive reconstruction of Park Avenue, the City of Lake Wales, Florida, has introduced a grant program to support local businesses enduring the challenges of ongoing construction. The initiative offers $5,000 grants to eligible retailers, restaurants, and salons that have remained operational during the redevelopment efforts. This measure aims to alleviate the financial strain experienced by businesses heavily reliant on foot traffic, which has been adversely affected by street closures and traffic detours.

The Lake Wales City Commission allocated $75,000 from general fund reserves to fund these one-time grants. The program is designed to assist approximately 15 businesses along the three-block stretch of Park Avenue impacted by the construction. Eligible expenses covered by the grants include rent, utilities, payroll, insurance, and vendor payments. However, the funds cannot be used for non-essential items such as entertainment, travel, furnishings, or IT equipment. To qualify, businesses must submit documentation, including lease agreements and proof of payment for eligible expenses.

Gordon Broadhead, owner of G’s Collectibles, expressed that while the grant does not fully compensate for the losses incurred, it provides meaningful support during a challenging period. He noted the difficulties faced by sole proprietors and emphasized the greater challenges for businesses with staff to support.

The Park Avenue reconstruction is a component of the broader “Lake Wales Connected” plan, aimed at revitalizing the city’s historic downtown district. The project includes enhancements such as wider sidewalks, improved landscaping, and pedestrian-friendly features intended to attract new businesses and customers to the area. Despite the temporary hardships, city officials and business owners are optimistic that the improvements will lead to long-term economic benefits for the community.

Car Crashes into Local Winter Haven Restaurant

Staff Reporter
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Car Crashes into Local Winter Haven Restaurant

Yesterday, September 17, 2024 around 9:30 a.m. a vehicle crashed into Andrea’s Family Restaurant in Winter Haven.

Niko Lambridis, owner of the restaurant said he was standing in the dining room when he noticed outside a car accelerating close to the building. There were two occupants of the vehicle and what they think happened was the woman driving hit the throttle by accident instead of the brakes, causing the car to accelerate and crash through the sidewall.

Images provided by Niko Lambridis

There are arches on the side of the restaurant and Lambridis said that the car took three poles out and the air conditioner landed on top of the car.

“It’s amazing she wasn’t hurt,” he said.

All occupants inside the restaurant and the driver and passenger of the vehicle were uninjured.

The 90-year-old passenger (driver’s mother) of the vehicle was in great spirits despite the crash and was more worried about the restaurant.

Lambridis said that this is not the first time this has happened. He said about 25 years ago a lady did the same thing and ran into the wall of his restaurant.

Despite the crash, the restaurant remained open and the inside was not affected.

Andrea’s Family Restaurant is located at 1498 Havendale Blvd NW in Winter Haven.

Let’s take this as an opportunity to show our local businesses some love and stop by for a meal if you are in the area. Business has been slow, so they would certainly appreciate your support.

Vehicle Vs Pedestrian Overnight Crash Sends One to Hospital

Staff Reporter
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Vehicle Vs Pedestrian Overnight Crash Sends One to Hospital

On September 18, 2024 in the early morning hours at 1:55 a.m., crews were dispatched to 1152 US 92 West in the Auburndale area in reference to a vehicle vs pedestrian crash.

Katelyn Hoverkamp, Polk County Fire Rescue Public Information Office (PIO) confirmed one patient was transported from the scene.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Unit is currently working the crash investigation.

Brian Bruchey, Polk County Sheriff’s Office PIO confirmed that there was no serious bodily injury, and that detectives are trying to identify a tow truck that was in the area during the time of the crash. The initial report was a ‘Be on the Lookout’ (BOLO) for a tow truck with possibly an American flag marking on it. Deputies would like to identify the tow truck and speak to the driver.

This is an ongoing investigation and is all the information that PCSO has released at this time, as the full crash report will not be available until a later date.

Calling All Young Artist! Florida’s 2024-2025 Fish Art Contest Begins

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Calling All Young Artist! Florida’s 2024-2025 Fish Art Contest Begins
Florida bass artwork created by last year’s 4-6th grade, freshwater runner-up,
Hannah Wang. 

K-12 students now have a limited time opportunity to create art that can be used to educate Floridians about wildlife and conservation.

FWC – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is hosting the 2024-2025 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest. The annual program invites youth from around the world to connect with nature and learn about fish and aquatic habitats while exploring creative art and writing. Since its founding in 1997, the Fish Art Contest has reached over 85,000 youth in 46 countries building future stewards of the outdoors.

The free contest is accessible to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Each year, thousands of entries pour in from across the globe, reflecting the program’s widespread appeal and impact. Florida students can submit their artwork to Wildlife Forever using the Florida Fish Art Contest entry form page.

“We are proud to support Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest, a program that not only fosters creativity but also deepens young Floridians’ connection to our state’s rich aquatic heritage,” said FWC Commissioner Sonya Rood. “We are committed to preserving Florida’s natural resources by encouraging students K-12 to participate in this contest and celebrate the beauty of our waterways and wildlife while educating the next generation about conservation.”

One first place winner and one runner up will be selected for each grade bracket (kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade, and tenth through twelfth grade), one for illustrating the best freshwater fish species and one for the best saltwater fish species. Visit MyFWC.com/FishArt for more information on state prizing.

The 2024-25 contest is open for submissions until Feb. 28, 2025. The contest is supported by The Florida Nomad. Participants can find more information, educational resources, and submission guidelines at MyFWC.com/FishArt.

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