Candidate: Paul M Finer

My family has owned property in Bradenton since 1973 when my mother moved her medical practice to Florida.

Curriculum Vitae: Attorney (U.S. Tax Court, Ill., U.S 7th Circuit, SCOTUS) Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Private Investigator, Board of Directors Florida Association of Private Investigators (FAPI), Special Agent Criminal Investigator (Ret), U.S. Treasury Dept., IRS Criminal Investigaion Division, Intelligence Division, (once known as "The Untouchables"), Internal Security/Inspection Division, Revenue Officer, Collections Division, U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General for Tax Administration, Special Agent/ASAIC, Investigations Division, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation. I have had hundreds of continuing education courses as an attorney and Special Agent. Real Estate and Insurance Brokers Licenses by examination (IL, now inactive) Have held offices in large condo/townhome association, multiple offices in national Law Enforcement associations, was Delegate to Municipal Caucus. I have successfully conducted many criminal and civil investigations involving political corruption, waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement in all levels of Government, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and more. (Additional information on Linkedin includes other licenses and skills) I am running for Commissioner to apply my skill sets to assure that all Manatee County citizens receive their fair and proper share of benefits and opportunities that the county can and should efficiently provide. I believe in equal inclusiveness, transparency, diversity, opportunity, fairness and quality of life. Following are some of my thoughts and positions:

1.) The sources of funding for many county projects are other Governmental entities, such as the State or Federal Governments. Many such Governmental entities have the ability to audit and investigate the uses of funds that pass through to the County for issues of cost effectiveness, conflicts of interest, waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement and more. Some audits are required, for example the Florida DOT Inspector General audit of the Joint Partnership Agreement (JPA) in funding Port Manatee projects. Such audits regularly result in findings that required corrective actions. More reviews of county expenditures should be conducted by outside agencies via invitations to such agencies and the county board must commit to taking corrective follow up actions. Many outside agencies have well funded and capable Inspectors General. I have a lot of experience in this area.

 Manatee County would benefit from having its own Office of Inspector General (OIG). Precedents and examples of counties with OIG'S include  Palm Beach, Lee, Lake, Okalloosa, Polk, Pasco, Miami-Dade, and Broward Counties' OIG's.  Sample OIG mission statement of Broward County OIG: "The mission of the Broward Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is to act as an independent watchdog for the residents of Broward County. We promote integrity and accountability by investigating allegations of misconduct including fraud, corruption, and abuse and gross mismanagement, by officials and employees of the charter government of Broward County, its thirty-one municipalities, and all entities and persons who provide goods and services to the county and the municipalities. The OIG publicly reports its findings to keep residents informed. Whenever appropriate, the OIG seeks criminal prosecution, civil recoveries, administrative and monetary sanctions, and ethics sanctions of those responsible for fraud, waste and abuse in government.

 Authority & Responsibility

As the independent watchdog for over 1.7 million residents of Broward County, the OIG’s authority extends over all elected and appointed county officials and employees, all elected and appointed officials and employees of the 31 municipalities located in the county, and all entities and persons who provide goods and services to the county and the municipalities. This responsibility encompasses county and municipal budgets totaling more than $8 billion, approximately 20,000 employees, and over 450 separate divisions and departments of government. In addition, the OIG has oversight responsibility for 172 elected officials including county commissioners, mayors, vice mayors, city commissioners, and town council members, as well as more than 47,000 registered vendors who provide goods or services to the county and municipalities.

In executing its responsibilities the OIG has the authority to investigate violations of state and federal statutes and codes, county and municipal ordinances and codes, and conduct involving fraud, corruption and abuse. The OIG is also charged with the responsibility to enforce the Broward County Code of Ethics for Elected Officials, which was made applicable to all Broward elected officials in January 2012.

Although our office cooperates with other agencies and investigators whenever it is appropriate, the Broward County Charter requires that the OIG function as an independent body to assure that we may carry out our responsibilities free from any external interference or influence." (End Broward Quote)

2.) There has been a tragic trend of closures of classic, revered Manatee County businesses. Manatee County has engaged in funding expensive experimental social engineering lawsuits to try to impose novel business regulations on local businesses even though such lawsuits have failed elsewhere. Full disclosure and review of the cost effectiveness of such endeavors is needed. Manatee County businesses need help and support to rally the local economy to bring in revenue and create local jobs.  The trend of closures must be stopped and local businesses must be encouraged and helped to prosper. 

3.) Expensive, academic, "studies" from many sources are regularly used to justify seemingly limitless developments, traffic control and more. Yet, when one travels about and witnesses traffic and living conditions firsthand, one questions some "studies" and wonders why no votes by the board seem very rare. As you travel about, judge for yourself if there is a reasonable blend between quality of life and development and whether external reviews are needed.