However, sometimes promises are clear, verifiable, and have consequences when broken.

One of the most famous campaign promises was George H. Bush’s “read my lips no new taxes” pledge that went out the window after he was elected.

Bush’s promise was clear and easily fact-checked. He broke it. He lost the next election.

President Obama’s promise that you can “keep your doctor” under the Affordable Care Act did not cost him an election. But his broken promise caused his party a lot of problems during the recent elections. Once again, it was a promise that was clear and verifiable.

Here in Tallahassee, Mayor Andrew Gillum made a clear and verifiable promise with regards to how he would serve the citizens of Tallahassee when he was a candidate for the office he now holds.

When asked how he would meet the responsibilities of the Leadership Mayor position with his current 40 hour a week job that paid six figures, he told a reporter he would cut back on the job and reduce the salary in half if elected.

Due to Mayor Gillum’s unwillingness to address his pledge, we had to wait two years until tax filings with the IRS were made public to find out if he kept his promise.

He did not!

Instead, Mayor Gillum kept his 40-hour a week job that paid him $133,000 and he also collected his $76,000 salary as the Leadership Mayor. The Mayor had good year -he pulled down a cool $209,000 in 2015.

By the way, Gillum voted to raise taxes and the fire service fee and saw no problem with $175,000 salaries for top city staff.

Will Gillum’s broken promise have consequences? Only time will tell.

And so with TR’s mission of keeping voters informed, we look to two newly elected leaders who have made clear and verifiable promise during their campaigns.

First, there is Sheriff Walt McNeil. He made it clear that the increasing crime rate in Leon County was a major reason he should be elected. He held the incumbent Sheriff, Mike Wood, accountable through aggressive campaign advertisements even though the crime rate was driven by City of Tallahassee incidents.

McNeil’s response was, as Sheriff, he could lower the crime rate throughout Leon County.

This is a verifiable and easily measured  promise. McNeil has four  years to get the crime rate under control.

Second there is Superintendent Rocky Hanna. In a controversial campaign devoid of much talk about the issues, Hanna made two significant promises that are verifiable.

First, Hanna took the position that  a new high school was not needed on the southside. Instead, he promised significant renovations to southside facilities.

Second, he campaigned to move more money from administrative expenses into the classroom.

Hanna’s promises can easily be verified.

Both of these elected officials have been given the trust of the voters based in part on what they said they would do if elected. It is our job at Tallahassee Reports to keep you informed about the progress, or lack of progress, in keeping their campaign promises.

“I’m in and out of there now,” said McNeil, “beginning at 5 a.m., in meetings throughout the day.”

He said he’s meeting with deputies, staff and other county leaders and developing relationships with those he’ll be working closely. He has sat down with staff, trying to know every employee as best as possible. He also met with State Attorney – elect Jack Campbell, the public defender, Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo and the chiefs of the city’s two universities, among others.

“There’s a lot of moving parts,” McNeil said. “But, right now, I’m trying to improve relationships with other law enforcement agencies and staff, sharing my vision for the Sheriff’s office.”

His vision is ambitious — “to be the best law enforcement agency in the world.”

During the campaign, McNeil repeatedly blamed the crime rate in Leon county -the highest in the state for the last two years – on the incumbent Sheriff Mike Wood. Critics said this was unfair because the high crime rate was driven by incidents within the City of Tallahassee.

However, McNeil said on the campaign trail that City of Tallahassee crime can be addressed by better communication between law enforcement officials and more efficient use of Sheriff Office resources.

McNeil said he will work to lower Tallahassee’s high crime rate by what he calls predictive policing. “We focus on individuals who are known to be involved in crime and make sure we interdict with them rather than waiting for the crime to occur,” McNeil said.

He said his meetings are opportunities for him to listen as well as talk. He said the discussions are very candid and he is taking suggestions and comments into consideration.

McNeil said he is “tickled by the line officers and dedicated employees.” He said he is also impressed by citizens who “talk glowingly about the office’s customer service.”

He said by Jan. 3, there will be no surprises. He expects to get right to work on day one. “By then, I certainly won’t be a stranger,” McNeil said

McNeil, 60, was chief of the Tallahassee Police Department from 1997 to 2007 and then secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections and Department of Juvenile Justice. He also served as Quincy police chief before his run for sheriff. He defeated three other opponents during the sheriff’s race, including the current sheriff, Mike Wood, who was appointed following the death of long-time sheriff Larry Campbell.

Former Leon and Gadsden County Sheriff’s deputy Tommy Mills, running with no party affiliation (NPA), wants to be an Andy Griffith type of sheriff and wants to return the county to a time when the community sees a deputy as “Officer Friendly,” not some sinister figure that causes fear and distrust in children.

“It’s sad when the children don’t know the officers, when we walk in a room and children scream,” he said. “I want to put law enforcement back into the community and have positive interaction with that community.”

A Leon County Sheriff’s deputy for 24 years, he takes the law enforcement motto, “Protect and Serve” very seriously. “I’m a servant. I didn’t seek this vocation. It sought me. As a Christian, I believe in service above all else.”

The Republican candidate Charlie Strickland is a former Sheriff’s lieutenant with 25 years experience and is the owner of Talon Range. He believes his business acumen, combined with his law enforcement service and passion make him the best pick for Sheriff.

He advocates for more officers on the street, combined with community outreach. He supports models like Chicago CURE, which treats crime like a health issue. He said CURE was a success until funding was pulled. He said those against it don’t understand it. When questioned about using a crime model from a city with the nation’s highest violent crime rate, he said, “If you want to learn how to fight a war, you go to Afghanistan.”

In his approach to policing, he wants the same officers working the same streets every day. He wants to recruit a diverse group of officers by helping at-risk kids find a path to success, through serving in law enforcement.

The Democrat candidate, former Tallahassee Police Chief Walt McNeil, said he feels he owes it to the community to do something about its crime problem.

 McNeil, while serving as Tallahassee Police Chief, was tapped by Governor Crist to lead the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and, then was appointed as the Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections and is the president of the International Association of Police Chiefs.

He said, “Working with the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) for 28 years, I became one of the best trained law enforcement leaders in the country. My organizational skills, leadership skills, were all born from what the citizens invested in me and I would be remiss if I didn’t offer myself up to serve my community.”

He supports a pro-active way of dealing with crime, sometimes called predictive policing. “We focus on individuals who are known to be involved in crime and make sure we interdict with them rather than waiting for the crime to occur,” McNeil said.

He said the current sheriff’s office can’t to do that now because they haven’t kept up with technology and other strategies related to law enforcement. McNeil is also the former police chief of Quincy and says his approach can be applied without extravagant spending for technology.

McNeil said he wants to transform the Leon County Sheriff’s Office from what some call a “Good ‘Ole Boys Club” into a world-class law enforcement agency.

Incumbent Sheriff Mike Wood, (NPA) said his appointment to sheriff following the death of Sheriff Larry Campbell, opened his eyes to the demands of being sheriff and he has a passion for it.

While he admits to learning a lot from Campbell he is quick to point out, with Wood as sheriff, it won’t be more of the same.

He said he is a good collaborator and works well with everybody. He has worked hand-in-hand with TPD Police Chief Mike DeLeo, the Florida State University and the Florida A&M police chiefs.

“It’s about relationships. Historically, the sheriff’s office and police department have had a bit of a roller coaster ride, but I think I am the guy to stabilize that in a very good place and maintain a positive relationship with all of local law enforcement.”

He said violent crime is down 13 percent over this time last year and he is excited about the way things are going.

Wood said technology is very important but is not the only path to success. “I recognize we are people dealing with people and that really matters, so training is a big issue for us as well,” Wood said.

He said he does not support the Chicago CURE model, primarily because of its high costs. However he does see the value of partnering with social service agencies and local government.

“There are many ways to combat violence that doesn’t always have to be a person in a uniform with a gun on,” Wood said.

Suddenly that has changed. In a press release sent to TR today, the Big Bend PBA announced they have withdrawn the endorsement.

The press release stated:

On June 29, 2015, the Big Bend Chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association endorsed Walt McNeil’s candidacy for Leon County Sheriff. Recently, Mr. McNeil stated that he opposed unions and would fight against a union at the sheriff’s office if elected. Mr. McNeil’s position is disappointing to the PBA and is contrary to one of the fundamental purposes of the organization.

Big Bend PBA President Steven B. Slade stated “this Association cannot and will not endorse anyone who does not support deputies’ rights to collectively bargain;” therefore, the Big Bend Chapter has withdrawn its endorsement of Walt McNeil for Leon County Sheriff.

McNeil is the former chief of the Tallahassee and Quincy police departments. The Big Bend PBA represents approximately 500 law enforcement officers in North Florida, including the Florida State University and Florida A&M University police departments.

McNeil is in a race with current Sheriff Mike Wood and former Leon County Sheriff Office veterans Tommy Mills and Charlie Strickland.

TR is seeking comment from all candidates.

Over the last three days, campaign tactics by three of the candidates provided a look into how they plan to make their case to the voting public.

Walt McNeil

Mr. McNeil has been very blunt about his strategy. In his advertising, Mr. McNeil pushes the fact that Leon County has been number one in crime for the last two years. He also reminds voters that the incumbent, Sheriff Mike Wood, was appointed by a Republican governor. Over 53% of Leon County registered voters are Democrats, while 28% are Republicans.

Mr. McNeil advanced the crime-rate part of his argument again this past weekend by running an advertisement on Tallahassee.com which made potential voters aware of how the Leon County crime rate impacts the local economy.

Charlie Strickland

Mr. Strickland, who is running as a Republican, unveiled a campaign video of Machelle Campbell, former Sheriff Larry Campbell’s widow, endorsing Mr. Strickland for the position her husband held for 18 years.

Mr. Strickland, who sees the rare opportunity of winning an election running as a Republican in Leon County, is seeking to build support with moderate Democrats and independents. If he holds Republicans in his column, Strickland could win depending on how the other three Democrats split the remaining votes.

Sheriff Mike Wood

Mr. Wood announced the support of a number of elected leaders in a press conference on Monday. The elected leaders included City Commissioners Nancy Miller and Gil Ziffer and County Commissioners Jane Sauls, Mary Ann Lindley, and Bryan Desloge.

City Commissioner Gil Ziffer spoke at the press conference and said “We all agree that the job of safeguarding our community shouldn’t come down to the political party we most prefer but rather the person best equipped to do the job.”

TR talked to a a number of local politicos, who wished to remain anonymous, about this race, and specifically the Mike Wood endorsements. Here are their impressions.

A number of people felt this race could end up driving a wedge between blacks and whites in the local Democratic party. It was striking that not one black elected official from the city or county commissions came out to endorse Mike Wood.

“Wood has written off the black vote and the press conference was an attempt to appeal to white Democrats and Republicans,” said one consultant. “It was a bold move by candidate who understands the numbers.”

The experts found it shocking that elected Democrat leaders would publicly come out against McNeil. One consultant said, “they must really not like Walt McNeil.”

Another person thought it was hypocritical for these leaders to now be calling for non-partisanship in the Sheriff’s races when some of the elected leaders stoked partisan division to get elected.

A political expert said “this race is uncomfortable for a number of people in the community. Usually the Democrat establishment gets behind one candidate and others are discouraged against running to avoid public disagreements. Maddox leaving the Superintendent race made that race a lot easier, but this Sheriff’s race will create wounds that the local Democratic political establishment is not used to dealing with.”

And finally, one veteran political operative told TR ” Miller and Ziffer just guaranteed viable African-American opponents in their races in two years.”

Candidate Tommy Mills, who came close to defeating Larry Campbell four years ago, will be featured in future reports about the race.

In the press release accompanying a link to the video, shown below, McNeil references the latest crime statistics and states, “This cannot become our new normal. Someone has to fight for Leon County and literally protect us. Rick Scott’s appointed sheriff isn’t doing the job, the numbers prove it.”

The latest ad mentions the All American City award recently won by the City of Tallahassee and then a gun shot rings out and an ominous voice  speaks about the recent crime-rate information released by FDLE.

McNeil continues to make the argument that Sheriff Mike Wood is responsible for a rising crime-rate even though the data shows that the increase is due to incidents occurring in the City of Tallahassee.

In addition, trends show crime was increasing in the City of Tallahassee before Wood was appointed Sheriff.

At recent political forum’s Sheriff Wood has said that the rising crime rate is “unacceptable” and has talked about new Sheriff’s Office initiatives that include a mentoring program for school children and an anti-gang effort.

Despite these points, McNeil argues, as Sheriff, he would provide more leadership and step-up cooperation among law enforcement entities.

McNeil said “I do not see the outrage, the efforts, or a plan to address the issue. No one seems concerned.”

He criticized local media outlets for not reporting on information that was released last week. Tallahassee Reports was the only local media outlet to cover the crime data as of this morning. TR’s story was posted on Sunday and can be read here.

McNeil discussed his plan to address the crime issue which included more focus on violent offenders and gangs, the creation of a Leon County Youth Ranch, intervention with juveniles and the development of more effective community partnerships.

McNeil has been aggressive in tying the current Sheriff, Mike Wood, to the crime issue even though state numbers show that the crime-rate in the Sheriff’s jurisdiction is below the state average.

McNeil argues that the Sheriff’s Department, who he says patrols within the City and makes arrests in the City, needs to show more leadership and take more responsibility for the deteriorating crime numbers in the community.

During the press conference, McNeil said “some have settled for a new normal.” When asked who has settled, he would mention no names but said his colleagues and leaders in the community.

McNeil’s campaign handed out a flyer which showed that crime fell by 45% in the eleven years during McNeil’s tenure as Chief of Police. TR did confirm the accuracy of the claim.