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Drop 'Interim' from Sheldon's DCF Title

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 23, 2008

Back in 2000, Charlie Crist and George Sheldon slugged it out in a race for Florida's education commissioner. But both men being the type to let bygones be bygones, Sheldon now serves as the governor's interim secretary for the Department of Children and Families.

Crist showed remarkable bipartisanship and good sense by tapping former Attorney General Bob Butterworth, a Democrat, to be his first DCF secretary. But after Butterworth's recent departure, the governor made Sheldon the agency's interim secretary.

Crist should do one better and eliminate "interim" from Sheldon's title.

Sheldon was Butterworth's right-hand man in transforming the troubled social-services agency and is respected throughout the state for helping make DCF more open, transparent and accountable. Most importantly, he has demonstrated a genuine concern for those who need a government safety net, especially children in foster homes or those who've been abused.

The agency's progress is too tenuous to leave in leadership limbo. Crist would be hard pressed to find a better leader than Sheldon, a former four-term legislator from Tampa whose career in public service has given him in an unparalleled understanding of government.

Crist should offer this capable leader a permanent position on the team.

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