TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Juvenile Justice Gets Boss

ADVERTISEMENT

By JASON ODRA, TBO.com

Published: February 8, 2008

TAMPA - State Rep. Frank Peterman, D-St. Petersburg, is expected to be named today to head the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Gov. Charlie Crist will make the announcement in St. Petersburg, according to state Rep. Mitch Needelman, R-Melbourne.

Needelman, who was a finalist for the position, learned of Peterman's appointment Thursday after getting a call from the governor's office at about 3 p.m.

"This is good for the DJJ," Needelman said. "I've known Frank for several years. He is dedicated and balanced."

Peterman, 45, could not be reached for comment late Thursday.

He is the director of development for the Juvenile Alternative Services program of St. Petersburg, which gives youths who have gotten into trouble an opportunity to work rather than be sent to a detention center.
Peterman represented south St. Petersburg on the city council until 2000 when he was elected to House District 55, which covers portions of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Walt McNeil, who previously headed Juvenile Justice, was named last month to run the state's Department of Corrections.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT