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Crist Makes Sheldon's DCF Appointment Permanent

Tribune photo by COLIN HACKLEY

George Sheldon, right, listens as Gov. Charlie Crist, left, talks about being appointing him to run the Department of Children and Family Services, Tuesday during a news conference at the Capitol in Tallahassee.

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By CATHERINE DOLINSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 30, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist announced this morning that he has tapped George Sheldon to be permanent secretary of the Department of Children and Families.

Crist appointed Sheldon in August as acting head of DCF to replace former Secretary Bob Butterworth, who resigned the post after 19 months, one month longer than he had agreed to serve. Sheldon was assistant secretary under Butterworth and, like his former boss, a Democrat.

"You look for good people who can work hard and work together to do what's right," Crist said of his choice to reach across the aisle. "I think it's a model for the country."

The governor lauded both Butterworth and Sheldon for making improvements to the food stamps program — which netted a $5 million bonus from the federal government — as well as for raising the state's adoption rate to record levels this year.

Sheldon is also a former Tampa Bay area lawyer and lawmaker who challenged Crist in 2000 for state education commissioner in a contest that turned acrimonious. Among the grenades that flew during the race: a television ad by Crist that pointed out a 16-year-old driving under the influence charge against Sheldon and blasted him for setting a poor example for children. Crist won.

Asked today about those political attacks, Crist said, "The older you get, hopefully, the more mature you get."

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