Highlights from TCPalm’s article about the Sheriff debate:  Read the full article here – https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/columnists/laurence-reisman/2024/06/19/vero-beach-candidate-stands-out-for-wrong-reason-at-indian-river-sheriffs-debate/74099883007/

Touchberry, who said he had the best leadership training in the world in the U.S. Marines, also was confident, touting his ability to create programs that make schools safer. He cited the Future Educators Response to Emergency Situations program, providing skills and tools needed in active-shooter situations begun at Indian River State College.

Leadership is compromised, morale is low and the budget is skyrocketing,” Touchberry said in his opening statement, citing what county budget records show as a spending increase from $54.5 million in fiscal 2020 to $73.1 million, or 34%, in fiscal 2024.

“What qualities and skills, both personal and professional, do you think the members of the sheriff’s department are seeking in their sheriff?”

“I’ve been waiting for this question for two years,” Touchberry said, alluding the topic no one mentioned directly Monday: Flowers’ 2022 announcement he’d “violated a trust” with his wife after stating the importance of marriage vows in 2020 comments to staff at their swearing-in ceremony. Flowers and his wife later divorced; he remarried.

“We want a sheriff who is honest, who sets the example, who does what they say and says what they do,” Touchberry said. “We need a sheriff who has integrity, ethics, morals. We need a leader who sets high, but achievable, goals so the men and women not only feel challenged, but they have someone to look up to.”