Florida Keys News
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Governor suspends schools superintendent
Randy Acevedo indicted on official misconduct charge

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist suspended Schools Superintendent Randy Acevedo without pay Thursday afternoon, about seven hours after his arrest on an official misconduct charge.

Crist filed Executive Order 09-143 with the Secretary of State at 4:43 p.m.

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Saturday night live couldn't have done this better!

Submitted on Fri, 06/19/2009 - 1:08pm
Richard the Copy Guy: Randy! The Randster! Only one copy for the Randman!... (makin' copies of his last cover-up plan)!

Wondering?

Submitted on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 5:58pm by 4:25am by N. Sane
Is this a record for the most comments on an article since this forum began?

Summary Please

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 12:28am
I am not a local but can tell this is probably something important. I can not read full article without a subscription and the comments are too much to read. Can someone please tell me who is Randy or Monique? What did they do?

Buy the subscription

Submitted on Sun, 06/14/2009 - 9:17pm by Linda
It's relatively cheap and worth it if you are into anything KW.

Well,

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 10:26am
The short answer might be that they are two people experiencing an intense,and growing, Karma event.And it feels, right now,anyway, that event may very well involve MANY in this town before it's over....

Bring back Padget

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 10:15pm
I hope Gov. Crist will appoint John Padget as Superintendent. He is knowledgeable, intelligent and scared the HELL out of everyone down there when he started reorganizing and cleaning house in Key West. PLEASE BRING HIM BACK!

Padget

Submitted on Tue, 06/16/2009 - 4:55pm
Mr Padget did not scare the hell out of everyone at the district office. He just had very poor social skills and relied on people like Karen Hessel and Frankie St James to advise him...very bad choices and very bad advice!! He was not a good listener and often took rumors as truth and charged forth. I thought he had great ideas and vision but he did not have good relations with the school board nor with the people that he needed to rely on to get the job done.

You better watch out

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 9:06pm
Several groups are now trying to influence the govenors choice for a new super. The conchs do not want to lose control of hundreds of millions in tax dollars and the ability to borrow the same. They will try and put another of thier own in place. Another group is pushing to place an outsider in the possistion. Great someone who will be influenced and pressure to keep the same bunch of corrupt admin people that Randy put in place. Either way the conchs will have a shot of running the show. Randys admin needs to be pushed out. We need new blood. Put out the job hiring list and they will come! Better honest people with real educations. Email the govenor, Iliana, and John Padget. We need to scream for honest change not new corruption!!!!

Your right its always been about the Benjamins

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 8:28am
Millions and millions of dollars to line the pockets of the Key west power brokers. Its a shame!!!!!! Wipe the blood off your fangs voters. The war is not over. Look what it took to take out this fool now the real deal is at hand. The Govenor wants those votes so who ever can promise Monroe county will be the MAN!

We need Fred Colvard

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 9:47pm
The Randy machine is evil and trying to survive. We need Fred Colvard. He knows the corruption at hand. This is lie number one. The Randy political hype said that colvard could not keep a job! Every position he held he was very successful. Fred was appointed not elected. He was hired to straighten out district problems. Lie number two. Fred was sued several times. This is true. Every school district gets sued every year. Hell Randy was sued several times and he is going to be sued for his current f-ups too. By the way Fred defended and won every law suit. Lie number three. Fred would not allow a student to practice Her freedom of speech. The student in question was not stopped by fred when she wrote a school paper editorial complaint to be published in the highschool paper and a local newspaper. That was done by the teacher in charge of the school newspaper at the time. Fred overrode that teacher and allowed it to be published. The article was from a graduating drama queen student who wanted to leave her mark when she left. Lie number four. Fred was at mhs for a short time. Fred was there for two years. Fred was already retired when lannon called him to take over for the then leaving Quinn. Fred offered to help out by coming for two or three years. Fred met his now wife here got married and planted roots. Fred indured criticisms from the two then assistant principals because he encouraged them to do thier Prescribed work responsibilities and not to try and run the school themselves. In short he took over leadership and control of the school. That was his job. Fred retired because he wanted to try something different and because MCSB politics was not allowing him to do his job. Fred has 35 plus years experinece, a PHD, and he will get rid of the corruption in Randy's current administration. Don't listen to Randys people they are running scared they will lie and lie to keep thier power and jobs "whatever it take". They have a long history of lying.

Now this the truth!!!!!

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 9:25pm
CAUTION PLEASE READ CAUTION PLEASE READ What is sad is that several groups are calling the govenor's office to influence his pick. They are calling Ilianas office as well. Remember they were able to get her a Republican candidate to endorse Randy at a Key West political gathering during the 08 campaign. Most of these groups do not care about the kids education. What they care about is control of the 100 million dollar budget and the districts ability to borrow millions. Randy was a buffoon in his inability to run the school. He showed the truth about Key West politics. Now certain power brokers are asking for a candidate from out side of the county. This is dangerous because this person will not know the lay of the land. He will be influenced and pressured by the current status quo to not change things. We will be forced to keep many of the current corrupt fools from Randies administration. We still have the gang of three vs John and Steve. If they influence a naive new superintendant it will be Randy all over again. I ask all of you to email the govenor and let him know this. Email John Padget and tell him that we need someone who knows about the corruption here. We need to clean out the current school administration. Hearing Bubba Henriquez say that he is going to run the school district is scairy!!!!! Please keep this in mind. Monique and Randy's activities are minnows in this ocean of corruption. This is all about 100 million dollars in taxes. Beware the conch/bubba powers are manipulating the whole show. I chose Fred Colvard because he scaired the shite out of the Bubbas because he showed how bad Randy was mishandling the budget. Colvard is more than capable of change in our school district! The bubbas knew if he was elected that he would have found out all thier corruption. There is much more thievery than has been found out these past few months. This is our chance for true change and justice!!!! Act now or we lose and our children will lose!!! Right now the dark forces of greed and the lust for power are lying and manipulating thier goals. Every one is celebrating taking down the big dummy Randy but they are not seeing the real story!

Randy was chosen precisely

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 10:56am
Randy was chosen precisely because he was a "nice" guy. These people are MUCH smarter than most want to admit.And yes,he was CHOSEN.The election was a formality.Are many of you that supported him, with passion,like me,starting to understand the organization of all this?While there have certainly been some crazy,hateful folks on these comment boards in last few months,some of the earliest,seemingly extreme predictions,from people who have lived here long,are turning out to be so TRUE.We MAY be witnessing Key West history,here.If this entrenched corruption can be cleaned out,it will be far more profound financially to the taxpayers of Monroe County than who is President of the U.S.(or any other elected official).PLEASE,whether you have children or not, pull up your property tax bill from last year and stare at what you pay,JUST in school taxes.Does anyone really think these people are going to give this up without a knifefight?

PEOPLE ARE SO FUNNY!!!

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 8:59pm
People want forgiveness, but will not forgive. But then again most will forgive, but will not forget. Its funny how people talk about things they’ve heard or think they know about other people, but will not talk about the ugliness in their own lives. Don't fool yourselves, we have all been hurt, but we have all hurt somebody. That's why I say, people are so funny.

I just wanted to say this comment page rocks!!

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 7:30pm
I have been waiting a LONG time to see that headline!! I LOVE KEY WEST!!! bb

Does witch-hunt come to mind?

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 7:29pm
Consider the facts Dennis Ward is a major league carpetbagger . . .! He registered to vote in Monroe county one day before signing up to run for office I personally have experienced his no holds barred zest for office on the backs of our wounded warriors. He was called out on this and never has apologized to the honored warriors who lost parts of their body in combat! The grand jury system is a farce and a soapbox for the state attorney. No proper rules of trail and nothing else but facts stated by a major league news hound . . . At least our system of justice is predicated on innocent until PROVEN GUILTY

If that's what it takes to end Corruption

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 9:37pm
then I'll put that carpetbagger up in my house for free. All you conch's that think your birthplace here gives you the right to operate with impunity must be stopped. Not all conchs are criminals but for the ones who operate that way, be prepared to be routed. I’m sick and tired of dealing with the entitlement egos in this county. You need to start acting like good citizens. If you don’t agree then just be prepared to suffer the consequences.

Randy,

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 7:26pm
Have you heard the saying: "When you're being run out of town, get in front of the crowd and make it look like a parade!" ???

Fame & Fortune

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 7:18pm
Finally, two peas in a pod http://www.peytonwolcott.com/ scroll down

look at the smirk on his

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 4:48pm by sam
look at the smirk on his face just like Monique had when she turned herself in. - like they did nothing at all. What a bunch of LOSERS!!!

1 st mug shot!

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 7:59pm by soccernut
I don't see a smirk at all, I see pure terror! He looks like he finally realizes he got caught. More like an O S@it look!

Randy

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 6:43pm
Randy, You looked great on the eleven oclock news last night. Those diets really do work but are expensive. I wonder if prison food is fattening??

Bookie

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 6:40pm by JMiller
Big Bookie, even if it is only for a couple of days you finally got what you have been working so hard for: "Mike Henriquez is now Acting Superintendent" Congrats - He is a chip off the ole block.

Parents- Students&Taxpayers Are The Ones who are Really Smiling!

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 5:48pm
Never Again. These types, and there are still plenty there, should not be handling money or be around children. Leon Fowler appears to be in the same boat with this gang. Teachers need to get a backbone for once, and discard him along with the other trash.

Big Bubba.. Who Will Rub Your Belly Now?

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 4:26pm
Randy said he'd let me rub his belly and call him Big Bubba if I voted for him. I knew something was foul!

What does a GJ indictment really mean?

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 3:02pm
I do not condone anyone stealing, for any reason. I am also not claiming either innocence or guilt on the Acevedos' part. I do, however, believe in a person's innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. A Grand Jury indictment proves nothing. Read what the American Bar Association say about Grand Jury indictments: http://www.abanet.org/media/faqjury.html

It means a jury of your peers thinks you screwed up big time.

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 4:45pm
I know one thing, the dummy who decided to charge the re-election campaign supplies didn't even bother to change the amounts. The audit is glaring and obvious that theft was occurring at a ridiculous rate. Some used for federal campaign funds, and THE AMOUNTS MATCH. In other words, if they spent $38.96 on food for the campaign, the dummies showed $38.96 in school related expenses. This is theft, fraud, etc. It's already proven on paper that wrongdoing was done. It's just a matter of putting all the pieces together and telling the grand story of Randy & co. gone wild in Key West. But guess what? I don't blame Randy or Monique. I blame the people in finance who didn't have a total conniption fit over the crap going on as long as it did. ** Remember this has been going on for YEARS not weeks.** By not calling Monique out on her ridiculous charges to start, you allowed a snowball to ensue, which engulfed the class of 2009 as well as everyone else in the MCSD. Well, since you know better now, next time scream like heck when 50 dollars shows up on the expense report from amazon.com for Dickies pants with a 50W for the Marc house (for god sakes this is obvious bs) THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IN THE BEGINNING. Why let this happen as long as it did? I don't care WHO it is. YOU CALL THEM OUT. IT's YOUR JOB. UNLESS YOU WERE ON THE TAKE WITH THEM.... Now, lets get a new super in and move on. Congrats to the classes of 2009 and it sucks that Mr. buttwipe is on the front page and not KWHS students or the other graduating classes. Sorry Randy, but you let yourself down. You should have taken all the blame to start. Since you obviously were told about those Dickies, but I'll bet you were wearing them when it was brought to your attention. Was that tie you were wearing on the front page from Amazon.com too? Accounted for as for the MARC house also? Total rubbish. It's a shame. Lesson learned : No, you can't live off your school district purchasing card. Try again. It just sucks it took 5 years to bring it to a head. Thanks for nothing Kathy.

Blame everyone except your precious Randyc ex

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 5:29pm by 50 year resident of Marathon and voter
Seems like you want to point the finger at everyone and not the real culprit...RANDY. In this economy, I'd be scared to approach my boss and challenge him for fear of losing my job and life. Get in touch with reality.

A Grand Jury is not a jury of your peers

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 5:20pm
A Grand Jury is a one sided selection by the prosecutor - no input from the accused, and no judge to insure a fair trial. I'll bet Acevedo was not even invited to tell his side of the story. I don't understand why a Grand Jury is needed, why didn't the prosecutor just file the charges himself?

HE HAS.

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 11:52am
He HAS told his side of the story.OVER and OVER and OVER.How on earth have you been missing it?????They have done absolutely "NOTHING WRONG". He is just as confident now as he was in the beginning that he can "fix this".What else,pray tell, can he say?Do you get this????

OMG! It's a gigantic plot to hang an innocent man. ::smirk::

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 8:20pm by *.*
Yup, that's what you think, huh? Well, Randy was given the opportunity to tell his side and he refused to cooperate.

:::drama::: Oh, the HUMANITY! Poor, poor, starving Randy was unjustly arrested for lying and a cover up, all the while [allegedly] profiting from his wife's deeds, living on a $380,000 a year while only making $200,000 and allowing the school district to lose a half-mil or more. You people are really starting to get on my nerves with your over-the-top drama.

Everyone is stealing

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 1:58pm
I wonder if everyone who has made comments on this article as well as every other article while at work should be charged with theft for stealing their boss’s money. You are obviously not getting paid to sit in front of a computer and make and read comments all day, you have a job to do. I already had to have a talk with my staff to stop this nonsense. The loss of productivity due to this scandal is now affecting my business. After reading all of the hateful comments I guess I should blame the Acevados for that as well. I guess I should not worry, after seeing how morally superior the commenter’s are, I guess they are going to return the money during the time they did not actually work.

Hey You

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 4:42pm by sam
hey mind your own business and if you don't want your employees reading this stuff then shut down your computers and take away their internet access - then they won't be stealing from you. What a jerk!!!!

Workers should be punished...

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 3:24pm
I am sure your workers blantantly stoled money from children and used it for personal use. Bad workers...

I own my business so I can spend all the time I want to here

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 2:57pm by *.*
AND....I'm sure many posters are night workers in Key West. Some are home workers and some are homemakers and some are students. So I'll be returning zero money to my employer, since I pay me, and I earn my money. I work far more than 80 hours per week and I can use my time as I damn well please. I don't think anyone here cares to hear your rant about how they spend their time. Just mind your business and we'll mind ours.

Oh, it's sad for you that your beloved Randy is now shown for the [alleged] crook he is. The people are feeling empowered to see justice beginning to take hold in the crooked Bubba wilderness called Key West and it just kills you, doesn't it?

Does not apply

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 3:45pm
Clearly the comment you replied to you doesn't apply to you so your abusive rant is nonsensical. Also, you are clearly not minding your own business if you are making comments about other people. Additionally, I do not believe the person every stated he/she supported Randy.

It's not the business of the OP what anyone who posts here does

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 5:13pm by *.*
with their lives, and when and how we're posting here. To claim all who post here are stealing as stated by the OP, is hypocritical and insulting. The OP deserves anything he/she gets. Probably the same bitter, frightened bully who kept posting yesterday 'get back to work'. Ummm...hypocrite is right.

the OP?

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 9:18pm by 4:25am by N. Sane
the Other People? the Office Police?

::sigh:: Original Poster (the one the response addresses)

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 9:51am by *.*
A few other terms from the 'internets': BLOG is one person's constant 'rant' or diatribe or journal. THIS IS NOT A BLOG. Then there are message boards, with topics, threads, and administrators to oversee the organization and rule adherance of said board. Then there are comment sections such as this. There are a lot of ways to communicate on the 'internets', folks.

How dare you make a comment

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 2:17pm
How dare you make a comment like this when YOU too are doing it!!! Do you have any idea how stupid you sound. Typical of a Randy Supporter, Its OK for you to do it, just not anyone else. I hope you are docking your pay for the time it took you to post your comment!!! And please don't sit there and act like you aren't taking the time to read all the comments!! They do have a word for people like you, it is called Hypocrite!! Heres the Definition: a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. YUP, I would say this fits you perfectly!!

So Angry.

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 3:53pm
"how dare you make a comment?" You need to settle down, all the shouting you are doing in your comment is not healthy for you. I would suggest that if the commentor was bashing the Acevados like the rest of the comments you would be on board with his/her comments. Yup!!! Here is the Definition: form of yeah as an isolated or emphatic utterance. See I can define words too. I would suggest you have a pleasant day, but I am sure you are angry all the time and that is impossible for you.

We're not angry. We're thrilled that justice has finally come

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 5:22pm by *.*
to Bubbaworld. We're ecstatic, to be exact. And we're pretty sick of the Bubba Bullies who keep saying 'shut up' or who keep wanting to know the names of people posting. It's very telling when 'they' can't stand not being able to physically get in someone's face and threaten and intimidate as they have for so many years, even generations. It's disturbing to the dishonest to see that their activities will no longer be tolerated and they just might have to do an honest day's work for a living.

Viva la JUSTICE!

Kudos! Perfect post!

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 3:26pm by *.*
I love it when they're called on their own hypocrisy.

Gimme a break

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 1:40pm by no one of importance
Did anyone else notice this in the transcripts of Kathy Reitzel's (I apologize if I spelled any names wrong) depositions? That Monday that she met w/Randy & Monique in his office, MONIQUE did all the talking (probably yelling would be a more appropriate term) while Randy said nothing.. nothing to stop his wife's rantings at an employee who finally had the guts to speak up, nothing to prove his wife's innocence. Nothing - What a gutless wonder... It was just a matter of time before the whole house of cards fell.. and the monroe county students *ARE* the ones who will be hurt the most..

In fairness,

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 12:18pm
to Ms.Reitzel, this was ALWAYS understood to be "quiet money".Monique always held the threat of tipping this boat over.That's why Randy never,(and still doesn't,on 6/13/09),feel this was ever much money in a 94 million dollar budget.It wasn't.And it still isn't.It is so hard to grasp,but sadly,in a purely financial sense,they are bit players.

Randy is spineless

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 5:31pm by 50 year resident of Marathon and voter
He has allowed so many to take the fall.

I agree...

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 4:15pm
The "house of cards" has fallen. Monroe County students have been hurt the most...let's hope and do everything possible to make sure that instead of "will be hurt the most," the fact is left in the past tense. It is up to everyone in the community to accept the changes needed, listen to intelligent advice whether it is from "locals" or "outsiders," (even if it isn't "popular"), and support whoever can fix things even if it disrupts the status quo. "One Human Family" is a great marketing gimmick, but it is time to make it something real...the "us" against "them" attitude has to stop, or the children will continue to be hurt and nothing will get better.

Restitution

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 12:51pm by *.*
I'm wondering how that is coming? I know the board was looking into it and means of attaching assets. So, is it best to wait for the Acevedos to file bankruptcy THEN they go for the restitution? Because if it's a lien against their property from before they file bankruptcy, the school district is definitely screwed. I'm sure there are several liens already because of greedy spending habits.

Mrs. Axford

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 12:44pm
She was my teacher @ Mary Immaculare High School back in the day I think she would do a great job no matter what the situation is. I vote for her!

Axford.....HELL NO

Submitted on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 9:49am
Are you kidding me? People who work for the MCSD are depressed enough, put Axford in there are I am sure morale will suffer even more! Leave her out of it, any board member idiot who told her to throw her hat in the ring needs to not be re-elected. These board members have no clue, that is also another reason we are in this mess. NO AXFORD, she is not effective and she is clueless in everything she does. NO AXFORD....... NO NO NO. Pick someone who does not live in Monroe County and who knows about all the corruption and isn't afraid to clean it up!

We do NOT need Ms Axford.

Submitted on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 10:40pm
We do NOT need Ms Axford. We need to bring in someone that is not necessarily an educator but more someone specializing in finance and team building to put this back together. Doesn't matter how well Ms Axford taught in MIHS. She knows nothing about business and certainly nothing about team building.
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