Pubdate: Sun, 02 Jan 2005
Source: Ledger, The (FL)
Copyright: 2005 The Ledger
Contact:  http://www.theledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795
Author: Jason Geary
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

DRUG COURT GETS NEW MANAGER

Former Baptist Minister To Lead Polk Program With Troubled Past.

BARTOW -- Jim Hornsby likes to fix things.

The 60-year-old takes pleasure making repairs to his home and tinkering in 
his workshop.

Even in his career choices, the Perry native enjoys helping broken people 
put themselves back together.

Last week, the former Baptist minister and licensed mental health counselor 
began working as Polk County's newest Drug Court manager.

Polk County's Drug Court is an intervention and treatment program serving 
adults and juveniles. First-time offenders arrested for nonviolent and 
drugrelated crimes can avoid prosecution by completing the program.

Hornsby leads a program that has struggled past criticism and bankruptcy 
since its inception 11 years ago.

In September, former Drug Court director David Krahl quit -- becoming the 
fourth person to either be fired or resign from the position.

Krahl left suddenly, without providing a reason. In 2002, Krahl was accused 
of having an affair with a subordinate, mismanaging the program, making 
inappropriate comments and falsifying time sheets.

After an investigation, Circuit Judge Michael McCarthy ruled the charges 
unfounded.

But he concluded Krahl's management style might have caused the tension 
among employees.

Hornsby said he doesn't know anything about the management woes of his 
predecessors, but he knows how to avoid such conflict.

"I think what this staff needs is stability and leadership that respects 
their thoughts and feelings on things," Hornsby said. "That's where I am." 
Hornsby said he isn't "threatened by disagreements or suggestions" about 
how things ought to be done. In fact, he expects his staff of 15 employees 
to offer ideas about improving the daily tasks of the Drug Court.

"When the final decision has to be made, I'll make it," he said.

Prior to Krahl's resignation, the program was making a comeback from past 
criticism. In May, the program hosted the statewide Drug Court graduation 
where it was described as a statewide model.

The program's in-house laboratory processes drug tests of people in the 
program inside the courthouse.

It now handles between 2,000 and 3,000 per month.

Judges often rely on the laboratory's convenient location and quick 
turnarounds when forced with making pressing decisions in criminal cases 
and child custody. Sometimes, they even wait for the results during legal 
proceedings.

Hornsby's boss, Court Administrator Nick Sudzina, said strong leadership 
would be critical to building upon the drug court's recent successes.

"It's important that the chemistry between the manager and the staff is the 
proper mix," he said.

In addition, Sudzina said Hornsby would be responsible for seeking out 
grants and prudently spending lab fees to keep the program going, he said.

"The manager has to stay on top of that to make sure the revenue stream is 
steady to at least break even," he said.

This year, the state provided $128,388 to the program for staff salaries 
and drug-testing supplies. Two major grants from the Department of Children 
& Families and a local law enforcement block grant contributed about $190,000.

Sudzina said Hornsby would earn less than Krahl because of a $4.5 million 
statewide shortfall in court salaries, but didn't think that would affect 
his job performance.

Krahl was hired at a starting salary of $50,000. Hornsby will earn $43,544 
annually, records show.

After interviewing five job candidates, Sudzina said he was impressed with 
Hornsby's references at Tri-County Human Services and his education in 
substance abuse and mental health, which was more extensive than previous 
Polk County Drug Court managers.
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