The following is a paid political announcement submitted by the candidate. Candidates in the Lawtey election have until Friday, Oct. 29, to submit their announcements to [email protected].
On December 7, 2021, the citizens of Lawtey will elect a new police chief. I’m Ray Shuford and I humbly ask that you give me the opportunity to serve as your next Chief of Police. I have the administrative
experience, passion for a safe community, knowledge, training, and enthusiasm to get the job done. I am a lifelong resident of Lawtey and am a current business owner. I believe in a “Citizens First” attitude.
I graduated from Bradford High School in 1985. In November of the same year, I started the police academy. Upon graduating as one of the youngest people to attend the academy, I began my law enforcement career in June 1986. I attended thousands of hours of advanced training throughout my career, in many different areas. Most recently, I retired with 34 years total service, from the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office at the rank of lieutenant, serving as the Emergency Management Director/E-911 & Communications Director/Code Enforcement Director/Information Technology Director. I supervised 19 staff members and managed a budget of over $200,000. I was directly responsible for obtaining over $3 million dollars in grant funds for the sheriff’s office and Bradford County in just under 3 years.
I was raised in Lawtey and have even lived most of my adult life on the same street I grew up on. I am a family man and have been married to my wife, Pattie, for 28 years. We have two daughters, Taylor and Courtney, who were both raised here in Lawtey on that very same street.
I am a business owner. On the corner of Madison Street and US 301, Subway of Lawtey has been serving our community since March 2009. This is the same corner that my father, Dave Shuford, owned and operated his service station for decades until his retirement around 1990. I was blessed to have learned the value of a dollar and to be fiscally responsible from my father. He also instilled core values in me that I have built my life around. My word is my bond. I won’t lie to you. I will be transparent with your money. Taxpayers deserve to see exactly what we are doing with their tax dollars and we must be held accountable for it. I will work with the citizens and city council to identify public safety needs and address them as quickly and efficiently as possible.
I have been writing and managing grants for the past several years. I fully intend on lending my grant managing skills to the City for any project that benefits our citizens, not just police-related projects. I will call on my knowledge and experience in Emergency Management to provide an all hazards approach to protecting our citizens. Whether it’s flooding, fire, hazardous materials, pandemic, storm, or manmade emergencies, I will step up to the plate and secure the resources to protect you.
A vote for Ray Shuford is not just a vote for a police chief. I can bring to the table many skills and talents that I have a acquired over the past 30+ years to enhance public safety for everyone in Lawtey.
If elected, I will continue the proud tradition of the Lawtey Police Department in taking care of its citizens. Safe neighborhoods and community involvement will be our focus.
“My heart is in Lawtey and Lawtey is in my heart.”
My goal is to continue to provide the citizens and visitors of Lawtey with officers who are well-trained and professional. I will be accessible to you and will uphold the law in a fair and consistent manner. I am accountable to you and will strive daily to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe and peaceful, all while living within our budget. Upon taking office, I will ensure that we have officers available on a 24-hour basis. Criminals don’t take a break and we won’t either. I will be “always at your service.”
In the coming weeks, I hope to see each of you to discuss any issues or concerns you may have. In the meantime, if you wish to contact me, I can be reached at 904-796-8776.
I am asking for your vote and support to be your Chief of Police on December 7, 2021.
