3 empty narcotics vials spark inquiry in Tarpon

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 14, 2000

TARPON SPRINGS -- Two vials of Valium and one vial of morphine were found broken and empty in locked boxes at the Tarpon Springs Fire Department over the weekend.

Tarpon Springs police and fire officials are investigating whether the narcotics were stolen from the vials or the vials broke accidentally and the contents leaked out, police Sgt. Tom Hill said.

The narcotics are used by paramedics at the Fire Department.

Environmental chief leaving with $140,000

TAMPA -- When he retires later this month, Roger Stewart, the executive director of the Hillsborough Environmental Protection Commission, will take home about $140,000 in unused sick and vacation pay.

Commissioners voted two years ago to pay Stewart vacation and sick pay that he has built up over 30 years at the EPC. The commission does not give other employees as generous a retirement package but made an exception in 1998 for Stewart, 74, who had worked at the EPC without a contract for years.

"I don't feel bad about it," Stewart said Tuesday. "If you go back, you can count on less than one hand the times they officially gave me a pay raise. ... This is just kinda making up for lost time.

"It's a lot of money, but I need it," added Stewart, who is paid $102,356 a year. "I think I've more than earned it."

Former Charter officials plan youth facility

LAND O'LAKES -- Jim Hill, former chief executive officer of Charter Behavioral Health Systems of Tampa Bay, and his former colleague, Richard Semancik, plan to open Sunshine Youth Services in a former Charter hospital on State Road 54 in Land O'Lakes by early July.

Under contract with the state Department of Juvenile Justice, the Sunshine mental health center will house up to 69 teenagers ranging in age from 13 to 18.

The center will hold "level 6" offenders, mostly non-violent teens with a history of misdemeanors. During stays of 9 to 12 months, the teens will get treatment and schooling on site.

Hearing set in judge's misconduct case

INVERNESS -- Charges of misconduct lodged against Citrus County Circuit Judge Michael Blackstone appear headed for a full airing with the setting of a formal hearing date this week.

A hearing panel for the Judicial Qualifications Commission is now scheduled to take up the case at 9 a.m. Sept. 11 in the Citrus County Courthouse, according to an announcement submitted to the Florida Supreme Court Clerk's Office on Monday by the panel chairman.

Blackstone said he had not received word of the hearing date Tuesday and could not comment.

His attorney, David King, was at a trial and could not be reached for comment.

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