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.