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Past conflicts exposed new DCF tech quits
By Times Staff
Published February 17, 2005
TALLAHASSEE - The chief of technology in the state Department of Children and Families resigned Tuesday after less than a week on the job.
John R. Hurd submitted his resignation after the Miami Herald raised questions about gifts he accepted, when he was an Ohio official, from a technology company that won a state contract.
Hurd began his new job Friday. He was to be paid $104,000 a year.
An Ohio inspector general's report in October 1999 said Hurd attended an "appreciation dinner" and accepted a leather jacket valued at $280 from Novell, a company that had just finished a contract to develop an operations center for Ohio's Department of Human Services computer networks. Hurd was a deputy director for information services in the agency.
He was also criticized for appearing in Novell advertising and endorsing the firm on its Web site.
CFO Gallagher's top aide leaving for lobbying firm
TALLAHASSEE - The longtime right-hand man of Florida's chief financial officer has resigned effective March 11 to join an influential lobbying firm.
Paul Mitchell, a key administrator for CFO Tom Gallagher for six years, will join Southern Strategy Group in Tallahassee on March 21. Mitchell said he wants to spend more time with his family.
"The time needed to effectively serve you, the department and the citizens it serves has proven too much for me to continue in my role as your chief of staff," Mitchell, 41, wrote to Gallagher Feb. 2.
On Tuesday, Mitchell submitted another letter, recusing himself from any decisions involving Southern Strategy clients, including BearingPoint and Infinity Software Development. Both firms have large contracts with the Department of Financial Services.
Soldier from Ocala dies in vehicle accident in Iraq
OCALA - A soldier from Ocala died when the military vehicle he was riding in overturned into a canal in Iraq, officials said.
Sgt. Chad W. Lake, 26, died Sunday near Balad, Iraq, the Department of Defense announced Tuesday. Two other soldiers also were killed.
The Army said the victims were not under fire.
Lake was in the Army's 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
He graduated from North Marion High School in 1996. He enlisted in the Army in 1999 and had re-enlisted twice, said his stepfather, Worthy Farr.
[Last modified February 17, 2005, 05:35:27]
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