Reality Check Radio Guests

Listen to Larry's Reality Check
Radio Show

Saturday, 8am – 9am

Melbourne, Florida

The Reality Check Radio Show features Lawrence Lawton, President and Founder of the Reality Check Program.

He is not their Father, Mother, Teacher, Counselor, or the Police; he is an ex-con and Paralegal with a passion for helping teens and young adults.

Lawrence Lawton spent 11 years in some of the toughest federal prisons in the country. He was convicted of racketeering in connection with jewelry robberies. Upon his release from prison, he founded the Reality Check Program.

Lawton now tells kids and adults how he lost time, his family, friends and his freedom; and that it just wasn't worth it. Lawton changes the way kids think. It's all about choices, and Lawton's passion makes him a leader in the field.

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Guests of the Reality Check Radio Show
Hosted by Lawrence Lawton, The Reality Check Program

Upcoming Guests

Previous Guests

3/06/10 Guest: Sanford (Sandy) Finkelstein, Shore Lanes Bowling Center

Sanford (Sandy) Finkelstein is the current General Manager of Shore Lanes bowling centers: in Palm Bay and in Merritt Island, FL. Sandy has been in the bowling business for 32 years, beginning in 1977 with Fair Lanes Corp. in Baltimore, MD. Sandy then moved to Merritt Island to operate the first Shore Lanes Bowling Center and more recently (last year) the center in Palm Bay.

Sandy got into management after traveling the country as a pro bowler from 1972 to 1977. When he met his wife in Baltimore he decided that the traveling (and the money) was not worth it so he settled down to a life of structure. After graduating high school in Cortland, N.Y; he went to Morrisville State University and then to the University of Buffalo until 1968.

His career in bowling went from Ithaca, N.Y. to Hartford Ct. and then to Merritt Island where he will undoubtedly finish his career. Along the way Sandy has gathered immense knowledge of the bowling industry. Besides being a top bowler (member of Cortland Hall of Fame) with many tournament victories and a respected professional; he became an industry leader.

In 1996, Sandy became a board member of the Bowling Centers Association of Florida, a proprietors group that determines the industry direction for Florida. Sandy was elected V.P in 2000 and President in 2002. His tenure as president was eventful, fighting the no smoking law as well as guiding the state organization with successful marketing programs. Sandy last year was named BPAA (Bowling Proprietors Association of America) proprietor of the year, receiving his award in Las Vegas last June.

Sandy’s, commitment to his customers and in particular the youth bowlers has distinguished him from just another manager. Sandy has two children, Andrew, who is a national director for Cleveland Golf Company, and Jenna who is a criminal attorney in Largo, FL. Sandy lives in Merritt Island, Florida.

2/27/10 Guest: John Alpizar, Attorney at Law - Alpizar Law, LLC

John Alpizar has been involved in civil trial litigation locally in Brevard County and Palm Bay since 1978. Growing up he wanted to be an FBI Agent. To be eligible for the FBI, John pursued a law degree in college.

John has been helping Palm Bay victims seek justice for more than 25 years. He has obtained numerous million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. He has litigated and tried to verdict virtually every type of Personal Injury, Wrongful Death case including cases involving Automobile Accidents, Insurance Company Bad Faith and Premises Liability.
John is a member and past President of the Brevard County Bar Association, an Eagle Member of the Florida Justice Association and a member of the American Association for Justice, The Florida Bar, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In April 2008, he was appointed by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to a three-year term on the Fifth District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission.

Active in the local community, John strongly believes in giving back. He and his firm have been a major sponsor of Drive Alive which is an entertaining and informative public service program focused on promoting safe driving among Brevard County teens. John is also active in the Brevard Art Center and museum, the Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Space Coast for Marine Conservation.

02/20/10 Guest: Peter Golenbock, Best Selling Author

Peter Golenbock, one of the nation's best-known sports authors, was born on July 19, 1946 in New York City. He grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, and in 1963 graduated St. Luke's School in New Canaan, Connecticut. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1967 and the New York University School of Law in 1970.

Golenbock was hired to work as an editor for Prentice-Hall in the summer of 1972. After six weeks of writing about President Nixon's wage and price controls, during one lunchtime he rashly knocked on the door of Nick D'Incecco, the head of the Prentice-Hall trade book division. He told D'Incecco he wanted to write a history of the Casey Stengel Yankees. D'Incecco liked the idea and incredibly gave him a contract, almost on the spot.

Dynasty: The New York Yankees 1949-64, the definitive history of the Casey Stengel-Ralph Houk-Yogi Berra era of Yankee greatness, a period of fourteen pennants in sixteen years, became an instant best-seller.

Since 1975, Golenbock has written some of sports' most important books, including five New York Times best sellers. Some of his best-known books include The Bronx Zoo, which he wrote in 1979 with New York Yankee pitcher Sparky Lyle; BUMS: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers (1984), Personal Fouls (1988), a look at corruption in college basketball; American Zoom (1993), a history of NASCAR; and Wild, High and Tight (1994) his lurid biography of Yankee manager Billy Martin. What these books have in common is that they give readers an opportunity to go behind the scenes for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at professional sports.

Among his other best-sellers are Balls with Graig Nettles, Number 1 with Billy Martin; and The Forever Boys, a look at major league baseball from the eyes of retired ballplayers.
In 2008 Golenbock collaborated with movie idol Tony Curtis to write American Prince, another best seller.

Golenbock lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Wendy Grassi, their cat Chauncey, and their basset hound, Fred.

2/6/10 Replay of 11/07/09 Show with Guest: Congressman Bill Posey – Florida’s15th Congressional District

Congressman Bill Posey represents Florida's 15th Congressional District which encompasses most of Brevard County south of the city of Cocoa, Indian River County, most of Osceola County, and a small portion of Northern Polk County. Posey, a Republican, was elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 and is currently serving his first term.

In the House, Congressman Posey serves on the Financial Services Committee and its two subcommittees on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises and Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology.

01/30/10 Guest: Judge David Dugan, Brevard County, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit

Click Here for Judge Dugan’s Biography

01/23/10 Guest: Robin Fisher, Brevard County Commissioner, District 1

Robin is a 38 year resident of Brevard County, Florida, and lives with his family in Titusville.

Robin Fisher He graduated in 1978 from Satellite High School, where he received a football scholarship to the University of Florida. He was Captain of the University of Florida Gators in 1981. Robin still holds the record for the only defensive lineman to lead the entire Gator Defensive team in the most tackles in one season. He graduated in 1982 with a degree in Public Relations.

He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, and played professional football in the USFL with the Chicago Blitz and the Arizona Wranglers. Professionally, Robin has been an agent with State Farm Insurance Company for the past 19 years. During his tenure with State Farm his accomplishments have been outstanding. He has won many awards for production and service, the Legion of Honor Qualifier, Silver Scroll Qualifier and National Convention Qualifier. Additionally, he is a member of the Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He has owned his agency in Titusville since 1989.

Robin's community service includes former City Councilman for Palm Bay and Titusville. Robin also served a Vice-Mayor of Titusville. As Campaign Chairman for the Brevard County YMCA, he was responsible for raising $2.5 million to build the Titusville YMCA Family Center on Park Street. In 2007 he was presented with the John W. Sterci Award which is Y's Highest Honor.

Robin just finished his second term as the Board Chair of the Central Florida YMCA which encompasses six counties and 26 locations. Robin has served on the United Way Board of Directors, Brevard Community College Board of Trustees, Brevard County Development Commission and the Titusville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Robin and his wife Rhoda have been married 20 years and have two children, Cara, 18 and Cory, 16.

01/16/10 Guest: Mary Bolin, Commissioner and Chair, Brevard County District 4

Mary Bolin, Brevard County Commissioner since 2006, currently serves as Chairman of the County Commission and is the Board Appointee to the Space Florida Legislative Committee. Space issues are a high priority for Mary and as a spokesperson for Brevard County government she takes the lead in meeting with elected officials on both the State and National levels. Additionally she serves on the Executive Committee for the Economic Development Commission and East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, is an active member of the Transportation Planning Organization, Florida Association of Counties and the Space Coast League of Cities.

When Mary ran for the Office of Commissioner, she stated that roads and responsible fiscal government were her priorities. True to her word, she moved the Pineda realignment and extension to I-95 “off of paper”. One road is now completed and the other under construction. It took a strong hand to make it happen. Mary’s leadership was the catalyst to that action.

Over the last three years, Mary reduced the county budget by $140 million, while championing fiscal responsibility and less government. She also led the move to establish a “Local Preference Resolution” in support of Brevard County businesses, and supported a moratorium on transportation impact fees. Additionally, she corralled business leaders within the county to assist in the establishment of an Efficiency Commission that has been a useful accountability tool for County management.

Mary is very active in the community as past Chairperson of the Brevard Long-Term Recovery Coalition, past member American Red Cross Brevard Chapter, past Advisory Committee Member of University of Central Florida Family & Consumer Sciences, current member of Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors, and the Honor America Board of Directors.

Commissioner Bolin has been a Satellite Beach resident for the past 19 years and was married to the late Bob Bolin for 26 years. She has five step children, nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a B.A. in Education.

01/09/10 Guest: Marc Mero, Champion of Choices

Marc Mero Click Here to read the Marc Mero Story
The Headlines are Shocking. Reality is troubling...but there is Hope.

During a time when politicians, athletes and role models are making headlines for substance abuse, assault, deception and our economic system is in peril, there is a program that is empowering students to make positive life choices – Champion of Choices, a Non Profit 501(c)(3) Organization.

The Champion of Choices program focuses on many timely and significant challenges students of all ages experience daily including: peer pressure, substance abuse, suicide, bullying, choosing the right friends and goal setting. During a live, 60-MINUTE full production presentation, Marc Mero presents powerful, candid and moving messages that encourage students to make meaningful choices and pursue their passions. His personal and entertaining stories about his own positive and negative choices inspire students to choose to be champions.

Many students can relate to Marc’s story about growing up in a broken family and dreaming of a better future. Marc’s early athletic successes were sidelined during years of rebellion, substance abuse and bad choices. Even as he was gaining success and fame as a professional wrestler, Marc continued to make choices that negatively impacted his personal life and career. Following a series of personal tragedies including the loss of more than 30 of his friends and family members and while reflecting on his life's accomplishments and hardships, Marc was compelled to create a program that would allow him to reach out to students to encourage them to live compassionate, fulfilling lives. Marc has presented over 200 full-production presentations at schools, corporations, churches and prisons.

We would love to come to your school! Marc’s message is powerful and entertaining, but ultimately, it is intended to inspire students to make the right choices and dream big. To learn more about Champion Of Choices, visit us online at www.ChampionOfChoices.org or www.youtube.com/championofchoices. Please call (407) 862-4800 today or email us at info@cocnow.org to schedule a presentation for your school.

01/02/10 Guest: Jon Kempfer, President and Owner of Kempfer Consulting

Jon Kempfer is President and owner of Kempfer Consulting located in Stafford, VA. He currently serves as a consultant to government agencies in the Washington, DC area. Jon has a PHD in Health Administration, a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Education. A retired Coast Guard Officer with over 25 years of service, Jon currently has over 30 years of management experience in Program Management, Financial Management, Operational Medicine, Quality Management and Patient Care Activities. Jon has an extensive background in developing budgets, budget execution, drafting and writing policy, and providing financial management oversight for both the Department of Defense (DOD) and the US Coast Guard (USCG). Jon has two grown children.

Larry Lawton and Jon Kempfer have been friends for over 25 years, both serving together in the US Coast Guard. Jon loves to visit Florida.

Lawrence Lawton and Robert 12/19/09 Guest: Robert "Wayne" Ivey, Resident Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Wayne has 27 years in law enforcement and is an expert in identity theft. He supervises Florida's Identity Theft Taskforce and has handled in excess of 45 million dollars in fraud cases in two years. Wayne has testified on identity theft issues before the Florida legislature and the United States Congress.

12/12/09 Guest: Commissioner Andy Anderson, Brevard County District 5 County Commission Office

Lawrence Lawton and Andy Anderson A 20 year resident of Palm Bay, Andy Anderson was elected to Palm Bay City Council in 2003. He was been instrumental on many issues while on City Council. Andy's most relevant issues included addressing transportation infrastructure needs, boosting economic development, limiting local government eminent domain powers, eliminating unfair business practices, and worked to reduce homeowner and business tax rates.

Since 2008 Andy Anderson has served as Brevard County District 5 County Commissioner. Brevard county commissioners are elected by the public to establish ordinances and policies for the county. The Commission appoints a County Manager, who executes the will of the Commission. The county employed about 2,900 workers in 2009.

Commissioner Anderson has over 15 Years executive managerial experience related to project management, business administration and business operations and is a Veteran of the United States Army; he was assigned as investigator for the U.S. Army Drug Suppression team. Married with 3 great children, Andy and his wife Sybrina have been together for 17 years; they have 3 sons; Christian, Michael Hunter and Daniel.

For more information on Andy Anderson, visit his web site at: District 5 County Commission Office

12/05/09 Guest: John Alpizar, Attorney at Law - Alpizar Law, LLC

11/21/09 Guests: Students Sarah Lopez and James Saunders

Sarah Lopez is a twenty year old student. She was originally from New York, but has lived in Melbourne for most of her life. She is currently a sophomore at Brevard Community College, working to attain her Associates in Arts degree. She wants to graduate with 85 credits and then transfer to UCF for a higher degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences. Currently, she is involved in an Honors Community Involvement course and recently finished volunteering at the Hacienda Girl’s Ranch as a tutor. She hopes to work with them in the future and maybe even expand into volunteering for other causes.

James Saunders was born August 14th, 1986 in Vermont where he was born and raised until he graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 2004. Upon graduation James moved down to Cocoa Florida where he currently attends BCC and is the Student Government President of BCC’s Melbourne Campus. He plans on Graduating in the Spring from BCC and continue his education elsewhere.

11/14/09 Guest: Sheriff Jack Parker - Brevard County Sheriff

Sheriff Parker is serving his second term as Sheriff after first being elected by the citizens of Brevard County in 2004. The Sheriff is a graduate of Cocoa Beach High School, Brevard Community College and the University of Central Florida with a degree in Public Administration. Sheriff Parker is one of the few Public Safety officials in Florida to have attended the Police Academy, Corrections Academy and Firefighting Academy and earned State of Florida Certification as a Police Officer, Corrections Officer, and Firefighter. Jack Parker is married to his wife of nineteen years, Yvette, and has one son.

Sheriff Jack Parker

11/07/09 Guest: Congressman Bill Posey – Florida’s15th Congressional District

Prior to being elected to Congress, Posey served for eight years in the Florida State Senate where he led the successful effort to reform Florida’s insurance laws to increase competition and lower rates for home-owners and businesses in response to the devastating 2004 hurricane season. And after the controversy surrounding the 2000 Presidential election, Posey sponsored and passed legislation to reform and modernize Florida’s election process by requiring counties to replace their punch card ballot system with optical scanners, set new election recount standards and better educate voters and poll workers. He also oversaw reforms to lower the cost of workers' compensation, medical malpractice and automobile insurance laws.

In 1992 Posey was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and had previously served for 10 years as a member of the Rockledge City Council. Before entering public service, Bill worked at the Kennedy Space Center until he was laid off with the end of the Apollo Program. He then founded Posey & Co. Realtors and later served as a director of the Florida Association of Realtors and President of the Space Coast Association of Realtors.

Bill Posey was born in 1947 and attended Cocoa High where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Katie. He graduated from Brevard Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in 1969. Bill and Katie live together in Rockledge and have been happily married for 41 years. They have two grown daughters, Pam and Cathi, and 3 grandchildren.

Congressman Posey has long been an advocate for greater accountability in government and is the author of the book Activity Based Total Accountability. The American Legislative Exchange Council, the nation's oldest and largest bipartisan organization of state lawmakers, named Posey a "National Legislator of the Year" for his efforts to bring greater accountability to government. He is also an accomplished stock car racer, having received the award for short track driver achievement in memory of Davey & Clifford Allison presented by Bobby & Judy Allison.

10/31/09 - Show host Lawrence Lawton recaps New York month on Reality Check Radio which featured:

Susan Bartelstone - host of Crime Prevention 101 a personal safety talk radio show. Susan is a certified crime prevention and personal safety specialist.

John Chaney, Assistant Director, ComALERT, Brooklyn's D.A.'s Office.

Vanda Seward - formerly Executive Director of Brooklyn's ConmALERT, Vanda has a new position as Director of Statewide Re-entry Services, NYS Division of Parole.

Charles J. Hynes, District Attorney, Kings County, Brooklyn, New York

Lawrence will also discuss the recent Brevard County Commission crime prevention workshop which he attended and spoke at along with a discussion geared towards “solutions” and not blame. The focus is always on helping our kids and young adults.

10/24/09 Susan Bartelstone - host of Crime Prevention 101 a personal safety talk
radio show. Susan is a certified crime prevention and personal safety specialist.

Susan Bartlestone Years ago, Susan Bartelstone had a bad break-up with a guy, complete with physical and emotional bruises, and determined to learn how to protect herself. Today, she's a certified Crime Prevention Specialist and Personal Safety expert, with 17 years combined training in WWII Combatives, self defense and martial arts. Along the way, she deterred five extremely dangerous criminal encounters, fought her way out of a surprise attack and, for the past 18 years, has taught safety skills to men and women from such organizations as American Express, the U.S. Post Office and the Livery Cab Owners Coalition of New York.

She's the author of Think Fast and Prevent a Violent Crime: How to Respond to Danger in 20 Seconds (or Less!), which is based on her own experiences, and is also the host of Crime Prevention 101, a personal safety talk radio show where she's speaks about hot crime and personal safety topics; and give the tips and tactic needed to reduce fear and increase safety.

10/17/09 John Chaney, Assistant Director, ComALERT, Brooklyn's D.A.'s Office.

As the Deputy Executive Director of the Kings County District Attorney’s ComALERT (Community and Law Enforcement Resources Together) prison reentry program, John R.Chaney was largely responsible for the growth and expansion of the ComALERT reentry program. ComALERT has earned a national reputation for exceptional accomplishment in reducing criminal recidivism and in restoring the lives of the formerly incarcerated, achievements confirmed in a recent 2-year evaluation by Harvard University and highlighted in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Law Journal.

Mr. Chaney’s responsibilities include the procurement and management of ComALERT funding contracts, creating productive agency collaborations to enhance the program’s abilities to provide greater access to essential transitional resources for those returning home from prison, and developing community workshops and seminars that emphasize the important connection between successful reentry initiatives and increased public safety.

Prior to his appointment with the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Chaney had accumulated an impressive record of achievement as a grant writer for non profit organizations and developer of programs designed to effectively deliver essential services to "high risk" and under-served urban populations. Many of his state and federally funded initiatives in HIV/AIDS preventive and supportive services have been implemented in several community and faith-based agencies throughout New York. He also recently coordinated a successful pilot inner-city nursing program for CUNY’s LaGuardia Community College in collaboration with New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation. In addition to his responsibilities with the Kings County District Attorney’s office, Mr. Chaney frequently serves as a volunteer consultant in the creation and management of community and faith-based organizations whose initiatives have included workforce development, educational and health services for adolescents, and transitional services for men and women with histories of criminal justice involvement and substance abuse.

Mr. Chaney’s personal experiences and his early years as an attorney helped him realize his true professional calling as a creative innovator of social service initiatives designed to achieve healing and positive long-term impact for distressed communities. His educational credentials include a Bachelor’s degree from New York University and a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School.

10/10/09 Vanda Seward - formerly Executive Director of Brooklyn's ConmALERT, Vanda has a new position as Director of Statewide Re-entry Services, NYS Division of Parole.

Vanda Seward is the Director of Reentry Services for New York State Division of Parole and the former Executive Director of the Kings County District Attorney’s Office ComALERT program. She is a native New Yorker from the Bronx and a product of the New York City Board of Education and New York City Housing Authority. Ms. Seward has been serving “high risk” populations for close to 25 years. Her extensive experience expands to providing services and linkages to men, women and adolescents suffering from mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, unemployment, literacy and HIV and AIDS. Her interest in working with high risk populations began in earnest at the age of 17 when she participated in a New York City Summer job assignment with the Bellevue Hospital Methadone Program. Her vast experience includes working hands-on with individuals who are either mandated to services by criminal or family court and/or parole and probation, in addition to those who are sentenced to prison for felony convictions.

Ms. Seward has worked for numerous community based organizations and government agencies including New York State Department of Correctional Services where she has worked in a number of prisons at various security levels as a counselor. She has headed several pilot projects and committees to assist the needs of the formerly incarcerated and communities at large. Her impressive array of work includes and is not limited to an apartment program for women suffering from mental illness who are formerly incarcerated; a parole violation diversion program; HIV gender specific services for pregnant women; and provider-chair person for the New York City Criminal Justice Committee under New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene and New York State Forensic Advisory Committee. Ms. Seward is a 2009 Ph.D candidate at Capela University’s Criminal Justice Program. She is a graduate of Iona College where she holds a M.S. in Criminal Justice and is also a graduate of The College of New Rochelle where she holds a B.A. Degree. Vanda also continues to serve in her fifth year as an adjunct professor at the College of New Rochelle.

10/3/09 Guest: Charles J. Hynes, District Attorney, Kings County, Brooklyn, New York

On November 7, 2005, Charles J. Hynes was re-elected to his fifth term as the District Attorney of Kings County (Brooklyn), New York; he was sworn into office on January 10, 2006.

The District Attorney began his career in public service in 1963 as an associate attorney for the Legal Aid Society. In 1969, he joined the Kings County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney. In 1971, he was named Chief of the Rackets Bureau and in 1973, he was promoted to First Assistant District Attorney.

In 1975, Governor Hugh Carey and Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz appointed Mr. Hynes as Special State Prosecutor to investigate nursing home fraud. His State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit became a national model and his Medicaid Fraud Control legislation - which provided federal funding for any state interested in starting a unit - became law in 1978. That same year, District Attorney Hynes was elected the first president of the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units. Today, 47 states have Medicaid fraud control units.

In 1980, Mayor Edward I. Koch appointed Mr. Hynes as Fire Commissioner of New York City. In 1982, after two years in that post as Fire Commissioner, he left public service for private practice. He served as a Commissioner for the New York State Commission of Investigation between 1983 and 1985 by appointment of New York State Assembly Speaker Stanley Fink. He returned to public service in 1985, appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo as a Special State Prosecutor for the New York City Criminal Justice System.

In 1987, the District Attorney became the center of national attention when Governor Cuomo called on him to investigate the murder of Michael Griffith in Howard Beach, Queens. As the Special Prosecutor and Chief Trial Attorney in that case, Mr. Hynes led the investigation and prosecution which resulted in three homicide convictions.

As District Attorney, Mr. Hynes has pioneered many innovative criminal justice strategies. He started one of the first specialized domestic violence bureaus in the country and then worked with court administrators to establish one of the first domestic violence court parts in New York State. In 2005, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Mr. Hynes started a United States Department of Justice funded Family Justice Center – a one stop shopping service for victims of domestic violence and their surviving children. The Center is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Hynes’ mother, Regina Katherine Drew. He started one of the first Drug Treatment Alternative-to-Prison (DTAP) programs for chronic drug offenders in the country, which has rehabilitated hundreds of non-violent drug addicts and become a model for the nation.

District Attorney Hynes created a Crimes Against Children Bureau to bring special expertise to child abuse cases and a School Advocacy Bureau to handle cases that arise in schools or on school grounds. He created a faith-based mentoring program called Youth and Congregations in Partnership to provide support to court-involved youth from members of Brooklyn’s churches, mosques and synagogues. And he created an adopt-a-school program called Legal Lives to teach fifth graders about the criminal justice system, which is supplemented by a truancy reduction program called TRACK (Truancy Reduction Alliance to Contact Kids) which now has been copied in every other borough of New York City.

In 1999, Mr. Hynes created the ComALERT (Community And Law Enforcement Resources Together) public safety program which supports individuals on probation or parole as they re-enter their Brooklyn communities. He was motivated to implement ComALERT by his philosophy that education, intervention and rehabilitation are as important as traditional law enforcement techniques. This program refers participants to community-based organizations that provide them with job training, job placement, education, housing, mental health and substance abuse counseling. In 2005 District Attorney Hynes created the Girls Re-entry Assistance and Support Program (GRASP). GRASP is specifically designed to meet the needs of young women between the ages of 13 and 22 who are returning to the community after placement in a juvenile or adult correctional facility. Very few re-entry programs exist to provide services for young women at this critical juncture in their lives. All GRASP services are gender responsive in nature and include counseling, case-management, mentoring, anger and stress management, cultural and recreational activities, educational assistance and referrals for health services in addition to age appropriate career development and job placement.

Mr. Hynes is now spearheading a groundbreaking alternative-to-prison program for mothers and their children through a not-for-profit foundation named in honor of his mother, Regina Drew. The Drew Foundation is planning to operate the first residence of its kind in the country in which women will be permitted to remain with all of their children in a secure, community-based setting while receiving intensive trauma-focused, rehabilitative services.

District Attorney Hynes is a proud and life-long resident of Brooklyn, where he was born and raised in the Flatbush section. He met his wife, Patricia L. Pennisi, a registered nurse, while they were undergraduate students. He attended St. John's University while she was at Kings County Hospital. They were married in October of 1963. Throughout the years, he and Mrs. Hynes have remained professionally and personally loyal to Brooklyn where they chose to pursue their respective careers and raise five children. Today, the two enjoy the role of grandparents to sixteen grandchildren.

Since 1983, Mr. Hynes has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the New York State Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection.

Since 2000, he has served as a member of the American Bar Association where he sat as co-chair of the Prosecutors Function Committee. He has also served as a member of the ABA Criminal Justice Section. In 2005, the Criminal Justice Section presented Mr. Hynes with their "Minister of Justice Award." In 2007, he became the Vice Chair-at-Large of the Criminal Justice Section. Mr. Hynes was appointed by the ABA President to serve as a member of the ABA’s Commission on Effective Criminal Sanctions in 2006, for a term of two years. In 2008, he was elected Chair-elect of the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association. In 2008, he received the American Bar Association Award, "Lawyer as Problem Solver," and the "Cyrus R. Vance Tribute" from The Fund for Modern Courts. In 2009, he was given the Diversity Championship Award by The New York City Bar Association.

In 1990, he became a member of the National District Attorneys Association and from 1993 until 2007, he served as New York State Director on the Board. In 2007, he was elected a Vice President of the Association.

He has co-authored and published "Incident at Howard Beach: The Case for Murder" and has contributed to another book, "The Regulation of Nursing Homes: A Case Study." In June of 2007, St. Martin’s Press, Thomas Dunne Imprint, published Mr. Hynes’ first novel, "Triple Homicide." Mr. Hynes continues to demonstrate his commitment to public service and education by serving as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at three New York City Law Schools. He was appointed to both St. John's and Brooklyn Law School in 1984, and Fordham University Law School in 1992

09/26/09 Guests: Dawn Bittar and Andrew Bittar of 321 Plumbing
www.321plumbing.com

09/19/09 Guest: Colonel Danny R. McKnight - "Black Hawk Down"

Colonel Danny R. McKnight - U.S. Army, Retired, was born in Columbus, Georgia…moved to Rockledge, Florida in 1959…graduated from Cocoa High School in 1969 and Brevard Community College in 1971. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate from Florida State University in 1973, where he earned a BS Degree in Management. In 1985, Danny earned his Masters Degree in Higher Education from the University of Florida while assigned as an Assistant Professor of Military Science in the ROTC Department.

Danny’s military career also included combat duty on two occasions – Panama 1989 and Somalia 1993 (basis for the Book and Movie "Black Hawk Down". Colonel McKnight’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (2 awards), the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge with Combat Star, and the Pathfinder Badge. After completing 28 and one-half years of service to our country, Colonel McKnight returned to his hometown in Florida. He has served in two Homeland Security related positions in Brevard County…as the Homeland Security Coordinator for the County’s Emergency Management Office, then as the Homeland Security Training Coordinator in the Criminal Justice Center at Brevard Community College. Colonel McKnight now focuses all his efforts on being a nationwide motivational speaker. He and his wife, Linda, reside in Rockledge, Florida.

09/12/09 Guest: Judge Morgan Reinman, Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Brevard County

Judge Morgan Reinman

09/05/09 Guest: Glenda Broderick, Brevard Achievement Center

Glenda Broderick is a School Services Coordinator for Brevard Achievement Center which puts her in direct contact with 5 of the area high schools. 10 school classes, and over 150 students. Her position requires her to work with students with varied disabilities from Autism, Specific Learning Disabled, to At Risk students with emotional challenges. She teaches curriculum in Career Prep as well as assists students in job developing.

Glenda's passion for students started with coaching cheerleading, tumbling and dance well over 25 years ago. She opened a cheerleading gym and dance studio and successfully lead many teams to State and National Championships. She prides herself on the fact that her athletes learned more than cheer and dance. She taught character, integrity, values and leadership skills through bonding camps and at each and every practice. "Momma Glenda" has mentored hundreds of students through their up and downs and has become more than a trusted friend to them.

Glenda has been married to her husband, Dennis for 25 years and has 3 grown children, 2 grandchildren and one on the way and lives in Melbourne, Florida.

08/29/09 Guests: Chief John Shockey, Corporal Alice Deacons and City Manager Jim McKnight – all from the great City of Rockledge.

08/15/09 Guests: Phil Archer - Assistant State Attorney and Jackie Thomas

Phil Archer is currently assigned to the Felony Intake Division as head of Operation Cease-Fire where he is responsible for the review and filing of all firearm related crimes. Operation Cease-Fire is a partnership formed between the State Attorney’s Office, U. S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and Explosives, federal, state and local law enforcement to target armed criminals for both federal and state prosecution.

Phil is also involved in several crime prevention and outreach programs initiated by the State Attorney’s office, including Brevard County Weed & Seed and the Neighborhood State Attorney Initiative which uses innovative strategies to reach out to our youth and make our neighborhoods safer.

Phil has been with the office for twenty-five (25) years and during that time has served as a Division Chief in several major divisions as well as a felony and misdemeanor trial attorney.

Phil holds a Juris Doctorate Degree from Florida State University and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida.

Jackie Thomas is a guest from Cedar Rapids, Iowa; she is a mother, grandmother and a Nanny. She also works with kids as a Teacher Assistant at the Children’s Garden Montessori School. She is familiar with the Reality Check Program and a supporter of what Lawrence Lawton is doing with kids.

08/08/09 Guest: Brevard County Jail Commander Susan Jeter

Susan M. Jeter was born in Dothan, Alabama the youngest of three children. She served in the United States Army as a Combat Medic and earned the Army Achievement Medal in 1984.

After graduating from the Corrections Academy in 1986, Susan began her career with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer, advancing through the ranks of Field Training Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Major to her current position of Jail Complex Commander. Her progressive responsibilities have proven her abilities in the areas of supervision, training, leadership of staff, detailed administrative responsibilities, and public relations.

During her career, Susan has also served four years as a medic on the SWAT team, two years as a member of the Sheriff’s Honor Guard and two years as a member of the Corrections Response Team. She also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Administration from Barry University and a Master of Arts degree in Management/Leadership from Webster University while employed full time in supervisory capacities with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Susan has been recognized for her particular attention to the needs of inmates suffering from mental illnesses. She places a high priority on protecting the safety and health of these inmates as well as implementing proactive measures for identifying at risk inmates. In response to this goal, she developed an inmate art program known as "Art Behind Bars". Most significantly, she has been heavily involved in Crisis Intervention Training for Correction Officers. CIT is a nationally recognized model used to train officers in skills needed to identify and provide effective responses to persons experiencing a mental health crisis. Her goal is to have every correction officer trained in CIT.

Susan is a board member of several law enforcement related professional organizations and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Commission on Mental Health and Community Solutions. She is a Commissioner on the Florida Correction Accreditation Commission, a member of the Public Safety Advisory Council, Florida Assertive Community Treatment Advisory Council and Brevard Police Athletic League. She has received numerous recognitions and commendations including "Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award", "Exceptional People Impacting the Community Award" (EPIC) for her continued commitment and efforts in the field of Mental Health and the Barry University Distinguished Alumni Award.

Susan’s colleagues as well as her subordinates will all testify to the fact that her focus for them is on their safety and professional success. With this as her agenda as a leader, she has earned their respect and admiration while maintaining a high level of morale among personnel. Susan believes that every person has knowledge that will benefit others. She lives by the principal that each time a person shares information with another that will put in motion a successful outcome; he or she is "Turning At Greatness". This she calls the TAG concept.

Susan remains close to her mother and siblings. Her sister has been involved in two serious car accidents leaving her brain damaged placing Susan into a part time caregiver role, which has caused her to respond to life differently. Susan’s sister has little in the way of worldly possessions but is rich in spirit according to Susan. She reminds Susan not to take the simple, beautiful things in life for granted.

08/01/09 Guests: Dennis Greenhouse, Director CCDO and Judge David Silverman

Dennis Greenhouse, Director CCDO

In May 2006, Dennis E. Greenhouse was named Director of the Community Capacity Development Office. Mr. Greenhouse had been the Deputy Director of The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) since September of 2003.

From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Greenhouse served as the Principal Deputy Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) at the Department of Justice. Before coming to the COPS Office, Mr. Greenhouse was Acting Deputy Director of the Bureau of State and Local Affairs for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy where he was recognized for Outstanding Achievement and Significant Contributions to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Program. Mr. Greenhouse joined the Drug Policy Office in 1997. Prior to that, he held public office for fourteen years. From 1989 to 1997, Mr. Greenhouse was the elected County Executive of the most populous county in Delaware, serving two-thirds of the residents of the state. From 1983 to 1989 he held the post of Delaware State Auditor.

Mr. Greenhouse has been active in a variety of local, state, and national organizations. As Chair of the National Association of Counties Justice and Public Safety Committee, he worked to develop strategies for crime fighting, prevention, and early intervention issues with federal, state, and local officials across the country. He received the National Council of Elected County Executives' Outstanding Service Award for creating the New Castle County Community Partnership. This inclusive and effective substance abuse prevention effort, which partners government, law enforcement, business, and non-profit groups with grass-roots community members, has become a model for similar programs nationwide. As New Castle County Executive, Mr. Greenhouse made public safety a top priority. Under his administration, the New Castle County Police Department became one of the most effective and progressive in the nation. He aggressively supported the department's community policing program, developing and implementing long-lasting neighborhood stabilization programs.

During his tenure with the Federal Government, Mr. Greenhouse has brought his concept of partnership to local, state, and tribal entities and the faith community. He has been honored for his service by community and law enforcement groups including B'Nai B'rith, NAACP, the National Sheriff's Association, National Troopers Coalition, Delaware Police Chiefs, the FBI, FOP, N.O.B.L.E., PAL, Little League, the Arthritis Foundation, and many others. He has been recognized for his contributions in the areas of economic development, housing, water resources and environmental protection, as well as his support for volunteer fire departments.

A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, Mr. Greenhouse had a career in finance before his election to public office. Mr. Greenhouse and his wife Elizabeth reside in Rockville, Maryland.

Judge David Silverman, Brevard County Court

David Edward Silverman is a Brevard County Court Judge and his courtroom is located in the old courthouse near downtown Melbourne. He was first elected in September, 1998 and reelected without opposition for a second 6 year term in 2004. He is currently handling criminal and traffic cases including juvenile traffic matters. Earlier this year Judge Silverman was named the "Outstanding Jurist" by the Brevard County Bar Association. This award is given every two years to the judge who makes the most significant contribution to the bar.

Judge Silverman has been very active while on the bench and was elected by the other judges to serve as the Brevard County Administrative Judge for 3 years. He has also served with the Supervisor of Elections on the election canvassing board and on the Public Safety Coordinating Council which makes recommendations to the Brevard County Commission regarding issues affecting the legal system.

He has served as vice president and representative from our circuit to the Conference of County Court Judges, as well as co-chairing the education committee of that statewide organization of judges. Judge Silverman is committed to promoting judicial education and is a frequent presenter at educational seminars for judges. He also edited the Criminal Law Bench Book for judges and received the distinguished "President’s Award" from the conference for his efforts.

Judge Silverman was designated by the Florida Supreme Court as a Mentor Judge, one of a select few, assigned to assist and mentor new judges. Among the various awards and honors he has received, Judge Silverman is particularly proud of having been named Mentor Judge of the Year in 2003 in recognition of his outstanding dedication and performance as a Mentor Judge

Judge Silverman is certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in the field of Criminal Trial Law and before being elected judge he served in both the prosecutor’s office and in the public defender’s office. Before coming onto the bench he supervised other prosecutors handling the most serious type of felony cases and later defended 1st degree murder cases in the capital division of the public defender’s office. In addition to his achievements in the field of criminal law, Judge Silverman practiced commercial and family law as an associate with a private law firm.

Judge Silverman grew up in the Chicago area and graduated from Loyola Law School there after having completed his undergraduate work at Emory University in Atlanta. He lives with his wife of over 20 years and their three children. Typically, he does not provide personal details, but I am authorized to say that he is a superb golfer, just kidding, he’s a duffer. You can find out more about him from his very informative web site davidsilverman.com.

07/25/09 Guests: Zachary Wheeler and Bobby Brezinski

Zachary Wheeler – Rockledge teen who completed The Reality Check Program and doing very well. Zac highly recommends the program to all teens.

Bobby Brezinski – Owner - Busy Bee Courier Service: Bobby moved to Brevard County in February of 2004 and partnered in a limousine company for 2 1/2 years as the Operations Manager. Bobby has since started his own courier business in September of 2006 and also has a current real estate license. Bobby will discuss various topics with Mr. Lawton regarding the Reality Check Program and the upcoming Reality Check Golf Outing for kids on August 8, 2009. Bobby was last year and will be this year a mentor for the kids at the Reality Check Golf Outing.

July 18, 2009 Catherine Jones, Esq., Founder, Cocoa Beach Law Group, LLC

Catherine Jones, Esq.

Catherine Jones, Esq. is the founder of Cocoa Beach Law Group, LLC. Prior to moving to Cocoa Beach, Catherine was a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the United States Army for 5 years. For the first 2 years of her active duty service, Catherine managed a legal services office for the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The legal services office provided legal advice in the areas of consumer protection, estate planning, landlord/tenant, family law, immigration, contract and military law. Catherine streamlined efficiency and substantially increased service availability to her client base, focusing on preventive measures rather than reactive legal services. Her efforts earned her office the Army Chief of Staff Award for Excellence in Legal Assistance in 2006.

Following her service with the 82nd Airborne Division, Catherine transferred to the United States Army Claims Service in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. For 18 months, Catherine managed the Foreign Claims program, supervising over 130 attorneys stationed in Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan who were tasked to investigate and adjudicate personal injury, medical malpractice, and property damage claims occurring overseas. For the remaining 18 months of her active duty service, Catherine transferred to the United States Tort Claim Division where she managed 9 field offices throughout the Middle and Eastern United States. The field offices, under Catherine’s supervision, investigated high-value personal injury, medical malpractice, and property damage claims filed against the Department of the Army.

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Catherine attended Florida State University College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree in Information Studies from FSU as well. Because she was an Army Green to Gold ROTC cadet on a 4-year scholarship, Catherine managed to complete her undergraduate and law studies in 5 ½ years. In 2007-2009, Catherine spent several mini-vacations in the Space Coast area. She enjoyed the community members so much that she decided to open her law practice in Cocoa Beach. Catherine’s primary goal for Cocoa Beach Law Group, LLC is to establish the firm as a valued member of Central Florida by providing cutting edge, superb legal services; being actively involved in the community; and by being a trusted partner and trusted family friend to the firm’s clients.