Sheriff Miller also draws opponent in Armand ‘Army’ Reyes
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor
Longtime property appraiser Donnie Sparkman filed last week to challenge against incumbent Ed Brimner.
Sparkman retired as property appraiser back in 2018. His then-chief deputy Brad Harvey won the election that year, but was arrested and removed from office in 2020 for embezzling more than $200,000 in office funds. Harvey was sentenced last year to 12 years in prison for theft, followed by 17 years of probation.Brimner won the 2020 election against Sparkman’s son, Colby, by a handful of votes. Colby was working at the property appraiser’s office under Harvey and was fired after Brimner came into office. Colby Sparkman sued for wrongful termination and the case was settled last year. Brimner has also served as a county commissioner. In the fall, before tax notices went out, a $307 million assessment mistake by the property appraiser’s office was found. It meant county and school budgets were off by millions – and delayed the hiring of new deputy sheriffs and firefighters while the budget mess is sorted.
Meanwhile, in the sheriff’s race, local real estate agent and retired New York policeman Armando ‘Army’ Reyes filed to challenge incumbent Wakulla Sheriff Jared Miller.
In response, Miller reported raising more than $63,000 over the past quarter from some 250 donors.
Reyes has not yet filed a candidate contribution and expenditure report.
