Scott Replaces Two Suspended County Commissioners

Gov. Rick Scott filled two county commission seats Thursday that have been vacant since last year due to suspensions.

Michael F. Joyner, a 38-year veteran law enforcement officer, has been named to complete the term of former Levy County Commissioner Tony Parker.

In Highlands County, builder William Ron Handley was appointed to complete the county commission term of Jeff Carlson.

In June, Joyner shifted from full-time to part-time with the Levy County sheriffs office, where he was working as a civil division bailiff and agriculture investigator.

During his career, Joyner, 61, of Morriston, served as chief deputy with the Jefferson County sheriffs office, captain with the Gadsden County sheriffs office and as lieutenant with the Citrus County sheriffs office. He serves on the board of directors for the Florida Intelligence Unit. Joyner attended the North Florida Junior College Law Enforcement Academy.

Parker and another former commissioner, William Samuel Yearty, were found guilty last year of conspiracy and soliciting bribes, agreeing to approve a new development in Levy County.

Handley, 56, of Sebring, has owned and operated Homes by Handley Inc. since 1990 and W.R. Handley Construction Co. from 1984 to 1990.

A 52-year resident of Highlands County, he also serves on the board of directors for the Heartland National Bank, Highlands County. He is a member of the Highlands Sertoma Club, the Sebring Firemens Association, the Sebring Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Cattlemens Association. He is a past member of the city of Sebring Code Enforcement Board and was a carpenter for the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners from 1976 to 1978. He received a bachelors degree from the University of Florida.

Carlson was suspended in 2010 after being charged with BUI manslaughter, the boating equivalent of DUI manslaughter, after hitting a channel marker in Sebastian, fatally injuring his wife, Julie Carlson, 38.