Cindy Meadows not running

**Joyce Owen** · 05-09-2008, 12:17 PM

From WZEP, "Current District 5 commissioner Cindy Meadows will not be running. While Meadows has prefiled and is on the list, earlier this week she changed her mind and decided no to run for the office."
So that leaves Charlie Burke, George Wallace Smith and Bob Hudson. Who best represents our district?

**scooterbug44** · 05-09-2008, 12:19 PM

Crap! Now who's going to represent Sowal while Brannon's at a photo op!

**hnooe** · 05-09-2008, 12:26 PM

Dear God Almighty, you think the big blue signs were a disaster, just wait until we experience life without Cindy Meadows!

**wrobert** · 05-09-2008, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by hnooe2000

Dear God Almighty, you think the big blue signs were a disaster, just wait until we experience life without Cindy Meadows!

There will be some good people turn up I imagine. Seems like there always is.

**Jdarg** · 05-09-2008, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by hnooe2000

Dear God Almighty, you think the big blue signs were a disaster, just wait until we experience life without Cindy Meadows!

Arghhhh....I know. Why isn't she running again/

**rapunzel** · 05-09-2008, 01:41 PM

OH NO!! She's the best.

**BeachSiO2** · 05-09-2008, 01:44 PM

Does anyone know George Wallace Smith? WRobert do you have any insight?

**Furthur** · 05-09-2008, 02:08 PM

Cindy, Please reconsider!

**wrobert** · 05-09-2008, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by jdarg

Arghhhh....I know. Why isn't she running again/

Word I got is she is tired. I guess you guys wore her out.

**TooFarTampa** · 05-09-2008, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by rapunzel

OH NO!! She's the best.

Originally Posted by Furthur

Cindy, Please reconsider!

Anyone who can get you two to agree must be a miracle worker.

Cindy, don't blame you for being tired, but you will be missed if you decide not to run again.

**wrobert** · 05-09-2008, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Does anyone know George Wallace Smith? WRobert do you have any insight?

You got three getting into the race. Charlie Burke the mosquito guy. I guess a lot of his is going to depend on what happens next week.

George W. Smith, never met the guy.

Robert M 'Bob' Hudson, treasurer of the Taxpayer's Association, I know him really well, staunch fiscal conservative. Has led the charge to reduce taxes, with Cindy's assistance the last 3 years.

**BeachSiO2** · 05-09-2008, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

You got three getting into the race. Charlie Burke the mosquito guy. I guess a lot of his is going to depend on what happens next week.

George W. Smith, never met the guy.

Robert M 'Bob' Hudson, treasurer of the Taxpayer's Association, I know him really well, staunch fiscal conservative. Has led the charge to reduce taxes, with Cindy's assistance the last 3 years.

Thanks. I know Burke and Hudson, just not Smith. Do you know if Burke ever got his residency issues handled? Also, do you expect any others coming into the race now that Cindy isn't running or is it too early to tell?

The reason I am peppering you with questions is that I believe it will be decided in the primary and you are our go to guy in the local GOP. Thanks!

**Smiling JOe** · 05-09-2008, 02:25 PM

Isn't Charlie Burke still tied up in Court for reportedly living in Bay County while being the Director of South Walton Mosquito Control? If I correctly recall, Gov Crist had him removed from his duties with Mosquito Control until the Court could make a ruling.

Bob Hudson -- isn't he the one who called the law on Seabreeze Jazz Festival, making them turn down the volume of the music festival?

**wrobert** · 05-09-2008, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Isn't Charlie Burke still tied up in Court for reportedly living in Bay County while being the Director of South Walton Mosquito Control? If I correctly recall, Gov Crist had him removed from his duties with Mosquito Control until the Court could make a ruling.

Bob Hudson -- isn't he the one who called the law on Seabreeze Jazz Festival, making them turn down the volume of the music festival?

Charlie goes to court next week from what I am told. He is a Commissioner on that board. I guess if he is convicted he will not run, and if not, then he will have to resign to run.

Bob was not in town for the Festival. Remember, Pridgen asked him to take a vacation that weekend, so he did. He did bring it up to the BCC about the fact if they were going to enact noise and parking ordinances, then everyone should be made to follow them. The neighborhood he lives in, from what I understand, is mostly elderly retired. When they have a problem, they all come to Bob and let him try to get it worked out for them. His prior experience in both business and government has really been helpful. But enough about Bob. I am sure he can jump on here and answer questions and toot his own horn when he gets through getting all those petitions signed so he can get on the ballot.

The only rumours I have heard as far as additional people running:

Kathy O'Dell who was a commissioner in Okaloosa County that I hear has moved into Walton County.

Anita Page, who I sure most of you know from the SWCC.

**wrobert** · 05-09-2008, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by greenroomsurfer

What do I need to do to run?

Contact the SOE office and they can go over it all with you.

**DuneLaker** · 05-09-2008, 03:48 PM

Once the Democratic Party gets their headquarters squared away, maybe they'll put up some good commissioner candidates in all the races. This opening could be their opportunity to take some local seats.

**BeachSiO2** · 05-09-2008, 03:53 PM

Does anyone know how much longer they have to file to run?

**DuneLaker** · 05-09-2008, 04:50 PM

In fact, any Independent or any Other party member could file and have a chance at winning. They'd at least make it to the General Election in November. Does anyone know all the different parties that one could file under for commissioner?

**Andy A** · 05-09-2008, 04:58 PM

[quote=TooFarTampa;406445]Anyone who can get you two to agree must be a miracle worker.

While that may be so, the loss of Cindy Meadows as a Walton County Commissioner will set the county back to a period that was prevalent before she was elected. With the election of Sara Commander and the presence of Cindy on the commission, things were really beginning to look up for a progressive Walton County. She is a thoughtful, intelligent and wise commissioner. I, for one, hope she will reconsider when she realizes how highly she is thought of by her constituency.

**DuneLaker** · 05-09-2008, 05:04 PM

There are three commissioner seats up this time. Would be great if Cindy stayed. She has represented ALL of South Walton commendably. But, need to keep all the options open for all seats.

**BlueMtnBeachVagrant** · 05-09-2008, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Does anyone know how much longer they have to file to run?

Are you thinking about running?

**swantree** · 05-09-2008, 11:42 PM

[quote=Andy A.;406533]

Originally Posted by TooFarTampa

Anyone who can get you two to agree must be a miracle worker.

While that may be so, the loss of Cindy Meadows as a Walton County Commissioner will set the county back to a period that was prevalent before she was elected. With the election of Sara Commander and the presence of Cindy on the commission, things were really beginning to look up for a progressive Walton County. She is a thoughtful, intelligent and wise commissioner. I, for one, hope she will reconsider when she realizes how highly she is thought of by her constituency.

amen to that!

**rapunzel** · 05-10-2008, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by Andy A.

While that may be so, the loss of Cindy Meadows as a Walton County Commissioner will set the county back to a period that was prevalent before she was elected. With the election of Sara Commander and the presence of Cindy on the commission, things were really beginning to look up for a progressive Walton County. She is a thoughtful, intelligent and wise commissioner. I, for one, hope she will reconsider when she realizes how highly she is thought of by her constituency.

And anyone who could get Andy A. and I to agree, well...she should be running for higher office. I wonder if we could get someone responsive to run for my district (which would give her and Comander a working majority) and maybe take some of the S. Walton responsibility off her, she would reconsider.

Think about it...the one woman is basically the only representative of all of SoWal, and she is so incredibly responsive and fair. It's too much to ask of anyone. SoWal is part of two districts, and yet Cindy Meadows is our only advocate on the BCC.

People, we've got to start voting down here.

**BeachSiO2** · 05-10-2008, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by BlueMtnBeachVagrant

Are you thinking about running?

Yes, I am filing my papers on Monday

I think we all know I am not a resident nor do I plan to be any time soon. Thanks for the laugh!

**BlueMtnBeachVagrant** · 05-10-2008, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by rapunzel

And anyone who could get Andy A. and I to agree, well...she should be running for higher office. I wonder if we could get someone responsive to run for my district (which would give her and Comander a working majority) and maybe take some of the S. Walton responsibility off her, she would reconsider.

Think about it...the one woman is basically the only representative of all of SoWal, and she is so incredibly responsive and fair. It's too much to ask of anyone. SoWal is part of two districts, and yet Cindy Meadows is our only advocate on the BCC.

People, we've got to start voting down here.

One thing I think WE ALL agree on is this:
Sara Comander is a breath of fresh air in Walton County.

Regarding Meadows, I'm not sure I can ever excuse her absence from the all too important Redfish Village vote last year. Her excuse was family illness. Maybe so.

But at a minimum, she should have requested that the vote be postponed if she knew she could not make it since this VERY IMPORTANT issue took place in her district. I think she caved in but did not want to go on record. That way, she makes no "real" enemies on either side.

Sara Comander was the only one with the courage and fortitude to stand up to the "FAB 3".

Finance Link:
http://www.voterfocus.com/ws/WScand/...?c=walton&el=3

**kurt** · 05-10-2008, 10:46 AM

Herman Walker in district 2. lol - He was on the BCC before. I saw him get in a fight with a friend of mine after a meeting.

**Bob Hudson** · 05-10-2008, 10:59 AM

Who is Bob Hudson ?

(Please forgive this short introduction - I will be back often during the upcoming campaign. But wrobert mentioned to me that this thread had started and that I should make a introduction quickly)

Pat and I retired here 7 years ago from Dallas, Texas. This was the last stop on a career of over 30 years with the largest male youth serving organization in America. In my last 5 years with that organization I seved as the National Director of Fiscal Management with as staff of 39 CPA's that were responsible for the accounting functions in 343 locations in the US and 7 foreign countries.

We chose Walton County and specifically Santa Rosa Beach as our last residence. Like many of you we vacationed here for over 30 years renting units along the 30-A corridor and our family grew to love this area.

I spent my first 2 years fishing almost daily. I caught enough fish to last a lifetime and found a new interest in the Walton County Taxpayers Association. I have served on that Board for almost five years. I have attended over 80 percent of the Board of County Commissioner's meeting's ,Walton County School Board meetings, South Walton Fire District and even the South Walton Mosquito Control Board meetings. I have served that organization as Treasurer and as it's webmaster. My primary focus with them has been in the financial analysis area. I consider that organization to be the premier "taxpayers advocate" organization in Florida. It has existed for over 28 years and has served Walton County taxpayer interest well. That is where I initally met wrobert as he was a member of that organization when I was asked to serve.

I have been interested in politics all of my life. I truly enjoy the American process of government. I once served as a School Board member for 5 years.

I have worked with CIndy on many common issues. Although I was asked by many to run for the District 5 Commissioner position, I made a decision to support Cindy in her re-election. I met with her personally over a year ago and told her that I would not run against her. I was in a meeting with her less that 2 weeks ago and restated my intention to support her.

Tuesday of this past week everything changed. I received a call informing me that Cindy had made a decision not to seek a second term. Like many of you, I was shocked by her decision. I was more shocked by who was left in the pre-qualified pool.

I decided that I would pre-qualify.

I am currently securing the necessary 343 candidate petition's required. This is a tremendous task in a 9 day period.

I will continue to check this site daily, but I must spend the time to actually have my name added to the ballot. After that is done I will answer any and all questions that are posted on this site.

My cell number is 543-2378. Have a question ? Call me.

Thank you !

Bob Hudson
121 Fairway Drive
Santa Rosa Beach, Fl

hudsonSRB@gmail.com

**Bob Hudson** · 05-10-2008, 11:16 AM

Cindy's brother had open heart surgery in Tallahassee at that time.

**GoodWitch58** · 05-10-2008, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by BlueMtnBeachVagrant

One thing I think WE ALL agree on is this:
Sara Comander is a breath of fresh air in Walton County.

Regarding Meadows, I'm not sure I can ever excuse her absence from the all too important Redfish Village vote last year. Her excuse was family illness. Maybe so.

But at a minimum, she should have requested that the vote be postponed if she knew she could not make it since this VERY IMPORTANT issue took place in her district. I think she caved in but did not want to go on record. That way, she makes no "real" enemies on either side.

Sara Comander was the only one with the courage and fortitude to stand up to the "FAB 3".

Finance Link:
http://www.voterfocus.com/ws/WScand/...?c=walton&el=3

I think this is a bit unfair to Cindy Meadows. If she said there was a family illness, I believe her. She is a person of integrity. And, who knows? she might have asked for the vote to be rescheduled; if so, it would not be the only time she was overruled by the other members of the Board ! JMHO

**BlueMtnBeachVagrant** · 05-10-2008, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

I think this is a bit unfair to Cindy Meadows. If she said there was a family illness, I believe her. She is a person of integrity. And, who knows? she might have asked for the vote to be rescheduled; if so, it would not be the only time she was overruled by the other members of the Board ! JMHO

What's unfair is that "we", those people in her district, were not represented - period. Great effort and expense were spent by the neighborhood to try and make the county follow its own rules ----- all in vain because of the "Fab 3".

In today's era of immediate communication, there was no excuse at all for her to not have at least asked for a delay on this issue so that she could, at least, go on record with her vote.

Is that asking too much?

I do believe there's much more to this particular story as a $100 million+ development was literally at stake.

**Jdarg** · 05-10-2008, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by BlueMtnBeachVagrant

What's unfair is that "we", those people in her district, were not represented - period. Great effort and expense were spent by the neighborhood to try and make the county follow its own rules ----- all in vain because of the "Fab 3".

In today's era of immediate communication, there was no excuse at all for her to not have at least asked for a delay on this issue so that she could, at least, go on record with her vote.

Is that asking too much?

I do believe there's much more to this particular story as a $100 million+ development was literally at stake.

Who are the "Fab 3" ?

**BlueMtnBeachVagrant** · 05-10-2008, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by BobHudson

Cindy's brother had open heart surgery in Tallahassee at that time.

Dear Bob,

I sincerely appreciate your response above. And it sounds like you should know exactly what happened to her that day per your stated relationship with her.

However, there's one minor problem here...

It simply doesn't agree with what Cindy Meadows said was the reason in an email from her:

I am truly sorry that my 80 year old mother passed out and was rushed to Bay Medical in Panama City. I had to be present to make sure she didn't pass away without me by her side.

I guess Cindy really did have her reasonS. Consistency is a virtue that everyone should strive for.

**Jdarg** · 05-10-2008, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by BlueMtnBeachVagrant

Dear Bob,

I sincerely appreciate your response above. And it sounds like you should know exactly what happened to her that day per your stated relationship with her.

However, there's one minor problem here...

It simply doesn't agree with what Cindy Meadows said was the reason in an email from her:

I am truly sorry that my 80 year old mother passed out and was rushed to Bay Medical in Panama City. I had to be present to make sure she didn't pass away without me by her side.

I guess Cindy really did have her reasonS. Consistency is a virtue that everyone should strive for.

Wow- I see you are showing just as much class on this thread as you are showing on the thread about Doodle Harris's death.

**Mango** · 05-11-2008, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by BlueMtnBeachVagrant

Dear Bob,

I sincerely appreciate your response above. And it sounds like you should know exactly what happened to her that day per your stated relationship with her.

However, there's one minor problem here...

It simply doesn't agree with what Cindy Meadows said was the reason in an email from her:

I am truly sorry that my 80 year old mother passed out and was rushed to Bay Medical in Panama City. I had to be present to make sure she didn't pass away without me by her side.

I guess Cindy really did have her reasonS. Consistency is a virtue that everyone should strive for.

BMBV, I wouldn't expect Bob, or anyone else for that matter, with the possible exception of Ms Meadows, to recall where someone was exactly on any given particular date, especially when one has a full agenda. You obviously have a bone to pick, but it is irrelevant to this thread.

**dalejr88** · 05-12-2008, 08:39 AM

Didn't Bob Hudson run off the jazz festival?? If he is part of the taxpayer's association, in these hard economic times why wouldn't you want to keep the REVENUE from the festival in Walton County. I understand about the noise ordinance but one time at that location in a year and he wants to complain?

**BlueMtnBeachVagrant** · 05-12-2008, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by Mango

BMBV, I wouldn't expect Bob, or anyone else for that matter, with the possible exception of Ms Meadows, to recall where someone was exactly on any given particular date, especially when one has a full agenda. You obviously have a bone to pick, but it is irrelevant to this thread.

I agree with your response except for the relevancy part so why did Bob volunteer such info?

**Lake Eastern** · 05-14-2008, 03:31 PM

Trust me, I am a member of a family that has cared about and served the people of Walton County for over 4 generations. We were raised to believe that it was a responsibility to hold public office. It concerns me that there are those who present themselves as something they are not and even more so that there are some very short-sighted voters who fail to understand the totality of a decision's implications. Probably the most important point I heard from any politician recently was when Bob Graham, Florida's senator and former governor, stated that after years of pushing for
science and math improvements in the educational system the time has come to once again emphasize history and government for the citizens. From reading SoWal I can assess who is being put forward by the "good old boys"( this is not always a status attained by longevity in the area).

**Tao** · 05-15-2008, 11:22 PM

Great. Slow economy and Bob wants to run off a major local event that was founded here which brings in thousands of visitors into the area. Plus untold $$$ tax dollars and business revenue.
Yeah, that makes ALOT of sense.

The Carters who own the radio station that put it on have been here a heck of a lot longer than Bob. They have also done a heck of a lot more for the community than Bob will ever do.

I would guess you are retired, right Bob? So money, tax revenue and business revenue to support the local community and infrastructure is not really important to you.

Yes, helping running off the Jazz Festival is one of the dumbest things you could have done right now Bob, in my opinion. Congrats on your success.

Just what we need in a County Commissioner............ maybe Bob should run for US Congress instead.

**ckhagen** · 05-16-2008, 12:16 AM

I don't get it... I was pretty sure that the Jazz Fest was long gone and moved before Bob ever went before the CC to discuss it.

**Bob Hudson** · 05-16-2008, 01:59 AM

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival had signed a contract to relocate before I spoke with the Commission. That has been reported in the media a number of times.

The real issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of suitable venues that would provide an opportunity for such events.

The issue has once again been highlighted by the County Commission on Tuesday evening when Commissionner Meadows placed 3 conditions on the Seaside Jazz Festival. All three are directed at the lack of parking and safety issues associated with the events outgrowing the venue and the lack of a sutible venue for such events.

We need a healthy economic climate here. Tourism pays a majority of the bills in Walton County.

We have been permenant residents for 7 years. I first came here 42 years ago when a Beach house was a 30 x 30 concrete block building, you drove to Destin to buy groceries and 30-A was truly scenic.

**rapunzel** · 05-16-2008, 02:11 AM

All these references to a "suitable venue" are starting to scare me. What type of venue are you envisioning?

And what is so wrong with having events within the communities? If the laws are so inconsistent with the whole New Urban vision of Seaside, maybe the laws need to be changed instead of the great little festivals.

**Bob Hudson** · 05-16-2008, 03:05 AM

My we are up late.

In reality what I am trying to say is simply that we need to seek out and develop places that can accomodate the large crowds that attend. People want to have a good time at such events. Pat and I have attended the event everyone is talking about 4 times in the past seven years. The attendance has grown each year but the available parking has not.

Why have we not as a community purchased a parcel and developed it and then marketed many other events for local residents and visitors? Would now be the time when land prices have fallen dramatically to acquire a large parcel for such use. Everyone enjoys having things to do, be they a "full-time" resident of "tourist."

There is really nothing "unsuitable" about Gulf Place or Seaside in terms of holding such events there other than the lack of parking. The available area within those properties by nature suggest some limit on the size of the crowd.

I am actually for more of these events.

I "understand" their economic value to our economy.

The current WC "Sound" ordinance actually has a provision for exemptions to the 60 decibel level. They must simply show how they are addressing the safety issues such as parking and then they can ask for an exemption to that low level. Maybe the current events and sound ordinances do need to be addressed. The commission took the first step to do that when they asked the staff to come forward with recomendations that provided for different sizes of events at Tuesday's meeting.