Clayton Adkinson applicant for County Attorney - are there conflicts?

[Misty]

From WZEP Today

The County Attorney Recruitment/Selection team is selected and will be reviewing applicants. Mary Nelson asked about the Adkinson Law Firm being an applicant. She said, if Martha Ingles had to be recused due to a relationship with Mark Davis, then Dawn Moliterno and Scott Brannon should also excuse themselves. Brannon said he would seek an opinion whether he should excuse himself. Moliterno said they have used Adkinson as well as other firms. A list of the applications and people who responded to the RFQ’s will be given to the commissioners by the end of the week.

Already controversy but the BCC will ram this down the throats of the taxpayers....just wait and see.

[Diamond Dave]

From WZEP Today



Already controversy but the BCC will ram this down the throats of the taxpayers....just wait and see.

Maybe we just need to rename the County "Adkinson County" and get it over with...

[kurt]

The report doesn't explain anything. Please tell us why this applicant is a problem. Why do people have to recuse themselves? Most of us reading this have no idea what the issues are, or who the people involved are.

[Misty]

The County Attorney Recruitment/Selection team

Who does this "team" consist of? Moliterno? Brannon? If so, can someone tell me just exactly what "expertise" these two have in regard to hiring a Law Firm for the County? I think there is a HUGE conflict of interest fixing to happen here and it's all going to be brushed under the proverbial rug because "Brannon" will seek a legal opinion, from Adkinson himself I'm sure.

[Misty]

The report doesn't explain anything. Please tell us why this applicant is a problem. Why do people have to recuse themselves? Most of us reading this have no idea what the issues are, or who the people involved are.

Kurt, I'm just going to be brutally honest here...no offense intended. There isn't enough time in a day to write a book on Clayton Adkinson. In my humble opinion he is the absolute worst that could happen to this County and is absolutely the epitomy of everything that's wrong not only in the City of Defuniak but the County as a whole.

[Misty]

I'll even go one step farther and "enlighten" you on the most recent debacle going on inside the City of Defuniak.

There is a home on the Circle which was purchased by someone whose intent was to restore the property. When the economy took a nose dive, the owner was unable to complete the restoration and asked the City Council less than 3 or 4 weeks ago to give him some time to find help to refinance the property so the work could be completed. At the last City Council meeting it was announced that the house on Circle Drive would go into the condemnation process at the end of the week because a City Council member (Paul Mac Work) and Mr. Adkinson himself don't like looking at the "eyesore" yet, all over the City you see neglected, abandoned properties including one who Mr. Adkinson himself is in charge of on 331 but that's ok. It's also ok for people to abandon vehicles in their back yard which is a violation of City Code or to live on property that resembles a garbage dump as long as it's not on the Circle and doesn't offend the sensibilities of those who live there.

There is also a commercial building on the corner of 11th Street and Hwy 90 West with black mold growing up the side of it that should have been condemned when the Probation Office was located there and all the employees (sick from the mold) and had to be relocated. Nothing has been done about that because it's not on the Circle. (That building has been like that for well over 10 years too.)

The point here is that we are all taxpayers and our taxes support the City and County. What or who gives Clayton Adkinson the right to start condemnation proceedings on one while completely ignoring the rest of the City? Would you like your property to be condemned because you fell on hard times? It could happen to any of us and has obviously...all over the City but as long as it's not on the Circle it's ok.

[Misty]

Oh and btw, I'm not sure but I can find out what that home on the Circle sold for and I assure it wasn't cheap. Even homes in need of "restoration" on the Circle are very very expensive

[Misty]

One more thing....if anyone thinks the Chat Holley purchase was a farce from the get go...just wait. If Clayton Adkinson becomes the County Attorney...you ain't seen nothing yet. His back room deals are legendary and have kept him in business for eons.

[Diamond Dave]

I'll even go one step farther and "enlighten" you on the most recent debacle going on inside the City of Defuniak.

There is a home on the Circle which was purchased by someone whose intent was to restore the property. When the economy took a nose dive, the owner was unable to complete the restoration and asked the City Council less than 3 or 4 weeks ago to give him some time to find help to refinance the property so the work could be completed. At the last City Council meeting it was announced that the house on Circle Drive would go into the condemnation process at the end of the week because a City Council member (Paul Mac Work) and Mr. Adkinson himself don't like looking at the "eyesore" yet, all over the City you see neglected, abandoned properties including one who Mr. Adkinson himself is in charge of on 331 but that's ok. It's also ok for people to abandon vehicles in their back yard which is a violation of City Code or to live on property that resembles a garbage dump as long as it's not on the Circle and doesn't offend the sensibilities of those who live there.

There is also a commercial building on the corner of 11th Street and Hwy 90 West with black mold growing up the side of it that should have been condemned when the Probation Office was located there and all the employees (sick from the mold) and had to be relocated. Nothing has been done about that because it's not on the Circle. (That building has been like that for well over 10 years too.)

The point here is that we are all taxpayers and our taxes support the City and County. What or who gives Clayton Adkinson the right to start condemnation proceedings on one while completely ignoring the rest of the City? Would you like your property to be condemned because you fell on hard times? It could happen to any of us and has obviously...all over the City but as long as it's not on the Circle it's ok.

Funny, 'cause the code enforcement guy got a Kudos Letter from Paul "Mac" Work and the council. He must be doing a really good job...following instructions.

[Misty]

Funny, 'cause the code enforcement guy got a Kudos Letter from Paul "Mac" Work and the council. He must be doing a really good job...following instructions.

Oh absolutely! But Mac Work is not in this fiasco alone...he and Adkinson eat off the same plate. (I have a more graffic description but it would only be removed so I'll refrain.)

Code Enforcement got his instructions from both.

I have another scenario too. Several weeks ago there was a push (by none other than Mac Work and Adkinson) to bring back the former City Manager Mike Standley. Mike Standley left the city "suddenly" on the heels of an ethics complaint that was filed against him by someone I know extremely well. The ethics complaint alleged among other things that Mike Standley was paying a City employee for UNRELATED injuries that were NOT job related. This employee just happens to be related to one of the property owners I mentioned in a previous post (the property on Hwy 331) that Clayton Adkinson is in "charge of". Needless to say, Standley made a hasty exit as City Manager and went to work for Regional Utilities. When the City Police department was asked to conduct a background check on Mike Standley as a re-hire the Police Department set out to do what they were instructed to do. A background check. When inquiries were made to Regional Utilities and Clayton Adkinson got word the Police Department was checking on Standley's tenure there, the length of time it was taking to conduct the background check became an issue and Standley quickly withdrew his application and is no longer a contender for his previous position.

Well, I'll be darned if the City Council did not sing Mike Standley praises in the local paper saying among other things what a fine upstanding character he is and that he was needlessly drug through the mud...yada yada yada add nauseaum. A fine upstanding character alright, one who paid a former good ole boy money he was abolutely not entitled too in any way shape or form and got away with it. The employee no longer works for the City and the money was never returned. Had the City Attorney (Clayton Adkinson) been a stand up fellow himself he would have sued to have the money returned. But since it was a buddy of his it didn't happen and it was all "hushed up".

[Diamond Dave]

Oh absolutely! But Mac Work is not in this fiasco alone...he and Adkinson eat off the same plate. (I have a more graffic description but it would only be removed so I'll refrain.)

Code Enforcement got his instructions from both.

I have another scenario too. Several weeks ago there was a push (by none other than Mac Work and Adkinson) to bring back the former City Manager Mike Standley. Mike Standley left the city "suddenly" on the heels of an ethics complaint that was filed against him by someone I know extremely well. The ethics complaint alleged among other things that Mike Standley was paying a City employee for UNRELATED injuries that were NOT job related. This employee just happens to be related to one of the property owners I mentioned in a previous post (the property on Hwy 331) that Clayton Adkinson is in "charge of". Needless to say, Standley made a hasty exit as City Manager and went to work for Regional Utilities. When the City Police department was asked to conduct a background check on Mike Standley as a re-hire the Police Department set out to do what they were instructed to do. A background check. When inquiries were made to Regional Utilities and Clayton Adkinson got word the Police Department was checking on Standley's tenure there, the length of time it was taking to conduct the background check became an issue and Standley quickly withdrew his application and is no longer a contender for his previous position.

Well, I'll be darned if the City Council did not sing Mike Standley praises in the local paper saying among other things what a fine upstanding character he is and that he was needlessly drug through the mud...yada yada yada add nauseaum. A fine upstanding character alright, one who paid a former good ole boy money he was abolutely not entitled too in any way shape or form and got away with it. The employee no longer works for the City and the money was never returned. Had the City Attorney (Clayton Adkinson) been a stand up fellow himself he would have sued to have the money returned. But since it was a buddy of his it didn't happen and it was all "hushed up".

Did anyone look into this? The State or the Sheriff's Office?

[Misty]

Did anyone look into this? The State or the Sheriff's Office?

Look into the ethics complaint? I have no idea. But I absolutely know for a fact it was filed and who filed it. I also know when the Ethics Commission showed up in Defuniak and told Mr. Standley what he did was void of any semblance of legality he abruptly left Defuniak for Regional Utilities. Did anyone look into the money? Well, that would have been the responsibility of the City Attorney...do you think he would file against the one person he was helping to get benefits he was not entitled to? Standly could not possibly have paid that money without first talking with Adkinson to find out what kind of fallout there would be if anyone ever questioned why McDonald was being paid the money he was never entitled to. So to answer your question, no one ever looked into or filed against McDonald for repayment of the money he drew from the City for injuries he did NOT sustain on the job.

[Misty]

Funny, 'cause the code enforcement guy got a Kudos Letter from Paul "Mac" Work and the council. He must be doing a really good job...following instructions.

Where is this "Kudo's" Letter? Was it published somewhere...a link perhaps?

[Misty]

Here is another interesting tidbit which WZEP actually reported. Adkinson cleaned all this up too.

Employee Bring Accusation Against DFS Council Member
Interim DeFuniak Springs City Manager Sara Bowers confirms a city employee made an accusation against city council member Kermit Wright. Bowers says the employee claims Wright made comments she felt uncomfortable with. Bowers also says the matter was investigated by her and city attorney Clayton Adkinson and the matter is considered taken care of. Bowers says, as far as she knows, the employee is satisfied with the results of the investigation.


Bowers reports there was no claim of physical contact, only one employee registered a complaint and it concerned her perception of comments made by Wright. Bowers says it was investigated and comments were made. Wright was told about the employee’s concerns and said he understood and apologized. Bowers says Wright has taken steps to make sure there will be no further comments that could be considered a concern by employees.


WZEP AM 1460 First News talked to Wright, who said he has had training in his former job with the U.S. Postal service. Wright said he was asked by the mayor to serve on a committee for a Christmas Party for employees. At a meeting to plan the event, he suggested tying in a training session since the employees wanted to close city hall for the afternoon. Wright suggested a topic such as lifting techniques and gave a quick demonstration using a trash can to show how to check the weight and how to lift. He also used the example of sexual harassment training. Wright says the city does not have extensive training in this area. He asked a female employee to help him demonstrate and showed an example of a social contact. He showed the employees where this was not a violation, then explained that when the employee says to stop, then anything after would be a violation. This is based on the employee’s perception of contact. He also noted that if an off-color joke was told then someone across the room might be offended, but unless that person makes this known, a violation likely has not happened.


Wright says the next day he received a call from Bowers and was told to go to the city attorney’s office. Adkinson told him of a complaint and Wright eventually found out the person who made the complaint. Wright says he made a statement to another employee that, “If I worked here (city hall) I would be in trouble all the time.” Wright says the employee who made the complaint overheard this. He said the complaint also claimed the employee said Wright tried to look down her blouse. He denies this and says he will take a lie detector test to prove so. Wright says he told the city they should investigate this and any claims to the fullest.


Bowers said she did look up the federal definition for sexual harassment claims and the rules do reference an employee having a perception and the need for the employee to inform the person he or she is uncomfortable with the comments, touch or situation.

[Diamond Dave]

Here is another interesting tidbit which WZEP actually reported. Adkinson cleaned all this up too.

These are always touchy (no pun intended) situations. Aren't there guidelines set forth by the State when allegations involve elected officials?

[rocketman]

Helloooo!!! It has been my premise from the beginning that the Adkinson Law Firm would be the heir apparent to replace the current/past attorneys. Despite living in the north end of the county for the last 50 years, one understands the politics that are at play. It will be a sad day in this county if Clayton Adkinson and company become the new law firm representing our area. It has been my contention over the past several months that there were dynamics in place that would make this happen (political, of course). For the sake of our area, pleeeeeze do not let this happen. We need professionalism and not politics for legal representation.

Rock on,
Rocketman

[Jim Tucker]

Hmmm no Adky - guess the old boy network is dead.


The search for a new Walton County Attorney took another step forward as the Walton Commissioners agreed to interview the top seven candidates.

County Administrator Greg Kisela said there were 39 applicants and 12 firms for the County Attorney position. He asked the commissioners to short list the applicants and firms so they could bring them in for interviews.

Commissioner Larry Jones said he did not look at the firms, feeling they need to select someone to serve as the county attorney and then look at skills and needs and seek consultants when necessary. Commissioner Sara Comander said she has concerns about firms due to costs. She noted past use where every email and action was billed. She also agreed Walton needs a county attorney, an individual, not a firm. The commissioners voted to only look at the individuals.

Commissioners Scott Brannon was not present due to reviewing a letter from the Ethics Commission as whether his relationship with applicants would keep him from taking part in the selection process. Commissioners agreed to interview the top seven applicants, all multiple vote getters. They are:

Aleksandr Boksner
John Bruhn
Mike Burns
Toni Craig
Kenneth Goldberg
Jennifer Shuler
Reca Renee Youell

[Dawn]

Mush ado about nothing apparently. Anyone know these people? Maybe the person whose character has been questioned is applying under an alias and fake beard.

[Veda Williams]

I know 2 of them. Ken Goldberg is very familiar with local government rules and regulations. Renee Youell is a native of Walton County but I don't think she ever practiced law here.

[Abby Prentiss]

Related to Steve Youell, realtor?

[idlewind]

Larry Jones got his revenge on Brannon and Adkinson. Karma is a b***h.

[Misty]

larry jones got his revenge on brannon and adkinson. Karma is a b***h.

lol!

[Here4Good]

Mush ado about nothing apparently. Anyone know these people? Maybe the person whose character has been questioned is applying under an alias and fake beard.

No, this isn't nothing. This came about because people contacted the commissioners, and voiced their displeasure about not having a real county attorney instead of a contract firm that had other business interests in the county, and because of people asking Brannon to excuse himself from the consideration of a firm that he has business ties to, and because of the various ethics complaints being lodged against the commissioners.

This is a victory. The Adkinson appointment had been a done deal, and it got un-done when the people got vocal.

[buster]

yawn

[Dawn]

In connection with the vacant county attorney position, the commissioners made a decision to fill the position not with a law firm but with an individual attorney who would then be able to secure additional help as needed on contract for work on cases. At the Jan. 24 meeting, the commissioners ranked applications from individual attorneys, and those rankings were tabulated to choose seven attorneys to proceed to the interview process.


County Commission Chairman Scott Brannon did not participate in reviewing or ranking applications. In response to a citizen’s concerns, he had sought an opinion from the Florida Commission on Ethics as to whether he should participate. This was due to his personal attorneys, the Adkinson Firm, being one of the firms applying for the position.


Kisela said Brannon had just received the opinion the day of the meeting and was reviewing it.
The commissioners opted to arrange interviews with the seven attorneys who received multiple votes in their ranking. These include, John Bruhn, Joni Craig, Jennifer Schuler, Aleksandr Boksner, Ken Goldberg, Rene Youell, and Mike Burns. The commissioners plan to interview the candidates initially on a one-on-one basis, individually.

http://defuniakherald.com/?p=4746

[Veda Williams]

Don't know her husband or his family. Her maiden name was Chamberlain.