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SWCC Survey of BCC Candidates

South Walton Community Council avatar
South Walton Community CouncilCommunity Organization
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SWCC invited all 3 BCC candidates from District 4 to participate in a survey consisting of 16 policy-related questions about important county issues.

The District 4 Commissioner candidates are:
Question #1: Top 3-5 goals
Question #2: Relationships
Question #3: Friends & Relatives
Question #4: Experience
Question #5: County Involvement
Question #6: Sales Tax
Question #7: Over-Development
Question #8: Paid Parking
Question #9: Short-Term Rentals
Question #10: TDC Funds


Below is some additional information about the Primary Election.

1. Florida is a closed primary election state. However, if ALL the candidates for an office have the same party affiliation and the winner of the primary election will not face any opposition in the general election (i.e. no write-in candidates have qualified), then ALL REGISTERED VOTERS can vote for any of the candidates for that office in the primary election. This includes anyone with undeclared status.

2. Voting in Walton County is county-wide and does not depend on where you live within the county. All voters can vote for the Commissioners in every District, even if they don't live in that District.

3. Voters can update their voter registration record at any time. However, since Florida is a closed primary election state, a party change for a primary election must be made by the registration deadline for that election, which is 29 days prior to the election.

4. In order to vote in the Primary on Aug 23, voters must be registered by July 24th (the deadline to register for an upcoming election is 29 days before that election).



Q1: WHY DO YOU WANT TO SERVE AS A COMMISSIONER? WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3-5 GOALS?

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DONNA JOHNS

I have been a full-time resident of Miramar Beach for over 20 years. I’ve watched this area and the entire County change. I believe we must do better, and we’d better start now, or it will be too late. I will listen to the citizens of the County, understand what the needs are, and work towards solutions. My top goals are:

1) Infrastructure. This encompasses so many issues to include roads, parking, stormwater, and so much more.

2) Ensure the codes we use, specifically the Land Development Code, work for the betterment of the County. This means closing loopholes regarding development. Stop allowing automatic rezoning of property. Stop the sidewalk, green space and traffic buy outs. Stop mitigating our necessary wetlands.

3) Protect our Bay. We have so much pollution running directly into our Bay without filtration. This needs to Stop!

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DAVID BUCHANAN

I desire to leave a Walton County to our children that we can all be proud of. To do this we need leaders of integrity who understand the current changes and needs of Walton County.

My first goal is “attainable housing”. The people and workers of Walton County are our foundation, and if we do not take care of our workers by providing attainable housing, Walton county will start to crumble.

Economic development is the second goal I have for Walton County. We need to attract companies with high paying jobs so that our children do not need to move out of the area to make a good living once they enter the workforce.

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CHARLES GALLOWAY

The #1 reason I am running is because I am EXTREMELY proud of being born in Walton County, and it would TRULY be an honor to serve my fellow citizens.

I am also running because I know I can bring a younger, fresher approach to local government.

I know I can ALWAYS work well with the other commissioners who will sit beside me.

I have a deep understanding of what the main function of the BCC is, and I am at a very good stage of my life and career to dedicate the amount of time needed to do the job correctly.

My Goals are as follows:

To always be willing to work with ALL the commissioners to get things done and to never bring personal or political issues into decisions that effect the lives of so many of our citizens.

To make myself EXTREMELY accessible to any citizen who wishes to speak with me.

Edited

Replies

32
South Walton Community Council avatar
South Walton Community CouncilCommunity OrganizationAuthor
#27
QUESTION #13:

DO YOU HAVE ANY FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE CUSTOMARY USE ISSUE? AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT RECENT ACTIONS TO PLAN AND FINANCE BEACH RENOURISHMENT?

CHARLES GALLOWAY

I’ve supported customary use from the beginning and I will always support it. I fully support any effort for beach renourishment.

DAVID BUCHANAN

Customary use is a prime example of how the county should have worked better to resolve these issues in a more effective way at the onset. This issue will be resolved in the court so depending on that decision we can try to move forward as a more united Walton County to address the concerns of our residence. There is non-private beach available in Walton county that currently sees little to no use. This would help to alleviate some of our beach related problems, including traffic on 30A.

DONNA JOHNS

Yes, I believe there is a way to make this a win-win. Many beach front owners do not mind someone sitting on their beach; however, we must be respectful of the property. As most of us are aware, Customary Use is currently in the courts, and I am in support of watching and supporting the court’s decision. As for the beach renourishment, I am not a fan of this if the white sand is not available. I am not convinced the sand in the gulf will be the same as the sand on our beach. The white sand is what makes the Emerald Coast what it is.
South Walton Community Council avatar
South Walton Community CouncilCommunity OrganizationAuthor
#28
QUESTION #14:

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A CHALLENGE IN WALTON COUNTY AND PARTICULARLY IN SOUTH WALTON. RECENT DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS PROPOSE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT THE “MODERATE” LEVEL WHICH MANY BELIEVE TRANSLATE TO HIGHER RENTS AND SALES PRICES THAT MOST PEOPLE WE ARE TRYING TO HELP, CAN’T AFFORD. WHAT’S YOUR OPINION?

DONNA JOHNS

We all agree we need affordable housing, but let’s define affordable housing. Currently, we’re all being dictated what is affordable. I think we need to understand what the people want, not just what’s currently being offered. Also, there is a new initiative to launch a Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program to help Floridians in over 50 critical professions purchase their first homes. On June 1st, 2022, Governor DeSantis announced this program to be available for Floridians including law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active military or veterans. This is definitely a step in the right direction. Maybe it’s time for a workshop to ask the people what would work for them?

CHARLES GALLOWAY

I think we most definitely have an affordable housing problem in Walton County, and I am very pleased that our developers have all of sudden taken a keen interest in helping out the little guy, HOWEVER, I want to make sure we do this correctly. There is no point in having an “Affordable Housing” program that results in Housing that’s NOT AFFORDABLE to the working class family in Walton County.

DAVID BUCHANAN

Housing is a major concern and one of my top priorities. I believe incentivizing developers to produce obtainable housing that matches the aesthetic of the surrounding community is one of many initiatives we need to take to address the issue. Another is investing in adequate water and sewer lines throughout the county which will open up opportunities for attainable housing developments and reduce pressure on the market. Adequate obtainable housing will have a compounding effect on reducing the burden of traffic on our saturated roads if we can place the workforce in closer proximity to their place of employment.
South Walton Community Council avatar
South Walton Community CouncilCommunity OrganizationAuthor
#29
QUESTION #15:

DO YOU THINK THE CURRENT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE ARE ADEQUATE? WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE CHANGED?

CHARLES GALLOWAY

I think we will always need to be looking at the Comp Plan and the LDC and I think it will always be changing with time.

DONNA JOHNS

Well, first of all, the LDC reads, “The purpose of the Land Development Code is intended to enable Walton County to respond uniformly and consistently to development proposals and to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of Walton County”. Personally, I don’t think that is followed, and it must be. For starters, wetlands need to be protected, buy-outs for sidewalks and green space should be stopped, additional parking should be required, and we need controls on density.

DAVID BUCHANAN

No response
South Walton Community Council avatar
South Walton Community CouncilCommunity OrganizationAuthor
#30
QUESTION #16:

DO YOU THINK THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS IS DOING A GOOD JOB? DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT?

DAVID BUCHANAN

No response.

DONNA JOHNS

Under the circumstances, I believe the committee is working the best they can under the current direction; however, the BCC realizes the need for further clarification when variances are granted by the zoning board of adjustments. For example, a hotel in Miramar Beach was granted a variance to have less parking spaces for the number of rooms they have. This caused the BCC to question how variances are granted. In my opinion, the parking should not have been changed for that hotel. The ZBA board should not usurp power over the BCC.

CHARLES GALLOWAY

Yes, I think the ZBA and its Chairman do a very good job.
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#31
QUESTION #13:

DO YOU HAVE ANY FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE CUSTOMARY USE ISSUE? AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT RECENT ACTIONS TO PLAN AND FINANCE BEACH RENOURISHMENT?

CHARLES GALLOWAY

I’ve supported customary use from the beginning and I will always support it. I fully support any effort for beach renourishment.

DAVID BUCHANAN

Customary use is a prime example of how the county should have worked better to resolve these issues in a more effective way at the onset. This issue will be resolved in the court so depending on that decision we can try to move forward as a more united Walton County to address the concerns of our residence. There is non-private beach available in Walton county that currently sees little to no use. This would help to alleviate some of our beach related problems, including traffic on 30A.

DONNA JOHNS

Yes, I believe there is a way to make this a win-win. Many beach front owners do not mind someone sitting on their beach; however, we must be respectful of the property. As most of us are aware, Customary Use is currently in the courts, and I am in support of watching and supporting the court’s decision. As for the beach renourishment, I am not a fan of this if the white sand is not available. I am not convinced the sand in the gulf will be the same as the sand on our beach. The white sand is what makes the Emerald Coast what it is.

Two support it and one clearly doesn't.

Regarding the white sand, that's an old argument that's never held water. I've personally seen the samples and they are fine.
bob bob avatar
bob bobBeach Fanatic
#32
Two support it and one clearly doesn't.

Regarding the white sand, that's an old argument that's never held water. I've personally seen the samples and they are fine.
Pristine samples are good. Walk out on Panama City Beach and you'll see the reality of a few dredge and fill operations. Still a nice beach but nothing like it used to be or Walton is. Of course Bay Cuunty is VERY wide also.
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#33
Pristine samples are good. Walk out on Panama City Beach and you'll see the reality of a few dredge and fill operations. Still a nice beach but nothing like it used to be or Walton is. Of course Bay Cuunty is VERY wide also.

Bay county is on about their 10th renouriehment and they have run out of borrower sites. IIRC Walton county has several quality borrow sites off shore.

For the record I have no problem with Panama City Beach's sand. Also, you won't catch me at a meeting being filmed talking about how pure white anything the county does.

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