Some representatives don't understand their jobs.

Amen. The gall of the gull to say that. I guess the next thing she will say is that rentors should not have a say in their local gov't. I was at a Walton County Planning Commission Mtg and that was an opinion given at that meeting. If Comm Meadows doesn't think that her constituents have a right to email her with their thoughts, perhaps those constituents will look for someone who does. Seeing that this post was actually an email from a third party, I'll throw in some sprinkles of salt.

If questioned I'm sure this person would be happy to stand up and announce herself. Having said that, I find it very disconserting that a local representative would make a statement like this. I think we should all start showing up at meetings since Ms. Meadows doesn't feel she needs to check her email.

That won't do any good. I show up to meetings and email, and not one time has any Commissioner, other than Commission Commander, even acknowledged my email with something as simple as an automated reply. Maybe everyone needs to email Commissioner Meadows and tell her that your emails do represent our voice. I guess the alternative would be to fax her, causing her to have to reload the paper tray on occasion.

That won't do any good. I show up to meetings and email, and not one time has any Commissioner, other than Commission Commander, even acknowledged my email with something as simple as an automated reply. Maybe everyone needs to email Commissioner Meadows and tell her that your emails do represent our voice. I guess the alternative would be to fax her, causing her to have to reload the paper tray on occasion.

I think that we should elect you. If I build my hut in Hop's yard, do I get to vote for you?

That won't do any good. I show up to meetings and email, and not one time has any Commissioner, other than Commission Commander, even acknowledged my email with something as simple as an automated reply. Maybe everyone needs to email Commissioner Meadows and tell her that your emails do represent our voice. I guess the alternative would be to fax her, causing her to have to reload the paper tray on occasion.

I'm leaning more towards the elect her out of office option. Speaking of, how long does she have in her current term? Just moved here about a year ago so I'm not up on the current terms of elected officials.

I think that we should elect you. If I build my hut in Hop's yard, do I get to vote for you?

If you claim WalCo as your primary residence and register, you can vote here, but the only way you'll see me on the voting ballot is if you write my name on it.

If you claim WalCo as your primary residence and register, you can vote here, but the only way you'll see me on the voting ballot is if you write my name on it.

I did and they sent me two voting cards? Does this mean I'm special and get to vote twice? I registered Dem so I know I didn't get the special Republican two-fer deal. Oh well I'm taking them both to the 331 office tomorrow to straighten this thing out.

I hate jumping into this but maybe, just maybe the point she was trying to make is being missed. Quite a few times it seems new or even more clarified information is presented at these meetings. At least this has been the case when I have attended. Also information is given by the county attorney and other employees that does not appear in reports. Often I wonder if they were at the same meeting. Maybe, just maybe, the part of the conversation that was not heard was speaking to how can people be upset as to how she votes, if they were not at the meeting getting the same information she was getting?

If you claim WalCo as your primary residence and register, you can vote here, but the only way you'll see me on the voting ballot is if you write my name on it.

Join the Revolution! Write in Smiling Joe!

Join the Revolution! Write in Smiling Joe!

Write-ins are of no consequence if SJ does not qualify for the position.

Write-ins are of no consequence if SJ does not qualify for the position.

I think he does, but we would need his real name as "Smiling Joe" probably wouldn't hold up as legal.

I hate jumping into this but maybe, just maybe the point she was trying to make is being missed. Quite a few times it seems new or even more clarified information is presented at these meetings. At least this has been the case when I have attended. Also information is given by the county attorney and other employees that does not appear in reports. Often I wonder if they were at the same meeting. Maybe, just maybe, the part of the conversation that was not heard was speaking to how can people be upset as to how she votes, if they were not at the meeting getting the same information she was getting?

This all sounds fine, but maybe just maybe she should respond to the occasional email? If I can get a response from any elected official on a state or federal level why can't I get one from a local one?

I think he does, but we would need his real name as "Smiling Joe" probably wouldn't hold up as legal.

Actually, I don't currently qualify for that particular position.

To answer your other question, I believe Commissioners Jones, Brannon, and Meadows are up for re-election next. If I'm not mistaken, the Commissioner seats alternate elections with the Gov's race and the Presidential race.

I hate jumping into this but maybe, just maybe the point she was trying to make is being missed. Quite a few times it seems new or even more clarified information is presented at these meetings. At least this has been the case when I have attended. Also information is given by the county attorney and other employees that does not appear in reports. Often I wonder if they were at the same meeting. Maybe, just maybe, the part of the conversation that was not heard was speaking to how can people be upset as to how she votes, if they were not at the meeting getting the same information she was getting?

True. My last email to Cindy asked when the minutes from the BCC meeting minutes would be posted on the county website - reading about the meeting in the paper is a poor way to learn what happened.

As usual, Susan McDonald, her assistant, answered. She sent the email address of a clerk who would have the minutes. Which didn't really answer my question, but still had the aroma of information.

I can see how watching her assistant answer these emails all day long would be really, really exasperating.

True. My last email to Cindy asked when the minutes from the BCC meeting minutes would be posted on the county website - reading about the meeting in the paper is a poor way to learn what happened.

As usual, Susan McDonald, her assistant, answered. She sent the email address of a clerk who would have the minutes. Which didn't really answer my question, but still had the aroma of information.

I can see how watching her assistant answer these emails all day long would be really, really exasperating.

Why shouldn't her assistant answer this question? You asked for the minutes. That is an question that SHOULD be answered by an admin person.

I'm leaning more towards the elect her out of office option. Speaking of, how long does she have in her current term? Just moved here about a year ago so I'm not up on the current terms of elected officials.

Maybe you should allow your engine to cool before you decide who is fit to be commissioner. ;-)

Sorry, when I said qualify, I meant the process of completing the necessary paperwork to be on the ballot even as a write-in. Even write-in candiddates have to be official candidates for their name to be counted as a vote for them. One of the fallacies of a write-in, as I understand it, is the name written in must exactly match the official candidate name. This really puts people with complex names at a disadvantage.

Jones, Brannon, and Meadows on the BCC are up for election. Meadows has announced her intention at a recent Republican function to seek re-election. It is widely believe the other two also will seek additional terms in office.

Johnson, Ingle, Skipper, and Pilcher are also up this year. The school side is Anderson, Wilkerson, and Davis.

I am also sure that various mosquito board and fire commissioners have expiring terms, will have to find out which ones and post later.

Meeting minutes are not verbatim. They are taken by a clerk, not a court reporter. The clerk edits and paraphrases just as any of us would do if we were taking notes at a meeting. I have read minutes of meetings I have been at and wondered if it was in fact the same meeting?? You get a somewhat sketchy outline of the proceedings. It's better to get a CD of the tape recording. These can be obtained from the clerk of the courts. Then you can listen to what was actually said, not what someone wrote down about it.

Meeting minutes are not verbatim. They are taken by a clerk, not a court reporter. The clerk edits and paraphrases just as any of us would do if we were taking notes at a meeting. I have read minutes of meetings I have been at and wondered if it was in fact the same meeting?? You get a somewhat sketchy outline of the proceedings. It's better to get a CD of the tape recording. These can be obtained from the clerk of the courts. Then you can listen to what was actually said, not what someone wrote down about it.

I have repeatedly asked why they do not make these things available as mp3s for download. I believe that they are currently recording these files directly to the digital format. Maybe if more people would contact the clerk's office and make the same request they would start placing these on the website.

This all sounds fine, but maybe just maybe she should respond to the occasional email? If I can get a response from any elected official on a state or federal level why can't I get one from a local one?

I get responses from her at the office all the time. Probably half from her assistant and the other from her. I guess it depends on the question. The county also employs an excellent public information officer, former WMBB reporter Chris Mitchell. mitchris@co.walton.fl.us

She boastingly stated, “The people that email me don’t have a right to be upset with my decisions and views if they don’t show up for the meetings.”

I'll show up for the meetings (instead of emailing or calling) when the meetings aren't held during my work hours! Or I could start scheduling meetings w/ her to discuss issues in person - bet she'd LOVE that!

Nice job Cindy, you and your yapper are now on my local politico sheet list!

I'll show up for the meetings (instead of emailing or calling) when the meetings aren't held during my work hours! Or I could start scheduling meetings w/ her to discuss issues in person - bet she'd LOVE that!

Nice job Cindy, you and your yapper are now on my local politico sheet list!

I would caution you not to make judgements based on hearsay. Even then there are always two sides to every story. Any WalCo Commissioner would welcome a meeting with you to discuss issues you are concerned about. And if they don't, well then, that would be something to post about. ;-)

I get responses from her at the office all the time. Probably half from her assistant and the other from her. I guess it depends on the question. The county also employs an excellent public information officer, former WMBB reporter Chris Mitchell. mitchris@co.walton.fl.us

Here4Good, to answer your question regarding BCC meeting minutes, they are not approved until the following BCC meeting, and therefore are not released until approved. You can go to the Planning Dept to obtain such info, and I believe they are also posted to the WalCo website.

Chris Mitchell is employed by WalCo? What is his job title with the County?a

MP3s of County meetings would be great, but I'm still wondering why we are not able to watch the meetings on TV or live stream.

I get responses from her at the office all the time. Probably half from her assistant and the other from her. I guess it depends on the question. The county also employs an excellent public information officer, former WMBB reporter Chris Mitchell. mitchris@co.walton.fl.us

That has always been my experience, too. Obviously, living as far away as I do means it's not likely I can attend meetings that concern me. But I do pay taxes in this county and as such I like to make my voice heard. I do not get personal replies, but I do receive acknowledgements from Ms. Meadow's office.