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Andy A

Beach Fanatic

[quote="jdarg, post: 422090"]I have been waiting to see if someone else is noticing the fact that there are plenty of candidates for District 5, but is anyone running against Scott Brannon in District 1? 
 
 
:idontno:[/quote]
Good question and while Scott has done a creditable job in many areas, I would like to see all commissioners have apponents.  I am sure everyone on SoWal is aware that we can vote for all district candidates in Walton County.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="jdarg">I have been waiting to see if someone else is noticing the fact that there are plenty of candidates for District 5, but is anyone running against Scott Brannon in District 1? 
 
 
:idontno:</blockquote>Good question and while Scott has done a creditable job in many areas, I would like to see all commissioners have apponents. I am sure everyone on SoWal is aware that we can vote for all district candidates in Walton County.

scooterbug44

SoWal Expert

[quote="Andy A., post: 422131"]Good question and while Scott has done a creditable job in many areas, I would like to see all commissioners have opponents.  I am sure everyone on SoWal is aware that we can vote for all district candidates in Walton County.[/quote]

I love that someone CONVICTED of election fraud is running unopposed. :bang:

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Andy A.">Good question and while Scott has done a creditable job in many areas, I would like to see all commissioners have opponents. I am sure everyone on SoWal is aware that we can vote for all district candidates in Walton County.</blockquote> 
I love that someone CONVICTED of election fraud is running unopposed. :bang:

wrobert

[quote="scooterbug44, post: 422134"]I love that someone CONVICTED of election fraud is running unopposed. :bang:[/quote]
 
 
Funny, I do not remember a trial on this issue.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="scooterbug44">I love that someone CONVICTED of election fraud is running unopposed. :bang:</blockquote> 
 
Funny, I do not remember a trial on this issue.

Lane Rees

Beach Lover

Speaking of convicted .. today's Daily News has a story on Charlie Burke with this headline: "Suspended Walton mosquito control commissioner convicted of voter fraud" .. what a shame.
 
Brannon agreed to accept the fines imposed by the Florida Elections Commission and the WAV group also agreed to pay fines in a consent agreement to settle charges of compaign finance law violations.

Speaking of convicted .. today&#039;s Daily News has a story on Charlie Burke with this headline: &quot;Suspended Walton mosquito control commissioner convicted of voter fraud&quot; .. what a shame. 
 
Brannon agreed to accept the fines imposed by the Florida Elections Commission and the WAV group also agreed to pay fines in a consent agreement to settle charges of compaign finance law violations.

[quote="Aggie, post: 422383"]Speaking of convicted .. today's Daily News has a story on Charlie Burke with this headline: "Suspended Walton mosquito control commissioner convicted of voter fraud" .. what a shame.
 
Brannon agreed to accept the fines imposed by the Florida Elections Commission and the WAV group also agreed to pay fines in a consent agreement to settle charges of compaign finance law violations.[/quote]
 
 
Civil penalties are not a conviction though.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Aggie">Speaking of convicted .. today&#039;s Daily News has a story on Charlie Burke with this headline: &quot;Suspended Walton mosquito control commissioner convicted of voter fraud&quot; .. what a shame. 
 
Brannon agreed to accept the fines imposed by the Florida Elections Commission and the WAV group also agreed to pay fines in a consent agreement to settle charges of compaign finance law violations.</blockquote> 
 
Civil penalties are not a conviction though.

Johnny Post

Thanks Aggie and wrobert, you beat me to it.
 
Not at all endorsing any activity that is deemed to fall outside our election laws, but campaign violations are not criminal, so saying "convicted" is inaccurate.
 
Also, let's be clear, agreeing to pay a fine for an alleged violation is not at all uncommon. I know a lot of people who aren't thrilled with speeding tickets, but don't want to spend the time or money to contest the issue, and opt for the cheaper "fine". And, I'm just guessing here, but I suspect a lawyer for an election complaint costs more than one who does traffic tickets. It may have been a simple financial decision to pay the fines and not pay the lawyers.
 
Now Charlie Burke, he was "convicted". 
 
As always, lets keep these discussions about facts. It gives us in SoWal more credibility.

Thanks Aggie and wrobert, you beat me to it. 
 
Not at all endorsing any activity that is deemed to fall outside our election laws, but campaign violations are not criminal, so saying &quot;convicted&quot; is inaccurate. 
 
Also, let&#039;s be clear, agreeing to pay a fine for an alleged violation is not at all uncommon. I know a lot of people who aren&#039;t thrilled with speeding tickets, but don&#039;t want to spend the time or money to contest the issue, and opt for the cheaper &quot;fine&quot;. And, I&#039;m just guessing here, but I suspect a lawyer for an election complaint costs more than one who does traffic tickets. It may have been a simple financial decision to pay the fines and not pay the lawyers. 
 
Now Charlie Burke, he was &quot;convicted&quot;. 
 
As always, lets keep these discussions about facts. It gives us in SoWal more credibility.

Sorry, I will rephrase, as I obviously used a poor choice of words:

I love that someone with a well-documented history of campaign violations and major financial backing from a group who also has a history of campaign violations and ugly tactics is running unopposed! :bang:

What was it, 30+ violations that they were fined for?

Sorry, I will rephrase, as I obviously used a poor choice of words: 
 
I love that someone with a well-documented history of campaign violations and major financial backing from a group who also has a history of campaign violations and ugly tactics is running unopposed! :bang: 
 
What was it, 30+ violations that they were fined for?

Thanks for rephrasing.
 
If I recall the PAC involved was fined on approximately 30 counts. Comm. Brannon was fined on 2 counts.
 
I assume thats the well-documented history you refer to. Either way, I agree with the point about the PAC.
 
These groups have a very negative effect on all campaigns, and this would appear to be the first local race we saw that in.
 
Back to the original post... is it truly necessary that every incumbent have multiple opponents? More signs, more dollars spent on elections, and less time to focus on actual issues getting resolved.
 
I'm all for the democratic process, but the idea of opposition, specifically multiple opponents, as a requirement strikes me as being a bit much.

Thanks for rephrasing. 
 
If I recall the PAC involved was fined on approximately 30 counts. Comm. Brannon was fined on 2 counts. 
 
I assume thats the well-documented history you refer to. Either way, I agree with the point about the PAC. 
 
These groups have a very negative effect on all campaigns, and this would appear to be the first local race we saw that in. 
 
Back to the original post... is it truly necessary that every incumbent have multiple opponents? More signs, more dollars spent on elections, and less time to focus on actual issues getting resolved. 
 
I&#039;m all for the democratic process, but the idea of opposition, specifically multiple opponents, as a requirement strikes me as being a bit much.

I am not advocating multiple opponents, just wish someone was running against Brannon. 

I do not approve of his actions while campaigning or in office and want someone with the community's best interests in mind elected.

I am not advocating multiple opponents, just wish someone was running against Brannon. 
 
I do not approve of his actions while campaigning or in office and want someone with the community&#039;s best interests in mind elected.

[quote="scooterbug44, post: 422526"]I am not advocating multiple opponents, just wish someone was running against Brannon. 
 
I do not approve of his actions while campaigning or in office and want someone with the community's best interests in mind elected.[/quote]
 
 
Then run.  You seem to be a pretty balanced, informed individual.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="scooterbug44">I am not advocating multiple opponents, just wish someone was running against Brannon. 
 
I do not approve of his actions while campaigning or in office and want someone with the community&#039;s best interests in mind elected.</blockquote> 
 
Then run. You seem to be a pretty balanced, informed individual.

rapunzel

Isn't that just going to bring the wrath of the developer mafia down on her if she does?

Can anyone run in that district and still do business in this community?

Isn&#039;t that just going to bring the wrath of the developer mafia down on her if she does? 
 
Can anyone run in that district and still do business in this community?

[quote="scooterbug44, post: 422526"]I am not advocating multiple opponents, just wish someone was running against Brannon. 
 
I do not approve of his actions while campaigning or in office and want someone with the community's best interests in mind elected.[/quote]
In all fairness, why don't you look at what he has promoted and done while in office instead of how his campaign was run?  I did not vote for Scott Brannon because I thought he was in the pocket of the developers, due in part, to his campaign antics.  However, his actions while serving on the Commission have not borne this out, IMO.  For instance, he is the Commissioner who proposed the 50 ft. hieght restriction for Choctawhatcee Bay and othe points in NoWall and I, personally think that is a very good thing unless you want Walton County to look like Destin and Panama City Beach.  His efforts to improve the Morrison Spring recreational area are also commendable.  If you do not attend commission meetings, SB44, I suggest you attend a few and observe Mr Brannon in action.  If you do attend you should recognize what I am talking about.  Also, as I previously stated, I prefer to see an opponent for all incumbents.  My previous post was not meant to be any kind of endorsement for Scott Brannon.  This one is meant to point out that his service on the Commission has met many of the desires I have for the betterment of Walton County.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="scooterbug44">I am not advocating multiple opponents, just wish someone was running against Brannon. 
 
I do not approve of his actions while campaigning or in office and want someone with the community&#039;s best interests in mind elected.</blockquote>In all fairness, why don&#039;t you look at what he has promoted and done while in office instead of how his campaign was run? I did not vote for Scott Brannon because I thought he was in the pocket of the developers, due in part, to his campaign antics. However, his actions while serving on the Commission have not borne this out, IMO. For instance, he is the Commissioner who proposed the 50 ft. hieght restriction for Choctawhatcee Bay and othe points in NoWall and I, personally think that is a very good thing unless you want Walton County to look like Destin and Panama City Beach. His efforts to improve the Morrison Spring recreational area are also commendable. If you do not attend commission meetings, SB44, I suggest you attend a few and observe Mr Brannon in action. If you do attend you should recognize what I am talking about. Also, as I previously stated, I prefer to see an opponent for all incumbents. My previous post was not meant to be any kind of endorsement for Scott Brannon. This one is meant to point out that his service on the Commission has met many of the desires I have for the betterment of Walton County.

DuneLaker

Morrison Springs was acquired by a previous commission, not Brannon. However, there are complaints of how now during Brannon's term the area is being overdeveloped (per letter to editor in DeFuniak Paper about two months ago). Brannon wasn't out front helping with the Blue Sign issue. One could comment that if he had been attending meetings and communicating with his South Walton constituents, some of that issue might not have happened. South Walton did not vote in the majority for Brannon. He moved the commissioner's office out of SoWal. SoWal used to have two commissioner offices. There are quite a few that are not pleased with his performance. SoWal has suffered from a number of issues the past four years and there has been little to no comment from Brannon on a number of issues. Most people in SoWal resigned themselves to calling Cindy Meadows if they wanted to talk to a commissioner that had an interest in SoWal. Brannon was not living in District 1 when he filed and his service to SoWal has showed how that might have had some effect on his committment to the area.

Morrison Springs was acquired by a previous commission, not Brannon. However, there are complaints of how now during Brannon&#039;s term the area is being overdeveloped (per letter to editor in DeFuniak Paper about two months ago). Brannon wasn&#039;t out front helping with the Blue Sign issue. One could comment that if he had been attending meetings and communicating with his South Walton constituents, some of that issue might not have happened. South Walton did not vote in the majority for Brannon. He moved the commissioner&#039;s office out of SoWal. SoWal used to have two commissioner offices. There are quite a few that are not pleased with his performance. SoWal has suffered from a number of issues the past four years and there has been little to no comment from Brannon on a number of issues. Most people in SoWal resigned themselves to calling Cindy Meadows if they wanted to talk to a commissioner that had an interest in SoWal. Brannon was not living in District 1 when he filed and his service to SoWal has showed how that might have had some effect on his committment to the area.

As to the use of the word conviction. I think we could discuss that more. Stated in Roget's Thesaurus 971 Condemnation. -- N. condemnation, conviction, proscription, damnation; death warrant; penalty etc. 974. attain-der, -ture, -tment. V. condemn, convict, cast, bring home to, find guilty, damn, doom, sign the death warrant, sentence, pass sentence on, attaint, confiscate, proscribe, sequestrate; non-suit. disapprove etc. 932; accuse etc. 938. stand condemned. Adj. condem-, dam-natory; condemned etc. v.; non-suited etc. (failure) 732; self-convicted Phr. mutato nomine de te fabula narratur.

As to the use of the word conviction. I think we could discuss that more. Stated in Roget&#039;s Thesaurus 971 Condemnation. -- N. condemnation, conviction, proscription, damnation; death warrant; penalty etc. 974. attain-der, -ture, -tment. V. condemn, convict, cast, bring home to, find guilty, damn, doom, sign the death warrant, sentence, pass sentence on, attaint, confiscate, proscribe, sequestrate; non-suit. disapprove etc. 932; accuse etc. 938. stand condemned. Adj. condem-, dam-natory; condemned etc. v.; non-suited etc. (failure) 732; self-convicted Phr. mutato nomine de te fabula narratur.

Matt J

SWGB

Why is he still running?  With the real estate downturn he won't have his cadre of cronies interested in getting him re-elected.  He doesn't strike me as someone interested in [B]public[/B] service as every inquiry made to him is given the exact same form response.

Why is he still running? With the real estate downturn he won&#039;t have his cadre of cronies interested in getting him re-elected. He doesn&#039;t strike me as someone interested in public service as every inquiry made to him is given the exact same form response.

[quote="sowalgayboi, post: 422726"]Why is he still running?  With the real estate downturn he won't have his cadre of cronies interested in getting him re-elected.  He doesn't strike me as someone interested in [B]public[/B] service as every inquiry made to him is given the exact same form response.[/QUOTE]

What I'd like to know is what he's doing that makes some powerful people in this community feel it's so important that he's re-elected that they intimidate potential opponents.  Allegedly.

He supported the NatureWalk Beach Club development at Seagrove Villas, despite it's clear violation of the code.  I doubt there's a development project he wouldn't approve.  Perhaps that's it?

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="sowalgayboi">Why is he still running? With the real estate downturn he won&#039;t have his cadre of cronies interested in getting him re-elected. He doesn&#039;t strike me as someone interested in public service as every inquiry made to him is given the exact same form response.</blockquote> 
What I&#039;d like to know is what he&#039;s doing that makes some powerful people in this community feel it&#039;s so important that he&#039;s re-elected that they intimidate potential opponents. Allegedly. 
 
He supported the NatureWalk Beach Club development at Seagrove Villas, despite it&#039;s clear violation of the code. I doubt there&#039;s a development project he wouldn&#039;t approve. Perhaps that&#039;s it?

Good luck in finding anything out.  Brannon is quieter than the Sheriff when it comes to speaking out, returning calls or showing up at public events -- especially in District 1 in SoWal.  Who funds him is still a mystery to most.  When the financial report story came out in the papers some months ago, his was once again missing and not ready for publication.  Someone will probably have to file a complaint to get his information.  Then, it will be  two years before you find anything out as his adept lawyers and pr firm drag his response out.  His value is the family and close ties to lawyers, lobbyists and developers like Olson & Assoc. of Nature Walk ($5,000 to WAV, a 30+ campaign finance law violations group) who gave him and the  group campaign money.  Hilton calls turtles "the little critters" and often speak out at public meetings in opposition to a turtle light ordinance.  Hilton gave at least $20,000 to same WAV group  and  maximum to Brannon.  Most regular citizens are limited to $500.

Good luck in finding anything out.  Brannon is quieter than the Sheriff when it comes to speaking out, returning calls or showing up at public events -- especially in District 1 in SoWal.  Who funds him is still a mystery to most.  When the financial report story came out in the papers some months ago, his was once again missing and not ready for publication.  Someone will probably have to file a complaint to get his information.  Then, it will be  two years before you find anything out as his adept lawyers and pr firm drag his response out.  His value is the family and close ties to lawyers, lobbyists and developers like Olson &amp; Assoc. of Nature Walk ($5,000 to WAV, a 30+ campaign finance law violations group) who gave him and the  group campaign money.  Hilton calls turtles &quot;the little critters&quot; and often speak out at public meetings in opposition to a turtle light ordinance.  Hilton gave at least $20,000 to same WAV group  and  maximum to Brannon.  Most regular citizens are limited to $500.

When a candidate takes money from developers, we rightly get to question his allegiance. So I agree with several of the previous posts, you can certainly hang development money around Comm. Brannon's neck.
 
But let's be clear on our facts about approving developments. In many cases, our elected officials are bound to approve developments, even if we in the public are adamantly against them. It is a simple matter of following the code, and voting in accordance with staff approval (planning department and planning board).
 
Now, before it starts, I know we have had some commissioners vote against a project, when the only problem was the public outcry. While that seems great, its not actually right.
 
It frustrates me to hear people direct comments, and attacks, at elected officials who follow the code, and then say it was their personal decision. If you don't like our development code, start pushing for change. If you don't like staff recommendation, start pushing for change. But in many cases, seeking a change of the commissioner will miss the heart of the problem.

When a candidate takes money from developers, we rightly get to question his allegiance. So I agree with several of the previous posts, you can certainly hang development money around Comm. Brannon&#039;s neck. 
 
But let&#039;s be clear on our facts about approving developments. In many cases, our elected officials are bound to approve developments, even if we in the public are adamantly against them. It is a simple matter of following the code, and voting in accordance with staff approval (planning department and planning board). 
 
Now, before it starts, I know we have had some commissioners vote against a project, when the only problem was the public outcry. While that seems great, its not actually right. 
 
It frustrates me to hear people direct comments, and attacks, at elected officials who follow the code, and then say it was their personal decision. If you don&#039;t like our development code, start pushing for change. If you don&#039;t like staff recommendation, start pushing for change. But in many cases, seeking a change of the commissioner will miss the heart of the problem.

[quote="wrobert, post: 422529"]Then run. You seem to be a pretty balanced, informed individual.[/quote]
 
It was considered and swiftly rejected because I have too many potential conflicts of interest - both real and perceived because of my various jobs.
 
Once again, doing the "right" thing based on moral / honesty reasons paid off, as per some entertaining (and yet to be verified local gossip), if I had gone through with it I would have quickly received a visit from an iconic local figure threatening my 30-A livelihood if I ran against Scott Brannon! 
 
Supposedly 2 others have already been dissuaded via this method!
 
What the puck is going on? :idontno:

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="wrobert">Then run. You seem to be a pretty balanced, informed individual.</blockquote> 
It was considered and swiftly rejected because I have too many potential conflicts of interest - both real and perceived because of my various jobs. 
 
Once again, doing the &quot;right&quot; thing based on moral / honesty reasons paid off, as per some entertaining (and yet to be verified local gossip), if I had gone through with it I would have quickly received a visit from an iconic local figure threatening my 30-A livelihood if I ran against Scott Brannon! 
 
Supposedly 2 others have already been dissuaded via this method! 
 
What the puck is going on? :idontno:

Jdarg

I have been waiting to see if someone else is noticing the fact that there are plenty of candidates for District 5, but is anyone running against Scott Brannon in District 1?  


:idontno:

I have been waiting to see if someone else is noticing the fact that there are plenty of candidates for District 5, but is anyone running against Scott Brannon in District 1? 
 
 
:idontno:

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