Walton County Meet the Candidates - Tuesday, July 15, 2008

It is open to the public.

Walton County Meet the Candidates
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Freeport High School Auditorium
6:00pm - 8:00pm

I have not heard about the format, if each candidate will be speaking, or if it is just a meet and greet. I believe Emerald Coast Assoc of Realtors is sponsoring the event, but I believe I read that it is open to the public.

The format I was told was State candidates first, then Commissioner candidates, then School district, then Sheriff. It is for 2 hours so I do not believe that there will be a whole bunch of questions and answers back and forth.

Which would be more informative -- the Red Bay rally or the Realtors' event?

Which would be more informative -- the Red Bay rally or the Realtors' event?

Both! ;-)

The Red Bay one is worth it just for the dinner.

Both! ;-)

The Red Bay one is worth it just for the dinner.

What are they having?

What are they having?

The shindig at Red Bay is like the political rallies we used to have all over the county. I will ask our bailiff when he strolls back thru - he is unofficially the "mayor" of Red Bay , but the last one I attended, they fried fish and hushpuppies, and the rest of the community brings a dish. These folks can cook. This is not the time to watch your cholesterol, and not the place for a Weight Watchers meeting. Homemade creamed corn, cheese grits, green beans (the soft, flat, cooked-with-bacon kind) and the hushpuppies. And banana pudding, and pound cake. And that was only on one side of the table. You might also expect cakes to be raffled off, and to be gratuitously policiticking by everyone in attendance, and their family members.

And Dread is playing in Red Bay this year too!

That one sounds interesting, but all of that home cooking and music may distract from the candidates.

That one sounds interesting, but all of that home cooking and music may distract from the candidates.

Nah. Fill your belly, pull up a chair (bring your own), mingle, and listen. I really do think we need a SoWal contingent at Red Bay.

Wow! I must say that by listening to tonight's performances, some people seem to really stand out above the others. I think that most of these people running for office, have zero experience speaking to an audience. If the public made their decisions based solely on the performances at a forum like tonight's, I think they would easily weed out 75% of the candidates. I was unimpressed with many of the candidates, especially the ones running for Sheriff. I thought one in the Sheriff's race really sounded like a leader, and the remainder were maybe after the large salary or the power grab. I'm curious to hear feedback from others on this race, regarding tonight's performances. Also, do any candidates running for Sheriff ever smile? That was the stiffest looking group of people I've ever seen. For the Democrats hoping to fill that office with the lone Dem running, I wouldn't hold your breath. It is really weird that the Sheriff's race is tied to a party. There was no noticeable party difference on stage, and most of the guys were rather dull and boring, without much to say. (BTW, current Sheriff, Ralph Johnson did not show for tonight's event. -- surprise, surprise.)

Robert Nelson did well in his district's school board race.

Good job, Alan Osborne!
Bob Hudson, you looked pretty good up there, too, but Alan is going to give you a run for your money.

Normally, I agree with the old quote, "politicians are like diapers. You need to change them often." However, I think County Commissioner, Larry Jones, needs to stay in office, given his competition in his district.

If you want to see tonight's Meet the Candidates, the video should be posted next week at www.EmeraldCoastMeetTheCandidates.com, courtesy of Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and Geoff Gurney.

So when is the RedBay event?

Wow! I must say that by listening to tonight's performances, some people seem to really stand out above the others. I think that most of these people running for office, have zero experience speaking to an audience. If the public made their decisions based solely on at a forum like tonight's, I think they would easily weed out 75% of the candidates. I was unimpressed with many of the candidates, especially the ones running for Sheriff. I thought one really sounded like a leader, and the remainder were maybe after the large salary or the power grab. I'm curious to hear feedback from others on this race, regarding tonight's performances. Also, do any candidates running for Sheriff ever smile? That was the stiffest looking group of people I've ever seen. For the Democrats hoping to fill that office with the lone Dem running, I wouldn't hold your breath. It is really weird that the Sheriff's race is tied to a party. There was no noticeable party difference on stage, and most of the guys were rather dull and boring, without much to say. (BTW, current Sheriff, Ralph Johnson did not show for tonight's event. -- surprise, surprise.)

Robert Nelson did well in his district's school board race.

Good job, Alan Osborne!
Bob Hudson, you looked pretty good up there, too, but Alan is going to give you a run for your money.

Normally, I agree with the old quote, "politicians are like diapers. You need to change them often." However, I think County Commissioner, Larry Jones, needs to stay in office, given his competition in his district.

Thanks for the report, SJ!

Wow! I must say that by listening to tonight's performances, some people seem to really stand out above the others. I think that most of these people running for office, have zero experience speaking to an audience. If the public made their decisions based solely on the performances at a forum like tonight's, I think they would easily weed out 75% of the candidates. I was unimpressed with many of the candidates, especially the ones running for Sheriff. I thought one in the Sheriff's race really sounded like a leader, and the remainder were maybe after the large salary or the power grab. I'm curious to hear feedback from others on this race, regarding tonight's performances. Also, do any candidates running for Sheriff ever smile? That was the stiffest looking group of people I've ever seen. For the Democrats hoping to fill that office with the lone Dem running, I wouldn't hold your breath. It is really weird that the Sheriff's race is tied to a party. There was no noticeable party difference on stage, and most of the guys were rather dull and boring, without much to say. (BTW, current Sheriff, Ralph Johnson did not show for tonight's event. -- surprise, surprise.)

Robert Nelson did well in his district's school board race.

Good job, Alan Osborne!
Bob Hudson, you looked pretty good up there, too, but Alan is going to give you a run for your money.

Normally, I agree with the old quote, "politicians are like diapers. You need to change them often." However, I think County Commissioner, Larry Jones, needs to stay in office, given his competition in his district.

If you want to see tonight's Meet the Candidates, the video should be posted next week at www.EmeraldCoastMeetTheCandidates.com, courtesy of Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and Geoff Gurney.

Thanks SJ. Yes, the biggest crowd I have ever been in front of. I was very, very impressed with the turnout. Way more than I expected. Wished I could have stayed for the Sheriff's but family business called me away.

I would like to thank ECAR (Emerald Coast Association of Realtors) for sponsoring the event, ECAR's staff for working the event, the panel and moderator, as well as the candidates who spoke. The event was professionally hosted. Good Job!

Could one of the long timers start a thread on Red Bay. This sounds like it deserves it's own, and i know I'm all for a SoWal contingent.

SJ - It was a well run event and a large turnout based on the past.

Thanks for your thoughts and insight into the candidate pool.

Next up is the Mossy Head event. Hope to see eveyone there.

If you need a map to the North Walton Republican Club's event, you can go to www.panhandleopry.com

Bob, when is Mossy Head's forum?

re Red Bay - Saturday August 9, Red Bay Community Center (on Hwy 81). Eating (or, "eatin'") about 3, Dread Clampett during/after dinner as they have another engagement later, and then the candidates. Per our bailiff, pray it does not rain. It will be important to bring a chair and at least a paper fan, if not a battery-operated one with a spray bottle, as the speakin' will be outdoors.

I enjoyed last night's forum, except for afterwards having to settle for Hardees when I had thought about Delta Kitchen all day. SJ, sorry I didn't see you. Fuzz had me down front in the third row and so I missed a bunch of people.

Shallows, any thoughts on that Sheriff's race from last night's forum, or would that get you into trouble?

ECAR did a wonderful job and I enjoyed being there. I learned a lot from the both the particpants and audience. See you on down the road.....

Looking back over my notes, I failed to give praise to Mark Davis. I think he has a passionate opponent, but I'm leaning toward Mark.

Also, thanks to the audience for the questions. I loved the one asked to Robert Nelson's opponent about teaching to the bottom quarter of the class, and ignoring the upper quarter. I think Mildred (bless her heart) really botched that answer.

Robert, I'm curious as to how you and Mark would respond to that same question. Will you address it on this thread for us. I know you have the benefit of time to think about it, and are not on stage in front of a live, hungry audience, but I'd like to hear it addressed. I know some students in our school system in that top quarter, who tell me that they are not given any attention and are not challenged at all.

I'd also like to know what you think about the health of our kids. It seems to me that schools are cutting out P.E. classes, and we load our kids up with sugar and caffeine. If a kid's body isn't in good shape, his mind will likely not be in good condition to learn. Are we providing the kids with nutritionally healthy foods at school? Are we teaching them about good health? Having graduates in good health will lead to a healthy work force.

Dear Smilin Joe: Thanks for the compliment. Tuesday was the first time I had really met my opponet and frankly, I was impressed. She seems to be a very nice lady, who, like me, is passionate about public education. But, to answer your questions.
I loved the one asked to Robert Nelson's opponent about teaching to the bottom quarter of the class, and ignoring the upper quarter.
I believe this happens as a result of the FCAT and the grading system. Probably happens more in the elementary and middle grades, but, I am sure it occurs throughout the district. You have to remember that the school grade is based largely on how the bottom 25% of the tested students improve their scores. Thus, in my opinion, too many resources and too much time is spent trying to improve their scores. The upper level students, who generally do very well on the FCAT simply do not get that attention. This is an issue I have been working on very hard. I believe we must pour money and resources into AP classes, advanced classes etc., so every student can be challenged. However, EVERY class should be taught with the highest expectations for EVERY student. I have often argued that a "C" grade in a class with rigorous standard and expectations is better that an "A" where those standards are not so rigourous. And, I do disagree with my opponet on one issue. If I understood her correctly, she said that she supported using dual enrollment as a substitute for advanced classes at our schools. I believe that a student should not have to choose to leave her high school environment to be challenged.
I have used the bully pulpit of my school board seat trying to move our district away from concentrating on putting money and time into making sure each school receives an "A" to putting emphasis on creating a successful student. I think we can do both, but, sometimes the pendulum swings too far to getting that school grade.

Are we providing the kids with nutritionally healthy foods at school? Are we teaching them about good health? Having graduates in good health will lead to a healthy work force.

There are health classes and health curriculum (as part of science classes) that a child is exposed to throughout their time in schoo. P.E. is now mandatory for 30 minutes each day in the elementary grades. Again, however, that P.E. time in middle and high school gets sacrificed in order to comply with mandatory remediation for students who make a certain score on the FCAT. That cuts into the PE and other electives. Our school lunches must meet certain dietary guidelines. Someone on the boards asked about vending machines on campus'. I know I have seen them and I am checking on what they sale. I know some of the soda companies used to let the school use the vending machines as fund raisers, but, they could only be used during a certain time of the day. I don't know if they are selling sodas now. I will check. Go to an elementary school and walk the halls and you will see the childhood obesity problem. It will amaze you. My sister is an elementary school PE teacher and she reports to me that the daily activity she requires of some students is almost too much for them. She is convinced that the only exercise they get is what she requires during her time with the students. She also reports that she is amazed at the number of parents who resist all efforts to get their children to adopt healthy exercise habits. A sign of the times I suppose.

Hope I can convince you to vote for me and thank you for the kind words. Mark.

not all fooled

Im beginning to think that mr. mike did not llike to be questioned on his policy or his decisions. He seemed very flustered when I questioned him about his efforts with Tallahassee Pd. especially when I told him I knew the sgt. that is over the accreditation there. Now and THEN. He suddenly became very interested in "mingling". Hmmmm.

Anyone want to carpool to Panhandle Opry this Saturday?

Im beginning to think that mr. mike did not llike to be questioned on his policy or his decisions. He seemed very flustered when I questioned him about his efforts with Tallahassee Pd. especially when I told him I knew the sgt. that is over the accreditation there. Now and THEN. He suddenly became very interested in "mingling". Hmmmm.

This type of behavior seems to be an unwelcome trend with Mr. Adkinson. I hope he can get a little more thick-skinned if he wants to win.

Also, thanks to the audience for the questions. I loved the one asked to Robert Nelson's opponent about teaching to the bottom quarter of the class, and ignoring the upper quarter. I think Mildred (bless her heart) really botched that answer.

SJ,

Sorry for the delay. Catching up after being out of town. I believe that we need more challenging classes for those upper 25% to be challenged. Using Florida Virtual School and adding additional class offerings we should be able to come up with a curriculum that keeps that upper group excited about school. I know from experience, my son in particular, has had some issues in class that I believe are mostly boredom. Just so many FCAT worksheets anyone should be expected to complete is what he tells me.

I'd also like to know what you think about the health of our kids. It seems to me that schools are cutting out P.E. classes, and we load our kids up with sugar and caffeine. If a kid's body isn't in good shape, his mind will likely not be in good condition to learn. Are we providing the kids with nutritionally healthy foods at school? Are we teaching them about good health? Having graduates in good health will lead to a healthy work force.

I have stated on this forum in the past, highly nutritional food is going to lead to less disciplinary problems and higher test scores. This has been shown in other districts in this country and I feel strongly we need to take a serious look at what we might be able to do here. Remember in some parts of the county, school lunch is more than likely going to be the only nutritional meal these kids are getting. Just go hang out at the local grocery in DeFuniak and watch what the parents are putting in their buggies. We have to take the lead on this issue so that the children will know how to eat right. We must do more than just hang up some food pyramid posters.