Danny Griffith announces #2 Man as Dennis Ward

Well, that other fellow said it was illegal to say who his #2 was going to be, whatever. Still may not vote for either one.

Well folks, this is great news!!!! If I was juggling over which candidate I was going to vote for, the confirmed fact that Dennis Ward is going to be Danny Griffith's #2 man just sealed the bid!!!!! With all the rumors floating around about who the number 2 man was going to be if Danny was electd, I decided to check this one out!!! Now mind you, I have known Dennis Ward since he was my kid's school bus driver many moons ago and have followed this man throughout his law enforcement career. The answer I got directly from Mr. Ward is "YES" . No rumor to it! I can not express to anyone what this will mean for the Walton County Sheriff's Office. Mr Ward is one of the most honorable, trustworthy, straight talking people I have ever met. When he was a Lt. at the DeFuniak Springs Police Department (before Adkinson wormed his way in by means of his Uncle Clayton), Lt Ward was well known and respected by all the officers and citizens of the city. (I use to live in DeFuniak Springs and prior to my move to South Walton, I literally watched people grieve when the city lost Dennis Ward after Adkinson came to power at the police department). Not only is Mr Ward very experienced and accredited law enforcement officer, he is very much versed in budgeting and was the main instrument in the police department being handed thousands of dollars in grants while he was employed there. Anyone that knows Dennis Ward will no doubt thank Danny Griffith for his selection. I can guarantee one thing, Danny Griffith could not have handpicked a better man for Walton County than Dennis Ward. Any the citizens of Walton County will have a Sheriff and Under Sheriff they can trust in and be able to contact personally 24 hours a day!!!!

Danny will not pick a number 2 man until after the election, hate to brake it to you.

Unethical????????????? Meaning to which is : corrupt, dishonest, unfair, unjust. Hmmmmmm....let's see, I see none of the above terms which are all meanings of the word unethical, applying to any one letting the public know just who and what they are going to be getting for their vote! I was totally appalled at the rumor and possibility that RJ (as the rumor was released on this forum), was going to be the #2 man, and it was made to seem like a certain member had unearthed a BIG SECRET when it was announced. Rather than believe a rumor, I did seek the truth from the candidate I am looking to support. The last thing I want is to FIND OUT AFTER I cast my vote is the person I voted for is underhandedly sliding in a ghost from the past. Walton County doesn't need it or want it. When I posed this question to Adkinson, there was never a reply. I want to know and I think the public is entitled to know just who is going to be the major influence and sidekick to the chief law enforcement officer in this county. I feel I have the right to know who is going to be the #2 person when the Sheriff is not available due to illness, vacations and such. With Adkinson's past record (for the short time he has been in office at the police department), I have found his selection in city officers to be questionable and his relunctance to inform anyone of how he plans to stack his deck makes me wonder just what he is holding closed handed. The background of most of his hand-picked officers at the police department causes concern on who he plans to bring with him if he is elected. No one in their right mind can stated that "maybe he doesn't know who his is going to select". If that is the case, then we don't need such a poor decision maker as our Sheriff. At least Griffith is being honest and transparent. Unethical to reveal his plans...... very doubtful. Just stacks up another vote for the man with me and several other voters! Adkinson is just proving to be more of the ole' McMillan clan in the way he operates.

How can you promise a man a job like "under sheriff" when you havent even won the job of "sheriff" yourself, just seems a bit unethical, at least to me. Not to meantion Ward currently works for the sheriffs office. To put him on the line like that without 100% certainty that Griffith will win the election in my opinion is not doing him any favors.

By voting for the candidate that you feel is qualified for the job, your saying you have the up most confidence that he will surround himself with people capiable of running the department in his absence. If you dont, then dont vote for him.

Skeeter is a great guy and an awesome law enforcement officer!

I have a picture of him and ShallowsFuzz from about 20 years ago that I need to find...:cool:

I too like Dennis Ward very much. I was told today that Danny stated that he was not going to have RJ around if he won. However, I do agree that they should keep it to themselves who they plan to bring on board until they win. Bolan, I think you need to keep your opinion to yourself as well about the officers that work for the P.D. and about Mr. Adkinson. I think we have had enough mud slinging on here to last us a life time. I believe that we have all made up our minds by now who we are going to vote for. Danny and Mike are both fine people. Vote for who you believe will make the best Sheriff. There is no need to further trash talk the officers, or deputies that work under them, or will work for them. The election will speak for itself. Like I have stated time and time again, may the best man win. :clap:

Follow Up

I did have the chance to talk with Danny Griffith.He did confirm that Dennis Ward would be his #2 should he be elected. He also confrim that Ralph Johnson would NOT be a part of his administration.

OooooooTayyyyyyyy Mr. Proud, we receive you LOUD AND CLEAR.:floor:

I met Mrs. Danny Griffith today. :wave:

I did have the chance to talk with Danny Griffith.He did confirm that Dennis Ward would be his #2 should he be elected. He also confrim that Ralph Johnson would NOT be a part of his administration.

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

Transparency and restoration of confidence

I talked with Danny Griffin tonight and asked him why he chose to talk with Mr. Ward about serving as #2 before he was even elected. He said that because of the community's confidence in Mr. Ward's integrity and abilities, he felt it was a plus to include him in their campaign. "It's absolutely the number one priority of my campaign that we regain the public's confidence in the Sheriff's department," Griffin said. "We have to have total transparency in the office, and we both agree that this is a critical focus." Mr. Griffin expressed confidence that Mr. Ward could help him achieve that -- if Griffin were elected.

Danny Griffin will be at the Democratic Headquarters on October 23rd from 3-7 p.m. and October 28 from 3-7 p.m to answer questions and to meet with voters. Drop by 5430 Hwy 98 West and shake hands with Danny before you vote.

Might be a good move for Mr. Griffith to come here himself and make his pronouncement.

Danny will not pick a number 2 man until after the election, hate to brake it to you.

I thought you knew all the ends and outs of Dannys election ??? Seems like he left ya in the dark on announcing his number 2.... No offense..:idontno:

Please think before you vote

Adkinson is NOT getting my vote. I don't trust the man for one minute.
He picks the calls he send the officers out on and never follows up.
and if you question him about he says. Just because you did not see us did not mean we did not answer the call. WHAT !!! If I call I am looking for you.
But who cares if homeless people are sleeping around empty houses near the lake yard. That will not get Adkinson's name in the paper. :yikes:
There was not bad blood with county and the city till good Old Adkinson came to town. Do you see what he and his family were doing? Laying the Lies to help him get elected. Just like in the city election. Johnny was FOUND NOT GUILT of the entire thing Adkinson lied about. Just to get elected. I hope Johnny Sues him for the lies he told. Adkinson has a KNOW it all attitude.

So People Think long and hard before you vote. Find out if people in the city trust Mike. Also ask if the are related to him. If they like him.

I also Trust Dennis and he did a GREAT job for the City.

Good Luck Danny

Let me introduce myself

[quote] Might be a good move for Mr. Griffith to come here himself and make his pronouncement. [/quote]

My name is Danny Griffith and as most of you know, I am running for the office of Walton County Sheriff. I was born and raised in Walton County. I graduated from Walton Senior High School where I met my wife of 34 years, Gerry Griffith. We have two daughters, one son-in law and three grandchildren.

I left Walton County in 1977 to embark upon my law enforcement career with the Florida Highway Patrol. I have over 30 years of law enforcement experience with the last 16 years in Walton County. Although I have had the opportunity to work in several counties throughout the State of Florida, my desire was always to make it back to my roots.

During my career, I have had extensive training in various areas of the law. I was an instructor with Okaloosa Walton College for over ten years in the criminal justice program. In addition, I am a Field Training Officer, responsible for providing continuous and extensive training, supervision, management and assistance to new officers entering the force. I was also a Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary Instructor. I have also received a life saving commendation. My wife and myself co-owned a business in Fort Walton Beach for 22 years.

I am currently running for the Office of Sheriff because I believe the people of Walton County need a sheriff they can depend on, who can efficiently and effectively enforce the law, bring professionalsim and integrity back to the department, be accountable and available to the people, work in cooperation with other agencies and make Walton County a safer place to work and live. Walton County has an enviroment conducive to values that are important to raising a family and I would also like to see that environment continue to grow in this fast-paced world in which we live.

I believe the Walton County Sheriff's Office must strive to continuously improve its services to meet the demands of this rapidly expanding county. I see public safety as a partnership between the community, citzens and the Walton County Sheriff's Office. It is only through this vital realtionship that crime can be reduced and the needs of the public can be met. I am not going to make a lot of promises in an effort to get your vote. As we all know, most of those promises cannot be kept. But, I will tell you that my goal is to give you a Sheriff you can count on and a department you can trust. In my personal life, I pride myself on treating people honesty and fairly. If elected, I promise to do my best to see that the Walton County Sheriff's Office, as a whole, creates an honest and respectful environment for the citizens of this
county.

I am not seeking this postion to boost my ego, but instead to be a Sheriff, who will listen to your needs, respect your ideas, and protect all of the people in this county with professionalism and integrity. I am looking forward to the opportunity to speak with and meet new individuals during this campaign. If you have any questions or comments, I can be reached at griffith4sheriff@gdsys.net or by phone at 850 892-3415. Thank you for your
time and consideration of Danny Griffith for Sheriff of Walton County.

Thank you Danny for coming in and saying hello. Good Luck with your campaign.

Questions

My name is Danny Griffith and as most of you know, I am running for the office of Walton County Sheriff. I was born and raised in Walton County. I graduated from Walton Senior High School where I met my wife of 34 years, Gerry Griffith. We have two daughters, one son-in law and three grandchildren.

I left Walton County in 1977 to embark upon my law enforcement career with the Florida Highway Patrol. I have over 30 years of law enforcement experience with the last 16 years in Walton County. Although I have had the opportunity to work in several counties throughout the State of Florida, my desire was always to make it back to my roots.

During my career, I have had extensive training in various areas of the law. I was an instructor with Okaloosa Walton College for over ten years in the criminal justice program. In addition, I am a Field Training Officer, responsible for providing continuous and extensive training, supervision, management and assistance to new officers entering the force. I was also a Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary Instructor. I have also received a life saving commendation. My wife and myself co-owned a business in Fort Walton Beach for 22 years.

I am currently running for the Office of Sheriff because I believe the people of Walton County need a sheriff they can depend on, who can efficiently and effectively enforce the law, bring professionalsim and integrity back to the department, be accountable and available to the people, work in cooperation with other agencies and make Walton County a safer place to work and live. Walton County has an enviroment conducive to values that are important to raising a family and I would also like to see that environment continue to grow in this fast-paced world in which we live.

I believe the Walton County Sheriff's Office must strive to continuously improve its services to meet the demands of this rapidly expanding county. I see public safety as a partnership between the community, citzens and the Walton County Sheriff's Office. It is only through this vital realtionship that crime can be reduced and the needs of the public can be met. I am not going to make a lot of promises in an effort to get your vote. As we all know, most of those promises cannot be kept. But, I will tell you that my goal is to give you a Sheriff you can count on and a department you can trust. In my personal life, I pride myself on treating people honesty and fairly. If elected, I promise to do my best to see that the Walton County Sheriff's Office, as a whole, creates an honest and respectful environment for the citizens of this
county.

I am not seeking this postion to boost my ego, but instead to be a Sheriff, who will listen to your needs, respect your ideas, and protect all of the people in this county with professionalism and integrity. I am looking forward to the opportunity to speak with and meet new individuals during this campaign. If you have any questions or comments, I can be reached at griffith4sheriff@gdsys.net or by phone at 850 892-3415. Thank you for your
time and consideration of Danny Griffith for Sheriff of Walton County.

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Thank you for posting this message, I for one appreciate your attention to sowal. I have bold faced your piece above and I sincerely appreciate your service as a law enforcement officer. Thank you.

With that said, moving on to the political front, I do have two questions to ask you on this forum. First, do you have any experience handling public finances? If yes, can you please provide an example of this.

Second, do you support the members of WCSO entering into a formal representation agreement, prior to the new term Sheriff's election and that elected official taking office (Jan. 09), with the Florida PBA? If so, why?

Thank you for your time, best of luck in the campaign.

w