Walton Deputies To Unionize.

I for one hope that

they at some point will not be able to drive out of the county. There has been a few that moved into the county than they changed it, and thats not right. And driving out of state is even worse.

This whole ordeal reaks of bovine excrement. Ralph is no more worried about his deputys than the man in the moon.
The only reason this is started is.......the deputys in Al, Baker, Chipley, Niceville, Crestview and everywhere else are worried they aren't going to be able to drive their cars out of the county.

Why didn't the WCSO unionize after Quinn? I mean Ralph demoted everyone above a Sgt after he was elected.
I can answer why the WCSO never unionized before.......if they had, Ralph couldn't hire an uncertified plumber as the LT, he couldn't have promoted his "lady friend" from dispatcher to Capt in the jail, and couldn't have brought in a baffoon from Al for his #2 position over investigations.

Whoever wins the race, doesn't need to be held down to a contract agreed upon with a lame duck sheriff.

Whichever one takes over needs to do some major overhauling, or it won't be any better than it is now.

The way I understand it the new sheriff

demotes/fire them because usally he wants ones in there that he can trust and as we know alot are not trusting. Any place brings in their own people all the way up to the president.

My personal view is that a new Sheriff should be able to place his own top people. I would have to know how many, Lieutenants there are in the department and how many ranks above it there are. I would suspect that LT's would be considered supervisory and should be part of the supervisory unit. I mean you have 200 some odd employees, how many people should he have to fire to bring in his own people. Oh and don't say the new Sheriff won't fire anyone, because he has to make room for those at the top to go to the lower positions. And what would really be wrong with replacing maybe 3 of the top slots and leaving the rest in place and give them the guidance that the new Sheriff wants and give them the opportunity to perform. These are professional men and women and to have a professional department would seem you would want some continuity in the chain of command. Unfortunately that might hinder the paybacks for support that always come. Fairness is all I am seeking. I also realize there will be some folks who will leave on their own accord but with the tight economic times it may be less likely.

I am a little leery of unions, as they tend not to have the citizen's interests/budgets as their highest priority and make it difficult to get rid of someone who is not doing their job.

Think we can all agree that major changes are needed in the Sheriff's department, but it seems that the biggest complaints would be covered by existing anti-discrimination & employment laws.

I got edumacated as to why deputies may need to drive their vehicles home (as they are still required to answer calls off the clock), but why the heck would they need to drive them out of county, let alone out of state?

Outside the county is home in some cases. My neighborhood's on the Okaloosa side of the Walton County line by less than a mile, and there's a WCSO car frequently enough parked at a house a couple streets over that I assume an officer lives there.

Timing is everything

Dear Walton County Deputies and Citizens of Walton County:

I have sat quietly and ?watched? after the primary election. I am very happy for all of us that the current Sheriff (R. Johnson) has been voted out of office by the citizens. This was the first step in the healing and repair of our local law enforcement.

A very qualified candidate has won the Republican nomination for Sheriff that is Mike Adkinson. Since Mike?s election to the ticket, he has provided a solid plan for rebuilding and restructuring. Then, along came a spider?

I will not tell you that I know Danny G (Democratic Candidate) personally, but I have worked with him and met him on several occasions, he?ll probably not remember. Danny is a fine officer and that is as much as I know. What I have heard is very disturbing. Prior to making any posts, I spoke to several people who are involved in both sides of the campaign and I have been able to make my own decision as to what is truth and what is fiction.

I do believe that Ralph Johnson is involved in Danny G.?s campaign, I do not know the extent, but ANY involvement from this saboteur is enough to make me cringe. Ralph Johnson has single-handily destroyed Walton County Law Enforcement. I know of key witnesses in high profile cases who have refused to speak to WCSO because they ?do not trust the department?. He fired two women for being pregnant and now that he has been voted out of office, he continues to try and leave his footprints all over the backs of the deputies and the Republican Candidate, Mike Adkinson.

This most recent turn of events involving the proposed Union (Florida Police Benevolent Association ? PBA) is something that should have been undertaken years ago, back in Ralph?s hey-day of mismanagement, lack of training, lack of credibility, and unfair treatment of officers (overtime/comp time payment being one). Why does everyone suddenly have the ?stones? to want to unionize now that Ralph is going out of office? I find it very suspect that now that Mike A. is set to take over the agency (He will win the election and he has my full support), Ralph and Danny both support the PBA coming to town and representing the officers. The timing of this stinks and there is no way that Ralph would have every allowed anyone to even talk about a union under his roof. Any organizer would have been terminated immediately, just like the pregnant women and those leaders who attempted to reach out the SWFD and other groups. It?s all about EGO and Ralph cannot stand to see Mike Adknison get elected to the Office of Sheriff. This stems from a long drawn out witch hunt/quest by Ralph Johnson to ?bust? one of Mike?s family members, his Uncle. I clearly recall hearing about a ?questionable? deputy conducting a traffic stop on the Uncle and then clearly violating his rights by having him wait on scene, for upwards of 20 minutes after the stop was terminated, for a drug K-9 to arrive and walk the car. His blind ambition made him loose contact with what our Sheriff is sworn to protect, our rights, person and property. This is a very dangerous agenda to have.

This personal vendetta has continued to where Ralph is now stumping about for the Democratic Candidate and his name is tied every which way with Danny G. This has been confirmed to me by several members of the department. Why else would Ralph support a Union, he is on the way out (lame duck)? He wants to protect a select few employees that have remained loyal to him and his follies. If a Union representation is successful, it makes it very difficult to remove employees, even though most of those Ralph is looking to protect are poor performers and need to move on. They have created the lowest level of morale the department has seen in years. They use their foul mouths to utter curses at employees and speak to them in a manner so low, it is hurtful.

Danny G. would be smart to support the PBA, he has no management background and he needs all the ?free? help he can get to try negotiate budgets, etc. Who better then to be a squeaky wheel in the ears of the Commissioners and other County Managers then the PBA? I can see why he?d support this current activity.

It is a very sad state when our officers feel they must unionize to protect themselves. They have a new leader coming on board in a few months and they need to give that leader every opportunity to make good on their campaign promises and platforms. Then, and only if things fall into despair as they have under the current administration, they should consider the process.

Let me say this about the PBA. Any officer can join as an individual. You get pre-paid legal and good advice about ?sticky? situations and a nice news letter each month. If the department as a whole (51%) allows the PBA to ?represent? them as a whole, they give up any dialogue with the sheriff and with the county. PBA takes over and if anyone thinks that they (PBA) have the ability to get our deputies more money, they are sadly mistaken. Ralph spent it all. Deputies would be better off spending $30-40 per month to hire an attorney and seek civil damages against Ralph Johnson for the mismanagement his administration has caused. They could also attempt to obtain the legal documents that pertain to the several investigations that have been conducted into the alleged wrong-doings of the administration over the past year, FDLE for one.

I am very disgusted at this current situation. It is very apparent to me that Ralph Johnson will stop at nothing to undermine the Republican Candidate and our next Sheriff, Mike Adkinson. I wish more people would realize that this sort of behavior is what put or local law enforcement into the toilet years ago and this continued behavior is unproductive and unacceptable, to me, as a tax payer and a citizen of Walton County, Florida.

Make the smart choice; make the right choice for Walton County Sheriff ? Vote for Mike Adkinson (Republican) on November 4th 2008.

W

Right on the $$$

That?s not exactly how I interrupted the interview. From my view the main question by Adkinson was WHY. Why now, why didn?t Ralph do this 8 years ago for the deputies if it was such a grand idea. Why would an out going "Lame Duck" sheriff try to push this through before he goes out. Ralph has had no allegiance to any of his people up til now, so were suppose to believe he has done this out of the goodness of his heart, I doubt that one very seriously.

I am quite sure that the deputies are smart enough to do what is best for them, if that means unionizing then so be it, if not then that?s their decision. What?s the reason for trying to run it down their throats FF2?

You are 110% correct in your post. This is only R.J. trying to stick it to Mike. Either way, Danny wins on this one. If the PBA comes in, he gets "free" help, if they don't, it makes things very difficult for Mike, prior to the election.

I think looking at the improvements of DFS PD is a good marker for Mikes success with regards to moving the bar forward. Do the DFS PD employees feel like they need a Union?

Another good point

This whole ordeal reaks of bovine excrement. Ralph is no more worried about his deputys than the man in the moon.
The only reason this is started is.......the deputys in Al, Baker, Chipley, Niceville, Crestview and everywhere else are worried they aren't going to be able to drive their cars out of the county.

Why didn't the WCSO unionize after Quinn? I mean Ralph demoted everyone above a Sgt after he was elected.
I can answer why the WCSO never unionized before.......if they had, Ralph couldn't hire an uncertified plumber as the LT, he couldn't have promoted his "lady friend" from dispatcher to Capt in the jail, and couldn't have brought in a baffoon from Al for his #2 position over investigations.

Whoever wins the race, doesn't need to be held down to a contract agreed upon with a lame duck sheriff.

Whichever one takes over needs to do some major overhauling, or it won't be any better than it is now.

You're assessment (boldface) is right on the money. To keep my response brief, the reason WCSO has not organized/unionized after Quinn is one word

FEAR

If Ralph will fire pregnant women, what else is he capable of??? There was/is an atmosphere of fear. Everyone at the SO knows what's going on, from the "lady friend" to the baffoon.

Watcher
As I have said before, maybe the Deputies did this on their own because they have seen what has happened in the past. You make it sound as if Mike is afraid of the protection organizing will provide to the Deputies. As I have said before, I do not foresee contract negotiations beginning before the new Sheriff starts. The only thing that may be stopped is the mass demotions the New Sheriff would have to implement to bring in the CRONIES. If either one of these Candidates were serious about change and creating a good department, then those professional that are there day in and day and aren't running for election should be left alone to work for their new boss. If you happen to be in a supervisory capacity then do your job as the New Sheriff wants it, the New Sheriff should tell the Taxpayers employees what he expects and give those folks the tools to accomplish the job. Then and only then if defiencies are found then corrective action should be taken. I know, thats a pipe dream because so many positions were promised to the good ol boys that it is just easier to blame it on the employees who want to show up to work and avoid the BS Politics and provide a good service to their ultimate bosses the Taxpayer. So Mike and Danny, your choice embrace the change or whine about it, I will support the Deputies, and if they vote Yes or No at least it will be a decision they get to make. Their voice will be heard.

Congrats my fellow public servants. I want to encourage you to vote yes when the time comes. Don't let the comments sway you from protecting your job. I have read what Mike Adkinson has said and if he really had any realistic knowledge he would know that if he is elected he will be involved in the negotiations. At least he has said he is not ANTI-UNION which will concern the Republican Party which seems to have problems with UNIONS. Mike was even a member for 13 years, so hopefully, should he win the election, he will be more apt to work with LABOR than against them. Hopefully Danny will also be on thed same page as to working with LABOR than fighting with them. Had the politicians been addressing the concerns of those who worked for them maybe they would not be in this situation. Lets look at some events that may have caused the employees to consider UNIONIZING.
1> Being charged $100 a month for driving there vehicle home. I know that was recinded, but if they could have they would have.
2> Not being compensated for hours worked. As I understand, Deputies are compensated for overtime with Compensatory Time but are limited in using it which I understand that to be a violation of the FLSA. I had a friend who retired and had a large amount of comp time he lost when he retired. NOT FAIR TO HIM OR HIS FAMILY.
3> 2 Female Deputies basically terminated for being pregnant.
These are just the things that I know of and am sure there are other HORROR Stories going back farther than Ralph or even Quinn.
Brothers and Sisters, I'll stand with you for equitable treatment, fair pay and just cause. Take the politics out of who gets promoted, or who gets the plum assignments and at least start having a say in those things you can have a hand in changing.

FF2,
I know that you probably want to help with the people of the sheriff's office, with them making their decision. The sheriff's office is not the South Walton Fire Department. The Fire Department tries to bargin to get things. When you try to bargin in a sheriff's office, everything that you already have has to be put on the table. Everything has to be agreed by the union and the sheriff. If they both don't agree on a issue then the sheriff's office as a whole looses that item. The PBA is good for a police department where the officers do not have anything and they want to bargin to get things that they want ie ( take home cars, off duty details, etc.). The only people who I understand who want this union are the Ralph Rejects, that don't want to loose their rank or position. I also heard that they should not have been put in the positions that they are in. If they think that the PBA can help them get more money with the county commisioners, they are wrong. The county commisioners don't have to bargin with anyone. I feel that they should let the next sheriff that comes in ( Hopefully Mike Adkinson), show them what he is going to do before the Ralph Rejects screw everything up for all of the employees.

Well MM, I am just curious how all those other departments do things. You say it is the RJ rejects that are trying to protect their positions and you seem think to know how the system works. I am not an expert but my suggestion to you is go to the PERC website. To say the County Commissoner don't have to Bargain with anyone you would be incorrect again my friend. Walton County Fire Rescue has a Contract, Jacksonville Fire rescue which is a combined city/ county department has a contract, Polk County fire rescue has a contract, all County Departments to name a few. Obviously I am more aware of Fire Departments, but before I would say something as uninformed as that I would go to the PERC website and look around and see what you may learn for yourself. Heck heres a Telephone #, I think it still works, I haven't had to use it for a while, 1-850-488-8641. Here is the web site also for your perusal, http://perc.myflorida.com/ , I would suggest you read the news letter section it might help you with the process and the Florida Statutes, all right there for you to find.
I hope you are not a cronie waiting for a job for your support and really just wants whats best for the Deputies.
As for helping them, I have offered in the past with no takers, but I want them to know there are folks out here who will stand with them and without being intimidating allow them to make their own decision collectively.
Everyone of you guys who have opposed this organization process have made a statement about giving the new guy a chance. Great they give the new guy a chance and find themselves unemployed, screw that, politicians have screwed those Deputies every time the a new Shefiff has shown up promising change. Change from employed to unemployed or from a position of rank to a position of road deputy, Ask Mr. Chapman, he knows what its like and I'll bet it did not feel good. Wonder if he'll get his old job back in an Adkinson Administration? If you do Mr. Chapman, remember how you felt, and I sure wasn't a fan of Quinn, but you were screwed by RJ, and I screwed up on RJ the first 4 years, not the second, and for sure not the third. I really don't know about the guys I have to chose from now. So MM I hope this helps you, if the Deputies vote yeah or Nay I am good with that. What makes me more happy is the fact that at least they are going to discuss it. I like the idea, according to the DH/BB they are going to have a Q/A some they can be informed. In the end I hope they go Union but if not I will stand with them when and if they ever call.

Ralph is sticking it to the taxpayers once more for ole times sake by saddling us with a union to drive up costs and drive down productivity.:angry: Any business owner will tell you this is what unions bring to the table, but alas, very little of the increase in costs filter down to the rank and file.

My head hurts, the information has been provided for you to look at, hardly any work has to be done on your part. Lots of point and click.
Talk to Deputies in Santa Rosa County, Escambia Counties. Thats better, moment of ZEN.

PBA is the right thing to do now, eight years ago, twenty years ago.

If theres one thing I've learned about Walton County politics, its that fear and absolute power dictate how the Sheriff's Office is run. It also dictates how the law is applied (or not). Its time for this to end under the new Sheriff. While I believe Adkinson has a good vision, he IS considering dismissing people. The ultimate responsible party for the failure of Johnson's administration has already been dismissed. Johnson himself. Don't the deputies deserve a chance to prove that they CAN function appropriately under a funtional administration? I keep hearing that Adkinson wants the deputies to give him a chance before unionization. Can't he practice what he preaches and do the same for them?

Most progressive departments are either union or civil service. This takes politics out of hiring and firing, or at least minimizes it. It also limits political influence on promotions or demotions. Yes, its true it would protect four or five people who should probably be relieved of their positions. But it will protect the other 135 sworn officers as well. You have to take the bad with the good and take solace in the fact that the majority of these folks that SHOULD be dismissed will retire eventually and make way for GOOD officers. Those good officer's jobs will be protected from politics because of our forward thinking. This, however does NOT relieve the Sheriff from the authority to appoint non-sworn administrative staff and sworn positions from Chief Deputy down to captain.

I know first hand that a majority of the deputies in the south end WILL give the new Sheriff a professional product no matter what. I personally don't think they have the votes needed to form a collective bargaining unit. Too many of them are afraid to vote yes as there have already been folks intimidated against it. There were actually deputies that are against unionization taking names of those for it and marking them on a list. Who was the list for? We can only speculate. Sounds like something Johnson would've done, right? They also keep telling the deputies that they will have their cars taken away for doing this, and possibly lose other benefits. Really? Would the incoming Sheriff punish the deputies for taking a lawful labor action? Call it part of the "bargaining" if you want to, I call it punishment. The benefits they already have should be discussed, but not taken from them. Would the citizens stand by a Sheriff who did such thing? They did'nt in the primaries this year. Remember the FMLA issue and the pregnant deputies?

The public is not stupid. We realize Johnson initiated this to sabotage the new Sheriff, whoever that may be. But the majority of the folks that are for this are simply taking advantage of the moment. They legitimately want this. It is just unfortunate that it would protect some of those that would of themselves opposed this two years ago.:angry:

Adkinson will make a better Sheriff, of that I have no doubt. But he should consider how poorly the deputies have been treated for the last twenty-eight years with fear and intimidation before he thinks that this is all about him. It ain't. We don't even know him. We could care less about him and Ralph hating each other. We just want to do our jobs without fear of retribution. We want an equal shot at promotions and a fair shake in the face of disciplinary action. We want a livable wage in these high dollar zip codes we occupy. These are all things Adkinson says he wants as well. I think he should work with the bargaining unit, if its voted in, to bring these things to light.

And as for the person who thinks the Sheriff and County Commisioners don't have to negotiate with anyone...you need to do your homework. This ain't Hazard County anymore and its not the People's Republic of Walton County. What makes you think we're any better than Escambia, Santa Rosa, Miami-Dade...etc, etc...?

If theres one thing I've learned about Walton County politics, its that fear and absolute power dictate how the Sheriff's Office is run. It also dictates how the law is applied (or not). Its time for this to end under the new Sheriff. While I believe Adkinson has a good vision, he IS considering dismissing people. The ultimate responsible party for the failure of Johnson's administration has already been dismissed. Johnson himself. Don't the deputies deserve a chance to prove that they CAN function appropriately under a funtional administration? I keep hearing that Adkinson wants the deputies to give him a chance before unionization. Can't he practice what he preaches and do the same for them?

Most progressive departments are either union or civil service. This takes politics out of hiring and firing, or at least minimizes it. It also limits political influence on promotions or demotions. Yes, its true it would protect four or five people who should probably be relieved of their positions. But it will protect the other 135 sworn officers as well. You have to take the bad with the good and take solace in the fact that the majority of these folks that SHOULD be dismissed will retire eventually and make way for GOOD officers. Those good officer's jobs will be protected from politics because of our forward thinking. This, however does NOT relieve the Sheriff from the authority to appoint non-sworn administrative staff and sworn positions from Chief Deputy down to captain.

I know first hand that a majority of the deputies in the south end WILL give the new Sheriff a professional product no matter what. I personally don't think they have the votes needed to form a collective bargaining unit. Too many of them are afraid to vote yes as there have already been folks intimidated against it. There were actually deputies that are against unionization taking names of those for it and marking them on a list. Who was the list for? We can only speculate. Sounds like something Johnson would've done, right? They also keep telling the deputies that they will have their cars taken away for doing this, and possibly lose other benefits. Really? Would the incoming Sheriff punish the deputies for taking a lawful labor action? Call it part of the "bargaining" if you want to, I call it punishment. The benefits they already have should be discussed, but not taken from them. Would the citizens stand by a Sheriff who did such thing? They did'nt in the primaries this year. Remember the FMLA issue and the pregnant deputies?

The public is not stupid. We realize Johnson initiated this to sabotage the new Sheriff, whoever that may be. But the majority of the folks that are for this are simply taking advantage of the moment. They legitimately want this. It is just unfortunate that it would protect some of those that would of themselves opposed this two years ago.:angry:

Adkinson will make a better Sheriff, of that I have no doubt. But he should consider how poorly the deputies have been treated for the last twenty-eight years with fear and intimidation before he thinks that this is all about him. It ain't. We don't even know him. We could care less about him and Ralph hating each other. We just want to do our jobs without fear of retribution. We want an equal shot at promotions and a fair shake in the face of disciplinary action. We want a livable wage in these high dollar zip codes we occupy. These are all things Adkinson says he wants as well. I think he should work with the bargaining unit, if its voted in, to bring these things to light.

And as for the person who thinks the Sheriff and County Commisioners don't have to negotiate with anyone...you need to do your homework. This ain't Hazard County anymore and its not the People's Republic of Walton County. What makes you think we're any better than Escambia, Santa Rosa, Miami-Dade...etc, etc...?

Doesnt Mike Adkinson want to go Civil Service ?

Ralph is sticking it to the taxpayers once more for ole times sake by saddling us with a union to drive up costs and drive down productivity.:angry: Any business owner will tell you this is what unions bring to the table, but alas, very little of the increase in costs filter down to the rank and file.

Idlewind, Please provide and example of how a *PUBLIC SERVICE UNION* drives up costs and drives down production.

Public service Union contracts serve the public interest
In addition to these ideals, most *PUBLIC SERVICE UNION* (Police, Fire, EMS) contracts establish minimum safety requirements and procedures. this results in decreased accident and injury costs.

Also most contracts specify the procedure for promotions. Generally, this is based upon education, certificates and experience as well as a fair and equitable promotional testing procedure. This helps to ensure that the most qualified people are promoted to leadership positions. The benefit to the taxpayer should be obvious with this one.


I have worked in both Union and Non-Union fire departments. I have enjoyed my employment with SWFD more than any other. Labor and Management at SWFD have have expressed our collective commitment to the people we serve. We thought so much of the idea that we set it to writing in our collective bargaining agreement. I believe the community we serve realizes the benefits of our Combined efforts every day. Without the organization, camaraderie, and community spirit of South Walton Professional Firefighters, SWFD could not be all that it is today.


And I haven't even mentioned yet, the charitable work that most all *PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS* do. South Walton Professional Firefighters host or help to host several events each year to raise or help raise money for local and national charitable interests. MDA, Relay for Life, Charity Golf Tournament, Haunted Woods (this years event coming soon!), Caring and Sharing's Angel Tree, Christmas shop with a firefighter, Camp Amigo Children's Burn Camp of North Florida, Boot drive for St. Jude Children's Hospital, This year we hope to be involved in the Caring and Sharing Food Drive for the Holidays and many local folks in need helped through monetary donations approved at our monthly meetings.

Please realize that there is and will always be a HUGE difference between PUBLIC SERIVE UNIONS and PRIVATE SECTOR UNIONS.

Incorrect

Watcher
As I have said before, maybe the Deputies did this on their own because they have seen what has happened in the past. You make it sound as if Mike is afraid of the protection organizing will provide to the Deputies. As I have said before, I do not foresee contract negotiations beginning before the new Sheriff starts. The only thing that may be stopped is the mass demotions the New Sheriff would have to implement to bring in the CRONIES. If either one of these Candidates were serious about change and creating a good department, then those professional that are there day in and day and aren't running for election should be left alone to work for their new boss. If you happen to be in a supervisory capacity then do your job as the New Sheriff wants it, the New Sheriff should tell the Taxpayers employees what he expects and give those folks the tools to accomplish the job. Then and only then if defiencies are found then corrective action should be taken. I know, thats a pipe dream because so many positions were promised to the good ol boys that it is just easier to blame it on the employees who want to show up to work and avoid the BS Politics and provide a good service to their ultimate bosses the Taxpayer. So Mike and Danny, your choice embrace the change or whine about it, I will support the Deputies, and if they vote Yes or No at least it will be a decision they get to make. Their voice will be heard.

Let me be clear that I too support the Deputies, very much so. If my post made it seem as if Mike Adkinson was "afraid of Protection" then I did not correctly word my thoughts. I am NOT affiliated with Mike Adkinson, so I would not want to shed any impression upon his campaign. I am however a realist, and Mike Adkinson is not only the best candidate for the job, he is going to be elected Sheriff on November 4th. With that said, the gist of my post was we need to all be outraged that the current excuse for a sherrif is continuing to undermine the positive movement to new law enforcement in Walton County.

I seriously doubt that Mike Adkinson is "afraid of protection" when it comes to his soon to be employees, just look at what he has done with DFS PD, that department used to be pretty sad, now it is doing well.

Pushing a PBA Agenda down Mikes throat is the only way Ralph can manage to continue his existence. Either way, Ralph is making it difficult for the new sheriff to be successful. In my humble opinion, Danny's "endorsement" by PBA is further evidence that this whole thing stinks when it comes to the timing of it.

Honestly, I would support either FOP or PBA, but let's give the new Sheriff his rightful chance to make the department better.

w

Right On!!!!

You are truly correct Watcher! Give MA a chance to improve the WCSO. RJ just needs to go and suck it up, he lost. From What I understand is that several of the deputies don't want a union. When certain deputies were going around (on duty) getting these blue cards signed from other deputies, they were being told by RJ cronies that they are just signing the cards for prepaid legal services. Then they turn around with the blue cards and run to the PBA and say "see these deputies who signed this want collective bargaining at the sheriff's office in Walton County" . Let me tell you folks.....there are alot of upset people at the SO right now because they were mislead into signing these cards!!!!!!!
I believe this is RJ's last stand to help his little cronies! He needs to try to protect them because they know alot of sh*t on him and the illegal sh*t he has done while in office.

Well Put

You are truly correct Watcher! Give MA a chance to improve the WCSO. RJ just needs to go and suck it up, he lost. From What I understand is that several of the deputies don't want a union. When certain deputies were going around (on duty) getting these blue cards signed from other deputies, they were being told by RJ cronies that they are just signing the cards for prepaid legal services. Then they turn around with the blue cards and run to the PBA and say "see these deputies who signed this want collective bargaining at the sheriff's office in Walton County" . Let me tell you folks.....there are alot of upset people at the SO right now because they were mislead into signing these cards!!!!!!!
I believe this is RJ's last stand to help his little cronies! He needs to try to protect them because they know alot of sh*t on him and the illegal sh*t he has done while in office.

Very good summary of the current situation.

Let me add to it, that "cleaning house" is something that although it may not be "fair" it is needed. I would name names (, but for the sake of privacy and embarrasment, I will not list my opinions on the "who's who" list.

With all the wrong doing that has gone on in this department, there are others who are just as accountable as Ralph Johnson. This department has lost numerous good officers to other departments over the past few years. Many more would have left IF they could, but not all can relocate and leave their "home".

As for the officers being "duped" into signing the blue cards, that is typical Union M.O. Before you know it, it is too late. Those spearheading this process need to watch that they do not open themselves up to civil liability.

Please do you homework

I am asking one simple question:

Officers of WCSO, please do your homework, prior to voting in the PBA to represent all of you. Name one Florida County where PBA has had success outside of Corrections? Even the FOP is struggling statewide.

Understand, that voting in the PBA will take away your INDIVIDUAL voice to express concerns, goals, gripes, etc. I fully understand your position on this. After 8 years of Ralph Johnson, you all need protection and healing. That protection is coming.

With that said, give the next elected sheriff the chance to do that. If you don't, you are only shooting yourselves in the foot. It won't kill you, but damn it hurts for a while.

You can join PBA, FOP all on your own and get the pre-paid legal. Where the issue comes in is when they (PBA) owns you, and they will. This "Idea" of being represented comes years too late. It is all politically motivated. You should have all had PBA or FOP representation under RJ's terms. Not now as he is leaving. You are going to indirectly punish the new Sheriff for the wrongs done by RJ. Think about it. You are still doing RJ's bidding for him, even as he has been voted out of office by the people.

I have attached a copy of text from the NW FL Daily News below:

However, several employees in upper-level management deny that anyone - whether they are pro- or anti-union - has suffered any adverse or disciplinary actions as a result of union activity. Contacted at the sheriff's office, 1st Lt. Tommy Mitchem said no deputies or supervisors have been pushing anyone to sign the authorization cards.
"No one is going around telling people to sign anything," he added, "but I can only speak for myself and a couple other people that I've been around."
Capt. Eddie Farris, the sheriff's office's public information officer, said one individual who was contacting other employees to find out if they had signed authorization cards did receive a letter, but it simply stated that she was not allowed to engage in those kinds of activities while on duty.

Lt. and Capt. : Where were your "stones" years ago when this sort of "protection" was needed? It is too late now, damage done, money lost, people gone, more to come...

I really doubt the two of you would have had the same opinion of this "process" had RJ won the Republican Nomination. I wish for once, someone within the department with some rank would tell it like it is. It all goes back to FEAR. This atmosphere is unhealthy and most of all it takes away the ability of all the great officers of WCSO to perform their duties as law enforcement officers.

As a citizen of Walton County, I urge you all to allow the new sheriff, whomever it may be, come Nov. 4th, the ability to prove themselves in position, prior to entering into an agreement with the Union. If they fail, I will be one of the first to fully support your effort to allow representation. I am certain you will not need it, only those so close to RJ that they see his tonsils daily will need worry. They have made their beds, time to lie in them. Sleep Tight.

w

FF2- All unions drive up costs. When you bargin with them they produce records showing the average pipefitter makes 35 dollars per hour and neglect to tell you that is in New York City. My understanding is that our deputies are among the highest paid in the area already, so it would appear they are doing ok for themselves without the cost of union dues.

Also, if I read the paper correctly, if the union and the Sheriff negoiate and cannot come to an agreement, then the appeal hearing is to THE SHERIFF. What good will that do the employees?

If whoever is elected comes in and acts like RJ and starts firing everybody, we will just have to make sure and vote him out the first chance we get. We gave RJ too many chances.

Watcher- I think you answered your own question as to why the upper management guys will not stand up to RJ, FEAR. I would imagine they have even more to lose than the lower level people.

Watcher, you are quite confusing to me. You express your support for the Deputies in one breath and in the next you say RJ's people have to go. At some point in time the change has to start and it ought to START NOW. Let the Deputies vote it up or down without all the intimidation from either MA or DG. Those cronies who are crying about the positions that they appear won't get there promised jobs maybe you should consider working your way up through the chain.

I talked to Sheriff McDaniel from Jackson county, he explained the way it is set up over there, the new Sheriff gets the top 2 or 3 people as his managment team. Why won't that work, oh I forget, it is called Cronism

Idlewind, first you would be incorrect, there are ways to have wage survey completed for departments of size, services provided, population and the such, so the NYC reference is laughable Second, I have stated in other post wages may not be the issues that they may have so as to where they rank currently I can't say. Third, I can assure you that the Sheriff does not have the final say, go to the PERC web site and become informed.

FF2- All unions drive up costs. When you bargain with them they produce records showing the average pipefitter makes 35 dollars per hour and neglect to tell you that is in New York City. My understanding is that our deputies are among the highest paid in the area already, so it would appear they are doing ok for themselves without the cost of union dues.

Also, if I read the paper correctly, if the union and the Sheriff negoiate and cannot come to an agreement, then the appeal hearing is to THE SHERIFF. What good will that do the employees?

If whoever is elected comes in and acts like RJ and starts firing everybody, we will just have to make sure and vote him out the first chance we get. We gave RJ too many chances.

Watcher- I think you answered your own question as to why the upper management guys will not stand up to RJ, FEAR. I would imagine they have even more to lose than the lower level people.

Idlewind, There is no other way to say this so, I apologize in advance if this offends you. You are just simply wrong about Public Service Unions driving up costs. I have seen and interacted with many people like you. You splatter our screens with your anti-union spam soup trying to make us believe that you have some real insight into this whole "union thing". Well, just so you know, anyone who has ever actually been present for Public Service Union negotiations thinks your dribble, disguised as union acumen is ridiculous and blindly prejudicial.:scratch:

Your comments remind me of a 12 year old boy who grew up in Forsythe Ga. who states that he hates black people when in fact, he's never even met a black person.

I have read and enjoyed many of your posts on the SoWal forum. So, I was a bit surprised to read that you are a Union bigot.

The point I was trying to get across to this thread in my last post (and many other threads and posts) is that THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE UNION AND A PRIVATE SECTOR UNION. Please do a little reading, some research. There is much you can learn that might be beneficial to your credibility on this subject.

We are not a pipe-fitters Union. We are not United Auto Workers. Because the PUBLIC IS OUR BOSS we are by nature, different than private sector Unions.

Again, I am sorry if this offends.

Going to the PERC website and becoming informed is laughable.

Mr. Adkinson said in the paper that the Sheriff had the final say. I cannot believe he has not throughly researched the matter as it directly impacts how he can operate his department if elected.

The bottom line is that all indication are that this department is broke and needs major reform. Unions always try to hold the status quo. From what people tell me, status quo is the last thing that department needs.