Looking For District 2 Candidate

Whoa, you are not saying that a politician that is representing us is not representing us, are you? Robert, even though she may spend as much time up North, she suppose to represent the interest of Walton County.

This ain't the state. And there is not a division in the State the way there is in Walton County.

With single-member districts, I am afraid there would be nothing to keep the commissioners elected by the other districts from publicly laughing their butts off at some of the things that we think to be important - surely you know that is what the citizenry of the rest of the county does.

I just remember when everyone wanted the single-member voting, and after it happened, the cry to change it back (by many of the same people who originally wanted it) was deafening.

This ain't the state. And there is not a division in the State the way there is in Walton County.

With single-member districts, I am afraid there would be nothing to keep the commissioners elected by the other districts from publicly laughing their butts off at some of the things that we think to be important - surely you know that is what the citizenry of the rest of the county does.

I just remember when everyone wanted the single-member voting, and after it happened, the cry to change it back (by many of the same people who originally wanted it) was deafening.

SN...can you tell us why? How about single-member voting commissioners and a commisioner or two at large?

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I just remember when everyone wanted the single-member voting, and after it happened, the cry to change it back (by many of the same people who originally wanted it) was deafening.

Were most of the people wanting it, residing in North Walton?

Maybe South Walton needs two district commissioners and one At-Large Commissioner, to balance out the north Walton districts (3). It is true that Walton County Commissioners represent all of Walton County, but each should also represent his or her own District. The District lines for 1 and 5 are ridiculous. Black Creek area, located north of the Bay is completely different than the area around Rosemary and Alys Beach, and the people living in each of those areas, need to be represented. Their needs are unique. Same for Bay Loop Rd (north of the Bay) compared to Miramar Beach, which are represented (supposedly) by one Commissioner. A better District division would be putting the areas north of the Bay in District 1 and 5, into one District, while having two Commissioners' Districts being solely in South Walton.

One thing to remember is that districts must be equal in population. I have a feeling that is a very hard task.

Were most of the people wanting it, residing in North Walton?

Nope. South Walton. And there is an entirely different dynamic at work when you share a district with Freeport. I'd explain further but my lunch break isn't that long. Maybe later.

At-large might be an idea.

It seems to me that many would like to acheive through single districts and creative boundaries what they have been unable to do at the ballot box.

AndyA, I hear what you are saying, but politely disagree. IMO, we currently don't have any commissioners representing the interests solely of South Walton. District 1 and 5 are split between north and south walton, and even though one commissioner may reside in south walton, she wasn't elected by south walton voters. You can look at the voting records to see that. South Walton should have two Commissioners, designated solely in South Walton, and they should be elected solely by the people in their own districts.

If this is true, and I agree it is, then we don't have any commissioner's representing solely Disticts 2,3 and 4 either.

Were most of the people wanting it, residing in North Walton?

Maybe South Walton needs two district commissioners and one At-Large Commissioner, to balance out the north Walton districts (3). It is true that Walton County Commissioners represent all of Walton County, but each should also represent his or her own District. The District lines for 1 and 5 are ridiculous. Black Creek area, located north of the Bay is completely different than the area around Rosemary and Alys Beach, and the people living in each of those areas, need to be represented. Their needs are unique. Same for Bay Loop Rd (north of the Bay) compared to Miramar Beach, which are represented (supposedly) by one Commissioner. A better District division would be putting the areas north of the Bay in District 1 and 5, into one District, while having two Commissioners' Districts being solely in South Walton.

There are rules to the division that have to be applied. The census is going to cause this to change. I would imagine you will see District 5 shrink considerably to match the population density and District 1 cover even more of south walton and less of north walton. I bet District 2 ends up being huge, geographic wise after the lines are redrawn. Probably going from Paxton all the way down to Red Bay. They may have to double that commissioners travel allowance.

There are rules to the division that have to be applied. The census is going to cause this to change. I would imagine you will see District 5 shrink considerably to match the population density and District 1 cover even more of south walton and less of north walton. I bet District 2 ends up being huge, geographic wise after the lines are redrawn. Probably going from Paxton all the way down to Red Bay. They may have to double that commissioners travel allowance.

This may be a dumb question, but when were the lines last alterred? Who is responsible? Does the School Board and BCC have to agree?

Sorry, three dumb questions.

This may be a dumb question, but when were the lines last alterred? Who is responsible? Does the School Board and BCC have to agree?

Sorry, three dumb questions.

Its been awhile, I think it would possibly go back to Herman Walker, Lane Rees, and Tim Pauls.

Its been awhile, I think it would possibly go back to Herman Walker, Lane Rees, and Tim Pauls.

Good questions all, IW. The BCC last redistricted in 2001 to draw the current lines after the 2000 Census. Yes, Commissioners Walker, Rees, and Pauls were in office then.

The School Board draws their own boundaries under the law, which were slightly different in 2001 from the BCC boundaries. The School Board and BCC appointed a joint Redistricting Committee in 2005 that resulted in the lines matching...using the BCC 2001 lines that are in effect today.

We're required to redistrict after each decennial census...either redraw the lines to match population shifts, or affirm that the existing districts remain within 10% equal of each other. It will be interesting to see the 2010 census data as we go into it. And of course, the mapping tools are so much better now than we had in 2001. It's also required by law to be based on population -- not tax base value, number of cars on the road, number of building permits issued, or anything else like that -- purely population.

Maybe I should run? I am an 8th generation Walton County girl that was born and raised in Freeport. Momma lives in Ponc De Leon and Daddy's buried in Red Bay. I live and work in South Walton, and my family has a long history with the Walton County Commission.

My Granddaddy Jack worked for Rabbit Miles, district 2 commissioner, for nearly 20 years. When he was less than 1 year from retiring with the county... Rabbit laid him off. Rabbit was re-elected several times, he saved the county loads of money by screwing people out of their retirement. (Do I have to say IMO there in order to keep myself from being liable?)

Then there is the scandal that cost Uncle Freddie re-election to the commission back in the 80's. He was pulling something off the pilings in the bay--with permission from Eglin and someone else running for office made a stink about it. We never even got to wear out groovy RE-ELECT FREDDIE BISHOP t-shirts.

Uncle Roy Allan worked for the county for over 30 years, he left as road's foreman a few years back when the "special interests" took over. (Something about the bike paths...I couldn't follow him when he was trying to explain how us SoWallers have control of everything)

Momma's house in Freeport is built on what was called "The County Yard" back in the late 70's. Grandma let the county use the land to store signs, tractors and dump trucks. Every day the county employee's would park their personal vehicles and take off in one of the various huge diesels that were scattered across the yard. That's gotta account for something!


Before you even ask...Don't get your panties in a wad...I am kidding about running for office. BJ would make a horrible house husband of South Walton.

Romeo, I am begging you to run.

Good questions all, IW. The BCC last redistricted in 2001 to draw the current lines after the 2000 Census. Yes, Commissioners Walker, Rees, and Pauls were in office then.

The School Board draws their own boundaries under the law, which were slightly different in 2001 from the BCC boundaries. The School Board and BCC appointed a joint Redistricting Committee in 2005 that resulted in the lines matching...using the BCC 2001 lines that are in effect today.

We're required to redistrict after each decennial census...either redraw the lines to match population shifts, or affirm that the existing districts remain within 10% equal of each other. It will be interesting to see the 2010 census data as we go into it. And of course, the mapping tools are so much better now than we had in 2001. It's also required by law to be based on population -- not tax base value, number of cars on the road, number of building permits issued, or anything else like that -- purely population.

The 10% keeps getting mentioned but I never could find it in statute. Either the AG or the SCOFL held one county was okay with a disproportionate share much greater than 10% because part of the county was urban and the other part was largely rural/ag. When we did the match up of the district lines between the BCC and the WCSB, that 10% number kept getting mentioned, but I do not recall anything in statute. I was happy we were able to get the numbers/lines to match though. Personally I thought that was a major accomplishment. What I remember as the main reason for nothing really changed in 2005 was that no consensus could be reached on population numbers and at the time while we had seen explosive growth in the south end, numbers were indicating that the north end, especially Mossy Head and Freeport were trailing behind and could be closer in line by the time the 2011 census occurred. Going to be interesting to see how that played out. But I still believe that District Five is going to be highly concentrated in Miramar.

Hmm, I remember when there was a big push on this board to be horribly afraid of the census. I'm just curious if those folks (who live in the North) were pushing that same agenda in the North?

Romeo, your stories are the best! Love them.

I am not afraid of the census, but the only part I will fill out is that which is required by law -- the number of people residing in my house. Everything else is scary.

Romeo,

I double dog dare you! That would really rock things up a bit. I would make a great house husband.

Romeo,

I double dog dare you! That would really rock things up a bit. I would make a great house husband.

Power90 at the BCC!

I'd vote for ya Romeo. ..Get in there girl!

Hey Romeo - you might be a little too young to remember this (maybe not) but your Uncle Freddie and my daddy were in the 1976 election together. They painted a shovel red, white and blue and presented it to the third candidate, who was basically full of sheet.
My grandmother voted for Freddie, and his daughter was my best friend.

Those were the days. ;-)

Hey Romeo - you might be a little too young to remember this (maybe not) but your Uncle Freddie and my daddy were in the 1976 election together. They painted a shovel red, white and blue and presented it to the third candidate, who was basically full of sheet.
My grandmother voted for Freddie, and his daughter was my best friend.

Those were the days. ;-)

'Course i do..he ran against Billy McClean. I was so jealous of Cheri cause she got to wear her "Elect Billy Mclean" shirt to school. Of course I was jealous of her anyway cause she dated Bobby Johnson.

'Course i do..he ran against Billy McClean. I was so jealous of Cheri cause she got to wear her "Elect Billy Mclean" shirt to school. Of course I was jealous of her anyway cause she dated Bobby Johnson.

Cheri could date anyone she wanted all she had to do was ask but we are talking about dist. 2 north of DeFuniak not Freeport.

Cheri could date anyone she wanted all she had to do was ask but we are talking about dist. 2 north of DeFuniak not Freeport.

Of course I was jealous of her anyway cause she dated Bobby Johnson.