Upcoming Elections

A congressman from Walton County would be huge, maybe we could finally get some action on 4-laning 331.

Why is there such emphasis that she is a woman and running against four men? A candidate should stand on the other things, not sex, race, religion, etc. I think we can all tell by her name that she is a woman.

just my $.02.

Who is Barbara and why don't many of us know much about her since she lives in South Walton? I've never heard of her before, except from my sister in law who says she will probably vote for Barbara, and my sister in law doesn't even live in Walton County.

Remember that Emerald Coast Association of Realtors is hosting an open, public forum to hear from all Walton County candidates who choose to attend, on next Tuesday evening at Freeport High School. I hope this year's will be even better than last year's, as this forum is done very well, and the panel does take some questions from the audience. It is a good way to learn a bit about our candidates, other than what you might see or hear in ads and campaign signs.

Murray... My intent was not to say to vote for her because she is a woman, nor do I believe that is what I said. One of the reasons I posted out here was so that more folks would be able to hear about her and the other candidates.

The Sandestin Voters Forum last night at the Coastal Branch Library was very informative. Barbara, two of the other Congress District 2 Republican candidates, Eddie Hendry and David Scholl, as well as the 2 independents, Paul McKain and Dinne Berryhill, were all present.

The forum held at the Library annex last night was great! Very informative but where were the Democrats? It was billed as a non partisan forum. Allen Boyd sent his regrets and that he couldn't attend due to another committment. Why am I not surprised? This part of his district obviously doesn't count in his book.

Murray... My intent was not to say to vote for her because she is a woman, nor do I believe that is what I said.

If that is truly the case, you might want to refrain in future mentioning of her that she is running "against male candidates."

Not a big deal, really, but it makes it sound like males candidates are bad and females are good, and that will make many people vote against her because they think she wants only the female vote.

Vote Ro Cuchens for Transparency, Accountability and Wise Spending. Please visit www.rocuchens.com and be sure to vote on Aug. 24. Thanks -

Been there done that...once. That's enough.

You are invited to the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors ?Meet the Candidate? political forums in Okaloosa and Walton counties, August 9 and 10. Both forums are free and open to the public. A panel of Realtors will ask the candidates questions regarding property rights, taxation, and economic development. It is imperative that we as Realtors attend and hear what these candidates have to say. Please also bring your spouse and/or invite your family members to this Realtor sponsored event.

?[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]The Okaloosa County political candidate forum will be conducted Monday, August 9 at Choctawhatchee High School beginning at 5:30 p.m.

?[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]The Walton County political candidate forum will be conducted Tuesday, August 10 at Freeport High School beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Candidates running for school board, circuit judge, sheriff, and county commissioner seats have been invited for both the Okaloosa and Walton county forums.

Be informed

I would like to share some information from Commissioner Comander I found from Commissioner Comander. If you are an informed voter you will take the time to read this. Thanks and Go Sara!!

From Sara Comander...
Election season acts on some people like catnip. It makes them go all crazy and loopy.
Over the last couple of months, you may have heard and read some pretty outlandish things about me. My friends know better, but I realize that a lot of people do not know me and they might wrongly assume that whatever they?ve heard is true.
With that in mind, here are the facts.
I have been accused of not embracing transparency and accountability because the entire board voted to increase the fees for making copies of public records. The change was long overdue because our rates only included the clerk?s hourly wage and did not include their benefits. The board felt the person requesting the information should bear the cost and not the taxpayer.
The increases are different depending on the time needed to process the request. The bigger the request, the longer it takes and more expensive it becomes to process them. Though higher than before, the fees are not exorbitant and are governed by Florida Statutes.
I have been accused of falsely signing documents regarding our compliance with public records laws. Mr. Pridgen, Mr. Brannon and Mr. Jones and I have all signed the same document, the same as every other commission chairman, based on clear assurances by the Clerk of Courts staff, which keep and maintain our meeting minutes and documents. The Clerk?s office was then and is now in compliance with Florida?s public records laws, so the certification was correct.
As for the resulting lawsuit, meeting transcripts prove that I was in favor of processing and delivering the records that were requested. However, the county attorney strongly advised the board to engage in the lawsuit ? until just days before the trial was set to begin, at which time he advised us to settle. That attorney no longer works for the county. Part of the settlement allowed one resort property to keep its umbrellas and chairs on the beach overnight.
Regarding health insurance for my family, after being elected, I was told by the county Human Resources Department that health care for my husband was a standard benefit for commissioners, so I accepted it. I was already a county employee so I had no paperwork to sign. When I learned that, although it is a legal and allowable benefit, the county staff member did not have the authority to authorize the benefit, I immediately canceled the insurance - quietly and without fanfare. I did not wait to announce my decision in a public meeting or notify anyone other than HR.
I have worked for 40 years in Walton County to build a reputation for trust, honesty and integrity and there is nothing that would make me abandon my lifelong ethics and values.
If you have any questions, thoughts or concerns, please contact me any time at 850-830-1661.

Been there done that...once. That's enough.

Seriously!

Here's my voting criteria (note party affiliation is not on here):

1) Have you paid your taxes and properly disclosed/reported your financial info and contributors as required. You want to direct my tax dollars and decide on rules & enforcement, I better not see your name on a tax certificate list or know of your crimes/misdeeds/who is contributing to you multiple times through their employees and different organizations. You make the rules, you better follow them in both the letter and spirit.

2) Are you engaged in a smear campaign. I want action and leadership from someone with the cojones to stand up for their opinions and constituents, not just whine, blame others, and busy themselves with partisan crap. And if I am undecided or it's close, those automated calls or nasty mailings WILL lose my vote.

3) Are you consistent in your stated positions/votes or do you hedge, vote your campaign contributions/party politics over local needs. I'll vote for someone who takes stands (even if some I disagree with) over an opportunistic flip-flopper or panderer or a politician someone owns.

4) Are you discussing important topics or are you using minor issues to inflame and sway voters. The sheet has hit the fan and more is airborne and headed towards it. I need serious candidates to deal with those serious issues.

5) Can you work with others and compromise to make sure the end result is what is best for whom you represent (that would be the voters BTW, not your party or biggest contributors).

6) Are you enriching yourself/your family/your business at my expense and nickel and diming us for benefits and perks while the taxpayers lose services and jobs. I know what you make, I know what others make, and I know whose job I find more valuable. I don't mind paying for your salary and benefits like health care, but that's pretty much it - especially when others are hurting so remember taxpayer eyes are watching you!

7) Do you make my skin crawl or make me wonder if I left my purse unattended or what you haven't been caught doing. (Logic only goes so far and then intuition kicks in. ;-)).

Seriously!

Here's my voting criteria (note party affiliation is not on here):

1) Have you paid your taxes and properly disclosed/reported your financial info and contributors as required. You want to direct my tax dollars and decide on rules & enforcement, I better not see your name on a tax certificate list or know of your crimes/misdeeds/who is contributing to you multiple times through their employees and different organizations. You make the rules, you better follow them in both the letter and spirit.

2) Are you engaged in a smear campaign. I want action and leadership from someone with the cojones to stand up for their opinions and constituents, not just whine, blame others, and busy themselves with partisan crap. And if I am undecided or it's close, those automated calls or nasty mailings WILL lose my vote.

3) Are you consistent in your stated positions/votes or do you hedge, vote your campaign contributions/party politics over local needs. I'll vote for someone who takes stands (even if some I disagree with) over an opportunistic flip-flopper or panderer or a politician someone owns.

4) Are you discussing important topics or are you using minor issues to inflame and sway voters. The sheet has hit the fan and more is airborne and headed towards it. I need serious candidates to deal with those serious issues.

5) Can you work with others and compromise to make sure the end result is what is best for whom you represent (that would be the voters BTW, not your party or biggest contributors).

6) Are you enriching yourself/your family/your business at my expense and nickel and diming us for benefits and perks while the taxpayers lose services and jobs. I know what you make, I know what others make, and I know whose job I find more valuable. I don't mind paying for your salary and benefits like health care, but that's pretty much it - especially when others are hurting so remember taxpayer eyes are watching you!

7) Do you make my skin crawl or make me wonder if I left my purse unattended or what you haven't been caught doing. (Logic only goes so far and then intuition kicks in. ;-)).

I'm glad to hear you are voting for Sara. You even listed all the things she is against. I always knew you were a smart person.

I'm glad to hear you are voting for Sara. You even listed all the things she is against. I always knew you were a smart person.

Well, yes, but that wasn't exactly a hard choice. Anyone who votes for one of the other candidates in that race didn't do a lick of research IMO.

Just returned from early voting. Literally 5 minutes from walking in the door to walking out. And as always, friendly, helpful, and competent staff from the elections office! Actually half of my time was spent in pleasant small talk- it was that low-stress.

If you don't vote..............

YOU CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING A POLITICIAN IN THAT RACE DOES!

If you don't vote..............

YOU CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING A POLITICIAN IN THAT RACE DOES!

Thanks SB44. Since I am a property owner who can't vote do to residency requirements, I would be glad to share my choices for those who want to represent me. ;-)

Thanks SB44. Since I am a property owner who can't vote do to residency requirements, I would be glad to share my choices for those who want to represent me. ;-)

So I guess you want to vote both in South Carolina and Florida ?

So I guess you want to vote both in South Carolina and Florida ?

No doubt that politics are very similar in both except that in SC the current political drama is on the state level on the Democratic side. Actually, I already have a group that I advise so I do get to have a little say in who manages my ad valoreum taxes. I was just offering to help out if anyone needed assistance due to my history and knowledge of the local politics. I have no doubt that you are not one of those that need any assistance.

No doubt that politics are very similar in both except that in SC the current political drama is on the state level on the Democratic side. Actually, I already have a group that I advise so I do get to have a little say in who manages my ad valoreum taxes. I was just offering to help out if anyone needed assistance due to my history and knowledge of the local politics. I have no doubt that you are not one of those that need any assistance.

No - I keep a hand on the pulse pretty effectively.

You have a contract for professional services with the Walton County Tourist Development Council and am quite sure that you have provided a service in exchange for payment of around $9,000 per month.

The financial affairs at the TDC in the past speak for themselves and will be detailed when the forensic audit is complete and released.

today is the last day of early voting....did you get your sticker yet?