County Commissioner Race

I think this community has become way more vocal in the last 4 or 5 years, and hopefully the local 2012 elected officials won't be so quick to make decisions or even statements without a little research and feedback from the community. There is a lot of negative in the community right now, but the game is changing- and more people in the community, from all segments, are watching.

Anybody else read about Commissioner Jones being sued by the son of her deceased friend? Seemed to be a question regarding how Jones may have handled her friend's finances. Article did not give great details. Can anyone share information?

https://sites.google.com/site/wzepam1460/news/complaintfiledagainstceciliajones

With a few weeks left before an election, a complaint has been filed against Walton Commissioner Cecilia Jones, but not against her position as a commissioner. The complaint was filed by the son of Jones’ long time friend Laverne Camacho. Michael Renee Camacho claims Jones and her husband received money that his mother intended to be given to him. Lavern Camacho has since passed away.


In November of last year, Michael Camacho says his mother executed a will that established a trust for her son. Attorney Clayton Adkinson was listed as her personal representative and as trustee of the trust. At the same time he says Camacho named her friend, Cecilia Jones as pre-need guardian.


The complaint states Jones knew Michael Camacho was dependent on his mother for mental and physical well being. He says the money was to be used to take care of him after his mother passed.


About a year prior to her death, Lavern Camacho added Cecilia Jones to a pay on demand account without Michael being listed as the beneficiary. This means Camacho had given Jones complete control of the funds with no stipulations preventing her from withdrawing them. He claims a deal was made between his mother and Jones to have the money held by Jones and to be given to Michael. The complaint includes a letter where Michael Camacho and his attorney Clayton Adkinson say they demanded the money be paid to him or the trust managed by Adkinson.


Several people have told WZEP First News Lavern Camacho relayed her wishes that she wanted her lifelong work to go good causes, not for drug abuse.


WZEP First News talked to Cecilia Jones. She said she has know Lavern Camacho for about 30 years and took care of her and her husband before they died. Jones also says Michael Camacho has been in trouble with the law numerous times. A report provided shows Michael Camacho has about 40 legal cases against him since 1994. Jones says she has worked with Michael Camacho, taking him to church and twice to an adult Teen Challenge.


Jones says elections are notorious for last ditch, desperate and dishonest efforts to discredit candidates. She says that if opposition can not win honestly, they will try fabricating the truth even at the expense of filing a frivolous lawsuit. She says the fact that the media received copies of the lawsuit before she did speaks to the motive and the ethics of those behind it. Jones says the timing is not a coincidence and those who have threatened to use this against her politically will be exposed and she trusts justice will prevail.


WZEP has also learned these are not the only funds available for Michael Camacho. Camacho’s estate, managed by Attorney Adkinson, had real property at the time of her death. Documents in the complaint show where Michael Camacho has use of her home and a vehicle as well as an allowance.

http://defuniakherald.com/?p=5375

A five-count lawsuit was filed July 10 in Circuit Court for the First Judicial Circuit naming Cecilia A. Jones and her husband Jerry P. Jones as defendants. The lawsuit does not sue Cecilia Jones in her capacity as a Walton County Commissioner, and makes no allegations of official misconduct. The complaint, filed by plaintiff Michael R. Camacho, alleges “conversion, undue influence, unjust enrichment, constructive trust and resulting trust,” and seeks equitable and/or monetary damages.


The lawsuit arises out of the estate of Laverne Camacho, who died in April 2012, and whose will apparently established a testamentary trust. Michael R. Camacho is Laverne’s son. The 58-paragraph complaint centers on “Disputed Sums” of the estate and the defendants’ alleged fiduciary obligations regarding handling of the sums. The plaintiff maintains that the disputed sums are intended for his benefit, and demands that a resulting or constructive trust be imposed that the sums may be used for his “exclusive benefit,” as well as demanding an accounting and any damages incurred.


No connection is made between this dispute and Cecilia Jones’ official acts as a member of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.


Contacted by the Herald/Breeze about the lawsuit, Cecilia Jones said that she had not yet been served with the complaint, but offered the following written statement as comment:


“Elections are notorious for last ditch, desperate and dishonest efforts to discredit candidates. If opposition cannot win honestly, they will try fabricating the truth even at the expense of filing a frivolous lawsuit. The fact that the media received copies of this lawsuit and I have not even been served speaks to the motive and the ethics of those behind it. The timing is not a coincidence and those who have threatened to use this against me politically will be exposed and I trust that justice will prevail.”


The lawsuit, Case No. 12CA 660, was filed by Steven B. Bauman, of Anchors Smith Grimsley law firm of Fort Walton Beach. Jones said she and her husband are consulting legal counsel to respond to the lawsuit.

Here is one article from the Defuniak Herald
http://defuniakherald.com/?p=5375

Maybe Mrs. Jones can get the same defense lawyer that Ray Sansom used. They have a connection in one of their contributors.

Thanks, Kurt for the information. As normal, there are always two sides to every story.

If it's change you are really looking for on the BCC then better rethink R. Nelson. He has a close association with Sarah Commander and Cecelia Jones. Three of a kind.

As a 30-year resident of Walton County, I know all of the incumbents and many of the new candidates. Here's who I am voting for and why.
Rick Roberts - because I know him to be an honest person with no ax to grind and no personal fortune to try to acrue, just a deep-seated desire to make life better in Walton County. He is running because he is rightfully unhappy with county government and he has solid, common-sense ideas on how to improve things. When it comes to integrity, he's the guy.
Robert Nelson - again, here's a candidate who is not trying to get rich off the job. He has served in the trenches on county boards that bring no glory, no money and no thanks, but still have to be done. He's honest and outspoken, so I never have to worry about where he stands.
Another point about these two candidates - they will provide the two votes needed to put this county back on track. Sara Comander has been the one nay vote so many times that one of the county attorney's told me her nickname is "Ol' 4 to 1." I can't think of a better recommendation. She's the only honest commissioner we have had in years. Anyone who says she's just like Cecelia Jones either doesn't know Comander or doesn't know Jones. Or maybe they just couldn't get their driveway paved.
Speaking of Cecelia Jones, I'm voting for Cindy Meadows. She has integrity and she really looked out for South Walton. She battled No Mo Ro Cuchens, which earns little gold stars by her name, in my book. I'm not fooled by Tim Pauls, who is there only to split the vote away from Cindy to help Cecelia slink back in. Cecelia's big religious facade is like a suit of clothes she puts on whenever it suits her. I am not fooled by it because I know her too well.

As for the two Wild Bills, Bill Chapman already doesn't think normal rules apply to him. When his son was arrested last year for beating up his girlfriend, Chapman bypassed normal arrest procedures and kept his son out of jail. In fact, Sheriff Adkinson demoted Chapman for it. That's not the first time, either. Several years ago, his son stole Chapman's patrol car and went joyriding in it. Though this was known inside the department, the boy mysteriously did not get arrested or even get in trouble. Do we want to elect someone who already doesn't think the rules apply to him? I thought that's what we were trying to get rid of.
Then there's Bill Imfeld. Are you unhappy with the county's financial dealings? Then look no farther. Bill has played with numbers so often to help crooked commissioners accomplish their goals, that his fingerprints can be found on every bad deal for the last decade. That's not even the worst of it. Imfeld has had at least two sexual harassment complaints filed against him since he began with the county. Check the public record. Integrity? I think not.
Finally, for superintendent, I have to support Trish Hutchins. I know her and Carlene personally and although Carlene has done a good job in some areas, it appears the power has gone to her head. She is quick to reward her friends and punish her detractors. Teachers are afraid to speak out. The latest scandal in Paxton is a perfect example. The Paxton principal, who parents and teachers disliked, was moved from Freeport Middle as principal because parents and teachers disliked her. But she ia a close friend of Carlene. Certain Paxton teachers were bullied and accused of being trouble-makers because of several anonymous letter AND that principal is still there. Hmmm. This is just one instance out of many questionable decisions.
Those are my choices. Do the research, check up on these candidates. We have a chance to turn this county around right now. Please make informed decisions.

I'm voting for Cindy Meadows, too! However, when Cindy left, Sara Comander took her place as the only one willing to cast the lone nay vote. According to the financial staements all candidates must post, Comander has less money now than she did before so she certainly isn't using the job to feather her nest. She is the only one who works at the job full time and the only voice citizens have. Comander takes our calls, travels all over the county to meets with citizens - not just those in her district. Her only vocal enemies are those who couldn't persuede her to do something just for them without regard to the rest of the people. But she needs help. Let's put Cindy, Rick Roberts and Robert Nelson in office. They want to serve this community. Can you even imagine how much better our county would be if we had four people working together for the same goal - to improve county government?

Two choices with which I agree out of all of them is pretty dismal. We cancel out each other's vote more than we complement them.

Hello Andy, I read posts regularly and we agree so often, I’m curious that our choices differ so much here. What do you know that I don’t know?

Will Palmer all the way!

New,fresh and full of positive energy! This is what Walton County needs! Out with the old and in with the New Will! Will Palmer for County Commissioner District 5!!!

Www.votewill5.com