The Grand Jury for Walton County issued a Report this afternoon regarding, among other issues, the Walton County Planning Department, Recreation Fees, a Clerk's Audit of the Planning Department and the actions of County Administrator Larry Jones and Commissioner Cindy Meadows.
Replies
164
Beach FanaticAuthor
Link to a video of the Press Conference by State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Walton Co. Sheriff on Periscope: "WCSO PRESS CONFERENCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH BILL EDDINS OF FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT"
Walton Co. Sheriff on Periscope: "WCSO PRESS CONFERENCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH BILL EDDINS OF FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT"
Banned
Link to a video of the Press Conference by State Attorney Bill Eddins.
Walton Co. Sheriff on Periscope: "WCSO PRESS CONFERENCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH BILL EDDINS OF FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT"
Sounds like great news for the County!
Let's hope the Commissioners do the right thing and go after the money that was not collected.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Misty said, "Let's hope the Commissioners do the right thing and go after the money that was not collected."
I agree that they need to try to collect the money, but the developer (in fact, we have found out from the Grand Jury Report that it happened with two developments) is probably bankrupt. The property that was assessed at $12M in 2005 is probably worth much, much less today.
I agree that they need to try to collect the money, but the developer (in fact, we have found out from the Grand Jury Report that it happened with two developments) is probably bankrupt. The property that was assessed at $12M in 2005 is probably worth much, much less today.
Banned
Misty said, "Let's hope the Commissioners do the right thing and go after the money that was not collected."
I agree that they need to try to collect the money, but the developer (in fact, we have found out from the Grand Jury Report that it happened with two developments) is probably bankrupt. The property that was assessed at $12M in 2005 is probably worth much, much less today.
That sucks!
Beach Lover
Nice to know who really runs the Planning Department..
Beach Fanatic
That went a lot of different places...Lot of recommendations, but State Attorney Eddins make it sounds like it was an order in the sound bite he on WJHG. Just my opinion
Beach Fanatic
Grand jury suggest reprimand for county administrator, commissioner
The fact that the county did not collect almost 1 million dollars in fees that could have been used to improve infrastructure is unacceptable. The fact that it took almost 10 years and a Grand Jury to figure that out is a terrible disservice to the citizens of Walton County committed by our leadership. The reprimands should have went much farther than one commissioner and the county administrator in my opinion.
The fact that the county did not collect almost 1 million dollars in fees that could have been used to improve infrastructure is unacceptable. The fact that it took almost 10 years and a Grand Jury to figure that out is a terrible disservice to the citizens of Walton County committed by our leadership. The reprimands should have went much farther than one commissioner and the county administrator in my opinion.
Beach Crab
What about the county employees that were fired or laid off due to a lack of funds when the economy went south. Not sure of the time frame but could those jobs have been saved with the uncollected $800,000? The Planning Department employees are not the only ones being pushed through the wringer by the County Commissioners, it is all departments. This must stop or Walton County will not have any employees. These people work hard and should be treated with respect and allowed to do their jobs without fear of commissioners back lash. When experienced employees leave so does the knowledge and history.
Banned
If I'm reading all this correctly Meadows and Jones have basically admitted their guilt in interfering with Laird's ability to perform his job and his termination. His wrongful termination suit is looking like a win win for him and a huge loss to the County on top of the money the County can't recover that was never collected.
And the cost keeps rising!
And the cost keeps rising!
Beach Fanatic
How do you reprimand an elected official? Isn't that a function of the governor's office?
Beach Fanatic
The voters are supposed to handle elected officials. 
Banned
The voters are supposed to handle elected officials.True...but we didn't get to vote for Larry Jones as County Admin. That decision was made against the majority of what the Citizens felt was best for the County.
Ethics complaints might be warranted.
Beach Fanatic
A big issue in the report is the recommendation that the State Auditor General conduct:
1. A Operational Audit
2. A Forensic Audit
Will the Commission follow the "recommendation" made by the Grand Jury ?
1. A Operational Audit
2. A Forensic Audit
Will the Commission follow the "recommendation" made by the Grand Jury ?
Beach FanaticAuthor
ShallowsNole wrote: How do you reprimand an elected official? Isn't that a function of the governor's office?
You know, I wondered the same thing. My research showed that when county commissioners are reprimanded in Florida, it is in a county that has a Commission on Ethics, an entity we don't have. I guess the Walton County Commission could pass a resolution condemning Meadows.
Since Larry Jones is an employee, I think a reprimand is one of the "progressive disciplinary procedures" the Report says he and Meadows should have utilized in dealing with the Planning Department employee that they summarily fired.
Does anyone know the identity of the woman consultant (the report uses feminine pronouns in describing her) that was getting $8,000/month and acting like the Planning Director? It apparently would have been in 2009 or 2010. Is this the woman who has already been indicted on perjury charges?
You know, I wondered the same thing. My research showed that when county commissioners are reprimanded in Florida, it is in a county that has a Commission on Ethics, an entity we don't have. I guess the Walton County Commission could pass a resolution condemning Meadows.
Since Larry Jones is an employee, I think a reprimand is one of the "progressive disciplinary procedures" the Report says he and Meadows should have utilized in dealing with the Planning Department employee that they summarily fired.
Does anyone know the identity of the woman consultant (the report uses feminine pronouns in describing her) that was getting $8,000/month and acting like the Planning Director? It apparently would have been in 2009 or 2010. Is this the woman who has already been indicted on perjury charges?
Beach Lover
How is it not the County Administrator and the Commissioners job to watch over daily operations?????? Read the laird suit, it's posted here. Meadows got involved because laird was hostile and retaliated to a citizen for complaining to the commissioner. If she didn't, who would have spoke for the citizen? The commissioners job is to oversee all aspects of the county's operations. They are the checks and balances elected by us to set things straight. If laird lashed out at a citizen and Larry Jones fired him after Meadows made him aware of it, Jones did the right thing, What does this jury want, uninvolved leadership? I want my commissioner to hold all the county employee's accountable for their actions. God knows nobody else was doing it, The 20 letters of credit expiring fell on the employee's actions and had the commissioners been more involved in all the developments they were approving, they might have realized what was going on. I think half of this grand jury was a PR stunt by the state attorney's office. Laird didn't even get fired until 5 months into the investigation.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Nice try, Patriot Games, but as the Grand Jury pointed out, Larry Jones and Cindy Meadows deliberately bypassed the department director and failed to follow the County's disciplinary procedures. If there was actual misconduct by Laird in his treatment of a constituent, Meadows had no business being involved and Larry Jones should have followed the procedure established by the Commission for disciplining an employee. It certainly doesn't sound like Meadows was just passing along a complaint from a citizen. Trying to characterize Jones' and Meadows' conduct in that manner is intellectually dishonest and unsupported by the facts.
Beach Fanatic
There is a fine line between setting policy and supervising operations and managing employees. A commissioner has little legal power outside of a board meeting and it takes 3 to do something. The County Administrator and division directors are supposed to manage employees and insure that board policies and dictates are followed. We all know that realistically the commissioners all delve into operations but doing so can bite them in the can. We also know that any commissioner who does not get involved on behalf of their constituents will not be a commissioner very long. Years ago the commissioners had supervisory duties over their district road crews and employees operating in their district but that was formally changed about 20 years ago. It would probably be less hypocritical to go back to that system rather than how we operate today.
Admin
As reported on WZEP AM 1460
In a scathing rebuke of Walton County District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows and County Administrator Larry Jones, State Attorney William Eddins presented the findings of a Walton County Grand Jury report unsealed yesterday by the Honorable Judge Kelvin Wells.
At an afternoon press conference at the Walton County Sheriff's Office Headquarters, Eddins congratulated the members of the Grand Jury for their hard work. Flanked by Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr., Eddins revealed a poor and dysfunctional Planning Department staffed with employees suffering low morale, frustration and high turnover.
The States Attorney also discovered an additional $200,000.00 error in missing fees in what the grand jury called an "egregious" finding.
Most disturbing and of particular concern are the actions of County Administrator Larry Jones and District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows. Eddins said evidence indicates that both Jones and Meadows became directly involved in the hiring and firing of Planning Department employees. The ordinary chain of command was not followed and supervisors were given little or no input in the decision making process.
In one case, an applicant with a connection to Commissioner Meadows was hired for a position with little input from the department supervisor. Despite having no experience in the position, the employee was hired at a higher salary than others who were already working in the identical position.
The charges stem from the arrest of former Walton County Planning director Patsy Blackshear earlier this month for lying to the State Attorney during an official investigation and then lying to the Walton County Grand Jury regarding the failure to collect $600,000 in recreation fees from developers. She faces a judge on October 20th.
The error was discovered by Walton County Planning Department employee Hal Laird, a 10 year county employee. Once Laird brought the discrepancy to the attention of superiors, he began to have difficulties at work and Meadows insisted he be fired. She ordered County Administrator Larry Jones to terminate him on July 21st without following the county's progressive disciplinary procedures. Laird filed a lawsuit in federal court early this week under the "Whistleblower Act" charging Meadows, Jones and the Commission for violating his First Amendment rights and wrongful termination.
Attorney Eddins also noted that the Grand Jury found that had the County Commission followed the recommendations of an outside consultant's report done a decade ago, many of these problems could have been avoided.
Numerous other problems were discovered including poor management, direction and supervision of department employees and management of the county's comprehensive and land use plans which have resulted in the loss of millions of dollars.
However, it was the meddling by County Commissioners in the day to day operations that drew the ire of Grand Jurors and investigators. Witnesses testified that the role of the Commission is to set policy and establish a budget. Despite these limitations, evidence indicates that a particular Commissioner is very involved in directing day to day operations of County government.
I asked Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. if his office has been pressured or if any of the County Commissioners have tried to interfere in the way he operates his agency. The no-nonsense Sheriff had a very clear message. "Absolutely not. They would be met with nothing but a stiff rebuke from this office. I think most of those folks have better judgement that to attempt to approach me in that capacity."
State Attorney Eddins called on Commissioners to heed the findings of the Grand Jury and implement the recommended changes.
Commissioner Cindy Meadows and County Administrator Larry Jones were unavailable for comment at press time.
In a scathing rebuke of Walton County District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows and County Administrator Larry Jones, State Attorney William Eddins presented the findings of a Walton County Grand Jury report unsealed yesterday by the Honorable Judge Kelvin Wells.
At an afternoon press conference at the Walton County Sheriff's Office Headquarters, Eddins congratulated the members of the Grand Jury for their hard work. Flanked by Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr., Eddins revealed a poor and dysfunctional Planning Department staffed with employees suffering low morale, frustration and high turnover.
The States Attorney also discovered an additional $200,000.00 error in missing fees in what the grand jury called an "egregious" finding.
Most disturbing and of particular concern are the actions of County Administrator Larry Jones and District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows. Eddins said evidence indicates that both Jones and Meadows became directly involved in the hiring and firing of Planning Department employees. The ordinary chain of command was not followed and supervisors were given little or no input in the decision making process.
In one case, an applicant with a connection to Commissioner Meadows was hired for a position with little input from the department supervisor. Despite having no experience in the position, the employee was hired at a higher salary than others who were already working in the identical position.
The charges stem from the arrest of former Walton County Planning director Patsy Blackshear earlier this month for lying to the State Attorney during an official investigation and then lying to the Walton County Grand Jury regarding the failure to collect $600,000 in recreation fees from developers. She faces a judge on October 20th.
The error was discovered by Walton County Planning Department employee Hal Laird, a 10 year county employee. Once Laird brought the discrepancy to the attention of superiors, he began to have difficulties at work and Meadows insisted he be fired. She ordered County Administrator Larry Jones to terminate him on July 21st without following the county's progressive disciplinary procedures. Laird filed a lawsuit in federal court early this week under the "Whistleblower Act" charging Meadows, Jones and the Commission for violating his First Amendment rights and wrongful termination.
Attorney Eddins also noted that the Grand Jury found that had the County Commission followed the recommendations of an outside consultant's report done a decade ago, many of these problems could have been avoided.
Numerous other problems were discovered including poor management, direction and supervision of department employees and management of the county's comprehensive and land use plans which have resulted in the loss of millions of dollars.
However, it was the meddling by County Commissioners in the day to day operations that drew the ire of Grand Jurors and investigators. Witnesses testified that the role of the Commission is to set policy and establish a budget. Despite these limitations, evidence indicates that a particular Commissioner is very involved in directing day to day operations of County government.
I asked Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. if his office has been pressured or if any of the County Commissioners have tried to interfere in the way he operates his agency. The no-nonsense Sheriff had a very clear message. "Absolutely not. They would be met with nothing but a stiff rebuke from this office. I think most of those folks have better judgement that to attempt to approach me in that capacity."
State Attorney Eddins called on Commissioners to heed the findings of the Grand Jury and implement the recommended changes.
Commissioner Cindy Meadows and County Administrator Larry Jones were unavailable for comment at press time.
Beach Fanatic
There is a fine line between setting policy and supervising operations and managing employees. A commissioner has little legal power outside of a board meeting and it takes 3 to do something. The County Administrator and division directors are supposed to manage employees and insure that board policies and dictates are followed. We all know that realistically the commissioners all delve into operations but doing so can bite them in the can. We also know that any commissioner who does not get involved on behalf of their constituents will not be a commissioner very long. Years ago the commissioners had supervisory duties over their district road crews and employees operating in their district but that was formally changed about 20 years ago. It would probably be less hypocritical to go back to that system rather than how we operate today.Danny, I am certainly not interested in returning to the days where the Commissioners oversee employees. They hire a staff who are to see day to day operations. If a Commissioner doesn't like the way something is going, then there is a process for them to follow.
Beach Fanatic
I just finished reading the Grand Jury Report and I keep rubbing my eyes, as there must be a type-o in the wording.
I believe it should read Commissioner C. Jones, not C. Meadows...
People need to pull your heads out of the sand. C. Jones has held the hand of her ex-assistant, Jason Catalano for years. She got him his job in code enforcement (he had NO EXPERIENCE) and his entry level salary was higher than all others. (Doesn't that sound like part of the GJ Report?), its true, go fact check it.
Mr. Catalano was also just recently "selected" as a County Planner. Another job where he has absolutely no experience and apparently he was more qualified than several candidates that hold Masters Degrees in Planning and related fields. Hope that makes all of you feel warm and fuzzy about who the County is hiring for positions these days. No favoritism here.
Bill Eddins and Mike Adkinson, shame on you. You selectively enforce law and go out of your way to protect those close to you and close to your political aspirations and others agendas. If you can convene a grand jury to look into County H.R. issues, you should convene another and look into the hiring of Mr. Catalano for Planner. What's good for one is good for all, no? Unless you both don't care for or like one commissioner and then favor another, or two or three...
Hey, by the way...Where did the money go??? We seem to forget that there is money missing and probably a lot more missing. But the missing money is apparently not very important. What is important is using the power and authority of a Grand Jury to attempt to tarnish the reputation of a County Commissioner that actually does some good for South Walton and is not on the take from crooks.
You were provided with much more information that outlines a literal road map of corruption in Walton County. None of it was in the GJ Report, so I have to assume it was not presented to the GJ...I wonder why? Does the information lead you to an uncomfortable place? Shame on each of you.
I believe it should read Commissioner C. Jones, not C. Meadows...
People need to pull your heads out of the sand. C. Jones has held the hand of her ex-assistant, Jason Catalano for years. She got him his job in code enforcement (he had NO EXPERIENCE) and his entry level salary was higher than all others. (Doesn't that sound like part of the GJ Report?), its true, go fact check it.
Mr. Catalano was also just recently "selected" as a County Planner. Another job where he has absolutely no experience and apparently he was more qualified than several candidates that hold Masters Degrees in Planning and related fields. Hope that makes all of you feel warm and fuzzy about who the County is hiring for positions these days. No favoritism here.
Bill Eddins and Mike Adkinson, shame on you. You selectively enforce law and go out of your way to protect those close to you and close to your political aspirations and others agendas. If you can convene a grand jury to look into County H.R. issues, you should convene another and look into the hiring of Mr. Catalano for Planner. What's good for one is good for all, no? Unless you both don't care for or like one commissioner and then favor another, or two or three...
Hey, by the way...Where did the money go??? We seem to forget that there is money missing and probably a lot more missing. But the missing money is apparently not very important. What is important is using the power and authority of a Grand Jury to attempt to tarnish the reputation of a County Commissioner that actually does some good for South Walton and is not on the take from crooks.
You were provided with much more information that outlines a literal road map of corruption in Walton County. None of it was in the GJ Report, so I have to assume it was not presented to the GJ...I wonder why? Does the information lead you to an uncomfortable place? Shame on each of you.
Beach FanaticAuthor
John G., I don't have time to "go fact check it," but I would certainly like to see documents that support your contention. You sound like you have "fact-checked" it. How about posting the proof? If you're saying there are documents, post them. Otherwise, it just seems like a rant.
Btw, is there anybody locally that you approve of? Just wondering. I've never seen you post a comment suggesting anybody has ever done anything right. Makes me wonder why you live amongst so many people you detest.
Another thing: "Where did the money go?" It didn't go anywhere. It stayed in the developers pocket. Wasn't that apparent? It's not like the developer tendered the correct amount to the Planning Department and it then disappeared. I'm unsure of whether you have a firm grasp of this issue.
Your attacks on the Grand Jury are unwarranted. You do realize, don't you, that they are chosen at random from the citizens of Walton County? I think they are pretty much beyond reproach. My opinion is that they did a yeoman's job with this issue and put in quite a bit of time listening to the witnesses and reaching their conclusions.
Btw, is there anybody locally that you approve of? Just wondering. I've never seen you post a comment suggesting anybody has ever done anything right. Makes me wonder why you live amongst so many people you detest.
Another thing: "Where did the money go?" It didn't go anywhere. It stayed in the developers pocket. Wasn't that apparent? It's not like the developer tendered the correct amount to the Planning Department and it then disappeared. I'm unsure of whether you have a firm grasp of this issue.
Your attacks on the Grand Jury are unwarranted. You do realize, don't you, that they are chosen at random from the citizens of Walton County? I think they are pretty much beyond reproach. My opinion is that they did a yeoman's job with this issue and put in quite a bit of time listening to the witnesses and reaching their conclusions.
Edited
Banned
graytonbeachguy
According to the lawsuit filed by Hal Laird the Director of Planning position is currently held by Wayne Dyess, so I guess my question is, what is the difference between a County Planner and a Director of Planning or are they 2 separate positions?
The lawsuit does infer that someone in the County's employ Senior to Melissa Ward (at the time, 2008) may have benefited from the under-invoicing.
According to the lawsuit filed by Hal Laird the Director of Planning position is currently held by Wayne Dyess, so I guess my question is, what is the difference between a County Planner and a Director of Planning or are they 2 separate positions?
The lawsuit does infer that someone in the County's employ Senior to Melissa Ward (at the time, 2008) may have benefited from the under-invoicing.
Beach Fanatic
First, I didn't knock the members of the GJ. They only made decisions based off of what was actually presented to them.
My knock was to the sheriff and Bill Eddins, both should be ashamed for not digging deeper and what appears to me as protection for their friends. Then to hold a press conference as if they've saved the world... Come on guys, some of us are smarter than that.
Commissioner C. Jones did exactly the same thing Commissioner Meadows is accused of. Its called Jason Catalano.
Problem is the GJ only heard from the Planning Department Employee (S.M.) on Commissioner Meadows.
You see, its all on how the material was presented to the GJ.
IMO, it was presented in such a manner to make the sheriff and Bill Eddins appear to be pro-active in the fight against wrong doing in CoWal.
While the reality is they had a lot more information at their disposal and the chose not to present it.
I don't need to post anything for you. Go do your own homework. If you don't believe me or think its a rant, that's fine, you are one of the sheeple that goes along to get along. I stand by my statement about Commissioner Jones and her actions.
Seven months of time intensive investigation, numerous records, documents, thousands of emails gone over. A full time investigator from WCSO and one from the State Attorney's office and the results are:
The End.
It took them seven months to determine that? Pathetic.
As for Hal Laird, read why he was fired in county documents, not the media sensationalism. He was fired due to negligent work within the planning department and insubordination to his supervisor, Wayne Dyess. I believe he also called a Walton County Citizen that filed a complaint against him and questioned the citizen about why they complained.
Sad day for honest people.
My knock was to the sheriff and Bill Eddins, both should be ashamed for not digging deeper and what appears to me as protection for their friends. Then to hold a press conference as if they've saved the world... Come on guys, some of us are smarter than that.
Commissioner C. Jones did exactly the same thing Commissioner Meadows is accused of. Its called Jason Catalano.
Problem is the GJ only heard from the Planning Department Employee (S.M.) on Commissioner Meadows.
You see, its all on how the material was presented to the GJ.
IMO, it was presented in such a manner to make the sheriff and Bill Eddins appear to be pro-active in the fight against wrong doing in CoWal.
While the reality is they had a lot more information at their disposal and the chose not to present it.
I don't need to post anything for you. Go do your own homework. If you don't believe me or think its a rant, that's fine, you are one of the sheeple that goes along to get along. I stand by my statement about Commissioner Jones and her actions.
Seven months of time intensive investigation, numerous records, documents, thousands of emails gone over. A full time investigator from WCSO and one from the State Attorney's office and the results are:
- Pat B is alleged to have lied, not once but twice...(stemming from interviews conducted towards the end of the investigation).
- A commissioner is alleged to have gotten someone a job...
- Planning department is the most screwed up department in the county...
The End.
It took them seven months to determine that? Pathetic.
As for Hal Laird, read why he was fired in county documents, not the media sensationalism. He was fired due to negligent work within the planning department and insubordination to his supervisor, Wayne Dyess. I believe he also called a Walton County Citizen that filed a complaint against him and questioned the citizen about why they complained.
Sad day for honest people.
Beach Lover
Why are there no calls to can the planning director. I believe he has been there since Blackshear left and it sounds like he has let a mess continue to be a mess. I believe the planning director is voted on by the BCC, but I'm not sure. Sounds like we need a fresh start. It would be nice if they did an open search to find someone who has the qualifications and the track record to put this train back on the track. Funny they didn't even mention his name in all the planning department findings.
Beach Lover
graytonbeachguy
According to the lawsuit filed by Hal Laird the Director of Planning position is currently held by Wayne Dyess, so I guess my question is, what is the difference between a County Planner and a Director of Planning or are they 2 separate positions?
The lawsuit does infer that someone in the County's employ Senior to Melissa Ward (at the time, 2008) may have benefited from the under-invoicing.
Misty,
I had the same question so I called the front desk. Apparently there are several county planners at different levels of qualifications and pay levels. Wayne Dyess is the Director over all planning department functions except engineering. She didn't say who was over engineering and truthfully seemed put out with my questions.
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