Grand Jury Report on Walton Planning Department

Dawn also wrote;

No I think she was trying to break the cycle.

That might be the very excuse Cecilia Jones would have used if she had been cited by the Grand Jury. LOL!

Also, if you are going to hire friends/family to "break the cycle" shouldn't they at least have some experience in the position they were hired for???

I don't know what really happened but I can guess. Meadows got tired of beating her head against the wall and tried to do an end around to get someone in the planning department to clean up the mess. Someone who's not part of the ole boy network or owned by developers. A last resort to try and get things on track. Improper? Probably. Nefarious? I doubt it.

At any rate, the truth will emerge.

By your own admission you don't know what really happened yet, you're quoting the article from WZEP where the County actually ISSUED the statement that tells us what really happened which, is probably the absolute first truth they have ever told when something of this magnitude has happened yet, you're going to wait on the truth? Really Dawn?

If hiring someone with little or no experience in planning is your idea of "cleaning up the mess" then it probably won't come as a shock to you if the County does as the Grand Jury has recommended and conducts an operational/forensic audit that finds there is more than $800,000 missing huh?

I sincerely hope you don't have many of these "ostrich moments" Dawn...I'm not sure how many more of them the taxpayers can afford!!

Let's get some facts straight.
Somebody has already gotten the personnel file on the person Mrs. Meadows "Got" the job for. Many others were also requested and I understand some of those have been turned over to some tax payers association members to be reviewed. There are lots of questions on many people, I will be interested to hear what bob hudson has to say about it.

The facts on the "Meadows" applicant resume
1. The person works in code enforcement not the planning department.
2. The employee has their Bachelors degree.
3. Has about 10 years of employment with the county and state
4. Worked for years with the Walton County Sheriffs Dept under Ralph Johnson and Mike Adkinson handling public relations and the crimestoppers program.
5. Worked in the front office of state representative Brad Drakes handling citizen issues for several years.
6. Handled citizen issues in Meadows office for several years prior to the code enforcement job.

Since code enforcement is primarily about handling citizen complaints and checking to ensure ordinances are being enforced, It appears the employee wasn't woefully unqualified for the job. I've never worked in code enforcement but this sounds like a good resume to get hired as a code enforcement officer 1.(entry Level on county pay scale)

I do find it interesting that the supervisor who said they "stepped away" from the hiring process was none other the cecilia Jones old aide who she got a job in code enforcement. If he was qualified based on working in cecilia's office, isn't Meadows aide equally qualified? Just Saying...........

Misty, I'm thinking this whole deal was a showdown between Cecilia and Cindy. I wonder if the facts on the employee's resume was presented to the grand jury? Sounds like a lot of employee's have ties to certain commissioners. I have also heard that Hal Laird got his job in the planning dept from Scott Brannon. apparently he and Hal were high school buds. Looks like your childhood buddies can hook you up in Walton County. Have you read the emails between Mike Adkinson and Scott Brannon? Big Buddies again. Throw in Mikes uncle clayton and his cousin clay and you've got a interesting "stew". Oh yeah, the Adkinsons (all of them) and Cecilia cant stand Meadows. Dang Mr. Eddins, It appears we need another grand jury to get ALL the facts out. (Maybe Mr. Eddins can consult with Jerry on how to proceed!!!!!)

We'll have to start a new thread and address how Stan Sunday became the #2 man in the county.

Some of this has to be true, because nobody could make this crap up!

I do find it interesting that the supervisor who said they "stepped away" from the hiring process was none other the cecilia Jones old aide who she got a job in code enforcement. If he was qualified based on working in cecilia's office, isn't Meadows aide equally qualified? Just Saying...........

Misty, I'm thinking this whole deal was a showdown between Cecilia and Cindy. I wonder if the facts on the employee's resume was presented to the grand jury? Sounds like a lot of employee's have ties to certain commissioners. I have also heard that Hal Laird got his job in the planning dept from Scott Brannon. apparently he and Hal were high school buds. Looks like your childhood buddies can hook you up in Walton County. Have you read the emails between Mike Adkinson and Scott Brannon? Big Buddies again. Throw in Mikes uncle clayton and his cousin clay and you've got a interesting "stew". Oh yeah, the Adkinsons (all of them) and Cecilia cant stand Meadows. Dang Mr. Eddins, It appears we need another grand jury to get ALL the facts out. (Maybe Mr. Eddins can consult with Jerry on how to proceed!!!!!)

I have a stinking suspicion you are probably right. I did refer to the connections between Hal Laird and Brannon, Cecilia Jones, Bill Eddins and the Adkinsons in this thread. I know who most of the political connections and/or allies are in this county but admit I didn't know about the strong connection with Ceclia Jones and Eddins.

This has the putrid, regurgitated stench of Cecilia Jones written all over it and is just the kind of political back-stabbing I warned this board about when she ran for office this last go round. So many people defended her here....because she canvassed their neighborhoods and knocked on their doors begging for votes. No one listened to Alan Osborne when he told people how Cecilia Jones husband threatened him (probably because he had cried wolf so many times) but I knew it was true. I've walked a mile in those shoes.

I've alluded to Cecilia's presence in this in more than one post and I haven't even seen the documents. It reeks of the kind of person she is.

P.S. Did I mention I despise Cecilia Jones and her husband?

I didn't know all the connections like you did, but have learned a ton reading sowal and talking to a couple of my neighbors, one worked for the county almost 30 years. Jerry and Cecilia came to my door the last election and he was scary looking. My neighbor says jerry has threatened many people over the years in and out of the county. They know people that live in Jerry's neighborhood and said after Meadows beat Cecilia in the election, cecilia cried for days and Jerry promised her meadows would get hers. Guess he made good on his promise.
I am constantly amazed at what people who lived her their whole life know and are willing to tell you.
Cecila and Jerry were behind Catalano's run for the school board, so I guess we're stuck with the Jones having input to the school board and the county government.
Wake up people, we deserve better...

I didn't know all the connections like you did, but have learned a ton reading sowal and talking to a couple of my neighbors, one worked for the county almost 30 years. Jerry and Cecilia came to my door the last election and he was scary looking. My neighbor says jerry has threatened many people over the years in and out of the county. They know people that live in Jerry's neighborhood and said after Meadows beat Cecilia in the election, cecilia cried for days and Jerry promised her meadows would get hers. Guess he made good on his promise.
I am constantly amazed at what people who lived her their whole life know and are willing to tell you.
Cecila and Jerry were behind Catalano's run for the school board, so I guess we're stuck with the Jones having input to the school board and the county government.
Wake up people, we deserve better...

If you don't work for the County in some capacity it is easier to speak out when you have lived here for any length of time because the "powers that be" have a much harder time intimidating you. I knew about Catalano. Tried to disuade people from voting for him too. Cecilia and Jerry were also instrumental in getting Bill Eddins son, Bill Eddins Jr. elected to the school board so, they actually have 2 people on the board to do their bidding. Jerry has never gotten over not being re-elected to the School Board and he was going to "pay me back" for that one by "punching me in the mouth". Wouldn't have done a damn bit of good to take that one to the State Attorney's office either, given who his friends are.

Looks like Larry Jones and Cindy Meadows "stepped in it" when they crossed the Brannon, the Adkinson family and the Jones. I predict cindy and larry will go by the way of Jim Bagby and the Brannons, Adkinsons and the Jones will remain in power.
Guess the retired postman will have to save us from them. (Sarcasm intended) I heard sara has testified she was scared of Jerry. He looked like a skinny farmer with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth when he was waiting on Cecilia when they came door to door.

Didn't know about Bill Eddins JR. or make they connection. Please continue to share and connect the dots.

County Commissioner and School Board don't pay much, why the power grab Misty?

Didn't know about Bill Eddins JR. or make they connection. Please continue to share and connect the dots.

County Commissioner and School Board don't pay much, why the power grab Misty?

It's all political. If they control the decision making process in how taxpayer funds are spent or control where they aren't spent they can control what does or doesn't get done, built or not built....special advantages if you will. They can also influence government policy to further their own agendas, at least on a local level.

The Jones family is under the impression that the "boy's with the most toy's win I guess.

I'm not so sure Larry Jones is squeaky clean either. He was a sitting Commissioner back when the $800,000 went missing and it was "rumored" for many years that he amassed a great deal of land on a Commissioner's salary. He does own quite a bit of land acquired during his tenure. I do however think he is being "scapegoated".

Imfeld came to Walton County as a former FBI "guy" and as a certified CPA when that money went missing...not sure how that money escaped his credentials either.

Sara and I have never talked about J. Jones but I can see where anyone might be intimidated by him. J. Jones is an imposing figure especially when you get him "riled". I admit he scared the crap outta me when he threatened to punch me in the mouth. Punching a defenseless woman in the mouth is a real "MANLY THING" to do. (Sarcasm intended) I will also admit to owning a gun back in those days.

I don't feel like looking it up but there was also a lawsuit filed against Cecilia Jones and her hubby by the son (his attorney at the time was Clayton Adkinson) of the late Laverne Camacho over her estate/money that every Judge in this County recused themselves from and it was moved to another County...Santa Rosa I think. Not sure what the final outcome was but basically the son accused them of taking money intended for his care. Oh course Cecilia said it was "political" an "attempt to discredit" (no help needed there, she wasn't re-elected ) and frivolous. Of course once it was moved to another County and the stink died down she got herself re-elected in 2014. I do seriously doubt that Camacho's lawsuit had anything to do with politics or Cecilia's political aspirations because 1.) he didn't have the political clout to hurt her and 2.) the lawsuit had nothing to do with her position as a Commissioner.

Wow, this has been a real trip down memory lane....

Let's get some facts straight.
Somebody has already gotten the personnel file on the person Mrs. Meadows "Got" the job for. Many others were also requested and I understand some of those have been turned over to some tax payers association members to be reviewed. There are lots of questions on many people, I will be interested to hear what bob hudson has to say about it.

The facts on the "Meadows" applicant resume
1. The person works in code enforcement not the planning department.
2. The employee has their Bachelors degree.
3. Has about 10 years of employment with the county and state
4. Worked for years with the Walton County Sheriffs Dept under Ralph Johnson and Mike Adkinson handling public relations and the crimestoppers program.
5. Worked in the front office of state representative Brad Drakes handling citizen issues for several years.
6. Handled citizen issues in Meadows office for several years prior to the code enforcement job.

Since code enforcement is primarily about handling citizen complaints and checking to ensure ordinances are being enforced, It appears the employee wasn't woefully unqualified for the job. I've never worked in code enforcement but this sounds like a good resume to get hired as a code enforcement officer 1.(entry Level on county pay scale)

I do find it interesting that the supervisor who said they "stepped away" from the hiring process was none other the cecilia Jones old aide who she got a job in code enforcement. If he was qualified based on working in cecilia's office, isn't Meadows aide equally qualified? Just Saying...........

Misty, I'm thinking this whole deal was a showdown between Cecilia and Cindy. I wonder if the facts on the employee's resume was presented to the grand jury? Sounds like a lot of employee's have ties to certain commissioners. I have also heard that Hal Laird got his job in the planning dept from Scott Brannon. apparently he and Hal were high school buds. Looks like your childhood buddies can hook you up in Walton County. Have you read the emails between Mike Adkinson and Scott Brannon? Big Buddies again. Throw in Mikes uncle clayton and his cousin clay and you've got a interesting "stew". Oh yeah, the Adkinsons (all of them) and Cecilia cant stand Meadows. Dang Mr. Eddins, It appears we need another grand jury to get ALL the facts out. (Maybe Mr. Eddins can consult with Jerry on how to proceed!!!!!)

We'll have to start a new thread and address how Stan Sunday became the #2 man in the county.

Some of this has to be true, because nobody could make this crap up!

I had no idea who the employee was that they were talking about. But I now have a pretty good idea who it is based on the list of qualifications in this post. If I am right, this person worked for me at the Sheriff's Office and was one of the best employees we had. She worked hard, kept quiet and was highly qualified. She left the SO to work in Rep. Drake's office. She returned to the county when Rep. Drake did not run for re-election in 2012. I cannot believe anyone could have a problem with hiring someone with her education, qualifications and reputation for quality work.

Rubber stamped annual reviews with employees all recieving "excellent" evaluations and then failing to perform duties (as uncovered by people outside the county) are nothing more than lit fuses on the promotional rockets strapped to certain "chosen ones" rear ends...

Anyone with any managerial experience knows you dont just check the top score across the board. EVERYONE has room for improvement.

Florida is at At Will Empolyment State. Fired at any time for any reason.

If a County Policy was not followed, then it should be corrected. If you want to talk about violation of County Policy, get ready to open Pandoras Box as the alleged non-use of a "direct department supervisor" argument will go out the window. There are dozens of examples of this but you dont see anyone but the Commissioner they are out to get being named... (at least not yet)...

What about the Road Department Guy in C. Jones' district?

So you honestly believe that if an employee receives "Meets Expectations" or "Exceeds Expectations" marks on their annual reviews that they are rubber stamped or chosen? I have been a citizen of Walton County for 43 years and have always been treated with respect by helpful employees. I can not say the same of the Commissioners. We as citizens must not make quick judgement calls by just what we see but remember these employees work under a microscope. We should remember the pressure they have on them from time to time. We need to follow protocol and contact the hired supervisor not the County Commissioner. There are chains of command and all need to follow them. As citizens, if we do not take care of our employees and allow them to do their jobs without fear of who is elected, we will not have employees capable of getting the job done. I applaud the Grand Jury for recognizing them!!

Well, it looks as if SoWal and its many posters are to be commended and complemented.

In less than a week, posters have uncovered more that seven (7) months of a farse of a State Attorney and WCSO Grand Jury Investigation. Which is why I said shame on Adkinson and Eddins and I'll say it again. Shame to both of you.

We are starting to learn that most agree that all County Commissioners have used some influence to hire, yet only Com. Meadows is in the spot light. Why?

We learn the William "Bill" Eddins is a close friend of Jerry Jones, husband of Com. C. Jones. All the more reason for this farse of a Grand Jury to have been held OUTSIDE of Walton County. The results would be much different.

We learn that Com C. Jones has taken her little duckling roofer, Jason Catalnao under her wing and attached a rocket to his rear end for upward promotion, to inlcude Code Enforcement Officer, Senior Code Enforcement Officer and now Planner 1, all without any experience... Hum... I believe he also obtained his College Degree AFTER he was employeed with the County, probably on county time too.

We learn that the person targeted by the Grand Jury as "unqualified" for their position, actually is very qualified and should probably be in a much higher position with more responsibility. Didn't need anyone's help getting that job, yet our jurors don't like her much... Probably because she is not related to a Good Ole' Boy or Girl.

We learn that Hal Laird is good buddies with Scott Brannon. Hal Laird is also good buddies with a code enforcement officer, Stephaine Manning.

Hal Larid files his law suit, prior to the Grand Jury Material being released to the public... hum.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the SoWal Jury, I submit to you my conclusions based on the evidence presented to this Court:

I find Bill Eddins and Mike Adkinsion, Guilty of Abuse of Public Office. Why else hasn't the identity of WHO BENEFITED from the "mistake" been released? It wasn't even discussed. The elephant in the room, $800,000.00 unaccounted for and no one cares. Why is there still a tremendous amount of material to be investigated, but no investigation? They don't want you to know who the real criminals are.

I find Bill Eddins guilty of not disclosing a conflict of interest. His friendship with Jerry Jones (a elected commissioners husband) should have been disclosed PRIOR to this Grand Joke, I mean Jury, getting under way. The People could have demanded a change of venue due to the confilct.

I find Walton County Officials and Employees Guilty of Conspiracy. Two or more employees conspired to allow a pattern of criminal activity to thrive and exist for decades. Walton County was built on corrupt practices and it will be those same corrupt practices that tears it down.

I find the prosecuting attorney for the State guilty of negligence. They allowed a Grand Jury investigation to careen off path from a $800,000.00 missing money issue to investigating Human Resource Policy and Procedures... Really? Seven Months of tax payer dollars and that's what you have to show us? Also, the prosecutor is the one who Directs the line of questioning to the witnesses testifying to the jurors. Shame on you prosecutor for allowing this to become the joke that it is.

The Prosecution Rests...

P.S. I also think it was the Kendal Marse case and recent arrest that started the Grand Jury, NOT Mr. Hal finding the mystery memo in a file.

Kendal Marse was a suspect in a Grand Theft from the Planning Department years ago. Wayne Dyess did report it to WCSO and it was briefly investigated, before the investigation was terminated unexpectedly by the case agent (perhaps because her Father in Law was Freeport Mayor at the time?)

Only recently when a new investigator that came to WCSO from FDLE stumbled upon the cold case, did he review it and quickly develop evidence to effect an arrest of Marse. Marse was arrested this summer for Grand Theft. She stold money from the Judkins family... All of you that doubted Judkins, shame on you. They were right. They county is corrupt and now there is a case to prove it.

I don't think that the pope could satisfy the activists on SoWal.

I had no idea who the employee was that they were talking about. But I now have a pretty good idea who it is based on the list of qualifications in this post. If I am right, this person worked for me at the Sheriff's Office and was one of the best employees we had. She worked hard, kept quiet and was highly qualified. She left the SO to work in Rep. Drake's office. She returned to the county when Rep. Drake did not run for re-election in 2012. I cannot believe anyone could have a problem with hiring someone with her education, qualifications and reputation for quality work.

Thank you for your personal information Danny, I was betting that somebody in this small county would know the deal on the employee in the grand jury report. Surprised it's you and you post under your own name. So in your opinion if meadows did give a letter of recommendation to the hiring "supervisor" to influence, it would have been warranted given the employee's background and expierence?

Before we "shoot" the grand jury, we must remember that those citizens could only render an opinion on what was presented to them. If only what is in the report was presented, then that's all they could issue an opinion on. Jurors wouldn't have the authority or the knowledge to ask for some of the issues to be presented that have been brought up here. I'm sure all the jurors did their very best, nothing nefarious about sitting on a jury. I've done it in a small case, it all depends on what the lawyers tell you and the judges instructions to the jury.

That being said, I would like to read the transcript of what was presented to the jury by the prosecution.(since there is no defense in a grand jury) That would tell the tale so to speak.............

There is a smell starting to come from this whole circle of influence of Eddins, Adkinsons and the Jones.

My neighbor says jerry has threatened many people over the years in and out of the county. They know people that live in Jerry's neighborhood and said after Meadows beat Cecilia in the election, cecilia cried for days and Jerry promised her meadows would get hers. Guess he made good on his promise.

Which neighborhood? They have 2. One in NoWal and the one in District 2.

Which neighborhood? They have 2. One in NoWal and the one in District 2.

I thought District 2 was in Nowal.

I don't think that the pope could satisfy the activists on SoWal.

You make activism sound like a bad thing.

To steal a quote from Edmund Burke...

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing".

I thought District 2 was in Nowal.

Sorry, District 5.

Boy, has this turned into an interesting thread.

John G

Given what was presented to the Grand Jury, I think its a cheap shot to call them a farce/joke. I think they did an admirable job given the cards they were dealt. Did it go far enough? No! But the fact they actually found "something" is a start in the right direction.

I had no idea who the employee was that they were talking about. But I now have a pretty good idea who it is based on the list of qualifications in this post. If I am right, this person worked for me at the Sheriff's Office and was one of the best employees we had. She worked hard, kept quiet and was highly qualified. She left the SO to work in Rep. Drake's office. She returned to the county when Rep. Drake did not run for re-election in 2012. I cannot believe anyone could have a problem with hiring someone with her education, qualifications and reputation for quality work.

Danny, I have no idea who the employee is nor am I saying he/she isn't imminently qualified for a position in the County or that his/her work ethic is less then admirable but it does beg some questions.

1.) Who is the Supervisor and what is their connection to Cecilia Jones? If the "supervisor" is Catalano that would be a whole new bucket of worms.

2.) If Catalano IS NOT the "supervisor" but was working in an identical position, making less money and then testified before the Grand Jury, you now have 2 new buckets of worms, as he was hired in much the same way...thanks to Cecilia Jones.

Thank you for your personal information Danny, I was betting that somebody in this small county would know the deal on the employee in the grand jury report. Surprised it's you and you post under your own name. So in your opinion if meadows did give a letter of recommendation to the hiring "supervisor" to influence, it would have been warranted given the employee's background and expierence?

I post under my own name because I want to. I spent 26 years as a county employee worrying that anything I did might offend the wrong person and get me fired but I survived and do not have to live like that anymore. None of my children or in-laws work for the county and most of my friends are retired also so I don't have to worry about them either. As to your question, if the employee is who I think it is I would have written them a positive recommendation myself had I been asked and would do so today. The person in question was very hard working and ethical to a fault. Qualified, ethical people who will work for what line employees are paid in this county are hard to come by. I cannot speak to what Commissioner Meadows did or should have done, only what I would do regarding the same person.
I will say the same thing about Commissioner Meadows that I said about Commissioner Commander. A have not always agreed with her but, both as a citizen and as an employee, I always found that she would listen and do what she thought was right for the citizens of Walton County. And she always told you the straight of things whether you liked it or not.

So in your opinion if meadows did give a letter of recommendation to the hiring "supervisor" to influence, it would have been warranted given the employee's background and expierence?

I think the actual issue was that the "Supervisor" had little or no input in regard to the hire.

Save the Date!!

Tuesday, October 13th at the South Walton Annex Boardroom the County will take up the issue of the Grand Jury report.

Couple of things after some thought...

Misty, you are correct. I should not be attacking the Jurors. They only acted on what they were presented. That seems to be the big issue, WHAT THEY WERE PRESENTED...

Sounds like they were presented with a conspiracy theory about Com. Meadows using influence to get someone allegedly unqualified, hired.

While, back in the world of reality, the employee is very qualified and people have spoken very highly of the employee. Did the Jurors get to see the employees personnel file and discuss it? Probably not, which again I say Shame On You State Attorney!!! You are a good user of slight of hand to distract from the real issue - Who Benefited from The Missing Money???

They were also most likely not presented with anything relating to Jason Catalano and his extreme Lack Of Experience, yet he was hired and quickly promoted within. He was paid a higher rate of pay as well. I guess its OK to favor him.

Seeing that Catalano was C. Jones' assistant, it would make sense that C. Jones' can use influence and no one else can...She can do no wrong. Its also very helpful that her hubby Jerry is pals with Bill Eddins.

I am glad to see that some people are picking up on the B.S. this whole thing was.

Hopefully someone can and will hold Adkinson, Eddins and Jones accountable for what appears to be some very serious issues that smack of criminality, favoritism, ethical issues and lies.