WCSO...What's next?

Oh wait...the taxpayers already paid for a fully outfitted gym on the 2nd floor of the Sheriff's office....perhaps we should also pay for a spa and a sauna too!

And his new budget increase....only a cool 3 MILLION DOLLARS!!!

I'm not going to complain about a gym for the cops. If ever there was a job that deserved it, that's it. Long hours sitting in a patrol car, lots of stress.... in fact the more I think about it, the more I think it's essential.

While officer fitness is essential, only about 1/2 of the deputies I see are in shape...

I recall one high ranking member actually resigned due to not being able to complete the fitness test...

Gym equipment for fire and police is important. I think putting a dispatcher on a stationary bike, filming it and putting it out there is yet another attempt at "look at me" "look at all we do", when the focus needs to be on crime prevention.

Do we really have so much money in the Sheriff's Department that we can take time to do this (set up a bike, film it, etc).

Seems like a bit much...

Maybe if Mike paid this much attention to the local corruption we'd get somewhere.

I'm not going to complain about a gym for the cops. If ever there was a job that deserved it, that's it. Long hours sitting in a patrol car, lots of stress.... in fact the more I think about it, the more I think it's essential.

I'm not complaining about a gym for cops...I think they should all stay physically fit. In fact I do believe that it is part of their job requirement and the re-certification process. They know it's part of the job. My beef is that its not the taxpayers job to see to it you are able to keep your job by remaining physically fit and its NOT OUR JOB to pay for it!!

You wanna go to the gym GO! Pay for it out of your pocket!!

I also sorta think its highly hypocritical of the Sheriff to insist as part of the hiring process that WCSO remain physically fit in order to keep their jobs and that he could also use a dose of his own medicine!

And no one is talking about the white elephant in the room.... A 3 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET INCREASE.

I think providing fitness center is a long time common practice for many businesses and govt entities. Good benefit for employees and encourages health and fitness.

I can't respond to the budget increase without knowing the programs funded. My guess is expanding force and capital equipment needed for addressing spring break and summer season readiness. Plus other new programs but haven't seen the budget. I do know that expectations are pretty high for law enforcement and public safety in South Walton and along the beaches. So far the sheriff has done a great job ramping up programs and services as needed, responding to more and more seasonal issues every year. We need excellent public safety programs.

Walton County is not a metropolitan area with a gym every few blocks. Expecting cops to find a convenient gym and pay for it themselves is a bit much,, considering they don't make what a big city cop makes.
Try to keep your issues separate. Complain about corruption but leave the gym out of it. In my opinion it just muddies the waters and makes you look mean spirited.
I'm with Teresa - haven't seen the budget breakdown and I know the county is growing lots. More needs equals more money needed.

I absolutely knew you would weigh in Teresa with your patent endorsement of anything "Sheriff" related.

You're right too! HUGE corporations do in fact provide fitness centers and day care services for their employees. I don't give a tinkers damn what HUGE corporations do with their money. I care about what the Sheriff does with taxpayers dollars!

Shame on me for thinking that an armored vehicle was TOTALLY unnecessary and a huge waste of taxpayer funds. Shame on me for thinking that sending 13 men to Houston Texas for the death of a fellow officer was OVERKILL when one (1) and a memorial wreath would have made the point!
Shame on me for thinking that it is OUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to keep ourselves healthy and fit to go to our perspective jobs!
Shame on me for thinking a 3 MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE in the Sheriff's budget is BS when this county can't even account for 1 million dollars that went missing 10 years ago and god only knows how much more will come up missing during the audit.
Shame on me for thinking that 3 MILLION DOLLARS dollars would go a long way to supporting infrastructure (IE) jobs in NoWal so that we don't have to listen to the whine about how SoWal supports NoWal.

And the next time you all complain about how SoWal dollars support the north end of the county remember this conversation and the fact that you patently endorse whatever the "Sheriff wants the Sheriff gets"!

Walton County is not a metropolitan area with a gym every few blocks. Expecting cops to find a convenient gym and pay for it themselves is a bit much,, considering they don't make what a big city cop makes.
Try to keep your issues separate. Complain about corruption but leave the gym out of it. In my opinion it just muddies the waters and makes you look mean spirited.
I'm with Teresa - haven't seen the budget breakdown and I know the county is growing lots. More needs equals more money needed.

Since when did anyone need a fully equipped gym to stay in shape? Miles of sandy white beaches that one could run on, do push ups on not to mention a host of other physical activities that could be done for FREE?

Shame on you only for making a post and then firing off when others weigh in with different opinions. I am certain that there are many who would agree with your opinion 100%. We all come from a different perspective and experience.

I have worked with fire and emergency responders years ago. Fitness center was always a part of the program. It was always considered essential for emergency responders. Far from a new thing offered for police and fire, as well as many other govt level employees.

Our area is growing like crazy and public safety needs are as well. I am grateful for a sheriff's office that is willing to do the work that's required to keep up with our unique community. Not all sheriff's do this as it takes a huge commitment to leadership, program development, and follow through. The added budget money brings more responsibility and hopefully improved services as well as up to date technology and equipment for officers. $3M isn't a huge increase when you are talking about a law enforcement department covering an entire County. I would like to know more about the new budget.

We may be lacking in good govt and representation in South Walton County
but we have exceptional fire, emergency and public safety services and for that I am extremely grateful. The WCSO has not always been so progressive due to the political nature of the Elected position, good old boys, and lack of consistency in program advances due to the election cycle.. I am liking most of what I see only in the last few years. Though it's not perfect I think we're going in a good direction. If we have to live with crappy infrastructure and poor oversight and planning for our town, at least we can count on public safety and emergency services. I really LIKE living in a safe place. I'm counting on our law enforcement people to keep it that way.

Shame on you for making a post and then firing off when others weigh in with opinions different from your own.

I did not fire off on you because you had a different opinion I fired off on you because your "typical" opinion is always in support of anything "Sheriff" related.

I have not gone off on the Sheriff for the job his officers do, I have gone off on him because I believe that taxpayer money should not be used where personal responsibility and your own wallet should!! HUGE difference.

SoWal is not the only one suffering from a lack of good government and representation, this entire County is suffering so don't complain about what you ain't got when you sit back and say or do nothing when you get way more than you bargained for...(IE) an armored vehicle, 13 men to Houston, a fully equipped gym for the Sheriff's boys when pouring money into one service means something else is going to suffer! Folks in SoWal want a Sheriff's Dept. that's larger than life...you got it...don't complain that you don't get what else you want!

Most large corporations are able to justify the cost savings of a gym as insurance companies will give a break to them. In addition if you require a physical fitness requirement for employment you'd better provide a gym or an allowance to go to a gym, otherwise you'll be sued within an inch of your life.

I personally don't have a problem with the gym, but could we at least get a Deputies of Walton County beefcake calendar? *insert joke by Misty about finding 12 physically fit officers*

As to the video itself, WCSO has a full-time PR person. Would you prefer that person just sit around waiting to read a press release about a crime scene?

Most large corporations are able to justify the cost savings of a gym as insurance companies will give a break to them. In addition if you require a physical fitness requirement for employment you'd better provide a gym or an allowance to go to a gym, otherwise you'll be sued within an inch of your life.

I personally don't have a problem with the gym, but could we at least get a Deputies of Walton County beefcake calendar? *insert joke by Misty about finding 12 physically fit officers*

As to the video itself, WCSO has a full-time PR person. Would you prefer that person just sit around waiting to read a press release about a crime scene?

Actually, I'd just prefer that someone riding 14 miles a day was doing so on his own time and not the taxpayers dime.

Actually, I'd just prefer that someone riding 14 miles a day was doing so on his own time and not the taxpayers dime.

He's working at the same time! Would you be happy if the deputies stepped outside to breath free air?

He's working at the same time! Would you be happy if the deputies stepped outside to breath free air?

That depends....which deputy?

I'm not complaining. You are Misty. As I said previously, I'm grateful for good public safety programs. May they continue to work hard to protect our county. The sheriff's office is far from perfect but I've seen a lot of good things in South Walton where they go above and beyond, especially staying ahead of the problems that come with fast population growth and huge tourism. Makes a big difference to locals who live here. The deputies have a positive presence in our neighborhoods and community as a whole . I could pick out some issues about the sheriff and complain bitterly about them repeatedly on a community forum. But I have no real axe to grind as I am overall very thankful. In Walton County FL, our leadership comes in the form of excellent public safety and emergency response programs... It's a damn miracle. SWFD has always been highly professional and an excellent department, as long as I can remember. I'm pulling for the sheriff's office to keep up the good work and keep growing professionally as well. Other sheriff's offices in the panhandle have not been so productive and though they are doing the best in their political situations, they haven't been so successful, imo. Well see what the future holds in Walton County in future elections. That's my only real concern, as law enforcement programs are potentially politicized and compromised as a result of elections. Such is the risk with a County level sheriff office. You may be right to be concerned with the little things. But I am concerned with the overall antiquated process.

Let me repeat myself Teresa....

I have not gone off on the Sheriff for the job his officers do, I have gone off on him because I believe that taxpayer money should not be used where personal responsibility and your own wallet should!! HUGE difference.

SoWal is not the only one suffering from a lack of good government and representation, this entire County is suffering so don't complain about what you ain't got when you sit back and say or do nothing when you get way more than you bargained for...(IE) an armored vehicle, 13 men to Houston, a fully equipped gym for the Sheriff's boys when pouring money into one service means something else is going to suffer! Folks in SoWal want a Sheriff's Dept. that's larger than life...you got it...don't complain that you don't get what else you want!

You have also complained right here on this forum about what poor representation and the lack of good govt we have. Don't point fingers when you have done the same thing.

Matt wrote...

but could we at least get a Deputies of Walton County beefcake calendar?

Are you seriously giving the Sheriff ideas on how to waste even more taxpayer money?

It's not like he doesn't have a host of his own!

Well I'd hope something like that would be a fundraiser and not cost the taxpayers anything.

I was rather surprised to see the desk bike riding, not quite sure how I feel about that. 14 miles isn't very far to ride a bike, (that's not even 2 hours at a slow pace), so they aren't getting much benefit and despite what they claim, they are distracted. That was one of the issues with the treadmill desks. Riding a bike to and from work or taking a spin class would be more effective and healthier.

Providing a gym or fitness facility is a no brainer though. Given the modern sedentary lifestyle and physical fitness requirements it's money well spent.

Let me repeat myself Teresa....

You have also complained right here on this forum about what poor representation and the lack of good govt we have. Don't point fingers when you have done the same thing.

Yes I have. I have also praised the programs, progress and services we have that work. We all have those things that are important to us personally. Good govt and leadership is up to us to get involved and raise expectations. It's happening in South Walton and I'm proud of our Community. It may take a while but better leadership and more effective govt will happen. The big picture is worth it.

And I have praised the job the majority of the WCSO has done and I have praised the Sheriff. I just think his spending habits are a tad extreme and extravagant. I do think he runs a tight ship but don't like his spending habits. That's my opinion.

I was rather surprised to see the desk bike riding, not quite sure how I feel about that. 14 miles isn't very far to ride a bike, (that's not even 2 hours at a slow pace), so they aren't getting much benefit and despite what they claim, they are distracted. That was one of the issues with the treadmill desks. Riding a bike to and from work or taking a spin class would be more effective and healthier.

Providing a gym or fitness facility is a no brainer though. Given the modern sedentary lifestyle and physical fitness requirements it's money well spent.

good points. Not sure who has the bike desk, is this dispatch? Anyway, they might do better with a standing desk. Yes, a fully equipped gym is a good thing, and quite common for police and fire departments. Top fitness should be a requirement. Good health programs should save tax payers money.

Top fitness should be a requirement.

It is a requirement. Mike needs to get on the fatboy program too. In fact, several of the boys could benefit.

Matt...Liberal doesn't sound like such a dirty word afterall.