Who Finances A Better South Walton?

ABSW has no affiliation with the anonymous political organization, Our Generation.

For the record ABSW released it's Donor list over a month ago on our website. Only 5 donors in the $500 and up range wished to remain anonymous and much of the money raised came from smaller donations. Here is the link; scroll to the bottom of The Team page to see the info entitled "The Community": The Team – A Better South Walton

Also, ABSW takes no position on local issues or political races. ABSW’s mission is to seek more effective governance and local representation for South Walton to preserve and enhance its unique character, property values and quality of life.

I wasn't creating an "affiliation". I simply remarked on the similarities of both..

I wasn't creating an "affiliation". I simply remarked on the similarities of both..

No worries Misty. What similarities do you see? I don't see any similarities at all.

No worries Misty. What similarities do you see? I don't see any similarities at all.

Would you not agree that infrastructure (roads, bridges and jobs) are needed to create and function properly?

Would you not agree that infrastructure (roads, bridges and jobs) are needed to create and function properly?

Here is the most comprehensive answer I can give you. abettersouthwalton.org

The Concern
The South Walton community, if left on its current course, will rapidly lose what has made it a special and unique place with its natural beauty and distinctive character that attracts residents, visitors and small businesses alike. The opportunity exists to alter the course if we can achieve:

• Increased local representation with South Walton perspective and stewardship as a prime motivator
• Better planning, growth management and enforcement
• More opportunities for additional investment in local infrastructure
• Fair and equitable allocation of tax revenues generated by South Walton

ABSW’s mission is to seek more effective governance and local representation for South Walton to preserve and enhance its unique character, property values and quality of life.


As defined in the ABSW mission above, ABSW’s focus is on thoughtful analysis and discussion regarding ideas for more effective local governance and therefore the future of South Walton. After much research, study and thoughtful consideration, we believe that incorporation of South Walton as a municipality is the best way to address our community’s concerns and opportunities. Our goal is to provide the citizens of South Walton with as much information as possible about the potential incorporation of our community and with opportunities to discuss that information and get your questions answered. Please view the presentations below for more information and visit the Feasibility Study page to access the preliminary study. Email us at info@abettersouthwalton.org to schedule a meeting with us for a group you may be associated with and to learn more about how you can help with the effort.

We have to do something, wouldn't it be nice to have the help of Our Generation. The way I see them is they want what is best for Walton County to be able to move forward. Criticize if you want but Walton has lived for years with donors making promises, hiding in the dark, passing out cash, and then controlling the vote once the candidate is elected. I do not believe anyone can buy Fletcher, Cindy, or Nipper's vote on anything.

If Our Generation was saying the exact same thing about a business man and a female military vet but you were opposed to them, would you be saying the same thing? I think I understand the concerns expressed, and I am sure you have vetted the 2 candidates mentioned, and I have already decided I was voting for Mr Fletcher before those ads came out. So here is what I know, they did a trash peice on Commissioners Imfeld and Chapman, they have put out slick flyers for Mr Fletcher and Ms Nipper and Our Generation is about infrastructure, lower taxes and jobs. So not knowing who those are behind the curtain makes me a little concernered but hey Walton County has made the big time.

ABSW has no affiliation with the anonymous political organization, Our Generation.

For the record ABSW released it's Donor list over a month ago on our website. Only 5 donors in the $500 and up range wished to remain anonymous and much of the money raised came from smaller donations. Here is the link; scroll to the bottom of The Team page to see the info entitled "The Community": The Team – A Better South Walton

Also, ABSW takes no position on local issues or political races. ABSW’s mission is to seek more effective governance and local representation for South Walton to preserve and enhance its unique character, property values and quality of life.

Thanks for pointing this forum to your donor list. I'm having difficulty figuring out how the info provided funds a $102, 000 budget (assuming that is correct) for ABSW. Would you provide some insight on that?

The Concern
The South Walton community, if left on its current course, will rapidly lose what has made it a special and unique place with its natural beauty and distinctive character that attracts residents, visitors and small businesses alike.

It's my opinion that what made SoWal special and unique existed long before developers, elected officials and pi$$ poor planning destroyed it but folks just kept recycling and the recycling included votes from folks south of the bay.

It is and always has been Walton County Beaches and we are 1 (one) Community.The idea of Nowal vs SoWal is and always has been very divisive, as are the rants about who pays the lions share (which from what I understand of incorporation) isn't going to change but will add another layer of government. The People have a say in what happens in Walton County. In fact I feel that if SoWal said more about what isn't happening for Walton County as a whole and focused less on dividing us it would be a much better Community and County.

Thanks for pointing this forum to your donor list. I'm having difficulty figuring out how the info provided funds a $102, 000 budget (assuming that is correct) for ABSW. Would you provide some insight on that?

I am pretty sure that refers to what we need to get to the finish line...you brought up a salient point. We are in need of more donations as we are still paying for professional consulting as well as advertising and much more. Much of what we have done includes "in kind" donations for design work, websites etc....but we will continue to need additional funding to get to a vote of South Walton Citizens on Incorporation.

It's my opinion that what made SoWal special and unique existed long before developers, elected officials and pi$$ poor planning destroyed it but folks just kept recycling and the recycling included votes from folks south of the bay.

It is and always has been Walton County Beaches and we are 1 (one) Community.The idea of Nowal vs SoWal is and always has been very divisive, as are the rants about who pays the lions share (which from what I understand of incorporation) isn't going to change but will add another layer of government. The People have a say in what happens in Walton County. In fact I feel that if SoWal said more about what isn't happening for Walton County as a whole and focused less on dividing us it would be a much better Community and County.

We are not proposing to create another county Misty or seceding. This is not about a North against South thing; that is a simplistic view. We are talking about creating a 4th City in Walton County. We are talking about having better representation by community members who live in South Walton, governing South Walton and having more of a say over how our high proportion of taxes collected in the county are spent. We are not proposing another layer of Government at all. Same Sheriff, Mosquito Control, Fire, Parks & Rec...etc. We are proposing creating a separate South Walton Planning and Zoning board, comprehensive plan and code enforcement south of the bay. That is "Replacement Government" not another layer. We will have "Interlocal agreements" with the County just as every City does and the new City will work closely with County officials. This is not a separation by any stretch of the imagination.

I recently looked up the districts for Walton County. Is South Walton considered to be everything south of the Bay? If so, are parts of Districts 1 and 4 actually in South Walton? Clearly District 5 is in South Walton, but if there are parts of Districts 1 and 4 that appear to be in South Walton as well. If this is the case, then South Walton has the potential of 3 Board seats rather than just one. If 3 commissioners came from South Walton, wouldn't that help with the very concerns that ABSW is trying to address? Can someone more knowledgable on the districts shed some light on this?

I recently looked up the districts for Walton County. Is South Walton considered to be everything south of the Bay? If so, are parts of Districts 1 and 4 actually in South Walton? Clearly District 5 is in South Walton, but if there are parts of Districts 1 and 4 that appear to be in South Walton as well. If this is the case, then South Walton has the potential of 3 Board seats rather than just one. If 3 commissioners came from South Walton, wouldn't that help with the very concerns that ABSW is trying to address? Can someone more knowledgable on the districts shed some light on this?

You are correct, unless, as some may point out, they are part of the "good old boy" of the politics of Walton County are.

You are correct, unless, as some may point out, they are part of the "good old boy" of the politics of Walton County are.

That would largely depend on who is largely supported and endorsed by developers.

You are correct, unless, as some may point out, they are part of the "good old boy" of the politics of Walton County are.

It would be helpful if I could tell exactly what the South Walton boundaries are for those two districts other than the Bay. Do you know?

Parts of inlet beach and parts of Miramar. The Suppervisor of elections should have a map that breaks it down.

Parts of inlet beach and parts of Miramar. The Suppervisor of elections should have a map that breaks it down.

Thanks. I'll check on that Monday.

That would largely depend on who is largely supported and endorsed by developers.

Misty, I looked at D5 race and saw the 2 well funded candidates seem to have builders as donors.

Thanks. I'll check on that Monday.

Just so you are aware the districts are based on population and Ms McQuinston was a part of the reapportionment for the county if I remember correctly. If you know her she may be able to answer questions about the methodology.

That would largely depend on who is largely supported and endorsed by developers.

Considering your nonstop hatred for builders and developers. I submit:
Unless you live on 500 acres that was handed down to you from your family of Native American Indians, Colonists previously under King George's rule, or passengers on the Mayflower...
Someone, probably a developer, subdivided and built your place of residence.
And, unless you never shop at a grocery store, book store, hardware store, pharmacy...do business with a service provider like doctor, dentist, shoe repair , etc...
Some builder and/or developer made that possible.

Development in and of itself is neutral. Change is the only constant and is going to occur whether we like it or not. Some people hate change and do not want any more building. This is not likely to ever happen and those individuals will always be unhappy. Others seek to take advantage for their own greed and want to build things that do not fit the environment, the community or the comprehensive plan but will make them a lot of money. These individuals sometimes seek to influence elected officials in order to achieve their goals. They are not the friend of the common citizen. Finally you have the majority who understand that growth means new jobs and opportunity but also want growth that preserves the environment, fits in with the existing community and does not require a multitude of variances to fit the existing ordinances. When voting I look for people in the third category. I also look for people who understand that our county is a diverse community and what works and fits in Santa Rosa Beach does not necessarily work or fit in Freeport, DeFuniak Springs, Mossy Head, Red Bay, Argyle, Glendale or Paxton. And vice versa.
When my Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather came to Walton County in the 1820's there was a huge forest and not much else. My Great-Great Grandfather was a county commissioner and farmer with the county seat in Eucheeanna and about 3,000 residents who were almost universally farmers like him. My Great-Grandfather was a circuit riding preacher who caught the train to go to his various pastorates in DeFuniak Springs which at the time was a cultural center for the entire region through an organization called Chautauqua. They would not recognize almost anything about Walton County today because things have changed. Just in my lifetime the population has tripled and the financial engine has moved from DeFuniak Springs to the beaches. Things change and we must ensure the changes improve the quality of life and economic opportunity for all of our citizens as well as preserve the environment for our children and grandchildren to enjoy as we have.

Misty, I looked at D5 race and saw the 2 well funded candidates seem to have builders as donors.

Yes, that's true. One with proven results, proven to be about her Constituents and has a history of listening and voting accordingly.

The other...well so far...he has a reputation for being quite the ladies man, has stolen the heart of another BCC member, who just happens to be married, (EDIT; who thinks shes ENTITLED) and has a goon for a husband, who likes threatening people and was actively present when others were threatened!

The latter not only has big developers in his pocket, he has the same developers in his pocket as the new sweetheart he cavorts all over town with, has no experience in government, unless one considers delivering mail relevant to helping run County government and whose ethics and morals it appears have been ripped from the same pages as the girlfriends.

WOW! Decisions! Decisions! What a dilemma!

Edit noted.

Yes, that's true. One with proven results, proven to be about her Constituents and has a history of listening and voting accordingly.

The other...well so far...he has a reputation for being quite the ladies man, has stolen the heart of another BCC member, who just happens to be married, (EDIT; who thinks shes ENTITLED) and has a goon for a husband, who likes threatening people and was actively present when others were threatened!

The latter not only has big developers in his pocket, he has the same developers in his pocket as the new sweetheart he cavorts all over town with, has no experience in government, unless one considers delivering mail relevant to helping run County government and whose ethics and morals it appears have been ripped from the same pages as the girlfriends.

WOW! Decisions! Decisions! What a dilemma!

Edit noted.

I understand

Considering your nonstop hatred for builders and developers. I submit:
Unless you live on 500 acres that was handed down to you from your family of Native American Indians, Colonists previously under King George's rule, or passengers on the Mayflower...
Someone, probably a developer, subdivided and built your place of residence.
And, unless you never shop at a grocery store, book store, hardware store, pharmacy...do business with a service provider like doctor, dentist, shoe repair , etc...
Some builder and/or developer made that possible.

As expected.
Crickets.

I recently looked up the districts for Walton County. Is South Walton considered to be everything south of the Bay? If so, are parts of Districts 1 and 4 actually in South Walton? Clearly District 5 is in South Walton, but if there are parts of Districts 1 and 4 that appear to be in South Walton as well. If this is the case, then South Walton has the potential of 3 Board seats rather than just one. If 3 commissioners came from South Walton, wouldn't that help with the very concerns that ABSW is trying to address? Can someone more knowledgable on the districts shed some light on this?

South Walton has no defined boundaries. It may mean different things to different people. Generally it is thought of as south of the bay and south of either the river or the intracoastal waterway. I remember some people saying south Walton referring to everything south of Rock Hill Road and Eglin Reservation, or Freeport and South of 20, others may have different opinions as to the boundaries of south Walton. The BCC districts may be viewed:
Story Map Journal
http://fl-waltoncounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/9295

First link is an interactive map second a pdf document.

SoWal is Walton County South of I10.

SoWal is Walton County South of I10.

I have heard that too, and everything south of US 90. I have even heard (from a home insurance salesperson) that all of Walton County is south. He then quoted me a large price for insurance.