And why things NEVER change in Walton County!
Between L Jones and Imfield they have 32 years of combined tenure
District 1- -S. Brannon 2008-2012 (maybe longer). -Bill Chapman 2012-2016.
District 2: Ken Pridgen - 2010-2014 (long history in Dist 2 preceded 2010) -Cecilia Jones: 2014-2016. She's also served in District 5.
District 3: -Larry Jones 2000-2012. Is now county administrator. (Also worked for Adam Homes- Driftwood Develop & Waste Management during his tenure as BCC) 16 years of service to WC. -Bill Imfeld Imfeld: 2012-2016. -Bill Imfeld was Finance *Director for WCBCC from 2000-2012. 16 years of service to WC
District 4: Sarah Commander 2008-2018 (not sure of 2006-2007) *10 (maybe 12) years of service effective 2018* District 5: Cindy Meadows 2004-2008 Cecilia Jones 2008-2012 Cindy Meadows- 2012-2016
Collectively the *current* BCC and county admin have a combined Tenure of 58 years from 2000-2016 for Walton County.
Replies
106Beach Fanatic
Good pointYe-P
And yet, the BCC snd TDC couldn't get together and purchase the few acres across from Ft. Panic beach access. That would have made an EXCELLENT parking area, instead...folks park in front of private property along 30A
Can you say STOOPID!!!
Beach Lover
Ye-PThey need to buy up as much property on the beach and across the road on 30a and make more parking lots and public beaches. I did hear the county was buy the property near Stinky's. Is this true?
And yet, the BCC snd TDC couldn't get together and purchase the few acres across from Ft. Panic beach access. That would have made an EXCELLENT parking area, instead...folks park in front of private property along 30A
Can you say STOOPID!!!
Beach Lover
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
This country started going to chit when school prayer was removed.
Because with that removal...the slippery slope of political correctness and lack of any judgement upon the urchins began the chaos seen today.
(That's mt belief. That's my opinion. And no, I will NOT debate it with you)[/QUOTE
Absolute truth
BannedAuthor
The misnomer here is that prayer has been removed from the public school system and that simply is not true. Students are free to pray anytime and wherever they choose as long as it does not disrupt the school day. What the State is not allowed to do is sponsor it. This right is protected by the school's duty not to inhibit the free exercise of religion. For example, students may say grace or a short private prayer before meals, or, if they feel it's necessary, before tests.
Types of Prayer Banned
Any activity that causes the school to advance one particular religion, or group of religions, over another will most likely be banned under the First Amendment. These types of activities include:
Types of Prayer Banned
Any activity that causes the school to advance one particular religion, or group of religions, over another will most likely be banned under the First Amendment. These types of activities include:
- Mandatory Prayer: Forcing children to pray during school hours;
- Teacher-Led Prayer: A school employee reciting a prayer with the expectation that students will repeat the prayer or think about the words said;
- Invocations and Other Prayer at School Functions: Prayer by clergy, school employee, or student during school related event such as football games and graduations;
- Voluntary Prayer: time set aside for students to pray; and
- Student-Led Prayer: students may not use school resources, including the PA system or class time, to lead other students in prayer.
Beach Fanatic
They need to buy up as much property on the beach and across the road on 30a and make more parking lots and public beaches. I did hear the county was buy the property near Stinky's. Is this true?Not sure. But they sure missed a golden opportunity across from Ft. Panic.
Beach Fanatic
Bottom line...It is NOT the Governments JOB to teach a child to pray. That's a PARENTS job!! That's the Churches role in children's lives and it's a parents job to get them to the Church on time.
And it's not the federal governments job to be involved in schools AT ALL.
Pretty sure the 10th admendment covers that. (Since the constitution card was played).
And it's not the federal governments job to be involved in schools AT ALL.
Pretty sure the 10th admendment covers that. (Since the constitution card was played).
BannedAuthor
I can think of 600,000 reasons not to vote for Cindy.
Name them ALL please.
Talk about a healthy debate...
BannedAuthor
Another misnomer...
The school system in Florida (Nationally actually) receive federal subsidies from the Unites States Department of Education. It is a Cabinet level department of the United States Government....hence their involvement.
The school system in Florida (Nationally actually) receive federal subsidies from the Unites States Department of Education. It is a Cabinet level department of the United States Government....hence their involvement.
Beach Fanatic
Another misnomer...
The Department of Education.
Indeed.
Beach Fanatic
One of the many things Jimmy Carter did was gift us with the US Dept. of Education. As was pointed out nothing in the Constitution gives the federal government the right to tell us how to educate our children. That should entirely be the business of the states. This is just another example of the fact that elections have consequences. Once you elect a dud and they have a chance to foist on us their dud policies and programs you just about cannot get rid of them. There is nothing harder to kill than a government program.
BannedAuthor
One of the many things Jimmy Carter did was gift us with the US Dept. of Education. As was pointed out nothing in the Constitution gives the federal government the right to tell us how to educate our children. That should entirely be the business of the states. This is just another example of the fact that elections have consequences. Once you elect a dud and they have a chance to foist on us their dud policies and programs you just about cannot get rid of them. There is nothing harder to kill than a government program.
By the same token Danny...nothing gives the State the authority to indoctrinate children in the ways of religion.
My point in any of this was two fold actually, prayer has not been removed from the public school system as some would have others believe and the government has no business teaching any child about religion. It's a parents job!
To get this back on track my reason for even bringing it up was to show the corruption in Walton County. It's not quite that blatant now but it's still around.
Beach Lover
Name them ALL please.600,000 of taxpayers money that got lost in her district.
Talk about a healthy debate...
Beach Fanatic
One of the many things Jimmy Carter did was gift us with the US Dept. of Education. As was pointed out nothing in the Constitution gives the federal government the right to tell us how to educate our children. That should entirely be the business of the states. This is just another example of the fact that elections have consequences. Once you elect a dud and they have a chance to foist on us their dud policies and programs you just about cannot get rid of them. There is nothing harder to kill than a government program.Excellent and factual post.
And it appears we have gone from "indoctrinating" our children with morals, discipline, manners, respect for the elders, the rule of law, and others...
To "indoctrinating" them with political correctness, selfishness, narcissist, celebrated bad behavior and anarchy.
Beach Fanatic
They need to buy up as much property on the beach and across the road on 30a and make more parking lots and public beaches. I did hear the county was buy the property near Stinky's. Is this true?They are considering it. Requires appraisals among other things. The offer was $8.5MM for the beach parcels plus 2 across 30A to the west of Stinky's. The 2 north of 30A were offered up as potential parking, but there may issues with creating parking there due to the lake area behind Stinky's.
BannedAuthor
B&B wrote:
Who was the Finance Director at the time? Who was the CPA firm hired by the taxpayers that is responsible for finances that the County sued and later cut a deal with that extended their contract?
Check your facts!
Was Ms. Meadows even a Commissioner at the time the money went missing?
600,000 of taxpayers money that got lost in her district.
Who was the Finance Director at the time? Who was the CPA firm hired by the taxpayers that is responsible for finances that the County sued and later cut a deal with that extended their contract?
Check your facts!
Was Ms. Meadows even a Commissioner at the time the money went missing?
Beach Lover
B&B wrote:
Who was the Finance Director at the time? Who was the CPA firm hired by the taxpayers that is responsible for finances that the County sued and later cut a deal with that extended their contract?
Check your facts!
Was Ms. Meadows even a Commissioner at the time the money went missing?
Are we back to smoke and mirrors again.
BannedAuthor
Are we back to smoke and mirrors again.
Check your facts and get back with me!
By TOM McLAUGHLIN
Walton County went to legal mediation with the accounting firm of Carr Riggs and Ingram looking to get $1 million out of the company.
What it got was two more years of Carr Riggs and Ingram, at a reduced rate.
The Planning Department errors led to the county collecting $614.25 when it should have received $614,250 and $20,560.25 when it was owed $205,560.25.
This happened during Bill Imfields' tenure as Finance Director and Carr Riggs and Ingram was the CPA Firm.
There is also the a Grand Jury Report posted on this site. Go look for it and get back with me.
Cindy Meadows was not and never has been responsible for collecting and/or reporting (not reporting or collecting in this case) fees from the Planning Dept. It was not now nor was it ever her job!
BannedAuthor
@earl and @Born&Bread
Since you both wanted to talk about money that got lost in Ms. Meadows district (which was never lost, it was simply never collected) can we talk about the $150,000.00 of taxpayer money Imfield voted to spend on Emeril Lagasse TV show?
Or can we talk about Chapman and how he was suspended and demoted for abusing his government office to secure the early release of his son who was arrested for punching his girlfriend in the face?
Since you both wanted to talk about money that got lost in Ms. Meadows district (which was never lost, it was simply never collected) can we talk about the $150,000.00 of taxpayer money Imfield voted to spend on Emeril Lagasse TV show?
Or can we talk about Chapman and how he was suspended and demoted for abusing his government office to secure the early release of his son who was arrested for punching his girlfriend in the face?
Beach Fanatic
I am not for or against but those ads are misleading?
Oversaw the loss of $600,000 - does that mean he was on the BCC when it happened? $150,000 for Emeril's TV Show - I kind of thought that might be a good idea - or at least as good as any other advertising dollars we spend through TDC.
Not sure I blame Chapman for wanting to get his son out of jail.
Oversaw the loss of $600,000 - does that mean he was on the BCC when it happened? $150,000 for Emeril's TV Show - I kind of thought that might be a good idea - or at least as good as any other advertising dollars we spend through TDC.
Not sure I blame Chapman for wanting to get his son out of jail.
Beach Fanatic
@earl and @Born&BreadI am not endorsing anybody, but in the interest of fairness, just a reminder that it takes 3 votes to pass anything on the BCC. The Lagasse item passed 4-0. See excerpt from minutes below. Also, while Mr. Chapman may have used his connections and/or influence to get his son out of jail, it does appear that he "paid his dues" and, hopefully, learned a valuable lesson. Perhaps it would be best to focus on the current issues facing Walton County.
Since you both wanted to talk about money that got lost in Ms. Meadows district (which was never lost, it was simply never collected) can we talk about the $150,000.00 of taxpayer money Imfield voted to spend on Emeril Lagasse TV show?
Or can we talk about Chapman and how he was suspended and demoted for abusing his government office to secure the early release of his son who was arrested for punching his girlfriend in the face?
Mr. Bagby requested approval of an agreement between MAT Media, LLC and Walton County TDC for producing two episodes, TV commercials, billboards, and vignettes for Emeril's Florida television program for the 2014 season. The approved budgeted amount for this agreement is $150,000. Commissioner Comander asked how the county has benefitted by the show. Mr. Bagby stated that nine restaurants have been featured and that Chef Lagasse IS committed to helping the Walton County brand through his show and other ventures.
Motion by Commissioner Com ander, second by Commissioner Imfeld, to approve an agreement between MAT Media, LLC and Walton County TDC for producing two episodes, TV commercials, billboards, and vignettes for Emeril's Florida television program for the 2014 season in the amount of$150,000. Ayes 4, Nays O. Pridgen Aye, Comander Aye, Chapman Aye, Imfeld Aye.
November 26,2013 - Regular Meeting 7 Prepared by: Kimberly Wilkins
Beach Fanatic
Regarding the miscalculated $600,000 in plat fees:
Defuniak Herald » State attorney releases report on investigation of the Walton County Planning Department
Defuniak Herald » State attorney releases report on investigation of the Walton County Planning Department
In the wake of an investigation that began in January 2015, State Attorney Bill Eddins announced on Sept. 24 that he did not find sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution as a criminal offense what he termed a “mistake” by the Walton County Planning Department. This was an incident that had occurred a decade earlier
Edited
BannedAuthor
@Jensky wrote:
Actually, he was the Finance Director at the time the money was NOT collected and we are still using the very same CPA firm that failed to find it AND the County sued the firm and then cut a deal with them. It was actually Ms. Meadows who was not on the BCC at the time and had nothing to do with the money not being collected which would never have been in her job description to start with.
This was not the first favor where Chapman took liberties with the law either..While employed by the City Of Defuniak Springs Police Dept. (under "Ray Buddy" Burgess City Marshall) Chapman was aware and participated in fudging his certifications to carry a firearm. Really? You can't qualify so you "fake it till you make it"?? Ray Biddy Burgess was fired and lost his certifications in Fl. for 2 years and Chapman went back to work for the WCSO. So now not only is he not legally licensed to carry a firearm as a Sworn Sheriff's officer of the State, he later abused that same oath to get his son out of jail. (By the way, Chapman has admitted to both.)
@Fact or Fiction maybe it's just my foolish way of thinking but when you have a County who can't handle the population and tourists growth because of the lack of infrastructure and roads to handle the traffic, it seems RIDICULOUS to spend $150,000.00 dollars on advertising.
Oversaw the loss of $600,000 - does that mean he was on the BCC when it happened?
Actually, he was the Finance Director at the time the money was NOT collected and we are still using the very same CPA firm that failed to find it AND the County sued the firm and then cut a deal with them. It was actually Ms. Meadows who was not on the BCC at the time and had nothing to do with the money not being collected which would never have been in her job description to start with.
Not sure I blame Chapman for wanting to get his son out of jail.Are you saying you condone domestic violence or that it's ok to hit a woman? I wonder if you would feel the same way if one of your family members was punched in the face. Domestic violence is a crime in the state of Florida. Being a cop doesn't grant your children special privileges. Chapman took an oath to "support, protect and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States, and of the State of Florida" and no where in that oath does it say his kids, family or friends get special favors.
This was not the first favor where Chapman took liberties with the law either..While employed by the City Of Defuniak Springs Police Dept. (under "Ray Buddy" Burgess City Marshall) Chapman was aware and participated in fudging his certifications to carry a firearm. Really? You can't qualify so you "fake it till you make it"?? Ray Biddy Burgess was fired and lost his certifications in Fl. for 2 years and Chapman went back to work for the WCSO. So now not only is he not legally licensed to carry a firearm as a Sworn Sheriff's officer of the State, he later abused that same oath to get his son out of jail. (By the way, Chapman has admitted to both.)
@Fact or Fiction maybe it's just my foolish way of thinking but when you have a County who can't handle the population and tourists growth because of the lack of infrastructure and roads to handle the traffic, it seems RIDICULOUS to spend $150,000.00 dollars on advertising.
Beach Fanatic
@Jensky wrote:OK that is clearer - the ad vi should state that.
Actually, he was the Finance Director at the time the money was NOT collected and we are still using the very same CPA firm that failed to find it AND the County sued the firm and then cut a deal with them. It was actually Ms. Meadows who was not on the BCC at the time and had nothing to do with the money not being collected which would never have been in her job description to start with.
@Jensky wrote:No need to be condescending mam! Wanting to get your son out of jail asap is a different thing than not wanting him to pay dues if he is guilty.
Are you saying you condone domestic violence or that it's ok to hit a woman?
@Jensky wrote:They have millions of dollars in the budget to spend on advertising. Fine if you take issues with the mission but you are arguing about the color of the drapes on the yacht.
@Fact or Fiction maybe it's just my foolish way of thinking but when you have a County who can't handle the population and tourists growth because of the lack of infrastructure and roads to handle the traffic, it seems RIDICULOUS to spend $150,000.00 dollars on advertising.
@Jensky wrote:IMO anyone who falsified records about being able to carry a firearm should never get to have one again. And probably be fired.
While employed by the City Of Defuniak Springs Police Dept. (under "Ray Buddy" Burgess City Marshall) Chapman was aware and participated in fudging his certifications to carry a firearm. Really? You can't qualify so you "fake it till you make it"??
Beach Fanatic
@Fact or Fiction maybe it's just my foolish way of thinking but when you have a County who can't handle the population and tourists growth because of the lack of infrastructure and roads to handle the traffic, it seems RIDICULOUS to spend $150,000.00 dollars on advertising.
[/QUOTE]
@Misty Not disagreeing with you on that, just pointing out that 4 commissioners voted to spend the money.
[/QUOTE]
@Misty Not disagreeing with you on that, just pointing out that 4 commissioners voted to spend the money.
BannedAuthor
@Jensky wrote:
I truly wasn't. There is a process that anyone arrested has to go through and Chapman skirted the process for his son. It's called "special favors". My point being...how many other "special favors" should we elect or re-elect in this County or the better questions would be,,,how does this create an atmosphere of open, honest, government operated on the sunshine? Again, it's just my way of thinking that if you would sacrifice your own morals, credibility and better judgement, lie about your certifications and get your son a "get out of jail free card"...what else are you willing to sacrifice, what other laws are you willing to break and who are you willing to break those laws for and grant special favors too?
So just because they have it, they should spend it to make matters worse in this county? Is that really what we vote for around here? Sorry, I just can't wrap my brain around that.
No need to be condescending mam!
I truly wasn't. There is a process that anyone arrested has to go through and Chapman skirted the process for his son. It's called "special favors". My point being...how many other "special favors" should we elect or re-elect in this County or the better questions would be,,,how does this create an atmosphere of open, honest, government operated on the sunshine? Again, it's just my way of thinking that if you would sacrifice your own morals, credibility and better judgement, lie about your certifications and get your son a "get out of jail free card"...what else are you willing to sacrifice, what other laws are you willing to break and who are you willing to break those laws for and grant special favors too?
IMO anyone who falsified records about being able to carry a firearm should never get to have one again. And probably be fired.Chapman should have lost his retirement package and benefits as well. That didn't happen. Please let me point out that the fudging of his certifications happened several years prior too his son being arrested and gotten out of jail. He skirted being charged for lying about his certs and one would think he had learned the most valuable lesson of his law enforcement career...obviously, that's not so.
They have millions of dollars in the budget to spend on advertising.
So just because they have it, they should spend it to make matters worse in this county? Is that really what we vote for around here? Sorry, I just can't wrap my brain around that.
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