WALTON COUNTY suffers outbreak of on-the-job harassment suits under BCC Chairwoman Jones.
Finally, county employees have had enough harassment from Commissioner Jones, her political cronies, and her husband Jerry Jones. From being bullied to resign to being followed home by Jerry Jones, the employees have spoken up and said "enough is enough". Multiple harassment suits with more to come have been filed against Jones' in her quest to "run" every nook and cranny of the county and to place only "yes" men and women in positions of authority.
Incidences of placing "favorites",relatives and
relatives of friends in positions of
authority, not following hiring procedures, treating employees with disdain and vitriol, being intimately involved in daily county operations (which is not allowed ),
Involvement in code cases where complaints have been filed against friends and businesses,
to using her husband as her bully stick, are just a few of the complaints Jones will have to answer.
Bravo to those who refuse to let this go on at the expense of the tax paying citizens who have been promised honest, ethical behavior from her. (See her Campaign mailings.)
Time to clean house?Time to take back ""Our Walton" from those whose only interest is power over people, money and the benefits of office?
You betcha. Because evil prevails when good men and women do nothing.
And Walton had some very good men and women working for the citizens.
(This may be copied and reposted but nothing may be added to this without express consent of Walton Politics.)
Replies
156
Beach Fanatic
Front Page on the Walton Sun next to Ann Coulter!
Good Job Walton Sun
Good Job Walton Sun
Beach Fanatic
Yes she did a great job on this.
Beach Fanatic
Just purchased the Beach Breeze/Herald and surprise, surprise... Not a single mention about the Formal Complaint Filed Against C. Jones...
Walton Sun and NW FL Daily have been all over this story. Why oh why not the Breeze/Herald?
Walton Sun and NW FL Daily have been all over this story. Why oh why not the Breeze/Herald?
Beach Fanatic
I can not imagine as I sent it to them first.
Beach Fanatic
Nothing on WZEP either...
Beach FanaticAuthor
Just purchased the Beach Breeze/Herald and surprise, surprise... Not a single mention about the Formal Complaint Filed Against C. Jones...
Walton Sun and NW FL Daily have been all over this story. Why oh why not the Breeze/Herald?
For the same reason they printed what Clayton Adkinson said about everything being ok in DFS even though the audits tell a different story and the state attorney is investigating...its called FAKE NEWS!!
Beach Fanatic
It is on Herald/Breeze website as of Oct. 20: Deputy County Administrator Complains of Workplace Harassment and Discrimination - The Defuniak Herald & Beach Breeze
Beach Fanatic
It is on Herald/Breeze website as of Oct. 20: Deputy County Administrator Complains of Workplace Harassment and Discrimination - The Defuniak Herald & Beach BreezeThey must have missed the go to print date for last week's hard copy.
We'll see if it is in this week's.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Just read the article from the Walton Sun.
IRONICALLY, Cecilia Jones responded to the reporter with the assertion that "WE" take these allegations very seriously and its been turned over to outside legal council.
So, i guess that means C. Jones is handling this with an attorney of her choosing.
PERVERTED JUSTICE WALTON COUNTY STYLE!!
IRONICALLY, Cecilia Jones responded to the reporter with the assertion that "WE" take these allegations very seriously and its been turned over to outside legal council.
So, i guess that means C. Jones is handling this with an attorney of her choosing.
PERVERTED JUSTICE WALTON COUNTY STYLE!!
Edited
Beach Fanatic
They must have missed the go to print date for last week's hard copy.How does the crow taste?
We'll see if it is in this week's.
Beach Fanatic
I must not be as smart as you but who is eating CROW?
Beach FanaticAuthor
Fact @Jensky....except for the Walton Sun the story has not seen newspaper print!
Online editions of the letter which by now the entire county has seen and read are not what most people consider news.
Try to be nice @Jensky! I know its tough for you.
Online editions of the letter which by now the entire county has seen and read are not what most people consider news.
Try to be nice @Jensky! I know its tough for you.
Beach FanaticAuthor
HOMENEWSDeputy County Administrator Complains of Workplace Harassment and Discrimination
Deputy County Administrator Complains Of Workplace Harassment And Discrimination
October 20, 2017 Gary Woodham
By DOTTY NIST
Dede Hinote, one of Walton County’s two deputy county administrators, has complained of workplace discrimination, along with “harassment and other unlawful behavior,” toward her by Walton County, as stated in an Oct. 6 letter from her attorney, Jennifer A. Sullivan, to Walton County Administrator Larry Jones.
Describing Hinote as “a dedicated and long-term employee who has worked with Walton County for nearly her entire career,” the letter brings to the administrator’s attention, as Hinote’s direct supervisor, alleged instances of her being, “subjected to discrimination based on sex and has experienced aggressive and hostile behavior from at least one Walton County official, including at least one member of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners, which has created fear in Ms. Hinote and subjected her to emotional distress,” as stated in the document.
Contained in the complaint letter are allegations of Hinote being re-assigned from her usual responsibilities, including a transfer of duties, presentations, and projects from Hinote to Walton County’s other deputy administrator, along with credit going to the other administrator for
work and tasks accomplished by Hinote. (The other deputy administrator is a male, Stan Sunday.)
Other complaint allegations involve interference in “day to day operations of County government” by Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Chair Cecilia Jones and “harassment” by Jones’ husband Jerry Jones, including “unfounded complaints” stated to have been filed against Hinote by Mr. Jones with several state and local officials. The letter also contains reports of Mr. Jones driving by Hinote’s home and parking outside her house, and alleged instances of him “on many mornings,” parking in the lots of several county offices in DeFuniak Springs and monitoring “employees’ comings and goings, including Ms. Hinote’s.” These reports had previously been provided to Administrator Jones by Hinote, according to the letter.
“It has also been reported that there’s an unofficial ‘hit list’ created by at least one elected official and generated in an effort to target employees throughout the County to terminate,” the letter further states.
The letter concludes with the statement that the complaint was not the course of action that Hinote would have preferred but that “she feels she has not other recourse,” with a request for investigation of the details of the complaint/reporting them to appropriate authorities, and a request for further discussion with Hinote and her attorney.
Phone calls and emails to Administrator Jones and attorney Sullivan by the Herald/Breeze seeking comment on the complaint were not returned.
On Oct. 7, BCC Chair Cecilia Jones provided the following written comment on the matter: “We take such matters seriously and have engaged outside legal counsel to investigate this situation. The investigation is under way, giving all parties an opportunity to be heard, and on the advice of counsel, we have no further comment until the investigation is complete.”
(Basically this says exactly what was reported in the Walton Sun)
Beach Fanatic
Fact @Jensky....except for the Walton Sun the story has not seen newspaper print!Are you John G's mom?
Online editions of the letter which by now the entire county has seen and read are not what most people consider news.
Try to be nice @Jensky! I know its tough for you.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Are you John G's mom?Are you really as dense as you act?
Beach Lover
View attachment 67877Not nice, but so funny!!!
Yes, Cecilia. How's micromanaging And being a petty tyrant working out for you?
.
Beach Fanatic
Not nice, but so funny!!!Not to well is my guess.
Beach Fanatic
Well another one filed and more to come. Sit back and hang on for the ride of a life. This is the woman that called Cindy Meadows Jezebel in the Bible. Wow, will the real Jezebel please stand up. That is you Mrs Jones.
Beach Lover
Not to well is my guess.I'd guess the same. I was laughing about the pic posted earlier. Oh how fitting it is!
Beach Lover
Well another one filed and more to come. Sit back and hang on for the ride of a life. This is the woman that called Cindy Meadows Jezebel in the Bible. Wow, will the real Jezebel please stand up. That is you Mrs Jones.Hope they keep rolling in!!! Her exposure is long awaited and well deserved!
Beach FanaticAuthor
I'd guess the same. I was laughing about the pic posted earlier. Oh how fitting it is!
Actually MorningGlory, that was Suzanne's brilliant idea for the image...I stole it from her..lol. it was just too good not to share. I always give credit where its due.
Thanks Suzanne!
Beach FanaticAuthor
Well another one filed and more to come. Sit back and hang on for the ride of a life. This is the woman that called Cindy Meadows Jezebel in the Bible. Wow, will the real Jezebel please stand up. That is you Mrs Jones.
Details please.
Beach Fanatic
Karma Police must be in town...
Beach FanaticAuthor
www.mypanhandle.com/news/county-employees-file-harassment-complaints/843914174
There is a video with the link.
DeFuniak Springs, Fla. - Walton County Commission meetings are generally calm but, that was not the case during today's meeting. Several residents accused Commissioners of bad behavior.
The allegations raised during Tuesday's meeting involve county commissioners allegedly mistreating county employees.
"There are some allegations that are being made against some county commissioners. We are investigating it right now. We have called in an outside council," explained Cecilia Jones, Walton County BCC chairwoman.
Walton County Commissioners did not get into the specifics of the mistreatment accusations against employees but, residents did.
"They thought Dede Hinote, who has been with this county for 26 years, and has an exemplary employee record, must be the leak," said Suzanne Harris, Walton County resident.
Harris informed those gathered at the meeting, that another harassment complaint was filed October 23 with the county on behalf of another employee.
"...and his complaints are the same many, many employees that are scared to death to lose their job are calling and saying we want to talk," said Harris.
In documents obtained by News 13, county employees have filed harassment and whistle blower complaints and are asking for action to be taken.
"We will be letting both sides be heard and then a report will be coming forth and at this time legal has said we should not make any other comments," said Jones.
Walton County officials say they are taking this seriously and will continue to dig into the issue.
No one has filed an actual lawsuit, so far and no word as to when the county will complete its investigation.
There is a video with the link.
DeFuniak Springs, Fla. - Walton County Commission meetings are generally calm but, that was not the case during today's meeting. Several residents accused Commissioners of bad behavior.
The allegations raised during Tuesday's meeting involve county commissioners allegedly mistreating county employees.
"There are some allegations that are being made against some county commissioners. We are investigating it right now. We have called in an outside council," explained Cecilia Jones, Walton County BCC chairwoman.
Walton County Commissioners did not get into the specifics of the mistreatment accusations against employees but, residents did.
"They thought Dede Hinote, who has been with this county for 26 years, and has an exemplary employee record, must be the leak," said Suzanne Harris, Walton County resident.
Harris informed those gathered at the meeting, that another harassment complaint was filed October 23 with the county on behalf of another employee.
"...and his complaints are the same many, many employees that are scared to death to lose their job are calling and saying we want to talk," said Harris.
In documents obtained by News 13, county employees have filed harassment and whistle blower complaints and are asking for action to be taken.
"We will be letting both sides be heard and then a report will be coming forth and at this time legal has said we should not make any other comments," said Jones.
Walton County officials say they are taking this seriously and will continue to dig into the issue.
No one has filed an actual lawsuit, so far and no word as to when the county will complete its investigation.
Beach FanaticAuthor
When did Cecilia Jones become the spokesperson for the County Administrator whom the complaints were filed with?
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