Freedom Really Isn't Free

An American idiom, used widely in the United States to express gratitude to the military for defending "personal freedoms".

Sometimes I get caught up in my own thoughts and all day long I've thought about that idiom as it relates to county employees, not Administration! Administration seems to be exempt from the rules that all other county employees must play by but I'm sure it's nothing personal right? (That's a rhetorical question.)

I'm grateful for Commissioner Nippers service as it relates to this Country but I'm really having a hard time wrapping my brain around the personal freedoms that she's fought for versus the personal freedoms her actions on the Constangy contract have cost County employees. If memory serves, Ms. Nipper had to fight this County (she sued) for her personal freedom to operate a skydiving business on her own land and she won! She also campaigned on the promise of open, honest government, operated in the sunshine yet, every time she has had a prime opportunity to effect meaningful change, she has voted to go with the status quo.

Ms. Nipper supported/encouraged DeDe Hinote to come forward and tell her story about the harassment/discrimination she has endured under Cecilia Jones. Most of us know Cecilia Jones is guilty of not only those allegations but of micromanaging county business which the Grand Jury Investigation instructed BCC members not to do in 2015. We also know that the so called "Independent Investigation" was nothing short of a fiasco with the very people the allegations were made against LEADING the investigation!

Maybe Ms. Nipper really doesn't understand the ramifications of what she's done but she has effectively prevented any current or future employees from bringing allegations of wrongdoing into the Sunshine because they now know that the cards are stacked against them and any future investigations will have the same outcome favoring BCC actions over truth, honesty and open government...personal freedom to be free from on the job harassment and discrimination be damned!!

I'm also shocked that she attempted the defend the County in regard to background checks not being done on prospective employees when she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the County did not do a background check on Mac Carpenter who is partly responsible for the City of Defuniak losing almost 2 million dollars in revenue for his failure to notify other Council members of information he was privy to about the letters from State Auditors that the Mayor received on numerous occasions. While he certainly isn't allowed to talk to them individually he could well have brought the information up at any Council meeting yet instead, he downplayed those letters by saying "every City get's them".

Ms. Nipper also knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he worked in the planning department when almost a million dollars went missing or was never collected under Pat Blackshear and your nemesis Bill Imfield and you know (because I made sure she got the paper work) that he had a less than ethical background check, a piss poor driving record and past drug charges that should have prevented his employment and he LIED on his county application by not disclosing he had previously been reprimanded & suspended by the City of Defuniak. Yet, she ranked him at the top to give him the job and pushed Cecilia Jones and Tony Anderson to follow previous protocols in hiring practices by hiring the next highest ranked applicant.

Whether or not Ms. Nipper knew about Bill Williams (Triumph Liaison) and the ethcis complaints that were filed against him in another County or not, the fact is he has the ethics and morals of an alley cat...purchasing cigars on the County dime (yes he was made to reimburse the County) but it should never have been an issue if we had open honest government.

Last but NOT least in regard to the County hiring practices...the County is NOT in the business of offering "redemption" or "grace" by giving jobs to convicted felons so they can steal from the taxpayers! WCFR and EMT background checks as well as DRUG TESTING are CRUCIAL to the safety and well being of ALL citizens in Walton County and should have been mandatory!! Defending our country is admirable Ms. Nipper but it starts in your own backyard!

Unlike you @Wouldnt You Like To Know, I sent Ms. Nipper and email prior to writing this so she is well aware of my feelings on this subject. I also gave her ample opportunity to respond prior to posting this. Ms. Nipper's silence speaks volumes!

I'm just gobsmacked that defending personal freedom for your country isn't just as important as defending it for the constituents and fellow employees Ms. Nipper was elected to serve!

Im flattered that my screen name made it in your lengthy rant. Did you send emails to all 4 of the other Commissioners every time you bashed them too? Ill assume the answer is no so Ill ask why did she get the special treatment?

Honestly, Im very surprised to see you publicly scorning Ms. Nipper.

Cecilia Jones...Ms. Nipper is not at the top of my s*** list as you called it. That spot is still reserved for you. I don't like what transpired with the Costangy Contract and I said so. As an eligible voter in this County I have the inherent right to voice my dissatisfaction with any County Commissioner or state my opinions whether I voted for them or not. You have not been singled out but you have been the absolute worst Commissioner ever elected in this County! I've been just as outspoken about your bosom buddy Tony Anderson, Chapman and Comander when I don't agree with them.

I also have the right to ask ANY Commissioner questions in public meetings and to have those questions answered publicly. You and a couple others seem to have forgotten you were elected to SERVE ALL the people of Walton County not just those you favor. The fact the majority of you sit there with "deer in the headlight" looks doesn't bode well for you. Hopefully, this is your last term ever in this County.

Ms. Nipper and I will get past my "rant" and the reason I know this is because unlike you, Ms. Nipper does want to be a voice for not only those in her District but all of Walton County. She understands she was elected by the people and ultimately it's the people she will have to answer to when her seat comes up for re-election.

If you weren't so arrogant, you could actually learn something from Ms. Nipper about truth and honesty. In fact, you may learn it soon.

Wait do you think that Im Mrs. Jones? If so you have reached a new level of ignorance. Do you really think that Mrs. Jones cares enough about you, much less has the time, to create an account just to call you out on all your bull s**t and lies?

Its amazing to me how you continue to be wrong about numerous political things but yet you still think you're credible.

No I don't think that at all. I know who Ms. Jones is here and I know she reads here.

You know you can call me out for being wrong and I'm cool with that but if you're going to call me a liar could you at least back it up with facts? Do tell me what I've lied about.

BTW, personal attacks are not allowed on Sowal.

Incidentally, I don't care much about being credible with a BCC (certain BCC members) who wouldn't know the truth if it bit them in the a$$.

How many times have you personally attacked people on here LD? You've already been banned once because of all your hatred. Just like always you think you do no wrong and everyone else is the problem.

She folded. Like a newspaper.

The conversation about the employee policy manual appears incomplete. Has anyone compared what was removed or rewritten in 2015 with its previous and current version? Who instigated and who participated in discussing changes aside from hopefully the former county lawyer? Were they qualified for such a task? Was it the Administrator and Deputies, and the HR Director alleged to have defrauded the state, county and insurers and thrown a staff person in her own department under the bus who decided to put forth policy changes? Was the motivation for the changes to give employees fewer rights or make less work for someone or to seize power over those who object to business as usual? Only hearsay but I heard that the HR Director voiced in many circles that she would do "anything" to keep her Walton job after resigning under duress the one she previously held. I also heard she had no public sector experience at the time she was hired. Sorry, I digress. Since this Administration was installed have all employees had an equal chance to voice their concerns or file a grievance? Someone should be looking at terminations, resignations, layoffs, disciplinary actions, promotions and probationary staff evaluated within the probationary period including keeping some that should have gone and letting go others who probably should have stayed. There is an employment law group contracted with the FL association of counties who can review for free all policies for best practices in applying county, state and federal laws. Do keep the association out of it though. They have a track record with this county of bending to pressure from admin and elected officials (again no one asking the right questions). I am sure the county, especially the male administrators, will object to having such a truly independent review as Walton business as usual includes a lack of transparency. Why do we keep hiring the less-qualified, ethically cloudy from the WCSO and corrections, waste management and gas companies and promoting to very senior and very responsible positions those who do not have the requisite experience and credentials but evidently great acting skills?

A. Was the motivation for the changes to give employees fewer rights or B. make less work for someone or C. to seize power over those who object to business as usual?

I heard that the HR Director voiced in many circles that she would do "anything" to keep her Walton job after resigning under duress the one she previously held.

They have a track record with this county of bending to pressure from admin and elected officials

This is what's referred to as the Walton County Recycling Friend and Family Program.

Speaking of which....

On 10-17-2017 an employee with WCFR was terminated by the WCSO for failure to satisfactorily complete his probationary period and the Personal Action Notice (which he signed) stated very clearly why he was terminated.

Not to worry...the Friends and Family program picked him up on 10-17-2017 (the same day he was terminated from the WCSO) and he was hired in Dstrict 5 as a Facilities Maintenance Worker. Tony Anderson's district!

Whats the connection you ask? Well, the HR Director who has been charged with fraud hired him (the same day he was fired) because her best friend (who works in the same department with the HR Director) happens to be the wife of the guy who was fired.

The good news is, he actually passed a background check but he LIED on his application to the County stating he was not given a reason for his termination with WCSO when in fact, he was.

So let's get this straight...the WCSO fired him for not doing his job and the same day, the County hires him. Really??

Speaking of which....

On 10-17-2017 an employee with WCFR was terminated by the WCSO for failure to satisfactorily complete his probationary period and the Personal Action Notice (which he signed) stated very clearly why he was terminated.

Not to worry...the Friends and Family program picked him up on 10-17-2017 (the same day he was terminated from the WCSO) and he was hired in Dstrict 5 as a Facilities Maintenance Worker. Tony Anderson's district!

Whats the connection you ask? Well, the HR Director who has been charged with fraud hired him (the same day he was fired) because her best friend (who works in the same department with the HR Director) happens to be the wife of the guy who was fired.

The good news is, he actually passed a background check but he LIED on his application to the County stating he was not given a reason for his termination with WCSO when in fact, he was.

So let's get this straight...the WCSO fired him for not doing his job and the same day, the County hires him. Really??

Go deeper people.

Ok, this guy was a "Quarter Master with WCSO"... Seriously, WTF

Check the WCSO letter of release. What and Why is there even a "Quarter Master" positon in the WCSO?

Answer: Friends and Family Program

Now with the County in District 5.

Nice...

I understand there may be a hr director's job coming available. Go deeper people.

I don't know that there is a Quarter Master position in the WCSO @John G. That position was actually given to him by then Fire Chief Bobby Martin under WCFR.

The Sheriff actually got this person when WCFR was transferred under the Sheriff.