DFS HERALD-BEACH BREEZE Jan.10, 2008
Election year kicks off in Walton County
By ALICIA LEONARD
With at least 12 spots opening for local elections, candidates are starting to line up and pre-qualify for the upcoming 2008 elections.
Sheriff, clerk of courts, tax collector, property appraiser, county commissioner districts 1, 3, and 5, as well as superintendent of schools and school board seats 1 and 4, are up for grabs in November. Three DeFuniak Springs City Council spots are also open.
The sheriff's position, currently held by Ralph Johnson, is drawing the largest number of pre-qualifiers, according to Supervisor of Elections Bobby Beasley. "We have five already pre-qualified and one, Bill Imfeld, who was pre-qualified, but due to the Hatch Act, had to remove himself from the running."
Even though Imfeld had to withdraw, many are not counting him out when the qualifying date of June 16-20 comes around. Imfeld spoke with the Herald about the possibility of jumping back into the race, "I'm not allowed to campaign in any way, but I can say that I only had two weeks after receiving the Hatch Act notification to close down my campaign, so I didn't really have the ability to explore all of my options. I still have till June to decide, so I'm not closing any doors."
Other pre-qualifiers for the race include Dennis Wise, Jimmy L. Macon, Richard S. Brown, Michael A. Adkinson and incumbent Ralph L. Johnson.
Brown, a 28-year veteran of the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, retired in 2005 and went to work as deputy sheriff for Walton County. Brown told the Herald that he had received a call from the supervisor of elections office stating that he may be in violation of the Hatch Act and should place a call to the U.S. Office of Special Council to ask for a ruling, in order to not be in violation of election laws. Brown contacted the OSC and is awaiting a ruling by that office on his position in the sheriff's department and his ability to stay in the race.
Brown told the Herald, "People have been asking me to run for Walton County sheriff for several years. Even while employed with the FWBPD, Walton County residents still ask me to run. So, I decided to put my hat in the ring, since so many people placed their faith in my experience and knowledge."
Macon is another employee of Johnson who has tossed his hat into the ring. Macon was awarded the 2002-2003 Casey Award for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and is the current school resource officer (SRO) for Walton High School. Macon has been publicly lauded for his contributions to the safety and overall improvement of the school, as well as the surrounding community.
Dennis Wise, a former WCSO employee, rounds out the list of employees and former employees to take a shot at the boss' position.
DeFuniak Springs City Marshal Mike Adkinson Jr. pre-qualified during the first week of 2008. Questions surrounding Adkinson's legal ability to run because of the Hatch Act was verified by Beasley. "I think Adkinson is in the clear to run. The Hatch Act doesn't apply to him because he is an elected official who is not a subordinate of Johnson's."
Adkinson publicly stated when appointed in 2005 and elected in 2007 that he had no aspirations for the position of sheriff. However, on Monday, Adkinson said, "I think it's a benefit to the city. We'll have a very close working relationship." Adkinson said he would deputize all of the city's police officers and sign a mutual aid agreement with the city immediately. "At some point, I would put an office in the city limits," he added.
In a press release, Adkinson promised to "put an end to the hostilities between the sheriff's office and other departments and governing bodies."
Adkinson said that, as sheriff, he would employ an open-door policy similar to the one he established as city marshal. "Even my critics would admit that I make myself available," he said. "I do this for a sense of legacy. Twenty years from now, I want people to say, 'He changed things for the better.' I want my children to be proud of the job I did."
Other positions are also open. According to Beasley's office, Rhonda Skipper has pre-qualified to return as Walton County tax collector.
Mildred Wilkerson will face off against Robert Nelson for the district 1 school board seat and both have pre-qualified. Nelson says it's civic duty that brings him to the fray, "It's a way to participate in the process. I still have a child in the school system. I've got some new ideas and I've been active in politics for a while, so I decided to run."
In the DeFuniak Spring City Council races, seats 1, 2, and 3 are up for grabs. Those seats are currently held by James Coffield, Don Harrison and James Huffman. The elections, to be held on April 8, have so far drawn no early challengers. That's not unusual. Most city candidates and incumbents wait until the official qualifying week to toss their hats into the ring.
Herald-Breeze election poll
Who has your vote for sheriff?
Log on to:
www.topix.com/forum/city/defuniak-springs-fl and click on DFS Herald Sheriff's poll. Poll provided courtesy of Topix.com.
Disclaimer: This poll is non-scientific and not meant to represent or endorse any candidate. This poll is only being provided to encourage discourse between individuals on the 2008 local political climate. Reproduction of results or information gathered from this poll are prohibited unless express permission is granted from Topix.com.
