DFS Herald Sheriff's poll. Who has your vote?

[The Watcher]

Adkinson is a long time family of Walton County. They have had many businesses, held many public offices, and on and on. This is nothing new in a small rural community. The city council had to hire a new city marshal to finish out the unexpired term of the previously elected marshal. They advertised the position, conducted interviews, and hired who they believed was the best candidate for the job.

Then there was an election. This is where the people get to hire the individual. Again more than one candidate applied for the job, interviews were conducted, and the citizens chose who they thought would do the best job.

Who were/is the "they" you reference? Any close connections to the uncle I keep hearing about? Just seems too "good old boys" for me.

 

[NotDeadYet]

Watcher, I spoke with my editor about the idea of a town forum with a set selection of voter questions and then maybe a debate between the last men left standing. He like the idea.
I am concerned as well about the time to do something like this as one poster mentioned prior and turnout, but it is something we might be able to put together if enough people work on it.

The Taxpayer's Association used to do this. They called it Candidate Forums. In past years some were well attended, some were not. I assume they are still doing them?

 

[wrobert]

The Taxpayer's Association used to do this. They called it Candidate Forums. In past years some were well attended, some were not. I assume they are still doing them?

They did them last election but opted not for the actual debate. This was changed after the Sheriff's race in 2004. A question would be asked in DeFuniak, one candidate would answer, then 6 more would say 'I agree with him'. Really did not discover anything. Last election they did a candidate fair where people could come and speak one on one with the individual candidates and ask their questions.

 

[Johnny Post]

Watcher -

I enjoy reading your posts, but the last few here about Adkinson seem to be a regurgitation of the misinformed propaganda on the NWF Daily News board.

WaltonGOP is correct, Adkinson was appointed, and was then re-elected. If your concern is with why the City Police did not just promote the number 2 man, you may want to look at the state of that police department at the time the chief position came open. You had an outgoing chief with numerous misconduct allegations against him, and how far into the department that went we don't really know.

Maybe the city decided to clean house and get the corrupt out and bring in some new blood. Now it is true Adkinson is from here, and has family here, but is that a bad thing? If the improvements made in the city of Defuniak are any indication, he is the kind of man we need to clean up Ralph's mess.

 

[The Watcher]

Watcher -

I enjoy reading your posts, but the last few here about Adkinson seem to be a regurgitation of the misinformed propaganda on the NWF Daily News board.

WaltonGOP is correct, Adkinson was appointed, and was then re-elected. If your concern is with why the City Police did not just promote the number 2 man, you may want to look at the state of that police department at the time the chief position came open. You had an outgoing chief with numerous misconduct allegations against him, and how far into the department that went we don't really know.

Maybe the city decided to clean house and get the corrupt out and bring in some new blood. Now it is true Adkinson is from here, and has family here, but is that a bad thing? If the improvements made in the city of Defuniak are any indication, he is the kind of man we need to clean up Ralph's mess.

I was only calling attention to what a quick Internet Search reveals.

As for the #2 man, are there or were there any allegations against him? I have not heard any. Since you reference cleaning house, may I remind you of who the current #2 man is. ?Bill? was #2 under Quinn McMillian, you want to go there? Talk about cleaning house, those were the days, even Ralph Johnson knows that. If he?d stuck to his guns and kept on looking, he?d found what he was looking for.

If I recall, the current #2 was involved with his own ?problems? surrounding his Florida State Law Enforcement Accreditation. As I recall, an ex-employee of DFS Police, blew the whistle on some sort of attempt to falsify documents. I also recall an agent of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that was somehow involved, was terminated (or asked to resign, I?m not sure). So the #2 guy was let go and not appointed as part of ?house cleaning? but the guy whose accreditation was the focus of the investigation is uninvolved and unknowing. Please clarify this bit of history for me.

Also, please tell me of all the improvements in DFS and please don't forget the qualifications...;-) I will reserve any political opinions of Mr. Adkinson until then.

 

[Johnny Post]

As I stated, I don't truly know what the #2 man's issues were. Just pointing out that when you have organizational changes, everybody does not move up a rung automatically. Certain reasons (e.g. 'housecleaning') often require restructuring at the top.

My understanding is that a fellow named Mark Weeks (?Captain?) is the current #2 at the city police. Not Bill Chapman. I certainly understand your concerns about Chapman, a lot has been said about that. I don't know much about him or what he was involved in, so I won't be able to comment much on that. On this issue...i was under the impression chapman was serving under both Adkinson and Weeks.

As for improvements in the City, I am not trying to run Mr. Adkinson's campaign. But from a general observation there are more officers, better equipment, and a more well received (by many, not all) police force than was in that city for years. City police in small towns are usually glorified watchmen, and from what I hear, Defuniak now has a well trained group of officers who are well liked. For specifics, I will let Adkinson state his improvements if he posts on here.

Likewise, I will defer to him on his qualifications. A post was made on the NWF Daily News site that listed certain things. Could be an unofficial plant made by a supporter, but regardless, if accurate, it does list some solid qualifications, imo.

 

[The Watcher]

As I stated, I don't truly know what the #2 man's issues were. Just pointing out that when you have organizational changes, everybody does not move up a rung automatically. Certain reasons (e.g. 'housecleaning') often require restructuring at the top.

My understanding is that a fellow named Mark Weeks (?Captain?) is the current #2 at the city police. Not Bill Chapman. I certainly understand your concerns about Chapman, a lot has been said about that. I don't know much about him or what he was involved in, so I won't be able to comment much on that. On this issue...i was under the impression chapman was serving under both Adkinson and Weeks.

As for improvements in the City, I am not trying to run Mr. Adkinson's campaign. But from a general observation there are more officers, better equipment, and a more well received (by many, not all) police force than was in that city for years. City police in small towns are usually glorified watchmen, and from what I hear, Defuniak now has a well trained group of officers who are well liked. For specifics, I will let Adkinson state his improvements if he posts on here.

Likewise, I will defer to him on his qualifications. A post was made on the NWF Daily News site that listed certain things. Could be an unofficial plant made by a supporter, but regardless, if accurate, it does list some solid qualifications, imo.

Thanks for the correction on Chapman. Regardless of his position, he still has one and it is under the Adkinson administration. This really needs to be looked at. I am not buying the house cleaning. I have also heard the old #2 in DFS now works for WCSO, any truth there? Maybe he too can run for sheriff.

As for the rest, maybe someone will clear that up. I just could not believe all the anti-Adkinson people who listed on NW FL Daily. It would seem to me that Adkinson, of the candidates that have been discussed on this site, carries the most baggage and dislike against him. That does not sit too well. A bit of additional research also would lead me to believe that the current sheriff has issue with him as a chief (not sure of the issues). Either way, Adkinson would appear to be just another good old boy, making friends the old fashioned way.

 

[Alicia Leonard]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to say thanks for participating in the poll.
I will be writing up a short summary for this weeks issue. It will be interesting to look back at the numbers in June when the real race starts.

Thanks again,
AL

 

[ShallowsNole]

Thanks for the correction on Chapman. Regardless of his position, he still has one and it is under the Adkinson administration. This really needs to be looked at. I am not buying the house cleaning. I have also heard the old #2 in DFS now works for WCSO, any truth there? Maybe he too can run for sheriff.

As for the rest, maybe someone will clear that up. I just could not believe all the anti-Adkinson people who listed on NW FL Daily. It would seem to me that Adkinson, of the candidates that have been discussed on this site, carries the most baggage and dislike against him. That does not sit too well. A bit of additional research also would lead me to believe that the current sheriff has issue with him as a chief (not sure of the issues). Either way, Adkinson would appear to be just another good old boy, making friends the old fashioned way.

Dennis Ward was rehired by the SO, after being rejected by the DFS City Council, and like so many others before him, fell victim to a demotion and lost rank.

 

[Yahoodie]

Now anyone can go to Rick Brown's web site and email him directly or call him.
the web site is members.cox.net/vote4rickbrown/
On it you can find his email address of vote4rickbrown@cox.net
His days off are Tues/Wed/Thurs and he can be reached by cell after 5PM every day and all day on his days off.
Cell is (850)974-0638