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

[The Watcher]

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.

Do we know any reasons for the City Council to reject him? It is my understanding that he was well respected and well liked. I do not recall him having been involved in Chapman's Florida State Standards incident. How was/is Mr. Adkinson better qualified for the Chief position? Was D. Ward guilty by association?

 

[wrobert]

Do we know any reasons for the City Council to reject him? It is my understanding that he was well respected and well liked. I do not recall him having been involved in Chapman's Florida State Standards incident. How was/is Mr. Adkinson better qualified for the Chief position? Was D. Ward guilty by association?

Maybe you know something I don't but these guys interviewed the applicants then voted to hire whom they felt was most qualified. I have never seen them give much information as to why they did not hire someone.

 

[The Watcher]

Maybe you know something I don't but these guys interviewed the applicants then voted to hire whom they felt was most qualified. I have never seen them give much information as to why they did not hire someone.

I would think that they would have some criteria to which measurements of qualifications and ability would be assessed against. One would (should) have specific reasons as to why one person is qualified and the other is not. I am asking if anyone knows what their decision was based off of. Was it made based on qualifications or was it made based on political favors (thus, enter the uncle situation).

The bottom line is this. I may not have my finger directly on the pulse of the politics up north, but from what I have heard and what I know, putting all of it together, all Mr. Adkinson is, is another good old boy, just a bit younger then the old stable. If elected sheriff he will be no better than any prior administration, he'll just have a different agenda.

The time has come for this county to look at where it is in 2008. We have untrained deputies patroling our communities, we have radio equipment that is substandard and causes a safety risk, we have an influx of illegal aliens (many of whom are criminals) and no plan to protect ourselves, we have a sheriff who fires pregnant women, mishandles public funds, promotes based on incompetetance (the more you screw up the more you get strips/bars), we have little if any cooperation between other surrounding agencies, we have drugs infesting the Sandestin area (Baytowne), we even shoot a whale here and there. The old system has got to go.

We need fresh new leadership, at least a few individuals have responded to the "request" to produce their qualifications and some have gone further and given a list of goals. This county needs to move forward, please help it. No Ralph Johnson, no Mike Adkinson, no good old boys.

 

[Johnny Post]

Watcher -

I agree we need to move the Sheriff's department forward. But to call Mike Adkinson a "good old boy" on the basis of what appears to be a small, yet vocal segment of the population is something I would hold off on.

I hear the complaints, mainly based on who he is family is. No doubt they have have been here for a long time. But to dismiss a person completely for those reasons is a bad idea.

You talk about the problems with the current office, several items you mention (radio equipment, drug problems, etc) are issues Adkinson has addressed in the city police department. The upgrades in equipment in that city seem to be drastic (a bad sign for how things used to be). Likewise, numerous drug arrests, including some recent federal drug cases were reported in the herald coming out of the city.

Once again, not syaing that Adkinson is the best candidate, just that his "fresh new leadership" has done wonders for a city police unit that was about a decade behind the times (and some would say much worse). If Mike Adkinson has followed the alleged good old boy agenda (which I am still unclear on), I am not sure what he has done that is bad. If it is a factor that he has family here who have been successful or active in the county, then he has a strike against him.

I just get frustrated hearing how one's family is an indication of how one will act. Do we really think our current president is cut from the same mold as his father (or his brother)? Not supporting the Bush family, just saying look at the differences between those 3 men. Take some time to hear the candidate, and then decided. Don't dismiss people based on a good old boy label that may not really apply.

 

[The Watcher]

Watcher -

I agree we need to move the Sheriff's department forward. But to call Mike Adkinson a "good old boy" on the basis of what appears to be a small, yet vocal segment of the population is something I would hold off on.

I hear the complaints, mainly based on who he is family is. No doubt they have have been here for a long time. But to dismiss a person completely for those reasons is a bad idea.

You talk about the problems with the current office, several items you mention (radio equipment, drug problems, etc) are issues Adkinson has addressed in the city police department. The upgrades in equipment in that city seem to be drastic (a bad sign for how things used to be). Likewise, numerous drug arrests, including some recent federal drug cases were reported in the herald coming out of the city.

Once again, not syaing that Adkinson is the best candidate, just that his "fresh new leadership" has done wonders for a city police unit that was about a decade behind the times (and some would say much worse). If Mike Adkinson has followed the alleged good old boy agenda (which I am still unclear on), I am not sure what he has done that is bad. If it is a factor that he has family here who have been successful or active in the county, then he has a strike against him.

I just get frustrated hearing how one's family is an indication of how one will act. Do we really think our current president is cut from the same mold as his father (or his brother)? Not supporting the Bush family, just saying look at the differences between those 3 men. Take some time to hear the candidate, and then decided. Don't dismiss people based on a good old boy label that may not really apply.

He is a good old boy until he proves otherwise. I have spoken with far too many people who have this shared belief. I invited him, along with other candidates to post their qualifications on this very site. Some have taken us up on that and provided some great info. Where is Mr. Adkinson? Does he think that he can win this election with only the support of DFS? Think again..., the South Walton Vote will decide this election in 2008.

I have not dismissed him for anything, he is just under the microscope.

 

[wrobert]

He is a good old boy until he proves otherwise. I have spoken with far too many people who have this shared belief. I invited him, along with other candidates to post their qualifications on this very site. Some have taken us up on that and provided some great info. Where is Mr. Adkinson? Does he think that he can win this election with only the support of DFS? Think again..., the South Walton Vote will decide this election in 2008.

I have not dismissed him for anything, he is just under the microscope.

He has been out of town I believe. Do you know that he reads this site? I only did from time to time for the last couple of years and finally joined and started posting in November. I would imagine that him, as well as the other candidates will be doing a level of politicking in south Walton before it is over with.

South Walton is certainly a factor in any election, but elections can be won without winning those precincts, just ask Scott Brannon.

 

[The Watcher]

He has been out of town I believe. Do you know that he reads this site? I only did from time to time for the last couple of years and finally joined and started posting in November. I would imagine that him, as well as the other candidates will be doing a level of politicking in south Walton before it is over with.

South Walton is certainly a factor in any election, but elections can be won without winning those precincts, just ask Scott Brannon.

I would hope that he (Adkinson) and other candidates read posts on this site.

I have given some thought to my sometimes harsh criticism of Mr. Adkinson and in making every attempt to stay focused (ie. Preventing the re-election of Ralph Johnson), I will lay off a bit until all facts are gathered. I have read the posts on NWFL Daily and I do not wish to make any personal attacks, professional or political, that's different. With that said, I still expect to hear of Mr. Adkinson's professional qualifications and action plans for the department should he be elected.

(I still want someone to give me the low down on his first appointment to office. It still seems odd that this old #2 guy was passed up. Oh well, if no one else cares, I won't worry about it.)

Mind you, Dennis Wise presented a very detailed plan with in about one day of being asked to. Seems like he is, at the very least, prepared to speak for his candidacy. Another great example was the website that Bill Imfeld had running. Not only did he post his qualifications, he began a series of commentary on issues effecting us all. What that tells me is that he had planned his candidacy, thought ahead and not only that, he raised money (ie. support).

I like to see a candidate who is announcing/pre-filing, etc., to be prepared and show some forethought into this very time consuming and large undertaking they are looking forward to. That to me shows the potential of the candidate to be prepared for the real test, the actual job itself.

When someone has announced/pre-qualified, I would expect/hope that they would be prepared to speak to the public.

As for elections having been won without South precincts, that was then, this is now. Canidates will need the S. Walton Vote to win.

 

[wrobert]

As for elections having been won without South precincts, that was then, this is now. Canidates will need the S. Walton Vote to win.

I do not know why I even reply, but for this to be the case, you had better get busy registering some people to vote and figure out how you are going to get them to turn out. Because as of right now, both statistically, historically, and numerically, (if these are even words) your information is incorrect.

 

[The Watcher]

I do not know why I even reply, but for this to be the case, you had better get busy registering some people to vote and figure out how you are going to get them to turn out. Because as of right now, both statistically, historically, and numerically, (if these are even words) your information is incorrect.

You reply because you love it. As for registering people to vote, they will. What is even better is that when the vote splits, it will be the DFS vote, not the S. Walton Vote, that will stand united.

right back at ya!

 

[beach blessings]

Politics is something that like alot of people, I have tried to deal with, without getting "caught" up in it.

That was then...this is now. For the first time in my life I have a yearning to scream...CHANGE IS A MUST, if Walton County wants to grow. Yes I agree with many others I have spoke to, the GOOD OLD BOY DAYS MUST COME TO AN END!

In comparison to the rest of the state ( not speaking about drugs and alcohol, yes, I know the present administration is at the top of the list in this catagory NOT!, there is more to life...like child abuse, domestic violence, unsolved theft...some huge, etc...) we suck in upholding the law in this county! The Good ole' Boys seem to have a handle on it...NOT!

Good luck to anyone who is about change...we need it!