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Jim Tucker

Beach Fanatic
Jul 12, 2005
1,189
497
WZEP AM 1460 First News Saturday 10-22-11
Suzanne Harris, President of the Edgewater Beach Condominium is reportedly in the process of filing a complaint against Walton Commissioner Larry Jones over the county’s renewing Waste Management’s contract and Jones getting a position with the garbage company.

The complaint, being filed with the state’s Commission on Ethics, says District 3 Commissioner Larry Jones has committed multiple violations of the Florida Code of Ethics. The violations relate to his employment with Waste Management, Inc. Jones was elected in 2000 and reelected in 2004 and 2008. He became employed with Waste Management in early 2009. A complaint only indicates what someone is claiming, and is usually looked at by staff before being investigated. An investigation then goes to the Commission who makes a decision.

Waste Management has held the franchise for garbage collection south of the bay and recently has taken over all the garbage collection in the unincorporated part of Walton County. The city of Freeport also chose to parallel the County’s contract with Waste Management for services inside the city. Paxton is under the county. The company does not collect in DeFuniak Springs, but some suggest a contract is being considered for the central Walton municipality. The complaint says the Waste Management franchise renewals and expansions have occurred without any form of competitive process.

The complaint also says that in 2003 and in 2010, the franchises were renewed prior to the termination date without a request for proposals, qualifications or through the competitive bid process. Local long time waste management company Dayco, out of Freeport, had the franchise until Waste Management bought out the company. This after Walton County said Dayco had misbilled and owed the county for overpayments. Dayco originally agreed and tried to set up a way to make good with the county, but later, after a review, changed and denied that they owed the county. By being bought out, the matter was settled.

The complaint says, most recently, Walton County started and then terminated a request for proposals (RFP) for solid waste services. Walton advertised in 2010, then rejected all proposals, including Waste Management’s and at the same meeting approved the renewal, extension and expansion of the Waste Management franchise agreement.
 

scooterbug44

SoWal Expert
May 8, 2007
16,732
3,330
Sowal
That would explain a lot about the billing cluster and how quickly the issue went away.

Over half a MILLION that we lost out on if memory serves.

Many things the county could do with an extra $5K a month.
 
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Jim Tucker

Beach Fanatic
Jul 12, 2005
1,189
497
WZEP AM 1460 First News​
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
In 2010, Walton County purchased about .45 acres of land at the corner of U.S. 331 and Chat Holley. The land is to help at the traffic signal and aid in stacking of cars in the turn lane. A question arose about the purchase and how it was or was not reviewed by legal. The further question became one of, if the county actually owned at least part of the land already. A deed from 1917 for a 33-foot wide strip was cited. As a result, the commissioners decided to have the matter researched by outside council. A report has been generated and the real estate review was turned in.

At Tuesday morning’s Walton Commissioner meeting, Commissioner Scott Brannon said he received the report late the Monday before. Brannon said he is not taking issue with the report, rather only asking for time to review it and interface with the special council. Brannon said it is better to get this done right than to get it done quickly.

The commissioner said his opinion is the parties should be able to participate in the same manner as the Board. Brannon said, after looking at the report briefly the night before, he believes a number of people; including the parties buying and selling the land, engineers Preble-Rish, the surveyor, former county administrator Lyle Seigler and others should be included. He said this is to insure the public trust. Brannon said he feels Preble-Rish and the surveyors were doing business for the Board and should be included.

Brannon then asked to continue the matter to the next BCC meeting or at a special meeting. Brannon made the motion and it was seconded by Pridgen and Comander. Again, Brannon said it is not his intention to change anything in the report, only to prepare properly. He said he has a responsibility to the public to be able to provide answers. Brannon said the 30-day time period was not enough.

Brannon said he has the responsibility and the right to understand what is in the report. He said two weeks should be enough time. Brannon said he feels he has the right as an elected county commissioner and the public has the right to be clear about the report.

County Administrator Greg Kisela asked for clarity on who should be included. Commissioner Larry Jones clarified the request, saying the special council should be available to the Board. Jones noted Brannon was trying to not direct the special council or the report. The commissioners agreed to move the issue to the next meeting, with the understanding they might need to take even longer if needed.

Commissioner Sara Comander asked if County Attorney Hoshihara should stay on leave. Comander said the attorney has been using accumulated personal leave and she should be put on paid administrative leave. Comander then made a motion to put Hoshihara on administrative leave with pay. The motion failed 3-2.
 

Diamond Dave

Banned
Mar 6, 2011
50
0
Seagrove
Has the ethic commission in Florida ever found anything unethical?

Not to my knowledge (at least in this area). Past Sheriff Ralph Johnson had a complaint filed against him that I felt had some teeth to it, the commission did not find anything.

If anything is to be properly investigated, it needs to be by the Feds. Just look at the success they had in Okaloosa County. Too many relatives and favors owed around here.
 
There is a whole lot of smoke surrounding the BCC right now. From the Jones/WM situation (which certainly looks funny) to the 331 land deal (which looks real funny) it seems we have elected a group that is not working in our best interests. The sad thing is we keep re-electing these people and they keep sticking it to us. Meanwhile they have ran off all the staff who knew anything (Ken Little is the latest) and replaced these people which a bunch of sycophants.
 

Jdarg

SoWal Expert
Feb 15, 2005
18,068
1,973
I am sure this falls under what people always tell me when I ask about stuff like this- "Honey, that's just how things have always been done around here..."
 
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