It would not sell, nobody would believe it. Too far out in left field.
We have a "first" in the D5 Comission Race!
- Thread starter Bob Hudson
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True Matt, although I am not convinced some of them have really ever visited right field.
I think it would make for an interesting read...only because I have lived here long enough to see for myself the revolving door of players and politicians. The problem for me (I'll use Cecilia Jones as the perfect example) is folks who take out full page campaign ads crying about how they are being persecuted by disgruntled citizens who want to see them fail. The other problem is voter apathy and or folks who are so willing to forgive and forget past transgressions that cost voters hundreds of thousands/millions of tax dollars that we continue to re-cycle 30 years later.
Being forced to vote for the lessor of 3 evils (in Bill Imfield's case) means we either re-elect a man who has helped cost this county at least a million dollars (that we know about) or we vote for one of the other 3 options we know nothing about, who have supporters they know nothing about and it's a crap shoot what you're going to get. As much as I hate this (I do NOT like Bill Imfield) at least with him I know I'm going to get screwed by voting for him so I won't be disappointed when it happens AGAIN! I'm not willing to risk my vote on a crap shoot so, either I don't vote or I bend over.
Being forced to vote for the lessor of 3 evils (in Bill Imfield's case) means we either re-elect a man who has helped cost this county at least a million dollars (that we know about) or we vote for one of the other 3 options we know nothing about, who have supporters they know nothing about and it's a crap shoot what you're going to get. As much as I hate this (I do NOT like Bill Imfield) at least with him I know I'm going to get screwed by voting for him so I won't be disappointed when it happens AGAIN! I'm not willing to risk my vote on a crap shoot so, either I don't vote or I bend over.
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Misty, you still have time before the election to learn about candidates and what they stand for. If people keep asking questions and posting what they find out all of us might get the information we need.
I have known Bill Fletcher since he first moved here. I have found him to be honest, reliable to his word and a credit to everything he does in Walton County. In a word, he has my vote and my support.
Living in SW and new to area, I hear and read about many concerns and political perspectives of SW residents. I am curious what are the issues and concerns of N-Walton county residents and how do they differ from SW? As the entire county votes for BCC seats, I am trying to get an objective understanding.
I don't think the core issues (roads, infrastructure, jobs) are different....I think its how we get there that has created the great divide and unfortunately the harm has already been done. You have only to look at traffic to see that. The "build it and they will come" mentality was poorly executed from the get go because the roads and infrastructure were not in place from the get go.
Many SoWal residents feel that because they pay the lions share of the taxes generated in this County they should also have the lions share of control over the decision making process. That doesn't sit well with NoWal residents who were born, raised lived and worked here all their lives or with certain BCC members (some of them life long politicians) who have their own personal agendas. Customary use is a hot topic with many "native" SoWal & NoWal residents because most of us who have lived here for any length of time, are actual natives to the area or have owned homes and businesses since long before it was taken over by builders and developers (mostly at the hands of greedy politicians) want to continue to use our beaches free of encumbrances like ropes, signs, chains, fences and out of control vendors that have literally overtaken and destroyed miles of our pristine coastline with their greed to take up the best spots, charging (extorting tourists) with exorbitant prices for set-ups and just generally destroying the beach experience for the majority of people who have long enjoyed going to the beach, plopping down in the sand and just having fun with their families.
I think we are all in agreement that our native wildlife and its inhabitants (sea turtles, the beach mouse etc) and our dunes need to be protected but again, its how we get there! Most of us agree that the aforementioned encumbrances absolutely inhibit that process as does lax enforcement by "county" code enforcement (its NOT the Sheriff's job to enforce) and that something needed to be done. The problems have and continue to occur because our illustrious BCC is extremely adept at "kicking the can down the road" by addressing only a portion of the problem (signs, ropes, chains and fencing) while excluding vendors. That issue will be addressed sometime after the August elections. I believe the hope is that Cecilia Jones will then have bought herself an election and will be able to protect her sons beach vending business (the hidden agenda) because she will have the needed votes.
The BCC has also long allowed developers/builders to sell people the idea (particularly along 30A) that they own beach front property (down to the water line) and have allowed quit claim deeds to be issued to owners who want exclusive rights to privatize our beaches without ever having to prove that the beaches are indeed privately owned. There are NO privately owned beaches in Walton County. To an extent I agree with property owners.They have the absolute right to enjoy and protect their actual owned property from individuals who want to act a fool but I feel they should have to prove they own the sand if they want police intervention to keep people off the beach. Most of us (SoWal and NoWal) agree that respectful and customary use of our beaches is preferred over a militaristic approach.
I think the vast majority of us all agree things need to change but yet again, approach is everything! We beg, plead yell and scream for change but we keep electing or re-electing the same people (I call it re-cycling) who got us here in the first place. The old adage that "we can't learn from our past mistakes if we keep repeating the pattern that got us here in the first place" is true. We have no right to expect change because we got just exactly what we voted for.
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Misty, Bob Wells and others,
While I don’t know who is behind the group that developed the posted ads advocating for Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Nipper, I think it’s likely safe to say that the individuals involved are not Mr. Blue or Commissioner Jones. That probability in and of itself should be a third reason for you to favorably view Bill Fletcher, not to mention Melanie Nipper.
Bill Fletcher is a retired CEO of a company with about 60 mil a year in revenues. He entered the race 4 years ago late in the game with little time and less money, and nearly beat Commissioner Chapman. He is a tireless volunteer worker for various organizations in this county. Board member and very active fundraiser for the Childrens’ Advocacy Center in DFS. Board Member and tireless fundraiser for the Freeport Kiwanians. Officer and Board member in local Republican Clubs, and I believe a local delegate to the Florida Republicans. Member of the Institute of Senior Professionals and perhaps the most important factor in recruitment of Love’s to Mossy Head. I believe he remains on the Board of Adjustments. Please contact Bill if you want a more complete listing, or check out his web site.
Bill is a good, solid citizen and a contributor to the good of the community for years now, and that would be true no matter where he lived. He’s that kind of guy. Smart, educated, and his own man. He and I don’t always see eye to eye, but he is a man who listens, thinks, decides, and if that decision is to disagree with me, I can depend on his having a reasoned position, not an arbitrary one, and a disagreement couched in agreeable and reasonable terms. He has the courage of his convictions and is beholden to no special interest than the public good. If you take the time to check that statement out, you will agree with me. Bill’s record is there for all to see if you do your own due diligence. Take the time to go to the WCTA candidate forum in DFS in 2 ½ weeks and talk to the man yourself. Bill is accepting his responsibilities as a citizen in the fullest terms. We would do well to try to emulate his example by at least taking the time to inform ourselves firsthand. Bob Wells was present at the first WCTA forum. All the rest of you who are obviously interested in local politics should be present at the next one.
In light of the laws governing campaign contributions and allowable activities, I find it puzzling that you and others would be critical of Bill (or anyone else, Melanie in this case) for some advocacy group to back him and then berate him for not disclosing the identity of people he does not know. There no requirement that a group advocating for or against someone in an election ask that person’s permission or otherwise advise them of their activities. It is in fact illegal for there to be coordination between non-profit advocacies and campaigns. They don’t have to ask his permission, and he has absolutely no obligation to try to discern the identities of people who have legally placed them beyond his or our view. Could it be because they fear retribution by Walton County or the forces of evil in this county? Stranger things have happened.
For all we know, this is a Machiavellian plot by the forces of evil in Walton County to discredit those two candidates who threaten to be independent voices disposed to judge proposals in light of the public good and not beholden to the forces of evil. Farfetched? Well, how farfetched was it that Tony Who? would raise $100,000 to run against public enemy number one (Cindy Meadows) of the forces of evil? Or that Cecilia would be escorting Mr. Who? around as she has, apparently provoking the ire of her husband in so doing. Stranger things can happen.
In the more likely event the ads were run by people who favor kicking out Mr. Imfeld and Mr. Chapman, that these folks should choose to remain anonymous for their own reasons is perfectly legal and should not be used against people who have neither input in nor control over such ads and decisions made far removed from their knowledge and control. Both Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Nipper should be judged for who they are, their records, and what they stand for, not for the actions of others who answer neither to them nor to you or me.
Bill Fletcher’s positive attributes I have mentioned. Let me mention what I know of Melanie Nipper for those who have not as yet taken the time to inform themselves about her. Melanie and her husband are career military, residents of N. Walton, farm owners there, and operate a helicopter service in conjunction with their farm. Melanie remains in the Army Reserve as a helicopter pilot. She has 3 combat tours in Iraq, perhaps one of those in Afghanistan as I believe I recall. As lead pilot for her flights, she is responsible for the lives of about 100 souls aboard those combat choppers. You want a concrete reason for supporting her out of general principle? Walton County is suing her after failing to shut her business down. To have Walton County suing an individual citizen is almost a badge of honor for that citizen, and we both know it. She ain’t one of us, Boys! Git’ er! And git ‘er husband, too!
Melanie has spent her adult life defending our Constitution and absolutely believes in the rule of Constitutional law. Not a little — 100%. She is smart as you might expect such a leader to be —VERY! She is thoughtful, calm, and has spent her life making reasoned, informed decisions knowing full well that they on many occasions have been life or death ones for her and her charges. Considering the dangers of flying a chopper under any conditions, most all her decisions in that role even in routine training have been life or death ones. She promises to bring that integrity and analytical ability to bear on the problems Walton County government faces.
Honor and integrity need not be considered disqualifiers for public office, nor should the opinions and actions of outside political advocacy groups unknown to and unanswerable to those candidates. Bill and Melanie are exemplary people. While they are not the only good people in the race, they are the two I see as being unjustifiably attacks in this forum, and I happily and enthusiastically support them both, knowing full well that each has at least one opponent who seems honorable, too. We have some good alternatives in these two races. I choose to support Bill and Melanie, and I hope that after each of you examines them for who and what they are and what they stand for, you will, too. They're good people.
While I don’t know who is behind the group that developed the posted ads advocating for Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Nipper, I think it’s likely safe to say that the individuals involved are not Mr. Blue or Commissioner Jones. That probability in and of itself should be a third reason for you to favorably view Bill Fletcher, not to mention Melanie Nipper.
Bill Fletcher is a retired CEO of a company with about 60 mil a year in revenues. He entered the race 4 years ago late in the game with little time and less money, and nearly beat Commissioner Chapman. He is a tireless volunteer worker for various organizations in this county. Board member and very active fundraiser for the Childrens’ Advocacy Center in DFS. Board Member and tireless fundraiser for the Freeport Kiwanians. Officer and Board member in local Republican Clubs, and I believe a local delegate to the Florida Republicans. Member of the Institute of Senior Professionals and perhaps the most important factor in recruitment of Love’s to Mossy Head. I believe he remains on the Board of Adjustments. Please contact Bill if you want a more complete listing, or check out his web site.
Bill is a good, solid citizen and a contributor to the good of the community for years now, and that would be true no matter where he lived. He’s that kind of guy. Smart, educated, and his own man. He and I don’t always see eye to eye, but he is a man who listens, thinks, decides, and if that decision is to disagree with me, I can depend on his having a reasoned position, not an arbitrary one, and a disagreement couched in agreeable and reasonable terms. He has the courage of his convictions and is beholden to no special interest than the public good. If you take the time to check that statement out, you will agree with me. Bill’s record is there for all to see if you do your own due diligence. Take the time to go to the WCTA candidate forum in DFS in 2 ½ weeks and talk to the man yourself. Bill is accepting his responsibilities as a citizen in the fullest terms. We would do well to try to emulate his example by at least taking the time to inform ourselves firsthand. Bob Wells was present at the first WCTA forum. All the rest of you who are obviously interested in local politics should be present at the next one.
In light of the laws governing campaign contributions and allowable activities, I find it puzzling that you and others would be critical of Bill (or anyone else, Melanie in this case) for some advocacy group to back him and then berate him for not disclosing the identity of people he does not know. There no requirement that a group advocating for or against someone in an election ask that person’s permission or otherwise advise them of their activities. It is in fact illegal for there to be coordination between non-profit advocacies and campaigns. They don’t have to ask his permission, and he has absolutely no obligation to try to discern the identities of people who have legally placed them beyond his or our view. Could it be because they fear retribution by Walton County or the forces of evil in this county? Stranger things have happened.
For all we know, this is a Machiavellian plot by the forces of evil in Walton County to discredit those two candidates who threaten to be independent voices disposed to judge proposals in light of the public good and not beholden to the forces of evil. Farfetched? Well, how farfetched was it that Tony Who? would raise $100,000 to run against public enemy number one (Cindy Meadows) of the forces of evil? Or that Cecilia would be escorting Mr. Who? around as she has, apparently provoking the ire of her husband in so doing. Stranger things can happen.
In the more likely event the ads were run by people who favor kicking out Mr. Imfeld and Mr. Chapman, that these folks should choose to remain anonymous for their own reasons is perfectly legal and should not be used against people who have neither input in nor control over such ads and decisions made far removed from their knowledge and control. Both Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Nipper should be judged for who they are, their records, and what they stand for, not for the actions of others who answer neither to them nor to you or me.
Bill Fletcher’s positive attributes I have mentioned. Let me mention what I know of Melanie Nipper for those who have not as yet taken the time to inform themselves about her. Melanie and her husband are career military, residents of N. Walton, farm owners there, and operate a helicopter service in conjunction with their farm. Melanie remains in the Army Reserve as a helicopter pilot. She has 3 combat tours in Iraq, perhaps one of those in Afghanistan as I believe I recall. As lead pilot for her flights, she is responsible for the lives of about 100 souls aboard those combat choppers. You want a concrete reason for supporting her out of general principle? Walton County is suing her after failing to shut her business down. To have Walton County suing an individual citizen is almost a badge of honor for that citizen, and we both know it. She ain’t one of us, Boys! Git’ er! And git ‘er husband, too!
Melanie has spent her adult life defending our Constitution and absolutely believes in the rule of Constitutional law. Not a little — 100%. She is smart as you might expect such a leader to be —VERY! She is thoughtful, calm, and has spent her life making reasoned, informed decisions knowing full well that they on many occasions have been life or death ones for her and her charges. Considering the dangers of flying a chopper under any conditions, most all her decisions in that role even in routine training have been life or death ones. She promises to bring that integrity and analytical ability to bear on the problems Walton County government faces.
Honor and integrity need not be considered disqualifiers for public office, nor should the opinions and actions of outside political advocacy groups unknown to and unanswerable to those candidates. Bill and Melanie are exemplary people. While they are not the only good people in the race, they are the two I see as being unjustifiably attacks in this forum, and I happily and enthusiastically support them both, knowing full well that each has at least one opponent who seems honorable, too. We have some good alternatives in these two races. I choose to support Bill and Melanie, and I hope that after each of you examines them for who and what they are and what they stand for, you will, too. They're good people.