Career Politicians

[Misty]

B&B wrote:

600,000 of taxpayers money that got lost in her district.

Who was the Finance Director at the time? Who was the CPA firm hired by the taxpayers that is responsible for finances that the County sued and later cut a deal with that extended their contract?

Check your facts!

Was Ms. Meadows even a Commissioner at the time the money went missing?

 

[earl]

B&B wrote:

Who was the Finance Director at the time? Who was the CPA firm hired by the taxpayers that is responsible for finances that the County sued and later cut a deal with that extended their contract?

Check your facts!

Was Ms. Meadows even a Commissioner at the time the money went missing?

Are we back to smoke and mirrors again.

 

[Misty]

Are we back to smoke and mirrors again.

Check your facts and get back with me!

By TOM McLAUGHLIN
Walton County went to legal mediation with the accounting firm of Carr Riggs and Ingram looking to get $1 million out of the company.

What it got was two more years of Carr Riggs and Ingram, at a reduced rate.

The Planning Department errors led to the county collecting $614.25 when it should have received $614,250 and $20,560.25 when it was owed $205,560.25.

This happened during Bill Imfields' tenure as Finance Director and Carr Riggs and Ingram was the CPA Firm.

There is also the a Grand Jury Report posted on this site. Go look for it and get back with me.

Cindy Meadows was not and never has been responsible for collecting and/or reporting (not reporting or collecting in this case) fees from the Planning Dept. It was not now nor was it ever her job!

 

[Misty]

@earl and @Born&Bread

Since you both wanted to talk about money that got lost in Ms. Meadows district (which was never lost, it was simply never collected) can we talk about the $150,000.00 of taxpayer money Imfield voted to spend on Emeril Lagasse TV show?



Or can we talk about Chapman and how he was suspended and demoted for abusing his government office to secure the early release of his son who was arrested for punching his girlfriend in the face?

 

[Jenksy]

I am not for or against but those ads are misleading?

Oversaw the loss of $600,000 - does that mean he was on the BCC when it happened? $150,000 for Emeril's TV Show - I kind of thought that might be a good idea - or at least as good as any other advertising dollars we spend through TDC.

Not sure I blame Chapman for wanting to get his son out of jail.

 

[FactorFiction]

@earl and @Born&Bread

Since you both wanted to talk about money that got lost in Ms. Meadows district (which was never lost, it was simply never collected) can we talk about the $150,000.00 of taxpayer money Imfield voted to spend on Emeril Lagasse TV show?



Or can we talk about Chapman and how he was suspended and demoted for abusing his government office to secure the early release of his son who was arrested for punching his girlfriend in the face?

I am not endorsing anybody, but in the interest of fairness, just a reminder that it takes 3 votes to pass anything on the BCC. The Lagasse item passed 4-0. See excerpt from minutes below. Also, while Mr. Chapman may have used his connections and/or influence to get his son out of jail, it does appear that he "paid his dues" and, hopefully, learned a valuable lesson. Perhaps it would be best to focus on the current issues facing Walton County.

Mr. Bagby requested approval of an agreement between MAT Media, LLC and Walton County TDC for producing two episodes, TV commercials, billboards, and vignettes for Emeril's Florida television program for the 2014 season. The approved budgeted amount for this agreement is $150,000. Commissioner Comander asked how the county has benefitted by the show. Mr. Bagby stated that nine restaurants have been featured and that Chef Lagasse IS committed to helping the Walton County brand through his show and other ventures.

Motion by Commissioner Com ander, second by Commissioner Imfeld, to approve an agreement between MAT Media, LLC and Walton County TDC for producing two episodes, TV commercials, billboards, and vignettes for Emeril's Florida television program for the 2014 season in the amount of$150,000. Ayes 4, Nays O. Pridgen Aye, Comander Aye, Chapman Aye, Imfeld Aye.

November 26,2013 - Regular Meeting 7 Prepared by: Kimberly Wilkins

 

[FactorFiction]

Regarding the miscalculated $600,000 in plat fees:

Defuniak Herald » State attorney releases report on investigation of the Walton County Planning Department

In the wake of an investigation that began in January 2015, State Attorney Bill Eddins announced on Sept. 24 that he did not find sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution as a criminal offense what he termed a “mistake” by the Walton County Planning Department. This was an incident that had occurred a decade earlier

 

[Misty]

@Jensky wrote:

Oversaw the loss of $600,000 - does that mean he was on the BCC when it happened?

Actually, he was the Finance Director at the time the money was NOT collected and we are still using the very same CPA firm that failed to find it AND the County sued the firm and then cut a deal with them. It was actually Ms. Meadows who was not on the BCC at the time and had nothing to do with the money not being collected which would never have been in her job description to start with.

Not sure I blame Chapman for wanting to get his son out of jail.

Are you saying you condone domestic violence or that it's ok to hit a woman? I wonder if you would feel the same way if one of your family members was punched in the face. Domestic violence is a crime in the state of Florida. Being a cop doesn't grant your children special privileges. Chapman took an oath to "support, protect and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States, and of the State of Florida" and no where in that oath does it say his kids, family or friends get special favors.

This was not the first favor where Chapman took liberties with the law either..While employed by the City Of Defuniak Springs Police Dept. (under "Ray Buddy" Burgess City Marshall) Chapman was aware and participated in fudging his certifications to carry a firearm. Really? You can't qualify so you "fake it till you make it"?? Ray Biddy Burgess was fired and lost his certifications in Fl. for 2 years and Chapman went back to work for the WCSO. So now not only is he not legally licensed to carry a firearm as a Sworn Sheriff's officer of the State, he later abused that same oath to get his son out of jail. (By the way, Chapman has admitted to both.)

@Fact or Fiction maybe it's just my foolish way of thinking but when you have a County who can't handle the population and tourists growth because of the lack of infrastructure and roads to handle the traffic, it seems RIDICULOUS to spend $150,000.00 dollars on advertising.

 

[Jenksy]

@Jensky wrote:

Actually, he was the Finance Director at the time the money was NOT collected and we are still using the very same CPA firm that failed to find it AND the County sued the firm and then cut a deal with them. It was actually Ms. Meadows who was not on the BCC at the time and had nothing to do with the money not being collected which would never have been in her job description to start with.

OK that is clearer - the ad vi should state that.

@Jensky wrote:
Are you saying you condone domestic violence or that it's ok to hit a woman?

No need to be condescending mam! Wanting to get your son out of jail asap is a different thing than not wanting him to pay dues if he is guilty.

@Jensky wrote:
@Fact or Fiction maybe it's just my foolish way of thinking but when you have a County who can't handle the population and tourists growth because of the lack of infrastructure and roads to handle the traffic, it seems RIDICULOUS to spend $150,000.00 dollars on advertising.

They have millions of dollars in the budget to spend on advertising. Fine if you take issues with the mission but you are arguing about the color of the drapes on the yacht.

@Jensky wrote:
While employed by the City Of Defuniak Springs Police Dept. (under "Ray Buddy" Burgess City Marshall) Chapman was aware and participated in fudging his certifications to carry a firearm. Really? You can't qualify so you "fake it till you make it"??

IMO anyone who falsified records about being able to carry a firearm should never get to have one again. And probably be fired.

 

[FactorFiction]

@Fact or Fiction maybe it's just my foolish way of thinking but when you have a County who can't handle the population and tourists growth because of the lack of infrastructure and roads to handle the traffic, it seems RIDICULOUS to spend $150,000.00 dollars on advertising.

[/QUOTE]
@Misty Not disagreeing with you on that, just pointing out that 4 commissioners voted to spend the money.