By DEBORAH WHEELER
267-4555 | @WaltonSunDeb
dwheeler@waltonsun.com
Posted Dec. 30, 2015 at 6:00 PM
District 5 Walton County Commissioner Cindy Meadows announced this week she has filed to run again for her seat on the board.Meadows went down in Walton County's history in 2004 when she was the first woman elected to a seat on the Walton County Commission.She served that term, then took a sabbatical, moving back to Orlando, where she had lived for 20 years. On returning to South Walton, she ran again for the District 5 seat and won in 2012, defeating incumbent Cecilia Jones, who subsequently ran for and won the District 2 seat on the Commission.In filing to run again, Meadows said she feels it is important not to quit now as there is more work to be done."There's so much more to do in preserving and protecting the quality of life and people's homes here from over development," she said. "I would like to continue preserving the quality of life and neighborhoods here by protecting from over development, and improve the infrastructure to prepare for growth that is coming. I've been other places and I know what happens with over growth. It becomes anywhere U.S.A. We have a unique environment here and the opportunity to preserve and maintain its uniqueness. With that comes improved value."As for the current hot topic of incorporation for South Walton, Meadows said she doesn't have an opinion."That's something the people will decide," she said. "I am neutral on that. I want to see the numbers. I would support whatever the people vote to do."Meadows filed to run two days before Christmas."It's a pretty rigorous district and takes a lot. It's a very active district and it's a full-time job," she said.The first office Meadows held in the county was on the planning commission, from which she was removed, she said, as some felt her knowledge got in the way of decision making."I got riled up enough about that to consider running for the County Commission, and people encouraged me, so, I did, and won, although some people told me I would never win," she recalls.Originally from Tallahassee, Meadows worked in politics there for a state senator, where she gained experience in campaigning and urban planning.Following 20 years in Orlando, Meadows moved here in 1998.She has two degrees, a bachelors of business management and a masters in urban and regional planning. She also holds AICP certification.
267-4555 | @WaltonSunDeb
dwheeler@waltonsun.com
Posted Dec. 30, 2015 at 6:00 PM
District 5 Walton County Commissioner Cindy Meadows announced this week she has filed to run again for her seat on the board.Meadows went down in Walton County's history in 2004 when she was the first woman elected to a seat on the Walton County Commission.She served that term, then took a sabbatical, moving back to Orlando, where she had lived for 20 years. On returning to South Walton, she ran again for the District 5 seat and won in 2012, defeating incumbent Cecilia Jones, who subsequently ran for and won the District 2 seat on the Commission.In filing to run again, Meadows said she feels it is important not to quit now as there is more work to be done."There's so much more to do in preserving and protecting the quality of life and people's homes here from over development," she said. "I would like to continue preserving the quality of life and neighborhoods here by protecting from over development, and improve the infrastructure to prepare for growth that is coming. I've been other places and I know what happens with over growth. It becomes anywhere U.S.A. We have a unique environment here and the opportunity to preserve and maintain its uniqueness. With that comes improved value."As for the current hot topic of incorporation for South Walton, Meadows said she doesn't have an opinion."That's something the people will decide," she said. "I am neutral on that. I want to see the numbers. I would support whatever the people vote to do."Meadows filed to run two days before Christmas."It's a pretty rigorous district and takes a lot. It's a very active district and it's a full-time job," she said.The first office Meadows held in the county was on the planning commission, from which she was removed, she said, as some felt her knowledge got in the way of decision making."I got riled up enough about that to consider running for the County Commission, and people encouraged me, so, I did, and won, although some people told me I would never win," she recalls.Originally from Tallahassee, Meadows worked in politics there for a state senator, where she gained experience in campaigning and urban planning.Following 20 years in Orlando, Meadows moved here in 1998.She has two degrees, a bachelors of business management and a masters in urban and regional planning. She also holds AICP certification.
