Commissioner Brannon in hot water over email

[justhavinfun]

WMBB VIDEO NEWS REPORT

Walton County, Fla. -


View attachment 26935

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The actions of a Walton County Commissioner are under scrutiny tonight after a controversial email surfaces. Now there are questions over whether he broke a county e-mail rule while simultaneously sending an offensive message.

The message was uncovered by Walton resident Mary Nielson and was sent to Tourist Development Council director Dawn Moliterno. State representative Matt Gaetz is a Walton County attorney who says Brannon violated the law.

"In 2009, Judge Green issued an order that no Walton County Commissioner would be permitted to use their private email address to conduct county business," Gaetz said. "We see now in fact that commissioner Brannon has in fact violated that order."

Maybe the biggest controversy, however, is what is actually included in the email message - a slur that many find offensive.

The message, sent on November 28th at 3 AM, reads: "Can you finish with this if semt (sic) u from GM. Help a n***a out! "

"It's certainly troubling that someone in such a high position in county government would use language like this," Gaetz said.

Brannon refused to comment on camera, but in a statement released Tuesday he apologized for the email:

"This email controversy has been blown completely out of context and proportion. The slang phrase referred to is a line from a song by Tupac, an artist that I listen to. I quoted it like I also quoted Ben Franklin in the same email. Working at 3:15am in the morning it was at worst a poor choice of a quote. Even though it was directed at myself and was not for publication, I apologize if I have offended anyone which was certainly not my intent"

Most residents that were shown the email Tuesday around DeFuniak Springs say that's no excuse.

"If you're having a conversation with someone and you have an understanding of what you're saying, that's one thing," said resident Coralee Metz. "But to send that out in an email and write that, that's just not right."

Other's were more understanding.

"That's not good, but people make mistakes," resident Whitney Hurst said.

Gaetz says Brannon is set to go before a judge in June to determine whether or not he is in contempt of court for using his personal email for county business.

Under our legal system. everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty however lets get real here - If you worked for a TV station, Coca Cola or any other major corporate entity and mentioned that word in an email, would it be acceptable? And what would the general public think about you as a person. Would you face repercussions like potentially losing your job (I think the answer to that question is yes in some form)

So OK he has admitted to using the word in a humorous answer and that he likes Tupac and even if he does show us his IPOD with all of Tupacs song it's not professional by any means. He also has a date in court so let the process play out right or wrong - I'm guessing he is hoping this gets swept under the rug and maybe it will, if he is allowed to!

I have never met the man nor is it on my wish list as I've seen and read enough to develop my own thoughts . I'm a registered voter and I can affect change by exercising my right to vote which I fully intend to do.

This thread should not be a war of words about the local politicians but let me offer this piece of information. I moved here 18 months ago and enjoy the area as well as this forum but when I look at some of the issues that have come up with respect to our elected officials I find it embarassing and there are plenty more people from out of town reading this as well. They can draw their own conclusion but if you want change, exercise your right to vote PLEASE!

 

[lazin&drinkin]

Walton County commissioner pleads guilty to multiple ethics violations


August 05, 2008 6:02 PM
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Florida Freedom Newspapers




TALLAHASSEE -- Republican Walton County Commissioner Scott Brannon plead guilty to multiple Florida State Constitution ethics violations and agreed to a fine in a plea arrangement with the Florida Ethics Commission. The 17 Count Complaint filed in September 2007 by a Walton County citizen highlighted discrepancies concerning his Full and Public Financial Disclosures in 2003, 2005, and 2006. The Commission found probable cause and began an investigation.
After a preliminary investigation the Ethics Commission Investigators agreed with the Complainant allegations on virtually every violation listed in the complaint. The Commissions Report is now available to the public made possible by the recent guilty plea arrangement.
In his investigative report Ethics Commission Investigator K. Travis Wade said, (Brannon) 'acknowledged that he mistakenly failed to report a Certificate of Deposit as an asset on his form. Although calls to the Respondent to determine the value of the CD (Certificate of Deposit) in 2005 were not returned, he valued the CD at $96,571.00 on his 3003 Commission on Ethics Form 6X (amending the 2003 CE Form 1) and as $515,000.00 on his 2006 CE Form 6X (amending his 2006 CE Form 1).'
Wade also said in his report; 'The Respondent (Brannon) advised by telephone that although he reported his ownership in Four Mile Land Company, as an asset, he forgot to report his 50% ownership in Four Mile Land or his 50% ownership in FR Industries as an asset.' All Companies are located in Freeport, FL. The investigators report contains 40 other notes corresponding to the investigation.
The guilty plea arrangement, signed by Commissioner Brannon, must be approved by the full Ethics Commission in a public meeting on Sept. 5, 2008 at the Florida Senate Building in Tallahassee. The Commission must adjudicate the case or continue the investigation.
Brannon retains the right to withdraw the guilty plea should the investigation into his finances continue.
http://www.thedestinlog.com/news/scott-5806-brannon-video.html

 

[Annie66]

Where would I find a copy of the court order regarding e-mails? Does it only apply to commissioners or to all Walton county elected officials?

 

[lazin&drinkin]

[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]IN [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUITIN AND FOR WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]SUZANNE HARRISPlaintiff,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]vs. Case No.: 09CA000800[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]WALTON COUNTY BOARD OFCOUNTY COMMISSIONERS andMARTHA INGLE, [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]her official capacityas the Clerk of Courts, Walton County[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]Defendants.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]----------------------------~/
[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR CONTEMPT[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]AND SHOW CAUSE ORDER[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]Plaintiff, SUZANNE HARRIS ("Mrs. Harris"), by and through undersignedcounsel, hereby moves this Honorable Court for a Contempt Order and Show CauseHearing, and [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]support thereof, states as follows:[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]1. On or about December 28, 2009, this Court entered a Final Judgmentconceming the County's violation of Chapter 119, [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]Florida Statutes [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]("the Public RecordsAct"), by failing to preserve and produce public records upon request. The FinalJudgment is attached as Exhibit [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.800000%, 31.800000%, 31.800000%)]"A."[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]2. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]The County stipulated to the Final Judgment [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]its entirety after over ayear of discovery, depositions and litigation.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]3. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]In [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]order to preserve the dignity of the Final Judgment, and to ensure thatthe County does not regress [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]its compliance with the Public Records Act, the FinalJudgment preserves this Court's jurisdiction to enforce the Final Judgment [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]the eventthat it [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]is [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]violated by any party.[/COLOR]


[COLOR=rgb(22.000000%, 22.000000%, 22.000000%)]Page 1 of 4[/COLOR]






[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]4. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]Specifically, Paragraph 7 of the Final Judgment states:[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]The Walton County Board of County Commissioners andeach individual commissioner shall use only his or herofficial county e-mail account when transacting officialbusiness.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]Exhibit [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.000000%, 31.000000%, 31.000000%)]"A."
[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]5. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]Commissioner Scott Brannon [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]is [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]a member of the Walton County Board of[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]County Commissioners and [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]is [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]bound by the terms of the Final Judgment.
[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]6. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]Specifically, the Final Judgment requires that Commissioner Brannon only[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]use his official, county-issued email when communicating County business.
[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]7. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]Commissioner Brannon maintains a personal email account with the emailaddress: [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]_ _ _ _ _ _ [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]"'@""a""o"'I"'.c"'o"'m""1.0ninformationand [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]belief, Commissioner Brannonmaintains personal computer equipment [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]County offices, which he uses to sendemails concerning official business, and such emails have been sent with the above[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]email address.
[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]8. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]Commissioner Brannon has violated Paragraph 7 of the Final Judgment,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]by sending emails regarding County Business from his private email. Several ofCommissioner Brannon's unlawful emails are attached as Exhibit [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.000000%, 31.000000%, 31.000000%)]"B." [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]It is unclear at thistime how many unlawful emails exist.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]9. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]Mrs. Harris reasonably believes that Commissioner Brannon continues toviolate this Court's Final Judgment by sending emails from a personal email and acomputer that is [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]the possession, custody and control of the County.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]10. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]Commissioner Brannon has demonstrated a lack of [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.000000%, 31.000000%, 31.000000%)]compliance [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]with thisCourt's prior order regarding the preservation of public records and prohibition on the[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(31.000000%, 31.000000%, 31.000000%)]1 [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.000000%, 31.000000%, 31.000000%)]Commissioner Brannon's email address [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]has [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.000000%, 31.000000%, 31.000000%)]been [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.000000%, 31.000000%, 31.000000%)]truncated [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.000000%, 31.000000%, 31.000000%)]to [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(38.800000%, 38.800000%, 38.800000%)]comply [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.000000%, 31.000000%, 31.000000%)]with Judicial Rule ofAdministration 2.425.[/COLOR]



[COLOR=rgb(22.300000%, 22.300000%, 22.300000%)]Page 2 of 4[/COLOR]





[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]use of his personal email to conduct County business. Thus, this Court can have noconfidence that Commissioner Brannon is not continuing to erode the value of the FinalJudgment by not preserving public records or by engaging [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]unlawful communications.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]11. Mrs. Harris is entitled to the recovery of her reasonable attorneys' feesand costs for the bringing of this action pursuant to the terms of the Final Judgment.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]WHEREFORE, Plaintiff SUZANNE HARRIS respectfully requests that the Courta) Find that Defendant WALTON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTYCOMMISSIONERS has violated the terms of the Final Judgment and thus shallbe held [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]contempt;[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)](b) Find that Commissioner Scott Brannon has violated the terms of the FinalJudgment and thus shall be held [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]contempt;
(c) Issue a Show Cause Order as to why the County Government andCommissioner Scott Brannon engaged [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]in [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]conduct repugnant to the FinalJudgment;[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)](d) Order a show cause hearing to take place on the next available date onthe Court's docket;
[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)](e) [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Require Commissioner Brannon and/or Defendant County Government topay the attorneys' fees and costs incurred by Mrs. Harris associated with bringingthis Motion; and,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)](f) Such other remedies this Court deems just and proper.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Signed on [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(27.800000%, 34.500000%, 63.500000%)]1=t'D<u~ [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(27.800000%, 34.500000%, 63.500000%)]9 [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)],2012.[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Page 3 of 4[/COLOR]







[COLOR=rgb(25.900000%, 32.900000%, 63.100000%)]~ [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.900000%, 32.900000%, 63.100000%)].. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Lawrenpe1(e~ [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(35.300000%, 41.600000%, 56.100000%)]..........[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Florida Bar No.: 602809[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Michelle Anchors
[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Florida Bar No.: 932272[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Matthew L. Gaetz, II
[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Florida Bar No.: 0048962
Keefe, Anchors, Gordon & Moyle2113 Lewis Turner Blvd[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Fort Walton Beach, [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]FL [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]32547Phone: (850) 863-1974
Fax: (850) 863-1591
E-mail: Ikeefe@kagmlaw.com[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]manchors@kagmlaw.com[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]mgaetz@kagmlaw [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(42.800000%, 42.800000%, 42.800000%)].com[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Attorneys for Plaintiff[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has beenfurnished to William G. Warner, Warner Law Firm, [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]PA, [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]P.O. Box 1820, Panama City,FL 32402, by regular U.S. Mail and facsimile this [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(31.800000%, 38.800000%, 69.000000%)]c;fL [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]day of February, 2012.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.900000%, 32.900000%, 63.100000%)]~·.a~[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Florida Bar No.: 602809[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Michelle Anchors[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Florida Bar No.: 932272[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Matthew L. Gaetz, II[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Florida Bar No.: 0048962
Keefe, Anchors, Gordon [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]&Moyle[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]2113 Lewis Turner Blvd
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547Phone: (850) 863-1974
Fax: (850) 863-1591
E-mail: Ikeefe@kagmlaw.com[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]manchors@kagmlaw.com[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]mgaetz@kagmlaw.comAttorneys for Plaintiff[/COLOR]



[COLOR=rgb(25.500000%, 25.500000%, 25.500000%)]Page 4 of 4[/COLOR]
























[COLOR=rgb(71.400000%, 71.400000%, 71.400000%)].-:."1[/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(60.000000%, 60.000000%, 60.000000%)]•. [/COLOR][COLOR=rgb(60.000000%, 60.000000%, 60.000000%)]!'.-.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=rgb(71.400000%, 71.400000%, 71.400000%)].[/COLOR]

 

[lazin&drinkin]

sorry about that. the pdf didn't copy and paste correctly, but the gist is there. It was formatted properly in the Preview pane after pasting, but after posting, lots of formatting commands.

In the second large block of text, the bold print has the language of the violated order.

 

[Bob Hudson]

Brannon In The News In Pensacola - WEAR-TV

What's Next FoxNews - MSNBC - CNN 20/20 ?





WEAR VIDEO - CLICK HERE


WALTON COUNTY - A racial slur in an e-mail has some people calling for a Walton County commissioner to resign. The e-mail also may have violated a court order in a Sunshine Law case.

The e-mail was sent at 3:15 a.m., from Walton County Commissioner Scott Brannon, to Tourist Development Council chairman Dawn Moliterno, who works in this office. He was asking her to put together a memo when she got to work.

Brannon August Sefo, of Santa Rosa Beach, said, "Scott Brannon is an elected official held to one of the highest offices in Walton County." August continued, "I think he should be judged, and if found guilty, I'm thinking that he should be prosecuted in the highest level of county court."

The email surfaced after a public records request in a lawsuit against the county. Brannon asks Moliterno to "help him out" using the "n-word" in the process.

Elizabeth Moreau said, "I think that's completely wrong, and that he should be fired for that."

Jeff Waxman said, "I think he should resign for just being an idiot, for putting something like that in writing."

Mikey Barrier said, "He should at least apologize, if nothing else."

While noone we met spoke up for Brannon, he did offer a written apology.

Brannon says he was quoting Tupac, a musical artist he listens to. He says he used bad judgment at 3:15 a.m., and didn't intend to offend anyone.

Elizabeth Moreau said, "It's inappropriate. I don't care where he got it from, and it's not for him to say that." The e-mail was sent from what appears to be Brannon's personal account.

In a recent Sunshine Law case, a judge ordered Walton Commissioners to use only county e-mail accounts for county business.

Jeff Waxman said, "That was I think in 2009 when that ruling was handed down so I think he should definitely resign or however the process works. Be gone."

There will be a contempt of court trial in June, to decide whether commissioners who sent e-mails from personal accounts did violate that 2009 judge's order.

Wednesday, April 4 2012, 09:14 PM CDT

 

[SHELLY]

Brannon says he was quoting Tupac, a musical artist he listens to. He says he used bad judgment at 3:15 a.m., and didn't intend to offend anyone.

I have a suggestion for the judge in this case: If Brannon can rap the lyrics to 2 Tupac songs selected at random--the judge should let him off with a smack across the snoot with a rolled up newspaper.

However, if he's not able to do so, I think we should "Help a commisha out"...out of office that is.

 

[Dawn]

Let's not forget. I think he was 23 when he got elected. Seems we're all a little too sensitive and PC, especially when it serves our agenda. The faux outrage from a few people is just as sickening as a naive commissioner doing something dumb. It all seems a little "junior high" to me.

Should we respect and appreciate officials who can sit through 8-hour meetings interrupted by asshats like (name redacted but initails are AA but is not named Andy) every 5 minutes, or should we recognize that only dumbasses or people with poor agendas would do it?

Ever see the movie "Election" with Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick? If you haven't it is really good and explains a lot about politics, ethics, and ambition.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Let's not forget. I think he was 23 when he got elected. Seems we're all a little too sensitive and PC, especially when it serves our agenda. The faux outrage from a few people is just as sickening as a naive commissioner doing something dumb. It all seems a little "junior high" to me.

Should we respect and appreciate officials who can sit through 8-hour meetings interrupted by asshats like (name redacted but initails are AA but is not named Andy) every 5 minutes, or should we recognize that only dumbasses or people with poor agendas would do it?

Ever see the movie "Election" with Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Flick? If you haven't it is really good and explains a lot about politics, ethics, and ambition.

Oh, snap! He was only 23 when elected? Well, then, forget about it.
:shock:
At what age do you suggest we take seriously asshats on the public dole using racial slurs in emails that were generated in contempt of a court order? 30? 40? If one is not mature enough to accept the good and bad that goes with ANY job, maybe they should quit. Holding public office by default means you will suffer fools, that goes with the territory. The same can be said of doctors, lawyers, merchants and in this case, a judge will have to suffer this fool who seems particularly skilled at showing up on dockets.

 

[Andy A]

I am certainly not going to defend Scott Brannon's actions or condone them but I am going to defend the system. Serving the public in ANY capacity is far from an easy task and I have admiration for anyone who undertakes it.

Dawn makes some good points. The "junior high" aspect is very prevalent here and in other places. The old saying, "Walk a mile in one's shoes before you critize" comes to mind. What Commissioner Brannon did was wrong but I have a question. How would you like every email you receive open to scrutiny? I am sure there is a fine line between personal communication and that which is accessible by the public. Our local elected officials deserve some consideration for the difficult task they perform. If you are a thoughtful individual, please give it to them. If not and you can improve on their job performance, as I've said many times, run for office.