For those who like to share

[Bob Wells]

I follow a few pages that have to do with with making our area better. Many folks say you have to engage in the process, emails, talking to those who make decisions, showing up at meetings. Folks complain emails aren't returned, access to meeting are hindered because of the time of day and access to decision makers is difficult. I wonder if we have anyone in all these groups who agree on everything. We have people who want to limit/ stop development because of infrastructure issues. We have folks who own property who want to build on their property. So we have competition for what should be allowed and not allowed.

The answer to much of this is Politics. But even local politicians are limited to what they can do based on limits that were put in place by previous Politicians or by legal precedent or even State intervention.

The way to make change is to become involved. Either via email, or making time to visit with those decision makers or stepping out and running for office or being appointed to some of the committees. We can't be discouraged by obstacles that seem to occur. We can't be afraid to put ourselves in the middle of the politics that is Walton County. We have to be involved. If you don't like the representation you have, then you have to either run or find someone who will run and support them. What I find in my conversations with people and my reading here locally is that it is very easy to complain until you have to put skin in the game. Elections occur every 2 year, redistricting every 10 years.

One of the things I have recently noticed folks have some strong thoughts about the Planning Commission. I was recently told/ read about how folks feel these people just rubber stamp items on their agenda. That this commission doesn't take into consideration the thoughts or impacts these projects have on the community/areas. I would venture to guess there is someone who is employed by the County who sits in on these meetings who is versed on what the codes and rules are. It may be a lawyer. I would also venture the developer or someone in his employ is also sitting presenting the why they should be allowed to do what they believe they are allowed to do. In the end is seem to go to the Planning Board members for the final say. Either way, whether it is approved or disapproved someone won't be happy. It seems those appointed to these positions should be looking out not for the interest of the people or the developer but the rules that have been set forth in the codes and zoning established by the county. The Solar Farm is kind of an example for me. If I remember correctly, the Planning Commission approved the plan over the objections of the residents. The BCC turned around and denied it and was basically fixing to be sued. After all that something happened in Tallahassee (Preemption of Local Decision) occurred and even before it was signed by the Governor the County was back at the table negotiating with Gulf Power. Personally, not sure what the Legislature did would have made a difference in the Walton County case, but could/ will have a profound impact going forward.

 

[mputnal]

I follow a few pages that have to do with with making our area better. Many folks say you have to engage in the process, emails, talking to those who make decisions, showing up at meetings. Folks complain emails aren't returned, access to meeting are hindered because of the time of day and access to decision makers is difficult. I wonder if we have anyone in all these groups who agree on everything. We have people who want to limit/ stop development because of infrastructure issues. We have folks who own property who want to build on their property. So we have competition for what should be allowed and not allowed.

The answer to much of this is Politics. But even local politicians are limited to what they can do based on limits that were put in place by previous Politicians or by legal precedent or even State intervention.

The way to make change is to become involved. Either via email, or making time to visit with those decision makers or stepping out and running for office or being appointed to some of the committees. We can't be discouraged by obstacles that seem to occur. We can't be afraid to put ourselves in the middle of the politics that is Walton County. We have to be involved. If you don't like the representation you have, then you have to either run or find someone who will run and support them. What I find in my conversations with people and my reading here locally is that it is very easy to complain until you have to put skin in the game. Elections occur every 2 year, redistricting every 10 years.

One of the things I have recently noticed folks have some strong thoughts about the Planning Commission. I was recently told/ read about how folks feel these people just rubber stamp items on their agenda. That this commission doesn't take into consideration the thoughts or impacts these projects have on the community/areas. I would venture to guess there is someone who is employed by the County who sits in on these meetings who is versed on what the codes and rules are. It may be a lawyer. I would also venture the developer or someone in his employ is also sitting presenting the why they should be allowed to do what they believe they are allowed to do. In the end is seem to go to the Planning Board members for the final say. Either way, whether it is approved or disapproved someone won't be happy. It seems those appointed to these positions should be looking out not for the interest of the people or the developer but the rules that have been set forth in the codes and zoning established by the county. The Solar Farm is kind of an example for me. If I remember correctly, the Planning Commission approved the plan over the objections of the residents. The BCC turned around and denied it and was basically fixing to be sued. After all that something happened in Tallahassee (Preemption of Local Decision) occurred and even before it was signed by the Governor the County was back at the table negotiating with Gulf Power. Personally, not sure what the Legislature did would have made a difference in the Walton County case, but could/ will have a profound impact going forward.

Exactly right. We got to be more involved! Sitting around on our arse is not going to getrdone. Complaining is not going to getrdone. It is a lot of work to jump through all the hurdles and to be honest I have failed more than I have been successful. As a small business person I have found the hurdles to be very high and sometimes it takes more resources than I have access to. So to be very honest the process is not fair to all. The more resources available to you the more success you will have. I do understand why a lot of people feel like they can't fight City Hall and give up trying. I have made that same mistake but if I have learned anything is that if you want something to change it will take a strong work ethic. It helps to have many voices who come together for a common purpose which is a time consuming as well as labor intensive to figure out. Community involvement takes time and organization not to mention a respect for each other no matter what our politics are. Not all of us have access to time and of course that is a problem. The complexities of politics and government could be better understood if our educational curriculum included Civics which would certainly help us organize our voices into an efficient demand for representation. So there are things that can help us be better represented but the bottom line is to have skin in the game...

 

[Matt J]

That's why organizations like Beach to Bay and SWCC (South Walton Community Council) were formed as advocacy groups. Unfortunately they don't receive the funding they used to and should. If you can't attend meetings and don't feel emails work then get involved with or simply support some of the local organizations that do exactly what you're looking for.

 

[Bob Wells]

That's why organizations like Beach to Bay and SWCC (South Walton Community Council) were formed as advocacy groups. Unfortunately they don't receive the funding they used to and should. If you can't attend meetings and don't feel emails work then get involved with or simply support some of the local organizations that do exactly what you're looking for.

Or work for the candidates who more closely represent your views. You would not imagine the number of folks I have talked with while sitting at the polls, who want to know about candidates as they are preparing to vote. 2 things I don't do, #1 trash talk the other candidates to a perspective voter and #2 tell them how to vote. The last election a couple came up to discuss the candidates and they didn't know they got to vote for all the BCC and School Board seats. When they found out they went home to do some homework.

 

[mputnal]

I believe that we the people will have to demand a 3rd party candidate in the very near future to save our democracy. It will have to be a grass roots movement that pulls all this negative energy between democrats and republicans to a positive hope for our future. The problem is the roots of our two parties have been fertilized by something green and with a lot of zero's that turns colors and smells bad very quick. So it may never happen as it will be almost impossible to compete with the BS two party system. Another problem is that it will be a risk that many of us will not be willing to make. I am not optimistic about a 3rd party or a 4th party or more but I now believe that democracy will not survive with a two party political system.

 

[Matt J]

The GOP will be thrilled to hear that. Third party candidates put Trump in office.

 

[mputnal]

The GOP will be thrilled to hear that. Third party candidates put Trump in office.

I know. The future looks bleak for democracy!

 

[Matt J]

I know. The future looks bleak for democracy!

There's no requirement in democracy to have any more than one party. Americans just prefer lots of choices even if two are viable and any others are pipe dreams.

 

[Bob Wells]

Been thinking about relationships and what we allow to influence them negatively. Since I retired I feel certain relationships have grown distant. Other relationships have become strained because of opinions. Even others become difficult because of a comment that didn't come out right or that was taken differently than was intended.
I value all my relationships even when there is disagreement over a subject. We get to choose what we get offended by, we can choose to allow it to damage our relationship or move on from what has offended us.


Some of the things that will damage my relationship with people is breaking trust. I see this a lot when folks feel as though there was a bond. Politics is a good example. I know folks who voted for President Trump and Hillary Clinton in 2016, who think I was wrong for my 3rd Party Vote in that election. Folks just can't understand. The thing is, I am just as perplexed by their vote. I shared the other day some very hard truths about Former President Trump that I believed and was castigated for understanding this and still voting 3rd party. Although I certainly did not like my vote I would have hated myself for voting differently. My attitude about politics started to move more middle of the road when we invaded Iraqi. I hadn't voted for a Democrat for President up to that time. My positions changed. I liked programs that helped people go to work and make a positive impact. President Clinton had a program that for me was one of them. President Bush when he took office canceled it. I used to believe we shouldn't be in places we aren't wanted or appreciated but being the tip of the spear to protect our homeland is important and if it means helping places like Germany, Japan and South Korea remain safe then so be it. I used to believe in trickle down economics but now am leaning more to a Flat tax mentality with no tax breaks for anyone including businesses. I believe in Social Security and Medicare and "Obamacare". I believe that Ameicans should make their own products and not get them from overseas and I drive a Toyota. I believe is a Strong Defense and support Cops but like in everything there has to be accountability. I believe Black Lives Matter not because they are black, because they are people. I believe in the Constitution of the United States and that it is a living document and as Jefferson said can change with the times. I believe that ANTIFA does more harm for their cause than good. I believe January 6th was an insurrection and that we as a Nation are fortunate there was restraint by the Capitol Police. I think if we can arrest over 500 people for the that riot we should hold people accountable for riots in our cities.


I tell people that it doesn't bother me what others think of me or what I believe. It has taken me 61 years to evolve to where I am. I don't go out of my way to kick sand in people's faces, call them names or goad them into a debate. I can't worry about your belief system or who you vote for. I am not looking for bringing people together or changing their perspective. What I can do is tell you why I am doing something. If that influences you great, but if not so be it.

 

[mputnal]

Been thinking about relationships and what we allow to influence them negatively. Since I retired I feel certain relationships have grown distant. Other relationships have become strained because of opinions. Even others become difficult because of a comment that didn't come out right or that was taken differently than was intended.
I value all my relationships even when there is disagreement over a subject. We get to choose what we get offended by, we can choose to allow it to damage our relationship or move on from what has offended us.


Some of the things that will damage my relationship with people is breaking trust. I see this a lot when folks feel as though there was a bond. Politics is a good example. I know folks who voted for President Trump and Hillary Clinton in 2016, who think I was wrong for my 3rd Party Vote in that election. Folks just can't understand. The thing is, I am just as perplexed by their vote. I shared the other day some very hard truths about Former President Trump that I believed and was castigated for understanding this and still voting 3rd party. Although I certainly did not like my vote I would have hated myself for voting differently. My attitude about politics started to move more middle of the road when we invaded Iraqi. I hadn't voted for a Democrat for President up to that time. My positions changed. I liked programs that helped people go to work and make a positive impact. President Clinton had a program that for me was one of them. President Bush when he took office canceled it. I used to believe we shouldn't be in places we aren't wanted or appreciated but being the tip of the spear to protect our homeland is important and if it means helping places like Germany, Japan and South Korea remain safe then so be it. I used to believe in trickle down economics but now am leaning more to a Flat tax mentality with no tax breaks for anyone including businesses. I believe in Social Security and Medicare and "Obamacare". I believe that Ameicans should make their own products and not get them from overseas and I drive a Toyota. I believe is a Strong Defense and support Cops but like in everything there has to be accountability. I believe Black Lives Matter not because they are black, because they are people. I believe in the Constitution of the United States and that it is a living document and as Jefferson said can change with the times. I believe that ANTIFA does more harm for their cause than good. I believe January 6th was an insurrection and that we as a Nation are fortunate there was restraint by the Capitol Police. I think if we can arrest over 500 people for the that riot we should hold people accountable for riots in our cities.


I tell people that it doesn't bother me what others think of me or what I believe. It has taken me 61 years to evolve to where I am. I don't go out of my way to kick sand in people's faces, call them names or goad them into a debate. I can't worry about your belief system or who you vote for. I am not looking for bringing people together or changing their perspective. What I can do is tell you why I am doing something. If that influences you great, but if not so be it.

So this is the thing. Most of society will agree on more things about life and purpose than disagree but then when we talk about politics all bets are off. The two party politics that is supposed be about checks and balances on power, between we the people and government, has become dysfunctional and that has changed us. Both political parties want power and to keep power. So depending on our perspective as a part of society and our own individual values and needs we are never going to agree on everything which is okay. What is not okay is when we lose respect for each other because of our different perspectives. When Obama was elected President there was a small group of republicans that formed the tea party. The tea party did not believe in democracy. They believed that compromise (which is another way of saying checks and balances) no longer works for them and set out to completely change the dynamics of a working congress. You were either with them or against them. Their motto was lock and load and take no prisoners. That was the beginning of the end of our democracy. Trump not only took advantage of what the tea party started but his whole life was exactly that same very flawed belief that democracy is too slow to be effective and would require him to share the wealth instead of concentrating wealth. Matt was right. We only need one political party to have a democracy but in my opinion I believe that humans are flawed and giving one party complete power is too much risk. So I decided that my vote really does matter after Bush vs Gore. I would love to have many choices from which to choose a representative of my values but I don't. Those 7 bankruptcies, the things Trump said about women and the way he talked more about himself than anything else seemed obvious that he was not someone we could trust with power. Then the obvious suddenly became a nightmare for democracy. I started finding myself losing respect for people including many in my own family. Well, that is a miserable place to be and life is short so I spent a lot of time trying to figure it all out. I started with posting in this forum during the discussions about the Confederate flag and I found a lot of disrespectful behavior including myself. I would accuse others of being disrespectful and yet I was doing the same thing. I finally figured out there is a better way. Listen, learn and then respond. I am not that good at it but I have learned from you, Poppaj and many others who I respectfully disagree with sometimes. I also may not always understand but when we have respect for each other it is okay because we can keep listening and learning and sometimes changing our minds about something. I want better relationships with people and I accept responsibility for my failures in communication. I believe in democracy and unity and checks and balances. My wife not so jokingly told me one time that I may want to be a peacemaker but I am a warrior at heart. Well, I am using that as a challenge to try and be something I am not but what are the chances

Do you believe that Trump was responsible for the insurrection and if so should he be arrested? Do you believe that the election was fraudulent and Trump really won? Do you believe that the new republican party passes voting legislation that is good for democracy or undermines our democracy? These are a few of the questions that I ask those that voted against Joe Biden. I am just trying to learn and I promise you I trust and respect whatever your answers are.