How Much Does It Take to Buy A Sheriff's Race?

I wonder if Joyce Johnson's (the thread-starter) lack of response to my question if she is related to current Sheriff, means that she IS related.

SJ, I usually agree with most of your post, but I don't understand the relevance of questioning relations of the thread starter. I am sure we have relatives of all candidates posting here anonymously, so, I can't fault someone who posted here under a real name. I don't know the poster, so, this is a blanket statement.

I say this because like everyone else, I have seen some really strong assertions made on this board anonymously.

In fact, I would think a person who post under a real name, that their assertion would hold more weight, since they can be traced back to a real person.

Charlie Hilton is a red flag for me, because he has a history of using political contributions to gain influence. His hold on the property appraisers office in Bay County is the most stark example.

Is there something he wants from the Sheriff? Who knows. The Sheriff sets a lot of policy regarding private beach issues, someone who has a self insured trust has a lot of financial exposure, the Sheriff will have a huge role in the foreclosure backlog. A Sheriff has a great deal of influence.

My point is this -- we hear about contributions being returned or refused in national politics all the time. Given Mr. Hilton's history, if I were running for office I would not accept his money. Particularly not if my campaign were this well financed, and I was receiving $500 contributions from students and bookkeepers.

SJ, I usually agree with most of your post, but I don't understand the relevance of questioning relations of the thread starter. I am sure we have relatives of all candidates posting here anonymously, so, I can't fault someone who posted here under a real name. I don't know the poster, so, this is a blanket statement.

I asked the question because if she is related to Sheriff Johnson, and she is suggesting that candidate Mike Adkinson is on the take because Charlie Hilton contributed to his campaign, "that just ain't right." Johnson is a common name and maybe she isn't related, but it seemed too coincidental that her first post began with this thread, then she backed out and didn't address my question.

I will add that when someone stirs the pot, then leaves the room abruptly without contributing to the conversation, they are referred to as an internet "troll," by definition. Joyce needs to come back on here and answer the questions.

I asked the question because if she is related to Sheriff Johnson, and she is suggesting that candidate Mike Adkinson is on the take because Charlie Hilton contributed to his campaign, "that just ain't right." Johnson is a common name and maybe she isn't related, but it seemed too coincidental that her first post began with this thread, then she backed out and didn't address my question.

I will add that when someone stirs the pot, then leaves the room abruptly without contributing to the conversation, they are referred to as an internet "troll," by definition. Joyce needs to come back on here and answer the questions.

And my point being, I think we have a lot of those who are smart enough not to post under their real names;-)

Given Mr. Hilton's history, if I were running for office I would not accept his money. Particularly not if my campaign were this well financed, and I was receiving $500 contributions from students and bookkeepers.

Too funny!

Charlie Hilton is a red flag for me, because he has a history of using political contributions to gain influence. His hold on the property appraisers office in Bay County is the most stark example.

Is there something he wants from the Sheriff? Who knows. The Sheriff sets a lot of policy regarding private beach issues, someone who has a self insured trust has a lot of financial exposure, the Sheriff will have a huge role in the foreclosure backlog. A Sheriff has a great deal of influence.

My point is this -- we hear about contributions being returned or refused in national politics all the time. Given Mr. Hilton's history, if I were running for office I would not accept his money. Particularly not if my campaign were this well financed, and I was receiving $500 contributions from students and bookkeepers.

This is an old southern campaign scam. All you have to do is go to someone and give them $500.00 cash and then ask them to write a check to the campaign. It's been going on for years and unfortunately it's a very easy way to funnel money into a campaign and a very hard way to track campaign fraud.

Having said that I'm not saying this is the case, it just throws up red flags when people of very limited means, especially in this economy, are dropping large donations in campaign coffers.

So as long as the Sheriff is receiving bids on vehicles purchased, and the vehicles are needed, what would be the big deal?

Does anyone here think that Alys Beach will be treated differently by the Sheriff's Dept by their developer, Jason Comer, contributing the maximum amount to Adkinson's campaign? Again, we are talking about the Sheriff, not a County Commissioner.

SJ, I take back that statement, it has come to my attention the negotiation is done by the state and there's very little money in getting the contract.

SJ, I take back that statement, it has come to my attention the negotiation is done by the state and there's very little money in getting the contract.

No friend, I think you were right the first time. While it is true that the items local governments purchase are usually under a "state contract," the purchaser has great latitude as to whom the item is purchased from and the vendor makes a tidy profit from the sale. This applies to everything from reams of paper, to computers, ink cartridges and yes, automobiles.;-) While the county has very precise rules as to how vendors are chosen and strict purchasing policies, lets just say the sheriff is not so "rule bound."Thus, a new sheriff can buy pencils to paddy wagons from whomever he chooses.

Do you suppose the Edgewater HOA is looking for more security patrols from the sheriff?

Interesting.

Since they gave $500 to both Mr. Adkinson and ralph, it makes one wonder if their platforms are simular or exactly what is going on doesn't it?:rofl::funn:

Since they gave $500 to both Mr. Adkinson and ralph, it makes one wonder if their platforms are simular or exactly what is going on doesn't it?:rofl::funn:

Just covering their bases, most likely. Though if I were covering my bases, there is at least one more contribution I'd make.

$500.00 for a stupid volley ball net? Seems like a waste of HOA dues to me.

To answer the question as to my relationship to the sheriff Ralph Johnson, the answer is no. I may live in the county with the citizens but am not related to the current sheriff. Johnson is the 2nd most common name in the United States. namestatistics.com

My only reason for asking this question is will the sheriff work for the people of the county or for the person who donated the most to their campaign?

Don't underestimate the latitude that a county sheriff has. Look at the history of the sheriff's in the county.

I would just hope that people don't look at the contributions and think that the most money has the most citizen's support.

I am unclear why a Bay County resident would put that much money in a Walton County race.

After all of what I read about Hilton trying to buy the Bay County TDC positions and the other political position in Panama City Beach several years ago I just put the question out there.

We have discussed this in the office and thought we would put it in the So Wal and see what others thought. No malicious intent.

$500.00 for a stupid volley ball net? Seems like a waste of HOA dues to me.

My sincere thanks for replying, Joyce. You had me wondering the reasoning for your post when you left without another post.

One need not look further than Charlie Hilton's house in Seacrest to know that we cannot understand his reasons for doing what he does. His companies may have donated $2500 to Adkinson, but Adkinson's contributions are pretty high compared to the others, even without Charlie Hilton's money. I just don't see much reason to think that the Sheriff will be working for Charlie Hilton rather than the County.

Why can't we get the Sheriff's officers to tell us who they would like to see as Sheriff?

^^^^^^^^^^^
loaded question

SoWalProFire,
You asked this same question in the other thread.
See below.
These are the answers and your responses
One word answer: "fear" My sources tell me that while fire fighters are organized and have little to fear from any change of administrations, such is not the case in most police dept. and sheriff's dept. in this area.
So, if a sheriff candidate supported organized labor, and was subsequently elected, they wouldn't have to fear for their jobs if they utilized their American right to voice their opinion?

hmmmm... interesting

I would really value their opinion today. I wish the sitting sheriff would be open to letting them organize. Then we might really know who they thought would be the best man for the job. I wonder if any of the candidates are open to the idea of an organized labor force in the Sheriff's department.

Remember ??


There is the Fraternal Order of Police which is active in this area. They are about to announce who they endorse.

Thanks hoodie,

I did mention that is was a loaded question right?

I was aware that FOP had done their interviews. I am eagerly awaiting their endorsement.

Yep you did !

FOP Endorsement....

I don't believe that it will make any big difference who the FOP endorses for sheriff in Walton County. .....Walton County has never been too keen on unions in this county. Besides, I heard the FOP had already made their mind up way before the interviews were conducted. I was told that they chose Rick brown, one of their own from okaloosa where their chapter is located. Let's see if true, here in the next few days....when they announce it.

Are you saying that people in this area don't like the idea of paying dues to a Union, only to have the Union, telling them what to do, how to think and how to act? Interesting.

funny GOOGLE !!!

Went to GOOGLE this A.M. and typed in "tom cooper for sheriff". First hit was about Sheriff Tom Cooper (a civil war veteran) who got tired of the insanity in the Sheriff's office in Mississippi and walked in the door of the current sheriff and the sheriff (a certified scallawag and carpetbagger) dove out the window. Sheriff Cooper served for 8 years until the local KKK (good ol' boys) became disenchanted with his noncompliance with their views. When they came to tar and feather him, he set up headquarters on the postmaster's front porch with a lantern and 2 pistols and swore to shoot the first one who set foot on the porch steps. Sounds to me like history may repeat itself.

And my point being, I think we have a lot of those who are smart enough not to post under their real names;-)

We all need to be more diligent about calling a troll a troll, whether we agree with them or not.

We all need to be more diligent about calling a troll a troll, whether we agree with them or not.

Amen, sista friend

SJ,

You could benefit from doing a little research into the difference between public service Unions (police and fire) and private industry Unions (UAW, Teamsters Etc.) There is a big difference. You seem intelligent and I think you would have some real influence with both Union and non Union working folks if you didn't blindly bash one group or the other.:roll:

It may surprise you to know that most public service Union members are card carrying conservatives. Yep that's right. Republicans

And we don't practice mind control (except on our evil nemesis, the green goblin)

Shallowsnole's statement was about Walton County unions in general, not public service unions.