[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Mission Accomplished, well, sort of?[/FONT][/SIZE] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Phase one of the mission, removing Ralph Johnson and his current administration from the Office of Sheriff of Walton County ? Completed at 1900 hours on August 26th 2008. Thank you to all the voters and the candidates that accomplished this.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Phase two of mission; support a new, qualified and deserving candidate to represent the Republican Party in November 2008. [/FONT][/SIZE] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Attempt number one, fell short, with good effort by all. Candidate Tom Cooper took second (defeating the incumbents numbers) but did not gain enough votes to over take Mike Adkinson. Cooper is a fine and upstanding individual who ran an aggressive, intelligent campaign. He kept it clean and honorable and always stood up for himself when necessary (sound like a Cop to me). Great Job Tom, thank you.:clap:[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Attempt number two, this is going to be difficult?:confused: This sometimes heated campaign has forced the hand of candidates and their supporters. Unfortunately, I have observed, ?watched? if you will, several showings of true colors, which has only increased my concerns about the honestly and the integrity of certain campaigns. As we go into the November General Election and see Mike Adkinson (Rep) go against Dan Griffin (Dem), I have a few words of advice for these candidates. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]First, (this is more directed to your supporters, keep a tight leash) do not make derogatory statements about the ?South End?. Whoever (all new posters) was bright enough to make cracks about SoWal cost Adkinson votes. He may not have needed them in the end, but this is far from over. Second, do not assume anything. The SoWal voter has become more and more educated and people are much more likely to research ?rumors? and being able to decipher the Fact from the Fiction, this too cost candidates votes. Third, surround yourself with people that will bring you up not down. Like I had said before, people are like elevators, they can take you up or they can take you down. Some of the people Adkinson has chosen to surround himself with (knowingly or unknowingly) have the potential to take him Down. Yet to see with Griffin.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Being that I am a Republican Voter, I do not foresee myself ?switching parties? any time soon. However, this campaign and the tactics used have made a wound that will need time to heal. I hope that Mike Adkinson and Dan Griffin both sincerely reach out to the South End Voters, present real, substantial plans for making the department better, not fluff and nonsense (I mean a bit of dog poop is still dog pop once you pick it up off the sidewalk, you have to get rid of it appropriately for it to be gone?) Also, please realize that this part of the county has grown and changed dramatically in the past few years. Our County is very diverse with new challenges facing us each day. With those challenges come opportunity and with opportunity comes reward. Please treat us like you want to listen to us and help us help you. Don?t treat us like you only want our vote. Keep a tight leash, the dog catcher is ?watching?.:cool:[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]B C?ing You,[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]W[/SIZE][/FONT]
