This forum is amusing and confusing for someone from the outside who has vacationed in South Walton all my life. It does seem that the "leaders" seem to have an agenda to control and restrict what goes on in South Walton. Small business seems to be the enemy, yet the business community has driven the economy of the area. It also seems that anyone who lives north of the bay is little more than an annoying redneck.
Liz:
Let me try to summarize this all for you.
Walton County has a very corrupted local government.
Those doing the corrupting have ties to people in very high places within Law Enforcement, Regional and State Government.
Developers and several individuals in positions of power have control of the County and MOST of its elected officials.
South Walton, and let's just be frank, the BEACHES, are the cash cow that keeps this little North Florida (sometimes Southern Alabama) County running.
Without the beaches there is NOTHING.
The powers that be have had to change their process in the money grabbing due to several local individuals that have been brave enough to stand up to them and call B.S. on several things, not the least of which is the sad excuse for a Board of County Commissioners, all but one of whom is corrupted (IMO).
Our County operates it daily business as it it were the 1800's and not 2015. It's a prime example of; It's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know. That's how dozens upon dozens of related family members have County Jobs and they can't articulate themselves out of a wet paper bag, let alone account for money.
The criminal element is in a full panic as they are having to quickly adjust their schemes due to cover their tracks. They recruit small business owners to create a Front Operation that allows a PAC to operate under the guise of a group that fights for the rights of the little guy. All the while, supporting the Big Guy and Crooks.
As for the Redneck Comment, while our area is diverse with many different life style choices and appearances, most of the people that post on this site are well educated and well spoken. They are true friends to this community. This is not a battle of North vs. South. Its a fight of good vs. evil. Unfortunately, the evil is winning.