Redistricting Walton County

So they should not get a turn? Don't you owe me a hot dog?

I offered to meet you to pay out, it is archived on here somewhere. Of course Paxton should get a turn, but since their districting is set in stone, I'm not sure the acute interest exists there as it does here. You have to admit it looks cowardly to run as far north as is possible following the last meeting. Let me know when you are ready for your hot dog, I do owe it to you.

Especially if we assume no one is moving in north of the bay.

I didn't say noone is moving north of the bay, but it is a fact that far more are moving south of the bay.

But those folks moving from out of town or out of state do not necessarily have the same loyalities as old time Walton County Politics. Just saying, I wonder what the difference in those North of the bay are born a raised and if that may change the voting perspective over time?

From the perspective of a homeowner currently living in Sandestin, I like the Rees map.

Wow, was there an ugly email generated from a county office regarding Brenda Rees and the folks who live in Miramar/SanDestin who dared to show up at the last planning meeting. I wonder if the Walton Taxpayer's Association is looking into this activity. My guess is probably not!

Wow, was there an ugly email generated from a county office regarding Brenda Rees and the folks who live in Miramar/SanDestin who dared to show up at the last planning meeting. I wonder if the Walton Taxpayer's Association is looking into this activity. My guess is probably not!

Why, whats the story? Or is this rumor?

Mr. Small Box

"I wonder if the Walton Taxpayer's Association is looking into this activity. My guess is probably not!

Holy Mackeral!

Thanks for the tip. I had not seen or heard of the email until you mentioned it. Not on the Tea Party mailing list. Asked around and finally found someone that had a copy of the email in question. Frank Day and I were in a meeting with the SOE on Friday to discuss his budget proposal and review his plans to add a new precinct and consolidate 12 precincts next year and had I seen it before then I would have asked him about the summary by the original poster.

After reading the email I find no "taxpayer" issue. County employee's are allowed to answer emails to individuals with their thoughts, but I highly doubt that the SOE would agree with Mr. Vorwalds assessment of the meeting.

He is obviously not a history buff ! Probably not going to get alot of Miramar Beach/Sandestin votes if he chose to run !

Does anyone else think that maybe the next meeting should be held in south Walton or at least south of I-10 since that is the locale where the most concerned taxpayers reside? I looked at the printed agenda from the last meeting and it does not look like any place or time for the next meeting was set in stone. I'm guessing the Paxtonians will not worry too much about the change in venue.

North end citizens are not entitled to participate in the process? Everyone else has had their meeting, why does the northend not get their bite at the apple.
Such patronizing attitutes are what causes hard feelings between north and south.

North end citizens are not entitled to participate in the process? Everyone else has had their meeting, why does the northend not get their bite at the apple.
Such patronizing attitutes are what causes hard feelings between north and south.

No north enders have no right whatsoever, thanks for asking.


Don't be a tool.

Mr. Small Box

"I wonder if the Walton Taxpayer's Association is looking into this activity. My guess is probably not!

Holy Mackeral!

Thanks for the tip. I had not seen or heard of the email until you mentioned it. Not on the Tea Party mailing list. Asked around and finally found someone that had a copy of the email in question. Frank Day and I were in a meeting with the SOE on Friday to discuss his budget proposal and review his plans to add a new precinct and consolidate 12 precincts next year and had I seen it before then I would have asked him about the summary by the original poster.

After reading the email I find no "taxpayer" issue. County employee's are allowed to answer emails to individuals with their thoughts, but I highly doubt that the SOE would agree with Mr. Vorwalds assessment of the meeting.

He is obviously not a history buff ! Probably not going to get alot of Miramar Beach/Sandestin votes if he chose to run !

Ding, ding, ding! Winner winner, chicken dinner! Yet he would probably be elected.

Why, whats the story? Or is this rumor?

Not a rumor, it was read to me last night. If you want your own copy, call the Commisioner of Elections office and ask Mr Vorwald if he might be kind enough to forward you a copy. He is an angry feller, it would seem.

I offered to meet you to pay out, it is archived on here somewhere. Of course Paxton should get a turn, but since their districting is set in stone, I'm not sure the acute interest exists there as it does here. You have to admit it looks cowardly to run as far north as is possible following the last meeting. Let me know when you are ready for your hot dog, I do owe it to you.

I guess it could look that way. But between the three maps their district boundaries do change if I am remembering correctly and we had discussed at our first meeting that we wanted to meet in all three areas of the county. If not for the issues brought up at the last meeting, I doubt we would even have had another one and they would have lost out completely. But it is not a conspiracy. I would just as soon go one way as another.

Vorwald's email drips with disdain for the general public and people who spoke at the meeting. Downright rude and unprofessional IMO.

Always great to hear constituent input dismissed as "incessant whining, repetitious drivel, and lacking common sense" with individuals (who take the time to get involved and represented those of us who couldn't attend) singled out for personal attacks.

Could someone post a copy of said e-mail?

No north enders have no right whatsoever, thanks for asking.


Don't be a tool.

It is not being a tool to point out that fairness dictates everyone have an opportunity to speak their mind. This is a big county and it is a long way from Paxton to DFS.

Could someone post a copy of said e-mail?

From: Bill Vorwald (Email address redacted)
To: Mary (Email address redacted); Robert M. Sullivan (Email address redacted); Robert Nelson (Email address redacted)
Sent: Fri, May 27, 2011 10:52 am
Subject: RE: County Redistricting Meeting

Lady & Gentlemen:

In reply to Ms. McQuiston's letter and forwards by Mary & Bob, I offer these observations. Her letter is very well written and to the point. Perhaps she can influence a higher level of common sense at future meetings.

I attended the May 25 meeting at the request of SOE Bobby Beasley (who was in Orange Co., attending certification classes for election supervisors and staff). I expected some discussion, public input, and perhaps a conclusion to the process. Ms. Brenda Rees rose to present her proposal which would have had more significance, had we not had to listen to family history and geographics ad nauseum. Kudos to Ronnie Bell and Robert Nelson for trying to restore the flow of business.

There followed some logical arguments, pro and con, regarding the proposed boundary changes. However, far too much time was allotted to completely unnecessary incessant whining from the apparent Miramar/Sandestin contingent. This meeting should not have been the forum for a continuous chorus of "How Great We Are" and why they must have their very own personal commissioner. The repetitious drivel was downright embarrassing. (The only speaker making sense from the Sandestin area was Robin Weismuth (sp?).

If the Sandestin Homeowners Association ever decides to cooperate with our office, to establish a new voting precinct, it will be because of Robin's efforts.)

I would suggest to the chairman/woman of this committee to place a time limit on speakers to prevent any further filibustering by anyone - presenter or committee member.

Also, in response to those disgruntled Miramarians who must travel "north of the bay" to find their commissioner: if 1) your neighborhood ends up/remains in a non-contiguous district, 2) you become/are still upset about that, 3) use your voice to become/nominate a candidate for commissioner, and 4) vote yourself/your candidate into office. Then "north of the bay" will need to come see you.

Regards,

Bill Vorwald
Absentee Coordinator / RMLO / COOP Manager
Walton County Elections
571 E. Nelson Ave., DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
PH (850) 892-8112, FX (850) 892-8113
(Email address redacted)

Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

It is not being a tool to point out that fairness dictates everyone have an opportunity to speak their mind. This is a big county and it is a long way from Paxton to DFS.

And it is a helluva lot further from SOWAL to Paxton. Since the population that now seems concerned is from the south end of the county, it follows logic that the agents charged by our elected county officials to determine new districts would hold meetings near the locale of the concerned citizens, (aka the "How Great We Are" folks per Walton County public servant extraordinaire Bill Vorwald). Instead, every appearance is that the 'good old boys' from both sides of the bay are trying to limit discussion (please reference 'Beureaucrat' Bill Vorwald's despicable email) and running for the foothills of Paxton. Do you think this is an accident? What an insult it is that people who LIVE and RETIRE on the sweat of the taxpayers play these kind of games. I'm not saying the meeting should be in Seaside or Grande Blvd, heck, hold it in Defuniak it does not get any closer to mid-county than that.

Well, after reading the email/ letter and be it beyond me to be a voice of reason, if he is a county employee he went out of bounds, if he is an appointee to said comittee then he expressed his view and feel as though he has the right. If he was addressing the issue of an extended session by someone or group to dominate the discussion then maybe he has a point, I've seen folks from WCTA do that to the point it was sickening, but I also fault the leadership of the comittee or board for failing to control the meeting so at this point it sounds as though he has provided a remedy.

From: Bill Vorwald (Email address redacted)
To: Mary (Email address redacted); Robert M. Sullivan (Email address redacted); Robert Nelson (Email address redacted)
Sent: Fri, May 27, 2011 10:52 am
Subject: RE: County Redistricting Meeting

Lady & Gentlemen:

In reply to Ms. McQuiston's letter and forwards by Mary & Bob, I offer these observations. Her letter is very well written and to the point. Perhaps she can influence a higher level of common sense at future meetings.

I attended the May 25 meeting at the request of SOE Bobby Beasley (who was in Orange Co., attending certification classes for election supervisors and staff). I expected some discussion, public input, and perhaps a conclusion to the process. Ms. Brenda Rees rose to present her proposal which would have had more significance, had we not had to listen to family history and geographics ad nauseum. Kudos to Ronnie Bell and Robert Nelson for trying to restore the flow of business.

There followed some logical arguments, pro and con, regarding the proposed boundary changes. However, far too much time was allotted to completely unnecessary incessant whining from the apparent Miramar/Sandestin contingent. This meeting should not have been the forum for a continuous chorus of "How Great We Are" and why they must have their very own personal commissioner. The repetitious drivel was downright embarrassing. (The only speaker making sense from the Sandestin area was Robin Weismuth (sp?).

If the Sandestin Homeowners Association ever decides to cooperate with our office, to establish a new voting precinct, it will be because of Robin's efforts.)

I would suggest to the chairman/woman of this committee to place a time limit on speakers to prevent any further filibustering by anyone - presenter or committee member.

Also, in response to those disgruntled Miramarians who must travel "north of the bay" to find their commissioner: if 1) your neighborhood ends up/remains in a non-contiguous district, 2) you become/are still upset about that, 3) use your voice to become/nominate a candidate for commissioner, and 4) vote yourself/your candidate into office. Then "north of the bay" will need to come see you.

Regards,

Bill Vorwald
Absentee Coordinator / RMLO / COOP Manager
Walton County Elections
571 E. Nelson Ave., DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
PH (850) 892-8112, FX (850) 892-8113
(Email address redacted)

Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

Thanks for posting this, Mr. Hudson. Ms.{sic} Rees actually sent out an email responding to this rambling tripe (which was composed while on the public time clock, not inappropriately it seems). I would like to post it as it sheds clarity that Vorwald's jaundiced account ignores, but since it was not composed on the public computers, I'm not sure she wants this done.

so much for public service...

Well, after reading the email/ letter and be it beyond me to be a voice of reason, if he is a county employee he went out of bounds, if he is an appointee to said comittee then he expressed his view and feel as though he has the right. If he was addressing the issue of an extended session by someone or group to dominate the discussion then maybe he has a point, I've seen folks from WCTA do that to the point it was sickening, but I also fault the leadership of the comittee or board for failing to control the meeting so at this point it sounds as though he has provided a remedy.

Beureaucrat Bill is not out of bounds because he went to the meeting as an agent of our COE. Just realize that there are two sides of the story, and Brenda Rees was invited to give a presentation to the committee. She had to improvise (entertain?) while waiting for faulty audiovisual equipment the committee wanted her to use (not her stuff, and not her plan to use the equipment, but the committee's) was fixed. His snippy comments aimed at a private taxpayer who has amazing enthusiasm for Walton County are uncalled for, however.

Aside from the rudeness of it, Vorwald's email report of the event did not jibe with any other reports I heard.

Constituents went to a public meeting and actually proposed changes/alternate solutions, instead of just complaining and criticizing - they should be receptive and grateful for the discussion, not being nasty.

If someone is taking too long to speak or monopolizing the discussion, those in charge can easily deal with that.

I know this sort of thing is not condoned and am waiting to see how this plays out.

My pleasure Mr. Small Box - all a matter of public record. Best to get it out and end speculation as to what was written.

I think Brenda posts here - maybe she will post her private response.

She is very articulate and I personally would like to see her response

And it is a helluva lot further from SOWAL to Paxton. Since the population that now seems concerned is from the south end of the county, it follows logic that the agents charged by our elected county officials to determine new districts would hold meetings near the locale of the concerned citizens, (aka the "How Great We Are" folks per Walton County public servant extraordinaire Bill Vorwald). Instead, every appearance is that the 'good old boys' from both sides of the bay are trying to limit discussion (please reference 'Beureaucrat' Bill Vorwald's despicable email) and running for the foothills of Paxton. Do you think this is an accident? What an insult it is that people who LIVE and RETIRE on the sweat of the taxpayers play these kind of games. I'm not saying the meeting should be in Seaside or Grande Blvd, heck, hold it in Defuniak it does not get any closer to mid-county than that.

I would hope that the original plan was to hold meetings in all the geographical parts of the county: Nowal, DFS, Freeport and Sowal. Paxton would be the logical place in the northend. If you think more needs to be added from the Sowal area then why not ask for an additional meeting instead of deciding that an entire area does not have input or does not need it? No one with a sense of public spirit would oppose that. But cutting off input from one group of people so you can have an additional crack at the committee is unfair.

Regardless of your thoughts regarding where the next meeting should be held, it's still ridiculous for most people to attend a 2pm meeting. I'm sure that just as many residents of Paxton work a normal job they can't just walk away from to attend a meeting as people in the south end.

Mr. Vorwald's letter is incredibly one sided, mean, and unnecessary. He forgot to mention his request at the meeting that the process be sped up, so that he wouldn't have to work to hard to establish new precincts. My sympathy toward him on that issue has since evaporated. Some people take public service jobs to fulfill the built in job description. Others like the schedule and power. I think Mr. Vorwald's position is pretty clear.