Back to All About SoWal

Sheriff Johnson Endorses Danny Griffith

WCcitizens avatar
Beach Lover
20,638 views
We'll it's official folks! As of last Friday Sept. 19th, Ralph is throwing all his support toward democrat sheriff candidate Danny Griffith. I too was also curious about the locations where Ralph Johnson's signs use to be, were being replaced with Danny Griffith signs. Also certain deputies that had Ralph Johnson signs in their yards and on their trucks, are now being replaced with Danny Griffith ones. As everyone knows, you can't judge a book by it's cover, and i wanted to give Danny the benefit of the doubt and didn't want to jump to conclusions without doing a little investigation work. Sooo these are the facts......Ralph didn't expect to lose this past August, so last year his wife enrolled in the state's DROP program out at the prison, where she works. Now that he lost, he can't move to Tennessee just right yet because of his wife needing to do a few more years with the state.
There has been approximately two meetings within Ralph and Danny since August 26th. There has also been numerous...I repeat, numerous phones calls between the both of them to discuss trying to switch certain supporters of Ralph's over to Danny's side. If Danny wins then Ralph will stay employed with the SO as a Lt. or Capt.(not sure which one yet?)The only problem is that Danny is not wanting it slip out to the public that Ralph is endorseing him...because it's the "kiss of death" especially with the citizens of Walton County who voted against Ralph. I usually vote democrat each election, since I'm a hard core democrat. My entire family from my grandparents to my grandchildren has always been so called "yellow dog" democrats, but this will be the first time I'm going to vote republican this go round for the sake of all these poor deputies and the citizens of Walton County. I know there will be alot of people disagree with my findings but my facts are true and came directly from one of their family members. From what I've acquired about Danny Griffith is he is a very nice guy and a hard working trooper. That's why I didn't want to just go by rumors you hear or read about someone. I had to find out for myself. I just thought the facts needed to be known right now, because come Nov. 4th, if Danny wins and then Jan. 2nd rolls around Ralph is still working at the SO..people are going to say "what the h*ll?" So don't say you weren't warned ahead of time. God helps us....we can't deal with another four more years of Ralph.:bang:

Edited

Replies

125
Beach Comber
#77
does the pd have enough officers to follow every bus? and what time is when you see these officers sitting on the side of I10? And do the bus routes run up and down 331???

Edited

Beach Comber
#78
I never said to follow a bus

They could be seen in other places beside sitting down there. They could makes varies check at school zones. Drive up and down roads and been seen. I have seen them at all differnet times morn, noon and night. Come on they dont just go there everyday at 4. And yes there are bus routes down 331. If there is a child a house there is a route to pick him/her up.



does the pd have enough officers to follow every bus? and what time is when you see these officers sitting on the side of I10? And do the bus routes run up and down 331???
Beach Comber
#79
She?
Maybe you should change your name to clear as mudd .... Lawdawg clearly stated "She" didnt say offically. So I guessed that he knew you, and that you were a she. You said not to go off rumors and are spreading them yourself. You are all on here talking about what a great guy Danny is, well so is Mike. Maybe you should take the time to chat with him as well. He too will meet with you, talk to you whatever you like. :D All I can say is may the best man win. I just hope its the man I am supporting. If not, I hope that Danny does right by both the citizens of Walton County and the deputies who are paid to protect them.
Beach Comber
#80
It is interesting to me that you are concerned by who keeps their jobs or if they are demoted. I have always had issue with the idea that when a new Sheriff gets elected he cleans house. People on this board have said that there are employees with WCSO who are just doing their jobs in following the directions of RJ. Truly do we want to replace competent individuals so MA or DG can place their chosen ones in there. Some times continuity is good. I can see a couple of top people being placed, but it is about following orders after that and competency. If the book keeper is failing to perform their job adquately and you attempt to correct their deficienies and they fail, then you replace them, if an officer is not performing their duties adquately and an attempt to correct their deficiencies and they fail, then you replace them. A standard/ guideline has to be in place to measure performance or your just maintaining the do as I say standard and that may change day to day which serve no ones purpose especially the taxpayer.


I dont think that a new Sheriff just comes in and fires everyone. Its easier for you and I to judge when we are on the outside looking in. I know several deputies, who have stated that there are people who need to be demoted not really "fired" because while they have acted under direction of R.J they have done so in a vindictive way. If your a book keeper and you cant keep books, then you shouldnt be a book keeper. I mean there is only so much you can do for people. I am sure anyone at the S.O is going to be concerned who the new Sheriff to be is going to be bringing in with them, and allowing to stay in charge. You I assume, are a fire fighter and protected by a union. Imagine if every four years your boss changed and you had to worry. I am sure we as the public only begin to see a glimpse, a minor glimpse of how it truly is in the department because the deputies are so job scared to come forward. I have been told by my friends that they are alot of good supervisors that have their backs, and dont stand down no matter what, and those in my opinion need to stay, but the ones who will do walk over anyone to keep their position need to go or remember where they come from. :cry:
Beach Comber
#81
They could be seen in other places beside sitting down there. They could makes varies check at school zones. Drive up and down roads and been seen. I have seen them at all differnet times morn, noon and night. Come on they dont just go there everyday at 4. And yes there are bus routes down 331. If there is a child a house there is a route to pick him/her up.

so you dont want them to follow busses but you dont want them to sit in strategic places where they have a greater line of site than driving and not paying attention where they are going, i mean what if they were looking for violators while driving and hit a poor child getting off the bus? so maybe using the chopper will be better i mean they could get some serious coverage then, and stop all those violations.
Beach Comber
#82
All I can say is may the best man win.


Hey sweetgal.....at least we agree on something. :D
Lovebirds avatar
Beach Comber
#83
It is interesting to me that you are concerned by who keeps their jobs or if they are demoted. I have always had issue with the idea that when a new Sheriff gets elected he cleans house. People on this board have said that there are employees with WCSO who are just doing their jobs in following the directions of RJ. Truly do we want to replace competent individuals so MA or DG can place their chosen ones in there. Some times continuity is good. I can see a couple of top people being placed, but it is about following orders after that and competency. If the book keeper is failing to perform their job adquately and you attempt to correct their deficienies and they fail, then you replace them, if an officer is not performing their duties adquately and an attempt to correct their deficiencies and they fail, then you replace them. A standard/ guideline has to be in place to measure performance or your just maintaining the do as I say standard and that may change day to day which serve no ones purpose especially the taxpayer.


The upper staff within the department are seen as the Sheriff?s ?cabinet? so to speak?the Sheriff is going to fill these spots with people that will support him and unfortunately, as we have seen under RJ, not necessarily people qualified for the position. This doesn?t mean that everyone at this level will be terminated or demoted when a new Sheriff takes over but it is inevitable that people will be rearranged to a certain extent. It might not make much sense to people that do not work for an elected official but under this type of political institution, it is common to rearrange the upper management when a new leader is elected. There are people at the SO who hold high level positions that were promoted not based on qualifications but just because they are ?yes men? and are merely RJ?s minions--these are the people that should lose their high level positions. Don?t get me wrong though, there are some excellent supervisors at the SO, some that will stand up for their deputies even if it jeopardizes their own job. There are also many hard working and qualified deputies who have been passed up for promotions because there is not a set standard /guideline for promotion under RJ?s administration. Not to even mention the messed up way some employees are demoted and fired....:wacko: I agree with FF2 in that there should be a standard/guideline in place. Maybe the SO employees should take FF2 up on the offer to help with a Union :scratch:

I just think the connections between RJ and DG have people worried the ?yes men? will keep their positions and the hard working and qualified deputies will continue to not have any chance at career advancement. People have seen the good things that MA has done for the PD and how high the morale is since his take over and he fact of the matter is, there is no reference for DG, just curious ties between him and RJ.
Beach Lover
#84
The upper staff within the department are seen as the Sheriff’s “cabinet” so to speak…the Sheriff is going to fill these spots with people that will support him and unfortunately, as we have seen under RJ, not necessarily people qualified for the position. This doesn’t mean that everyone at this level will be terminated or demoted when a new Sheriff takes over but it is inevitable that people will be rearranged to a certain extent. It might not make much sense to people that do not work for an elected official but under this type of political institution, it is common to rearrange the upper management when a new leader is elected. There are people at the SO who hold high level positions that were promoted not based on qualifications but just because they are “yes men” and are merely RJ’s minions--these are the people that should lose their high level positions. Don’t get me wrong though, there are some excellent supervisors at the SO, some that will stand up for their deputies even if it jeopardizes their own job. There are also many hard working and qualified deputies who have been passed up for promotions because there is not a set standard /guideline for promotion under RJ’s administration. Not to even mention the messed up way some employees are demoted and fired....:wacko: I agree with FF2 in that there should be a standard/guideline in place. Maybe the SO employees should take FF2 up on the offer to help with a Union :scratch:

I just think the connections between RJ and DG have people worried the “yes men” will keep their positions and the hard working and qualified deputies will continue to not have any chance at career advancement. People have seen the good things that MA has done for the PD and how high the morale is since his take over and he fact of the matter is, there is no reference for DG, just curious ties between him and RJ.

There are no more conections with D.G and R.J then there are between MA and DG Ive seen DG and MA together more then I have RJ and DG together. Danny has a better ability to work with the commissioners and already has their ear in unrelated issues. R.J. Never had that ability. Danny is his own man, He doesnt have minions. He as he put it (has never been one of those fine haired boys) He reconizes hard work ethic and will make sure the right people end up in the right places. There is plenty reference for Danny Griffith. I will tell you this much ............ Danny will stay the full term and not just 1/4 of the promised office. MA doesnt seem to care about serving another 4 years for the city. It appears to me as if it was just a strategic move. I call it not keeping his promise to the voters. That says alot to me. DG cares about Walton County and about the office he will promise to hold, he has no political agenda!

Edited

Beach Comber
#85
Hey sweetgal.....at least we agree on something. :D


I am sure there are others, we just may never know :wub:
Beach Comber
#86
There are no more conections with D.G and R.J then there are between MA and DG Ive seen DG and MA together more then I have RJ and DG together. Danny has a better ability to work with the commissioners and already has their ear in unrelated issues. R.J. Never had that ability. Danny is his own man, He doesnt have minions. He as he put it (has never been one of those fine haired boys) He reconizes hard work ethic and will make sure the right people end up in the right places. There is plenty reference for Danny Griffith. I will tell you this much ............ Danny will stay the full term and not just 1/4 of the promised office. MA doesnt seem to care about serving another 4 years for the city. It appears to me as if it was just a strategic move. I call it not keeping his promise to the voters. That says alot to me. DG cares about Walton County and about the office he will promise to hold, he has no political agenda!

Swamp,
I believe in several forums ago MA addressed the issues to a voter on sowal IDELWIND I think, about the "wont run for sheriff rumor" Maybe you should read up on that one, because I believe thats what it is simply a rumor. :wave:
Beach Comber
#87
The upper staff within the department are seen as the Sheriff?s ?cabinet? so to speak?the Sheriff is going to fill these spots with people that will support him and unfortunately, as we have seen under RJ, not necessarily people qualified for the position. This doesn?t mean that everyone at this level will be terminated or demoted when a new Sheriff takes over but it is inevitable that people will be rearranged to a certain extent. It might not make much sense to people that do not work for an elected official but under this type of political institution, it is common to rearrange the upper management when a new leader is elected. There are people at the SO who hold high level positions that were promoted not based on qualifications but just because they are ?yes men? and are merely RJ?s minions--these are the people that should lose their high level positions. Don?t get me wrong though, there are some excellent supervisors at the SO, some that will stand up for their deputies even if it jeopardizes their own job. There are also many hard working and qualified deputies who have been passed up for promotions because there is not a set standard /guideline for promotion under RJ?s administration. Not to even mention the messed up way some employees are demoted and fired....:wacko: I agree with FF2 in that there should be a standard/guideline in place. Maybe the SO employees should take FF2 up on the offer to help with a Union :scratch:

I just think the connections between RJ and DG have people worried the ?yes men? will keep their positions and the hard working and qualified deputies will continue to not have any chance at career advancement. People have seen the good things that MA has done for the PD and how high the morale is since his take over and he fact of the matter is, there is no reference for DG, just curious ties between him and RJ.


You sound like a very smart individual in the know. I totally agree with you. There has to be change, if not whats the point in hiring a new leader and then leaving everyone under the old one in the same positions. Change is scary, but its going to happen. :blink:
Beach Lover
#88
Swamp,
I believe in several forums ago MA addressed the issues to a voter on sowal IDELWIND I think, about the "wont run for sheriff rumor" Maybe you should read up on that one, because I believe thats what it is simply a rumor. :wave:


Sweetgal, Im not adressing any rumors. That is my very own observation and belief.:idontno: In nowhere did I say "I heard it from a family friend" or Imply any fictous story. I simply stated my position.

griffith4sheriff@gdsvs.net or (850) 892-3415
Beach Comber
#89
Sweetgal, Im not adressing any rumors. That is my very own observation and belief.:idontno: In nowhere did I say "I heard it from a family friend" or Imply any fictous story. I simply stated my position.

griffith4sheriff@gdsvs.net or (850) 892-3415


Swamp fox, To which you have every right to do. However,I believe it was you who stated that planting the seed of doubt allows it to grow. Maybe you should ask MA himself about that issue before posting it on here. Hell maybe we should all stop this silly back and forth. We have two strong men running for Sheriff. I think the main objective was to get RJ out which is what the voters did. I personally want Mike in, and you want Danny in. Like I said before may the best man win, and RJ stay way . Someone needs to start a new thread . Lets talk Presidental politics that shoud get folks going on here. :funn:I do thank you for being kind and not bashing towards me like others have in the past.

Edited

Beach Lover
#90
Swamp fox, To which you have every right to do. However,I believe it was you who stated that planting the seed of doubt allows it to grow. Maybe you should ask MA himself about that issue before posting it on here. Hell maybe we should all stop this silly back and forth. We have two strong men running for Sheriff. I think the main objective was to get RJ out which is what the voters did. I personally want Mike in, and you want Danny in. Like I said before may the best man win, and RJ stay way . Someone needs to start a new thread . Lets talk Presidental politics that shoud get folks going on here. :funn:I do thank you for being kind and not bashing towards me like others have in the past.


Sweetgal, you are welcome. If I wasnt nice to you Danny would surely not approve and with good reason. It was'nt me who said that about the seed planting thing but I see your point. I was just tring to state my case for Danny, since he has been getting slammed on here. You are correct about two strong men running for sheriff and I wish the presidental election was a win / win as well. I think Mike or Danny would make an exellent sheriff and undersheriff as well. I would love to see a debate forum opened up for question / answer only and any comments can be posted elsewhere. :D

Edited

Beach Comber
#91
Sweetgal, you are welcome. If I wasnt nice to you Danny would surely not approve and with good reason. It was'nt me who said that about the seed planting thing but I see your point. I was just tring to state my case for Danny, since he has been getting slammed on here. You are correct about two strong men running for sheriff and I wish the presidental election was a win / win as well. I think Mike or Danny would make an exellent sheriff and undersheriff as well. I would love to see a debate forum opened up for question / answer only and any comments can be posted elsewhere. :D


Dang, we talked about being nice, and no one had nothing to say all day. I guess it goes to say if you dont have nothing nice to say dont say nothing at all.:(
WCcitizens avatar
Beach LoverAuthor
#92
All I keep hearing is that DG is a good guy. And he probably is, but what people don't understand is WCSO is needing someone right now with management experience. Someone who is familar with running a law enforcement agency and has the proof to back up his experience in this type of management. All I'm aware of at this time, is DG has only taught a few law enforcement classes, attend required law enforcement classes to keep up his certification, work 8 hour shifts and do accidents reports along with writing citations. No type of law enforcement management that he has, that I know of. And I'm not talking about supervising officers either. Nothing against DG but we need someone that has been there before and familar with managing a law enforcement agency. MA is the only clear choice that I see that has this.
WCcitizens avatar
Beach LoverAuthor
#93
Alot of people feel the same way you do WCcitizens. :clap:MA is my choice for that exact reason! If he can improve the WCSO like he has the Police Dept. then the people of Walton County will have an awsome reason be proud of their sheriff's office. I know one thing MA needs to do if elected, I'd hire a certified CPA right off the bat. To clean up the last trooper's mess he left while at the sheriff's office.
Beach Comber
#94
All I keep hearing is that DG is a good guy. And he probably is, but what people don't understand is WCSO is needing someone right now with management experience. Someone who is familar with running a law enforcement agency and has the proof to back up his experience in this type of management. All I'm aware of at this time, is DG has only taught a few law enforcement classes, attend required law enforcement classes to keep up his certification, work 8 hour shifts and do accidents reports along with writing citations. No type of law enforcement management that he has, that I know of. And I'm not talking about supervising officers either. Nothing against DG but we need someone that has been there before and familar with managing a law enforcement agency. MA is the only clear choice that I see that has this.

From what I heard in the past (an no, it's not official), Mike was lucky to have the family ties to obtain his appointment as City Marshal in 2005. Before his appointment, he had far less law enforcement experience than Danny and no management experience (other than "supervising officers"). So management experience is not necessary in order to perform well. Every person responsible for managing/running any type of company, department, etc had to get their start somewhere. A good "manager" is a made up many things. Mike was lucky enough to get his foot in the door with the help of his family. Don't discredit Danny because he was not handed the same opportunity. Just because Mike has been City Marshal doesn't necessarily mean he will be the best sheriff.
waltonco lover avatar
Beach Fanatic
#95
Does anyone know if there will be a debate between DG and MA soon? :idontno:
Beach Comber
#96
On Air Forum - WZEP

The link is on page one of todays Sheriff Candidate Forum:

http://www.wzep1460.com/

Enjoy!
Beach Comber
#97
From what I heard in the past (an no, it's not official), Mike was lucky to have the family ties to obtain his appointment as City Marshal in 2005. Before his appointment, he had far less law enforcement experience than Danny and no management experience (other than "supervising officers"). So management experience is not necessary in order to perform well. Every person responsible for managing/running any type of company, department, etc had to get their start somewhere. A good "manager" is a made up many things. Mike was lucky enough to get his foot in the door with the help of his family. Don't discredit Danny because he was not handed the same opportunity. Just because Mike has been City Marshal doesn't necessarily mean he will be the best sheriff.


MA, may have been appointed with the help of family, but he did a good enough job that the people of DFS city re- elected him, and hate to see him leave. This shows that in the time he was there he has turned that place around. I have heard from the few deputies that I know that they have talked to the P.D officers and they love working for MA. That he is a great guy. That right there is half the S.O's battle for the poor employees. I am sure that people are just gun shy having a trooper come in with only traffice experience like WCcitzen explained, and run the S.O into the ground. I am by NO means saying DG will do this. I am sure this is how people are comparing McCain to Bush. :idontno:
Beach Comber
#98
So is it fact or just rumor that MA used his family influence to get the city marshall position? So far I have yet to find any truth to that statement, and it has been said before. From his track record so far, I would say MA has the experience as far as management on his side. And from the looks of the police department he is doing something right.
Beach Lover
#99
MA, may have been appointed with the help of family, but he did a good enough job that the people of DFS city re- elected him, and hate to see him leave. This shows that in the time he was there he has turned that place around. I have heard from the few deputies that I know that they have talked to the P.D officers and they love working for MA. That he is a great guy. That right there is half the S.O's battle for the poor employees. I am sure that people are just gun shy having a trooper come in with only traffice experience like WCcitzen explained, and run the S.O into the ground. I am by NO means saying DG will do this. I am sure this is how people are comparing McCain to Bush. :idontno:

DG does not only have trooper experience. He has appeared before the commissioners on different issues and has even received their approval on the issues he has appeared before them on, this comes from doing his research and already having their respect before hand. Danny knows the citizens, and he knows them on a personal level. He knows what afflicts individual families, one example .......... when no one else knew who an elderly gentleman was that was trying to get into Mammies for breakfast at midnight, Danny not only knew him but had a phone number for a family member to come get his uncle who was in the onset stages on alsthimers. This is not uncommon for Danny, and as he put it he will in courage the deputies the do the same. In fact if he didn?t know the gentleman I would have been surprised.

He also hit the nail on the head with focusing more on drug interdiction. We need to hit the high level dealers and the will trickle down into property crimes, robbery, etc. O would like to see a different title for the forum as this title is based on a lie. So I?m going to start a new forum and I will respectfully as MA fans and DG fans to post in the unbiased forum on their thoughts.
Lovebirds avatar
Beach Comber
#100
DG does not only have trooper experience. He has appeared before the commissioners on different issues and has even received their approval on the issues he has appeared before them on, this comes from doing his research and already having their respect before hand. Danny knows the citizens, and he knows them on a personal level. He knows what afflicts individual families, one example .......... when no one else knew who an elderly gentleman was that was trying to get into Mammies for breakfast at midnight, Danny not only knew him but had a phone number for a family member to come get his uncle who was in the onset stages on alsthimers. This is not uncommon for Danny, and as he put it he will in courage the deputies the do the same. In fact if he didn?t know the gentleman I would have been surprised.

He also hit the nail on the head with focusing more on drug interdiction. We need to hit the high level dealers and the will trickle down into property crimes, robbery, etc. O would like to see a different title for the forum as this title is based on a lie. So I?m going to start a new forum and I will respectfully as MA fans and DG fans to post in the unbiased forum on their thoughts.



Swamp,
Can you please explain DG's advanced management experience?

It's a big move from Police Chief to Sheriff alone but that's nothing compared to the enormous leap it is from Trooper to Sheriff. A long record of law enforcement experience does not alone make a good manager. Bottom line, MA has management experience, DG doesn't...
Beach Lover
#101
Swamp,
Can you please explain DG's advanced management experience?

It's a big move from Police Chief to Sheriff alone but that's nothing compared to the enormous leap it is from Trooper to Sheriff. A long record of law enforcement experience does not alone make a good manager. Bottom line, MA has management experience, DG doesn't...


You know who else has management experience............ the CEO of the company formally known as Washington Mutual, RJ on his second term. Talk to Danny and you will find more them enough reasons for becoming sheriff. Look at how he has managed his life. Over 30 years of marriage, great property, Two sucessful daughters, making sure he built his father-in-law a barn for his tractors so he could see them all before he passed away, working hard at it to complete it on time. He took care of his dieing Grandmother. He's taken care of me when I had no one else I could turn to and he was sicker then a dog. He watched over a Mans family while he was deployed. And Danny is the Master of any trade I can think of. His solutions to problems though not obvious to many people are obvious to him. The man has tremendous insight. He has the respect and confidence of the county commissioners (a huge plus to being sheriff ) You know something else he has values. He already values each and every citizen alike. He has never NEVER used foul language that I have heard. He holds himself accountable therefore he rarely makes a bad choice. All the qualities I seek in a person who intends on leading a law enforcement agency. I don?t care how many people he knows or how well connected he is. And neither does he. All he cares about doing is continuing to be a good solid leader and bringing Walton County in the right direction. Good management skills are not defined in just one aspect in his life. They are defined throughout his entire life. Another point?? he is a perfectionist. He takes his time to get things right. Anyone that knows Danny knows this about him, a perfectionist to the core. Don?t come at me with management experience because I cant think of a man that has been any more a better manager of all aspects of his life, professionally and personally then Danny Griffith. And that is a FACT.

griffith4sheriff@gdsvs.net or (850) 892-3415

Checking your forum account

Please wait while we verify your forum account.

New posts