Shocker ! One candidate killed a North Walton Forum

I see your point but she did say it was because of her that was the issue. Guess we will know for sure eventually.

Was it a complaint or a question about a violation? Also exactly WHO received said complaint and what do they have to say?

Time will tell !

2 candidates to go to hear from

Was it a complaint or a question about a violation? Also exactly WHO received said complaint and what do they have to say?

We will get there eventually. Stay tuned

I'll go out on a limb and bet the person receiving is the problem...

For you Bob H.

One left to hear from

Bob,

You don't know me very well or, you wouldn't have even asked me that question.

For anyone that does know me very well, they will tell you that I don't handle
my business like that!

I have ran in this race with almost no support except my own for a reason.

I feel that I can win this race without commitments to any group or person who
doesn't share the same values as myself. I want a change for the betterment of Walton County however hard I have to work for it!

Thanks,

Sandy Jack Brown
Candidate for Walton County Commissioner District 2

For you Bob Hudson

"The wheels on the Bus go round and round"

Another Puzzle Piece

I don’t know who complained, I can only guess. I don’t know what the conflict would be. It is being advertised on the radio and in the newspaper. Mark said someone questioned if someone in the audience asked a questions that I would potentially vote on.

Whoever this is would probably file an ethics complaint, and I don’t need that. I have no one else on the board that is willing to be the moderator.

Sorry

Sara Comander

Walton County Commissioner District 4

Getting Close

Dear Bob: Didn’t get a name. Was asked for a legal opinion from Commissioner Pridgen about the event. Did some quick research and gave verbal opinion to Commissioner Comander.

Mark Davis
County Attorney

Do tell us all what my agenda is then Bob. That I can't and will not get behind a vote to HIRE a Super?

Until today I was totally for it. The absolute lack of participation on this board to tell the people how this fiasco is supposed to pan out when you have the same foxes in the hen-house directing the hens tells me there isn't much of a plan to make this work.

Misty, it is obvious to any who have followed your posts that you definitely have an agenda. The question is, just exactly what is it? One person cannot determine who runs for any office, yet that seems to be what bugs you. No one can explain how an appointed superintendent is superior to an elected one. Yet, I spent a good deal of time outlining precisely how and why in a post. You remind me of something my wise, but uneducated father told me a long time ago. Son, a wise man will often change his mind but a fool never does.

Getting Close

Dear Bob: Didn’t get a name. Was asked for a legal opinion from Commissioner Pridgen about the event. Did some quick research and gave verbal opinion to Commissioner Comander.

Mark Davis
County Attorney

Seems like I might have pegged this one.

Email to DBPA President

Sara

The WCTA is willing to sponsor the previously scheduled forum with the same exact format as before.

This would be dependent on our ability to schedule the same meeting location on the same date as before.

We would also be willing to secure a moderator that is agreeable to the Dbpa. Our initial thoughts are to ask Art Dees to do that.

We believe it is in everyone's best interest to see this forum take place to provide an opportunity for the public to educate themselves before the August 26th Primary.

Please let us know if this is a workable solution to the cancellation yesterday.

Bob Hudson

Dear Bob:

The only legal issue is that if Commissioner Comander is the sponsor of the event (or the officer of the organization that sponsors the events) or participates, there is an informal AG opinion that in those circumstances, the meeting would be subject to Section 286.011, Florida Statutes. Thus, if those factual issues can be avoided, then, there would not be a Sunshine law/public meetings issue.

Mark.

Mark D. Davis

County Attorney

Office Of The County Attorney

161 East Sloss Avenue

DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

Telephone (850) 892-8110

Facsimile (850) 892-8471

Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. You should note that most written communications to or from county officials regarding county business are public records that are available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.

I don't understand the issue. It is a public event, so it shouldn't matter if more than one commissioner attends.

And if someone asks a question that is inappropriate, why can't they just not answer and give a reason why?

Seems like I might have pegged this one.

Now that's a shocker...all this drama and many knew (you included I'm sure) who it was.

UPDATE

The WCTA offered to host the forum with Art Dees as the moderator.

I was notified that the North Walton Republican Club will host a forum on the same day, same place.

Im sure more details of moderator etc will be forth coming from the NWRC.


Hopefully there is a lesson for all involved in this debacle. "Transparency is key to public trust"

Now that's a shocker...all this drama and many knew (you included I'm sure) who it was.

But mine was based on what I perceived as a sunshine issue and not because of some issue of gamesmanship. Second of all it may not have been Mr Pridgen because anyone could have called the attorney and asked if this may have been an issue, and finally why would Mr Pridgen want to cancel seeing as him and Ms Comander had a lot of money come from the same folks. It appears that Ms Comander decided to cancel it for the reasons she stated for the reason Mr Davis gave. Just my opinion.

Getting Close

Dear Bob: Didn’t get a name. Was asked for a legal opinion from Commissioner Pridgen about the event. Did some quick research and gave verbal opinion to Commissioner Comander.

Mark Davis
County Attorney

Didn't get a Name???

How does seeking a legal opinion turn into a mystery nameless "ethics complaint" threat?

Kenneth Pridgens Response

Bob,

I certainly didn’t suggest or request that the DBPA political forum be cancelled. I did have concerns regarding my participation given that another sitting Commissioner was President of the organization sponsoring the event.

I spoke with Mark regarding those concerns and decided that it would be in my best interest, to assure there wasn’t even the appearance of a sunshine violation, that I not participate. I’m not sure how or who made the decision to cancel the event.

If this event is rescheduled by another organization, I would be happy to participate.

Thanks,
Kenneth

Interesting that Misty says until yesterday she was all for an appointed superintendent. From her many posts, I understood her to be ambivalent about the issue at best.

smart!

Kenneth Pridgens Response

Bob,

I certainly didn’t suggest or request that the DBPA political forum be cancelled. I did have concerns regarding my participation given that another sitting Commissioner was President of the organization sponsoring the event.

I spoke with Mark regarding those concerns and decided that it would be in my best interest, to assure there wasn’t even the appearance of a sunshine violation, that I not participate. I’m not sure how or who made the decision to cancel the event.

If this event is rescheduled by another organization, I would be happy to participate.

Thanks,
Kenneth

So the issue was with protecting the county from yet another FSS 119 issue. How many law suits do we have?

Exactly what Mr Pridgen was elected to do!

Kudos to you.

I am now re-evaluating the situation...

Why would a conversation with the county attorney (also elected school board member) get out in public so fast?

:-(

When you send out an email canceling a public forum and state "one of the candidates complained" it gets a lot of attention very fast.

"Thanks to one of the BCC candidates complaining that I would be at the
candidate forum we are cancelling the political forum.

I am sorry that someone so petty has caused us to not have a forum that would be beneficial not only to you as voters but the candidates
as well."

I'm not a member of the DBPA and the email sent by Sara was forwarded to me 8 minutes after it was sent.


"Politics in Walton County is a full contact sport."