South Walton Fire District Races

I have never been so disappointed and embarassed to be a part of a community that allows the local mullet wrapper to bash thier firefighters. I've spoken with a few of them and the general knowlede is that Jack Abbit(Scott Thurston's oponent) is in bed with the Walton SUN. I would suggest everyone who stands in support of our heros, please let your dissatisfaction be known with Gwen Break of the Walton SUN or Nate Kelly, her errand boy/spin doctor. He can be reached at 850-496-0111. Or if you're ok with the SUN printing steaming pony loaf and crapping on those who come running in your time of need, then simply do nothing.

After further inspecting of the TP(sun), my suspicions are all but confirmed by the halftruths and purposely darkened picture of Scott Thurston. If Jack Abbit doesn't have the SUN in his back pocket, then he owes them bigtime. It also appears as if South Walton Fire District is throwing thier support behind Jack Abbit. I thought it was illegal for public governement to participate in politics. Actually I know it is a violation of The Hatch Act. You want to talk about stacking the board?! Also, if you noticed that the opinion column bashed Jack Abbit's oponent, Scott Thurston. I wonder if Jack is a member of the same community club she is?:roll:

As a member of the SWFD I know of no backing of any candidate. Can you give me some facts on where you got that info?

After further inspecting of the TP(sun), my suspicions are all but confirmed by the halftruths and purposely darkened picture of Scott Thurston. If Jack Abbit doesn't have the SUN in his back pocket, then he owes them bigtime. It also appears as if South Walton Fire District is throwing thier support behind Jack Abbit. I thought it was illegal for public governement to participate in politics. Actually I know it is a violation of The Hatch Act. You want to talk about stacking the board?! Also, if you noticed that the opinion column bashed Jack Abbit's oponent, Scott Thurston. I wonder if Jack is a member of the same community club she is?:roll:

How can you diss The Sun for half truths and then throw one out yourself???

I agree The Sun is lacking not only since the economic downturn. Unfortunately your comment about the Sun lost all credibility when you threw out a zinger of your own.

You seem to be intelligent and also seem to know a lot about what is going on, but I think you overdid yourself with this one.

If Seagrove girl you are a member of SWFD please due the public a favor. Ask why is a canidate using a SWFD apparatus in his (Jack Abbit) political advertisement? A vehicle that was purchased with tax payer money. It could appear that the SWFD is backing a certain canidate. I would hope this is not the case.

If Seagrove girl you are a member of SWFD please due the public a favor. Ask why is a canidate using a SWFD apparatus in his (Jack Abbit) political advertisement? A vehicle that was purchased with tax payer money. It could appear that the SWFD is backing a certain canidate. I would hope this is not the case.

My thought on it was he is hoping to stress the point that he is the incumbant, but I can see where you are coming from. Anyone else have thoughts on this????

That point can be stressed and implied by the word "RE-ELECT." Jack Abbit is the incumbant, so he should know better! And you will have to explain to me how I'm speeking out of school. The Hatch Act was developed to prevent public taxpayers dollars from being spent on political campaigns. IT'S THE LAW! You will have to point out the half-truth I've floated out there. And don't even try to let the SUN off the hook by blaming their bias on the economy. It costs just as much to print the truth than it does to print a lie. I'm sorry if I seem a bit crass, I usually agree with you, but it seems that at every turn, the rules seem to have been waived for Jack Abbit, and have gone unchecked by the Supervisor of Elections, Bobby Beasley. It's like Kazek & Thurston vs. Wright, Abbit, the Walton SUN, and The Supervisor of Elections. What does Walton County have to do to get a fair election? But who cares, right? It's just a Fire Commissioner Race.

Please answer the question. How did SWFD back Abbit? Ok... re-elect is the wrong wording, but it has nothing to do with SWFD, we are not involved in his campaign. I agree with you on the Sun, I wasn't defending them. Show me the Hatch Act where you think Abbit violated it and maybe I can do something about it, if that is the case.

I still don't see where SWFD appears to be backing Abbit.

Please answer the question. How did SWFD back Abbit? Ok... re-elect is the wrong wording, but it has nothing to do with SWFD, we are not involved in his campaign. I agree with you on the Sun, I wasn't defending them. Show me the Hatch Act where you think Abbit violated it and maybe I can do something about it, if that is the case.

I still don't see where SWFD appears to be backing Abbit.

I never said SWFD did "back" Abbit. I said it appears as if they have. Count how many times South Walton Fire District is named in his political ad. Look at his political disclaimer. South Walton Fire District should definately not be listed on his disclaimer. I'm not accusing you, I'm saying if Abbit is a commissioner, and he has embarked upon a political campaign, then he should have educated himself. There may be nothing that can be done about this now, but this should be something you as SWFD should be aware of. It could affect the credibilty of the board. I see how much flack you take for the millage rate, you don't need anything else making your lives that much more difficult just because Jack Abbit wants to use his position in the way he has. From what I understand he didn't even campaign the first time, he was appointed(Good old boy club). See how that appears? If perception is reality, then SWFD needs to reel Abbit in. He made it your business by posting that ad. Bad judgement on his part.

Division of Elections-Department of State Booklet for candidates;

Campaign Advertising: What information must be included on a political disclaimer?
Political advertisement paid by the candidate:
"Political advertisement paid for and approved by (name of candidate) (party affiliation) ( office sought)

For more disclaimer examples see http://election.dos.state.fl.us/pdf/adHandout.pdf

Thank you for the info. I want you to know that I'm sorry if I seemed like I was gunning for you. I was not. I just dislike it when politicians use underhanded tactics. I hold nothing against SWFD of which you're a part of. It is a fine organization. I just want to keep it that way and I know you do too.

Vote Thurston and Kazek
The other candidates have started slinging mud.
Jack got your email, you should try less spin and be more straight forward.

I'll be voting for Wright and Abbit. They are the most qualified and are proven board members who are for the common citizens of South Walton. I found it quite disturbing a few weeks ago when certain individuals were voicing untrue remarks about these two fine men.

Curious what were the untrue remarks.

Be careful what you ask for. I have been generous in not saying more specifically who said it. Furthermore, it is often better not to repeat untrue statements.

So as the soon to be Republican State Committeewoman you are publicly stating that you do not agree with the endorsements voted on by the Executive committee. Did you attend that meeting that was reported earlier.

We should expect a unified story from our leadership. What you do in the voting booth is your business, but what you say here reflects upon you leadership ability.

Lord help us.

So as the soon to be Republican State Committeewoman you are publicly stating that you do not agree with the endorsements voted on by the Executive committee. Did you attend that meeting that was reported earlier.

We should expect a unified story from our leadership. What you do in the voting booth is your business, but what you say here reflects upon you leadership ability.

Lord help us.

I would love to hear the untrue remarks. Check with the supervisor of elections for candidates party affiliation. Mr. Wright is a good candidate. On the other hand, Mr Abbit was a democrat who recently changed to republican to try and get their endorsement. As a lifelong republican I would hope our leadership has better judgement than to vote for such a candidate. I would hope the Executive committee of our party does not hold the same views.

Watcher weighs in

For what it is worth, the Watcher likes Thurston in this race. As I understand it, those who respond to the actual 911 Calls for Fire and Help (aka the fire department) like Thurston too.

1 + 1 = 2 No brainer.

w

So as the soon to be Republican State Committeewoman you are publicly stating that you do not agree with the endorsements voted on by the Executive committee. Did you attend that meeting that was reported earlier.

We should expect a unified story from our leadership. What you do in the voting booth is your business, but what you say here reflects upon you leadership ability.

Lord help us.

You obviously have a twisted perception of group endorsements. My perception is that I am thankful that elected officials have the right to think for themselves, this is a democracy, you know.

Endorsements are determined by a group, then voted on. Not everyone in the group gets the endorsement of the candidate they prefer. There is no law or anything unethical about Dunelaker making choices she is comfortable with. It would scare me if she voted to follow the herd.

I gave her the absolute right to vote her conviction when entering the ballot box. Who a person votes for is that person right.

A person that is an official of the party signs a loyalty oath to the party and those that he or she represents. He or she has a responsibility to those to carefully restrict their own personl viewpoint in a public venue.

Would it bother you if she stated in public that she was going to vote for Obama for president while serving as a Republican party official.

If that is her position on this election then she should resign if she feels so strongly about her position on the candidate that she must speak against an official action of the party.

She has violated her oath of office.

She should resign.

IG, lighten up, Dunelaker stated her choice in a non partisen race......

Dunelaker,
I realize it is easier to say there in an untruth out there, and by not being willing to say what that untruth is leaves your credibility in question. Maybe there would be an answer to your perception of the alleged untruth.

I gave her the absolute right to vote her conviction when entering the ballot box. Who a person votes for is that person right.

A person that is an official of the party signs a loyalty oath to the party and those that he or she represents. He or she has a responsibility to those to carefully restrict their own personl viewpoint in a public venue.

Would it bother you if she stated in public that she was going to vote for Obama for president while serving as a Republican party official.

If that is her position on this election then she should resign if she feels so strongly about her position on the candidate that she must speak against an official action of the party.

She has violated her oath of office.

She should resign.

It wouldn't bother me, but I can see that it would bother you.

She has publicly endorsed a candidate in direct opposition to the endorsements given to candidates in official vote of the Executive committee.

She should resign -plain and simple.

I disagree....carry on.........