Walton Deputies To Unionize.

[PBA Rep]

Mr. PBA Rep.

First question: Are you actually a formal rep for the PBA and if so, please advise your Staff Rep Area.

I sincerely hope the PBA understands that many potential members (Law Enforcment) and their families fully know that your "invite" to Walton County was orchastrated by Ralph Johnson. Johnson will be leaving the office as one of the most ineffective, underhanded, disliked and all around sorry excuses for a public servant I personally have ever seen. Your organization is being placed directly in the middle of an agenda set forth by Ralph Johnson to undermine the success of Mike Adkinson Jr. Please do your homework and realize this.

With that said, Mr. PBA Rep, understand that I personally support both the PBA and the FOP (directly and indirectly). The timing of this approach of the officers in Walton is very suspect. If your organization intends to maintain its credibility with people, you will look at the current situation here and understand. It is as simple as looking at your supporters vs. those keeping hush and those opposed. They are almost completely drawn on lines of Johnson and Adkinson.

I recently read in the local paper, "a response" from Ralph Johnson about this whole issue. What I found amazing is that this is the first time Johnson has said anything without his Parrot speaking for him. Why is that?, because its all about him and ego. PBA benefits him at this point. It sets the stage for the few of his less then desirable "friends" to remain in gainful employment and continue to do nothing but collect a pay check, at our expense. Let these "friends" have the opportunity to make it on their own. They will not succeed, they are poor performers, coasting along...
Where were Ralph Johnson's comments when budgets were questioned? Where were his comments about the two officers he fired for being pregnant?

Oh, that brings up a good point. PBA Rep., if you are a PBA Rep., please let me (and Walton County) know how your organization would have handled that situation, should one or both of the female deputies have been under your "guard"? Please address that, you don't have to use WCSO as specifics, but I would like to know how your organization would have handled representing a pregnant female officer, recently terminated, for being pregnant. Answer that and realize that the man behind your mysterious appearance was directly responsible for the termination of two pregnant females (Law Suit Pending).

Again, just to review so you do not feel this as a personal attack, it is not meant to be, I am just tired of "Watching" Ralph Johnson and a handful of malcontents continue to ruin our local law enforcement.

In 2009, Walton County will have a new leader in its Sheriff's Office. One of two men will take the position of Sheriff. I believe (and I support) Mike Adkinson will be the winner.

Regardless of who, the new sheriff elect needs the ability to fix what is broken.

What is broken is the department, starting at the TOP, not the bottom.

Ralph Johnson broke it and then broke it again.

Ralph Johnson is still trying to break it.

This directly effects the employees and the citizens of this County. This must stop.

As part of Ralph Johnson's continued juvenile behavior, he now supports bringing a "Union" into town. (Something that would have NEVER happened, should he been sitting as Sheriff). This is known as hypocrisy, Ralph's middle name.

The employees making the most positive noise about the "Union" are poor performers, concerned about their "Protector" Ralph, no longer having control of the wheel of a car that was driving on flat tires and no auto insurance.

Many feel that whomever the new sheriff elect is, they should have the chance to implement their own policy, procedure and performance standards, thus, setting the bar for our WCSO to become one of the best in the State.

Unfortunately, the continued antics of Ralph Johnson and his "children" continue to lower the bar and not only make the current administration continue to look like a kindergarden class, but they demoralize the officers, upset the citizens and now there is the potential for your organization's credibility to be dug in mud here in Walton County, Florida.

Do us (the citizens) a favor. Let the new Sheriff take office and prove or disprove himself to the officers and the citizens. I have said it before, once a new leader takes control, if things do not improve, I will be one of the first to support a collective effort.

Thank you,

W

Dear W,

My Name is Steve Mears, the other Representative is Ricky Mayo. By the way what is your name? Now for the sake of arguement (I disagree with you, Ralph Johnson did not call me nor his "Parrot" who ever that might be) let us say you are right. It should not matter to you what, if any, Sheriff Johson's motives are, you should be happy that you are getting the protection of doing you job without having to worry every 4 years who the Sheriff is. Why would you not want to secure you and your family's future by having a contract. You may or may not be in the good gracious of the NEW SHERIFF. Why should you have to worry about whether you have a job or not. Then you would be able to focus your concerns on protecting and serving the people of Walton County. Why would you want to "throw the baby out with the bath water. Hey vote the Union in, set down and look at the contract that will be offered to you and hey if you do not like it, vote NO. It is that simple. As to the females being fired. I'm afraid that you have me at a disadvantage. I know nothing about the case. But if they were operating under a contract and were PBA members we would represent them. If a contract was in place and they were not members they would have to hire their own Attorney and he would operate under the guidelines of the contract. All a contract does is put everyone in the bargaining unit on a level playing field and you are promoted on your merits, not the good old boy system. In addition if you are facing discipline, it establishes a guideline that a Sheriff must follow, so in simple terms it means that if Deputy "A" does an offense, and Deputy "B" does the same offense they have to be treated equally. Without a contract we see this happen way too often. I hope this has cleared up a few things for you.
Remember everyone will get to vote the contract up or down. If you think it's being too "restrictive" on the NEW SHERIFF then vote it down but at least afford yourself the opportunity of looking to see what a contract might offer you.
When your fellow deputies vote the PBA in and you have had a contract for a few years, I hope you reflect back and say, Hey I made the right decision, I voted yes for the PBA and gave me, my family and my fellow deputies the protection they deserve, not saying that the New Sheriff will not, but don't you want it in writing just to be on the safe side. Hey, I want to work with the new Sheriff and I would hope that he wants to work with me.
REMEMBER VOTE PBA

 

[leo101]

whatever.....I consider your assumption that those of us that support a union are cronies of Johnson or poor performers an insult. I was just trying to do my part to bring the WCSO into the 21st century and end the rule of small town politics in law enforcement. I'm done trying to convince anyone. Those of you not in this business don't understand and you never will. Those of you in this business that don't want it, enjoy your honeymoon period with the new Sheriff. You want your Hazard county? Keep it.

Well I for one am in the business and I dont want it....Hazard County? I think we are along way from that one....And like the old saying goes, "Dont leave mad, just leave"...

 

[Bob Wells]

To all those that think this RJ's folks trying to protect themselves, I DON"T CARE WHO IT IS. I am tired a seeing good Deputies get screwed every 4 years. I knew a guy I respect who lost his job because of RJ's cronies ( as I undrestood it at the time), he was fired and finally REHIRED. Does that make him a cronie, I don't think so, but I wish he had a Union then and maybe he would not have been fired in the first place. Allow these men and women to do their jobs without the politics, these folks are the professional, not the Politicians and their cronies. For those who don't like the UNION VOTE NO, I support the UNION and will stand with the Deputies, Union or not for equality and fairness.

 

[WhoDat1]

Well I for one am in the business and I dont want it....Hazard County? I think we are along way from that one....And like the old saying goes, "Dont leave mad, just leave"...

Not likely.....you'll have to fire me. I am going to continue to do my job and keep my mouth shut from here on out....

 

[The Watcher]

Bitter

whatever.....I consider your assumption that those of us that support a union are cronies of Johnson or poor performers an insult. I was just trying to do my part to bring the WCSO into the 21st century and end the rule of small town politics in law enforcement. I'm done trying to convince anyone. Those of you not in this business don't understand and you never will. Those of you in this business that don't want it, enjoy your honeymoon period with the new Sheriff. You want your Hazard county? Keep it.

My assumption is for the most part, correct. I don't want to start naming names but I am well aware of many of those "pushing" the Union to undermine Mike Adkinson. If your read my post in full, you'd see I do support the PBA, but only after the NEW Sheriff has a chance to do his duty. You are punishing the newly elected sheriff for all the wrong doings done by Ralph. Use your head here, think about it. And don't assume I'm not in "the business".

As for "Hazard" County, you sound bitter. If you don't like it, leave it.

 

[The Watcher]

Oh Boy

Dear W,

My Name is Steve Mears, the other Representative is Ricky Mayo. By the way what is your name? Now for the sake of arguement (I disagree with you, Ralph Johnson did not call me nor his "Parrot" who ever that might be) let us say you are right. It should not matter to you what, if any, Sheriff Johson's motives are, you should be happy that you are getting the protection of doing you job without having to worry every 4 years who the Sheriff is. Why would you not want to secure you and your family's future by having a contract. You may or may not be in the good gracious of the NEW SHERIFF. Why should you have to worry about whether you have a job or not. Then you would be able to focus your concerns on protecting and serving the people of Walton County. Why would you want to "throw the baby out with the bath water. Hey vote the Union in, set down and look at the contract that will be offered to you and hey if you do not like it, vote NO. It is that simple. As to the females being fired. I'm afraid that you have me at a disadvantage. I know nothing about the case. But if they were operating under a contract and were PBA members we would represent them. If a contract was in place and they were not members they would have to hire their own Attorney and he would operate under the guidelines of the contract. All a contract does is put everyone in the bargaining unit on a level playing field and you are promoted on your merits, not the good old boy system. In addition if you are facing discipline, it establishes a guideline that a Sheriff must follow, so in simple terms it means that if Deputy "A" does an offense, and Deputy "B" does the same offense they have to be treated equally. Without a contract we see this happen way too often. I hope this has cleared up a few things for you.
Remember everyone will get to vote the contract up or down. If you think it's being too "restrictive" on the NEW SHERIFF then vote it down but at least afford yourself the opportunity of looking to see what a contract might offer you.
When your fellow deputies vote the PBA in and you have had a contract for a few years, I hope you reflect back and say, Hey I made the right decision, I voted yes for the PBA and gave me, my family and my fellow deputies the protection they deserve, not saying that the New Sheriff will not, but don't you want it in writing just to be on the safe side. Hey, I want to work with the new Sheriff and I would hope that he wants to work with me.
REMEMBER VOTE PBA

"As to the females being fired. I'm afraid that you have me at a disadvantage. I know nothing about the case."

You and your organization DO NOT know about the females officers case??? Oh boy, sorry to say but you are lost and without a map. Before you come to an area, one should know the environment, it might help your case and assist you in selling your "protection".

Individuals can join your organization on their own and receive "Protection". The whole department does not have to recognize your organization. As I said, you and your organization are being played as pawns by the lame duck sheriff.

I completely support the PBA and the FOP, but I do not support your groups efforts to make a transition to a new sheriff elect difficult, which this whole set of circumstances is doing now. Why can't you wait until the new sheriff takes office and then see what the sense is in the department? Just a simple thought that would win you a lot of support.

By the way, my name is "The Watcher", Ms. Jackson if you're nasty.;-)

P.S.
As for Ralph Johnson contacting you, let's say he did, is that not some sort of violation? I don't know the in's or out's on that but it sure would sound fishy.

Those who do their jobs to the best of their ability, don't worry about who the new sheriff is.:roll:

 

[The Watcher]

have a baby

Not likely.....you'll have to fire me. I am going to continue to do my job and keep my mouth shut from here on out....

RJ is still here and still "working". Just go and get pregnant, that's a sure fire way to go.:funn:

 

[PBA Rep]

"As to the females being fired. I'm afraid that you have me at a disadvantage. I know nothing about the case."

You and your organization DO NOT know about the females officers case??? Oh boy, sorry to say but you are lost and without a map. Before you come to an area, one should know the environment, it might help your case and assist you in selling your "protection".

Individuals can join your organization on their own and receive "Protection". The whole department does not have to recognize your organization. As I said, you and your organization are being played as pawns by the lame duck sheriff.

I completely support the PBA and the FOP, but I do not support your groups efforts to make a transition to a new sheriff elect difficult, which this whole set of circumstances is doing now. Why can't you wait until the new sheriff takes office and then see what the sense is in the department? Just a simple thought that would win you a lot of support.

By the way, my name is "The Watcher", Ms. Jackson if you're nasty.;-)

P.S.
As for Ralph Johnson contacting you, let's say he did, is that not some sort of violation? I don't know the in's or out's on that but it sure would sound fishy.

Those who do their jobs to the best of their ability, don't worry about who the new sheriff is.:roll:

Ms. Jackson,
Desoto County had a very similar situtation to what you are in and guess what the New Sheriff came in and had a contract that was negotiated under the old administration, just prior to him taking office. The new Sheriff came in after a tough race and no problems. In fact that Sheriff knew he wanted to take care of his employees and the former Sheriff just started the process. The Fact is simple, your mind will not change, you are anti-union. You throw arrows and split hairs. Why would I need to know about a case that had nothing to do with the PBA. Looks like to me it proves my point, if what I'm hearing is true and using your standard of thought "those who do their jobs to the best of their ability, don't worry about who the new sheriff is" If these young ladies used this same method of thought.... well you get the point.

I wish them well and hope they get their jobs back.


Take care, Ms. Jackson

REMEMBER VOTE PBA

 

[PBA Rep]

Dear W,

My Name is Steve Mears, the other Representative is Ricky Mayo. By the way what is your name? Now for the sake of arguement (I disagree with you, Ralph Johnson did not call me nor his "Parrot" who ever that might be) let us say you are right. It should not matter to you what, if any, Sheriff Johson's motives are, you should be happy that you are getting the protection of doing you job without having to worry every 4 years who the Sheriff is. Why would you not want to secure you and your family's future by having a contract. You may or may not be in the good gracious of the NEW SHERIFF. Why should you have to worry about whether you have a job or not. Then you would be able to focus your concerns on protecting and serving the people of Walton County. Why would you want to "throw the baby out with the bath water. Hey vote the Union in, set down and look at the contract that will be offered to you and hey if you do not like it, vote NO. It is that simple. As to the females being fired. I'm afraid that you have me at a disadvantage. I know nothing about the case. But if they were operating under a contract and were PBA members we would represent them. If a contract was in place and they were not members they would have to hire their own Attorney and he would operate under the guidelines of the contract. All a contract does is put everyone in the bargaining unit on a level playing field and you are promoted on your merits, not the good old boy system. In addition if you are facing discipline, it establishes a guideline that a Sheriff must follow, so in simple terms it means that if Deputy "A" does an offense, and Deputy "B" does the same offense they have to be treated equally. Without a contract we see this happen way too often. I hope this has cleared up a few things for you.
Remember everyone will get to vote the contract up or down. If you think it's being too "restrictive" on the NEW SHERIFF then vote it down but at least afford yourself the opportunity of looking to see what a contract might offer you.
When your fellow deputies vote the PBA in and you have had a contract for a few years, I hope you reflect back and say, Hey I made the right decision, I voted yes for the PBA and gave me, my family and my fellow deputies the protection they deserve, not saying that the New Sheriff will not, but don't you want it in writing just to be on the safe side. Hey, I want to work with the new Sheriff and I would hope that he wants to work with me.
REMEMBER VOTE PBA

Ms. Jackson maybe you should read my posting again. Vote PBA, then when you get a chance to look at the contract, then decide at that point if you want to vote the contract in or to vote the contract out. You will have at least two votes. and the supervisors will have at least two votes, one voting the PBA as your collective bargaining agent and the other is the contract.
Take Care and REMEMBER VOTE PBA

 

[WhoDat1]

By the way, my name is "The Watcher", Ms. Jackson if you're nasty.;-)


LOL! I like your sense of humor, at least.

PBA Rep. I can tell you that both the females that were let go were good cops. One was a little whiney, but she was still a good cop. Johnson just applied FMLA to them and did away with light duty at the departmet. It was a real nasty thing and I think sealed his fate.

I'm sure most people on both sides of the unionization deal will agree that that whole thing was screwed up. I mean, we are supposed to take care of each other, right?

If they had been members, the PBA would've provided them with legal counsel and they would probably get their jobs back with back pay. After doing research in federal case law, I found a decision out of New Your Federal Court of Appeals that awarded officers in the same circumstances just that. If I remember correctly, their ruling was that if a department had light duty, they could not end it. If a department NEVER had it, then they could run folks off for non work related injuries or leave beyond the twelve weeks allowed by FMLA.

I will not even consider having another child until I know the Sheriff-elect's stance on this issue.