If theres one thing I've learned about Walton County politics, its that fear and absolute power dictate how the Sheriff's Office is run. It also dictates how the law is applied (or not). Its time for this to end under the new Sheriff. While I believe Adkinson has a good vision, he IS considering dismissing people. The ultimate responsible party for the failure of Johnson's administration has already been dismissed. Johnson himself. Don't the deputies deserve a chance to prove that they CAN function appropriately under a funtional administration? I keep hearing that Adkinson wants the deputies to give him a chance before unionization. Can't he practice what he preaches and do the same for them?
Most progressive departments are either union or civil service. This takes politics out of hiring and firing, or at least minimizes it. It also limits political influence on promotions or demotions. Yes, its true it would protect four or five people who should probably be relieved of their positions. But it will protect the other 135 sworn officers as well. You have to take the bad with the good and take solace in the fact that the majority of these folks that SHOULD be dismissed will retire eventually and make way for GOOD officers. Those good officer's jobs will be protected from politics because of our forward thinking. This, however does NOT relieve the Sheriff from the authority to appoint non-sworn administrative staff and sworn positions from Chief Deputy down to captain.
I know first hand that a majority of the deputies in the south end WILL give the new Sheriff a professional product no matter what. I personally don't think they have the votes needed to form a collective bargaining unit. Too many of them are afraid to vote yes as there have already been folks intimidated against it. There were actually deputies that are against unionization taking names of those for it and marking them on a list. Who was the list for? We can only speculate. Sounds like something Johnson would've done, right? They also keep telling the deputies that they will have their cars taken away for doing this, and possibly lose other benefits. Really? Would the incoming Sheriff punish the deputies for taking a lawful labor action? Call it part of the "bargaining" if you want to, I call it punishment. The benefits they already have should be discussed, but not taken from them. Would the citizens stand by a Sheriff who did such thing? They did'nt in the primaries this year. Remember the FMLA issue and the pregnant deputies?
The public is not stupid. We realize Johnson initiated this to sabotage the new Sheriff, whoever that may be. But the majority of the folks that are for this are simply taking advantage of the moment. They legitimately want this. It is just unfortunate that it would protect some of those that would of themselves opposed this two years ago.:angry:
Adkinson will make a better Sheriff, of that I have no doubt. But he should consider how poorly the deputies have been treated for the last twenty-eight years with fear and intimidation before he thinks that this is all about him. It ain't. We don't even know him. We could care less about him and Ralph hating each other. We just want to do our jobs without fear of retribution. We want an equal shot at promotions and a fair shake in the face of disciplinary action. We want a livable wage in these high dollar zip codes we occupy. These are all things Adkinson says he wants as well. I think he should work with the bargaining unit, if its voted in, to bring these things to light.
And as for the person who thinks the Sheriff and County Commisioners don't have to negotiate with anyone...you need to do your homework. This ain't Hazard County anymore and its not the People's Republic of Walton County. What makes you think we're any better than Escambia, Santa Rosa, Miami-Dade...etc, etc...?
Doesnt Mike Adkinson want to go Civil Service ?