Who is this group? Anyone know?

As I recall candidates do not and cannot communicate with a PAC.

It's no surprise Bill Fletcher doesnt know, he shouldn't...

Your chastising him on this site is in appropriate and you owe him an apology.

John G...sit down, be quiet and stop acting like a petulant child....at the very least learn how to read!!

I never said anything about him directly/indirectly communicating with a PAC but since you actually brought it up I will say that politicians in general have many ways that they coordinate with outside groups. What I also said indicates that "Our Generation" (the folks behind the actual mailers) appears to be a PAC and I personally believe/think Mike Huckabee is behind it. If it turns out I'm wrong about that OK. I don't like Mike Huckabee or anything he stands for (he is extremely too far right and bigoted IMO) and I wouldn't vote for him in a dog fight let alone any political office in Walton County (or the U.S. for that matter) so, chances are I won't apologize regardless of whether or not I am right or wrong. That's politics and it's also constitutionally protected free speech!

How dare you talk about anyone chastising an individual when you are the KING of KINGS when it comes to chastising the Sheriff for anything you perceive he is guilty of but I'll make you a deal buddy. The day you apologize for being a COMPLETE ASS to the Sheriff and your years of conflict and bitterness over the job you believe he's doing (even though he is the first Sheriff to run unopposed in this county in 189 years) I'll apologize to Mr. Fletcher for something I didn't say....but you will still be a hypocrite for calling me out when you are guilty of doing exactly what you're attempting to call me out for.

The fact you appear to support Fletcher (is in my opinion) another fabulous reason NOT to vote for him!

Quote Bill Fletcher:

"Bob, not sure who this group is, but appreciate their efforts, being the Super Sleuth, how do we find out?"

Well if you knew nothing about it Bill let me give you some insight into the "gift" you received. That mailer on your behalf probably cost about $15,000. It appears it was mailed to all Walton County Property Owners ( about 50,000 pieces) not just "Voters". I received a call from some part-time residents that live on my street today. They are not registered voters in Walton County. They are registered to vote in Ga.. I then called 2 other out of town property owners in Alabama & Tennessee and they got the two mailers as well

Someone likes you !!!! Not sure who that might be.

WOW, I'm impressed and thankful.

I went to the BBB site and did not recognize any of the names listed. The mailers were a pleasant and complete surprise to me, I got mine in the mail yesterday. No organization has requested any pictures of me. Of course the ones they used would be easy to get off of social media.

This is just freaking mind boggling to me Mr. Fletcher. We are a very small community and up until a couple years ago candidates in this County ran political campaigns on the "good ole boy" syndrome. "God fearin" "born and raised" folks would run campaigns based off their years of experience in County government (we re-cycle allot) and their own ability to bulls*hit unsuspecting consumers. Today, it's PACS trying to get folks elected with shady ass money and my problem with you now is that you not only accepted it, you're grateful for it.

Interesting that you know it is shady money, the rest of us don't know anything about them. I guess if it came from locals generating huge sums thru various companies/businesses, it would not be shady? You quite sure you weren't born last night?

Matt J did not make the comment about being born at night Mr. Fletcher I did. Yes, generating large sums of money that any smart voter has an opportunity to view on the Supervisor of Elections website is preferable to accepting shady ass money from God knows where and it's called "Making Informed Decisions". Anyone who has lived here for any length of time knows about the players and the scandals that have rocked this Community and if they continue to vote for the same individuals year in and year out we have no one to blame but ourselves when our world goes to hell in the proverbial hand basket. We have NO ONE to blame when we don't know where the shady ass money comes from and we are not making informed decisions.

What you're doing is called disenfranchisement because you are preventing people from making informed decisions about your character and your positions. We don't know who is wielding power over you because you don't even know who you're grateful to which deprives voters of the legal right to make informed decisions.

I'm not necessarily defending Bill Fletcher, but all politicians usually accept donations of any kind. It's extraordinarily naive to think they would turn down such donations, even if they knew nothing about the donors. The links to impropriety have to be proven before any politician would feel it necessary to return the money.

Keep it respectful and civil. Let's discuss money, yes but let's also discuss issues.

What about customary use?

I'm not necessarily defending Bill Fletcher, but all politicians usually accept donations of any kind. It's extraordinarily naive to think they would turn down such donations, even if they knew nothing about the donors. The links to impropriety have to be proven before any politician would feel it necessary to return the money.

Most people are directed by their own moral compass too. For myself I would be extremely leery of large contributions from folks I knew nothing about.

Keep it respectful and civil. Let's discuss money, yes but let's also discuss issues.

What about customary use?

This thread isn't about "customary use"...it's about mailers on political candidates and who is behind them. There are several threads about customary use....this just isn't one of them.

Interesting that you know it is shady money, the rest of us don't know anything about them. I guess if it came from locals generating huge sums thru various companies/businesses, it would not be shady? You quite sure you weren't born last night?

At least I know who's backing those candidates and the money is traceable and mostly local. To be perfectly Frank the fact that you are willing to just accept, and be proud of, this windfall without any knowledge of its origins speaks volumes about your judgement.

This post is not in support of nor is it against any candidate for office.
I have many questions about these handouts and what is the purpose for them. I also question the huge amounts of money being thrown around and what is expected in return for those amounts. However, at least Bill Fletcher is willing to engage the public and come participate in this forum when he is not getting a very friendly reception. To be fair he is not the only candidate getting mystery mailers on his behalf and he is not raising 10's of thousands of dollars like others. Mr. Fletcher says he does not know who is behind this and I will take him at his word. But I still want to know who is behind this and what they are up to. That is not against any candidate. I just want to know what is going on so I can make educated choices in August.

If the other political candidates came to this forum you know me well enough to know Danny my position would not be any different for them than it has been Mr. Fletcher and I'm just outspoken enough to say so. We don't owe these folks anything, they owe us their honesty (I actually believe Mr. Fletcher doesn't know whose behind this and that's the problem) they owe us their commitment to bring open, honest government to Walton County and at this point NONE of them have done that either because they truly don't know OR they actually do know and have chosen to crawl in bed with the snakes and liars who currently run this ship.

I don't have any problem with asking tough questions and being plain with candidates. Lord knows they might as well get a taste of what is in store for them if they win. But to be fair Fletcher is the only candidate who has chosen to respond to questions and that should be pointed out. And I still want to know if this group sent questionnaires or had communication with candidates and I want to know what they expect to accomplish.

I don't have any problem with asking tough questions and being plain with candidates. Lord knows they might as well get a taste of what is in store for them if they win. But to be fair Fletcher is the only candidate who has chosen to respond to questions and that should be pointed out. And I still want to know if this group sent questionnaires or had communication with candidates and I want to know what they expect to accomplish.

I agree that Fletcher is the only candidate who has chosen to respond. Unfortunately, he doesn't know who he crawled in bed with when he accepted those political mailers and that's a problem....for him and for voters.

I think most of us want answers.

P.S. Danny, I've said I think Mike Huckabee is behind this based on his substantial contributions to Melanie Nipper.

I could be very wrong in that mindset AND...I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to learn that Cecilia Jones and the band of thugs supporting Tony Anderson have something to do with it to make Fletcher & Nipper look like idiots for accepting contributions from God knows who, making Imfield a shoe-in. C. Jones knows Imfield/Chapman wouldn't even vote to get rid of ropes, chains. signs and fencing and the only person she needs gone is Cindy Meadows. Ms. Jones is as dirty as the day is long.

Someone on Facebook knows something about who created the Our Generation page. They call themselves "a group of concerned citizens" but I'm concerned that no one knows who they are. I'm concerned our very own tax collector liked the page (based solely I'm sure on the core issues) better roads, infrastructure and jobs. We all want that and are open and honest enough to admit it without having to create hidden citizen groups!! BTW...Mike Huckabee has openly endorsed Rhonda Skipper which still makes him the largest suspect in my mind....yet he made no financial campaign contribution. Wierd! (I love me some Rhonda Skipper and want to see her re-elected.)

@Misty - take a lesson from Danny. You can ask tough questions while showing respect and using manners. Using words like idiots and dirty is extreme.

@Misty - take a lesson from Danny. You can ask tough questions while showing respect and using manners. Using words like idiots and dirty is extreme.

If career politicians in this county showed their constituents that same respect and manners you suggest some of them deserve this entire conversation wouldn't exist.

I agree that Fletcher is the only candidate who has chosen to respond. Unfortunately, he doesn't know who he crawled in bed with when he accepted those political mailers and that's a problem....for him and for voters.

I think most of us want answers.

Misty, I just posted a lengthy reply to your and others complaints and concerns about the nonprofit ads for Bill and Melanie on the other forum, and I'll respond a bit differently here, though in a similar vein.

I think you are a mite off base attacking Bill for crawling into bed when he accepted those mailers. The mailers largely state known facts about the candidates, not rumors. They list some goals of the candidates. Nothing reprehensible or underhanded there. Bill has stated he's happy that some group has chosen to spread his message. Since he can't do anything about it even if he knew where to start, I fail to see that as crawling into bed with "them". You seem to be conflating the idea of people ( the advocacy group doing the mailing) exercising their Constitutional right to privacy with nefarious intent. You're obviously an intelligent person, and your anger seems to have blinded you here. How, in precise terms, is it a problem for voters for a group to send out a mailer stating some pretty innocuous but verifiable true facts about candidates when what they are doing is both legal and commonplace?

Bill did not accept their mailers any more than you did. He got one in the mail, just as tens of thousands of others did. I don't know if Bill knows you or knows any of the thousands of others who voted for him last time and who, then or now, might have advocated publicly for him without identifying themselves to each and every person hearing or reading their message. Should he or any other candidate disavow those friendly voices or is he just crawling into bed with them (perhaps you?), too?

You want answers to which you are not legally entitled and which the group in question has no obligation to provide. While that law may stick in your craw, that is not the fault of Bill or Melanie. You unfairly imply nefariousness of their part when the simple application of Occam's Razor would give you the answer. This group believes Bill and Melanie will give better service to Walton County than the incumbents or the other candidates in those races. While not part of that group, I happen to agree with them. I want open, honest, competent, impartial fair and restrained government, be it local, state, or national. Nothing more, nothing less, and I feel Bill and Melanie offer a good opportunity at that. They are not the only good people in their races. I just happens to think they are the best.

You mentioned the Machiavellian possibility that this might be an underhanded reverse psychology play by backers of Mrs. Jones. I raised that same possibility in my post on the other board a few minutes ago, a post that would have better gone here.

And as respects Mike Huckabee, his support or lack thereof for Bill, Melanie or anyone else should not be a serious consideration in a decision for or against a particular candidate, in my view, at least. Each candidate should stand on his or her merits. Bill and Melanie have a great deal of merit. If Mike supports them, that is all well and good, but it does not change who they are, what their accomplishments are, or what their promise is as prospective Commissioners for this county. They both have records of honor, of accomplishment, of selflessness, of intelligence and the ability to lead others under difficult circumstances, and they both have records of serving the public good, not special interests of any ilk. I'll go with their records. You could do worse that to judge them on similar grounds. Mike may be wrong on some or a lot of things, but a stopped clock is right twice a day, like the clock or hate it

lazin&drinkin...I'll be brief and repetitive as I also responded to your other post.

Walton County (as backward as it still is) is NOT a 3rd world country where we have to fear retribution from our government. We don't risk being imprisoned, brutally beaten, having our fingernails or toenails removed or water boarded for our political beliefs. I understand people want change but hiding in the shadows is what people did to avoid concentration camps! Its NOT what we do as a society in America. We have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. Be LOUD and be PROUD about who and what you are and what you want to see accomplished for yourselves, your Community and who you want to see elected to govern where you live, work and play. Anything less than that is SUSPECT. The fact people want to remain in the shadows calling for reform is SUSPECT and it is NOT the way to achieve OPEN, HONEST GOVERNMENT.

I don't agree with misty on everything she posts on here. However if you want to get down to the hay, the people that put the political mailings out are against customary use. (Stevie Wonder could see that) Misty is calling them out, and I'm all for it. If that is your position just say so, and let the people decide.

I don't agree with misty on everything she posts on here. However if you want to get down to the hay, the people that put the political mailings out are against customary use. (Stevie Wonder could see that) Misty is calling them out, and I'm all for it. If that is your position just say so, and let the people decide.

Thanks, I think.

But please let me make myself clear. I do not know what Ms. Nipper or Mr. Fletcher's position is on customary use. Since Ms. Nipper isn't posting here chances are slim I'll find out unless someone else posts her position. Mr. Fletcher does and obviously has posted here and has had ample opportunity to express himself in that regard. For reasons know only to him he hasn't done so. I would hope that he does take the opportunity though. If he is against customary use that will assuredly be a deal breaker for me regardless of the other great causes and community service efforts he is involved in. You can be a great steward of the Community and not be cut out to be a great politician.

Our beaches are very very important to our way of life and without them it would be like taking away our ability to breath. (That's sounds odd coming from me because I haven't been to the beach since my grand baby was a toddler but I recognize the importance of them to our health and well being.) The beaches are the heart and soul of Walton County and they belong to all of us. We need to keep it that way! There are NO private beaches in Walton County!

With that said, I don't think we can do that if Chapman/Imfield are re-elected and they proved that with their vote on the recent ordinance changes that C. Jones is under the mistaken impression she single-handedly spearheaded. She could not have done what was accomplished without Ms. Meadows and Ms. Comander,

Those mailers have created suspicion and distrust (as if there wasn't enough of that already with our current BCC) and I am really having a difficult time with a "group of concerned citizen" (who we can't even say for sure are citizens of Walton County) hiding in the shadows, posting rhetoric on the 2 websites I've seen with no other meaningful content and no public dialogue allowed..

"Our Generation" flies in the face of everything that Facebook was actually created for which is to give us a sense of community, connect with friends and family and to voice our opinions on political issues and life in general! I'm not of the opinion that I want to connect with with jackasses who spew rhetoric, hide in the shadows and run dirty campaigns or attempt to destroy the campaigns of people who would otherwise have a chance to be a voice of meaningful change for all of us.

There is something dirty amiss here and it needs to be brought to the light!

The Fear Vacuum

I find it odd when some political candidates participate in a forum, FB thread or other public arena they have a tendency to comment when it suits them but when a serious issue question comes up 2 or 3 times, whether it is a subject of the thread or not, there is "radio silence." Whatever the question...for or against? If for and why, if against and why. An answer is the honorable and right thing to give potential voters. Some candidates even avoid any and every opportunity to speak with clarity when pressed to answer on their positions. Recently, one didn't even show up to an important public Candidate forum.

Having conviction for your values and positions and be willing to take a stand on issues is the right and correct thing to do if you even want a chance of being elected. Take your shot with integrity and conviction on your positions then let the chips fall where they may. Another poker analogy: if you go all in with the best hand you might not win but you have no regrets; what you have is conviction and integrity.

I can understand fully a candidates need to choose words carefully but again, an answer is the honorable and right thing to give potential voters (even if they have already answered it in other places and especially if they have not.) If I was running for office I would use every opportunity to let my potential voters know exactly what my positions are on every issue. Money and backing is a huge factor but not the most important. In the end your background, charisma, ability to communicate your positions clearly and effectively and your real and perceived integrity is what will put you in office and keep you there if you are honored with enough votes to win.

Far too many politicians operate in what I call "a fear vacuum." They are so afraid of not being elected they compromise their convictions and integrity before they even get out of the gate by being terrified of offending potential voters. I hold anyone who runs for office in high regard just for doing it at all. In my view they all start off on very high ground at that moment they announce their run for office. To me, how or if they maintain that high ground defines whether or not they get my vote. And, if they are elected whether or not they retain my vote. It is all about answers to questions. Please, just answer the questions and you will likely hold that high ground.

@Dave Rauschkolb you have my vote!

I said a long time ago that any candidate who posts here without fear has my vote. Not everyone is going to agree with you when you want an office.

I don't agree with misty on everything she posts on here. However if you want to get down to the hay, the people that put the political mailings out are against customary use. (Stevie Wonder could see that) Misty is calling them out, and I'm all for it. If that is your position just say so, and let the people decide.

How do you get that? I don't see anything about customary use on the mailings.

Dawn I think people are connecting dots and taking a guess. Customary use is the most controversial issue of this campaign cycle and people want to know an answer. These mailers are fairly innocuous but they make no mention of a position on customary use. So, combine that with other candidates stated positions, the fact that no District 5 candidate was awarded a mailer and both of them have stated unequivocal support for customary use and the rather tepid support Mr. Fletcher and Ms. Nipper have given to customary use and people have drawn conclusions. I don't know if they are right or not but I still would like to know why a Washington PAC cares about a Walton County Commission race. But I cannot fault Mr. Fletcher or Ms Nipper for "accepting" this gift. Legally they cannot coordinate with a PAC and they cannot stop a group from liking them.

Dawn I think people are connecting dots and taking a guess. Customary use is the most controversial issue of this campaign cycle and people want to know an answer. These mailers are fairly innocuous but they make no mention of a position on customary use. So, combine that with other candidates stated positions, the fact that no District 5 candidate was awarded a mailer and both of them have stated unequivocal support for customary use and the rather tepid support Mr. Fletcher and Ms. Nipper have given to customary use and people have drawn conclusions. I don't know if they are right or not but I still would like to know why a Washington PAC cares about a Walton County Commission race. But I cannot fault Mr. Fletcher or Ms Nipper for "accepting" this gift. Legally they cannot coordinate with a PAC and they cannot stop a group from liking them.

Danny, Tony Anderson is NOT about customary use (in the sense that has been discussed here) albeit his website and Facebook page IMPLIES otherwise. There is a substantial difference between public access and customary use.