Should we be concerned that was a mind set or just an excuse ?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
This is not a dig at Sowal,, but an atttempt to understand how the process can be improved in the future if any changes need to made.
AN often heard comment heard from the candidates as I mmet and talked with them was " Oh - I follow the Sowal postings but No Way I'm posting there any longer.
Should we be concerned that was a mind set or just an excuse ?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
This is not a dig at Sowal,, but an atttempt to understand how the process can be improved in the future if any changes need to made.
Should we be concerned that was a mind set or just an excuse ?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
This is not a dig at Sowal,, but an atttempt to understand how the process can be improved in the future if any changes need to made.
Replies
50
Beach Fanatic
Personally, I have no issues with candidates who didn't / don't post here. Most didn't post on the other local forums either. The ones I know, except for my buddy wrobert, don't particularly enjoy internet conversation in the first place.
But don't kid yourself by thinking The Powers That Be aren't watching these forums. Kurt has done an amazing job with SoWal and it is an incredible source of information. And a lot of funn too.
(And for TPTB that are watching, no, I am not posting at work. I am about to eat soft food and hug up with my ice pack on the couch again. See you Tuesday if Gustav isn't here!)
But don't kid yourself by thinking The Powers That Be aren't watching these forums. Kurt has done an amazing job with SoWal and it is an incredible source of information. And a lot of funn too.
(And for TPTB that are watching, no, I am not posting at work. I am about to eat soft food and hug up with my ice pack on the couch again. See you Tuesday if Gustav isn't here!)
Beach Fanatic
George Wallace Smith -- does he really exist?
Johnson? Does he show up for anything? He failed to show up to support his $300,000 budget request. He failed to show at all of the Meet the Candidate's forums. No surprises that he doesn't show up here.
In the interest of fairness (I'm not a supporter), Mr. Johnson was at several of the candidates forums. He attended the one at SWHS and Seascape that I know of off-hand. Perhaps more that I don't know about as I missed most in the northern districts. George Wallace Smith was also at these forums IIRC.
If we can just get a good balanced and fair format, it could be a great source for a paperless, plasticless, and litter-free "green" campaign.
Ms. Winegarner purposely chose not to place signs in an effort to run a green campaign... People claim to not even know who was running against Mr. Davis...
She doesn't strike me as the kind of person to spend a lot of time online. I know it's hard for everyone here to believe, but a lot of people have no idea this exists. They see the stickers and maybe visit the website, but don't know that a forum exists. And even though it's hard for *me* to believe, a lot of people (young and old) do not post on online forums because they either just don't know how or are not into sharing online. I have many friends, under the age of 30, who use Facebook and MySpace, are tech savvy, but have never and have no desire to use online message boards.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I totally understand what SoWal is all about. I don't understand why their is a perception that if a person views things differently they have an "Agenda".
i like to think of a forum as a place to discuss perspectives on topics in straight forward - non-confrontational manner. I believe that tolerance of different viewpoints is key to intelligent discourse.
i like to think of a forum as a place to discuss perspectives on topics in straight forward - non-confrontational manner. I believe that tolerance of different viewpoints is key to intelligent discourse.
Beach Lover
We agree on costs but will disagree on the reasons for those who did not post. By the way Jones did not just campaign in the north - she campaigned heavily in Miramar. She also spent over 10 grand advertising in the NW Daily News.
She executed her plan to win very well, just as Adkinson did. Win North and rely on the southern voters to once again not turn out.
It was not the large field - add Sids votes and George wallace Smiths votes to Osborne and she still beat him - same for Hudson - they both needed a large turnout in the South - neither got the turnout.
Adkinson relied on Cooper to take the votes away from Johnson which he did.
All three campaigns were destined to fail due to southern voter apathy.[/quote]
You nailed it, Interested Girl!!
Beach Fanatic
I don't think it was just the south Walton vote that was apathetic. It certainly was, but the whole county was pretty subpar.
One thing...do you believe that a person running for constitutional office needs to live in or near DeFuniak to win?
One thing...do you believe that a person running for constitutional office needs to live in or near DeFuniak to win?
Beach FanaticAuthor
It really depends on how many generations a person has lived here and whether they are actually a resident of WC when they run. Just ask Cornman about the resident part.
Beach Lover
Here's your answer
As for the hothead issue, I believe in the election, I didn't go door to door with lies neither did I run negative ads against my competitors.
Seems to me over 2300 people like the fact I stood up for myself and my neighbors. It to me is a victory in itself and yes, I'll be right back at the BCC meetings trying to correct what I believe to be an injustice.
Why don't you meet me there, and come to the podium and argue the county's position or the developers, Take your pick. You'll have to use your real name at the county meetings. That goes for MayGirl too, Here's your sign.
AN often heard comment heard from the candidates as I mmet and talked with them was " Oh - I follow the Sowal postings but No Way I'm posting there any longer.Go back and read the threads you wrote on me and you will know why people don't want to post on here. See "can Alan Osborne sue himself?" Now that I'm not the candidate there intrested girl can you answer the question on Driftwood? Do you want me to make the county hold the developer responsible for it's actions or should the taxpayers pay the 4 to 10 million for the fix?
Should we be concerned that was a mind set or just an excuse ?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
This is not a dig at Sowal,, but an atttempt to understand how the process can be improved in the future if any changes need to made.
As for the hothead issue, I believe in the election, I didn't go door to door with lies neither did I run negative ads against my competitors.
Seems to me over 2300 people like the fact I stood up for myself and my neighbors. It to me is a victory in itself and yes, I'll be right back at the BCC meetings trying to correct what I believe to be an injustice.
Why don't you meet me there, and come to the podium and argue the county's position or the developers, Take your pick. You'll have to use your real name at the county meetings. That goes for MayGirl too, Here's your sign.
I'm voting for
Alan Osborne for County Commissioner District 5, 2012!
Alan Osborne for County Commissioner District 5, 2012!
Beach FanaticAuthor
I love it when the agression surfaces. You got 2300 votes; Ms. Jones got about 1600 more. Your 2300 votes came with the full endorsement of a sitting county commissioner. The little lady just went about her business and won.
I think your beef is truly with the developer. I am sure you will keep going back. You stated it was personal and I believe it.
You quit posting here long before the Can Alan sue thread.
I think your beef is truly with the developer. I am sure you will keep going back. You stated it was personal and I believe it.
You quit posting here long before the Can Alan sue thread.
Beach Lover
Aggression
You seem facinated with that word. I answered one question after another from you even as you were totally rude. I ask you one and you want to lose it, it's amazing. Just admit you don't understand the whole driftwood issue and you don't understand or know me.
There is only one way to confirm aggression on this medium. It's the red chicklet and you are the only one in this conversation that has had one.
Answer the question please, or ask Smiling Joe if you can still borrow that shovel to dig a little deeper.
PS - This paragraph was written in the calmest of voices.:funn:
You seem facinated with that word. I answered one question after another from you even as you were totally rude. I ask you one and you want to lose it, it's amazing. Just admit you don't understand the whole driftwood issue and you don't understand or know me.
There is only one way to confirm aggression on this medium. It's the red chicklet and you are the only one in this conversation that has had one.Answer the question please, or ask Smiling Joe if you can still borrow that shovel to dig a little deeper.
PS - This paragraph was written in the calmest of voices.:funn:
Skunky
You seem facinated with that word. I answered one question after another from you even as you were totally rude. I ask you one and you want to lose it, it's amazing. Just admit you don't understand the whole driftwood issue and you don't understand or know me.
Answer the question please, or ask Smiling Joe if you can still borrow that shovel to dig a little deeper.
PS - This paragraph was written in the calmest of voices.:funn:
Alan, thanks for running an honorable campaign, You had my vote
Skunky
By the way Alan, Bob Hudson's mailing that attacked you (the one with the scoreboard) was an inspiration for one of the Obama signs that were adopted at the SOWAL democrat party tonight
Beach Lover
The back and forth we see occurring right now is exactly why candidates are reluctant to engage in discussions in online message boards.
No matter what the answer, the opportunity to misinterpret words, or to wrongly apply a tone or feeling to a writing will lead to an honest attempt at communication being picked over by opponents.
I too agree that a forum for more seasoned posters to interact with candidates might help, but until we can be civil enough to discuss issues with all candidates (even those we might dislike), we are not going to see this as an open conversation.
No matter what the answer, the opportunity to misinterpret words, or to wrongly apply a tone or feeling to a writing will lead to an honest attempt at communication being picked over by opponents.
I too agree that a forum for more seasoned posters to interact with candidates might help, but until we can be civil enough to discuss issues with all candidates (even those we might dislike), we are not going to see this as an open conversation.
Admin
The back and forth we see occurring right now is exactly why candidates are reluctant to engage in discussions in online message boards.
No matter what the answer, the opportunity to misinterpret words, or to wrongly apply a tone or feeling to a writing will lead to an honest attempt at communication being picked over by opponents.
I too agree that a forum for more seasoned posters to interact with candidates might help, but until we can be civil enough to discuss issues with all candidates (even those we might dislike), we are not going to see this as an open conversation.
The first rule of any forum (life) should be: don't overreact & don't take things too personal.
A politician needs to be able to keep a level head. Almost every one of them who posted here did. They deftly answered the few aggressive questions as they would in any public forum. How they handle themselves is a good measure of their fitness for office.
As for negative posts and attacks, a seasoned politician (or any public speaker) knows that such tactics are an opportunity to gain support. If you look at the thread in question about the Driftwood suit, the first post in response was an ardent response from Smiling Joe, a big Alan supporter. One negative post about a candidate (or say, a local business) usually brings out lots of positive responses. The negative becomes a positive. A chance for the issue to be discussed and clarified.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Your queation gives me two options: 1) Should you sue the county to force the developer to perform (No) or 2 Cause the taxpayers to fix the problem (No - they caused you no harm).
My answer is neither is the correct answer (IMO)
My answer is neither is the correct answer (IMO)
Edited
SoWal Insider
Conceivably, it could've rained during that year 
but not flooded...Duh?
I've lived on my street for 4 years and I've only seen it covered with water once.
Last year trees in the forest were dying because of lack of rain. What's that got to do with anything??
Why are you so bent on this Interested girl? The man and the neighborhood are in the United States of America, they are trying to stand up for what they believe is right and hold responsible parties accountable. It could be your neighborhood next. What if someone signed off on some documents at the county...next thing you know you're living on a toxic dump. How long do you think it will it take you to find out? When you start glowing?
Get over it.
but not flooded...Duh? I've lived on my street for 4 years and I've only seen it covered with water once.
Last year trees in the forest were dying because of lack of rain. What's that got to do with anything??
Why are you so bent on this Interested girl? The man and the neighborhood are in the United States of America, they are trying to stand up for what they believe is right and hold responsible parties accountable. It could be your neighborhood next. What if someone signed off on some documents at the county...next thing you know you're living on a toxic dump. How long do you think it will it take you to find out? When you start glowing?
Get over it.
SoWal Insider
Your queation gives me two options: 1) Should you sue the county to force the developer to perform (No) or 2 Cause the taxpayers to fix the problem (No - they caused you no harm).
My answer is neither is the correct answer (IMO)
I see you edited and took out that part about it not raining for a year. :roll:
Beach FanaticAuthor
Yes I edited the post because as you said it added nothing besides throwing fuel on the fire.
SoWal Insider
it added nothing .
:roll:
Beach Lover
I believe the Clerk of Courts is required by statute to live within two miles or something like that of the Courthouse.
Beach Fanatic
Alan, thank you for an honest, refreshing response....you are a class act and I appreciate you !!
Beach Fanatic
I believe the Clerk of Courts is required by statute to live within two miles or something like that of the Courthouse.
Thanks; I'd never heard that but I can ask her. Any idea about the others?
Beach Fanatic
A couple of things now that the primary election is over. The first time I saw Alan Osborne at a BCC meeting address them, I thought, "this guy is nothing but a rabble rouser." After a couple more meetings and listening to his presentations and the facts he presented, I realized he not only knew what he was talking about, his "agenda" not only applied to Driftwood, it was applicable to all of SoWal. He, alone practically, was taking on a system that was, and is, definitely broken and trying to bring it back to some semblance of reason and reality. I do not know what we will get now, but I have a definite feeling it will be more of the same. This county is very much in need of change and how they approach development and the regulation of it. I now think there is no way we will see any needed change anytime soon. I can only hope I am wrong.
One other note. I really enjoy this board but I was totally misled as to its influence on the citizenry of Walton County. For instance, I strongly urged Alan Osborne to post and participate in this forum as I thought it would benefit him greatly. Now, I am no longer so sure of its possible effect on political discourse at the local level. I think 90% of the posters here agree our election system for candidate up to the state level is broken. We need to find a way to fix it.
One other note. I really enjoy this board but I was totally misled as to its influence on the citizenry of Walton County. For instance, I strongly urged Alan Osborne to post and participate in this forum as I thought it would benefit him greatly. Now, I am no longer so sure of its possible effect on political discourse at the local level. I think 90% of the posters here agree our election system for candidate up to the state level is broken. We need to find a way to fix it.
Beach Comber
Your queation gives me two options: 1) Should you sue the county to force the developer to perform (No) or 2 Cause the taxpayers to fix the problem (No - they caused you no harm).
My answer is neither is the correct answer (IMO)
It would be curious to know what your "answer" is to the Drfitwood problem.
Beach Lover
I think some of the candidates became discouraged by the agendas, behavior, and attacks of some of the posters.
Your statement rings true for some of the sheriff candidates in particular as well as a few other races where the candidate was attacked rather than their views or experiences. As was mentioned in the earlier posts on this thread, go read the threads and posts.
Beach Fanatic
I believe the Clerk of Courts is required by statute to live within two miles or something like that of the Courthouse.
Where in the world is it that you get your information?
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