DFS Herald Sheriff's poll. Who has your vote?

[wrobert]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts with a little local historical perspective.

WaltonGOP, do you know how Independents and non-affiliated voters number in comparison to the Dems and Reps? Recently, I heard that New Hampshire had about 30-40% Independent voters, and am curious if WalCo, is similar. If so, it seems that only a very small percentage of people are able to vote in the partisan Sheriff's race, and even fewer actually vote.

SJ,

I just reread my post. Prior to 1998 all elected officials were Democrats. I remember when I registered to vote in 1980 I was registered as a Democrat. At the time I did not know the difference and was told that was the only way I could vote. You have to remember the mindset. I remember when the local Supervisor of Elections at that time was quoted on the radio as saying she would never register someone as a communist if they asked. A really different era in this bit of undiscovered, until recently, country.

 

[wrobert]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts with a little local historical perspective.

WaltonGOP, do you know how Independents and non-affiliated voters number in comparison to the Dems and Reps? Recently, I heard that New Hampshire had about 30-40% Independent voters, and am curious if WalCo, is similar. If so, it seems that only a very small percentage of people are able to vote in the partisan Sheriff's race, and even fewer actually vote.

These are approximations and could be off a couple of hundred either way.

Republicans 17000
Democrats 11000
Others 4500 (3800 no party affiliation)

 

[The Watcher]

Dear ?The Watcher?,
I?m not sure exactly who you are but you obviously haven?t been paying attention or ?watching? as your name says , what does actually go on within the Sheriff?s Office and what a few of these guys have actually done for the Sheriff?s Office. Before you start accusing some of them of being inexperienced and ?not qualified? maybe, just maybe you should sit down with them, talk to them to see what they have actually done in the past and intend on doing if they get in office. I personally know all of these candidates except one of them and that being Richard Brown. I know them quite well too. I will go ahead and tell you that I am supporting Josh Sconiers if he does run. I take offense to some or most of the things you have to say about him. I?m not sure how he was ?spoon fed? his rank but maybe you need to get your facts together on what all he did within the Sheriff?s Office. I guarantee you he has done more in his 7 years with the Sheriff?s Office than the rest of these will do when they reach 30 years. Okay, and the ?very young? part: Do you actually know how old he really is? If you don?t, you may want to take that comment back because I do believe he isn?t much younger than three of the other candidates. And now the ?cushiony? bailiff?s job. Why don?t you ask him about that one too. Find out why he is really there. It isn?t because he wants to be. Maybe if he didn?t have to do most of the Captains jobs, his own jobs, and handle the computers too then he might would still be a road Sgt. I think only one person can handle so much without any help. So, before you or anyone else starts in on this ?gossip? why don?t you find out the facts before you start talking or typing. I?m not just defending Josh Sconiers. This race is already going to be dirty enough with rumors flying and backstabbing.

Sorry for offending you, that was not the intent. I was just stating my opinion, based on my knowledge and how it relates to his running for office. For your information I have met Josh and he is a very nice young man. He is a good and honest officer. Maybe in a few years he would make a good candidate. With that said, did he take any type of promotional test to obtain the rank of Sgt., for that matter, do any of the rank and file take a test or is there any open posting for the positions? What did he or others for that matter do to obtain the ranks they hold? How many total years of law enforcement experience does he have? Does he possess any other professional experience (Business, Legal, etc.)? Does he have a college degree? These are all very valid questions, please answer them if you can. My comments are not meant as any personal attack toward Mr. Sconiers, please get that clear.

If you enter the ring of politics, be ready to face the music and critism that come with the territory. I am well aware of his computer experience and his numerous attempts at making the pathetic system the officers use better, that makes him knowledgeable of comuters and I.T., not knowledgeable on how to run a Sheriffs Office. As for the Bailiff Job, if he does not want to be there, he needs to put in for a transfer. Why would he stay at a position he does not wish to be in? Acquiring time on the job as a Bailiff is far from acquiring time and experience on the road, where apparently he should be.

I am glad you are supporting Josh, as I am sure several others will join you. Just be aware that you and others who are supporting the candidates that are not qualified (although their hearts are in the right place) you are SPLITTING THE VOTE AND YOU WILL GET RALPH RE-ELECTED. Think before you act. Hope that clears some things up for you.

P.S. You reference Josh doing the Captains Jobs, are you implying that the Captains are NOT doing their jobs? This would not surprise me one bit but maybe you can clear that up for us.

 

[The Watcher]

The Watcher, my guess as to why they don't run on the Dem ticket is due to Walton County traditionally being made up of mostly Rep voters. I'm guessing that they are going where the votes are, but it does seem strange. For all the Dems in WalCo who vote party line, a Dem might have a good chance of winning, with all of those potential names splitting the Rep vote. I think that one problem with a race like that of the Sheriff, is that while many people in Freeport and Defuniak Springs may be familiar with most of the names on the list, there are many of us who moved to the area in the last seven years and don't recognize any, or very few, names on the list. Other than a newspaper interview a week before the election, how are we to gain an understanding of these candidates and their experience/qualifications? This message board might be a good forum to spread their word. The only one with a website was Bill Infinger who is not allowed to run.

This site will hopefully give you some perspective on the candidates as they emerge. You are very correct that DFS and Freeport are familiar with most of the candidates, which is part of the problem. The South Walton Vote will be a deciding factor in this election, we need to vote with knowledge, which is easier said then done.

The candidate (ex) that you refer to was Bill Imfeld, not Infinger. He had a website as he had garnered tremendous support and funding (he still has it too). He also has/had his finger on the pulse of every community in the county and he was smart enough and had a strong enough campaign to create a web site to educate the voter. HINT ALERT: Get a website, it is 2008, if you want to get elected, tell us (the voter) about your qualifications, how will you change the face of law enforcement, who are you?

A great idea would be to hold a town hall meeting or debate, maybe three; one in SoWal, one in Freeport and one in DFS (Ralph will need one in Alabama as well). Anyone think this would work?

 

[wrobert]

A great idea would be to hold a town hall meeting or debate, maybe three; one in SoWal, one in Freeport and one in DFS (Ralph will need one in Alabama as well). Anyone think this would work?

You are either very new to the area or very new to the political process in this county and how it works.

 

[FactsB4Fiction]

Watcher,

I know Mr. Sconiers very well, he has a very diverse background with qualifications in various fields. As for his leadership abilities, perhaps you should speak to the men who were under his command. You are completely correct about some of the captains jobs. It is my understanding that he was directed by the Sheriff to perfrom many duties with the S.O. which appeared to me to be somebody else's job. As for the splitting the vote comment, I think Sconiers is the only one running for the right reasons. Perhaps you should speak to some of the other candidates about this instead. You didn't offend me, I just wish people would become more informed.

 

[The Watcher]

Watcher,

I know Mr. Sconiers very well, he has a very diverse background with qualifications in various fields. As for his leadership abilities, perhaps you should speak to the men who were under his command. You are completely correct about some of the captains jobs. It is my understanding that he was directed by the Sheriff to perfrom many duties with the S.O. which appeared to me to be somebody else's job. As for the splitting the vote comment, I think Sconiers is the only one running for the right reasons. Perhaps you should speak to some of the other candidates about this instead. You didn't offend me, I just wish people would become more informed.

Thank you for your reply and understanding my view point. I believe many people would be interested in further understanding the work load and how it relates to the Captains Jobs. This is no surprise as I know people have been made Captain overnight, quite literally, and then sent right back down the ladder. Please elaborate if you can. If he has this type of experience, it needs to be made public. Not only will it help to establish his credibility, but it will also shed some additional light (not like its really needed) on the level of incompetence that currently exists in the S.O. leadership.

I really do understand if you choose not to as I am well aware of the circumstances the deputies work under. As for your reply about Josh's qualifications, is there some place we can see them (qualifications) or can you let us know them? I am looking for specifics, such as; College Degree (what, where), years of Law Enforcement Experience, other professional experience, other organizational memberships or activities, any additional law enforcement accreditation or training (specialized, not standards or updated certifications). This is the information people need to know to make the best decision.

I will agree with you that I am sure Josh is running for all the right reasons, I just wish he had the experience to supplement the heart. Sorry.

 

[The Watcher]

You are either very new to the area or very new to the political process in this county and how it works.

Neither is correct. I am just looking for alternatives to the garbage that has been our "elections". You seem very negative, try being positive.

 

[wrobert]

Neither is correct. I am just looking for alternatives to the garbage that has been our "elections". You seem very negative, try being positive.

You offer alternatives as 'new ideas', which are not. It leads me to believe you lack historical knowledge of political events. Thus you are either a fairly new resident, or a fairly newly involved individual. Nothing I say is negative, more logical than anything else. Hmmmm.....I seem to be making a deduction based upon evidence that you provide.

 

[Yahoodie]

Dear “The Watcher”,
I’m not sure exactly who you are but you obviously haven’t been paying attention or “watching” as your name says , what does actually go on within the Sheriff’s Office and what a few of these guys have actually done for the Sheriff’s Office. Before you start accusing some of them of being inexperienced and “not qualified” maybe, just maybe you should sit down with them, talk to them to see what they have actually done in the past and intend on doing if they get in office. I personally know all of these candidates except one of them and that being Richard Brown. I know them quite well too. I will go ahead and tell you that I am supporting Josh Sconiers if he does run. I take offense to some or most of the things you have to say about him. I’m not sure how he was “spoon fed” his rank but maybe you need to get your facts together on what all he did within the Sheriff’s Office. I guarantee you he has done more in his 7 years with the Sheriff’s Office than the rest of these will do when they reach 30 years. Okay, and the “very young” part: Do you actually know how old he really is? If you don’t, you may want to take that comment back because I do believe he isn’t much younger than three of the other candidates. And now the “cushiony” bailiff’s job. Why don’t you ask him about that one too. Find out why he is really there. It isn’t because he wants to be. Maybe if he didn’t have to do most of the Captains jobs, his own jobs, and handle the computers too then he might would still be a road Sgt. I think only one person can handle so much without any help. So, before you or anyone else starts in on this “gossip” why don’t you find out the facts before you start talking or typing. I’m not just defending Josh Sconiers. This race is already going to be dirty enough with rumors flying and backstabbing.

FactsB4Fiction;
Rick Brown is currently employed by WCSO. You can call him to set up a time where you could meet him to make an "informed" decision. You just may find he is more qualified than Mr. Sconiers. I know that Mr.Sconiers is a fine and hard working honest person and dedicated to law enforcement, but I too believe he needs more law enforcement experience before he takes on this awesome task. Rick Brown has that experience and the endurance needed to handle the sheriff's job and he too is a fine, hard working honest person. Rick can be reached at (850) 974-0638. He is off Tues/Wed/Thurs and can meet with you then.His web site should be coming out next week.