Driftwood on the BCC Agenda

[Interested Girl]

I will be speaking at the BCC tuesday night. It has been over 60 days since the BCC gave the developers a order to comply within 45 days.(They have done nothing!) I have already sued the developers for noncompliance. I will offer to let the county join our suit at MY expense to both fix the neighborhood and repay the county for the money it has spent. Just so the facts are straight the State DCA is in agreement with the homeowners on the drainage deviations from the development order and have stated so in writing. See you there!
Alan Osborne

One of the most interesting things about last nights hearing was the offer made by Osborne to hold the County harmless if he does not prevail in court. If he looses than he stated that he would then not file suit against the County. He may be able to waive his his right to sue but he cannot waive anothers rights. In reality he needs the county to join in the suit. Those sitting on the jury will place a lot of weight on the fact that it is not just the Homeowners but a sitting governmental body.

The last words out of Commissioner Commander to the engineer for the developer was - "You have two weeks".

He also corrected his 1st post (quotedd above) when he said the developer had done nothing. He corrected that and stated what they had actually done.

 

[Smiling JOe]

yes, those were Comm. Commander's last words, but she is the one who made the motion two months ago, telling the developer's representative, "you have 45 days!"

 

[Andy A]

What is your definition of right? Some, including many of the sitting commissioners already feel that they are doing what is right. Since we live within a Republic form of government, and seeing the way that the recent election came about, I think you good make a very strong argument that the BCC is heading in the right direction.

According to the vote last night, I will agree with you. Prior to that, I'm not so sure.

 

[paradiseat30a]

wrobert, I believe what paradiseat30a meant by "the BCC doing what is right," is that they hold developers accountable to do the things required by Code. In this case, the developer didn't do what was required, and have still failed. Last night, the spokesman for the developer mentioned that the lender is involved and that was an issue. (I took that to mean that the developer may not have the cash to do what was required four years ago, and it is like pulling teeth to get the lender to fork over the cash to do the work.)

Back when Commissioner Commander made the motion which was approved roughly two months ago, the motion included that if the developer had not performed "substantial" work to complete the required infrastructure in 45 days, the County might proceed with a lawsuit against the developer. This was their polite and final warning for the developer to perform. The 45 day deadline came and went without substantial work being completed. Two days ago, one day prior to the BCC meeting, they suddenly had paperwork signed off, noting that they were working on it. No evidence of substantial work completed.

As I understand it, last night, the County Commissioners were in agreement to join the suit, and County Interim Attorney, Mike Burke, stated that he couldn't, in good council, agree for the County to join a suit which he had not reviewed, so he will review the suit, and advise the BCC accordingly at the next meeting in two weeks.

A long battle was won last night. The County agreed to adhere to State Law (surprise, surprise, surprise) and send the $300,000+ bill, and all future bills, to the developer.

Thank you Smilin Joe, just now having a chance to catch up on all the commentary. I could not have answered Mr Nelson's question better myself as far as what I meant about our local government doing what is right. Your facts are correct. My point was to the Drfitwood issue, which I thought was clear; it had nothing to do with "how a form of Republican government worked"....

 

[Interested Girl]

Could someone loan Mr. Osborne a ladder. I think he needs one. Seems the Commission didn't vote his way tonight.

Did he wave and shout ? I heard he did during his meeting with Burke.

 

[Surf4play]

Could someone loan Mr. Osborne a ladder. I think he needs one. Seems the Commission didn't vote his way tonight.

Did he wave and shout ? I heard he did during his meeting with Burke.

What was the decision taken by the BCC yesterday on the Driftwood issue? Does this mean that Walton County (after the County attorney researched the issue) is not going to join Osbourne's lawsuit, and were any reasons given?

 

[wrobert]

What was the decision taken by the BCC yesterday on the Driftwood issue? Does this mean that Walton County (after the County attorney researched the issue) is not going to join Osbourne's lawsuit, and were any reasons given?

I thought the Walton Sun had already reported that this was a done deal.

 

[Surf4play]

I thought the Walton Sun had already reported that this was a done deal.

My understanding was that the BCC decided 2 weeks ago to have the County Attorney research whether to join Osbourne's lawsuit and then take a final decision at yesterday's meeting. Here's part of the agenda from yesterday (with only the relevant section):

"AGENDA

WALTON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
September 23, 2008

................

4:30 PM Allen Osborne
1. Driftwood Estates; question concerning Walton County joining law suit
............"


I was curious if anything was decided.

 

[wrobert]

My understanding was that the BCC decided 2 weeks ago to have the County Attorney research whether to join Osbourne's lawsuit and then take a final decision at yesterday's meeting. Here's part of the agenda from yesterday (with only the relevant section):

"AGENDA

WALTON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
September 23, 2008

................

4:30 PM Allen Osborne
1. Driftwood Estates; question concerning Walton County joining law suit
............"


I was curious if anything was decided.

I found this from wzep1460.com.

Commissioners decided to not join with Osborn and the Driftwood residents in a lawsuit against the developer. Commissioners were told the parties are coming to the table and the work is beginning to be started. Commissioners questioned if a lawsuit would make it go any quicker.

 

[Interested Girl]

I find it very interesting that every one was enjoying "Popping the cork" on the bubbly two weeks ago and now its kinda silent. Do we need to page Mr. Osborne and watch him eat a little *humble pie* for declaring game.set and match. Alot can happen in two weeks and it definitely did.

Reminds me of a song - "Row Row Row Your Own Boat"'