Walton County Commissioners' video deposition in public records lawsuit

[Interested Girl]

So Edgewater or Harris were willing to pay the man hours and materials required to complete the request?

The simple fact is that I have never had a problem getting public records. If I need a case file and it's in Defuniak I can drive there or wait 24 hours and they bring it down for me, for free. The staff has always been courteous, respectful, and did not grill me as to why I was asking for anything.

This case is less about access and more about vendetta than anything. Edgewater and Harris simply wanted to make a point. Why be so specific about the word beach, why not just ask for every email that had the letter "e" in it. I'm sure they're very happy with their settlement, but I'm also sure that any employee laid off due to a budget shortfall won't forget it very soon.

I believe that you will find that they were perfectly willing to pay.

In one of the depositions the Clerks office stated that they could have completed the Public Records request in 1 month or less.

You seem to be missing the real questions raised by these settlements.

• • Why would the County Commissioners approve a settlement agreement of such magnitude if they thought they could have won this case ?
  • Why would they set a precident for "private property" rights if they could have won the case ?
  • Why did it take them over 1 year to even acknowledge that they were not in compliance with Florida's public records laws ?
  • Why would the three Commissioner's that were deposed concerning this case the only ones to vote to accept the settlement ?
  • Why did they not simply provide the records and bill her for it as is prescribed in the Florida Public records statutes ?
  • What nucklehead allowed this case to procede so far when the remedy was clear and the taxpayers would have been out 0.00 dollars ?

 

[idlewind]

You are so in the dark. After Ivan Edgewater gave the county 5 loads of sand to save the public restrooms at Pampano Joes from falling in when ask by the county . This cost Edgewater $525.00 per truck load. Unlike all of the rest of the beach front properties Edgewater hired a company and used 3 front in loaders and 3 dump trucks to clean all of Edgewater's Beach and property and then being good citizens we paid them to clean all of the beaches on both sides of Edgewater.

Edgewater was also given a permit to drive on the beach so our staff took our 4 wheeler pulling a large wagon to help clean the beaches from Edgewater to the county line. My employees were paid by me to cut up trees and haul them away for the county. Believe me we have NEVER ask the county for one dime. Also since you have not a clue, Edgewater has our own beach access and it is the only one from Pampono Joeas to Sandestin. We gladely allowed all county trucks to use our access when the county asked.

Edgewater housed FREE the national guard when contacted by the county asking for help. We gave them 30 2 bedroom condominiums for two weeks and NEVER ASK THE COUNTY FOR A DIME.

Suzanne Harris

I am not in the dark, I just seem to remember county trucks around Edgewater during one of the hurricanes, might have been Ivan, might have been Opal. I also discount housing guards to protect your property after a storm, sort of seems like tit for tat.

Personally I agree with your position in principle, I just don't like your tactics and what I perceive to be an attitude that you are above the laws the rest of us have to live with. I also don't like the shot you took at SWGB. While he and I disagree on most things, personal attacks are no way to engage in debate. An apology would be in order imho.

 

[wrobert]

I believe that you will find that they were perfectly willing to pay.

In one of the depositions the Clerks office stated that they could have completed the Public Records request in 1 month or less.

You seem to be missing the real questions raised by these settlements.

• • Why would they set a precident for "private property" rights if they could have won the case ?

All I know is that the BCC finally saw the light and that it does not matter whether it is on the beach or in your back yard, your stuff is fine on your property and they can not come and steal it.

 

[Interested Girl]

I am not in the dark, I just seem to remember county trucks around Edgewater during one of the hurricanes, might have been Ivan, might have been Opal. I also discount housing guards to protect your property after a storm, sort of seems like tit for tat.

Personally I agree with your position in principle, I just don't like your tactics and what I perceive to be an attitude that you are above the laws the rest of us have to live with. I also don't like the shot you took at SWGB. While he and I disagree on most things, personal attacks are no way to engage in debate. An apology would be in order imho.

Lets see - he called her a "loon" her attorney an "ambulance chaser" and called her complex a "dump".

IMHO he owes her an apology. Either that or they are even.

 

[Interested Girl]

All I know is that the BCC finally saw the light and that it does not matter whether it is on the beach or in your back yard, your stuff is fine on your property and they can not come and steal it.

Well it sure puts "No Trace" a shambles. It is called precedent or a guideline to the future of it anyway.

 

[Suzanne Harris]

It's not run by a tyrant that's for sure. I would hope that if the association paid those legal bills up front everything is in order.

Now that you've decided to go public, perhaps you can answer this question:

Why do you personally or just as a group of homeowners hate Sea Turtles?

Edgewater has bent over backwards to work with Sharon Maxwell to protect the turtles. If you read the paper you would know she was quoted as saying we kept the best beach, and she wished all beach front properties were kept like Edgewater. If you have any doubt about this her at swturtlewatch@cox.net.

 

[idlewind]

Lets see - he called her a "loon" her attorney an "ambulance chaser" and called her complex a "dump".

IMHO he owes her an apology. Either that or they are even.

Maybe they can both apologize and debate the issues.

As I said, I agree with them in principle. The tactics are the problem. I would feel alot better if they donated some of the taxpayers money to a charity.
I also remember a string of lawsuits by Edgewater years ago to prevent their neighbors from excercising THEIR property rights. Either you are for property rights or against them. Edgewater seems to be the definition of NIMBY or "I have mine you go away."

 

[Interested Girl]

Maybe they can both apologize and debate the issues.

As I said, I agree with them in principle. The tactics are the problem. I would feel alot better if they donated some of the taxpayers money to a charity.
I also remember a string of lawsuits by Edgewater years ago to prevent their neighbors from excercising THEIR property rights. Either you are for property rights or against them. Edgewater seems to be the definition of NIMBY or "I have mine you go away."

I was taught that you never go to war with a pacifist. She simply plays to win.

 

[idlewind]

I was taught that you never go to war with a pacifist. She simply plays to win.

I don't have a prolem with playing to win, I do so myself. But being true to a set of principles besides selfish self interest is important as well. What they are telling their neighbors is that no one can tell them to take down a net but Edgewater can dictate what they build on their property. Either you are for property rights or you are not.

 

[Interested Girl]

I don't have a prolem with playing to win, I do so myself. But being true to a set of principles besides selfish self interest is important as well. What they are telling their neighbors is that no one can tell them to take down a net but Edgewater can dictate what they build on their property. Either you are for property rights or you are not.

And the judge agreed with the settlement.
Everything is not simply Black or white - lots of shades of gray.
90% of all peoples actions are self-serving.