BCC Meeting March 14th 4 PM (SoWal)

[Kaydence]

The selection of a new Walton County planning director, and an appointment to the Walton County Planning Commission will be announced.

District 5 Tony Anderson's pick for the planning commission is Mr. Babcock, a one time pharmacist from Alabama now residing in SRB. (Assuredly a WCSBA pick!) Ran against Chapman 4 years ago and supported Jones and Anderson when they ran. Retired Pharmacist and in with the South Walton Small Business Association.

Planning Director Position:

Steven Bourne (from the applications I've read) seems by far to be the most qualified for the position and has no ties to the current situation with the Planning Dept.

Mac Carpenter, has been part and parcel of the problems that have existed and continue to exist in the Planning Dept. He lied on his original application with Walton County when asked if he had ever been terminated or suspended from ANY position he's ever held. There was never a background check conducted on him which would have revealed numerous run-ins with the law including a drug conviction and he had NO experience in planning prior to being dropped in the Planning Dept. He was also #2 in the planning dept. when almost 1 million dollars of taxpayer money was never collected or disappeared. The Auditor General for the State of Florida noted issues with Carpenter as well.

Kristen Shell is currently in the planning dept and in my opinion has also been part and parcel of the problems that exist.

Heather Whitmore, previously worked for Walton County...stop recycling!

 

[Kaydence]

Well, the good news is Mac Carpenter did not get the job! Steven Bourne was selected and appears to be the best qualified from the applications I saw.


Don't let your guard down.

 

[BeachSteelers]

NEVER

 

[John G]

I think I predicted Bourne wouldn't last 2 to 3 months before getting "Halfhilled" somehow.

Looks like he didn't even make it to day one...

Yup, it's .

 

[Kaydence]

I think I p dirrerent day!redicted Bourne wouldn't last 2 to 3 months before getting "Halfhilled" somehow.

Looks like he didn't even make it to day one...

Yup, it's .

We aren't willing to pay the best and the brightest what their expertise is worth...hence we got what the County was willing to settle for....same different day!

Kicked that can right on down the road again.

 

[Kaydence]

Well seems Mac hasn't gotten the job yet..

Steve Bourne has withdrawn from consideration for Planning Director. Larry Jones will request further direction from the Board at tomorrow’s BCC meeting.

 

[John G]

 

[Kaydence]

I'm going to suggest what is going to happen is that there will be a motion to go out for more applications. This will give Cecilia the opportunity to have Jason Catalano apply this time (he didnt apply before) and if the 3 board members vote together as they do in most controversial issues Jason will be the new planning director! As much as I hate to admit this...mac carpenter has more experience but is still not a viable alternative.

 

[John G]

The above is a very plausible cenario.

With Bourne not accepting the position, where was the beakdown? What was he offered for compensation?

I'd have thought that would have been on the original job posting, at least a salary range?

Also, did we wind up paying for him to travel here too?

 

[FactorFiction]

The above is a very plausible cenario.

With Bourne not accepting the position, where was the beakdown? What was he offered for compensation?

I'd have thought that would have been on the original job posting, at least a salary range?

Also, did we wind up paying for him to travel here too?

It was reported at the meeting that Mr. Bourne withdrew for personal reasons before any discussion of salary or before he came down here. I believe that Larry Jones said Mr. Bourne withdrew on Thursday before a planned trip down here on Saturday.

Mac Carpenter is next in line for negotiations.