Misty
Banned
From the Grand Jury Report it sounds like there was a more concerted effort to keep people UN-interested in the Planning Dept. How else could $8000.000 disappear in 2008 and no one from the County know about it until 2015?
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Grand Jury Report on Walton Planning Department
- Thread starter graytonbeachguy
- Start date
From the Grand Jury Report it sounds like there was a more concerted effort to keep people UN-interested in the Planning Dept. How else could $8000.000 disappear in 2008 and no one from the County know about it until 2015?
Dawn
Beach Fanatic
She has a professional background in planning and has been involved in planning issues in Walton County for over 20 years. And she's been on the right side of issues as far as I know. She has been on the side of residents and has been beaten up pretty badly by the "ole boys" in the past but is still standing. But I can't imagine anyone can live in the political system long and remain in their right mind. The moral compass has to start spinning as well.
Dawn
Beach Fanatic
Walton County officials issued a statement following the release of the Grand Jury report about problems in the county's planning department.
"The County appreciates the work and effort that has going into this report and understands the Grand Jury’s desire to assist the County in making operational improvements. Some of the recommendations are already being implemented and those efforts will continue. Others will be reviewed by the Board for further action," wrote Louis E. Svehla, Public Information Manager for the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. "We all strive to make Walton County Government the best it can be and we look forward to utilizing this report to enhance those efforts."
He added that the board will take up the discussion of this item during their regularly schedule board meeting on Tuesday, October 13th in the South Walton Annex Boardroom.
The statement stems from a grand jury indictment against Patsy D. Blackshear the former planning director for the Walton County was unsealed Thursday.
Jurors determined that Blackshear committed perjury by lying under oath about whether or not she had knowledge about a $600,000 miscalculation involving recreation fees.
Jurors also recommended that Florida’s auditor general be called in to perform forensic and operational audits on the planning department.
The Grand Jury also recommended that County Administrator Larry Jones and District Five Commissioner Cindy Meadows be reprimanded for their involvement in employee issues.
In particular one person with connections to Meadows was hired with “little input” from the department supervisor. Despite having no experience for this position the employee was hired at a higher salary than others already working in an identical position.
In another instance Jones terminated an employee at Meadows request. While no charges were filed Jury members emphasized that County Commissioners should not be involved in day to day operations.
"The County appreciates the work and effort that has going into this report and understands the Grand Jury’s desire to assist the County in making operational improvements. Some of the recommendations are already being implemented and those efforts will continue. Others will be reviewed by the Board for further action," wrote Louis E. Svehla, Public Information Manager for the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. "We all strive to make Walton County Government the best it can be and we look forward to utilizing this report to enhance those efforts."
He added that the board will take up the discussion of this item during their regularly schedule board meeting on Tuesday, October 13th in the South Walton Annex Boardroom.
The statement stems from a grand jury indictment against Patsy D. Blackshear the former planning director for the Walton County was unsealed Thursday.
Jurors determined that Blackshear committed perjury by lying under oath about whether or not she had knowledge about a $600,000 miscalculation involving recreation fees.
Jurors also recommended that Florida’s auditor general be called in to perform forensic and operational audits on the planning department.
The Grand Jury also recommended that County Administrator Larry Jones and District Five Commissioner Cindy Meadows be reprimanded for their involvement in employee issues.
In particular one person with connections to Meadows was hired with “little input” from the department supervisor. Despite having no experience for this position the employee was hired at a higher salary than others already working in an identical position.
In another instance Jones terminated an employee at Meadows request. While no charges were filed Jury members emphasized that County Commissioners should not be involved in day to day operations.
Dawn
Beach Fanatic
I don't know what really happened but I can guess. Meadows got tired of beating her head against the wall and tried to do an end around to get someone in the planning department to clean up the mess. Someone who's not part of the ole boy network or owned by developers. A last resort to try and get things on track. Improper? Probably. Nefarious? I doubt it.
At any rate, the truth will emerge.
Walton Girl
Beach Crab
Walton Girl
Beach Crab
The truth has emerged. There have been several long term employees that have excellent annual employee reviews, given raises, promotions and then released within months. Their termination was not implemented by the direct department supervisor but by commissioner requests. Every voter needs to stay informed. Actions speak louder than words!
John G
Beach Fanatic
Rubber stamped annual reviews with employees all recieving "excellent" evaluations and then failing to perform duties (as uncovered by people outside the county) are nothing more than lit fuses on the promotional rockets strapped to certain "chosen ones" rear ends...
Anyone with any managerial experience knows you dont just check the top score across the board. EVERYONE has room for improvement.
Florida is at At Will Empolyment State. Fired at any time for any reason.
If a County Policy was not followed, then it should be corrected. If you want to talk about violation of County Policy, get ready to open Pandoras Box as the alleged non-use of a "direct department supervisor" argument will go out the window. There are dozens of examples of this but you dont see anyone but the Commissioner they are out to get being named... (at least not yet)...
What about the Road Department Guy in C. Jones' district?
Anyone with any managerial experience knows you dont just check the top score across the board. EVERYONE has room for improvement.
Florida is at At Will Empolyment State. Fired at any time for any reason.
If a County Policy was not followed, then it should be corrected. If you want to talk about violation of County Policy, get ready to open Pandoras Box as the alleged non-use of a "direct department supervisor" argument will go out the window. There are dozens of examples of this but you dont see anyone but the Commissioner they are out to get being named... (at least not yet)...
What about the Road Department Guy in C. Jones' district?
Misty
Banned
Give credit where its due Dawn and quote your source. Didn't that article come from WZEP?
So what you're telling us is that Meadows did what the "good ole boys" have been doing for eons? Nepotism isn't right regardless of whether or not its a "good ole boy" doing it or a more enlightened counterpart. I actually like Ms. Meadows but using "good ole boy" tactics hasn't even worked well for the actual "good ole boys" and it certainly did not bode well for Ms. Meadows.
Dawn
Beach Fanatic
No I think she was trying to break the cycle. But I admit I don't know all the facts and will wait to see more come to light. I'm not going to defend her or condemn her until I know what happened. Let's get the facts straight without all the innuendo and negativity.
I understand sometimes it's better to hire someone who is smart and capable, loyal and trustworthy, over someone more experienced who is cozy to developers and the old guard.
Nepotism? Did she hire or try to have hired a member of her family?