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'Ro' Cuchens beach Re-nourishment Project
- Thread starter Interested Girl
- Start date
It always matters what people think. Especially those whom you respect. I wouldn't say I am disappointed in you because you stand up for what you believe, but I don't like mud slinging and the 1st post in this thread qualifies. So I gave some back.
I keep asking why so many county employees are so against her and still get no real response. I like the tax vote but I suspect Cuchens would have voted the same way so that is a wash. Same with the economic development issues. And the whole beach armoring thing really does not bother me, if that was my house I would do whatever I could to save/fix it and really would not care what anyone thought. I firmly believe in the right to do with my property what I want as long as it does not infringe on the property rights of my neighbors. I suspect Mr. Cuchens is closer to my beliefs than Ms. Commander is.
The bottom line is I have no personal stake in who wins or loses except as a taxpayer and one who wants the best for Walton County. I really don't trust any incumbents and lean towards voting them all out. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. I for one do not like the direction any of our governments are going in. I want candidates who will tell me what they are for and how it helps my goals. I will vote for the candidates that best answer my questions. I will continue to ask questions, read and listen until I go to vote.
Interested Girl
Beach Fanatic
I invite you to visit the website below and tell me who is throwing mud.
When a candidate spends the full 3 minutes allowed to introduce themselves at a political forum attacking their opponent rather than expressing their vision for the county - you know who the mudslinger is.
The OP simply draws a direct comparison between what a candidate says and what their past actions demonstrate.
From Cuchens website "As a lifelong resident, I?m concerned for our beaches, economy and quality of life."
He just tried to trash the beaches in Blue Mountain Beach for a few dollars savings for brown sand over "sugar white".
Rosier "Ro" Cuchens for County Commissioner
SGB
Beach Fanatic
I really don't want to get in the middle of this argument and don't fully agree with either side here, but I have to add a few bits of information so that others have the information as it has been reported. Ro Cuchens did not armor his own house. His seawall company was hired to install the seawall for the owners, and then installed the wall without getting the proper permits. After the fact, Cuchens wrote letters to the DEP that seemed like letters of approval from the county, when in fact, they were not "official" letters from the county. At the time it happened I never understood why Cuchins didn't suffer any ramifications, but figured at least that is why he didn't run again, and I was relieved. Now he's taking another shot at it. He won't be getting my vote.
The following thread has the newspaper article that was written at the time. http://www.sowal.com/bb/local-government/9166-cuchens-ethics-questioned-if-found.html
Andy A
Beach Fanatic
Perhaps I was a bit overboard but I have almost always agreed with your positions and was distressed because I have watched Ro through one term and Sara through one term and there is no comparison as far as I'm concerned. I, also, am of the "throw the incumbents out" group and I have gotten to know Sara through calling her office and talking to her at Commission meetings. She has always given me her position, though sometimes I didn't agree with it, the reason for having it and what she thought ought to be done. She's one of the most through and dedicated political people I have ever met and known and I have known quite a few. It is your business to decide who to vote for in the upcoming election. If you look at the facts, what each candidate has done during their term and where we need to go in Walton County, I hope you'll chose Sara Comander. I am sorry I said I was disappointed in you. It was a spur of the moment thing and wrong. Call Sara and ask her your questions. She will answer them frankly.
My trend on this has little to do with what the candidates say or do politically. I know Cuchens through business, not politics and have always found him to be honest and a man who keeps his word. I respect him for that. As far as Commander, I know a couple of county employees well and they are adament that she has to go. They tell me she acts on emotions and vindettas and is one who will hug your neck then stab you in the back. This concerns me greatly. So I guess you are basing your support on a set of factors and I am looking at another.
I do know one thing, I do not like the path the county is on or has been on for awhile. I think our county government involves itself in individuals affairs far too much. I do not like the excessive regulation and the difficulty one has to get permits and development orders. I really have not heard anyone address these issues. I don't know if I trust either Cuchens or Commander to fight vigorously against government regulation and intrusion because both have had a chance and have yet to do it although Cuchens seems to be ahead in this regard. Giving lip service to economic development is useless if you allow bureaucrats to drive people crazy with a myriad of regulations, rules and paperwork. I fear that neither will provide any real help on this front. But right this minute I think Cuchens will do more.
To each his own I suppose.
Bob Wells
Beach Fanatic
As someone who has worked, until recently, with Walton County on a part time basis, and having also met and communicated with Sara, I have less issues with the direction she sees for the county than the direction Cuchens has had the opportunity to move us in. I suppose what I percieve is an out right lie, reference the seawall permitting and the way the County was run in the past makes me extremely unlikely voting for him. As for rules, regulations and paperwork, where you may find problems, others may find an organized and responsible process. I guess what I'm trying to say is if Cuchens is elected, we are one more step back to the old days, IMO. There is a great editorial in todays Beach Breeze, its worth a read. I suppose you are at least thoughtful on the process. Always remember, whoever is elected is just one vote, but if all on the board are marching to the same drummer then are we really being represented?
Kurt
Admin
I appreciate your firsthand knowledge and support of your candidate, but to denigrate the other with hearsay is unfair and unhelpful.
I apologize for any offense taken. I was attempting to explain my stance after much back and forth. Providing my reasons and the basis for my quesrions was my goal, not denigration of anyone.
I am sure the ones who have called Mr. Cuchens" ignorant", a "good ole boy" and questioned his honesty in this thread and others will apologize as well.
Em
Beach Fanatic
idlewind said:
Since Ro has already been County Commissioner, wouldn't this fall into doing the same thing again? You are correct that he isn't current County Commissioner, because he was voted out of office after pulling the DEP permit stunts on the properties he built seawalls for and allegedly allowed the County to place dark sand on the beach, which allegedly was purchased by the County from his relatives dirt pit. I don't think we ever heard any follow up on that after he was voted out of office.