'Ro' Cuchens Leadership

[idlewind]

In light of recent developments I wonder does Commander regret her vote to give Emergency Management to the Sheriff?

 

[Botes]

I think you may have misunderstood Comander's response. She didn't say that she signed the documents because everyone else had. She said she signed the documents because she had been assured by the Clerk's Office that their record-keeping was in compliance with state law. She mentioned that all other chairpersons had also signed the same document as a simple statement of fact, though she is the only one being crticized.

The attorney did change his advice. After weeks of urging that the county go to court, a few days before the trial, he suddenly told the commissioners to settle the suit. The commissioners followed the county attorney's advice because the lawsuit wasn't about whether the records were being kept properly. The lawsuit was about a request for records from the county that the county had not fulfilled.

Transcripts of the executive meeting show that Comander agreed to settle only because she feared that the cost of going to court and rolling the dice could potentially be much higher than the settlement. After all, the records request had not yet been satisfied. The question for commissioners was whether to settle for a specified amount or take a chance on a much heftier judgment, as well as attorney fees - that would all be paid with taxpayer dollars.
Though the commissioners followed their attorneys advice both times, it's interesting to note that the attorney no longer works for the county.

Comander has repeatedly displayed the courage of her convictions and has never been afraid to cast the dissenting vote. Don't take my word for it. Check the records for yourself.
The recently proposed millage and tax increase is a perfect example. Four commissioners voted yes, but one commissioner had the courage to stand alone and vote against raising taxes. That's what speaks volumes about her character.
This is the kind of integrity I want in local government. I only wish we had four more just like her.
My best advice is to call her and talk to her yourself. Then you'll know what I know - that she's the commissioner we keep.

I didn't misunderstand her comments, and I am grateful that she tried to address them. However, in each of her responses she winded up mentioning someone else's name. It sounded a little like when you were a kid and got caught doing something and the first thing you said was, "Well, Johnny was doing it too."

To your other point about her being the sole vote. This is a game, and when you are running for re-election you have to position yourself to look favorable among the people who will elect you. It is easy to do that when you know that your vote doesn't mean anything because there is already a majority. Listen, I don't like taxes any more than the next guy, but she failed to show me that her vote wasn't anything more than a political move.

I will say this again as well, I am not happy with any of our options for D 4. It's another election when in stead of voting in support of a candidate, I am stuck just voting against one. I would really like to see some new faces to this game.

 

[coppertone10]

Botes,
My reading of her statements and yours are different. Commissioners do not operate in a vacuum. There must be a majority of them voting together to do anything. I didn't sense that she was pointing fingers at anyone else. She was stating the facts of the matter, facts that the Clerk of Court has confirmed on several occasions, agreeing with Comander's assesment.
Same thing with the entire board following the original advice of the former county attorney. She is the only one with an opponent - a real politician who has repeatedly tried to make the decisions regarding the lawsuit and settlement hers and hers alone.
Obviously, that's another outright lie. Intelligent people know that one commissioner acting alone can't accomplish anything - good or bad - but some people simply believe whatever they hear. So she was explaining what she and the other boards members did and why, not pointing fingers.
While I understand your cynicism, not everybody is corrupt. It's hard to prove a negative, but it doesn't make logical sense to me to assume that, just because it's an election year, whenever an elected official does the right thing, it HAS to be some kind of political game.
I think you may be determined to overlook the other years when she was NOT running for office and still argued against higher taxes and followed through by NEVER voting to increase taxes (as well as all the other ways she has been a voice for the people).
Now, by doing the same thing in an election year, she's just another corrupt politician?
You obviously have not talked to her and do not know anything about her character, background or reputation in Walton County.
Really, if you can't tell the difference between her record and his, I respecfully submit that you have not been paying attention.

I didn't misunderstand her comments, and I am grateful that she tried to address them. However, in each of her responses she winded up mentioning someone else's name. It sounded a little like when you were a kid and got caught doing something and the first thing you said was, "Well, Johnny was doing it too."

To your other point about her being the sole vote. This is a game, and when you are running for re-election you have to position yourself to look favorable among the people who will elect you. It is easy to do that when you know that your vote doesn't mean anything because there is already a majority. Listen, I don't like taxes any more than the next guy, but she failed to show me that her vote wasn't anything more than a political move.

I will say this again as well, I am not happy with any of our options for D 4. It's another election when in stead of voting in support of a candidate, I am stuck just voting against one. I would really like to see some new faces to this game.

 

[idlewind]

Botes,
My reading of her statements and yours are different. Commissioners do not operate in a vacuum. There must be a majority of them voting together to do anything. I didn't sense that she was pointing fingers at anyone else. She was stating the facts of the matter, facts that the Clerk of Court has confirmed on several occasions, agreeing with Comander's assesment.
Same thing with the entire board following the original advice of the former county attorney. She is the only one with an opponent - a real politician who has repeatedly tried to make the decisions regarding the lawsuit and settlement hers and hers alone.
Obviously, that's another outright lie. Intelligent people know that one commissioner acting alone can't accomplish anything - good or bad - but some people simply believe whatever they hear. So she was explaining what she and the other boards members did and why, not pointing fingers.
While I understand your cynicism, not everybody is corrupt. It's hard to prove a negative, but it doesn't make logical sense to me to assume that, just because it's an election year, whenever an elected official does the right thing, it HAS to be some kind of political game.
I think you may be determined to overlook the other years when she was NOT running for office and still argued against higher taxes and followed through by NEVER voting to increase taxes (as well as all the other ways she has been a voice for the people).
Now, by doing the same thing in an election year, she's just another corrupt politician?
You obviously have not talked to her and do not know anything about her character, background or reputation in Walton County.
Really, if you can't tell the difference between her record and his, I respecfully submit that you have not been paying attention.

You and I are not talking to the same people because what I hear is that Cuchens is easy to work with and Commander is just the opposite. I have not spoke with a single county employee in a private setting that did not support Cuchens. The people you work with know you best.

 

[Bob Wells]

IW, if you really believe that Cuchens is your man, then you should vote for him. He is a person who has used his position to benefit himself by placing unpermitted seawalls. He has not been honest when he was asked about it and if you like old time politics, then he is the guy who will complete the circle. All 5 commissioners will be from the politics of the past.

 

[coppertone10]

Chalk one up for Truth and Justice

Idlewind,
Again, our experiences are at opposite ends of the spectrum. I know of only one employee who supported Cuchens and dozens who openly supported Comander.
Now that the election is over, it's clear that Comander had a lot more admirers than Cuchens. In fact, Comander got 61% of the vote, over Cuchens' 39%, the highest winning percentage of any county race. The next closest was Wallace over Barnhill - 60% to 40%.
Looks like the people have spoken loud and clear!

You and I are not talking to the same people because what I hear is that Cuchens is easy to work with and Commander is just the opposite. I have not spoke with a single county employee in a private setting that did not support Cuchens. The people you work with know you best.

 

[idlewind]

Idlewind,
Again, our experiences are at opposite ends of the spectrum. I know of only one employee who supported Cuchens and dozens who openly supported Comander.
Now that the election is over, it's clear that Comander had a lot more admirers than Cuchens. In fact, Comander got 61% of the vote, over Cuchens' 39%, the highest winning percentage of any county race. The next closest was Wallace over Barnhill - 60% to 40%.
Looks like the people have spoken loud and clear!

Indeed the people have chosen and I tip my hat to all the winners. May they all govern with integrity and a desire to do what is right for all the people.