Straw Poll: District 5 County Commissioner Race

[Miss Critter]

From today's Northwest Florida Daily News editorials, page A8:

Good advice, Walton: Lighten up!

An ailing economy puts added pressure on local businesses. Customers don't visit as often, they purchase less when they do, and high furel prices make it more difficult to transport goods and provide services. In times such as these, one of the smartest things government can do is go easy on business-related fees, taxes and regulations.
That may mean not imposing new taxes or rules. Or it may mean reducing taxes and rescinding rules already in place.
Cecilia Jones, a candidate for the Walton County Commission, seems to get it. During a campaign forum last week, she said the county must "somehow reach out to small businesses" during the current economic slump. "We might have to do away with some of the (governmental) restrictions and lighten up a little bit."
So far, so good.
But when another commission candidate, Alan Osborne, was queried by a small business owner who said local merchants need adequate signs to attract customers, Mr. Osborne appeared to favor regulations that restrict the size and location of business signs.
"New businesses need to be aware of these ordinances when they're coming into business," he said, "and plan to have the appropriate signs that already follow these guidelines and regulations."
Here's a better idea: Scrap those guidelines and regulations unless they help ensure public safety. How a business advertises itself should be none of the commissioners' concern.

Based upon your desire to preserve the aesthetics of sowal, and upon what I've read concerning your efforts on behalf of residents dealing with drainage issues, I do believe you have my vote, Mr. Osborne.

Let the games begin. . .

 

[Alan Osborne]

I wish they would have used my whole answer instead of just the part they needed for the editorial. Just a small wish, but I still stand by my answers!
Alan

 

[DemoLady]

Signage makes South Walton unique

Thank you, Alan, for that stand on signage.

Those of us who were here in the early 90's fought hard to limit billboards and to create a signage ordinance that would allow merchants to advertise -- yet keep the place from looking like Las Vegas. At that time, limiting billboards was the issue as well as a uniform signage code.

It was interesting to be a part of that group. My husband and I drove Hwy 98 and noted the advertiser on all billboards already up in South Walton. Almost 90% were national advertisers -- not local merchants. It was the feeling of the large group of people that gathered in Sandestin (almost 500 strong) that billboard limitation would not harm local retailers. The rapid growth of the county since that time justifies that decision.

The current Scenic Corridor signage still has public support. (The outcry against the blue TDC signs is proof of that!) I hope you will continue to support the ordinances that are in place now, if you are elected.

 

[DemoLady]

Latest Straw Poll Results - BCC #5

Latest Straw Poll Results for County Commissioner District 5:
(58 votes)

Braunstien 9%; Hudson 45%; Jones 7%; Osborne 21%; Smith 19%

Cast your straw poll vote at www.waltondemocrats.org

 

[itsme]

Mr. Osborne don't take Mrs. Jones comments to heart. They (her husband also) will say anything to try to get elected. I imagine they fight every night on who gets to press the power button on their tv.

 

[Listener]

Alan Osborne

Have been trying to locate a web site for ALAN OSBORNE, candidate for the Walton County Commission, District 5. Anyone know that address?

 

[Smiling JOe]

www.osborneforcommissioner.com

 

[DemoLady]

Straw Poll Results - July 26th - BCC Race #5

Straw Poll: District 5 County Commissioner Race

Sidney Braunstien
10%

Robert Hudson
49%

Cecelia Jones
9%

Alan Osborne
22%

George Wallace Smith
11%

Total votes: 111


540 reads

Go to www.waltondemocrats.org to cast your vote.

 

[SoWalProfire]

With all due respect, if this is what you base your vote on, you are in serious trouble. .... But to base your vote on these problems is pretty shallow, IMO. I don't think you are that shallow, Scooter.

In light of this post,, I find it interesting (so much it made me smile, in fact) that you posted this next bit...

.... You, by your insinuations and demeanor, have lost any chance of a vote for any of your recommended candidates. I have always heard, "every vote counts". I hope it is so.

pots and kettles right??

P.S. This is not an attack. I don't think that you are shallow either. Just a statement on the duality of man I suppose.

 

[DemoLady]

Sadly - Demo Poll was WAY off!

Straw Poll: A survey of opinion which is unofficial, casual, or ad hoc

This idiom alludes to a straw used to show in what direction the wind blows, in this case the wind of public opinion. O. Henry joked about it in A Ruler of Men (1907): "A straw vote only shows which way the hot air blows." [c. 1885]

From the git-go, this poll has been advertised as a "straw poll" -- nothing more. However, we'll keep it going until August 26th and see how far off it is after the primary results are in. ;-)

If crow were available, I'd be eating a plate full. Just shows that north Walton still rules. The latest straw poll results on the www.waltondemocrats.org site showed Braunstien (14%), Hudson (43%), Jones (9%) Osborne (25%) and Smith (8%). Over 200 votes were cast.

It's a shame! We had good candidates who actually live in and understand South Walton. Sooner or later we have to change the way we elect commissioners and determine it by District rather than by county-wide election. Will we even have a commissioner's office in south Walton?