Upcoming Elections

[coastaljewel]

Hello All,
Just a reminder that the Primary Election is fast approaching. Early Voting starts on August 9, 2010, with the Primary on August 24.

We have a local Walton County candidate running for Congress, FL District 2 Republican. Barbara Olschner resides in Seagrove Beach, is a talented, pragmatic and intelligent woman, and courtroom trained attorney. She understands the Constitution.
She is running against four other male candidates. Check out her website at www.BarbraraForCongress.com. She understands that our country is facing extremely difficult times, and is willing to be OUR ADVOCATE. She believes that we, the American people, want to hear the truth. She has not held a political office; is not a "politican"...she is an American. FL District 2 has not been held by a Republican for over 100 years, and the seat has never been held by a woman. Please Check her out.

 

[idlewind]

A congressman from Walton County would be huge, maybe we could finally get some action on 4-laning 331.

 

[Em]

Why is there such emphasis that she is a woman and running against four men? A candidate should stand on the other things, not sex, race, religion, etc. I think we can all tell by her name that she is a woman.

just my $.02.

Who is Barbara and why don't many of us know much about her since she lives in South Walton? I've never heard of her before, except from my sister in law who says she will probably vote for Barbara, and my sister in law doesn't even live in Walton County.

Remember that Emerald Coast Association of Realtors is hosting an open, public forum to hear from all Walton County candidates who choose to attend, on next Tuesday evening at Freeport High School. I hope this year's will be even better than last year's, as this forum is done very well, and the panel does take some questions from the audience. It is a good way to learn a bit about our candidates, other than what you might see or hear in ads and campaign signs.

 

[coastaljewel]

Murray... My intent was not to say to vote for her because she is a woman, nor do I believe that is what I said. One of the reasons I posted out here was so that more folks would be able to hear about her and the other candidates.

The Sandestin Voters Forum last night at the Coastal Branch Library was very informative. Barbara, two of the other Congress District 2 Republican candidates, Eddie Hendry and David Scholl, as well as the 2 independents, Paul McKain and Dinne Berryhill, were all present.

 

[Andy A]

The forum held at the Library annex last night was great! Very informative but where were the Democrats? It was billed as a non partisan forum. Allen Boyd sent his regrets and that he couldn't attend due to another committment. Why am I not surprised? This part of his district obviously doesn't count in his book.

 

[Em]

Murray... My intent was not to say to vote for her because she is a woman, nor do I believe that is what I said.

If that is truly the case, you might want to refrain in future mentioning of her that she is running "against male candidates."

Not a big deal, really, but it makes it sound like males candidates are bad and females are good, and that will make many people vote against her because they think she wants only the female vote.

 

[c_blasi]

Vote Ro Cuchens for Transparency, Accountability and Wise Spending. Please visit www.rocuchens.com and be sure to vote on Aug. 24. Thanks -

 

[Andy A]

Vote Ro Cuchens for Transparency, Accountability and Wise Spending. Please visit www.rocuchens.com and be sure to vote on Aug. 24. Thanks -

Been there done that...once. That's enough.

 

[Em]

You are invited to the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors ?Meet the Candidate? political forums in Okaloosa and Walton counties, August 9 and 10. Both forums are free and open to the public. A panel of Realtors will ask the candidates questions regarding property rights, taxation, and economic development. It is imperative that we as Realtors attend and hear what these candidates have to say. Please also bring your spouse and/or invite your family members to this Realtor sponsored event.

?[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]The Okaloosa County political candidate forum will be conducted Monday, August 9 at Choctawhatchee High School beginning at 5:30 p.m.

?[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]The Walton County political candidate forum will be conducted Tuesday, August 10 at Freeport High School beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Candidates running for school board, circuit judge, sheriff, and county commissioner seats have been invited for both the Okaloosa and Walton county forums.

 

[coppertone10]

Be informed

I would like to share some information from Commissioner Comander I found from Commissioner Comander. If you are an informed voter you will take the time to read this. Thanks and Go Sara!!

From Sara Comander...
Election season acts on some people like catnip. It makes them go all crazy and loopy.
Over the last couple of months, you may have heard and read some pretty outlandish things about me. My friends know better, but I realize that a lot of people do not know me and they might wrongly assume that whatever they?ve heard is true.
With that in mind, here are the facts.
I have been accused of not embracing transparency and accountability because the entire board voted to increase the fees for making copies of public records. The change was long overdue because our rates only included the clerk?s hourly wage and did not include their benefits. The board felt the person requesting the information should bear the cost and not the taxpayer.
The increases are different depending on the time needed to process the request. The bigger the request, the longer it takes and more expensive it becomes to process them. Though higher than before, the fees are not exorbitant and are governed by Florida Statutes.
I have been accused of falsely signing documents regarding our compliance with public records laws. Mr. Pridgen, Mr. Brannon and Mr. Jones and I have all signed the same document, the same as every other commission chairman, based on clear assurances by the Clerk of Courts staff, which keep and maintain our meeting minutes and documents. The Clerk?s office was then and is now in compliance with Florida?s public records laws, so the certification was correct.
As for the resulting lawsuit, meeting transcripts prove that I was in favor of processing and delivering the records that were requested. However, the county attorney strongly advised the board to engage in the lawsuit ? until just days before the trial was set to begin, at which time he advised us to settle. That attorney no longer works for the county. Part of the settlement allowed one resort property to keep its umbrellas and chairs on the beach overnight.
Regarding health insurance for my family, after being elected, I was told by the county Human Resources Department that health care for my husband was a standard benefit for commissioners, so I accepted it. I was already a county employee so I had no paperwork to sign. When I learned that, although it is a legal and allowable benefit, the county staff member did not have the authority to authorize the benefit, I immediately canceled the insurance - quietly and without fanfare. I did not wait to announce my decision in a public meeting or notify anyone other than HR.
I have worked for 40 years in Walton County to build a reputation for trust, honesty and integrity and there is nothing that would make me abandon my lifelong ethics and values.
If you have any questions, thoughts or concerns, please contact me any time at 850-830-1661.