Walton County Commissioner Brannon accused of ethics violations

[Smiling JOe]

wrobert, apparently you have never heard of political favors and political paypacks. People and businesses often contribute to a politicians campaign in hoping for favorable outcomes if ever needed in the future. (By no means am I suggesting that Comm L Jones is on the take. I simply note that political payback can come at great expense, and that it is well known that this is the way the gov't typically works in this Country.)

Perhaps Comm L Jones doesn't want anyone wrongly accusing him of ethical violations.

 

[scooterbug44]

I would much rather have someone err on the side of recusing themselves when there is a potential conflict than have people failling to do so and making decisions about the dealings of their business partners. Not people they have done business with or have been part of a deal with, but people they have formed corporations and legal partnerships with.

A good analogy might be that Jones thinks there could be a conflict (or appearance of one) if he votes on something concerning an ex-girlfriend and Brannon sees no conflict when he and his wife have something before the board.

 

[wrobert]

It has always been my understanding that any government official on any board can recuse him/herself for any reason and they don't necessarily have to say what it is.

It is governed by statute and they have to submit a form of some sort if memory is working correctly. I will try to find the statute this weekend and post it. There have to be some rules otherwise someone could just vote 'present' all the time and never make a decision either way because they felt that they had a conflict.

 

[wrobert]

wrobert, apparently you have never heard of political favors and political paypacks. People and businesses often contribute to a politicians campaign in hoping for favorable outcomes if ever needed in the future. (By no means am I suggesting that Comm L Jones is on the take. I simply note that political payback can come at great expense, and that it is well known that this is the way the gov't typically works in this Country.)

Perhaps Comm L Jones doesn't want anyone wrongly accusing him of ethical violations.

And how does one go about getting in on this? I have not had much luck myself.

 

[Smiling JOe]

wrobert, you have to go after bigger fish, ie- use bigger bait.

 

[MommaMia]

View the BCC video on this link

I guess not everyone attends the County Commissioner Mtgs. Oh, well. I guess late is better than never. Sorry I missed the last one -- and people say County Gov't is boring. It's better than any prime-time television, at least more entertaining.

Walton Democrats Video/Media | Welcome to the Democratic Party of Walton County

 

[DuneLaker]

wrobert, you have to go after bigger fish, ie- use bigger bait.

Try rebuilding giant green roadside relics, display oversized flags or connect some related dots.

 

[Andy A]

It is governed by statute and they have to submit a form of some sort if memory is working correctly. I will try to find the statute this weekend and post it. There have to be some rules otherwise someone could just vote 'present' all the time and never make a decision either way because they felt that they had a conflict.

Thank you, wrobert. You are always entitled to "abstain" as far as I know as well. Hmmm..."Present"? Shades of Obama.

 

[wrobert]

Thank you, wrobert. You are always entitled to "abstain" as far as I know as well. Hmmm..."Present"? Shades of Obama.

112.3143
[SIZE=-1](3)(a) No county, municipal, or other local public officer shall vote in an official capacity upon any measure which would inure to his or her special private gain or loss; which he or she knows would inure to the special private gain or loss of any principal by whom he or she is retained or to the parent organization or subsidiary of a corporate principal by which he or she is retained, other than an agency as defined in s. 112.312(2); or which he or she knows would inure to the special private gain or loss of a relative or business associate of the public officer. Such public officer shall, prior to the vote being taken, publicly state to the assembly the nature of the officer's interest in the matter from which he or she is abstaining from voting and, within 15 days after the vote occurs, disclose the nature of his or her interest as a public record in a memorandum filed with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the meeting, who shall incorporate the memorandum in the minutes.



FYI, political contributions to one's campaign on specifically exempt according to decision by the Florida Commission on Ethics, that I cam across. Unless there is a later one that I did not see stating otherwise.


And if you do some review of the opinions of the Ethics Commission. This case seems a bit similar, http://www.ethics.state.fl.us/Opinions/09/CEO 09-002.htm, and I read it to say no conflict would exist in Scott's situation.
[/SIZE]

 

[idlewind]

I know you have supported some of my views, but I accused no one of being a crook. I posted my reply to Sam Story. The connection is clear and I presented the proof. I'm sorry I offended you.
Alan

Alan, when you say someone violated the law, that is the same as calling them a crook IMHO. I am not offended, but I bet those named sure are.