Current State Of Politics In Taylor County
commonsensecrusader starts the following discussion:
Please post the following discussion regarding the current state of politics in Taylor Co.
Good people of Taylor County WAKE UP!! Or more specifically, WAKE UP, STAND UP, and SPEAK UP!! Being that this is an election year I have been trying to watch, listen, and learn about each of the candidates. Recent local events have taught me even more but have also led to more questions that each one of us as Taylor County residents needs to find the answers to.
I read the Perry Paper today. On the front page was a story about a Taylor County Sheriff’s deputy being federally indicted on charges of selling illegal fish – to the tune of some $200,000.00. According to the article the indictment comes after a two year investigation. Here’s the question we need to ask: why was this deputy not relieved of duty or placed on administrative leave after sheriff Williams found out about the federal investigation? I asked around and got the same response from several people, “It’s typical Taylor County politics.” Then I was told that at least one other current deputy has a criminal record and that two of the candidates for sheriff (Tucker and Poppell) were both fired from the sheriff’s office. Do we really want people who were fired as deputies to hold the highest law enforcement position in the county!?! This led to a broader discussion about “typical Taylor County politics”. For example, a recent article in the Perry paper indicated that former county commission Edd Sadler, was recently arrested for introducing contraband into a correctional facility. The contraband was cocaine and marijuana. His running buddy, Frank Russell, who had been convicted of felony drug charges before being elected as a Taylor County commissioner is running for a commission seat again this year!
This information is both shocking and appalling. How can we as voting citizens of Taylor County stand here with our heads in the sand and let these atrocities continue? The best thing that I got out of the article in the paper was that there are still good, ethical law enforcement officers with enough moral fortitude to stand up to the “typical Taylor County politics” and the “good ol’ boy system” and do the right thing. They saw a fellow law enforcement officer breaking the law and handled the situation – which I would expect any law enforcement officer to do. We should applaud these officers.
Citizens of Taylor County, I urge you, get informed and be an educated voter. If we don’t, then we have no one but ourselves to blame for the continuation of the abomination that is “typical Taylor County politics”.
Please post the following discussion regarding the current state of politics in Taylor Co.
Good people of Taylor County WAKE UP!! Or more specifically, WAKE UP, STAND UP, and SPEAK UP!! Being that this is an election year I have been trying to watch, listen, and learn about each of the candidates. Recent local events have taught me even more but have also led to more questions that each one of us as Taylor County residents needs to find the answers to.
I read the Perry Paper today. On the front page was a story about a Taylor County Sheriff’s deputy being federally indicted on charges of selling illegal fish – to the tune of some $200,000.00. According to the article the indictment comes after a two year investigation. Here’s the question we need to ask: why was this deputy not relieved of duty or placed on administrative leave after sheriff Williams found out about the federal investigation? I asked around and got the same response from several people, “It’s typical Taylor County politics.” Then I was told that at least one other current deputy has a criminal record and that two of the candidates for sheriff (Tucker and Poppell) were both fired from the sheriff’s office. Do we really want people who were fired as deputies to hold the highest law enforcement position in the county!?! This led to a broader discussion about “typical Taylor County politics”. For example, a recent article in the Perry paper indicated that former county commission Edd Sadler, was recently arrested for introducing contraband into a correctional facility. The contraband was cocaine and marijuana. His running buddy, Frank Russell, who had been convicted of felony drug charges before being elected as a Taylor County commissioner is running for a commission seat again this year!
This information is both shocking and appalling. How can we as voting citizens of Taylor County stand here with our heads in the sand and let these atrocities continue? The best thing that I got out of the article in the paper was that there are still good, ethical law enforcement officers with enough moral fortitude to stand up to the “typical Taylor County politics” and the “good ol’ boy system” and do the right thing. They saw a fellow law enforcement officer breaking the law and handled the situation – which I would expect any law enforcement officer to do. We should applaud these officers.
Citizens of Taylor County, I urge you, get informed and be an educated voter. If we don’t, then we have no one but ourselves to blame for the continuation of the abomination that is “typical Taylor County politics”.
Frank, Frank, Frank. Seems the only bad thing you and the others have to say bad about him is his past mistake or his personal life. It is obvious that you don't like him because you sure don't talk about his time as County Commissioner. I guess that is because you would actually be forced to say something positive about him. Get over yourself. Everyone knows about Mr. Russell's past just like they did when District 1 elected him for I think four terms. His accomplishments and qualifications as commissioner are undeniable and his past from many years ago had no affect on his leadership. He knows what is going on and how to take care of the county and its citizens. I can't vote for him, but I would if I could. We need people like him that will take a stand and manage our money.
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You mention that the original poster does not mention Mr. Russell's time as County Commissioner, however that was just an example of how crazy politics are in Taylor County. But to respond to your comment, Mr. Russell was always in the newspaper with some sort of negativity following. Was there not a suit brought against the county because of Mr. Russell? How much did that cost the county? I actually can go on and on. However, what I felt deserves an answer is why the sheriff did not place the officer that was indicted on federal charges on administrative leave once the investigation started? Let me ask this, would you want that officer being an officer after serving his time if found guilty? Imagine if he were to pull you over. Would you not get offended and angry for him pulling you over and writing a ticket? I know I would probably ask him if he were kidding. This is how many people think about Frank. Now, if anyone talks to Mr. Williams, please ask him about this officer. If he knowingly left him in his position once learning about the investigation, do you really want him in charge? Just some thought.
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Speakout, you just don't get it. It does not matter how good a county commissioner or law enforcement officer these people are. The fact that they have made bad judgments in the past should be a RED flag for all voters. The rest of the state of Florida and the Governor's office take a close look at the people who represent Taylor County. If the people of Taylor County truly want to attract clean, well paying jobs to Taylor County, then they should elect honest hardworking officials,
instead of worrying about what a commissioner could do for them personally.
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sounds like your new to taylor county,much of what you say is true with the exception of frank russell.that happened almost thirty years ago.id advise you to talk to more people and ignore the newspaper,then youll get a better idea of how people think here,one caveat though we dont like newcomers coming here and trying to tell us what to do
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Sorry, I've been here almost 15 years - and I did not move here from Georgia!! I was here when both Mr. Russell and Mr. Sadler were commissioners the first time. I have very reliable sources of information, but luckily,this time the newspapers provided much of the same information.
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15 years thats not long enough my familys been here since the 1840s and we did come here from ga. sorry your not one of us yet
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WOW what a harsh thing to say. I am not from here either. I moved here in 1999 and have been working in the school system teaching "Taylor County Kids" since I arrived. It is sad to see what attitudes come out. Do we not care for this county like someone who has had family here since 1840? or pay the same taxes, or get the short end of the stick? No wonder with comments like that, do we have the problems with the school and county that we have now.
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I have lived here my entire life - that comment is very childish! "Your not one of us yet" That is what is wrong with the county now - people who think that shallow. We should welcome people to move here - maybe the economy will improve.
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Uh... I'm not sure who posted that comment, but it sure wasn't me. Someone else is using my name.
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childish,no just honest about people who think theyr smarter or better than us poor old hicks. thats the way they treat us and im tired of it and people like you who are just being their bootlicker for a few bucks
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Dear Freethinker, It doesn't matter how long anyone lives anywhere, when they go in the voting booth, they have one vote, just as you do. As for expressing my opinion, I spent 23 years in the military protecting your right to free speech, as well as mine. I have talked with several people from Taylor County, for your information. Most of them agree that Frank Russell should not be representing Taylor County. It's not newcomers that come in here and tell you what to do, its the way the people in Taylor County vote that dictates the way the county is run, whether they have lived here 2 weeks or 50 years. I respect the heritage of people that have lived here all of their life, and they have a right to be proud of their heritage. However, they do not have anymore constitutional rights than anyone else.
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i spent eight years in the milatary and as you i defended peoples right to say what they want, never said differently but i dont like people who come here and try to tell us how to do things if you dont like the way we vote leave congrats on your service but dont judge us you dont have the right to , the people you talk to like you and i all will have different opinions yours just arent in the majority, i sure dont sse where you you think your service gives you the right to tell me or anyone else what to do how constitutional is that bub
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Hey, did anyone go to the Woman's Club forum last night? Any observations or information on our candidates that was noteworthy. I was working and unable to attend. Just curious if any new issues came up.
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I was there last night, it was very interesting. The judges and legislaters were very informative. I really wanted to here from the local candidates- the sherrifs race and the school super were pretty good. the tax collector's speeches were very interesting Kyle Rowell was good just nervous- Mr. Tedder as always was a gentelman. The supervisor of elections was neat-the Lundy girl seemed lost - like she was at the beaches the other night - Ms. Southerland showed grace and her speech was with poise. The county commish race- Ms. Patterson showed the class of a true Lady with her words- I am not sure waht Mr. reeves is running for the commisioners race or the sherriffs- the soil and water guys were very honest, over all the night was great and very informative.
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I was there also. I thought most did OK considering they only had 2 mins and the timekeeper was on her job. I will say I had my mind made up on the elections supervisor race before the forum but Mrs. Lundy has confirmed by her speech that Mrs. Southerland is the right one. Mrs. Lundy seems to need some more life experience, but she is a very nice person. One thing I didn't like about the whole thing is it seemed to me the club held the forum more for a fundraiser than to let the candidates speak. I asked around the past couple of day and I think most of them are more for that than the publics interest. They started bids out at $50 for a damn cake and some sold for $300 and most for more than $100. Seems unfair to do that when most candidates and people have limited funds, so it gives the ones with money the opportunity to shine. Didn't like that. Either the forum be fair to all or don't have it. I doubt they even told the candidates they were doing such. Just didn't like it.
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That's not true, SpeakOut; Mr. Russell's time as a County Commissioner *has* been talked about. In particular, his reputation for treating county employees as his own personal staff.
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I would like to thank you for your reply and furthering my argument. Rather than looking at the big picture you chose to focus on one small portion of the problem - and one that you admittedly can't do anything about. A very wise man once told me "If you always do what you've always done - you always get what you got". What we've got is drugs in our schools, city and county governments in debt, and a school system in shambles. I made no statements in my opening discussion that were not common public knowledge and easily found in the Perry newspaper, the Tallahassee Democrat, or WCTV. The point of my entire opening discussion was that people need to educate themselves on the candidates, recognize the problems that plague Taylor County, and choose who they feel in their heart of hearts can best solve the problems. If you can sleep at night knowing that tomorrow brings the same problems that occurred yesterday and the day before then thats OK but there are those of us who wish to solve todays problems so that we don't have to face them again tomorrow. Its called progress - something that Taylor County has been without for far too long. Again, thank you for your response.
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I do get what everyone is saying, I guess I am just so fed up with the way things are now and have been handled the last four years. It is not about what I think someone will do for me personally, it is just I know from being in his old district what he does for his district and the county regardless of his past. He gets things done, he stops wastefulness, etc. I don't know what any of the others can or will do, I am just going by what I know he will do. Maybe it is just the same old judgment people like to do over and over beating a dead horse that aggravates me. I can't vote for him so I guess my opinion really doesn't matter. I just want people to take control of the situations and fix it thats all. Thanks to everyone for genuine responses and not just attacking me for my views.
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When people speak negatively about Frank Russell, it is for good cause. Like it or not, it is what it is. And because of him, Taylor County is the laughing stock of the entire state. Whenever you mention "Taylor County", a lot of people snicker and ask, isn't that the county where your commissioner went to prison for transporting drugs into your county? And he's still in office? Stop electing criminals to represent your interests. He is only concerned about HIS interests, regardless of what he tells you. Isn't that what the ultimate politician and con-man does, tell his constituents/marks what they want to hear? Thirty years -- what he did brought shame upon this county and he wasn't the only high official involved. In fact, if you read his and his counterparts appeal, the judicial system did not agree with their arguments. Guess he can't buy his way out of everything like he did his "governor's pardon." I hope those voters in District 3 are not so naive that they elect him to office AGAIN. We, the residents of Taylor County, need to elect individuals with integrity and ethics who will do everything they can to bring industry to our community.
Interestingly enough, no one has even mentioned Pat Patterson. Any word on her since she is running for re-election?
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You mention a good point... Normally a convicted felon can't even VOTE, much less run for office. Why was Mr. Russell pardoned? I was just a kid back then, so I don't know exactly what happened.
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It's is very common for a person once they have served their time for the Governor to restore their rights.
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The problem here in Taylor county is citizen apathy. People do not vote and do not seem to care. When a candidate announces and runs for a local office the folks in our county typically keep who they have, whether they are honest, ethical or a convicted criminal. Taylor County politics.....I am more concerned about the state of the supervisor of elections office. It seems unethical for a sitting supervisor of elections to be endorsing a specific candidate for any office, much less a candidate for the office occupied. The absentee voter irregularities, the dated voter list containing "voters" who have moved from this county years ago, the voters who vote with an "X", the minority absentee voter "runners" who turn in dozens of absentee ballots on election night and the poll workers who call in numbers to "folks in the courthouse" before the polls close. It really is a shame not likely to be cleaned-up this election or with any current candidate.
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I may be wrong and please correct me if I am, but don't most sitting elected officials endorse someone they feel is the right one to take over their position upon retiring? Presidents do it, congressmen do it. I guess I am just not seeing what the big deal is. Help me out. The other things you mention are unfortunately probably accurate.
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Here's what I think, and I may be wrong, but here goes. That's true most other offices do, endorse someone to replace them upon retirement. But none of the other offices count the vote, the Supervisors office counts the votes, you want your vote counted by someone impartial. Now the reason that this has caused so much stink is,,,,,,,,, Just what the previous poster stated and you just confirmed, this office isn't run very well, Ms. Lilliot has been absent for most of this term, due to illness, but absent just the same. Everyone knows Ms. Southerland has run the office, most of this term, I just feel it takes great gaul, to take taxpayer money for a term that you can't work, and then at the end try to act like everything has been normal and come in, at the end, with this endorsement. Just my opinion.
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Good point.
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I agree that it would be ideal for the person or office counting our votes to be impartial, but let's face it- how can we expect Ms. Lilliot to be truly impartial when she has seen firsthand that Ms. Southerland knows what she's doing when it comes to running an elections office? Why would she want to leave her office to anyone else? By having elected Ms. Lilliot to multiple terms as our Supervisor of Elections, it is our duty to trust that she (and the deputies and poll workers she has hired or recruited) will run this race with honesty and integrity.
As for Ms. Tharpe, she can't even spell "Steinhtachee" correctly in her political advertisements. (I know it was a simple typo, but it just really stuck out at me in today's newspaper). Why would we want her counting the votes for our next president, among the numerous other offices? Her speeches on how this job "isn't brain surgery" honestly scare me. If the job of Supervisor of Elections is as simple as she claims, why would we pay her so much (between 80-100K I believe) if she were to win?
I honestly do not know either candidate too deeply on a personal level, and it's the same with most other local offices up for grabs. However, I do believe that we need someone who knows what they are doing. (Remember Bush v. Gore in 2000?) Ms. Southerland is clearly the person we want holding the office of Supervisor of Elections.
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Ok either the job is easy with computers counting everything, or the job is difficult needing someone with lots of experience. However the current Supervisor has been absent for most of this term, and she still has drawn her salary. So which is it? Nobody is perfect, Ms. Southerland has run the office so everyone says the last 4 years, so your telling me no mistakes have been made, with all this scrutiny of our elections office, CNN, FOX, CBS, NBC, all the networks that Ms. Southerland fielded calls from her first year working in the office, no mistakes were found, no mispellings, no nothing. I find that very hard to believe, no one is that perfect. Unless they refuse to take responsibility for their mistakes and blame them on others.
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I saw the supervisor last night and asked her some questions that were being brought out on this site. I will try to answer most of them.
1. As far as the lost ballots, they were taken to the post office and mailed from there they were lost by the post office.
2. The votes that are being mailed in by the absentees- they are checked against on file signatures and if there is any question on them, the canvassing board reviews them- this consist of the local judge (Buddy Murphy, Molly Lilliot, and a county commissionor).
3. As for the out of town homesteaders getting to vote-that goes on Elden Sadlers office-he has to check their I.D. and usally ask for a voter registration card- how do you get that, well you go to the supers office and fill out the form for that, by law they cannot turn down anyone. They have to fill out the form, this comes from the States Attourney General. It is up to Mr. Sadler to determine if they are living here in this county or not-(maybe he is to busy at funnerals, campaining on county time, or just not in the office, as has been the case for some time now.
5. As for counting votes everything is done by the computer, down loaded online from the polls. It's called modernization.
6. As for felons voting- the law reads that the super has to let the person fill out the forms, and it goes to the state if they accept the application, then the person gets his card or not.
7. If someone goes to the polls and wants to vote and they are not on the list of registered voters then the poll workers have to let them vote on a special ballot, that ballot then goes before the canvassing board to be looked at, it is them who make that decision, not the supervisors alone.
8. AS for the endorsment of Ms. Southerland- Ms. Molly has been either working in the office or held the title of supervisor for the last 43 years, yes I believe she would know who the best person for the job would be, and it is given right to say so- for you that think that is not the case sit back and think about it , you may change your mind.
9. AS for experience Ms. Southerland has, that you cannot take that away from her.
10. Would we want to have to pay for someone new to ahve to learn the laws and regulations from the start or have someone with the knowledge already.
11. THis is the answer for some of the questions asked, I hope it clears some of the mysteries that have been being said.
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Great post. Kudos to you for doing the research!!!!!!
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OK heres the biggest mystery. Why was Ms. Southerland working with pay after she decided to run for the supervisors office. If this was OK she would have been receiving salary. Why if you were the Supervisor and you were told, or read, that your assistant couldn't be paid and would have to step aside, why would you allow her to volunteer, if she is supposed to be there then she could be paid. Why was Ms Southerland allowed to volunteer, untill talk got so out of hand, 2 or 3 weeks ago, when she quit going to the office. Your bragging on how great these two ladies are, and it seems to me they weren't even sure Ms. Southerland was supposed to be there. You say these two ladies run an effecient office, why then did neither know to find someone to replace Ms. Southerland, because she would have to step aside, after everyone started talking. That doesn't sound like two ladies that know what's going on. You say the office can't run without Ms. Southerland, if she's been in the office 8 years and has such credentials, why didn't she realize this. If Ms. Southerland was supposed to be in the Supervisors office 2 or 3 weeks ago she would still be there. How can you explain that Ms. Lilliot and Ms. Southerland both didn't know that Ms. Southerland was not supposed to be there untill 2 or 3 weeks ago. You can call the Southerlands or the Supervisors office, nobody is going to take responsibility, or explain why 2 or 3 weeks ago suddenly Ms. Southerland is no longer needed at the office. It just doesn't add up. No one has answered this yet.
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Here is my opinion and I have not spoken to either side regarding your concerns. First of all, Mrs. Southerland is/was the Assistant Supervisor and working there is/was her job, she is experienced and frankly I find it a little insulting that Mrs. Lundy would degrade the office that she is seeking by saying that it is not rocket science and experience is not necessary and it is just counting votes and registering people. Furthermore, her, with no experience, actually deciding to run against someone that has experience says to me that she is more concerned about winning the title and salary than about making sure one of the most important offices regarding one of the most important freedoms of democracy is in the best hands. That would be like me with no experience in real estate or property running for property appraiser when others way more qualified are running.
I feel that there should be no problem, and probably isn't, for Mrs. Southerland to be in the office up until it is time to begin receiving/counting votes and training poll workers. I am sure the reason she is not there is to try and keep the accusations of improprieties when she wins the election to as little as possible. People were already bitching and is probably why she is not there. I think no matter what she does, people that support Mrs. Lundy, or have a problem with the Southerland name, are going to have a problem with it. I just feel you are making something out of nothing.
For the record, I think Mrs. Lundy is a very nice person and have no real personal issue with her, I just think experience is important, while she does not. Again, my opinion and I am sure I am going to get some backlash.
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Wow! BlogModerator, I totally agree. I can see how Ms. Southerland wanted to stay in the office after her decision to run based on the sole fact that they need her up there during their most hectic time in the past four years (it being a presidential election year). I heard of the speculation that there would be a problem (coming from Tharpe or others, as you stated) when Southerland wins. I completely understand why she chose to leave the office and don't see what Timbeau is having such a hard time figuring out.
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Ok I'll bite. I can see that if Ms. Southerland could be in the office she would be. Now if it's a political move, that's fine, but why if she is sooooo dedicated, and also doesn't just want the title, wouldn't she continue to work to help the office out of it's most hectic time, if she is dedicated and nothing is wrong with her being there, why doesn't she just say I will continue to volunteer, because this office needs me, and I'm very dedicated. She doesn't go in anymore because 1. she thinks this will hurt her politically, or 2. she wasn't supposed to be there in the first place. You can't have this both ways, you can't say she is so qualified and concerned with the office being hectic, then why not continue to volunteer. I'm not having a hard time figuring this out, you just won't answer the question. If she could be there why isn't she still there. Ms. Lilliot and Ms. Southerland as her right hand, should have known that Ms. Southerland would have to step aside, and get someone ready to take her place. Actually, the office should be able to run fine with the Supervisor that is there and the current employees. This is very poor planning by both ladies. Just answer the question, if Ms Southerland was supposed to be there, why isn't she still there showing us her dedication if the face of criticism?
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First I don't think her being there or not is of any political consequence. Second, say they realized she wasn't supposed to be there Well, then they did the right thing and made the decision to correct it immediately. Is that not what you are supposed to do? Obviously her being there up to that point had not jeopardized the integrity of this election or the Florida Division of Elections would be here questioning the integrity of the two lady's like you are. As far as her volunteering, I think I have answered as logically as possible why she is not. Remember, the election for this office is done on August 26, so I don't think either of them should be volunteering or working there during the last 30 days anyway. I mean think about it, anyone with intelligence wouldn't want to for all the obvious reasons. I am sure that regardless of the outcome on the 26th, Mrs. Southerland will be back to work through the rest of this term, which includes the General Election. What position she holds after that is up to the voters.
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Ok first you may be right there may be no political consequence, we'll see after the election. Second, realized she wasn't supposed to be there????? Didn't someone say Ms. Lilliot had over 40 years experience, and Ms. Southerland has been there 8 years, and they both maybe just realized it. Please, That's their job to know, that's part of election law. Why are the last 30 days any different than the last 60 days. Again you can't have this both ways, either they know what they are doing or they don't. You say you don't want them in there the last 30 days for all the obvious reasons, those same reasons were there 60 days ago. Ms. Southerland may very well win, but it won't be the landslide she and several people think it will be. As long as She and Ms. Lilliot have done everything by the book, well at least as soon as they realized it they should be fine, lastly the election isn't over yet, the Division of Elections can question this at any time. Again as long as everything is ethical and legal there won't be any problems, but I have to wonder what else they haven't realized yet.
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I completely get your issue and your questioning of the timing and not catching it earlier if that is the case and why they didn't know with the experience if that is the case and all that. I just don't think there is anything intentional going on or went on. I could be wrong, I just don't think anything newsworthy went on. The last 30 days for either of them to be in there is simply because that is when they start handling absentees, early voters and the election thats all. Thanks for participating, you are a good blogger.
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thank you, I don't believe anything intentional went on either, and I understand everyone's differing opinion, but we all agree that this is an important office, and I wanted to air my opinion, and see what others thought too. We will all vote for who we choose, lets just all vote.
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I agree, EVERYONE should vote. There really isn't any excuse not too. They make it so easy and convenient with the early voting and absentee.
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Yes, there is plenty of experience, but not one elected official on this planet knows every single little law in reguards to their office. As I recall Mrs Lilliott worked through the election when she was a candidate under Mrs Hamby and there was no problem - no one called Mrs Hamby or Mrs. Lilliott dishonest, untrustworthy or any other nasty names. No one called attention to that law which was put in place long before computers counted the ballots and people were still hand counting them, which is where I believe most human error and bias/dishonesty would occur - to my knowledge it was mrs. Tharpe that caused the big stink about Mrs Southerland working and brought the law to the offices attention. Not until Mrs Lundy entered this race did this bashing and character insults begin so you dear sir can figure that one out for yourself.
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She us not there as a volunteer becuase dear, sweet, little Mrs Tharpe wanted to be there if Mrs.Southerland was there. Face it what can she do answer the phone and put people on hold to have their questions answered by one of the other ladies, oh wait she has the answers she had read one chapter of the election laws and been to one training. GIVE ME A BREAK !
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I have heard the training was on how to fill out an absentee request form, wow.
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You can see how Ms. Southerland WANTED to stay, why didn't she. I can see that too, the office is still hectic, so you say she choose to leave, this office she is running for, with all these qualifications. If she was supposed to be there if the first place, why would she just decide one day to not go back in , this close to elections. If the current Supervisor was really in charge they wouldn't need Ms. Southerland, sounds like we've been paying for a Supervisor that didn't supervise.
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I challenge you Timbeau to either file a complaint with the Secretary of States office or just shut your mouth. I am not a family member of the Lilliotts but I for one am tired of your accusations. You are the reason that people do not treat this and other forums as a legit area to write out our ideas and grievances. I also thought this was going to be MODERATED.
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It is, but I must have missed something. Please point the comment out to me and I will remove it if it is offensive. Thanks.
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I never said anyone in that office has done everything perfectly for the past 4 years. I have not been up there on daily basis to make that decision.
I did not mean to imply that the Elections office literally sits there and counts every bubble. The computers do. But what about the computer programming for those machines, the ballot layouts, the database of registered and pre-registered voters, absentee requests, etc.? How can we expect someone who has never worked in the office for a lengthy time (Tharpe) to know how to do all this?
I definitely do not see the job being easy with computers doing everything. That is why it worries me that Tharpe said this job is "just counting votes and registering voters."
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No different than another Elected officer who is a lame duck, out campaigning on the citizens time for another candidate in a different office. Of course you all will say that is ok. The vote is tabulated with machines. Get real people,this office was scrutinized in both the 2000 and 2004 Election by the Democrats. The day of old vote buying, dead grandpa, and such is long ago.
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Yeah, T. Mac, you are right in that the votes are not bought at the elections office or at the polls, it is before election day when votes are bought. Happens every election.
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Well when the supervisors office was called to request an absentee ballot, the caller was told they were already being sent one. Do they send these out whether the voter requests them or not, that would mean they send out absentee ballots to people that may be deceased, could someone besides the intended voter get these ballots and vote? Not an intended manipulation, but a manipulation just the same. This has happened more than once this very election.
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You have hit the nail on the head. The absentee system we now have is rife with vote buying and many other fraudulent activites. The candidiate who has mastered this corrupt system (absentee ballot) will ultimately win.
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ms. Lilliott has been at that office for over 30 years and I am sure that she has ample leave to cover her time she has missed. Those leave hours are accured and rolled over from many( 30 plus) years of faithful service to this county. Her illness was unplanned and is life threating and very complicated and you should really show a little more empathy.
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Why the second term????
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My mother is in her 3rd term, her 1st and 2nd terms. She was diagnosed with a fatal disease in the middle of her 3rd term, with no prior contributors or factors relating to her illness. No one knows the future and she did not ask to be sick she is not asking for sympathy she would not have ran for a third term had she know about her condition. Ok now you a going to ask why not retire? Well I think she would have had she known Gov Christ would have appointed someone she felt comfortable leaving the office to. Not knowing what his decision would be she stayed out of loyality to all of us including the ones who are bashing her. My mothers health is not you business - the job is being done correctly and over the past 12 years there have been no imoral concerns brought to anyones attention. I find it hard to believe that after 11 1/2 years of faithful, dedicated service someone can not be sick with dignity.
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Ms. Robin, I truly believe this Timbeau has been led by the nose to write these things, only an IDIOT would bash Molly Lilliot like he has.
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my thoughts exactly!
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Robin & Kristie,
Everyone living here in Taylor County knows the service and dedication both of your parents have given to make this community a better one. The personal attacks against your mother's credability and integrity are made by a little puppet whose strings are being pulled by a certain candidate. Your mother is a loving dedicated individual and everyone knows that.
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Thank you all for you kind words and support.
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These comments do not seem to attack Ms. Molly, just question her ability based upon her unfortunate illness. With her precarious health, she has always had the opportunity to retire based upon disability and let the governor appoint to fill the remainder of the term. Of course, the Governor can't promise that he will select the person endorsed by the current supervisor. But why does a public servant believe that they should select their successor? All elected officials AND ESPECIALLY a supervisor of elections should uphold the belief that such decisions should be made by the voters, not the retiring official. If I leave my job at Buckeye, I don't get to pick my replacement...why should these elected officials????? There are legitimate concerns about this Supervisor being so biased. When it gets down to counting provisional ballots, the reason will be obvious. It should also give pause that the Supervisor and her equally biased staff are registering voters and dealing with absentee ballots. There are many subtle indicators that can lead a votor to the candidate being preferred. A wink-wink...a rolling of eyes...anything. And don't think that these absentees aren't being obtained by folks working in different camps. There are people on the voter rolls who are funtionally disabled who always seem to be approached by the "absentee hunters." That part of the system is corrupt and immoral. Don't know if Ms. Lilliott or anyone can correct, but it's rampant.
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"selecting her successor" ..?? it's an ENDORSEMENT, which means she is telling the public who she supports and suggests they consider. She is in no way telling everyone who they have to vote for, or picking her successor. Look at other political races outside of Taylor County - the candidates get ENDORSEMENTS. Senators, representatives, etc. all attempt to get endorsed by a respected person or group. This is not illegal or unethical. The only person I would see having a problem with it is the endorsed candidate's opponent, and for the sole reason of jealousy.
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I agree totally. Jealousy is the key-word because I noticed Ms. Tharpe had an ad by her Grandmother but that was advertised to show that she has a degree. Which she does not use. She did not use it in real estate or Education. If I remember correctly Ms. Tharpe stated at Jerkins forum that she went in 1 week early to set up her classroom. This is a lie, She is not teaching this year. I spoke with a school official last week about Ms. Tharpe's teaching ability and she stated that she had a very hard time keeping her children under control and on task. If she can not maintain a classroom, how can she maintain an office with high standards and keep a balanced budget?
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If you spoke with a school official who told you something like that, then that school offical is in serious trouble. They are not allowed to tell information about an employee such as that. I do not believe that happened. You are spreading rumors and you need to stop.
Many people have degrees that they do not use. What does that have to do with anything?
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I think by saying she went in a week early, she was trying to say she was dedicated. I guess she failed to notice that ALL teachers go back to work a week before each school year begins.
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How does dealing with 5-8 year olds have anything to do with keeping a balanced budget? You are comparing apples and oranges. I'm not a huge fan of Abbey but you are ridiculous. For that matter, I don't believe a school official told you that. If it's an official than that means an employer, and employers aren't allowed to say things like that. Were you trying to hire Ms. Tharpe for something?
People need to stop these attacks on Ms. Tharpe. She's not going to win, why are you all getting so worked up? We all know Dana is going to win, that's a no-brainer. Let this junk with Abbey go, she's still very young and impressionable, let's quit trying to destry what little self-esteem she might have left. I hope she doesn't ever read this crap because I'd hate to think she might get depressed because of this site and do something to harm herself. After all, it seems everybody in her hometown hates everything about her, whether it has to do with the election or not. She's not a bad person, she's sweet and funny and has a good heart, she's just not the best candidate. Let's please stop dragging her through the dirt. Geez.
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I can agree to a point, but she brings most of this on herself with her actions. She has said things in public about Ms. Molly and Ms. Dana that should not be said unless true. So what comes around comes around as the saying goes.
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It is the principal of the fact that Ms. Tharpe can not do her job. She could not sale real estate nor Teach. If she can not maintain a classroom how can she maintain an office? Or maintain a budget? She knows nothing about the two. You can believe what you want to but I know the person very well and they would not tell me a lie. If Ms. Tharpe is elected into the office wouldn't she be hired for the Job? Think about what you just stated. Who cares if she gets on this site-- she will find out the truth. Based upon what I have seen of her from local forums and in public she is not the "Sweet" and good hearted person that everyone cuts her out to be. There is another side. She does not care about putting Ms. Southerland & Ms. Lilliott's name and reputation through the dirt. I believe Ms. Tharpe's problem is everyone always comments "Bless her heart, or poor Abbey." She should have put more thought into it instead of listening to others before she decided to run for a County-Wide race. I do not have any sympathy for her. She gets what she deserves.
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Best blog I have read in a week, this is the total truth.
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Lets be real here, she is an adult and not a child. Children are impressionable, not adults and she is and running for a public office. Now, I will say she is acting entirely like a child and everything she is reaping she has sowed upon herself.
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You miss the point--if Ms. Lilliott weren't trying to pick her successor, she would have retired!!! Ms. L has been very candid in making that statement. In political races elsewhere, do you see the sitting official actively endorsing a candidate for the same office? Appearing in flyers? Attaching magnetic signs to their vehicle?? No. Especially when the official is the one who is supposed to insure a fair and legal election. And for the record---I am not motivated by jealousy---just a sincere desire that the system work properly. I haven't voted yet and am undecided. I'm not a local and don't have a dog in the fight as they like to say around here. I'm just suggesting that there should be No shenanigans. If Ms. Southerland is as qualified and experienced as she promotes and Ms. Tharpe as incompetent as the bloggers indicate, why can't you let the voters decide? If those facts are true you don't need crooked absentees or a biased supervisor of elections, do you?
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Endorsements are made everyday in politics, ranging from local, state and international. This is the 21st century and unlike the property appraisers office this office is modernized. No one person can change the outcome of an election. As I said in my previous remark, if you feel there are as you say "shenanigans" file a complaint with the state. Otherwise come Tuesday night the election will be over and the voters will have made the decision. Not someone manipulating the vote.
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Ms. Lilliot's daughter said she didn't want to retire because she was afraid the governor would appoint someone that didn't meet with her approval.
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Ms. Lilliott's daughter stated that she didn't want to retire because she was afraid the Governor would appoint someone that wouldn't meet with her approval. How is that her decision.
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Another absurd remark. No official by their endorsement can decide an election. You should stop making accusations which are unfounded. If you feel there is such rampant discourse within our elected offices file a complaint and have the office investigated. Your supervisor at Buckeye may seek your opinion if they respect you enough and think you have done an outstanding job on your replacement, but like the voters he makes the ultimate decision. Very seldom do we see a election decided here in Taylor County by absentee votes.
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Please do not discuss my mother’s health. There was no way to know that she would be diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. She is not a candidate for a transplant and the only treatment option at this time is to go every four- six weeks to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville for several days. She has given 110% and will continue to do her very best until she leaves office.
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You hit the nail on the head!!!! That is exactly was Taylor County has - citizen apathy. "Awww...he did it but he's my neighbor and he's a good guy. He said he was sorry." "Deputy Woods broke federal laws, but they were only fish." BULL....laws are laws - and if you fish - those were your fish! It is the job of the police to enforce laws fairly - not decide which ones are important to them and which ones are not. And it is the job of the Sheriff to investigate allegations of misconduct of his employees - which didn't seem to happen. As far as an endorsement from the Supervisor of Elections goes, all they're doing is telling you who they are voting for - right or wrong, they can do that. But it doesn't mean thats who you have to vote for.
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I'm sorry but the simple matter of fact here, is that no one has been proven of breaking any laws yet, and quite a few of you seem to be misinformed of the situation. I say all of you bloggers and even the newspaper need to get a little more information before slapping words to paper just to have a story to talk about. Research is important in journalism, which seems to escape many bloggers as most of their information is based on here-say and sadly the same goes for our podunk newspaper. I will honestly state that the "undercover investigation" that supposedly went on didn't.
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This is not a journalism class - this is an attempt to cure the many ills of a small deprived town! Any response by the county population is wonderful to me. Everybody has their own set of facts - this is an issues/local/political blog so by definition accuracy of posting is in the eye of the writer.
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While this may not be a journalism class, the fact of the matter remains that almost everyone's opinion in this matter is based on a faulty article. Theres an issue for you people, the reliability of our newspaper. The newspaper article is full of fallacies, and that is almost exactly what everyone in this blogs opinion is based on. Besides, if any blogger thinks they are going to make a difference to a small town they are a poor and misguided individual. I would at least appreciate the blog owner to have a contact page or an about me page.
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Me too Ben! People think they are anonymous on this blog, but the only one that's anonymous is the blogmoderator. But he knows everybody's email address!
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Let me say that I don't know the identity of maybe 1 or 2 bloggers and that is only because they contacted me via email and disclosed it. Also, those that did, I have always been respectful of their privacy and not disclosed anything. Also, there are a few bloggers that communicate with me regularly and I don't know their names, because like most email address' people leave, they don't give away their name at all, even yours. Again, leaving your email address is not required, just like your real name is not and I don't recommend it. Anyone can attest to the fact that they get no communication from me after leaving their email address, and I only use it if their comment contains something I feel they may not want posted. I also don't give it or sell it to anyone. Furthermore, this site was not for my benefit, but for the citizens of Taylor County, so my identity is irrelevant. Taking credit for something is not why I started this site. With all do respect, if you feel something is unfair or inappropriate, you don't have to use this site. One last thing, and you can believe this or not, I really don't care who all of you are, because that too is irrelevant to me.
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Correct me if I am wrong but are the numbers calculated through computers ? Do they not take the chip out and is taken to the office and there can be no manipulation of the vote.
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Yes, it is very common for a convicted felon to have their rights restored. However, if that person were to go to K-mart and fill out a job application there is a question that goes something like "have you ever been convicted of a felony?". The honest answer would still be "Yes". If an employer had a choice between a felon and a non-felon I don't think it would be a hard decision. Even if that employer is the voters of Taylor County.
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so much for being fasir in this country we have been taught that when a man breaks the law serves his time and gets out you dont hold it against them, i see you dont subscribe to that , and you say we have apathy well i guess your just bigoted.
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There are some actions which have permanent consequences. Perhaps Mr. Russell's are among those.
But again, bear in mind that the opposition to him is based on more than just his actions in the '80s--it's based on his CURRENT actions and character.
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Freethinker, I do not appreciate the personal attacks and was not even going to dignify your previous comments with a response. However, after reading all of your responses and seeing the poor grammar and misspelled words I realized that you were helping me further my argument. I want my kids and grandkids to be able to spell and speak in proper English. Then after they graduate from Taylor County High, I want them to go on to college and come back to get good jobs right here in Taylor County so that we can also start a 40 year dynasty. If you have to resort to personal attacks then it is apparent that you have run out of ammunition. Maybe you should do some research on the candidates. If you did you might find that when a man breaks the law and does his time his punishment is not over until the restitution he has been ordered by the court to pay back has indeed been paid back. If that person instead transfers all of their assets to a family member so it looks like they do not have any money to pay the restitution - then as far as I'm concerned they have not fully repaid their debt to society.
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Gee freethinker I guess anyone who doesn't agree with you is a bigot or an outsider or worse.
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Mr. Blogmoderator, I've been doing some research regarding elections and federal and state regulation governing them. I ran across something that added a bit more confusion to the mix. Do a google search of "the hatch act".
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I have already posted that....
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Great comments and discussion, but isn't odd that no one has commented on the original items in this thread: "absentee voter irregularities, the dated voter list containing "voters" who have moved from this county years ago, the voters who vote with an "X", the minority absentee voter "runners" who turn in dozens of absentee ballots on election night and the poll workers who call in numbers". I am more concerned with issues such as this than Frank Russell. My thought is Frank may be crooked as a snake, but he is up-front and you know where he is coming from, even if you do not agree with him. He has a strange loyalty to our community and his constituates. Even with Frank's short comings, he still would be a better commissioner than anyone sitting on the commission now. Hey, having Frank on the commission would mix things up and keep that charleton Jack Brown hoping. That is what I want to see!!!!!!!
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Its interesting how you mentioned all of the "voting irregularities" that have allegedly been associated with Frank Russell. His runners (some county employees) who got the black vote in district one by carrying absentee ballots to voters who were homebound and *poof* he gets a majority of votes. What's more interesting is that last term he was in office, he was behind in the votes until the absentee ballots came in. Frank is a snake in the grass! Those who support him must OWE him because he doesn't do something for nothing. That's the Frank Russell most people in Taylor County know. If he wins in November, Taylor County will once again be known as the County with the Criminal Commissioner! He may have served his time and got a
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That's something I've not seen discussed here, but I do recall those absentee ballots amazingly pushing him over the top. I had heard for years that he always did unusually well in the absentee ballots.
I've found that most people who support him do so because he has done something for them personally. Maybe he paved their road, or got a stop sign put up next to their granny's house. I tend to take a broader view, and judge a commissioner's performance more on what he has done for the whole district and county. Just because someone paved my road doesn't mean I'm going to support them.
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I'm glad you brought all that up, who was running the Supervisor of Elections office during that time, yeah that's who I want to listen to when it comes to picking a new Supervisor, you can't have it both ways, if Frank did as you say, then someone in the Supervisors office should have caught that, I mean, all that stuff coming in at the last minute, everybody knows I'm suspicious, but gee, if all that was happening, and no one at the Supervisors office noticed, or maybe this isn't their responsibility either. Just what is the rocket science everyone keeps saying is practiced up there. Whenever anyone says the Supervisors job isn't rocket science, it's just scandalous, well why didn't they catch all these irregularities your speaking of. Lets see wasn't 2000 the last time Frank was elected? I seem to recall someone saying how that election was so scrutinized, well Frank is so slick all those people that called Ms. Southerland, to check out our local office couldn't catch him either. All that experience and a poor ole taylor county man outfoxes them all. You said it not me.
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Each time something like that is brought up it's either not the Supervisors responsibility, or it's someone elses fault. Some people don't even think there's any way anybody could manipulate a vote, they think it's all done with computers. Thank you for sharing this, and for your Jack comments. That's what I want to see too.
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My decision of the Elections Office is for Mrs. Southerland. I don't know Dana personally but I went to school with Abby and even then, the only thing that she had then was her "CHEERLEADER" status. She made my decision for me the other day as i was having lunch at mama's Italian restaurant when she began speaking loudly and laughing at Mrs. Molly's illness. Anyone in the circle of the courthouse knows that Mrs. Molly has been ill for sometime and that she often has to go out of town for treatment. But thats not something to hold against someone. sickness is an act of GOD, not a choice. Mrs. Molly left her office in the hands of the ladies in her office and they took care of business.Yet, Abby spoke of Mrs. Molly's lack of integrity, and loyalty to the office. I could not believe that she sat there and slung mud in a busy restaurant at lunch time. It showed that she must still have the mindset of a high school cheerleader.
[*]
AS for ERIC WOODS..ERIC is a GREAT person..a great deputy..he has not been proven guilty and is facing his issues head on...HE did not want to discredit the Sheriffs office and thats why he quit. If you want to chat about a bad officer.. TALK about the PD officer that made a bad arrest. you can read about it in the Letters to the editor in Wednesdays paper..RIGHT PTL. CLOWN FACE????
*Comments removed. Blog not intended to smear family members of candidates are anyone else. If that is your reason not to vote for someone then that is your personal choice. Thanks.
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It's ridiculous the things she was saying, I was there also. I could not believe how cruel she was towards the lady Ms. Molly is and the other people in the office. I have seen this attitude elsewhere also.
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What a shame....
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First let me say that I'm not questioning your honesty, but I would like to ask a few questions. Were you sitting close enough to hear clearly everything that was said, and if so could you tell us a quote? If the moderator will allow it. Sometimes what one person says another misinterprets, I'm not saying that happened here, but I would like a few more details, I normally wouldn't but, with the cheerleading comment and everything it just sounds a little bitter. Again I'm not questioning your honesty, but I think if you could give some more details, about what was said about Ms. Lilliot, just speaking loudly and laughing about the illness is a little vague.
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Hey Timbeau, you must be the puppet of which Abbey is pulling the strings. It seems to me by what I've read, you are a die-hard Lundy fanatic. Your mind has been made up by someone else. So who is that someone else? Aren't you related to Supervisor of Elections Candidate Abbey Lundy? Aren't you that hairdresser in town? If we are talking about shady under-the-table political mud slinging, who is telling you what to say? You've got my curiosity way up. I'm gonna have to go out on a limb and say Abbey is doing your thinking for you. Maybe something like; she thinks all day and writes down what BS lies she conjures up in her fruity little mind about our Lame Duck Supervisor Lilliott and her (Abbey's) rival Southerland. Once Abbey [*] writes the lies on paper, she then gives it to you. Next, you later hunt and peck your way to the land of insults to try and make a feeble attempt to help Abbeys campaign by typing her lies out on this blog site. There have been many good discussions about many various topics but you have taken all that away by making false accusations and trying your damnest to ruin a perfectly legitimate blog posting. Your misrepresentation of the seat for Supervisor of Elections has gotten out of hand. Why have you not said anything about our very own Frank Russell? Have you no opinion about that race? What about the election for sherrif? Is the Supervisor of Election race the "big one"? It just seems a little bit, er um, maybe a lot strange that you are so passionate about Abbey Lundy winning that seat. Experience speaks for itself. What kind of experience do you have to be making claims like you've made in prior posts? Who are you getting your information from and how certain are you that it's accurate? From what it seems to me, Abbey is treating you like a mushroom. Feeding you crap and keeping you in the dark. Why don't you go volunteer to work the election this evening. Maybe you and your almighy knowledge can oversee the loss of your faithful Abbey Lundy.
*Comment edited
BM
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Isn't it a shame? Ms. Lundy lacks decorum.
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off onto a slightly different story, but still "politics as usual"....
July 30, 2008
Eglin wing issues noise advisory for some areas today
From staff reports Officials with the 96th Air Base Wing at Eglin Air Force Base have issued a noise advisory for today.Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Air Force officials said residents in Holt, Harold, Crestview and Milton may hear a loud noise.The Air Force will be conducting a test which will involve one large detonation each day.
http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008807300354
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In your voice
Gee whiz, the folks down in Taylor County coulda had this if only they hadn't voted down moving the bombing range from Eglin to their county. Don Curtis, Greg Parker, Jack Brown, and the other big bombing range supporters ("you're not patriotic if you don't want to get bombed", the citizens were told!) really tried to get the bombing/missile ranged moved, along with the help of Allen Boyd and that guy Stephen Alford who presented several big cardboard checks. He's in prison now.
The good folks in Taylor County voted 76% against moving the bombing/missile range to their county.
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And the NIMBY spirit once again raises its head.
"I want electricity, but I don't want it produced in my county!"
"I want a strong military, but I don't want them testing equipment in my county!"
"I want property taxes to pay for government services, but I don't want the growth that generates them in my county!"
Just out of curiosity, what percentage of the good folks in Taylor County voted at all on that issue?
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The people who voted on this issue were the ones who cared about the health and well being of their community.
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That's not the issue at all.
Gingerbread's comments make it sound as though Taylor County citizens were overwhelmingly against the bombing range. Now, maybe they were--but the vote doesn't prove that. Maybe 76% of the people who voted did vote against it. What of it? If only, say, 25% of citizens voted at all, then the number of people voting against it was miniscule compared to the overall population.
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And the answer is......... 100% of the people who really care about our county voted at all on that issue. And FYI...I want electricity, but I don't want it produced here unless it is as safe as possible. I want a strong military but I do not want to give up good land to destroy when there is other lands that is more suitable for bombing and destroying, like deserts/barren lands. And I do not want property taxes, I want a state tax to pay for services (everybody get to share in the burden this way), growth only calls for more services and taxes generated by growth will never equal out.
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Which method is "as safe as possible"? Would you support a nuclear plant here?
As for coal... Do you not use electricty generated by coal plants located in other counties? Is it fair for you to expect them to generate all of your power for you, while your county generates none?
As to property taxes... Well, Taylor County really comes out ahead under your taxation preference, since we're one of the most underdeveloped counties in the entire state (and thus generate minimal property and sales taxes). You're asking the rest of Florida to subsidize your government services.
Don't get me wrong... There are many things I'd rather see come here than a bombing range or a power plant. I hate to break it to you, though, but folks aren't exactly beating down the doors to invest in Taylor County.
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That is absolutely the truth. Everytime someone wants to make an investment here the enviromentalists run them off. Look, I am all about being a good steward of the world, but, today our technology is so advanced.
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Thank God those people with all their investment money don't stop here. I like Mayberry, I mean Perry and Taylor County just the way it is. If you want it to be like Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, etc. then move there. I won't get mad......I promise! After all God made Taylor County this way, so why mess it up by changing it......
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No one wants Perry to turn into a Miami or Jacksonville--and the odds of that happening are pretty slim, anyhow.
There's nothing wrong with a bit of moderate, controlled growth, though. Maybe you're retired, or you've found one of the few decent jobs in town--so perhaps this isn't as much of an issue for you. But for young people graduating high school and college, the lack of employment options is a big deal. When I look at my own TCHS graduating class, I see that most of the best and brightest left Taylor County. Many of my classmates who stayed behind were the ones who didn't get any education beyond high school and started having kids at 18 years old.
The county simply cannot maintain a pattern like this and stay alive. Have you noticed how high our poverty rate is here? And how low our literacy levels are? Do you like that "just the way it is"?
And consider the reality that Buckeye's days are likely numbered. Its parent company has debt nearing half a billion dollars, which is significant for a company their size. Millions of dollars are being spent to clean up the local mill from an environmental standpoint, and government regulations are likely to only get stricter in the future. At some point, it just may not be profitable for this mill to run anymore. If the direct and indirect jobs provided by Buckeye go away, what does Taylor County have to fall back on?
Now is the time for us to work on bringing in other sources of employment. We can't afford to wait.
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I was sitting just a few tables away...and no I didn't copy it down word for word..but I do remember her saying that it was "irresponsible of Molly to take so much time off and to let the office fall to pieces" she also made a comment about Mrs Molly being and old lady that needed to give up the 80,000 dollars a year. the other things were basically the same comments reworded, but again i didn't have pen and paper. I person have never heard of the office being in pieces and there probably is room for improvement but nothing that Mrs. Southerland can't handle.
MR. Moderator, you are absolutely correct,it was only my effort to show that Integrity does not fit into the Lundy household and I wasn't aware that public accountability for actions that were proven guilty in a court of law was a smear campaign. But i respect your decision and want to thank you for allowing us to express our opinions and knowledge of our community on your web site.
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Ha Ha, that's very funny, you may not know that Ms. Tharpe's family contains 2 long serving county commissioners, her grandfather and uncle, and a judge, another uncle, all were elected by this county over and over, so I guess everyone doesn't share your opinion, you have such a vast knowledge of our county, and your so willing to share it, I just hope someday when your letter to the editor is forgotten and all the details of your problem with the police are far behind you, that someone doesn't bring it up to smear someone in your family, oh I'm sure you'll say, "but that was a false arrest", "everybody else's story was changing", "everybody else lied", that all may be true, but you won't be able to tell it, because all that will be said is, She got arrested for stealing from the dog pound, you notice all that is true, you got arrested for stealing from the dog pound. Although charges were dismissed, you as a matter fact, were arrested for stealing from the dog pound. Not guilty true, but arrested just the same, a bad arrest possibly, but an arrest just the same.
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Do I detect a double standard here for our citizens though ? We are willing to forgive one family's misfortune, yet when anotherone who paid for his crimes attempts to run for a county commission seat people attempt to smear him...What is fair about this ? I feel if one has paid their debt to society to let sleeping dogs lie...
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Not for me, I'm for forgiving past sins, we all live in glass houses, but I don't think I was smearing Mr. Russell. I was smearing Mr. Brown.
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Define "smear." If someone says something that can be perceived to be negative about a candidate, is that "smearing" the candidate--even if the comment is true?
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Well I guess that would depend on if you support that candidate or not. If you support them, and it's a negative comment, the supporters all say that's a smear, the non-supporters not so much. None of our elected or appointed officials is perfect, none are squeaky clean, none do no wrong. Yet if we support them, and like them, and someone says something negative, true or not, that's a smear, to us, and sometimes we refuse to beleive it even when it slaps us in the face. It's our perception, and by God, nobody is going to convince us otherwise. It's childlike faith, when we're young we don't want anyone saying anything bad about our parents, we think our parents are perfect, but they have faults just like every human, we're ready to fight anyone that says anything negative, but when we become adults ourselves we see, that yes our parents had faults to. Same with our officials, if we like them, and support them, we want to believe they have our best interest at heart, well they're only human, just as you would look out for what's best for you, they do too, and when it comes down to them or us, who do you think they'll choose. But is was just trying to lighten up the mood.
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I fail to see where making disparaging remarks against another person, while hidden behind a false name, could be considered as an attempt to "lighten up the mood".
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You call them disparaging remarks I call it information others may not have, so JAFIYC is your real name?
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Mr Timbeau, i'm not sure if you are accusing me of being the girl that stole the money from the dog pound or not but just to let you know..Negative ghostwriter..not me...and a fear of police? no...I actually respect and support MOST of my local patrolmen and deputies but when a rogue female officer needs to make a name for herself and does sloppy police work that makes the good hard working police officers look bad..it urkes me. You see an officer that chases arrest for notoriety instead of justice puts the county in just as much danger as drugs,thugs,and other criminals. I also support officers because everyday they sacrifice alot to just to TRY to make a difference. I don't B**CH when i see cops sitting on the side of the road catching speeders..or a hooker on the street because i know that police are doing the best they can...they have laws they have to follow..and they do their job unselfishly. sometimes giving their lives. No i support any uniformed officer that wears a badge in the name of justice for like any soldier they are our home front hero's. I do however believe that there needs to be change in both departments head officials. We need new leadership at the sheriffs office and someone with Gonads at the PD, someone that with back the officers up when mothers of drug dealers come complaining about police harassing their sons. Police are supposed to harass drug dealers..aren't they?
And about Mrs. Lundy, it doesn't matter who her family is or was..I should not have opened that can of worms...but i can speak of her disrespect of a community leader as much as i want... Mr. Timbeau, i respect your comments very much and enjoy your insight..I am a young mind that is eager to learn from any resource..but please lets keep this civil and agree to disagree...because for all i know you could be a great leader in this community and i could be a future one....
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Nope we don't really disagree on the main points, just on the candidates, and that's OK, that's why different people run to give us choices. Whoever wrote the letter, sounds like they got a bad deal, just because someone is in a position of power doesn't make them right all the time, and it doesn't mean they won't slant the facts to suit them, and put them in the best light. Thanks for your comments here, and keep participating. This site has done more to lift the veil of how this county works than anything I've seen before, we may not all agree on everything, but I think we all agree on some things, mainly we're tired of business as usuall in Taylor County, Perry.
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Well first of all, I have been reading the comments about the current supervisor and the candidates for the position. As far as I am concerned, my vote is for Mrs. Southerland. I have been in several restaurants since Abbey Tharpe made public knowledge that she was running and did you understand what I said PUBLIC Knowledge? She made it clear to the public real quick that her immaturity is very high. I guess what I am getting at is the simple fact when I go to a restaurant I expect to enjoy dinner with my family instead of listening to someone be fake as hell, and actually tap me on the hand that I hold my fork or spoon with to ask me for a vote. It's funny how Abbey never spoke to me or other people sitting at the table with me until it come down to her needing something which would be a vote, and she won't be getting that from me. Sorry, I seen Abbey's immaturity in Steinhatchee at the fireworks, at the Blue Creek Baptist forum, and I seen her unknowledgeable self at the Womens club forum. Wow! Ladies and Gentlemen you better know what you're doing when you go vote on August 26, It does not matter if her uncle, grandpa, or any other family member was a past commissioner or Judge what does that have to with anything? This is a supervisor of elections race not a judge or county commissioners race.Abbey has NO experience and she thinks that someone is going to come down from Tallahassee to help her and her family run the office IF she gets elected,She better wake up and realize that it takes more than reading and counting votes, and turning on computer to run that office. Just remember ladies and gentlemen that it could keep you from voting in the future if you vote for Abbey because if she makes 1 wrong mark, or 1 wrong click it could keep you from voting in the future. No this job is not brain surgery, but you better know what the heck you're doing. She has been in real estate and now teaching. It looks like to me that she floats from dollar sign to dollar sign. When Real estate hit rock bottom so she moved to teaching, and now cuts are being made therefore, she goes into the clerks office to say she wants tax collector but realized who was running for that, she then she decides OH! Supervisor of elections office looks good, I'll go get an application.OH MY GOSH! PEOPLE WAKE UP! We're not at a football game watching her cheer. We're in a county wide race and Abbey has done nothing but LIE to people. How do I know that? I went to a family members house last weekend and sure enough politics got brought up, and Abbey told one of my family members that she was filling a vacant position in that office, and that she has been volunteering in there as well. That's a lie!
*Comment edited slightly.
BM
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Adding the the comment I just posted, Dana does not bother you while eating dinner, she accepts people's privacy for eating with their families and she is as honest as an honest person can be. I have know Dana for many years now, and she knows that office no matter how many times or ways your look at it. People face it, Abbey does not know her head from a hole in the ground and its obvious. I have been at friends houses and she has literally BEGGED and Pleaed for people to allow her to put up a sign, her immaturity is like a child's. No is No, and people need to stand up and tell her No! So if you do not believe or understand anything else out of this comment, please understand that Dana has 8 yrs experience, she is assistant supervisor. She is HONEST, MATURE, and Knowledgeable no matter how many ways you try to look at it. She has the experience and knowledge for the next Supervisor of Elections. I sure hope YOU as the voter will consider DANA SOUTHERLAND for the next Supervisor of Elections.
**VOTE FOR DANA SOUTHERLAND**
on August 26, 2008 @ the Polls!!!
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This is the best statement I have read yet on this race. Whoever you are great post to the facts- not rumor.
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Just exactly where is the fact in that post? That is nothing but political drivel from a Southerland political hack. False statements and negative attacks from unknown sources are not taken seriously by most people. It looks like desperation is setting in.
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Doesn't seem like desperation to me, just pure common sense observation. Who are you to call someone a hack ? She made remarks in an open forun at the beaches that this was job was not "brain surgery" . Not a very good remark if you ask me.
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I sure hope you're not referring to Mrs. Southerland as "desperate," because that's the first word that came to mind after hearing Tharpe's speech when I attended the open forum at the Womens Club. Each candidate had a 2-minute time limit. Tharpe decided to spend the first half (at least a whole minute) talking about her great-grandparents and other family members who have been community leaders (not sure what any of that has to do with her, since their is always at least one bad apple that rolls down the hill and embarrasses the rest of the tree). Anyway, when her time was up, Mrs. Tharpe thought it would be a good idea to request extra time, since she hadn't gotten to use her "brain surgery" strategy yet.
And you are calling Southerland desperate??
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Ok, so Ms. Southerland is brilliant, and never ever makes a mistake, and if she does, it's not her fault because she is honest. I wasn't going to mention this because to me it doesn't matter, but since several people have chosen to point out Ms. Tharpes short comings, I just have to tell this. I own a business it's in a building beside my home. It has a very large sign out front. The doors are glass you can see in. Several weeks ago I was with a client and talking on the phone, someone came to the door and knocked, I said come on in, they knocked again, I said come in, louder this time, again they knocked, so I told the phone to hold, smiled and shrugged my shoulders at my client, went to the door, there was Ms. Southerland. She said Oh I didn't know this was a business, she came right in, talking about her qualifications, gave my client and myself a slick handout. Now I don't have a problem at all with this, but there is a large sign in front of my business, and the door is glass, you can see in, it was unlocked, I said come in. I didn't have a problem with her interupting my conversation with my client, I didn't have a problem with her giving my client her brochure. But I could say that Ms. Southerland was not very smart because she didn't see my sign, I could say that Ms. Southerland was very rude interupting my client and myself, I could say that Ms. Southerland was immature because she kept knocking after I said come in, but I know she is a politician, that's what they do, Ms. Southerland went to school, I'm sure she wasn't friends with everyone, I'm sure she had her clique, and I'm sure, as young girls do she excluded and had nothing to do with people that weren't in her social circle, that's school. I just don't understand how Ms. Southerland and Ms. Lilliot can be so experienced, and in the same breath everyone talks about everything Frank Russell has gotten away with during these elections, sorry folks you can't have it both ways.
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It seems to me Ms. Southerland was being polite and not entering your place without you coming you the door, maybe it was a show of class not to interupt. Ever thought of that.
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I totally agree. Dana does not BARG in acting like Charles in Charge and does not BEG to put up a sign like ABBEY does. Dana is a very polite, considerate and a honest person. Unlike Abbey, Abbey lies to the people telling people she works in the office and she is filling a vacant position. Abbey is not considerate she only thinks about herself. Abbey is not Polite she is SO LOUD with her valley girl voice, and she is so demanding and ANNOYING! Every time I see her, I get so annoyed because she acts like she is in High school oh wait! She is a 2001 graduate so she has not been long left the high school, dang you would of thought she would have grew up by now, especially trying to run for a COUNTY WIDE race...
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Timbeau, so you're saying you are not bothered by the fact that she gave you and your client the handouts, that she talked of her qualifications, but that she didn't let herself in to your business and instead knocked on the door?? Politician or not, who cares how many times she knocked, or how many times you yelled "come in." Did you ever think maybe she didn't hear you, she didn't know you, she honestly thought it was a home, or that she thought it would be more appropriate to just wait for you to come to the door? I don't see the problem. It seems to me, by this post and many others by you, that you are taking every little chance to pick apart things Mrs. Southerland has done and you are trying to twist them into faults. What do you really have against her? Whatever it is, I don't see how it could have your mind so twisted that you would want someone with NO CLUE (Lundy of course) stepping into the office that handles your vote for the PRESIDENT. Seems a little peculiar [*] to me.
*Comment edited slightly
BM
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No I said I wasn't bothered by any of it, but if I wanted to I COULD put any spin on it I wanted, just as anyone else could. You know, I haven't called into question anyone that isn't in public office, I haven't talked about the way anyone looks, or the way they talk, or Ms. Southerlands private relationship with her husband, I only said that Ms. Southerlands actions could be interpreted any way someone wanted, and they can. If the talk about the absentee ballots is from my post, I don't believe the supervisors office did anything wrong, because I don't think anyone came in with late votes, or any other irregularities, that some of Ms. Southerlands supporters have blamed on Frank Russell, in other entries. What I'm saying is, if you think Frank Russell stuffed the ballots, like you say, then why didn't the supervisors office notice, either it happened and they didn't catch it, or it never happened, which is it.
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What part of the fact can you NOT understand the canvassing board has to accept the votes ? How can he stuff the ballots ? What if he registered those voters and then they voted the way they wanted to ? If the signatures matched the ones on file, the canvassing board accepted them what is the issue ?
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what part can you not understand, I never said Frank Russell stuffed ballots. Someone else that was bragging on the Supervisors office said that, I don't beleive he did. But you can't brag on the Supervisor and then say someone is manipulating votes, that is the supervisors responsibility. That's all I was saying. As I've stated many many times, I don't believe any votes are being manipulated, I have my reasons for how I feel, and I don't think both candidates were treated fairly, thats what I've said all along. I've not attacked anyones personal life.
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Mr. Moderator, it's alright, you can post any words that anyone wishes to post about my statements, I'll bet the word was queer. I've lived here a long time, and I'm fully aware of the prejudices, and bigotry that exsist here. I would think though when your trying to talk up a candidate you'd keep that to yourself, lest people think your candidate thinks like the supporters.
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I appreciate that, but I will not allow this site to be someone's outlet for disrespecting another human being. This is not here for that; it is here to discuss facts and interests of the citizens of Taylor County. It is here to have on open forum for debate and posting of factual information that is kept silent and confidential, when it shouldn't be. Things are done in this county out of the public eye when it should be very much in the public eye. Politics are very passionate for some people, and I think the attempted name calling will die down after that, but I will continue to moderate comments as I see fit. People's personal business and life choices is their business and their choices and not up for judgement by any of us. Thanks for your participation and I hope you continue.
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The definition of queer:
queer (kwîr)
adj. queer·er, queer·est
1. Deviating from the expected or normal; strange: a queer situation.
2. Odd or unconventional, as in behavior; eccentric. See Synonyms at strange.
3. Of a questionable nature or character; suspicious.
4. Slang Fake; counterfeit.
5. Feeling slightly ill; queasy.
6. Offensive Slang Homosexual.
7. Usage Problem Of or relating to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, or transgendered people.
If the moderator took the remark to be of sexual nature I take offense to that. The are many uses for word .
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T. Mac, thanks once again for the language arts lesson. I am not sure why you are getting bent out of shape about a comment that wasn't yours. You don't know the comment or sentence that I edited so you are speaking of something you don't know about, unless the person that posted it lives in your house. And if they do, you would know the structure of the sentence I edited, and whether they meant the term as negative is of no concern to me. They used an adjective that means the same as #3 of your definition and then in the same sentence, used the word queer. Frankly, I don't care if they were using the word queer to reinforce their point of how something seemed or not. If I get the slightest thought that any part of a comment may be taken as a personal attack on another's personal choices or life or anything else that is nobody's business it will not be posted, regardless if it was not meant that way or not. Whether that offends anyone or not, does not or will not change my moderation.
Also, this site is sliding away from what is was opened for and some are attempting to use it for attacks on others again. I am sure much of it has to do with the political season, but I will not allow the direction of this site to change from what I want. Do you think candidates are actually going to come here for a genuine, adult question and answer discussion when people are slinging mud and disrespecting others? I have already had two candidates say they would not give it a shot due to some recent comments, and two others some time ago.
There are a couple of you that are adamant that this be a non-moderated site, but if you saw some of the comments that I have just not posted, you would understand why I have not done it yet. It is obvious that the site will turn into exactly what I don't want it to if I did that. Their really shouldn't be a site anywhere that allows that if people really gave a s**t about other people's feelings. There should be some standard of respect for everyone. One more thing, the edit I did on the sentence did not change the meaning or point of the sentence.
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Thank you
Maybe you could add that "caps" is considered yelling,screaming,shouting in text. i.e THIS IS YELLING.
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What does it matter if someone types in CAPS? If you're trying to get a point across to people that are ignorant, stubborn, or just plain HARD HEADED oops I used "caps" then sometimes "caps" is needed to get your point across. 9 times out of 10 it does not really matter if you use "caps" or not because if the person is willing to read and comprehend then they will see need to, otherwise people are going to do what they want to do.
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CAPS are rude - always have been - shows a lack of respect and a deficiency in Internet etiquette.
The same goes for poor spelling, grammar, and punctuation
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You are correct, a complete sentence is referred to as yelling, however the capitalization of a word is considered proper etiquette:Type everything in lowercase letters or mixed case if you want your communiqués to be read and accepted.
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Mr. Moderator, You are very welcome for the lesson. I am bent out of shape because this is supposed to be America and we should be able to use the first amendment. Timbeau is the one who used the word in a sexual connotation...I simply posted what the definition. In today's "liberal" society we are quick to jump the gun when a word is used describing something. I simply showed you and every one else that there is a dictionary and another way to use a word.
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T-Mac, there you go again - foot-in-mouth disease. Your irrelevent remarks use to be "cute", now they're wearing thin. We all know some of it is for shock value but that too, is wearing thin and becoming boring real fast.
Many of us are trying to solve problems here, present ideas and generally make things better. You on the other hand along with a couple of others are impeding progress. What is the source of your definitions? Using your definitions of "qu..r", (#2) would seem to apply to you.
Many of us are starting to completely ignore your posts - you use to have something interesting to say every-once-in-awhile, but now it is just silly and inappropriate. I responded to this one because it is qu..r (#1).
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I am just glad you can read. Thanks for the enlightenment and feel free not to read or react to any of the post. In today's society we are quick to jump ship if someone uses a word. I hate that it is okay for one group of people to use a word and for another group not to. In today's "sexual society " one who is homosexual can use the word queer all they want to. Let someone else use it and we are called homophobic.
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Webster's dictionary is a great source, yes some of us still use it to improve our vocabulary. One may also go to dictionary.com for definitions. Thanks for your current and future responses and please to all of you bloggers, feel free to opine to any post.
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I have found that T.Mac's posts are quite interesting, and I do not see where it has produced harm by T.Mac posting what a definition is. What is wrong with that? Some people may not know what the "Word" means. Yes I do understand that people are trying to solve problems and present ideas and I believe that is all T.Mac was trying to do was present an idea. I mean everyone is different and some people choose to take things the wrong way. I think that if someone chooses to ignore a post then that is there business and what does that have to do with the price is right in China? It looks to me like that is your opinion if you think T.Mac's posts are silly and inappropriate. I can promise you that other people are not going to ignore posts from T.Mac just because of what you think.
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No one said anything about being offended, except you, I said I'll bet I knew what the word the poster used was. I used the word without any connotation, just saying what I thought the word was, where does that imply sexuality, except in your mind. I thought they thought I was of questionable nature, or eccentric, I just wanted the moderator to know that I'm not offended by what people think, and if he wanted to post it, that would be fine. My friends and family know me, and as far as I'm concerned that's who matters to me. The only thing worse than people talking about you, is people not talking about you.
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Mrs. Southerland is very brilliant and she does make mistakes, she is HUMAN. But you know what if you dig and dig long enough for something you will find what you're looking for, and that would be an E-X-C-U-S-E, for something. Which is what you are trying to find about Mrs. Southerland. Well actually I know who this is now and it would be Tim ***** on Green Farm Road the hairdresser since you mentioned your business being by your house and having a client. Would the place of business be called E****** S****? Hmm... But I know Mrs. Southerland does not want to miss a house or miss a voter so therefore I do not see what she did wrong? I do not see how that was being immature because if she had not of stopped by then you would of said "She did not come by to see me at my place or my business, that's rude" and her being her kind self by coming by and leaving her literature you complain about that. A poor excuse is better than none. You are not making any sense about the school deal. I went to school with Abbey Lundy and she was a little Valley Girl that did not speak to you, if you did not have the clothes, shoes, and purses that she wore then you were just s**t out of luck. Abbey has not spoke to me in YEARS and then all of a sudden at a restaurant she speaks to me and the people I was eating with. I do not think so! I speak to everyone no matter who they're. But Abbey is a typical Lundy and only speaks now because she WANTS something but she can forget that. You don't understand how Mrs. Lilliott and Mrs. Southerland can be so experienced, well it's called WORK and actually being in the office and working hands on with the material and knowing that office like the back of your hand. That's how they become experienced. Unlike Abbey, they do not hop from Job to Job expecting to find Dollar Sign wallpaper on the walls and Dollar Sign pillows on the furniture. I mean come On TimBeau think about it. Frank Russell is Frank Russell and that's all I have to say about that. He's always been a politician and he always will be until they lay him in the ground.I hope that you will wake up Timbeau and get your head out of the shampoo bowl because Abbey must have you brain washed like everyone else she has LIED to in this community. I can not believe you said Mrs. Southerland is immature, Dana is one of the most mature women I know. Abbey is the one that is immature going and putting signs in people's yards without asking, did you know that Abbey went to a funeral at the Beach and she blocked the road so that people could not leave the funeral until she politicked,and little old ladies probably 2/3 of them were your clients were out in the heat in black, sweating so much because they were waiting on Abbey, Gail, and Henry D**N Lundy to finish Politicking for Abbey. That was so rude! That shows she only cares about A-B-B-E-Y! I hope you will wake up and realize.Vote for the candidate with real election experience!
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Politicing at a funeral ? My lord sounds like little Eldon Sadler's protege is at it doesnt it.. My oh my, we must not miss the opportunity to campaign at a funeral can we. Let us see, if she starts now in 5 years she can be a certified card carrying member of the gold card funeral eleite with frequent funeral miles. She can sit on the front row and cry like a family member.
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Sounds like nearly every politician we have.
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Sounds like respect to me. Knock on the door wait on an answer. Come in my door without being invited in, I will knock you on your butt.
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Ok Curly Sue, there are many businesses that have clients, there are many businesses located next to the owners home, I may or may not be who you think I am, if I were worried about people knowing who I was, do you think I would put my real first name in my blog id? You seemed so gleeful at what you think you know, it makes me wonder if Ms. Southerland has been trying to find out who I am, as if there is something about me, or whoever you think I am, that would discredit everything I've said. If you and everyone else will re-read my statement, I said I could think those things, I could spin it any way I want to, as you do. I have only questioned Ms. Lilliots and Ms. Southerlands abilities when someone brings up the deal about Frank Russell, all these people that talk about all these qualifications are the same ones that say Frank Russell brought in absentee votes, he won at the very end, such as that, things that, if they happened like people have said, should have been noticed by the Supervisors office. I know Ms. Southerland has been in the office for 8 years, and she has been to all types of seminars for her job, great vote for her. Like I said your not going to change my mind, and I'm not going to change yours. I will say this though, I'm sure when Ms. Southerland was in school there were some people she didn't associate with either, I don't think she's like that anymore.
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Correct me if I am wrong. but does the canvas bard not inspect the absentee ballots ? That consists of three people.
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I asked the Super's office last week or so and this is the process for absentees. When the absentees are received, the Elections office verifies each signature with the signature on file and put in a secure location. If there is any doubt, they are separated from the others and given to the canvassing board for acceptance or denial on Election Day. No ballot is opened until after 2PM on Election Day and is done only by the canvassing board. That process is this; the members of the canvassing board open the sealed, signed envelope and separate them from the secrecy envelope that contains the ballot. Once all are opened and separated so no name can be associated with the ballot, they remove the ballot from the secrecy envelope and place them face down. Once that is done, they are feed into a machine for counting and a tally is given. All ballots must be received in the office by 7PM on Election Day. The only exception being military personnel; they have 10 extra days. Also, the whole process must be treated like a board meeting with minutes and all.
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Well, I guess that puts to rest the allegations made by Mr. Timbeau...
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In your mind and Ms. Southerlands other supporters, but maybe someone that hasn't made up their mind will see what I've said and realize that the real question was never answered, by anyone, just a bunch of talking points, passing the blame, and excuses.
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Gee, that sounds complicated! Is that why everbody in that office gets a big fat salary, benefits, unlimited leave and other things?
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The whole absentee process is flawed, from the signatures represented by an "X" to absentee ballots presented from individuals who moved from this county years ago to the vote buying in the minority community. The fact is that the person who can control the absentee process, good and bad, will win. And I am not talking about Frank Russell. For the record I don't thin either candidate for the office of supervisor of elections is suitable for the office! The most offensive thing is that a vote runner will deliver many absentee ballots to the office ten minutes before the polls close! TIMBEAU keep up the good comments, you are correct on many points, the points I do not agree with are also always entertaining!
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How would you handle the absentee vote process then if you have a better thought ? Also, will a race have to be close enough for the absentee ballots to make a difference ? I think more times than not the race is not even close enough. The other question is since neither one is a suitable candidate, why did you not throw your hat into the ring ? It is a free society and all voters welcome a suitable candidate for any office.
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Well the first thing I would do is update the voter rolls, at least once every 20 years. I would purge people who do ot live here and vote absentee, then I would get an updated voter ID card from those who must sign with an "X", finally I would not accept absentee votes "bundled" from a single precinct at any time, especially election night. In our local races every vote counts and the absentee votes can win an election. I would also make every candidate aware that you can get the absentee request information from the State of Florida Division of elections prior to the release form the local office. As for me entering the race because I do not support either candidate, the answer is simple, on a county-wide race and in this economy, I do not have $20-30,000 dollars to invest.
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I can understand that. However you are incorrect at how often they update the rolls. State law requires alter two general (federal) elections from the date the final notice
was sent, all Inactive voters who show no activity will be removed from the registration
records and must register again in order to vote. The Elections office follows all rules set forth by the state. I will daresay, as I have before, as scrutinized as the past two presidential elections have been, all voter roles in the state would be up to date. Rest assured. our beloved Democratic Party in their haste has left no stone unturned within this state.
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You can quote State of Florida election law, but everyone in this county knows what goes on. Either you are extremely gullible, part of the problem or are in one of the candidate camps. I have checked the rolls closely in the prior election, 2 years ago, and at that time the data was dated and had many errors. Taylor County was not Broward and the Democratic Party did not see Taylor as swaying any outcome. I know personally folks who on paper submitted absentee ballots in the last election, but have neither the mental capacity nor live in the State of Florida. It really is a big joke in the county and is accepted as business as usual. I doubt either candidate will want to open up this can of worms, neither did Ms. Lilliott. But you can bet that each candidate is taking absentee tips from the local potentates and charletons! It goes on, always will until we elect folks in the courthouse with professional backgrounds, ethics and folks who will bring us into the 21st century. In my opinion, and that is just what it is, we have none of the above. Where are you Timbeau, back me up on this!
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I challenge you that if you have proof of it please take it to the proper authorities. I seriously doubt that you do. We know that Al Gore had his cronies in every office in the 2000 recount. If there were any irregularities it would have been found. The same goes for John Kerry in 2004. He sent cronies to representatives to every community to observe. This is common knowledge. Like I said, if this is true and you have the proof you have please, I beg of you to submit to to the proper authorities.
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To quote the great Ronnie VanZant and Lynard Skynyrd, "I A'int The One", but do not think that I have not discussed this issue with others in the position to monitor an election, "others" outside the North Central Florida area. Things have a way of catching up with folks who know what they do.
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Oh I have proof, I've got the voters registration card, and the sample ballots. As far as proof goes though you've been saying for weeks now how Ms. Southerland fielded all these calls her first year in office, how this office has been scrutinized so closely that they can't have made any mistakes, you prove that.
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You say you have a smoking gun, yet you fail to use it. My views have been proven because you can bet your bottom dollar, if the Democrats could have found any wrong doing they would have brought it to a head...The ball is in your court, Put up or shut up...
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So say I had someone's voter card that registered in 1997, never voted, but got a sample ballot for this election. Shouldn't that voter have been purged by now?
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You and T.Mac need to quit your bantering back and forth. He continues to question your proof, you say you have proof. Simply cast your votes and be done with it.
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Whats a blog for?
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Actually a blog is a personal journal written in narrative style. It is short for weblog. However, blogs have morphed to include the style of communication we use on this site.
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I know of one person, and I'm sure they're not the only one, that hasn't voted since GHW Bush's first term, still on the voter roll, still getting sample ballots, how do you explain that? The scrutiny of elections offices were where punch ballots were used, and where the vote was very close, that wouldn't apply here.
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Al Gore sent representatives to all 67 counties to observe the recounts. If you know of such an instance, why have you not brought this matter to the proper administration for correction ?
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Because if they observed very well they would have found these irregularities. If they were here at all, I'm sure they looked at absentee votes, and the regular votes, I don't believe they inspected the rolls and even if they did, not in depth. I have my reasons, for not contacting anyone about this situation, but I assure you and I don't expect you to beleive me, but it's true.
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I know the absentee ballots list has errors on it. You can't get anything through to a voter if you send him/her something to Georgia, using the Perry zip code. The citizen had to call the ofice and correct it himself. I wonder how many others have NOT received their absentee ballots in the proper time frame due to similar mistakes?
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The ordering of a absentee ballot is the responsibility of the voter. If they do not order it that is theirmistake.
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What I am saying is, the voter requested an absentee ballot, which was to be mailed to Georgia. Whoever put the mailing data into the computer allowed the zip code to "default" to a Perry zip code, and failed to put in or correct it to the appropriate GA zip code. Just another mistake... Today I helped a neighbor get her voting registration get updated. She has NEVER voted for as long as she has lived, and she is a native of Taylor County. She registered when she came of voting age, and only updated to her current address at the time she married and moved into her present home. With all that inactivity, it confuses me that her voting registration has never been considered "inactive" and in danger of being deleted. On the other hand, my ex-husband has been deceased for over a year, yet voting information and candidate advertisement continues to arrive for him. Just a thought... who is going to clear up the mess when we start to report more voters than citizens of the Great U. S. of A.? How do they handle the voting for folks who reside in one district but own property in another (such as Beach property that they use occasionally and rent out frequently)?
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From reading this blog today it seems that CurlySue is everywhere! Can it be that everytime Jared(sic)is 'not walking around in public with Abbey' CurlySue is there? CurlySue is at every house in the county where Abbey has put a sign in the yard because CurlySue and friends know the entire conversations that took place. CurlySue's at every restaurant, funeral... hell if I were Abbey I'd get a restraining order against you, you sound like a stalker to me! High school was a long time ago, and probably back then you didn't have much in common with Abbey. Your grammar is atrocious and most people actually write better than they speak because you can proof and also use spellcheck so... maybe while Abbey was listening to her teachers in school & getting an education you were busy paying attention to less important things, like what kind of clothes, shoes and purses she was wearing that day. But who cares? Jealousy speaks loud & clear in the words you wrote.
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THANK YOU!!! EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY!!!
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I also support Ms. Southerland. Only because of her experience a fortitue to do the job, and her experience, and has not slung the mud that we hae read about onlne heard in town. I will sy I do know the young lady you are referring to Mr. Timbeau, and I believe you are wrong on your educated guess as to who Curly Sue is. I know this girl and sh would not stoop that low, however I do agree with Dana supporer and some others on here Curly Sue ma be crossing te line little bit, so Curlie Sue- chill a lttle- make Ms. Dana proud you are supporting her.
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Oh it's not a guess, she writes just like she speaks. All her friends aren't as loyal as she thinks either.
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Will you people stop bantering back and forth ? Just be upstanding citizens and place your vote. Lets the polls decide this matter. He said she said, if the two of you can not start behaving we are going to place you in the sandbox and make you play nice with each other just like your mother use to do when you were little.
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Here we go with more back biting. You people sound like little children on the playground in second grade. Let the community and the voters make the decision Election day.
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I can not help that I enjoy getting out and seeing faces and saying hello to people instead of sitting at the house. I can not help that I go places and have a life by going somewhere to notice signs in people's yard and people have moved those signs several times and she just keeps coming back. I am sorry I notice things and you seem not to notice anything. Abbey does not know who I am so how can she get a restraining order on me, hell if that be the case she better get one on half of the county because people see and notice her, it's hard not to see and notice her by the way she acts in public. I am sure that you're a damn grammar teacher if you are so involved with the way people write and spell, and actually I do use spell check. I am sure Abbey was like every other student in school they got the credits they needed, they made the grades to pass and they went on about their life. It's hard not notice when someone looks you up and down and turns their nose up because you do not have on the clothes like they do, or better yet you do not even get a smile when someone walks by you or even a Hey! how are you, but now that something is needed from someone such as a Vote a word or two is spoken every time because she wants something. I do not see how I am Jealous of Abbey, I can promise you that the last thing I want in life is to be like ABBEY LUNDY THARPE! She is the least of my worries I can promise you that. I just can not stand FAKE people!
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You have a life by going somewhere to notice signs in people's yards? Wow, that is a life, now I'm jealous of you! And I'm sure all the grammar teachers are loving you too! You have a lot of respect for teachers, don't you? If you have a gripe about the politician or the way they run their campaign that's one thing, but the personal attacks and all the mud slinging you're doing especially to this one candidate is beyond reason. Is this your first time voting? The fact is every single politician in this county is "friendlier" around election time that's the way it is, nothing new there. And how could Ms. Tharpe not know who you are? According to your posts you're with her all the time. You know everything about her; what she wears, eats, says, where she goes, who she's with every minute of the day. I really don't think she's the least of your worries, I think you have allowed her to totally consume your brain!
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I don't see how you do not notice the signs they're EVERYWHERE! No I am not hollering when I type in caps either, just so that is clear to the open. I do not really care if Abbey knows who I am because I do not aim to please her. You're right though its in every politician's blood to be extra friendlier during election time. I guess its just something becomes part of the election process huh? I am not with Abbey all the time I really do not care about her, it's just the little things that I and everyone else happens to notice. I just think I am the only one that has the nerve to bring it to the table, everyone else seems to just sit around and talk about it.
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"Can't we all just get along ?"
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didn't know taylor talk would turn into what it has.Like you I agree about getting along.quit the mud slinging and just go to the polls on election day and cast your vote and let others cast thiers.we don't need to know all the bad ..LET'S HEAR SOME GOOD.
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I agree with you justwondering...waiting to be invited in shows she has class, and more importantly, respect for the voter.
Timbeau - Perhaps, since your business is located next to your house, in what i assume is a residential area, she erred on the safe side by waiting to be personally invited in.
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I totally agree you wait at the door for someone to come to the door to greet you into their home or place of business. If not one answers then you leave something on the door. Speaking of Eldon Sadler I have seen him at PRIVATE funerals before and Private funerals are for Family members only and here comes ol Eldon. I have heard that Eldon is helping Abbey politic and it's probably because Abbey has promised him something in the end or because of her so called beauty but what she don't realize is that Eldon is not all that he plays out to be. I know for fact that Eldon is helping Abbey politic on COUNTY TIME from 8-5 Monday- Friday because I have seen them together going house to house and then meeting up for Lunch. But Abbey can think what she wants to think and try to get those to help her, but I guess she has not yet come to understand that EVERY time she opens her mouth she is hurting herself. But let her find out the hardway!
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CurlySue,
I am a Dana supporter for many reasons but you are making me sick. It sounds to me like your reasons for not liking Abbey are because of jealousy. Who cares what her voice is like or that she was a cheerleader in high school? She must have surely taken your spot on the squad, or maybe you were hoping to be the one to marry Jared...you sound petty and ridiculous, all your after is a smear campaign. Either way, we all know you don't like Abbey...you've made your point, it's time to stop talking. Your making Dana look bad with your negativity.
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I disagree, if she wants to speak, let her speak. She has made some viable points. What happened to the first amendment ? Can she not speak her thoughts ? She made observations. let her speak, this is America. She has not attacked her character, nor made any accussations which no one else has not witnessed.
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First of all, to the Dana Supporter I did not ask for your permission as far as what I can type on here, or what my opinion is, or what you thought about me and if I am making you sick oh well. If you do not like what I have to say oh well, no one told you to log on here and read what I have to say. Opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one huh, and you apparently do not like what I have to say. Also, I was a cheerleader in high school and I did not cheer with Abbey so therefore she did not take my place sorry about your luck there! Why would I want to marry Jared? I don't need her man to make me happy I can promise you that! So Where did that come from? I actually feel sorry for Jared to be honest with you because he does not even walk around with Abbey in public he must be ashamed. How do I sound ridiculous, when all I have done is stated the facts? Again, I did not ask for your opinion of what to say or how to say it. I am not after a smear campaign I just people would realize what they're saying because they must not know half about politics as they think they do lol. But if you're the so called supporter of Dana, you sure are defending Abbey huh? If I recall I have gotten Dana a lot of votes and I've done way more than what you have ever thought about doing for Dana because I am sure you're this big strong supporter that just sits at the house taking all the credit, but that is neither here or there. If you're going to call someone out on this thing you need to call all the other supporters for Dana instead of just CURLYSUE. Fair is fair and that's what you need to do is be fair when calling someone out, not just me. You should have made it attention to everyone not just me, but if you don't like what I say then don't read it.
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I must say this is getting interesting. But for the record, I have known the Lewis family for years, even working for and renting from Mr. C.A. and Ms. Doris. Their character was honest and fair and I thank them for ALL they did for me and my family members. Ms. Doris is an angel I must say for the things she did without any fanfare. Now as for their children, well, one in particular, she didn't exactly get her wings and it appears Ms. Abbey didn't get hers yet either. I have noticed Abbey's actions at church has changed from "before the candidate" to "after the candidate" and I see now what others are seeing. Its not a popularity contest that decides one of the most important offices held in a Democratic society, or at least I hope for all our sake its not reduced to that. If our country is going to get better, using the wisdom to pick the BEST and BRIGHTEST people must start at the local level and reach all the way to the White House. In the voting booth bring yourself and all the wisdom that God gave you and vote for a better America.............
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Couldn't agree with you more.
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You're so right!
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It does not matter to me who you're Timbeau but I did not fall off the turnip truck yesterday, and that is all I have to say about that. I will end by saying that I am grateful that we as Americans have the right to vote that way we can vote for who the heck we want to vote for. You have your opinions and beliefs about things and so do I.
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So it doesn't matter to you who I am, but yet you wanted to tell everyone who you thought I was, that really makes sense. It's been a long time since I fell off the turnip truck too.
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TimBeau I am not going to argue or disagree with you anymore. Your rights as a voter are the same as mine, except we have different views and opinions about the candidate of our choice.
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CurlySue... How fortunate it is that Ms. Southerland has such a supportive voter. I'm sure she is very appeciative. Keep up the good work.
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Thank You!
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Since I have made the points several times with no one commenting as an example: (1)updated voter ID card from those who must sign with an "X" and (2)absentee votes "bundled" from a single precinct; my points are made. It is business as usual and folks really do not want change....in the courthouse or other places. That is why I say everyone gets what they deserve, be it Frank Russell or others.
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Lets examine the true root of politics here in Taylor County. Some of the candidates are running because they have a bone to pick with that office. We know of two candidates running for the sheriff's office because they were dismissed from their job. Another, the Supervisor Of Elections office was more than likely put up to run for office as a distraction because of some decisions made by the Local School Board and that candidate is nothing but a "Lackey" of that group of individuals who have a bone to pick with members who made decisions that they were not happy with. This group of people should be ashamed of theirs selves for pushing such a candidate. The two sheriff's candidates should know they do not stand a cold chance in HELL to be elected. You people on this site bite back and forth at each other making blatant accusations. Some of which may be true, some are not. The voters in Taylor County are not stupid. Most will not pay any attention to this site and will vote their true feelings that day. Get a life people and for God's sake be productive today.
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I agree, the votes will be tabulated and counted on Election day, and to the chagrin of some on here, I have NO doubt they will be counted fairly. I seriously doubt ANY election here locally will be swayed this time by as some say the absentee ballots. We are all on here attempting to make our County a better one. That is why we post.
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Howdy, folks! Thank you, Kind Moderator, for hosting this forum. You are truly brave and dedicated to open communication. I consider myself a recent addition to the community, and I believe it would be rash for me to comment on individuals that I do not know personally. I am thankful for posts that state the facts, and let the readers draw their own conclusions. Having done some of my own research on the past of the candidates in my voting district, I still come up blank on some of them. Perhaps because some of them have been so busy working hard and just being good citizens, they have no past haunting them.
I had hoped that the forum held last night at the Veteran's Post would have been well-attended, but that was not the case. The vast majority of attendees were the candidates, some with campaign advisors. I have read and heard a lot about some of the candidates, but others are a mystery, such as that James Cruse fellow. I listened to what he had to say, and from observing him, I know he is a respectful, law-abiding citizen who loves his family. Do any readers/posters care to share about him and his campaign? I gathered it was his first time running, has had relatives in office in the past, and has sons in law enforcement...and so far has not committed any "foot in mouth" offenses such as we have read on the blog. He seemed to be out running to perform a public service for the community, not for his own interests, which was refreshing.
Kyle made a good, strong impression, and may have a promising future in politics. It was also great to hear Ms Pat's vie for re-election; I think she is a tremendous asset to the Board. Many of the other candidates and incumbents made valid points in their comments, but I was not completely convinced or won over because the proof is in the pudding, literally.
As to spellcheck and grammatical errors, this posting venue doesn't allow that. In fact, I have had to re-check and re-type several words many times, because of technical difficulties. If a poster wishes to do this the easy way, one might type their comment in a text document first, then copy/paste it into the comment box. See you around town! And hopefully, at the polls as well. (Grinning)
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I was unaware of the forum that was held last night. It may have been in the paper, but I have not stopped long enough to read the past week's gossip column they call TACO Times. Can you tell us anything about the race for Sheriff and the candidates that spoke last night? I am interested particularly in how Paul Poppell thinks he can win this race...
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This is the best post I have seen on here in days
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Paul Poppell said that the Sheriff's Department does not have a chain of command comparable to the paramilitary. We have a Sheriff and a Lieutenant, then it flatlines. The Sheriff's Department has no contingency plan. Without plans, you have failure. While the Taylor County Sheriff's Department has a larger budget than Wakulla County, Wakulla County has more officers and 84% more drug arrests than Taylor County. I agree with the facts, and with the comparison to Wakulla County, which has about as much territory as Taylor County. Nonetheless, my personal opinion of the speaker prevents me from wanting him to be the one to implement a contingency plan.
Tony Chambers stated that there are Senior citizens in Taylor County who cannot afford to run their air conditioners to stay cool. At the County Jail, the lights come on at 6AM and are turned off at 10PM daily. The air conditioning runs 24/7. He wants to put up tents for the inmates at the County Jail to be outside in the daylight, turn off the lights and the air-conditioning inside. Wouldn't it be great if we could donate the savings off the budget to the Taylor County elderly citizens who cannot afford cooling costs?
Bummy Williams stated that the only way the drugs and crime will be reduced is if the community gets involved. He's right, of course! We *all* have to be on the same page, and unified *against* drugs and crime. It starts with prevention, continues with reporting, and culminates with appropriate punishment of the crime. If any resident insists on breaking the law, and endangering others by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then they must be prepared to accept the consequences of their actions. In my humble opinion, if the local law enforcement agencies were solely responsible for managing the crime situation, we might find ourselves under martial law.
I wish I could tell you what Dale Tucker had to say, but I must confess he lost me completely. No disrespect intended.
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Thank you for posting that comment. Sounds like you were paying close attention! Bummy is right about the entire community having to do its part to keep drugs off the streets. It is not only a Taylor County problem it is nationwide. Also, how can Poppell compare other counties to Taylor county? Each county in Florida is different. It is like comparing apples to oranges. I also agree that my personal opinion of him will keep me from voting for him. He is not the person we need in that office!
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OK, Tony says put the inmates outside of the jail and double the guards which will increase your taxes. Tony don't know the business, the way inmates are treated are governed by the state and the government.
Get off of it Paul, Wakulla will double and triple in population of that of Taylor County in the tourist season so keep playing your stats that the Miami firm prepared for you. And the chief deputy your bringing in from Miami, how will he adjust to the people of Taylor County.
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Paul is and always will be a "show boater". He has tried to keep up with the Jones' all his life. He thinks that hiring some campaign firm will help him win. I wonder if he divulged his past with that firm or how he was fired from the Sheriff's department for perjury and battery on a family memeber...a female one at that. Pathetic is what he is and this attempt to show Bummy who is boss, is only going to lead to more embarrassment on Paul's part. Look back at the vote count he got when he tried to beat Frank Russell for county commissioner. Makes me laugh just thinking about it. He could not even beat Frank back then. I am not sure who has blwn sunshine and rainbows up his butt making him think he can win...but on August 26th I hope they are there to hold his hand when he loses miserably! People in this town do not care about Wakulla's stats, they care about Taylor county. Who care how may arrest were made in Wakulla? I think our current department is doing the best job they can. It is up to the people of the community to help get the drugs and criminals off the street as well. We ALL have to do our parts!
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I've heard a lot of the candidates say, "I'm going to do this, or do that in order to straighten this office out." And they all sound like good ideas. But what some of them don't realize is that an elected official such as a Sheriff, or Property Appraiser, Tax Collector or a Supervisor of Elections can't just do anything they want when they take office. They must go by state guidelines/law and many times these restrict a lot of good ideas. Next time a candidate tells you what sounds like an excellent idea to "straighten things out," ask them if it is legal to do according to state law. If they are worth your vote, they already know the law for the office they are running for.
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I agree with what you're saying, Hurricane. After hearing most of the politicians' open forum speeches, I have also heard promises to "straighten things out" and make various changes to improve the offices. But, like you said, the elected officials must follow all state/federal guidelines. They should keep this in mind when presenting their ideas in speeches...
After hearing Mr. Chambers, I was a bit confused about how he could legally turn the a/c's off and put inmates on the lawn in tents (paraphrased, but the same concept.) On the other hand, Bummy presented good ideas, and I can trust that he knows what will work and what will not.
Tax Collector is another office you mentioned. I understand that Mr. Rowell has been in accounting and probably knows most of the laws the Tax Collector must follow, due to that experience. However, I see Mr. Tedder as someone who has been in the office for quite a while (28 years!) and most likely knows the office duties and laws like the back of his hand.
The office of Supervisor of Elections is another that seems to need true experience and an understanding of what's going on. As I have seen in another post, this is the office that handles our votes for PRESIDENT. I'd like to know that this office is filled by someone who I can trust if I just had questions about the voting process, as well as someone who knows what to do on Election Day if complications were to arise (as in many FL counties in 2000). They can't afford to call state offices in Tallahassee or anywhere else to see what the laws are and find out how to resolve issues. After hearing several speeches and reading some literature on both candidates for this office, I think Dana Southerland truly knows the duties of Supervisor and what will be required of her when she takes office. (Take a look at her ad in the Aug. 6 local newspaper.. this job is more than I thought it was!)
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I am interested to find out what the "good ideas" from the current sheriff are - if they are good ideas - why hasn't he already put them into play? I think the current administration is grasping at straws here, sounds like it is definately time for a change in leadership. A good manager/leader won't wait until they are backed into a corner to do what is right for the county. Another question I have is why are so many of the current officer's only working Monday - Friday shifts and only a limited number of them working nights and weekends? Seems like Mr. Williams is advertising to the criminals that if you want to commit a crime in Taylor county - just do it after 5 pm and on weekends and holidays. I haven't had the opportunity to hear Mr. Chambers speak on the tent idea for inamtes - but I can say I don't believe that we should be catering to criminals - they are in jail for punishment - not a vacation. Maybe this is exactly the type of aggressive law enforcment that Taylor county needs make our county a safe and respectable place to live and raise a family. I heard that Mr. Williams made a statement at one of the "meetings" held recently that maybe someone else can do a better job - if this is true - doesn't sound like someone who has a lot of faith in their own abilities to run an office. Maybe it is time for there to be a new sheriff in town!
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Yes, hurricane... I know it's customary to make promises. I wish the IDEAS could be put to use by whoever is currently in office, to the common good of the people. It just struck me as funny, but in a sweet way, when Tony said what he said, and I drew the statement out in my mind as "what he didn't say" and could not say. In my lifetime, I have seen more Good Samaritans pay those light bills and provide A/C to the elderly, without involving ANY government agency! Now that is what I call making changes for the better, for no reason other than that they are needed.
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I have been listening to the candidates too. And I am confused on how some of them expect to do some of the things they say. Mainly because of funds availiable. Mr. Poppell says he is going to be active, also Mr. Chambers and Tucker- but I guess what are they going to do about the every day running of the office. Are they going to hire someone else to run the show if so that means they are going to have pay someone else to do it-then that means more payroll.
Ms. Tharpe says she is going to voter registration drives dailey along with a team of pepople to do this. Well if that is so then who will be in the office- there are only three people in there now, will she hire more people, where will those funds come from.
The superitendants race is the same to do some of the things these people are saying they will do where is the monies coming from.
In this day and age, money is tight, budgets are being cut, where will the monies come from, seems people are promising things they have not thought through.
So look at all things with a clear mind and then vote,vote,vote. We have to be smart when we put someone in trhese offices.
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I have talk to Mr. Chambers he is going to take some the 13 to 15 deputy's that the sheriff has working straight day shift, weekends and holidays off and put the back in shift work where there more needed to help patrol the streets. There only 2 or 3 deputy's right now working evening shift from 7pm to 7am and only the same working working all weekends. this is very poor management.
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I know it's been in the paper, but does anyone here know when the next forum is?
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I was wondering if anyone went to the forum at jerkins tonight, and what did the canidates say?
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I made the forum and have to say it was pretty good. For the most part just a rehash of the other forums.The usual candidates shined and again some were stumbling through. I do have one question to ask though. One of the candidates made the remark that for the most part he felt like the office he was running for was in good shape. I have to wonder how he can say that when that particular office is not modernized. I will have to rethink my vote on that office. I do not want to call any names as I do want to attempt to be respectful as the moderator asked but those in attendance know what I am speaking of.
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Don't misunderstand, if you know something to be factually said or done and it not just some personal attack using personal or private information then post it. If you are talking about open comments made by a candidate in a public forum, then by all means discuss it. Their names are fine. That is what it is about, talking about their platforms and why we feel we should or should not vote. Also, post your comment like you want to. Majority of the time it will get posted. I am not trying to hold back the comments, just want it to be adult, respectful discussions, which 98% are.
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I attended this forum... you definitely missed a show. It started with the sheriff's candidates. Chambers was all over Bummy, saying the high amount of drug busts have occurred because it's an election year. Poppell repeated that theory. In my opinion though, aren't frequent drug busts a GOOD thing? They never really followed up on it and sort of left me hanging. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of Bummy supporters in attendance (not just family and close friends) who expressed their support for him at the end of the Q&A.
The Supervisor of Elections speeches were pretty interesting... Mrs. Southerland cleared any misconceptions about the duties of the office and explained how she understands all of those duties and is ready for the job. Mrs. Tharpe compared the job of Supervisor to driving a car for the first time and needing insurance. This left me totally confused - is she trying to say we need some kind of backup in case she wrecks it? (not trying to be rude, but honestly that was all I got out of it.) She also mentioned her relatives and said their former county leadership positions were irrelevant to her campaign... but, now that I think about it, her Women's Club speech was based on how her knowledge to lead the county has been passed down to her from those leaders (great-grandfather, etc.)
I'm not trying to bash anyone, just truly confused after hearing speeches from Tharpe, Chambers, and Poppell.
The candidates for Superintendent of Schools said basically the same things they have been saying (we need a strong vocational program, more AP and dual-enrollment courses, etc.)It's good to know that most of those candidates have strong backgrounds in education and have plenty of experience. It seems to me that experience is the key in most, if not all, of the offices up for grabs.
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I was there too. You are right I was trying to figure out if Ms Tharpe was campaining all the way over to Gainesville or what. She mad reference that she had covered the whole county all the way from Shady Grove to Steinhatchee- and from the Econfinia to way over there by Gainesville. You may want to call her Mr. Blogmoderator and let her know that the county actually ends about 17 miles out hwy. 27. She does not have to go all the way past the county line, I personally do not think that any votes from there on would help in this county.
Mr. Bummy did good, he was his gracious self, and Mr. Brannen did awesome, he is sincere, you can see that. Overall they all did good.
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LOL...I would, but I am not on her support team. You would think she would be practicing her speech in front of family or friends and they would critique it...you would think. No offense to her, but she just keeps showing why she shouldn't be running right now.
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She definitely seemed lost, figuratively and literally. A little practice might help. Like she said in her speech, experience is necessary and important! (Yes, Abby Tharpe said that!) I was sitting behind her family though... they didn't seem too bothered by her comments or lack of knowledge of the county lines. Maybe she already practiced the speech for them and everything went according to planned last night. Just a thought...
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Seems like a fair statement... Mrs. Tharpe was definitely not comfortable up there battling in a speach against Mrs. Southerland... Just showed another reason why it would be rediculous to even believe that Abby Tharpe has any business running for an office that she doesn't even know the jurisdiction that is covers... Amazing... Mrs. Southerland was right on point, gave details, facts, and showed the experience that she has gained over the many years she have been in the elections office... Good Luck To All!!!!
God Bless Perry...
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Mr. Brannan is sincere and I am going to vote for him. My children thought the world of him when he taught them and they still talk about him with great respect even though they have been out of school for several years. If I am wrong then four years from now I can correct my error. Until then I'll give all my support to Mr. Brannan.
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I'll repeat what I wrote in an earlier post.
Being a good teacher doesn't make someone a good superintendent. Neither does being "sincere."
The Taylor County School District can't afford four more years of mismanagement; it needs strong leadership now more than ever. You might have the chance to correct your error in four years, but how many kids' education will be ruined during that time if the wrong person is in office?
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I heard it went well, I heard Bummy had some support because he looked bad the the church last week. I was told that at the end people did not ask questions to him they just said what a good man he was. Mr. Chambers and Mr. Poppell were talking about drug busts and how many we have had. (but it's election time) I was wondering why we have not had any marj. picked in Taylor this summer. (I guess we don't have any) I wish I would have went to ask the question.
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how can we trust chambers and poppell to do well for us when they can't even take care of his personal lives properly.
when they both worked the road as officers,DID THEY take care of the drug problem?I think NOT,drugs still and will still exist after election. And by the way if we have posses,who will house and feed the horses for us?no ac for inmates.is the ac going to be turned off at the courthouse.come on get real.quit trashing each other let the voters decide
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look who was in control. That don't say much does it.
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There is a big issue in the county with crime. I think bummy is a good man but we need change. We have one K9 (drug dog) who works day shift. When LEO with K9 stops someone they can use the dog for probable cause. The current Sheriff has how many people on day shift? How many officers are in steinhatchee and eridu. More homes will be broken into, to support durg use and this my be your mothers house, brothers house, sisters house, etc..
What happens when its out of control.
Everybody knows more could be done.
When its 2:00am in the morning maybe Bummy should drive by his employees houses or go to the jail. Then he can check on how many employees are asleep when they are working. Oh but, when was the last time Bummy has worked at 2:00am.
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Poppell and Chambers talk about ridding Taylor County of the drug problems. I would like to know how many drug arrests did they make when they were employed by the sheriff's office. Also, the Joint Drug Task Force in Taylor County is two people, working to reduce (because we will NEVER eliminate all the drugs in this county much less in our country) illegal drug activity. Does Williams put more focus on drug arrests at election time? YES! But if you check the Joint Drug Task Force, they are pretty consistent in making drug arrests whether or not it is election they are working to get the dealers and users off the streets.
To Poppell and Chambers, outside of drug arrests while employed with the sheriff's office, how many arrests overall did you make?
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Well put lookingforthetruth.
I believe that the Sheriff's Dept.and the Joint Drug Task Force ARE doing the Best that they can.Like you say DRUGS are every where,and probably will not be illuminated any time soon.
I plan on going to the polls to cast my vote,and I know that the best man will win.Because HE is already in the position.
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I have some questions for "truth" he knows alot.
Can you tell me why most of the SO units, don't have radar?
Can you tell me why our county does not use a spotter of marj?
Can you tell me why if the Sheriff is elected for 4 more yrs, is he considering moving to tallahassee after?
Why we have K9 when he is never in the booking desk?
Also, truth, anybody can hold a 20 out the window and make a bust!!!!
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HMMM. If the Sheriff is actually considering this and it's not just rumor, I would like to know too. What does he know that I don't? He has been in the know in this community for many years. Is this county heading in a direction that we none know or want? There would have to be a good reason for a man that has lived here in this small community all this time to not want to retire here. Just wondering what's up; maybe I might want to move to Tallahassee too.
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I believe you have bad information about the Sheriff moving to Tallahassee. Why would he run for another term to move somewhere else? That does not seem correct. Does anyone seem to think that the Judicial system is responsible for someone having a high or low bond on selling or having possession of drugs? If the bond is high then criminals would stay in Jail, If the bond is low then they would quickly depart from Jail. Right?
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I also herd this same information that was told my someone that said they were a very close friend of Mr. Williams (Sheriff) that the Sheriff told him that he only wanted 4 more years because there were someone still in high school that had a few more years to go and after the 4 year term was over that he was planing to move to the Tallahassee area. So it doesn't sound like the Mr. Williams (Sheriff)is Running for the best interest of our county, he's running for whats best suits him. And really don't care how screwed up he's leaves the county because he 's not going to be around or maybe he plans on giving to one of his Deputy's in a couple of years to run then they can run for sheriff. Anyway the Info I sure is good because this gentleman had know reason to lie he was his good friend and was still going to vote for him.
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So are you changing your *mind* about voting for Williams because there is a rumor floating around that he is considering moving to Tallahassee after this term? You do realize, I hope, that if he moves in 4 years, for whatever reason, his term will be up? Also, I am confused about your statement that he is "running for what best suits him." What candidate would run if it was not for their own good? This is their potential job we are talking about- their income, their daily routine, their responsibility for this county. I hope you are not changing your *mind* and choosing to not vote for Williams over a rumor of him wanting to move when he retires.
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Yes I am changing my mine he's just looking for whats convent for him for the next 4 more years. Not our County.
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This is another one of Paul Poppell's lies he telling people to try get their vote.So if he will lie in your face what will he do behind your back.This is a true fact because he told me the same thing not knowing that I am a real good friend of Bummy's.
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How are things going for the candidates running for county commission seats after they denied the citizens a vote on coal? Are they finding it difficult to ask voters to support them for a four year term after they denied a vote on a thirty year deal? I know where one had lunch and with whom they had lunch, because that was discussed in great length. I am curious, I mean do you want people to vote or not. It would seem that the incumbents are at a disadvantage in more ways than one. Many voters want change so how is this playing out? Now tell me again, is it a republic?
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This is a republic, which is why the County Commissioners--the representatives elected by the community--had the authority to make the decision about the coal plant.
There is no reason the issue should've been presented to the voters. That's what makes republics different from democracies. Referenda are generally not used in republics.
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I have to disagree with you. Historically, the two terms were different, but today, they are interchangeable. Like you said, they are elected by the community to represent them. Key words being elected and represent. If the members of the board at that time were true public servants and were advocates for their district, then explain to me why they turned a deaf ear to the people. Explain to me why you feel they had the authority and the gall to treat those opposed to the plant so insignificantly, to talk to them at meetings the way they did. If they cared about the people and what they wanted, then they would have put it before the people for a vote as requested. Explain to me why they didn’t, like they did with the bombing range. Is it because they were afraid of a no vote majority again? If that is one reason, then why would that have been such a big deal if they were representing the people? It obviously wasn’t the people, so who’s interest were they representing? What were they promised or what were they losing if it didn’t come here? This is our county not theirs and we disagreed, so there is one reason for a vote. It is the authoritarian mentality that has seeped into our political system that has our nation in the position that it is in. Doing whatever the hell they want to do regardless of what we as a people want just because they were elected may be alright with you, but not with me. You thinking your job is done once you cast your vote is ignorant. Electing someone doesn’t give them the authority to do their own bidding; that is not a democracy nor a republic. I can assure you, when the people like me get tired of that, there will not be enough people like you to override the votes. God bless those that didn’t take being treated like that lying down and took their case to Tallahassee. Those in Tally could not believe how our Board treated them, and look what happened. The Governor listened and issued a moratorium stopping any building of coal plants in Florida. He listened to the citizens of Taylor, Dixie and other counties that opposed the plant. That is a democracy. Standing up and demanding to be heard and demanding that your elected officials act like elected officials and not appointed officials. Now I can’t say that one issue will cause Mr. Page or any other to not be re-elected, but I assure you there are several other issues District 1 is unhappy with that would cause him to lose, if that ends up being the case. Just go knock on a few doors in that district and ask; I bet you will find more that are unhappy than are happy and it won’t always be about a vote on the coal plant. One thing being plans already drawn up for a possible nature walk going from 19 down Woods Creek, then Miller until it reaches the Sports Complex entrance on Reddick. I wonder if anyone asked the homeowners if they mind giving up more of their property next to the roads for it to be constructed. But, if it is true, they don’t have to ask right Citizen.
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Hi. I am new to this but would like to voice a complaint and see what you folks think also.
Has anyone noticed the large political advertisements in front of the Taylor County Court House??? Well, early voting began today. I drove up to the Court House a little while ago and was unable to find a parking space. It seems the back area is for employees, so the ten or so spaces in the front should be for Court House customers or people going to early vote.
Apparently I am wrong! It seems that 20% of the Court House parking spaces on Jefferson Street are set aside for political advertisements for a candidate named Abby Tharp (sp?).
Us elderly folks, along with handicapped voters and others, have to park way down Jefferson Street and then WALK up to the Court House.
Out of all the candidates, this Tharp girl is the ONLY one that seems it is appropriate to take up parking spaces on Jefferson St in front of the Court House, even with space being so limited downtown! I think there is a problem here and anyone who drives through downtown can see it! What do yall think??
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It has been there off and on for weeks (mostly on). I've complained to the police but no response.
I have difficulty walking as well and it is a real hassle to get to the court house. It seems the Tharpe campaign is totally clueless to this intrusion into public parking spaces.
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I could not vote today either, I went to vote and all the parking places were full and I saw the Tharpe girls trucks everywhere. She made my mind up for me today though, if she is that inconsiderate of the voters before she gets in, how will she be if she did get in. I am voting for Ms. Dana Southerland.
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Some of you people haven't been through town lately. Because Mrs Southerland has been parked there as has Mr. Don(Buckeyes Boy)Curtis. Lets get real I've been reading all these post about the Supervisor of Elections race and all the mudslinging thats going on is for a position that doesn't make policies or introduces new ordanances for the county are the city. This is a office that doesn't affect your day to day lives. SO,Whats the big deal? Can't we all just get along?? And all you people that a screaming that experience is important, how many of you are going to vote for Obama??HMM!
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Just a word of thought to you Mr. Keith... Obama does have experience... of course I will agree that McCain has alot more experience that Obama... but at least Obama has something to show... Really before you start throwing out rediculous statements, please read up on your facts...
Plus if this posititon does not affect our everyday lives like you say then why are you even worried what people are saying...
Do you remember the 2000 presidential elections?
Florida was the one stick in the whole mess and changed the elections process forever...
Do you believe that a good supervisor in each county would be important to make sure that the TAX dollars that you spend are not put to waste, or that the procedures on election days go as planned...
Just a thought...
God Bless Perry...
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Skipper, What ridiculous statements are you referring to? I was just stating my opinion on a issue that is obviously important to some people, not me though. And as for the so called "Hanging Chad" of 2000. That was pretty much a joke. It was a problem that was not forseen so of course it would change the election process in this state. As far as Tharpe sign I was just trying to let people know that she wasn't the only canidate parking the signs there. Question, Isn't there a law that prohibits canidates from campigning within 500 ft of a poling place, and since early voting has started would that law apply at this time? Anyone know if that is right?
p.s. thanxs Skippy for calling me Mister.
And god Bless America
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Sorry, but ANY public office is a important office if the voters decide. Having stated you served in the service, you sir of all people should know that.
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To: Keith Anderson
I have not seen Southerland's vehicle parked at the court house square, I believe I saw 2 vehicles for Tharpe. Do you have your candidates confused? I did see Mr. Curtis vehicle at the old Espresso building, but that did not take up a parking spot if I do recall. I happened to hold the front door open at the court house for an elderly man and woman as they were walking up the front steps of the court house. Both stated that it was very sad that two parking spaces had been taken away from them because of political advertisement. The elderly man and woman stated that they had to park 2 blocks away in order to come inside the court house to early vote. Doesn't this bring forth inconsideration from Tharpe?
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For sure a Tharpe truck has been seen parked in front of the courthouse as well as Southerland and 'especially' Curtis. We first noticed the Curtis truck during his last campaign and talked about how the truck was taking up more of the already limited spaces. I think he, Curtis, was the first candidate to put the parking space campaign into practice, at least the first that I noticed, so don't say you're not going to vote for Tharpe because of a parking space, unless you're also not going to vote for Curtis or Southerland for the same reason.
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I have seen Southerland political signs as well as Curtis signs displayed on a SATURDAY afternoon or SUNDAY morning/afternoon. Therefore, lets think about this. It would be more knowledgeable advertise on the weekends where you are not taking something away from someone such as a parking space, than advertising on the weekdays where you are taking away something from early voters such as: Elderly Men and Woman. What if it is raining, thundering, or lightening and two parking spots are taken based upon a political advertisement, therefore those Men, Women, 18+ Voters, Elderly Voters etc. have to park and walk from two blocks away because of a political vehicle?
I would much rather see political advertising done on the weekends, than on the weekdays, that way nothing is being taken away from a voter.
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I can say I have not seen the Southerlands sign in front of the court house in over three months, I did see it there on a couple of Sundays, but not in a long while. I have seeen the Curtis vehicle there though. Ms. Tharpes has been there daily for over 4 mponths.
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I can tell y'all this much: Miz Lilliott made calls personally to *all* the candidates (in all fairness) to advise them that vehicles with large advertisements were not to be parked at the courthouse any more. Besides hogging the parking spaces, it was too much like visual spamming, anyway. As far as the back parking lot goes, I have parked my vehicle there frequently. I was not aware that it is only for employees, in fact no one has ever challenged my right to park there. Until otherwise advised or directed, I intend to continue using it whenever necessary.
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If you would like to know, just go to the records department at the Sheriff's Department and ask for the number of arrests that Poppell and Chambers made during their employment with the Sheriff's Office. Then ask for any information in their files, such as discipline and performance evaluations. I don;t know how much of this stuff can be released but it would cleared the smoke that they are blowing. I bet that the information that you find out would be interesting.
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I did not realize the Citizens of Taylor County could do this, but I am glad you brought this to our attention.
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That info is correct. There is an interesting 20 page report on Poppell and the reasons for his dismissal. The lies he told over and over were astonishing. He does not know the meaning of honesty and integrity. Keep him OUT OF THE Sheriff's office!!!!!
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Thats a great idea! But you have to take in to concideration that arrest come few and far between, when you only have 3 deputys (4 on a good day) that are working the county. When you have more deputys on straight days than you do on a normal shift, something is wrong with that picture.. I am sure the amount of arrest that other deputys have made will not show good performance eaither..but remember, Chambers and Poppell both worked under Bummy (the current Sheriff) so what good does that say for him as Sheriff.
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We are not talking about total arrests agency wide.. we are talking about arrests made by two former deputies..... Deputies that apparently did not have to compete with other deputies, because there are only 3 or 4 out at a given time.. or is it that poppell and chambers were at home sleeping on the couch or in the recliner when they could have been out cleaning up the streets of all the drug dealers or prostitutes.. and as one of them stated in the forum they could have been cleaning up the corruption in the department.. but i guess sleeping in your own chair or in someone elses bed when you were supposed to be working is more important than cleaning up the county. Is sleeping on duty a form of corruption or a derelection of duty?
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The Tharpe political ad continuously in front of the courthouse blocking essential parking spaces is an excellent representation of the respect and consideration she shows for her fellow citizens. Expect more of the same if she's elected.
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Thank you! I was not literally saying the back is ONLY for employees and the front is ONLY for voters. But I wish she would show a little more courtesy! If you are trying to sway us to vote for you, don't get in our way when we are going to the Court House to vote!
Thanks to everyone for joining in on my discussion. It's good to know that other people have noticed the problem I mentioned.
(By the way, if other candidates have/had vehicles parked there for advertisement, it never seemed to cause any kind of disruption. Parking there for a day or two and out of the way is a whole different thing. Doesn't bother me one bit.)
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During most of the time that Paul Poppell was with the TCSO, he was a supervisor, therefore he would not have been the arresting officer.
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To : RecordsRequest
I would like you to give a short history on Mr. Chambers records. He worked for the Sheriff's Office in 1983-1989 and at one point he had (ONE) of the largest home grown marijuana arrest in the county at the time that, yes he spotted for a Airplane. He also worked undercover operations while as a deputy with Taylor County working cases for Madison County, Jefferson County and Dixie County. And if you want to check on more of his arrest then contact File where he was for 18 years and in 1992 worked a investigation where he made numerous arrest around the Big Bend area getting back more than $50,000.00 in stolen property. Oh yes while at Capitol Police/File he received numerous awards for his work as a Instructor. He also was a nominee for State Law Enforcement Officer or the Year for the State of Florida. I do know he did go back to work with the Taylor County because he loves his county and told me the reason he resigned only after a year and is running for sheriff it was because there is no fair treatment for the citizens of the County it all in who know and owe and the sheriff tells you who you can arrest and who not he tole me a story about how it happened to him. Theres no leadership by the sheriff. I don't know anything about this Mr. Poppell man but can vouch for Mr. Chambers he's Fair, honest, and aggressive when after the bad guy's.
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The election is coming up and I felt that it was important that some recent information was brought to the attention to the voters of Taylor County. Last Sat. night, August 9, 2008 to be exact there was an incident at the Sheriff's home which is being kept quiet. It seems that the Sheriff's son, "Little Bummy" and his girlfriend have been cohabitating under the same roof as Bummy and his wife and apparently there was a case of domestic violence between these two young love birds. I won't mention the girls name but she is currently carrying a black eye! Her mother ran to rescue her daughter and advised Bummy and his wife that they were to keep their son away from her daughter along with threats of going public about her daughter being slapped around by the Sheriff's son. Once again "Little Bummy" is being protected! I don't get it!! This young man is currently employed with DOC so he knows the laws. If this were anyone else's son, this would have been reported and he would have been carted of to jail. How can we keep re-electing a Sheriff that would allow this in his home and keeps covering for his grown son's illegal activities? Obviously, dad's lip service is doing no good with this young man. How long will Bummy keep covering up for his son? I'm sorry but there is no way that I can possibly vote for a man that would allow his son to beat on a woman. I'm waiting and watching for the day that this young man has to stand on his own feet. He won't have a clue!!! Bummy is doing this boy an injustice and he's NOT enforcing the law in his own home so why would the citizens expect him to enforce the law on the streets. He has and will continue to sweep the messes at home and on the job under the rug. Watch out because one day someone is going to sweep under that rug and oh my gosh..I just wonder what they will find!
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Ok, let's "assume" you know for sure all of this took place exactly as you explained it to us. And straight up let me say I do not condone this behavior at all! But it was the son and not the father. I don't pretend to know the circumstances but I surely doubt he "allowed his son to beat on a woman." And if the girl or her family if she's underage, (what are the ages of this couple)? feel she was victimized she/they can file charges, and it would be public, then the Lincoln's could put it in booking desk where the entire county and across the nation, LOL, could know about the incident. What's to stop them from doing that? Also I could get on my soapbox about 'cohabitating' before marriage, which is breaking God's law, but if I try to blame the Sheriff for allowing that then I'd have to blame her folks too, huh? Sometimes children do stupid stuff and occasionally it might be the fault of the parents but not always! Other posters have pointed out the misdeeds of all the other candidates. You have pointed out the candidate's son, and if he is infact "doing this boy an injustice" then he'll have to deal with that on a personal level. God bless him, he's going to need it. speaking from experience I know that sometimes our children can make us so proud, and other times they make you want to crawl in a 6' hole!
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Domestic Violence in a very serious crime his son should be arrested and I know DOC does not tolerate this type of behavior. The Sheriff arrest people daily for this. So the Sheriff and his wife are hiding this crime that happened on there property.
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No the Sheriff is not hiding any crime. It is up the "victim" to press charges. She herself could have beat on his son. This is all hearsay and none of us were at that house. I know for a fact that Poppell daughter has been in trouble and maybe some of the children of the other candidates are not the best citizen's. Why should we punish Bummy for the mistake of his son, if he in fact did this? Bummy is a good Christian man and I am sure that as a parent if this situation is true, then it is breaking his heart. Boy how the people of this town are QUICK TO JUDGE our neighbors!
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If this is true, there is a statute that requires law enforcement officers to report domestic violence. If this happened in the sheriff's home and he did not report it, he is in violation of the statute.
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If he's not hiding anything why did he NOT report a crime? You say we shouldn't punish Bummy for his sons mistake..well what about his mistake in not doing his duty, after all, he is a Law Enforcement Officer. As for hearsay, well lets just say I saw the evidence and heard the story. I'm not a friend of this girls but I just happened to hear the conversation so I have no agenda other than realizing that our Sheriff is not upholding his Oath. The girl may have been the one to initate it but the last I heard was that if there was a case of domestic violence called in "OR" witness by a LEO and both parties were involved then they BOTH went to jail. This happened in the Sheriff's home! I would say that warrants some kind of legal action. That obviously was not the case. Of course this 19 yr. old girl is in "LOVE" so she didn't want to do report it or press charges. She wouldn't want to jeopardize her relationship with Jr. or the family..what ever that may be. Get real, Bummy has covered his sons butt numerous times and it's going to continue as long as either of them draws a breath! If that's the kind of person this County wants as a Sheriff then all I can say is good luck at the polls.
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Look it up I was a cop from south Florida and in Domestic Violence the victim does not have to press charges. Once it happens the aggressor should have been arrested this is Florida Law. The fact is when it ocurred the sheriff or his wife should have reported it. So He's having his Deputy's arrest people on this everyday but if It's his family then its ok. Bull Bummy is playing law. Some get arrested and some do not . Thats not a leader of a County A sheriff i think not.
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I was a cop from south Florida and in Domestic Violence the victim does not have to press charges. Once it happens the aggressor should have been arrested this is Florida Law. The fact is when it happened or the sheriff and his wife new about it they should have reported it. So He's having his Deputy's arrest people on this everyday but if It's his family then it ok. Bull Bummy is playing law. Some get arrested and some do not . Thats not a leader of a County A sheriff I thank not.
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Poppell's daughter did have an argument with a family member, but Poppell did not fail to report anything, nor did he attempt to cover up for his daughter. The police were immediately involved. Charges were not pressed by the family member involved. There is a big difference between the cases.
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A growing number of elected officials are taking advantage of a loophole in the state retirement law a few years ago that allows double dipping -- collecting a state pension while still getting a regular paycheck from taxpayers. It has been reported that the cost of pensions for "retirees" who have returned to the payroll was around $300-million last year, according to the Florida Retirement System. Locally, Clerk of the Court Annie Mae Murphy, County Commissioner Malcolm Page and Sheriff Bummy Williams are cashing in at tax-payer expense. Many school district folks are participating in the money grab as well. The loophole was created on the last night of a legislative session, when few people notice what gets into bills flying through legislative hallways. In 2001, lawmakers amended a retirement bill, allowing elected officials to receive retirement benefits as well as regular pay while remaining in the same job. Sponsors said they were trying to help a few lawmakers who had been on school district payrolls before they won election to the Legislature. Here is part of the list for Taylor County double-dippers: (1) Lundy, Delton D., Taylor Co School Board Salary in 06-07: $24,043.10, Monthly retirement payment: $2,343.81, "Retired" in: 7/1/2002, Total retirement benefit collected: $87,520.31. (2) Murphy, Annie M., Taylor Co Clerk Of Circuit Court, Salary in 06-07: $94,934.52, Monthly retirement payment: $5,490.15, "Retired" in: 5/1/2001, Total retirement benefit collected: $340,715.89. (3) Page, Malcolm V., Taylor Co Bd Of Co Commissioners, Salary in 06-07: $27,698.50, Monthly retirement payment: $1,740.12 "Retired" in: 7/1/1999, Total retirement benefit collected: $23,033.87 (4) Williams, Lawrence E., Taylor Co Sheriff'S Dept, Salary in 06-07: $102,822.39 Monthly retirement payment: $5,362.76, "Retired" in: 2/1/2001, Total retirement benefit collected: $330,558.90. Also most Note worthy of the school district is Ken Olsen at TTI who has benefited from this loop hole for eight years and a new fat contract while the district is in the deficit mess now and years to come. This is what the voters should be looking at to make their decisions.
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Who cares about all of this? These people were elected officials that we put into office to do a job, no matter what the pay or retirement is. Frankly, I do not care to read what Malcolm Page is getting in retirement or what Annie May Murphy will receive. This has NOTHING to do with this election!
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Indeed, elected officials would collect a salary for their elected position that's totally separate from their retirement.
Malcolm Page, for example, retired from the school district and is entitled to the retirement pay he earned there. Yes, voters have put him in an office that pays a salary on top of that retirement, but I have no problem with this. Elected officials shouldn't have to give up their retirement pay in order to serve in office.
Now, the director of TTI is a different story. He wasn't elected to anything; the district *chose* to pay to keep him on after retirement, just as they *chose* to not try to find someone to replace him. Taxpayers should be outraged about this, and should be contacting their school board members to let them know.
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I agree.
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I checked on this issue, Mr. Ken Olsen ios being paid a lower salary than his previous salary, A beginners salary that would have been given to a new administrator, and the school is not paying retirement on him, so the school is actualy saving monies on this move.
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I would not believe this, who told you Oscar? LOL. Did this person tell you what cost the third party is getting for "hiring" Olsen and then providing him to the district? If you think the district is saving any funds you have been lied to, call the finance office.
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You've got to do the math yourself when folks tell you stuff like this.
The director was making around $75k per year. If you figure that fring (retirement, etc.) cost the district another 20% of his salary, that would put the district's cost at $90,000 per year.
They're paying more than that now, to the company they've contracted to in order to keep him on. So how, exactly, are they saving money?
And ask them this... Is TTI thriving so much under his leadership that the district should keep him on past retirement rather than looking for someone new (remember--they didn't even TRY to find a replacement)? How are the school's enrollment numbers? What's its reputation in the community? What 21st century skills are being taught out there?
You should visit the school's campus one day while classes are in session. The place is a ghost town. And of the few students who are there, at any given time half aren't doing any real work.
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It appears that you feel that elected officials have earned their retirement pay, but appointed positions do not deserve theirs. I am not sure I follow your logic, could you further explain?
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I think your message is in response to mine (it's hard to tell sometimes, the way the page formats replies).
I have no problem with anyone who has earned retirement pay collecting it.
I have no problem with someone who has retired from one job and been elected to a new one collecting retirement while still drawing a salary.
I have no problem with state employees participating in the DROP program.
I *do* have a problem with district employees being kept on after their DROP period has ended, allowing them to collect a salary and retirement at the same time.
The procedures that allow this were designed to be used only in very special circumstances--cases where the employee is critical to the functioning of the organization, and in which a replacement cannot be found.
The reality is that Ken Olsen is a nice guy, but an ineffective director. He reached the end of DROP, and the district had the opportunity to gracefully part ways with him and bring in some fresh blood.
Why they chose not to is unfathomable to me.
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Don't be fooled on stats, Poppell's whole campaign is on stats if you have not been to a forum. Anyone can take stats and make them look any kind of way. FACTS, Poppell got fired from the TCSO for policy violations and lying. He has recruited only a single deputy to agree with him on his misconceptions. He will take him down like him self.
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I agree with you fully. Is Paul not out for a fat paycheck? Isn't that why he is running for Sheriff. NOT because he wants to better the county and keep drugs off the street. I guarentee that if by some slim chance he did win, Taylor county would be in the same shape it is in now. It is a shame that he is probably going to convince some poor soul to vote for him with the stats that he is reporting. I am sure that he is working the "quarters" and the absentee votes like crazy! Try buying them hams. That is what he told everyone Frank Russell did when he beat Paul last time?
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it's completely ridiculous that Poppell even gets the chance to run. If I got fired from McDonalds for stealing from the cash register, I don't think they would hire me a year later for a manager's position. I think it's a little silly people are even spending time talking about him. If he were to win, the county would deserve what it gets. Corruption......
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People who want to know the truth will dig for it. Those who wish to live in blissful ignorance and ignore the roadsigns, however, will doom us all to living with the consequences of uninformed/misinformed voting. I choose to dig, glad to be in the company of others who are also driven.
We can't stop some people from running for election, but we can report undue influence and mistakes in the process. I pray for Taylor County residents as a whole, "good and bad" alike. We all make mistakes, but the biggest mistake of all is to never admit it, accept it, or take steps to prevent committing the same mistake/s again.
Bless you all, keep talking...
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I SUPPORT ABBEY LUNDY THARPE 110%... THROUGH OUT ALL THE WEEKS THAT HAVE PASSED SHE IS THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS CAME TO MY HOME AND ASKED FOR MY VOTE,AND SHE GOT IT - KNOWING HER FAMILY AND HER I BELIEVE FROM THE FAMILY SHE COMES FROM SHE HAS IT TO SUPPORT TAYLOR COUNTY 100%..UNLIKE DANA SOUTHERLAND...HA - FUNNY.. SHE HAS HER NOSE STUCK UP SO FAR IN THE AIR IT Isn't EVEN FUNNY... I WAVED AT HER WHILE DRIVING DOWNTOWN JUST TO BE THE NICE PERSON I AM AND SHE TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK!!!! WHAT KIND OF PERSON IS SHE???? STUCK UP!! [*] SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO - ABBEY LUNDY THARPE HAS OUR VOTE ON AUG. 26 !! ! ! !
*Edited
BM
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I early voted already but I must say again, I VOTED FOR DANA SOUTHERLAND BECAUSE I WANTED THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST PERSON TO COUNT MY VOTES IN TAYLOR COUNTY! To reduce this office to a popularity contest is just another defeat for all of us.........
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Are you only voting for Ms. Tharpe because she came to your house and you are not looking at the fact that she has no experience for the job duties that are needed to be performed on and before election day? A very dear friend of mind made a statement the other day that will always stick with me. He clearly stated that when selecting a candidate for any office do not look at their family history, their personality, who they are friends etc. Look at their leadership for the position, Their qualifications for the position, Their experience for the position, what have they as a person done for this community etc. So that we as the people know that we put that person in office for those reasons. If nothing else is thought of before you mark your ballot, think of those things before selecting any candidate into office.
Let the Lord be with you each and every day, especially on August 26th!
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I have been to most of the forums. I have heard the two candidates for the supervisor of elections job And you must be nuts to think that this Ms. Tharpe could run this office. I mean you no disrespect but let's evaluate the canidates- at Blue creek Ms. Tharpe told us this job was not brain surgery, it's just counting votes and signing people up to vote.-Ms. Southerland explained the office and the utie of this office and what she has learned for the last 8 years being there. There was a planned question from a disgruntled father of one of the students who broke into the high school that tried to put a damper on the endorsement of Molly Lilliott for Ms. Dana Southerland- and Ms. Tharpe says, "that is a good question". everyone laughed at her and the idiot that asked the question. They knew it was staged. At the womans club Ms. Tharpe again showed her inmaturity by asking for more time to do her speech when everyone else cut theirs off when the time keeper said TIME. All she could talk about her family and how they have served this county. At the church and jerkins Ms. Tharpe hit on the fact it does not matter who her family is and they are not running in this race, she ha stated it is in her family to serve but now it does not matter, she has stated severa;l ties that expeirence does not matter, but now she says it does. She also doesn't even know where the county lines are, because she has stated she has been campaigning over by Gainesville. She now at the steinhatchee forum and in the newspaper has brought up Ohio and that they are suing the company that sells the equipment that we use to vote with, stating security reaspons, well I went online and looked it up onine, Ohio did not pay the maintance fee on their equipment and they wanted the company to do the aintance free, but the company would not, sdo they re sueing them to try and make the do the maintance free. Not for security reasons that she is claiming. She also said she would have the voting machin es checked out with an outside source, I checked on that and the total would be in the neighborhood of $10,500.00 to the county. Ms. Southerland and the staff are already trained to do that, which would ost the County no extra charges.She also was Quoted that she would get a town hall, and a library in Steinhatchee so that the community could vote early, The law reads that the the location has to be geographly centered in the county, Steinhatchee is on the South end of the County not in the center. She also has kept saying Alan Sanchos in Tallahassee is the most efficient office around, it sure is he hires outside sources to do his elections. Taylor County cannot afford to pay outside sources to do this, it would cost 25-30k for this service. You elect someone that can run an office, not someone who has to learn from the beginning. Ms. Southerand is the only chice for this postion because of her experience, and maturity. Just a thought
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I should just let your poor grammar and lack of internet etiquette speak for itself, but I can't resist.
1. "she is the only person that has came to my home." - that is a LIE. Dana has been to every house in the county, I know this for a fact.
2. "[abbey] has it to support taylor county 100%, unlike Dana." First off, what the heck does this mean? They are not running for a representative position, it is for a position that has DAILY duties to perform (all of which Mrs. Dana has done successfully during her time in the office).
3. "she has her nose stuck up so far in the air." I am not sure where this is coming from, but obviously you do not know Dana... I have been around her in public on various occasions and have never seen anything less than polite and respectful.
I am probably wasting my time writing this, because my first thought after reading your comment is that you are NOT an unbiased voter who does not know either candidate and is trying to make an informed decision... you probably: a) already know Abbey and for some odd reason are choosing to support her; b) you ARE abbey; or c) you have something personal against her opponent and this is your way of trying to speak out against Dana.
Either way, everyone that reads this will hopefully see through your antics and meaningless insults.
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Dana has not been to my house. I actually own two homes and she did send a bunch of teenagers who are not even old enough to vote to convince me to vote for her. She has not been to my other address at all. Both homes are not only within the county but within the city limits. That is a fact. The only people who have been to my house are Kyle Rowell, Wanda Kemp and Abbey Lundy.
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I apologize if I was not completely right. What did they say to try to "convince you to vote for her?"
I hope you're not getting at those are the people you are voting for, just because they came to your home(s).
(FYI: some teenagers ARE old enough to vote... such as the 100 or so Mrs. Southerland helped register and pre-register at the high school last year.)
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Don't worry, I'm voting for Southerland, and she hasn't been to my house. I'm voting for her because I think she's the right person for the job. I like the group of kids who came to my house, good kids from respectable families, and I don't think there is a better kid in Taylor County then Beth Southerland, who was in this group. That child has my utmost respect. Too bad there aren't more like her. Still, I'd rather talk to the candidate herself than kids who are there because they work at South House or are best friends with the Southerland kids. I do however agree that it's nice to see young people involved, just don't think they need to be the ones doing the door to door, unless of course the candidate is actually with them. And FYI, the majority in this group was not old enough to vote, that is a fact, I knew them all personally and have known them since birth. Just don't make comments as facts for any candidate when they aren't true. It doesn't validate anything else you are trying to say.
I am voting for Kemp, not because she came to my house but because I believe the election is going to be between her and Dyal, and having worked for both, I truly believe Kemp is more qualified and will do what is in the best interest of ALL our students and teachers.
Didn't know much about Rowell, but I gotta say, I was impressed with that young man.
McCain is my choice for president, shockingly enough I made that decision and neither he or Obama has been to my house. Go figure.
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Hi! I am one of the kids you are talking about that has been out supporting Mrs. Dana. When we first heard she had an opponent in the race for Sup. of Elections, we were excited and came up with the idea of helping her campaign... one of the ways being to go door to door with her. Several times over the last few months, my friends and I have been able to meet up with Mrs. Dana and help her canvas the county (several of us were even able to go to Shady Grove and the Beaches in addition to Perry with her). Every time we were out, she was close by campaigning as well. There were a few houses that asked to speak to her specifically, and she made a point to go back and talk to them herself. Overall, it was a great experience and I'm glad we have had the opportunity to learn more about politics and talk to strangers about a candidate we felt strongly about.
And one more thing... to those that have read where other supporters of Mrs. Dana have trashed her opponent on here or somewhere else, please know that Mrs. Dana was not behind that. The first day we went out campaigning, she told us ALL that if any people we went to were to talk bad about the other candidate, we shouldn't even agree, laugh, or do anything but be polite and say we didn't know her personally. I feel that Mrs. Dana has gone about this whole campaign with respect and dignity...
Please consider Mrs. Dana when you go to vote.
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I'm glad someone finally brought up this "bunch of teenagers" who are campaigning for Ms. Southerland. I'd like to send me sincerest kudos and thanks to Ms. Southerland for allowing these kids to volunteer to work with her campaign. Before the speculations and accusations start, no, I'm not one of these kids or one of their parents, but I did meet some of them when they came to my house, and some of the others I have either known them or their family for several years. I think it is absolutely wonderful that these kids are learning about voting, election procedures and laws, and intelligent and honest campaigning in a real world setting, not just from a book. I'm glad to know that these kids are excited about voting and are excited about getting other people out to vote. These aren't just a bunch of kids with nothing to do, they're an example of the enthusiasm each and every American should have towards voting. Kudos to you, Ms. Southerland.
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First, someone should teach you the ettiquette of the internet. It is never to polite to write in all capital letters.
Second, with the remarks you made and the knowledge you are displaying , maybe you are in need of the brain surgery as to which Ms. Tharpe thinks is so easy to perform. Anyone with any common sense can tell that this is just a personal attack. Also, be careful when speaking of someone's family as everyone knows that skeletons can be found in anyones closet.
Look at some of her remarks. "Brain Surgery" referring to the job. When speaking in all the forums she has made ludicrous remarks. Educating students in all grades. Building a library and community center in Steinhatchee. Maybe she needs the job duties more defined to her as to what the duties of the Election's office is.
Maybe with her cronies running with her, and advising her on her campaign should have advised her a little better.
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Maybe when the Library and Community center is constructed here in Steinhatchee we can mae it the"Eldon Sadler Community Building". She did promise that when elected did she not ? Almost everytime I saw Abbey Tharpe she was being led around by Eldon Sadler. If she was to run the office like he has ran that office we would be returning to the stone age.
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Well I supported the Best and that is Dana Southerland! She will be the best for thd job! Vote Dana Southerland!
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Yeah, you must be a nice person. Saying someone “has their nose stuck up so far in the air it isn’t funny” and calling them “snotty” sure is friendly!
Voting for someone based on their family or likeability or any personal opinion you may have of them is ignorant. Just because you come from a long line of politicians doesn’t mean a thing. Furthermore, just because you come from a good family is as irrelevant in a political race as hair color. If we assume that just because our relative is good at a job/ skill and a “good person” we will be too, then we also must assume that if our relatives are skill-less, idiotic criminals then we must be too. In other words, just because Abbey’s grandfather was a judge (or whatever) doesn’t mean she’ll make a good Supervisor of Elections and just because no one in Dana’s family has been a politician doesn’t mean she wouldn’t be fit for the job.
While you have every right to cast your vote based on whatever criteria you choose, the responsible voter would choose a candidate because of relevant facts, not opinions. As far as the race for Supervisor of Elections goes, the facts are that Dana has election experience in the office under the supervision and training of someone Taylor County citizens have trusted for many years, but Abbey’s only real credential that I know of is a degree from FSU. Dana can start running the office (or should I say start running the office again) from Day One, while Abbey will have to use Tax Payer’s money to be trained out of office. With the economy in such a sad state, I hate to think that my hard earned money (and yours too!) is being spent so inefficiently.
In defense of Dana and her “turning the other cheek” when you waved downtown- perhaps she didn’t see you, or was just watching the road like a good driver.
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This Supervisor of Elections race is one of the saddest spectacles I have seen in a long time. Of all the offices, candidates for this office should be expected to run their campaigns with dignity and decorum. When the campaign began I had an open mind. In her initial ads, Tharpe seemed fresh and eager and I considered giving her my vote. But after hearing her speak twice and meeting her in person I’ve changed my mind. The brief meeting I had with her left me with the impression that this young woman wants this job in a terribly bad way. The “I want” attitude made me feel very uneasy. I’ve also met Southerland briefly and got the impression of a very business-like woman. I like business-like when it comes to an elected official.
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oldvoter, thanks for your comments. I appreciate how you entered this with an open mind but looked at important factors to make your final decision. I wish more voters would do that instead of voting based on irrelevant personal issues (like family, young age, popularity, etc.)
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I thought the newspaper was interesting today. Can someone tell me what the purpose was for Ms. Tharpe's Ad? I did not see a display as of why those voters think she should be the next supervisor of elections or see a purpose for the ad. If there would have been comments or suggestions from the voters picture as of why that person thought she should be the next supervisor of elections then I could comprehend, but I seem to be lost on the purpose of the large Advertisement.
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Her ad was much like her speeches within her forums..Rambling and unorganized. I would expect that this would be more the same way she would run the office.
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Mrs. Tharpe's answers to the two questions in today's paper were horribly unorganized as well. She started off talking in third person and then would switch over to first. I suppose it was to get her name in there as many time as possible, but I almost couldn't read the whole thing because it annoyed me so much.
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Couldn't the same thing be said of Tedder and Dyal's ads? Hers was just like theirs, she just spent a bit more money on it.
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Dyal's and Tedder's ads were composed of co-workers...people who have worked closely with the candidates and can vouch for their professional ablilities.
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Sam,
Obviously, the purpose of Ms. Tharpe's ad was to show that some of the "popular" people and families in Taylor County support her and that she has enough money that she can afford a full page, color ad. Since she seems to be running her campaign similar to one for a position on the TCHS student government, her popularity and wealth are the only credentials she really needs (or I should say, thinks she needs). I find all of her ads and speeches laughable- the proper grammar, logical organization, and especially her relevant facts, are as lacking as her election experience.
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I agree. What is laughable about the large ad was many of the voters that were pictured were not aware she was displaying their photo in the local newspaper. If no other information is shown from the ad, her dishonesty should be shown to the voters pictured or non-pictured. If she will keep something such as a picture from the voter being displayed in the local newspaper will she keep something from voters that are highly important such as information that needs to be displayed? I do not have a great amount of dependency in an elected or non elected official if they can not be honest with voters from the beginning.
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I just got from work this morning and had to check out this site. This is my first time writing a blog on this site, but I felt I had to say something. I was in the break room and overheard some other employees talking about the Tharpe ad in the paper Wednesday. They indicated that a large portion of the people in the ad did not even know that their picture was being used in the manner it was displayed. They were very upset that someone would do this, display pictures of support for someone without asking first. I would be! Ms. Tharpe has shown her imatuity again doing this. Please Taylor County think and vote for the right choice for Supervisor of Elections----Ms. Dana Southerland..
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As one that was in her ad- I have to say I was not informed when the picture was taken that it would appear in the newspaper in a political ad supporting her. I have already voted for Dana Southerland because of her experience Abbey Tharpe is young, inexperienced, and frankly a spoiled little girl! Perhaps she needs to be careful who she is claiming to support her run for SOE.
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As Abbey said in one of her forum speeches, "Hello! I made this mistake!"
I would be so angry if any candidate used me without my consent.
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If you were in her ad then you signed a consent form, which is on file with the newspaper, the newspaper would not publish this ad without consent and documentation from each party pictured, so if you were in the ad, you must have changed your mind. Call the paper, they have all the information on file there.
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I already checked on this and they do not get consent forms, you must be crazy to think she did.
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If that's what you found out you didn't do your research, talk to Ms. Lincoln.
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No consent forms are signed for a newspaper ad. Several of these people have made public statements they were not aware their picture was being used.
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Unless you work for the paper or you placed the ad, you don't know what the paper may have required, or what the candidate may have done. To say that Ms. Tharpe went around gathering up pictures to put in the paper without permission is ridiculous, if a picture is in this ad without the persons knowledge, how did she get access to these pictures. Did Ms. Tharpe just walk up to any and everyone and ask for a picture, and then these people that didn't want to be in her ad just gave her one? If she took the pictures, did she sneak up on the ones that didn't want to be in the ad and snap away. Whoever your talking to "if" they are in the ad knew they would be in the ad or they wouldn't have given Ms. Tharpe a picture or posed for her to take one of them. IF all these pictures are available somewhere for public access please tell me where. People that say their pictures were used without permission are either mistaken or should consult a lawyer, personally I haven't heard anyone outside of this blog say their picture was used without permission
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I haven't heard anyone outside this blog say that either and I am in the community working everyday. I know for a fact Ms. Tharpe and her campaign team asked people, I and several of my family members recieved phone calls asking if we could be used in an ad. I'm sure the people who are saying that are just trying to cause trouble and I am certain they weren't even in the ad. After all, who will ever know they are just stirring the pot...it's anonymous.
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You stated that "You received a phone call asking if we could be used in an ad". Ms. Tharpe should have personally approached you and your family with her thoughts about the ad she was insinuating upon instead of calling you. A phone call does not do justice when something such as advertising is being presented. To me that indicates Ms. Tharpe's inconsideration to you and your family. Doesn't this show you that Ms. Tharpe is telling you what she wants you to hear, instead of showing you what she wants you to be aware of?
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Your last statement makes no sense at all, not since she said "I want to do a newspaper ad and I would like to use your picture to show that you are supporting me." There were no insinuations, she was very straight forward about what she wanted to do with our photos. We all said no, we are also friends of the Southerlands and refuse to say who we were voting for, but that we did not want to appear publicly for any candidate. Perry is just to small of a town and like I said, we are friends of both candidates. She did not beg, just said she understood, and our pictures were not used. I felt like a phone call was a perfectly acceptable approach and am not at all offended. I actually appreciated the phone call because it would have been more awkward in person.
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What does it matter now, Ms. Tharpe got her tail whipped, and the race is now over the better person won for the job and the community.
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A 9 percent victory isn't a tail whipping, it's a victory true, but not the landslide that was predicted.
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I have to admit to being surprised by Abbey's strong showing. I don't know her or Dana personally, so personalities aren't a factor for me. It just seemed like Dana had extensive experience while Abbey had none. I never would've thought that a completely unqualified candidate would come so close to beating a highly-qualify one.
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Litle Tibeau (whoops spelled it like it is on you profile page) your math is just likes Abbeys. Let me help you 58% - $2% is not 9%- it equals 16%- now that sir would be a tail whipping. Ask any canidate they would love to ave that margin........
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After much thought maybe you forgot to take your shoes off and noticed that maybe you were running out of fingers, so use your toes next time.....
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I think you must have taken your shoes, and your neighbors shoes off to count that equation you just tried to pull off. It doesn't matter to me how you count things Ms. Southerland did not have the landslide she thought she would have, you can count precincts or anything else, the fact is Abby got a substantial amount of votes for someone so young, and inexperienced, ask Paul Poppell what a tail whipping is.
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Timbeau just let this go. The fact is this blog is made up of about 5 Southerland supporters who will stop at nothing to promote their candidate, regardless of if what they are saying is true or not. They also have no concern over being downright slanderous. They are mean, spiteful, vindictive, and jealous.It's a shame too, because Southerland herself would never approve of that type of campaigning. To these people there is nothing Tharpe can do that is right, and there is nothing Southerland/Lilliott can do that is wrong. I agree with you that Tharpe did very well, actually extremely well condsidering her age and inexperience when compared to the other candidate. They know that also, but they will never admit it. It was not the landslide that people thought she would have, you are absolutely correct. These are people who say things about you without realizing they should be looking in a mirror. After all, did they get as involved in the other political posts as this one? NO, they did not. Again, that's okay for them but not for you, because there is nothing Tharpe or any Tharpe supporter can do that is okay. And they call you the puppet, it's just laughable it's so ridiculous.
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Not me, I am in all the blogs.
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Consider it done, gone, over. Let's move on to the Hospital, Jobs, ect. I will say the candidate with the most experience in the office won.
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in addition to the young age and lack of experience, you forgot to mention how dirty Mrs. Tharpe played.
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Well Elden, who you gonna support now, word is noone wants your help, your canidate lost.
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Considering the antics he was pulling he will probably leave town like the coward he is. Just be sure to remind him to use up those frequent funeral miles because they expire in 126 days and he will not have any need for them.
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The newspaper did not entail any necessary paperwork for the ad to be displayed. The ad was paid for and approved by Ms. Tharpe, therefore the Newspaper staff trusted that Ms. Tharpe had permission from these photographed Citizens. Ms. Tharpe approached Citizens that she knew and asked if she could have a family photo or a picture for her campaign scrapbook. Several Ladies and Gentlemen asked that Ms. Tharpe not use the photo for any type of endorsement or advertising. Ms. Tharpe was dishonest to these Citizens because she stated she would not, and did anyway. Several Citizens took Ms. Tharpe's word. She never once told the Citizens that she was creating an ad for the pictures she collected. There are several ladies and gentlemen that will take legal action because of Ms. Tharpe's dishonesty. Several Citizens were not aware of the "AD" until the publication of the newspaper was displayed.
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This is to the point as to what I have heard also. Not the tale of she asked first.
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Well then I guess we'll have a lot of lawsuits and investigations then, but I'll bet you'll never hear anything else out of these very gullible people that don't support Ms. Tharpe, but are very willing to give her a photo of themselves for her scrapbook.
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Well I simply devoured those pages yesterday! And pored over them, hoping to discern anything I could. I came away from that realizing that the Battle of the Boards is going to be horrendous. I am referring to the Boards of County Commissioner and DMH. My friend James Cruse did good, did you all see his ad? I called him to commend him, and asked why he hadn't been participating in any forums. He stated that the one and only one he attended was that one at the AmVet location. He said that after he made his speech, all of a sudden more ads came out and more candidates were using some of his wording. We chuckled a bit over the blatant plagiarism, so to speak. He said he'd been told by several folks that the forums are a waste of time, especially when they are used as a fundraiser by the entity hosting the event. That is why he's only gone to the AmVets forum, because at least he already has ties with them, and he supports their efforts as it is. I really liked his ad, but then I know him personally and would love to hear what anyone else has to comment on it/him.
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In my opinion this blog is getting out of hand. It seems to be the perfect place to start rumors and spread gossip. This should not be a place where anybody can say viscous things about somebody and not be held accountable. I applaud the idea of having a place for people to express their opinions on issues that concern our state and county. It is just plain wrong when a someone slanders a person or their family just to cause hurt whether they are running for office or not. I certainly agree on the amendment of freedom of speech, however, I do not agree with saying hurtful things just because they can. It seems some people get pleasure from other people's pain. I understand that when a person is running for a city, county or state office that "Facts" about the CANDIDATES should be made public so that the voter can make an informed decision. I do not think the candidates families nor the family's problems need to be spread all over the newspaper or in a blog. In the amount of time it takes to write hurtful things about a candidate or their family we could be praying for them. Now, I will get off my soap box and express my opinion about "The current state of politics in Taylor County". We have to have elected officials. There is no getting around this. I think their salaries are outrageously high and I think they are ALL in it for the money. Bottom line is "Money is the ROOT of some mighty evil things. In the Sheriff's race I think Sheriff Williams has done an "ok" job. Not outstanding. Not awful. All of the candidates express their desire to rid this county of drugs. The fact is that just aint going to happen. In a perfect world yet, in reality, no. The bottom line is that the county and the state just don't have the money to implement a lot of the ideas that the candidates have proposed. Could we do a better job of working with what we have? Absolutely! What we are doing now just aint working. It's time to try something different. I think who ever gets elected should aggressively pursue state and federal grant money. I work in state government and I know for a fact there is money out there. A person knowledgeable in grant writing would be an asset to our county. I think that both the sheriff's office and the city police should sit on top of the know drug dealing/using areas. When they leave one area because of the heat and go somewhere else-move with them. Shutting down the Skylark motel would be a start. I think there are not many people that can say that drug and alcohol abuse has not effected their family in some way. I don't have the answer for getting rid of this devastating epidemic, there is no easy answer. I go back to what I said earlier-what we are doing now is not working...TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
As for the race of Supervisor of Elections.....Enough is enough. I think one candidate is showing her immaturity in a big way and the other is certainly qualified but doesn't come across as friendly.
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(my previous comment was a reply to the comment by "youaren'tcompletelyright" on 8/22)
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Dear Moderator,
I found the post by "Cod" to be utterly vicious and entirely personal. Why does this person's post get by with so much poison? Is it OK to tear a regular citizen but not someone in the political races? I am confused and lost as to the purpose of moderation when such evisceration is allowed.
Opinions are welcome, not vendettas. I don't care WHO we are talking about, I understood we were to keep our comments free of personal attacks. Was I mistaken?
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I will review it.
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Mr. Moderator, If Timbeau can dish it out can he not take it ? If you remove said post I for one will NOT ever visit this site again. What was said seemed fair, he himself and many others spewed garbage about the credability of Mrs. Lilliott and the opposing candidate. As my grandmother us to say, If you can not handle the heat get out of the frying pan.
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I agree with you, but it is not Timbeau that was complaining about the comment. I read it again, and am not too sure what part of it is offending. I will be contacting beachgirl by email to discuss her issue. I will not remove the comment, but may edit it if I happen to agree with her. It seemed to me that "Cod" was actually defending those that Timbeau was commenting on. I will post an update regarding it. Thanks for participating.
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Awwww, don't remove the comment BM, I'm not offended I think it's pretty funny. Obviously Cod hasen't seen any of my other comments on other topics. Makes me think someone told them just about the one post, like maybe they too are a mushroom. Anyway the election is over Ms. Southerland won but almost half the voters wanted Abby. That should tell you something. Besides I would hate for Taylor Voter to never visit this site again, and to think that I can't take negative comments, I can, therefore I will stay in the KITCHEN, where I can stand the heat, and Taylor Voter can jump from the frying pan into the fire.
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wow Timbeau, you're getting a little frisky there (telling them to jump into the fire)
And you're right, ALMOST half the voters wanted Abbey... but that means MORE than half wanted Dana. You're also right that it tells us something: Dana won. Abbey lost.
I'm not sure what your point was there.
And I'm glad you enjoy the negative comments, but I haven't enjoyed reading yours about Mrs. Lilliott or Mrs. Southerland.
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Love the heat, work in it every day, something you would never understand. Your comments were down right vicious and dirty and you know it. The Puppet master was diddling your strings and you were dangling right along.
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NO ONE had more viscious things said about her than Abbey. I'm glad she had at least one person who took up for her...and obviously more than one person who wanted her in office. Keep your head up young lady, you showed lots of courage and certainly as much maturity than the people who stooped so low as to talk about irrelevant things like your clothes and voice, I'm sure you will do very well.
If running for an office is your argument that someone puts themself out there for attacks, then Ms. Lilliott, who is serving in office, was also fair game. She can't help being sick for sure, but Timbeau did make some good points. She can help doing things unethically, sick or not.
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Timbeau did not put those out there. Those were accusations made by the candidate running for the office. All Timbeau is is a little puppet who was having his strings pulled. The county all knows who ran a clean race and who didn't. If he is so passionate then why did he not as stated in a previous post get involved in any other election forums ?
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If you will look at the other blogs you will see I've commented on them too, tell your shepherd to do some research before she sends her sheep out to do dirty work. I make up my own mind, I saw something that was not fair to both candidates, did some research, on my own, found that the SOE office administered a grant, you can't administer a grant, and work and run for the same office, the Hatch Act. Baaa Baaa
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The "Hatch Act" is a gray line which some cross and some do not. I sit back , never commented until after the election, just reading comments. You and your candidate sank to low levels questioning the integrity of that office. Every lady within that office are ladies of integrity and honor. Be a man and concede that the better candidate won the election.
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And your shepherd showed you just where to go, Baaa Baaa Sheep.
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Aww, he is still living in a fairy tale.
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Just happily ever after.
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Well you can enjoy life now "thrilled", the election is over, but I'm sure we can find something else to disagree over.
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well i've been enjoying life, just not your bashing of our retiring supervisor.
so whatchya got that we can disagree over?
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This is where the subject ends, and a new topic is started... See ya!
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Like I have sated previously, the one who controled the absentee process and received the most absentee votes, and add in early votes, would win. If the numbers in the newspaper today are correct, my point has been made. It is politics as usual around here.
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My point would be the person who took 13 out of 14 precincts won fair and square (Abbey took only the Jerkins precinct).
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Just a loser making an excuse. Sounds like a Al Gore speech or some whining liberal crying over spilled milk.
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Timbeau, Get over it. You team lost! The other team won. Your a looser! They are the winners! Maybe you can build a bridge and "Arch" over and listen to reason. If the word got out the way you talk about folks, now how would that be for business?
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Getoverit:
What do you mean if word got out, I've been identified on this site, unlike you, your sooooo brave to make your statements when no one knows your identity. Ms. Southerland did not win by a landslide, if half the people that voted against her patronize my business I'll do just fine, really as I said before, the only thing worse than people talking about you is people not talking about you, so keeeeep talking business is booming.
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To Mr. Timbeau.
I have stayed off writing on this site because I was asked to by my wife. But now that the election is over I am compelled to do so. Again the election is over and you still have brought up my wife on here, now undestand this, you need to keep your opinions to yourself from here on when it comes to my wife. You want to come visit me we can settle it like it should be settled, I will say you have been wrong in you accusations you have made and maybe you were misinformed by your client as you were cutting her hair, but that does not matter, from here on this matter is closed. I DO HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND ME>
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I concur. I thought I was clear enough that it was closed by removing the topics once the election was over. The congratulation topics were not meant as a continuation but just as an acknowledgment. Know if in the future the Elections Office offers up some improprieties, then we can talk about it, but I know that will never be the case. If anyone still has any issues with Mark or Dana, Mark is very easy to find. You can take it up with him personally. Thanks.
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Oh I understand exactly what you mean, I didn't bring this up again, if you'll look I'm replying to a post from a supporter of your wife, I thought this was over myself with the election, if you don't want your wife talked about, tell "getoverit", they brought it all back up, I haven't posted on here in weeks. But I do understand you perfectly Mr. Southerland, I'll save the post in case anything were to happen.
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Timbeau,
Apparently you do not understand what is really going on here. This site is run by a crony of Mark. He has allowed all kinds of personal attacks on his wife's political opponent which had no basis in fact, only rumor and biased opinion. You and a few other posters however brought up legitmate concerns about actions, not rumours, in the Supervisor's office which have not been answered yet. Mark does not feel that anyone has the right to challenge him in public because he is entitled to rule over you since you are beneath him. You do not deserve the same rights as his chosen group. Look back at his school board record...he takes care of his own! He will become emboldened now that he has control of the local elections office in addition to the local mentally challenged school board. It is sad to see him use his position to lead them around making decisions that benefit him and they don't even know it. Self righteous hypocrites have their day...but it doesn't last forever. You have been targeted because you dared to ask questions of the king which had an answer he did not like. Don' worry as he is only a blowhard but if you ever need a stand-in I am the one.
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Apparently, it is you who do not understand. I am a crony for no one. I allowed the freedom of speech to everyone that had an opinion whether based on fact or opinion towards Bummy Williams, Paul Poppell, Donnie Blair, Tony Chambers, Dana Southerland, Abbie Tharpe, Frank Russell, etc. At the same time, I censored childish or uncalled for comments made towards each of those individuals. If there was more negative comments made towards Abbie than Dana, it was her own comments and actions that caused it. Not me nor Mark or anyone else. I never intentionally allowed more negative comments towards one than the other. Go ahead and ask Timbeau if I cut him off or never posted his comments, concerns or questions regarding the Supervisor of Elections office or the employees, even though I thought it was sad and ridiculous for anyone to question the integrity of Molly Lilliot. If she was doing things the voters did not like, then someone would have ran against her at some point. I would take offense to your allegations towards me but your ignorance or lack of actual knowledge of how I truly operate this site is not your fault. If no one answered Timbeau's questions or concerns, how can you blame me or Mark. Maybe no one had an answer because either no one knew the answer, or there was no answer to give. Your opinions of Mark are definitely yours and guess what, your comment wasn't edited. Hmmm...looks like cronyism to me.
For the record, Mark, nor any candidate knows who I am and that is truly the only way for it to be so that no one can attempt to influence me in any way, although it would be a waste of anyone's time. I do what I want. One last thing, evidently the majority does not have a problem with Mark being on the school board and his wife being Super., so their abilities must be impressive enough to the voters.
Sorry, one last thing, if you have a problem with how Mark handles his position on the school board, then run against him if you live in his district, or get somebody to run against him. If he is as bad as you feel he is, then he will lose. That is one of the perks of living in a free society. People felt that way about Bummy, and boy were they wrong, so give it a shot.
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Great post Mr. Moderator....Straight and to the point
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IUNDERSTAND,
Who are you say that Mr. Southerland is the "king"?
Where is this coming from?
Do you sit in front of your computer and just think of completely ridiculous things to say on a site that no one knows you you are?
Where are you getting all these attacks from?
As for the comment about "he takes care of his own" - Where do you get this from? What does it mean? I am so confused.
From what I can recall he was appointed to the School Board by the Governor of Florida. Then he ran for the position and won.
Thank you Mark for coming on a site like this and being the only one that I have seen actually use your real name.
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Apparently, you give Mark a lot more credit than he deserves - "rule over you since you are beneath him"...LOL...priceless. Ole Mark is just a furniture salesman who cares about our schools and happens to be married to a very smart wife. The only thing that gives him "power" are people like you.
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wow!!!
you seem like a mighty angry man. i never saw a place where mr timbeau said anything derogatory about your wife. he stated his beliefs about the office and how it was run. if you get this worked up over politics and what people say about your candidate, maybe you should've have had her refrain from running.
take care
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If you concur why did you post the message from "getoverit". I have not posted to this site in weeks, it was over, you allowed the post from "getoverit", the post wasn't in the congratulations topics so I don't know what you mean by that, but if anyone posts any comments directly to me as the "getoverit" comment was I will reply, whether it's posted or not will be up to you. But don't try to act like your hands are clean here.
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Well, I am by far not perfect, and sometimes you don't realize something, or see something, until someone points it out. Like some, I never have a problem admitting when I make a mistake and will correct it if I can, or apologize. If I insinuated, or acted like my hands are clean, then I misrepresented myself in comments or was not clear enough. I plainly stated I will not allow anymore comments, negative or not, regarding the election like I had done up to that point. I am the one that approves the posts, so there is no way I can "try to act like my hands are clean." I will say that if I allow any comments directed at you, then you can rest assured that I will allow your response. Fair is fair. Remember, I have stood beside you on inappropriate comments as well.
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Whats up with gas prices?
whats up with teen pregnancy?
Whats up with school dropout?
Whats up with the drug problem in our community has? Aren't these more important issues then rehashing an old election?
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I'll step up with my thoughts on the causes and problems and am ready for the criticism.
at the now Forest Capitol Hall. An actual place to go that everyone could afford. In difficult times, you have to give people something to get their minds off of how crappy things are. While jobs and food and gas and activities become increasingly difficult to acquire, drugs never are. The more the economy declines, the more obvious the line between the haves and have nots become. This mentality of as long as it is not me, it is not my problem will ultimately cause the decline of a society. Eventually it will make its way to your wonderful green pasture. The more a community makes people feel worthless and beneath them and makes fun of them because of a hardship, the worse it gets. Those people feel there is no way out and then it continues to spread until you have a rampant drug and crime problem. I have had very difficult times in my life and if it was not for family support, it scares me to think of where I would be right now. Probably in the streets doing drugs, feeling worthless and without my core family.
Gas Prices:
Bush's Doctrine and Deregulation (more later).
Teen Pregnancy and School Dropout:
Lack of parental involvement, weak disciplinary action, weak parenting, i.e.: allowing the children to be the parent, removing corporal punishment from schools, lack of school pride and competitiveness
Drug Problem:
Lack of community and family involvement and intervention, weak economy, to be simple nothing to do here-our Commission is busy bailing out a private corporation with surplus money, instead of giving it back to the community that paid in the surplus. Why not invest in our community? For example, when I was young, we had what we called the
More on deregulation; since our government has went full force with deregulation and allowed companies to do as they please, and run their businesses as they see fit, the middle and lower class has suffered. Suffered by poor customer service, for example, Progress Energy's customer service has went to s--t. No longer will they help those that need a few extra days to pay their bill, especially now that times are tough, if your bill is over a certain amount, or have been late a time or two. They can now ask for double your average monthly bill in deposits because you have been just a little late, simply by sending you a notice to let you know it will be on next month's bill. You must pay it or have service interrupted. Now what is the logic in that? A person is obviously having a difficult time and so they just make it more difficult by adding more money on the bill. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac was let loose long enough to run it in the ground, and now the same Republican government that you support has once again bailed out a company with the burden on our shoulders. Most of you say it is not the government’s job to take care of us, so what is the difference? Similar situation here with DMH, government has no problem bailing out companies, but yet the working class gets nothing but higher gas and food prices and unemployment. Those of you at Buckeye that are complaining about management getting big bonuses and you getting lousy contracts and bonuses, well keep supporting big business Republicans and nothing will change. I remember many times while working for big corporations, the Senior Management coming around and saying we must vote Republican because they are friends of big business. Making us feel like we were saving our jobs by voting that party. I completely understand why now. Windfall profits for an elite few and nothing for the ones making the money for them. Frankly, I am pissed off and fed up and am actively trying to make a change. I pray enough of the citizens will get to the same point and get loud before things get so bad we have to hit the streets in mass and protest and disrupt things like in other countries. As long as we continue to allow business as usual, that is exactly what it will be. I could go on.
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I'm with you on the teen pregnancy and dropout issues.
The drug problem, I think, cannot be fully explained by economics--if it could, then the era of the Great Depression should represent the highest usage of drugs in American history. We know that's not the case, though; clearly there are other cultural issues at work here. I agree that a lack of things to do are a factor, but not that it's the government's job to provide entertainment for citizens.
It probably won't surprise you to learn that I disagree on the deregulation issue. Overall, business in America is more regulated now than it has ever been in the history of our country. And while deregulation has its problems, regulation is no panacea, either.
I tend to have faith in the power of free markets, and believe that the best thing for our economy is for the government to generally back off and not get overly involved. Because of this, I'm not a big fan of the Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac bailout--although the move had an immediate positive effect on the economy in terms of the stock market's reaction.
The bailout of DMH is problematic, but I disagree with your assertion that "the working class" doesn't benefit from that. Indeed, a primary reason DMH is struggling is because so many people in Taylor County have no health insurance and no money to pay their bills--so in essence the county commissioners are subsidizing a service for the poor and downtrodden. And these are the folks who would have the hardest time getting to a hospital in Tallahassee if DMH should close down.
I never have bought into the class-envy argument that the Democratic party likes to pitch. I'm not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination; I live a modest middle-class lifestyle. But I don't begrudge those who are successful, because I recognize that most of them became that way through hard work and risk-taking.
For the most part, I had the same opportunities as them. I could've worked harder in high school to get better grades, studied more to get a higher SAT score, and gone to an Ivy League school--thus opening many professional and economic doors. I didn't do those things in my youth, though, and now am playing catch-up with my education as an adult. That's nobody's fault but my own. Neither is is it anyone's fault but my own that I've chosen to stay in Taylor County, where wages are mediocre at best, rather than moving somewhere else where someone with my skills could earn much more money. If I were going to be angry with anyone, it wouldn't be the government or the rich--it would be myself.
If I worked for a company that I felt was distributing too much of the wealth among the executives and too little among the rank-and-file, I'd quit. That's how a free market works. If enough of the rank-and-file quits, then the company will be forced to pay them more. But if they choose to stay on, they have no right to complain endlessly about the conditions. No one is forcing them to stay there.
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I disagree that the county is subsidizing a service for the poor since DMH has implemented a policy of pay before service in the ER unless it is a proven emergency. The county is subsidizing a poorly run hospital in a community that is not large enough, or economically able to support it. I bet if the feds came in like they did at Nature Coast, we would all probably be shocked at what they are hiding and probably angry at the lack of accountability.
You may not feel it is the government's job to provide entertainment and for the most part neither do I, but what would be the problem with giving some surplus back to the community. It is our money. By your stance, am I to assume you completely disagree with the Sports Complex, parks, etc. I mean really what would be the problem to provide idle hands something to do in a small community when you have the ability to do it. What do you think they should do with surplus, apparently whatever they want.
I completely disagree with you about business being more regulated than ever. Part of the DOJ's job is to ensure the concept of a free market society by regulating merger's and making sure that one company does not have a monopoly over an area of business so to keep prices and customer service fair to the citizens. Progress Energy for example has no competition in Florida. You pay what they want or do without, you have no choice. Another example, the merger of Sirius and XM radio makes it so they have no competition and then can do and charge what they want because they have no competition. Yes, they must keep prices the same for three years, but whoopty do. After three years, it is open season. It is not a free market when only a few business own and control everything. I am sure we will have to agree to disagree.
I too do not envy or hate those that have more than me or have better paying jobs than me; my hats off to them as there are many. I too live a very modest lifestyle and could have finished college or worked even harder or made better choices. What I do have a problem with is those that have and corporations that continue to take advantage of those that actually do most of the labor that allows them to carry home the big paycheck and huge bonuses and then have the nerve to deny them a decent share of the profit. Or big oil companies that have record profits, but allow greed to keep prices high at the pump and make it harder on the working class while they take home millions in bonuses. Without regulation, greed runs rampant, which is exactly what is going on. Because of high energy prices, our food costs have increased dramatically. I bought a bottle of cooking oil and it is $11.00 now. That is ridiculous, $11.00 for freakin' cooking oil. You can argue all day long that energy costs are our fault for being so dependent and using it so much or the supply and demand argument, but there is no excuse for those prices in comparison to the profits they are making. If they cared about the economy and the citizens of the United States, then they would sacrifice a little of that huge, record-breaking profit for the greater good. We would not need government regulation if corporations would act like and remember we are all Americans. Greed is what it is.
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Even with a policy of requiring pre-payment for non-emergencies, those of us with good jobs and decent health insurance are STILL subsidizing the poor at DMH. Those folks usually have no regular family doctor, and get no preventative care. They wait until an illness has gotten really bad, then show up at the ER requiring emergency treatment for something that often could've been handled inexpensively and easily if tackled earlier.
That's not to say that DMH has been managed correctly--there are clearly big leadership problems there. Until those are dealt with, the hospital will never thrive. But the reality is that a huge challenge faced by DMH is an inability to collect money that's owed to them. Just look at their aging accounts receivable--those numbers are always high.
As for government surplus... Well, I'm of the opinion that there shouldn't be any. There should be emergency funds set aside, of course, but no surprlus beyond that. If there is one, that means that we're being overtaxed. That's MY money and YOUR money--the government ought to give it back to us.
On regulation... Do you realize what you wrote? You said that free markets are the result of regulation. I don't even know how to argue against that; the faulty logic seems self-evident. Regulation and free markets are antithetical.
Yes, Sirius and XM can merge and charge whatever they want because they have no competition. But in a free market, consumers can choose not to purchase their services if they're overpriced. If enough consumers make this decision, then the company will be forced to lower prices. Alternately, anyone else is free to start up their own service to compete. Show me in the Constitution where the responsibility is placed on the Federal government to ensure that we have affordable satellite radio, and I'll concede the argument to you.
As for corporate greed... It's not illegal, nor should it be. I'm not sure I'd go so far as to agree with Gordon Gekko that "greed is good", but I do believe the government is overstepping its bounds in attempting to regulate greed. Again, I go back to the Constitution. Where does it give the government the authority to regulate greed? To try to force corporations to "care about the economy and the citizens of the United States"? To make companies consider "the greater good"?
These things may be considered by somt to fall under "promoting the general welfare", but to me they sound closer to communism and socialism than democracy and capitalism.
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I rarely hear a reference to the movie Wall Street anymore, and it is one of my favorites. I will say that I generally agree with you regarding DMH, and totally agree with you on government surplus, except for the fact that businesses and people also look at your community infrastructure when considering locating there. It may not be the government’s actually responsibility to provide entertainment, but I know that flourishing counties provide parks and other community projects. They do this because it works and it pretty much goes hand in hand with growth.
I am reaching way back to economics classes in high school and college so I may be a little off so bare with me. Your point on my analogy on regulation and free market is correct in that a true free market economy is without regulation of goods, services, monetary distribution, capital and taxes for that matter. So yes, you can not have a true free market society with government regulation. At the same time, there should be no government subsidized monopolies like the USPS. Wonder how much it would cost to mail a letter if there was no USPS; the same thing that happens today, big corporations buying up and controlling the supply and prices, with no competition. I can not believe you would use the Constitution with me asking me to show you where it says to provide affordable satellite radio. Come on, you are an intelligent person; you know I was speaking of competition. Without competition, the buyers have no bargaining power with the sellers regarding price and affordability. The more control a company has over a particular good or service, the more greed takes control and the more the consumers suffer. And when I say consumers, I mean the middle and lower working class that are not over extended credit wise and are working their butts off to provide for their families with basic necessities and education. In my opinion, your concept of if the price is too high, then don’t buy and the price will come down or the company will fold is rarely the case. Usually by the time a company has bought out all the smaller companies to control the supply and demand, the senior management has the big bonus carrot dangled in front of them to do what it takes to make the profit margin as large as possible. Doesn’t matter who suffers and it usually is not the wealthy, because they can continue to pay whatever the cost and the company continues to profit. All that happens is the line that distinguishes upper and middle and lower class changes. Hard working people get frustrated as the cost of living continues to rise as income decreases. To get off the soap box, it would be wonderful for companies to care enough to keep prices affordable for most and keep customer service a priority so that government would not have to babysit, but in reality when money gets involved, greed takes over. Greed is not illegal it is immoral and it is embarrassing as a society. The wealthy owners then control labor laws, prices, etc.
I must comment on your philosophy of if a company is being unfair in contract negotiations or in the distribution of a fair share of the profit in bonus. You state that they should just quit and then the company would come in line. A hardworking dedicated employee should not have to quit and cause undo stress and financial burden on their family because of the greed of the company they work for. No one can afford to do that and the companies know it. It continues to show how undeveloped we are as a country.
One last thing, you stated that all people have to do is work harder and get an education and you can have all you want. The American Dream is a wonderful concept, but in reality, it is impossible for everyone to be equal no matter what they do. So my point is why shouldn’t prices be affordable for everyone and a company still make a profit. So, to close, I think a true free market society will eventually fail because of immoral people and so I guess you can say I am in favor of a mixed economy.
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The thing you have to remember is that the same economic framework that allows for monopolies and greed also allows for things like Wal-Mart. Their advanced IT infrastructure and strong bargaining power with suppliers has resulted in significantly lower prices for consumers--something particularly appealing to the middle- and lower-income folks you mention.
And gas prices, for all we complain about them, are lower in America than in just about every other country except for places like Venezuela and the Middle East. Just head over to Europe if you want to see REALLY high gas prices.
On the issue of wage negotiations... That's an issue between employers and employees. If you think employees don't have power, just witness a company shut down by a strike or walk-out. It's all about supply and demand in a free market. If there are lots of people willing to work for low wages, employers will reap the benefits. If people refuse to work those jobs for those wages, then employees reap the benefits.
In the end, it boils down to skills and education. This has been proven time and again. The jobs that require the greatest skill and the most education generally demand the highest wages, and people with those qualifications call the shots. Jobs that can be done by anyone off the street with just a high school diploma (or less) earn lower wages, and people with those qualifications have minimal bargaining power.
This has no correlation to hard physical work, I should point out. There are plenty of low-wage jobs that are physically demanding, and plenty of high-wage jobs that aren't. The key is how much training it takes to do the job well. If it takes five or six years of college (e.g., a management position requiring a Master's degree) or years of training (e.g., a position on a pro football team), then the employee will earn higher wages and have a good negotiating position.
On the subject of corporate profits... I think too often people talk about them as though money paid to top executives is going into a black hole. Of course, it's not--unless the executive stuffs the money in a mattress, it ends up back in the economy.
For instance, the executive might build a really nice house with the money. This provides jobs for contractors, subcontractors, construction workers, architects, the owner of the land that was purchased for the house, landscapers, and of course property taxes.
Maybe he buys a yacht, and the money goes to jobs for a crew, the marina where he docks, and the local fuel supplier.
Maybe he buys a nice car, providing money to a local dealership and to the mechanics who work on the car.
Maybe he buys nice clothes, providing money to the store that sells them and, by extension, the employees who work in that store.
Maybe he invests a chunk of that money. In that case, the money goes to the investment company, and it earns a profit on that money--in turn paying the salaries of the employees there.
I could go on...
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How much indigent grants are used to build hospital and how much funding does DMH receive? 20,0000 citizens? How many with insurance? Did the county pay 60,000 for drapes in the new DMH? Our people are sick, some terminally ill, but who cares? So bury you head in the sand,which only serves to expose you hiney, then whine when you are kicked in the ass. Now let me see.. whose fault is that?
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Also, I did not give economics the full credit for the drug problem. I mostly blamed lack of family and community intervention.
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To Blog Moderator: Excellent response. Its the same thing everyday, no one wants to be accountable for their actions or their behavior. There are girls in elementary school and middle school who are pregnant or recently had babies. They themselves are only babies. Young girls and boys think they are grown, but they are making choices they will carry for the rest of their lives. 12 year old girls having babies is outrageous. Where are the parents? Who is supervising them? Our society has become complacent to the poor choices of young people. Parents need to parent, stop worrying about HRS or whatever it is called now, and go back to good old spankings. Not everyone who got spankings turned out all bad, but parents are afraid to parent. They want to be their kids friends. They will have enough friends throughout their lifetime. Take back your home and your family? Start setting the example you want your children to follow. I see too many grandparents and great-grandparents raising young children. What is wrong with that picture? Mom or dad in prison, jail, on drugs, or just plain sorry? I have no problems with those who have--they worked hard for what they have. The problem is the have nots who want to blame everyone else for their situation except themselves. Everyone has a sad story, get over it, get off your behinds, get a better education, teach your children that they can have more than you have, and teach them responsibility and respect. Those two values are truly lacking in a lot of our young people today.
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The use of the constitution is quite appropriate. Article 1 section 8 of the US Constitution is the "provide for the general welfare" clause.
This clause was used to confirm the social security act and other important spending for citizens.
It has been somewhat suppressed by the present administration but does specifically give congress the authority to spend for poor folks and other public uses.
96 percent of large corporations (Shell, Mobile, BP Oil for example)do not, DO NOT pay any income tax and foreign owned corporations pay a maximum of only 3 percent.
Greed is against the law, it is called price gouging.
If we took all the farm and corporate welfare the government hands out, make them stand on their on - then a true free-market system would exist.
Corporate welfare started when Chrysler was going under and the government bailed them out. Big banks, finance companies by the billions - Freddie Mac,
Fannie Mae - the list is endless.
Poor people that try and can't afford health insurance should not be condemned to death when this unholy duo of business and government conspire to keep the population subservient to debt and other burdens.
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Today's notion of what it means to "provide for the general welfare" is so far removed from the founding fathers' ideas that it's ludicrous. They clearly did nto envision a welfare state, but I'm afraid that's the direction we're moving in.
I'm not educated enough on corporate tax structure to make much comment there, but my understanding is that there's an alternative minimum tax rate of 20% on corporations' income--so theoretically that should be the lowest rate they pay. Where did you get the figure that 96% of large US corporations pay no income tax at all?
Greed is not against the law--you're absolutely mistaken there. Price gouging is, but there's a very narrow definition of what that is. Generally speaking, it's unreasonable price increases during a civil emergency (like gas shooting up $2 per gallon in advance of a hurricane).
But let's say that greed COULD be outlawed. Who decides what, specifically, constitutes greed? Are you advocating the setting of a maximum profit margin on goods and services? If so, what margin would that be?
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Thanks for the comments. The figures I use are from the IRS web site.
We really don't know what the founding fathers were thinking other than to construct a flexible and fair document.
Taxes are higher in Europe because the government provides a more comprehensive set of services to its citizens. EU government regulates business as well because being the old world they understand more fully the need to not let the average worker and taxpayer go belly up.
The US basically saves no money because of debt. The average US consumer drives 60 percent of our economy.
If you get enough of the US consumers into a position to not buy goods and services then the global economy will start to grind to a halt.
My point I guess, is that the US economic system over a long time (not just Bush) has been subverted because of a need for more regulation of certain financial and corporate practices.
Those of us that have lived in a world where the US was number one in just about everything cannot conceive of the US as a second place country.
Large US corporations have exported thousands of jobs,we buy cheap goods from China who holds most of our treasury debt. The Arab oil embargo 30 years was a wake up call but we didn't do anything to wean our addiction to oil.
We've had plenty of warning and now with the oil addiction continuing, the 2 wars we have, the failing financial institutions going down daily, jobs loss, no savings by the average US citizen and numerous other factors have created the perfect storm for America. Greenspan calls it the storm of the century.
There are many folks around that remember the depression of the 1920's and 30's, it was not pretty and was very destructive to the average US citizen.
Greed could be outlawed. It would be a cost plus arrangement. Some folks other than government and corporations would be included in decision makeup.
Something has got to be tried we cannot continue on the path we're on now. It is broken and is starting to come apart.
There is a minimum tax for corporations but under the current flexible accounting practices can be manipulated downward. I'm certainly not a tax expert by any means but the data is available if searched.
The government recognized the concept of greed when the IRS instituted the AMT.
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I've got no money - if some of you have money, you might want to consider looking at your 401k and IRA mix and move to bonds (US Treasury). AIG will go down soon, followed by Goldman Sachs. John McCain starting using the G (greed) word to describe Wall Street Yesterday (Sept. 15).
Global markets are contracting, the bottom has not been reached.
Wall street and others are saying that the fundementals of our system has been subverted and are calling for more regulation. One good thing I believe, is that the US Federal Reserve is out of the bail-out business now.
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Where does the IRS's website say that 96% of large corporations don't pay any income tax? I couldn't find it, but it's a pretty big website.
I don't care to live in a country that's regulated and taxed the way EU nations are. If we had the productivity France, for example, we'd never get anything done. And the British economy makes ours look like a boom-time.
I agree with your sentiments about keeping the U.S. a world leader. I would argue, though, that we've accomplished this over the years largely through a lack of government interference--at least relative to many other countries. "Innovation" and "bureaucracy" are two words that you rarely hear used together. I see no evidence to support the theory that an increase in rules and regulations is the key to causing America to thrive.
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Kudos to the Blog Moderator, Taylor County Citizen, Deep Thought and lookingfortruth for the well-thought out and polite banter above. It is enjoyable and thought-provoking reading.
TC Citizen, you especially have made me think twice on a few points I thought I had my mind made up on.
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Thanks, that is what this is supposed to be about...friendly, polite debate and discussion. TaylorCountyCitizen is a very knowledgeable and insightful participant and he has made me think twice several times.
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ok i need some help figuring something out. i was just at school and during lunch abbey tharpe was there registering people to vote. isn't she the lady that ran for supervisor of elections and lost?? i remember last year nhs had a voter registration drive with people from the supervisor of elections office & they had posters up all week and wctv was there and they registered like 100 people. why is this lady sittin there at a table trying to sign people up to vote? we can't even vote for her because her race is over. anybody know whats goin on??
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It is called public service. You do not have to be an elected official to provide community service. Back in the pre-FCAT days there was a class called Civics.
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I hope the voters of Taylor County remember that Don Curtis tried to sell us out to the Alford guy that is sitting in prison for his land scheme. He bought Don as soon as he hit town and boy did they do a horse and pony show to sell their "snake oil" bombing range. I was amazed that some good people was fooled by this charade. Just think what he may do to us in this county when he gets behind closed doors with the other Alfords out there selling "snake oil" in return for favors. You bet we'll be sold out to the highest bidder. Its time to remind all our family members and any contacts we have in our district and share with them what Curtis tried to do here. I'm sure he'd like us to forget all about it but its too important for our future to forget what could have happened. But it didn't because we stood up and fought against him and his bombing range then. Now it is time to fight again to keep this type of thing from happening again with Curtis leading the charge. Vote NO against Curtis in Nov. to keep our county a great place to live and work. And spread the word!
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His people were in the way last night at the Football game, blocking the entrance into the field. I had to ask them to let me by so I could get my ticket, when what I really wanted to say was Go away, you're not welcome here, go bomb someone else.
By the way, Go Dawgs. You guys are looking good. Keep it up.
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Curtis and cronys then held court at Momma's Itailian Restaurant. Most everyone I know is talking about DOn the charlatan as well. Let's hope he does not win, by the look of his campaign donations he is in the pocket of a lot of folks, industry and plain old lobbyist looking to buy influence. To speak in the terms of his commercial; The only difference between Don and a bucket of manure is the bucket!
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uh oh. hope our local elected officials don't learn about this:
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
Supreme Court 'COP's out By Kenric Ward
Monday, September 29, 2008
Taxpayers, already on the hook for Washington's corporate bailouts, took another hit in Tallahassee this month. Reversing its previous position, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that local governments can take on billions of dollars in new debt without voter approval."This decision ends of the right of property taxpayers to vote on the issuance of bonds to finance such capital projects as stadiums, bullet trains, convention centers and other multimillion-dollar projects," says David Biddulph, a tax watchdog in New Smyrna Beach.If ever there was a case of legislating from the bench, this is it. Florida's Constitution clearly states that bonds, indebtedness and any form of tax anticipation certificates payable from ad valorem taxation and maturing more in than 12 months can only be issued "when approved by a vote of the electors" (Article VII, Section 12).The high court held that line a year ago, when it rejected Escambia County's attempt to pledge 35 years of property-tax revenues to fund a road project. But the justices were wobbly even then because they exempted school districts, permitting them to continue to circumvent voters by funding capital expenditures through "certificates of participation" (COPs).Since then, the city of Miami has proposed funding part of its $3 billion "MegaPlan," including a new stadium for the baseball Marlins, via ad valorem revenues. With that, the court decided it was a whole new ballgame."Tax-increment financing is inextricably woven into the financial fabric of the state," the court majority declared in its revised decision. In other words: Anything goes.These TIFs and COPs sound eerily like SIVs (structured investment vehicles), CDOs (collateralized debt obligations) and other junky derivatives that have tumbled on Wall Street. Indeed, they're essentially the same because they are packaged debt, sold and resold on the market. And in today's market, risks are unprecedented and omnipresent.When Florida's elected officials want to saddle taxpayers with more debt, taxpayers have at least been given the opportunity to say yea or nay. But four Supreme Court justices stunningly reinterpreted the Constitution and stripped the public of its legal rights and protections.This reverse decision frees city councils and county commissions to do what they do best — keep kicking the fiscal can down the road. If bonds go sour and debt projections necessitate higher taxes in future years, so be it. Chances are, the public servants who made the poor decisions will be long gone, leaving taxpayers holding a bag they never agreed to buy.So, in addition to greedy, unprincipled private financiers on Wall Street (and their federal enablers), keep an eye on your public representatives here at home. The Supreme Court just gave them carte blanche.
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Wow!
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FOOTNOTE: Florida voters will have an opportunity to vote to retain or remove Justice Charles Wells, who wrote the Sept. 18 Strand-v.-Escambia opinion giving governments more power. Wells is up for a retention vote in the Nov. 4 election. Justice Fred Lewis wrote a scathing dissent. All opinions are viewable at floridasupremecourt.org.
ken.ward@scripps.com
Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers
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here's some news that I haven't seen in the North FL newspapers about Allen Boyd's son. Guess you can't hold Dad accountable for what his grown son does, but it does make one ask "Does the apple fall far from the tree?"
A little research reveals that Boyd's opponent in the Congressional race, Mark Mulligan, has political stands very similar to Boyd's. So that leaves us a choice between the two, but not much of a real choice....what a shame.
Why haven't we seen this in the newspapers up here?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-0917-allen-boyd,0,7118401.story
Florida congressman's son arrested for human trafficking
The Associated Press
8:00 AM EDT, September 17, 2008
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The son of U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd is facing alien smuggling charges in Arizona.
The Democratic congressman, who is seeking a seventh term this November, said Tuesday that his 30-year-old son, John Boyd, was arrested Sunday on the human trafficking charges.
In a statement from his office, Congressman Boyd said his son is a grown man and must face the consequences for his actions but has the support of the family.
Boyd is being challenged by Panama City Republican Mark Mulligan in the Nov. 4 general election.
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I'm curious with the mood being for change this election year why in our race for sheriff there is so little excitement surrounding it. Chambers appears to have good background in law enforcement. Bummy has done a decent job while in office but has negative issues during this time as well as some against Tony that have been told on here. I have seen all the comments on Chambers lack of arrest while he was on the force. Has any one thought to check to see what Bummy had done prior to his election as far as major drug bust or the like? I must admit that I have ALWAYS voted for Bummy but in fairness to the task of putting it all out on the table it seems like we might just see what the change in Sheriff might be if the voters do decide to make the CHANGE that is sweeping the country. I may be 99% sure I'll vote for Bummy but I'd sure like to know what I missed if I don't vote for Tony. I had my finger on the tab to pull for Jimmy Carter years ago and at the last moment changed and voted for then President Ford. I really liked Jimmy Carter but I really felt Ford was a better choice. On the day I vote I hope I can vote for who I really feel can do the best job and not who I feel is a safe bet. If Tony really wants my vote on election day I hope this post will get him to tell me "What will I and Taylor County miss out on if we do not vote you in office?". Thanks for your answer........
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news from our neighbors to the south:
Two Levy commissioners, two others indicted
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20081105/NEWS/811050921
By Lise Fisher
Staff writer
Published: Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 5:44 p.m.
Four government officials, two from Cross City and two from Levy County, have been indicted in what appears to be a widening investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption in some area North Florida counties and municipalities.Indictments were unsealed naming Cross City officials Marcellus Dawson and Johnny Miller Green and Levy County commissioners William Samuel Yearty and Robert Anthony Parker, according to two federal indictments.The four are accused of conspiring and soliciting bribes in connection with their positions in government, offering their approval for developments in exchange for money or other incentives.Allegations of making false statements during the investigation also were made against Dawson, Green and Yearty, the indictments stated.The Governor’s Office issued orders suspending the four from office Wednesday afternoon.The order prevents the men from making any decisions on behalf of the residents of Levy County and Cross City , said Governor’s Office spokesman Sterling Ivey.Yearty and Parker are Levy County commissioners who were both re-elected this year. Yearty retained a County Commission seat in August while Parker was re-elected Tuesday. Dawson is a Cross City councilman and Green is Cross City ’s superintendent and a member of the city's water board.Dawson, Green and Yearty appeared in federal court in Gainesville Wednesday after they surrendered on pending warrants. Parker was scheduled to appear in court Thursday.U.S. Magistrate Judge Allan Kornblum unsealed indictments against the three, who were released on their own recognizance and will be represented by separate attorneys, said U.S. Federal Public Defender Thomas Miller. The two indictments, one listing Dawson and Green, and the other Yearty and Parker, list dates when the men allegedly accepted money last year.In November 2007, Dawson and Green met at the Bonefish Grill where each accepted several hundred dollars, one indictment stated.Yearty and Parker had dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Gainesville to discuss a New York City trip and accepted $10,000 before traveling to the city in early December 2007, according to the other indictment.The court records do not detail what developments were linked to the allegations against the four.The men apparently are part of a broadening investigation into government corruption in the North Florida area that first became public last month when three former Dixie County officials were arrested by FBI agents at the courthouse in Cross City .Former Dixie County commissioners John Lee “Big John” Driggers and Alton James Land as well as the county’s former building and zoning inspector, Willie Dewey “Billy” Keen Jr., were in federal court before Kornblum in October.
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More to come and a few more to be arrested. Likely none of our lack-luster elected officials!
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sounds so typical!:
http://cedarkeynews.com/All/4024.html
Letter: Former Resident Reacts to Commission Indictments
Letters to the Editor
Editor:
I was a resident of Cedar Key for almost twenty years and, at one point, very involved in civic issues. I am not a fan of the FBI, but I hope that the indictments of Yearty, Parker and others will send a wake-up call to those in power who have ridden rough-shod over most people for many years. I remember so many times at Levy County Commission Meetings the disgust I felt when, after an issue was discussed publicly, the Commissioners "retired" and then came out a few minutes later to vote. Did anyone think that they didn`t discuss the issue privately and how they would vote? The few people who tried to stop this practice got nowhere.
For friends and family of Sammy Yearty, I am sorry that this had to happen but if he is found guilty, I can only say that he brought it on himself. You can blame a lot of people, if you need to, but that is the truth.
I remember vividly when, during a Cedar Key City Commission meeting some years ago, one of the Commissioners said, "I didn`t break the Sunshine Law but Mr. __ (another commissioner) and I talked about this before the meeting ..."
Check the tape. It really happened.
Regards,
Harriet Smith
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Go to the web-site for the TImes and Howard Troxler's column, that prompted this man to write to the Editor.
If you are a Progress Energy user it may/will affect your bill. Did you know it?
St. Petersburg Times
Letters to the Editor
Ready to protest
I read with much interest Howard Troxler's column Sunday. Like thousands of Progress Energy's customers I'm mad as hell that my electric rates will go up to help pay for a nuclear power plant in Levy County. And I'm mad as hell that the Florida Public Service Commission had no choice but to grant the rate increases. And I'm mad as hell that the Florida Legislature passed such industry-friendly, consumer-unfriendly legislation.
I don't read every one of Troxler's columns because they often pertain to situations that don't have much effect on us up here in Citrus County. But I'm going to pay more attention in the future. And I'm going to write the governor and my representatives in the Legislature and let them know how mad I am! And I suggest that all of Progress Energy's customers do the same.
Alan J. Peterson, Homosassa
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article913784.ece
This stuff really does matter, after all
By Howard Troxler, Times columnist
In print: Sunday, November 23, 2008
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Let's talk about it again, now that P&G/Buckeye is in the corprate welfare line using our tax dollars for consideration for, exemption of, funding from state. Why would a company with all that rich earnings and so good to supply jobs need monies out of the poor box.
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It is free money. I say do not give them a dime unless they are creating new jobs for the unemployed in Taylor County. There seems to be a lot of hullabaloo surrounding the award of tax-payer funds, the Lt. Governor only came to town because he is running for a statewide office, Enterprise Florida is a joke. I am surprised that all of the TCDA potentates and charlatans did not appear in the picture and were not quoted on WCTV and the local outhouse wipe. I recall a time that Buckeye, according to a minion out of Memphis formerly from Perry, was to good "to take a government handout" during the Jeb Bush era. Ah the polution of our resources continue (trailer county mindset, our land, our water and our children's future.).
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John B. Crowe has been Chief Executive Officer of Buckeye Technologies Inc., since July 1, 2006. Mr. Crowe served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Buckeye Technologies Inc., from April 1, 2003 to April, 2006. Mr. Crowe served as the Senior Vice President of Wood Cellulose of Buckeye Technologies Inc., from January 2001 to March 26, 2003. He served as Vice President of Wood Cellulose Manufacturing of Buckeye Technologies Inc. from December 1997 to January 2001. He served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Alabama River Pulp Co. Inc., and Alabama Pine Pulp Operations, a division of Parsons and Whittemore, Inc., and as Vice President and Site Manager of Flint River Operations, a subsidiary of Weyerhauser Company. Following military service as an Officer and Pilot in the United State Air Force, Mr. Crowe began his career in manufacturing at Procter & Gamble and held numerous positions from 1979 to 1992. He has been Chairman of the Board of Buckeye Technologies Inc. since July 1, 2006. He has been Director of Myers Industries Inc. since April 30, 2009. Mr. Crowe serves on the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Mid-South and on the Board of Governors of the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. He has been Director of Buckeye Technologies Inc. since August 2004. He is a Graduate of Florida State University with a Master Degree in Mathematics
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=1467579&ric=BKI
.
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Sound so delicious
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