Smiling JOe

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

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

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scooterbug44

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

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

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

wrobert

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

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wrobert

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

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Smiling JOe

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

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MommaMia

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

DuneLaker

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

Andy A.

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

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Congress only does two things well...Nothing at all and overreacting.

wrobert

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



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


And if you do some review of the opinions of the Ethics Commission. This case seems a bit similar, http://www.ethics.state.fl.us/Opinio...O%2009-002.htm, and I read it to say no conflict would exist in Scott's situation.

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idlewind

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

Alan Osborne

Well if those named, did what I quoted in the above statute in this thread. They should be offended, either by their actions or the advice somebody gave them on the actions they were dealing with.

I'll move forward towards getting a fair, complete and open hearing on the Driftwood issues that have come to light. Testimony that was given to the BCC, the County and State courts, that put our homeowners in this situation has been "tainted" IMHO. We are going to be allowed to present this information or we'll have to see why ethically we can't seem to get a open discussion on this out in the "Sunshine" .
I think June will be five years the Driftwood owners have been dealing with this. We are still in the same place as far as "compliance" from a MAJOR development order, We have SUBSTANTIALLY deviated it and nobody wants to admit it. The system is "BROKE" and I'm sick of it.

seagrovegirl

Alan....keep up with your mission! Myself and others became so frustrated with the county system that we gave up and caved in....which I regret, but it is so hard to live day to day being consumed by anger, dismay and frustration because of the unfairness. I applaud you and your tenacity...please don't give up!

Lynnie

It's not the first time a Co. Commissioner for Walton Co. has been caught in real estate transactions. I had a near miss with one a few years ago......poor guy literally went under.

Nothing wrong with having real estate dealings, but when a Commissioner uses (or, it appears) his/her position on the Board to benefit their real estate development dealings, that's unethical.

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

joho

Tim Pauls combined 3 interior residential lots with a commercial building on 30A,
sold it as a developement for lots of $$$$$$ and the dump remains an abandoned eyesore to this day.............

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Respect the Beach.

idlewind

Could you define "fair, complete and open" hearing? After five years of talking to the BCC, I would think complete and open have been achieved. As to fair, that probably is in the eye of the beholder.

I don't have a direct interest either way, but throwing names around with no proof tends to chill participation in the political process, and I have a problem with that. This should have went to the State Ethic Board prior to being discussed in a BCC meeting. They have no jurisdiction anyway. The whole exercise smells of grandstanding.

It seems to me that Okaloosa people knew of wrongdoing and did nothing ( see today's NWFDN where one developer said " we all knew something was going on") and in Walton County people are throwing officials under the bus on a whim. Can't we achieve some balance here?

Smiling JOe

How the heck do you come to that conclusion? It doesn't work 100%, though in some cases where the violation is theft, it would apply. I get your point, but I think you are using the word "crook," too loosely.

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Alan Osborne

I won't belabor the point and turn this into a personal debate between you and I. I know how you feel and you know how I feel. I respect your right to disagree with me.

The Conditions

But give me this. The residents and myself all know that we have a serious problem in Driftwood, we live it every day. We are part of a HIGH Density neighborhood that doesn't conform to county standards, the County uses a State level comp plan (DRI) as the excuse. We are bound to covenents and restrictions put in place as a part of Sandestin, They were written by Sandestin, our roads are bonded at the request of Sandestin by the county. A MSBU we paid for! The residents pay dues for Capital Contributions to maintain common area's. Yet they don't have the right to set foot on them according to Sandestin, and the County seems to think we don't have a right to full compliance with a development order. How do I acheive balance in that?

Solution

I left this part simple, You don't like my Solution, so given the above conditions please fill in the answer under the solution block to the above problem.

Here's my answer

A. Make both Sandestin and the Developers follow the the rules they both wrote and they agreed to with the State and the County. The fullest possible compliance.

I'll await your answer and the people of sowal can put thank you's under the answer they most agree with. Fair enough?

30ashopper

That's the first time I've heard that Alan. What are your quarterly contributions per homeowner?

Lynnie

Yeah, this was an instance in my 'being a day late' was the Universe totally looking out for me! Then, his dealings really started unfolding - is he still around in Walton Co., BTW?

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

SWGB

Yes, he built Topsail Village over on the West end of 30A. It's a dump that will most likely never be completed. His wife runs it like her very own personal kingdom. Once the owners who got royally screwed buying those dumps get wise she'll probably be getting a visit from the DBPR.

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scooterbug44

Please note that Alan has said both on Sowal and in the Sun, that he IS pursuing this further through the proper channels and that his beef is not with Brannon, but with the way things are being done on the grand scale.

Major kudos to Alan for taking the time, effort, and heat for sticking up for all of us. A lot of things slide because we aren't willing to put in this kind of time and effort. All he's asking is that the county does what they promised to do in writing. Pretty low standard IMO.

P.S. If anyone is keeping track this would be the 3rd official ethics violation for Brannon. He copped a plea to the first 2.

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

wrobert

Both of those were pleas?

I think the question that keeps being asked is why the publicity and not just the pursuit in official channels, unless someone was trying to play gotcha.

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passin' thru

The passion & the details & the perseverence with which Mr Osborne has been pushing this issue hardly qualify this as a "whim." Please.

Lynnie

Yep, that's it. He did more than that as well. It could have been an abuse of power and not sure if he ever went before an ethics hearing. I simply looked at it as karma........his thing definitely came full circle on him. I never had to say a word, which is how I prefer my life to unfold.

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

idlewind

I agree that you and yours seems to be getting the royal ***** job from SanDestin. I think the courts should be the proper venue to force them to keep their word. Most people without an interest in this issue would be on your side.
But, you lose me with this grandstand play on Mr. Brannon. While you probably achieved your goal ( publicity for your cause) many people without an interest in this issue think such tactics are unfair. I am one of them. Thus, while you may gain in the short-term, I believe you damage your cause in the long-term.
As to a "thank you" vote, I really don't care. My sense of right/wrong does not change at the whim of the crowd.
Best of luck to you.

Alan Osborne

I think we paid about 14K per lot for the MSBU and about 250 per quarter for the HOA.

totally

The lots had covenants and restrictions that allowed for commercial and the development order expired after the new owners didn't proceed with the project. Check your facts first!

Lynnie

No worries. I checked all of my facts while I was dealing with him. And, this about the commercial covenants and restrictions has nothing to do with my experience with him as a developer. At the time he was also Co. Commissioner. He lost the following election, however. There was also an issue with him and the school adjacent to his development. KARMA!

Have a pleasant evening!

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Who is Lynnie?? ~~~~~~~Signed, All Y'all

SWGB

Why are you defending a politician who did something illegal or unethical? At this point in my life politicians found guilty of corruption or unethical dealings should be tarred and feathered.

Not in the BCC chambers as that's pretty messy, maybe out in the grass of the roundabout.

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Andy A.

I normally agree with most of your positions but for the life of me, I cannot understand how you can call Alan's position on Commissioner Brannon "grandstanding". He has accurately quoted the state statute regarding when you should recuse yourself from a Commission vote. To me, it is very clear, but then maybe I don't interpret the English language correctly. I don't think Alan has hurt his cause at all, is a credit to the county and is more up to speed on this issue that ANYONE in the county. As to the "whim of the crowd" I certainly am not affected by such. However, I do understand "facts" when they are presented to me when, indeed, they are "facts". As I see it, Alan has presented "facts" as what he has presented all come from official and filed sources. Some people need to start realizing just how dedicated and correct this man is. We certainly need more of his kind in Walton County.

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Congress only does two things well...Nothing at all and overreacting.

goodwitch58

I totally agree, Andy.

And, I would much rather have Alan a bit aggressive in his approach (not that I think he was), but if he was, that would be preferable to me than letting the possibility of the conflict of interest continue to be ignored, or pushed under the table, out of the sunshine.

IMO more people in this county need to get as involved as Alan is!

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"If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them."
George Orwell

idlewind

What jury/board/commission has found Mr. Brannon guilty of anything? Seems "innocent until proven guilty" has been ignored or forgotten.

Such a "charred earth' outlook as yours is exactly why more and more good potential candidates do not choose to run for office. Why risk their reputations when people are ready to tar and feather them at the slightest hint that they may have violated a rule or code.

idlewind

My definition of "grandstanding" is to bring charges in a meeting before a board with zero jurisdiction over the alleged behavior. The proper venue for this issue is the state ethics commission. I also am uncomfortable with accusing someone of wrongdoing via "ambush." I also don't see the connection between Mr.Brannon's votes and the alleged conflict. Seems if he wanted to help is friend/partner's lots increase in value, he would vote to SUPPORT the homeowners.

I normally agree with you Andy, but on this one I guess we must agree to disagree agreeably.

scooterbug44

Yes, it is true that Brannon has not yet been found guilty...............I apologize for jumping to conclusions based solely on his past behavior, past ethical problems, my knowledge of his character, and the evidence presented.

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"I hate to break it to you, but this year (and probably the next few) was going to suck even if Jesus himself was president. These problems were not created overnight and they aren't going away overnight." -Jdarg

SWGB

It's funny how someones past actions could possibly cloud allegations in the future.

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Andy A.

I guess so. Since the 70 lots in question, if I understand correctly, cannot legally be used to build on because they are in the area designated as "storm water drainage", I can readily understand Alan's position as do most of us who have followed this issue for any length of time.

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Congress only does two things well...Nothing at all and overreacting.

30ashopper

You personally write a check to the soa every quarter for $250.00 but you don't have access to the common areas? How can the soa enforce that upon you? I would just stop paying.

Interested Girl

When will the public apology to Mr Brannon occur ?

i hear at the next BCC mtg. Gotta see this.

Alan Osborne

[quote=Interested Girl;558327]When will the public apology to Mr Brannon occur ?

i hear at the next BCC mtg. Gotta see this.[



/quote



AAHHHH! Intrested Girl, I missed you. Shades of election season, I see my test of the Gossip chain is complete.

Come on up in front of the BCC and state your case. Better read this before you come. Note, it's just two days after I appeared before the BCC.

"Luuucccy, ju've got some splaaaaning to do."

Let's see them answer all these letters from the state.

Attached Files

	sowal LTR.pdf (27.0 KB, 48 views)
	SOWAL ltr 2.PDF (67.8 KB, 43 views)

wrobert

Could you turn up the dpi setting on your scanner? Those pdf files were awful, if they are yours. If not, then someone at the county needs some training.

For what it is worth, I was told about your plan to apologize by a County Commissioner. I told them I thought that strange because I had heard you had a whole lot more to say. Also told you and Brannon had met and worked out your differences. Yes the rumor mill is a fascinating thing in Walton County.

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Surf4play

Driftwood Estates owners don't pay SOA (Sandestin Owners Association) dues; Alan and the other Driftwood Estates owners pay quarterly dues to their own homeowners association (Driftwood Estates HOA). These are two separate entities.

Hence they don't have usage rights to the common areas maintained by the Sandestin Owners Association.....and funded by Sandestin owners that pay SOA dues. Seems fair to me.

Smiling JOe

If you read the second attachment in Alan's above post, you will see why Driftwood owners believe that the do have specific rights of usage for certain Sandestin amenities. It is noted in the first page of that pdf.

Alan, perhaps you could also provide us with, "Attachment 2," noted in the first pdf. I'm curious to read it.

More interesting to me is the second attachment in Alan's previous post, which on the last page explains some history and connections of people employed by the County, also working for the defendant. I've heard about some of the connections before, but Holy Cow! -- those are very interesting, especially if they are proven to be true.

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Surf4play

It also states that the Driftwood owners themselves did not approve in sufficient numbers of joining the association that pays for and maintains the 4 rights of usage that are listed in the letter.

Thus, "the residents are not entitled to participate in the amenities within Sandestin becasue they (Driftwood residents) did not desire to pay the amenity fee as required."

idlewind

sounds like a good case of jumping the gun.

citeright

Speaking of election rumors, is it true that Pat Blackshear has stated that she was considering running for district five in three years?

Seems that Alan will have to contend with her in the future, no matter the outcome of Driftwood

Smiling JOe

In the part which notes the 4 rights of usage, it is prefaced by stating that membership is not required to have those rights. Maybe I read it too fast, but that is how I understand it. Sounds like you see it differently. Did you read that part, too, or, did I completely make that up in my mind?

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wrobert

That would make little sense if you compare the salaries of the two positions.

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Surf4play

There are around 50 seperate "neighborhoods" within the Sandestin Resort (Village of Baytowne Wharf, Burnt Pine, Crystal Lake, etc.). Residents of each of these neighborhoods pay dues into both their neighborhood association and the Sandestin Owners Association (SOA). The neighborhood association provides services specific to that neighborhood (grass cutting, etc). SOA provides the 4 services listed in the letter (road maintenance, 2 pools, etc) and other common services such as security. This info is listed on the SOA homepage at www.sandestinowners.com (for reference).

If you read the letter from the Driftwood HOA, it states that Driftwood residents believe that they have a right of access to these common services. But by granting access, this effectively means that you have the right to use these services. However, on page 2 its stated that Driftwood residents themselves voted down joining the association that pays for and maintains these services.

In other words, unlike the other 50 neighborhoods within the Sandestin Resort (all of which are paying members of the SOA), Driftwood residents feel that they should have access and usage rights without having to pay ongoing maintenance fees.

What a deal.... I can't understand why the Sandestin Resort or the SOA is fighting this.

By the way, the letter from the Driftwood HOA is inexact and somewhat misleading because sometimes when it refers to "Sandestin" it means the Sandestin DRI (Development of Regional Impact) and sometimes it means the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. These are two totally separate and different legal entities.

citeright

If you wish to make a point or keep the bodies buried, it would make prefect sense

but there have been alot of rumors walton copunty will never run out of stories or story tellers

Alan Osborne

Here ya go smiling joe,
this is one of the closing documents in our paperwork that has been submitttted to the DCA. We also have lots of title work that says we are a part of the Sandestin PUD and a letter from the state that says we have always been a part of Sandestin and the current Master Plan on file still says that. I'm sure they know they have the power by decleration to take the dues over for Driftwood since it has no common property left. They will never have the votes to take over our rights per the DRI. We're vested and have title insurance. There is active ethics complaints despite the rumors.Driftwood closing documents_1024x768.jpg

There is a lot of questions I have to ask but as you've probably heard, at the last commission meeting I was told I am not allowed to speak in public anymore about Driftwood by unamious vote of the Walton County BCC.

This issue is far from over. I'm sure this will still be going on when the next election season rolls around. I'll have the opportunity of asking Kenneth and Sara the questions I wanted to ask now in the open forums. SJ, you and kurt can move this to a new thread as this is way off the title and I want the people to read the paperwork and the FACTS on Driftwood estates and the Sandestin DRI.


It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor? Sung By Fred Rogers