County Commissioner Cindy Meadows Endorses Alan Osborne for County Commissioner

**Smiling JOe** · 06-14-2008, 05:11 PM

From the Walton Sun:

Commissioner makes endorsement for election

By Sean Boone

Walton County Commissioner Cindy Meadows, who decided last month not to seek reelection this November, has endorsed a candidate for her District 5 seat.
Earlier this week, Meadows told The Sun she would be supporting Republican candidate Alan Osborne, stating she felt he “would handle the job very well.”
“I always think people run because they are mad about something,” she said. “I think he has the right motive, passion and incredible attention to detail.”
Osborne is a retired Army major and is the president of the Greater Driftwood Homeowner’s Association. He has been a resident of Walton County since 1995.
For the past several years, Osborne has led a fight to get the county to fix drainage problems in his Driftwood neighborhood.
He has stated he is running on the basis of county accountability.
“We have been so overcome for grants that we didn’t slow down to dot the I’s and cross the T’s,” he said.
Osborne is currently one of six Republican candidates running for District 5 Commissioner. Also running are: Bob Hudson, Charlie Burke, Cecilia Jones, George Wallace Smith and Sidney Braunstien.
Meadows said she is not seeking reelection because she wants to focus on other things in the community.

**graytonbeachguy** · 06-14-2008, 07:40 PM

Let me get this straight....a guy sues the county to fix flooding problems the developer didn't do correctly. Then he wants to run for a seat on the commission which will then vote for a multi-million dollar settlement. Why should my tax dollars be used to correct this problem?

**wrobert** · 06-14-2008, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by graytonbeachguy

Let me get this straight....a guy sues the county to fix flooding problems the developer didn't do correctly. Then he wants to run for a seat on the commission which will then vote for a multi-million dollar settlement. Why should my tax dollars be used to correct this problem?

According to Representative Marti Coley, those that pay a lot of taxes are deserving of our tax dollars to assist them with their problems.What about the Sandestin thing? I heard he was also wanting the back wall of Sandestin to be opened up so that access could be gained that way, instead of Mack Bayou Rd.

**Smiling JOe** · 06-14-2008, 08:30 PM

Before you guys go whack-O on Alan, you should take time to understand the history behind the problems with Driftwood Estates, the developer, and the County. Alan could care less about winning any money from the County. He simply wants the County to rescind Phase III of Driftwood, since the developer lied about having the infrastructure in place, which installation was required for the DRI to be approved. The County approved the DRI, based on lies or major screw-ups by the developer. You mistakenly say the developer incorrectly installed the infrastructure. They didn't install it at all. Regarding the BCC settling out of Court, you should be aware that Alan would have to abstain from any vote on a settlement. If the County would have not issued the approval, Alan and the other homeowners wouldn't have had any reason to file suit. The County should have resolved this nightmare four years ago when it was brought to their attention. Instead, the present owner/developer of the remaining lots is having financial problems, so it will likely be the bank who has to pay for the screw up.

As for the illegally built wall, that road which it blocks was part of the original Sandestin DRI, and the wall was built illegally, preventing the people in Driftwood Estates from having an alternate escape route when the only road in and out, floods with heavy rains. The County typically requires more than one ingress/egress on projects of this size.

I think that the best politicians are often the ones who run for office in order to correct problems. They get in to do what is right, and not to grab power and become career politicians. Alan has often given excellent suggestions to the County Commissioners on how to do things more efficiently and effectively. Based on the current list of candidates running, Alan is at the top of my list for the next District 5 County Commissioner.

**graytonbeachguy** · 06-14-2008, 09:01 PM

Why doesn't the developer fix the problems? Why should taxpayers foot the bill?

**Smiling JOe** · 06-15-2008, 07:48 AM

graytonbeachguy, that is exactly the question that Alan Osborne has been asking the County for the last four years. -- Why won't the County enforce their own rules and make the developer fix the problem? He filed suit to try to get the County to take action against the developer, so that the current homes built in Driftwood don't continue to get swamped and washed out with light rains.

**Bobby J** · 06-15-2008, 09:38 AM

Good stuff SJ! I think Alan is just fed up and sick and tired of the way the county runs. He is doing something about it. I look forward to learning more about Alan. I am always impressed with people that stop complaining and get active. We need more people like that.

**Andy A** · 06-15-2008, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Before you guys go whack-O on Alan, you should take time to understand the history behind the problems with Driftwood Estates, the developer, and the County. Alan could care less about winning any money from the County. He simply wants the County to rescind Phase III of Driftwood, since the developer lied about having the infrastructure in place, which installation was required for the DRI to be approved. The County approved the DRI, based on lies or major screw-ups by the developer. You mistakenly say the developer incorrectly installed the infrastructure. They didn't install it at all. Regarding the BCC settling out of Court, you should be aware that Alan would have to abstain from any vote on a settlement. If the County would have not issued the approval, Alan and the other homeowners wouldn't have had any reason to file suit. The County should have resolved this nightmare four years ago when it was brought to their attention. Instead, the present owner/developer of the remaining lots is having financial problems, so it will likely be the bank who has to pay for the screw up.

As for the illegally built wall, that road which it blocks was part of the original Sandestin DRI, and the wall was built illegally, preventing the people in Driftwood Estates from having an alternate escape route when the only road in and out, floods with heavy rains. The County typically requires more than one ingress/egress on projects of this size.

I think that the best politicians are often the ones who run for office in order to correct problems. They get in to do what is right, and not to grab power and become career politicians. Alan has often given excellent suggestions to the County Commissioners on how to do things more efficiently and effectively. Based on the current list of candidates running, Alan is at the top of my list for the next District 5 County Commissioner.

Ahh, a voice of reseach and reason in a sea of ignorance and rumor.

**Smiling JOe** · 06-15-2008, 10:04 PM

I should state that I don't know Alan. I hope he finds time to make his way onto SoWal.com and post some more information on his background. In a brief encounter at a BCC meeting, he told me that he used to fly helicopters in the military, and I believe he is currently employed with the military in some capacity. I can only tell you what I've personally seen of Alan at the BCC meetings, and he speaks with an intelligent voice of reason, and he does his homework. He seems like a person of good, strong character. Again, that is only my "Blink" observation.

**Santiago** · 06-17-2008, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Andy A.

Ahh, a voice of reseach and reason in a sea of ignorance and rumor.

My thoughts exactly.

**Listener** · 07-24-2008, 03:23 PM

Would just like to add my support for Alan Osborne as a candidate for Walton County Commission District 5, the position being vacated by Cindy Meadows. Mrs. Meadows, the outgoing commissioner, has also endorsed Mr. Osborne. Mr. Osborne has served his country in the US Air Force, as a member of community organizations, and is a devoted family man. A vote for Alan is a vote for progress.

**beach_umbrella** · 07-31-2008, 09:57 PM

I've spoken with Mr. Osborne at length; He IS truly an enthusiastic "breath of fresh air" necessary to keep our County moving forward...

**Jdarg** · 08-13-2008, 01:28 PM

I just opened my Beach Breeze/DeF Herald.

Cindy Meadows has purchased her own advertisement in support of Alan Osborne, which makes me think she must have lots of confidence in him!

**citeright** · 08-14-2008, 07:00 PM

Maybe Mr. Osbourne could bring some real change to the County. MHe would have to shift power from the developers and agents to the citzens of the county.
I just heard an agent had charged a business that was being forced to move because of the realignment of 331 big bucks for something that the county is handling for free.
I spoke to some other businesses along the hwy, they stated that county made every effort to assist in the transition and did not have to shellout huge amounts of cash for the paperwork to be handled.
Another example of this agent is that he charged aproperty owner $10,000 for a lot split while the county does not charge a dime.
This is just an example of how the county is attempting to help the citizens but the so called agents and engineers are ripping the propertyowners under the guise of dealing with the county.
Anyway, back to original point, yes a new voice of reason is needed especially in this economic trend. keep up the discussion