Are the Sheriff candidates really fit?

**HenryHawk** · 08-08-2008, 01:43 AM

This is an excerpt from a Chief Adkinson post on SoWal... just the messenger y'all...

"...I am glad to hear that several of the other candidates have now adopted my position on unifying 911/dispatch services, which is a pillar of my platform. Also, in the DFSP 2007/08 budget, we were able to find almost $90,000 that was erroneously diverted from the police department's budget over the course of 10 years. That money was placed into our budget to allow us to put computers in our cars at no cost to the taxpayer.
We then found that for the last 28 years, the city of DeFuniak Springs helped subsidize the Sheriff's training budget instead of funding its own police department. The training budget was so underfunded that in 2005 the training budget for the entire agency was only $593.00. Since then, we have increased the training budget to $15,000 for the 2008/09 budget, thereby increasing our level of service and professionalism. We also added a fitness policy with a financial incentive (2006/7)."

I don't really need to point out the obvious here do I? What is the Chief's weight? 350...400 (+)?
In all fairness, look at Cooper, Macon , and Cornman...let's talk "fitness."

Apples and oranges? Who would YOU want to follow into battle? Fitness: Cornman or Macon? All things considered...experience, skills, etc., etc., : CORNMAN!

I know...I know... the Sheriff doesn't need to set the example... WHAT?

**drivingthru** · 08-08-2008, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by HenryHawk

This is an excerpt from a Chief Adkinson post on SoWal... just the messenger y'all...

"...I am glad to hear that several of the other candidates have now adopted my position on unifying 911/dispatch services, which is a pillar of my platform. Also, in the DFSP 2007/08 budget, we were able to find almost $90,000 that was erroneously diverted from the police department's budget over the course of 10 years. That money was placed into our budget to allow us to put computers in our cars at no cost to the taxpayer.
We then found that for the last 28 years, the city of DeFuniak Springs helped subsidize the Sheriff's training budget instead of funding its own police department. The training budget was so underfunded that in 2005 the training budget for the entire agency was only $593.00. Since then, we have increased the training budget to $15,000 for the 2008/09 budget, thereby increasing our level of service and professionalism. We also added a fitness policy with a financial incentive (2006/7)."

I don't really need to point out the obvious here do I? What is the Chief's weight? 350...400 (+)?
In all fairness, look at Cooper, Macon , and Cornman...let's talk "fitness."

Apples and oranges? Who would YOU want to follow into battle? Fitness: Cornman or Macon? All things considered...experience, skills, etc., etc., : CORNMAN!

I know...I know... the Sheriff doesn't need to set the example... WHAT?

Its very sad to read that someone would personally attact a candidate in this fashion, I really dont see the point in your comment, but the fitness needed to run the office is MENTAL fitness, something YOU obviously lack but Mr Adkinson obviously has. I have posted several comments here and yes I am guilty of some jabs, but I believe I will stop posting anything and seek the candidtae that I believe is the best for the job based on facts and information. None of this negative propaganda from you or any other of the candidates or their supporters is worthy of a comment any longer. Guess I will ride off to the sunrise, I wont be back, I promise. I can see how immature I may have been posting based on your above comments. Thank you for bringing this to light. In closing, I commend all of the candidates, win or lose, for their commitment and desire to bring the Sheriffs Department to the level we need as Citizens of Walton County. You guys have a great day now! I need to get some sleep.....

**florida girl** · 08-08-2008, 01:13 PM

It looks like quite a few have had too many doughnuts! I think Macon is the only one who looks like he's physically fit!

**Andy A** · 08-08-2008, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by HenryHawk

This is an excerpt from a Chief Adkinson post on SoWal... just the messenger y'all...

"...I am glad to hear that several of the other candidates have now adopted my position on unifying 911/dispatch services, which is a pillar of my platform. Also, in the DFSP 2007/08 budget, we were able to find almost $90,000 that was erroneously diverted from the police department's budget over the course of 10 years. That money was placed into our budget to allow us to put computers in our cars at no cost to the taxpayer.
We then found that for the last 28 years, the city of DeFuniak Springs helped subsidize the Sheriff's training budget instead of funding its own police department. The training budget was so underfunded that in 2005 the training budget for the entire agency was only $593.00. Since then, we have increased the training budget to $15,000 for the 2008/09 budget, thereby increasing our level of service and professionalism. We also added a fitness policy with a financial incentive (2006/7)."

I don't really need to point out the obvious here do I? What is the Chief's weight? 350...400 (+)?
In all fairness, look at Cooper, Macon , and Cornman...let's talk "fitness."

Apples and oranges? Who would YOU want to follow into battle? Fitness: Cornman or Macon? All things considered...experience, skills, etc., etc., : CORNMAN!

I know...I know... the Sheriff doesn't need to set the example... WHAT?

It seems to me it would really help his image if he lived in the county now instead of saying he will move here if elected. lol.

**HenryHawk** · 08-08-2008, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by drivingthru

Its very sad to read that someone would personally attact a candidate in this fashion, I really dont see the point in your comment, but the fitness needed to run the office is MENTAL fitness, something YOU obviously lack but Mr Adkinson obviously has. I have posted several comments here and yes I am guilty of some jabs, but I believe I will stop posting anything and seek the candidtae that I believe is the best for the job based on facts and information. None of this negative propaganda from you or any other of the candidates or their supporters is worthy of a comment any longer. Guess I will ride off to the sunrise, I wont be back, I promise. I can see how immature I may have been posting based on your above comments. Thank you for bringing this to light. In closing, I commend all of the candidates, win or lose, for their commitment and desire to bring the Sheriffs Department to the level we need as Citizens of Walton County. You guys have a great day now! I need to get some sleep.....

"MENTAL fitness," are you serious? The DFSPD will give bonuses if it's officers are "MENTALLY FIT?" Sooooo, the officers that are NOT mentally fit won't receive bonuses? Do you believe what you've written? Physical fitness is not rewarded then? Is this your position?

This is not an "attack," this info is public, placed by the candidate publicly, I am merely pointing out what I thought to be a bit of a double-standard.

One last thing sir, your high-road reply defending the candidate by accusing me of "attacking" him and then in the same sentence attack me personally shows you to be a hypocrite. Calling you a hypocrite is not attacking you, it is an obvious fact.

**drivingthru** · 08-08-2008, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by HenryHawk

"MENTAL fitness," are you serious? The DFSPD will give bonuses if it's officers are "MENTALLY FIT?" Sooooo, the officers that are NOT mentally fit won't receive bonuses? Do you believe what you've written? Physical fitness is not rewarded then? Is this your position?

This is not an "attack," this info is public, placed by the candidate publicly, I am merely pointing out what I thought to be a bit of a double-standard.

One last thing sir, your high-road reply defending the candidate by accusing me of "attacking" him and then in the same sentence attack me personally shows you to be a hypocrite. Calling you a hypocrite is not attacking you, it is an obvious fact.

I had to take the high road as the low road was a bit crowded. I thought you totally missed the spirit of my reply, but it seems you are a bit defensive so I must have been right on track. I dont know where you get a bonus for being "mentally fit". It is basically a term that indicates one has the ability to think on their feet, thingk clearly, and use good sound judgement in tha face of diversity. Maybe you should seek a fitness program yourself.
Or maybe why not just say you are a Cornman supporter and move on?
See you, your favorite hypocrite signing out!

**HenryHawk** · 08-08-2008, 03:44 PM

"in tha face of diversity. Maybe you should seek a fitness program yourself."

In the face of 'diversity?' Is that in the face of foriegners, gays, etc., is that the diversity you are referring to? And I need a "fitness program?" LOL!

**drivingthru** · 08-08-2008, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by HenryHawk

"in tha face of diversity. Maybe you should seek a fitness program yourself."

In the face of 'diversity?' Is that in the face of foriegners, gays, etc., is that the diversity you are referring to? And I need a "fitness program?" LOL!

Nope you do not need a fitness program, maybe an education. I believe you are saying the correct word should have been adversity instead of diversity. This might be true in a sense. However, in this particular case, the correct terminology was used as diverse means different and varied. To spell it out to you and wht the thought was, a Sheriff must be willing vary his thought process to meet the challenges that change every day and not have tunnel vision. Now, if you would have said a sheriff needs mental toughness, the word adversity would have been used.
Get it? Your not as smart as you think you are, sorry.

**idlewind** · 08-08-2008, 05:10 PM

At first reading I too thought this post was below the belt.

I have long thought that we judge candidates far too much on physical appearance.

However, Mr. Adkinson did bring it up, and the matter does speak towards leadership or lack thereof. Practicing "do as I say, not as I do" leadership is bad for employee morale and undermines all the inititatives that the leader attempts. When the conduct of the leader causes the employees or the customers to laugh or make fun of the leader that is a terrible blow to the organization. Touting a fitness program when you yourself are obviously out of shape fits that description. Therefore, Mr. Hawk might not be as far out in left field as I thought when I first read the post.

**Foghorn Leghorn** · 08-08-2008, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by idlewind

At first reading I too thought this post was below the belt.

I have long thought that we judge candidates far too much on physical appearance.

However, Mr. Adkinson did bring it up, and the matter does speak towards leadership or lack thereof. Practicing "do as I say, not as I do" leadership is bad for employee morale and undermines all the inititatives that the leader attempts. When the conduct of the leader causes the employees or the customers to laugh or make fun of the leader that is a terrible blow to the organization. Touting a fitness program when you yourself are obviously out of shape fits that description. Therefore, Mr. Hawk might not be as far out in left field as I thought when I first read the post.

I wholeheartedly agree. I have heard Mr. Adkinson's "be like Mike" speeches at various forums. While it's true one shouldn't base their opinion wholly on physical attributes, in this case, Adkinson DID think it was important enough to include a "fitness policy with financial incentive" in his current department. To 'be like Mike" shouldn't he desire to be as mentally AND physically fit as he can be?

Foggy