Just what's going on at the CVB> They hire some attorney who knows little, or nothing about the tourist industry, they spend all kinds of money that are NOT tourist related, have an alleged "Board" that okays everything their leader tells them to, and the County Commission, along with top County staff all go along like a nice little group of players? Why are they constantly allowed to do this TO us?
Now the latest is Commissioner Ken Smith's employer gets funding from TDC money, collected from tourist taxes but the employer does not appear to be a legal receiver of these funds! What a coincidence that Smith is a commissioner, Hawkins, a friend of SWmith and candidate and, by all appearences, the next new County Commissioner, is also a member of Smith's employer's Board!
Holy smokes, how much "coincidences" do the voters need?

Ra-roe. Jim (I wear expensive suits) Murphy may have to explain himself to the State’s Attorney. First he Chairs the TDC and sits on the Education Foundation Board. Second he more than likely voted on these items when (if he did) shouldn’t have. Here’s a few more things the State’s Attorney needs to look into. Jim Murphy’s connection to USSSA and some TDC funds/considerations they’ve received from the TDC and whether or not he voted on those items. Contributions from his “clients” to at least two of the Commissioner’s pet non-profits.

Rumor has it the City of Destiny is a little miffed over the fact that Big Jim got them to poor in over $20k into Commissioner’s Bill Lane’s re-election bid with the understanding that he would vote the way Big Jim wanted but they in a million years never thought he would lose…SURPRISE!!! Now there is a rumor that they may be requesting that Bill pay them back some of the money so they can place it behind Fred or Jonathon which I hope they both turn down. Then Big Jim convinces them to place over $18k in Paul Owen’s campaign fund which he gladly accepts in hopes of obtaining a second yes but after the first bad investment Destiny is a little worried. My question is why would such a big developer like Destiny pour so much money into one candidates campaign fund and why would this Commissioner accept it? Commissioner Owen has obtained well over $70k in contributions but look at how much of it comes from non-residents, non-voting special interest groups. Oh yeah and if you do the math Destiny contributed close to 1/3 of his war chest. Don’t believe me? Go to the Supervisor of Election’s website and you can pull up the financials. For those of you who go check for yourselves, don't get confused with the different names, just look at the addresses. Remember it is illegal to accept more than $500 from any one person or business but it isn't illegal to receive $500 from multiple LLC (Limited Liability Companies) even if they are owned by one person. I know...dumb. Is it legal, yes. Is it ethical? You decide.

I think it is time the residents of this County take back their Government and send out a strong message to our elected officials turned politicians. Do the research and decide for yourself. Tell as many friends about this website and let them know that they can come here and voice their support, concerns and dislikes but keep it clean.

You know, I haven't been on here in a week or so because I started getting so aggravated reading this blog and finding out that most of what's written here is true! Do these elected officials not have the common sense which God gave them to see that they look like fools every day they continue?
Giving the manager a raise was bull, and Paul Owen saying the Commission gave their word is a crock in itself. It's a contract Paul. You've been in business long enough to know that sometimes things just don't work the way you expect! The economic times we have today do NOT support such a raise, especially to the number 2 choice for the job!
Now that I'm ranting, what's with Ken Smith? Why is he so special that he's allowed to participate in violating laws and gets away with it? IF he has violated law, prosecute him!
I'm outta here....

joetaxpayor,
Check out Fred's reports too, there a few expamples of this on his report as well, and guess what! Some of those multiple contributions on Bills, those same companies are on Fred's too! A guy that should get credit for raising money is Byron. He raised a lot of money for small contributions and individuals, the right way!

Fred has got alot of explaining to do. He is very close with Smith and the ties to the TDC. He does have contributions from the same "companies" as Bill. He's worse than Bill. His ties go deeper and farther. MORE CORRUPTION!!!

Where is Lamar when you need him? What's the matter Lamar? Is it because the name Guetzloe doesn't appear on any of this BS that's going on with the TDC? Look into Smith, Tompkins and Hawkins. Do what we have been paying you for.

concerned citizen:
Byron raised a lot of money from small donations from individuals?
Check out his reports on the election site. Most of his donations are "cash" from himself. Who gives themselves thousands of dollars in cash? Why wouldn't he write himself a check?
I'll tell you why, because he was receiving the donations from another source that he didn't want traced. At least Lane, Hawkins and the others (even though I'm not a fan of either) are honest on their reports.

Ummmm, who cares what "byron" raised? He LOST the primary!! Even the Fire Union was split over his support, so don't feel like you owe the firefighters something. The vote to endors him was very, very close.

Who do you guys think the Fire Union will endorse now? I think Harrell is on the Fire Board, but Fred seems to have a lot of connections... Just wanted to get everyones opinion, I really dont know who?

I think this TDC thing doesnt look good for Hawkins or Smith... It looks corrupt! Especially since Hawkins is running on "Change."

Fred has been saying he would resign from the Foundation but there's a lot of money sitting there for his campaign. He can't piss off any of those heavyweights or he's done. That's what concerns me if he gets in, it'll be the same crap, only he AND Smith will be soliciting donations for the Foundation.
Smith has an excuse. His illness is no doubt causing him some very poor judgement issues. Fred could resign and maybe escape the Foundation crap but he's still there after saying he'd leave, and that was at least 5 months ago.

You guys keep looking at individual races. Take a step back and look at the big picture for our county the next two years. In District 5 Fred Hawkins will be the favorite to win. He will raise the most money and there are more Republican leaning voters in the district than Democrat. In District 2, Arrington will win because of the demographics. 2 1/2 to 1 D over R. So we have Hawkins and Arrington as 2 new commissioners who will more than likely vote for a Chairman Ken Smith. Ask yourself who pulls the strings behind the scenes for these people? Do you really want those people running the county?

Thanks, Joe. You are right. Let's all remember that it only takes 3 out of 5 yes's for anything. Same old same old unless there is some MAJOR campaigning for otherwise going on out there.

I know Harrell has already come to my door again today. Fred has not been here yet but if or when his camp does knock, I bet you $10 it will NOT be the pretty boy himself! LOL

I was just thinking... Fred talks about his experience on the Planning Board a lot! This is his foundation on his ability to run this County... What I dont understand is that he was on the Planning Board, and had to pass the developments in order for them to go to the County Commissioners(including Bill Lane). He just won a primary against Bill, running on Bill being "pro" development... But wouldn't Fred have to pass it before it went to Bill? How can Lane be put on the chopping block, and Fred come out squeaky clean... Shouldn't Fred be as guilty as Lane, or more? Just thought I would throw that out there, what do you guys and gals think?

To Concerned Resident I would like to point a few things out: First smart development is NOT the problem with this county. Being on the Planning Board does not give you the power to block all development. In fact you can not block planning because people have rights to build. The problem is STUPID development. Having these subdivisons which no new roadways and no new schools. Fred sat on the planning board and let me note it was a VOLUNTEER position. Jonathan Harrell has NEVER been on an important board which qualifies him to be a county commisioner. There are a few Harrell supporter who keep bashing Fred on this forum without any support. FRED IS AN HONEST, EDUCATED, MAN WHO NEEDS TO BE ELECTED. There is no rummors about Jonathan because he has not done anything in the last 5 years. He can not raise any money becuase no one supports him!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fred is a man of his word and we need to support him regardless what 3 of the same people keep posting on this site! SUPPORT FRED HAWKINS JR.IN NOVEMBER FOR CHANGE!!!!!!

Once again with Fred's surrogates.... I wish people would stop trying to abuse the blog to be an advertisement for a candidate.
Do you really think Ken Smith will be elected chairman? I give my respect to Mr. Smith and his service however he doesn't seem sharp with his recent health issues. Unfortunately he appears lost at the meetings sometimes.
Maybe Q will be elected chairman? Wouldn't that be funny, but sad!

P.S. to Hawkins surrogate. Johnathan is a Osceola County native, teacher for 10 years and has served on the following "important" boards:
Osceola County Fire Advisory Board, Board Member
New Dimensions High School, Board Member
Give Kids Safe Shelter, Board Member
Downtown Business Association, Member
Give Kids the World, Volunteer
Community Advocacy Program, Co-director
Keep Osceola Beautiful
Relay for Life
OASIS Volunteer
Music Director at his Local Church
I am not one of the few Harrell supporters bashing Fred, just trying to keep you guys honest.
Jonathan is also an educated, honest man too

I have addressed this "blogg campaigning" subject as well, Jeanne, and I agree with you! Its on the other article the discusses the Foundation... Check it out! The only problem is, there are so many public officials, or potential public officials that are on the board of the Foundation, so it does make it difficult not to mention them in the Foundation article.

What Betty, uh hem, I mean "stcloudresident" (sorry BD) meant maybe is that those boards Jonathan was on were not "important" to HER. Not even the board o' the Lord, stcloudresident?! I thought every R loved that one! What stcloudresident also seems to feel is that support is measured primarily by $$$. Hmmmm. Seeing as how the average resident of the County in which Fred would serve is $ 27,700, does that mean since he makes (or, is worth) "so much more" than that he will only think it important to represent a select few...because this is what he seems to be doing now.

Jeanne, way to go with setting the record straight about Jonathan's service! I knew of a few things but you informed me of more. What a nicely rounded list! I'm not campaigning for him here...Just commenting.

One more thing to Betty, the Planning Board IS volunteer but you are officially APPOINTED and it IS a quasi-judicial board....actions carry weight in court...it isn't just a board to give "suggestions." Who appointed Fred, I wonder, to the Planning Board?? Anyone know??

AK,

Bill Lane appointed Fred to the County Planning Board in exchange for the promise that Fred would not run this time around. Lane was supposedly only interested in 4 more years and Fred "allegedly" gave a promise he would not run against Lane. In January, all bets were officially off. BD had been going around bashing Lane, and Lane supporters, and pushing Fred, which is one of the main reasons some people aren't listening to much of what Fred says.
I look forward to the debate between Fred and Jonathan, which is being run by the Landlord Association. They seem to be about the only group without a dog in the hunt. It should be good.

When Fred breaks a promise about running, how can you believe him on anything?

Larry,

LOL!!!!!! Thanks! LMAO

First, I can tell you that I know for sure that Fred Hawkins never promised Bill Lane that he would not run for District. Ask Fred Hawkins and he will tell you that he never promised anything. So stop believing Bill Lane because that is his story.

Okay. Here I go...first, I believe some have taken this opportunity to give their bias views while others have taken shots in the dark without knowing all the facts. Either way I will say that I have no problems with the non-profits most of our Commissioners favor as they help our community and for that I appreciate them but here comes the hammer...it is the way some of these Commissioners take more than their fair share of funding from our tax payers and in most cases funnel them into their pet non-profits. It may even go a little further than that when they go out and lean on developers for extra funding for those same non-profits. That's where people like Jim Murphy come in and make a nice living introducing new developers to Commissioners and teaching them that they may obtain special favors in return for their contributions. Just look into these non-profits and see how much money they've collected from some of these big developers. Again, I love what these non-profits do for the community and applaud them and their staff.

I think some of the people condemning Fred Hawkins seem to be upset and I also believe have an axe to grind for one reason or another then there are those "I LOVE FRED AND WANT TO HAVE HIS BABY" fans that only make it worse.

I agree with Osceola Resident Republican. Go and talk to not just to Fred but all the candidates and don't base your vote on what you read here. I've emailed each and every candidate and believe it or not they ALL responded. Some gave some great answers and others sounded like politicians. Sorry but I have to go with my gut on some of these guys and I think it will kind of go like this...District 5 Fred Hawkins, District 3 Brandon Arrington, District 1 may be a toss up but swing towards Paul Owen, Supv. of Elections, though I think Mary Jane would fix that office up and I think it truly needs it all signs lean towards Connie, Property Appraiser has to go to Katrina, Sheriff, I predict a great upset and the first write in candidate (Tim “I’ve seen Aliens” Devine) in history will win, just kidding. I bet Tim was reading this and thought Really? NOT!!!

Good luck and try to support some of our local non-profits as they are hurting like everyone else.

To: Joetaxpayer

Very well written, had a bunch of good points. I am also supporting Fred Hawkins and most of the picks that you made. Thanks for your response!!!!!!!!