We are independent Democrats concerned about the District 1 race. We fear that big money’s buying the election for Alan Brock. Big money from outside the county paying for a real slick campaign. Big money from machine politicians and special interest groups. What does this tell us? What could they be buying? Doesn’t the county deserve better than an empty suit with lots of money, no experience and positions all over the map?
HIS MONEY: His campaign has collected over $12,000 from out of county donors. His total of $19,000 is almost 4 times that of his opponents. What are these outside special interests buying? Who’s he really working with? If elected who will he be working for?
HIS EXPERIENCE: What is his experience other than growing up in the county? He owns no property in Wakulla County. He pays no property taxes here. How can he decide how ours will be spent if he pays none of his own? He wants to spend our taxes but he’s still living with his mother? Is this boy playing games? He has not attended board meetings, only recently joined community organizations, but will be at the national convention? Why? Because he has bigger political fish to fry?
HIS POSITIONS: He talks a lot but says nothing. Has anyone seen him taking a stand at a commission meeting? With the exception of allowing water bottlers to steal our water, allowing for industrial zoning and heavy truck traffic next to a school, he seems to have no real position on anything. His positions are impossible to pin down. We are supposed to vote for him without knowing where he stands? We need someone clear about where they stand. Just because he’s saying the politically correct things by being on both sides of issues? By saying everything, he says nothing. We know where he stands on water, but where does he stand on our charter, impact fees, long commute times, our polluted beaches, an operational audit?
Al Shylkofski
Mary Cortese
Hugh Taylor
This letter originally published on August 21, 2008.
Why would these residents post these questions without asking Alan where he stands on the items they are unsure of? Big money, like his supporters who have moved out of the county to pursue their dreams ... would you rather all his donations come from wealthy landowners in Wakulla? I'm happy that someone from the county stuck around to protect it. Hugh & the gang, I'm a little disappointed in the "heresay" accusations - Alan doesn't live with his parents; so what if he doesn't own his own home yet - is that age discrimination I hear? There's always someone trying to stir the pot, and I'm sorry to see Alan being on the receiving end of gossip. Coral Schieve
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COMMENTS ON ALAN BROCK'S COMMENTS written by hughtaylor , August 23, 2008
“ivisive politics are what is hurting Wakulla County.”
First, I would disagree. Elitist and self-serving policies are hurting Wakulla County. That said, if anyone disagrees with Alan Brock, Alan Brock thinks it’s divisive? Not a way to campaign, m’boy. Or govern as a county commissioner (Or to speak of yourself in the third person). There are a number of people concerned with your full coffers, how they’re being filled, the positions you hold when you do, and running for cover and your lack of positions otherwise.
Talking about a position is not having a position.
And when citizens speak to this they’re “divisive?” Agree with me or “I’ll hold my breath until I turn blue?” Pretty immature, that. Was David Murrell right when he wrote, ”Then, he (Brock) went on and on about “the ill-informed, misguided, and shameful ‘vocal minority’”? We’ve had this before—in the water bottling battle as a matter of fact. Allison Defoor, a Republican politician of note, called bottling opponents “fellow travelers.” Both comments are pretty uncivil, divisive, and immature. Is that what you politicians do?
“I am fortunate that I am not only a leader here in our community, but also statewide and nationally”
I was looking for you at the last BOCC meeting to tell you of our concerns and that we would be putting an ad, with our own money, in the paper, speaking to your money, inexperience and positions. But you were absent. Off campaigning nationally, I guess. And the last BOCC meeting was important. But then you might have had to take positions rather than drinking lattes in Denver.
You are not a leader, but a politician. We’ve just had that, much to our regret. Speaking out of both sides of your mouth is not being a leader. A leader would have been at every possible county commission meeting, like Jenny Brock and Mrs. Doyle and Ms. Artz.. We have national leaders. What we don’t have are enough county leaders. You are, however a masterfully connected politician. But picking an open seat and using your connections is not the way to run for local office. A leader would be volunteering on county committees, not statewide party things for personal advancement.
And that’s what is scary.
I, too, would invite everyone to do two things: Go to Alan’s web site and read—actually read—what he says. Or doesn’t say. Then get a copy of his campaign contributions and decide for yourself if we want that kind of money flowing into a local campaign. Big money, out of county money balanced by the $5 and $10 contributions of his “friends.” And that, my friends, is how he gets his "average."
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We must focus on positive campaigning and the issues facing Wakulla County written by Alan Brock , August 21, 2008
Divisive politics are what are hurting Wakulla County. I am committed to running an honest and open campaign, and I plan to serve as your County Commissioner in the same way. I am fortunate that I am not only a leader here in our community, but also statewide and nationally. My friends who believe in my leadership style and vision have been eager to help support my campaign. The average donation to my campaign in the last quarter was $108. Many of them do work or volunteer in politics and understand the importance of money to help get a message out to the public, and I appreciate their generous support.
My experience and my positions are no secret. You can read about me and my positions on the issues at my website: www.voteforalan.com. I would like to state again that I am not pro-bottled water, that I think this is a dead issue, and that this is a distraction from the real issues facing Wakulla County today. If you still have further questions, I welcome your phone call or email. You can call me on my personal cell phone at 850-528-0828 or email me at
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.
I am excited about this race and what I hope we can do for Wakulla County by working together. If you can, I hope that you will vote for me this Tuesday, August 26, 2008 in the Democratic Primary, and hopefully again in the general election in November.
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ivisive politics are what is hurting Wakulla County.” 
I'm happy that someone from the county stuck around to protect it. Hugh & the gang, I'm a little disappointed in the "heresay" accusations - Alan doesn't live with his parents; so what if he doesn't own his own home yet - is that age discrimination I hear? There's always someone trying to stir the pot, and I'm sorry to see Alan being on the receiving end of gossip.
Coral Schieve