In Okaloosa County, Florida, our voices have been silenced and our concerns dismissed by those who have pledged to serve us. As  residents deeply invested in the well-being and future of this community, we have personally witnessed the erosion of trust and confidence in our current board of county commissioners. It is not just you or me; countless citizens have shared similar experiences, having their calls, emails, and public discussions brushed aside by the very people elected to represent us.

Heart Felt Message to Okaloosa County

For years, we've observed a troubling pattern of scandals and irresponsible governance. Numerous reports have surfaced, alleging misconduct and neglect of pressing issues that directly affect the safety and quality of life of Okaloosa County residents. We have raised alarms on these issues time and again, only to be met with inaction and indifference by Commissioners Trey Goodwin (District 4), Paul Mixon (District 1), Drew Palmer (District 5), Sherri Cox (District 3), Carolyn Ketchel (District 2), County Attorney Lynn Hashihara, County Administrator John Hofstead, and Clerk of Court Brad Embry.

THE WHY:  Just for clarity, the Petition may look and/or read as "broad" or not specific, because the People of Okaloosa County have SO MANY stories to tell about what has happened to them, respectively. This is not a "one-size" fits all scenario; but the common denominators are all the same.  It could range from:

1. Commissioner Paul Mixon who currently sat on the Board of Triple R. Ministries (owned by local attorney Mark Welton of the Welton Law Firm), and coordinated the donation of a CAT Bulldozer under the disguise by Mr. Jason Autrey that, "This dozer has a blown engine. It has no value to the county.", which was a lie. Triple R. Ministries owns land in North Crestview that they are building property on, and they needed it to fuel their efforts... so they took a county owned asset and gave it away so Triple R. Ministries didn't have to buy one; and
2. A local resident explaining to ALL commissioners how they were near death in the county jail and Commissioner Trey Goodwin replied "... I don't think the sunshine law is a privileged exemption to potential defamation claims...." .
3. Watch this video.  This is how Commissioner's Goodwin and Mixon treats citizens, residents, and Veterans of the Military, while all other Commissioners sit back, watch, and don't call out the behavior of their counterparts.

This Petition is not initiated in bad-faith; it is prepared and initiated in good-faith.  This is a good-faith effort of which the People of Okaloosa County wish to voice their concerns.

Finally, in the heart felt message, I stated that there may be one, or two, of the Commissioners that might actually want to or are doing good... I included them because there is no way they can sit on the Commission and WATCH them do what they do, not say or do anything about it, not start or initiate their own proceedings to recall or for lack of better terms "fire" the other commissioners who are DESTROYING the county...

The lack of transparency and accountability in our government has resulted in a palpable breakdown of public trust. We have tirelessly attended board meetings, voiced our concerns in public forums, and reached out via every possible channel to make our concerns heard. Yet, the response remains dismissive, undermining our role as active participants in our own governance.

It is crucial to address these systemic failures with urgency. To restore faith in Okaloosa County's leadership, we demand the immediate resignation of the current board of county commissioners. By stepping down, they can make room for new leaders who prioritize community engagement, transparency, and responsive governance—values crucial for the sustained development and safety of our county.

Here is Florida Constitution:  SECTION 7. Suspensions; filling office during suspensions.

• (a) By executive order stating the grounds and filed with the custodian of state records, the governor may suspend from office any state officer not subject to impeachment, any officer of the militia not in the active service of the United States, or any county officer, for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony, and may fill the office by appointment for the period of suspension. The suspended officer may at any time before removal be reinstated by the governor.
• (b) The senate may, in proceedings prescribed by law, remove from office or reinstate the suspended official and for such purpose the senate may be convened in special session by its president or by a majority of its membership.
• (c) By order of the governor any elected municipal officer indicted for crime may be suspended from office until acquitted and the office filled by appointment for the period of suspension, not to extend beyond the term, unless these powers are vested elsewhere by law or the municipal charter.
  History.—Ams. proposed by Constitution Revision Commission, Revision Nos. 8 and 13, 1998, filed with the Secretary of State May 5, 1998; adopted 1998.

We envision a future where resident concerns are prioritized, where government actions reflect the will and welfare of the people, and where all citizens have fair access to participatory governance. Only by demanding accountability now can we pave the way for a brighter, more trustworthy leadership tomorrow.

Let us unite to reclaim our right to effective and honest governance. Sign this petition to call for the resignation of Commissioners Trey Goodwin, Paul Mixon, Drew Palmer, Sherri Cox, Carolyn Ketchel, County Attorney Lynn Hashihara, County Administrator John Hofstead, and Clerk of Court Brad Embry for a more transparent and accountable Okaloosa County leadership.