Candidate: Sidney A. Braunstien

Get to know Sid Braunstien… Meet Sid Braunstien, candidate for County Commission, District 5. A resident of Walton County’s District 5 since 1997, Sid has always maintained a high profile and involvement in the community. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sid’s roots go back to growing up on a chicken farm in southern New Jersey. As a young man, he served in the US Air Force for five years, and then put himself through college while working full time and utilizing the GI bill. He graduated from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, with a degree in Marketing, Management and Finance. His professional background includes working for Northern Telecom for 20 years in accounting, finance and sales, managing a staff of over 40 people and developing annual sales of $17 million. Sid became an expert in negotiating with unions, management and workers to reach accord. He knows how to ask questions to get to the root of a situation and come up with an optimum solution to it. He founded a consulting firm and developed a line of products that saves thousands of acres of timber annually. He and his wife also ran their own restaurant for four years, so he understands the challenges faced by owners of small businesses firsthand. When he moved to Walton County, Sid became Director of Development for the Boys and Girls Club of Okaloosa and Walton County. Among his many accomplishments was building a strong Board of Directors of business leaders to benefit youth in both counties. In 2003, Sid graduated from Leadership Walton and took on the responsibilities of Manager of Marketing and Public Relations for Bass Pro Shops in Destin Commons. While he was there he assisted non-profits with fund raising events, including conducting many fishing tournaments to benefit their causes. He also worked alongside commercial fishermen to control changes in offshore fishing regulations. Sid has impacted the community in a significant way, through his work with non-profit organizations that benefit children and/or the environment. He particularly strives to help troubled youth. He has served on the Board of Directors for a number of groups including the Emerald Coast Marine Institute, the Emerald Coast Foundation, the Larry Hatchett Foundation, Destin’s Fishing & History Museum, the Citizen’s Committee for Florida Parks, the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, the Cultural Arts Association and Walton County’s Habitat for Humanity. Sid not only attends meetings, but diligently works to make a difference in the community. He created a viable fishing pond for the public to use, established incentive programs to engage kids and guide them to the right path, and taught people the joys of the outdoors via teaching them to fish, shoot a bow, camp, and appreciate nature. Those of you who live in the north end of the Walton County have probably met Sid at one time or another. He has assisted Kiwanis with the annual fishing tournament for children for the past few years. He helped grow the Boy Scouts’ annual Sportsman’s Day from just 40 participants to over 200 by bringing expert sportsmen to assist the boys. Many of you even signed his petition to qualify for placement on the ballot this August. According to the Walton Sun, Sid is “a good guy” who “would bring a calm, reasoned voice to the BCC in addition to a wealth of business experience.” On the personal side, Sid and his wife Pat blended two families of teenagers in 1989. One offspring is a successful graphic design artist and the other three became award winning teachers. The Braunstien home now houses rescued dogs and a parrot. The family enjoys fishing, crabbing, snorkeling and traveling together. Sid’s mission for Walton County is to preserve its natural resources, maintain balanced growth, make fiscally prudent decisions, assist businesses, and benefit the entire community rather than only a small segment or special interest group. •Sid asks questions until he gathers enough information to make the right decision. •Sid is well known for creative, outside-the-box solutions that benefit all sides of a controversy. •Sid is a friend to small businesses, the environment, kids, animals and the community. •Sid will make sure the county sets and lives within a budget as he does. •Sid will improve the county government’s eco-awareness. Sid will establish guidelines and procedures to streamline decision making for the county. •Sid listens to the needs of others, then efficiently and effectively follows through. •Sid will represent all the people as District 5 Commissioner! •Sid Braunstien is the best choice to represent Walton County as District 5 Commissioner. ………and he ALWAYS returns phone calls For more information, please visit his website: http://votesidbraunstien4commissioner.vpweb.com or call 231-6063