WCTA Press Release On TDC Discovery Center

[Bob Hudson]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release: April 23, 2012

Walton County Taxpayer Association Takes a Stand For Point Washington State Park


Walton County is known for its fabulous white beaches, its beautiful architecture, a commitment to the arts and a commitment to the environment and to conservation.

The leadership of the Tourist Development Council, those with the responsibility to market our community to the outside world, has targeted a new visitor market- ecotourism. The TDC is trying to attract not just beach visitors, but also new kinds of visitors; those committed to conservation and the environment and who will visit our wonderful county year round. In fact, the TDC has had the foresight to invest in a partnership ($119,500 annually) with the EO Wilson Biophilia Center. This has brought such notaries as the head of the Smithsonian and the actor/environmentalist, Harrison Ford, who has even done a small introductory video for the center.

And yet, the TDC is recommending taking control of 11.9 acres of conservation land in Point Washington State Park for a new visitor’s center and Nature/Discovery Center. Yes, that’s right, they want to build on conservation land…..disrupting the ecosystem and breaking up State sanctioned conservation land.

Is this a commitment to eco-tourism or an act of eco-terrorism? Is this a responsible use of our bed tax dollars or a wasteful exercise in empire-building?

The public hearing that was held recently had an onslaught of citizens attending—the overwhelming majority voice of the people emphatically said “NO”. “No” on building in Point Washington State Forest, “NO” on spending this kind of money on this project, ” NO” on pushing through divisive agendas, and “NO” on violating the publics trust.

The Walton County Taxpayers Association agrees, and we encourage all the elected representatives of this county to listen to the voice of the people and join WCTA in saying “NO”. We can and must do better than this.

WCTA is a non-partisan organization with members from both North and South Walton County, representing the entire county. WCTA believes that it is vitally important to stay involved in how our county spends our money, especially as our county and tax base grow. WCTA’s focus is on limiting the role of government and how much money is necessary to provide basic public services to all taxpayers in Walton County. And, WCTA believes that a unified group of individuals can make a difference.

“THE EYES AND EARS FOR WALTON COUNTY TAXPAYERS”

Walton County Taxpayers Association
P.O. Box 1085
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
http://www.waltontaxpayers.org
Email: info@waltontaxpayers.org

[Jim Tucker]

I think using the terms terrorism and empire building is over the top and a turnoff.... Your position paper would be just fine without that line. Thanks for posting it though.

[Bob Hudson]

Saturday Sun Editorial Cartoon

[lenzoe]

If they don't put it there, what's the alternative?

[lazin&drinkin]

Since a lot of this has been out of the sunshine, why don't they put it where the sun don't shine? That is the best alternative at present.