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Pbpb

Beach Comber

The price being discussed is insane, but they need that property so I am all for it. 

Whatever it takes.

The price being discussed is insane, but they need that property so I am all for it. <br />
<br />
Whatever it takes.

Tyler T

Beach Lover

[QUOTE="Pbpb, post: 935001, member: 38917"]
The price being discussed is insane, but they need that property so I am all for it.

Whatever it takes.
[/QUOTE]
Sounds like a good case for eminent domain.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Pbpb">The price being discussed is insane, but they need that property so I am all for it.<br />
<br />
Whatever it takes.</blockquote>Sounds like a good case for eminent domain.

Matt J

SWGB

[QUOTE="Pbpb, post: 935001, member: 38917"]
The price being discussed is insane, but they need that property so I am all for it.

Whatever it takes.
[/QUOTE]

I'm on the fence about the price. Where else is there 3 acres of Gulf front property even available? Ultimately this guy can't build what he wants so the county should probably low ball him or simply wait.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Pbpb">The price being discussed is insane, but they need that property so I am all for it.<br />
<br />
Whatever it takes.</blockquote><br />
I&#039;m on the fence about the price. Where else is there 3 acres of Gulf front property even available? Ultimately this guy can&#039;t build what he wants so the county should probably low ball him or simply wait.

Lake View Too

SoWal Insider

[QUOTE="Matt J, post: 935020, member: 4760"]
I'm on the fence about the price. Where else is there 3 acres of Gulf front property even available? Ultimately this guy can't build what he wants so the county should probably low ball him or simply wait.
[/QUOTE]
I was at the meeting yesterday, and everyone in the room was on the same page about wanting the County to buy the property. About the price tag, only two people were good with it. (Russell & Shipman). But the County voted to begin the process of getting two appraisals. The two main determining factors, in my opinion, are (1) Whether the county will use some of it's general funds, to help make the purchase, and take monetary pressure off the TDC's acquisition account, and (2) the fact that Peter Russell seems very adamant about closing this deal before the end of this year. If these three parties can give just a little bit, this thing could go through.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Matt J">I&#039;m on the fence about the price. Where else is there 3 acres of Gulf front property even available? Ultimately this guy can&#039;t build what he wants so the county should probably low ball him or simply wait.</blockquote>I was at the meeting yesterday, and everyone in the room was on the same page about wanting the County to buy the property. About the price tag, only two people were good with it. (Russell &amp; Shipman). But the County voted to begin the process of getting two appraisals. The two main determining factors, in my opinion, are (1) Whether the county will use some of it&#039;s general funds, to help make the purchase, and take monetary pressure off the TDC&#039;s acquisition account, and (2) the fact that Peter Russell seems very adamant about closing this deal before the end of this year. If these three parties can give just a little bit, this thing could go through.

this dude is about to score big off some useless lot that cant be built on.

[QUOTE="Pbpb, post: 935025, member: 38917"]
this dude is about to score big off some useless lot that cant be built on.
[/QUOTE]
Yes, he is, but if you think about it, the money has come from the tourists, not you or me. Trust me, it truly sticks in my craw, but it’s the right thing to do for generations to come.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Pbpb">this dude is about to score big off some useless lot that cant be built on.</blockquote>Yes, he is, but if you think about it, the money has come from the tourists, not you or me. Trust me, it truly sticks in my craw, but it’s the right thing to do for generations to come.

bob bob

Beach Fanatic

[QUOTE="Pbpb, post: 935025, member: 38917"]
this dude is about to score big off some useless lot that cant be built on.
[/QUOTE]
boggles the mind that anything within 500 yards of a Lake Outfall was ever made private.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Pbpb">this dude is about to score big off some useless lot that cant be built on.</blockquote>boggles the mind that anything within 500 yards of a Lake Outfall was ever made private.

SUP Boarder

[QUOTE="bob bob, post: 935071, member: 32717"]
boggles the mind that anything within 500 yards of a Lake Outfall was ever made private.
[/QUOTE]
...or beaches for that matter?!?  Don't understand why beachfront lots weren't sold with property lines that end at the dunes (?)

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="bob bob">boggles the mind that anything within 500 yards of a Lake Outfall was ever made private.</blockquote>...or beaches for that matter?!?  Don&#039;t understand why beachfront lots weren&#039;t sold with property lines that end at the dunes (?)

[QUOTE="Pura.Vida, post: 935185, member: 35791"]
...or beaches for that matter?!?  Don't understand why beachfront lots weren't sold with property lines that end at the dunes (?)
[/QUOTE]
Yeah there was no one watching anything back then -  it was a cluster bomb of a land grab. Imagine if there was a hundred yard or more buffer from the dunes and lakes, and Scenic 30A was north of all lakes ...  what could have been.

If not for state lands we would be even more screwed.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Pura.Vida">...or beaches for that matter?!?  Don&#039;t understand why beachfront lots weren&#039;t sold with property lines that end at the dunes (?)</blockquote>Yeah there was no one watching anything back then -  it was a cluster bomb of a land grab. Imagine if there was a hundred yard or more buffer from the dunes and lakes, and Scenic 30A was north of all lakes ...  what could have been.<br />
<br />
If not for state lands we would be even more screwed.

[QUOTE="Pura.Vida, post: 935185, member: 35791"]
...or beaches for that matter?!?  Don't understand why beachfront lots weren't sold with property lines that end at the dunes (?)
[/QUOTE]
Ran across this old photo....

[ATTACH type="full" width="239px"]91794[/ATTACH]

....looks like at some point cica 1950s a sidewalk ran along the top of the dunes in Seagrove.  Any "long timers' remember this?

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Pura.Vida">...or beaches for that matter?!?  Don&#039;t understand why beachfront lots weren&#039;t sold with property lines that end at the dunes (?)</blockquote>Ran across this old photo....<br />
<br />
<img src="https://sowal.com/forum/attachments/91794/" alt="Old Seagrove.jpeg" /><br />
<br />
....looks like at some point cica 1950s a sidewalk ran along the top of the dunes in Seagrove.  Any &quot;long timers&#039; remember this?

jodiFL

[QUOTE="Pura.Vida, post: 935731, member: 35791"]
Ran across this old photo....

[ATTACH type="full" width="239px" alt="Old Seagrove.jpeg"]91794[/ATTACH]

....looks like at some point cica 1950s a sidewalk ran along the top of the dunes in Seagrove.  Any "long timers' remember this?
[/QUOTE]
That was at Seagrove Villas. Mother Nature decided she didnt like it and took it and most of the dune back. Some of it stayed a sand "path" for a while but never more than that.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Pura.Vida">Ran across this old photo....<br />
<br />
<a href="https://sowal.com/forum/attachments/91794/">View attachment 91794</a><br />
<br />
....looks like at some point cica 1950s a sidewalk ran along the top of the dunes in Seagrove.  Any &quot;long timers&#039; remember this?</blockquote>That was at Seagrove Villas. Mother Nature decided she didnt like it and took it and most of the dune back. Some of it stayed a sand &quot;path&quot; for a while but never more than that.

James Bentwood

I know things were simpler and there was no malice but putting a sidewalk on top of dunes kind of sums up the SoWal experience of putting people's convenience and desires above a natural world beach environment that is so awesome it bring spiritual experience for those that are not entitled and selfish.

I know things were simpler and there was no malice but putting a sidewalk on top of dunes kind of sums up the SoWal experience of putting people&#039;s convenience and desires above a natural world beach environment that is so awesome it bring spiritual experience for those that are not entitled and selfish.

[QUOTE="Pura.Vida, post: 935731, member: 35791"]
Ran across this old photo....

[ATTACH type="full" width="239px" alt="Old Seagrove.jpeg"]91794[/ATTACH]

....looks like at some point cica 1950s a sidewalk ran along the top of the dunes in Seagrove.  Any "long timers' remember this?
[/QUOTE]

There are one or two remnants still remaining. It ran along the bluffs through much of old Seagrove (no bacon icon for that section).

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Pura.Vida">Ran across this old photo....<br />
<br />
<a href="https://sowal.com/forum/attachments/91794/">View attachment 91794</a><br />
<br />
....looks like at some point cica 1950s a sidewalk ran along the top of the dunes in Seagrove.  Any &quot;long timers&#039; remember this?</blockquote><br />
There are one or two remnants still remaining. It ran along the bluffs through much of old Seagrove (no bacon icon for that section).

Jim Tucker

With little time to spare, the Walton County Commission was able to salvage a deal that will add an estimated 500 feet of beach to its public property inventory.

Commissioners voted 4-1 on Tuesday to pay $9.5 million for a 3-acre tract of beach between Eastern Lake and the Gulf of Mexico near the Seagrove Beach community. The property includes the outfall that connects the rare coastal dune lake to the Gulf of Mexico.

The property sale will be completed Thursday, a day ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline landowner Peter Russell had set when he began negotiating with the county in October. 

The purchase will be paid for with tourist development tax funds. 

As part of the transaction, commissioners agreed to sign a document stating that the fair market value of the beach parcel was $18 million at the time of the sale and that Russell had provided the county $8.5 million of the value as a charitable donation.

The 4-1 super majority vote was required for the transaction to be finalized. Commissioner Tony Anderson, who cast the single dissenting vote, said he was in favor of buying the beach parcel, but as a self-described "pain in the butt rule follower" he did not feel he could honestly agree to $18 million as a fair market value for the land Russell was selling.

"I have a problem when I vote on something and I have to lie to someone to vote on it. ... I know that property is not worth $18 million," he said. "I feel like I'm lying to the IRS, which I despise, but it's still a lie." 

The commission was assured by interim County Attorney Clay Adkinson that the tax credit Russell and his company, San Roy Holdings LLC, would seek for contributing $8.5 million in property to the county was "between Mr. Russell and the IRS."

Adkinson said signing the tax document in which the fair market value was listed at $18 million would not affect the sale, and commissioners could not be held liable for attestations made by Russell to the federal government.

Russell originally approached the county with an offer to sell the parcel for $18 million, which he told them was the price he'd had it appraised for. Two county appraisals, however, estimated the value of the land at $6 million.

Russell at one point considered offering to split the difference and sell the county the property for $12 million, but by mid-December with the deadline looming, the sale price had dropped to $10 million, so long as commissioners agreed to the $18 million appraisal.

Many residents, particularly those living in Seagrove Beach, appeared willing throughout negotiations between Russell and the county to have commissioners spend whatever it took to obtain the land. 

In public forums they cited preserving the unique environmental features of Eastern Lake and all 15 of the county's coastal dune lakes, the benefit to the public of adding more county-owned beach and the opportunity to remove a large swath of coastline from private ownership. Russell on Tuesday estimated the beachfront at just under 500 feet.

"To me it is priceless, to these neighbors it is priceless, to the world it is priceless," Realtor Debbie Heard told commissioners in October.

Prior to Tuesday's vote, Russell reminded commissioners that their children's children would thank them if they agreed to buy his property. 

"Today your vote will be part of your legacy," he said. "This could be a step forward into the future of Walton County." 

Tentative plans call for construction of a pedestrian bridge spanning the outfall, whose width, depth and even location is dictated by environmental factors that include tides, rains and winds. There also has been discussion of adding parking nearby and installing restrooms and other amenities. 

San Roy Road resident John Martin, though, thought the county would be better served buying the property and then leaving it as is.

"I humbly request that when you deed the land over to the county you put restrictions in for no improvements," Martin said. "Put in the deed that we're going to leave it alone."

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/news/local/2021/12/30/walton-county-buys-beach-property-next-florida-eastern-lake-outfall-for-9-million/9045752002/[/URL]

With little time to spare, the Walton County Commission was able to salvage a deal that will add an estimated 500 feet of beach to its public property inventory.<br />
<br />
Commissioners voted 4-1 on Tuesday to pay $9.5 million for a 3-acre tract of beach between Eastern Lake and the Gulf of Mexico near the Seagrove Beach community. The property includes the outfall that connects the rare coastal dune lake to the Gulf of Mexico.<br />
<br />
The property sale will be completed Thursday, a day ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline landowner Peter Russell had set when he began negotiating with the county in October. <br />
<br />
The purchase will be paid for with tourist development tax funds. <br />
<br />
As part of the transaction, commissioners agreed to sign a document stating that the fair market value of the beach parcel was $18 million at the time of the sale and that Russell had provided the county $8.5 million of the value as a charitable donation.<br />
<br />
The 4-1 super majority vote was required for the transaction to be finalized. Commissioner Tony Anderson, who cast the single dissenting vote, said he was in favor of buying the beach parcel, but as a self-described &quot;pain in the butt rule follower&quot; he did not feel he could honestly agree to $18 million as a fair market value for the land Russell was selling.<br />
<br />
&quot;I have a problem when I vote on something and I have to lie to someone to vote on it. ... I know that property is not worth $18 million,&quot; he said. &quot;I feel like I&#039;m lying to the IRS, which I despise, but it&#039;s still a lie.&quot; <br />
<br />
The commission was assured by interim County Attorney Clay Adkinson that the tax credit Russell and his company, San Roy Holdings LLC, would seek for contributing $8.5 million in property to the county was &quot;between Mr. Russell and the IRS.&quot;<br />
<br />
Adkinson said signing the tax document in which the fair market value was listed at $18 million would not affect the sale, and commissioners could not be held liable for attestations made by Russell to the federal government.<br />
<br />
Russell originally approached the county with an offer to sell the parcel for $18 million, which he told them was the price he&#039;d had it appraised for. Two county appraisals, however, estimated the value of the land at $6 million.<br />
<br />
Russell at one point considered offering to split the difference and sell the county the property for $12 million, but by mid-December with the deadline looming, the sale price had dropped to $10 million, so long as commissioners agreed to the $18 million appraisal.<br />
<br />
Many residents, particularly those living in Seagrove Beach, appeared willing throughout negotiations between Russell and the county to have commissioners spend whatever it took to obtain the land. <br />
<br />
In public forums they cited preserving the unique environmental features of Eastern Lake and all 15 of the county&#039;s coastal dune lakes, the benefit to the public of adding more county-owned beach and the opportunity to remove a large swath of coastline from private ownership. Russell on Tuesday estimated the beachfront at just under 500 feet.<br />
<br />
&quot;To me it is priceless, to these neighbors it is priceless, to the world it is priceless,&quot; Realtor Debbie Heard told commissioners in October.<br />
<br />
Prior to Tuesday&#039;s vote, Russell reminded commissioners that their children&#039;s children would thank them if they agreed to buy his property. <br />
<br />
&quot;Today your vote will be part of your legacy,&quot; he said. &quot;This could be a step forward into the future of Walton County.&quot; <br />
<br />
Tentative plans call for construction of a pedestrian bridge spanning the outfall, whose width, depth and even location is dictated by environmental factors that include tides, rains and winds. There also has been discussion of adding parking nearby and installing restrooms and other amenities. <br />
<br />
San Roy Road resident John Martin, though, thought the county would be better served buying the property and then leaving it as is.<br />
<br />
&quot;I humbly request that when you deed the land over to the county you put restrictions in for no improvements,&quot; Martin said. &quot;Put in the deed that we&#039;re going to leave it alone.&quot;<br />
<br />

	

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					<a href="https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/news/local/2021/12/30/walton-county-buys-beach-property-next-florida-eastern-lake-outfall-for-9-million/9045752002/"
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						Done deal: Walton Commission consummates $9.5M purchase of Eastern Lake property
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				<div class="contentRow-snippet js-unfurl-desc">Following months of negotiation, the Walton County Commission voted Tuesday to purchase about three acres of beach property in Seagrove Beach, Florida.</div>

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John Martin's words were a perfect expression of what the majority of people feel: This piece of land should the center focus of "Preservation" of the few remaining pristine stretches of beach left in South Walton. There are plans for parking and bathrooms inland nearby, so I can't see any reason to do anything with this land but to cherish it. Many thanks to the government officials that helped make this happen.

John Martin&#039;s words were a perfect expression of what the majority of people feel: This piece of land should the center focus of &quot;Preservation&quot; of the few remaining pristine stretches of beach left in South Walton. There are plans for parking and bathrooms inland nearby, so I can&#039;t see any reason to do anything with this land but to cherish it. Many thanks to the government officials that helped make this happen.

leeboy

[QUOTE="Lake View Too, post: 937156, member: 9756"]
John Martin's words were a perfect expression of what the majority of people feel: This piece of land should the center focus of "Preservation" of the few remaining pristine stretches of beach left in South Walton. There are plans for parking and bathrooms inland nearby, so I can't see any reason to do anything with this land but to cherish it. Many thanks to the government officials that helped make this happen.
[/QUOTE]
What are your thoughts about a bridge over the outfall?

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="Lake View Too">John Martin&#039;s words were a perfect expression of what the majority of people feel: This piece of land should the center focus of &quot;Preservation&quot; of the few remaining pristine stretches of beach left in South Walton. There are plans for parking and bathrooms inland nearby, so I can&#039;t see any reason to do anything with this land but to cherish it. Many thanks to the government officials that helped make this happen.</blockquote>What are your thoughts about a bridge over the outfall?

justhavinfun

Having lived in the immediate area for the last decade and seen how mother nature reacts, this would be an enormously bad idea - the last thing a coastal dune lake needs is more human intervention as means of convienance. JMHO..

[QUOTE="leeboy, post: 937161, member: 29906"]
What are your thoughts about a bridge over the outfall?
[/QUOTE]
Absolutely not. The way the outfall meanders would make it useless in months. If people traveling thousands of miles to get to the beach can't wade through a foot and a half of lake water, maybe they shouldn't be coming to this stretch of beach.

<blockquote class="xfBb-quote" data-name="leeboy">What are your thoughts about a bridge over the outfall?</blockquote>Absolutely not. The way the outfall meanders would make it useless in months. If people traveling thousands of miles to get to the beach can&#039;t wade through a foot and a half of lake water, maybe they shouldn&#039;t be coming to this stretch of beach.

Did the sale close? If so, What are Walton County's plans for the parcel?

Did the sale close? If so, What are Walton County&#039;s plans for the parcel?

Beacher

Got this email and it jolted me.

[TABLE]
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[TD]We need your support NOW!   

Dear Fellow Citizens,

The time is NOW to take a stand against Private Development on Eastern Lake!

The Walton County BCC has the opportunity to Purchase [B][U]the Russell Property at the Eastern Lake Outfall.[/U][/B]
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[TD]                                       [IMG]https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/V0dZ2m6pZbFm_lzhM276jMOq1w0XvDDuNS8R8XA-Kx7DT94tNewJABGsyyW2nODR4lXorobzQv87c19Blnd24RmUqGjc8eI9K-TjgINw9-ZF6TJJCFKgTsZFRsAdl4W5vji-aCZ2z_0LgrL8OmuJHzt3H-0SGP1Ior4w1Q=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66/_compresseds/d79866f7-4c57-ed09-360c-2f71d3cf99c7.jpg[/IMG][/TD]
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[TD]                                       [IMG]https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/t9wry-zfI9omc4uR6aAD-KaG-YXevlGt2yOAl2NVgZUYhIdY4k5fR7QRPyHSDhjS3Evk6c12uZWaFjo4oU7TOXgUcGr4H02nGpfhjt80yYuws2zf27W3Y0enlPqlF_kHVLq_Dy5TGYWq_m-gJRWLx_nnkYpFxA=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66/images/8e76db3e-0691-b77a-5814-19fcb55526b2.jpg[/IMG][/TD]
[/TR]
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[TD]                                               
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[TD]Sign the Petition at:
[URL='https://WalConews.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66&id=0fec24f221&e=2d51b9c6b8']www.saveeasternlake.com[/URL][/TD]
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[TD] 
This Property will be discussed at the Next BCC meeting on:
[U]Tuesday, October 26th at 9:00 AM[/U]
at the South Walton Courthouse Annex.

You can see the meeting agenda here:
[URL='https://WalConews.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66&id=5b713d160d&e=2d51b9c6b8']https://walton.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=1182[/URL]

[B][U]About the Property[/U][/B]

This is a VERY Special Property that we have wanted to purchase for many years. It is the last and ONLY large undeveloped beachfront parcel in the Eastern Lake Area.

[B][U]What’s at Stake?[/U]

If purchased by the County............. [/B]
The property can be used to build a MUCH NEEDED [U]Regional Beach Access[/U] for the Eastern Lake Area. 

[B]If Not Purchased by the County (Now).........[/B]
It will almost certainly be sold for private development of a Monster House, Condos, or Private Beach Club. It will most likely be privatized and not open for public use.

There has been lots of talk about Large Developers being interested in the Parcel including St. Joe and DR Horton. Given the Current Market Conditions thats not surprising. St Joe is currently building a new hotel/condos on 30A directly north of this parcel. This Hotel/Condo complex does not have any Beach Access of its own, making the Russell Property a very desirable potential purchase.

The Bottom Line is this is our[U][B] last chance to preserve this land for Future Generations.[/B][/U]

The sad reality is if we Do Not Purchase it NOW, we are merely approving it to be developed and privatized.

[U]Funding Options[/U]

There are many options to fund the purchase of this property. It can be purchased with Bed Tax Dollars collected by the TDC, meaning [U]ZERO Tax Payer dollars[/U] would be needed.

It also clearly qualifies for several grants and triumph fund dollars.

All that is REQUIRED is [U][B]Grassroots Citizen Support[/B][/U] to make this happen!

We have built a website that has more info and talking points to support the purchase if you wish to help spread the word.
Website is here:
[URL='https://WalConews.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66&id=f986913706&e=2d51b9c6b8']www.saveeasternlake.com[/URL]

Now is the time to act!
Please sign the petition below to ask the BCC to purchase this property at FAIR MARKET VALUE to be used for Preservation and Public use.

Also please sign up for email alerts to be notified about any future BCC meetings where this property will be discussed.

And MOST IMPORTANTLY……

PLEASE ATTEND THE BCC MEETING THIS TUESDAY AT 9AM AT THE SOUTH WALTON ANNEX.

Please direct any questions and concerns to:
[B] Robin Walters Haynes
 (205) 222-2789 
[EMAIL]haynesw@bellsouth.net[/EMAIL][/B]

More info can be found at our website here:
[URL='https://WalConews.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66&id=11d777e2d1&e=2d51b9c6b8']www.saveeasternlake.com[/URL]

Thank You and God Bless Walton County!

Save Eastern Lake[/TD]
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Got this email and it jolted me.<br />
<br />
<div class='xfBb-table'>
<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><div style="text-align: left"><div class='xfBb-table'>
<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>We need your support NOW!   <br />
<br />
Dear Fellow Citizens,<br />
<br />
The time is NOW to take a stand against Private Development on Eastern Lake!<br />
<br />
The Walton County BCC has the opportunity to Purchase <b><u>the Russell Property at the Eastern Lake Outfall.</u></b><br />
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<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>                                       <img src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/V0dZ2m6pZbFm_lzhM276jMOq1w0XvDDuNS8R8XA-Kx7DT94tNewJABGsyyW2nODR4lXorobzQv87c19Blnd24RmUqGjc8eI9K-TjgINw9-ZF6TJJCFKgTsZFRsAdl4W5vji-aCZ2z_0LgrL8OmuJHzt3H-0SGP1Ior4w1Q=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66/_compresseds/d79866f7-4c57-ed09-360c-2f71d3cf99c7.jpg" alt="" /></td></tr></table>
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<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>                                       <img src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/t9wry-zfI9omc4uR6aAD-KaG-YXevlGt2yOAl2NVgZUYhIdY4k5fR7QRPyHSDhjS3Evk6c12uZWaFjo4oU7TOXgUcGr4H02nGpfhjt80yYuws2zf27W3Y0enlPqlF_kHVLq_Dy5TGYWq_m-gJRWLx_nnkYpFxA=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66/images/8e76db3e-0691-b77a-5814-19fcb55526b2.jpg" alt="" /></td></tr></table>
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<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Sign the Petition at:<br />
<a href="https://WalConews.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66&amp;id=0fec24f221&amp;e=2d51b9c6b8" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">www.saveeasternlake.com</a></td></tr></table>
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<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td> <br />
This Property will be discussed at the Next BCC meeting on:<br />
<u>Tuesday, October 26th at 9:00 AM</u><br />
at the South Walton Courthouse Annex.<br />
<br />
You can see the meeting agenda here:<br />
<a href="https://WalConews.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66&amp;id=5b713d160d&amp;e=2d51b9c6b8" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">https://walton.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&amp;Id=1182</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>About the Property</u></b><br />
<br />
This is a VERY Special Property that we have wanted to purchase for many years. It is the last and ONLY large undeveloped beachfront parcel in the Eastern Lake Area.<br />
<br />
<b><u>What’s at Stake?</u><br />
<br />
If purchased by the County............. </b><br />
The property can be used to build a MUCH NEEDED <u>Regional Beach Access</u> for the Eastern Lake Area. <br />
<br />
<b>If Not Purchased by the County (Now).........</b><br />
It will almost certainly be sold for private development of a Monster House, Condos, or Private Beach Club. It will most likely be privatized and not open for public use.<br />
<br />
There has been lots of talk about Large Developers being interested in the Parcel including St. Joe and DR Horton. Given the Current Market Conditions thats not surprising. St Joe is currently building a new hotel/condos on 30A directly north of this parcel. This Hotel/Condo complex does not have any Beach Access of its own, making the Russell Property a very desirable potential purchase.<br />
<br />
The Bottom Line is this is our<u><b> last chance to preserve this land for Future Generations.</b></u><br />
<br />
The sad reality is if we Do Not Purchase it NOW, we are merely approving it to be developed and privatized.<br />
<br />
<u>Funding Options</u><br />
<br />
There are many options to fund the purchase of this property. It can be purchased with Bed Tax Dollars collected by the TDC, meaning <u>ZERO Tax Payer dollars</u> would be needed.<br />
<br />
It also clearly qualifies for several grants and triumph fund dollars.<br />
<br />
All that is REQUIRED is <u><b>Grassroots Citizen Support</b></u> to make this happen!<br />
<br />
We have built a website that has more info and talking points to support the purchase if you wish to help spread the word.<br />
Website is here:<br />
<a href="https://WalConews.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66&amp;id=f986913706&amp;e=2d51b9c6b8" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">www.saveeasternlake.com</a><br />
<br />
Now is the time to act!<br />
Please sign the petition below to ask the BCC to purchase this property at FAIR MARKET VALUE to be used for Preservation and Public use.<br />
<br />
Also please sign up for email alerts to be notified about any future BCC meetings where this property will be discussed.<br />
<br />
And MOST IMPORTANTLY……<br />
<br />
PLEASE ATTEND THE BCC MEETING THIS TUESDAY AT 9AM AT THE SOUTH WALTON ANNEX.<br />
<br />
Please direct any questions and concerns to:<br />
<b> Robin Walters Haynes<br />
 (205) 222-2789 <br />
<a href="mailto:haynesw@bellsouth.net">haynesw@bellsouth.net</a></b><br />
<br />
More info can be found at our website here:<br />
<a href="https://WalConews.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f84d8ce60e4ad177b7a830d66&amp;id=11d777e2d1&amp;e=2d51b9c6b8" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">www.saveeasternlake.com</a><br />
<br />
Thank You and God Bless Walton County!<br />
<br />
Save Eastern Lake</td></tr></table>
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</div>

Save Eastern Lake from Development! Update: County Pays $9.5M

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Save Eastern Lake from Development! Update: County Pays $9.5M

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