This morning as my wife and I were returing form a shoreline walk we saw county officials asking a couple of men to move their "set up" from infront of The Retreat at Blue Mountain Beach. About an hour later my wife saw him being led from the beach in handcuffs for tresspassing. One of the men was taking pictures... maybe we'll see them post them here.
I know from reading previous posts that this is a hot button issue but it seems that some want to enforce the "letter of the law". I saw where they were placed and it was close to the water line very near the boundry of the Inn at Blue Mountain. They seemed to minding their own business. As the sherriff left I happened to walk by them and heard "I think it was the right call... where the wet sand meets the dry".
I'm confused, the beachgoers were were set up outside of the posted signs. If the owners really want to keep people out can they fence in their beach? (not that I'd want to see that)
In the many years of coming to SoWal I've always been impressed with the civility of residents and tourists -- although I have heard some horror stories. We abolutely love it here and treat it as though we already live here. But I was very surprised that it seems the owners are calling the country for what seems such a small infraction -- seems like a waste.
This was the second day in a row that I saw county officials inforcing the private beach rule.
Is the pendulum swinging?
Replies
962Beach Lover
Tell you what
A similar situation occured a few days ago at the Retreat when homeowners forced a family to move 5', (yes 5 feet!) because they had 'encroached' on the Retreat beach.
EVERYBODY at the party I was at on Sunday was talking about this because several of them witnessed the event.
Everbody was pissed and ready to protest.
It is ridiculous that some Retreat homeowners have nothing better to do in their multi-million dollar beachfront homes but leer down on beachgoers.
Is this why you bought into this area? Pleeeeeeeeeeease, get a life!
A well managed protest in front of the offending resident would probably make a very strong point, since apparently -these folks are strung way too tight and would be horrified at the uncalculated consequences of their actions.
When I become a Multi Millionare the Frist thing Im going to do is buy back all that beach. Then I'm going to Advertise FREE BUSCH BEER!!!! After I run off all those pompas idiots, I will alow anyone who would like to use the beach the oppertunity to use it, provided of course the keep it clean, because I can't stand litter bugs. In mant other states its against the law to prohibit the public from any part of the beach any where. I sure wish it was like that here. Then I wouldnt have to walk over a mile to fish off of a jetty.
A similar situation occured a few days ago at the Retreat when homeowners forced a family to move 5', (yes 5 feet!) because they had 'encroached' on the Retreat beach.
EVERYBODY at the party I was at on Sunday was talking about this because several of them witnessed the event.
Everbody was pissed and ready to protest.
It is ridiculous that some Retreat homeowners have nothing better to do in their multi-million dollar beachfront homes but leer down on beachgoers.
Is this why you bought into this area? Pleeeeeeeeeeease, get a life!
A well managed protest in front of the offending resident would probably make a very strong point, since apparently -these folks are strung way too tight and would be horrified at the uncalculated consequences of their actions.
When I become a Multi Millionare the Frist thing Im going to do is buy back all that beach. Then I'm going to Advertise FREE BUSCH BEER!!!! After I run off all those pompas idiots, I will alow anyone who would like to use the beach the oppertunity to use it, provided of course the keep it clean, because I can't stand litter bugs. In mant other states its against the law to prohibit the public from any part of the beach any where. I sure wish it was like that here. Then I wouldnt have to walk over a mile to fish off of a jetty.
Beach Lover
Did you know......
.........the entire Oregon Coast is a State Park? No private beaches there! (this is where the people who don't like what I have to say suggest I go there ):roll:
It is hard for me to be sympathetic to rich people complaining about people being "on their beach" when FEMA pays for their houses after hurricanes ruin them!:shock:
.........the entire Oregon Coast is a State Park? No private beaches there! (this is where the people who don't like what I have to say suggest I go there ):roll:
It is hard for me to be sympathetic to rich people complaining about people being "on their beach" when FEMA pays for their houses after hurricanes ruin them!:shock:
Beach Fanatic
.........the entire Oregon Coast is a State Park? No private beaches there! (this is where the people who don't like what I have to say suggest I go there ):roll:
It is hard for me to be sympathetic to rich people complaining about people being "on their beach" when FEMA pays for their houses after hurricanes ruin them!:shock:
You may want to check the highlighted statement as I don't believe FEMA pays for the replacement of private structures in the manner that you think. The homeowner may have flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program of which there is coverage up to a maximum of $250,000, but so do others who live in Sowal and not along the coast. Moreover, they pay an insurance premium just like I do for the coverage they are provided.
That being said, FEMA does have two categories of funding (categories B & G) where public facilities, emergency sand placement, debris removal and other types of projects can occur on the beach that are directly beneficial to the upland owner. I just don't think there is house replacement.
Beach Fanatic
FEMA, Flood Insurance nor any other public funding helped put our dune, walkover and townhomes back in place. It was all done with our private money. More than I can say for NOLA or some other places that have had disaster damage.
Beach Fanatic
FEMA, Flood Insurance nor any other public funding helped put our dune, walkover and townhomes back in place. It was all done with our private money. More than I can say for NOLA or some other places that have had disaster damage.
That is what I remembered. Thank you for your post.
Beach Fanatic
This still may rank in my world as one of the saddest threads ever on Sowal. Arrested on a beach? Wow? Have we really gotten that sorry. The thought of someone calling the cops to have someone removed from "their" beach turns my stomach a bit. I would love to be witness of the person making the call. It would be quite hysterical!
911: This is 911, what is your emergency?
Caller: We are down here on the beach and some "other people" are down here on our beach.
911: I will ask again. What is your emergency?
Caller: You see this is our beach. The lot lines in our deed say that this is our beach. Could you just get someone down here to remove these people. BTW, they have tattoos.
911: OK... Seriously, what is your emergency?
Caller: Could you hurry up? One of them looked at us! It appears they are trying to just sit there and enjoy our beach. Help us!
911: Look. Did you not know that you can't really own the beach. It's like trying to own the sky.
Caller: What is you name! I need someone down here right now! One of them just laughed out loud. They seem to be enjoying themselves on our beach! Help! This could really get out of hand. These people may have friends!
911: Click...
911: This is 911, what is your emergency?
Caller: We are down here on the beach and some "other people" are down here on our beach.
911: I will ask again. What is your emergency?
Caller: You see this is our beach. The lot lines in our deed say that this is our beach. Could you just get someone down here to remove these people. BTW, they have tattoos.
911: OK... Seriously, what is your emergency?
Caller: Could you hurry up? One of them looked at us! It appears they are trying to just sit there and enjoy our beach. Help us!
911: Look. Did you not know that you can't really own the beach. It's like trying to own the sky.
Caller: What is you name! I need someone down here right now! One of them just laughed out loud. They seem to be enjoying themselves on our beach! Help! This could really get out of hand. These people may have friends!
911: Click...
Edited
Beach Fanatic
FEMA, Flood Insurance nor any other public funding helped put our dune, walkover and townhomes back in place. It was all done with our private money. More than I can say for NOLA or some other places that have had disaster damage.And this was done with the proper DEP permitting? You decided to live on the beach front on a barrier island! Guess what folks, Walton county wins the prize for having the highest density of Village Idiots! Having lots of money doesn't mean it can buy you intelligence but it damn sure can pay for your mistakes. If your townhomes were not built on the dune system to begin with we would not be having this conversation period. It's a moot point!
SWGB
Bobby J, good post.
BTW, they have tattoos. :funn:
BTW, they have tattoos. :funn:
Beach Fanatic
bobbyj you make me 
.
.
SoWal Insider
I always have to check out Romeo's posts which led me back to BobbyJ's post....
:funn:
These people may have friends.
:funn:
These people may have friends.
Skunky
I read in the latest DFunk Herald legal notices that some property issues regarding BMB are on the agenda at the next BCC meeting. Will the beach issue be raised at that time? It is written in legaleze, so pardon my ignorance.
Beach Fanatic
Interesting thread. Customary Use has been going on for awhile.
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