I know many don't see the Beach Breeze/Defuniak Herald so I thought I would post this article from July 12th that I found interesting. It looks like we will have more fireworks in addition to handcuffs on the beach. By the way, note that this will affect private individuals and vendors so let the funn begin..
Items left on beach to be removed
By DOTTY NIST
"Remove it or lose it," is now the rule in the evening on Walton County beaches.
To alleviate what has been identified as "a severe problem," Walton County has initiated a coordinated approach to have beaches clear of clutter in the evenings. The clutter of chairs, awnings, umbrellas, and other items on the beach has long been a complaint of South Walton Turtle Watch volunteers.
Federally-protected native sea turtles come onto the beach during their spring and fall nesting season, and their reproduction can be hampered by obstacles left on the beach in the evening. Human beachgoers can also run into or trip over these obstacles as they walk on the beach at night.
On June 28, Pat Blackshear, county planning and development services director, announced a cooperative effort between the county, the tourism council, and the sheriff's office to address the problem.
Blackshear explained that items left on the beach would be tagged and then removed after 24 hours if not taken off the beach by their owners. The policy applies both to private individuals and beach vendors, who are being notified by mail.
Walton County Sheriff's Office and Walton County Code Enforcement personnel will share patrol and tagging duties. South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC) personnel will pick up tagged items once the 24-hour period has elapsed, and owners will forfeit items that are picked up.
TDC Executive Director Kriss Titus commented that, while Walton County's beaches have been honored by the Clean Beaches Council, she believes that the TDC has not been getting the message out about the importance of an uncluttered beach.
She said the TDC plans a "remove it or lose it" marketing campaign and will post information on its web page urging visitors to comply.
Replies
658
Beach Fanatic
Well, It's morning.
Are they gone?
Inquiring minds 487 miles away want to know!!!
Are they gone?
Inquiring minds 487 miles away want to know!!!
Beach Lover
They are still there. do you have the website to look for yourself? If not let us know.
Here ya go just in case....
http://ajs01.dyndns.org/Jview.htm
Here ya go just in case....
http://ajs01.dyndns.org/Jview.htm
Edited
Beach Fanatic
Well, It's morning.
Are they gone?
Inquiring minds 487 miles away want to know!!!
I made a quick rough slide show of video images of Eastern Lake on Tuesday at dawn. That is the day after tagged items were picked up. Much is gone. Some stuff there. See it here:
http://wholeo.net/Trips/Travel/Florida/srb/images/eLake7-31-07/index.html
Meow
They are still there. do you have the website to look for yourself? If not let us know.
Here ya go just in case....
http://ajs01.dyndns.org/Jview.htm
...I am pitchin' a fit while they keep pitchin' those tents. Thanks for the link...we need help here!!!
Beach Fanatic
I made a quick rough slide show of video images of Eastern Lake on Tuesday at dawn. That is the day after tagged items were picked up. Much is gone. Some stuff there. See it here:
http://wholeo.net/Trips/Travel/Florida/srb/images/eLake7-31-07/index.html
Thanks so much. That looks A LOT better. When I left Saturday AM, there was way more stuff out there.
Beach Fanatic
Thanks y_k.
I hate those damn tents!!! Hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em!!!
We usually stay in the Seagrove/Seaside area and it seems like the things get together at night and reproduce themselves. We were there in April or May (I forget) and there were three of the damn things there all wek.
Did I say that I hate 'em?
I hate those damn tents!!! Hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em!!!
We usually stay in the Seagrove/Seaside area and it seems like the things get together at night and reproduce themselves. We were there in April or May (I forget) and there were three of the damn things there all wek.
Did I say that I hate 'em?
hmmmm......can't remember
They are still there. do you have the website to look for yourself? If not let us know.
Here ya go just in case....
http://ajs01.dyndns.org/Jview.htm
When I looked at the blue one, all I could think was that there should be a coffin underneath it...Maybe if you hired some mourners...
Beach Fanatic
They are still there. do you have the website to look for yourself? If not let us know.
Here ya go just in case....
http://ajs01.dyndns.org/Jview.htm
Are there any other webcams on the beach?
This one is for Blue Mt. Beach. Love it. It is real time, so I watched a surfer descend the stairs and walk out of view. If someone monitored this webcam at the right times, you could capture screen shots of telling events. Before tagging (snap picture). Did sheriff tag it (snap picture)? If so, did tag stay there? If not, snap picture of removal. Did TDC pick it up (snap picture)? After pickup (snap picture).
The tagger comes after dark. Whenever that is? The TDC come early in the morning.
Beach Fanatic
Whole lot of stuff left out last night. I was down at the Eastern Lake area around 6am this morning and could easily tell from the lack of tracks in the sand after the rain last night, that tents, chairs and everything were all left out last night.
Makes one grumpy after you take the time to stay in compliance and space is difficult to find in the morning because one was stupid enough to believe people would behave only 3 days since the sweep. Doh!!
Speaking to other beach guys, we're "120% behind this ordinance IF it's properly done." Difficult to convince visitors and customers we must pull the chairs around 5pm if they see others leaving tents and such out at night. Must repeat....it will get better, it will get better.
Should I feel bad for setting up chairs in front of a tent that I know was left out overnight?
Nah. ;-)
Makes one grumpy after you take the time to stay in compliance and space is difficult to find in the morning because one was stupid enough to believe people would behave only 3 days since the sweep. Doh!!
Speaking to other beach guys, we're "120% behind this ordinance IF it's properly done." Difficult to convince visitors and customers we must pull the chairs around 5pm if they see others leaving tents and such out at night. Must repeat....it will get better, it will get better.
Should I feel bad for setting up chairs in front of a tent that I know was left out overnight?
Nah. ;-)
SoWal Expert
Makes one grumpy after you take the time to stay in compliance and space is difficult to find in the morning because one was stupid enough to believe people would behave only 3 days since the sweep. Doh!!
Speaking to other beach guys, we're "120% behind this ordinance IF it's properly done." Difficult to convince visitors and customers we must pull the chairs around 5pm if they see others leaving tents and such out at night. Must repeat....it will get better, it will get better.
Should I feel bad for setting up chairs in front of a tent that I know was left out overnight?
Nah. ;-)
I know I appreciate the effort you guys are putting into complying!
I think it should be SOP to put chairs in front of neglected tents
.Beach Fanatic
TnJed,
HAIL NO!!
HAIL NO!!
Beach FanaticAuthor
Whole lot of stuff left out last night. I was down at the Eastern Lake area around 6am this morning and could easily tell from the lack of tracks in the sand after the rain last night, that tents, chairs and everything were all left out last night.
Makes one grumpy after you take the time to stay in compliance and space is difficult to find in the morning because one was stupid enough to believe people would behave only 3 days since the sweep. Doh!!
Speaking to other beach guys, we're "120% behind this ordinance IF it's properly done." Difficult to convince visitors and customers we must pull the chairs around 5pm if they see others leaving tents and such out at night. Must repeat....it will get better, it will get better.
Should I feel bad for setting up chairs in front of a tent that I know was left out overnight?
Nah. ;-)
I agree it's great that you guys are doing your best to make this program work, but I also had a question since you seem to be a VERY conscientious vendor.
When you get your permit to provide vending services are you provided with a copy of the ordinance that is related to beach activities? The reason I ask is that with any other business, the business owner is expected to follow any laws that are related to the operation of their buisness whether or not they are ever enforced. I know that may seem unfair just like when you have two businesses that are conducting the same service and one follows the law and the other doesn't. It just seems that in the case with vendors who aren't as conscientious as you there would be an opportunity to clean those up very quickly.
As for private individuals, I agree it will take more sweeps, education, and enforcement. Hopefully it will help with Sgt/Mr. Brown coming on board as Beach Activities.
Meow
TnJed,
HAIL NO!!
..do it do it do it!!!!
Beach Fanatic
I did hear that Ryan Brown was leaving the WCSO and taking a county position; that's all Fuzz knew. If it is Beach Activities Coordinator, that is wonderful. He is a PERFECT fit for that.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I did hear that Ryan Brown was leaving the WCSO and taking a county position; that's all Fuzz knew. If it is Beach Activities Coordinator, that is wonderful. He is a PERFECT fit for that.
It is and I couldn't agree more.
Beach Fanatic
When you get your permit to provide vending services are you provided with a copy of the ordinance that is related to beach activities? The reason I ask is that with any other business, the business owner is expected to follow any laws that are related to the operation of their buisness whether or not they are ever enforced. I know that may seem unfair just like when you have two businesses that are conducting the same service and one follows the law and the other doesn't. It just seems that in the case with vendors who aren't as conscientious as you there would be an opportunity to clean those up very quickly.
As for private individuals, I agree it will take more sweeps, education, and enforcement. Hopefully it will help with Sgt/Mr. Brown coming on board as Beach Activities.
At the vendors meeting early this spring we were all provided with the ordinances and verbally told about this enforcement starting this year. Took a while to get to it, but we were warned.
In any business where you work literally side by side with your "competitors" one wants to work with one another and not against each other, so I won't be outing any of them. Mostly because we have the same interests, look out for one another, and I understand their dilemma in clearing a beach only to find it was filled by public gear the next morning. I'm a small new company so it's easier for me to find a space here or there for my few set ups.
Yes we are expected to do what is asked of us by law as in any business. Our specific problem is the public cannot be held accountable quickly enough, at the present moment, to the same laws which makes our job and reasoning to customers much more difficult. Especially when renters take a dozen or so little metal chairs and stretch them out over a 20 yard section of water front space next to half a dozen tents, for the second night in a row.
As for businesses being held accountable, permits are revocable so I'm not about to risk mine. I'll leave that consequence up to the other owners and just do my best to go about my own business.
I'm keeping the faith and not looking for an overnight solution (ha! ok, technically i guess I am), just keeping track of the progress to help those who'd like to know how to improve it.
Edit: I just wanted to add, though I appreciate the thought, I'm certainly not the only conscientious owner. Just one of the few that knows about posting here.
Edited
SoWal Expert
I did notice that Sam Wesley, of Grayton Beach Services, had more than the usual number of chair setups last week.
SoWal Expert
Sounds like getting the word out to all the visitors ASAP that no stuff can be left on the beach overnight would be the best way to deal with the problems you mentioned.
Enforcement/manpower is always an issue, but I'm hoping that most folks are leaving items out because of ignorance of the rules rather than deliberate violation, so that once the word gets out there will be less stuff and those folks will be the focus of the ticketing.
Enforcement/manpower is always an issue, but I'm hoping that most folks are leaving items out because of ignorance of the rules rather than deliberate violation, so that once the word gets out there will be less stuff and those folks will be the focus of the ticketing.
Beach FanaticAuthor
At the vendors meeting early this spring we were all provided with the ordinances and verbally told about this enforcement starting this year. Took a while to get to it, but we were warned.
In any business where you work literally side by side with your "competitors" one wants to work with one another and not against each other, so I won't be outing any of them. Mostly because we have the same interests, look out for one another, and I understand their dilemma in clearing a beach only to find it was filled by public gear the next morning. I'm a small new company so it's easier for me to find a space here or there for my few set ups.
Yes we are expected to do what is asked of us by law as in any business. Our specific problem is the public cannot be held accountable quickly enough, at the present moment, to the same laws which makes our job and reasoning to customers much more difficult. Especially when renters take a dozen or so little metal chairs and stretch them out over a 20 yard section of water front space next to half a dozen tents, for the second night in a row.
As for businesses being held accountable, permits are revocable so I'm not about to risk mine. I'll leave that consequence up to the other owners and just do my best to go about my own business.
I'm keeping the faith and not looking for an overnight solution (ha! ok, technically i guess I am), just keeping track of the progress to help those who'd like to know how to improve it.
Edit: I just wanted to add, though I appreciate the thought, I'm certainly not the only conscientious owner. Just one of the few that knows about posting here.
I can imagine the looks you get when you have to pull your gear and the "renters" look down the beach and say but hey, they left theirs out. Good luck and great post keep tracking that progress. Luckily, I know of a few more conscientious ones also. ;-)
SoWal Insider
I must be weird. I have never left anything on the beach in all the years I've been there. I must be very untrusting. Years ago I remember being amazed that everyone leaves their flip flops by the walkovers. I just carry them. I don't even trust that my cute new flip flops will still be there, much less a tent or chair.
Beach Fanatic
Ms Seaside and itty bitty seaside used to look over the flip flops and decide which to "trade" theirs for. Wouldn't let them do it though!!
SoWal Insider
Ms Seaside and itty bitty seaside used to look over the flip flops and decide which to "trade" theirs for. Wouldn't let them do it though!!
I knew it!
SoWal Expert
I must be weird. I have never left anything on the beach in all the years I've been there. I must be very untrusting. Years ago I remember being amazed that everyone leaves their flip flops by the walkovers. I just carry them. I don't even trust that my cute new flip flops will still be there, much less a tent or chair.
My beach shoes aren't exactly the cutest/most $ pair I own, but it still took me a while to feel ok about leaving my shoes and walking away from my towel etc. to take a stroll.
Now I feel that if someone REALLY wants to steal my $7 flip flops, the tote bag I got free, my towel, or library paperback karma will deal w/ them!
SoWal Insider
I must be weird. I have never left anything on the beach in all the years I've been there. I must be very untrusting. Years ago I remember being amazed that everyone leaves their flip flops by the walkovers. I just carry them. I don't even trust that my cute new flip flops will still be there, much less a tent or chair.
Me too...initially. But then it starting growing on me seeing all the flip flops together. It gives me a home town feeling that I hope never changes.
hmmmm......can't remember
I gotta stop reading this thread. Now I'm gonna be uptight about leaving my flip flops on the walkover (if I wear them; I usually just go barefoot anyway,) or dents in the sand from my chair, or any other trace of my existance somewhere...
Can I still pee in the ocean?
Can I still pee in the ocean?
Edited
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