New big blue signs in SoWal

Punzy, the motion by Mary Brown which passed, included that all wayfinding signs, including those on 30A, would have their height adjusted to the appropriate height and would be removed when new signs are manufactured and installed, to take the place of these current wayfinding signs.

Yes, but do you know if the motion that eventually passed allowed for the wayfinding signs to stay up until replaced, or just through the "season"? That was the point I wasn't sure I'd gotten correct.

I'm pretty optimistic that the BCC will not throw good money after bad in order to lower signs that are temporary.

The motion which passed had nothing to do with the season. She clarified it as the wayfinding (directional) signs would remain until they were replaced, and the Chairman even noted that the sooner everyone could get together to decide on new signs, the sooner the wayfinding signs could come down. That is when Dave said that they didn't need two months, that they were ready to meet next week.

I find it interesting that they didn't follow Robert's Rules of Order in the voting on Mr Gifford's motion.

According to Mary Brown's own wording and the "seasonal rate schedule" on her business's website those signs should be coming down soon.

2008 Rate Calendar
Spring: March 1-March 14,
Spring: April 14- May 23
Spring Break:March 15-April 13
Summer:May 24-August 10
Fall:August 11- October 31
Winter:November 1- February 28, 2009

I'm pretty sure they said season and according to the above dates the Spring Break season will be ending April 13th.

In addition I searched the TDC's website and it mentions no seasonal dates.

"Through the season" around here means through Labor Day, but that was not the motion, as I understand it.

"Through the season" around here means through Labor Day, but that was not the motion, as I understand it.

I prefer the more literal interpretation. ;-)

In Today's Paper - (Boy, I hope they call me for their next sign order since they spend a little over $5,300 per sign on these!!!)



SOUTH WALTON COUNTY

TDC recommends removal of signs

The Walton County Commission is expected to make a final decision April 22

By ANDY MEINEN andym@nwfdailynews.com


SANTA ROSA BEACH ? The blue signs along Walton County Road 30A appear to be goners.
The Walton County Tourist Development
Council voted 5-2 Wednesday to remove the community and directional signs that have caused such an outcry from residents.
The Walton County Commission still must approve the recommendation April 22. If commissioners go along, the community signs will be pulled up soon after, said TDC Interim Executive Director Sonny Mares. Many of the directional signs on CR 30A and its feeder roads will be left up until residents and the TDC can agree on replacements.
More than 50 people attended Wednesday?s TDC meeting. They applauded loudly when the recommendation was made to remove the metal signs.
Claire Bannerman, who has worked with the Scenic Pride Initiative to have the signs removed, said she was happy with the outcome. She and other residents will now work with the TDC to find new signage that will fit with the ?natural look? of the road and ?build community pride.?
TDC Chairman John Gillis said the signs? removal is the best thing for the county.
?We do represent the community,? he said. ?We are not a contentious group that tries to act outside the wishes of those who do business here. We are trying to promote that.?
Gillis said he and other TDC members believed they were acting in the community?s best interest when they approved the signs. He added that there ?must have been some kind of gap in what we perceived and voted on and what we felt the community had accepted.
?I think we can find signage that is agreeable, that represents the scenic nature of the corridor,? he said.
The TDC spent $260,000 to install 49 gateway, directional and community signs. Many of them were installed along CR 30A in January. But the signs met with an almost instant backlash and the TDC halted the installation until it could figure out what to do.
TDC Councilwoman Mary Jo Tommas asked how the council would absorb the cost of the signs. Gillis said they could be salvaged.
?We can use some additional signs on (U.S.) Highway 98? and U.S. Highway 331, Gillis said. ?We can retool them. I think there will be a need for those signs. I don?t think it will be a total loss.?
Gillis also floated the idea of communities along CR 30A helping to defer the cost of the signs.
Dave Rauschkolb, a member of Scenic Pride Initiative, said the TDC did the right thing. He said the community now must decide what kind of signs will replace the big blue ones.
?I look forward to working quickly and to find something we all can be proud of,? he said.
Daily News Staff Writer Andy Meinen can be reached at 654-6905.

Quote: Originally Posted by Puppetmaster
Try this one:

You have been out maneuvered by the TDC Board.

1. Signs stay up

2. They get a coat of paint

3. Fountain grass planted at the base.

You loose because you do not realize you are in a war and are trying to mediate your way out of the fight.

I predict less than 50 people will show - alot of hollering, screeming and no real plan of action from the group

apparently your prognostications were incorrect. you seem to have a different view now. can we look forward to another change if the wind blows in a different direction? what office do you hold?

:funn: Thanks John R for so eloquently pointing that out.

I am still planning on celebrating at a keg party on Sunday!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid987453530/bctid1496480669

Bravo TDC, Bravo SoWal, Bravo Everyone involved!

I am still planning on celebrating at a keg party on Sunday!

A perfect setting for celebration indeed!

apparently your prognostications were incorrect. you seem to have a different view now. can we look forward to another change if the wind blows in a different direction? what office do you hold?

Do you believe that once someone takes a position on something that should remain their position no matter what additional information becomes known?

Do you believe that once someone takes a position on something that should remain their position no matter what additional information becomes known?

of course not. some change their positions as more data is presented to them, some change purely for gain. if the shoe fits...

Great job to everyone who took this fight seriously and fought it with pride, dignity and restraint. You guys know where to find us if you need help with design and Mr. Chickpea and I wll be more than happy to aid.

And it was great seeing so many people there yesterday!!

of course not. some change their positions as more data is presented to them, some change purely for gain. if the shoe fits...

And how do you decide which is which?

I also thought that this was a losing battle. But I had totally missed the political element to the whole thing. Very unlike me. I must have been asleep at the wheel this time. If I had thought of those factors, I would have seen that without a doubt the signs would be changing.

IMO, you are seeing the difference between politicians and statesman. Politicians easily bend to public pressure when they see how it affects them personally, Statesmen commit to something, articulate why they are committed to that thought, and then stick with it no matter the consequences. This country was founded by Statesmen. It is being ran today by politicians. I strive to be the former, rather than the latter.

I am just now catching up ... wow, great job everyone. Thanks Dave and Claire and all who made an effort on this issue.


Great NWFDN link, thanks MissCritter!

Great job to everyone who took this fight seriously and fought it with pride, dignity and restraint. You guys know where to find us if you need help with design and Mr. Chickpea and I wll be more than happy to aid.
And it was great seeing so many people there yesterday!!

And how do you decide which is which?

I didn't, I asked a question.

I also thought that this was a losing battle. But I had totally missed the political element to the whole thing. Very unlike me. I must have been asleep at the wheel this time. If I had thought of those factors, I would have seen that without a doubt the signs would be changing.

I never thought so. And it appeared that the other poster was pretty set in his/her position also. It could have been sarcasm, but no way to tell over the internet.

IMO, you are seeing the difference between politicians and statesman. Politicians easily bend to public pressure when they see how it affects them personally, Statesmen commit to something, articulate why they are committed to that thought, and then stick with it no matter the consequences. This country was founded by Statesmen. It is being ran today by politicians. I strive to be the former, rather than the latter.

Good luck in that endeavor. We need leaders that are strong and have the best interest of the electorate in their agenda, seemingly in short supply currently. The other poster made no indication as to their change of view, and it seemed a little out of place based on prior posts. ymmv.

I think it is a waste of tax payers money to take them down now. Bed tax or what ever tax it's still tax money we are wasting, where is the taxpayers association when we need them. one day we will wake up and regret it.

Northender. The taxpayers from all over Walton County who worked to get those signs taken down are working to preserve the tax base that supports the entire county. There seems to be some other uses that can be worked out. I'm sure if these same signs had popped up around Lake DeFuniak, Circle Drive and the historic district giving tourists directional information about all the historic houses and buildings, that a similar protest would have occurred. These signs devalue 30A just as they would devalue the historic district in DeFuniak. The new Scenic 30A designation needs thoughtful care and preservation just as much as any other beautiful and historic place in Walton County. The entire county is a treasure trove of historic places. Any signs in both places should be mindful of the beautiful and historic places they represent. But, and happy posting.

Northender. The taxpayers from all over Walton County who worked to get those signs taken down are working to preserve the tax base that supports the entire county. There seems to be some other uses that can be worked out. I'm sure if these same signs had popped up around Lake DeFuniak, Circle Drive and the historic district giving tourists directional information about all the historic houses and buildings, that a similar protest would have occurred. These signs devalue 30A just as they would devalue the historic district in DeFuniak. The new Scenic 30A designation needs thoughtful care and preservation just as much as any other beautiful and historic place in Walton County. The entire county is a treasure trove of historic places. Any signs in both places should be mindful of the beautiful and historic places they represent. But, and happy posting.

Amen DuneLaker.

Have you ever been wrong in your evaluation of a group's determination and commitment to follow through ? I have and when I am I plant my feet firmly on the ground and stand ready for the hoots and hollers of those who were right.

My earlier post was very clear in my congratulations to the group of dedicated people. I attended all three of the public meetings where Scenic Pride was seeking the "Big Ugly Signs" removal. I openly admit that my initial evaluation was a negative evaluation. I openly admit that the group made tremendous gains between the 1st TDC meeting and the Workshop. It seems people with expertise were brought into the group or allowed to display their talents. Job well done ! Was I wrong - yep ! and I admit it.

The second part of my post revealed some insight into the political maneuvers that I think were very apparent. You may disagree and on that we will disagree. The politicians were at work just as hard behind the scenes to find a solution while maintaining their electibility in the future.

The third part of the post dealt with my past experiences in matters such as this. Don't pop the cork out of the bottle to early. I distinctly remember George W flying onto an aircraft carrier and declaring the victory and job complete. That was over 5 years ago and guess what - we are still there ! You never, never underestimate the oposition. When you strike at the "King" you had better make sure you eliminate him.

Have a great day ! I will be there on April 22 to see you complete what has been started.

Thats a statesman's answer - not a politicians spin !

The following links are to videos taken the day of the meeting.

The first video is of the meeting itself. Sorry for the audio you may have to turn it up.

http://www.sowaltv.com/play.php?vid=93

The second video is an interview with Dave regarding the signs.

http://www.sowaltv.com/play.php?vid=89

I am hearing of a great dividing issue within the leadership of the "Scenic Pride Initiative" corcerning the road forward. A great debate over how to proceeed at this time is currently underway.

The removal of the signs is only a part of this issue. Without a realization of the core issue behind the signs - "a lack of consideration of the historic nature of the corridor"- and respect for coordination with all parties - then the core issue will just simply resurface itself is some other manner.

Is it a win if you simply "buy out" your opponent?

"Lions for Lambs"

I am hearing of a great dividing issue within the leadership of the "Scenic Pride Initiative" corcerning the road forward. A great debate over how to proceeed at this time is currently underway.

The removal of the signs is only a part of this issue. Without a realization of the core issue behind the signs - "a lack of consideration of the historic nature of the corridor"- and respect for coordination with all parties - then the core issue will just simply resurface itself is some other manner.

Is it a win if you simply "buy out" your opponent?

"Lions for Lambs"

Hmmmm .... this sounds rather dramatic! :roll:


.

And how do you decide which is which?

I also thought that this was a losing battle. But I had totally missed the political element to the whole thing. Very unlike me. I must have been asleep at the wheel this time. If I had thought of those factors, I would have seen that without a doubt the signs would be changing.

IMO, you are seeing the difference between politicians and statesman. Politicians easily bend to public pressure when they see how it affects them personally, Statesmen commit to something, articulate why they are committed to that thought, and then stick with it no matter the consequences. This country was founded by Statesmen. It is being ran today by politicians. I strive to be the former, rather than the latter.

And...LEADERS recognize a mistake when they've made one; admit to it; find an equitable solution; and move on. All the while listening to the will of the people to whom they are accountable.

I am hearing of a great dividing issue within the leadership of the "Scenic Pride Initiative" corcerning the road forward. A great debate over how to proceeed at this time is currently underway.

The removal of the signs is only a part of this issue. Without a realization of the core issue behind the signs - "a lack of consideration of the historic nature of the corridor"- and respect for coordination with all parties - then the core issue will just simply resurface itself is some other manner.

Is it a win if you simply "buy out" your opponent?

"Lions for Lambs"

OHH OHH, just like a soap opera.