New big blue signs in SoWal

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 !

Well said like a statesman Puppetmaster. No one is going to condemn you for being frank and honest and admitting you clearly underestimated our resolve to see this through. It takes a big person to admit when they are wrong.

It is in fact the skeptics who sometime motivate people by saying what they are working on is not possible. In a strange way it is a motivator. I appreciate your honesty and your opinion in any form as long as it is not mean spirited. The wonderful thing about Sowal is everyone's opinion is equal and valid and I value your opinion.

Dave ;-)

Puppetmaster, thanks for the response. I quoted the first message from you because is seemed so final, like you were in on the deal. Then I see the most recent(blue sign) message from you and it's 180* the other way. I didn't see anything in the middle(i didn't go searching) to indicate otherwise. Just struck me as kind of odd. I am one of the ones that didn't see the possible political motives from the current TDC board, thanks for bringing that to light.

Maybe you or Robert could give some conjecture as to why Mr. Brannon hasn't been to any of the TDC meetings we've all been to. It seems like our BCC person would want to be there. But, based on other posts I've seen here regarding Mr. Brannon, it doesn't look like he attends to much.

Maybe you or Robert could give some conjecture as to why Mr. Brannon hasn't been to any of the TDC meetings we've all been to. It seems like our BCC person would want to be there. But, based on other posts I've seen here regarding Mr. Brannon, it doesn't look like he attends to much.

Well Scott is running for re-election so I am sure he will be given an opportunity to explain if he chooses.

What I find puzzling would be how could he participate in the discussion as a member of the TDC and then make a decision as a member of the BCC at a later date.

On another note, email him. I get responses from him so someone must be reading them.

Well Scott is running for re-election so I am sure he will be given an opportunity to explain if he chooses.

What I find puzzling would be how could he participate in the discussion as a member of the TDC and then make a decision as a member of the BCC at a later date.

On another note, email him. I get responses from him so someone must be reading them.

Well, then, Robert, if this is the case why do we have him on the TDC? Everything they do comes before the BCC, if it is a conflict--then why have the position of a BCC representative? Please help me understand the thinking.

Well, then, Robert, if this is the case why do we have him on the TDC? Everything they do comes before the BCC, if it is a conflict--then why have the position of a BCC representative? Please help me understand the thinking.

I wish I could but I have never understood the makeup of that board since all it does is recommend to the BCC. If they had authority to actually approve something I could see it.

What I find puzzling would be how could he participate in the discussion as a member of the TDC and then make a decision as a member of the BCC at a later date.

On another note, email him. I get responses from him so someone must be reading them.

If he's chosen to be the BCC rep for the TDC, I figure he should be at the meetings. He can always abstain from voting and/or leave the room during discussions where there could be a potential conflict.

That's what I had to do when I was on a commission.

If he's chosen to be the BCC rep for the TDC, I figure he should be at the meetings. He can always abstain from voting and/or leave the room during discussions where there could be a potential conflict.

That's what I had to do when I was on a commission.

I would have to agree. If you are not going to show up, then step down and let someone else do it.

It is not the board makeup that is confusing. The point here is a person appointed to represent the public rarely shows up for meetings, especially when they are important to the public.

It is not the board makeup that is confusing. The point here is a person appointed to represent the public rarely shows up for meetings, especially when they are important to the public.

especially when they are up for reelection...

On another note, email him. I get responses from him so someone must be reading them.

I did email him & got no response.

And he is running unopposed at this point. If someone has $1100 burning a hole in their pocket, you'd get my protest vote....

And he is running unopposed at this point. If someone has $1100 burning a hole in their pocket, you'd get my protest vote....

$1100?

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.


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

I encourage you to learn about what "mission accomplished" meant to that ship and its crew, which had just completed the longest mission in recent history.;-) I think you have to know about something before you can really spin it.

Now, back to the signs.

John R, Commissioner Brannon was in Tallahassee with three other Commissioners during one of those last meetings, trying to secure funding for four laning hwy 331. Was it a strategic plan on his part to avoid the TDC meeting or was it because we really need to secure funding for the expansion and four lane bridges which would span the Bay? I don't know. Nor can I speak for his excuse at the other meetings. I agree. If you are going to sit on a Board, show up. Also, don't just walk out of a meeting like Commissioner Jones did after threatening to have the Sheriff's Deputy remove a citizen who was acting within his rights at the last BCC meeting. Where is the news story on that, BTW?

Also, don't just walk out of a meeting like Commissioner Jones did after threatening to have the Sheriff's Deputy remove a citizen who was acting within his rights at the last BCC meeting. Where is the news story on that, BTW?

Unusual but I have not heard a thing about this. Anyone we know?

Ray Padgett has it on video, and will be posting it as soon as he cuts the vid into meeting segments. check www.waltondemocrats.org and click on "BCC video." He hasn't posted it to the website yet, but is working on it. Too bad the Republicans don't have their own archivist for the meetings. lol. It will be under the first of the two Driftwood Estates topics.

Sorry for the tangent. Back to big blue signs. Did anyone read the lady's letter to the Defuniak Herald, regarding the signs, printed in today's paper? She suggested that we could improve the existing signs by digging a 30ft deep hole, and pushing the signs into them, then covering them with dirt.

Sorry for the tangent. Back to big blue signs. Did anyone read the lady's letter to the Defuniak Herald, regarding the signs, printed in today's paper? She suggested that we could improve the existing signs by digging a 30ft deep hole, and pushing the signs into them, then covering them with dirt.

And I have not suggested it because they would want me to do it. I told Ray I was just going to link to his site and build me a template.

And, believe it or not, Ray said he had absolutely no problem with that. But netiquette prevents me from doing so. I just tell people to go see it at the Democrat site.

I encourage you to learn about what "mission accomplished" meant to that ship and its crew, which had just completed the longest mission in recent history.;-) I think you have to know about something before you can really spin it.

Now, back to the signs.

I can't resist, though I know it is "off topic". Thanks SJ for explaining the misunderstanding what the "mission accomplished" sign meant. It always gripes me no end when anyone uses it as a signal to the end of the Iraq war as that was not the case. NOW BACK TO THE SIGNS.

If I am not mistaken the chairman of the taxpayers association was on TV hating the signs demanding they be removed(Bonnie McQuiston). She is very concerned about tax dollars. Just for everyones peace of mind, I'm a girly girl, who sees red when she reads your post, and hopes you feel like a dawg when you have successfully thrown 1/4 milllion dollars out the window.

"Off-Toopic"

Andy A.

My use of the "Mission Accomplished" analyis was not clearly explained. I am very aware of the exact meaning of the Banner, who requested it, who place it on the ship and how many uninformed use it as a battle cry for an end to our involvement there and to try and embarass our Commander-In-Chief for political gain.

I should have continued to state that many simply read the headines and form their opinion on a subject from the headline.

Many posts concerning the "Blue Signs Are Coming Down" after the TDC meeting would cause some to believe that victory was complete that the job was done. It is not ! This issue must now be approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

I served two tours in a "police action" in a far away county. I can assure you that I support our military and our "Commander in Chief" 100%.

I will explain my use of "current events" more caefully.

If I am not mistaken the chairman of the taxpayers association was on TV hating the signs demanding they be removed(Bonnie McQuiston). She is very concerned about tax dollars. Just for everyones peace of mind, I'm a girly girl, who sees red when she reads your post, and hopes you feel like a dawg when you have successfully thrown 1/4 milllion dollars out the window.

It's not thrown out the window. They are looking for other uses for the signs, from what I gathered, including retooling them for other locations, etc. I think it's sad that they spent a quarter of a million dollars on signs that they only met the bare minimum requirements of reporting the plans for the signs to the community in a span of years, not months. They had every opporunity to let people like Claire know about the signs during contact with her & others regarding scenic designation.

If I am not mistaken the chairman of the taxpayers association was on TV hating the signs demanding they be removed(Bonnie McQuiston). She is very concerned about tax dollars. Just for everyones peace of mind, I'm a girly girl, who sees red when she reads your post, and hopes you feel like a dawg when you have successfully thrown 1/4 milllion dollars out the window.

maybe you should start a "save the big blue signs" thread..
I would be in support of that!

Puppetmaster, thanks for the response. I quoted the first message from you because is seemed so final, like you were in on the deal. Then I see the most recent(blue sign) message from you and it's 180* the other way. I didn't see anything in the middle(i didn't go searching) to indicate otherwise. Just struck me as kind of odd. I am one of the ones that didn't see the possible political motives from the current TDC board, thanks for bringing that to light.

Maybe you or Robert could give some conjecture as to why Mr. Brannon hasn't been to any of the TDC meetings we've all been to. It seems like our BCC person would want to be there. But, based on other posts I've seen here regarding Mr. Brannon, it doesn't look like he attends to much.

The word on the street is Scott Brannon thinks it is a conflict of interest for him to vote on the matter. I hear he is MIA on more than a lot of issues and meetings.

If I am not mistaken the chairman of the taxpayers association was on TV hating the signs demanding they be removed(Bonnie McQuiston). She is very concerned about tax dollars. Just for everyones peace of mind, I'm a girly girl, who sees red when she reads your post, and hopes you feel like a dawg when you have successfully thrown 1/4 milllion dollars out the window.

So let's say they put up billboards on Scenic 30-A and they cost a million dollars. Would you be in favor of keeping them up because of the money spent? Where is the limit? Just because they spent money on signs does not make it right to keep them.

Del Stone on the Big Blue Signs

Saw this on NWF Daily News site and wanted to share. It was written by Del Stone.


Thank God those horrid blue signs in South Walton County are coming down. We can get back to addressing humanity?s lesser issues, such as war, cancer or President Bush?s awkward penchant for hugging foreign heads of state of the opposite sex.

Now that the benighted, poverty-stricken residents of South Walton will no longer be affronted by ghastly cyan road markers, what shall they complain about? Let me suggest:

1. The disgusting sediment one occasionally discovers in a bottle of costly imported wine. That murky layer of grape debris, decomposed insect parts and vintner toe jam simply isn?t compatible with the South Walton experience of zero lot lines and sherbet-colored faux hacienda condo towers.

2. The critical shortage of salon-grade anti-snap platinum blonde highlighter with built-in conditioner. This shortage was created by the inhuman embargo of narwhal tusks, from which the potions are created, by the Inuit people of Canada who resent the South Walton standard of living. How pedestrian! Because global warming will likely bring the extinction of these unicorns of the cetacean world, why not kill them all now and extend the lifespans of platinum blonde highlights in South Walton? Think of it as an act of compassion, our testament to the enduring nobility of life. Snaps to narwhals.

3. The lack of automated car washes that can accept a Hummer. Just because you are driving a gigantic, resource-devouring monument to grotesque consumption doesn?t mean you never get a bug spatter on the grill. And with slave wages at an all-time high, it simply makes sense to provide an alternative with price-point advantages ? which is not to suggest Hummer owners need to save money.



Meanwhile, Okaloosa County authorities are wondering what to do with the Garnier?s sewage plant property in Ocean City. You?re familiar with this facility. As you drive down Racetrack Road and the stench invades your air-conditioned vehicle, you stare accusingly at your passenger and snarl, ?No more burritos for you, my friend!?

I suggest:

1. A hog farm. Picture a vast stretch of squealing, slime-infested creatures whose waste is deposited in simmering pools of stomach-churning ferment. It brings tears to the eyes, doesn?t it?

2. A pulp mill. Residents of Okaloosa County are big on progress, and nothing says ?progress? like gigantic smokestacks spewing toxic, foul-smelling, genetically mutating poison. This stinky cloud would be our ambassador to other parts of the Panhandle, letting people know that here we believe in the traditional values of hard work and filing class action lawsuits against our industrial neighbors when science finally explains the presence of three-headed squirrels in our front yards.

3. A landfill. Garbage dumps have a bad reputation. Maybe it?s the presence of disease-carrying insects and vermin. Maybe the pollution leeching into the water table. Or maybe just the smell, which of course depends on your point of view. Look upon it as the ?smell of freedom? and suddenly that cloying, sickeningly sweet odor of decomposition becomes a brass band playing ?Stars and Stripes Forever.? A garbage dump would not only solve a disposal problem but offer numerous recreational activities, such as rat-shooting tournaments, witch burnings and metal-detector competitions.

I hope these suggestions are helpful. Remember: The glass really is half full!