This morning at 6:30am I was riding my bike with three friends down 30-a heading west. There were absolutely no cars on the road and we were passing through WaterSound where they have the medians in the middle of the road. A mid-sized pick-up truck honked and then violently swerved around us passing us very closely.
My friend gestured for the driver to come back and talk with us. There was no reason for his aggression so early in the morning. The driver of the metallic orange pickup truck hit his breaks and pulled a black handgun out of his drivers side window and started waving it at us. He then sped away.
I immediately called 911 and we met with two very nice Walton County Police Officers and filed a complaint. The officers were very nice and took the situation very serious and said they have all officers in the area looking for the car.
If anyone sees a mid-sized metallic orange pickup truck with a male driver, please notify the police.
In all of my years riding I have been yelled at, honked at, spit at, had things thrown at me, been run off the road into a ditch, been intentionally hit with a car's mirror, had a Harley sneak up on me and rev his engine to scare me and then laugh at me, two weeks ago had a driver laugh and cheer when we had a cyclist crash...but I have NEVER EVER had a gun pulled on me for riding a bicycle on a Sunday morning.
I am from the west coast and stilll learning about Southern culture...I am still trying to figure out this whole aggression thing towards cyclists...but I am sure this was not a friendly southern gesture.
I could be wrong...maybe it was his way of cheering in awe as he witnessed a life changing athletic performance by some local cyclists. Or maybe it was his way of showing support for our cyclist in Bejing and his reaction at Sammy Sanchez from Spain winning Olympic Gold in the Men's Cycling Road Race yesterday over Americans Levi Leipheimer, George Hincape and Christian Vandevelde! Maybe he was saying, "I am with you brother and I solute you and your athletic acheivements on this beautiful Sunday morning...ride safe and I will lead the way!"
Replies
380
Beach Fanatic
Isn't Washington DC, murder capital of the US, known for having a ban on handguns? That is right, no handguns allowed by law.
Anywho, we already have laws against assault with a deadly weapon (a vehicle can also be considered a deadly weapon) and there is already a law against driving without a valid license. This mofo broke both laws, reportedly, yet is probably still driving around illegally, in his orange truck with his gun.
John Magee, don't get me started. I experience large amounts of mosquitos, but I may pull a bicycle on any orange trucks trying to come down my driveway.
????? :shock: Wrong orange truck, Joe.
Meow
????? :shock: Wrong orange truck, Joe.
Not to him. ;-)
Beach Fanatic
I was outside today (still itchy) and I will welcome the orange truck.....bring it on!!!
SoWal Expert
????? :shock: Wrong orange truck, Joe.I thought you had been following along. Floridagirl hates non-native people, and she is especially against people riding bicycles, and thinks that they should have guns waved at them to help get their butts off the road. florida girl is also running for the Mosquito Control Board, and they drive orange trucks. Then, the Mosquito Control guy chimed in about needing more spray and black balls with glue (by the way, the last time I checked, glue is indeed a chemical). So, I really don't have the wrong orange truck. If it comes down my driveway, gassing me, my dogs, and the hundreds of plants and animals in my yard, I will be waving my bicycle at the driver, and I might even pop his legs with my fishing pole. Surely, that will smart. :wave:
SWGB
Quote:
Today is your last day to vote, please don't vote for the name above.
Originally Posted by aleonard
Cyclists in the county have long complained about the failure of motorists to share the road, and ignorance of the law is rampant. After posting his comment on the SoWal Website, the following response was posted, by someone using the handle FLORIDAGIRL.
?I suspect he thought you were shooting him a bird. Not a friendly move. This is an unincorporated area; people can carry weapons if they want. Secondly, the county went to a lot of trouble building a "BIKE PATH" for the tourists that like to ride bikes. Most native Walton countians don't ride bikes, too many miles just to get anywhere. Most vehicles that drive on highways have to be street legal, ie, lights and the ability to drive the speed limit. Highway 30A is a narrow road without any shoulder, and riding a bicycle in the middle of the highway is dangerous, inconsiderate, and very irritating. When I see a cyclist in the middle of the road, I think, why did the county put in a bike path? What, do they think they own the road? They have to [sic] much leisure time on there [sic] hands! And when they don't move out of the way, they have just made a statement that they don't care about anyone else on the highway, or where the vehicles have to go. They are on vacation, and to heck with the rest of the world!?
Citizens in south Walton County identified the writer of the above post as Adrienne Walline Campbell, a fact she confirmed Aug. 19 at a meeting of the South Walton Mosquito Control District. Campbell is a candidate for the board seat currently held by Jim Crawford.
Today is your last day to vote, please don't vote for the name above.
Admin
Due to the predicted tropical storms, this weekend the tacticians of the South Walton Mosquito Control removed all 16-test stations where we housed Sentinel birds to monitor West Nile and other related diseases from mosquitoes. In addition to having birds at these locations we have traps which are designed to capture mosquitoes to evaluate the count of population of mosquitoes in a given area. All of the spray trucks were set up to run Friday and will be out today.
With the aggressive monitoring that the South Walton Mosquito Control performs daily, we believe that we will only have minor problems, which will be taking care of immediately. If you are experiencing a large amount of mosquitoes in your yard, please contact our office and we will have a technician come and do a survey of your property. We gladly perform this service. 850 267 2112
Also, a reminder that if you are having any problems with yellow flies, we will be more than happy to provide you with a black ball to attract the yellow flies rather than have them bite you. This is just another service, we provide, the black ball is a noninvasive non-chemical means to control yellow flies.
John J. Magee
Commissioner
Hi John,
Not everyone is 100% behind the program but I appreciate you posting here and letting us know what is going on.
SoWal Expert
Are they still dithering about whether to bring this guy up on charges?
Find it freakin' unbelievable that they have multiple witnesses to an incident that happened in broad daylight AND the lawbreaker admitting to not just threatening the people but driving without a license ............... and they wonder if they have a case! :bang:
Find it freakin' unbelievable that they have multiple witnesses to an incident that happened in broad daylight AND the lawbreaker admitting to not just threatening the people but driving without a license ............... and they wonder if they have a case! :bang:
SoWal Expert
Quote:
Today is your last day to vote, please don't vote for the name above.
To lessen confusion, the race of South Walton Mosquito Control, isn't today. I believe that is on the Nov ballot.
SoWal Expert
ciclismo, do we need to start a letter-writing campaign to get the gov't to file charges and send him to court?
Beach Fanatic
Quote:
Today is your last day to vote, please don't vote for the name above.
The South Walton Mosquito Commission ballot is not until the November general election. South Walton Fire District will be on this ballot as well.
VOTE FOR
SW Mosquito Commission
Jerry Crawford, District #1
Jim Crawford, District #2
:clap:
SW Mosquito Commission
Jerry Crawford, District #1
Jim Crawford, District #2
:clap:
Beach Fanatic
She confirmed it herself, according to the article.
It really isn't rocket science, my website is in my profile page! Besides, it was in the "DeFuniak Herald", do you really think I said anything knew to those readers?
Beach Fanatic
I've read this thread from the beginning and have been amazed at some of Floridagirl's comments. Suddenly however it's all very clear. A little background for you all. I have lived in South Walton County my entire life (33 years), I grew up here and now am raising a family here and am employed at a local business. After a little online research I discovered that I was one of the renters she is constantly mentioning. I was a young, single mother working full time. She was never compassionate at all as she has claimed. My daughter who was very young would be playing outside and Floridagirl would come by and scream at us saying my daughter was making too much noise and disturbing others! I'm not sure how a 2 year old playing in the dirt could bother someone but clearly she did. When I saw floridagirl's name in The Walton Sun I was amazed! I hope that the rest of WalCo catches on to what The Beach Breeze has exposed thanks to her comments.
Not true about the child, I do however have a noise ordinance concerning load music/parties, and I don't allow tenants to grow pot in the yard!
Beach Fanatic
Floridagirl must not think much of herself. She's only given $50 to her campaign. That's the only contribution, I might add. If she could only find that guy with the orange truck.
I have not solicited money from anyone, don't see that it is necessary. Don't care to waste money unnecessarily.
hmmmm......can't remember
Not true about the child, I do however have a noise ordinance concerning load music/parties, and I don't allow tenants to grow pot in the yard!
You tell 'em, girl. I know from experience that if you let your 2-year-olds throw loud parties and grow pot in the yard, they'll be turning tricks and making meth by the time they're in kindergarten, and the whole neighborhood goes down the toilet.
Keep those standards high, and if they balk you need to brandish a firearm at the kiddies.
Beach Fanatic
You tell 'em, girl. I know from experience that if you let your 2-year-olds throw loud parties and grow pot in the yard, they'll be turning tricks and making meth by the time they're in kindergarten, and the whole neighborhood goes down the toilet.
Keep those standards high, and if they balk you need to brandish a firearm at the kiddies.
Gee, I didn't know 2 year olds could sign a rental agreement! That's a bit over the top don't you think?
hmmmm......can't remember
Gee, I didn't know 2 year olds could sign a rental agreement! That's a bit over the top don't you think?
Yes. Silly me.
Meow
Gee, I didn't know 2 year olds could sign a rental agreement! That's a bit over the top don't you think?
Hello pot...meet kettle!
Beach Fanatic
By the way, I don't know if you guys go outside much, but the dogflies have been bad lately, whatever happened to the dogfly plane?
Beach Fanatic
I thought you had been following along. Floridagirl hates non-native people, and she is especially against people riding bicycles, and thinks that they should have guns waved at them to help get their butts off the road. florida girl is also running for the Mosquito Control Board, and they drive orange trucks. Then, the Mosquito Control guy chimed in about needing more spray and black balls with glue (by the way, the last time I checked, glue is indeed a chemical). So, I really don't have the wrong orange truck. If it comes down my driveway, gassing me, my dogs, and the hundreds of plants and animals in my yard, I will be waving my bicycle at the driver, and I might even pop his legs with my fishing pole. Surely, that will smart. :wave:
That's completely ridiculous!
Skunky
Not true about the child, I do however have a noise ordinance concerning load music/parties, and I don't allow tenants to grow pot in the yard!
I thought you wanted economic diversity beyond beaches and trinket shops?:idontno:
SoWal Insider
what's going on here??
SWGB
By the way, I don't know if you guys go outside much, but the dogflies have been bad lately, whatever happened to the dogfly plane?
Actually more so than last year and I have yet to be bitten. Anymore assinine theories you'd like to throw out there?
SWGB
That's completely ridiculous!
You're the expert.
SoWal Expert
No dog flies here.:idontno: I haven't seen one all summer.
I have been bitten by a yellow fly this summer. Once. it hurt, but I'll live.
The mosquitoes are bad some days and OK on others, but nothing that would prompt me to call for an extra spray dose.
I have been bitten by a yellow fly this summer. Once. it hurt, but I'll live.
The mosquitoes are bad some days and OK on others, but nothing that would prompt me to call for an extra spray dose.
Beach Fanatic
I thought you wanted economic diversity beyond beaches and trinket shops?:idontno:
That economic diversity has been going on for years, certainly doesn't need my help!
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