turtle watch volunteer arrested

Good luck getting them discuss that. Why? Because in their minds it is not an issue. They have already decided that the beach is pretty and touches the gulf so it belongs to everyone, those that pay taxes on it and those that do not. What amazes me is when people who profess this sort of thing have no trouble selling off their supposed public beach for millions and laugh about it.

Why does this stuff always happen in BMB or Seagrove ?

What I do not understand is if Walton County BCC can pay someone $35/hour to monitor the multiuse path for obstructions and sprinklers spraying the wrong way, why we can not get people to at least keep the PUBLIC portion of the beaches clean.

Finally someone who might know. You guys get $80K a year in tax money to run that program. Do turtle walkers get paid? What do you do with the money?

If you walk enough days a week, you become eligible for some of your gas money is what I understand. I personally am walking 4 days a week and believe I may be eligible. I do not get paid for any of my time. It is a volunteer group and I would guess the funds are used for the website, educational materials, light bulbs and shirts. All walkers are given turtle volunteer t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats to wear while walking to identify them. I have several shirts for the many days as well as a sweatshirt because we will still be walking in October. We don't stop walking until 72 days past the last known nest to ensure it has hatched.
The group offers light bulbs to people living on the beach if they can't afford to swap out the ones on their homes. I can't imagine this expense could be picked up for a whole condo, but the group is trying to give what they can. I carry small flashlights, lense covers for flashlights and educational materials like brochures, color books and crayons to hand out to people we encounter on the beach. Most people are very interested and have no idea there are sea turtles nesting here. Education will be a never ending adventure.

I do not get paid for any of my time.

You need to review the definition of compensation according to the IRS. If you are getting ANYTHING for doing the job, you are being compensated for your time. Hats, shirts, and all that other stuff cost money and have value.

Your actions on public property would probably not bring Barney or Goober or Gomer to your home. The issue is what is public and what is private.

The issue with the current ordinance is it gives the owner no opportunity to retrieve their possessions when removed.

You bring up a very valid point. Proof of ownership would be a sticky issue as people likely don't write their name on their tent. What would prevent people from learning that when they get here, they need to run over to the TDC and pick out whatever they might need on the beach for the next week and state that it was theirs.
Should there be a timeframe on how long stuff would need to be held before it was deemed abandoned? Could become quite a holding area.

What about an Adopt a Beach program like the Adopt a Highway program?
It could be formal or informal. If public beach- no problem. If private the person/group volunteering to cover the private stretch could approach each property owner to get his/her blessing?

Too naive???

I LOVE that idea!!! But like the Adopt a Highway (I've been fighting litter here for years) it would be SO NICE if people would not trash in the first place (is that too naive?)

What about someone who approached people with tents and toys and floats and said, "Ma'am, I am part of the B.E.A.C.H. (Beach Environmental Awareness Club Helper ) and I just want to ask you to be sure to such and such - pick up all of your things when you leave and then put the monkey on the sea turtle's back. And also THANK those you see leaving with everything in tact.

Is it all tourists? I don't think so - because I've seen some of the yards in the neighborhood I am going to be living in! A lot of them are long term renters so it seems - but zero pride.

IF YOU LOVE FLORIDA YOU WON'T LITTER! That should be the state motto.

G

I support the Turtle Watch work, but I am not a walker...however, I know of at least two others on the board who are...and, probably others that I don't know.

I find this entire situation very sad. I wish we had better enforcement of the ordinances; I wish people were more respectful of nature; I wish that circumstances had not converged to result in this arrest...and I wish we had more information about what really happened.

Most of all, I wish that everyone would appreciate what a treasure our beach is and just how fragile the entire system is...how people can abandon their stuff on the beach with no thought for others is beyond me. Even if it's so-called private beach, it seems awareness of safety and appearance, would be enough to bring in the chairs and tents and toys...it is a sad commentary on the human condition IMO.

i don't support destruction of private property, but i am a huge advocate of removing trash from the beach. If being pissed off by the tons of crap left on the beach causes one to snap, you can consider me a snapper.

I usually draw with the recipient of my work in mind, but i this drawing i made a while back, had no recipient at the time. I suppose i was reserving it for a moment like this.

the original drawing pictured below, will go to the highest bidder, who can make the check payable to the turtle watcher herself, or her defense fund if she has one. Feel free to bid right here on this thread. I guess the "auction" will need a closing date and time, so let's make it for wednesday, july 1, 2009 at 2:00pm central.


"sea turtle"
18"x24"
pencil, washed with water, on paper

$100.00

Ash,

Thanks for your service and all the information you've shared about what turtle walkers do.

I support the Turtle Watch work, but I am not a walker...however, I know of at least two others on the board who are...and, probably others that I don't know.

We all support the work, they get tax dollars.

I have unintentionally left property on the beach overnight. Sometimes it was there in the morning. Sometimes it was not. And when it was gone it was my loss and I had no one to blame that I didn't have a chance to get it back but myself- because I was the idiot who left it at the beach overnight. Duh.

You need to review the definition of compensation according to the IRS. If you are getting ANYTHING for doing the job, you are being compensated for your time. Hats, shirts, and all that other stuff cost money and have value.

They are required attire for walking the beach and the turtle group is picking up the tab for the items. I sure hope the IRS isn't going to lock me up for accepting 4 shirts and a sweatshirt in exchange for volunteering to walk beaches. Do I really need to call H&R Block and report t-shirts?

They are required attire for walking the beach and the turtle group is picking up the tab for the items. I sure hope the IRS isn't going to lock me up for accepting 4 shirts and a sweatshirt in exchange for volunteering to walk beaches. Do I really need to call H&R Block and report t-shirts?

I am sure you want to be law abiding and if you can wear the stuff as regular clothing then you should be reporting it or turning it back in when your service is through.

I am sure you want to be law abiding and if you can wear the stuff as regular clothing then you should be reporting it or turning it back in when your service is through.

These shirts are only worn when I am turtle walking.

Everytime I walk the beach, I pick up trash. From now on I will move items left overnight to the trash area and if TDC throws it in their trucks, so be it.

This is unfortunate, but maybe it can be used as education for tourist and some residents who choose to violate the County Ordinace.

I don't think this should become an us vs. them issue meaning those who advocate damaging personal property (under the turtle circumstances) vs. those who do not.

I personally wouldn't destroy personal property; it's just not my style. But, that doesn't mean I am not an advocate for proper use and care of our beaches as well as protection of a near extinct species.

That said, I am also not going to judge someone who did. This lady had the right intentions, but for whatever reason (maybe she just received some bad news), she 'allegdedly' reacted in a manner I would not. I stated from the beginning that there must be more to this story than we know.....then news of the video surfaced. Yes, she is innocent until proven guilty, but a video is pretty inciminating and there are many defenses she can claim. If that were a family member or a friend, I would certainly bail the person out of jail.....doesn't mean I condone the action of destroying personal property, however.

Finally someone who might know. You guys get $80K a year in tax money to run that program. Do turtle walkers get paid? What do you do with the money?

I am curious, you seem obsessed with how much money this group gets in tax $$. You have mentioned it several times in several posts. Why don't you just come right and say what is really on your mind instead of beating around the bush. For more information please contact Sharon Maxwell (850) 897-5228 or email: swturtlewh@cox.net.. I am sure she would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about this wonderful organization. You obviously have a an issue with this group, and it shows.

We all support the work, they get tax dollars.

And you hate it!!!!

Was it Gober or Gomer that did the citizens arrest. I think it was Gomer. That was pretty funny.

It was Alabama's own Gomer. Glad to kow there are at least two here besides me who remember.

These shirts are only worn when I am turtle walking.

Not how you wear them, but how they could be worn.

Please don't talk about moving to Costa Rica guys!! I am about to venture forth, leave all I have here, to move to your paradise. I want us to find solutions, I want to help. Tell me what I need to do to help educate others and do my part.

What does a citizen do? Do I take a garbage bag to the beach on every early morning walk and make it a litter patrol? What am I allowed to pick up legally?

I've been to Costa Rica - the grass is always greener on the other side. While I LOVED it - I love SoWal MORE!

G

Gidget you are an inspiration. Out of all the posts I find yours the most heart wrenching. Here is someone who is leaving all she loves and coming to this Paradise to make a new home. She is practically begging to help to make this work. And, she's asking how to do this the "legal way". YOU are my hero!!!


This is not "Whale Wars" with absolutely no one to stop the Japanese....this is the Emerald Coast of Florida, with Law Enforcement. Can we not give them a little credit??? They may not do all that everyone would like them to do, but we are fortunate to live where there is not a shootout in the neighborhood everynight.

Maybe we should put a confessional at each beach exit. Any volunteers?

I am sure you want to be law abiding and if you can wear the stuff as regular clothing then you should be reporting it or turning it back in when your service is through.

I was sitting reading your replies, as a newbie here I was set on keeping this comment to myself. But for some reason as I kept staring at your last reply I noticed your avatar. Now I can fully understand your replies on this thread! Anyone wanting to put a 3rd Bush in office needs to be tied to the tent when the CRAZED SLASHER comes at night ! Sorry you just rubbed me the wrong way. Ash seems as others to be doing something they enjoy and at the same time they are helping save lives! (Turtles) But now knowing that you publicly support a family that would kill anything for money I understand your response!

[/ANGER OFF]

And you hate it!!!!

What makes you say that? I do not recall ever saying I hated the organization. They are doing a great job. But of course, they are being paid to a do a job and I expect nothing short of total excellence from all of my employees.

I was sitting reading your replies, as a newbie here I was set on keeping this comment to myself. But for some reason as I kept staring at your last reply I noticed your avatar. Now I can fully understand your replies on this thread! Anyone wanting to put a 3rd Bush in office needs to be tied to the tent when the CRAZED SLASHER comes at night ! Sorry you just rubbed me the wrong way. Ash seems as others to be doing something they enjoy and at the same time they are helping save lives! (Turtles) But now knowing that you publicly support a family that would kill anything for money I understand your response!

[/ANGER OFF]

I have always been told the younger turtles make the best soup.

It was Alabama's own Gomer. Glad to kow there are at least two here besides me who remember.

SHAZAM! - it is one of my favorite shows!!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqewojda3M0"]YouTube - Citizens arrest... Citizens arrest![/ame]

G

I have always been told the younger turtles make the best soup.

With that mentality it wont be long before they are gone and the food value would be gone, Oh wait... The Bush Factor kicked in! They never worried about hunger here in this country, So there is some hope for you!