turtle watch volunteer arrested

It is crazy to me that the turtles even need to be part of the conversation. I understand that items on the beach interfere with their nesting and that many need to be educated on this. But it shouldn't take this education to get folks to pick up after themselves...

Except for a campground, I know of no other place where I can leave tents and chairs overnight. What is it about the beach that confuses folks and makes them believe it would be okay to leave their stuff out???

You can leave those things out on your own property anytime you choose. Geeze Louise
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Shot in the dark, might she also be Chairperson of my HOA in Houston??? JK

You can leave those things out on your own property anytime you choose. Geeze Louise
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So these things are on private property, and were left by the property owner? Hard to tell, isn't it? It would be different if we were actually able to tell what was private property and what it not. We can't though, even with legions of attorneys on both sides, it seems.

Even so.....I think if I set up a tent for my kids with chairs and crap on the front lawn, the neighbors might think it was a little tacky after three or four days.

I think this situation just calls for a little neighborliness. And no, I don't think slicing the stuff up is neighborly.

I've posted in other threads on the hazards of leaving items on the beach, but I have to say that I'm disappointed in this lady's approach. Apparently the law needs to be fine tuned so that the proper authorities can manage beach items appropriately.



Ever since I was a kid, I've been one of those people who likes to go out on the beach at night and enjoy the moon, stars, and sound of the surf. As much as I love the beach during the day, there is something else about it at night. However, I thought I had read on other threads and notices and such that we (humans) are not even supposed to go on the beach at night, with or without flashlights, because it may interfere with sea turtles. I'm glad to hear a turtle watch walker acknowledge people going on the beach at night. I think if you are responsible and keep an eye out for turtles, it can be acceptable to go on the beach at night. I hope to be able to take my daughter (and other future child[ren]) out there with a (covered) flashlight like we did when we were kids. What is the official rule on people on the beach at night from May through October?

There is nothing illegal about being on the beach at night. I have walked in the morning and passed by people sleeping on their beach towel. During nesting season, it is recommended to not have bright lights as they will blind a turtle for awhile and should a nest hatch, the turtles naturally crawl toward light which is supposed to be the horizon and therfore the ocean. This is why some have come up with the red light covers as it is a part of the light spectrum that turtles apparently don't see and yet it gives people lighting to be able to see where they are going.

Curious, Do they offer any training before they allow someone to walk? What are the Rules they go by? What are they suppose to do under the "Groups Banner?" Just thinking...

Every new walker walks a day or so with an area coordinator to cover everything from education to what to look for to what to do or not to do. My orientation I recall being told not to pick up anything, not even garbage. "Just focus on convering your assigned area as quickly and as transparent as possible"
I choose (chose) to pick up garbage when I walk because I was there anyway and maybe I could make the beach a little cleaner when everyone else woke up and hit the beach.

Every new walker walks a day or so with an area coordinator to cover everything from education to what to look for to what to do or not to do. My orientation I recall being told not to pick up anything, not even garbage. "Just focus on convering your assigned area as quickly and as transparent as possible"
I choose (chose) to pick up garbage when I walk because I was there anyway and maybe I could make the beach a little cleaner when everyone else woke up and hit the beach.

Thank you Ash! That makes perfect sense. Sometimes people get badge happy and act out on their own and sometimes it reflects back on the very thing they were to protect! No pun intended. She acted on her own by doing what she done. I always say "Call the Authorities first" if you take an action you can and in this case will be held accountable. Different story had a turtle been entangled or hung up on anything she tore up. But I do not think this was the case! When I move there I will be glad to join in and become part of this. Quick question.... Do they issue semi machine guns and explosives? Sorry had to... Reminded me of the old Police Academy Movie

You can leave those things out on your own property anytime you choose. Geeze Louise
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That's not unlimited. An unit of government can legally say that you can't have junk (inoperable and no license plate) cars visible from the road, and may further restrict the type of working vehicles that you're allowed to have in the driveway or be otherwsie visible from the street.

If you ever want to see just how much the government can dictate land use, check out the building code for Coral Gables and see what you've got to go through if you want to repaint your home in a color that has not yet been approved by the City Beautiful for general use.

I decided to take a look around 9am this morning, on the beach near where this particular incident supposedly took place. It was a disaster -- plenty of abandoned tents, tent frames, overturned tents, overturned tent frames, piles of empty chairs, coolers etc. It looked aweful. By the time I got to the beach, there were plenty of people on the beach, but no one at these sites I mentioned. Looked like a disaster zone. I may do some relocation in the morning if I am nearby. Surely an overturned tent frame without a canvas isn't something that anyone could claim to be using, and certainly it provides a hazard to people walking on the beach.

"Originally Posted by Interested Girl
You can leave those things out on your own property anytime you choose. Geeze Louise"

You make that sound like a universal statement. It is inaccurate. Owning property doesn't come with unlimited rights. If you think that you can leave junk cars on blocks in your driveway, many local governments in the State of FL and other states, will fine you and haul off your clunkers, and CHARGE you for storage. Subdivsions also often have written covenants not allowing property owners to leave crap in the yards.

You can leave those things out on your own property anytime you choose. Geeze Louise
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Such a ray of sunshine you are. I am so glad I am NOT your neighbor. :roll:

"Originally Posted by Interested Girl
You can leave those things out on your own property anytime you choose. Geeze Louise"

You make that sound like a universal statement. It is inaccurate. Owning property doesn't come with unlimited rights. If you think that you can leave junk cars on blocks in your driveway, many local governments in the State of FL and other states, will fine you and haul off your clunkers, and CHARGE you for storage. Subdivsions also often have written covenants not allowing property owners to leave crap in the yards.

Where in my post did I imply or state anything about a right to leave junked cars or clunkers on my property. I made a statement about lawn chairs.

Yes covenants sometimes restrict useage. In that case I was made aware of those restrictions prior to purchase. in any case restrictions within a subdivision are not enforced other than through some legal action by another owner or through the HOA and not through some "Whack-A-Doodle" vigilante or certain people stumbling around in the dark on private property.

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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?

Oh come on, wrobert. My wife and I "turtle watched" one year at Topsail. NO ONE GETS PAID, to the best of my knowledge. I know we certainly didn't nor did we expect to. wrobert, I have the deepest respect for you but you obviously know nothing about the beach situation in Walton County so, with all due respect, may I suggest you keep informing us on things you DO know about.

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]

Your anger may be off but you turned mine on! This thread has nothing to do with party politics. If you want to diss wrobert for his avatar, create another thread to do it in. Many defended your right to say and do whatever you want by putting in many years to "kill anything for money". We didn't like it but because we had taken an oath to do so, we did it. Now, my ANGER OFF.

I have never posted on this site, but visit it frequently and have pretty much had the divine blessing of growing up in the area. My parents owned a beach house in old Seacrest starting in 1984. I have seen the entire 30A grow and blossom with me in life.

Although this event has brought many issues and angles about what we are ALL passionate about - our beaches - I feel that many of you are missing the fact that our culture as a whole has gotten extremely lazy. I think I read one person that mentioned this laziness . . . in all 3 pages of posts.

Timing is everything, this has been building for the past five years. If we as a community along with our law enforcement officials don't put a stop to the carelessness and disregard of the beach and nature here, then this will be a never ending lose-lose battle. Nobody is winning right now - not us, not the turtles, not the animals in our habitat and apparently not the tourists who feel they have been victimized.

I am not sure what exactly happened with Ms. Mary, but I too have had my moments of disappointment on the beach and although not part of the Turtle Watch I too pick up trash and fill in holes on my almost daily walks along the beach. I have had the opportunity to explain these actions to tourists and most are understanding and happy to help after they know. BUT, our culture has gotten lazy and unless they have a good reason to do something, most people won't do it anymore. The old fashioned values have been lost and the "me now" generation.

I have to agree with Gigdet on the fact that if we take all of this passion for the beach (and that is the 1 and only thing we all have in common on this thread) and use it to come up with solutions, then we would really be doing something good for the community. Now, how in the world could we actually have it enforced????

Blue Mountain Beach

The land of Whack-a-doodles

And I really resent this comment, particularly since it is coming from someone I believe is wanting to claim old 98 a "scenic highway".

Many defended your right to say and do whatever you want by putting in many years to "kill anything for money". We didn't like it but because we had taken an oath to do so, we did it. Now, my ANGER OFF.

Thank you for including me in your post! Andy WE defended the right to have an OPINION as well, and that was mine.. And in turn you gave yours, Now... ain't FREEDOM just wonderful!

Oh and the Bush Family, IMO (That means in MY OPINION) were responsible for many that died. But as you said thats another thread. Go start one for the Bush LOVERS and I will meet you there!

Come have a glass of wine with us tonight, We will be at Angelina's Around 6pm if they are still open. Oh and if we finish here tonight, we should but ya never know. ;-)

And I really resent this comment, particularly since it is coming from someone I believe is wanting to claim old 98 a "scenic highway".

Andy - I agree - sometimes we group people together and assign a phrase or cute remark - It is not right and I appologize to all for my lack of judgement. Nothing added to the discussion by that post and I can only say I am sorry.

Actually I think declaring old 98 a "scenic highway" is a joke. Nothing scenic about the back side of high rise after high rise. Do I think the area has been neglected in the past - yes, but scenic "Give Me A Break".

I respect your opinion and we agree on more things than not.

You stand as a man and express your viewpoint and I respect that.

Where in my post did I imply or state anything about a right to leave junked cars or clunkers on my property. I made a statement about lawn chairs.

Yes covenants sometimes restrict useage. In that case I was made aware of those restrictions prior to purchase. in any case restrictions within a subdivision are not enforced other than through some legal action by another owner or through the HOA and not through some "Whack-A-Doodle" vigilante or certain people stumbling around in the dark on private property.

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...and I suppose no one who purchased property, deeded to the water, did their due diligence and noticed that the public was using the beach to sunbath and play. That is something you should have observed, without having to need it disclosed.

Thank you for including me in your post! Andy WE defended the right to have an OPINION as well, and that was mine.. And in turn you gave yours, Now... ain't FREEDOM just wonderful!

Oh and the Bush Family, IMO (That means in MY OPINION) were responsible for many that died. But as you said thats another thread. Go start one for the Bush LOVERS and I will meet you there!

Come have a glass of wine with us tonight, We will be at Angelina's Around 6pm if they are still open. Oh and if we finish here tonight, we should but ya never know. ;-)

Sorry can't make it tonight as my daughter is here from Oklahoma. But I'll take a raincheck. And, yes, freedom is wonderful! And, no, I don't agree with you about the Bush family any more than you would probably agree with me about the Johnson family.

Oh come on, wrobert. My wife and I "turtle watched" one year at Topsail. NO ONE GETS PAID, to the best of my knowledge. I know we certainly didn't nor did we expect to. wrobert, I have the deepest respect for you but you obviously know nothing about the beach situation in Walton County so, with all due respect, may I suggest you keep informing us on things you DO know about.

I believe somebody gets paid for administrative work, also there is a coordinator and an assistant, and anybody that walks at least three times a week has the opportunity to get paid.

...and I suppose no one who purchased property, deeded to the water, did their due diligence and noticed that the public was using the beach to sunbath and play. That is something you should have observed, without having to need it disclosed.

When we bought our property you could shoot a cannon east and west and never strike a soul. Your statement does not apply to me and even if it did just because someone was there does not mean they had the legal right to be there.

This photo was taken near the "incident" about 9am this morning:




...and nearby signs like this are posted:

When we bought our property you could shoot a cannon east and west and never strike a soul. Your statement does not apply to me and even if it did just because someone was there does not mean they had the legal right to be there.

If you buy a piece of property in the woods, and you go to the property and see many people on the property, choose to buy it anyway, that is your problem. No different here. Sure, people who bought when no one else vacationed here, may have an excuse, though not legitimate in my opinion, but they wouldn't be in the majority in Walton County. I bet less than ten deeded Gulf Front owners have ever complained about the TDC trucks coming onto the beach to remove the garbage, even if the owners bought in 1952.

Andy - I agree - sometimes we group people together and assign a phrase or cute remark - It is not right and I appologize to all for my lack of judgement. Nothing added to the discussion by that post and I can only say I am sorry.

Actually I think declaring old 98 a "scenic highway" is a joke. Nothing scenic about the back side of high rise after high rise. Do I think the area has been neglected in the past - yes, but scenic "Give Me A Break".

I respect your opinion and we agree on more things than not.

You stand as a man and express your viewpoint and I respect that.

Thank you for the kind words and no appology is needed. We all do that at times on this board (group people together) and while it may be wrong, in the heat of the moment, it is done by all of us. Someone once suggested you create a response to a post, read it, and then delete it. If you come back to it and post it, then it is really your opinion. I am far too responsive for that. So I guess I'll continue to make some posts that upon reflection I shouldn't have made. But then, that is part of the fun in participating on this board.

If you buy a piece of property in the woods, and you go to the property and see many people on the property, choose to buy it anyway, that is your problem. No different here. Sure, people who bought when no one else vacationed here, may have an excuse, though not legitimate in my opinion, but they wouldn't be in the majority in Walton County. I bet less than ten deeded Gulf Front owners have ever complained about the TDC trucks coming onto the beach to remove the garbage, even if the owners bought in 1952.

And you would be wrong and loose the bet.
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