South Walton Sports Complex Update

Isn't there a merchant fee in Rosemary, Seaside, Gulf Place and Baytowne? And I thought that they were optional.

They're "optional" in that if you want to look like a rude cheapskate you can make a fuss and get them taken off your bill.

I think a sports facility would be a great piece of infrastructure - both for locals and as something visitors can also enjoy.

30ashopper, the TDC can't spend money on anything that isn't related to tourism. Hence building facilities to attract tourists.

They're "optional" in that if you want to look like a rude cheapskate you can make a fuss and get them taken off your bill.

I think a sports facility would be a great piece of infrastructure - both for locals and as something visitors can also enjoy.

Just curious-Do you think people that use coupons are "rude cheapskates" as well?
If it's optional then who cares if people pay it or not.

There are countless ways to do that that don't involve building some huge, artsy fartsy arts complex that a mjority of full time residents won't find useful.

#1 top option if all you want to do is increase tourism and tax revenue at the expense of community - legalize gambling on the bay. (Or convince Bay County to do it.) That would generate hundreds of million of tax revenue, provide tens of thousands of jobs, and would also alow us to lower property and sales taxes.

As far as merchant taxes go, taxing small businesses create more problems that they solve. If you really want to generate revenue for something you feel you would use or need, be honest about it a support an increase in the sales tax so that everyone pays their fair share.

I have no problem with a sales tax, we have gambling, EBRO and I would never go, and as for the tax on small business, I'll bet that tax is passed onto the customer, which I was showing with Baytowne because it is added to my bill when I have eaten there. My hope would be that user fees for tournaments and the like would eventually cover the cost. As for a Museum I have no knowledge as to it profitablity, but they just closed one in Panama City so profit may not be feasible.

My point is that the attitude about it makes it not so "optional."

Go ahead and ask for this "optional" item to be removed - the reaction you get is akin to if you suggest kicking a puppy.

Are you saying we should be against more tourists or for more tourists?

I think the implication is that this already is a world class place, at least to many, and that having a sportsplex or better sports facilities, cultural arts center, outdoor amphitheater, etc. will draw people from around the world (especially with a new Intl. Airport), and the locals get the year-round benefit of all of this needed infrastructure.

Not everyone who comes here remains a tourist. The enlightened and inspired ones many times end up calling it "home". We may be on a beautiful island, but lets not burn down all the bridges to the future in the name of preserving the present.

Time waits for no one. And we, the current residents, have a very advantageous situation currently, where we can be directly involved in how this Greater South Walton Community is shaped. With the growth east and west of us, I believe it is in our best interest to provide ideas on how to responsibly evolve this community to the benefit of as many as possible, whether permanent resident or visitor. If we wait, the future may not be quite as receptive. If nothing else, I think the County and the TDC are doing a pretty darn good job of asking for our input at this time.

Have you ever been to the current International airport in Panama City, do you really consider it an International Airport?

Just curious-Do you think people that use coupons are "rude cheapskates" as well?
If it's optional then who cares if people pay it or not.

The optional charge is there to cover the arts and entertainment venues that those areas provide. Generally the person nit picking over what amounts to pennies is the same person that is guaranteed to be at the free event they didn't want to contribute to. Yes, they are rude cheapskates.

Isn't there a merchant fee in Rosemary, Seaside, Gulf Place and Bawtown? And I thought that they were optional.

As usual, I'm late to the party but the fees are not optional to the merchant remitting them to the HOA or whatever entity the developer wants it paid to. So, if the guest nitpicks and the merchant graciously takes it off, the merchant still has to pay.

One of these developments requires homeowners to send a copy of their state sales tax return to "prove" their amount due. Personally, I wouldn't do that, but...

And FF is correct - the resorts charging it don't seem to be driving anyone away.

Have you ever been to the current International airport in Panama City, do you really consider it an International Airport?

Just using the established name. I doubt we will have direct flights from Cairo, but I have to think it will be easier to get here from there, no matter where there is, once the new one is in place.

30ashopper, the TDC can't spend money on anything that isn't related to tourism. Hence building facilities to attract tourists.

Poor TDC. They use the force of law to take dollars from people for coming to this area and then they have to build things for those people to come see that they already paid for. I wonder if those TDC dollars that are TAKEN are the same dollars that fund the free family health care package of the director. I am sure giving him health care and providing employees transportation to commute to work is causing a lot of tourists to jump up and want to visit this place.

And I am sure they are all professionals. Heck they are so professional they did not even know it took an ordinance and not a resolution to raise the amount of dollars that they TAKE from tourists.

And for the TDC employees reading this, do not bother calling anyone and trying to get me to edit this post. I have done that for you guys for the last time. Register at the site with your REAL name and state your case.

Poor TDC. They use the force of law to take dollars from people for coming to this area and then they have to build things for those people to come see that they already paid for. I wonder if those TDC dollars that are TAKEN are the same dollars that fund the free family health care package of the director. I am sure giving him health care and providing employees transportation to commute to work is causing a lot of tourists to jump up and want to visit this place.

And I am sure they are all professionals. Heck they are so professional they did not even know it took an ordinance and not a resolution to raise the amount of dollars that they TAKE from tourists.

And for the TDC employees reading this, do not bother calling anyone and trying to get me to edit this post. I have done that for you guys for the last time. Register at the site with your REAL name and state your case.

:boxing:Seem kinda fiesty, have a better day.

wrobert, where were you when the TDC was formed? Isn't it your parties elected officials that approved the raise in rates?

30ashopper, the TDC can't spend money on anything that isn't related to tourism. Hence building facilities to attract tourists.

Are the people who run this outfit elected officials?

Are the people who run this outfit elected officials?

IIRC they are chosen by elected officials.

wrobert, where were you when the TDC was formed? Isn't it your parties elected officials that approved the raise in rates?

Absolutely. The conservative republicans of Walton County approved the 12.5% tax increase. Some voting for it after running on a platform of holding the line on taxes. But then after they get in there, they encourage leases to be signed that increase liability to the county from 1200 a month to 9000 a month, they encourage the hiring of people to ride the bike path for 35 dollars an hour, and while admitting family health care at no charge is probably not the right thing, they take it and refuse to try to correct it.

And on the TDC board, not really sure how that works. One member speaks at all the tea parties against taxes and government, yet stands up at the REC meeting and says we should not oppose the TDC tax since we do not pay it anyway. Our chairman, after being for the TDC tax increase and chastising me for being publicly against it, finally came around and voted against it, but he was in the minority so it passed anyway.

Just goes to show you can hardly trust anyone after they get elected. The list of 'good ones' is certainly starting to shrink for me.

I just keep wondering if the democrats are for the little guy, when in the world are they going to call us on these shenanigans? But alas, not a peep, so I guess getting 80K a year for volunteers to look for turtles, allowing health to only be provided to the 'rich' is not a problem even for the local dems.

The lines are starting to blur.

But if I get one email or phone call from someone even remotely related to the TDC about this post, instead of them registering on this forum and stating their case, I am going to take my comments and thoughts directly to the 4,000 visitors of the Beaches of South Walton. Email is a wonderful thing.

Absolutely. The conservative republicans of Walton County approved the 12.5% tax increase. Some voting for it after running on a platform of holding the line on taxes. But then after they get in there, they encourage leases to be signed that increase liability to the county from 1200 a month to 9000 a month, they encourage the hiring of people to ride the bike path for 35 dollars an hour, and while admitting family health care at no charge is probably not the right thing, they take it and refuse to try to correct it.

And on the TDC board, not really sure how that works. One member speaks at all the tea parties against taxes and government, yet stands up at the REC meeting and says we should not oppose the TDC tax since we do not pay it anyway. Our chairman, after being for the TDC tax increase and chastising me for being publicly against it, finally came around and voted against it, but he was in the minority so it passed anyway.

Just goes to show you can hardly trust anyone after they get elected. The list of 'good ones' is certainly starting to shrink for me.

I just keep wondering if the democrats are for the little guy, when in the world are they going to call us on these shenanigans? But alas, not a peep, so I guess getting 80K a year for volunteers to look for turtles, allowing health to only be provided to the 'rich' is not a problem even for the local dems.

The lines are starting to blur.

But if I get one email or phone call from someone even remotely related to the TDC about this post, instead of them registering on this forum and stating their case, I am going to take my comments and thoughts directly to the 4,000 visitors of the Beaches of South Walton. Email is a wonderful thing.

Robert
I realize this is troubling for you and many more that are like minded, but you do realize that there are those on the otherside who are not having issue with it. Sometimes one idea wins over the other. As I have been to Tallahassee representing interest of my group, I understand your frustrations when you hear one thing and something else happens even after confirming with the Representative his vote. I let my vote speak for itself, and I place signs who I can support and yes I'll even financially support them. Although this does not guarantee that I will always agree with the politician but in the end I have to decide whether they were close enough for me to assist in reelecting them. I hope your frustration is eased, not at my expense though , but I think our passion sometimes get the best of us. Relax, have a good a day.

does anyone happen to know the total $$$ amount of revenues the county has taken in in Property and bed tax combined between 2004 and 2008? A few billion at least? I think the budget says they have $100 million in reserves. Is that correct?

Robert
I realize this is troubling for you and many more that are like minded, but you do realize that there are those on the otherside who are not having issue with it. Sometimes one idea wins over the other. As I have been to Tallahassee representing interest of my group, I understand your frustrations when you hear one thing and something else happens even after confirming with the Representative his vote. I let my vote speak for itself, and I place signs who I can support and yes I'll even financially support them. Although this does not guarantee that I will always agree with the politician but in the end I have to decide whether they were close enough for me to assist in reelecting them. I hope your frustration is eased, not at my expense though , but I think our passion sometimes get the best of us. Relax, have a good a day.

I know. I am trying to get out of this stuff and just go back to drinking. At the end of the day, I basically just sit down and decide did I agree with the person more or less than I disagree, if they can make it over 50% then I will write them a check, put up some signs, and vote for them. And if the election were held today I would vote for every one of them, some more enthusiastically than others, but they would all still get my vote because I have not seen anyone, that I feel is for sure going to run, bring up any ideas of any significant difference.

I know. I am trying to get out of this stuff and just go back to drinking. At the end of the day, I basically just sit down and decide did I agree with the person more or less than I disagree, if they can make it over 50% then I will write them a check, put up some signs, and vote for them. And if the election were held today I would vote for every one of them, some more enthusiastically than others, but they would all still get my vote because I have not seen anyone, that I feel is for sure going to run, bring up any ideas of any significant difference.

did you ever think of the possibility of you, A.O., and B.H. joining forces? Residents of the south side, 2nd home owners and tourist need a louder voice in all of your opinions right?

Busta, I believe I recall wrobert saying that the people in South Walton had no business (say so) in establishing building heights in North Walton, so that probably works in the contrary, too. He doesn't likely want a say so in South Walton activities.

What land is available for this? Who is to pay for the land? Do they intend to get it from the State Forest like the County has always tried to do in the past? I think this is a great idea, if thought through properly and does not impact the Forest which makes south Waltin so very special.

What land is available for this? Who is to pay for the land? Do they intend to get it from the State Forest like the County has always tried to do in the past? I think this is a great idea, if thought through properly and does not impact the Forest which makes south Waltin so very special.

I agree murph. I think the trees along US98 should be an established buffer to any more development on the corridor. As they cruise through South Walton, who wouldn't rather enjoy nature over a boatload of commercial eye clutter?

Not saying it is a perfect example, but Hilton Head Island (at least in the beginning of their development) took that into consideration. They made sure any signs were limited to a certain size, and they were very careful about conserving natural landscapes. Wouldn't be the worst example to take some cues from.

Poor TDC. They use the force of law to take dollars from people for coming to this area and then they have to build things for those people to come see that they already paid for. I wonder if those TDC dollars that are TAKEN are the same dollars that fund the free family health care package of the director. I am sure giving him health care and providing employees transportation to commute to work is causing a lot of tourists to jump up and want to visit this place.

And I am sure they are all professionals. Heck they are so professional they did not even know it took an ordinance and not a resolution to raise the amount of dollars that they TAKE from tourists.

And for the TDC employees reading this, do not bother calling anyone and trying to get me to edit this post. I have done that for you guys for the last time. Register at the site with your REAL name and state your case.

I don't use my real name and you still talk to me...;-)

I don't use my real name and you still talk to me...;-)

And, although I didn't know it at the time of the earlier post, I think the employees of the TDC had other things on their mind today.

Prayers for Michele & Gilbert...RIP, Chase...

Amen SN