View attachment 58678 Ugly PVC. Three of them so far. One near the western lake outfall, and two to the east.View attachment 58677 View attachment 58676
Replies
49Beach Lover
Sorry steelman, but when nobody nominated Cindy Meadows back to the TDC board she lost control of the beach. Some of Cecilia Jones family makes their living as beach vendors and I believe also at guiding fishing trips off that beach. It's no accident she landed on the TDC as the chair when none of the TDC revenue is in her district, it's a power play. If it is so dang profitable let county employee's run stands at public beach access, then if it goes wrong the PUBLIC can complain and have heir own government shut it down. They would be like a beach ambassador and maybe could be paid for with TDC money. Why do you think vendors don't run national parks, Park Rangers do! Why, because vendors are there for the money and Park Rangers are there for the people and the public's property. Cecilia will stay right in the middle of this and never recuse herself.
The clue bird flew to town for Sara Commander the other day when she indicated it appeared the public has little access to the beach and that concerned her. Ya think? Somebody will control our beaches for profit, Just wait and see. They've paved paradise and put up a parking Lot. But LOL there is no parking either! If you want change you have to replace Chapman and Emfeld because just Meadows isn't enough. There is still time to get some new faces and rite the ship so to speak.
We have to realize we are now faced with the untenable position of having to buy some of it back and keep it public for everyone's use or trips to the beach will be for the affluent only. Now doesn't every child in Walton county deserve to have a day at the beach no matter their social status? Moratirium on all major development might not be a bad idea, at least long enough to see it we can catch up on our infrastructure plan and ensure we are not destroying our quality of life in the name of a dollar. There is still plenty of money to be made here without ruining the place. People pay more for stuff that's exclusive anyway.......everybody would win if people would do the right thing.
The clue bird flew to town for Sara Commander the other day when she indicated it appeared the public has little access to the beach and that concerned her. Ya think? Somebody will control our beaches for profit, Just wait and see. They've paved paradise and put up a parking Lot. But LOL there is no parking either! If you want change you have to replace Chapman and Emfeld because just Meadows isn't enough. There is still time to get some new faces and rite the ship so to speak.
We have to realize we are now faced with the untenable position of having to buy some of it back and keep it public for everyone's use or trips to the beach will be for the affluent only. Now doesn't every child in Walton county deserve to have a day at the beach no matter their social status? Moratirium on all major development might not be a bad idea, at least long enough to see it we can catch up on our infrastructure plan and ensure we are not destroying our quality of life in the name of a dollar. There is still plenty of money to be made here without ruining the place. People pay more for stuff that's exclusive anyway.......everybody would win if people would do the right thing.
Beach Fanatic
Where were all you last Tuesday night at council meeting. They where listing, only vendor kids talking about the bad recession? Copy and paste your thoughts And email Cindy meadowsWhat recession??? We have record numbers of tourists every year.
meacindy@co.walton.fl.us
I know the vendors are in a war with each other and very aggressive. If they are acting like they are in a war with the county then they just need to be told that doing business in Walton County is a privilege, not a right. Honestly - we need clear beaches, not competition.
Beach Crab
Sorry steelman, but when nobody nominated Cindy Meadows back to the TDC board she lost control of the beach. Some of Cecilia Jones family makes their living as beach vendors and I believe also at guiding fishing trips off that beach. It's no accident she landed on the TDC as the chair when none of the TDC revenue is in her district, it's a power play. If it is so dang profitable let county employee's run stands at public beach access, then if it goes wrong the PUBLIC can complain and have heir own government shut it down. They would be like a beach ambassador and maybe could be paid for with TDC money. Why do you think vendors don't run national parks, Park Rangers do! Why, because vendors are there for the money and Park Rangers are there for the people and the public's property. Cecilia will stay right in the middle of this and never recuse herself.
The clue bird flew to town for Sara Commander the other day when she indicated it appeared the public has little access to the beach and that concerned her. Ya think? Somebody will control our beaches for profit, Just wait and see. They've paved paradise and put up a parking Lot. But LOL there is no parking either! If you want change you have to replace Chapman and Emfeld because just Meadows isn't enough. There is still time to get some new faces and rite the ship so to speak.
We have to realize we are now faced with the untenable position of having to buy some of it back and keep it public for everyone's use or trips to the beach will be for the affluent only. Now doesn't every child in Walton county deserve to have a day at the beach no matter their social status? Moratirium on all major development might not be a bad idea, at least long enough to see it we can catch up on our infrastructure plan and ensure we are not destroying our quality of life in the name of a dollar. There is still plenty of money to be made here without ruining the place. People pay more for stuff that's exclusive anyway.......everybody would win if people would do the right thing.
Beach Crab
As I understand from the BCC meeting Meadows chose to step down from TDC. She did not want to serve again and neither did other commissioners. Jones was nominated by someone on board and all voted for her to do it. Not sure how you get power play?!?
Beach Lover
Sorry that you're so informed yet so naive on your THIRD post. Ok, you want to talk about Jones, lets talk about her. Jones had made it her mission to get rid of Jim Bagby as the TDC director because she was unhappy with him. Even though Meadows was the boards representative, jones stayed on the warpath to protect her vendor family. She even had it on the agenda to remove Bagby the day he had had enough and resigned. Meadows stated she had been happy with Bagby's performance. She then put the pressure on Comander to nominate her and then watch the video she almost demands to be made chairman of the TDC even though that's not the position meadows held on the board. Cecilia clearly wanted control and that was brokered before the meeting to shut her up you can rest assured.For the last time, what is in her district that impacts the TDC??........almost nothing. Better go have another brunch Stacey, some of us have been fed enough sh*t and don't care for second helpings.
Beach Fanatic
No one in authority should ever be allowed to vote on issues where they( her,her) have a vetted interest..would love to see a young reporter do a investigated report on this B.S.
Beach Fanatic
Beach Fanatic
C. Jones is one of this communities biggest problems.
Not many have figured this out yet.
She is a very dangerous and manulipative woman.
Phoney...
Not many have figured this out yet.
She is a very dangerous and manulipative woman.
Phoney...
Beach FanaticAuthor
Here is what I sent to Brian, Cindy and Cecilia this morning.
I doubt that it will make a difference, but I had to try... If any
of you would like to contact them, their email addresses are:
brian@visitsouthwalton.com
meacindy@co.walton.fl.us
joncecelia@co.walton.fl.us
Brian and others,
Thank you for the reply and the diagram for the new vendor zones.
Fist, I understand that the vendor zones are still open to the public.
The problem is that the vendors set up first thing in the morning before
many other folks can make it to the beach to set up their own areas.
Often, there is no room left in the vendor zones after the vendors
have finished, and this is why the new Western Lake Outfall vendor
area is troublesome. My family and many other local families are very
concerned about this. If you were to go out there right now, you would
see that the entire outfall area is open to vendors. Periodically moving
the post is a bad idea. Removing it altogether would be preferable.
We request that the vendor zones be reverted to last year's single zone.
Please note that this topic is making the rounds on the Sowal forums
and Facebook as I write this email to you. As more people find out about
it, I am sure that you will get more complaints. And when the tourist
season begins in earnest and families are unable to find room at the
Western Lake outfall, the situation will become even worse.
Second, I agree that the new post-arm system is a good idea. It is much
more informative than last year's two-post system. But PVC pipe is really
ugly and tacky and doesn't keep with the character of Grayton Beach.
Some nice wooden posts would be a real improvement here.
Respectfully,
Jimmy
I doubt that it will make a difference, but I had to try... If any
of you would like to contact them, their email addresses are:
brian@visitsouthwalton.com
meacindy@co.walton.fl.us
joncecelia@co.walton.fl.us
Brian and others,
Thank you for the reply and the diagram for the new vendor zones.
Fist, I understand that the vendor zones are still open to the public.
The problem is that the vendors set up first thing in the morning before
many other folks can make it to the beach to set up their own areas.
Often, there is no room left in the vendor zones after the vendors
have finished, and this is why the new Western Lake Outfall vendor
area is troublesome. My family and many other local families are very
concerned about this. If you were to go out there right now, you would
see that the entire outfall area is open to vendors. Periodically moving
the post is a bad idea. Removing it altogether would be preferable.
We request that the vendor zones be reverted to last year's single zone.
Please note that this topic is making the rounds on the Sowal forums
and Facebook as I write this email to you. As more people find out about
it, I am sure that you will get more complaints. And when the tourist
season begins in earnest and families are unable to find room at the
Western Lake outfall, the situation will become even worse.
Second, I agree that the new post-arm system is a good idea. It is much
more informative than last year's two-post system. But PVC pipe is really
ugly and tacky and doesn't keep with the character of Grayton Beach.
Some nice wooden posts would be a real improvement here.
Respectfully,
Jimmy
Beach Fanatic
Important. Whose is installing the PVC pipe post??? ..this answer will let us know what your email is likely to start at TDC.....
#postvirus has spread to Blue Mountain
( pic later) BMB post are residential beach accesses!!
#postvirus has spread to Blue Mountain
( pic later) BMB post are residential beach accesses!!
Beach Fanatic
I don't want vendors anywhere on our beaches. But everyone knows that the outfalls are sacred - keep commerce off the outfalls!
Beach Fanatic
View attachment 58714 View attachment 58715 Ok on BMB residential accesses ( declared a FL. Neighbor by fl. Governor years ago)
3 PVC post "Vendor Zone" along a 659' stretch behind homes. Vendors are squatting and claiming this 600'+/-
3 PVC post "Vendor Zone" along a 659' stretch behind homes. Vendors are squatting and claiming this 600'+/-
Beach Fanatic
Beach enforcement guys say they are putting them out over SOWAL. TDC sneaking this by us..
Beach Lover
opinion
GUEST COLUMN: Beach vending is a privilege, not an entitlement
Posted Apr 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 3, 2015 at 4:52 PM
By JACQUEE MARKEL
The portion of Walton County commissioners’ March 10 meeting regarding beach vending was quite stunning to me and a cause for concern.
We have stepped onto a slippery slope, and it still isn’t enough for some beach vendors!
First and foremost, this is public beach. It is ours. We actually own it. It does not belong to beach vendors. They have absolutely no right to set up business on something that belongs to the public, period.
Setting up business on the beach is a privilege but now is seen as an entitlement by some of the vendors as well as some commissioners.
How on Earth did we get here? Where will this take us? Will food, personal watercraft and spray suntan lotion be next?
I found the demanding nature of many of the vendors who spoke at the March 10 meeting incredible! Their blatant disregard for nonrenting members of the public spoke volumes.
I find it remarkable that the commissioners find it necessary to postpone voting on an ordinance for another season because they haven’t spoken with the vendors’ attorney.
The commissioners and the Tourist Development Council have been bending over backward to try to find a solution to what has become a problem on our public beaches.
The problem? Beach vendors setting up chairs like a blockade at the water’s edge at the crack of dawn, claiming the prime spots before most residents or visitors are awake. Some of those chairs are rented; some are not.
We elect our commissioners to be leaders, but it seems the beach vendors are now leading the commissioners! What other small business constituency is allowed to use public property to conduct its business?
Fines are another issue.
Let me get this straight. Beach vendors get to set up and do business on the beaches we own. They want the best spots. They pay no rent. They set up free advertising with ghost chairs. They get to leave their equipment at the toe of the dune, a privilege not extended to the public, the actual owners of the beach. Then, after all of that, 50 percent of our public beach isn’t enough — and a $100, $300 or $500 fine when breaking the rules is too much?
Beach Fanatic
opinion
GUEST COLUMN: Beach vending is a privilege, not an entitlement
Posted Apr 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 3, 2015 at 4:52 PM
By JACQUEE MARKEL
The portion of Walton County commissioners’ March 10 meeting regarding beach vending was quite stunning to me and a cause for concern.
We have stepped onto a slippery slope, and it still isn’t enough for some beach vendors!
First and foremost, this is public beach. It is ours. We actually own it. It does not belong to beach vendors. They have absolutely no right to set up business on something that belongs to the public, period.
Setting up business on the beach is a privilege but now is seen as an entitlement by some of the vendors as well as some commissioners.
How on Earth did we get here? Where will this take us? Will food, personal watercraft and spray suntan lotion be next?
I found the demanding nature of many of the vendors who spoke at the March 10 meeting incredible! Their blatant disregard for nonrenting members of the public spoke volumes.
I find it remarkable that the commissioners find it necessary to postpone voting on an ordinance for another season because they haven’t spoken with the vendors’ attorney.
The commissioners and the Tourist Development Council have been bending over backward to try to find a solution to what has become a problem on our public beaches.
The problem? Beach vendors setting up chairs like a blockade at the water’s edge at the crack of dawn, claiming the prime spots before most residents or visitors are awake. Some of those chairs are rented; some are not.
We elect our commissioners to be leaders, but it seems the beach vendors are now leading the commissioners! What other small business constituency is allowed to use public property to conduct its business?
Fines are another issue.
Let me get this straight. Beach vendors get to set up and do business on the beaches we own. They want the best spots. They pay no rent. They set up free advertising with ghost chairs. They get to leave their equipment at the toe of the dune, a privilege not extended to the public, the actual owners of the beach. Then, after all of that, 50 percent of our public beach isn’t enough — and a $100, $300 or $500 fine when breaking the rules is too much?
Admin
#421
Admin
#432
SoWal Guide
Those photos of Grayton Beach tell a sad story about a place once named the world's most beautiful beach
.
.
Beach Fanatic
Couldn't they condense all this into one sign on an attractive platform that contains all the information? Is it too much to ask for a little leadership and planning when it regards the golden goose that drives the economy of this county?
Beach Lover
I am hearing that vendor signs east of 83 and in front of old blue mountain beach neighborhood will be removed this week.
Beach Lover
Signs have been removed from old blue mountain beach neighborhood.
Beach Lover
Doe
Signs have been removed from old blue mountain beach neighborhood.[/QUOTEDoes this mean the vendors can no longer set up in these areas without the signs? What implications, if any, does the sign removal have?
Edited
Beach FanaticAuthor
No response from Cindy, Cecelia or Brian about my latest email requesting
that the new vendor zone be removed from the Western Lake outfall in Grayton
and the PVC posts be replaced with something nicer. It's almost like they don't
care (sarcasm). Sure would be nice if there was no vending at all on the public
beaches. That would also solve my gripe about the ugliness of the new PVC
posts.
that the new vendor zone be removed from the Western Lake outfall in Grayton
and the PVC posts be replaced with something nicer. It's almost like they don't
care (sarcasm). Sure would be nice if there was no vending at all on the public
beaches. That would also solve my gripe about the ugliness of the new PVC
posts.
Beach Fanatic
Lots of talk today at the BCC Meeting about how terrible the Private Property owners beach signs and fences, ropes, are.
They allegedly impede first responders, look bad, are uninviting and as one Commissioner put it, can "trap or catch" a beach mouse.
So, it looks like the County is going to crack down on those items in the sand that "violate leave no trace".
I'll be expecting to see ALL of the Beach Vendor Posts removed too...
They allegedly impede first responders, look bad, are uninviting and as one Commissioner put it, can "trap or catch" a beach mouse.
So, it looks like the County is going to crack down on those items in the sand that "violate leave no trace".
I'll be expecting to see ALL of the Beach Vendor Posts removed too...
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