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A Better South Walton Announces 3 community meetings in May...

Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
8,423 views1
It’s time to talk about A Better South Walton. Are you ready?

After nearly a year of work A Better South Walton is pleased to announce community meetings scheduled in May. Each one will include a history of the organization, our options, the process and timeline of incorporating a city, the results of the recent survey, the findings of the long-awaited Feasibility Study and how you can get involved.

Following the presentations a question and answer session will conclude the meetings. Come out to hear data and info about South Walton that has never been available before or shared with the public.

“We are here to ask questions and seek answers to the complex issues facing South Walton. It is critical that we gain insight from the public on their views. The Feasibility Study will be reviewed and vetted by the Florida League of Cities and the Institute of Government of the University of Central Florida. It’s time to talk about what is best for South Walton,” said Vice President, Dave Rauschkolb.

The meetings are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend.

The Meeting Schedule:

Monday, May 9th, 5:30-7 p.m., Rosemary Beach Town Hall
S. Barrett Square, Rosemary Beach

Wednesday, May 11th, 5:30-7 p.m., 560 Grand Boulevard
the former Coldwater Creek location
across from Grand Park and Cantina Laredo

Thursday, May 12th, 5:30-7 p.m., 560 Grand Boulevard
the former Coldwater Creek location across from Grand Park and Cantina Laredo


ABSW’s mission is to seek more effective governance and local representation for South Walton to preserve and enhance its unique character, property values and quality of life.

See more at abettersouthwalton.org, sign up for the newsletter. The website provides an overview of the organization, its mission, meet the team of SoWal people, and information about the study, surveys and what's to come. You can also donate, join the team and find out how to get involved.

Take the online survey about options for South Walton's future!

Edited

Replies

42
Beachlover2 avatar
Beach Fanatic
#2
Any update about Mondays meeting.
Mike Jones avatar
Beach Fanatic
#3
Taxes won't increase. We would actually gain revenue from state funds. Very impressed.
Beachlover2 avatar
Beach Fanatic
#4
Thank you - will be able to make the meeting tonight. Leaving soon.
John G avatar
Beach Fanatic
#5
Taxes won't increase. We would actually gain revenue from state funds. Very impressed.

Taxes won't increase? Who's selling that bill of goods? Unless Roskhoub is footing the bill, that's B.S.

I'm all for South Walton Incorporation, but if someone is selling it with no increase to taxes, I'm not buying.
jodiFL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#6
I'm with John G. I am all for trying to keep more of whats is generated south of the bay here but I dont think another level of government is the answer. Once you incorporate you are going to have even more "officials" to pay,not to mention the "city" services that will need to be paid for (i.e. police, trash etc). I think the best solution is the one that has been talked about for decades and that is SO.Walton becoming its own COUNTY.
John G avatar
Beach Fanatic
#7
I'm with John G. I am all for trying to keep more of whats is generated south of the bay here but I dont think another level of government is the answer. Once you incorporate you are going to have even more "officials" to pay,not to mention the "city" services that will need to be paid for (i.e. police, trash etc). I think the best solution is the one that has been talked about for decades and that is SO.Walton becoming its own COUNTY.

That's the Perfect Solution (Cure), but I don't see that happening.

ADKINSON has already got this group in his bag as they parise him, yet 50% of the problems on that silly survey are about Enforcement issues.

He has a lot to loose if they create another jurisdiction.

Parking, traffic, etc., who's going to handle that? SoWal needs its own.

Oh we'll "contract" with the WCSO and Adkinson... BS. He'll steel more of our tax $$$ for his team to make big bucks sitting on arses and while minamal staff respond to calls.

A SoWal controlled Arm of Law Enforcement truly scares Sheriff Mike.

He needs fully control for "favors" and information. Politricks.

Parking tickets alone in a jurisdiction can generate tons of revenue. Our County just chooses to not pursue the $$$. We can but won't.

Anyone get the stats in the past several years of Spring Break arrest fines? Yet to see it... Hear all about it. Who defended those kids? Who proffited? What % paid the fine into the County budget?

Lots of questions, no answers from anyone.

Be careful who you buy from.
Beachlover2 avatar
Beach Fanatic
#8
The presentation gave the numbers and figures - police etc would still be contracted by the county - no new police force etc. The presentation will be up on the website in the next week or so. Read it before you decide.
Bob Wells avatar
Beach Fanatic
#9
Taxes won't increase. We would actually gain revenue from state funds. Very impressed.
I guess I will have to wait for the presentation to come online. To say there will be no tax increase because revenue would come from the State. If that is true, how come the City of Freeport has a tax and provides a limited amount of services?
FactorFiction avatar
Beach Fanatic
#10
There is a lot to grasp. Make sure you understand both the pros and cons before making a decision.
ShallowsNole avatar
Beach Fanatic
#11
A SoWal controlled Arm of Law Enforcement truly scares me as well.
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#12
A professional police department with a properly selected (based on qualifications and not GOB politics.. non elected) professional Police Chief in charge of South Walton public safety sounds ideal to me. I guess that's too much to hope for. Some day.
John G avatar
Beach Fanatic
#13
A professional police department with a properly selected (based on qualifications and not GOB politics.. non elected) professional Police Chief in charge of South Walton public safety sounds ideal to me. I guess that's too much to hope for. Some day.

You are right on point with this.

My concern is "contracting" with WCSO to police SoWal will allow Sheriff Mike to profit from the area.

The staffing is thin right now as it is.

A professional Police Department / Public Safety Division would be ACCOUNTABLE to someone.

An Elected Sheriff is only accountable every four years and around here the good ole' boys run the show, so there is no accountability.

Based on the posts in the All About SoWal forum, from Roskhub about the "Roshkub Riot on the Beach" and community organizing to disrupt private property, I'm about done with that group (Better South Walton) and their one sided agenda.

We simply doomed.

I've accepted that.
Beach Fanatic
#14
Misspelling his name proves your ignorance.
John G avatar
Beach Fanatic
#15
Thanks James Benwood!
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#16
You are right on point with this.

My concern is "contracting" with WCSO to police SoWal will allow Sheriff Mike to profit from the area.

The staffing is thin right now as it is.

A professional Police Department / Public Safety Division would be ACCOUNTABLE to someone.

An Elected Sheriff is only accountable every four years and around here the good ole' boys run the show, so there is no accountability.

Based on the posts in the All About SoWal forum, from Roskhub about the "Roshkub Riot on the Beach" and community organizing to disrupt private property, I'm about done with that group (Better South Walton) and their one sided agenda.

We simply doomed.

I've accepted that.

A Better South Walton is filled with great local people working hard to find solutions and bring the community together. Sorry you're not feeling it!
John G avatar
Beach Fanatic
#17
The call to organize systematic Trespassing on Private Property is what did it for me.

True Agenda by a group that needs all the help and support it can get.

You don't do it like this, you haven't even Incorporated and you are alienating people with the Customary Use nonsense.
Beach Comber
#18
In light of SW's current and future struggles, I appreciate these meetings generating citizens interest & discussion of their community. So far, I am impressed by the information.
Does anyone have a link to "A Better South Walton" disclosure of donors? I searched the site but could not find a link.

I believe it will be important for all groups shaping public's opinion to fully disclose donors (above a small amount), as transparency is the foundation of any public organization. I might have missed the link or documentation, so if someone can direct me it would be helpful for everyone. Thanks.

Edited

Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#19
The call to organize systematic Trespassing on Private Property is what did it for me.

True Agenda by a group that needs all the help and support it can get.

You don't do it like this, you haven't even Incorporated and you are alienating people with the Customary Use nonsense.
A peaceful walk on the beach is nothing other than bringing much needed awareness to what is happening to our beaches right now. We don't have to be incorporated to get involved as great locals have always done. Incorporation is a different matter entirely. It's what happens to fast growing towns anywhere in the country.
John G avatar
Beach Fanatic
#20
Peaceful Walk?

It clearly advocates for violating property owners private property. I'm sure beach front owners will be prepared to document anything that is a violation.

When Mr. Roskhoub went on record with his March, he lost me as a supporter for A Better SoWal. He's one of the heads of that group. Call it guilt by association, but it doesn't matter.

Recognition of private property rights, beach or otherwise, is something that cant be violated.

A leader of a new Incorporation Movement should realize that and not attach himself to a controversial topic. Now he's the poster boy for Customary Use, bragging about how he'd love to tell his grandkids about being arrested for going to the beach.

Depending on who's property he "goes to the beach" on, he might have a chance to tell that story one day.

Poor judgement used by a community organizer.
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#21
You don't know Dave, obviously.
BlueMtnBeachVagrant avatar
Beach Fanatic
#22
You don't know Dave, obviously.
That comment sounds too much like a quote from an old political debate .

BTW, Kirk mentioned that he tries to stay out of the political conversations. However I've been meaning to ask you if you are acting as a surrogate political commentator on behalf of SoWal.com since your title is "moderator" when you take many politically charged positions?...some I agree with and some I disagree with.

Anyway, I think John G has very clearly portrayed this individual's core makeup and I couldn't agree more. And I don't say that lightly or without a lot of history. Too many including his entourage are star struck with this individual.
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#23
That comment sounds too much like a quote from an old political debate .

BTW, Kirk mentioned that he tries to stay out of the political conversations. However I've been meaning to ask you if you are acting as a surrogate political commentator on behalf of SoWal.com since your title is "moderator" when you take many politically charged positions?...some I agree with and some I disagree with.

Anyway, I think John G has very clearly portrayed this individual's core makeup and I couldn't agree more. And I don't say that lightly or without a lot of history. Too many including his entourage are star struck with this individual.
I have a personal stake in our community as a resident and have opinions like anyone else here. I enjoy learning from others and respect all positions here on the forum - the interesting thing is that we all have different situations and perspectives - we all gain from hearing from each other. My moderator duty is administrative and editorial and that's it. Moderators are people too.
Dawn avatar
Beach Fanatic
#24
Dave is a good role model, environmentalist, and businessman. Ask anyone who has ever worked for him and they will tell you he treats people fair - salary, benefits, etc. He keeps the best staff for many years. I am fine going to jail if it means keeping the beaches free of clutter and free for all. Private beach is a terrible idea. Just ask crabs and turtles and most of the humans.
tsutcli avatar
Beach Fanatic
#25
As I understand it the incorperation area to be included is everything south of the bay within Walton County. If this is true then wouldn't Destin and Sandestin be a part, and if they are, given their size relative to the area on 30a (where most of the complaints and impetus are originating) wouldn't the Town Council and Mayor soon be dominated by those areas because of the voter density? My concern is we would be just trading a distant and largely indifferent (to 30a problems) Defuniak Springs for another similar situation just located to the West. Our problems need local solutions within a much smaller geographic description (30a north to the Bay).
seabythegrove avatar
Beach Fanatic
#26
Destin is in Okaloosa County.
More government does not ensure the situation would change. If the vote is to incorporate, maybe Bernie Sanders could be hired as the city manager.

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