Sick Of Beach Chair Vendors in South Walton

Unfortunately you are correct about locals.

Just wait till after season and all the traffic enforcement starts...

So sick of the beach chair/tent vendors setting up tents right next to the waters edge. One of the vendors with dark blue chairs and umbrellas sets them back a ways and far enough apart to walk through but the other guy with the cheap chairs and tents makes the beach look like crap. Today he put chairs right in front of the lifeguard tower. You could barely get by the tents to walk down the beach by the water. I'm ill and I don't appreciate having to haul my stuff a quarter mile down the beach to find a vacant spot. I was told when I moved here that local people don't matter to anyone. Sadly, I'm finding that true.

Locals matter to us!

Chair guys have traditionally been the rugged individualist independent type.
Mix in college spirit, hangovers and competition and it gets kinda crazy.

Where is your beach?

Gulfview Heights and Walline. The situation with tents almost in the water was at GVH. I have also put my chair and stuff down and came back from swimming to find a vendor chair so close it was literally touching mine. That's just plain rude not rugged individualism. Sorry, but something needs to be done. Chairs should never be in front of the life guard towers unless we expect the lifeguards to learn how to fly. The tents being bunched together and right at waters edge gives less view of people in the water as well.

Unfortunately you are correct about locals.

Just wait till after season and all the traffic enforcement starts...

I love this place in the off season....Oct/Nov. were my fave months so far....

We've been here long enough to not really spend much time on the beach in the high season when it's not only crowded but hot. But we are ok with it because there are so many other times to get out there and really enjoy it: early morning walks, sunsets, night time and winter time out on the beach. Any time other than March (spring break), or June-Aug (summer) is pretty okay out there day or night. We do see crowded holiday weeks or weekends or fall breaks, etc.. throughout the year now but you gotta know when to go.

We've been here long enough to not really spend much time on the beach in the high season when it's not only crowded but hot. But we are ok with it because there are so many other times to get out there and really enjoy it: early morning walks, sunsets, night time and winter time out on the beach. Any time other than March (spring break), or June-Aug (summer) is pretty okay out there day or night. We do see crowded holiday weeks or weekends or fall breaks, etc.. throughout the year now but you gotta know when to go.

I work from home so I look at the beach cams in the morning and if the water looks pretty we're out the door and back before my clients notice I'm missing! HAHA!

The unfortunate reality is that Beach Vendors are growing and growing. Its a cash cow business with some very smart people owning some of these businesses. Smart business owners don't own dumb businesses.

The push for banning tents, while there are some merits to it (space and safety) totally favor the Beach Vendor.

Until these vendors that use PUBLIC Beach, which it basically all is now thanks to customary use, start to pay a usage fee to the county, I have no use for them.

Has anyone asked themselves, why this almost out of "Knowhere" became an issue in the last few years? Where was this problem five years ago? I don't recall it being one.

So sick of the beach chair/tent vendors setting up tents right next to the waters edge. One of the vendors with dark blue chairs and umbrellas sets them back a ways and far enough apart to walk through but the other guy with the cheap chairs and tents makes the beach look like crap. Today he put chairs right in front of the lifeguard tower. You could barely get by the tents to walk down the beach by the water. I'm ill and I don't appreciate having to haul my stuff a quarter mile down the beach to find a vacant spot. I was told when I moved here that local people don't matter to anyone. Sadly, I'm finding that true.

Just curious about how many BCC meetings/workshops you have attended?

Unfortunately you are correct about locals.

Just wait till after season and all the traffic enforcement starts...

John G, I assume you have attended a lot of BCC meetings/workshops?

John G, I assume you have attended a lot of BCC meetings/workshops?

Good assumption.

Both in person and via on line streaming (attendance).

Good for you! Sure wish more people would do the same.

Just curious about how many BCC meetings/workshops you have attended?

What is a BCC meeting and how do I find out where to attend?

The unfortunate reality is that Beach Vendors are growing and growing. Its a cash cow business with some very smart people owning some of these businesses. Smart business owners don't own dumb businesses.

The push for banning tents, while there are some merits to it (space and safety) totally favor the Beach Vendor.

Until these vendors that use PUBLIC Beach, which it basically all is now thanks to customary use, start to pay a usage fee to the county, I have no use for them.

Has anyone asked themselves, why this almost out of "Knowhere" became an issue in the last few years? Where was this problem five years ago? I don't recall it being one.

I wonder what will happen when a fishing guide decides to do a beach fishing charter and scads of folks have hooks and lines at the shore where people are trying to swim. I'm sorry but it's like every other public use area there has to be rules so everyone can be included and no one party can ruin it for everyone else.... just like the dog use... there are guidelines and fees imposed on private citizens who already pay property taxes just so they can walk there dog on the beach. I live near a boat ramp and the fishing charters have absolutely taken it over. I can't even use the dock to fish anymore. Mobs of people are thundering down the road in front of my house now. I ask myself why these businesses are not paying for a slip at the marina. Well, because the public park ramp is free of course. They clean the fish there and dump them right by the ramp. So now there are a sea of floating fish guts and head all over the place. Wondering how long it will take for the gator I saw to figure this out if he hasn't already. I guess no one cares if one of the neighborhood kids get dragged to the bottom. [angry face]

Was the launch there before you bought you're house?If so that's like buying next to dump and then saying it stinks

What is a BCC meeting and how do I find out where to attend?

Board of County Commission meetings

www.co.walton.fl.us/

Don't expect much out of our BCC as it relates to vendors and public access.

Was the launch there before you bought you're house?If so that's like buying next to dump and then saying it stinks

The launch was there but the commercial traffic and dead fish were not

What is a BCC meeting and how do I find out where to attend?

"BCC" is the Board of County Commissioners (our Walton County Government). They are "elected" and their are five seats.

I have very little faith in them to do anything that benefits anyone outside of their special interests.

One of the ways they get away with they way they run the county is that very few people attend their public meetings. (Thus, I believe Mr. Fletcher's inquiry). Side note - Mr. Fletcher did run for BCC and would have been a wonderful addition. Unfortunately, he lost.

It is also my understanding that a BCC Members family actually runs a charter fishing boat and it might just be in the area you reference.

One of the big issues pending at the next BCC Meeting is the 1/2 cent sales tax. If you think there are problems with vendors, you haven't seen anything yet. Go to that meeting.

Welcome to SoWal.

"BCC" is the Board of County Commissioners (our Walton County Government). They are "elected" and their are five seats.

I have very little faith in them to do anything that benefits anyone outside of their special interests.

One of the ways they get away with they way they run the county is that very few people attend their public meetings. (Thus, I believe Mr. Fletcher's inquiry). Side note - Mr. Fletcher did run for BCC and would have been a wonderful addition. Unfortunately, he lost.

It is also my understanding that a BCC Members family actually runs a charter fishing boat and it might just be in the area you reference.

One of the big issues pending at the next BCC Meeting is the 1/2 cent sales tax. If you think there are problems with vendors, you haven't seen anything yet. Go to that meeting.

Welcome to SoWal.

Lordy!

I'll withhold my response and let you form your own opine on the BCC.

You can also view the meetings on line, live. Be sure to visit the site PRIOR to the meeting as there are some requirements of your PC to meet to receive the broadcast.

So sick of the beach chair/tent vendors setting up tents right next to the waters edge. One of the vendors with dark blue chairs and umbrellas sets them back a ways and far enough apart to walk through but the other guy with the cheap chairs and tents makes the beach look like crap. Today he put chairs right in front of the lifeguard tower. You could barely get by the tents to walk down the beach by the water. I'm ill and I don't appreciate having to haul my stuff a quarter mile down the beach to find a vacant spot. I was told when I moved here that local people don't matter to anyone. Sadly, I'm finding that true.

From the SoWal Local Government and Groups' s thread
Code Enforcement At Eastern Lake Today

Walton Beach Ordenance 2017-05 "WHEREAS, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners finds it necessary ... prohibiting tents on the beach, and providing for access aisles at the water's edge and toe of the dune;
r. It shall be unlawful to place beach equipment on the beach within fifteen (15) feet of the water's edge or within fifteen (15) feet of the toe of the dune or line of permanent dune vegetation on any regional or neighborhood beach access [or public beach equipment on private beach?].”

From the SoWal Local Government and Groups' s thread
Code Enforcement At Eastern Lake Today

Walton Beach Ordenance 2017-05 "WHEREAS, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners finds it necessary ... prohibiting tents on the beach, and providing for access aisles at the water's edge and toe of the dune;
r. It shall be unlawful to place beach equipment on the beach within fifteen (15) feet of the water's edge or within fifteen (15) feet of the toe of the dune or line of permanent dune vegetation on any regional or neighborhood beach access [or public beach equipment on private beach?].”

Hmm. At one point the water was under this tent and a man moved it back.

I pretty sure I saw this guy as well.

Entitled Tourist.

Sadly, we also have a considerable population of locals that believe that because they have done something for years, they can continue doing it no matter what the rules are and no matter how many people are required to share the beaches and roads. Consistency of enforcement is the only way to help everyone understand that we all have to share and be considerate of others. Wasn't that an early lesson of preschool or kindergarten? I guess adults think these lessons don't apply to them.

Locals matter to us!

Chair guys have traditionally been the rugged individualist independent type.
Mix in college spirit, hangovers and competition and it gets kinda crazy.

Where is your beach?

"Where is your beach" seriously Kurt???
This PROBLEM is any white sand from Bay county line to Okaloosa county line. when the BCC members are in the Vendor family business what do you expect? Vendors are definitely Killing the beach experience

We've been here long enough to not really spend much time on the beach in the high season when it's not only crowded but hot. But we are ok with it because there are so many other times to get out there and really enjoy it: early morning walks, sunsets, night time and winter time out on the beach. Any time other than March (spring break), or June-Aug (summer) is pretty okay out there day or night. We do see crowded holiday weeks or weekends or fall breaks, etc.. throughout the year now but you gotta know when to go.

Teresa, so you think you being blocked off the beach 4 months out of the year is OK? With that attitude things will just get worse and Vendors and BCC win