Sick Of Beach Chair Vendors in South Walton

Which 50% is that b/c their 50 keeps growing. It now seems to be the entire waterline on both sides of the stand. The folks who arrive after sunrise are getting the 50 behind them. Grrr. So frustrating!

Having never gotten a clear answer from the BCC on that ...I don't have an answer.

Picture this . 5:57am not a vendor chair in sight . But there are 7 tents all set up for the day so far , lots of them on private property no less. What about this no set up till you show up? Or no tents on private property . These people all used the neighborhood walkover. Hmmm ....
Sunrise was at 5:55am . Walton ordinance "Personal property on the beach between one hour after dusk and one hour after sunrise. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to leave an item of personal property on the beach between one hour after dusk and one hour after sunrise, unless a permit has been granted by Walton County. "

Picture this . 5:57am not a vendor chair in sight . But there are 7 tents all set up for the day so far , lots of them on private property no less. What about this no set up till you show up? Or no tents on private property . These people all used the neighborhood walkover. Hmmm ....
Sunrise was at 5:55am . Walton ordinance "Personal property on the beach between one hour after dusk and one hour after sunrise. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to leave an item of personal property on the beach between one hour after dusk and one hour after sunrise, unless a permit has been granted by Walton County. "

I agree, that's absolutely absurd.

Unfortunately, what else is absurd is how the TDC expects the community to report such a violation.

I suppose an official on the beach wouldn't know whether a tent on private property was placed there by the owner or their guest. They could tag it with a copy of the rules maybe.

I imagine also that the timing is problematic to enforce, and in practice as long as turtle walkers have done their duty it is fair game after that.

Well, perhaps I diluted my argument. Point was before 6am lots of non occupied chairs set up along the water and not one was a vendors .

Well, perhaps I diluted my argument. Point was before 6am lots of non occupied chairs set up along the water and not one was a vendors .

If you're trying to support vendors, you won't get much support from me.

If you're calling attention the the bigger picture and the reality that this problem is sistmic, I would agree.

Enforcement is a joke regardless for whom.

If you're trying to support vendors, you won't get much support from me.

If you're calling attention the the bigger picture and the reality that this problem is sistmic, I would agree.

Enforcement is a joke regardless for whom.

Definitely calling attention to the bigger picture.

I have a house in sea grove that is a second home and now that I am older , when I go to the beach it's a job to carry beach chairs up the walkway of 40 steps. I think one of the best things going is being able to have someone bring chairs to the beach for me. For the locals who don't like vendors they are the same people who envy those with beach permits for Grayton.the real problem is with the people who come here 5 weeks a year to stay in there home and rent 30 plus weeks to other people. I'm not positive but if you average the age of people who own a house within a 1000 feet of gulf , I would say they are 60 plus years old. So if you don't like people at beach move to Mexico beach. Then we would not have to listen to you cry everyday on here.When you have 30 plus years on beach then you're option should matter not that you have more money and just moved here.

Maybe an option could be that vendors rent hourly?

I have a house in sea grove that is a second home and now that I am older , when I go to the beach it's a job to carry beach chairs up the walkway of 40 steps. I think one of the best things going is being able to have someone bring chairs to the beach for me. For the locals who don't like vendors they are the same people who envy those with beach permits for Grayton.the real problem is with the people who come here 5 weeks a year to stay in there home and rent 30 plus weeks to other people. I'm not positive but if you average the age of people who own a house within a 1000 feet of gulf , I would say they are 60 plus years old. So if you don't like people at beach move to Mexico beach. Then we would not have to listen to you cry everyday on here.When you have 30 plus years on beach then you're option should matter not that you have more money and just moved here.

You just joined SoWal in July and you obviously have not gotten all caught up on this issue. Please do so...

If you are unable to haul your own personal items to the beach, I can understand that and you have a right to hire someone to do so.

However, if you do this (hire someone) I expect to see you in your rental set up on the beach and not a name tag and then you mysteriously appear at 11:00am to enjoy the beach....while your set up has been there for hours and hours.

If you OWN the beach in question, then that's your beach and have at it.

The "age" of people has nothing to do with any of this, so don't' go there.

I have a house in sea grove that is a second home and now that I am older , when I go to the beach it's a job to carry beach chairs up the walkway of 40 steps. I think one of the best things going is being able to have someone bring chairs to the beach for me. For the locals who don't like vendors they are the same people who envy those with beach permits for Grayton.the real problem is with the people who come here 5 weeks a year to stay in there home and rent 30 plus weeks to other people. I'm not positive but if you average the age of people who own a house within a 1000 feet of gulf , I would say they are 60 plus years old. So if you don't like people at beach move to Mexico beach. Then we would not have to listen to you cry everyday on here.When you have 30 plus years on beach then you're option should matter not that you have more money and just moved here.

Forgive me but I am an old man, 61 years old , live no where close to the beach but have to hump my chairs down and find a place to camp out - I take offense to your extremely myopic and ill informed view of how things work and suggest as John G said "You need to GET EDUCATED" - I enjoy people from all walks of life but take extreme offense to someone who has obviously offered his or her opinion 9 times on this site and is telling us locals where to move. You are entitled to your opinion and us locals as well - Hope to see you at Mexico Beach as unless you are bribing the local BCC , are related to them or have a tie to the rich and the famous lawyers who control the county, you are absolutely clueless, ill informed and have no idea of reality. I apologize in advance for the negative tone of this response but I will be hard pressed to listen to an opinion on us locals by someone who has minimally participated on the SOWAL web site - It almost seems like you have cherry picked the subject and must have a vested interest in the subject.. Sorry buckaroo, but spend some time reading the issues before piling on the locals and saying we are the problem.. Fell free to PM me to discuss further or if you like, I'd happy to set up a meeting with several of a impartial group of locals who don't own beachfront but care about SOWAL... #CLUELESS

I've been here going on twenty years, and likely will be here many more, as the spousal unit's job seems reasonably stable, and it would be hard to replicate it elsewhere at this point.

Hate crud left on the beach, whether it's tents or beach vendor junk or whatever. Current avoidance practice it to stick to beaches at state parks (annual pass works out to about $10/month) where they don't tolerate such silliness from vendors.

The main problem I see is with places like the hub who build so many houses and then have to bus people to beach walk overs. There are places like red fish who have gulf front only to buildbath houses and parking lots for there owners to use. For the owners who own on north side of 30a.So at that point you have county walk overs on one side and condo parking on other.i think we should put a hold on all new subdivisions .

Judging by the sentence structures, I think this person is drunk posting.

Although this website/social media may help to bring issues to the attention of the county, defensible statistics is what the TDC uses to point towards the need for chapter 22 ordinance change. Every month a report on the “contacts” Code Enforcement Personnel make is distributed and analyzed by the Beach Management Advisory Committee and the TDC organization. If you want to create change for a better beach experience, I encourage you to make a formal complaint on any/all issues you believe are a violation of the ordinance (with pictures). These complaints are investigated and go into the “contacts” database of statistics.

Here's the link : www.southwaltoncodeenforcement.com... Below the staff directory it says, To report a beach code violation, please click here.

South Walton Turtle Watch is experiencing a banner year with a total of 90 turtle nests so far this season, almost to the record of 98.

“And it’s only mid-July!” exclaimed Turtle Watch Head Sharon Maxwell in delight.

However, even with a banner year, she is exasperated because in addition to the 90 nests, she has recorded 63 false crawls.

A false crawl is when a sea turtle comes ashore to nest and can’t because of people, lights or an object left in her path that prevent her nesting.

Maxwell said South Walton had a rare green sea turtle come ashore to nest, but did not for those reasons, logging a false crawl. The next night, Panama City Beach Turtle Watch reported they had a green nest.

“We really are sharing the beach with sea turtles and people are harassing them on the beach when they (come) ashore to nest,” she said.

The stories of sightings of these incidents are mostly told to volunteer turtle watch walkers the morning following incidents.

“We have been trying forever to educate people. We have done everything we can think of. We started the Friends of Turtle Watch who are taking information to rental places and talking to the public, but to no avail,” said Maxwell. “People feel they have the right to touch and shine a light on turtles.”

However, harassing a sea turtle, shining a white light on them, touching or keeping them from nesting when they come ashore is against the law.

South Walton Turtle Watch is experiencing a banner year with a total of 90 turtle nests so far this season, almost to the record of 98.

“And it’s only mid-July!” exclaimed Turtle Watch Head Sharon Maxwell in delight.

However, even with a banner year, she is exasperated because in addition to the 90 nests, she has recorded 63 false crawls.

A false crawl is when a sea turtle comes ashore to nest and can’t because of people, lights or an object left in her path that prevent her nesting.

Maxwell said South Walton had a rare green sea turtle come ashore to nest, but did not for those reasons, logging a false crawl. The next night, Panama City Beach Turtle Watch reported they had a green nest.

“We really are sharing the beach with sea turtles and people are harassing them on the beach when they (come) ashore to nest,” she said.

The stories of sightings of these incidents are mostly told to volunteer turtle watch walkers the morning following incidents.

“We have been trying forever to educate people. We have done everything we can think of. We started the Friends of Turtle Watch who are taking information to rental places and talking to the public, but to no avail,” said Maxwell. “People feel they have the right to touch and shine a light on turtles.”

However, harassing a sea turtle, shining a white light on them, touching or keeping them from nesting when they come ashore is against the law.

Too many people during nesting season disturbing their habitat. I'm so sorry for our turtles. They are amazing creatures with so many obstacles in their ocean and nesting environments, almost all caused by us. South Walton Turtle Watch and Friends of SW Turtles are excellent groups doing outstanding work. I appreciate all they are doing to monitor nests, walk beaches every morning and educate the public. KEEP doing what you're doing. More locals are getting involved and helping protect turtles and educate people.

South Walton Turtle Watch on Facebook also posted this photo as an example of something they see all along the beach. Stuff. Obstacles.



Tracks from a nesting sea turtle:

Too many people during nesting season disturbing their habitat. I'm so sorry for our turtles. They are amazing creatures with so many obstacles in their ocean and nesting environments, almost all caused by us. South Walton Turtle Watch and Friends of SW Turtles are excellent groups doing outstanding work. I appreciate all they are doing to monitor nests, walk beaches every morning and educate the public. KEEP doing what you're doing. More locals are getting involved and helping protect turtles and educate people.

South Walton Turtle Watch on Facebook also posted this photo as an example of something they see all along the beach. Stuff. Obstacles.



Tracks from a nesting sea turtle:

To bad BCC and code enforcement could care less....turtles make ZERO $$$$ for SOWAL

To bad BCC and code enforcement could care less....turtles make ZERO $$$$ for SOWAL

Oh, and Vendors DONT pay taxes..."There's the Rub"

Although this website/social media may help to bring issues to the attention of the county, defensible statistics is what the TDC uses to point towards the need for chapter 22 ordinance change. Every month a report on the “contacts” Code Enforcement Personnel make is distributed and analyzed by the Beach Management Advisory Committee and the TDC organization. If you want to create change for a better beach experience, I encourage you to make a formal complaint on any/all issues you believe are a violation of the ordinance (with pictures). These complaints are investigated and go into the “contacts” database of statistics.

Here's the link : www.southwaltoncodeenforcement.com... Below the staff directory it says, To report a beach code violation, please click here.

I think some people are deterred from making a formal complaint due to the reporting process. It allows the Touron to know WHO complained. It opens the door for retaliation, especially if you live in their general vacation area. We've seen Tourons do a lot of crazy things... What's the TDC's reason for forcing the identity of the complainant?

South Walton Turtle Watch is experiencing a banner year with a total of 90 turtle nests so far this season, almost to the record of 98.

“And it’s only mid-July!” exclaimed Turtle Watch Head Sharon Maxwell in delight.

However, even with a banner year, she is exasperated because in addition to the 90 nests, she has recorded 63 false crawls.

A false crawl is when a sea turtle comes ashore to nest and can’t because of people, lights or an object left in her path that prevent her nesting.

Maxwell said South Walton had a rare green sea turtle come ashore to nest, but did not for those reasons, logging a false crawl. The next night, Panama City Beach Turtle Watch reported they had a green nest.

“We really are sharing the beach with sea turtles and people are harassing them on the beach when they (come) ashore to nest,” she said.

The stories of sightings of these incidents are mostly told to volunteer turtle watch walkers the morning following incidents.

“We have been trying forever to educate people. We have done everything we can think of. We started the Friends of Turtle Watch who are taking information to rental places and talking to the public, but to no avail,” said Maxwell. “People feel they have the right to touch and shine a light on turtles.”

However, harassing a sea turtle, shining a white light on them, touching or keeping them from nesting when they come ashore is against the law.

This is very disturbing. If this is happening, we need the appropriate law enforcement agency (FWC?) do be more involved here.

It speaks volumes when a Green Sea Turtle chooses PCB over SoWal to lay eggs...

Let's confiscate all items left on the beach, resell them, and use the money to fund turtle watch.

The Beach Operations Department is comprised of two divisions: Beach Maintenance and Beach Code Enforcement. Code Enforcement monitors the beaches to enforce local beach related ordinances such as the Leave No Trace ordinance, sea turtle ordinances, and others.

Staff Directory
(850) 267-4578 - General
(850) 622-7895 - Code Enforcement

Brian Kellenberger - Director of Beach Operations
Stacey Infinger - Administrative Assistant
Josh Ervin - Beach Maintenance Manager
Jeff McVay - Lead Code Enforcement Officer
Harold Taunton - Code Enforcement Officer
David Goodman- Code Enforcement Officer
Danny Garner - Code Enforcement Officer
Clifton Hollington - Code Enforcemnt Officer
Eric Bosko - Code Enforcement Officer
Buddy Burgess - Code Enforcement Officer
Adam Seigler - Code Enforcement Officer
Dan Ratcliff - Code Enforcement Officer
Nick Ware - Code Enforcement Officer

To report a beach code violation, please click here.

The Beach Operations Department is comprised of two divisions: Beach Maintenance and Beach Code Enforcement. Code Enforcement monitors the beaches to enforce local beach related ordinances such as the Leave No Trace ordinance, sea turtle ordinances, and others.

Staff Directory
(850) 267-4578 - General
(850) 622-7895 - Code Enforcement

Brian Kellenberger - Director of Beach Operations
Stacey Infinger - Administrative Assistant
Josh Ervin - Beach Maintenance Manager
Jeff McVay - Lead Code Enforcement Officer
Harold Taunton - Code Enforcement Officer
David Goodman- Code Enforcement Officer
Danny Garner - Code Enforcement Officer
Clifton Hollington - Code Enforcemnt Officer
Eric Bosko - Code Enforcement Officer
Buddy Burgess - Code Enforcement Officer
Adam Seigler - Code Enforcement Officer
Dan Ratcliff - Code Enforcement Officer
Nick Ware - Code Enforcement Officer

To report a beach code violation, please click here.

Best story one of these (above) enforcement guys ever told me. One season a new beach vendor was setting up and when question, did not have license or liability insurance.
He told the enforcement agent he could earn the required funds for the insurance in about two weeks of rentals.
So the code guy told him he would overlook the problem for two weeks while the illegal vendor earn the money to get the insurance.
This story plus others about not issuing fines because it would take a whole day in court to fight the penalty. These stories represent the mentality of the TDC.

South Walton Turtle Watch is experiencing a banner year with a total of 90 turtle nests so far this season, almost to the record of 98.

“And it’s only mid-July!” exclaimed Turtle Watch Head Sharon Maxwell in delight.

However, even with a banner year, she is exasperated because in addition to the 90 nests, she has recorded 63 false crawls.

A false crawl is when a sea turtle comes ashore to nest and can’t because of people, lights or an object left in her path that prevent her nesting.

Maxwell said South Walton had a rare green sea turtle come ashore to nest, but did not for those reasons, logging a false crawl. The next night, Panama City Beach Turtle Watch reported they had a green nest.

“We really are sharing the beach with sea turtles and people are harassing them on the beach when they (come) ashore to nest,” she said.

The stories of sightings of these incidents are mostly told to volunteer turtle watch walkers the morning following incidents.

“We have been trying forever to educate people. We have done everything we can think of. We started the Friends of Turtle Watch who are taking information to rental places and talking to the public, but to no avail,” said Maxwell. “People feel they have the right to touch and shine a light on turtles.”

However, harassing a sea turtle, shining a white light on them, touching or keeping them from nesting when they come ashore is against the law.

I've looked at the Seagrove sky beach cam at night and saw hundreds of flashlights up and down the beach. I invite you all to look for yourselves.