I was at a walkover in sea grove this weekend and overheard a beach front homeowner arguing with a beach goer. The homeowner stated they paid taxes on beach land and it was theirs. At that time the the beach guy mentioned that was because the homeowner quick claimed the beach for a 100.00 . The property was at the end of San Juan ave. the home owner said that was right. I wonder how much of the beach has been given away for that price? I looked on tax Page and that's what it says also.i also seen where a judge in 1994 stated it was gulf shore manor beach for perpetual use of sunbathing and recreation.from Dothan street to pelayo.
Replies
122SoWal Insider
My syntax was shotty, but by the time I recognized it, I couldn't edit any more. It should have read: The rude behavior you claim instigated all this, was done by tourons, not locals.
Beach Fanatic
Wrong. It is the few very vocal CU advocates using the COUNTY and taxpayer dollars to SUE the beach property owners forced to defend themselves in court using their own money.
Thank you for suing me.
Shannon
Shannon,
6000 (and counting) CU affadavit signers is "the few very vocal"? Nice try in trying to frame CU advocates as a minority. They are not, in fact, the minority.
SoWal Guide
Shannon,
6000 (and counting) CU affadavit signers is "the few very vocal"? Nice try in trying to frame CU advocates as a minority. They are not, in fact, the minority.
The count is almost 8000... from Florida Beaches For All on Sep 12:
7959 notarized affidavits... and counting!
From the massive stack collected at the Sept 8th hearing my feeling is that the community is very strongly in support of Customary Use. We are just discovering how and who is behind singling out our beaches for privatization. Has this happened anywhere else in Florida? If so where? We are a unique and beautiful beach community. I hope we can work together and keep it that way. I agree we need to do a lot of work on leadership of beach activities, more access and parking, more enforcement, fewer vendors. So let's do those things.
Really appreciate so many people, volunteers, notaries, businesses, restaurants, groups and offices around town pulling together over the last few months to get the work done. No matter what may happen, this community is incredibly hard working and positive about protecting our beaches and future. I am proud of this town. Thankful to live here.

Beach Fanatic
Why should everyone else have to suffer because some people spent above their means? I could have bought beach front back when I moved to SOWAL (30+ years ago) but I took into consideration the costs of taxes,insurance,repair/replacement in the event of a hurricane, etc. and decided it just wasnt worth it. Its "keeping up with the Jones (and huckabees and bryants)" at its finest.I live within my means. That's why we own our beachfront free and clear. 30 years ago beach house with 50 ft of beachfront was what $150,000. Great investment. But now have to pay Walton commissioners 2018 $171,400,000 taxes and deal with incompetent commissioners. Over the decades those Walton taxes add up to more than what we paid for the property.
Understand you didn't think it was worth it then; why, because you thought you could use everyone else private property? Not how the law works. Owner's have the right to let others use their private property or not. You want to demand private property use and support the commissioners litigating against Constitutional private property rights - I and many owners will not be so gracious should private property rights prevail over an obscure common law.
Beach Fanatic
Thank you @ShallowsNole for sharing your experiences and knowledge from your work with Walton County over the years.ShollowNoles, care to share your real name so your Walton experience, years of County service, and knowledge can be fact checked? Your factual posts do not convey you know the facts. And it's the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL). Not CCL. And the title legal description does matter - not what you think or the spirit of the beach. That's the facts.
Beach Fanatic
Shannon,Indeed the public who want something for nothing is a majority. Fortunately, the United States of America has the rule of law and the majority does not rule - or everything the majority wanted would be customary use.
6000 (and counting) CU affadavit signers is "the few very vocal"? Nice try in trying to frame CU advocates as a minority. They are not, in fact, the minority.
SoWal Insider
First of all, there is a CCL line. It's the County's Coastal Control Line, and differs from the state CCCL line. Few people know this, so your ignorance can be overlooked. Shallownoles was born and bred in this County and probably knows more about this county and this County government than anybody around here. Including you. If you were so sure about your legal position why are you out here denigrating everybody. This seems a whole lot like the Trump strategy: When you know the Law isn't on your side, you play the victim, and try to spin this issue in the court of public opinion. Public opinion is against you. Trump's approval rating is about at 35% and you have about 4 posters on this site who share your sentiments. Give it a break.
Beach Fanatic
First of all, there is a CCL line. It's the County's Coastal Control Line, and differs from the state CCCL line. Few people know this, so your ignorance can be overlooked. Shallownoles was born and bred in this County and probably knows more about this county and this County government than anybody around here. Including you. If you were so sure about your legal position why are you out here denigrating everybody. This seems a whole lot like the Trump strategy: When you know the Law isn't on your side, you play the victim, and try to spin this issue in the court of public opinion. Public opinion is against you. Trump's approval rating is about at 35% and you have about 4 posters on this site who share your sentiments. Give it a break.If there is a Walton County "Coastal Control Line" it must be documented in a regulation somewhere. Can you provide your reference to verify? Because that goes to credibility. If it's opion - everyone has one of those. Not denigrating (criticize unfairly) anyone or everyone. I have made statements that can be verified with facts - like the CCCL. What does Trump have to do with anything? What does public opinion have to do with the law? Either you have facts or you don't. I'm not a lawyer but it is a lawyers' adage; If you have the law on your side, argue the law; if you have the facts, argue the facts; if you have neither, pound the table. Facts please, not emotional table pounding opinions.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
I live within my means. That's why we own our beachfront free and clear. 30 years ago beach house with 50 ft of beachfront was what $150,000. Great investment. But now have to pay Walton commissioners 2018 $171,400,000 taxes and deal with incompetent commissioners. Over the decades those Walton taxes add up to more than what we paid for the property.It was the people that "have to rent " out their homes to pay the taxes that I was referring to. Way too many people bought with no intention of ever actually occupying the mega house they built on the beach. They did it with every intention of renting it and making a small fortune off it, effectively turning it into a business venture, NOT a home. They give the reins over to a rental company and only collect a check and have no say over the people that occupy it every week. Its those people that pay ungodly amounts for a week,have no respect for anything,and figure the cleaning fee included in the rental will cover everything. But you dont see those housekeepers out on the beach cleaning up the mess. They leave that for the county/TDC to do. It is that kind/class of visitors that have created most of the problems.
Understand you didn't think it was worth it then; why, because you thought you could use everyone else private property? Not how the law works. Owner's have the right to let others use their private property or not. You want to demand private property use and support the commissioners litigating against Constitutional private property rights - I and many owners will not be so gracious should private property rights prevail over an obscure common law.
SoWal Insider
No emotional table pounding whatsoever. I want this to get to court tomorrow. Don't you?
Beach Fanatic
ShollowNoles, care to share your real name so your Walton experience, years of County service, and knowledge can be fact checked? Your factual posts do not convey you know the facts. And it's the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL). Not CCL. And the title legal description does matter - not what you think or the spirit of the beach. That's the facts.People on this forum know who she is. She's been on here at least ten years.
SoWal Insider
Shannon,Emerald Drifter: It's approaching 8,000. Get your facts right!!
6000 (and counting) CU affadavit signers is "the few very vocal"? Nice try in trying to frame CU advocates as a minority. They are not, in fact, the minority.
SoWal Guide
@ShallowsNole is a good friend to many in this community and has always provided helpful information about county issues and operations etc. She's not claiming to be an expert. But she generously shares what she knows.
In forums you don't have to use real names though many of us have changed our forum names to our real names over time. It's a personal choice. Lots of our original members are still called by their original forum names even in real life. All good peeps. Where's River Otter?
In forums you don't have to use real names though many of us have changed our forum names to our real names over time. It's a personal choice. Lots of our original members are still called by their original forum names even in real life. All good peeps. Where's River Otter?
Beach Fanatic
First of all, there is a CCL line. It's the County's Coastal Control Line, and differs from the state CCCL line. Few people know this, so your ignorance can be overlooked. Shallownoles was born and bred in this County and probably knows more about this county and this County government than anybody around here. Including you. If you were so sure about your legal position why are you out here denigrating everybody. This seems a whole lot like the Trump strategy: When you know the Law isn't on your side, you play the victim, and try to spin this issue in the court of public opinion. Public opinion is against you. Trump's approval rating is about at 35% and you have about 4 posters on this site who share your sentiments. Give it a break.Have you or @ShallowsNole found proof of the County's control line (CCL) regulations from your previous post? Goes to both your expertise and credibility. But I could be wrong - prove it - don't say it.
SoWal Insider
I was told about it by a member of the South Walton Community Council and by a surveyor I employed once. I don’t feel right about disclosing their names on this site. You should be able to talk to someone in the Planning Department. They are the ones that implement it.
Beach Fanatic
Been here longer than you I'd guess. No duped or greedy "old" or "new" beachfront owners here. Just informed ones. My private property has always been "private" for many decades; even if I let you use it, it's still private property with all the rights you have. But if you and the commissioners demand to use my property without my consent, you will not be licensed or invited to use it. If the Walton commissioners litigate and beachfront owners Constitutional private property rights are superior to an obscure old English public common law and owners prevail I for one will enforce my private property rights to the fullest extent of the law. So be careful what you pay your tax money for. There is no customary use in Walton county and the one thing I agree with Teresa and Dave Rauschkolb - NO compromise.
I've been here since 1963, rode up and down the ENTIRE beach in a jeep, rode horses on the beach, etc...everyone knew my parents as we owned the small grocery store in Santa Rosa Beach, where you could have a draft beer while shopping for groceries. Were you here then?
If not, I've been here longer.
Beach Fanatic
Have you or @ShallowsNole found proof of the County's control line (CCL) regulations from your previous post? Goes to both your expertise and credibility. But I could be wrong - prove it - don't say it.No, I was busy mourning my Noles and Customarily Using the beach this weekend. I don't read SoWal on weekends.
Beach Fanatic
ShollowNoles, care to share your real name so your Walton experience, years of County service, and knowledge can be fact checked? Your factual posts do not convey you know the facts. And it's the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL). Not CCL. And the title legal description does matter - not what you think or the spirit of the beach. That's the facts.Most people know my real name. If you have been here 30 years, you do too.
Beach Fanatic
No, I was busy mourning my Noles and Customarily Using the beach this weekend. I don't read SoWal on weekends.Did you contribute to Willie's buyout on Go Fund Me?
Beach Fanatic
Did you contribute to Willie's buyout on Go Fund Me?
Last I heard, there were three different ones. I'd have to pick one.
Beach Lover
Shannon,
Looks to me that boy done brought hisself a rubber knife to a gunfight. Sic 'em!
You mean herself.
Beach Fanatic
I'm not an agent or a RE attorney, but it seems to me that without the BFOs' initial actions of quiet title and thus claiming the sand behind their home as theirs, there would have not been the subsequent action to use money and political connections to get 631 passed.
What if the judge(s) rule that the quiet title action should have never been granted in the first place? The BFOs argument of "private property" only came up post-quiet title, correct?
What if the judge(s) rule that the quiet title action should have never been granted in the first place? The BFOs argument of "private property" only came up post-quiet title, correct?
Edited
Beach Lover
I'm not an agent or a RE attorney, but it seems to me that without the BFOs' initial actions of quiet title and thus claiming the sand behind their home as theirs, there would have not been the subsequent action to use money and political connections to get 631 passed.
What if the judge(s) rule that the quiet title action should have never been granted in the first place? The BFOs argument of "private property" only came up post-quiet title, correct?
Stop with the talking points. There's been a handful of quiet title actions. There are 1,000 of BFO's. Are you really suggesting SEASIDE got their beach property through quiet title? WATERSOUND? WATERCOLOR? ROSEMARY BEACH?
This is getting beyond ridiculous.
Beach Fanatic
I was told about it by a member of the South Walton Community Council and by a surveyor I employed once. I don’t feel right about disclosing their names on this site. You should be able to talk to someone in the Planning Department. They are the ones that implement it.
I suspect this is what the DEP refers to as the Line of Continuous Construction, but I have also heard referred to as the CCL (by Walton County folks) as opposed to the CCCL. Plenty of confusion on acronyms to go around!
Beach Fanatic
Beyond ridiculous is right. The idea that a handful of people and lawyers can keep us off our beaches is ridiculous.
IMO we should all ignore them and use the beaches as we always have. Ignore them.
If you are a beachfront owner and there are problem people preventing you from quiet enjoyment near your property, call the law like the rest of us do when necessary. End of story.
IMO we should all ignore them and use the beaches as we always have. Ignore them.
If you are a beachfront owner and there are problem people preventing you from quiet enjoyment near your property, call the law like the rest of us do when necessary. End of story.
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