Customary Use and Our 30A Legacy

Beach Lover

Apr 25, '19 · 7:46 AM526,4962

When you see a PCB or Destin bumper sticker, what thought immediately comes to mind? Probably same for all of us with any time spent here - nice, but it ain’t 30A! Do you remember why you started renting/visiting here? What was it? Remember when you bought your first 30A property? Why here?
Because it was DIFFERENT, right? Remember the words you used to describe it to family and friends as you invited them here? “Private” “Quiet” “Intimate” “Less crowded”. That wasn’t by accident. The entire genetic code of Sowal beaches is because of the private ownership and neighborhood beach personalities.
You could rent “private beach”. You could buy “private beach”. There wasn’t a free for all frat party atmosphere because of unlimited public beach access on the sands. That behavior was regulated by the privately owned property where such behavior was immediately squelched. And yet, by custom, no one was ever “Kicked off” of private beaches because owners don’t do that unless bad actors abuse the privilege.
Walton County has always had more than 50% PUBLIC beach. Still does. That hasn’t changed. There are now deliberately misleading fear tactics out there with scary words like “Quiet Title” and “Privatization”, neither of which have affected one single square inch of public beach, not one. Yet, the mob mentality, orchestrated by local carnival barkers eager for fame and notoriety, and dollars, have mislead the citizens and deliberately tried to divide the community in a shell game of Customary Use.
The fact is that the county outran the capabilities of local Commissioners to plan for growth 20 years ago, and we haven’t improved that talent to deal with it even yet. So the County, in failing to plan beach availability, tried to illegally claim private property as public, without following the laws requiring judicial oversight. The local Good Ol’ Boys overreached their authority and got caught by the adults in Tallahassee. So they then decides to sue 4,800 of Sowal citizens to take their property. That’s right, your tax money is being spent, and a lot of it, to SUE almost 5,000 of your neighbors, and steal what they agreed to purchase at a premium, and have a deed to prove it.
Don’t blame them please, they didn’t want or ask for this fight. They live here and care for these beaches just like you and me. Go meet them, they are truly the eclectic fabric of 30A. The signs they had to put up are just in defense of this new orchestrated public attack against them.
The bottom line is this: The minute you release the public to occupy all of Sowal beaches, you IMMEDIATELY get nasty Destin and PCB problems. How will you feel about that 30A sticker then? Nostalgic? Me too.

Replies

2,312

SoWal Insider

May 7, '19 · 3:26 PM#102

@Auburn Fan ....I get updates from FLORIDA BEACHES FOR ALL and have NEVER seen a video of this type posted.

What does that got to do with me? I’ve never seen the video and you didn’t do anybody any good by describing it on this site.

Beach Fanatic

May 7, '19 · 3:45 PM#103

What does that got to do with me? I’ve never seen the video and you didn’t do anybody any good by describing it on this site.

It has nothing to do with you. I was merely assuring Auburn Fan that the video HE/SHE described isnt on any of the FBFA accounts that I get updates from. The description given by that person if FAR WORSE than anything ever posted by anyone on this site or any other site that I have seen FBFA on.

Beach LoverAuthor

May 7, '19 · 3:54 PM#104

What Teresa is doing here is new. She has a firm pro CU stand with passion and dedication. Yet there is an open forum for discussion. She doesn’t like the title of this string, she thinks it’s harmful. I think it’s spot on, and am just as convinced if it’s correctness as she is opposed to it. She has complete control to delete it, but has let it play out. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN ON ANY OTHER SITE CONTROLLED BY CU SUPPORTERS. Hundreds of Beachfront property owners are blocked from the major Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts used for pro CU messaging. The admins of THOSE sites must be afraid of intelligent conversation. Are they afraid of facts being exposed about property law? Who knows. Yet here, we have what could be a flashpoint but for a community leader who wishes to allow adult conversation. That video is hideous. Thank you for supporting its immediate removal. Auburn’s post to me is very factual, exactly the way I read it. To CU supporters, it’s hogwash. Yet, Teresa allows the discussion to continue, hoping for civilized discourse. How refreshing and new.

SoWal Insider

May 7, '19 · 4:03 PM#105

What Teresa is doing here is new. She has a firm pro CU stand with passion and dedication. Yet there is an open forum for discussion. She doesn’t like the title of this string, she thinks it’s harmful. I think it’s spot on, and am just as convinced if it’s correctness as she is opposed to it. She has complete control to delete it, but has let it play out. THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN ON ANY OTHER SITE CONTROLLED BY CU SUPPORTERS. Hundreds of Beachfront property owners are blocked from the major Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts used for pro CU messaging. The admins of THOSE sites must be afraid of intelligent conversation. Are they afraid of facts being exposed about property law? Who knows. Yet here, we have what could be a flashpoint but for a community leader who wishes to allow adult conversation. That video is hideous. Thank you for supporting its immediate removal. Auburn’s post to me is very factual, exactly the way I read it. To CU supporters, it’s hogwash. Yet, Teresa allows the discussion to continue, hoping for civilized discourse. How refreshing and new.

You keep talking about being shut out from other sites on Facebook, Twitter Etc. Why don’t you just start your own site on Facebook. Then you can discuss all you want. No one is stopping you. And nobody is forcing me to listen. Ain’t America grand!

SoWal Insider

May 7, '19 · 4:07 PM#106

It has nothing to do with you. I was merely assuring Auburn Fan that the video HE/SHE described isnt on any of the FBFA accounts that I get updates from. The description given by that person if FAR WORSE than anything ever posted by anyone on this site or any other site that I have seen FBFA on.

I got mixed up, Jodi. I thought that last comment came from Auburn Fan. Fairly rude for him/her to start this crap.

Beach Fanatic

May 7, '19 · 4:20 PM#107

Ask the Sheriff, because his SOP required/ demanded all these signs. And that was the reason and the beginning of the signs. Read the WCSO SOP, signs were not an issue until the Sheriff demanded them and more.

The Sheriff is not demanding signs. The only reason they would require signage is if you are going to be one of the BFOs who demand that those who transverse their sand or - gasp! sit on it, be arrested for trespassing.

If you are going to be a nice BFO and not harass people who use the beach in front of your house, there is no reason to put up a sign.

Beach Lover

May 7, '19 · 4:35 PM#108

@Auburn Fan ....I get updates from FLORIDA BEACHES FOR ALL and have NEVER seen a video of this type posted.

Check out just this afternoon's post on FLORIDA BEACHES FOR ALL Facebook page. Look at the photo carefully.

Now see that same photo was taken by the said video producer and posted on his page earlier today. That's the same page that is still playing that upsetting video. The mere verbal description of that upsetting video should not be the focus here today.

FLORIDA BEACHES FOR ALL founders have personally posted the video producers' inflammatory marked up "public vs private" beach photos on Facebook and Twitter as well as at the last public FBFA meeting. It's all documented fact.

There are quite a few smart people in this forum who are perfectly capable of connecting dots in order to follow who are working closely together.

Beach Fanatic

May 7, '19 · 5:29 PM#109

What I find amusing is that none of the signs they put up are within the requirements set forth by the statute they quote. That statute is very clear about it but I guess those signs with the 2" bright "international orange" letters are even too ugly for them.

Beach Fanatic

May 7, '19 · 7:20 PM#110

What I find amusing is that none of the signs they put up are within the requirements set forth by the statute they quote. That statute is very clear about it but I guess those signs with the 2" bright "international orange" letters are even too ugly for them.

There is a FL statute for posting private property not in a residential area before Walton BBC unconstitutional beach ordiance. But it amazes me at the ignorance and misinformation people post. Does not give much them much credibility.
Read Walton Ordnance 2019-05. A result of a 2017 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA PENSACOLA DIVISION finding the previous ordinance "... facially unconstitutional in violation of the First Amendment and are stricken." Costing Walton tax payers $185,000 in private beachfront owner legal fees as I recall from BCC minutes.

Edited May 7, '19 · 8:12 PM

Beach Fanatic

May 7, '19 · 7:26 PM#111

Fact: Home prices are declining
Fact: tax revenue trending down !!!!!!!!!
First to feel the pain Seaside........
Fact: Golden Goose has left the house

Data? Evidence? Just typing the word Fact does not make it a fact. Just an unsupported opinion.

Edited May 7, '19 · 7:48 PM

Beach Fanatic

May 7, '19 · 7:29 PM#112

As pitiful as David Rauschkolb stalking Reggie?

Stick to the issue and do not attack fellow forum members. That will get you banned.

Beach Lover

May 7, '19 · 8:41 PM#113

Stick to the issue and do not attack fellow forum members. That will get you banned.

No attack was made whatsoever. Just pointing out the situational discrepancy of stalking opinions. And the issue was actually introduced by the moderator. So it seemed a fair reply. But I did edit my original question wording as a courtesy to you.

Beach Fanatic

May 7, '19 · 9:53 PM#114

President in PCB on Wednesday could possibly stumble into a government (Walton County) boondoggle.....let’s hope....Make Walton Great Again...

Beach LoverAuthor

May 8, '19 · 6:33 AM#115

I’m not a member or motivated by any “group”. I have researched this topic deeply because of my love for our Sowal style of life. I look in every corner for disfunction and then directly address the root cause. I’ve addressed fact after fact here, as have others (with whom I’ve never before communicated).
Quiet Title myth
Privatization of beaches myth
Taxation myth
HB 631 myth
Stalking of private beach owners
False reporting of beach conflicts
Terroristic propaganda
These facts are supported by printed law, property deeds, public social media posts, even police reports. And yet, after 130 posts, not a SINGLE discussion refuting any of these facts or myths presented here NOT ONE! But we’ve seen a lot of name calling, distraction, diversion, talking points, and now a double standard of stalking. If stalking were cause from being banned from local pages, forums, sites, groups, whatever, then the entire membership of FBFA would be banned for such behavior - FACT! NOT OPINION! Just flip through their misinformation pages. You’ll see pictures identifying private homes , names, addresses, tax records, employers, just like you saw here on this forum on me by their chairman. Instead, hundreds of people are silenced from participation because of their property ownership.
Where can one go to have an adult conversation in this county with real discussion, not make believe property envy and English Colonial Law fantasies?

Edited May 8, '19 · 7:05 AM

Beach Fanatic

May 8, '19 · 7:00 AM#116

Anti-Social Media

How Social Media And Mob Mentality Are Killing Our Ability To Think Critically
By A.Y. Greyson, November 8th 2017
A study by Leeds University has shown that it takes just “five percent of people to influence a crowd, while the other ninety-five percent follow without realizing it”.
Or thinking critically with data on their own. CUnCourt I guess.

Social Media And The Mob Mentality: How We Can Fight It
Feb 1, 2019, 06:40pm Jeanne Croteau social sciences professor and writer.
Considering what we’ve already discussed, here are some things you can do right now to keep [your] mob mentality in check:

1. Take your time and think through your responses before commenting, tweeting or texting. Don’t reply if you’re feeling pressured, stressed or disconnected.
2. Do your research before forming an opinion and be open to additional information that comes your way.
3. Get comfortable with standing out, even if that means standing alone.
4. Stop ignoring bullies. As Luna Lovegood said to Harry Potter, our enemies want us “to feel cut off from everyone else, because if it’s just you alone, you’re not much of a threat.” Which bully? One person's bully is another person's advocate here.

Edited May 8, '19 · 7:29 AM

Beach Comber

May 8, '19 · 7:08 AM#117

I’m not a member or motivated by any “group”. I have researched this topic deeply because of my love for our Sowal style of life. I look in every corner for disfunction and then directly address the root cause. I’ve addressed fact after fact here, as have others (with whom I’ve never before communicated).
Quiet Title myth
Privatization of beaches myth
Taxation myth
HB 631 myth
Stalking of private beach owners
False reporting of beach conflicts
Terroristic propaganda
There has yet to be, after 130 posts, a SINGLE discussion refuting any of these facts or myths presented here NOT ONE! I’ve seen name calling, distraction, diversion, and now a double standard of stalking. If stalking were cause from being banned from local pages, forums, sites, groups, whatever, then the entire membership of FBFA would be banned for such behavior - FACT! NOT OPINION! Just flip through their misinformation pages. You’ll see pictures identifying private homes , names, addresses, tax records, employers, just like you saw here on this forum on me by their chairman. Instead, hundreds of people are silenced from participation because of their property ownership.
Where can one go to have an adult conversation in this county with real discussion, not make believe property envy and English Colonial Law fantasies?

Well said, Reggie! There seems to be a huge double standard. If anyone against customary use made and posted such a violent video on several social media platforms, the sheriff would be knocking on our doors, and there would be a huge out cry with demands to remove the video. Yet there is only silence or alot of likes from the pro CU crowd. Teresa is the only one who jas demanded the video be removed. But it’s still posted, and no one has commented on her demand on the videographer’s facebook page. Double standard indeed.

SoWal Insider

May 8, '19 · 7:30 AM#118

I’m not a member or motivated by any “group”. I have researched this topic deeply because of my love for our Sowal style of life. I look in every corner for disfunction and then directly address the root cause. I’ve addressed fact after fact here, as have others (with whom I’ve never before communicated).
Quiet Title myth
Privatization of beaches myth
Taxation myth
HB 631 myth
Stalking of private beach owners
False reporting of beach conflicts
Terroristic propaganda
These facts are supported by printed law, property deeds, public social media posts, even police reports. And yet, after 130 posts, not a SINGLE discussion refuting any of these facts or myths presented here NOT ONE! But we’ve seen a lot of name calling, distraction, diversion, talking points, and now a double standard of stalking. If stalking were cause from being banned from local pages, forums, sites, groups, whatever, then the entire membership of FBFA would be banned for such behavior - FACT! NOT OPINION! Just flip through their misinformation pages. You’ll see pictures identifying private homes , names, addresses, tax records, employers, just like you saw here on this forum on me by their chairman. Instead, hundreds of people are silenced from participation because of their property ownership.
Where can one go to have an adult conversation in this county with real discussion, not make believe property envy and English Colonial Law fantasies?

How about with the County Attorney? How about presenting your case in a court of law where this will be settled? Everybody but you knows that no one's opinion is ever changed from an online discussion. That's the primary reason I use words like "bloviating" and "badgering". I'll say it one more time, just to make sure you comprehend: Everybody but you knows that no one's opinion is ever changed from an online discussion.

Beach Fanatic

May 8, '19 · 7:47 AM#119

But we’ve seen a lot of name calling, distraction, diversion, talking points, and now a double standard of stalking.
Where can one go to have an adult conversation in this county with real discussion, not make believe property envy and English Colonial Law fantasies?

Don't forget Dave Rauschkolb's 11/14/2018 [retaliatory IMO] Walton Sheriff Police Report, Case: 2018-00167899, that people called Dave names and "felt threatened by some posts" against James Lince that was dismissed by the State Attorney's Office. I think SoWal removed the Sheriff's report posted previously but is on the internet.

Ignore Lake View Too. Emotional opinion. LV2 knows everyone's opinions? Does not disputing the facts presented, so shout 'em down mentality. CUnCourt.

Edited May 8, '19 · 8:10 AM

Beach LoverAuthor

May 8, '19 · 7:47 AM#120

LV2, was that your white flag at not having a position that can be supported? If Your competitor moved in next door and publicly misinformed your customers through social media campaigns full of propaganda - that you were blocked from - that destroyed your business, Would you lay down and wait 5 years for a court case to be settled? Or would you at least lay out the facts publicly that correct the misinformation out there, and protect your way of life? Think carefully.

Edited May 8, '19 · 7:56 AM

Beach LoverAuthor

May 8, '19 · 8:29 AM#1211

Still attacking people, not facts. I thought we had an understanding. Let’s try one last time. No agenda here. Let’s Make this more remedial, less cerebral. I’ve been informed, that this is an image posted on all pro CU pages repeatedly, more than a dozen times, AND presented in live online official broadcasts, as a basis for bringing CU lawsuit against property owners. It is widely represented and accepted as fact. This particular post was authored by the owner of the page who posted the terrorist video. There’s your link. It is a lie. Repeat, this image is completely false. The beach represented as public has not ever been public in nearly 100 years. Fact. Period. End of story. Is this not a problem in our community? The noise level is up because this type of propaganda is accepted as truth. Every time someone disputes it, they are silenced. Shouldn’t we change CU mantra to
“OCCUPY THE BEACH”

Edited May 8, '19 · 8:51 AM

SoWal Insider

May 8, '19 · 8:44 AM#122

Never public? :scratching:

Beach Fanatic

May 8, '19 · 8:48 AM#123

Still attacking people, not facts. I thought we had an understanding. Let’s try one last time. No agenda here. Let’s Make this more remedial, less cerebral. I’ve been informed, that this is an image posted on all pro CU pages repeatedly, more than a dozen times, AND presented in live online official broadcasts, as a basis for bringing CU lawsuit against property owners. It is widely represented and accepted as fact. This particular post was authored by the owner of the page who posted the terrorist video. There’s your link. It is a lie. Repeat, this image is completely false. The beach represented as public was never public. Fact. Period. End of story. Is this not a problem in our community? The noise level is up because this type of propaganda is accepted as truth. Every time someone disputes it, they are silenced. Shouldn’t we change CU mantra to
“OCCUPY THE BEACH”View attachment 76722

I believe the graphic is meant to point out that in the past no one cared who owned the beaches. They were open to all and no police were involved.

This is such as sad state we are in. no one wins. No matter what the law says or courts decide. We all lose.

Beach Fanatic

May 8, '19 · 8:50 AM#124

Bullies and stalkers here from a very small group. Your alternative facts are in no way facts. Response is futile. Tell it to Kellyanne or Sarah. I'm sure they will help you out.
Please stalk elsewhere.

Stalk? Your passive-aggressive is showing again. Stop trying to shout people down with facts, anyone can look up if they bothered, you don’t agree with.

The Andy Marlette cartoons are factual and helpful.
Customary Use in the News. South Walton Florida

Edited May 8, '19 · 9:22 AM

SoWal Insider

May 8, '19 · 9:00 AM#125

LV2, was that your white flag at not having a position that can be supported? If Your competitor moved in next door and publicly misinformed your customers through social media campaigns full of propaganda - that you were blocked from - that destroyed your business, Would you lay down and wait 5 years for a court case to be settled? Or would you at least lay out the facts publicly that correct the misinformation out there, and protect your way of life? Think carefully.

Oh wait, Reggie, I misspoke. It appears that everybody on Sowal agrees with your rhetoric. That’s why there are so few members speaking out. Just a couple of numbskulls. Either that, or the rest of the members are enjoying the beach and getting ready for the trump* rally.

Beach Fanatic

May 8, '19 · 9:00 AM#1261

Never public?

Vizcaya private property Plat and deeds are public record if anyone would bother to make the effort. Been posted before.
The beach is private property to the Vizcaya HOA members to the MHWL. As is the private property to the west in the photo and to the east. The private properties on 30A have NEVER had tax payer dredged sand, that does not meet BCC white sand ordinance, added or an ECL established.
The easements are public pedestrian easements for access (not to occupy if not invited) to the foreshore (Sheriff's wet sand with no wind) only. Ask Walton beach director Brian Kellenberger or County Attorney if you don't believe this information.