New big blue signs in SoWal

[Smiling JOe]

That video didn't cover the entire story -- just some snip-its. It was well-done, but but I doubt it was meant to convey the entire story. The Study covered more info, such as, did the 150 tourists, whom were polled, people like the signs.

 

[whilmena]

The TDC information page can be seen at http://www.partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com/UpLoads/2005 Org Chart.pdf

 

[DuneLaker]

Wonder how much was spent in staging that "meeting" event? Survey, graphics, meeting consultant? Glad a local coffee business was used. Usually locals are cut out of the real money making contracts.
Glad some board members showed up. They got the story without any filtering. Their presence will probably provide the needed leadership to resolve this issue, and bring the signs down. Some board members are often awol and its probably just as well.

 

[30A Skunkape]

The TDC information page can be seen at http://www.partners.beachesofsouthwalton.com/UpLoads/2005 Org Chart.pdf

Were you at the meeting last night? What is your opinion of the signs?

 

[Bdarg]

Don't forget the SoWal poll Results. I would venture to bet that SoWal had way more than 150 out of towners in the polling plus lots of locals and 100% of all have seen the signs.

View Poll Results: What do you think of the new blue signs being installed on 30-A?
Love them! 63 4.42%
Somewhat like them 45 3.16%
Neither like nor dislike them 91 6.38%
Somewhat dislike them 189 13.25%
They're horrid! 1,038 72.79%
Voters: 1426.

 

[whilmena]

Well 30A skunape I wasn't at the meeting last night. I just think there are really bad things out there. And all this about a SIGN!

 

[Jdarg]

To be fair, they may have been Spring Breakers, given the small time period of the last two weeks in which the reactionary, defensive study was conducted. That said, the study is absolutely worthless when they don't consider whether or not this was their first visit to SoWal. If in the past, those people were used to Panama City Beach, Ft Walton, Disney World, etc, the signs wouldn't stand out at all. Also, Spring Breakers care about very few things -- being away from work or school, sitting in the sun on the beach, eating, drinking, and maybe if it's raining, they also care about shopping. Most could care less about a sign. They obviously don't read the signs anyway, judging by the great numbers of people who attempt to drive two-wheel-drive cars on the beach, and the number of people who drown from rip-currents, in the water in front of the big blue signs on the beach, demonstrating how to swim out of rip currents and the beach flag legends.

That Study was nothing but another waste of tax payer money in a purely defensive mode, and it shows that they TDC doesn't care about their third sentence in their Mission Statement, which should actually be first on their list of three.

I'm in Atlanta, so I am just now reading the reports "from the front". I laughed when Bdarg told me about the TDC's "study". They had some phone numbers from people that came through the TDC, called these people and asked them what? "Do you like our new signs?" They probably did not frame the question with any background info! So Joe Tourist says, "Well, uh, yeah, the signs are nice I guess." What they heck is he supposed to say?

I also heard that Mary Brown, on the TDC board, and owner of Beach rentals of South Walton, reported the results of asking her customers about the signs. Once again, I would like to know how this question was asked.

Y'all rocked last night- I am proud of our community.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Well 30A skunape I wasn't at the meeting last night. I just think there are really bad things out there. And all this about a SIGN!

If I understand you correctly you think that there are more pressing issues or 'bigger fish to fry'. I disagree.

When I lived in New Orleans I heard the same opinion voiced whenever somebody tried to change an ordinance or get a variance regarding signage, trash receptacles, buildings or what have you in the French Quarter and an uproar ensued. Indeed, New Orleans has many problems of larger scale than signage, however, there are some citizens who recognize that the French Quarter is a treasure that must be preserved, and they would go through legal war to accomplish this. And it makes sense;people come from all over the world to step back in time-it can only be done in a few square blocks in New Orleans, not Orlando, Las Vegas or any other mecca of bad taste. People will pay money for that experience! And, I must add that there are no wayfinding signs in the Quarter, but maps are free in any hotel;the tourists seem to get where they are going.

I don't know if we yet have international visitors coming to 30-A to enjoy the scenic, unspoiled character, but rest assured, we will. To spoil the greatest asset belonging to 'The Beaches of South Walton' by those who are trying to market the area is awfully short sighted. I envision a time 30 years forward when 30-A still looks like 30-A, and HWY 98 is one strip mall and gas station after another from Panama City to Fort Walton! That day will come and we need to be ready to offer an unspoiled, relaxing destination for visitors and locals alike to enjoy. That is why we need to fight this first little bit of blight on 30A with full force now! Those big blue signs set a precedent that big signs are tolerable. And they are not. Neither are unilateral decisions on the TDC's part.

If 30-A is one big bundle of clutter, what then will make it any more of a desirable destination than Destin, Panama City or Clearwater? The logic of erecting the signs in an effort to draw distinction between 'The Beaches of South Walton' and 'Destin' (a stated goal by one of the TDC members) is obviously flawed when the signage will do nothing but narrow the clutter gap that seperates the two.

The debate is not just about the signs-it is about the long term viablility of 30-A as a true escape from the Disnification of the state and country in general.

If you suggest that there are larger issues than preserving 30-A for both visitors and those of us who have put down roots here, I am all ears.

 

[seagrovegirl]

If I understand you correctly you think that there are more pressing issues or 'bigger fish to fry'. I disagree.

When I lived in New Orleans I heard the same opinion voiced whenever somebody tried to change an ordinance or get a variance regarding signage, trash receptacles, buildings or what have you in the French Quarter and an uproar ensued. Indeed, New Orleans has many problems of larger scale than signage, however, there are some citizens who recognize that the French Quarter is a treasure that must be preserved, and they would go through legal war to accomplish this. And it makes sense;people come from all over the world to step back in time-it can only be done in a few square blocks in New Orleans, not Orlando, Las Vegas or any other mecca of bad taste. People will pay money for that experience! And, I must add that there are no wayfinding signs in the Quarter, but maps are free in any hotel;the tourists seem to get where they are going.

I don't know if we yet have international visitors coming to 30-A to enjoy the scenic, unspoiled character, but rest assured, we will. To spoil the greatest asset belonging to 'The Beaches of South Walton' by those who are trying to market the area is awfully short sighted. I envision a time 30 years forward when 30-A still looks like 30-A, and HWY 98 is one strip mall and gas station after another from Panama City to Fort Walton! That day will come and we need to be ready to offer an unspoiled, relaxing destination for visitors and locals alike to enjoy. That is why we need to fight this first little bit of blight on 30A with full force now! Those big blue signs set a precedent that big signs are tolerable. And they are not. Neither are unilateral decisions on the TDC's part.

If 30-A is one big bundle of clutter, what then will make it any more of a desirable destination than Destin, Panama City or Clearwater? The logic of erecting the signs in an effort to draw distinction between 'The Beaches of South Walton' and 'Destin' (a stated goal by one of the TDC members) is obviously flawed when the signage will do nothing but narrow the clutter gap that seperates the two.

The debate is not just about the signs-it is about the long term viablility of 30-A as a true escape from the Disnification of the state and country in general.

If you suggest that there are larger issues than preserving 30-A for both visitors and those of us who have put down roots here, I am all ears.

RIGHT ON!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

 

[Allifunn]

I guess you have to know Theo.

Please enlighten me.