Driver Pulls Gun on Cyclists This Morning

[florida girl]

What the hell are you talking about, 'a truce'? You are making yourself sound foolish. You are right about one thing, however, native Walton residents don't ride bikes. The Indian mounds that were erected hundreds of years before any Scotch-Irish settler arrived are completely devoid of bike parts.

I keep knocking on the door, people are suffering in this county and need some equity and relief. I will continue to keep knocking until some relief is given.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Floridagirl, I have a proposal that might be a win/win for us. How about we split Walton County in half into North and South Walton Counties, the bay being the division. That way you wouldn't have to worry about tourists and we could enjoy holding on to the revenues we generate here. Do you think that is a good solution?

 

[30A Skunkape]

I keep knocking on the door, people are suffering in this county and need some equity and relief. I will continue to keep knocking until some relief is given.

You could get around quicker if you rode a bike.

 

[florida girl]

Let me tell you something. You should wake up every day and get on your knees and thank God there are tourists here. you ought to do the same every afternoon and evening as well. If there were no tourists you wouldn't be able to live here. Period. PERIOD!

Actually, I have low income rentals, tourists don't rent from me, just locals, and they complain a lot about tourists! You see, before St. Joe quit being a tree farm, tourism wasn't our principal industry. When St. Joe decided to get into the real estate business, people got greedy, and created this mess we're in now. It wasn't a steady growth, it was greed.

 

[florida girl]

You could get around quicker if you rode a bike.

I suppose so if I didn't have a back problem. But that's another issue concerning the elderly and the handicapped, and what about families with small children having to lug all that stuff around? Or perhaps they should just hire people to do all that for them?

 

[florida girl]

Floridagirl, I have a proposal that might be a win/win for us. How about we split Walton County in half into North and South Walton Counties, the bay being the division. That way you wouldn't have to worry about tourists and we could enjoy holding on to the revenues we generate here. Do you think that is a good solution?

Actually, I live in South Walton, and have all my life. I was here before you were. The main problem with that would be if you could carry on without the locals that have to travel across the bay to serve you, and believe me, many wish they didn't.

 

[ciclismo]

I suspect he thought you were shooting him a bird. Not a friendly move. This is an unincorporated area, people can carry weapons if they want. Secondly, the county went to a lot of trouble building a "BIKE PATH" for the tourists that like to ride bikes. Most native Walton countians don't ride bikes, too many miles just to get anywhere. Most vehicles that drive on highways have to be street legal, ie, lights and the ability to drive the speed limit. Highway 30A is a narrow road without any shoulder, and riding a bicycle in the middle of the highway is dangerous, inconsiderate, and very irritating. When I see a cyclist in the middle of the road, I think, why did the county put in a bike path? What, do they think they own the road? They have to much leisure time on there hands! And when they don't move out of the way, they have just made a statement that they don't care about anyone else on the highway, or where the vehicles have to go. They are on vacation, and to heck with the rest of the world!

Whoa Florida Girl! First of all, I am a local and not a tourist. I was riding my bike for leasure at 25mph at the time. If you have noticed, bicycle riding is a sport and people do ride them for enjoyment and not just as a means of transportation. The "bike path" is actually a multi-use path with a proposed 8mph speed limit. Which most of my friends run faster than that on their training runs and my 4 year old daughter has broken the 8mph speed limit on her bike a few times.

Please think through your responses before you show the entire community your ignorance.

I ride early when there is little traffic, I support our community and I am very respectful of drivers. Today's incident was un-provoked and un-called for. If you have ever noticed this area is getting more and more filled with people seeking a healthy lifestyle. You can see it with all of the walking trails, increase of cyclists, increase of runners on the trails, increase in restaurants serving heathly food and etc. Attitudes like yours need some serious adjustment.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Actually, I have low income rentals, tourists don't rent from me, just locals, and they complain a lot about tourists! You see, before St. Joe quit being a tree farm, tourism wasn't our principal industry. When St. Joe decided to get into the real estate business, people got greedy, and created this mess we're in now. It wasn't a steady growth, it was greed.

And your tenants work where? THEY ARE IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRY! Quit being so bitter.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Actually, I live in South Walton, and have all my life. I was here before you were. The main problem with that would be if you could carry on without the locals that have to travel across the bay to serve you, and believe me, many wish they didn't.

Gee, I never picked up on that!:roll:

 

[florida girl]

Whoa Florida Girl! First of all, I am a local and not a tourist. I was riding my bike for leasure at 25mph at the time. If you have noticed, bicycle riding is a sport and people do ride them for enjoyment and not just as a means of transportation. The "bike path" is actually a multi-use path with a proposed 8mph speed limit. Which most of my friends run faster than that on their training runs and my 4 year old daughter has broken the 8mph speed limit on her bike a few times.

Please think through your responses before you show the entire community your ignorance.

I ride early when there is little traffic, I support our community and I am very respectful of drivers. Today's incident was un-provoked and un-called for. If you have ever noticed this area is getting more and more filled with people seeking a healthy lifestyle. You can see it with all of the walking trails, increase of cyclists, increase of runners on the trails, increase in restaurants serving heathly food and etc. Attitudes like yours need some serious adjustment.

You know, there is one part of the information here that is not present. That of the driver of the truck. You don't know what was going on in his life at the time. I'm trying to give you understanding of the mindset of locals, but without actually having his statement creates a uncomplete discussion. Have you ever had trama in your life? He could have been facing some kind of distressing situation that was completely absorbing his thoughts, and you're hand gesture probably almost sent him over the edge. You're lucky he restrained himself when he did.
Those walking trails and restaurants serving "healthy foods" are for people on vacation. Particularly in today's economic situation, local people cannot afford this kind of activity. When people have to work 2 or more jobs to make ends meet, who has time to enjoy a walking trail? Much less spend a small fortune for dinner!