seriously, I would prefer to see the "powers that be" focus on things that truly impact the beach experience for both the permanent resident and the visitor.
I don't believe either the name change or the marketing program to "brand" the area as The Beach will really make that much difference.
OTOH, the issues of:
private vs. public; lifeguards,flags and safety; turtle lighting; four-laning roads; proper intersection traffic signals; abandoned housing developments; abandoned property on the beach; noise ordinances; signage; recycling program; lack of economic development programs; need for more year-round jobs; unpaved roads; wetlands filled in; property clear-cut; open hit and run cases; the list is endless, and I didn't even think about it!
These are the things that affect the quality of our life here, and the experience of a visitor...much better to focus on positive, inclusive solutions to these and then the number of "heads in beds" will take care of itself. The TDC has done a great job over the years bringing in visitors with the BOSW tag and logo. I see no reason to change or impose another logo over that...
A community attracts people if it is welcoming, clean, and safe and if it provides both jobs and activities for its residents and visitors. We are fortunate to have the added benefit of our wonderful beach and unique environment. If we maintained what we naturally have and enhanced it in a positive, sustainable way, we would be fine. I see no harm in naming 331 the beach highway, but I agree that no dollars should be spent to change signage and maps, etc.
I am pretty sure none of us ever made a vacation decision based on the name of the road we needed to take to get to the destination.
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