Obviously you were not around for the late night -- sometimes early morning meetings! There were many people who opposed all of the development...and especially the clear-cutting of the site in Blue Mt--there were days of protest about that.
78,000 sf Walmart coming to SoWal [opening June15]
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Obviously you were not around for the late night -- sometimes early morning meetings! There were many people who opposed all of the development...and especially the clear-cutting of the site in Blue Mt--there were days of protest about that.
And since so much of the development happened before SoWal.com, there wasn't one public place where so many voiced opinions, posted meetings, and discussed the community at length like it happens now, so of course it doesn't seem like as many people cared back then. There was no central, local media outlet- now many people (especially those who follow the official happenings of this area) check this board frequently.
(And I know lots of people cared and still do!)
(And I know lots of people cared and still do!)
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78,000 sf Walmart coming to SoWal
I agree with Bobby and Bent.....a well-stated post, with insight. Just as Destin will not always be the "Sleepy Little Fishing Village", SoWal with not always be the same as well all remember in our respective "yesteryears". It will be different but, IMHO, better. It'll never be PC or Ft Walton (thankfully) due to those who will see that growth is managed in a positive way. "Development" isn't a four-letter word...."unrestricted development" is.
I agree with Bobby and Bent.....a well-stated post, with insight. Just as Destin will not always be the "Sleepy Little Fishing Village", SoWal with not always be the same as well all remember in our respective "yesteryears". It will be different but, IMHO, better. It'll never be PC or Ft Walton (thankfully) due to those who will see that growth is managed in a positive way. "Development" isn't a four-letter word...."unrestricted development" is.
and just who are "those who will see that growth is managed in a positive way."?
This is the county that did not want either a comprehensive plan or any management of growth...
and the same county leaders that let Highway 98 be four-laned without traffic signals at dangerous intersections...
if these "responsible growth" people exist, please let me know who they are, I'd like to buy them a drink1
but, right now, it seems to me the only management that has been done with growth has been done by citizens standing up at commission meetings, in spite of being told by some commissioners to sit down; citizens lying down in front of bulldozers to save the dunes; and citizens marching en masse into the County commission and the DOT to get the traffic signals...and marching again enmass to get rid of the Big Blue Signs...
there is a huge disconnect between what is responsible managed growth and what goes on here IMO. Just as there is a huge disconnect between planning for a community and building just for the sake of building.
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The same person wrote both of these posts?
You think there should have been more protests over the destruction during the boom to prevent decimation of flora and fauna, but you also think there are "those who will see that growth is managed in a positive way?" I think you are confused about growth management in Walton County.
78,000 sf Walmart coming to Sowal
You have a future in the media! You've twisted what I said to make it appear to say what serves your purpose, but so much so that it says nothing like what I was truly speaking about.
Yes, I said that there are/were those who were indifferent when it mattered in days past....and there are still those who are. And yes, I believe that there are a few with big, though sometimes misguided voices, that tell themselves that they represent the entirity of SoWal, without allowing the entirity of SoWal to speak for themselves. And, yes, I do believe (thanks to this site, and the realization that change is inevitable to this are) that there are those who will ensure that growth is managed (future tense) in a positive way!
Don't try to mince my words; I only speak from one side of my mouth.....direct to those whose minds are open to hearing another (sometimes different) take on the issue. You speak for yourself, not for me, though I'm sure that if anyone wants my opinion you'll be glad to give it to them on my behalf. Unfortunately, I'm happy to share my thoughts whether they are popular or not. I'm a realist, not a politician, nor a fanatic.
The same person wrote both of these posts?
I think you are confused about growth management in Walton County.
You have a future in the media! You've twisted what I said to make it appear to say what serves your purpose, but so much so that it says nothing like what I was truly speaking about.
Yes, I said that there are/were those who were indifferent when it mattered in days past....and there are still those who are. And yes, I believe that there are a few with big, though sometimes misguided voices, that tell themselves that they represent the entirity of SoWal, without allowing the entirity of SoWal to speak for themselves. And, yes, I do believe (thanks to this site, and the realization that change is inevitable to this are) that there are those who will ensure that growth is managed (future tense) in a positive way!
Don't try to mince my words; I only speak from one side of my mouth.....direct to those whose minds are open to hearing another (sometimes different) take on the issue. You speak for yourself, not for me, though I'm sure that if anyone wants my opinion you'll be glad to give it to them on my behalf. Unfortunately, I'm happy to share my thoughts whether they are popular or not. I'm a realist, not a politician, nor a fanatic.
All righty then. 
78,000 sf Walmart coming to SoWal
Meet your neighbor; shake his/her hand. Tell them that you're concerned. Ask for his/her input to/attendance at the ongoing County meetings (Obama did the same, and he's the President now; think where it could take you!). A few fanatics, or a gaggle of the disenfranchised, won't elicit near the change that an en masse group of "concerned citizens", fully representing a County, will. Civic action has been a proven driver of change across America. In my many years here, I've not seen that of which you speak (barring the after-the-fact effort of the "big blue signs"). We've made a good start at not being our neighbors.....as "neighbors", we can manage our own destiny. We all vote, and we all have a voice. If you don't like it (whatever "it" is), don't be a ripple....create a wave of change.
and just who are "those who will see that growth is managed in a positive way."?
This is the county that did not want either a comprehensive plan or any management of growth...
and the same county leaders that let Highway 98 be four-laned without traffic signals at dangerous intersections...
if these "responsible growth" people exist, please let me know who they are, I'd like to buy them a drink1
but, right now, it seems to me the only management that has been done with growth has been done by citizens standing up at commission meetings, in spite of being told by some commissioners to sit down; citizens lying down in front of bulldozers to save the dunes; and citizens marching en masse into the County commission and the DOT to get the traffic signals...and marching again enmass to get rid of the Big Blue Signs...
there is a huge disconnect between what is responsible managed growth and what goes on here IMO. Just as there is a huge disconnect between planning for a community and building for the sake of building.
Meet your neighbor; shake his/her hand. Tell them that you're concerned. Ask for his/her input to/attendance at the ongoing County meetings (Obama did the same, and he's the President now; think where it could take you!). A few fanatics, or a gaggle of the disenfranchised, won't elicit near the change that an en masse group of "concerned citizens", fully representing a County, will. Civic action has been a proven driver of change across America. In my many years here, I've not seen that of which you speak (barring the after-the-fact effort of the "big blue signs"). We've made a good start at not being our neighbors.....as "neighbors", we can manage our own destiny. We all vote, and we all have a voice. If you don't like it (whatever "it" is), don't be a ripple....create a wave of change.
well, I don't know how long you have been here but I do know that you don't know many of us on this board or how many of us have done things "as neighbors and friends" and people who care about this community and state in general.
and you certainly have no idea of the waves of changes we have been affiliated with. So, don't assume that you have any idea of how many here have gone about getting things done please.
Just because you have not seen it, doesn't mean it hasn't happened.