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Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,240
9,277
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
“Raising the dead” fundraiser for A Better South Walton
Bud & Alleys Restaurant in Seaside, FL
5-8pm | $20 donation


“Sometimes raising funds can be harder than raising the dead but when it comes to SouthWalton’s future, it’s worth the effort,” said Dave Rauschkolb, speaking on behalf of A Better South Walton (ABSW). “Join us because there is no denying, Walton County is getting a little spooky these days.”

Raising the Dead fundraiser is planned Friday, October 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bud and Alley’s in Seaside, 2236 East County Road 30-A. A $20 donation is requested at the door. Light hors d-oeuvres, beer/wine, music and a raffle including a Bote stand up paddle board and a beautiful necklace from La Vie Est Belle Fine Pearls + Leather Jewelry by Wendy Mignot will be on offer. Wear your costume if you dare!


ABSW is exploring solutions to pressing issues in SouthWalton County that include proper allocation of tax dollars, governance and local representation. Coalescing around the issue of building a Hampton Inn in the Seagrove neighborhood, community members quickly realized that without a greater degree of input into a vision for the future, issues like the chain hotels will continue to threaten our SouthWalton neighborhoods.

Incorporating SouthWalton is just one potential solution the group is exploring. That option was discussed in a series of three community meetings held in May of this year where residents, business owners and property owners were encouraged to voice their vision for the future of our area. ABSW commissioned a feasibility study that will answer many of the questions raised at the community meetings regarding our tax base, demographics and the viability of a municipality south of Choctawhatchee Bay.

“We are actively seeking donations to fund the feasibility study through our website www.abettersouthwalton.com,” said Rauschkolb. “The data collected in the study will benefit all of Walton County regardless of whether incorporation goes forward or not,” according to Rauschkolb. ABSW has partnered with SouthWalton Community Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to accept tax-deductible donations for this cause.

The second draft of the feasibility study has been completed and continues to be reviewed. “We want to be sure that the study meets all the needs of our community and moves our efforts for local solutions forward,” said Rauschkolb.

ABSW invites a robust discussion of the results of the study. A series of meetings will be advertised and posted on our website with dates, times and locations soon. Please see www.abettersouthwalton.com for more information regarding the study, our mission and our core group as well as an opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation. A BetterSouthWaltoncan be contacted at info@abettersouthwalton.com for more information.

12074548_419209671614953_6265418241196542549_n.jpg
 
Last edited:

liz coats

Beach Lover
Jun 19, 2012
118
55
Frankly, I find some of the people who are always protesting something a little spooky. Ban this and ban that gets a little old.
 

South Walton Community Council

Community Organization
Jan 17, 2007
270
78
www.southwaltoncc.org
A Better South Walton reboots feasibility study

Earlier this year a group of diverse, dedicated and concerned citizens began a journey to explore solutions to some of South Walton County’s challenges. The prospect of a standard issue Hampton Inn in Seagrove on 30A shook us all. The community that we’ve all come to love is quickly entering its next stage of growth and we question where it will take us. Will we be bystanders or become engaged in the solutions?

A Better South Walton (ABSW), as a committee of the South Walton Community Council, commissioned a feasibility study in May. This is one step in a three to five year process and is required by state law if a community chooses to pursue a vote of the people on incorporation. The study will help our community determine if incorporating South Walton as its own municipality is a viable option.

ABSW contracted with our chosen consultant for a September completion date for the feasibility study. That consultant was unable to meet that date and we were therefore unable to get the information to the public by the end of September as originally promised. After sending both the first and second drafts to the Florida League of Cities for an independent review, the assessments were that the study was deficient. It became clear we needed to move on, and ABSW terminated our contract with the consultant.

“Our number one goal is to access and present information to our community that is accurate, thorough and errs on the side of conservative financial projections,” said David Pleat, ABSW committee member. “The initial expert analysis did not meet the standards we have set and we are moving forward in a positive direction exploring other professionals in the area of municipal finance.”

Although we are disappointed that the draft study was not of the quality we were led to expect, we remain committed to providing our community with the best possible information. We are interviewing several new consultants and anticipate a smooth transition for our team. This is an unfortunate bump in the long and complex road ahead as we explore our options to improve our much-loved community of South Walton. We appreciate your continued support and will keep you informed as we continue our search for the best solutions.

ABSW invites a robust discussion of the results of the study once completed. A series of meetings will be advertised and posted on our website with dates, times and locations soon. Please see www.abettersouthwalton.com for more information regarding the study, our mission and our core group as well as an opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation. A Better South Walton can be contacted at info@abettersouthwalton.com for more information.
 

Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,240
9,277
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
Frankly, I find some of the people who are always protesting something a little spooky. Ban this and ban that gets a little old.
this isn't a protest. It is about doing hard work for our community's future. You don't have to participate. We are posting for those who may have an interest in finding out more or getting involved. Some are satisfied with how things are and some are definitely not.
 

Matt J

SWGB
May 9, 2007
24,643
9,496
So they are raising money to revise an already completed study because they didn't like the results of the initial study?

Oh and that study can't be released...
 

Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,240
9,277
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
So they are raising money to revise an already completed study because they didn't like the results of the initial study?

Oh and that study can't be released...
Raising money for all the work needed including a new study it appears. The initial study draft was deficient according to The Florida League of Cities. This is the information I was given via email by Meg N.

A Better South Walton reboots feasibility study

Earlier this year a group of diverse, dedicated and concerned citizens began a journey to explore solutions to some of South Walton County’s challenges. The prospect of a standard issue Hampton Inn in Seagrove on 30A shook us all. The community that we’ve all come to love is quickly entering its next stage of growth and we question where it will take us. Will we be bystanders or become engaged in the solutions?

A Better South Walton (ABSW), as a committee of the South Walton Community Council, commissioned a feasibility study in May. This is one step in a three to five year process and is required by state law if a community chooses to pursue a vote of the people on incorporation. The study will help our community determine if incorporating South Walton as its own municipality is a viable option.

ABSW contracted with our chosen consultant for a September completion date for the feasibility study. That consultant was unable to meet that date and we were therefore unable to get the information to the public by the end of September as originally promised. After sending both the first and second drafts to the Florida League of Cities for an independent review, the assessments were that the study was deficient. It became clear we needed to move on, and ABSW terminated our contract with the consultant.

“Our number one goal is to access and present information to our community that is accurate, thorough and errs on the side of conservative financial projections,” said David Pleat, ABSW committee member. “The initial expert analysis did not meet the standards we have set and we are moving forward in a positive direction exploring other professionals in the area of municipal finance.”

Although we are disappointed that the draft study was not of the quality we were led to expect, we remain committed to providing our community with the best possible information. We are interviewing several new consultants and anticipate a smooth transition for our team. This is an unfortunate bump in the long and complex road ahead as we explore our options to improve our much-loved community of South Walton. We appreciate your continued support and will keep you informed as we continue our search for the best solutions.

ABSW invites a robust discussion of the results of the study once completed. A series of meetings will be advertised and posted on our website with dates, times and locations soon. Please seewww.abettersouthwalton.com for more information regarding the study, our mission and our core group as well as an opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation. A Better South Walton can be contacted atinfo@abettersouthwalton.com for more information.
 

Jdarg

SoWal Expert
Feb 15, 2005
18,068
1,973
So they are raising money to revise an already completed study because they didn't like the results of the initial study?

Oh and that study can't be released...



Thankfully the Florida League of Cities pointed out parts of the study that needed updated, current numbers and more info. Why release a study that is not complete? I don't want to see anything but the finished product. It will be complete when they tell us it is complete. You and others are welcome to contribute your time and efforts to come up with solutions to the problems we all complain about-
 

Matt J

SWGB
May 9, 2007
24,643
9,496
Thankfully the Florida League of Cities pointed out parts of the study that needed updated, current numbers and more info. Why release a study that is not complete? I don't want to see anything but the finished product. It will be complete when they tell us it is complete. You and others are welcome to contribute your time and efforts to come up with solutions to the problems we all complain about-

To be honest I've seen a solution and that's community involvement.

Proposed Topsail cut through - defeated due to public outcry
Hampton Inn - defeated due to public outcry and spawned the change in the number of hotel rooms allowed by code
D.R. Horton Development on old Boy and Girls Club property - abandoned by developer due to community involvement in limiting the density and holding the planning department accountable
Gulf Place Hotel - currently on hold and being fully investigated by the planning department for eligibility.

None of these things were done by creating another level of government, it was simply the citizenry speaking out. 3-5 years to form another level of government that may or may not actually have the ability to influence these things? Exactly what will be left to develop at that point?

Keeping the community informed and united seems to be the best idea as it's been the most effective force in recent years.

To borrow some Sunshine from Florida, if the committee is so open why not publish what they have?
 

Jdarg

SoWal Expert
Feb 15, 2005
18,068
1,973
To be honest I've seen a solution and that's community involvement

To borrow some Sunshine from Florida, if the committee is so open why not publish what they have?

Because it is incomplete?!?

Your implication that this group is anything but above board is really insulting.
 
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