Most of services (i.e.Parking) do NOT include law enforcement for tourist. They spend average $3,000.00 min.per week so they feel entitled.
Destin To Become Part of Walton County?
- Thread starter steel1man
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Its really all about what people want to see changed and made better in SoWal. Planning is a complete disaster and IF that's the focus, why layer it with more B.S.? Focus and attack it at the source. Don't give people like Attorney Dana Mathews and his banker buddy talking points for his anti-incorporation movement. Local Media already jumped on this.
If half of the effort used for a ABSW was spent having people hold the Walton County Planning Department and BCC accountable, we'd be better off and on the right track.
Now we get two opposing groups, spending $ and effort to move this boulder forward, while one never realizes that worthless Brad Drake and this new clown Joyner will put it down if it ever did get legs. Hello, they are on the other team.
Wrong Ideas to Incorporate are the focus here.
Fight the fight in front of you and show up to BCC Meetings, Planning Meetings, etc. Ask questions, Email your ELECTED BCC Members.
Hold Larry Jones Accountable.
Why did Wayne Dyess leave? Anyone invest time in that?
Has anyone read the full Grand Jury documentation, not just the sanitized Cliff Notes B.S., the real stuff that is now Public Record?
Probably not and that's why you'll fail and allow Walton County to continue to be run by Good Ole' Boyz.
If half of the effort used for a ABSW was spent having people hold the Walton County Planning Department and BCC accountable, we'd be better off and on the right track.
Now we get two opposing groups, spending $ and effort to move this boulder forward, while one never realizes that worthless Brad Drake and this new clown Joyner will put it down if it ever did get legs. Hello, they are on the other team.
Wrong Ideas to Incorporate are the focus here.
Fight the fight in front of you and show up to BCC Meetings, Planning Meetings, etc. Ask questions, Email your ELECTED BCC Members.
Hold Larry Jones Accountable.
Why did Wayne Dyess leave? Anyone invest time in that?
Has anyone read the full Grand Jury documentation, not just the sanitized Cliff Notes B.S., the real stuff that is now Public Record?
Probably not and that's why you'll fail and allow Walton County to continue to be run by Good Ole' Boyz.
GUEST COLUMN: Incorporation will not 'save' South Walton
"...It's sole purpose is to control the comprehensive plan for South Walton."
What's so bad about that? Right now it's still on the friends and family plan.
"...It's sole purpose is to control the comprehensive plan for South Walton."
What's so bad about that? Right now it's still on the friends and family plan.
For those who can't click the link from "work"...
Reader notes: The advocacy group for incorporating South Walton is selling the same phony rhetoric (as Destin in 1984) — we need change to save South Walton.
In 1984, Destin incorporated to control development. Citizens of Destin were sold a bill of goods, and got nothing they were promised. One look at Destin today, "the world's luckiest fishing village," should cause a resounding NO to South Walton incorporation.
The advocacy group for incorporating South Walton is selling the same phony rhetoric — we need change to save South Walton. That change is more government. There is no evidence offered that bigger government, more regulation and higher taxes will save us, or improve our lives.
This is the fourth attempt at South Walton incorporation since the mid-1970s, when there were no county services south of the bay. That is no longer the case. We have all government services and a south government annex, schools, hospital, library and a college; increased law enforcement, water and sewer, trash collection twice a week, South Walton fire department and mosquito control. There is no logical reason for South Walton to invite more government encroachment into our lives.
Most importantly, WHO would run the new city?
Elections determine who runs a government, and government changes with each election. Why would we want to pay salaries and benefits for seven more elected officials, administrative staff, city attorney and the expense of a City Hall for a one-function government? This is another layer of bloated bureaucracy with its sole purpose to control a comprehensive plan for South Walton.
Forty-four percent of South Walton is government-owned land. The remaining private land is substantially built out or planned. Only 5 percent of developable land is left to control.
Our beach communities along 26 miles of Gulf front have each developed their own unique character. From Rosemary Beach to Blue Mountain Beach to Miramar Beach, throwing everything into the same bucket called a city is incomprehensible.
Buyer Beware! Governments cost money. A government can't run on hope, which the feasibility study reflects; hope property taxes won't increase, hope for grants and shared state sales tax revenue. A city is required to negotiate contracts for law enforcement, trash collection and road maintenance. One way or another, we will pay for this government, whether increased property taxes, sales taxes, franchise or special fees.
We are not victims of county government, nor are we disenfranchised taxpayers and voiceless citizens. Adding more government is not a solution to improving representation. Incorporation merely swaps one set of problems for another.
Two county commissioners were elected from South Walton in the early 2000s. Projected population growth will give South Walton a voting majority in the next election. Candidates from all three county commission districts south of the bay can be elected. Increased voter turnout is the real solution for change in South Walton.
This guest column is from Bonnie McQuiston, a resident of Santa Rosa Beach.
Reader notes: The advocacy group for incorporating South Walton is selling the same phony rhetoric (as Destin in 1984) — we need change to save South Walton.
In 1984, Destin incorporated to control development. Citizens of Destin were sold a bill of goods, and got nothing they were promised. One look at Destin today, "the world's luckiest fishing village," should cause a resounding NO to South Walton incorporation.
The advocacy group for incorporating South Walton is selling the same phony rhetoric — we need change to save South Walton. That change is more government. There is no evidence offered that bigger government, more regulation and higher taxes will save us, or improve our lives.
This is the fourth attempt at South Walton incorporation since the mid-1970s, when there were no county services south of the bay. That is no longer the case. We have all government services and a south government annex, schools, hospital, library and a college; increased law enforcement, water and sewer, trash collection twice a week, South Walton fire department and mosquito control. There is no logical reason for South Walton to invite more government encroachment into our lives.
Most importantly, WHO would run the new city?
Elections determine who runs a government, and government changes with each election. Why would we want to pay salaries and benefits for seven more elected officials, administrative staff, city attorney and the expense of a City Hall for a one-function government? This is another layer of bloated bureaucracy with its sole purpose to control a comprehensive plan for South Walton.
Forty-four percent of South Walton is government-owned land. The remaining private land is substantially built out or planned. Only 5 percent of developable land is left to control.
Our beach communities along 26 miles of Gulf front have each developed their own unique character. From Rosemary Beach to Blue Mountain Beach to Miramar Beach, throwing everything into the same bucket called a city is incomprehensible.
Buyer Beware! Governments cost money. A government can't run on hope, which the feasibility study reflects; hope property taxes won't increase, hope for grants and shared state sales tax revenue. A city is required to negotiate contracts for law enforcement, trash collection and road maintenance. One way or another, we will pay for this government, whether increased property taxes, sales taxes, franchise or special fees.
We are not victims of county government, nor are we disenfranchised taxpayers and voiceless citizens. Adding more government is not a solution to improving representation. Incorporation merely swaps one set of problems for another.
Two county commissioners were elected from South Walton in the early 2000s. Projected population growth will give South Walton a voting majority in the next election. Candidates from all three county commission districts south of the bay can be elected. Increased voter turnout is the real solution for change in South Walton.
This guest column is from Bonnie McQuiston, a resident of Santa Rosa Beach.
Much of what Ms. McQuiston says is true. Its what she doesn't say that sorta leaves you breathless.
Yes, another layer of bloated bureaucracy which, means that the WCSBA (in particular a certain developer) who controls the comprehensive plan now, would no longer have control. That's not such a bad thing Ms. McQuiston. I also think the editorial would have been much more informative had you disclosed your own personal connection to said developer(s), not to mention you sit on the board of the WCSBA who has spent an untold amount of money to purchase seats on the BCC. The puppets whose seats have been purchased work exclusively at the direction/discretion of said developer(s) and not for ALL of the people who elected them!
I can't name certain folks but I can say that if ANY candidate who intends to run has anything to do with or is TOTALLY supported by BIG developers, VOTE NO! If any candidate is supported by the WCSBA, VOTE NO! If any candidate has been recycled in Walton County government for eons, VOTE NO! If any candidates platform includes the words, "I was born and raised in Walton County", VOTE NO!
Yes, another layer of bloated bureaucracy which, means that the WCSBA (in particular a certain developer) who controls the comprehensive plan now, would no longer have control. That's not such a bad thing Ms. McQuiston. I also think the editorial would have been much more informative had you disclosed your own personal connection to said developer(s), not to mention you sit on the board of the WCSBA who has spent an untold amount of money to purchase seats on the BCC. The puppets whose seats have been purchased work exclusively at the direction/discretion of said developer(s) and not for ALL of the people who elected them!
That statement is only partly true Ms. McQusiton! Money has become the determining factor in who runs this counties government and unless people wake up and stop recycling the garbage that got us here in the first place and unless the aforementioned developer(s) backs off and allows government to work as it was intended, or the County stops recreating/changing the land development code and comprehensive plan at the whims of said developer(s) not much is likely to change.
Much of that land was or is being purchased now because of over development and the fact that much needed infrastructure was not and still is not in place prior to greedy developers controlling OUR government.
Absolutely correct! We are victims of greedy developers and a dumbed down county government that has been brutally beaten by costly lawsuits when developers don't get their way.
NOT true! Citizens have very little voice in their government anymore particularly because big developers BUY our County elections and we keep recycling the garbage.
I am actually shocked to hear you say that Ms. McQuistion. SHOCKED I tell ya! Just SHOCKED...Given who you have crawled in the proverbial bed with, who do you suggest we vote for? I'll grant you recycling has NOT worked out well for SoWal!
I can't name certain folks but I can say that if ANY candidate who intends to run has anything to do with or is TOTALLY supported by BIG developers, VOTE NO! If any candidate is supported by the WCSBA, VOTE NO! If any candidate has been recycled in Walton County government for eons, VOTE NO! If any candidates platform includes the words, "I was born and raised in Walton County", VOTE NO!
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The force is strong with kaydence...This one is well informed and understands reality even if the voters don't or don't want to believe it, it is simply true.
I should have added that putting individuals in the planning department (2 of which are stooges for the 2 aforementioned stooges that were purchased by the WCSBA) 1 of whom was given the "title" of "Asst. Director" who knows absolutely nothing about planning but simply got the job because of his daddy is a problem. The only things he has ever attempted to manage was a high rise and obviously wasn't successful at that because now WE got him.
The other got there because he did what the stooges told him to do and not because he had experience in either planning or land development code unless you consider code enforcement experience. Codes I might add that were never effectively enforced anyway and not worth the paper they were written on.
I wish Ms. McQusition had pointed out that there are NO public hearings as to who our elected officials place in those jobs because if we actually had a voice, some of those folks would still be pounding the pavement looking for work!
The other got there because he did what the stooges told him to do and not because he had experience in either planning or land development code unless you consider code enforcement experience. Codes I might add that were never effectively enforced anyway and not worth the paper they were written on.
I wish Ms. McQusition had pointed out that there are NO public hearings as to who our elected officials place in those jobs because if we actually had a voice, some of those folks would still be pounding the pavement looking for work!
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