Here is a copy of an e-mail I received from Ms. Jones . If you are unable to attend the meeting this afternoon please e-mail the commissioners to voice your opinion on this important issue. Or better yet do both!
chabill@co.walton.fl.us
joncecilia@co.walton.fl.us
comsara@co.walton.fl.us
meacindy@co.walton.fl.us
imfbill@co.walton.fl.us
Dear Friends,
Your support on an issue of significant importance to Walton County would be appreciated.
Several months ago, I asked county staff to draft an ordinance for review, discussion and hopefully approval by the Board of County Commissioners. The purpose was to strengthen Walton County’s beach rules to prevent signs, ropes, chains and fences from littering our treasured coastline. Our talented staff did significant research and work to revise our current Beach Activities Ordinance that is fair and reasonable however, the changes will remove these obstructions from our beach. These revisions also support our Leave No Trace Ordinance.
Taking a stand on this issue became imperative after hearing from constituents throughout Walton County that they no longer feel safe or comfortable on our beaches. Residents wanted action; they’d been asking for action and I decided to take the lead.
After driving the coastline with county staff it became clear why residents are so concerned. There are fences that extend to the waterline, along with rusty chains (in some cases), in addition to clearly dangerous signs. The safety of children, of emergency vehicles and of our wildlife (including our beloved sea turtles) is at risk.
Quite frankly: if we don’t take action – now – our beach will soon look like a junkyard.
This ordinance is up for discussion tomorrow night (Tuesday at 4:00 pm at the South Walton Courthouse Annex). Please come in support of these ordinance revisions.
Because of Florida’s Sunshine Laws, I am not aware of the other commissioner’s stand on this issue so please come voice your opinion to the other commissioners on the impact that these obstructions are having on everyone’s lives. Also, if you know of someone that would come and support these revisions, please feel free to forward this notice!
Before I took office, commissioners were quite eager to pass the “Scenic Corridor Standards”, a very long set of prescriptive regulations about what businesses along Highway 98 and County Road 30A can and cannot do in conducting business. The standards restrict or ban signage, construction, flags and just about every possible type of structure or item that was not deemed “scenic”.
This ordinance simply asks the county to take a tiny fraction of those rules for our roadways and implement or apply them to our coastline. Our coastline is recognized around the world as being truly scenic and worthy of preservation and conservation.
I may live in North Walton, however I raised my son on Eastern Lake, have grandchildren there now and as your commissioner, I represent all of Walton County. Again, please join me in taking a stand on this issue.
Finally, I am proud to take the lead on these revisions because it is the right thing to do! I need your help!!
God bless you and your family and thank you in advance,
Cecilia Jones
District 2 Commissioner
552 Walton Rd
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Telephone (850) 892-4020
CJ/ecs
Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. You should note that most written communications to or from County officials regarding County business are public records that are available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.
The fact Ms. Jones has led this "charge" should tell all of you that she is more interested in protecting her sons business than she is in protecting OUR beaches. Please note her letter says absolutely nothing about "beach vendors" or set ups left on the beaches that endanger sea turtles. (The turtle was a bit stuck in the dune fencing not to mention the chairs which the turtle actually bumped on her crawl.) (Image from SoWal Trurtle Watch)
C. Jones also wrote,"God bless you"... you had me @ "an issues of significant importance" and completely lost me when you introduced God into your plea for help. Coming from you it was comical.