In my experience dealing first hand with vacationers of South Walton I'd say 80 to 90% of the vacationers want full service beach chairs, confining 80-90% of our visitors to 50% of the beaches available doesn't seem like a realistic solution. The ghost sets are the problem, people can't get where they want to be on the beach because of empty chairs. address the problem, this 50/50 measure will only create bigger problems. Lets not forget its the public renting these sets from the vendors.
In my experience dealing first hand with vacationers of South Walton I'd say 80 to 90% of the vacationers want full service beach chairs, confining 80-90% of our visitors to 50% of the beaches available doesn't seem like a realistic solution. The ghost sets are the problem, people can't get where they want to be on the beach because of empty chairs. address the problem, this 50/50 measure will only create bigger problems.
Lets not forget its the public renting these sets from the vendors.
How can someone participate in the debate/discussion of an issue and then not vote due to a conflict of interest? In the past a commissioner with a conflict left the room when the topic was brought to the floor.
The "50/50" rule seems like it will cause a huge cluster and enforcement will be a nightmare. Andy/Jdarg have an idea that might totally solve the problem: Ban "ghost" setups and allow only chairs actually rented to be placed on the beach. No one is prevented from doing business just a change in how they do it. It would also help if complaints of belligerent and unfair practices were investigated and those with verified complaints were fined.
Geo wrote:
"Doesn't seem so hard to me. Left half of the beach- no rental chairs. Right half of the beach- feel free to rent your chairs. If you put chairs on the left half someone will take a picture of it and send it to the county. Your name is on the chairs. So they will know from whom they will be collecting the fine. And if it ends up being too difficult for the vendors to make it work then we can simply end all vending on public beaches."
Sounds good in theory, but things do not often work that way. Even if the picture quality is good and includes all the elements necessary, all you will hear are excuses and accusations. Not to mention the manpower needed to answer and investigate complaints from one end of the beach to the other. So the result would be exactly what you stated at the end: an end to all vending on public beaches.
Why not place kiosks at the upland end, rent them competitively and ban "ghost" setups? The vending businesses get to operate and provide jobs, the county makes money and those who do not wish to use their services can enjoy the beach without a fight. And free enterprise will sort out what works and what should go away. Just thinking.