Chair vendor vs. Wedding
- Thread starter Matt J
- Start date
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What really happened...
Lots of talk and lots of views on this. First, what's unfortunate is that this is being discussed more as rumor than fact. That's due to no media coverage of the incident, mostly due to lack of information being provided to them by the authorities.
A fight of this alleged nature; seven men attacking one with a knife, or vice versa, is a very disturbing incident, anywhere, let alone in SoWal...
Regardless of who was or wasn't at "fault" it should never have happened.
Not sure why no arrests occurred but even if either party refused to prosecute, the appropriate charge would be F.S.S. 870.01 Affray. This behavior should not be tolerated and something should have been done. This reminds me of the incidents a year or so ago that then prompted enforcement of what was "tolerated" with all the under-age drinkers in the Miramar Area.
Beach Vendors, Wedding Planners, Wedding Parties, Tourists, what a mess.
Lots of talk and lots of views on this. First, what's unfortunate is that this is being discussed more as rumor than fact. That's due to no media coverage of the incident, mostly due to lack of information being provided to them by the authorities.
A fight of this alleged nature; seven men attacking one with a knife, or vice versa, is a very disturbing incident, anywhere, let alone in SoWal...
Regardless of who was or wasn't at "fault" it should never have happened.
Not sure why no arrests occurred but even if either party refused to prosecute, the appropriate charge would be F.S.S. 870.01 Affray. This behavior should not be tolerated and something should have been done. This reminds me of the incidents a year or so ago that then prompted enforcement of what was "tolerated" with all the under-age drinkers in the Miramar Area.
Beach Vendors, Wedding Planners, Wedding Parties, Tourists, what a mess.
Dottie Nist reported in yesterday's DeFuniak Herald / Beach Breeze that property owners from the western Grayton drive-on access to the Grayton State Park dunes area to the west requested and were granted that vending not be allowed.
When does this take place, looking forward to getting our beach back to us and a place to park our trucks on Beach.
This is on the non-driving area of Grayton.
Actually, Kurt, the request for no vending is on portion of the driving area. If you start at the "No Driving" sign on the west end of the public beach, and measure 120 feet to the east, there will be no vending on this part of the beach anymore. Of course, the public is welcome to set up "camp" but there will be no "for profit" vendors taking up the prime beach front.
Lots of confusion recently on who can be where and on what beach...
Deputies are telling several different versions. Some cite the "20 foot rule", others the "wet sand" and yet others feel the whole beach is public. I don't think anyone knows and it's like the lottery depending on what deputy you get when you call for service.
What gives the Wedding Planner / Party the right to move the Beach Chairs in the first place? If its a public beach, can't do it. If its private and the beach chair guy has a permit, can't do it...
This county needs to clarify their enforcement stance on this and other issues.
Personally, I feel from what I've seen about this incident, the Wedding Group was completely at fault and should have been, at a minimum cited with a Criminal Infraction. While the Beach Vendor could have retreated, he may not have been able to and with thousands of dollars of equipment (his chairs and umbrellas) he probably didn't want to leave them to be damaged by the "Tourists". Nothing would have been done had they damaged his property anyway. He'd be out $$$ and the Wedding must go on.
There is a growing trend this season of Local vs. Tourist, be it on the beach at a local restaurant, its growing.
Deputies are telling several different versions. Some cite the "20 foot rule", others the "wet sand" and yet others feel the whole beach is public. I don't think anyone knows and it's like the lottery depending on what deputy you get when you call for service.
What gives the Wedding Planner / Party the right to move the Beach Chairs in the first place? If its a public beach, can't do it. If its private and the beach chair guy has a permit, can't do it...
This county needs to clarify their enforcement stance on this and other issues.
Personally, I feel from what I've seen about this incident, the Wedding Group was completely at fault and should have been, at a minimum cited with a Criminal Infraction. While the Beach Vendor could have retreated, he may not have been able to and with thousands of dollars of equipment (his chairs and umbrellas) he probably didn't want to leave them to be damaged by the "Tourists". Nothing would have been done had they damaged his property anyway. He'd be out $$$ and the Wedding must go on.
There is a growing trend this season of Local vs. Tourist, be it on the beach at a local restaurant, its growing.
there's only one LAW , why can't deputies be taught or trained on LAW enforcement. One day , on one beach ( on 30A) this will all explode and a judge will have to decide, why Law Enforcement could get their act together....one beach enforcer told me they don't like to issue citations because if challenged they will have to spend time in a court room....:seriously:
Actually, I believe there is a current case where a Judge will have to "decide". Saw the DFS Herald Article last week about property owners rights and a pending Code Violation Case.
In the mean time, its still pot luck as to the story you get when you call. Locals take second and third place to the beloved tourists.
In the mean time, its still pot luck as to the story you get when you call. Locals take second and third place to the beloved tourists.
Arresting the Seven (7) guys that attacked the Vendor would have been a good start.
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Walton County TDC and Commission Discuss Changes for South Walton
Beach vendor competition is stronger than ever in South Walton, the 26 miles of white sand along the Emerald Coast are prime real estate and the county is concerned things are getting too heated.
Commissioner Cindy Meadows represents most of the South Walton district and at the board meeting on Tuesday, she said "it's been the worst summer I can remember being here."
This summer, a number of issues have surfaced in South Walton including public-private beach confusion, vendor competition and parking. The Tourist Development Council announced on Tuesday they are working on a map to show all of the available space to add parking near the beaches.
But Commissioner Meadows was referring to issues with beach vendors, strong competition over who can set up where and fights over public and private beach boundaries. The TDC said code enforcement is aware of the issue and is working non-stop with the Commission and the TDC to resolve the issues but Commissioner Meadows says it's going to take time.
========================================================
Walton County TDC and Commission Discuss Changes for South Walton
Beach vendor competition is stronger than ever in South Walton, the 26 miles of white sand along the Emerald Coast are prime real estate and the county is concerned things are getting too heated.
Commissioner Cindy Meadows represents most of the South Walton district and at the board meeting on Tuesday, she said "it's been the worst summer I can remember being here."
This summer, a number of issues have surfaced in South Walton including public-private beach confusion, vendor competition and parking. The Tourist Development Council announced on Tuesday they are working on a map to show all of the available space to add parking near the beaches.
But Commissioner Meadows was referring to issues with beach vendors, strong competition over who can set up where and fights over public and private beach boundaries. The TDC said code enforcement is aware of the issue and is working non-stop with the Commission and the TDC to resolve the issues but Commissioner Meadows says it's going to take time.