county to hire lifeguards

[Kurt]

I don't get it. The article said TDC is putting the plan together to present to the commissioners. Who would be the brain trust here?

The commissioner for your district is usually the best person to contact about most matters since they have the ultimate decision before them and they direct county employees. Commissioners depend on approval of the people for votes. I bet you already knew that.

Next in line would be the county administrator: Ronnie Bell
belronnie@co.walton.fl.us
117 Montgomery Circle
P.O. Box 1355
DeFuniak Springs, FL. 32435
Phone: (850) 892-8155 or (850) 892-8156
Fax: (850) 892-8454

At the TDC: Kriss Titus, TDC Executive Director (850) 267-1216, P.O. Box 1248 Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459

 

[SHELLY]

I would imagine that, like most of our workforce, they already live near here. "Near here" being defined as anywhere between the Gulf of Mexico and the Alabama state line, and 60 miles east or west. Possibly with Mom and/or Dad.

You would think so....but Pensacola Beach hired lifeguards from.....are you ready for this.......POLAND! They put in for work visas to have these guys and gals shipped across because they had trouble finding local lifeguards to work for such miserable wages. I find it hard to believe that the teens of South Walton county would give up their summer vacation to work for pocket change.

 

[beachmouse]

In the past, the Bluewater pools have hired lifeguards from Poland, England, and former Soviet Republics, and a decent number of the guards at Big Kahuna's are foreign college kids as well.

 

[ShallowsNole]

That is a thought...there are large numbers of foreign kids over here (mostly toward Destin/FWB, but I've heard of places in SoWal too). However, I would hope that our TDC - or Walton County in general - approach that angle very carefully so as not to have the same perception by the public as some of the summer employers who cram these kids in sixteen to a two-bedroom condo and take most of their paycheck to do it. There are employers and agencies who treat these young men and women fairly, but there are definitely some who don't.

Then, though, we are back to the housing issue.

 

[Kimmifunn]

I don't know where you grew up, but I have always seen more female lifeguards than male lifeguards.

Now Joe...For my sake, let's ship in the males. Just when I'm in Sowal. Ok?

 

[Smiling JOe]

Now Joe...For my sake, let's ship in the males. Just when I'm in Sowal. Ok?

:nono1:
You would never let them work when you are at the beach, thereby endangering the lives of those who venture into the water on red flag days.

 

[aquaticbiology]

I don't know where you grew up, but I have always seen more female lifeguards than male lifeguards.

you wishful thinker you!

 

[Bob]

They are going to have to pay them (lifeguards) mucho bucks to live in Walton County--paying them $8 per hour just ain't gonna hack it (even if they commute using $3.50 gas).

They are only paying the lifeguards for the job, not the lifestyle. With that reasoning there would be no wait staff at any local restaurants.