This morning as my wife and I were returing form a shoreline walk we saw county officials asking a couple of men to move their "set up" from infront of The Retreat at Blue Mountain Beach. About an hour later my wife saw him being led from the beach in handcuffs for tresspassing. One of the men was taking pictures... maybe we'll see them post them here.
I know from reading previous posts that this is a hot button issue but it seems that some want to enforce the "letter of the law". I saw where they were placed and it was close to the water line very near the boundry of the Inn at Blue Mountain. They seemed to minding their own business. As the sherriff left I happened to walk by them and heard "I think it was the right call... where the wet sand meets the dry".
I'm confused, the beachgoers were were set up outside of the posted signs. If the owners really want to keep people out can they fence in their beach? (not that I'd want to see that)
In the many years of coming to SoWal I've always been impressed with the civility of residents and tourists -- although I have heard some horror stories. We abolutely love it here and treat it as though we already live here. But I was very surprised that it seems the owners are calling the country for what seems such a small infraction -- seems like a waste.
This was the second day in a row that I saw county officials inforcing the private beach rule.
Is the pendulum swinging?
Replies
962
Meow
Kurt, is this the all-time record thread for number of posts and views? That stat alone should be worth passing on to the Walton Sun, BCC, and Sheriff's office. I shows the depth of concern of taxpayers, voters, and tourism guests to Walton Co. about this issue.
well....there was thread about a cake once upon a time, but this one is right up there!
Beach Fanatic
Any more updates on this subject? I am trying to find out if the guys in Destin have been in front of a judge. I will post again later with news I hope.
Beach Fanatic
Any more updates on this subject? I am trying to find out if the guys in Destin have been in front of a judge. I will post again later with news I hope.
I believe I heard they go to court the 8th of August
Beach Comber
Our hearing was to be the 17th of August but the judge has cancelled that and asked for legal briefs, they are all in and we are waiting for his ruling. I will let you all know what the outcome is.
Beach Fanatic
Our hearing was to be the 17th of August but the judge has cancelled that and asked for legal briefs, they are all in and we are waiting for his ruling. I will let you all know what the outcome is.
Jay, please keep us informed.
Beach Fanatic
Photo taken east of Eastern Lake. Now this can't be right
To the Gulf of Mexico? Isnt' it the Mean High Water? Have we also now lost the right to the wet sand (unless it's underwater)
[/URL][/IMG]
To the Gulf of Mexico? Isnt' it the Mean High Water? Have we also now lost the right to the wet sand (unless it's underwater)
[/URL][/IMG]
SoWal Expert
Photo taken east of Eastern Lake. Now this can't be rightI wonder if these signs are legally allowed to be placed on the beach. :scratch:
To the Gulf of Mexico? Isnt' it the Mean High Water? Have we also now lost the right to the wet sand (unless it's underwater)
Beach Fanatic
Photo taken east of Eastern Lake. Now this can't be rightI guess it depends on "their" meaning of "To the Gulf of Mexico". ;-)
To the Gulf of Mexico? Isnt' it the Mean High Water? Have we also now lost the right to the wet sand (unless it's underwater)
Florida statute 810.09 (as stated on the sign in the picture)
The answer obviously is of course not.
BTW, I like the cat with the helmet.
Beach Fanatic
I wonder if these signs are legally allowed to be placed on the beach. :scratch:SJ, I'm up "here" where it is cloudy and rainy (also doing some "work" on the PC). What are you doing in paradise on a beautiful Sunday still "splitting hairs"??
Beach Fanatic
Photo taken east of Eastern Lake. Now this can't be right
To the Gulf of Mexico? Isnt' it the Mean High Water? Have we also now lost the right to the wet sand (unless it's underwater)
NDY,
How far east? Is this near SanRoy? I'd like to take a look. Thanks.
Also, I have seen Gulf front property surveys that indicate an exact distance North/South and depending on when they were created, it can appear they extend into the Gulf presently. But, Florida claims sovereignty over the lands under water. I think it is unwise to continue paying tax for the original parcel size when it has decreased, but many people do.
SoWal Expert
SJ, I'm up "here" where it is cloudy and rainy (also doing some "work" on the PC). What are you doing in paradise on a beautiful Sunday still "splitting hairs"??
You make it sound as though clouds and rain are not beautiful.
Beach Fanatic
It is east of the Eastern Lake outlet, but before you get to Beachside Villas. So that would be the San Roy vicinity, correct.
BMBV, the cat doesn't much like it
BMBV, the cat doesn't much like it
Beach Fanatic
It is east of the Eastern Lake outlet, but before you get to Beachside Villas. So that would be the San Roy vicinity, correct.
BMBV, the cat doesn't much like it
Oakae in Ky, is that you?
Beach Fanatic
As a fairly new poster here, but a long time (20+years) resident, I have spent most of today reading this thread and would like to share a few things that I observed over time in SOWAL. When I first moved here there were no arguments about public/private beach. Most people here used a bit south of the vegetation line, or where the seaweed became dry as the MHTL. The tide had to have been that high at some point very recently for the seaweed to have been deposited there, right? But I noticed an alarming trend about 12-15 years ago when reading the real estate ads I saw realtors, many new to this area, putting the words "private beach" in ads for property here. I had a feeling that it would eventually come to this with people from different areas moving in from places that had very DEFINATE property lines and no idea of how Mother Nature works on the beach. I just shook my head when the stink was raised about renourishment of "private beach" as I watched the next hurricane build the beach right back up to near the levels it was originally. Now I think we should adopt the same type of thing that South Carolina (I think) has..you can build your house as far on the beach as you like, but if a storm takes it you can NOT rebuild. Just imagine how many of these multi-million dollar homes would have never been built if the owners had been told THAT. As far as the Retreat thinking they are "special" with their "private beach" I would like to share the fact that the Retreat was hand picked by private plane by the executives of ..(are you ready?..) ST. JOE and their investors for their PERSONAL houses when the area was being prepared to be sold for residential housing. Shouldnt be any questions as to why the favoritism is being shown by any of our officials. I also agree that if we as citizens done stand up to this right now the $$ will win.
Beach Fanatic
You make it sound as though clouds and rain are not beautiful.So this is [ame="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1836603732"]Gene Kelly-Singing In The Rain Video by an alias - MySpace Video@@AMEPARAM@@http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=1836603732@@AMEPARAM@@mediaservices@@AMEPARAM@@myspace@@AMEPARAM@@services/media/embed@@AMEPARAM@@aspx/m@@AMEPARAM@@1836603732[/ame]?!
Beach Fanatic
NDY,
How far east? Is this near SanRoy?
Yes. I took this video and this property is east of Eastern Lake access and west of the access called "Ramsgate", which is south on Lakewood from 30A, take a right and pass San Roy on your right before getting to the access.
Before tagging there was a large boat and several piles of other stuff on the beach. I'm going to check tomorrow and Tuesday and see if that was tagged/removed. Maybe the property owners were absent?
Personally, I think this sign is new. At least I don't remember seeing it on other walks there.
Meow
jodiFL. Enjoyed your post. Could you please use a darker color and larger font for these old eyes? Beach Fanatic
Originally Posted by NotDeadYet [ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?p=270576#post270576"]
[/ame]
Photo taken east of Eastern Lake. Now this can't be right
To the Gulf of Mexico? Isnt' it the Mean High Water? Have we also now lost the right to the wet sand (unless it's underwater)
[/URL][/IMG]
This is sooo ugly, rude, and greedy too
Is this the Retreat sign or someone else's
[/ame] Photo taken east of Eastern Lake. Now this can't be right
To the Gulf of Mexico? Isnt' it the Mean High Water? Have we also now lost the right to the wet sand (unless it's underwater)
[/URL][/IMG]This is sooo ugly, rude, and greedy too
Is this the Retreat sign or someone else's Beach Fanatic
Thank you for the welcome. I was just trying out MY new readers, but can see that it is hard to read
Meow
Thank you for the welcome. I was just trying out MY new readers, but can see that it is hard to read
...wow, what a difference! Now, keep posting!!Beach Fanatic
Oakae in Ky, is that you?
Of course it is. How many photos of that poor cat do you think are out there??? LOL
Beach Fanatic
Thanks for the confirmation. I do love that cat! Strangely enough, I have seen Miss Kitty's tar on a birthday card.
beats on hood
Photo taken east of Eastern Lake.Isn't that sign for the neighborhood just west of the proposed high-density development called Angelos (http://www.nwfdailynews.com/article/7378)? There are a lot of upset people in that neighborhood. Maybe the sign is a reflection of that?
Something tells me we'll be seeing more signs like this if more and more high-density developments are approved by the county, causing beach crowding (not to mention traffic, parking problems, etc.) and other conflicts. Five years ago this wasn't a problem, but then five years ago we didn't have the explosion of high-density developments that have had recently. The beach is getting smaller as compared to, say, five years ago, but the number of people using it is growing rapidly.
SoWal Expert
Question:
Judging by building sizes, the area around One Seagrove Place is one of the denser/condoized areas on 30A. Why do they not seem to have these turf war & crowding issues? Or do they and I am just unaware of them? I know there are a lot more people on the beach there, but haven't heard of issues.
Judging by building sizes, the area around One Seagrove Place is one of the denser/condoized areas on 30A. Why do they not seem to have these turf war & crowding issues? Or do they and I am just unaware of them? I know there are a lot more people on the beach there, but haven't heard of issues.
SoWal Expert
Question:Good question. I recall Howard Carr, developer of Cassine Gardens, and a truly nice and considerate man, maybe having something to do with it. I don't know the details, but I vaguely recall Howard being a part of the reason why One Seagrove Place (OSP) has public accesses on both sides. Kudos to OSP also, for something I mentioned two years ago. When the storms took out the public accesses in that area, OSP allowed Cassine Owners and guests, to go through OSP and use their private walkover, in order to access the beach.
Judging by building sizes, the area around One Seagrove Place is one of the denser/condoized areas on 30A. Why do they not seem to have these turf war & crowding issues? Or do they and I am just unaware of them? I know there are a lot more people on the beach there, but haven't heard of issues.
I'm not sure where the concept of being neighborly got lost around here, but it is really nice to see that the concept isn't completely forgotten.Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.