New big blue signs in SoWal

[Jdarg]

Thanks Mermaid- excellent post!

 

[Teresa]

Anyway, I wasn't in total agreement with his rant but there was a kernel of truth in what he said about some of the ticky tacky developments sprouting up on 30-A. I'm sure he was thinking of the same places that we're all thinking of and discussing on this board.

The big blue monsters are just another example of how our community has been running amuck and honestly, if they serve as the straw that breaks the camel's back, well then, they've served us well. Recognize the signs as a wake-up call that we need to be vigilant about what is going on, because obviously our commissioners aren't willing to go out on a limb to keep the public that they serve informed of what they do.

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all great comments mermy!

you know, we have all seen a lot of change - much of it tourism-related, good and bad. I know I have seen a lot while living and working here for over a dozen years, and visiting here all my life. the signs, while in very poor taste, are nothing in comparison to monster houses in grayton beach, traffic tables on newly paved streets in our little quaint grayton, gawdawful architectural design in some of our developments right on 30A, banning of dogs from the beach (because tourists don't like 'em), heavy industry in the form of concrete and asphalt plants right on our bay in pt washington, and many other things that support tourism and follow along in the footsteps of other florida coastal tourist places.

it's not easy to accept all the changes that come along in such a unique community. but, it is inevitable, and for me, it is worth learning to pay attention to the things that really matter, and not worry about those changes that don't impact our quality of life.

regarding the TDC - this issue makes me want to take a closer look at this organization and what it does for our community, and how. because of this issue, I am thinking they need a reality check. they need to be accountable. and this is what I will pay attention to - and speak out about - because if they are not listening to the community, then something is very wrong. if our TDC is ineffective, then signage isn't the big problem here, its leadership and mission and all that goes into the business of tourism development.

I for one am glad that one of our most pressing issues is ugly blue signs. We could be living in a place with a high crime rate, terrible air pollution, and all the other bad stuff that comes with big cities.

my feeling exactly, jdarg!

this place is amazing and unique and wonderful. the point is to keep it that way. and obviously some of you feel that big blue signs will ruin look and feel of the community. if you do, I applaud your effort to tell the TDC and county to do something about it!

someday, I look forwward to Santa Rosa Beach becoming a municipality with qualified commissioners dedicated to governing the interests of our area. another level of govt some say. more taxes (not necessarily true). I've grown used to a county level govt here - it is not very effective, improvements and progress = snail pace, its very good old boy style even today, and I wonder about some of the people working in the various departments. so its all par. (I was in shock for a few years after moving here though! so different from a small-medium size city govt with proactive/progressive management, as we knew in gainesville, fl - a town with much vision and such achievement in preservation, planning, recycling, cost-effective measures, emergency services, etc).

I would like to see the Blue monsters go away, but I do think there is a need for signs along the roads that connect to 30-A that give tourists an idea which way to go to their destination. I think the blue signs along 30-A are totally inappropriate, and each community should have its own in sign that fits its character. This whole "branding" approach is completely out of touch with what makes 30-A so special to all of us. If we really have to tie each community together for "cohesiveness" perhaps a small tribute to 30-a's scenic corridor status would be more appropriate than the TDC's Resort style marketing. I think we are reaching an identity crisis here. Are we a resort or are we a community? It is getting harder and harder to tell anymore.

absolutely great post joe!


I just wanted to point out that this issue is one of many, and it is relevant to some but maybe not to others. and I think that is okay. I think its totally normal in a diverse community such as our own. most people I know around here are quite educated about the community and will not hesitate to speak up if an issue is near and dear to their heart. but we do not all share the same "dear" issues. I'm just glad there is a place to share and discuss all the issues. then you can choose which ones matter to you.

if I sound wishy washy on this particular issue its because I am. the signs are horrid . after the shock of seeing them passed, and finding out more about them on this thread and from other sources, I realize that its not that important to me, personally. given the big picture and all. almost everyone I know agrees that the signs do not fit in with the character of our area. some are very concerned. some are not at all. I thank leaders such as Dave who have decided to take action, and they are doing so in a positive way, non-confrontational, can-do, productive way. its what makes our community so great.

should the TDC be allowed to trash all the efforts of the Scenic Hwy 30A group with hideous marketing? no. did we need the state to designate 30A as scenic? not really. should all these groups just go away? yes. but that's another thread.

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Dave, the new logo with "please" included is on the shirt. Look for the Light Blue colored shirt, near the bottom. The shirt comes in your choice of colors -- Light Blue, Ash Gray, or Natural (unbleached cotton color). Thanks for the suggestion. Here is the link again.

I'm attaching the new logo below for those who want to make their own stuff.

Thanks JOe. I think the TeeShirts are just great.

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Attached (I hope) are 2 newspaper articles. The first is an article (approximately 1/4 of a newspaper page) on page 4 of the Beach Breeze published on October 3, 2002. This is the article that the TDC references that gave notice to the public that in January of 2008 (5 1/2 years later) these signs would appear on our roadways.

The drawings in the article are scary, scary, but the article states that it is a plan. According to the article, the "wayfinding family of signs" (I HATE that term) is proposed to reduce sign clutter. Ha!

A side note - you will see a private ad under the article that offers a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person who was stealing the "No Mo Ro" signs, which were signs in opposition to the re-election of Rosier Cutchens, County Commissioner. Rosier may have done alot of things that made people (including me) mad, but he was one of 2 commissioners (Pridgen being the other one) who voted against the signs (and the 1 penny bed tax used to fund it). He thought the signs were too expensive.

Just a little history.

The second article, published on February 26, 2004 (4 years ago) discusses the BCC meeting at which the new "bed tax" was authorized. It also mentions the signs, and it references Commissioner Cutchens' "no" vote and the fact that he did not favor spending money on the sign system.

So, it seems that there have been references to a "wayfinding" sign system now and again over the past 6 years, but as far as I know, there is no other drawing or depiction of the signs in the newspapers or other county-wide or easily-accessed media from Oct. 2002 until Jan. 2008. I also have not seen any article during that time period that discusses the $260,000 cost of the new sign system.

A time frame of almost 6 years from the date of the initial "notice" to the implementation of the signs is just too long for the public to reasonably remain involved in an issue. If you were unlucky enough to miss that October 2002 article, then you really had no "true" notice of the scope of the project at all.

Great Job finding the articles Grayton Girl! One article in one paper shows clearly what the signs looked like. One more has a reference buried in the center of an article on bed taxes. Other than the poor design, my main problem with the TDC is there should have been workshops with the public to design these signs in the first place. Only one article in one paper hardly anyone south of the bay reads is hardly informing the public.

I have tried not criticizing the TDC at all but I know if it had been published in the Sun there would have been plenty of opposition. I read the Sun every week as do most people in South Walton because is comes to the door and it is free.

 

[bluemtnrunner]

THE ED WALLINE SIGN IS DEAD!!!!!
I drove by tonight and it looks like the Classic, wooden sign was kicked apart. Ed is all laid out in the sand. In front of it are those horrible Blue Feet which we know will soon sprout an ugly Blue Monster. Where will this end! I feel like I lost an uncle.

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Don't count on it. Those blue feet could sprout a sign we can all be proud of; even the TDC.

 

[bluemtnrunner]

Don't count on it. Those blue feet could sprout a sign we can all be proud of; even the TDC.

I'm with you Dave. Here is hoping. I really was crestfallen tonight, driving through the rain and seeing Ed Walline all laid out like that.

 

[Mango]

I never understood why the Ed Walline sign wasn't maintained better. Cleaning and sealing the wood would have made a world of difference. Classic sign or not, and I can understand the sentimental value of it to locals, it really looked hideous in it's current state across from Gulf Place.

JoefromSeagove, I couldn't have said it any better. Even signs with a similar theme, but yet still unique to each community would have been more aesthetically pleasing.

I, like Mermy, haven't seen the blue signs yet in person, but I trust people's judgement on this Board. I am grateful that y'all are there and vocalizing your distaste for them. Thank you for that.

 

[scooterbug44]

I'm still waiting to hear why we couldn't have just replaced any wood signs that were showing their age.

Based on the differing sign prices, we could have replaced each of the wood signs several times over.

 

[chrisv]

I'm still waiting to hear why we couldn't have just replaced any wood signs that were showing their age.

Based on the differing sign prices, we could have replaced each of the wood signs several times over.

Because it wouldn't have been 'noticed.' I think the TDC really envisioned themselves being hailed as heroes for the sign project. Surprise.