There is a special BCC meeting tomorrow, Sept. 29th, 5 PM at the South Walton annex about the idea of adding a beach access through Topsail Hill Preserve. A PRESERVE. Despite loud and strong opposition from neighbors, locals, the Florida Audubon Society, and anyone who understands the importance of not setting a precedent for opening up land set aside as preservation land to benefit a small group of property owners, this location is still under discussion for some reason.
Years ago, parents came together because there was a need for a playground at Helen McCall. We dragged our kids to BCC meetings so the commissioners could see the actual citizens who would benefit. This past year, during the fight to get a sports park in South Walton, involved parents brought their kids out again, demonstrating the importance of recreational opportunities and parks in our community.
Once again we need to remember our kids. Topsail Hill Preserve is THEIRS too, and needs to be protected for all the future generations. If you feel strongly about protecting one of South Walton's environmental resources, please attend tomorrow afternoon's meeting, with your kids if possible. It is never too early for them to learn about the process, how to protect and defend public land, and feel like they are actual participants in the process. And maybe the commissioners once again need to see their young constituents- because they matter.
There are other threads on SoWal.com if you want to read discussion.
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread....ing-Agenda-Notes-Sep-9-2014?highlight=topsail
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread....at-Topsail-for-Beach-Access?highlight=topsail
There is also lots of discussion on the Walton County Ideas for Visioning and Quality of Life Facebook page.
Many of us have jobs and/or kids' activities that will prevent us from attending the meeting (me included). I will say that in the past it was mostly those of us with younger children, who weren't as busy yet and could get to the late afternoon meetings with our kids. If this is you, and you feel this is important, please take the time to get to the meeting! It's a great civics lesson! If you can't make it, please write the commissioners.
Walton County Commissioners:
William “Bill" Chapman (R), District 1 Commissioner, Chair
Office: (850) 835-4860
Fax: (850) 835-4836
chabill@co.walton.fl.us
Kenneth Pridgen (R), District 2 Commissioner
Office: (850) 834-6328
Fax: (850) 834-6385
prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us
Bill Imfeld (R), District 3 Commissioner
Office: (850) 892-8474
Fax: (850) 892-4204
imfbill@co.walton.fl.us
Sara Comander (R), District 4 Commissioner
Office: (850) 835-4834
Fax: (850) 951-0868
comsara@co.walton.fl.us
Cindy Meadows (R), District 5 Commissioner
Office: (850) 231-2978
Fax: (850) 951-3872
meacindy@co.walton.fl.us
It would also be a good idea to write Governor Scott:
Go to this link
http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/
Subject: No additional access into Topsail Preserve
Message: I oppose any new access into Topsail Preserve in Walton County
Years ago, parents came together because there was a need for a playground at Helen McCall. We dragged our kids to BCC meetings so the commissioners could see the actual citizens who would benefit. This past year, during the fight to get a sports park in South Walton, involved parents brought their kids out again, demonstrating the importance of recreational opportunities and parks in our community.
Once again we need to remember our kids. Topsail Hill Preserve is THEIRS too, and needs to be protected for all the future generations. If you feel strongly about protecting one of South Walton's environmental resources, please attend tomorrow afternoon's meeting, with your kids if possible. It is never too early for them to learn about the process, how to protect and defend public land, and feel like they are actual participants in the process. And maybe the commissioners once again need to see their young constituents- because they matter.
There are other threads on SoWal.com if you want to read discussion.
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread....ing-Agenda-Notes-Sep-9-2014?highlight=topsail
http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread....at-Topsail-for-Beach-Access?highlight=topsail
There is also lots of discussion on the Walton County Ideas for Visioning and Quality of Life Facebook page.
Many of us have jobs and/or kids' activities that will prevent us from attending the meeting (me included). I will say that in the past it was mostly those of us with younger children, who weren't as busy yet and could get to the late afternoon meetings with our kids. If this is you, and you feel this is important, please take the time to get to the meeting! It's a great civics lesson! If you can't make it, please write the commissioners.
Walton County Commissioners:
William “Bill" Chapman (R), District 1 Commissioner, Chair
Office: (850) 835-4860
Fax: (850) 835-4836
chabill@co.walton.fl.us
Kenneth Pridgen (R), District 2 Commissioner
Office: (850) 834-6328
Fax: (850) 834-6385
prikenneth@co.walton.fl.us
Bill Imfeld (R), District 3 Commissioner
Office: (850) 892-8474
Fax: (850) 892-4204
imfbill@co.walton.fl.us
Sara Comander (R), District 4 Commissioner
Office: (850) 835-4834
Fax: (850) 951-0868
comsara@co.walton.fl.us
Cindy Meadows (R), District 5 Commissioner
Office: (850) 231-2978
Fax: (850) 951-3872
meacindy@co.walton.fl.us
It would also be a good idea to write Governor Scott:
Go to this link
http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/
Subject: No additional access into Topsail Preserve
Message: I oppose any new access into Topsail Preserve in Walton County
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