• Trouble logging in? Send us a message with your username and/or email address for help.
New posts
Meeting once a month is one thing, but attending the two BCC meetings and the Planning Commission meetings each month, in addition to the SoWal meeting, would begin to take up mucho time and energy, and that is in addition to writing emails, summary of meetings, sitting down with your own community, doing research on current topics, etc. It could easily take up 40 hours a month if it was done right.
I know from personal experience that it takes about 5 hours to attend one of those meetings, and that's excluding travel time for those meetings that are in Defuniak Springs.
 

Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,659
9,475
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
so, now is the perfect time to go to Seaside and enjoy the beautiful scenery and just walk around, etc. plenty of parking! and they do rely on us locals quite a bit during the offseason. I think Seaside has always known the importance of inclusion. heck, they are the only resort town I know of that offers recreation/pool & fitness to anyone who wants to pay for it. I'm thinking of joining up just to have pool access year round. also, I hope to have our little one in the Seaside Neighborhood School someday - which offers a variety of experiences within the community of Seaside and beyond.
 

Minnie

Beach Fanatic
Dec 30, 2006
4,328
829
Memphis
Why not create an association (If there is not one) that represents the entire Sowal group and area. We elect these folks into office to represent just us. They are required to attend all city and county as well as state functions concerning our area. They go to county meetings with "OUR" agenda and present it and we count at the polls when its time. I am open on this just flashed through my head as I drove through Seaside this morning. What say you?

While this sounds like a great idea, I can guarantee you from years of experience with organizing groups of any kind, that if you have more than 2 people in this association you will have a disagreement on the agenda that represents the group. What is "ours" to one person is something entirely different to another. Good luck getting anyone to agree.

Something else to always remember, those against something are always very vocal, those that support something hardly ever make that known.

They were then told that Seaside is a private community and is only for homeowners or guests of Seaside

It think it would be wrong to think that the actions of this person represents a community such as Seaside.

Who is to say that this person even lives in Seaside. And even if they do, you are always going to have some that can't get outside of thier own personal agenda to welcome others in. That is their personal problem, not a representation of the entire community. For every one such person, you will find many others that are the opposite.
 
Last edited:
We already have SWCC, and I have a lot of respect for Anita Page. Adding yet another organization would be redundant and diffuse our efforts IMO.

I'm with you, Toots. I enjoy Seaside. I don't go to the beach there because I have better beach access at our home. But I enjoy dining and shopping at Seaside.
 

jpbhen

Beach Fanatic
Jul 10, 2005
518
88
Seagrove/Cincinnati
would it be possible to post the article from the seaside times that prompted this thread? would love to read it!!

we stayed in seaside for spring break, sometimes Christmas, sometimes summer vacation, for 10 years before building a house in seagrove. we watched the community grow throughout the 90s. we have also noticed a change in seaside of late - decidedly chilly! a real shame - it has always been a fun place in which to shop, eat and stroll. the developer and businesses might want to get a handle on it.
 

Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,659
9,475
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
We already have SWCC, and I have a lot of respect for Anita Page. Adding yet another organization would be redundant and diffuse our efforts IMO.

I'm with you, Toots. I enjoy Seaside. I don't go to the beach there because I have better beach access at our home. But I enjoy dining and shopping at Seaside.


it's just a wonderful place to be. I can't say we do much dining there. but we do halloween and christmas parade, and lots of concerts, tons and tons of shopping, great coffee and groceries at Modica, Seaside Store has great tshirts, etc, ....

Food? well, no. would rather go anywhere else.

but, funn and friendly gathering place? yes!!! all the way!!!

if you ask me, we're fortunate to have a place like Seaside - it does not have to open up completely as it does to the community. no other resort community on 30A does this. unless they are having an event and trying to lure you there. however, Seaside is just there for you to come and enjoy. period.

I think the signs are nothing new, and maybe Susan didn't know this.
 

Beach Bimmer

Beach Fanatic
May 2, 2006
738
220
South Walton
If you've ever read up on The Walt Disney Company, especially "Disney Wars", you're familiar with how Michael Eisner and his minions tried to reduce long-term maintenance, enforce rules, and put up warning signs at Disney World and Disney land. Many negative actions developed under Eisner, leading the late Walt Disney's brother Roy to state that Eisner and crew had turned the Walt Disney Company into a "rapacious, soul-less" company.

Whether it's Town Council, SCDC, DSA or individual homeowner factions, the negatives in Seaside that have developed need to stop. Period. Fight over, let's kiss and make up, enjoy why we all came to this magical place.

Take down the negative signs and realize that saying "sure, enjoy this place" is much nicer than "no, you can't, because I said so".

Seaside is all about the kids. The kids are making memories that will last a lifetime. It warms my heart to see kids of all ages playing in Seaside. And adults acting like kids. Most of the kids in Seaside don't own there. They are lucky to be able to visit. Hopefully one day they will grow into fine adults who realize they are lucky.

We've been watching this thread with sadness, as it hurts when our beloved Seaside appears to have strayed from its open, welcoming mindset. However, Kurt snapped it all back into reality with the quote above.

Many of you on SoWal.com know us, and there are many more we know only through postings, but hope to meet someday. We own Fired Up Paint-Your-Own Pottery, a happy place where kids can be kids, families can spend time together, couples can celebrate weddings, anniversaries, babies, and more.

Our business has been in Seaside 12 years, and much has changed within Seaside in that time, some positive, some less than anticipated. However, I can tell you that Fired Up is finishing up its best year ever, and it is because kids don't read the signs, see the negatives, and comment on them in the same harmful way we adults do.

Kids just want to have fun. We have kids of our own, and we're thankful we've become one of those welcoming places in Seaside where kids can see and feel the fun as soon as they walk through our door.

This thread should ultimately be about ideas for bringing back the magic of Seaside in all areas, not creating more councils, meetings, and committees. If ever there were a time in Seaside's history where Robert Davis could step in and remind folks why Seaside should be about people, and kids, their dogs, and the beach, now would be a good time...

Please, bring your kids and come enjoy Seaside through their eyes. Roll in the grass, stroll through the shops, enjoy theatre and comedy at the Rep. Enjoy the magic within Seaside that Kurt reminds us of through our kids eyes.

Oh, and one last thing: Happy Holidays to you and your kids...enjoy Christmas through their eyes this year.

Jim & Stacy Radford
Fired Up Paint-Your-Own Pottery
27 Quincy Circle * Downtown Seaside
FiredUpSeaside@aol.com
 

Smiling JOe

SoWal Expert
Nov 18, 2004
31,644
1,773
Most of the private signs at the pavilions were new this year, except for the one by the "dining pavilion" which was posted after Hurricane Dennis (I think) in 2004. The private marquees at each of the roads into seaside off of 30A were new as of this year. I disagree about Seaside opening its doors to the public. They really only open the stores and the ampitheater lawn to the public, and post signs everywhere else, noting that its private. Heck, even WaterColor doesn't have "private" signs posted on their parks, bridges, trails and beach access walkovers, and the roads are available for the pubic to drive or walk upon.
 

LightWorker

Beach Fanatic
Jul 23, 2007
1,101
117
Home Sweet Home
journals.aol.com
Seaside is like a second home to me. I love to just walk around shop, eat, and meet friends. The Davis family had a dream and I believe it has grown even bigger than they ever imagined. Seaside has changed some and it will change some more. I think of many of the business owners as family. I love to stop in and catch up on my old friends.
I worked for B and B Resort and Josephine's Bed and Breakfast. I could tell you many stories about our local history but instead I just want to say Seaside is a beautiful place with people that will welcome you and if you choose to see anything else I guess you will.
 

Paula

Beach Fanatic
Jan 25, 2005
3,747
442
Michigan but someday in SoWal as well
so, now is the perfect time to go to Seaside and enjoy the beautiful scenery and just walk around, etc. plenty of parking! and they do rely on us locals quite a bit during the offseason. I think Seaside has always known the importance of inclusion. heck, they are the only resort town I know of that offers recreation/pool & fitness to anyone who wants to pay for it. I'm thinking of joining up just to have pool access year round. also, I hope to have our little one in the Seaside Neighborhood School someday - which offers a variety of experiences within the community of Seaside and beyond.

Hmmmm... Does this mean people who don't own at Seaside can pay to use the pool on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis? Do you have more info on this, Tootsie (or anyone)? I'm assuming it's a heated pool?

Does Rosemary Beach offers non-owners the ability to pay to use their pool as well? Heated pool?

As for this conversation, I've enjoyed visiting Seaside for the past 5 years and I like it that I can participate in the good things offered by that community or avoid it - it's always my choice. I haven't tested their boundaries by using the boardwalks, beach, or walking through the neighborhoods (I did drive through them once) though I'd like to make walking through Seaside one of my regular walks when I get down there (but never seem to get myself there!).

I love this quote and it seems relevant:
"The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven." John Milton

For me, SoWal and the many beach communities, including Seaside, are a piece of heaven on earth.
 
New posts


Sign Up for SoWal Newsletter