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